It had been a week since the trip to Hoofington. Princess Luna had teleported into the building and saved them all, ruthlessly exterminating all of the monsters with her magic. Her guards and the emergency ponies had shown up only minutes later, but they had been far too late.
Rainbow Dash lay on the snow in the Ponyville graveyard, her face streaked with tears. Before her, Twilight was finishing up a touching speech to the gathered crowd of ponies and woodland creatures. They all watched in sad silence as a plain wooden box with a trio of pink butterflies painted on the top was lowered into the ground. In a staggering daze the surviving elements of harmony hefted shovelfuls of dirt onto the coffin. The head of the grave was marked by a small wooden stake. Come springtime, a fresh sapling would be planted there. For now, Fluttershy’s grave, like her life, was left unfinished.
It was strange, but oddly fitting, to give Fluttershy a funeral in the earth pony style. The friends had decided this is what she would have wanted, and her family was inclined to agree. Probably better than being left in state on an isolated spot to be devoured by wild animals or be dropped unceremoniously into the ocean.
With the service over, Dash stood up to leave. The sun was setting, and she wanted to spend some time alone. She couldn’t stand being here anymore, not in this place a part of her wanted to deny existed. She walked with her head hung low, her heart too heavy to fly. The persistent green stains on her fetlocks clashed with the pure white snow on the ground. Even after a week, the blood and brains of Fluttershy’s killer had not washed out. Rainbow Dash didn’t know whether to be ashamed of her brutality or proud for taking vengeance. Fluttershy was one of her oldest friends. Rainbow had gotten her cutie mark defending her from bullies.
But I couldn’t defend her this time, could I? she thought. I let her face the darkness alone, little Fluttershy, all grown up. And then she died, and all I did to protect her was too little, too late.
"Rainbow Dash, are you okay?” said a weak voice behind her.
Rarity pushed Pinkie Pie’s wheelchair out of the cemetery with her telekinesis. The earth pony was covered in bandages, masking the horrifying burns she had received on her face and forehooves. The worst damage, physically at least, was under her skin, to her spine. She wasn’t able to walk. The doctors said that it might heal in a few months, or the damage might be permanent.
The party pony had taken Fluttershy’s death harder than the others, save perhaps Dash herself. She was a more sensitive soul than most of the other ponies, as Dash knew all too well. She hadn’t thrown a single party all week. Well, she had been unconscious for three days, but it was still the longest party free period in Ponyville history. Pinkie had spent her time locked in the Cake’s basement, or dejectedly worked in the bakery as best she could.
"Yeah Pinkie, I’m okay, I guess,” replied Dash. “It just doesn’t seem fair. There must have been something we could have done differently”
Pinkie responded to the sentiment by slumping in her chair, her eyes brimming with fresh tears. She barely looked like the same pony anymore. Her mane, usually and ecstatic mess of long curls had been badly burnt by the explosion. Rarity had done her best, but her shorter hair had none of its old vitality. It hung in a short straight bangs over her forehead, like Twilight’s mane did.
“Pinkie, dear, are you okay?” asked Rarity from behind Pinkie’s chair
The pony in the chair broke out in tears.
Pinkies voice was barely above a sob “The doctors, they said that the only reason I survived was because of her. She, she was between me and the blast. She was alive, I know she was! I killed her. She was my friend and, and . . .” Any more words were lost to Pinkies tears.
“Pinkie, dear, don’t cry. You did the best you could, you tried your hardest to save her.” said Rarity soothingly. “It isn’t your fault. We all were there.” For a moment Rarity’s pleasant smile slipped, and Rainbow could see hollowness in her eyes.
“It’s all their fault,” whispered Pinkie. “Those... monsters. When they show up again I’ll, I’ll . . .”
Rainbow got a good look at Pinkies face. The expression on it was one Rainbow knew. It was the same one that she saw in the mirror, late at night when no one could see. The face of a pony who wanted nothing more than to find something to break, to smash and smash until nothing was left.
“Pinkie dear, calm down, you shouldn’t get too riled up. Let’s get you home, it’s been a long day.”
As Rarity wheeled Pinkie back to Sugar Cube Corner, Rainbow murmured one last silent promise.
