Comet, the unicorn was walking thru the woods by his new friend Cassie’s ranch home. It was taking some getting use to, as ponies in this world were apparently dumb creatures, like pets or things found in the Everfree forest. Thinking of home caused him to start moping again, as he shuffled around.
<What saddens you, Comet Crusade?> a voice said in the pony’s head. Looking up Comet saw his new friend Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill, referred to as Ax by there friends.
“Just missing home again, and a warm bed,” he responded sitting next to the blue alien centaur.
<I can recognize that sadness,> Ax responded, <my people had much better accommodations, though I should not complain too much, it is a safe place free from yeerk danger.>
“I am curious as to what these yeerks are, I know they are your enemies, but I know little else about them,” Comet asked.
<The yeerks are the enemies of all creatures, they are a parasite that takes control of a host organism and removes all free will from them,> Ax said, <they must be stopped.>
“I get that part, but what about just them, there culture, physical form, abilities, things that make them what they are,” Comet asked, “back home on Equestria I was an infiltrator of cults. Maybe I can help you to figure things out about them?”
<Could you define cults for me this term sounds odd.>
“In my land cults were used to describe ponies, whom would gather in secret, hold meetings about various things, and usually worship a foreign god. Now not all of these cults were bad, the Squires of Flame I still hold membership in, great guys. However many were dark, the last cult I infiltrated was one. They held dark rituals, praying that a dragon god, would visit there world and free them from their mortal coils,” Comet explained, “I was at one of these rituals, which involved an inebriation party, during which I blacked out and woke up here.”
<I remember your story quite well, though this concept of magic and worship still confuses me,> Ax replied.
“Magic is magic, I could go into the theory a little, but without being able to touch the mana of the world, I don’t think it would make sense to you,” Comet said, “but back to the yeerks, please tell me of them.”
<Yes a conversation for another time. Yeerks are a parasitic race from a distant planet, they slide through the ear canal and into the brain. Once in the brain they take control of everything, including the memories of the host, so they can seamlessly integrate with the world around them. They have a few weaknesses, specifically they must leave the host once every three days to absorb kehdron rays, or they die, and they can not do much of anything without a host,> Ax explained.
“Is that why you guys subjected me to that three days of being tied up?” Comet asked remembering his less that spectacular first meeting of the group.
<Yes, I must say I am most pleased that you are not a controller for the yeerks,> Ax stated.
“Me too, so the problem is right now that the yeerks are infiltrating the whole planet as we speak trying to get enough people turned or enslaved that they can just drop in and take over?” Comet asked, “but you have almost no intel on them, where they are stationed, who they are, about like fighting an invisible enemy?”
<That is an accurate sentiment, we must merely act when we see a chance.>
“I mean this in the best way possible, but you know this is a losing battle right?” Comet asked reviewing the situation in his mind.
<My people the Andalite are fighting to make it to this world past the yeerk blockade, though it has been a long and difficult fight.>
“You all need a spy, someone who can get you the intel you need,” Comet stated, “because fighting on the defencive like this isn’t going to win any fights.”
<I am aware, but we lack the forces to fight back, and even if we could spy it would mean nothing if the yeerks captured the infiltrator,> Ax thought grimly.
“But you have a new friend here who might just be able to help,” Comet said holding a stick in his magical grasp, “magic is a powerful force.”
<I’ve seen this, you managed some interesting things with this power,> Ax said remembering Comet build a house in the forest over the course of a week. He said he still wanted a proper bed.
“Let me show you some of it’s properties.”
<What’s going on Ax?> Jake asked as he landed in his ospray morph.
<Prince Jake, Comet Crusade is offering his service in helping us against the yeerks,> Ax said allowing Jake time to change into this human form. Comet has seen it a few times specifically when Ax heads out with Cassie to see the team, but is still gave him the willies.
“What kind of help?” Jake asked the pony.
