//------------------------------// // Chapter 11: Day of the Wedding // Story: Pokémon Journey - A Trainer & His Adventure in Equestria // by NinjaMare //------------------------------// The trudge through the abandon crystal mines tunnel system has been long and arduous, truly, the labyrinth like mines were greatly unreadable. There were no markings, no signs, or any kind of indications of directions or even sections of the mines that told where the group of travelers were in. Fortunately, Matt and his two alicorn companions had Probopass with them, and with its ability to read magnetic fields to survey the mines the group should be able to make it out just fine. But the mines were just so massive in scale that it’s been hours since they started traversing through the tunnels, and with no provisions the group was getting fatigued rather quickly. The alicorns more so as they were traveling the caverns longer before meeting up with Matt, and started searching for a way out to warn those in the castle of the invaders plot to conquer the city. “I think we should take a break for now and rest.” Luna suggested as the group came into what looked like an old mine car station. “We’ve been walking for hours now, and we’re all tired.” “That sounds like a good idea auntie.” Cadence said as she and her aunt trot over to a dusty old table, as for Matt he and Probopass they looked like they were still able to keep on walking. “How are you not tired after all of this walking around Matt?” “Please. This is basically a short stroll compared to what I’m used to.” Matt said as he sat down on a stool while Probopass sat down on the ground next to him. “What do you mean by that?” Luna asked the young man as she and Cadence took their own seats. “Where I come from I traveled across various regions, over several dozen miles over land, mountains, and everything else in-between.” Matt said to the two alicorns as he gave his Pokémon partner a good pat, earning a happy drumming sound for the display of affection. “You must be well-traveled then Matt.” Cadence remarked as she looked at Matt with a curious look in her eye. “I guess you can say that.” Matt simply retorted before turning to face the two mares. “By the way you two never did tell me how you two ended up down here.” Both mare’s looked ashamed when Matt asked them how they ended up down in the mines. “Much like you Matt, I got tricked. I’m not sure who it was, but the one that turned into me lured me away by telling me the cooks were fighting, then she sent me down here.” Cadence explained before Luna, who looks equally embarrassed, then explained how she ended up here. “I’m ashamed to admit it, but I was ambushed when I was asleep. I woke up when I felt something was sticking around me, and before I could fight back the look alike Cadence trapped me in a cage of fire—” “And that cage melted you into the ground before dropping you here.” Matt finished to which the mare nodded; cheeks slightly pink as she did so. After a moment of recomposing herself Luna turned to look at Matt. “Since we’re going to be resting why don’t you regal us with a tale or two of your travels, I would like to hear some.” “Me to!” Cadence said enthusiastically as she leaned closer to the young man, eyes widen with vast curiosity. Reminding Matt of Twilight in a way. “I wanna hear about the world you came from, and of the places and ponies you met along the way.” A chuckle left Matt as he shifted in his seat a little. “Well let’s see…I can tell you how I initially met Probopass when it was a Nosepass.” “Nosepass?” both alicorns said in unison clearly confused at what the trainer meant. Matt then reached into his back pocket and pulled out his Pokédex, before showing it to the two princesses where the image of a Nosepass was displayed. “This is what Probopass looked like before it evolved.” Matt said as he tapped the screen, and had it show the image of a Probopass appear beside its prior form. “Such a drastic change. Do all Pokémon go through such changes when they go through this evolution?” Luna asked the young man as he pockets his Pokédex. “E’yup. When a Pokémon reaches a certain level of power progression, their bodies go through a rapid change to become an even stronger version of themselves. However there are some Pokémon that can’t evolve on their own, they’ll need some kind of outside influence in order to help them grow, and Probopass here is one such Pokémon that needs help to evolve.” “What kind of help did it need to evolve?” Cadence asked the young man who then started to explain the method of his partners specific evolution method. “For a Nosepass to evolve into a Probopass, they’ll need to reach the desired power level while being in an area that has a very strong magnetic field. When that happens then that strong magnetic field will then give the Nosepass an increase in power, and allows