When the Silent Roam

When the Silent roam

CH. 3 – Interlude unto Arganis

Arganis, the land of jungle and forest and of mountain. A land of mystical magic’s and

sorcery’s. Of grand tales of adventure, and incredible feats of strength. Where the waters flow

more purely than any other, and where its peoples thrive and dance and sing.

The continent is inhabited by two sentient species, along with a myriad of other

semi-sentient creatures. The first to emerge from the shadows of animalism were the Songli*.

The Songli’s lives began in the great forest of Narias*, a forest that stretches from the

sparkling seas of Maundo*, to the tiny fields of Konus*. They were a saurian race, their eldest in

history living to be two-hundred and ten cycles of age. Many of them found themselves with

extraordinary powers, and became shamans. Others still, found themselves with similar powers,

only to a higher level and able to focus the energies farther than communicating with the spirits

and had the ability to make their own magic. These were the Songli Cinedas*.

They built their homes among the trees and studied their habitat extensively, as to

preserve the forest that sustained them. They made great mechanisms that could fly, and

devices that could absorb mana and power a great deal of things.

As they never truly fought amongst themselves, they made no weapons. This movement

of peace was their gravest mistake.

They explored to the north, past the fields of Konus and into the mighty Fungaus* jungle.

There, the explorers set up villages, and began to study the jungle. But inside, lay a species of

monster, the second to achieve true sentience, though not by far.

They were the Gorilsa* .

The Gorilsa were a species of primate, very muscular and warlike, they often ravaged

their jungle for its resources. When they found the Songli’s camps and villages, they attacked

indefinitely. The Songli, who had no weapons to protect of fight back with, were wiped out in two

fortnights. Their ships were stolen and the Gorilsa decided that these new invaders would be

much more fun to kill if they all attacked at once.

With their contact severed to the fleet, the Songli predicted that their deaths had been

orchestrated by another sentient species in order for them to be all wiped out in but a day or two.

They did what little they could to prepare, but the Gorilsa were upon them in days, and had

weapons hungry for death. They rained cannon fire on the Songli in their villages and small cities.

They swept the forest as a disease and enslaved or killed the Songli as they went. It wasn’t until

they reached the capital that they met resistance. The Songli had finally developed a weapon,

one capable of destroying an airship with ease.

The capital was equipped with such anti air measures, and fought back against the

devastating wave that was the Gorilsa. They successfully held them off for at least three months,

before the Gorilsa’s endless waves finally overcame both moral and their advanced technology.

They were thrown into chaos, and the enslavement of the entire continent was ensured. But not

all hope was lost. The Songli had constructed a floating city, and experiment to inhabit the sky.

What was left of the Songli retreated to the city of Sanctuary and formed a resistance

movement.

Floating above the clouds and using stealth as a major part of their arsenal, the Songli

were able to pester the invincible Gorilsa. But whatever they did, whatever they stole or shot

down, was always replaced by another ten by the Gorilsa’s ravenous power lust. They had

slaves building them dozens of airships a month, and they land was feeling it. For being so well

treated by the Songli, the earth itself became sick from its caretakers absence and such a

ravaging on its soil.

Once the earth began to sour, the Songli had seen enough. They made their own fleet,

one with the most advanced of their technologies, and most powerful of Songli Cinedas.

Sanctuary was turned into a fortress, and  other sky cities were constructed. They began to truly

take effect on the tyrannous Gorilsa. This is the story of Princess Cathedra, and how she met

with the most powerful airship known to both the Songli and the Gorilsa.

(ஜ۩۞۩ஜ) Fortress city, Sanctuary - War room (ஜ۩۞۩ஜ)

Princess Cathedra pounded a fist against the crystal holo table, “What do you mean we

lost Cloud Vanquish?!” she yelled across the table.

An older Songli raised his claws in defence, “I am sorry your highness, but we simply

could not afford to send another airship, the southern fleet was spread too thin!”

She sighed, slumping back down into a velvet seat made just for her. She raised two

green clawed hands and rubbed her temples, trying to release the stress through her actions.

“Gah, we are losing more than we are winning…” she looked to the war room. There had

once been twenty of their best generals, or best in their short history of combat. Now, there rest

only twelve, the other eight going down with their ships and posts. She looked back into the holo

table, a once green dot now a flickering red, the crystals needed replacing.

“What of High Zenith?” she asked to no one in particular.

Another, younger Songli spoke up, “The city is holding strong, your majesty, it has

enough ships to defend itself against the entire Gorisla fleet.”

She nodded, at least something was going right, “What of Ground Zero, and it’s mining

operations?”

The same Songli shuffled some papers, “It has just found a large deposit of iron ore and

some gold. The diamonds that the local Songli Cinedas sensed are yet to be found, but she

promises that they are there.”

Again she nodded, that wasn’t great news, but it was good. Perhaps the iron could be

used to expand the city, as it was beginning to become crowded.

“How long until enough iron has been mined to be shipped?”

“… One month, your highness.”

Cathedra sat still, one month could be all the time it took to get new refugees and take up

all the space. They needed to start construction soon.

“Very well, are  there any other occurrences that should be brought to my attention?” she

asked anonymously.

One Songli raised her hand, “Yes, Veerna?”

The hooded Songli Cinedas cleared her throat, “I must warn you mistress that there is a

ground force of Gorilsa approaching. They will be here in ten days’ time.”

Cathedra lowered her head, “That is bad news, Veerna. Have your forces locates and try

to find their intent, a ground force could not reach us with cannons.”

She nodded before curtly bowing and leaving the glowing table. Cathedra leaned back in her chair, and sighed.

Why did the Gorilsa have to be so cruel? They could have formed relations, made further pushes

into the fields of science and magic. Now, there were rumors of encampments meant solely for

her captured subject’s torture.

She hoped dearly those rumors were creations of fear in her subjects.

“Well the, if there is no further subjects to review, I am retiring. Good day ladies and

gentlemen.” with that, the Princess rose from her seat and left, flanked by two guards.

