//------------------------------// // The Invitation // Story: Banished Shadows // by Intercollision //------------------------------// Chapter Four: The Invitation A soft snuffling emerged from within the ruins of a concrete building. Huddled deep in the shadows, a form lay licking its shoulder where an angry wound still oozed dark blood. The accursed light that had appeared with the interlopers had mercifully vanished shortly after they had, returning the massive chamber to the unadulterated darkness that was home to the lurker. A whisper drifted in the air, and the creature perked up ready to fight, its milky eyes straining for the slightest movement. When nothing appeared, it settled back with a renewed stab of pain from its shoulder. Bitterness filled it at the thought of the one who had done this to it; that one had killed many of its kin, and there was just enough intelligence within the beast to foster a simmering hatred for that four-legged menace and all like him. Soft laughter echoed in the room. The lurker paused in its ministrations, cocking its head and listening intently. A voice without words beckoned, and the creature felt a tugging at its mind. Without resistance, it stood and lurched out into the ruins, easily navigating around the crumbling structures despite the complete darkness. The voice cooed approvingly in the creature’s mind; it was strangely familiar to the creature, resonating with an ancient affinity, and the lurker was completely lost to it. The lurker stalked across the room, passing the dark splotches of its own blood which stained the floor where it had been wounded. Its mind was entirely consumed by the voice’s will, which drove the hapless beast through a small opening in a wall of the chamber. There, before the lurker, a narrow staircase rose, carved in stone and worn with age. It quickly dashed up the steps, desperate to please the formless voice. The click of claws on stone echoed off the walls in an irregular pattern as the creature was forced to limp every fourth step. Flecks of foam flew from the creature’s mouth with each ragged breath, but eventually a small spot of light appeared in the distance. Panting, the creature slowed, the tugging on its mind unable to overcome the primal fear of the light. The lurker knew it was to wait, for the brightness was only temporary, and when the light faded it could proceed. The voice promised a bounty of flesh, enough to satiate even the lurker’s immense appetite, and, best of all, there would be revenge for the wound inflicted upon it. The lurker settled down on the steps to lick its wound and wait, lost in gruesome, savage fantasies of what was to come. *     *     * “Don’t worry so much Spike, they’ve only been gone a few hours.” “I know, but this whole thing makes me nervous.” Spike sat on a stool near Pinkie Pie who was arranging a fresh plate of cupcakes behind the counter at Sugarcube Corner. “You know that Twilight and the others can take care of themselves. I’m just disappointed I had to cancel my party today now that almost everyone has gone. Still, this means I can throw an extra special one when they get back to make up for it!” “You really think they’re okay?” “Silly Spike, I’m sure of it, I bet that right now they’re having all sorts of fun and finding all kinds of interesting things down there. That’s probably why they’re taking so long, you know how curious Twilight is.” “I suppose you’re right. That arch thing really wrecked the library, and after I had it all clean and—” The bell above the door tinkled and a cloaked pony stepped into the shop, hood pulled up, face hidden in shadow. Pinkie looked up and smiled broadly, “Hi! Welcome to Sugarcube Corner, my name is Pinkie Pie, and we’ve got the tastiest, most delicious treats in Ponyville.” The pony looked around slowly without saying a word. Pinkie peered into the hood, trying in vain to make out what lay beneath the shadows. “Uh, is there something you’re looking for in particular?” A soft, melodic voice emerged from inside the hood, “I’m searching for something out of the ordinary.” “Is that all?” Pinkie Pie laughed. “Well, we have all sorts of unique treats, like these sugarcane twists made with—” “I’m not interested in your confections.” Spike hopped off his stool and stood before the pony, his claws on his hips. “If you don’t want sweets, then why did you come into a sweetshop?” he demanded indignantly. The pony ignored the question. “Have either of you seen anything strange in this area?” “Wait a moment,” Spike crossed his arms stubbornly, “you haven’t even told us who you are yet, or where you’re from.” The pony sighed and pulled back the hood, and a shock of dappled, forest green mane cascaded over her warm, earthy brown coat. She fixed her emerald green eyes on Spike, “You may call me