“It’ll be okay Pinkie. I’ll get those things for you. Even if I have to chase them to the ends of Equestria, I will kill every last one. Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”
--------
That night, Rainbow Dash’s sleep was fitful. Whenever she nodded off, memories of that night in Hoofington flashed before her eyes, replaying scene by scene. The monstrous monkey things scuttling to the shadows at her entrance. Fluttershy being struck down. Dash beating her killer to death. But this time, she was alone, and for all her speed, as hard as she tried, she couldn’t land a single blow. The monsters always slipped away at the last second. As the fight wore on, their forms became indistinct blurs at the edge of her vision. All she could see was their eyes, watching her lash out in impotent fury, cold, unfeeling and arrogant.
Rainbow screamed in incoherent rage. She blindly charged at a half seen form, lashing out with a wild flying tackle however instead of landing on a monster, she stood over the body of her dearest friend.
“Why didn’t you save me Dash? Why, why?” it spoke. Fluttershy’s body burned away in Dash’s hooves, turning from her friend to the mutilated, charred carcass that Luna’s guards had placed into a body bag. Even as the stink of burning flesh filled Dashes nose, the corpse continued to speak.
“You could have saved me. Could have flown me out of there in the blink of an eye. Why did you let me die?”
“Fluttershy, I, I . . .”
But then she was gone, and as Dash looked up, the glowing end of the monster’s magical gun was staring her in the face. She tried to fly, to move, but her body wasn’t listening to her. She could only scream in terror and close her eyes.
The dream should have ended there. Every other time the nightmare had come, when she was about to die she would wake up in a cold sweat. This time the monster vanished without firing it’s weapon, and she was left alone in an empty warehouse.
Where did it go? It must be hiding somewhere! Dash, finding she could once again move her body, took to the air, trying to find where the monster had vanished to.
The monsters were nowhere to be found, but something new had appeared in the warehouse. Where Fluttershy had fallen, a grave tree stood, a living tombstone marking the place of her death.
Dash landed, then walked over slowly. There was a single name engraved onto the bark.
FLUTTERSHY
Dash felt like she was about to burst into tears. It didn’t even feel like a dream any more. She was just alone in the warehouse with this stupid tree.
“I'm sorry Fluttershy. I should have done something, been faster. I failed. When it was down to the wire and there was nothing I could do, I failed.”
A deep, regal voice came from behind her, “Rainbow Dash.”
“Princess Luna...” Rainbow whispered. The princess stood in the doorway to the warehouse. “This is all your fault. You should have saved her.”
Luna continued speaking, not noticing Dash’s whispers “I am sorry to have taken this long to speak to you, but other matters have consumed my attentions.”
“Yeah, you always take too long, don’t you? It sure took you too long to get to Fluttershy, and look where that got us!” shouted Rainbow. She hurled herself at the princess, to provide a vent for the frustration that had built up since the death of her friend.
Before she could land a strike, Dash was immobilized, eye to eye with Luna.
“Is this really what she would want, for you to waste your life dwelling on her death?” said the princess in a soft, caring, voice. “Equestria needs your help, Rainbow Dash. The entire world needs your help. The monsters you fought here have been busy this past week.”
“They have? Wait, this is really you, princess? This isn't a dream?” Rainbow responded, confused
“Yes, yes, and no” the princess replied. Rainbow felt her hooves touch the floor again, and she was free to move.
“ . . . Why are you in my dream?” Rainbow asked
“Come with me. We have much to talk about,” Luna spoke as she turned back, and headed outs outside.
Rainbow looked back at Fluttershy's tree, and slowly walked towards her. Together they flew into the night sky, the shadows of a city beneath them. Slowly, they flew higher, until the entire world spun below them.
“There have been more abductions, not limited to Equestria. Ponies, griffons, donkeys, hounds... none of the civilized races have been exempt.” As Luna spoke, lights erupted on the globe below, each marking a place where abductions had been noticed.
“I am setting up a force to combat this menace, for I fear that there is more to this matter than a few missing beings. You and your friends are the only ponies who have first hoof experience battling this foe, so your assistance is invaluable.”