“Prince Jake, I believe I can use my magic to help you all, specifically I want to make an earring to keep your ears protected from yeerk. I also was thinking of ways to help you morph without being seen,” Comet explained.
“Wouldn’t the morphing remove the earring?” Jake asked trying to ignore the prince title they both started using.
<I asked him that and he spent a few days mulling it over and came to me with his answer,> Ax said.
“There is an advanced spell from my home land that ties something to a person regardless of size or shape. It was developed by a pony who would regularly visit other nations and even borrow the native form. He did like his hat and cape a bit too much and made a spell that would always keep it on him,” Comet explained, “the Princesses utilized this spell so that we guards would always have armor regardless of the situation, though only our officers got that armor before a better solution was found.”
“Can you make this?” Jake asked, “I am trying to swallow this magic thing, but you have to understand we don’t have that here.”
“I have a prototype,” Comet said holding a tacky little piece of gold in his red magic aura.
<I have tested it and it stayed on me thru the morph, I can not test if it blocks yeerks though,> Ax said, <it clips on the earlobe and then Comet triggers the spell locking it in place.>
“I see,” Jake said looking over it, “Rach will hate this one, Marco doesn’t much like jewelry, but I think this could really help our efforts. Any plans to test and see if it works?”
<That is the problem Comet and I have been trying to work past,> Ax said.
“I need a yeerk, to make sure it works right, or someone has to place their head in one of those yeerk pools,” Comet said getting a cringe from Jake, “Ax and I agree not a good plan.”
“Wait this keeps yeerks out, what about if they were already in a person’s head?”
“The spell is designed to block things going in that are ‘Yeerks’ so I guess it would let them out,” Comet said tapping his hoof to his chin, “not gonna lie magical theory and understanding wasn’t my strongest suit in school. I focused more on combat training."
"I see, so I know a yeerk controller, if I put this on him would it mean that he would be protected from reinfestation?" Jake asked holding the little clip on earpiece.
"In theory if the spell works, though I would have to be there to perform the spell to lock it in place. Otherwise it could be removed and the spell useless," Comet explained.
<Prince Jake are you thinking of using your brother as a test subject?> Ax asked.
"I think this maybe the best course of action, he's a forced controller, if freed we maybe able to save him," Jake stated handing the earring back.
<The yeerk know him too well, if freed he would be hunted down for his knowledge, and would have to go into hiding,> Ax said, <are you sure this is a wise course of action?>
"It maybe worth it, I'll contact the others and we'll talk it over," Jake said, "I'll have Cassie tell you when we'll meet."
Comet then felt the mana around him twist and saw a small portal open dropping something before him. A small silver bell sat on the ground. Picking it up he heard the song melody of ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ with the words ‘This had better be important’.
<Where did that come from?> Ax asked confused.
"A random portal dropped it," Comet replied.
"Portal?" Jake asked, "like magic portal thing?"
"Yes but this bell had a telepathic message tied to it, saying ‘This had better be important," Comet told them, "so I'm not sure what's going on."
“This is Starswirl the Bearded, I’ve been watching you, ring the bell and we can talk face to face, I hate this damn token plot.” the bell said.
“It spoke again, saying it’s Starswirl the Bearded, he’s been watching me and to ring the bell so we can talk?” Comet explained.
"Okay I’m going to take a combat form, Comet ring the bell when ready. If this guy has been watching and not attacked yet, he may be on our side, but we should still take care," Jake ordered shifting to his tiger form.
"Starswirl, we are ready to meet you," Comet placed his will behind the message and rang the bell. Twinkle twinkle little star played from the bell and the group saw a shadowy portal form about three feet high. Out stepped a small yellow pony with a white beard. He wore a cape, and hat both decorated with stars and moons, along with several small bells similar to the one rang to summon him. He was incredibly old look with his skin hanging from his body like a loose bag.
“Thank you, now I can actually get to know you all… seriously turning into a scary animal is your best option?” Starswirl asked looking at the ferocious tiger looming over him.