Penumbra, I’ve come a long distance today, from where is not relevant.” Her voice hardened, losing some of its melodic overtones, “What is relevant is that I’m searching for something that is both powerful and dangerous, and time is short. So I ask again, have either of you seen anything peculiar, or am I wasting my time?” Pinkie Pie looked thoughtful, tapping her chin with a hoof. “I see a lot of peculiar things...” “Can you be any more specific?” Spike asked Penumbra. “I’m afraid not.” “Oh! Oh! I love guessing games!” Pinkie Pie pranced excitedly in place. “Let’s see, is it this strange stick I found yesterday? Or that weird rock over in the field? Oh! What about—” Penumbra sighed. “I see that I’ll find no help here, goodbye,” and she turned to leave. “Wait!” Spike called. Penumbra paused at the door and looked back. “Yes?” Spike was staring as her cutie mark, just visible beneath her cloak. A single green vine twisted on her flank, bearing three diamond-shaped leaves. Spike pointed, “I’ve seen that plant before, on the archway that appeared.” Penumbras eyes widened and her ears stood up stiffly, “There is an archway? You must take me to it!” “But why—” “I need to see it. Now.” Spike looked back at Pinkie Pie who shrugged. “Okay, okay, don’t get your mane in a tangle,” he said, “follow me.” Spike led her through Ponyville to the library while Penumbra muttered incomprehensibly to herself the entire way. Spike pushed the library door open and Penumbra shoved past him. “Hey, watch it!” he cried, but Penumbra was already standing stock-still before the arch. “I never imagined I’d find it,” she murmured at last, “so solid, so real. But I wonder...” Spike walked over to stand by her. “Do you know what it is?” Penumbra blinked and shook her head as if to clear it. “Tell me, if you can, how did this come to be here?” “Well, Twilight Sparkle—she’s Princess Celestia’s number-one student, and I’m her number-one assistant—found this weird book while we were out on the plains, and when she opened it there was a picture of this archway thing on the page. Then there was this strange noise, and this wind, so I ran out to get help—not that I was scared, I’m plenty brave, it’s just I thought Twilight might need some help—and when I got back, that arch was there.” “You mean it was summoned by a single pony? Where is this pony? I should speak with her.” “She went down there,” Spike pointed to the blackness beneath the arch, “with Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash. They should be back soon, if you wait I’m sure—” “Somepony has passed through the arch?” Penumbra bent her head and began tapping her forehead with a hoof. “The arch has been summoned and breached, should I...? No...no, I need to consult the archives before I act too rashly.” She suddenly reared and ran out the door at a full gallop without another word. “Hey!” a startled Spike called after her. “You didn’t answer any of my questions!” but she had already disappeared in the distance. Spike stood alone amongst the chaotic rubble in the library, completely at a loss on how to make sense of the encounter, while the late afternoon sunlight shone through the shattered windows. After a few perplexed minutes he cast a sidelong glance at the arch and shuddered. Quickly, he made his way back to Sugarcube Corner. “Hello again!” Pinkie called. “What happened to our new friend?” Spike plopped onto a stool. “She ran off after I told her Twilight and the others had gone down those steps. Pretty rude, if you ask me.” “Maybe she was late for something.” “Yeah, maybe.” Spike fidgeted on the stool. “Hey Pinkie Pie, I was wondering...if Twilight doesn’t get back soon, can I...can I stay here with you tonight? It’s just, the library is such a mess and I don’t want to clean it tonight, and I, uh...” Pinkie Pie looked up from the balls of dough she was arranging on a cookie sheet, “Of course you can, Spike! You, Gummy, and I can all play games, we’ll have lots of fun! Do you think Fluttershy would like to come over too?” “I don’t know, I’ll go ask her if she’d like to come...and thanks Pinkie Pie.” “You’re welcome.” Pinkie returned her attention to the cookie dough as Spike opened the door and stepped outside. The bright autumn light was growing heavy, tinged with orange, as the sun sank in the west. He hurried off towards Fluttershy’s cottage, feeling that today it would be best to be inside well before dark for some ineffable reason. He shuddered again as he crunched through the dead leaves strewn on the ground, a sensation of uneasiness settling in his stomach as he thought about Twilight and the others being somewhere beyond the archway, I hope you’re alright. *     *     * Major Tyrrsan took a deep breath and edged the door open. The beeping of medical equipment filled the small room, which was