//------------------------------// // Backtracking // Story: Metroid V: Equestrian Frontier // by OmegaMetroidBrony //------------------------------// "Well Twilight Sparkle, I am just as knowledgeable as you are about the creature," the royal Princess Luna finally admitted defeat. The lunar alicorn had read the letter Twilight had sent and decided to lend a hoof. "Even at my age, I've never seen such a unique creature. Does anypony know where it origiated?" "Fluttershy claims it came out of the Everfree forest after something landed there.," responded the lavender unicorn excitedly and a little worried. "Landed?," Luna asked, surprised and curiosity rising. "Did she mention what direction it came from? Was it above the Everfree before it landed?" "Yes," the genius unicorn answered. "She said it flew over her cottage and then a short distance into the Everfree Forest." Luna's face changed from surprised and curious to worried. Her royal coat dampening slightly. "Twilight, round up your friends immediately," ordered the Princess sternly. "Tell them we're hunting down something critical to solving this mystery. I'll watch over the beast in your absence." The lavender unicorn dashed upstairs, calling for Spike to assistance in gathering her best friends. The lunar alicorn directed her full attention to the entity with in the magic bubble. Currently it was sitting against the opposite side, as if watching for one wrong move. "If you can speak, do so now," ordered the lunar princess in the Royal Canterlot voice. "What ever secrets you are withholding will be revealed in due time." The presence with in the magical bubble just gave her a blank stare with it's single, odd green eye. "Nothing? I guess we'll just have to see what you've hidden in the forest," the alicorn concluded her little interrogation disappointed. Samus trudged between her captors, her arms folded across her chest plate, restrained by a strait jacket of dark blue energy. "Everfree, odd name for a forest. It must be where I landed my ship. From the sound of their voices, it must be an intimidating place for them." A short while later, the party of ponies and captured bounty hunter reached an entrance to the dreaded woodland. The ponies paused while Samus walked slowly ahead, not caring the least for the unknown dangers. "Just look at how it walks into the Everfree forest," a high class accented voice erupted from behind, alarmed by the Hunter's simple action of walking into the darkened forest without stopping. "That does certainly say something about it," agreed another voice the armored woman knew belonged to the purple pony. "But we should probably keep a close eye on it." "Keep a close eye me here? Ha!---" Samus landed on her rump with a soft thud and an "Umph!" before she could make break to her ship. Something of incredible strength tugged her backwards. She twisted her head just enough to see a beam of energy, the same color as her restraints, dragging her back towards the leader of the ponies. "Omega Metroids. Now they have me on a leash." "Take us to where you landed," ordered her handler, the energy and flight empowered pony. "Or I'll be forced to cast an unpleasant control spell. You don't want me in your mind do you?" Samus returned to her feet, having caved to the threat, as she wished to keep her inner sanctum free of intrusions. "Isn't that a little harsh Princess?" The surprised bounty hunter turned around to see the light purple pony defending her. "Twilight, I know that you don't like the idea," the dark blue pony said trying to sooth the underling. "But sometimes you have to use a bit of force." "Not that much!," the smaller of the two argued back. "As one of the rulers of Equestria, I will use any means necessary to keep the land and ponies I love safe, even if it that includes entering the mind of that creature." The ruling pony's angry, authoritative voice silenced all rebuttal of the mind invading strategy. It also achieved in visibly disturbing the group. "I apologize for that outburst," the leading pony said in a gentler,quiet voice. "Protecting Equestria is a stressful part of ruling. I know that's a poor excuse but it really does stress me out when events like earlier today," the dark blue pony gestured to the cyan one, "are reported and somepony is injured by an outside force." "Don't sweat it princess," a country accented, voiced said soothingly. "We all have our moments but right now we need to focus on that critter there." All attention re-centered on Samus, who stared back from behind her green visor. "Will you comply with our request?," inquired her dark blue captor in a gentle voice. Samus, left with no other options, nodded. The pony smiled, pleased that the tugging and pulling of mind control was unnecessary. "Also do not think about running," the ruling equine warned. "Your on a leash that's as long as two of my out stretched hooves." The pony reached out with one of it's forelimbs. "Double it in your mind for a visual if you want." "And if you do escape I'll be right here with you." A chill traveled down the bounty hunter's spine, when she heard the other voice in her head. She stared at the owner which only gave a smug smile. Samus gave the dark colored pony an angry scowl from behind the semi-transparent glass of her visor. With out further incident, the Hunter gestured for them to follow her into the sinister, darkened woodland. The trek through the forest wasn't long. In fact it was just over a dozen paces to the opening from which Samus had landed. "Whoa..." From the pony perspective they were seeing a marvel, an alien technology way beyond their own leaving them gawking in amazement. Samus used this window to bee line for the hatch, her leash and restraint dissipating due to her handler's amazement at the space craft. The bounty hunter quickly made it to the familiar spot under the ship activating the lift. With a sarcastic goodbye wave she entered the ship. As soon as the lift got her into the cockpit Samus dashed for the controls to activate the ship. The familiar hum and beeps of Federation tech soon filed the small space and the bounty hunter collapsed into the pilot seat. "What are you doing back here Samus?," the robotic voice of Adam asked. If it had any tones to it, the voice would probably sound angry. "You were supposed to leave this ship far behind, not return to it!" "Change of plans," responded the Hunter. "I'm ditching this rock for a Chozo world." "That would be impossible, the ship is nearly running on fumes," the computer informed the Chozo heir. "You wouldn't even make it out of the atmosphere." Samus had to restrain herself from slamming her fist into the arm rest. "Since inter-galactic travel is not possible I suggest resuming ground operations," said the computer. "I guess I'll just remain in here then," the Hunter concluded. "I accidentally started hostilities between me and the local sentient species here. I'll just sit here till the Feds hunt me down and go out fighting." "By local sentient species you mean the rather colorful equines that followed you here?," the computer asked. "They're more than just small horses," Samus retorted annoyed. "Some have the capability of near super sonic flight or energy control equal to the Chozo. Some can even access and control your mind." "If this is true, which I'm doubting, then try to make amends with the creatures," suggested Adam. "They could be a valuable allies when the Federation arrives." Samus the Lone Wolf, took this in to consideration. Just like Adam, the computer usually had brilliant ideas and strategies. Creatures with abilities and powers like those ponies would indeed be worth while to befriend. "I guess you do have a point there," the Champion of the Luminoth agreed. "Warm up the engines just in case I need a quick get away." Without further ado Samus walked back to the hatch to confront her former captors.