//------------------------------// // Updates are us. // Story: Bucking Bronies // by Kiwi-Brony //------------------------------// ~A small town outside Hamburg, Germany.~ Two brightly coloured specks hid poorly amoungst the massive flock of sheep that dotted the hill. They waited for their guardian to return with more information, at least one day passed scince they arrived in this strange world. Separated from their friends and lacking the lingual skills to address the locals they managed to find one new friend amongst the sea of strangers. "Gah! Where is she!?" The cyan coloured pony yelled. "You have ta be patient Dash." Her blonde compatriot replied. Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth, if there was one things she was not it was patient and to make things worse she had been grounded by both her friend and this thing called a 'human'. "Well she better hurry the buck up!" Rainbow growled. Applejack was about to say something but was interupted by the herd fo sheep moving. She turned to see their new friend. After some questions the day before they found out it was the female of the species and her name was Alex. Many queries were asked after that. Turned out they were on a new plante called Earth, Applejack enjoyed that a little more than she should of. The Earth was populated by these humans all over the place and that their life was a fairly popular cartoon to these beings. "H-Hey. . ." Alex said a little nervously. Rainbow Dash zoomed up to her, hovering in front of her face. "So what's the news!?" Applejack pulled on her tail and dragged her down to earth. "Sorry 'bout that." She glared at the Pegasus who just glared back. "Well." Alex took a breath going over a mental check list and summoning her courage to speak. "From the news I have seen and heard. . .two of your friends are in New York. . .Rarity and Fluttershy." Applejack smiled "Well thats go-" "They are also being held captive. . ." "Great." Rainbow Dash said with a hint of sarcasm. "Well all we have to do is go to this. . .New York and rescue them." Applejack grinned a confident grin. "Nien!" Alex called out. "Amerika is so far away, and it's safer here." "But our friends are in trouble. . .we need to help them." Applejack moved closer to Alex. "We need yall to help us too." "Do we really?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Yes we do. . .we have no idea where New York is." Alex stood there thinking about her home. It is all she has known, and the world is such a big a scary place. To be asked now to go to the 'Big Apple' sounded so ludicrous. As if sensing the girls dilemma Applejack sat on her haunches and looked up at Alex. "I know what it's like, leaving home." She smiled. "But in the end I came back. . .and everyone was still here waiting for me." She cleared her throat. "I wouldn't ask for your help if I didn't need it." "Even if you needed it you wouldn't ask." The rain bowed maned equine quipped, earning a glare from the earth pony. Alex giggled a little, then she took a breath. "O-Okay. . .I'll help." -~- I yawned watching the scenery pass by, the trip to Sara's father wasn't a long one but it was still boring. We hid the Ponies under a blanket in the boot of the car, they refused to stay home no matter what we said. Chris decided to drive though I guess anyone of us could, we had a license in one form or another. I was in the front passenger and the other two were cuddled up in the back. "What's your dad like?" Chris asked Sara. "Eccentric. . .crazy." Micheal answered. Sara giggled and gave Micheal a small tap on the arm. "He does have his moments." "He chased me with a broom and said he was going to play cricket with my testicles." I sat up and looked at Micheal. "What?" Sara just sat there laughing. "He came at me with a broom and said he wa-" "I know what you said, I just find it unbelievable." Micheal shrugged. "Believe what you want mate. . .but I warned you." "Why did he do that?" Chris asked. "It was my fault really." Sara said recovering from her laughing fit. "Oh?" "Yeah I told daddy about us. . .having sex." She whispered the last part, least the ponies heard her. I started to laugh. "Ratted out by your own girlfriend. . ." "Worth it in my opinion." Micheal smiled. We all laughed and the trip seemed to end quicker than usual. We came to a stop in front of a large metal gate. The size of the gate indicated we were dealing with a rather rich man. A rather big security guard came over to us, he immediately recognised Sara and said we were allowed to enter as we were with Miss 