//------------------------------// // Help // Story: Invasion // by ZombieBrony22 //------------------------------// "...It’s been 7 days since the symbiote sample that has been dubbed ‘Wrath’ had been collected. Researchers had not been able to discover any weaknesses other than sonic waves and fire-- no safe, inexpensive means of identifying who’s infected or who’s carrying.” Blank stated to a meet of Equestria’s top scientists. No-pony responded to Blank’s announcement, for they’ve all been the same for the last week—nothing. Nothing discovered, nothing learned... nothing done. “In further news... the symbiote has shown signs of slowing and weakening. We have come to the conclusion that it’s dying.” Blank added, much to the scientist’s shock and surprise. “What? How’s that possible? It’s lasted this long, why is it starting to die off now?” One of the scientists asked. “We’ve come to discover that the Klyntar species cannot survive in oxygen-rich environments and needs another organism as its ‘host’ in order to survive. Furthermore, like other organisms, the Klyntar need food in order to survive— consisting of meat... and brains, making the infected show cannibalistic tendencies—perhaps a means of identifying infected, but it’s not known for sure.” Blank answered. Everyone who wasn’t taking notes started after that information was given. “That is all for this week’s report.” Blank concluded the meet and trotted out through the stage curtain of the repurposed high school that was closed down a few years ago. As far as the public outside of the royal family, several guards and scientists, Blank, and Tempest know, the school is being used for a renovation, but in all-reality, it’s being used to study and test the symbiote that was recovered—nicknamed Wrath. Blank had trotted to the research room—which was originally two separate classrooms that were cut off by a wall, that was now demolished, combining the rooms to one. At the corner was the entrance to where Wrath was being held—guarded by three Royal Guards, who greeted Blank once they saw him. Once Blank went down the stairs leading to the holding cell, he was greeted by a scientist, who was observing Wrath consuming a slice of cooked fish. “How is it?” Blank asked the first guard. “It’s still slowing... we have no idea what to feed it other than what we’ve been providing it.” The scientist confessed, watching as the symbiote went through the fish and showed no signs of improvement. “They eat meat, but it’s not surviving... why?” Blank asked himself and the scientist. “Maybe you should ask it.” Tempest joked, who was aiding another scientist with schematics for a mobile wall. Blank went to laugh, but realized that might be a good idea. “That... might just work, actually. Doctor, keep the oxygen on in his cell, I’m gonna try something.” Blank ordered. “Be careful—we can’t risk Wrath infecting anypony.” The doctor warned. Blank went right up against the glass and set his hoof on it, causing Wrath to lunge at it, trying to bond through the thick layer of glass separating them. “What’s wrong with you...? Why’re you dying?” Blank whispered, using his horn to establish a telepathic link between the two. “Hungry, hungry, hungry, hungry, hungr—” A short silence kicked in as Blank’s telepathic link connected with Wrath. The former was waiting for a response, shaking slightly from suspense. “Hello...” Blank took a step back, shocked that this plan actually worked. “H-Hello. My name is Blank Page, I’m here to help you.” Blank said, approaching Wrath once again. “You wanna help me? Get in the cell.” Wrath bluntly demanded. Blank shook his head, denying Wrath of his desire. “No. That’s not how this is gonna work, but we will help you, all-the-same. Tell us, why aren’t you surviving off of the meat we’ve been giving you?” Blank asked. “Starving... fish does nothin’! Need... BRAINS! And I need a host to eat it through!” Wrath screamed, smashing against the glass to the scientists’ fright. “Why brains? What makes them good for you? Tell us, and we’ll find a way to provide a substitute.” Blank offered. “How the hell should I know? I’m a Klyntar, not a damn food critic.” Wrath berated, moving around the glass. Blank was about to give up, but came up with an idea. “How do brains... taste?” Blank asked. Wrath stopped moving and let a tendril extend outwards. “What was that?” He asked. Blank moved forward and set his hoof on the glass again. “What do brains taste like? Are they good to you, or do you simply want something in brains?” Blank asked. Wrath took a moment to think, he had no idea what Blank meant until... “There’s somethin’ in ‘em... somethin’ that gets us goin’. I don’t know what it is... but I need it! Now!” Wrath roared as Blank broke the telepathic like and galloped back up the stairs. Blank had left the testing chamber and went for the pantry, searching for a specific type of food... As if on que, Twilight landed in front of him, relieved of her lab coat. “What’re you doing? It’s not safe out here, someone could be carrying.” She told Blank. “Wrath told me that symbiotes crave something in brains—a chemical, most likely. My hypothesis is that it’s phenylethylamine.” Blank answered. “Pheny... why?" Twilight asked him. "I-It’s a chemical that’s produced in the brain, it’s