barely large enough to accommodate it and the four ponies already inside. Tyrrsan surveyed the situation intently, three of the ponies were gathered around a hospital bed in which the fourth pony lay, unconscious but breathing evenly. He stood in the doorway, blocking the only exit, and if necessary he could use the IV drip as a weapon to—Stop it! Remember Tyrrsan, you’re supposed to befriend them, not kill them! He freed his head from the jumpsuit, releasing his cyan mane which was cut short and stood straight up a mere few centimeters above his midnight blue coat. Taking a deep breath and putting on the largest smile he could, Tyrrsan stepped fully into the room. “Hello,” he said in his most cheerful voice. Immediately, three pairs of eyes fixed on him, and his smile wavered. “I, uh, just wanted to check on you ladies, to see how you’re doing.” “We’re doin’ fine,” the pony with a hat said, “but our friend here still ain’t awake.” “Ah, yes, I heard about the sedative, she should come out of it in an hour or so, assuming there are no complications.” “Well, alright then, after that I’m sure there won’t be any problem with our leaving, will there?” Tyrrsan stiffened. “I don’t know what you’re implying, but you’re not prisoners”—At least, not at the moment—“and you’re free to leave at anytime.” The purple pony with the horn stepped forward, saying “You’ll have to forgive Applejack—” the pony with the hat snorted “—but we’re all rather frustrated with the way we’ve been treated.” “I do apologize for any inconvenience, we were merely taking measures to protect our security, no offense was intended.” The purple pony nodded. “Well, I guess that’s alright then. I suppose I should introduce myself properly now. I’m Twilight Sparkle, this is Applejack, and that’s Rarity, our friend in the bed is Rainbow Dash.” Just then, three more ponies in black jumpsuits entered the room, their hoods were pulled back like the major’s so their faces were visible. The major nodded, “Perfect timing as usual. I’m Major Tyrrsan, and this is TAU-9. You’ve already met Sergeant Sawtooth,” the enormous pony with the metal teeth smiled, his purple mane and crimson coat doing nothing to mitigate his ferocious appearance, “over there is Private Slingshot,” a chestnut pony with a flat, segmented metal tail that curved up away from the floor and widened to ten centimeters at its tip, nodded at them, “and lastly we have Private Recoil.” The last pony was the smallest of them, her charcoal coat and white mane causing her to fade into the shadows at the corner of the room. Each of her eyes was covered with a piece of reflective glass set into her skull, much like the general’s eye patch. Twilight smiled uncertainly. “Uh, pleased to meet all of you, and thank you for saving us from that...” “Lurker,” the major supplied. “Right, that lurker.” Tyrrsan saw that Twilight was eyeing each member of his squad with open interest, especially Private Slingshot. “Is something the matter?” he asked. “I’m sorry, but I can’t help myself,” Twilight turned to face Slingshot. “I”m curious, that metal plate on your tail looks rather uncomfortable, is there a reason why you’re wearing it? When do you take it off?” Slingshot looked completely taken aback, and the major laughed. “He can’t take it off, of course.” Twilight looked at the major confusedly. “He can’t?” Tyrrsan stopped laughing, Is she serious? She must know about implants, she has one herself. Still, maybe I could use this to my advantage. “Here, why don’t you and I take a walk, and I can explain about the private’s tail.” And maybe once you’re separated from your friends I can get you to explain a few things as well. Twilight smiled more genuinely. “That sounds...alright, and it would be nice to stretch my legs.” “Excellent. Sergeant, you, Slingshot, and Recoil stay here and look after the rest of our guests.” He turned back to Twilight, “If you’ll follow me?” Twilight and the major walked out of the room into one of the ubiquitous corridors. “So, Twilight Sparkle, what would you like to know about Private Slingshot’s implant?” Twilight paused for a moment as they passed a field medic in a tan vest. “Why does he wear it?” “He uses it for ordnance delivery, he loads a small explosive or other type of shell in the tail, and hurls it at the target. It’s very efficient and accurate, and can be used as a mêlée weapon if needed.” “And he never takes it off?” “I told you, he can’t take it off, there’s nothing to take off.” “I don’t understand. What about his tail? Doesn't it hurt to have it in there all the time?” Tyrrsan looked askance at Twilight, She’s really dedicated to playing dumb. Alright, I’ll play along. “That is his tail. When Private Slingshot was assigned to artillery, he underwent a very simple surgery to remove his tail and replace it