'Lovestone'. Our car seemed so out of place as we drove up the white gravel drive way. The house was recently renovated but it felt as though it had been built two hundred years ago and moved to New Zealand. It was British no doubt about that, the grounds were well kept and grass was the perfect length. The façade made of grey stone twisted and curved with stone faces carved just below the many window sills. The effect of the building was intimidating, that is until a pasty white man walked out of the large polished oak doors in a scuba mask, snorkel, flippers and had a yellow tube with a duck face around his waist. All of us save Sara had our jaws on the floor. He waved to us and he stopped. We got out the car, Chris parked opposite of the door. He hobbled his way over to us and took out his snorkel. "Ahhh honey you caught me about to go for a swim." He said with a grin which faded when he seemed to notice Micheal. "So you also brought the man who tainted you." Chris and I looked back at Micheal, who seemed to be a good five meters away from Mr. Lovestone. "Oh daddy." Sara smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "How are my brothers." Sara's british accent seemed to flare while talking to her father. He gave a proud smile. "Rather well if I do say so myself, they know how to play the markets and find the best buisness oppitunties like dear old dad." He looked up. "Even in this economic crisis, they would of made thier great grandfather proud." He seemed to notice Chris and I. "Are these your friends?" She nodded and gave a warm smile. "This is Christopher and Thomas." We both waved. "You surround yourself with men? What happened to my cute innocent daughter of yesteryear!" He grabbed Sara and held her tight. "Please daddy, your embarrassing me." "Fear not Mr. Lovestone, my friend Chris here counts as one of the womanfolk and I find myself attracted to the same sex." He let go of his daughter and stared at me. An awkward moment passed before he gave a smile. "I like this man." --- We let Mr. Lovestone go for his swim and when he returned we were waiting in his personal study, red velvet carpet and red and gold wallpaper gave the room a feel of majesty. Bookcases filled with books lined the room and a single large window gave the room plenty of light, a desk sat underneath it. Mr. Lovestone walked in now wearing a robe, his head wrapped with a pink towel. His stripped pyjama pants made me think of many other rich eccentrics. "What is it you wished to discuss darling?" He asked Sara. "I wished to ask you a favour daddy." I was surprised how formal her speech had become. "Oh?" I walked around the room as they spoke, I found myself standing at the desk looking out the window. I blinked and rubbed my eyes I was sure I saw a blur of pink. I looked out the window more and scanned the front lawn. I shook my head and let a sigh. I turned to look at the group then looked back at the window to find a pink pony hugging it. "GAH!" I stepped back. "What's wrong?" Chris asked, I turned to him then back to the window. The pony was gone. "N-Nothing." I said heading for the door. "Going somewhere?" Mr. Lovestone asked. "I. . ." I racked my brain trying to come up with an excuse. "I am going to check up on our pets, we left them in the car. . .we were going to take them 'walkies' when were done here." Sara, Chris and Micheal looked at each other. "Please continue, I will be right back." --- I reached the car and the right back door was wide open. I looked inside the car and found that the blanket had been over turned and that no ponies were in the car. I started to look around the grounds but failed to find any sign of them. That's when I heard a scream coming from the Kitchen. I ran as fast as I could and rounded a corner smacking right into something. "Urgh. . .what the. .. PINKIE!" I said finding the cotton candy pony on top of me. "Tommy!" Pinkie smiled but it quickly vanished. "We gotta save Twilight!" "Eh?" "Mean old lady in the kitchen has her!" She got up and galloped in the other direction. I ran after Pinkie not questioning anything at that point at time. Pinkie pressed herself against the wall and peered inside a door. I followed suit and pressed myself against the wall and peered into a window. Inside I could make out a old woman cutting up some carrots and putting them in a pot. I couldn't for the life of me see Twilight. Without warning Pinkie jumped inside the door and screamed. "WHERES TWILIGHT!" I followed her in and looked around, still no sign of Twilight. The old lady held up her knife and looked