a mood enhancer. It’s also found in various foods, such as nuts, beans, and...” Blank browsed the isles until he found his target—a bar of chocolate, and galloped back to the chamber, ready to give Wrath a dilemma. Wrath began growling and shifting rapidly at the other scientists on the other side of the glass, agitating them. As Blank trotted back down with a bar of chocolate, everypony looked at him in confusion. “What’s with the snack?” One of them asked. Blank didn’t answer and held the chocolate with his horn, using his magic to unwrap the bar and break off a single section. He then went over to the glass and used his magic to teleport the broken piece to the cell with Wrath. “That don’t look like brains...” Wrath warned. “Try it. Tell me if you like it or not.” Blank said. Wrath went over and consumed the bar before moving around faster than normal. “This... substance... I like it. More!” Wrath screamed. Blank knew his plan, he prepared it before-hoof. “Okay... if you want more, you will answer my questions. Answer them completely and honestly, and you’ll get more chocolate. Am I understood?” Blank asked. Wrath took a moment before using a tendril to nod. “Good. My first question: How many of you are here?” Blank asked. Wrath took a moment to answer. “Hundreds... of millions. We are everywhere... out there, at least... In the ‘Badlands’, as your kind calls it.” Blank took a moment to gulp before breaking off another piece and phasing it through, watching Wrath latch to it and pull it into him. “S-second question: What do you want with us?” “To save you, of course—to... improve your kind, to help--” “Answer honestly, or no chocolate.” Blank disciplined. Wrath did not take too kindly to this—he instantly roared and latched on to the glass with force. “We are here to show you something... something beautiful... Your kind believes in coexistence, yes?” Wrath asked. Blank nodded, invested in to where that conversation was going. “Well, lemme tell ya as to why this belief is flawed—I ain’t like my bretheren, they were born here, no recollection of how life is outside of a cave... but I’m old in Klyntar years... I’ve been in several worlds and they were all the same... war, death, poverty... it’s like they were beggin’ to be conquered. I gotta say that your world is the most stable one I’ve seen, but like all others, it too’ll fall... Unless you let me out, allow me to bond with you, I can show you the gifts that my kind’re meant to give... I can show you all.. the gift of Symbiosis...” Wrath monologued. Blank instantly broke the link and backed away from Wrath, who was slithering around, possibly waiting for his chocolate. Sure enough, Blank broke off another piece and sent it in, watching as Wrath engulfed it with a form of flair in his movements and shifts. Tempest and Twilight were remaining at the castle, overlooking any areas that could be targets for invasion, the latter chewing on a pencil. “Manehattan could be a nice target—large city, large population... it wouldn’t be too hard to latch to one pony and start an infection...” Twilight offered. Tempest nodded and wrote it down to the list of priority targets—including Las Pegasus, Fillydelphia, and other various large cities. As the two continued writing out targets, Blank enter through the opened door. “Hey, Blank.” Tempest said without glancing at him. Twilight, however, almost choked on her pencil as she noticed her old “friend”. “Uh, B-Blank! Hey, uh... nice... weather?” Twilight’s voice waivered as her attempt of small talk continued. Blank awkwardly cleared his throat and responded. “It’s... nice...” Blank said, not wanting to say another “uh”. Tempest smirked to herself, knowing what she had to do. “I’m gonna go see how Luna’s holding up. Twi, can you two keep looking for targets, please?” Tempest asked. The unicorn and alicorn began stammering and stuttering as Tempest let out a single chuckle. “I’ll be back before you know it.” The door slammed behind them, leaving the two blushing, sweating messes alone. “So... um—wanna start l-looking?” Blank asked. “S-sure. Let’s get started.” Twilight smiled awkwardly. The two trotted to the map and Blank immediately noticed that Manehattan was highlighted. “W-we think that Manehattan’s a target—it's a large, densely populated city. Those kinds of numbers...” “It could be devastating.” Blank finished her sentence. The two took a moment to draw out potential targets until Twilight decided to break the long-frozen ice. “What happened to us?” Twilight asked. Blank, caught off-guard by this question, clears his throat. “I-- I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “B, come on—let's stop trying to cover it all up and let’s just get it out of the way.” Twilight insisted. Blank set the marker down and turned to Twilight. “Well, for starters, 7 years really has an impact... second off, your brother still wants my head on a pike, third off--” “Okay, okay—I get your point.” Twilight surrendered. Another silence, as the two realize that Tempest might not be coming back. “It would be nice to know each other again... as friends, y’know?” Twilight said, underlining another large city to secure. Blank perked his ears up and smiled to himself as he looked over the map one last time. “Well, unless they’re