Island: Exploration & Rescue Mission Prep
After their meeting in the war room the girls begin to explore and look in each and every Crafting Table, Fabricator, Large Storage Boxes, Small Storage Boxes, Fridges, Preserving Bins, Mortar and Pestles, Chem Benches, and S+ Crafting Tables that they can to see what they have as a collective group.
“Hmmm…this guy has an entire fabricator dedicated to Polymer, and half of one to Electronics,” Twilight says as she explores the fabricators.
“Ug, all these outfits are positively dreadful, do they have no sense of fashion here?” Rarity annoyedly complains.
“These S+ Crafting Tables look to be filled with a combination of Hide, Fiber, Chitin, Charcoal, Gun Powder, SparkPowder, and many other things,” Sunset says as she finishes looking through the S+ Crafting Stations.
“Down here seems to be a general crafting area,” Rainbow reports.
“And these feeding troughs filled with raw meat, raw fish meat, and something called a Mejoberry,” Pinkie says before digging back into the Mejoberry trough.
“Pinkie,” Sunset replies shaking her head at Pinkies antics, “Okay, we know they have supplies that may help us, but for now, let’s just split up to decide where we’ll build out base, and see what Cactus and Dave are up to, sound good?” Sunset asks the girls.
“Sounds good to me,” Pinkie says popping up behind Sunset, “I call dibs on Build Team,” Pinkie calls out as she pulls out a pink flag with her three ballon mark on it.
“I want to see what that monster Cactus is up to,” Fluttershy says surprisingly menacingly.
“That Dave fellow was such a gentleman to us so I’ll go see what he’s up to,” Rarity says with a hint of swooning in her voice.
“Ah’ll make sure Rarity ere, doesn’t try to distract im from whatever he’s doin,” Applejack says.
“I’ll go with Pinkie to help with construction and building of our base,” Twilight says and stands beside Pinkie.
“Then I’ll join Fluttershy and try to make sure they don’t fight,” Sunset says as she joins Fluttershy.
“And I’ll join Pinkie to get our awesome base done quickly,” Rainbow says cockily before joining Twilight and Pinkie.
“Meet up back at the tower here after we’re done or the sun sets?” Sunset asks the rest of the girls.
“Makes sense,” Twilight says,
“Agreed,” the rest of the girls say with a nod, before splitting off into their respective tasks.
As Fluttershy and Sunset begin their walk around the tower they see Cactus near the water supply surrounded by torches.
“And what pray tell are you…” Fluttershy begins to berate before seeing what is near the torches and promptly goes quite and looks on with a smile.
“Yes, before you ask I’m working on getting you all Baryonyx’s so we can make an Artifact run,” Cactus says coldly as the egg hatches and reveals a set of twin Baryonyx.
“So cute!” Fluttershy says loudly before taking the two of them in her arms and cuddling them.
“Well, I WAS going to look at their stats to make sure their strong enough, but nonetheless, they seem to be mutated based off of the underbelly,” Cactus says as he walks up to Fluttershy and places his hand on one as he holds a note in the other.
Which makes Fluttershy promptly pull the baby Baryonyx away from him only after a look that lasted less than a second.
“YOU WILL NOT HURT THESE…” Fluttershy begins to yell before Cactus just walks away from Fluttershy and to Sunset.
“They’re good, they got a Stam mutation, and based off of their Imprint bonus, Fluttershy seems to increase those numbers, and even give a higher Imprint bonus when doing what is needed,” Cactus says as he walks to a small nest with a Dodo in it, places his hand on the nest, and then returns to where Fluttershy is still cuddling the babies.
“Please move so I can raise and check 5 perfect Barries for the cave run, because we’re going into a very dangerous cave if we go in under prepared,” Cactus says in a combination of coldly, but politely.
“And if they aren’t perfect?” Fluttershy asks coldly while cuddling the babies.
“I keep them until we truly find out if it’s my laptop or your switch,” Cactus says calmly while looking at Fluttershy who is using her Stare at him.
After hearing his answer Fluttershy gets up and walks away to care for the twins. At which point Sunset goes to follow but…
“I’d recommend not getting too attached to those twins, either one or both will end up gone,” Cactus says coldly to Sunset as she is just about to leave.
“And how do you know that?” Sunset asks worriedly.
