//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Galactus Eats Equestria // by LittleBoyBlue //------------------------------// Pinkie Pie lifted her eyelids slowly. She gave a little groan, as she started to regain consciousness. Twilight heard her stirring and went to her. "Pinkie! Are you okay?" She asked, worriedly. "Is anything broken?" Pinkie sat up on her haunches. "I don't think so," She slowly got up on all fours. She then gave a smile. "Nope! Nothing is hurt! I'm a-okay!" Twilight sighed in relief. "Good." "Where'd everypony go?" Pinkie Pie chirped. "They went to follow Rainbow Dash. It's just me and Spike here. We stayed to help you." "Yeah!" Spike spoke. He then lowered his voice. "How did it feel? Did it hurt?" "Oh, no! Not much! It just felt like goosebumps traveling up and down my body!" Pinkie said, as she started nodding her head slowly. "Up and down! Up and down! Up and down!" "Well, we're glad you're okay." Twilight said, as she turned to Spike. "Spike, take a no-" Suddenly, a scroll appeared in front of Twilight then dropped to the ground. "Huh. Whaddya know. A letter from the Princess," said Spike. He picked it up and started to read it. "Dear Twilight, it has come to my attention that something has occurred while you were at the Crystal Empire. In light of these events, an emergency meeting has been called. Bring you and your friends to Canterlot immediately. We may be needing your assistance. Sincerely, Princess Celestia." Twilight grabbed the scroll using her magic. "I guess word travels fast," she concluded. "You could say it travels at the speed of sound!" Pinkie Pie chimed. "Pinkie! You and Spike go and tell the others to get ready to leave." "Okie-Dokie-Loki!" Pinkie saluted, then hopped off with Spike to join the others. I guess I better get Cadence and Shining Armor too. We'll probably need all the help we can get. Twilight thought to herself. Her horn glowed a purple aura, then she disappeared, teleporting to the hospital. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cadence opened the door to the hospital bathroom. Her husband was there, with a squad of EMTs ready behind him. "Cadence, are you alright? You've been in there for a while." He asked, worried about her. "I'm fine," she replied. "I just needed to-" Suddenly, a popping noise was heard, as a flash of light illuminated the lobby. There, standing in the middle of the EMTs, was Twilight Sparkle. "Twily!" Shining Armor moved towards his sister. "How is your friend? Is she okay?" "She's fine, Shining Armor," she answered. "Thankfully, there's no need for emergency crew." "I see." "I came to tell you that the Princess needs our help." She handed the scroll to Shining Armor, who took it and began to read. "Apparently, they've heard about our encounter with the silver being, and are calling us back to Canterlot for an emergency meeting." Twilight looked at Shining Armor as he read. "I think it would be better if you and Cadence come along with us." Shining Armor rolled up the scroll when he finished. He gave Twilight a sad look. "You know we can't do that Twilight. Me and Cadence have responsibilities to take care of here in the kingdom." Twilight sighed. "I guess you do." She said, gloomily. "Trust me," Shining Armor reassured. "I would love nothing more than to help my little sister with royal affairs, but I just can't at the moment." Shining Armor then nuzzled her, giving her comfort. "But whatever the task, whatever the mission, I know you are able to overcome it Twily. I will always believe in you." Twilight smiled. "Thanks, Shining Armor. I can always trust in you." "Hey. What's a BBBFF for?" He said. Twilight and him shared a hug for a moment, then split apart. "Good luck Twilight. We believe in you." Cadence said, as she bid her farewell when she left. You're going to need it... She thought, worryingly. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Rainbow Dash! Where are you!" Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy were looking for her in the skies, searching for any trace of her. Earlier, they saw parts of a distant Sonic Rainboom and started following the trail. "Rarity! You don't have to yell so loud! Especially not next to me!" Applejack complained. "Well! I'm sorry if I hurt your precious ears looking for our friend." Rarity huffed. "Umm, guys..." Fluttershy tried to intervene. "What are you sayin'? That I don't give a hoot about our friend?" Applejack said, with anger in her voice. "Umm, guys..." Fluttershy squeaked. "Not at all," Rarity argued. "I'm just saying it would help tremendously if you helped me search for her. I haven't heard YOU calling for her." Rarity accused. "Guys, Rainbow is-" "Now hold on a minute! I AM helping you guys search! Ah'm looking all over the sky for her, instead of yelling out like a chicken running from a timberwolf." "Guys, Rainbow is over-" "WHY I NEVER!" Rarity huffed. "First of all, I do not, in any form or way, sound like a chicken! Secondly-" "Guys, Rain-" "Hold on, sugarcube," Applejack interrupted. "There's Rainbow Dash!" She pointed toward the horizon, as they saw a cyan pegasus with a familiar multicolored mane, hovering over them. "Hey guys," Rainbow "Why did you all follow me?" "We