One year later.
“So you sure this is where he'll come out?” The brass were seated in tent on the edge of airfield, one that was only used for Search and Rescue. A small area had been cleared away, and there were floodlights spread evenly around, just in case he was late.
“Yes sir, shouldn't be too long now. Unless his watch died, or whatever. I'll be right back. Going to double check the runes, make sure they are right.” With that, Simon walked out of the tent, the other soldiers following.
“As I said, everyone keep down on the floor, and you won't get hurt. We just want the money.” The bank staff and customers complied, not wanting to die. They were all confused though, as it was a fairly small bank, and didn't really hold that much. They could hear the sound of drilling, one of the robbers attempting to open the safe no doubt. The lobby of the bank was quite big, and being early morning, mostly empty. It was just the staff and morning crowd in there. Something started to happen in the centre of the lobby which drew the robbers attention.
Smoke was starting to form out of nowhere, but it was keeping with a two foot radius of where it had appeared. Two of the crooks approached, and one placed the barrel of his gun in to the smoke. He was suddenly pulled in and then thrown out, hitting the wall and sliding to the floor unconscious. The smoke started to clear, and a humanoid shadow appeared. Not knowing what it was, the robbers did the only thing they could think of. “Fire!”
The sound of multiple guns going off caused the hostages to scream. The shooting stopped and the nearest man went to take a look in to the smoke. Waving it away with his hand, they were quite surprised to see nothing there when it cleared. One of the crooks at the back came through the air to the front, and the rest turned around to see what happened.
Stood there was a man in a dark brown coat with body armour underneath, and smoke coming off him. His eyes snapped open and he charged.
I didn't know where I was, but a gun barrel coming at me through the smoke was not a good sign, so I pulled it in and a masked man came through with it. I lifted him up by the collar and threw him back, hearing a satisfying thud as he hit something. Then I found out there was more than one.
“Fire!” Darting to my left as the gunshots went out, I saw eight men with guns and people on the floor. Running behind the desks, I got around behind them as one approached the smoke. I got to the nearest one in the back and kicked him. Hard. He went sailing through the air and hit the ground with a sickening crunch. As I opened my eyes, I saw the rest were now looking at me, so I charged at them.
They tried to fire again, but I hit the nearest one too quick, lifting him off the ground in a rugby tackle and slamming him through a desk. The others fell in quick succession, and left me with one standing. Unfortunately, he now had a hostage. “Stop! Or I'll kill her!” The woman had her hands over her stomach, which I noticed was slightly swollen. “Now I am going to leave, and you are not going to follow us!” He started to move towards the door, and reached down with his gun hand to open it. I considered shooting him, but as he opened the door, I saw that I didn't have to.
“Hi.” The crook was hit in the face by a black armoured hand, and he dropped to the floor, the soldier grabbing the pregnant woman before she fell as well. “It's okay, you're safe now.” He entered the lobby with three others, just as there was a noise from the vault, and the sound of foot steps coming our way.
“Hey guys, I finally got throu......” He trailed off when he saw his accomplices on the floor, and the five soldiers all pointing guns at him. He dropped to the floor and put his hands over his head. “Fuck. I surrender.”
Two of the soldiers put him in a corner and dragged the others over. “So....Alec, how did you get in to a bank?”
I turned and saw one of the soldiers had removed his helmet. “Gee, I don't know Mr 'Since when do I get things like that wrong'. Maybe you got the runes slightly wrong or something! How far away did I land?”
“Uh, you're in Newquay. So about four miles. Which isn't bad for a cross galaxy magical transport.”
“Um, what?” The woman stood there looked between us as if we were crazy. To be fair, we kind of are.
“Nothing for you to worry about. Come on Alec, let's go. The Pelican is outside.” As we walked out, I had a question pop in to my head.
“Hey, how did you know where I was if you weren't here?”
“Oh, the Luna is in geosynchronous orbit over us, and it detected some strange energy coming from here. We had never seen it before, and assumed it was you, so we came down here straight away.” We walked round the corner in to a car park and sure enough, there was the Pelican. With a few people taking pictures. Simon just put his helmet back on and marched on board. The rest of us followed and we took off, leaving a stunned crowd below.
We were in the air for about half an hour, and I was curious as to where we were heading when the ship slowed and started to descend. Once it was settled, the ramp came down and Simon ushered me out the back. I looked around, taking in my location before it hit me where I was......I was home!!!!
Running to my front door, I turned the handle and watched it open. As I expected, I heard two dogs start to bark inside. I went in and paused, taking off my quite muddy boots, before closing the door and making my way in to the living room. I was immediately assailed by two Jack Russell Terriers, who looked just like I remembered them, albeit a bit older. It was then I noticed the two humans stood in the centre of the room. “Alec, is...it really you?”
“Mum....dad....” I was cut off as my mother and father started to crush my lungs, and I let them continue until I couldn't breathe no more. I pulled away from them and led them to sit down. As soon as I sat on the couch, my dogs started to clean my face for me. I indulged it for a few minutes until they calmed down, at which point they both curled up on my lap and refused to move. Yep, still the same snugly dogs. I turned back to my parents and started what would be a very interesting and awkward conversation. “Now I suppose you are wondering where I have been for the past two years? Let's just say it's....an out of this world tale.”
My mum and dad just looked at each other, before speaking. “Actually, we know where you have been, and we couldn't quite believe it. It was a little shocking at first until we were shown footage of this other world, and met one of the inhabitants from there.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Inhabitants form there? This could be bad. Who was it and where are they now? I need to have a talk with them!” My parents just smiled and pointed towards the living room door way. Stood there was a very attractive woman, who looked like she was around my age. I didn't know who she was at first, until I finally looked in to her eyes, and I noticed the crescent moon embroidered on to her dress. “Princess Luna? But.....what the fuck are you doing here?”
“Come now, Captain, is that anyway to speak to your princess?” She finished up with a coy smile. I couldn't say anything....I was just stunned, until I felt a impact and burning sensation on my ear. I turned back to my parents and looked to my mother, who's face looked like thunder.
“That is no way to speak to a lady, let alone royalty. Is that understood?”
“Yes dad. Well, seeing as you know all ready, got anything you want to ask?”
“Why didn't you come home with the rest of them?”
“In was only two months extra to wait. I didn't know that she had come here, so I assumed no one would have told you yet. Speaking of which, Luna, just how did you get here, and how long have you looked like that?”
“I stowed away on board the ship that was due to bring you home, and I took this form two days before you were supposed to leave. Now the reason I am here is because I want to study your world, and see if it is as harsh as you told us. I have been looking up your history since we arrived, and you are to be my guide around this world. As well as my bodyguard along with you friends. My sister and I both know you are capable of such a task.”
“And what if I refuse?”
“Could you really refuse me?” As I looked in to her eyes, I felt something stirring inside me. And admittedly, outside me as well. I knew that she was right, and I couldn't refuse her.
“Very well, I will do as you ask, but you must do what I say at all times for your safety, is that understood?”
“Yes. And what name shall I go by whilst visiting your world?”
“Luna is fine, and don't call me Fire Rain here. Alec will suffice.” I watched as she smiled at this before I continued. “Now the first order of business. Clothing. You'll need something else to wear whilst on this world. Mum, you can stay seated.”
“Why? Women go shopping together here, especially for clothes!!!”
“Yes, but your clothes shopping is finding something you like, and then sitting in a bar for a few hours before calling me when I'm at home to come pick you up. So no. I am not going to be responsible for a human Equestrian Princess running around Plymouth drunk off her tits.”