with the ordnance delivery system.” Twilight stopped short. “That’s horrible!” Tyrrsan stared at her. “What? But you have...” “To take a pony’s tail and replace it with a weapon? That’s...that’s unthinkable!” Tyrrsan finally managed to get a word in, “But, what about your horn?” “What about it?” “You had that implanted, how is that any different?” “I had no such thing, I was born with my horn.” The general wasn’t lying, she’s good, I almost believe her. “Really?” “Of course! You should know, you have a horn too.” “Yes,” Tyrrsan said patiently, as if explaining to a foal, “but I had this implanted when I entered the service, it’s a simple electropulse launcher.” “You mean it’s artificial? You had that...put into your head?” It was the major’s turn to say “Of course! It’s the same with with the sergeant’s teeth and foreleg blades, or Private Recoil’s ocular implants.” Twilight sat down hard on the metal floor. “Does everypony down here have a—what did you call it?—implant?” “Not everypony, though most ponies in the military have some sort of augmentation relating to their specialty. Often, civilians have prostheses to replace limbs lost, or compensate for other injuries sustained during attacks.” “I really don’t understand, who are you fighting, how do these implants work, why would...it’s all just so bizarre!” Tyrrsan looked at the clearly distressed Twilight Sparkle for a long moment. “Let’s make a deal: I’ll explain a bit about our history and try to clear things up, and you can tell me about where you come from and why these ordinary things seem so strange to you.” Twilight stood up. “Alright, although I don’t think they’re very ordinary.” Tyrrsan led Twilight through the crowded tunnels of the medical area, looking for a place they could talk more easily. The major’s mind was racing trying to make sense of the pony who walked next to him. She truly seemed to be from another world, completely ignorant about even the most basic aspects of life in the tunnels. Of course, it could all be a ruse to seem harmless and gain his trust, Much like the ruse I’m currently using to “befriend” her, he thought ruefully. Still, regardless of his orders, he was actually curious to learn more about her, if anything she said was really true. Tyrrsan was forced to agree with her on one point: This whole situation was plain bizarre. Four mysterious ponies just appeared out of nowhere with some of the most realistic implants he had ever seen—which they claim are natural and not implants—including wings. What use were wings? Even if they did work, which Tyrrsan doubted, there was no room to fly in the tunnels, the only things that flew were the insects. Hopefully, he could finagle the truth out of Twilight Sparkle without too much trouble. They had left medical by now, and were meandering through the public corridors of Perimeter Defense, which were crowded with various ponies in uniform hurrying about their business. A twinge in his stomach gave Tyrrsan an idea, and he led the way to the mess hall, which was composed of several corridors that ran parallel to each other, the walls between them having been demolished to create a larger dining area filled with low tables and benches. The hall would fill and empty in waves as shifts ended and ponies found time to eat. Now, however, there were only a few scattered ponies sitting at the benches and eating quietly. Perfect. Tyrrsan led Twilight to an empty table in the far corner. “Would you like something to eat?” “Uh, yes actually, I would, thank you.” “Wait here, I’ll be back in a moment.” As Tyrrsan went to retrieve two trays of whatever they had decided to call food today, he watched Twilight surreptitiously. She was looking around the hall curiously, but not suspiciously; she looked so harmless, there was no way she could be a threat. Get a hold of yourself major! Don’t forget you have a mission, you have no idea how dangerous she might be. The major wound his way back to the table with new resolve, carrying one tray in his mouth and balancing the other on his back. “That’s very impressive, where did you learn to do that?” Twilight inquired as he set the trays on the table. “When I was a little colt I used to wait tables at the only diner in my home sector. It was a very small place, where everypony knew each other.” Twilight nodded, “It’s the same where I come from.” Then, looking critically down at her tray, she asked, “Are you sure this is food?” Tyrrsan laughed in spite of himself. “It looks pretty bad, and doesn’t taste much better, but it’s good for you.” Why did I tell her about the diner? Focus Tyrrsan, you have a job to do, you need to get information from her, not tell her your life story. They ate in awkward silence for a few moments before Tyrrsan swallowed his mouthful and said, “Why don’t you tell me