//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: Arrival at Ponyville // Story: Brave Frontier Equestria // by Titan Commander Sebaste //------------------------------// Midnight Storm, Squeaky Wings, Sapphire Breeze, Wind Runner, Autumn Glow and Summer Ice belong to Chaotic Ink and his story The Witching Hour. “Cassie… awaken….” A deep voice said. Cassie woke up to find herself in an unfamiliar setting, with machinery hissing all around her. She then heard heavy footsteps before a massive armored figure appeared before her. Startled, she made to draw her sword, only to find she was in the clothes she had worn before she had changed into her costume. “Where… where am I? Am I… dead?” She asked. The figure chuckled softly. “No, you're very much alive. You had quite the exciting day yesterday, you ended up falling asleep in one of the beds on the train.” it said, the voice revealing it as male. Cassie then realized that she was dreaming. “Who exactly are you?” Cassie asked, her voice beginning to shake. Now that she could see him more clearly, she saw that his armor was more advanced than hers, with some kind of backpack with two nozzles poking out from the sides mounted on his back. His helmet had what looked like wings on it and while she couldn't see his face, she could feel his gaze from the red lenses that seemed to glare at her. The armor was dark green with a red stripe across his left kneepad. On his right shoulder pad was a white winged sword. A tan embroidered cape also hung on his back while in his hand was a massive sword with an arrowhead like point which he dug into the metal plates under his feet. “I am known by many names. But my true name, I cannot reveal. You may however call me Company Master.” He replied. “Okay… so why did you come to me? I'm nobody special…” Cassie asked. Company Master gave a low laugh. “On the contrary, both you and your sister are special in that you both share a connection that not even I can fathom. That is something that will get you through the trials ahead. But the reason I am here is because I felt a power surge from you that may endanger you and your friends. You must learn to control your rage or risk losing yourself to the beast that hides inside you and gives you your power.” An image of a winged creature with horns and red eyes made of electricity and fire appeared before her, before it was seen incinerating hapless ponies and even her sister as it wreaked havoc across Equestria, and worst of all, Cassie could see herself inside the beast, eyes alight with madness and rage. “No…. I wouldn't do that! I… I would never go that far….” She said, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I know. But you were close to unleashing that beast when you were fighting the bandits. You may have your heart in the right place when you fight to protect , but if goaded by someone threatening to harm those you care about, you end up hurting yourself and those you care about by not showing mercy to your enemies. Something you nearly did with Gralf when the two of you fought.” He said sternly. “You were lucky his compatriot stopped you from dealing the death stroke.” Cassie hung her head. “But you managed to stop the bandits from hurting any of the passengers in the process. I’ve been keeping an eye on you and your sister for a long time now, and both of you have done incredible things. But not even I can stop the Fallen Gods, even with the power I have. That is something only you and your friends can do.” “But why are the Fallen gods attacking Equestria?” Cassie asked. Company Master sighed. “That is something I cannot answer. But I can tell you this: Maxwell will be on the lookout for you and your sister. You must be careful when you go to confront her, as to where she hides… Look to the west where the beasts of legend roam as subjects to a king, and when the Ivory Tower appears, the Goddess will arrive to wreak destruction upon Equestria.” He said. “I'm sure Ms. Sparkle will know what I'm talking about. And a word of warning, not all Displaced are as… welcoming as your friend Nicko was. So be careful who you trust the next time you pick up a token.” Cassie nodded before Company Master looked behind him. “I must leave, but remember what I've told you and heed my words… you and your sister are not the only Displaced in this world…” he said before he began to disappear. “Wait, what do you mean?! Who else got Displaced?” Cassie asked desperately. “You’ll find out soon enough… and when you get to the Golden Oaks Library, I've left something for the both of you. ” was his answer before he vanished. “No, wait! Come back!” She yelled. “Cassie, wake