planning to start a plan of world domination in the countryside, I think we’re good for now...” Blank said. Twilight came to the same conclusion and wrapped the map up. “...and I know a few restaurants nearby. Nothing too fancy—hay, we could stop at my parents’ place if you want, I think they’d like to see you.” Blank offered. Twilight smiled at that comment and came to her answer. “It would be nice to see your parents again, and I think we both need a break from this whole thing... let me send this to Celestia, then we can go.” Twilight said. Just as Blank felt a sense of achievement, his dreams were shattered by a voice calling out from outside the door. "Count me in!” Tempest said, entering the room. Blank tried to object, but sighed to himself, knowing that his protests were futile. The three had reached Blank Page’s family resturant— The Outcrier. “I gotta admit—that's a pretty wicked name.” Tempest smiled. “Thank my mother for that name—she was a bit of a goth in her day...” Blank said, laughing at the old gothic font. Twilight sniffed the air and the scent of the food instantly instilled a feeling of nostalgia. Tempest glanced at the cookies at the window and smiled to herself, knowing what she was having for dessert. Blank was trying to think about what he was going to tell his parents about his new company. Blank and Twilight went behind Tempest, mostly because she went through the door first, and the waiter instantly recoiled at the former commander’s prescience. “Welcome to The Outcrier, how can I—Oh!” Tempest sighed, expecting the reaction. “It’s okay, Ruby—she's with us.” Blank said from behind her. Hearing Blank’s voice brought a look of joy into the formerly terrified waitress’s eyes. “Blank!” She galloped over and hugged him—much to the two mares’ surprise. Their surprise was further added on when Ruby kissed both of Blank’s cheeks, while he chuckled and gently pushed her away. “Alright, alright—nice to see you again, how’s the place been?” He asked her. “Oh, same-old, same-old. Your parents are here, they’re dying to see you!” Ruby remembered as she left the three behind. Twilight and Tempest slowly turn their heads to a blushing Blank. “Okay, we dated in college—for, like, a month...” The two laughed—Tempest more sinisterly. “Oh, I’m never letting you live this one down...” Tempest smirked. “Come on—she's a nice mare. Impulsive, maybe, but--” Blank’s conversation was cut off by a pie getting thrown at his face. After taking a moment to lick the icing... “Lemon lush with a touch of paprika... and a pinch of vinegar. Mom.” Sure enough, at the other side of the restaurant, a middle-aged mare hoof-bumped her husband while the pair were laughing. “Tempest... meet my parents.” Blank warned. The stallion kicked open the kitchen door and took a breath. “BLANK!“ The loud, booming voice caught Tempest off-guard, but was welcomed to Twilight’s ears. “Hey, Dad...” Blank said, eager to see what remark he had to say about his company. “What’s with the little... triple date you got here?” He asked, much to Blank’s dismay. Twilight almost choked on air while Tempest simply laughed. “No, no—Dad, you’ve met Twilight... Tempest—meet Golden Honey—my dad.” Before he could shake Tempest’s hoof, someone galloped over and almost tackled Blank in a bear hug. “Aye, Blanky! How’ve you been?!” A thick Irish accent asked. Twilight laughed at the familiar voice while Tempest was even more confused. “H...i, Mom... Tempest... meet...” Blank’s face turned blue as his mother moved off of him. “Strong Breeze, nice to meet ya!” She held her hoof out and Tempest awkwardly accepted it. “I’ll get the table set!” Golden galloped off along with Strong Breeze, leaving the trio alone. Tempest was awestruck by Blank’s family—reasonably so. Blank, however, was still coughing from the bear hug his mother was known for... “I really missed your mom.” Twilight started. “Yeah... me, too.” Blank smiled while breathing in oxygen once again. Celestia somberly entered her chambers and shut the doors behind the two royal guards protecting the wooden entrance. Once in her room, she glanced over to the locked safe containing one of Celestia’s worst nightmares... “I never thought I’d have to talk to you again.” She sighed as she unlocked the safe and used her horn to levitate the capsule containing the moving substance only known as... “Hello, Nightmare.” The being known as Nightmare lunged at Celestia from the glass tube, much to Celestia’s expectation. “I know you can hear me... I know you can speak.” Celestia used her magic to form a force field and open the tube, letting Nightmare out. A single tendril stretched out to Celestia, followed by another, and then another—all of them forming together to project a face. “Hello... sister.” Nightmare chimed. “We are not sisters.” Celestia whispered. Nightmare chuckled at that. “Celly, I’ve missed these little chats. Tell me, does our sister know that I am here, waiting for her?” Celestia took a moment before nodding, confirming Nightmare’s suspicion... triggering her to cackle silently. “Excellent... I’m eager to bond with her once again--” “I’m not here on a social visit, Nightmare... I need your help.” This caused the symbiote to smile, showing “her” many sets of sharp, uneven teeth. “And how may I... help?”