Author's Note: Written by Samaru163 and Tricondon.
Chapter 17
Fluttershy
I’m not the best flier around, so it was hard for me to keep up with Tobias. Not that I was complaining or anything. This allowed me a great view of the mountainsides and the many forest and valleys below.
<Is that Canterlot?> Tobias asked. I looked up from the ground, peering in front of us. Up ahead, I could just make out the towers of Canterlot Castle, poking out of the side of the mountain. I nodded before remembering Tobias couldn’t see me.
“Yes. I hope Princess Celestia will listen to us.”
<What’s she look like? Bright white with a multi-coloured mane? Wears a golden tiara?>
“Yes, but how do you know that?” I asked in surprise.
<I see her flying around the damaged tower and directing ponies.>
I was about to ask how he could see all that from here, but then I remembered he was a hawk, so instead I just kept silent and flew on.
<So you’re sure this Princess will be able to help us?> Tobias asked.
“Oh absolutely. She’s the most powerful being in Equestria. She raises the sun every day, and even the moon when Luna was unable to.” I didn’t feel like telling Tobias about Princess Luna’s imprisonment. It wasn’t her fault, and I didn’t think she wanted to be reminded of it, or have others talking about it.
<Just because she’s all powerful doesn’t mean she’ll be a major help against the Yeerks.> Tobias spat, a touch of bitterness in his voice.
“Why would you say that?” I asked, completely perplexed by his response.
<It’s complicated, but let’s just say me and near-omnipotent beings have had a rough history.>
Something about his tone frightened me, so I decided not to press further. We flew in silence for a bit longer, and as Canterlot grew closer something about it bothered me, besides the broken castle tower.
“Tobias, does anything seem strange about Canterlot to you?”
<Well, there does seem to be some form of bubble around it if that helps.>
“A bubble?” I looked at the city again, and this time I saw a faint pink sphere encircling it. “That looks like a spellshield.”
<A what shield?>
“A spellshield. The last time Canterlot had one was when the Changelings tried to take over. Twilight’s brother projected it to keep them out.”
<Hmm, if it keeps out Changelings, it’s fair to assume it’ll keep us out as well. Or at least me.>
“We can get in at the train platform,” I said reassuringly. “The shield’s slightly weaker there so trains can enter the city.”
Tobias was silent for a moment.
<I guess those guards are posted there to keep any unwanted creatures out, since the shield is weaker.> I couldn’t help but be impressed with his eyesight.
As we neared the platform I finally saw the guards as well. There were about eight of them, with an equal pegasus and unicorn ratio. Each one had a spear in his hoof. I landed a short distance away and walked to them slowly. Tobias fluttered down and perched himself on my back. As we got closer some of them noticed me and I hid part of my face behind my mane.
“Um, hello,” I said softly, once we were close enough to talk. “Um, I need to get in and see Princess Celestia.”
“Nopony is to enter the city without prior notice,” one of the guards spoke. “Do you have any proof of your arrangements with the Princess?”
I squeaked and looked away.
“Um, no. But Princess Luna told us to come.”
“And have you any proof of this?” he asked, raising his eyebrow questioningly.
<Oh, come on!> Tobias complained. <Why not ask the Princess yourself instead of wasting time?>
The guards eyes widened with shock as they frantically looked around.
“Who said that? Show yourself!” one of them shouted, drawing his spear and waving it around. I gave a yell and jumped backwards. Tobias fluttered off of my back and landed in front of the guards.
<Hello, down here,> he said, causing all the guards to look at him. <I’m why she needs to see the Princess.>
“What sorcery is this?!” one guard cried, pointing his spear at Tobias. Tobias squawked and took to the air.
<Hey! Watch where you’re pointing that thing!> he said defensively as he returned to my back.
“Um, so, now can we see the Princess?” I asked as nicely as possible.
“I’m not inclined to let either of you in,” one of the guards said. His armour was more ornate than the others, so I guess he was in charge. “For all I know you two could be a Changeling stealth team.”
<We’re not Changelings,> Tobias replied. <And we’re not a threat.>
“Says the bird that can talk,” the guard said. “Call me crazy, but that just doesn’t seem right.”
“Oh, but he’s not normally from Equestria,” I cut in. “So, it’s not that weird to think birds from outside Equestria can speak.”
<Uh, Fluttershy? I don’t think they need to know.>
“Where he’s from is irrelevant,” the guard said. “The Changelings said they’d visited many lands before coming here. They could have easily learned how to copy other creatures outside our borders.”
<I already told you, I’m not a Changeling!> Tobias insisted.
“Even though he can choose to look just like me,” I added.
The guards all swung their spears towards me and Tobias, and I squeaked again, backing up fearfully.
“What did you say?” one of them asked through gritted teeth.
“I, um, well, that is, what I meant to say-”
“I think you’ve said enough my dear,” the lead guard spoke, his horn beginning to glow. “Now I think it’s in everypony’s best interests if you go.”