Rainbow Dash’s heart stirred. This was exactly was she needed! A chance to take her revenge on these monsters! A way to do something, rather than stew in Ponyville
“I'm in,” she snarled. “Tell me what to do princess.”
“For now, sleep peacefully. On the morrow, bring yourself to Twilight’s library. I will meet your friends there. Then we shall embark on a crusade to banish these creatures from our world, lay bare their schemes, and break their power until the end of time.”
The vivid dream came to an end and Rainbow Dash spent the rest of the night with the peace of a newborn babe.
----
Across the town, in the Books and Branches Library, Twilight Sparkle bolted upright from where she had fallen asleep at her desk. The princess and her friends would be coming soon, and she had to prepare.
This past week, she, like the rest, had done her best to try to understand what had happened, and more importantly, why it had happened. Twilight’s search for understanding had been more literal. The princess had sent her her all that remained of the equipment the strange creatures had used; unfortunately, there hadn’t been much left. Somehow, every single item that the strange creatures had possessed shattered upon their deaths. Twilight had spent five days pouring over the broken pieces. She had tried every test she could think of, searched every book of scientific literature she could get her hooves on, but nothing had made sense. As far as she could tell, there were three types of materials:
First, the ugly: a structural alloy with mechanical properties that were simply impossible. Under chemical testing, traces of half of the periodic table had been identified. How you could create a stable and useful alloy with such a medley of materials was beyond her.
Second, the scary: crystals of an element that was heavier than anything known to ponykind, that radiated magical power like a miniature sun. Obviously some kind of power source, but a power source orders of magnitude more potent than anything dreamed by all of Equestria’s natural and arcane sciences.
Lastly, the weird: many fragments were just thin chips of silicon and carbon compounds shot through with metals. They didn’t serve any arcane or structural purpose at all! It didn’t make sense!
She shook her head to focus. Now wasn’t the time to ponder more impossible problems. Right now she had to clean up her home before the princess arrived She could pencil those in to her schedule later. When she found her schedule. It was in the library. Somewhere . . .
For the first time since she had got back from Hoofington, Twilight took the time to actually look at the room she had been living in. Every available surface was covered with scientific journals and empty tea cups. The floor was covered in more texts, as well as a great drift of crumpled note paper. To top it all off, the room, and herself, smelled like she hadn’t showered all week. Then again, she probably hadn’t.
Shouldn't Spike have cleaned up all this mess? Twilight thought. I must have told him to leave me alone. Still, royalty coming in twenty minutes. I can at least get my house cleaned successfully.
“SPIIIKE!”
------
Rainbow was the first pony to get to Twilight’s library in the morning. Inside it was a storm of activity, as dozens of books were being telekinetically re-shelved. Twilight was in the eye of the storm, frantically pouring over a checklist written on half a scrap of paper.
"Hey Twilight!" Called Rainbow
Every object Twilight was holding came to an abrupt halt.
"Rainbow Dash! Wow, I wasn't expecting you this, well, early." Twilight looked a little shocked as she looked at her friend in the window.
"Really, Twilight? Princess Luna called me to help avenge my oldest friend! Did you really think that I would laze about on a day like today?" said Rainbow angrily
"I, I'm sorry Rainbow. I didn't mean to you" Twilight babbled
"It's okay, It wasn't your fault." An awkward silence fell over the library,and Twilight continued with her cleaning efforts.
Applejack showed up only a few seconds later; with Sweet Apple Acres closed for the winter, she had very little to do. Rarity entered after several minutes, meekly and quietly, with none of her usual flair.
“So, do any of you have any idea where the creatures are coming from?” said Rainbow, who had been idly checking the library for “An Eggheads Guide to Monster Hunting” or another similar work. In her personal opinion, Twilight’s library had a disturbing lack of such books.
“No,” replied Twilight. “There’s nothing about them anywhere. Trust me, I looked. I spent all last week trying to find anything, because, well . . ”
“In fact, I believe that I do know where these creatures come from,” said the Princess of the Night as she swept into the library, flanked by a stoic set of bat-winged guards. “These creatures are not native to our world at all.”
“Then where are they from?” Rarity inquired.
“These creatures come from other planets, somewhere beyond the distant stars.”
“Wait a minute, you mean that they are aliens?” Rarity’s mind boggled, “Like in those silly comics Scootaloo keeps giving to Sweetie Bell?”