“Because, when we ascend, we only have our gear, and none of our tames will join us on the rest of our journey, and even then, I know how to keep them going, but it’s impossible in our current situation,” Cactus says coldly, but with a hint of compassion in his voice as he walks past Sunset and whispers into her ear, “You’ll know when the right things must be done,” Cactis says before going back to looking for 5 more perfect Baryonyx.
Hearing this Sunset looks at Cactus with worry and confusion before shaking her head and going to join Fluttershy in raising the twin Baryonyx.
As Pinkie, Twilight, and Rainbow walk around the compound they notice the many creatures that litter around within the walls. Some Twilight recognizes, others, she has never heard of from history.
“I get the Daeodon, that makes sense for the Ice Age, but a Yutyrannus, the dinosaurs were extinct and even if they did survive, they wouldn’t be able to live in the cold long enough for one too…” Twilight begins ranting before Rainbow Nudges Twilights arm.
“Relax Twi, we know we’re stuck in a game, so don’t try to decode the entire game like that Cactus guy, heck, I think that if we left the two of you alone, you may come out with a new Boyfriend,” Rainbow jokingly tells Twilight, loud enough for Pinkie to hear.
“But if they did get together then when we go home wouldn’t Cactus go home as well, and even then he said him and Dave were from a world where everything we know is fiction to them?” Pinkie Pie asks which makes Twilight look at Pinkie in shock.
“…that’s actually pretty sound…but I don’t think I’ll fall for him, he’s just…how do I put this…cold, empty, heartless,” Twilight says while thinking about what to call Cactus.
“Ya, you are right, killing innocent creatures is not cool, it makes him 100% less cool,” Rainbow then sighs, “But as you and Sunset said, get information from him and see if he can help, and even then, help him and Dave get home,” Rainbow says calmly.
“But you also have to think about what Dave said about Mr mean old grumpy pants Cactus,” Pinkie points out as she points to the two of their heads.
And after hearing Pinkie say that the two of them think back to what Dave said, that Cactus is cold to all people he doesn’t know, but to those that he knows and trusts, “he’s warm, and cuddly on the inside for his friends, and a fighter to defend his friends,” resounds in their thoughts as they continue to look for a good place to build.
Meanwhile as Rarity and Applejack walk out they notice Dave looking at a large bird that he’s petting.
“Howdy, we just came to see what yer up to,” Applejack says with a wave.
“Oh, hey you two, I was about to make a metal run,” Dave responds as he turns around to face the two, “I’ll be needing to take Arrrg my Arrrrgentavis,” Dave then waits for a response, but seeing he isn’t getting one continues on, “along with Andy our Anklysourus to Metal Mountain cause he earns more metal than what we have access to,” Dave responds with a shrug.
“Well, I personally would be appalled to get my nails dirty, but I feel I could guard Arrg for you?” Rarity asks flirtatiously as she bats her eyes at him.
“Sorry Rarity, “ Dave then smirks and turns to face Applejack, “But you’re still welcome to join AJ,” Dave says calmly but doesn’t expect the right hook coming from Applejack, which sends him onto the ground.
“Nobody but my friends call me AJ, got it,” Applejack says with a stern gaze at Dave.
“First, nice hook, I’m surprised you don’t take up boxing in your spare time,” Dave says as he gets up, “and second, noted Applejack,” Dave then holds out his hand for a handshake from Applejack.
“Ya answer yer question,” Applejack takes Dave’s hand and uses her pendant to squeeze it as hard as she can without causing serious damage, “Apple family picking is…” Applejack begins to say but Dave cuts in.
“Either the Apple “bucking” technic or you punch the trees due to begin human, am I right? Cause Equestria you is bucking the trees,” Dave says with a smile.
“Punching, cause getting on ma hands and hittin a tree with both ma legs, would be slower than a snail in molasses,” Applejack says with a smile and releases Dave’s hand.
“But still, want to join me for a metal run?” Dave asks.
“No thank you darling,” Rarity says calmly before walking away.
“No thanks, but maybe some other time,” Applejack says with a smile before heading off.
“These chicks are hot, but I think I have an idea…a terribly awful, evil idea, mwhahaha,” Dave says jokingly to himself as he gets on Arrg, picks up Andy, and proceeds to fly to metal mountain.