thought you would need some assistance." Rarity answered. "Yeah...assistance..." Fluttershy whispered. "Are you alright Dash?" Applejack asked. "I'm fine," she responded."But I'm a bit...confused." "How so, darling?" Rarity asked. "When I did the Sonic Rainboom, I thought I could knock him out," Rainbow recollected. "But it didn't even phase him! He just went...faster!" Rainbow crossed her front legs. "He just went through it like it was just a puff of smoke!" "Interesting..." Applejack replied. "Guys! Guys!" The four turned to see Spike and Pinkie coming towards them. Spike stopped in front of them, trying to catch his breath. "I came to tell you-" he started panting wildly."I came to tell...I came to tell you that-" "All of us need to go back to Canterlot, ASAWPCBPRN!" Pinkie finished for him. They all stared at her, except for Spike, who was still catching his breath. "Yeah! What she said..." He breathed out. "ASA what?" Rainbow asked. "As Soon As We Possibly Can But Preferably Right Now!" She answered. "Oh." Rainbow understood. "Go back to Canterlot? But why?" Rarity asked. "Apparently, Twilight got a letter from Princess Celestia that said we all have to go back to Canterlot for an emergency meeting!" Pinkie informed them. "I think it might have something to do with the Silver Surfer." "The Silver what?" Applejack asked. "The Silver Surfer! I named him that because he's silver and he rides a surfboard! Silver Surfer!" Pinkie began repeating the name, as she jumped around them. "Great. She's giving it a name now." Rainbow said, with a tone of exasperation. "Welp, y'all heard her. The Princess wants us to return back to Canterlot immediately. Let's mosey on out y'all!" Applejack said, prompting the ponies to start heading their way back to the train station. "Wa-wait!" Spike said, still out of breath. "Just let me...catch my breath..." Applejack sighed, then approached him and knelt down. "Here, hop on sugarcube." "Thank you... AJ." He wheezed, as he climbed onto her back, traveling with them. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "We were warned that the Surfer would return," Princess Luna told her sister. "We were not told, however, when." "Or what to do for when he comes." Celestia added. The royal sisters were in the throne room, their guards placed outside the door. "We must find a way to stop the Surfer, dear sister. The last time he came to our world, he nearly destroyed all our defenses. Had it not been for that Watcher-" "A Watcher?" Princess Celestia asked Luna. "What is this 'Watcher'?" Luna closed her eyes, beginning to tell her sister the story. "A thousand years ago, when you banished me to the moon," Luna said, pained by the memory. "Nightmare Moon was still in control of me, but I could still see through my eyes. What I saw was an ape-like creature, with an abnormally large cranium." Luna looked at Celestia. "Nightmare Moon also noticed him. He never talked back, but he was always watching Equestria. We called him 'the Watcher'." Luna said, as she started to recollect. "Our parents told us of a being similar to him..." "I see." Celestia said, understandingly. "Shall I send the Surfer a subconscious request?" Luna asked. "Yes, my sister." Celestia told her. "It is imperative that we start negotiations with the Surfer." Luna nodded, then closed her eyes, now searching for the Silver Surfer. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The train screeched to a halt once it reached Canterlot. "We have arrived at Canterlot!" The conductor boomed. "Finally," Rainbow said, relieved for the trip to end. "I hate being cramped in enclosed spaces." The six ponies grabbed their items and quickly got off the train. The sight of the glorious Canterlot castle glimmered as dusk approached. Twilight and her friends left for the castle, leaving Spike to care for their luggage. They ran as quick as they could towards the castle. "Once we're there," Rainbow asked. "What is it that we need to do?" "Princess Celestia wants you guys to stand outside the doors of her quarters." Twilight answered. "Since I am now a princess, I will join her and Luna in the meeting with the alien." The castle was now in their view. They stopped to rest, when Applejack spoke. "Well, good luck Twilight." Applejack said. "Just remember, whatever you do, we're with ya, a hunner' percent." Twilight smiled. "Thanks Applejack. Thank you all." She glanced at the castle. "I can teleport from here. Spike!" She called the dragon. Spike grunted and wheezed, then finally landed behind her, dropping all the luggage to the ground. "Hold on!" He coughed. "Whoo! I need to get more exercise..." "Spike," Twilight commanded. "Come with me." "Alright..." He said, still panting. He got on top of her, as she started her spell. She then disappeared, leaving the rest of her friends with their luggage. "I wish I had the Power Cosmic like Silver Surfer!" Pinkie rang. "That would make carrying these bags and suitcases MUCH more easier!" Rainbow shook her head and smiled. "Oh Pinkie, you're so random!