"This one, infernal metal mare has plagued us time and time again, stealing our loved ones and leaving our town in shreds," Tweak muttered. The setting sun glinted off him and the shiny bodies of several other crystal ponies as they gathered around the general store, putting out the last of the flames and smoke. He turned and looked at Crimson with a weak smile. "If somepony told me that this was all some elaborate April Foals' joke, I just might have the inclination to believe it."
Crimson slowly nodded, gazing at the crumpled sight of Aeterna lying against the bent flagpole to which her armor-stripped body was bound. "I must admit, I found it surprising just how swiftly she went down."
"In that, you're alone, good sir," Tweak muttered. "You unleashed the wrath of alicorns on her, I swear." His eyes narrowed. "Where did you learn to fight like that?"
"I watched a living rainbow do something like that while I was dangling in a metal net."
"Huh?"
"Don't bother," Crimson grumbled, leaning against the wall of a building in the center of Aurum. "I'm still reeling from all of this." He turned and glanced curiously at the farmer stallion. "Just what did she want from you and your neighbors just now?"
"The same thing she has always wanted," Tweak said. "She attacks the village every moon or so to grab one of us and haul him or her—mostly him—down south to 'Searo's Hold' or whatcrap."
"And you've not been able to stop her until just now?"
"Goddess knows we've tried." Tweak gulped. "Quite frankly, that was the closest I ever got to her myself. And it nearly cost me my neck." He sighed, his head hanging. "Not to mention a future spent with my family and foals." He turned once more to gaze at Crimson. "You have quite literally saved my life and household in one fell swoop." Tweak took a deep breath and spoke with utmost sincerity, "I'm sorry I ever doubted you, sir. You have my respect... not to mention my devotion."
Crimson patted his shoulder and said, "I don't like innocent ponies being bullied."
Tweak smiled bitterly. "I wouldn't exactly call myself innocent, but I'll just take that as protecting my whole village."
"Whatever works." Crimson hobbled forward, staring at Aeterna's limp body. He rubbed his chin with one good hoof, his face scrunched in thought.
"What's on your mind?" Tweak asked.
"You said she'd show up here every moon, right?"
"Just about. She was quite regular with her violent attacks."
"What brought her here exactly?" Crimson inquired.
"What ever brings a metal mare from point A to point Z?" Tweak shrugged. "An aircraft of sorts. Mana-powered. We barely get to see any sign of it, though, considering it arrives and takes off too swiftly and thunderously for us to intervene."
"So, you must know where it lands..."
"Everypony does!" Tweak exclaimed. "The thing sounds like it's run by a legion of cackling demons!"
"Well, it's not gonna take off again anytime soon." Crimson turned towards Tweak. "Where was it heard landing today?"
Tweak blinked. He glanced at Aeterna, then squinted back at Crimson. "Listen, friend, even if we could locate the craft, there's no possible way we could open the thing. Word is the Searonese have those things armed to the teeth, and it will kill any unarmored equine that tries in vain to open it from the outside."
"I'm quite well aware of that," Crimson said in a grumbling tone. "But that doesn't change the fact that it's here and it can stand to be elsewhere."
"Like where?" Tweak asked.
"A place where my friend has gone," Crimson remarked. Hobbling, he turned about and limped towards the edge of town. "You feel like you owe me? Then do me a favor."
"What...?"
"Summon several more stallions, and let us all meet up where the aircraft last landed."
Subtle April Fools reference
Time to take the fight to them...
2357563
It is the internet's favorite holiday after all. Bummer though, I got all excited when I found out there was a sequel to Eternal in the works. Now the dreams I never knew I had are crushed.
Crimson has practice opening black metal bananas.
Unsuccessful practice, but practice nonetheless.
Seriously. April Fools has got to stop. Poultron is making me panic.
Honeytiger does not like April fools. When Honeytiger rules the world Honeytiger will replace April fools with Halloweasteristmas.
2357809 Back then he had an army... now he has Crystal ponies.
2357840 I'm a gold member now! I didn't do anything for it and get nothing for it, but for the record, I don't mind...
But seriously now, pitting the Crystal Pony aura against a Searonese machine will be interesting - and I am sure, the results will be informative. If not, Pilate will figure something out and I will then pretend I had the idea first. After all, I am a gold member now! I am the king of the world! BITE MY SHINY METAL ASS! WAHAHAHAHA!
Side note: ceterum censeo Searinem delendam esse. Furthermore, I consider that Searo must be destroyed.
2358389
Well put, Catolamas.
I wonder what his plan is.
Is he going to hide in the aircraft's trunk? Assuming there is one, that is.
2359234 Hey!
Nucular! It's pronounced 'nucular'.
But seriously now, I am not related to any llamas by blood or marriage. Any similarities with real llamas are pure coincidence.
Furthermore, I consider that Searo must be destroyed.
Hah. They have April Foals in Equestria.
Hopefully Crimson's got a better plan than Dash did last time. And I didn't know the metal lady was still alive... I don't think I wanna know what they're going to do to her (unless they make her help them open her plane thing, but I doubt it).
IIIIIt's Dashie's evaluation time!
So it appears that Crimson is going to try to hack Aeterna's ship. But Rainbow herself failed...Crimson's got to have some sort of plan in that case. These are my thoughts so far.
-MASH
2392342
He was the one helping RD try to break into Roark's ship in the last story. Maybe he has a few ideas from then that he'd like to try?
2358281 Hallstermastines Day is best holiday
Ohoho, let's see if Crimson can crack open black metal bananas with the help of crystal ponies Last time he had regular ponies, let's see how he does with Crystal Ponies.
-SPirit
Time to steal a ship.
2358281 Finally, I could trick or treat while dressed as a rabbit demanding solely candy canes without being looked at like some fort of
furryfreakfureak!Plot advancement?
Crystal magic works differently than unicorn, so maybe enough of them can pry it open after all.
You know, your life has definitely become a little extra exciting when "What would Rainbow Dash do?" is a helpful guide to your actions.
6436588 Exciting, yes.
And you'd go bald dodging attacks excitingly quickly too. Not to mention you'd probably be dead, cause you need wings to imitate her fighting style.
Also, hey! We're a day apart!
2358281
I'll be a patron to that.
I really like the bit of lore that hangs behind the Searonese and their ships. It's like an integral part of their character, but it also provides a lot of conditionlessly opportunity, granted you have the means meet the ends
These Searonese are literally Yautja from the movie and comic series Predator. That was immediately apparent when Roarke showed up in her ship but it’s even more apparent after seeing their homeland.