//------------------------------// // Season one: Chapter three: Lizard keeper: The Fall of Twilight Arc // Story: Project Harmony one: The ones in the background // by Megaskullmon //------------------------------// It’s been about six days since Sugar Sparkle got shot and is still in a coma. It’s been at least six days since Apple core went on a one pony raid to take down the distends that shot Sugar Sparkle in the neck. Shadow and I have been asked to show the ambassador around the station.  Shadow is not happy that she had to be part of this. Of course, I had no issue with this just Shadow didn’t trust the Seven Fangs after a group of them hurt one of the new elements. I didn’t care we came to their world I expected more to get hurt and to even die. “What did you do Chaser who did you sleep with to give us this treatment?” I was hit out of my thoughts when Shadow just suddenly accused me of sleeping with someone. How dare she think that I slept with someone that made us have this job. I quickly had to argue with her. “Eh, I didn’t sleep with anyone this time I offered the two of us for this.” Shadow turns to look at me the hate in her dark eyes. I have never seen this mare so angry at me before. I could hear her brain breaking apart from the hate and anger in her eyes. I feel if I don’t say something now she might smack me. “Come on Shadow it could either be this or we would have had to remove snakes and spiders that some pony brought into the station that somehow got loose.” Shadow quickly shook her ears pinned to the back of her head. I knew that would work since those two creatures are something she has a great fear of. She shivered I felt that maybe I overdid it. “Fine fine...just I will let you go this time. Just what do we need to show him or her?” I shrugged my shoulders. “The other elements want nothing to do with this race and Twilight is not in her right mind right now. Spike is too busy and we don’t have a very good ambassador honestly though she got drunk again. So I have no idea what we need to do.” Shadow snorts shifting on her hooves as we watching many souls leave their shuttles. I have seen more aliens than I have ever seen before. Most of them are coming to go to Equestria some are going to just see what the station is like. “I never thought I would see so many non Equestrians or ponies from other worlds other than Equestria I was born and raised here aren’t you from another planet Chaser?” I nod quickly. “Yes, I am I am from one of the smaller worlds that orbit one of the zebra worlds. I was raised in the ways of a zebra and of course, that is why I am so well you know open to sleeping with everypony they’re so active. Heh heh.” Shadow rolls her eyes. “Of course my family did come from Equus years ago.” The two of us go silent when the lizard walks in. I tilt my head looking at them they’re large and they don’t have anything to show what sex they are. I walk to them and bow my head in respect. “Greetings I am Chaser this is Shadow. We are the ones to show you around um...sir?’ The lizard laughs. “I am both you could say. I am male and female in a way it’s how our species are if neither sex is enough in the town or area during our breeding times. So I am one of the lucky ones or you could say one of the problem ones.” She shrugs her shoulders. “I bet that is amazing conversations when someone asks hey what is that between your legs a log or are you just happy to see me?” She laughs softly shaking her head. “You would be amazed but I doubt you wanted to do and just talk about my life this way. So is your friend going to say anything or is she always this silent?” Shadow cheeks were bright red at our conversation and I just laughed as so did the lizard.  “I am sorry, not used to this type of talk even being friends with Chaser. Ahem, may we have your name?” The lizard slowly stops laughing and smiles. “I am Red Glow. I got that name because of my ability to do this.” She clicks her claws and fire forms on those claws and she puts it out. The two of us look at each other. We are showing a creature that can create fire around us. I am sure she will not be too much of a problem. “It’s not normal for our species to do this. But it’s more a rare mutation of some of our breedings. I was the lucky one you could say and beaten for it. So I worked hard to become what I am now. I won’t go into that silliness either because who cares about past life when you’re in the now hmm?” I quickly nod. “So tell me what would you like to see?” Red Glow lifts three tickets and lowers them down to me as I use my wings to look at them. She has three tickets to our world. I felt my heart sank. I don’t want to show her the falling world since the magic of friendship has kind of died from our world. “I would like to see the world that we are allying with so I can understand you more do you