//------------------------------// // A Promising Start // Story: Return of the Core // by TheClownPrinceofCrime //------------------------------// The next day, Princess Twilight rushed to the Ponyville Hospital where there were dozens of ponies and Royal Guards outside the front doors. Once they saw the new ruler arrive, they bowed before her and paved the way for her to enter inside. She instantly ran inside and looked from left to right, wondering where the victims were recovering. “Your Majesty,” addressed Nurse Redheart, slightly bowing her head. “Where are they held?” “In the Emergency Room, three rooms ahead.” “Are they alright? Are they breathing?” “*sadly sighing* Barely. Better take a look for yourself,” replied Redheart, motioning her to follow her. As they both entered the ER, Twilight gasped in shock to see Neighsay and his colleagues strapped with oxygen tanks. Seeing this made Twilight’s heart pump faster and her pupils shrink. “No….t-this can’t be…” Twilight muttered. “We did everything we could to keep them alive. Whether they want to make it or not…is up to them now.” Hearing this, Twilight paced back and forth with sweat drops falling from her forehead. “This can’t be happening!! This can’t! This can’t! I never thought this day would come! How can I save them now?! I-I-I don’t know what happened to them…” Twilight mentally vented. She walked out the ER and covered her face with her hooves. “I…I don’t know what to do. I’ve never been in a situation like this,” she whispered. “If Celestia were here, she would know what to do.” As Twilight continued to panic, The Core opened its eye and looked down on her. “Allow me to assist. Tell the nurse to take their bodies and store them for preservation.” This took Twilight by surprise. She replied back in her mind, “Huh? But the nurse said it’s up to them. We should wait until they come through!” “On the contrary, it is up to us to decide what must be done for the safety of our kingdom,” advised The Core. “It is quite obvious they were savagely attacked by some villainous creature. He could strike us at any moment! The only way we could keep them…alive…is to magically preserve them from rotting away. If we leave them to chance, they’ll soon perish and the whole kingdom will revolt against you.” “Really? They will?” Twilight panicked. “Yes. No one wants to be ruled by a princess who couldn’t save those poor ponies from harm. But fear not, for I will make sure you make the right choices.” As Twilight thought hard on this, she sadly sighed and nodded her head. As she re-entered the ER, Redheart was just finished writing the information on her notes. “I need you to remove the oxygen tanks. I’m gonna have to cast a spell that will preserve them. We can’t leave their fates to chance.” Redheart widened her eyes in surprise before she accidentally dropped her notes. “I beg your pardon, Princess Twilight, but…are you sure? I admittedly don’t know much about magic, but I think a spell like this could slow their physical healing.” “Yes, but it will at least keep them in their current state. Until we actually get answers for what happened and who is responsible for this cruel act, they must be preserved for their own good.” “But as a nurse, I would advise against—.” “This is not up for discussion!” Twilight sternly interrupted. Redheart was taken aback by her tone, but she nodded her head regardless. “As you wish, Princess.” She then removed the oxygen tanks which allowed Twilight to cast her preservation spell around the unconscious Neighsay and his comrades. The spell covered them all in flower-like cases colored in bright pink and carefully placed them all in a rectangular box to seal them in. After she locked it, she teleported the box to an underground base below Canterlot Castle. After Redheart left, Twilight sighed in relief. “Well, that’s done. Hmm, was I a little harsh back there?” “*chuckles* Of course not, my dear. You made the right choice—thanks to our wisdom. This is how you establish your rulership; your predecessors would be very proud of you, Twilight,” The Core flattered. “Huh, thanks. Still, we gotta figure out who attacked Neighsay and why they did it. No matter how long it takes, we will find whoever is responsible!” Twilight said, determined. “Of course…” The Core replied. If it had a mouth, it would have been evilly smiling at that moment. Inside The Core’s inner sanctum, a large amphibious bipedal creature with royal attire and a crown on his head walked across a dark hallway, orange lanterns slightly lighting the whole room. Once he stopped, several panels appeared before him. The panels then opened up and revealed Neighsay and his colleagues all chained up therein. They relentlessly attempted to break free, but their efforts proved to be fruitless. “What kind of sick, twisted prison is this?!” one of them cried. “You fiend! Let us go this instant! We’ve had enough of your….whatever it is your doing!” Neighsay demanded. “The more you squirm, the harder it will be for you to assimilate into The Core,” said the creature. He then opened his eyes—the same multi-layered eyes of the hive mind. “WHO…ARE YOU?!” they shouted, terrified of his face. “Of course, where are my manners? I am Aldrich, former king of Amphibia and the inner voice of The Core,” he introduced himself. “The Core? What are you talking about?” Neighsay asked, arching an eyebrow. “The Core is an amalgamation of Amphibia’s greatest minds—our ancestors, kings, and rulers—forming into a unified consciousness. Unfortunately, my enemies managed to overthrow us and destroy us. Well…most of us anyway,” Aldrich explained, his eyes furiously burning bright. “But fortunately, I still thrive and live,” he continued. “With you all here, you will serve as excellent replacements for them. I know you will serve The Core well with your vast knowledge and experience.” At that moment, little nerve tentacles wrapped around their heads. Terrified, Neighsay tired to move his hooves only for them to be immobilized by the energy from the panels. He made one last pleading look at Aldrich who stood by in his usual cold and callous composure. The nerves silenced their muffled screams of horror and engulfed them within the panels. Once they closed down, Aldrich turned around and walked back to the throne room, evilly chuckling. Later that day, Princess Twilight walked on the balcony and saw the ponies and creatures who were all assembled in the palace down below. They had looks of worry and concern whereas almost all the parents held their little ones close to them. Seeing their fear, she took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and then reopened them again. “Citizens of Equestria and beyond, as you all know, Chancellor Neighsay and the other EEA board members have been attacked by some ravenous creature. Who is the creature responsible for this deadly attack, I don’t know; how the victims have been attacked, I don’t know. But I do know that this act shall not be forgotten!” Twilight assured. The ponies exchanged looks towards each other as they listened. “We will continue this investigation no matter how long it may take, for this evil creature will be sought for and brought to justice!” Then all the ponies and creatures grew hopeful looks. “But in order for the Magic of Friendship to stay strong and powerful, we must work together to bring peace, love, and unity like never before!” Twilight smiled. “With that said, I decree that any creature who wishes to live among us shall freely do so. Whether here, in Ponyville, or in the Crystal Empire, is up to you. We welcome any creature among you who would love to live in this kingdom.” Hearing this, all the creatures—dragons, yaks, changelings, and so forth—cheered in response. The Canterlot ponies followed suit and cheered with them. Feisty however rolled her eyes and shook her head while her mother was busy cheering with the crowd. “Stupid…” the filly muttered. “The closer we are, the zero chances the culprit will hurt us! That is all,” Twilight concluded. Then she went back inside the throne room where Spike was waiting for her. “I presume the speech went well?” “From the looks of it, it went great. I think this position of ruler seems quite easy!” Twilight replied, sitting back on the throne. “I dunno, Twi. There will be a lot of big challenges ahead of us, so we should be a lot more careful,” advised Spike. Twilight giggled. “Now you’re starting to sound just like me.” “Well, I learned from the best,” Spike shrugged. Then they both hugged for a brief moment before they continued with their duties for the day. The Core opened its eye in Twilight’s crown and hissed with mechanical whispers until it closed up again.