like she was going to lunge at us. I put my hands up. "Whoa there. . .we mean no harm." "Says you!" Pinkie growled at the woman. "Get out of my kitchen!" She started to wave the knife at us a heavy Scottish accent making it even more threatening. "We are only looking for our friend." I put my hand to my stomach. "This high, purple. . . rather horny." I tried not to smile at my pun. "Aye I have seen her. She is in the freezer." She pointed at a large metal door that seemed to be built into the wall. I slowly made my way to the door keeping my eyes on the crazy old bat. I opened the door and found Twilight standing there. "You ok?" "Y-Yeah. . .a little cold." She said through chattering teeth. "What's all the commotion?" Mr. Lovestone said walking into the Kitchen. He noticed me and the ponies. "By the queens knickers. . .you were telling the truth." Chris, Micheal and Sara walked in behind him. "Of course daddy. . .I would never lie to you." Sara smiled a little. She then turned to the knife wielding Scot. "Mrs. Blackheld please, these are my friends." A tense moment or two passed but she smiled at Sara and gave a nod."Yes deary." She put the knife down on the counter. Her faded red hair was moved from her face to behind her ears. I would of guessed she must of been in her late fourties early fifties. Pinkie walked over to Twilight and gave her a hug which Twilight returned. "Right you two." I began. "You have some explaining to do." As it turns out they were bored, and thought they would walk around a little. Our fault really we didn't leave them a crossword or something. They came to the kitchen smelling some thing delicious, walking in they found the pot of vegetable soup. They didn't take any but before they could leave they were confronted by Mrs. Blackheld who grabbed Twilight and threw her in the freezer to take to Mr. Lovestone later. "I see." Mr Lovestone said with a smile. "Well if it is ok with you, I would like to invite you all to dinner tonight. We have much to discuss." -~- It took all of Alex's courage to ask her father to go to America. When he said she could it was the surprise of her life. "Are you sure father?" Her father just smiled. "Of course my dear, I think it will be good for you to see your mothers country." He looked towards a picture of a beautiful young woman, with dark brown wavy hair and green eyes. Alex inherrited her mothers hair and her fathers blue eyes. "She would of liked you to see it." "Father. . ." Alex began but her father raised a hand. "We set aside some money awhile ago. . .we were all going together." He paused a hint of pain entered his eyes. "But now it will be only good for you to go, I would rather not leave your mother alone." "Thank you father." Alex pulled him into a tight embrace. "I love you." "I love you too Alexandria." He then let go of her. "Now go make your mother proud." -~- "Pervus Corp.?" Mr. Lovestone pondered. "Yes I have heard the name before, during my younger years when I played the markets I noted their name several times." He sipped his soup off his spoon. "They were a weapons and ordnance producer during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. . .or so I have been told." Pinkie and Twilight seemed to be helping themselves to thirds. While I was on my second bowl. For a crazy Scottish bitch that woman can cook. "When I was on floor it seemed that Pervus still produced weapons and such but they started to move to other areas." He took the bowl and poured the rest of it's contents in his mouth. "Damn good meal as always Mrs. Blackheld." She gave a smile and tipped her head slightly. "Moved to what areas?" Micheal asked. "Hm what was that?" "Moved to what areas?" Micheal said again. "Sorry couldn't quite catch that." "Moved to what areas?" I said. "Oh well that depends on who you ask." Micheal looked at Sara who gave a small smile and patted him on the back. He just grimmiced and sipped a spoonful of soup. "Well what do you think?" I asked. "Hmm." He leant back against his chair. "Mrs. Blackheld please ask Steveson to fetch my book." "Yes Mr. Lovestone." She tipped her head and walked out of the room. A few minutes passed then a young black haired man walked in with a large book, it took two hands to carry it and when he placed it on the table it made a thump. "Thank you Steveson." The young man bowed and left. The book it's self was a plain black coloured. It reminded me of the small black book that Sara had. "Thomas." Mr. Lovestone said looking up at me. "Yes?" "What do you think?" "About?" "Pervus Corporations other