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The surfer stopped next to a tree. He hovered above the ground, then sat down on his board. "I have an energy based barrier surrounding a kingdom. This barrier protects the lifeforms from the frigid temperatures of the outside." The surfer looked at his surroundings. He saw the large, transparent castle in the distance. He decided to rest for the moment. The surfer closed his eyes, and started meditating. In the middle of his meditation, however, a female voice cut in to his consciousness. "Surfer...are you there?" the voice asked. "Who is this?" the surfer communicated telepathically. "And how were you able to access my subconscious?" "My name is Princess Luna, of Equestria." The voice continued. "I am one of the leaders of this world. I used a dream message spell to contact you." "Contact me?" he asked. "For what reason?" "Me and my sister, Princess Celestia, are requesting a meeting with you." She said. "We want to negotiate with you on matters involving our kingdom. We invite you to the Royal Castle in Canterlot for our negotiations." "Very well," The surfer agreed. "I shall meet with you and your sister. But how shall I find this Canterlot?" "I will place a magic beacon over the castle. It will be viewable to anypony looking in the sky. You should be able to find it." The surfer then opened his eyes and looked upwards. There, in the sky, was a large, glowing blue sphere that pinpointed a location far away. "That is my destination. I shall now go to meet with the inhabitants." The surfer ascended his surfboard up. "This will be the moment to tell them of their fates." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Twilight reached the main door for the throne room. Spike jumped off of her back and stood next to her. "You stay outside and wait for the rest of the girls to arrive. I'll be inside with the princesses." "Okay Twilight." Spike saluted. Twilight smiled, as she entered the throne room. Spike stood outside and waited for the rest to arrive. He leaned on the door, crossed his arms, and waited. And waited. And waited. Spike sighed, as he started whistling. Suddenly, a high-pitched, female voice shocked him. "HIYA SPIKE!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed. Spike yelped and fell to the floor. He rubbed his head and looked up to see the pink Earth pony smiling at him."Hey Pinkie," Spike said to her. "Where are the others?" "Right here!" A voice behind him said. He turned to see Rainbow Dash hovering next to Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy. "So, where's Twilight?" "She told me to wait outside with you guys while she has a meeting with the princesses." "I see," Rarity understood. "Can't say this ain't familiar." Applejack said. "One moment we're all in the Crystal Empire, the next we're all back in Canterlot, waitin' for Twilight to come out." "I wonder what she's talking about in there..." Fluttershy spoke. "I dunno, but I think it might have something to do with that surfer thing we encountered earlier." "That silver menace," Rainbow said angrily. "It hurt Pinkie Pie." "Not really!" Pinkie chirped. "It was just a small shock, but I'm a-okay!" Rainbow huffed in contempt for the surfer. "Sure..." The door then opened, as Princess Celestia exited out with Twilight. "All of you, please come in. I have the feeling we will need the Elements' involvement in this." They all stared at each other for a moment, then entered in with the princess. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "This meeting is important for the fate of all of Equestria," Twilight explained. "Princess Celestia felt that we could help in a crisis like this." "Crisis?" Applejack asked. "Twilight, what are you talking about?" "Well, you know that silver being we encountered earlier today?" Twilight responded. "The one I chased?" Rainbow asked. "Yes. Well, he's not the one we should focus on." "Whatever do you mean, darling?" Rarity asked. "You see-" "The surfer has arrived..." Luna interrupted. Everypony turned to the balcony. There, in the moonlight, was a blue streak approaching the castle. It quickly got closer, until it was over the balcony. Descending slowly, the surfer hovered slightly above the ground. He levitated in front of them, with the same emotionless stare on his face. "I am here. Now, what is it that you want to discuss?" "What I want to discuss is why you hurt my friend and just ran away?! That's just not right, buddy!" Rainbow said angrily. "Rainbow Dash, please." Twilight said, trying to calm her down. "No! This guy has a LOT to answer for, and one way or another, he will answer for his mistake!" "I did not mean to injure your companion," the surfer replied. "Your friend was messing with an object out of her ken." "Ken? I don't know anypony named Ken." Pinkie intervened. "Now, about these negotiations..." "Right," Twilight said, silencing Rainbow. "We called you here to talk about your arrival to Equestria." "We know about your master, Surfer." Princess Celestia added. "We know what he does to planets like ours." "Wait, what? Who is this 'master' she's talking about Twilight?" Rarity asked. "The Silver Surfer is a scout for a universal force. This force threatened Equestria a long time ago. From what Princess Celestia knows, this force is bent on world domination." I'm afraid that is incorrect... Luna raised a brow. "What do you mean that is 