a little more about where you come from.” “Well, the town I come from is called Ponyville. It’s certainly not the biggest city in Equestria, but definitely one of the friendliest. It’s beautiful there, plenty of sunshine and close to the Everfree Forest, which, while not entirely safe, is still a very interesting place.” The major’s mind was racing, Sunshine? Forests? What is she babbling about? but all he said was, “That sounds very nice.” “Oh, I don’t know, I’m sure it’s not very interesting compared to this place.” Tyrrsan smirked to himself, I think it’s plenty interesting; getting information from her almost seems too easy. Maybe I should have gone into the intelligence division.... “Well, what about yourself then, what do you do? I’m sure that must be more interesting than a career military pony like myself.” “Well, I’m a student of Princess Celestia’s, studying magic.” “Magic? You’re serious?” Twilight looked a little annoyed. “I’m rather good at it, thank you.” Tyrrsan kept his face carefully blank. “I’m sure you are.” That settles it, she’s completely insane. First the business about being born with a horn and now magic? Maybe we should have checked her for the concussion instead of her friend. Well, might as well get all the crazy out of her at once. “So,” the major continued, his composure regained, “I’m rather intrigued by the tattoos on your flank, do they have a special significance?” Twilight looked momentarily perplexed. “You mean my cutie mark?” Tyrrsan cringed internally, Cutie mark? Really? but managed to keep his voice level as he said, “Yes, I suppose I do.” “Well first, it’s not a tattoo,” Twilight’s tone had taken on a lecturing quality. “Whenever a pony discovers that special something about themselves, that unique talent they possess, a cutie mark appears on their flank. You can’t force it to happen, it only occurs when you realize your gifts, which is usually around early adolescence.” She shot an uneasy glance at Tyrrsan’s flank, “I’m actually rather disturbed you’ve covered yours with that disc. What is that thing, by the way?” “Well first, it’s not covering anything,” Tyrrsan said, mimicking Twilight’s lecturing tone. “We don’t have ‘cutie marks’, instead, everypony has an identity disc implanted in their flank when they’re old enough, and then they’re registered with the master catalogue. The ident-disc serves as a form of permanent ID, carrying your occupation, or rank and assignment if you’re in the military, and other important information for easy reference and access. It helps keep things organized, and provides essential security, especially in the border sectors.” Twilight pushed the tray of half-eaten gray goop away and leaned forward. “And why, exactly, is security so important? I mean, why are you down here? Who are you fighting?” The major thought for a moment, it was a safe question, there was nothing classified in what he would tell her. “Well, the who is the easy part, mostly we fight the lurkers, although what they are I’m not exactly sure. As for why, that’s something I leave to the philosophers, all I know is that if we didn’t, they’d overrun the place. Sometimes we get a rogue group who think they could run things better, but they don’t last long. The thing I don’t understand is what you mean by ‘down here’?” Twilight gestured vaguely around the mess hall, “Down here, underground, in these tunnels.” “Um, Twilight,” he cocked an eyebrow at her, “we live in the tunnels, that’s all there is, there’s nothing else.” The pony across from him stared in slack-jawed astonishment. “Major, there’s a whole world above these tunnels. Have you never left this warren? Where I come from is filled with trees, and animals, and rivers, and books, and.... Well, much nicer than some dank tunnel..” I was wrong, she’s not crazy, she’s delusional. How can someone leave the tunnels? All that’s out there are more tunnels! This is more ludicrous than that drivel about magic. “I’m not sure about any of that, but I think we’ve done a nice job of keeping the corridors here clean and safe, certainly not dank.” “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you, it’s just if I could show you Equestria.... It may not be perfect, but it’s really very nice. I need to get back soon anyway, you’re welcome to join us, in fact, I’m not sure we could even find our way back without your help.” Tyrrsan sat back, brow furrowed and thoughts racing, I need to talk to the general, she’s clearly made up this “Ponyville” place as some form of escapism, maybe she saw something in the tunnels that she couldn’t handle. Whatever the case, she’s obviously not a threat to anyone except herself, and certainly not full of useful information. Time for the brushoff, “Sure, I’d love to come, let me talk to my superiors and maybe I can get some