Not long after Fluttershy is surprised to see how big the two babies have grown and all they have ever asked for is cuddles.
“I know you both like my cuddles but my friends need me too,” Fluttershy says calmly to them.
But afterwards she hears a whistle come from Cactus who is approaching, and not alone, but with 15 other babies, 5 of which, he seems to have isolated.
“What?” Fluttershy says with her Stare to Cactus.
“The five isolated ones are the perfect ones, the other 10, do what you want with,” Cactus says as he walks away, and back into the tower.
“Well, he seems to actually be keeping his agreement with us,” Sunset says as she comes up to Fluttershy after Cactus left.
“Sunset, what happened to you? You didn’t immediately follow after I took them? Are you okay?” Fluttershy asks as she tries to get out to the Baryonyx group she has made.
“After you left Cactus gave me some food for thought,” Sunset replies as she nervously grabs one of her arms and begins to rub it.
As Sunset left Cactus to his own she went to the tower to get some space to think.
As she climbed the ladder she thought about what Cactus had said, she knows she had done that once before when she was evil, but could she do it again, would it cost her, her friendships, her life, she didn’t know, there was too little known, and too many unknowns.
But as she’s lost deep in though, a small, adorable, fur hat wearing otter scampers up to her and just lays in her lap. At which point Sunset smiles and begins to pet the otter, and sees the name on it.
Otty Otterton I
Seeing this Sunsets let’s out a small laugh and continues to pet Otty, letting her thoughts run rampant, but petting Otty to keep them calm.
“Oh, was it anything rude or mean?” Fluttershy asks with concern.
“No…yes…I don’t know…but I’ll tell you when we’re all together, and that I had help with what he said,” Sunset says confused but then remembers how Otty helped her and then calms down in her response.
“Oh, well, I’d like to go Sunset but as you can see,” Fluttershy says meekly surrounded by the Baryonyx babies.
But before Sunset can respond, both Sunset and Fluttershy hear two whistles and the babies go into a group of the seven perfect Baryonyx, and the other ten go towards the Acatina pen.
“What?” Both Fluttershy and Sunset ask curiosly as the turn to where the whistle came from, and see Cactus stepping down the steps to the tower.
“I set them in groups to make it easier for organizing them, so the perfect ones can go with you, and the other ten can be raised by the S+ Nanny…and before you ask, no, it’s not a real person, it’s more along the lines of a golem, no mind of its own, can’t move, nor think, all it does is something simple, like the imprinting,” Cactus rambles on before going towards the Acatina pen without giving the girls a chance to respond or even ask questions.
“Well that was…both rude…but nice of him,” Fluttershy says surprised as she gets up and continues to take care of the young Baryonyx.
“Shall we go meet up with the others?” Sunset asks Fluttershy.
“Yes, I can’t wait for them to meet Barry, and Onyx,” Fluttershy says happily as she begins to walk away, but none of the seven young Baryonyx follow her.
“Um, please, come with us,” Fluttershy says kindly holding her amulet. Which causes her eyes to go wide and fall back.
At which point Sunset catches her, “What? Fluttershy what’s wrong? What did you hear?” Sunset asks concerned for her friend.
“It’s n-not what I heard…i-it’s…that…I d-didn’t hear…a-a-a-anything,” Fluttershy stammers out in a panic.
“What? But your amulet let’s you listen to animals, so why can’t you hear them?” Sunset asks curiously.
“”I think I can explain,” They hear Cactus’ voice behind the Baryonyx.
The two girls just look at him waiting for an answer.
“It relates to the lore, for now, that’s all I’m going to…” Cactus begins to say until his radio crackles to life and they hear Dave yelling,
“METAL MOUNTAIN HAS A GIGA NEAR THE MOUNTAIN TOP, RETURNING TO BASE TO GEAR UP AND GET BACKUP TO TAKE IT DOWN! I REPEAT GIGA ON METAL MOUNTAIN AND REQUESTING BACKUP!” Dave’s voice yells out through the Radio.
“Get the rest of your friends, I was inside preparing gear for all of you, so meet me outside the tower so I can gear you up,” Cactus says in a military tone as he rushes to the tower.
“With the way he said it, I say we get looking,” Sunset says worriedly which Fluttershy just nods at before the two of them split up and look for the rest.