The remaining Songli began to debate towards their next move upon their princesses

absence. Some wanted new ships built, others wanted more ground farms, and others still

stated that they needed to seek out more Songli Cinedas.

The princess signed as the voices slowly became louder and louder, until full out yelling

was heard. Those were politics, always worried that they may die tomorrow, but never faltering

to send a battalion to their doom. She needed to get out more, lest she become one of them.

As she rounded the corner, Veerna merged into the group seamlessly, startling the

guards.

“I have a feeling that you wish to accompany me, highness?” she snickered.

Cathedra looked to her friend, “Yes Veerna, I believe I would like that.”

Veerna nodded, falling away to prepare her ship and troops. Cathedra smiled as the

Songli Cinedas became but shadow, that was always her talent, stealth to the highest levels,

and that’s saying something when you have clawed feet.

She resigned to her quarters, it would be another twenty minutes or so before Veerna

and her ships were ready, and another ten to that for the princess’s flagship. She lay in a silk

sheeted queen sized bed, a hearth of warm kindle burning brightly and a window in the center of

the roof allowing for the moonlight to filter in. She had to admit that the architects had done well,

if not overdone it. Of course, nothing was good enough for a princess, now was it? She sighed,

that was one problem being so high and mighty, you never got a humble compliment, or an

average meal, it all had to be lush and over stated.

the monarch laid her head against the pillow, and stared up into the beautiful night. Cathedra

swore sometimes that the stars themselves were woven by a goddess. Of course, such a thing

was not possible, for one thing to have that much power was… inconceivable.

She lay there until a knock at the door notified her that it was time. Cathedra gathered her

things, a small dagger, cloak, compass and a canteen. She knew that the compass and the

canteen were not required, but her father had always taught her to be prepared.

She stopped at the thought of the man, he had died in the defence of the capital, and her

mother had as well. Both had stood at the gates as the Gorilsa broke through and slaughtered

them all. She felt a hot tear dribble down her scales before continuing to the door. She opened

the gold deckled portal to catch Veerna getting ready to knock again.

Veerna bowed before explaining that the ships were ready. Cathedra nodded

and followed her to the docks. Once at the edge, Cathedra spotted her ship, The Dominion,

resting against a gangplank. The silver-gold craft was not hard to see; its unique aerodynamic

shape and armored gas bag made it stand out from Veerna’s small fleet of scout ships, with

rope tied gas bags and small protruding cannons from the front. Her ship was equipped with

twelve Arcana Cannons, ten Anti-air guns and a single Catalyst Cannon. Generally, Catalyst

Cannons were mounted to the side of ground structures, but her ship was large enough to

support both the weight and force of the gun.

She boarded her ship, watching Veerna do the same. She sat herself in the officer chair

and began to command her crew for dust off. She heard old steam pipes whistle and heard the

engine flutter to life. The massive Arcane Gyro was expensive, but required to run most

systems. The ship lurched forward as the propellers spun into life. Her ship left the dock with

Veerna’s quintuplet in tow. She took lead as the co-ordinates of the Gorilsa ground force sprang

up from her holo table.

She looked down at her table; the ETA was five hours and counting, so best time to relax.

She lay back into the velvet chair and wondered, what wait them ahead?

(ஜ۩۞۩ஜ) Now back to your regularly scheduled Sangheili (ஜ۩۞۩ஜ)

Shuur was sitting in front of Twilight, whose horn was aglow. She was

concentrating on something that had not been descried to him. He wished to know, but he was

the apprentice, and she the master. Soon, he felt a tap at the edge of his mind, and realised that

it was her. He grasped it, and felt Twilights conscious become known to his senses.

‘Testing, testing, 1 2 3… Shuur, you there?’ she said, but not aloud.

‘Yes, Twilight, I am. I must admit, this is a new sensation…’ he replied.

‘Great! Now we can communicate whenever we like, without having to talk out

loud… So, how have things been?’

Shuur sighed, ‘ I do hope this is causing you little mental strain, Twilight.’

He heard her mind giggle, ‘This is nothing, mass teleportation does a number on

my magic and mind though. Anyway, so long as one of us doesn’t feel tired, then neither of us

do. The mental link is sustained by the power of both the communicators, so we could talk even

if we were both absolutely drained.’

‘So, does that mean this is not magical in nature then?’ he asked.

‘Well, not entirely. It was established by magic, but now it is sustained by pure

stamina. This connection is more mental than magical now.’

He nodded, ‘Sounds good, but, what if one of us is harmed during contact?’

She wondered for a moment, ‘Well, because this is mental, I suppose that the

other would feel the same thing, but this is just a theory so don’t worry too much.’

Shuur snickered, ‘You do realise how many theories of yours turn out to be true,

right?’

‘Yes Shuur, I do. It’s just that I haven’t read a single time when somepony else

has achieved such a high mental connection, so I don’t have a whole lot to base my theory off of.

I suppose that Luna and Celestia may have a connection because they’re Alicorns and sisters,

but Celestia hasn’t told me about it so I don’t know.’

Shuur crossed his legs, ‘You said that you have never seen or felt the Mind Eye?’

He felt Twilights mood change from content to ecstatic, ‘Ooh, actually, that is

something I wanted to try! Can you use it, like, now?’

Shuur chuckled, ‘Very well, hold on, this may feel odd.’

Shuur reached back into is mind, finding his all sight thrust out from its place. He

could suddenly see everything, every particle of air and every corner of the room became

apparent.

‘Whoa… This is how you see when you close your eyes?’ she asked, bewildered

by her sudden ability to see in every direction.

‘Well, not all the time, I can turn it on and off, though I prefer to see a sneak attack

from Lyra coming.’ he said jokingly.

He heard Twilight giggle again, ‘Yes I suppose this would come in handy to see

her question attacks. Hey, do you think it could sense Pinkies movements, or powers?!’

Shuur sighed, ‘I wish it could, but she seems to be able to evade even it. I tried to

track her once with it, but the hunter became the hunted.’

Twilight groaned, ‘Oh come on, something has to be able to track her. Hey, are

you feeling a little light headed?’