time off for a visit.” Twilight smiled. “Sounds good. Now, I should probably get back to my friends, maybe Rainbow Dash is awake.” Tyrrsan nodded curtly and flagged down a pony in a green vest who was just finishing his meal. “Private, please escort this pony to medical, room six-zero-two.” The pony saluted smartly. “Yes sir! This way, ma’am.” Watching them both leave Tyrrsan’s spirits dipped, Well, that was a waste of time, and he strode off to report on the futility of his assignment. He was not looking forward to that, the general usually didn’t take disappointment well. Tyrrsan wound his way back to the ops center, where he found Lieutenant Shandly sitting at a computer terminal. Does he ever sleep? “Hello Lieutenant, is the general in?” Shandly looked up and blinked. “What? Oh, the general, yes sir, he’s in, let me check to see if he’s available.” Shandly pushed the button on the intercom, “Sir, Major Tyrrsan is here to see you.... Right away, sir.” Shandly turned back to Tyrrsan, “The general will see you now.” “Thank you.” Tyrrsan opened the door to the general’s office and saluted. General Ironlegs returned the salute. “Finished with your assignment already, major?” “In a manner of speaking, sir.” “Oh? What have you to report?” “I don’t believe there’s any useful information that can be obtained from them, sir.” “Nothing? Why is that?” “Well sir, if I may be blunt,” the general nodded, “I think their bridles are a little loose, if you catch my drift—they’re completely delusional.” The general raised an eyebrow. “All of them?” “I didn’t speak much with the others, sir, but the one I did speak with clearly wasn’t in her right mind.” “What gave you that impression?” “Sir, not only did she insist that she was born with her implants and was capable of ‘magic’, but she kept talking about someplace ‘above’ the tunnels—whatever that means—someplace called Ponyville. She even invited me to visit.” “Well major, I think you should take her up on that offer.” Major Tyrrsan’s jaw dropped, “Sir?” “It’s the polite thing to do.” Tyrrsan stared at the general, but his face was completely blank. Finally Tyrrsan managed to stammer, “Are you joking, sir?” “Only partly,” the general replied with a wan smile. “I agree that she’s delusional in some way, that they all are. You see,  just before you arrived I received a message radioed in by Sergeant Sawtooth, he reported that the two other ponies described the same thing while they were talking in medical, someplace called Ponyville.” “But sir!” The general made a placating gesture. “Don’t worry major, Sawtooth wasn’t going over your head, I instructed him to contact me directly if he uncovered any interesting information. And before you ask, no, I can’t tell you why.” The major choked back the question with a mumbled “Yes sir.” The general stood and paced his office. “The point is, major, that these independent reports of this Ponyville place are more than coincidence.” “But sir, you can’t believe there is such a thing as ‘above’ the tunnels.” The general turned and fixed his cold, blue eye on the majo. “What I believe is irrelevant.” Tyrrsan swallowed, and the general eyed him a moment longer before he turned and continued pacing. “What is relevant is that ‘Ponyville’ might be a reference—delusional perhaps, or maybe a code-name—to a splinter group hideout, or the location of an illegal augmentation ring, or something else of equal interest to us, and she’s offering to lead you directly to it. Do you understand?” Tyrrsan nodded slowly. “Yes sir, I think so.” “Good. Your orders are to accompany the pony who calls herself Twilight Sparkle and see where she leads you. This is an observation only mission; if at any time you feel the situation may become hostile you are to abort immediately, and to err on the side of caution. Once you have an idea of what ‘Ponyville’ actually is, you’re to report back with location data and any other intelligence you can gather easily. Take a field radio and location tracker in case you need emergency assistance. I expect reports at least every six hours.” “Sir, what about the other ponies? Her friends?” “They’ll remain here, as long as we keep that one with the wing implants sedated long enough for you to leave, we should be able to persuade them to stay. While it might be easier to lock them up, keeping their trust is a priority. It’s already proved useful, and we may be able to use them in the future if they trust us, so if at all possible you are to return with Twilight Sparkle, and without revealing anything about our ulterior motives. Any further questions?” Tyrrsan thought for a moment. “No sir.” “You have your orders then, go and gather your equipment. Dismissed.” The major saluted, “Sir!” and he turned to go find Twilight. Now, let’s see where this pony really comes from.