areas." I didn't expect the question. I didn't have much of an opinion. "To be honnest I wouldn't be surprised if they had other side projects or areas hidden from the public view." I shrugged. "A good view to have. The companies that do have hidden side projects do this to make more money. But I feel more sinister motives coming from Pervus Corp." "What do you mean?" "You believe in magic?" I paused and looked at Sara then Twilight. "I don't really have a choice in the matter." Mr. Lovestone laughed. "So I assume that Sara has told you about Earth being connected to the other realms." I gave a nod. "Well the head of Pervus Corp is a man called Malik Ficient the fourth." Mr. Lovestone grinned. "His family is one with enough magic to remember the old days." Chris blinked. "Wait how do you know this?" "A lot of patience and research, helps that I too have magical ancestors." Everyone remained quiet. I couldn't believe what I had just heard, this is just too unbelievable. I shook my head and pressed on. "So magic used to course through Earth?" Twilight spoke up listening intently to the conversation. "Correct my purple pony pal." Mr. Lovestone said with a smile. "Then what happened?" Chris asked. "What happened to that connection?" "No one knows. . .it just stopped, the connection broke." He shrugged and opened the book. "Humans weren't the most powerful magic users, no but they were one of the most cruel and arrogant and unsurprisingly a lot of magic users kept it away from the majority population. Hiding thier secrets from those they deemed to stupid and weak. Of course as humans are all different we have multiple wizards that shared their magic or helped people with it." A proud smile appeared on his face. "The Lovestones are descended from such a wizard." "I see. . . but where is this going?" "Malik is one of thoes people who thinks very highly of himself, and his ancestors weren't the most kind hearted of people." He sighed and turned the page of his book. "You heard of Morgan Le Fay?" "The witch who was an adversary to Merlin and the Knights of the Round Table?" Mr. Lovestone nodded. "Who's Merlin?" Twilight asked. "One of the most powerful wizards in our history." Sara said. "Liked wearing a pointy hat and had a beard." I added. Mr. Lovestone nodded. "That story is stretched a little; well the entire Arthurian legend is a huge stretch but I digress, he wasn't sealed into a tree that's for sure. Merlin and Morgan duelled many centuries ago Merlin was the wiser and the stronger but Morgan was faster and much more cunning. She sent Merlin to another realm." Mr. Lonestone pondered for a moment. "Not actually sure where, but I am digressing again, Malik is descended from Morgan Le Fay." "Oh that sounds like it's not good." Micheal said. "Are there any descendants of Merlin?" Chris asked. It was Sara's turn to answer. "No. . .Merlin had no children before he was sealed away." "Well at least he can't use magic." I said. "Not true." Mr. Lovestone said looking at me. "He has one of the most powerful witches in history running through his veins. . .while is abilities are limited, he is still far more powerful than any of us here." "But Sara told me that magic is diluted." "She is correct. But you can concentrate energy into objects. She has that watch remember." "I used the energy in that to open the portal to Equestria." Sara added. "So he has an object?" "Two actually. . .you said he has two ponies held captive?" Everyone stared at him. Pinkie stopped eating and Twilight focused on him. "What are you talking about." Twilight asked. "You of all people. . .or ponies should know that magic attaches it self best to living objects." "But that would mean. . ." She stopped and her eyes went wide. "What does it mean?" I asked confused. "He would need to syphon the magic from them." Mr. Lovestone said. -~- Alex had returned to the barn where she hid Rainbow Dash and Applejack. She had thought a lot about what her father said. Had her mother really wanted Alex to see America. The fates had been kind to her so far. As she entered the barn she found the two ponies asleep on a pile of hay. Both of them holding each other closely as if their fears leaked out of their subconscious. Alex thought it was all very cute. She shut the barn door and walked over to the ponies. "Hey. . .guys." The two ponies stirred a little. "I booked a flight to Amerika. . ." The Ponies didn't respond so she poked Applejack in the side. "Wazza. . ." Applejack yawned and smiled a little, before realising how close she was to Rainbow Dash. Pushing