//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: What, another car? // Story: Knight of the Pony // by Mush //------------------------------// Knight of the Pony (Equestria) Somewhere, deep inside the dark undergrowth of the EverFree Forest, a small pinprick of light appeared out of nowhere. The spec stayed small for a while, illuminating the darkness. Soon after, the spec expanded and ejected a grey and black object. The object crashed through some trees and came to a standstill. The forest was lit slightly by a yellow pulsating light that seemed to bounce from side to side, and the trees echoed a pulsating noise that emanated from the object. --- (On the fringe of the EverFree Forest) “Applebloom! What if Zecora’s not in! Come back!” Scootaloo shouted after Applebloom as she entered the EverFree. “Don’t worry girls! Ah’ve been in the EverFree many times before and nuttin’ ever harmed me none. It’s all stories meant to scare ya.” Applebloom retorted. “Now you comin’ or wut? Ah need to get a plant to decorate Granny’s room sometime.” “Fine, come on Sweetie Belle.” Scootaloo gave in. “What’s going on? What are we doing?” Sweetie asked, clearly clueless. The tiny trio trotted deeper into the forest, following the path that was trodden by Zecora. Applebloom made note to avoid any blue leaved plants that may obstruct their path. Their small walk was uneventful, and unfruitful. Applebloom could not find the specific plant that Granny Smith asked for. “Yellow stem, white leaves. Yellow stem, white leaves.” Applebloom repeated to herself while looking for the plant. “Girls! Look!” Scootaloo called, a little too loudly. She was pointing into the undergrowth in the direction of a yellow pulsating light. “Could it be aliens?” Sweetie Belle asked. “I heard that aliens come to the EverFree Forest to stock up on supplies. At least that’s what Rarity said.” “O’ course it ain’t aliens.” Applebloom replied. “It’s... It’s a...” “Alien?” Scootaloo filled in. “Ah guess we can go on that for now. But when we find that there ain’t no aliens, Ah’ll be wearin’ mah smug face.” Applebloom gave in to her friend’s persistence in believing in aliens. Seriously, ponies from out’a space. Not likely. The trio approached the light source, and soon they could hear an odd pulsating noise emanating from it. Suddenly, there was a loud roar as something massive lunged toward the CMC. “I AM KARR” The thing spoke as it landed in front of the three fillies. “Identify yourselves or you will be destroyed.” KARR threatened. The CMC just stood there, still as statues. KARR seemed to sit opposite them for a short amount of time. “My scanners indicate that you are not humans. The humans making conversation must be close by, but the trees are disrupting my scanner range.” KARR said to no-one in particular, he then started to move toward the fillies. “Now, get out of my way, puny creatures of low intelligence.” The three were still trying to impersonate statues and staring in horror at KARR. “Move or I will flatten you.” KARR threatened. The fillies soon scuttled aside, making way for KARR. “Interesting, it seems you understand my threat. Equines, do you understand English?” The three nodded simultaneously, still scared of KARR (wouldn’t you be?). “Then identify yourselves, or you will be seen as a threat to me, and I will destroy you.” KARR threatened again (he does a lot of that). “My... name is A- Applebloom.” Applebloom stuttered. “This here is Scootaloo and this is Sweetie Belle.” The three stood, slightly less scared not that will not be destroyed, waiting for a response. “Interesting, your species can also speak, I am inserting this into my databanks. Do you three wish to harm me?” KARR asked. “Er... no?” Sweetie Belle answered. “Good. Then I can trust you, Sweetie Belle. Are your companions going to cause harm?” KARR enquired. “No” “Good. I have inserted the fact that I can indeed trust Applebloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle into my databanks. I will not harm you. Is there anything I can do for you.” “We would like to go home now, if you don’t mind. Thanks for the offer Mr. KARR.” Scootaloo responded. “Where is ‘home’. Can I take you there?” As KARR said this, his doors opened. “Yes please, if you can Mr. KARR.” Sweeite Belle said, and beckoned the rest of the CMC inside KARR. “Direct me to ‘home’.” KARR commanded. Sweetie Belle gave directions to KARR as they plodded