Shuur took himself away from the conversation, and noticed that he did feel a little

dizzy.

‘Shuur, sever the connection NOW!’ he heard Twilight yell.

‘I am trying Twilight, but I have no control!’ he shot back.

Soon, darkness began to sink along the edges of his vision. He felt the same

become of Twilight, watching her slowly lay down. Why did this theory of all of them have to be

right…?

Soon, both the alien and the pony were lying on the ground unconscious.

(ஜ۩۞۩ஜ) Luna’s quarters (ஜ۩۞۩ஜ)

Luna began to search the world for her sister, finding her getting ready for bed. She

‘knocked’ on her sister’s mind, prompting them into conversation.

‘Hello dearest sister, how are things going back in the homeland?’

‘Not well, Luna, the Griffins are blaming us for their bad crops this year, even though we

have had reports of our soil being suspiciously low quality as well. Their hunting grounds are

growing scarce and their fields bare, as are ours. We have enough to sustain us, but not to

supply them with.’

‘Oh,’ replied Luna, her mood much more dampened than when the conversation started,

‘well that isn’t good…’

‘No it isn’t, our relations were already going sour as it was with the pulling back of all

Equestrian guards from Griffona to help reinforce the Everfree barriers. They saw it as a sign

that we were rallying an army. Now, we have a food shortage and threats from a militant country.

Please bring back good news Luna, I’m not sure that Equestria can take any more bad.’

She felt Celestia sever the connection as she went to bed, probably overly tired from the

current events of Equestria. Luna sighed as she got up from her bed, being a night pony herself.

She looked out the window and spotted her moon, just rising in Equestria and almost past

midnight here. They had come a long ways since The Leviathan met a Leviathan. Two days

travel since they had started, and two days since she had last spoke with her sister, this

conversation notwithstanding. Now they were who knows where with a shrinking larder and not

an island in sight.

If she said she was not discouraged, it would only be to the crew. She knew the chances

of landfall were slim, and even if there was other land, what was stopping it from being a craggy

mess with no life? This ship had eaten up a considerable amount of cash, not to mention the

chance that they may not find the Elements at all.

She sighed, leaning against the wall and staring at the moon again. It had always

been there for her, even when she was but a small filly. Now, it seemed so far away like the

farther from home they travelled, the weaker her connection with it got. She was reminded that

she still had control every night, but the feeling was always there. She was homesick and she

knew it.

The diarch was headed out when she felt something curious. It was a mental link, like

the one she and her sister shared but newer, younger, as if it had just come into creation. She

smiled when she realized it was Shuur and Twilight. They had established a link, probably to help

with their continued magical studies.

They were conversing, she could not tell what it was about without connecting to

the link but she could tell nonetheless. She felt Shuur share his Mind Eye

ability with Twilight, who seemed to relish in the experience. She stood still for a while before she

noticed something neither of them had sensed. Twilights mind was rejecting the Mind Eye, trying

to find a way to adapt to it.

She began to race down the halls as the connection solidified and became

unbreakable, lest she kill one of them. As she reached their door she could only hope she was

not too late.

(ஜ۩۞۩ஜ) Shuur (ஜ۩۞۩ஜ)

Shuurs eyes fluttered open, he found himself lying down, and so sat up. Then he

fell over backwards as if the action was beyond his grasp. He pushed himself from the ground,

before seeing what was raising him. He traced the appendage up its length, confirming its origin

to be his shoulder, now a light shade of lavender. He turned around only to have hair block some

of his vision, startling him. He moved it aside with a swipe of his new limb and looked ahead

bewildered, as before Shuur lay himself.

He watched his own eye flutter open, rubbing his head and moaning. He sat up

and fell over as well the bodies new host not used to being so tall. He didn’t blink as she righted

herself, adapting quickly to her new motor functions. They stared at one another for a few

seconds, never blinking.

“What…” began Twilight Shuur.

“The hell.” finished Shuur Twilight.

They both turned their attention to the door as it slid open, revealing Luna.

“Oh dear, am I too late?” she asked them, looking between the two.

They looked again to each other, before turning back and nodding.

“I do believe so, Princess Luna.” said Shuur Twilight, he couldn’t help but despise

how high and girly his voice was.

“Yeah, okay this is weird.” added Twilight Shuur, trying to clear her voice as if it

was too rough.

Luna blinked, this had never happened before. The most she had seen from a

connection rejection was a mismatched body part, not a body switch!

“Okay then, the first thing you two need to know is that this is temporary. You will

go back into one another when you sleep, so worry no- Shuur, what are you doing?”

Shuur Twilight looked up and turned his head, “Currently, I am trying to stretch my

fingers. I have none. I hate this voice.”

Twilight Shuur looked down at the body snatcher, “Hey, at least you don’t sound

like a cart full of gravel!”

“I like my voice thanks you very much, I at least sound MALE!” he shot back.

Twilight crossed her armored arms, “Yes well I like being a pony, this body is too

big and clumsy.”

“It is only clumsy because you are piloting it.” Shuur Twilight deadpanned.

“ENOUGH!!!” cried Luna, using the royal Canterlot voice to silence them

effectively.

They both had their attentions turned back to Luna, who was about as happy as a

dragon who was woken a day after he started sleeping.

“Enough, now, go to bed, and all will be fine.” She said, pointing to the bed on the

wall of the room.

They looked between one another, then back to Luna with no idea who should

sleep where.

She face hoofed, “Shuur, you sleep in Twilights room and Twilight you sleep in

Shuur’s, that way when you wake up you will be in the correct rooms.”

They looked at one another again, and then shrugged, climbing into bed and

leaving the room.

Luna rubber her temples, she should not have to take care of two full grown

subjects like they were foals a week within the ability to talk. She trotted back to her room herself,

suddenly feeling a lot less like wandering the corridors tonight and instead decided to rest in her

room and trying to figure out how a body switch had occurred.