herself away from the Pegasus she rolled off the hay. The sudden push made Rainbow Dash bolt up into the air. Her hooves punching out at invisible assailants. Alex started to laugh. She hadn't laughed like that in such long time, it felt good to do it again. "So whats the news?" Rainbow Dash asked trying to play it cool. "We are going to Amerika!" The two ponies smiled and bro hoofed and Rainbow Dash grinned. "Look out New York, we are on the way!" -~- The stunned silence in the room was made worse by the fact that no one moved. Like all our thoughts were channelled to think the same grotesque thoughts of ponies being tortured or worse. I finally cleared my throat and looked around. "I-I think we are assuming a lot." The others looked at me and nodded. Twilight looked kinda green but acknowledged what I said by looking at me. "Well yes. . .speculation at best." Mr. Lovestone said. "Though we must assume that what ever he has planned. It is not good." We all nodded. "So I assume we have your support?" I asked. "Of course, I have a few friends that owe me some favours. . .so you'll be in New York by tomorrow." "Wait tomorrow?" Mr. Lovestone nodded. "We have no time to waste, Sara dear." He looked at his daughter. "Yes daddy?" "How many other portals opened?" She paused thinking back to the event two weeks ago. "Four. I think." "One was Pervus Corp. . .the others were interruptions. Obviously they found the first interruption and acquired the ponies." Mr. Lovestone sighed. "If only we knew why they accessed your realm Miss Sparkle." He shook his head. "Anyway what ever he had planned was interrupted by your meddling, which brought us time." "Go home and pack" He continued. "Everything will be set up when you arrive at the airport." He stood up. "Now if you excuse me, I have some things to set up. Good luck." He walked towards the door before he stopped, not turning around he let out a sigh. "Oh and Micheal. . .please make sure you keep my daughter is safe." Micheal blinked and then smiled. "Yes sir." --- The trip home and the packing was quiet, when we reached the airport it was four o'clock. We packed light but also warm, it was winter in America after all. We got a taxi instead of the car and called everyone we needed to to say we wouldn't be home for awhile. We made many excuses. I am glad I didn't have to call my family. We had hidden the ponies under cloaks, no one really questioned this they probably they assume they were special dogs or something. We worried about security but as it turns out we wouldn't have to. As we walked in a man approached us. "Miss Lovestone?" He was in his thirties, a pilots uniform on. "Yes?" Sara answered. "I will be your pilot, your rather called and I managed to pull some strings. Welcome to first class." He looked over us and gave a warm smile. "Please follow me." We followed him through the airport, the security gave him some leeway because he was a trusted pilot but still we had to get our things scanned, not a problem. The ponies were allowed to keep their cloaks. We walked on the plane first, earning some angry looks from some of the people that were waiting. We took our seats, Chris was next to me on the aisle seat. There was plenty of room between us for comfort but still enough space for a quiet conversation. The apprehension was building, it was more evident on Twilight than anyone else. I noticed that Pinkie took Twilights hoof and held on to it for a little while. I smiled and looked out the window. Perhaps after all this I will take Pinkies advice and say what I feel to Chris. I peered around and stared at Chris who was having a conversation with Sara. I returned my gaze to the outside, time seemed to fly by because we were told to strap in. The plane lurched forward and we started to move. Twilight seemed surprised and forgot about the trails ahead as she tried to figure how this heavier than air craft managed to repel gravity. A little more than an hour into the flight the ponies took off their cloaks, not very many people were in first class so they decided to risk it. Pinkie even got up to use the bathroom. When she returned she sighed and looked out the window. The an idea hit her and she smiled. "Hey guys!" She exclaimed. "What?" Micheal answered. "Lets sing a song!" --- (Authors Notes: Hey again, it seems I am faster than I thought, plus I didn't have the internet to distract me. Anyway a new chapter is up. Yay. I would like to thank you again for reading and all that, also to leave a comment to notify where I screwed up. Please have a pleasant day."