“Mister Starswirl, I’m Comet Crusade these are my friends Prince Jake and Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill, if you don’t mind me asking, how are you alive? The history books the guards read said you died years ago,” Comet said looking over the pony, who was just like the drawings he had seen years ago.
“Just call me Starswirl, as for the whole not dead, I’m from a different universe and became an immortal void dweller, meaning not your Starswirl but similar. Now then I am going to tell you this all once so listen up, I hate repeating myself,” Starswirl said looking at all of the ‘people’ around him. Before anyone could interrupt he continued, “Comet here is what we call a Displaced, capital D, obviously from being moved from his home world here. No I can not return you home, generally a Displaced loses all ties to their homeworlds and it becomes untraceable for return spells. Some Displaced made it home but they are rare. Now then Displaced make tokens that are ‘symbols of themselves’ and toss them into the void. These act as beacons for other Displaced to call upon them to help them in times of need, which is good as you can learn a lot from doing this and gain powers. I own a void ship that I let Displaced stay on and meet others you are welcome to move there if you choose, but know unless you can move yourself thru the void, I’m busy and will not be sending you back and forth like some ferry service. Now then any questions?”
<You mentioned multiple dimensions what did you mean?> Ax asked.
“There is the universe you exist in, this is what you can see and touch, without aid, if you have space travel you understand this concept yes?” Starswirl asked.
<Yeah we all get that,> Jake answered.
“Okay well that is the universe, there is more out there, you could say this is universe a and Comet here came from universe b. Each world is separated by what we call the void, which is the literal nothing, no space, no time, no nothing traditionally exists there. To go from universe a to b you have move thru the void in someway be it magic, tech, or something else, got it?” Starswirl finished.
<Yes this is similar to a theory one of my people had many generations ago but according to scientists at the time it was considered impossible and research was allocated to other fields,> Ax stated.
“Not surprised, crossing the void should be impossible by definition, but it’s so easy for some that we live in it now which may be throwing something out of wack but oh well,” Starswirl told him, “now then unless you have something else, I need Comet here to make a token so I can get back to a research project.”
<We’re good, I think Ax and I will need to take a minute to digest this,> Jake said motioning Ax to follow as they left into the forest.
“Now then Comet got something for me to make a token from?” Starswirl asked.
After a pause Comet pulled out a medallion from behind his head in his hair, “this is my guard signet marking me as one of Equestria’s guards. With your news it won’t do me good here but I think it will do as a token.”
“Now then with your will focus on the medallion and recite a message for other Displaced to hear when they first get it,” Starswirl said pacing impatiently.
“Comet Crusade of the Equestrian Royal Guard, I offer my skills and prowess to those who are of good intentions and have a strong sense of justice. If you ever need my aid hold this medallion and call my name I will be there in a heartbeat,” Comet spoke as he felt power fill the medallion. Starswirl took the token and tossed it in a small portal he had opened.
“There we go now you’ll be getting a bunch of kids bugging you for help, have fun,” Starswirl said moving to open a portal.
“Wait Starswirl may I ask a favor?” Comet asked grabbing his cloak with his magic.
“What is it?”
“I made this earring to keep Yeerks from entering the ears of those who wear it can you look over the spell?” Comet asked holding up the little gold earring.
“Fine give me a minute,” he said taking the item in question.
“Not bad for a guard, give me a day I will send you a refined version, this one will work but the magic consumption is too high, the enchantment will burn out after about 3 yeerks,” Starswirl said plainly, “I don’t know who taught you enchanting but stacking this way is a bad idea, if there is any magic users in this world they could break it on accident. Best solution is to break the object into smaller parts and enchant the parts, unless you are a master of enchanting and know what you’re doing.”
“Thank you Starswirl may you find what you seek,” Comet said.
“You’re welcome now then I’m off,” Starswirl said leaving thru a portal.
“Well that was different.”