(ஜ۩۞۩ஜ) The Dominion (ஜ۩۞۩ஜ)

Another blast rocked the wall of the craft, leaving a nasty paint scratch on the side

of the princess’s flagship. She cursed under breath as one of Veerna’s ships caught ablaze as

an incendiary cannon ball struck it. The Gorilsa had somehow gotten wise, knowing that a

ground patrol would indefinitely catch the attention of the Songli and so camouflaged their

smaller anti-air guns from Veerna’s scouts.

Not only that, but they had Stinger ships on standby as well. The Stinger was a

small one Songli craft meant for light skirmishes. They were originally developed to help a Songli

map areas of unexplored territory, but the Gorilsa had seen it fit to mount small Arcana Cannons

to the wings and use them as skirmishers. Now the anti-air guns were having a tough time

keeping up with the pests as they tried to assist one of Veerna’s scout ships. Veerna herself had

landed a little early to scout ahead, when the report came to retreat, Cathedra knew better than

to question her friend.

But, as they were leaving the Gorilsa had flanked them with Stingers. Now they

were being swarmed with the small craft, and they were getting on her nerves. The Stingers

themselves could not really do much to The Dominion but they could do some damage to

Veerna’s lightly armored scout ships.

She watched her guns take down another Stinger; she swore she could hear the

Gorilsa pilot screaming as he crashed. Why was it always that she could hear their screams?

That she always felt their spirits fade away. She was no Shaman, or Cinedas, yet she could hear

them like they were beside her, and it made her shiver. Soon, and thunder crack brought her

from the stupor her mind had made and she looked out the window to a sight that made her

heart stop.

A massive beam of red light had pierced one of the other ships, leaving a hole at

least three meters thick in the craft. That was more than twice the size of a Catalyst Cannons

bore. She ran outside and looked over the edge of the ship to see the Gorilsa reloading a

massive cannon, still smoking from its last shot.

“ALL SHIPS PULL BACK NOW!” she yelled back into the cabin.

She saw the crew begin to scramble and she saw the radio operator relay the

message. The ship lurched and her knees nearly buckled as they pulled away from the Gorilsa’s

monstrosity.

“Cut all power from weapons and up propeller speed, I want us out of here

yesterday!” she said as she walked back inside.

Their guns ceased fire and the propellers usual whirring became more frantic. Another

shot was fired from the oversized weapon, barely missing The Dominion. She felt herself let

out a breath she didn’t know she was holding as the heat wave left behind by the gun crossed

into the cabin.

She heard a siren sound, telling all of them enemy airships were approaching. She

ground her teeth as the speed was still increasing, she didn’t know how far a cannon that size

could fire, but she doubted it was meant for short range confrontations. Another thunder crack

sounded, melting down one of the remaining scout ships flying around them. Now it was down to

two, her and Veerna.

A small brigade of Stingers flew beside her friends ship, and began to open fire.

“Send power to three left side AA guns, help that scout!” she ordered.

Seconds after, tiny red blast were scorching the Stinger planes, making them brake

formation.

“Cease fire, let Veerna take care of them.” she relayed.

The hailing stopped, and they continued their retreat back to Sanctuary. She saw Veerna

firing on those few who dared to fly near her. Cathedra sighed; she knew her freind could handle herself. The sirens slowly faded out as they outran the enemy airships, the Gorilsa were getting wise, which was disturbing to say the least. The Stingers were keeping up, though they posed no real threat, they were going too fast to be boarded and their tiny cannons were useless against The Dominions armor.

Then the thunder cracked again and Cathedra watched in horror as Veerna’s ship was

grazed, ripping the gas bag. It slowly began to sink beneath the clouds, as if it was a slowly

sinking boat. She watched as the last of the viewable parts fell beneath the waves of clouds.

“I want all AA guns back online and firing NOW!” she barked into the room.

It seemed as though someone had read her mind as the guns began to fire a moment

after she finished. She listened to the screams of the Gorilsa pilots again, only this time, she

relished in it. Every burnt hair, every broken bone and every melted corpse was a tribute to her

friend.

Soon, the Stingers were swarming them again as they lost speed. The sirens sounded

again and she looked down at the holo table in wonder.

“Your majesty,” began the table operator, “unknown aircraft entering our airspace, and it

is approaching FAST!”

She looked down at the table as the question mark changed course and began to line up

with them.

“Assume hostile, do not fire until fired upon.” she commanded.

He nodded, looking back to the blue table in wonder.

(ஜ۩۞۩ஜ) The Leviathan (ஜ۩۞۩ஜ)

“Sir, we are changing course to the ship you mentioned, it appears to be under fire.”

reported one of the navigators.

Coal Stack nodded, “Alright, thanks lad, now let’s make sure to not shoot at the good

guys, eh?” he replied.

The pony nodded before returning to his duties, and Coal Stack to his. He watched the

large gold craft fire tiny red spheres a the smaller ships which were swarming the larger one to

no avail. Soon, a group of the smaller one broke away and began to approach them.

“Steady lads, do not fire unless fired upon.” he said calmly to the room.

As the small ships neared, Coal Stack got a sense of dread as tiny cannons unfolded

from the wings and began glowing red.

“Set the AA guns to shoot those wee buggers down!” he ordered.

Soon, little flares of blue fired from the top and began to swat at the tiny aircrafts, which

had begun to open fire as well. Their shots literally deflected off the shield, one even bouncing

back and striking the little airship.

“Ha ha, think that we were an easy kill, did yah?” he laughed at the mini ships which were

currently trying to break the shield.

Coal Stack simply sat back and smiled as they repelled the tiny ships, their shots but a

nuisance to The Leviathans shield.

(ஜ۩۞۩ஜ) The Dominion (ஜ۩۞۩ஜ)

“Princess, the Gorilsa have opened fire on the U.F.O.” reported one of the crew.

She nodded, watching in amazement as some sort of shield bounced the shots away

while at least six AA guns dealt with the Stingers. As the ship approached, she noticed that there

was writing on the side of the craft, in Songlian. It read: The Leviathan.

“All crew, the ship labeled The Leviathan is to be registered as a friendly craft.” she

announced.

As the craft flew by, it expertly took the last of the Stingers swarming The Dominion

while keeping the Stingers attacking them away. She saw it change course, lining up with The

Dominion.