“But-but we have to see the Princess!” I said.
“Now I asked you nicely the first time, and I’ll ask nicely again. You should go back to wherever you came from,” the lead guard repeated. “Don’t make me ask a third time.”
<Fine, but don’t blame me when the Changelings invade Canterlot!> Tobias shouted.
All of the guards angled their spears closer to us and the leader gathered more magic in his horn. I gave a fearful nod to them before turning around and spreading my wings. Tobias took off from my back and the two of us were soon flying back the way we came.
<Why’d you go and say those things Fluttershy?> Tobias asked. I could easily make out the frustration in his voice.
“I’m sorry; I was just trying to explain.”
<What if they were controllers? What if the Yeerks infest them? You should have been more careful!>
I looked away from Tobias, trying to blink away my tears.
“I thought I was helping.”
<Well you didn’t, and now we can’t get to this Princess of yours either,> Tobias spoke with finality, and I didn’t feel much like talking after that anyways.
We flew in silence for some time, barely looking at one another. I tried several times to apologize to Tobias, but the words never left my mind. I think Tobias was mad at me, but his stoic hawk face never changed expression, so it was hard to tell.
Soon we made it to the tunnel where we had been attacked by the Changelings. My stomach knotted as I remembered the horrible scene that had unfolded not a few hours ago. Tobias curved down, heading for the tunnel.
“Wait, where are you going?” I called after him.
<Faster to go through than around,> he said simply.
Realizing what he said was true I followed him into the dark tunnel. I slowed down to reduce my chances of hitting something, and out of fear. My only guide through was the speck of light that was the exit.
“How are you doing, Tobias?” I asked.
<I’m ok; right now I’m morphing into a bat.>
I waited around for a moment until I heard the flapping of leathery wings to my left.
“Is there anything we should avoid?”
<No, the way is clear,> he responded. <Except for the train, but we can easily move around that.>
I nodded and flew as slowly as I could, keeping close to the ceiling of the tunnel. Besides the pinprick of light marking the end of the tunnel ahead we were in complete darkness. I held my breath as we approached the train car that we had ridden up in; I only knew because I recognized the smell of Changeling blood.
<Fluttershy, wait,> Tobias said. <Do you see that?>
I looked around the cave until I found what he meant. There in the center was the train, illuminated by several lights from inside. As we got closer I could hear voices from inside.
“Who would have thought that these little ponies could do all of this?” a male voice said.
“Are you sure it was them? Some of these bodies look like they were killed by large creatures.” A second, deeper voice spoke.
“Have you seen most of the wildlife here? I wouldn’t be surprised if one of those things broke in.” This time the voice was female.
“Nah, it had to be the ponies,” the first voice said. “What animal would tie up these live ones with a metal bar?”
“Does it matter what killed them? Let’s just get this over with,” the female voice said authoritatively.
There was silence for a moment, then the sound of thousands of legs against the metal floor. Then this horrible crunching sound filled the tunnel, followed by screeching. I froze in place, not sure if I should get any closer to the light.
<Fluttreshy? Don’t stop, just keep flying,> Tobias said. I thought it was my imagination, but he sounded scared.
“So what do you think happened with the cargo ship we recovered earlier?” the deep voice asked.
“My guess would be on sabotage. You know it came from Earth, where those Andalite bandits have been giving Visser Three no end of trouble,” the first voice said back.
“Keep your voices down, you fools,” the female voice said. “You want Visser Seven to find out about the missing weapons? Just do as you’re told for once and stay out of things that don’t concern you.”
“The Visser will find out sooner or later you know. And while not to the same extent Visser Three, you’ll still receive some form of punishment for it.” Deep Voice replied.
“You’d better hope not; any punishment I receive will come back to you two twice as painfully,” the female said, a cruel laugh punctuating her threat.
I sped up, flying over the train car, and continued flying until it was well behind me. I breathed a sigh of relief as I flew out of the tunnel and into open air.
<You alright, Fluttershy?> Tobias asked, a small bat hovering around my head. I nodded, though I wished I could forget what I’d heard so easily. <We need to get back to the others.>
“Tobias, what were they doing in there?”
Tobias was silent for a long time.
<Getting rid of the evidence. Through any means necessary.>
Something about the way he paused and phrased it made me worry. I wanted to ask more, but Tobias was already flying back down the mountainside.
yes!YES!
Taxxons, son!
Only thing in life that's certain. Death and Taxxons.
Zing!
Love the chapter. Showed the different mind-sets of both groups.
More!
Cheers
GM
Not long enough! Need moar!!!
...
I mean... Do continue.
Using Taxxon controllers to clean up... Eeurgh.
And then this series returns from the deepest, long forgotten recesses of my childhood to, once again, wreak havoc on all my spare time.
And this time, they brought ponies.
963802
Only one thing more certain than that: Death from Taxxons!
...wow, that is such an obscure reference. +10 internets if you get it.
963812
Well, fine. But only 'cause you asked.
