"I believe we may be able to maintain contact with the Surfer" Princess Luna told them.
"What do you mean?"
Twilight asked.
"Luna used a telepathic spell on the Surfer," Princess Celestia explained. "The spell connected his consciousness with hers."
"Since we are connected, tracking him down is not too difficult." Luna added. "Also, I can read his thoughts."
"Amazing..." Twilight said in awe. "So, you can tell us where he could be?"
"Yes." Luna replied. "Right now, he is outside of Ponyville, in the Everfree Forest."
The Elements gasped in unison. "The Everfree Forest?!" Twilight asked. "We need to find him immediately! The
Everfree Forest is too dangerous for him to be there alone!"
Rainbow raised a brow. "Too dangerous for him? Did you just see what he did to all of us? He took all of us down in ten seconds flat!"
"Rainbow is right Twilight," Rarity spoke. "That ruffian effortlessly pushed us aside as if we were nothing! I believe that the Everfree Forest should be more afraid of him."
"Even so, we have to follow him. Nopony threatens Equestria and gets away that easily!" Twilight responded. "We've got to go to the Everfree Forest and take him down."
"But darling, how?" Rarity asked.
"All of you will not be alone," Celestia answered. "Seeing how it reacted to our attacks, it would be wise to go altogether."
"Yes," Luna added. "I will be able to guide all of us to the Surfer as well."
"Then what are we waitin' for?!" Rainbow Dash cut in. "C'mon everypony! We've got a Surfer to wipe out!" Rainbow Dash said, motioning for the door.
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The surfer floated over the strange land.
The vegetation is quite unusual for this area, he thought to himself.
It is more self-sustaining than the other foliage I have encountered. The treetops block out their sun's rays, shadowing this forest into darkness..."
The surfer trudged on, getting deeper and deeper into the forest. A shadow blurred through the foliage from the side of him. The surfer continued on, until he found refuge near a tree. He stopped there, taking a moment to observe his surroundings.
Terrain is akin to a dark, wooded area with marsh-like qualities. The surfer concluded.
Suddenly, a howl was heard nearby him. The surfer turned to the source of the call. At first, he saw nothing in the brush. Then, a pair of glowing eyes appeared from inside the bush. Growls could be heard from around him, as the number of eyes grew.
Hostile creatures detected. They are in a circle formation around me.
From the bushes, a pack of timberwolves emerged and starting circling around the Surfer. They growled, as they eyed him curiously. The Surfer prepared himself for an attack. Then, the leader of the pack pounced on him. The timberwolf barely left a mark, as he bounced off the Surfer's body. The other Timberwolves looked at the leader, as he fell to the side. He shook his head then growled at the Surfer.
"I have no time to squander with you creatures." The Surfer said. "Leave me at once."
The Timberwolves paid no attention to his demand, as they all attacked at once. Some bit his arms and legs, while others tried to claw his body. However, nothing they did could damage the Surfer. The Surfer grabbed on of the wolves attacking his leg and tossed him aside. The wolf slammed into a nearby tree, yelping in pain. The Surfer then swung the other wolves off his other arm with one swift movement, leaving two confused wolves with him. He levitated a little over them, as he charged up his beam. Suddenly, the leader of the pack recovered quickly from nearby the and launched himself at the Surfer. Almost immediately, he was burnt to a crisp by a beam of blue light. The wolves turned to see the remnants of their pack leader on the ground. All that was left was a pile of smouldering ashes. They all stared at the Surfer in fear, then ran away as fast as they could away from him. The Surfer brushed off the pieces of ash from his shoulder and continued on into the forest.
"A wooden-based species of Canis is another lifeform that is on this planet." Silver Surfer said. "They appear to function a lot like the wolves of Earth, hunting together in packs..." As the Surfer listed his observations, a pair of blue eyes watched him go deeper into the Everfree. With a buzz of his wings, he flew away.
"It seems to have passed our trap." The changeling recapped. "I must inform my queen immediately"
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The Elements and the Princesses entered the Everfree forest. They were shocked to find the remains of a lone Timberwolf, reduced to nothing but a pile of ash.
"Wha-what could've caused this?" Fluttershy choked.
"This creature was incinerated." Celestia spoke. "The Surfer is very powerful. We must be extremely careful in capturing it."
The ponies then traveled deeper into the forest, looking for any clue of the Surfer's trail.
Suddenly, Rarity spotted something off in the bushes.
"It looks like something was here recently." She said.
Twilight went to investigate. In the bush, there was a small space that appeared to be a lookout, surrounded by leaves.
"Whoever was here must've already left." Twilight concluded. "We should look for more of these," she decided. "Maybe the ponies who used these might be able to tell us something about the Surfer."
"Good idea." Celestia agreed. "We must split up in order to find these secret lookouts."