“Yes.”
“That would explain the strange materials and magic they use,” Twilight added, unable to keep the skepticism out of her eyes. “How do you know this?”
“There will be time for explanations later; there is more pressing business at hoof. There is a unicorn mage in the southern country of Caledonia who has been studying these creatures since the first sign of them abroad, three weeks ago. He believes that he has found a way to detect the signs of the creatures from great distances. I would appreciate it if you could accompany some of my guards and escort him to Equestria to continue his work in safety. I must warn you, this may be dangerous; his last letter stated that he believed something was watching him, that he feared for his well being. There is a good chance that our mysterious enemy may try to stop us today.”
“Hold, up a minute," Applejack interrupted, "Shouldn't we be waiting for Pinkie Pie to talk about all this? She’s got as much right as anypony else to be a part of this little quest,”
Luna sighed, “I respect your trust in her, but the trials ahead will be too dangerous for a mare in Pinkie’s condition. It would be better for her to stay in Ponyville, and heal.”
Even though the friends could see that Luna had a point, it pained them to leave Pinkie behind
“I’m in,” said Rainbow Dash, with only the barest hesitation “Let’s get this show on the road. For Fluttershy.”
“You can count on me, princess,” Twilight agreed.
“Alright,” Applejack said, adding, “If somepony needs help, I won’t be left behind.”
There was an awkward silence in the room. All of the friends and the princess turned expectantly towards Rarity , who was standing shyly off to the side of the group.
“Come on Rarity,” Dash encouraged. “This is a chance to get back at those things. We need you on this one.”
“Well, I do have things I need to do... Someone has to take care of Pinkie after all, and there is my sister to consider, and . . . and I do have an order to fill for next Tuesday . . .”
“How can you do this? This is for Fluttershy!” Rainbow only stared at the white pony harder, shifting herself right in front of Rarity's face. “Your stupid dresses aren't anywhere near as important as this.”
Rarity took a deep breath in. “Of course, you’re right Dash. If you all need my help then I shall not be found wanting. Count me in.”
One of Luna’s guards spoke up, “Well, if that’s all settled, then we should get you your gear.”
“Oh right!” squeaked Twilight. “We have to pack stuff, like food, water, maps, books-”
“I’m talking about weapons and armour.” He interrupted
His companion, grunting, carried out a massive black chest. It sprung open once it hit the floor, revealing a pile of implements of violence as high as a pony. Rarity and twilight jumped in fright, expressions of slight horror lingering in the corners of their eyes
“Um, is that really necessary?” Twilight asked nervously.
Princess Luna stared at Twilight harshly. “These creatures attacked without provocation, used lethal force without hesitation, and targeted ponies who were obviously no threat. I know that none of you are warriors, but you must be able to defend yourselves.”
“No offence, Luna, but I think I would rather use my magic then carry around a sword the entire time” said Twilight, backing away from the collection of exotic weaponry nervously.
“If you wish Twilight Sparkle. However . . .” There was a black flash, and modified suits of night guard armor appeared around Twilight and her friends . “ . . . I must insist that you wear protective gear.”
“Celestia, this stuff is heavy!” Twilight squeaked.
The guard addressed Applejack and Rainbow Dash, each adjusting to similar sets of armour.
“Do either of you two have any experience with a weapon?”
“Umm,” Rainbow Dash hesitated, “well not strictly speaking... But I’m sure I could learn quickly! Ohh, could I get a sword? Or a bullwhip, like Daring Do?”
“No offence, but anything like that does require training and experience.” said the night guard, who seemed to be a higher rank than his partner “ Leave the swordwork to ponies with training, unless you want to cut your wings off. Take a spear, it’s harder to hurt yourself,” said the sergeant with a snort of derision. “What about you, farmer. Do you know how to use any weapons?”
“Well, mah pa bought one of those fancy new rifles a few years before he passed. Wasn’t feeling spry enough ta run everfree critters off our land in his age, and didn’t want me or Big Mac to get hurt. He taught me to shoot it a bit.”
“Well, I think I brought a rifle somewhere,” said the guard, as his partner dug through the pile of maces, flails and strange shaped blades on sticks that occupied the massive chest.