up!” Mira’s voice jolted her awake and she groaned. “Mira?” She croaked. “What's going on?” “We’re arriving at Ponyville Station. The others are already up and waiting for us.” Mira then looked at Cassie worriedly. “Is everything okay? It sounded like you were having a bad dream.” “Yeah… I'm alright. Just had a weird dream about some guy in some kind of futuristic armor talking to me…” Cassie replied, as she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and slowly stood up. Mira raised an eyebrow. “Did he say anything important?” She asked. “Something about a beast within me and some kind of riddle that will help us find Maxwell…” Cassie replied tiredly. “I don't really want to think about it right now…” Despite wanting to know more, Mira nodded. “C'mon, let’s get to the others.” The two then headed towards where Karl, Seria, Tilith,Twilight, Pinkie and Seriene were waiting for them. “Well, you took your time! I was starting to think you wouldn't show up!” Seria snapped, but her glare softened a bit. “Sorry, took awhile for me to fully wake up.” Cassie replied. She looked out the window at the town coming into view. “So that’s Ponyville?” Pinkie bounced up to her. “Yep! And you’ll have lots and lots of new friends!” She replied. Mira giggled as Seria rolled her eyes. “Can't wait…” the swordswoman muttered. Twilight chuckled. “You'll get used to it. I’ll introduce you fully to my other friends after we get settled.” She said as the train pulled up. “I know you two met us under… surprising circumstances, but hopefully now we can fully get to know you two.” Cassie gave a low chuckle. “Yeah… that and finding a way to fit in….” She said. Twilight frowned thoughtfully. “Maybe there is… Discord changed you into ponies the day you and the princesses fought him for the last time, right?” Cassie and Mira nodded. “Maybe I can cast a spell that allows you to change to ponies at will, that way, we don't have everyone in Ponyville panicking like they did when the others appeared.” she said with a glance at Karl, Seria and Tilith. “Everyone except that pony-dragon hybrid.” Seria said. “Midnight? She's used to seeing the ponies here panic over little things.” Twilight replied. “Although she wasn't exactly welcoming to begin with.” “Hey! No spoilers for that story!” Pinkie said. Twilight rolled her eyes before the door outside opened and the group walked out onto the station. Waiting for them was Spike and a creature the two had never seen before. It had a pony body, legs and a horn like Twilight's, but had the wings, eyes and bladed tail of a dragon of Earth mythology. Her fur color was pitch black with a light blue mane, her eyes the same color as her mane. This was Midnight Storm. “Twilight! How did everything go?” The baby dragon asked, sounding relieved “He’s been worrying non-stop since you left.” The kirin spoke up. She then looked at the train and raised an eyebrow. “Seems you guys had quite the ride back. What the heck happened?” “Bandits… it’s a long story.” Twilight replied. Midnight snorted, a puff of blue flame jetting out of her nose. “As to how everything went, we learned that four beings called the Fallen Gods have set their sights on Equestria. A village was destroyed yesterday, with a single mare, three fillies and a colt surviving the attack.” Spike turned pale at that. Midnight gritted her teeth, baring her fangs in the process. “I’d like to get my hooves on whoever did that…” “They’ve already been dealt with.” Mira spoke up, causing Midnight to look at her in surprise and suspicion. “Cassie and I, along with… a friend of our went to the village and avenged those that were killed.” “And who exactly are you two?” Midnight asked. “I don't remember seeing the two of you with the lot that appeared here yesterday…” Twilight quickly spoke up. “That's because they just arrived. They were in Canterlot when I found them.” Spike gave her a puzzled look while she shook her head slightly in warning. He then shrugged before turning to the group. “Applejack and Rarity have your rooms ready.” He said to Karl, Seria and Tilith. He then looked at Mira, Cassie and Seriene. “Twilight mentioned that you three would be staying with us at the library. So I have the guest rooms set up for the three of you, although… I noticed two flashes of light from where you two are staying. It's probably nothing….” He gave a shrug. Cassie suddenly remembered the last thing that Company Master had told her before she woke up. Just who exactly is Company Master… and why would he help Mira and I? She thought, her brow furrowing. This world just gets more confusing by the minute... With a shake of her