The Last Crite's Intentions

Twilight paced restlessly back and forth in her library contemplating the situation she was now in. An Alicorn Princess! She thought. It was so wonderful, so unexpected, and so…stressful. She didn’t know so many responsibilities towards Equestria’s future would rest in her hooves. So many ponies came to her for advice and help that she found it overwhelming at times. Princess Celestia had complete faith in her when she, herself, had nothing but doubt. Even her friends reassured her that she was fit for the job. Job, she thought. That is what it started to feel like. It had only been three months but initial excitement had already seceded replaced by a deep feeling of anxiety for her future.

She stopped in her tracks, raised her hoof, and breathed out hoping it would calm her down a bit. It worked. What had worked for Cadence to relieve a situation’s stress seemed to be working for her. She decided to read a book for old time’s sake to take her mind off of things. As the book she chose levitated towards her from one of the top shelves, Spike burst through the front doors making her gasp and drop it.

“Spike!? What is it!? Don’t startle me like that!”

“I know Twilight but the princess…umm, Celestia not you…” He chuckled slightly in embarrassment but returned to his message with a stern look from Twilight, “…sent an important letter for you.” He raised his right claw to which one of Celestia’s parchments was clearly visible.

“A letter? Let me see.” She took the letter from him, unraveled it, and spoke its written words out loud. “Princess Twilight, I know being a princess is a lot of work and responsibility. I chose you for your exhibited level of abilities and accomplishments. These three months you have proven to exceed expectations in settling Seaddle’s inner-city disputes, the Hydra migration problem, and reached a reasonable compromise with the griffons. There is nopony else I know that has my full trust as you do. Keeping this in mind, I want you to understand that we princesses face many challenges and obstacles not spoken of to the general public. The truth is everyday Equestria is in a vulnerable state and we must be ready for the uncertainty of the future. What I’m trying to say is don’t rely too much on book knowledge but situational instinct. Improvising is a major key in solving those situations with no clear outcome. – Princess Celestia”

Twilight looked up at Spike for some meaning to the letter. “What’s this about? Did I do something wrong and Princess Celestia doesn’t trust me?”

“Umm, Twilight, I think she’s just trying to make you aware of situations we haven’t faced before.”

“Hmm, I suppose. I just wish she would stop sending me vague advice. It was fine the first few weeks but it’s simply not helping right now. It only seems to confuse me more and more.”

“Twilight, get some sleep. You look a little worse for wear.”

“You’re right. Even a princess needs sleep.” With this said she trotted off to bed. Spike looked after her leaving presence letting out a sigh of his own. It’s sad that she can’t see how ready she is to be a princess almost like she can’t adjust to it, Spike thought to himself as he closed the front door for the night.

*****

Bang! Bang! Bang! Twilight fell out of bed in a startled state of mind. “I’m up,” she grumbled just waking up. Bang! Bang! Bang! The resounding noise of pounding on the front door emanated through the rest of the tree house. “Spike get the door!” Bang! Bang! Bang! “Spike! Oh, nevermind. I’m coming!” she yelled as she approached the door when stepping off of the stairs and onto the landing. She opened the door and saw her brother in a state of panic.

“Twily, something bad is going down in a neighboring village to Ponyville, Hoover’s Bend.” He said this sentence much quicker than she could properly greet him.

“What do you mean?”

“Something…I mean some ‘things’ came out of the sky and started to devour the villagers. I was first on site when this ship-like object landed in the center of town. I’ve never seen anything like it before, Twily. I thought maybe the Pegasus scientists in Cloudesdale were conducting another one of their experiments. I approached it as many villagers did and watched as its door opened slowly and then…” Breathing heavily, Shining Armor ran out of breath before he could finish the sentence.

Twilight tried to calm him down a bit so he could clear his mind. “Shining relax. You’re okay now. Let me get the rest of my friends here and see if they know anything about it. Come inside and relax a little bit.”

Shining Armor continued to breathe heavy but nodded in agreement finally closing his eyes and letting out a breath of exhaustion. “Okay, Twi.”

Spike coming back from an errand of gathering things saw the two in the doorway. Twilight ushered Shining Armor inside, had Spike get him some tea to calm the nerves, and mentally summoned her friends in urgency. Rainbow Dash was most expectedly the first to arrive then, in order, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rarity. The mane six, Shining Armor, and Spike sat in a circle ready to hear the rest of Shining’s tale.

“As I told Twi, a ship-like object crashed into Ponyville’s neighboring village, Hoover’s Bend. I thought nothing of it as the Pegasus were known to be conducting experiments in Cloudesdale.”

Rainbow Dash chimed in, “Nothing like a ship-like object in anything I’ve seen.”

“Yeah, well, at the time I didn’t know better. I approached the object much less cautious than I should have been. Other ponies took interest in the object the same as me and together we watched the door to it slowly open. It was…dark. But I could clearly make out what looked like multiple red eyes in that darkness. Then, one of those ‘things’ made the first move by leaping out of the ship and biting into the neck of one of the ponies. Some tried to pry it off but were assaulted by the rest on the ship. It was like a flurry of little needles flew past me. Anypony hit with one was immediately paralyzed. I watched as the first pony attacked had its throat ripped out. Two of those ‘things’ immediately jumped out of the ship to join the meal. Four more came out to attack some of the paralyzed ponies. At this point, panic became widespread. Most ran as fast and far as they could. Some barricaded themselves in the nearest houses. Some tried to carry away the paralyzed but were set upon by those ‘things.’ There was nothing I could do! I immediately set up a reverse barrier to try and contain the situation. It worked for the first few minutes but, out of fear, I couldn’t maintain my focus. Twily, I’m sorry as I failed those that needed me most.”