them to unlock new abilities such as flying around by using magnetic forces.” Probopass acknowledged this fact by letting out a series of rapid drumming noises, while Luna and Cadence looked at the pair with a sense of wonder and awe. “Interesting. So what is this story that you mentioned before we got sidetracked in the specifics of your partners species.” Matt leaned back against a beam as he was about to tell the story, but before the trainer could even get a word out, the group started to hear what sounded like footsteps coming from a nearby shaft. The group quickly looked for a place to hide as they had no idea who else could be down here, but considering their situation and what has happened to them, they had a rough idea on who is coming down the shaft. So after finding decent hiding places, with the alicorns hiding by a few mine cars and a flipped table, and Matt hiding behind Probopass with it having its backside facing the shaft and its mini-heads scattered around it and other rocks. Peeking over their hiding spots the group watched the tunnel that the sound of footsteps were coming from, and within a few seconds the trio saw a sizeable group of the familiar chiton insectoid ponies coming into the cavern. And they all seem to be on the search for something, or more specifically, someone’s. “It doesn’t look like they’re in here either.” One of the insectoids said as he and his cohorts trotted out of the tunnel, while they saw the last one hocking up a glob of green slime on the ground which started to emit a weak glow. “They must be using that goop to keep track of where they went.” Matt muttered quietly as he watched the insectoids trot by, hoping that they would pass them by and allow him and the princesses to follow their trail out of the mines. “Wait!” one of them said suddenly, making Matt and the alicorns flinch in surprise, before she crouched down to the ground and looking at something intently. “There are hoof prints here, and their leading from that shaft over there.” ‘Shoot!’ Matt internally lamented as the whole party started to look around the cavern. “Spread out and look for them.” Just as the leader of the insectoid group gave the order, Matt watched as Luna leapt out of their hiding place flying up as high as she could in the spacious cavern, and appeared to be gathering energy in her horn. Initially the insectoids looked worried for a second, but the trainer soon saw them look more confident. Confused as to while they didn’t seem afraid Matt turned to look up at Luna, and saw that she looked slightly panicked while the glow of her horn sputtered out. “Get her!” the leader of the insectoids called out, causing the group to bolt from the ground and towards the alicorn, who just hovered there in shock and fear. “Oh no you don’t! Probopass use Magnet Bomb!” Music: Battle! (Team Galactic Boss) – Pokémon Diamond & Pokémon Pearl. Probopass quickly sprang into action, levitating upward as it spun around to face the insectoids, who in turn looked shocked and surprised to see Matt and his partner where they were standing. Then as Probopass let out a loud and foreboding drumming groan, all three of its miniature heads glowed with a bright white light before developing a metallic shine to them, and flew off towards the flying insectoids. And when the heads were close to the invaders, with one of them firing a beam of green magic from its horn at one, the miniature heads glowed even brighter before the erupted with the sound of a metal haul being breached! All of the insectoids were knocked out of the sky, slamming and crashing into nearby walls and the ground, while Luna was vaulted back a few feet before she corrected herself and looked at the scene before her. “What happened?! How did it—GAH!” the leader of the imposters was cut off when Matt came in running from his left side and decked him as hard as he could in the face, sending the leader scraping a few feet across the ground. “Luna you alright?” Matt called out to the blue alicorn. “Y-yes. Yes I’m fine, thank you.” Luna retorted before her expression changed to one of worry. “Matt look out!” the young man couldn’t react in time, and was bodied by one of the insectoids. But the struggle was broken up when Matt managed to squirm his staff in front of him, and used its extended function to knock the equine off him. “Get up you grubs! Capture them now!” the leader of the invaders commanded as he held a hoof against his face, which was developing a blue tinge to it. The eight insectoids, aside from the leader and the one Matt was squaring off against, all got up to their hooves and charged towards their targets. With one joining to capture Matt, another pair flying off towards Probopass, and the rest going after the alicorns. Matt engaged the two that were targeting him with his hand-to-hand combat skills and staff wielding, managing to keep them