“Why did you see fit bring enough weapons to outfit a small army? I recall saying that this was to be a small mission,” Luna inquired.
“Begging your pardon, princess, you ordered us to get ‘every weapon you could think of’. I know a lot of weapons. It’s my special talent, and why you employ me,. Come to think of it, I’ve got a Pegasus carbine in here too. Probably better than a spear for our colourful friend here.”
“Guns are such barbaric weapons. Letting random commoners kill highly trained warriors without any effort,” scoffed the princess.
“I hate to say it princess, but these days Equestriahas a surfeit of random commoners and a distinct lack of trained warriors” the guard muttered. He continued aloud, in a calm, authoritative voice
“Alright Rainbow, ten second training: These straps go here, and here to keep the gun attached to you even when you fly around. Aim with your forehooves, either from sitting or hovering, and bite on this trigger to fire. You only have one shot, but it will put down anything short of a dragon. Reload by opening the breach like so, taking a cartridge from that bandoleer, and putting it inside. Then close the breach, cock the hammer, and you’re ready to shoot again. You’ll have time to practice on the way over. Got it?”
“Got it,” replied Rainbow, A sinister grin spreading over her face, as she admired her new weapon.
“So, Miss Rarity, what do you fancy? I could probably find another gun, somewhere,If you don’t know”
Rarity stared at the guard like he had just grown another head.
“Umm, me? A weapon?” she asked
“Everyone else got one. It’s for your own safety.” He rplied
“I, I am not really a violent mare, I could just use magic like Twilight, couldn't I?” said Rarity, her voice wavering
“Do you know any combat magic?” asked the guard
“. . . no.” Rarity replied
“Then you need to be armed, for your own safety.” His partner passed him a smaller firearm, a pistol made to be controlled with telekinesis. “There will probably be more fighting.”
Rarity didn't take the weapon. “I don’t know if I can do this. Fighting monsters.” she said in a small voice
“Rarity, don’t be ridiculous, it’ll be fine.” said Twilight
“No it won’t. Back, at the warehouse, I was just useless. I didn’t do anything, and everypony got hurt. If we get in another fight, I, I’ll just get somepony hurt.” Rarity hid her eyes behind her mane and started to sob.
“I cannot force you to fight, Rarity, if you do not want to,” Luna mentioned. “If you don’t want to, you don’t have to go on this mission.”
“But, I can’t just sit here and do nothing while all my friends risk their lives!” cried the unicorn, fresh tears running down her face. “I want to help; I really do, but . . .” Rarity threw herself to the floor, tears in the corners of her eyes
Applejack walked over to Rarity and wrapped a forehoof over her neck. “It’s ok, Rarity. Everypony can get scared. And not everypony is cut out to be a fighter.”
“There is much to be done if we are to organize a campaign against these outsiders.” said Luna “This battle will not be over quickly. Even if you cannot bring yourself to fight, there are many tasks that we could use your help with. I have some business to take care of in Canterlot, first. but I will return to pick you up by nightfall,”
“Alright Rainbow, we’ll give you the rundown on how to shoot properly on the flight over. Everypony who’s coming get in the chariot,” called the guard sergeant.
“Rarity, I have some final preparations to take care of in Canterlot. I will return by nightfall.” Luna stated.
The princess vanished into smoke, and the three friends and two guards went out to the royal chariot to start the long flight south.
Rarity looked longingly at her vanishing friends, then hung her head in shame.
--------
Three hours of flight later, the chariot had set down at a walled off scientific complex, where their as-of-yet unnamed VIP was to be picked up. It was on the outskirts of what looked like a fairly large city, but Dash had no idea which. Twilight probably knew, but she didn't say anything.
“Private, keep an eye on our transport.” ordered the guard sergeant as he pushed open the grey metal gate cautiously. “We might need to get out of here in a hurry”
As they entered the compound, Rainbow took to the air. The compound consisted of two blocky square buildings , with a bulbous observatory on top of the larger one. The rest of the space within the walls was just a paved over parking lot, all empty. Neither building showed any sign of being currently occupied: no lights from within, no sound of hoofsteps and chatter, and all the doors were shut tight.
