//------------------------------// // Forging New Bonds. // Story: Equestrian Eeveelution. // by Symphonicdysonince //------------------------------// Villhiem and I crawled our way into Golden Oaks' basement. We had just started to make our way up the basement stairs when the door creaked open. <> Yomega sighed. <> <> Villhiem stated. <> <> Yomega frowned. <<... Go get Spike. Leo, stay with me.>> Villhiem and I shared a look before Villhiem slunk off into the library. Yomega brushed past me, cautiously descending the stairs. I was about to ask what was wrong when it happened. A crack of displaced air, then muffled cursing and the clattering of supplies came from the broom closet as the door rattled in its frame. With a second crack, a mostly dark yellow humanoid fox creature with brownish gray shoulder and chest armor with a ring of the same color near the end of its thick tail appeared, facing the rattling door. <> I yelled, crouching to start my Extreme Speed. <> The creature raised a clawed, hand-like paw out at me. "Casey..." It seemed to yawn. The world looked like a pulse had rippled out from it's hand, a ring of distortion passing over everything. I began my charge... ... And promptly face planted. I flopped around while I tried to untangle my legs. <> I finally managed to get to my paws. <> I snarled. I tried to charge, only to be reunited with the floor. <> <> Yomega barked. The Abra tilted it's head as the door swung open. A voice called out from within. "Check it out, I think I heard fighting." <> A pair of somethings monotoned before two interlocking gears with identical, odd faces taking up one side floated from the darkened closet. <> One gear stated. <> The other replied. Both Yomega and my eyes widened. We couldn't understand a lick of what it was saying, but we both clearly understood what the sparks of electricity dancing across the thing's body meant. "Giaru." They monotoned as lightning lanced out, just barely missing us as I got my legs under me. <> Electricity began sparking again. I bolted forward, teeth glowing as I jumped for the floating gears. Yomega slammed into the Abra, a shimmering panel springing into existence just before he impacted it. I felt my teeth sink into the metal of the Klink. Odd. I kept biting as folded myself around the Klink's edge for a better grip. I didn't think that steel could be this soft. Suddenly, I was spun into the space where the gears met. I clenched my jaw tighter in a pain reflex, which caused me to be spun through the space again. I let go and was flung back to the stairs. <> I groaned. I looked to see how Yomega was faring, watching him rush forward to repeatedly Tackle the Abra, Barriers appearing to negate some of the damage. "WHAT IS GOING ON DOWN HERE?!" I looked up to see Twilight glaring into the room from the top of the stairs, Villhiem, Zann, Moon Dancer and Spike standing behind her. "Porter, Gemini, hold!" The voice called from the closet. The Abra and Klink floated back to the door. <> <> I growled. "Whoever is down there had better come out and call off your summons!" Twilight threatened. "Alright, alright, just give me a sec to get this mop off of me..." Said mop clattered to the floor as an effeminate orange stallion with a two-tone brown mane stepped out, straightening his lab coat. He looked to be slightly taller then Twilight, yet rail thin. "Terribly sorry about that, teleportation and I don't get along very well." He looked over to his summons, noting the bite marks on the one gear. "I'm also sorry for the actions of my Casey and Giaru. The tend to be a little overprotective of me." His eyes scanned the group in front of him as the Abra floated onto his back. "I must say, I've never seen such summons before! What are they?" He asked. Twilight's horn lit up as she carried Yomega and I over to herself. "They're not. They are a previously unknown species from the Everfree." "Oh, darn." He sighed, before rapidly shaking his head. "Sorry, sorry, mustn't get distracted! My name is Runic Gears, from Canterlot University, and I'm terribly sorry for the intrusion. Could you be as so kind as to tell me if I've appeared in Manehatten? I need to meet a Mayor Mare there to discuss the recent bakery fire..." He trailed off with a nervous grin. Twilight and Moon Dancer shared a look. Moon Dancer spoke up. "You're in Ponyville, but I think you may have your information mixed up." Just then, another Abra cracked into existence. A note floated from it to Runic. After he took it in his own magic, the second Abra disappeared in another crack. Runic read the note before folding it up and tucking it into a pocket. "Terribly sorry, I've been slightly out of touch with the world at large. I had just finished up my latest experiment when Headmaster Brain Pan told me I was needed, well, here." He smiled. "It seems Head Scratcher, the Dean of the Summoner's Circle of Canterlot University, tried to get around my Displacia by deliberately sending me somewhere other than here, and I'm rambling, aren't I?" We all nodded. "Right, I'll be leaving for Mayor Mare's then, if you would kindly show me the way...?" He smiled. "... What's 'Displacia'?" Spike asked. "Oh, just a slight allergy to teleportation." Runic explained. "I just get scattered off course, but the scatter is worse the further I meant to teleport." "Alright." Twilight sighed as we all turned to leave. "First, we'll need to leave my basement." "Not a problem, and thank you!" Runic beamed. I saw the Abra's eyes slightly glow. With a pop, we all winced as another mop clattered from the broom closet. "Problem!" Runic's voice called out from the closet. "Thank you, Porter. Please just follow me for now." As he made his way back up the stairs, Moon Dancer asked, "So, I assume you're here to look into the summon that caused the fire?" "Oh, no." He shook his head. "The University is sending somepony else to look into that. I'm here to continue teaching the fillies known as the Cutiemark