wish to take me?” Shadow smiles. “We would love to.” I sigh I barely know next to anything about the homeworld. I spent most of my time sleeping around and making friends through drinking and every party I could. That’s how I met Shadow and the others I work with parties, and sleeping around it was amazing who you could meet. “Shadow would have to do that since I don’t know much about our homeworld but I would love to join you just the same.” The three of us walk to the shuttle that leads us back to the homeworld. It’s been a long time since I have been on our homeworld. I sit by Shadow and Red Glow sits right beside me. I already like her with how respectful she is too little ones. A little one sobs about falling and Red Glow gets out of her chair and leans down to the little filly. “Everything okay little one?” The little blue filly looks up with large tears in her eyes. “I I. I am scared of space flight.” Red Glow smiles stroking her mane. “Oh, I understand your problems little one. I am claustrophobic and I had to learn to control it when I am in places like this. Now be a good little filly and go back to your mother and be strong okay?” The filly stood back up and nods as she trots back to her mother who mouths to Red Glow. ‘Thank you.’ Red Glow nods smiling. She stands up looking at the crowd that gathered and she just goes back to sit down. “I am sure your kind aren’t used to seeing creatures that aren’t from your world?” I nod shifting a bit in the chair. “Yeah even though we have been accepting other races from space for almost 10 years now. Our species still is a bit skittish. I am sure you can’t blame them. It took years just to open up our world to other races from space.” Red Glow shrugs her shoulders. “My kind is pretty much the same way. The leadership only allowed your kind on our planet. Because they felt it would do them good. It did more than that one of your elements you call them. Went crazy and took out a threat just without killing anyone.” I took a deep breath I didn’t want to upset Red Glow with what I am about to say. So I had to make sure I am tack with it. “Is it true that your race is pretty harsh to those that want freedom and that these rebels wanted to have the freedom that most of the rich had?” Oh, great Chaser you just pissed her off. I thought to myself and Red laughs softly. “Oh no, you’re correct. I will be honest the leadership of my world is not all that smart. They felt they had to be harsh and ruthless to get everyone to be under one banner. They didn’t take into account how willing some are to fight. So I have no issue with you see them. We are hoping your race will push for real leadership.” I sighed shaking my head. After an hour we finally land and we got out at the lovely town of ponyville that hasen’/t changed since the old days. When the three of us get out Red Glow stares at the old town. The old town is run like it used to be way back when. “You see some cities and towns don’t care for the idea of tech taking over everyday life. So they still follow the old way of life. It’s pretty normal for us and why we work so hard at keeping the station going. I’m from that lovely city you see floating over there.” Shadow lifted her hoof pointing to Cloudsdale. “Hmm, beautiful. But the place I want to see is your castle Cantorlot. I would like to meet your Princess Celestia. Then you two can take me where ever you wish to take me. I would love to see what I can of this world before I must return.” Shadow and I lead Red Glow through town. While many ponies gawk at her for being something they have never seen before. Of course, they have seen aliens before just never in their town. There are many statues of the former heroes of the past. All but the one known as Rainbow Dash. The statue that Rainbow was going to have made was never made before Twilight refused to allow it “When we come back I will show you around the town if you would like.” Red smirks patting Shadow’s head. “I would enjoy that” Shadow smiles looking over at me and all I can do is smile myself. When we finally get to the station we wait for the train. I shift a bit sitting down on my haunches and we see many walking around that are mixed breeds. A zebra and a dragoness with a stripped dragon. A changeling and a female Minotaur on their 20th marriage. A buffalo and a deer talking to their families. “Hmm, I read on your history that was given to us. From what I read the fact that there is so much mixing is something that would have never happened from what was in there.” I nod. “Yes, the past ponies were pretty racist and didn’t care much about other races. It’s something we aren’t happy with but that happens when you’re a race of easily scared ponies. Just yeah it’s not something I grew up with. Shadow did a few times of course. Since even though we have an alliance there are still some of those issues that get through.” Shadow nods shifting her wings a bit. She spreads them and flies into the air to relax her hooves I do the same as we both hover next to the large lizard. All three of us watch the old train come down the tracks. We look up at the flying cars that help the earth ponies and unicorns. It’s hard for the weather pegasi to even do their job now. “Hmm, I can tell you two don’t care for those vessels up there.” I look up again and I shrug my shoulders. I never had an issue with them since living in a zebra world we never had a choice in the matter.  “I don’t have an issue with it since I was raised on a flyers world. Being raised on a zebra world you tend to learn it’s best not to fly because they follow many old ways and if you block the sun or the moon they feel it’s a bad omen.” The train finally comes to a stop and many other ponies and races come out of the train. While the three of us go in and sit and relax. As we see photos of the six mares that were the heroes of the past. “These six mares that I see we’re pretty well-known ponies hmm? From what I learned the rainbow-haired one was a traitor?” I shook my head. “I highly doubt that. The stories about her there is no way she is a traitor of course if I say this with guards around I would get beaten and then locked in jail till Princess Twilight Sparkle has a talk with me. I snorted at the fact that this is not the first time the guards beat me. It happened a lot when I first came to this planet. Shadow sighs nodding. “Yes, that started happening with more ponies questioning Twilight her mental ability to lead us has become harsher. Celestia is trying hard to make sure Twilight will stop doing this. I don’t fully understand why she has these problems. But Chaser has been beaten a lot even for flirting with Twilight. So yes she is used to it.” I glance over to the side seeing a few guards with blaster weapons. I wasn’t very popular on this planet and I have a feeling they’re watching Red Glow see if she will do anything or watching me. I reach over with my wing to Shadow swinging my head to the guards who are watching us. Spike the dragon comes over to us. He grabs my hoof and starts shaking it. “Hello, Chaser it’s been so long!!” I was confused about this. He leans to me whispering in my ear. “Follow me.” I stood up nodding to the others we follow Spike as quickly as we can without making us look like we are on the run. Spike pulls us into a private room and puts down the blinds. Spike sits with us on the bench. “I am sorry ambassador that you have to be in the middle of all this. But many of those guards are anti-alien. I am trying to make sure you don’t get harmed.” Red Glow smirks. “I understand I am used to it. I have been to other planets and been attacked by anti-alien groups. Just odd that they’re in positions of power.” Spike nods looking towards the door to make sure it doesn’t open and looks back to Red Glow. “When we get off there will be a group of ponies in cloaks and they will take us right to Celestia. We can’t trust anypony that Twilight is close to. Ever since the new elements have been found there are rumors she is getting more and more upset and talking to minions of Disharmony.” Shadow sighs shaking her head. “Come on Spike this is the Princess of Friendship why would she be doing stuff like this? She also raised you from birth. How can she be the one that is causing all these problems lately?” I lift my head looking at Shadow. I can understand why she is acting like this. Just many ponies from the main core world don’t seem to understand. I shift in my chair hearing the door open and a pony’s head comes in and he smiles. “The guards are no longer looking for you. They gave up and left the train but It might be best if you four stay here. I will come back to help you off the train and to get to Cantorlot.” Spike gives the ok sign and I relax exhaling. I didn’t even know I was holding my breath. But this is not the first time I had to run from the guards. My reputation of being a mare that will sleep around anger some of the guards for some reason. I look over to Shadow she stays silent. I have a feeling she knows that something bad is going to happen. The train comes to a sudden stop even before we get to Cantorlot. Spike stood up and opens the window to look outside.  “Guards are stopping the train.” The door opens and standing in the doorway is Celestia and she hushes us with her wings she asks us to follow her. We follow her to the back of the train and Celestia turns to us. “I will transport us to the castle. But I need you not to talk about what happened here today. These ponies aren’t searching for either of you. They’re searching for minions of Disharmony at least they say.” Celestia wraps her wings around all of us and Red Glow didn’t even seem to be upset by all this. I think this is the most fun she has ever had. We all vanish and I open my eyes in the realm between realms. Then we finally show up in the main throne room. “Sister?” We turn to see Luna tilting her head. I have a feeling she was called back to Cantorlot since she is fully in control of the station. “I found them, sister. I am sorry miss Red Glow that you had to deal with this. I am sure you aren’t happy with having to deal with our problems.” Red Glow smiles. “Oh don’t worry about me. This is the most fun I ever had. But if this does come to light my planet is going to want me to return. So could you please make sure this doesn’t make it to my homeworld?” Luna nods. “I will talk to the news agency on the station. I will have them talk about how your meeting with this world was peaceful and how I will make Shadow and Chaser your escorts every time you’re on the station.” I smirk I like Red Glow as a good friend. Shadow chuckles nodding she agrees with me and I bow my head so does Shadow. “Just Celestia what is going on? I have been hearing stories about Twilight getting stranger” I look over to Shadow who asked the question.  “No dear Shadow she is just under a lot of stress. She has to prove this station was the best thing for our world. To me, it’s the best thing that ever happened to us. You also got to remember she has survived without her friends for 2000 years and Spike is the only one she knows that is alive next to me and Luna.” Spike stays silent. “Now I will be heading back to the station you three come with me. I am sorry to cut this short Red Glow.” Red Glow laughs. “Not at all I came here to talk to you and Celestia.” Red Glow walks up to Celestia giving her a strange piece of paper and Celestia opens it up to read it and her ears fall to the side of her head. “So the stories about Harmony and Disharmony are true.. Luna please get these three back to the station and make sure Red Glow is taken back home in a guarded shuttle please.” Luna nods and without a word, we leave and Spike follows us and I turn to look at Spike he looks up to me with a weak smile. “So the stories about a war starting are true then Spike?” Spike looks around while Shadow and Red Glow follow Luna out of the room. He then smiles weakly looking back at the throne room.  “Listen Chaser protect those you work with. Don’t let any of them out of your sight. Bring this to them all don’t trust Twilight. Don’t trust anypony that she hires for the station. Of course with your reputation, they might not trust you. So I would say tell Shadow about it. She will be the one to tell them.” I quickly nod and trot off to the others to Luna’s shuttle. They were waiting for me and I get into the shuttle and I sigh stroking my head feeling the stress filling my core. Looking up to Red Glow and she looks down at me smiling. “I am so sorry about everything Glow.” Glow laughs softly again. “Don’t worry about it I had more fun than I ever had. Just Chaser Shadow told me that you’re a very unpopular mare. I will say this you just made a blood sister for life. You and Shadow will be seeing me a lot more shortly. So please you two protect yourselves.” I nod and we land back at the station and we see Red Glow off. She is surrounded by heavily armored dragons with heavy guns and weapons and we look out to see heavily gunned dragon ships escorting Red shuttle back to her planet. “Shadow… can we go to my quarters and talk please” Shadow shrugs her shoulders and we go to my home in the station and I feel my stress finally escaping my body and I turn my tea kettle on. Shadow puts her wings on my back and I tilt my head looking at her. “Chaser you haven’t been yourself since we got back what is going on.” I sigh and turn to look at her. “You need to tell the others we work with not to trust anyone Twilight brings here. We need to keep an eye on each other and not allow Butter or others to get hurt and make sure whatever happens we will be ready.” Shadow nods. “I don’t know what is going on Chaser. But I do agree at least for now. I will do this now it looks like you could use some rest. I am going to head home myself. Now please Chaser please don’t overdo it the next few days.” I quickly nod and watch Shadow leave I look back on the day I had that vision of the future. I was told the future is set in stone. So It means Shadow and I are going to be on the station the day it gets attacked.  I turn off the tea sighing softly. Looking at what is coming in the next few days it’s just a few repair times and working on fixing some of the issues in the grey sector. I look to my bed and lay on the bed to close my eyes. What I don’t know while I drift off to sleep I hear a commotion outside my door. I hear that Sugar Sparkle woke up from her coma. A weak tired smile forms on my face. I am happy for her as my mind finally drifts to sleep.