//------------------------------// // Book Three: Chapter Three // Story: Unity: A Tale of Arcadia // by Kieva Lynn //------------------------------// Book Three: Uncertain Days Chapter Three Eqqus. Gryphonica was overrun with shocking speed. Gryphonstone itself fell on the second day, the emperor and his family fleeing to Equestria. Within a week the entire country was in the hands of enemy troops. Gryphon refugees fleeing to Equestria reported not only the orc troops attacking Earth but also changeling soldiers, all equipped with the same advanced weapons and armor. Princess Luna stood examining a line of weapons. They had been bought to Eqqus along with the small team of human soldiers Celestia had retrieved, and were now modified according to the specifications developed on Earth. "Let us hope these work." She muttered. "We'll know soon enough Princess." "Strewth. Your assistance here is appreciated General Morton. What we do together may well make victory or doom for us all." "Surprisingly morbid for a pony." A large gryphon strode into view from around a corner and stood next to Luna and Morton. "Perhaps Emperor Gestal. But then I would think you perhaps would be in such a mood as well." "Indeed." Morton said "They should be coming into view at any moment. Everyone in position!" Pony, gryphon, and human troops raced to their positions on the line. The changelings came first, flying fast and low from over the horizon. They made no efforts to maneuver or dodge, clearly not expecting any defenses the Equestrians could put up to pose a threat to them. This proved a grave error for the drones: The magic augmented rifles began to fire, cutting them down like a scythe. The second wave of drones saw the fate that had met their fellows and began to fly more erratically, reaching the defense line and harrying them from above. Gryphons and pegasai took wing, but all they could really do was distract the drones back, preventing them from getting a good aim on the targets below. And then the orc ground forces marched into view, opening fire as soon as they were in range. Several soldiers with augmented rifles switched to targeting them, and the orcs fell as easily as the changeling drones had, but there were so many, and heavier weapons were beginning to appear behind the orcs as well "Princess! I think it's time!" General Morton called out to Luna. "Aye!" Luna shouted back. "Delta Squadron! Go!" At Luna's command, the specified group of ponies quickly pulled large heavy tarps off of the most potent human weapons yet brought to Eqqus: A trio of M119 howitzers. These had also been equipped with the ammo enchanting crystals, and were ready to fire at a moment's notice. The soldiers assigned to the howitzers took position, pulling heavy muffs over their ears as they did so, and Luna called for all her own troops to do the same. The big guns were loaded with M1 explosive rounds, General Morton's hope being that this would present the enemy's shields with a 'damned if you do, damned if you don't' situation in which they took an explosion to the face regardless of whether they let the spell or the round through. The first wave of shots proved him right. A massive hole was formed in the enemy's ranks where the shells landed and detonated, the previously confident orcs scrambling for cover. The next wave took out the heavy artillery that was moving in behind the orcs. But by then the troops had rallied and were advancing again. Meanwhile, the changeling drones were still overhead, firing straight down into the Equestrian lines whenever they had an opening. Thankfully, the harassment from pegasai and gryphons kept them from scoring many hits and none of the howitzers had been hit,, but it was only a matter of time. "I think it is time to withdraw!" Luna said. "Aye!" Gestal agreed. "We need to get these drones off of our backs first though!" Luna shouted. Morton said "I've got that covered Princess! Can I ask the two of you to pull your fliers back when I give the word?" "Ready!" Luna and Gestal spoke as one. "And... Now!" Morton gave the word, pegasai and gryphon air troops were called back, and Luna wondered just what the General had up his sleeve... Until she realized one of the howitzers had been fired almost straight up. Barely had she shouted to take cover than the round exploded, still at altitude. The damage at ground level was minimal. But the changeling drones in the sky were battered by the shockwave and violently tossed about. None were in any condition to pursue as the defenders pulled back. "A successful test, I would say." Luna mused as she walked alongside Morton and Gestal. "Yes. If we just had more gear we could hold them off for some time. Maybe even push them back some." Morton agreed. "It will be some time before my sister can make another trip to Earth... Perhaps it's time I asked her to teach me that spell as well..." XXXXX Pinkie Pie was in a pickle. No, not literally, (It's Pinkie. You have to clarify.) But a figurative pickle for sure. The trouble was, that as the premier party planning pony for the entire town, people counted on her to lift their spirits. But the lower spirits were, the harder people resisted her efforts to raise them. And with what was happening back on Eqqus and Earth, spirits were about as low as they could get. And so Pinkie had tried parties and parades and fireworks and free movie nights and even a rodeo. All to no avail. "Okay, the usual stuff isn't working." Pinkie was trotting back and forth in her bedroom, bouncing ideas off Gummy. "We're gonna have to get creative." Gummy blinked one eye. Then the other. "Good idea, but where would we find a brachiosaurus at this late date?" Pinkie continued to pace. "I've got it!" She declared after several minutes. And so it was that, as dawn began to brighten the sky one morning three weeks after their return to Unity, the people woke to find a massive water slide bending and curving its way through the streets of town. Following the slide, a crowd found a rickety tower perhaps three hundred feet high, which marked the start of the slide. Pinkie was already at the top, waving down and cheering. "This will perk everyone up! Come one come all! 