A voice crackled on the speakers, “Hello? Is this thing on? Darn it, somepony- ah, I see.

So, the little red light means that it’s on? Okay, let’s try again.” then it switched off.

Cathedra scratched her head and the crew looked awkwardly at the speakers, the voice

spoke in clear Songlian, but it had a very distinguished accent, and not one she was familiar

with either.

Then it crackled on again, “Hello! This is Captain Coal Stack of The Leviathan, I do

apologize for that, but radios ‘re a rather new feature to Equestria, just got th’ towers set up and

what not.”

Cathedra nodded and leaned over to the microphone near her seat, “Hello Leviathan, this

is Princess Cathedra of the new Songli capital, Sanctuary. All of us aboard The Dominion thank

you for your assistance, those Stingers were giving us some trouble and… and we just lost five

other ships, my friends included.”

There was a silence for a moment, and then Coal stack came back on the speakers, “I

am sorry to hear that my lady, now, is there something we could do for ye? Perhaps search for

survivors?”

“Yes, that would be much appreciated. Could I send you Sanctuary’s co-ordinates?” she

replied.

“Uh, that is a no with the co-ordinates, we don’t have anything to receive them on, nor

record them.”

Cathedra nodded as if he could see her, “That is a pity, now, my friends ship crashed a

ways back. There should be a reasonably large smoke column as her gas bag was ripped and

she fell some hundred feet to the ground.”

“Aye, hear yah loud ‘n’ clear. We’ll pull back and search, your majesty.” came his reply.

Soon, the light blue craft pulled back with a hum and sank beneath the clouds. She

sighed, hoping that they found her friend.

(ஜ۩۞۩ஜ) The Leviathan (ஜ۩۞۩ஜ)

Coal stack tapped a button on the device as two ponies carted the radio off. It was a

rather large device and Coal Stack decided that they would try to hit and miss contact the golden

airship. Once they had contact, he was surprised to hear the responding voice speak in Equish

and announce that she was a princess. Now they were looking for survivors after one of her

friends ships were shot down.

Coal Stack cringed as he remembered seeing his friend’s boat being dragged under by a

Kraken, horrible way to go. They barely escaped themselves, and remembered why few other

creatures tangled with the mighty beasts.

Coal Stack already saw the large column of smoke emitting from a small crater, and then

there was gunfire. He shook his head as the small cannons began to bounce off their shields;

they were going to have to relocate. He ordered them to move two kilometres to the north, that

way they could drop their shields and release a rescue team without getting a few new paint

scratches and dead crew.

They landed in a small clearing, a little further than he had expected, but it would do. A

small group had formed in front of him, ten guards, and an alien.

“All right, here is th’ situation.” he said to them, standing above the group from his rise in

the cabin. “This nation’s Leader, one Princess Cathedra, has asked of us to see if we can’t

rescue any surviving crew from her friends ship wreck. Do this right, and we will have earned the

trust of a national leader, fail, and we will be sitting knee deep in conspiracies. Shuur has the

most combat experience here, and will lead you to the crash site. I want this done quick and

clean, got it? Quick, and clean. Now, grab your spears and helms and move out!”

“Yes Sir!” came the reply, a few solutes to the captain.

“Then what are you doing standing here? Get movin’!” he barked.

They nodded, taking off down the hall. Coal Stack smiled, sitting down in his seat and

leaning back. They were going to get in trouble, but Shuur would take care of them, he knew it.

(ஜ۩۞۩ஜ) Rear door (ஜ۩۞۩ஜ)

Shuur tested his wrist blades, a longer sword shooting out instead. He knew it

would happen, his confrontation with Harmony had left his suit altered. The device on his back

was a magical enhancer, something that only he was equipped with. Apparently, it had been

there since he had his armor, but he knew it was the work of the Harmony goddess.

The others stared at the blade with envy, knowing that the advanced weapon could cut

almost anything in half. He tested the other, and instead found a shield much like a Kig-yar’s. He

looked at them both, yes he missed his Plasma Rifle and Energy Sword, but these would

suffice. And if her ever needed long range, he had his magic.

The back door fell open on its pistons and they all jumped out, weapons raised.

“Alright team, listen up, there is a crashed ship about two kilometres away and we are to

rescue any survivors. Should you meet with any enemies, make sure that they are not beyond

your combat capabilities, understood? For all we know these things could be better with a blade

than I am.”

They all nodded and began their long trek into the forest.

(ஜ۩۞۩ஜ) Remnants of team Zeta (ஜ۩۞۩ஜ)

Vaman 'Inanrar raised his Plasma Repeater, aiming it at the head of the Brute-like. He

spotted his brothers at the edges of the crater, where one of the Lizard Peoples ships was shot

down. The apes lumbered around the craft, doing the most abhorrent search for survivors he

had ever seen.

Nyfre 'Valis, their Ultra, gave the signal and Vaman squeezed the trigger of the weapon.

He was against wasting ammo on the inferior apes, but obeyed his officer nonetheless. The gun

spewed blue plasma as the caster rotated to help keep the weapon cooled longer.

The Brute-likes stumbled around confused as the bolts literally tore through them, decimating their

forces. This had become routine for them these past three months. Three months since these

idiots shot down their Phantom and left them stranded on the rock. Three months since they

abandoned ship after a Loyalist fleet had shot them down, not without cost though, as their

brothers decimated the remaining Brute frigates. Their Phantom had a damaged Repulsor

Engine from the explosion and the transmitter was in maintenance when the attack happened so

that rooted out that option.

They were stranded here, with little supplies, ammo, and moral. They had been helping

the Lizard People in the shadows for some time and had taken the name of the Forest Monsters.

It suited them as the way they slaughtered the idiotic Brute-likes. Once the final ape had fallen,

Nyfre gave the signal to search for survivors. He attached the weapon to his magnetic holster

and stepped into the open, his blue Minor armor glinting in the moonlight. He saw his Major

brothers, Vassi 'Kasam and Ustaf 'Fulsam, step into the open followed by Nyfre.

