//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 - Orbit // Story: The Rise of Metal // by PanzerBrony Metallicom //------------------------------// Luna just came back from a diplomatic mission from Yakistan. The kingdom far up in the frozen north was, despite its ‘awayness’ from Equestria, one of the most important allies in both military as well as economic means. She was about to land on her tower at the royal castle when the princess of the night heard the commotion below her. Several guards were shouting orders to stop something from entering the castle grounds. But it was all up to no use as a black blur shot through the front gate and made its way into the royal gardens. The night alicorn was raising an eyebrow, before she took off in hot pursuit. The black unknown came to a stop at the fountain inside of the maze that was located in the middle of the castle’s backyard. Luna was about to dive bomb the intruder, when she heard loud sobbing from the black mass below her. Is this some kind of cruel joke? she questioned herself. Suddenly everything went quiet except from the noises of crickets and the slow flapping of lunar wings. Luna then chose a different way of approach from the one originally planned and landed as quietly as possible near the fountain. A few feet away from her was the black invader, collapsed on a bench. Without a warning ‘the thing’ stirred and the younger alicorn sister had to gasp in shock as a short black tail with white stripes was revealed. Since her return a few months ago, she only came to know one pony with that appearance. “Alex?!” Luna said aloud in shock, but the black pony gave no reaction. With a worried look on her face, she slowly approached her friend that was motionless as a rock. She put a hoof lightly on his head to check on the vital signs. The results were that Alex was alive and breathing, but seemed to be unconscious and he was getting colder. What happened to you, my little pony? was one of the first thoughts that entered the mind of the night princess. But before more precious time could be wasted with ‘worried thinking’ Luna lit her horn and teleported Alex and herself into the castle’s infirmary. --- Later that night --- Alex found himself yet again inside a black void. The last thing he could remember was a blurry vision of a fountain. ‘What happened to me again?’ was the question he currently wanted to be answered the most. Suddenly the black void disappeared and changed into something colorful. Alex was lying belly down underneath a japonese cheery tree in full blossom, while some small white cloud decorated a blue sky here and there. Birds inside the tree were chirping a happy tune and enjoyed the warmth the spring sun was giving them. Alex’s gaze wandered around as he took in everything that his current surroundings held for him. It came to a stop when he spied a little lake in which some ducks and swans decided to go for a swim. Our black pony friend mentally sighed while he enjoyed the beautiful sight. Sadly this image wasn’t a long lasting one; the sun, clouds and animals vanished only to be replaced with the most amazing night sky Alex ever laid eyes on. While still lying beneath the tree, a chill ran through his spine as the cold night air touched his coat. Suddenly even the ground, the lake and the tree vanished into nothingness; Alex closed his eyes and prepared himself for a long fall that never came. As he opened his eyes again he found himself in the orbit of the moon and the stars. What was that all about? he asked himself.