along at a relatively slow speed. KARR did not want to damage himself of a rouge tree. --- (Just outside Ponyville) “Stop here KITT.” Bon-Bon said. “We’re near the town and I don’t want to scare anypony.” KITT slowed from his drive and parked on top of a small hill. “Right’o Bon-Bon” KITT replied. “I’ll be here if you need me.” “I’ll be back shortly with one of my friends, she well love to see you.” Bon-Bon told KITT, and with that trotted off toward Ponyville. It was a relatively warm day, not to hot that a pony would need to be inside at mid-day. Bon-Bon made her way to her house via the Apple Family’s apple stand, where she brought some apples. She made sure Applebloom was not on selling duty after what happened a few months ago, her back took forever to recover. She pushed the door to her house open and looked inside. “Lyra?” She called. “Lyra, you here?” The house looked dark, no sign of life. Bob-Bon trotted upstairs to Lyra’s bedroom and stood in-front of the door that had a sign on it; ‘No entry to anypony, unless you are Bon-Bon with food’. Bon-Bon ignored the sign and trotted in. The sight was appalling. Lyra was lying down face first on her bed, her mane was an absolute state and her legs were spread in no particular angle. The was a small wet patch on the mattress under Lyra’s face where she had been drooling. “Lovely.” Bon-Bon grimaced and approached the sleeping mare. She prodded her in the side with a hoof. “Turnips make mice cry...” Lyra muttered. Bon-Bon poked her again. “I accidentally the Lyrish potato famine...” She said again. Bon-Bon was not surprised at this, as Lyra usually talked horse manure in her sleep. “LYRA HEARTSTRINGS. WAKE UP!” Bon-Bon yelled. Lyra rolled over and opened her eyes. “Hay Bon-Bon, bring breakfast?” Lyra asked, still half asleep. “No, it’s ten past one. If I brought you anything, it would be lunch.” Bon-Bon replied. ‘What does she think I am, her slave?’ “Oh... did you bring me lunch then?” Lyra asked. She was then clopped in the face by Bon-Bon, who was looking quite peeved. “No Lyra, I have not brought you anything. I just need to show you something and it’s also time to get out of your pit.” Bon-Bon nagged. “Fine, fine. Let me get ready.” Lyra sat up and looked toward Bon-Bon. She was the surrounded by Lyra’s magic and was levitated out of the room, the door then shut in her face. --- Some minutes and nagging later --- Lyra and Bon-Bon were walking out of their house and turned in the direction were Bon-Bon left KITT. “So what’s this all about?” Lyra asked. Bon-Bon looked at her and responded with a 'You’ll see' face. Lyra gave Bon-Bon a frown at the smart-flank face. The pair trotted out of the town and toward the hill where KITT was still sat. “This is it? Another car? I got tired of cars after the charade with the DeLorean.” Lyra complained. “The what-now?” Bon-Bon asked, confused. “Oh, that’s right, you never saw it! Forget what I said!” Lyra covered for herself. “So, what’s this one called? Is it another type of DeLorean.” Lyra asked, pointing a hoof at KITT. “No, I am not a DeLorean. Thos things are over-rated and underpowered. I am the voice of the Knight Industries Two Thousand’s micro-processor. K.I.T.T for easy reference, KITT if you prefer.” KITT snapped out at Lyra. “Oh great, this one talks too. Except with an attitude.” Lyra complained. “Talks too? I happen to know there are only two cars that can talk, one is in-front of you and the other has been destroyed!” KITT answered back. “Well, I saw the *splech*.” Lyra was cut off by Bon-Bon sticking her hoof in her face. “Don’t argue Lyra, KITT has helped me get home and needs a place to... charge his battering ram? Was that it?” “Charge my batteries. Does your civilisation know of electricity?” KITT corrected. “Twilight Sparkle has a plug if that’s what you’re asking.” Lyra replied, having removed the offending hoof from her face. “We will have to wait until nightfall though, the town will not like seeing you.” --- (Now exiting the EverFree) --- “KARR! Slow down!” Applebloom yelled as KARR sped through the thinning tree line. “Negative, Applebloom. There is no reason so slow down.” KARR responded. “You’ll hurt somepony!” Scootaloo interjected. “That is no concern of mine.” KARR deadpanned. “If they are too slow witted to move out of the way they do not deserve to live.” The deadly car exited the EverFree and started making its way toward Ponyville, at mid-day.