They approached the wreck, which had little damage considering its condition. He stepped

inside the craft, instantly seeing the cowering survivors with his HUD. One yelled, jumping forth

with a shard of metal and trying to stab him. He simply grabbed his wrist and gave it a light twist,

relatively speaking. The Lizard Person screamed, dropping the makeshift blade and holding his

arm to his stomach.

Vaman cringed, “Sorry, this planet have rather light gravity compared to Sanghelios.”

They stared at him bewildered, not expecting him to speak English. Truly, Vaman’s English

was a little rusty, but he had learned it to help him better communicate with the Humans he often

found himself fighting with.

“I apologize for my brother’s actions; he must learn to control his strength.”

Vaman turned around to see Nyfre standing behind him, his features concealed behind his

silver Ultra helmet.

“Sorry brother Nyfre, I am not used to anything but higher gravity.” he said in Sangheilian.

Nyfre nodded, “It matters not, now, get these civilians out of here, there was another ship that

touched down a ways from here that the Brute-likes shot at.”

He nodded, turning back to the group, “Please, follow us, we take you to safety.”

One stood up in the back, “Listen to him, these creatures are not our enemies, the dead Gorilsa

outside are proof of that.”

The others seemed to listen to her, standing and giving shaky glances to the Sangheili warriors.

“Good, come.” said Vaman, waving his arm.

He stepped back out, where Vassi and Ustaf were standing guard.

“Did you spot the blue craft as well brother Nyfre?” asked Vassi.

Nyfre nodded, “Yes, and it was shot at. It seemed to have a shield, though I may have been seeing things.”

Ustaf shook his head, “No, we saw it as well. Whatever it was, it had more advanced technologies,

I suspect it is neither these creatures nor the Brute-likes ship.”

Nyfre sighed, “It seems we cannot catch a break as the Humans say it, nonetheless, it is worth

scouting out. Vaman, you go, we will return these Lizard people to the camp.”

Vaman nodded, “Understood brother Nyfre, which way did the craft land?”

Nyfre pointed southward, “Head that direction, make sure to kill any of these ‘Gorilsa’ on the way as well.”

“Yes brother Nyfre.”

With that, Vaman was in the woods, moving the direction he had been pointed.

“Now,” said Nyfre in English, “We will take you to our camp until Vaman returns. If that craft is

hospitable, then we shall transport you there, if it is hostile, I’m afraid you will be staying with us.”

The female nodded, “Understood, Forest Monster, now, everyone follow him.” she said, pointing

to the Sangheili.

They nodded, following Nyfre into the woods.

Vaman broke another branch on accident, he wasn’t very good at reconnaissance, but the more honorable of the Sangheili said that stealth was a major part of battle, and so should be taught to the younger warriors. He moved a low hanging branch out of the way and saw a small path in the same direction as he was headed. He decided to take it, but keep his wits about him, lest he be jumped by these ‘Gorilsa’. He doubted that their minds could comprehend such an action, judging by the way they fought and co-ordinated their efforts.

He followed the path for a kilometre, before hearing a small rustle to his left. He dove

back into the bushels of the forest, watching the area that had moved. Before he could react, a

hand grabbed his back plate and forced him to stand.

“Who are you and what is your name?” said a rather rough voice.

“I tell nothing to enemy!” Vaman cried out.

“Good, at least they are still teaching you Minors with some intelligence.”

Vaman’s eye widened as the hand let him go; he wheeled around to see a red armored

Sangheili Spec Op staring him down helmetless.

“Cloud Skipper, tell the rest it is fine, this is a true Sangheili.” he said to the bush that had

rustled.

Soon, a voice sounded and then more. A small group of equines like nothing Vaman had

ever seen stepped out, garbed in intricate but near meaningless armor and wielding spears and

swords.

Vaman raised an eyebrow, the one that had stepped out first had wings, the next two had

horns, the next two had neither and the remaining five all had wings.

“What… are they brother?” Vaman asked in Sangheili.

The red armored soldier cleared his throat, “They are Equestrians, of Equestria,

though they often refer to themselves as ponies.”

The pony in the front raised a brow, “Is that like some secret code language, or native

tongue Shuur?”

“Native tongue, Cloud, this Minor knows very little English. I suppose that I could act as a

translator.”

“That won’t be needed,” chimed in Vaman, “Brother Nyfre, our Ultra, speaks fluent

English. He can communicate with these Ponies and the Lizard people as well.”

“Ah, so your part of a Legion then?” asked Shuur.

Vaman nodded, “What’s left of Legion Zeta A-45. Our Cruiser was shot down in orbit by a

Brute Loyalist, were had just escaped in a Phantom before these Brute-likes shot us down and

stranded us on the planet.”

Shuur growled, “Those traitorous bastards, I always hated Jiralhanae.”

Vaman raised a brow, “How long have you been here? And what post where you at to

reach here?”

Shuur laughed, “I have been her for little over a year, I was at Reach, infiltrating a Human

command post. Why? What has happened to the Covenant?”

“Reach?” Vaman scoffed, “That is three quarters of the galaxy away, how in the name of

the Forerunners did you end up here?”

Shuur felt his legs wobble, “Three quarters… You have not yet told me what has become

of the Covenant.”

“The Covenant?” Vaman confirmed, “The Covenant is all but dead, The Great Schism

saw to the Sangheili’s glorious and honorable posts were replaced by the treacherous Brutes.

We were driven out by the San 'Shyuum and left as foot soldiers being commanded by apes.

Then, an even greater event occurred; we discovered that the Humans were not Blasphemers,

quite the opposite, Humans were Descendants of the Forerunners.”

Shuur had since sat down; the very foundation in which he used to stand was no longer

stable.

“We combined forces with the Humans and lead a campaign against the Covenant. With

the Sangheili no longer joined with them, the Covenant began to fall apart as groups of Unggoy

and Kig-yar joined our cause, along with some Mgalekgolo and Yanme’e. We fought alongside

the Humans, which is something that I must say I enjoyed. Their forces may not be perfect or

that honorable, but each has the heart of a Sangheili Zealot inside them, fighting until the last

light. I imagine by now that the war is over, and we are but more bodies in the pile.”