head, she and the other four followed Twilight as Pinkie bounced off to Sugarcube Corner. It had been a long day of preparing the weather for the next few days, and Rainbow Dash was looking forward to seeing Twilight when she came back. Her mind turned to the two humans she had seen back in Canterlot. Hard to believe those two were the ponies of legend…. And those powers of theirs... She had seen a few of their kind when she and her friends were sent to Appleloosa, and even then, she could feel their eyes watching her from where they stood as they watched the train she was on passed by. At the time, it had been a single redhead, while his companion had yellow spiky hair. Both wielded massive swords, while the yellow haired human had a blue bandana on his head that streamed in the wind. Her thoughts were cut short as she spotted Twilight walking towards the library, followed by Spike, Midnight and… Cassie and Mira! While Rainbow wasn't a big fan of learning about history, she was intrigued by Mira and Cassie's story. After she had left Canterlot, she had gone and looked up more of what had happened, surprising Twilight in the process. Rainbow herself had been surprised by the feats the two humans had done, from saving a group of ponies from twisted versions of other ponies, to fighting a group of Minotaurs.But as she flew over, she saw a winged human with green hair and wearing what looked like a tunic that the ponies of Roam wore back then. As she got closer, she could hear their voices as they talked. “So you two met Seria and Karl when you went to investigate that village?” Twilight asked, getting a nod from Cassie. “Yeah, it was… definitely surprising.” She said. Midnight rolled her eyes at that. “If you ask me, this 'Seria’ has a bit of an arrogant streak.” The Kirin said with a snort. “And that 'Tilith’ is too much like Rarity for my taste..” “Yo Cassie, Mira!” Rainbow called down, causing the group to look up at her. “Didn't think you guys would show up here!” “The Princess said that they would be staying here with us while they prepare to hunt down Maxwell.” Twilight said, earning a confused look from Rainbow. “Who the hay is that?” The pegasus asked. “One of the Fallen Gods… She was the one that ordered the attack on that town.” Seriene spoke up, her head hung. “I know because I was one of the commanders of the forces that destroyed the town…” Both Midnight and Rainbow glared at Seriene, the former baring her fangs. “If you value your life, don't go near my family or my daughter, or Faust help me, I will be the last thing you'll ever see.” Midnight snarled, her draconic eyes narrowed. Twilight winced, remembering the last time someone had threatened Midnight's family, it hadn't ended well. Seriene stepped back, her eyes fearful and filling with tears of shame before she spread her wings and flew off, a powerful gust of wind causing the others to brace themselves as the cold air cut through them. “Seriene, wait!” Cassie yelled, following after the wind spirit. Mira shivered as the wind blew through, her armor providing little to no protection from the gust as Twilight glared at Midnight. “Midnight, there was no call for that!” “How do you know she won't turn on us when she gets the chance? I don't want to risk my sister and Squeaks getting hurt!” The Kirin retorted. “Do you think she would honestly harm innocent lives? She honestly regrets what she did!” Twilight snapped angrily. Midnight snorted at that. “I have to agree with Midnight, she doesn't really look trustworthy…” Rainbow said, only to flinch when Twilight turned her glare towards her. “She wouldn't have been able to hurt anypony because she is under observation by Mira and Cassie! ARRRGH!” With a growl, she stormed past the two mares and Mira, Spike quickly running after her after giving the three a sympathetic smile. Mira sighed. “I'm guessing that happens with her a lot?” She asked as she began to follow Twilight, Rainbow and Midnight bringing up the rear. Rainbow gave a light chuckle. “Yeah, but you should see her when she really gets mad, now that's something worth seeing.” Midnight rolled her eyes. “I’ve only heard of that one time, and this was before I fought that Hydra.” She said. “Wait, did you say a Hydra?!” Mira asked in shock. Midnight snorted at this. “Yeah, and it roughed me up pretty badly at that. What, there weren't Hydras where you and your sister lived?” She asked, a sarcastic note in her voice “They don't exist where we come from.” Mira said, getting a shocked look from the Kirin and Rainbow. “You're kidding right?” Rainbow asked. Mira shook her head. “Geez, your world's weird…” “Says the technicolored pegasus.” Mira retorted with a grin. A small snicker escaped from Midnight at the retort, while Twilight gave a small smirk. Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Ha ha ha…” she said as she trotted next to Spike. Mira chuckled before she looked up at the sky. ‘I really hope Seriene is alright… she looked really hurt by what Midnight had said..’ She thought. Cassie groaned in frustration as she flew over Ponyville, her eyes on the lookout for the Slyph. She had lost Seriene a few minutes into the chase, and nearly flew herself ragged in the ensuing search. She landed on a nearby bridge overlooking a river near a forest and winced as the muscles around her wings ached, the appendages turning solid as the energy around them vanished, leaving her with a pair of tawny golden brown wings that occasionally crackled with electrical energy. ‘Must be the ponies’ version of a park...’ She thought as she walked along the path. After a twenty minutes of walking, she saw a pond nearby and walked towards it. ‘I’ll hand it to these ponies, they have some amazing scenery... As she neared the pond, she heard a voice singing. It was both sad and stirring. She stopped to listen and as the song progressed, she recognized who was singing. She soon continued on her way to the pond, listening to the song all the while. She soon walked out into an open field, the pond glittering a few feet in front of her. And sitting at the shore was Seriene, her knees tucked up to her chin and her wings wrapped around her body. A cold wind rippled the water as the Slyph sighed. “Seriene?” The wind nymph looked up at Cassie. “Is everything okay?” Seriene didn't answer, looking back out over the lake. When she finally spoke up, her voice shook. “They're right not to trust me… For all they know, I can turn on them in an instant…” Cassie sighed. “Give them time. They'll come around eventually.” She said. “I doubt that will happen…” Seriene said, hugging her wings tighter around her body. Cassie put a hand on Seriene's shoulder to comfort her. “You’ll pull through this. We all will.” Seriene turned her head to look at Cassie with tear filled eyes. “Why do you want to help me, after everything I did to those ponies?” she asked. “Because in a way… you remind me of my sister.” Cassie admitted. “You both are sensitive in your own way.” She was suddenly engulfed in a hug as Seriene began to sob into her shoulder. Caught off guard, Cassie could only return the hug, albeit awkwardly. “Th...Thank you.” Seriene whispered. Cassie looked up at the now setting sun and sighed. I wish I could make sense of what Company Master had told me… But I have a feeling it will impact what happens when we go to stop Maxwell and the other three Gods…. And what did he mean by Cassie and I not being the only ones Displaced here? After the two sat at the shore for a few more minutes, they flew back to Ponyville and, after getting directions from a pony heading back home, headed to the Golden Oaks Library. “Where were you two?” Mira asked as Cassie and Seriene walked into the library. Midnight and Rainbow by that time had left for their homes. “A pond in some woods nearby. Seriene and I had… a little chat while we were there.” Cassie said just as Twilight came down the stairs from putting Spike to bed. “You two were in Whitetail Woods? I love going there, especially in the fall.” The unicorn said. “I could see why.” Cassie chuckled. “Well, we don't really have much to eat, but you're welcome to make yourself a sandwich or some eggs.” Twilight said. Cassie nodded before she headed towards the kitchen. Twilight then looked over at Seriene. “I'm really sorry that my friends acted like that earlier. I’ll have them apologize tomorrow.” “It's... It's alright. I understand that they don't really trust me, especially with what I've done…” Seriene said, hanging her head. She then walked upstairs to her room and both Mira and Twilight heard the door click shut. Cassie walked back out from the kitchen a few minutes later, having finished a plate of scrambled eggs she had made. “I'm gonna head up to bed. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” She said before heading to her room. But when she entered, she saw a pile of her old clothes folded neatly at the foot of her bed. How?! This must have what Company Master meant by him leaving something for me and Mira… our old clothes... She gave a small smile. He may not make sense sometimes, but he does seem to care about us... After removing her armor, she moved her clothes onto a nearby trunk and slipped into the bed. Almost like my old bed... She thought before she fell into a dreamless sleep.