//------------------------------// // Search for Survivors // Story: Martha and Skits 2: The Cloned Emperor // by Zenitram Nadroj //------------------------------// In another part of the wasteland, Helen's parents compose themselves. “My gosh. What just happened?”, Helen's dad asks. “Mariella, are you alright?” “I think so. Are you, Daniel?” “I am. Wait.” He looks around and back to his wife. “Where are the kids?” They hear moaning and recognize it. “Jake!”, the both say. They hurry to their son and take him out of debris. “Jake, are you alright?”, his mother asks. Her son nods. “Mariella!”, a voice says. They turn to it and see Carlolina's dad rising from debris. “Jorge! Are you alright, Hermano?” “I think so. Where's the rest of our family and the rest of Daniel's family?”, he asks. “I have no idea.” “Who are you?” They turn to the voice and they see a group of horses. “Oh. Hola, caballitos.”, Jorge says. “Um, what are 'ka ba yee toes'?”, the brown horse asks. “Oh, 'caballitos' is Spanish for 'little horses'” They then realize what happened. “Wait a minute. Did you just talk?” “Yes. And we're not horses. We're ponies.”, the gray pony says. “Mariella, Jorge, I'm not imagining this, am I?”, Helen’s dad asks. “Oh, nonsense. If thou wants to know how visualization commences, then explore the far reaches to the olden depths of the great quarray.”, the stallion says. “Excuse me.”, Helen's dad asks. “Sorry, our parents have a tendency to talk like they are in olden times.”, the shy mare says. “Wait. 'Tendency' means an inclination toward a particular characteristic or type of behavior.”, Carolina's dad says. “So that's normal for them?” “Yes. You've got a problem with that?”, the grouchy mare says. “Calm yourself. They were just clarifying our vocabulary.”, the dull mare says. “I'm sorry. We haven't been properly introduced yet. I'm Daniel. This is my wife, Mariella, her brother, Jorge and our son, Jake.” “Well salutations. I'm Igneous Rock. This is my wife, Cloudy Quartz, and our daughters, Marble Pie, Limestone Pie and Maud Pie.”, the stallion says. “Hey, wait a minute. They almost look like those other two legged creatures.”, Marble says. “Wait a minute, you've seen more of them?”, Jorge asks. “Yes. We're found all the other families and gathered in a cave.”, Limestone says. “Come on, follow us.” They all follow the family to where they say they found the other 'creatures'. “Mariella, Jorge, do you think they're telling the truth?”, Helen's dad asks. “What do you mean?”, Helen's mom asks. “We just met these ponies. Do you really think we can trust them already? I mean, what if they're luring us into a trap?” “Daniel, they said they've seen others like us. Why would they lie about that if they've never seen us before?”, Carolina's dad asks. “Maybe you're just thinking too hard.”, Helen's mom says. “Maybe your right. I mean thinking too hard is my tendency.” Elsewhere, Spike and the mares are still battling the monster. The mares and dragon become exhausted. The monster is about to finish them off when he gets a headache. “What am I doing? I don't have time for this.”, the monster says before flying off. The group lie there exhausted as a shadow covers them and they get levitated by magic. They then compose themselves and open their eyes. In front of them are Discord, Starlight and Sunburst. “Oh, thank goodness. They're all awake.”, Sunburst says. “Sunburst, Starlight, Discord. You're all OK.”, Spike says. “How did you find us?”, Rainbow asks. “Sunburst and I found ourselves lying on top of Discord. We were looking around when he heard bursts of magic and loud roaring. We all thought you would be dead meat.”, Starlight says. “Wait. Where's Twilight?” “We don't know. We were about to find her when we were approached by some kind of monster.”, Rarity says. “There's a monster here?”, Discord asks. “Well whatever that was, it said something about us working for that 'being'.”, Spike says. “But we have no idea what this 'being' he was talking about is.”, Pinkie says. “Well it's good that you're all fine.”, Sunburst says. “Yes. But even if that monster didn't show up, we still have no idea where to look.”, Applejack says. “I'll use my alicorn tracker to find her.”, Discord says before making an alicorn tracker appear. The tracker then picks up a signal and points in the direction of the source. “She's that way. Come on.” They all follow the draconequus in hopes that