'Aquapalooza' is open for business!!" On the ground, Sheriff Tucker and Midnight Steel exchanged a concerned look. "Do you wanna tell her? Or should I?" Steel asked. Tucker replied "I'd rather a pegasus told her. I don't think we should put any more weight on this thing." "Appearances aside, it would probably hold. Seeing as it was built by Pinkie. Still, better safe than sorry." Steel agreed. "First things first, though, is stopping those kids." Tucker pointed to a group of children making a beeline for the ladder. "I'll get them, you find a pegasus to fly up and talk her down." He ran to intercept the kids while Midnight Steel sought out a pegasus guard. And so it was that Pinkie found herself face to face with a stallion named Crosswind who was hovering just to the side of her tower. "I have to what!?" She gasped. "Remove this installation ma'am. It's not safe." "Oh this is as sturdy as a rock!" Pinkie insisted. "Be that as it may-" Crosswind's eyes went wide as the entire tower swayed alarmingly from a minor breeze, "-Or may not- You don't have permission for this. There are forms and fees and safety studies to be taken care of." "Oh you're all just being wet blankets!" Pinkie said. "Here! I'll prove to you that it works!" Before Crosswind could take any actions to stop her, Pinkie cranked up the two water hoses she had dragged to the top of the tower, creating a cascade of water down the slope of the slide. Oblivious to the frightening effects the added weight had on the stability of the tower, she let out a loud "Woooo-Hooooo!!" and took off down the slide. Pinkie slid, cheering, down the first slope then along a shallower stretch that led most of the way down main street before curving around a corner and in a full loop around Golden Oaks library. It then made a series of up and down undulations, at one point passing directly through Rarity's shop, the fashionista stumbling out her door demanding to know what was happening and then giving chase as Pinkie continued over the roof of the next building and down the next street over, cheering all the way and picking up an ever larger crowd following along on the ground. She finally came to a stop after ten minutes, when the bottom of the slide deposited her in a fountain that stood before the school. The splash drenched everyone in twenty feet. "You see Crosswind?" Pinkie called to the pegasus still hovering overhead. "No problems!" In answer, Crosswind simply pointed with a hoof. Pinkie looked, and gasped at the sight of the entire slide collapsing, one section at a time, behind her. "Okay, so what was that about a safety study?" XXXXX While Pinkie was wreaking havoc in town, Applejack was well into her morning routine. Like any farmer she was up before dawn, and by the time the sun was fully over the horizon she had fed the pigs and chickens, collected the eggs, tended to the small vegetable garden, and was now ready to start on the orchards. After breakfast of course. She trotted through the kitchen door to find Granny, Mac, and Bloom already seated. "Right pretty morning out y'all." She said in greeting. "Eeyup." Mac replied. Applejack couldn't help but notice he seemed distracted by something. Putting that aside for the moment, she said "How 'bout you Granny?" "Can't complain! Makin' the fritters for that big bake sale later." "Bloom?" "Helpin' Granny! Then a Crusader's meetin' later." Apple Bloom answered. "Sounds good. I'll be busy in the south fields most of the day and..." Applejack looked at Macintosh again. "What are you fumbling with there?" Mac sighed and placed an object on the table. A small silver ring. "It's Beth's." He said. "And you have it how?" Applejack asked. "Slipped it outta her jewelry box-" "You stole it!?" Apple Bloom exclaimed. "Ah didn't steal nothin'! I'll put it back tomorrow. They just... Needed it at the jewelers t' know her size." "Her size for- Oh!" "Eeyup." "An' how long you been holdin' onto it?" Granny asked. "A few days. Nervous 't go back. Dunno why." "Well ah guess the fields can wait a couple hours. I'll come along." Applejack said. "Me too!" Apple Bloom cheered. Applejack and Mac looked at each other across the table, visions of a Crusader in a jewelry store crossing their minds like nightmares. "Um, don't you gotta help Granny with the fritters?" They both asked at once. "Oh yeah. Okay, I'll stay here then." The elder Apple siblings sighed in relief as one. An hour later they were trotting side by side through town towards the jewelers. "Still nervous Mac?" "Eeyup." "Can't rightly see why. When it comes time 't give it to her, now that's when you'd need 't be nervous." Applejack teased. The jest only caused Mac to swallow, hard. "Oh I'm just kiddin' Mac. You'll be fine." "AJ! Mac!" A voice called out. "Uh-oh. Bad timin'." Applejack whispered as Beth ran to join them. "Surprised to see you two in town this early!" Beth said. "Just a little business." Applejack answered. "Say, I suppose Mac can take care of it himself. What'dya say you an I get something t' drink?" She shot Mac an apologetic look, only for him to respond with a look she interpreted as at least thanking her for the distraction. Barely had they sat down outside the coffeehouse, than Beth asked "So, what's he really up to?" "Not sure I know what you mean." Beth smirked. "You do know you're a terrible liar right?" "Lies? Naw, nonsense... So how's the morning sickness?" "Applejack..." "Oh all right... I'm not tellin' you the truth... Don't make me say it though eh? I didn't exactly make a promise, but..." "Okay, okay... But it better be worth it." Beth relented. "Oh I think it will be... So, it wasn't just a distraction, I really was asking... How you feeling?" "Better. Morning sickness seems mostly over... And I'm sleeping well again." Applejack smiled. "That's good." She looked around while taking a sip of her juice and noticed something. "What's that about I wonder?" Beth looked and saw a crew cleaning up portions of the giant water slide. "Pinkie being Pinkie basically. Though this one was big even for her." "Hmm... Rares already said something about maybe needing to keep an eye on Twi. Sounds like Pinkie's on the list too." "I kinda think we're all gonna be on the list soon. This waiting is driving everyone crazy." Applejack thought that over. "Maybe a group of us should get together with Pinkie... She's on the right track with wantin' to make folks feel better. She's just goin' about it all wrong. Times like this, we need something cheerful but subdued." "'Subdued' isn't Pinkie, that's for sure." Beth agreed. "Let's go talk to her." "Sounds good 't me..."