Twilight replied, “Don’t be sorry. We do what we can do in a situation like that. It must have been quite the ordeal.”

“It was and still is because as we speak their numbers are growing and that village’s population is diminishing. After the barrier failed, I saw that these ‘things’ were looking around like they were wondering what the barrier was. They talked among themselves in this sort of garbled mish mash of words. I couldn’t understand what they were saying but knew their score when they all simultaneously looked at me and sneered. The garbled language was heard from inside the object and it was very loud almost sounding like a command. I still couldn’t understand its meaning but these ‘things’ obviously did as they first looked at the ship-like object then at me. Four hurled themselves in my direction but I barely outran the approach. I lost them in the nearby forest and ran all the way here to tell you.”

“Excuse me, sugar cube,” interrupted Applejack. “But what exactly do these ‘things’ look like?”

“Well,” Shining stared at the floor before recounting the memory. “They were like little hedgehog or porcupine things with glowing red eyes much like a snakes or cats. They had multiple rows of teeth – maybe three or four rows of them. Their four hooves had three claws attached.”

“That sounds awful,” Applejack said. “Timberwolves are ‘bout the worst ay’ve seen down on the farm.”

Sweat was clearly visible now on Shining’s forehead showing the stress of the given situation.

Twilight looked at her friends then back at Shining. “All right girls! We need to head out at once!”

Most looked scared but all nodded in agreement.

The ponies stepped outside of the tree house filled with anxiety with what they would encounter on this adventure. “All right, girls. I’m going to teleport ourselves directly to the village to save the most time,” Twilight said.

Rarity spoke up, “I beg to differ, darling, but I don’t want to be the center of attention in that calamity.” Rarity was right. They needed a safe distance to approach the village with maybe some time in between to come up with plans.

“All right, I’ll teleport us onto the outskirts of the village.”

Rainbow Dash put her two cents in next. “Hold up! Is ‘faster’ travel the only reason we’re teleporting? Ever since you got those wings, Twilight, I’ve never seen you so much as fly to the local store to pick up inkwells and quills. What’s up with that?”

“Rainbow Dash, this is not the time for that! I do too use these wings but only in reasonable times.”

Rainbow Dash lightly grabbed one of Twilight’s wings, lifted it, and let it drop like a falling leaf. “’Reasonable’ times, huh? Sounds like excuses to me and a waste of some great wing action.”

“Rainbow Dash, for the last time, can we just drop the whole wing debates.”

“Fine.” She rolled her eyes and then muttered under her breath, “this is why eggheads shouldn’t have wings.”

“Anyways, I’m going to teleport us to the outskirts of the town. Is every girl ready?” They all nodded in agreement to which Twilight began the spell of teleportation. She normally did this these days instead of galloping to destinations with her friends as a faster means of travel. Long distance teleportation magic was quite the benefit to being an alicorn princess. At first, they were all sick and throwing up the first few times. Well, expect Pinkie Pie who demanded to do it again and again. It got easier with time and less spewed sickness. This time was no different. They each felt the magic lift them off their hooves and they swiftly reached their destination. What was not the same was the crimson and ash black sky that greeted them.

Being in the forest, they took a few moments to get their bearings when they saw an object hurtling out of the sky in their direction. It was almost close enough to hit them but they were well enough safe. The crash landing resounded through the forest louder than any explosion they ever heard before. Heading in its direction, they discovered what seemed to be the remnants of another space-like object. The main part of it still seemed intact but the rest was completely gone. Stumbling out the back exited a two-legged creature holding its head.

“I should have learned to fly a ship. I almost killed myself doing that. The computer lady said I was coming in too fast but I swear all those buttons, gadgets, and do-hickeys did nothing but make it go faster.” Wincing with one eye open, he spotted the six ponies staring at him. He didn’t hesitate to pull out the makeshift weapon he was carrying. “Who or what are you? Are you aliens?”

“Well, mister you’re the only alien here,” Twilight said. “Please lower the weapon or we’ll be forced to attack.” The girls readied themselves for a charge.

“No, I’m just looking for the Crites. Where are they? I’m a bounty hunter and my mission is kill the varmints.”

“Crites? Those black fur ball creatures from the ship-like object?”

“Yeah, little creepy things. You ever seen a piranha?” The six girls shook their heads. “Well, they’re not piranhas but eat like them.” He dropped his makeshift weapon to his side letting it hang from the strap to demonstrate the roundish shape and snapping jaws of a piranha.

The girls lowered their defenses at this with Twilight responding to the charade, “We get it. We’re in the process of heading towards the local village called Hoover’s Bend to save it from their attack.”

“Huh? Hoover’s Bend. Why’s that so similar to Grover’s Bend? I’ll tell ya, the fates of stupid irony have it out for me!”

“Hey! Listen! Are you going to help us?”

“Well, I’ll sure do better than you little pony creatures! ‘Cause I’m going to go kill every last one of those Crites with my handcrafted fine piece of machinery.” He raised his makeshift weapon as if expecting praise.

“With that?” Twilight said raising an eyebrow. “It looks like a child made it and will fall apart on first shot.”

“Hey now! I didn’t insult your little horn and wings, did I? This baby will not only hold together but astound you all with her raw ability. Found all the pieces on that Terracorp ship. There’s nothing a little duct tape can’t fix.” Finishing this sentence, a piece off the back end fell off and he promptly searched the ground to find it.

“I…suppose that could work. So, what is your name?” Twilight asked.

“Charlie.” He said standing upright again. “Charlie McFadden, the Bounty Hunter.”