Shuur was rubbing the sides of his head, the fact that Humans were friends now was not

such a harsh thing to his mind, but the fact that he was attacking descendants of Forerunners

was a little much as well as the fact that the San ’Shyuum had known, and were just trying to

stay in power. They had broken apart, an entire empire, with the single knowledge that the

enemy had always been the treacherous worms in their floating chairs.

“I understand that this may be a bit much for you to take in at once, but we have survivors

that we rescued from the crash and I was sent to make sure the ship that landed nearby was

friendly.”

Shuur slowly rose to his feet, “Right, survivors, Cloud, follow this Minor to their camp, I

have some things I must meditate on.”

Cloud raised a hoof to his forehead, “Yes sir, Minor, show the way.”

Vaman nodded, giving one last look back to Shuur before following his waypoint home.

Shuur sat alone in the path, his mind astray. Those damnable San ‘Shyuum had been

lying all along, and they never questioned their ‘divine authority’. Humans were suddenly a lot

more sacred to him, and Jiralhanae were suddenly a much deeper pit of hate than before.

‘Twilight, are you there?’ he asked his teacher, hoping a friend might help him through the

worst of his times.

‘I am afraid she is asleep, Shuur, but I am here.’ answered Princess Luna.

‘Right, thanks. I… I have some information I wish to show you.’ he uttered.

‘Very well, let me see.’ He felt her crawl into his mind, watching and listening to his

memories.

‘This… this is troubling information for you, is it not?’ she asked, slightly frightened in what

she saw before Shuur's coming here, but more on that later.

‘Yes, yes it is. I had no idea, I do hope they can forgive me, I have done so much wrong to

the Humans, and for absolutely no reason! I should be worshipping them, n-’

‘Shuur, calm down, panicking will get you nowhere, listen to the creature with millennia’s

experience with stress.’ she cooed.

‘Right, sorry… This is all so much to take in though… To think, I was once worshipping a

dead race and fighting what I believed as heretics who defiled what few sites they left for us,

when it turns out, they were the sites. They were the things that they had ‘defiled’, they were

remnants of a civilisation lost tens of thousands of years ago. They were something I should

have been protecting instead of burning to glass. I am in a war against myself here, it is nice they

are our allies, that was a dream of mine, but to know that we are fighting with our gods children

is something else entirely.’

‘I think I understand, Shuur, you just have to let go. That Sangheili never gave his name,

but I doubt it was the same now as it was before.’

Shuur thought about it for a while, ‘True, the ee suffix to our names is bestowed upon us

by the San ‘Shyuum when we are worthy for battle. But, that is such an honorable title and one of

my last remnants of home…’

‘Shuur,’ she said, voice like iron, ‘do you wish to live with a name that means the death of

which you believe in, or do you wish to live like you want to, free of burden and living among

those you care about?’

‘I know, but… It has such meaning to me, it is something that proves I am worthy of

something, if not a soldier, then what?’

She laughed, ‘Shuur, you are capable of so much more! Our god, Harmony herself saw

that and bestowed upon you her power and a gift to last your lifetime. Embrace these things, find

the Elements and come home, to your new home.’

Shuur sighed, ‘You are right, as always. I suppose I could do without… Shuur ‘Makhanee,

Shuur Makhan…  I suppose it doesn’t sound that awful, but I do prefer the ee suffix version to thi-’

‘Shuur!’

‘Very well, Shuur Makhan it is.’ he finished.

‘Thanks you, now, perhaps it is time you returned to the ship and got some rest, even

soldiers need sleep.’ she commented.

‘Right, I shall. Good night, Princess Luna.’ he said, standing and walking back in the

direction of the ship. Today had been a long day, and it was finally over.

(ஜ۩۞۩ஜ) Vaman (ஜ۩۞۩ஜ)

“So, uh, do you have a name?” asked Cloud Skipper.

“Vaman ‘Inanrar.”

“Alright, Vaman, do you know Shuur?” he questioned.

“No, I never seen Shuur…”

“Makhanee.”

“I never seen Shuur Makhanee in my life. Though, seem like good soldier, if a bit

‘outdated’.”

“What do you mean, ‘outdated’?” prodded Cloud.

“He knew nothing about what going on, and not heard of The Great Schism. He needed to

be told.”

“Great Schism?” wondered Cloud.

“It was rebellion in way, but to join different side, and we were forced to rebel by aliens we

rebelled against.” replied Vaman.

“Oh, okay.” Cloud went back to looking at the back or Vaman’s armor, which was

noticeably different from Shuur’s.

“So why is your armor different?”

“My armor is Minor armor, Shuur’s is Spec Op armor.” he answered quickly.

“Uh huh…”

“Oh look, we here.” said Vaman, a little annoyed by the behavior of the guard.

Cloud Skipper looked beside the Sangheili to see a large amount of Lizard People

gathered around a fire, while the Sangheili in silver armor discussed with a hooded one.

“And so, your name is Veerna, a Songli Cinedas?” asked the larger silver Sangheili.

“

Yes,” replied the hooded Songli, “A Songli Cinedas has power, magic, that allows us to be

more efficient in nearly every respect. A normal Songli is not to different though, and I respect

those who have not been blessed with such power, though some others brag and boast that

because they can lift a pebble without touching it, they are better than another Songli who can fly

an airship blindfolded.”

“Ah, an influx of power among a common group has a tendency to do that, we all know

personally.” he nodded.

“Sorry to disturb you sir, but I have confirmed the ship to be friendly, and even carrying a

Sangheili Spec Op from Reach.” announced Vaman.

“What did he say?” asked Veerna.

“He said that the ship we saw land a small ways away is friendly and wished to help. I am

guessing those are some of the crew?” said Nyfre pointing at the ponies.

Vaman looked behind himself, nodding, “Yes, these are some of the guards, though I

doubt they could really do that much damage and the one in front attempted to talk my ear holes

out.”