Crusaders. Brain Pan felt that was of a higher priority." "Why's that?" Twilight inquired. "They each summoned and controlled a powerful Water type summon, and of the highest tier of their families, I might add!" Runic smiled. "Those fillies have amazing potential. I fully expect them to go far within the Circle. Assuming they join the University, of course." "Of course." Twilight sighed. "Moon Dancer, could you watch over the library? I think I may be needed at the Mayor's office." She turned to her assistant. "Spike, could you get a side room ready?" "For what?" He asked. Twilight just pointed at Zann, who held a Party Popper in his mouth with a manic grin. "Oh." After Twilight had left with Runic, Moon Dancer turned to go back into her study. Spike opened a side door into a bare room, where Pinkie was already setting things up. Zann lobbed his Popper, shooting a spark to light it's fuse. The Popper flew over Pinkie's shoulder as she stepped out of the room, closing the door behind her. After a muffled bang, Pinkie reopened the door to continue her work in the half decorated room, while Zann rejoined Moon Dancer. Yomega left with Spike, both shaking their heads. I nudged Villhiem into Moon Dancer's room. <> <> He hopped in place, a tray of cupcakes beside him. <> Twin puffs came from said orifice. He chomped down on a cupcake. <> He sprayed. Swallowing, he continued. <> <> Villhiem said, pulling me away. <> <> <> We left the room, heading for the stairs. We quickly made our way into Twilight's room. Villhiem used his vines to open the closet. Pushing aside some curtains that had been installed on one side, he caused the sunlight from the window to land on the sleeping Abes' face. It wasn't long before he stirred. "The fug ya wan'?" He yawned with a sleepy stretch. "You awake enough to talk?" "I am now..." Abes growled. "What 'bout?" "My reoccurring monkey dream." I interjected. "Oh." He yawned again, rolling onto his back. "Could you look into any books about dream symbolism for us?" Villhiem asked. "Could you also inquire to Luna for her opinion?" "I've already did th' second one." Abes stretched. "Back when ya first told us 'bout it. Luna can't find our dreams." I blinked. "That's not disconcerting at all...." "Mmhmm." Abes nodded. "I'm off tonight, I'll look into yer book thing then. Close the door on yer way out?" "Will do." Villhiem promised. After closing the closet door, we made our way back to Zann, and spent the day just talking. I was making my way home from the library, I didn't feel up to partying tonight. On my way through town, I felt something, almost a gut feeling, pull me into the park. I decided to follow this feeling, just to see where it would take me. I had nothing better to do, after all. I found a crying Silver hiding in a secluded bush. For some reason, I decided to lie down in front of her, waiting for her to notice me. It took her a few minutes, but eventually she looked up. She jumped when she saw me. "What?" She sniffed. "Come to bite me like you did with Thunderlane?" I flinched, before lowering my head to giver her my best attempt at Baby-Doll Eyes. She lay her head back down onto her hooves. "I'm sorry, that wasn't called for." She apologized. "I'm also sorry for what Tiara and I did to Zann." I shuffled around to lean against her side. <> Silver reached a hoof out, tentatively petting me. Once she realized that I wasn't going to snap at her, she pulled me close. I could hear her sniffling as she kept petting me. "Did you know, I stopped being friends with Tiara today?" She said at length. "Now that I've done that, I don't know what to do. Tiara and I basically grew up together, she felt more like a sister to me than a friend. But now... "Now I feel like I don't even know her anymore." She looked down at me. "And it hurts. It hurt having to break away from her. It hurt when I made the choice to stay with Tiara when I realized how little I knew her, long before we tried to summon that thing. I feel like that there's a hole in me, and I don't know who to turn to to help. And now it hurts that I'm all alone." We locked eyes. I felt something, a connection with the pony in front of me. I felt like something was drawing something from the two of us. And I felt that she felt it too. We let the feeling guide us, and we sang. We sung away her pain. We sung a prayer for guidance. My ear twitched as the last notes died away. "It came from over here, Scoots!" It seems her prayer was answered. I poked my tail out of the bush even as Silver tried to pull further in. Soon, three fillies were looking in on us. Silver held me up like a furry shield. I just waved. "Hey, Silver." Sweetie spoke up. "You okay in there?" "I'm fine." She sniffed. "Why do you care?" The Crusaders shared a look before crowding under the bush. They gently pressed themselves up against the distressed filly. Sweetie took the lead. "Do you want to talk about it?" Silver broke down crying as she pressed her muzzle into my fur. "Tiara an' I broke up!" "Not how I would've phrased it..." It's close enough. I sighed. I listened as Silver cried her troubles and her apologies to the Crusaders. I'm going to be stuck here all night, at this rate. I smiled. It's worth it though... "Crap! Hey! Focus here! Rainbow's going to be worried if she gets home and we're not there or the Daycare. Your job here's done, let's just go home, okay?" I guess you're right, Brain. I untangled myself from the fillies. Stretching, I made to leave. I stopped when a hoof was placed onto my back. "Hey..." Silver gave me a very small, sad smile. "Thank you." I gave her my own smile. <> Turning, I bolted from the bushes at a reasonable pace. Ya know something, Brain? Silver's not that bad of a filly. She just needs a chance to grow. "Sure she does. Now let's pick the pace up. Ya know, make sure our legs are still working?" Good point.... I blurred the rest of my way home. One thing was for sure: today had given me plenty to think about.