Dash was hovering above the larger building, keeping watch. Her heart was pounding, her eyes darting in every direction. The afternoon sun cast the streets around the complex into sharp relief. She watched as her comrades made their way across the parking lot in a loose formation.
No shadows to hide in this time, creeps. So come on out, I’m not scared of you. She checked the action on her new carbine one last time, more for the pleasing click clack sound than anything else.
Knock, Knock, Knock
“Professor, are you in there?” piped up Twilight “We were sent by the princess to pick you up.”
A voice came out of the building:
“Thank goodness you are here. Come in, before they see you.”
“Dash, get in here. And please tell me that gun ain’t loaded.” barked Applejack
As the Equestrians shuffled into the dark, sterile foyer of the laboratory, their host, a pale grey unicorn with glasses, introduced himself with a rushed, nervous speech
“My name is Professor Loom Ice. I’m so glad to meet all of you.”
“Who are you worried about” asked Twilight
“I’ve been looking into this strange phenomenon for the past two weeks. Strange signatures in our deep space thaumatic scans. I didn’t think much of it, but then, I noticed reports of mysterious disappearances correlating to spikes in the interference.
“Not that this isn’t interesting, but couldn’t we talk about this on the way back?” interrupted Rainbow
“I made a breakthrough recently, I found out a way to detect the strange magic the creatures use from an incredible distance. But, when you stare into the abyss, sometimes the abyss stares back into you. I don’t know how, but for the last few weeks, there have been strange ponies watching my house, following me to work. I talked to my government, but they didn’t help. I am so glad Celestia was able to send someone to pick me up”
“Where is everypony else?” asked Applejack
“The facility is closed today.” replied the professor in a hushed voice. “When I got your letter, I had my driver take the carriage back to the house by himself and hid here. Hopefully, it should buy us a chance to escape secretly.”
A nondescript, boxy, black carriage pulled by a well dressed earth pony pulled into the complex. Two similarly attired ponies exited, and the driver unhitched himself.
“Or not.” the professor whispered with a chill of fear in his voice.
“This is the sovereign territory of Caledonia, Equestrians.” spat the occupant of the carriage. The pony had a gaunt face, and wore dark sunglasses and a nice suit. “I represent the Caledonian government. Hand over Professor Loom Ice and leave this country. Your princesses have no authority here. We will not stand by as you kidnap our citizens” His accent was . . . off and his voice was stilted and strangely emotionless.
“We aren’t kidnapping anypony. Professor Loom Ice here is coming with us of his own volition, and we were invited by him to your county. Isn’t that right professor?” barked the sergeant
The professor nodded his head, hiding behind the ranks of the armed Equestrians
“Lies. You sneak in here, carrying weapons and armour. We will not stand by as you kidnap our citizens. Leave now or we will be forced to retaliate.”
“I think you’re the one who’s lying” said Dash as she flew up to the strange pony and stared him down. “If you were the police, why is the professor so terrified?”
“Rainbow Dash, get back here, let me handle this” shouted the sergeant as he belatedly followed Dash into the lot.
“What about that?" Dash continued "Why don’t we take a look at some actual badges, if you work for the government?”
The Caledonian froze, his face inscrutable, not responding to to the pony in front of his face.
“I represent the Caledonian government. Hand over Professor Loom Ice and leave this country.” he repeated in the same dull monotone.
“Are you even listening to me?” Dash asked furiously . She waved her forehoof in front of the Caledonian's face “Hello, anyone in there?” The Caledonian at this point decided to take a step forward, leading to Dash knocking his sunglasses off. The other pony stared directly into Dash’s eyes
They weren't normal eyes: instead they had yellow backgrounds, and green, reptilian irises.
It’s okay, maybe he has a medical condition or-
The Caledonian pony hissed as its eyes met Dashes and reared up on his hind legs with unnatural grace. As he stood his hoof reached into his suit and melted, twisting into a mess of writhing tentacles. The grasping appendages withdrew an object that had the bright green glow that featured so heavily in Dash’s nightmares.
Applejack would be very disappointed right now, because Dash’s carbine was loaded. Dash had never shot anything before, but at point blank range she could hardly miss. She didn’t have any time, to think, to aim, to feel. Instinct took over and she bit down on her carbine’s trigger.