'incorrect'?" Silver Surfer looked at Luna. "How did you-" "We are still psychically connected, Surfer. I can read your thoughts, even when you're awake." "I see..." "What is it you're not telling us, Surfer?" Princess Celestia inquired. "My master is not after world domination." Silver Surfer told them. "He's after something more larger than that." "What's that?" Twilight asked. "Your assumptions are misguided. My master is not after the domination of your world." The surfer then paused. "He's after this planet's energy." "What do you mean he's after this planet's energy?" Luna asked. "He intends on consuming your world." Everypony gasped when he said that. They were all shocked by the surfer's explanation. Princess Celestia was the first to speak. She spoke with a genuine hint of fear that was tangible. "Your master wants to...consume our planet?" "Yes," The surfer confirmed. "It would be wise to spend your remaining time on this planet around friends and family. There's no use in fighting against it." Everypony was too stunned to speak. Fluttershy started crying, causing the others to hold her in a hug. Twilight couldn't believe it. Their planet? Her home? Eaten! And there was nothing she could do about it. Nothing but stay with her friends and family as her world falls around her. Helpless to stop it. Unable to do anything. Suddenly, Twilight gave Silver Surfer an angry glare. "No," Twilight defied. "We will not let this happen..." Everypony stared at Twilight. The surfer furrowed his eyebrows. "You do not understand. Nothing can be done. Your planet is doomed." "No, YOU don't understand." Twilight retorted. "Do you really think we would simply just let your master do what he wishes without a fight?" Twilight turned to her friends. "I have accomplished many things in this world, all thanks to something truly powerful. Something that evil will NEVER overcome." Twilight turned back to Silver Surfer. "And that is Friendship." "I agree with Twilight." Celestia stepped forward. "We will not go down easily. We WILL do anything to stop this threat." Princess Celestia stared at him. "Now, we can avoid all of this conflict if you go back to your master and make him turn away from Equestria." "No," the Silver Surfer responded. "I cannot do that." "Perhaps I didn't make myself clear," Princess Celestia said, with anger in her tone. Her eyes changed to a glowing white. Her horn was emitting an aura around it. "You WILL go back to your master and leave Equestria alone." The surfer levitated a few feet more. "No. I cannot do that." "Then you leave me no choice..." Celestia then pointed her horn at him. "Let this be the first blow of defiance!" She immediately fired a bolt of her magic at the Surfer. He got hit, which knocked him off his surfboard. "Quick! He's off his board! Attack!" Rainbow shouted. They all charged towards him. Every planet... The surfer got up from the ground to defend himself. Twilight attacked first, firing a bolt of magic at him. Silver Surfer dodged the attack, then shot a beam of Power Cosmic at her. She barely managed to avoid the beam, as her friends charged him. "Take this!" Rainbow said, flying towards him at breakneck speed. The surfer grabbed her just before she impacted him and threw her at Rarity and Applejack. His incredible strength knocked the three of them against the wall. They laid, unconscious, on the ground. "Hey! That's SO not nice!" Pinkie exclaimed. She pulled out her party cannon and aimed at him. "NOpony hurts my friends!" She fired her cannon at him. Immediately, Silver Surfer sent his surfboard in front of the cannon. The blast imploded, blinding Pinkie. "AAAAH! I CAN'T SEE!" Fluttershy was fed up with her friends being hurt by him. "That's it, Silver Surfer. I didn't wanna do this, but you left me no choice..." Fluttershy closed her eyes and sighed. She then opened them and gave him The Stare. Her eyes stared straight into him, attempting to bore into his soul. "Your stare," Silver Surfer spoke. "It reminds me of a similar stare that Zarathos has. However, like his stare, yours does not affect me either." Fluttershy broke her Stare and yelped. She then crawled away from him in fear. Twilight shot another bolt of magic at him, hitting him this time. He was knocked back into a wall. Twilight, Celestia, and Luna then surrounded him, pointing their horns at him. "Like we said, we will not go down without a fight." Twilight told him. Suddenly, before they fired, his surfboard came and sweeped him away. He floated outside the balcony, then turned to them. "I told you that I cannot stop my master. You would be foolish to stand up against him. Do as I have suggested. You'll find it more comfortable than the choice you are currently taking. Either way, your time in this universe is coming to an end very soon." He then left, speeding off in a blue blur. "This is far from over." Celestia said. "We need to stop him AND his master." "We need to know more about his master before we can even think about stopping him." Twilight responded. "But how are we going to know about him, now that the surfer is gone?" "The surfer may be gone physically," Luna smirked. "But he is not gone mentally..." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~