She then turned to face the ponies.
"Applejack, Rarity, you two shall check the east."
AJ and Rarity gave each other bemused looks.
"Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, you two will check the west."
"Okie Dokie Loki!" Pinkie sang.
"Rainbow Dash, we want you to be the aerial scout. Inform us if you see anything out of the ordinary."
Rainbow saluted. "Will do!" She then launched into the air, leaving a rainbow trail behind.
"Twilight, you and your assistant keep going forward."
Twilight looked back at Celestia.
"But what about you Princess?" She asked.
"Me and Luna will stay here to further investigate this area." She replied.
"You and the others can rendezvous back here." Luna added.
"Alright," Twilight sighed. "We'll be back as soon as possible." Twilight assured them.
"We know you won't fail Twilight." Celestia replied, smiling at her.
Twilight nodded, and headed off towards the center of the forest.
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The Silver Surfer was now deep in the Everfree Forest. The thick fog covered the ground. He stopped near a crevasse and began to overlook it. He got off his board and sat on the edge. Knowing that one of the rulers of the planet can read his every thought, he began to speak out loud instead of recording his thoughts in his mind. Still, it didn't really matter if she could read his thoughts. Her magic will prove to be futile against his master's hunger.
"There seems to be a separation of this forest from the rest of this world. The creatures seem to fear it. This shall make a suitable temporary refuge."
The Surfer was observing his surroundings. The fog blocked most visibility in the chasm. The forest was alive with sounds of the wilderness. Suddenly, the Surfer heard a sound from nearby him. He looked to his right.
"Odd...it appears that the bush over there just moved." he said, realizing its change in position. He looked away, focusing his attention back on the chasm. Again, he heard more rustling sounds, this time more audible. He looked all around him to see an army of bushes completely surrounding him.
"Peculiar... "
Suddenly, a loud buzzing went off around him, as strange, insect-like creatures were around him. The Surfer narrowed his eyes at the organisms.
Intriguing. These creatures look quite similar to the equines I have encountered upon arriving. However, they have traits more closer to insects than equines. This planet does indeed have different sentient races intermingled within it.
One of the changelings finally spoke to him. "You are in Changeling territory, strange creature. All intruders are to be taken to our queen for sentencing."
There is more than one monarchy? Interesting... Silver Surfer thought to himself.
"You are completely surrounded. Resistance is futile." The Changeling spoke.
If I am to know more about this "Queen of the Changelings", I must go along with them. After I gain the knowledge I need, I shall then warn them of their oncoming doom.
"Very well," Silver Surfer replied. "Take me to your designated location."
The changelings confiscated his board and hovered next to him, as they guided him towards their destination: The Hive.
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"Oh no..." Luna gasped.
"What is it sister?" Celestia asked.
"It seems that the Surfer...has found the Changeling Queen."
Celestia's face grew dark. "We must gather the elements, immediately."
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The Silver Surfer saw nothing but rock and the light from the torch fire. The cave in which they entered in was small, meaning that he had to crouch to get in. He knew he was getting close, since he could hear the buzzing growing increasingly louder. Finally, they reached the entrance. Two changeling guards stood beside the slab of stone that covered the entry. After one of the changelings talked to the guards, they started to move the stone aside, revealing a spectacular sight. The Surfer observed a giant, insect kingdom, with a giant citadel in the center. The walls were in the shape of honeycombs, as changelings gathered infants from their pods.
Changelings appear to be quite similar to bees from Earth. I hypothesize that their ruler is in the citadel in the center of the hive.
The changelings ushered the Surfer further into the Hive. He could see many buildings, all nearly the same shape, size, and color.
Unlike the equines topside, the changelings do not have any form of recreational ideals. Like bees, they work until their inevitable deaths.
The changelings finally got him to the citadel, where they met two more guards at the doors. After a short conversation, the guards opened the doors and let them in. The throne room was a dark, shadow-filled area with a honeycomb floor. Sitting on the throne was the Changeling Queen, looking bothered and upset.
"Well, what'd you bring me this time?" She asked the group. "Another intruder?"
"Y-yes, your majesty." A changeling replied.
The Queen sighed. "Alright, let us see the intruder." She put so many in her dungeon, she lost interest in these cases long ago. However, when she looked at the intruder, her jaw nearly dropped. It apparently was a large, silver ape, with no fur on it whatsoever. She was in awe. Whatever this thing was, it radiated power. She snapped out of her stupor and cleared her throat. The she gave the being a stern look.
"I am Queen Chrysalis, ruler of the Changelings. You have intruded into changeling territory. State your business."
The Surfer looked at the changelings with vacant eyes.
"I came here to learn more about this planet's inhabitants." He told her. He then looked at her. "I also came here to give you a warning of the end that is to come."
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