their friend is still alive. Elsewhere, the children and the family are still traveling as Cadance finishes their story. “We all got sucked into some strange portal and here we are.”, Cadance says. “Wow. That was some trip.”, T.D. says. “It sure was.”, Shining says. “Halt! Who goes there?!”, a voice shouts. “Who said that?”, Truman asks. Suddenly, five creatures come out and confront the group. One of them, a dragon, recognizes the three ponies. “Hold on, guys. It's only Shining, Cadance and Flurry.”, the dragon says. “Phew. That's a relief.”, the griffon says. “Whoa! More talking creatures?!”, Milo says. “What creatures are with ponies?”, the yak asks. “Oh, everyone, these are our new companions, T.D. Truman, Milo, Carolina, Alice and Ronald.”, Shining says. “Pleased to meet you.”, the dragon says. “I am Ember, Dragon Lord of Dragon County.” “I am Thorax, ruler of the Changeling Kingdom.”, Thorax says. “I am Gruff. Last remaining founder of Griffonstone.”, Gruff says. “Rutherford, prince of Yakyakistan.”, Rutherford says. “And I am Sea Spray. Captain of the Mount Aris and Seaquestria guards.”, Sea Spray says. “So, there are actually other creatures aside from just you guys?”, Carolina asks. “Yes, indeed.”, Flurry Heart says. “Anyway, what are you all doing here?”, Shining asks. “We were all looking for Twilight and the others when we heard you guys approaching.”, Thorax says. "We were also looking for that good for nothing chancellor.", Ember says. "Wait. Neighsay is here?", Cadance asks. "Yes. He controlled us and took us to Twilight's castle.", Sea Spray says. “Hey, why don't you all come with us?”, Alice proposes. “I'm not sure. I mean, how do we know we can trust you?”, “We already trust them. I think they can help us.”, Cadance suggests. “Alright. If you insist.”, Gruff says. “Let's get going.” They all then head out to find the rest of the group. In another part of the wasteland, Celestia and Luna compose themselves. “Luna, are you alright?”, Celestia asks. “I am, Celestia.”, Luna answers. They look around. “Where are we?” “I'm not sure. I better use my location spell.” Celestia closes her eyes and uses her magic. She then opens her eyes. “That's strange.” “What is it?”, Luna asks. “I'm sensing that we're in Equestria, but at the same time, we're not.” “What does this mean?” “Wait a minute.” She closes her eyes and uses her magic. “What's going on, sister?”, Luna asks. “Twilight and her friends are here. But there are some other life forms.” “Do you think they mean harm?” “Well, whoever and whatever they are, we have to tell them that they're not alone.” “Let's find them.” They both spread their wings and take off. Elsewhere, the goons searches for the monster. “Do you see him?”, Kablooey asks. “Still nothing.”, Weaselegraft answers. “I should have known.”, an unfamiliar voice says. They turn to the voice and see a unicorn wearing a red cloak. “More non-pony creatures. Is there no order anymore?” “Who are you?”, Pablum asks. “I am Chancellor Neighsay.”, he responds. “I am the head of the Equestrian Education Association. Are you opposed to my protest as well?” “What are you talking about?”, Bumblecrum asks. “Wait a minute.” He closes his eyes and his horn lights. His eyes then snap open. “I-I don't believe this. You're all not from the same world as myself.” “No, we aren't. And what protests are you talking about?”, Fildemarker asks. “Well, there's this alicorn named Twilight Sparkle who opened a friendship school. But non-pony students are enrolled in it. Which I am heavily against. I had the school shut down, but Princess Celestia authenticated the rules of the new school. And the seal was broken, and my protests have been rendered null and void. And now there's going to be a wedding with non-ponies attending it. I've tried to stop it with some of the consorts of her students, but my spell wore off. Then I was suddenly engulfed in a strange portal. And here I am.” “Hold on, when you say non-pony creatures, what are you referring to exactly?”, Pablum asks. “Referring?”, Neighsay asks. “Yes. 'Refer' means to mention or allude to something. So, what are you referring to?” “The students in that school are a griffon, a dragon, a yak, a changeling and a hippogriff.” “Wait a minute. Don't we have creatures like those in our hideout?”, Kablooey asks. His eyes widen. “Wait. You have them in captivity?” “Yes. We do.”, Weaslegraft says. “Guide me to them.”