off him while battering them more than they could punch, kick, and even bite him in retaliation. The two that went after Probopass were chasing after the large Rock-type as it flew around, and using its mini-heads to try and batter the insectoids away, even resorting to body slamming or headbutt them. Or even firing a ball of pure concentrated electrical energy! As for the princesses Matt couldn’t get a good look for to long, but they seem to be on the ropes as whatever type of magic they were trying to use either didn’t work, or petered out before they could do any lasting damage, so they were resorted to kicking, body checking, and even using their horns to keep the insectoids away. “This doesn’t look like it’s going so well!” Matt said as he knocked both his attackers away with one good staff swing, giving him enough time to get one of his Pokéballs. “Mienshao give the princesses a hand!” Matt threw the Pokéball towards where the princesses were, and within a flash of light the ferret-like Pokémon darted forth and leapt into action to help the alicorns, by sending one of the insectoids flying by using a fire-coated kick! Matt was about to call out another one of his Pokémon, but he was tackled by his attackers who tried to wrap him up in their green goop! “Not this again!” But before the insectoids could wrap him fully, a flash of light erupted from his back, and from behind the trainer a loud ‘bawl’ sound echoed out before a puff of fire scared the two insectoids away. Turning around Matt saw Camerupt came to his rescue. “Nice timing partner!” Matt said while Camerupt mooed and breathed hot air on the young man, causing the goop to melt off his body. “This is getting out of hand, and we don’t even know if there’s more of these guys down here.” Matt said as he looked towards the tunnel the invaders came from before an idea came to him. “Everyone this way!” Matt called out, getting his two Pokémon and the princesses to make their way over to him and Camerupt, with the insectoids closing in behind. “Alright partner use Yawn!” After taking a sharp inhale, as the rest of the party got behind the bovine Pokémon, Camerupt let out a loud and reverberating drawl sound as visible waves in the air could be seen being emitted from its mouth. As the soundwaves rushed past the invaders they all started to slow down, and getting droopy eyed before they all loudly yawned before they started to drop to the floor, where they started to snore. “That’s incredible!” Cadence marveled as she looked at the sleeping intruders. “Yeah but it won’t last long, so let’s follow their glow trail out of here.” The group nodded before they all ran down the tunnel, following the dimly glowing globs on the wall. They all continue to run for several minutes, running through smaller chambers and more tunnels until they actually came to what looked like a wide room of dusty old tile surfaces, and old lamps. “This must be, where the mines and castle link up.” Luna huffed and panted as she tried to catch her breath. “It looks like it auntie.” Cadence said as she tried to catch her breath as well. “At least we finally got out of the mines.” Matt said before turning to his three Pokémon. “And as for you guys you all did great, expect a good meal and pampering after this whole thing is over with.” The Pokémon seemed to like that little bit of news, but the mild celebration was cut short when the group heard what sounded like fireworks were going off. wondering what was going on the group ran up a flight of stairs till they came into another chamber, this one more clean and exiting out to an adjacent hallway, running to a nearby window they all saw that it was daylight, and various fireworks were being set off as the roar of a cheering crowd could be heard. “The wedding is underway!” the group said in unison as they stepped away from the window. “Oh no! Shining, he’s going to be wed to the leader of the imposters!” Cadence trembled as she started to look incredibly worried. “Not if we hurry.” Luna said to her fellow princess. “If we get to the reception hall we can stop the wedding—” “And unveil the fraud in front of everyone.” Matt stated which the night princess nodded her head in acknowledgement. “Then we have no time to loose!” the group immediately followed after Luna as she ran down the hallway, racing to wherever the wedding was taking place. “Wait Luna, what about your magic?” Matt asked the princess as they rounded a corner. “If we’re going to confront the imposter, won’t you need your magic? It looked like you and Cadence were having trouble using it during the fight.” “We’ll deal with it later, right now we gotta stop this wedding!” Luna countered as she just kept on galloping down the hall, while the others tried to keep pace with her. ~~the Wedding Alter~~ Music: This Day Aria. It was finally here! Today is the day! The day that queen