“Ah, oh well, Veerna, I do believe these ponies will lead us to the ship.” He said, turning to

the Songli Cinedas.

Cloud Skipper saluted, “I am Cloud Skipper, leader of this rescue squad. It is an

honor to meet another of Shuur’s kind, he once saved our entire race and I have heard your skills

with the blade are legendary.”

Nyfre snickered, “National hero is he? I hope that did not go to his head all too

fast, be a shame to have to smack him down.”

Cloud shook his head, “Quite the opposite, he lives in ponyville now and is

learning how to control his magic; he has been a citizen of Equestria for some time now, a year

if I remember correctly.”

“Ah, a humble national hero, just my type. Now let’s get moving, we are burning

moonlight and I have not eaten in three days.”

Cloud Skipper nodded, “Follow us.”

He then turned around, guiding the team through the forest.

(ஜ۩۞۩ஜ) A little later (ஜ۩۞۩ஜ)

“And here we are, The Leviathan, Equestria’s first airship and first intercontinental

aircraft, equipped with six anti air guns and four Plasmas cannons that can melt through three

hooves of steel, if not more.” (Hoof = 1/2 foot)

Nyfre had to admit, the craft was admirable for their first ship. He saw the tip of

one of the main guns and noted the dark metal lacing the inside.

The rear door lowered itself to the ground and revealed a slightly drab looking

interior, at least Cruisers had some texture to them. As they marched through the halls, a few

ponies brought some of the Songli crew to the sick bay, treating their wounds and such. As for

Nyfre and his remaining Legion, they were guided to the mess hall where Shuur had set aside

some of his meat ration for them.

As they entered, they noticed the ongoing festivities, and asked Cloud Kicker

about it.

“We had just proven The Leviathan combat efficiency by fighting off a swarm of

small ships and saving the princess of this land. In fact, Princess Luna of Equestria should be

here to see you soon.” was his answer.

Nyfre nodded, and sat down at some specially formatted tables especially for

Sangheili. As they sat, a Unicorn in a greasy apron brought them some plastic containers of

meat. They took it thankfully and had their regards sent to Shuur.

As they were eating, some of the room went quiet and they looked over to see the

crew bowing before a deep blue winged and horned pony in near black regalia. As she walked an

aisle opened up before her and she was soon sitting beside Nyfre, a little upset about the meat,

but there nonetheless.

“I assume you are Princess Luna?” he asked, snapping up the last of the mystery

meat.

“Yes, and you are?” she asked as a salad was floated over to her.

“Nyfre ‘Valis, Ultra and leader of this Legion, or what is left of it.” came his reply

looking down at the small princess, intruiged by the deep blue aura coating the salad bowl.

She nibbled at her salad before asking another question, “How did you all end up

here? Shuur came here by means of death before Discord pulled and reanimated his corpse

here.”

Nyfre choked on air, “You can reanimate the dead here?!”

Luna nodded disturbingly calmly, “I don’t know about these Songli as has been

described to me, but a powerful enough Unicorn can do a great many things with magic, though

the darker arts of magic are usually illegal or forgotten by time.”

Nyfre nodded, gulping about the thoughts of a zombified Sangheili Spec Op, “So

this Discord was an evil Unicorn was he?”

Luna snickered, “Unicorn? No, Draconequus, yes. He was the god of Chaos, and

after our Elements of Harmony had trapped him in stone for a second time, he sought a way out.

He found Shuur, and brought him here. When Shuur refused to obey him, he brought something

that Shuur called a Demon here and had him free him. Once free, Discord took the demons mind

and became a god of death and destruction. Shuur came to Canterlot and with the help of our

goddess Harmony defeated the abomination with a ‘Cleansing Light’ level of attack. The

resounding heat wave was astronomical, but we’re able to keep it under control as the excuse

that it was a solar flare and that Discord had escaped again, which was not a complete lie.”

Both Nyfre and the blue Sangheili were staring dumbfounded at her explanation

as the two red ones looked at one another and shrugged, simply happy to be fed for once in a

while.

“He really gained that much power? He made a Cleansing Light with his hands?”

asked Nyfre.

Luna finished her salad, and nodded, “Yes, such is the power of Harmony. My

sister and I are considered powerful among our people, we move the sun and moon, while

Discord was stronger than us both and could do just about anything he wanted, Harmony has

the power to restore order anywhere, and is strongest of us all.”

Nyfre was having trouble believing all this, especially without a reference. “And if I

don’t believe you?”

Luna shrugged, “I wouldn’t blame you, as far as I can tell, all of us are but myths

and legends to you. Magic is something that doesn’t exist and friendship is something rare.”

Vaman nodded while Nyfre pondered, “How did that power not destroy him?”

“He had the Power of Harmony on his side and so it held him together, though it

did cause him to pass out for some time afterwards, he found himself with the ability to use

magic and the Mind’s Eye ability which allows him to see in all directions at once. He has moved

in to a small town called Ponyville and has made a good number of friends there, though admits

to missing his own kind, or at least something he recognized.”

Nyfre had to admit, these past few months had been hell, and he had had the

company of his squad with him, Shuur had to live with the knowledge that he was the only of his

kind on this planet, and that he would never speak to another Sangheili again.

“I do understand if you have some fears for him, but worry not, he is doing well

enough and is even the reason this craft exists after he donated his armor and weapons to our

colleges.” She assured.

Nyfre nodded, looking about the room and noticing the occasional hint of dark

metal accent here and there and signs of Covenant technology.

“I do believe it is time for me to lower the moon, and then get some rest, good day

gentlemen and welcome to The Leviathan.” she said, rising from her place on the bench.

Nyfre walked outside and watched her, deciding to see if this whole sun and moon thing

was real or not.

As she stepped to the bow, her horn glowed, and the moons speed

increased considerably as it sank beneath the horizon. Nyfre watched slack mawed as she

walked away, into the cabin of the ship as if it was a daily occurrence. Well, obviously it was, but

still, to treat such power with so little regard was terrifying.

Nyfre rubbed his head and just hoped that Shuur could shed some light on the subjects he had just witnessed.