As Twilight, Pinkie, and Rainbow find a spot, and Pinkie places their first Thatch Foundation after finding the Materials in some of the other tames around the base, Pinkie turns around to look at Rainbow and Twilight, but sees Sunset running up to them.
“Hiya, Sunset, how’s it going with Cactus and Fluttershy?” Pinkie asks as Twilight and Rainbow turn around and see Sunset panting as she stops in front of them.
“Ha…Dave…radioed…Cactus…about…something…called…a…Giga?” Sunset pants out before standing up and recomposing herself.
“What’s a Giga?” Rainbow asks Twilight.
“No clue, but by the way Dave was yelling and possibly panicking, I’d say it’s something very dangerous,” Sunset answers for Twilight.
“Then what are we waiting for? Let him go, and if he gets killed then it’s possible for us, and Dave to survive,” Rainbow says.
“Because Dave has said why when we asked him in the War Room, and he said he wouldn’t,” Twilight says calmly.
“Cactus asked us to meet outside the Tower, to help “gear us up” as he put it,” Sunset says, “so let’s go,” Sunset says before running back to the tower.
At which point Twilight, Pinkie, and Rainbow run behind her to catch up. Rainbow using her amulet to get to the tower first due to her super speed.
As Rarity and Applejack are walking around the tower they see a small out-cove behind the base with a door, and they see multiple colours shining behind the door.
“This must be where they keep all the good clothes,” Rarity says happily as she goes to the door and tries to open it.
But as she goes to open it a keypad appears in front of her vision.
“Oh dear, this door is locked? Why is that, do they only have one set of fabulous gear?” Rarity asks as she keeps trying to open the door.
“Rarity, don’t try ta open that door, there’s probably a reason it’s locked,” Applejack says to Rarity with a hand on her shoulder.
“None shall keep me from looking fabulous, these drab clothes do not mesh well together, while yes they cover up and protect us, I want to look fabulous as I do so,” Rarity says calmly.
As Applejack goes to respond they see Fluttershy run by them calling out their names.
“I reckon we see what Flutters wants to see us about,” Applejack tells Rarity.
“Fair enough, fabulousness can wait, our friends cannot,” Rarity declares as she walks out from the small out-cove with Applejack behind her.
“Over ere sugar cube,” Applejack yells out to Fluttershy.
“Oh, I was looking for you,” Fluttershy turns and looks at Applejack and Rarity, “But that’s not what matters, Dave radioed something to Cactus about a Giga, and requested help, and Cactus said to grab everyone so he can, “gear us up” as he put it,” Fluttershy explains and says Giga with some curiosity and worry in her voice.
“So what, we all need to “gear up” and help Dave deal with this “Giga”?” Rarity asks.
“Yes, he asked that we all meet up out front of the tower,” Fluttershy says before running back to the front of the tower.
“Well, you seem to like that Dave fellow, I think you may want to save his skin,” Applejack jokes to Rarity before running off to join the rest of her friends.
“Applejack you!” Rarity runs after Applejack
As soon as all the girls get to the door Cactus comes out and quickly stands in front of each girl before dropping a bag in front of each of them.
“Each bag has the same thing, Primitive Flak Armour set, Two Parachutes, a Primitive Longneck, 100 ammo for said Longneck, a Primitive Pump Action Shotgun, and 200 Ammo for said shotgun,” Cactus says as he then gets on WASD and lands the ramp in front of the girls. “Get on, we need to save Dave, Arrg, and Andy. I have the stuff made and in the Crafting Table to set up when we get there,” Cactus says in a military authoritarian tone.
“And why…” Rainbow begins to say as she puts on her armour.
“DON’T CARE, GET ON SO DAVE ISN'T FIGHTING THE STRONGEST CREATURE ON THIS ARK!” Cactus yells out, surprising the girls, not with his tone, but with his words.
But the girls do get on WASD and begin to fly to Metal Mountain, for a rescues mission.
Author’s Note:
Well, who’s happy to see a Giga appear already. And who’s ready to see a Giga battle with this group of nine. Well, obviously, you’ll have to wait for the next chapter but until then, stay safe, have fun, and remember to…okay no more Pinkie, okay, and last of all, remember to smile.