963837
I am proud to be the facilitator of your wasted time.
-Tricondon
I was wondering when someone would do this crossover.
I admit, when I saw the title without the clear picture I thought it was a Power Rangers crossover.
must read later!
Oh man I used to watch this show when I was a kid, this is going into my "Read Later" menu right now!! I was kind of ticked off that they ended the tv series, left me with a huge cliffhanger ending
964021
What I'm most surprised about is that people have seen the TV show and haven't read the books.
IMHO, the show sucked.
963955
Incorrect. You must read now.
-Tricondon
964029 In my defense I wasn't much of a book reader back then, so the show appealed to me more. But now I like to read
964021
Never saw more then a few episodes (that's what you get when your born the year the series came out) but the books are far better!
good chapter
fuck the wat
Hmmmmm, interesting. Most interesting indeed. Getting rid of the evidence? Confusion on the mane 6 fighting the changelings? Stopped at the border. Irritation, and flying. Very interesting indeed. Oh, Luna is going to be irked that A: the guards stopped Shy, and B: that the Mane 6 is late. Most interesting indeed.
Also, Visser 7 a bad boss? Figures.
964029
Yes, yes, that'll do nicely.
In all seriousness, I eagerly await this story's updates. I loved the Animorphs series, and you do a darn good job of speaking believably in the character's voices.
Finally caught up. You are doing a beautiful job on this, really, bravo. This series defined most of my middle school life. (And I still wish I could get those morphing powers. )
964336
Heh, same here on wanting those morphing powers.
964373
I'd totally morph a shark, snake, or spider in a heartbeat.
964029
No kidding. The video games were pretty bad, too.
I remember one Halloween dressing up in a homemade Hork-Bajir costume, along with a dracon cannon (hollow to fit more candy!)
964381
I dunno about those, but I'm pretty sure I'd rock the tiger morph pretty hard, and I'd love the hell out of wolf (and dog, for that matter).
Taxxons, Hork-Bajir, ponies, dragons... wait a second, why are the Yeerks using the stealth approach? With Equestria's level of technology they could conquer the planet with minimal casualties in twenty-four hours.
964601
Magic.
Taxons...
964381
Hell yeah. Snakes and Spiders are cool. I hate the people who sell snake-skin and those who buy it, only thing worse, people who run and enjoy rattlesnake roundups. I could talk about the things I hate that people do to other living things but I would be here all day, and I do eat meat, except I don't like birds or fish (eating that is).
964512
Never played I couldn't find the games. But in their defense, they are liscensed games and most of that genre sucks.
964609
We are talking about beings that have mastered space flight and have laser/plasma weaponary. No amount of magic will help that, good thing Yeerks aren't the smartest beings.
They were using Taxons to get rid of the Changling corpses..... Wow thats dark.
966570
I have a feeling that we haven't seen the full extent of magic wieldable by the ponies yet. If you take a look at some of the options available to even mid-level casters in D&D, space travel and plasma weaponry are... well, cute.
964601
I disagree. Remember how Ax constantly reacts towards magic? It's a damn powerful tool, capable of things that even the Yeerks, with all their stolen technology, can barely accomplish themselves.
And even if they have one of the Princesses, as I suspect they do, there is still the other to deal with. I'm not sure yet if Chrysalis is infested, and weather or not Discord makes an appearance is also up in the air, but there is potentially a lot of magic rallied against them. Something like a Yeerk invasion would probably cause the races of Equestria to work together, after all, if they don't want to all be infested.
On the other hand, the words of those Changelings worried me, and reminded me of how the Taxxons willingly became infested. Would the changelings give themselves to the Yeerks? Or, perhaps, they're working with Discord? Tough to tell.
Could you imagine how screwed the galaxy would be if the Yeerks managed to take Equestria? For all their cuteness and friendship, Ponies are powerful enough to conquer the Animorph's galaxy, easy.
Finally... Animorphs in Equestria! I bet my neighbours could hear my sqee! I grew up on those books!
Snippy-Tobias is scary...
979876 you know he was officially named 'Doctor Hooves' right?
964336
Who doesn't? Though I don't like the idea of the time limit being applied to me. I'm a rather forgetful guy.
971664
Conquer? Maybe. But if Humanity were to be made AWARE of this before all hope was lost they'd probably rather nuke the CRAP out of their own planet before letting it be taken over.
OH NO! I'M OUT OF CHAPTERS TO READ!
I take it the Taxxons were eating the dead changelings. That would make sense, but were they eating the live ones that were spared and tied up in a metal bar? If so the screeches came from the victims, not the taxxons. I never took changelings for screeching as much as regular screaming, but hey, I'm wrong too.
971664 Good job. You kinda summed up near the end how I feel about the idea.
1853503 Oookay. I suddenly feel sick.
I used to like the Taxxons! Devouring corpses in Fluttershy's presence has now disqualified them from living. However I am loving this story, lots of neat stuff going on.
Poor Flutters