Chrysalis plan to conquer the nation of Equestria, all she has to do is ensure that this very small step goes through without a hitch. But how could it? The real princess of love and the night were placed deep underground, and with her security force taking care of them and the unknown creature they won’t be able to stop her plan. And as for Celestia, the Groom, any pony else none of them suspect anything, not only that but the guards were all spread out all over the city in response to her false threat warning. So now her hive can take over the city with greater ease. As the disguised queen was trotting down the walkway, ponies congratulating her on getting married and wishing her a happy life. And as they praised and cheered her own, the queen could only internally laugh at them all. Soon enough the queen spotted her mares in waiting, along with the best stallions plus the ring bearer, but her greatest prize was the captain of the guard standing at the alter…a glazed look in his eyes as a smile was plastered on his muzzle. Chrysalis has taken many husbands before, taken many stallions from those they were meant to be wed to, but this one was by far the easiest to fool and subjugate to her will. Reaching the alter the disguised queen and her mesmerized husband to be looked up to princess Celestia, who just looked down at the pair with a heat warming smile. “My little ponies, we gather here today for the union between my niece princess Mi Amora Cadenza, and captain Shining Armor.” The day princess then looked down at the disguised queen, her smile growing ever so slightly. “Mi Amora Cadenza, do you take this stallion to be your lawfully wedded husband?” “I do.” the queen said as sincerely and true as she could convey, which made the white alicorn smile wider as she nodded her head before she turned to look at Shining Armor, who Chrysalis mentally commanded to stand up straight and give a resolute expression. “Shining Armor, do you take—” “SISTER WAIT!” Chrysalis froze! The sudden voice that disrupted the perception, and causing the shocked and surprised look on Celestia’s face, was undoubtedly that of the night princess. Turning to look behind her the queens fears were confirmed as she saw the disheveled the night princess, but not just her but also princess Cadence and that unknown creature as well! There were also a collection of other strange creatures she’s never seen before beside them as well. But what really gripped the queens attention was that the ponies in the ceremony hall were whispering to each other, while baffled and dumbfounded looks shifted between her and the real Cadence, she even turned to look at Celestia and the others at the alter and all of them were starting to get suspicious. “Luna what…what’s going on here!?” Celestia asked, and before Chrysalis could say anything, the creature spoke up. “That isn’t the real Cadence! She’s a fake, a shapeshifter!” the hall then erupted into louder talks between the ponies, and even the ponies behind her were getting rowdy with concerns. ‘Damn it not now!’ the queen internally lamented before gritting her teeth. ‘Fine then, guess we’ll just have to accelerate the plan to phase 2!’ The queen then sent out a telepathic signal to all of her changelings, telling them to immediately start their attack on the city and castle, and after a minute of delay everypony heard explosions going off while the castle shook! The ponies in the hall were panicking and crying out as they ran for the exit, but that’s when a swarm of her changelings came in from the door and windows. The guards posted inside, along with the princesses and Twilight’s group trying to fight off any changelings that were trying to capture them. ‘Commander is the black throne in place?’ Chrysalis mentally called out. ‘Yes my queen, we just installed in into the center of the garden’s maze’ the commander responded which the queen smiled as she watched as the ponies try to use their magic, but were unable to cast even a simple magical blast. Seeing the ponies struggle in trying to fight off her swarm just made the queen laugh as her plan was being initiated. “Cadence what is the meaning of all this?!” Celestia cried out as she kicked a changeling away from her. “That’s not me auntie Tia, that’s the leader of all of these invaders!” the real Cadence called out as she was being defended by the unknown creature and its pets. “I guess there is no point in keeping this disguise on anymore~” The queens body then erupted in green fire as Celestia and the other ponies at the alter darted to where Luna and the others were, while the queens true form was revealed as her swarm cocooned and captured all of the ponies in the wedding hall. laughing in triumph as she a top of the alter, staring down all of the powerless fools before her. “Canterlot is MINE! HHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”