BANG
The not-pony was knocked flying backwards from his bipedal stance, and a thick cloud of green mist spurted from the bullet hole in the center of his chest, mixing with the grey gunsmoke.
The other two “earth ponies”, underwent similar transformations, drawing their own weapons.
“Everypony back inside,” barked the sergeant. “Twilight, watch the professor, Dash-” He was cut off as one of the aliens magic blasts took him in the chest. His metal plate barding took the hit, glowing bright red from the heat, but intact. The heat bloom in his face, however, caused him to recoil, and fly off in reflex. This opened up his exposed underbelly to the second blast, which burnt through his stomach, leaving the ground smelling of burning offal.
Rainbow Dash didn’t see the guard die; she was blinded by a grey and green cloud. The foul mist infiltrated her nostrils, and poured down her throat when she breathed in. Her wing beats stirred the cloud as she bolted for cover with the others. Green fire lanced through the cloud she had just occupied,but it only found the swirling mist in her wake.
The gun’s extra weight caused Dash to careen off her intended course. Rather than slipping through the door, she crashed through the window of the professor’s office.
Recovering as quickly as she could, Rainbow stumbled behind a desk and started reloading her weapon. I got one. One less alien on this world, she thought to herself. Suddenly the world began to swim in front of her eyes, making a precious cartridge spill onto the floor and burst apart as she lost her grip on it. She cursed in frustration, before a bright flash inside the building momentarily blinded her.
Looking up, Dash saw Twilight, and the professor teleport inside, just as a barrage of fire from the not-ponies outside slammed into the office walls.
“Everypony here?” Applejack called out from somewhere to Dash’s right.
“I’m here” wheezed Dash.
“Here” squeaked Twilight.
“I’m all right” said the professor, breathlessly
Dash peaked out the window. The not-ponies had taken cover behind their parked carriage, but were holding their fire. She bit another cartridge off her bandolier, cracked open the breach of her carbine, and spat the foul tasting package down the tube. She grinned wickedly as she snapped the stock back in place and took aim.
This one’s for Fluttershy
BANG
Rainbow snapped off a shot at the cowering aliens, but only succeeded in scoring the cobblestone.
“Celestia!” she swore as a fresh barrage of green fireballs streaked toward the window. All of the ponies once again scrambled for cover. Focus, Rainbow! What wrong with you?
“Okay Twilight, what’s the plan?” said Applejack.
“What plan?” replied Twilight indignantly. Her friends gave her blank confused looks.
“You always have a plan” complained Rainbow Dash, coughing violently “Just blow them all up with some fancy magic spell or something.”
“Okay, give me some time to think."Twilight said defensively "Um well, growth magic? No, won’t work, hmm, maybe if I tried to use a gravity spell, no, no range um . .”
“Think fast, sugarcube, We're running out of wall!” called Applejack, as as another volley of bright green bolts pounded more the laboratory into dust and cinders.
“FOR EQUESTRIA!” came a defiant scream from the courtyard
Upon hearing the sounds of chaos and battle from within, the second night guard had slipped over the walls of the compound, and was dive bombing the aliens. The aliens whirled around and raised their weapons, but before they could draw a bead on the diving guard, he jinked to the left while, tossing his spear to the right. The weapon skewered one of the aliens cleanly.
The guard landed, grasping a short blade in his mouth facing the other alien. The creature was caught off guard, still aiming it’s weapon to the sky. The Night Guardspony lunged at his opponent, but fell short as his opponent launched himself into the sky. Though the alien didn’t appear to be a pegasus, it managed to clear the roof of the ten foot tall carriage with a jerky backflip, landing flawlessly on the roof with its green glowing weapon trained on its equestrian opponent.
BANG
The alien dodged wildly to one side a the bullet from Rainbow’s carbine whizzed through the air. It needn't have bothered, as the shot was almost a foot to the right of it’s original position anyway.
“Oh come on!” moaned Dash
BANG
Applejack’s shot rang out, and the suit clad abomination fell in a cloud of green-black mist.
“Time to move girls. Go, go, go!” called Applejack
All of the ponies charged out of the building as one, towards the triumphant guards pony. Then green lines of fire lanced down from the rooftop of the building opposite.
