//------------------------------// // by // Story: W.O.N.D.E.R.B.O.L.T.S // by FlutterShay //------------------------------// Well, hello there! I'm back! Sorry about the wait, but I'm finally back, and in this chapter, you'll see the story's antagonist! DUN DUN DUUUN *** "So let me get this straight...the Wonderbolts fight magical thousand-year-old creatures...that pose a threat to Equestria?" "Pretty much." The mare shrugged. "Like what?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Well..." Fleetfoot paused. "A month ago we had to put some special frogs in captivity because they were releasing toxic gases. Pretty boring, but boring is safe. A year ago, we lost Frills to a hydra. Rest her soul." Dash sputtered. "Frills!? But I heard she went into retirement!" "Yeah. It's funny how things like that go." The white haired mare sighed. "Most ponies will believe anything." The cyan mare was about to reply, when a red light above the door started buzzing and blinking. "Well, looks like we're needed down in HQ." Fleetfoot sighed. "But I thought we were already in HQ." She said as all the Wonderbolts filed out of the room. "It's like the HQ of HQ. The big room where they tell us our missions." Spitfire said, coming up behind them as all thirteen of them started trekking towards wherever the HQ was. It only took a minute or so to walk there, and it certainly stood out. The iron door clashed with the beige walls, and another light, identical to the one Rainbow Dash had seen, was also blinking and buzzing. The door creaked as they entered, and a large table greeted them. Big enough for numerous ponies. Sitting at the end facing the door was Rapidfire. He was turned around, gazing at many monitors on the wall behind him. He looked around as they entered. "Glad you could make it." He said coolly. "What's going on this time?" Soarin' asked as he took a seat around the the table, the others doing the same. "I'm afraid we have another threat. Class alpha, if I'm not mistaken." The twelve non rookies gasped. "Class ALPHA!?" Silver Lining inquired. "We haven't had one in fifty years!" "Fifty three this May, I'm afraid. Before any of you were serving us." Rapidfire sighed. "Now, it's only an estimation, but nonetheless, this is going to be highly dangerous. The fact that Celestia gave us this task and not her Elements of Harmony proves that she's worried." "Enough of the chitchat." Misty said. "What's the threat?" Rapidfire turned around again to face the screens. He hit a button and they came to life with a magical aura. "Wonderbolts." He said, addressing them all. "This is our threat." They saw about ten seconds worth of scenery, before several ponies stepped into view. Well...they can't exactly be called ponies. Something didn't seem right, and Dash was sure she'd seen them. Somewhere. Their coats ranged from grey to dark grey. Their manes assorted colors of blue. She didn't know about their eyes, as they were covered with yellow goggles, and their bodies covered with black and purple flight suits. The three pegasi circled the clearing. Talking amidst themselves and keeping watch. Suddenly, she knew where she had seen them before. The Shadowbolts. *** "The Shadowbolts!?" Dash yelled, causing all heads to turn her way. "How could they be a threat? Nightmare Moon made them up! They're a figment of her imagination!" "I'm afraid not, Miss Dash." Rapidfire said. "Our scientists looked into it after Princess Luna returned to power. You see, Nightmare Moon's powers are immense. But her shapeshifting powers are limited to whatever actually exists in the world. That never stopped her, but that means she must've come into contact with them at some point...Or at least have seen or heard of them." The cyan mare thought about this, as Lightning Streak, a yellow maned pony cut in. "So what's the big deal with these...ponies?" "I might as well get to the point." Rapidfire said. "Numerous mares and stallions have gone missing in the past decade, and all the disappearances have been linked to these three. Whether through witnesses, hoofprints, or evidence left behind, we have determined that these ponies are bad news. But we didn't know enough about it until we heard about it firsthand from a pony who claims to have escaped from them. She had escaped kidnap and eventually one of our agents found her." "Who is this mare?" Fire Streak asked. "Could we meet her?" Rapidfire grinned. "Funny you should ask." He motioned to the door. "Please come in, miss." The door swung open, and in walked yet another pony that Rainbow Dash knew. And this one loved muffins.