“Stop, stop, stop!” shrieked Twilight
The heavy wooden carriage that the aliens had arrived became surrounded in a purple aura and launched through the air. It crashed to earth between the surviving ponies and the monster on the rooftops. Twilight, Applejack and the professor dived behind the toppled vehicle, before the alien could open fire again.
“I’m gonna handle him.” Dash shouted, shooting off into the air. “Get the egghead to the chariot”
As Dash drew level with the balcony, she watched as the alien hissed like a snake, lower it’s weapon and retch. She lined up her carbine and bit down on the trigger.
Click.
You have to reload, stupid she thought to herself. The monster didn’t seem to notice her, as it spat a stream of small black pellets at her friend’s hiding place I guess I do this the old fashioned way.
“Wait!” Applejack called belatedly. Anything else she might have said was lost in a fit of coughing as a green and black mist filled the air.
Rainbow Dash dove on top of the alien on the rooftop,slamming it into the concrete and sending both of them sprawling.
Scrambling to her hooves, Dash threw a perfect uppercut at the alien pony’s face. It’s neck snapped backwards, bending until the alien was looking at its own tail.
“Boo-yah!” Dash cheered. “Rainbow Dash, two, Alien freaks, urk.”
She celebrated her victory too soon. Tentacles wrapped around her, binding her wings and twisting her legs with effortless strength. The not-pony’s head lazily bent back to its normal position, the tentacles that made up its fore hooves extended further around it’s unfortunate prey. Despite her strength, Dash was unable to prevent herself as she was pulled closer to the creature The creature’s jaws dislocate extend far past their normal limits, a second row of razor sharp teeth protruded beyond the normal pony set. Dash struggled futility as its nightmare mouth comes closer to her throat.
There was a disorienting flash, and Rainbow was suddenly free from the monster’s grasp. She breathed a sigh of relief, feeling far more tired than she had any right to be
“Rainbow, we have to get out of here quick.” Twilight was standing behind her in Luna’s chariot, and levitated its harness over Dash's borrowed armour.
An animal shriek of rage came from the rooftop, but was cut short by the bark of a rifle. Rainbow managed to catch a glimpse of the creature which almost killed her disintegrate into a green cloud.
“Rainbow, come on, we need to fly! I don’t think the professor is going to be able to pull through.” Twilight looked pale, and her eyesight was unfocused The mist it’s poison Rainbow realized. . And they were all caught in it. She pumped her wings, lifting the group of them off the ground. As they left, more carriages pulled towards the now burning observatory.
“Dash, come on, before they catch us,” pleaded Twilight.
“More aliens?” said Dash
“Maybe. Maybe the real police are here too.” commented Applejack. “We can’t let innocent ponies get caught up in this kinda mess.”
Dash beat her wings harder, despite the growing pain in her head. If the aliens decided to reveal themselves, the Caledonian police wouldn’t stand a chance. "Got to get everyone to safety." she muttered "Come on Dash, you can’t fail this time!"
The miles burned away beneath them as Dash flew. For lack of a better plan she headed north, back to Equestria. The journey wasn’t pleasant. Blackness crept into the edge of her vision, and her heart threatened to pound its way out of her chest. From the sound of the back of the chariot, somepony lost her lunch over the side. Taking her journey one wingbeat at a time, Dash pressed onward. They must have been almost home, she guessed. Couldn’t be much farther.
“Dash!” somepony hollered from the chariot she was pulling
She kept flying. She wasn't home yet. Everything could wait until she was done.
“Dash, you can slow down.” called Applejack grimly. “We lost him.”
Exhausted, physically and mentally, and still suffering from the lingering effects of the aliens’ poison, the friends set the chariot down on a lonely hilltop to rest.
“We failed again, didn't we?” asked Dash, as they covered the professor’s body respectfully with a blanket
“Yeah” replied Applejack.
We killed a bunch of them, but that doesn't matter, she thought. We haven’t stopped them. This time we lost the person we were supposed to rescue. Last time, we lost Fluttershy, and we never found those kidnapped ponies. Both times, they got what they wanted, and we didn't.
Aliens two. Ponies zero.