//------------------------------//
// Issue #5  
// Story: Beyond Equestria 
// by Grave_Wing 
//------------------------------//

Twilight sat alone in her hotel room. It’s been nearly a week since the creature arrived in Manehattan. She still remembered when she first met it; its tall black form and pure white eyes. It’s menacing height and the symbol on its chest that resembled a bat. Even though Fluttershy said it saved her, Twilight was still determined to discover more about it. She knew that it wasn’t from this land, since no book she’s read had any description of such a bipedal creature. But then it showed its true colours. Ever since Rainbow Dash came back, claiming that the creature attacked her and the firework factories explosion, it’s been pure anarchy. The creature robbed banks, destroyed stores, and even killed a group of cops that tried to attack it. All it said to Twilight was pure lies. It wasn’t self defense; it wanted to kill her friends when it had the chance. This bipedal creature of the night was a demon.

She stared at the parchment that was on the desk she sat at. She had no choice but to tell Celestia of its deeds. At first she thought it didn’t go through, but today Applejack told her that a scroll was in the mail with Twilight’s name on it. She didn’t want it to come to this, but it had to be done.

My Faithful Student Twilight Sparkle;
Your letter surprised me. All the other letters you’ve sent me intrigued me of this creature’s arrival. I was interested to meet this ‘Night Watcher’ as you called it. But your recent letters have changed my view on this suspected alien.
I fear I have no choice Twilight. I’ve sent your brother and a large group of Royal Guards to Manehattan. By time you receive this letter, they should be arriving by the train. They know their mission. I’m sorry Twilight, but the creature must be contained. And if it refuses, then Shining Armor knows what he must do.
I’m sorry Twilight.
Celestia


< * / * \ * >


The cool wind of fall blew in the dark Manehattan air. There were more patrols around the large city than ever before due to the growing popularity of the alien visitor. But the increased police was for a reason. Three days after the firework factories’ explosion, the dark knight has been seen all across the city. From robbing banks, to destroying buildings, to even killing ponies-- the dark knight has been everywhere. And Terry didn’t like it one bit. Not only was it harder for him to roam the building tops to avoid the cops, but the identity theft has been disguising itself as one of the Elements of Harmony. He learned the group title after sneaking into the local library after hours.

The identity thief is known as a Changeling, due to the description he found in a book that resembled what he saw. He hated that there were no computers here, but he had other things to care about. Terry sat in the large two story library. Bookshelves could be seen as far as the eye could see. He sat in front of a large wooden table, even though he hated the chairs, and flipped through the large book on species in Equestria—also something he learned. His white eyes scanned the black text on the pages of the paper. He paused and looked at a paragraph.

“’Changeling’s only food source is love. They feed on the love of others through their magic.”’ Terry raised an eyebrow. “That doesn’t make any sense. If changeling’s feed on love, then why is this one killing and causing chaos?”

“Did somepony say something?” Terry looked up. A small beam of light illuminated the doors of the library. He almost forgot about the security. The dark knight quickly shot a grapple up to the large sunroof on the library and fled the scene. He glanced over his shoulder to see the security pony investigating the book he left. The guard looked up to see nothing but the starry sky of the night.

Terry stood atop of a large building, blocks away from the library. His white eyes scanned the busy streets of the quiet city. It seemed that the streets were more active due to a certain event coming up. Nightmare Night as they called it. He ignored the stupid names of everything once he learned that the nation he was in was called Equestria. He quickly ducked into the shadows as two Pegasus flew by. They slowed their flight to scan the roof before flying off. He sighed and peaked his head out of the shadows. The dark knight’s white eyes narrowed as he looked down the street. A small cyan Pegasus with a rainbow mane walked into the local bank. Her magenta eyes looked left and right for any signs of the police. A sly grin crept on the mare’s face as she galloped into the bank. He got near the ledge and shot a grapple at the building across from him. He checked for any cops and smiled.

“Hero time.”


< * / * \ * >


A dark black figure stood in the middle of the large bank of Manehattan. Unconscious bodies of ponies in uniform surrounded his tall form. The dark figure rubbed his wrists and sighed. He glanced at the bank teller at the front, his white eyes burning into hers. The mare cowered behind the wooden table as she was about to press the silent alarm when a dark shadow went over her. The mare looked over her shoulder to see the black figure standing behind her with a large toothy grin. The mare backed away into the wooden table, fear washed on her face. The figure glanced at the button for the silent alarm then back at the mare. He raised his clawed hand in the air, the shadow covering the mare’s face. She quickly closed her eyes, knowing what would happen.

“No need to be scared, I won’t hurt you.” The dark figure patted the mare on the head, ruffling her mane. She sheepishly opened her eyes. She almost screamed at his face was mere inches away from hers. “But I need your help with something.”

“W-What is it y-you need?” the mare barely stuttered out. The figure frowned.

“I’d like to take out a deposit, but it seems that I have forgotten my bank pin.” A large toothy smile covered half of the creatures face. “So, if you would be kind and give me the lock combination to the bank,” he grabbed her by the back of her neck and brought her face closer to his. “I’ll spare you.”

“23-25-9!” the mare blurted out. “Please! I have kids!”

“Cute. I’ll visit them when I’m done.” The dark figure walked to the back of the bank and towards the vault. ‘And don’t even think of triggering that alarm, or I just might have to kill you!” the mare’s face turned cold as the figure turned the combination into the lock. The massive door swung open, releasing its contents.

-CRASH!-

The figure stopped in his tracks. A grin crept onto his face as he looked behind him. Glass littered the marble floor as a dark figure stood in the middle of the room. The red bat symbol on his chest matched his as two white eyes glared at his. The dark knight rose to his full height.

“I was wondering when you were going to show up, Batmane.”

“Batmane?” Terry said in confusion. “That’s not a name, let alone my name.”

“You know, since we’re having this conversation, what is your name?” the clone asked. Terry stood there for a second.

“Batman.” Terry said finally.

…

“That’s what I said, Batmane.” The changeling said, crossing his arms.

“No, you fully said BatMANE. Its BatMAN.” Terry mumbled.

“Yeah, Batmane!” The changeling said. “Listen, I know what I say.” Terry was about to say something, but brushed it off with a face palm.

“Say Bat.” Terry said through his hand.

“Bat.”

“Now man.”

“Man? Weird word.”

“Now, just say Batman.”

“Batmane.”

….

“You’re just stalling, aren’t you? Terry said as he rubbed his temples.

“Took you long enough.” The changeling smiled. Terry narrowed his eyes and tossed a batarang at the changeling. The blade cut the side of the creature’s cheek. The creature winced and covered the cut, blood oozing through his dark fingers. “You missed!”

“Did I?”

-BEEP!- -BEEP!- -BEEP!-

An ear piercing alarm roared in the large marble room. Red lights caused the room to be in a soft red hue. Suddenly, large metal bars began to barricade the windows and the doors. The vault was barricaded by large metal bars that glowed in a faint magical blue. The broken sunroof was bared closed. The changeling looked around in shock and confusion. He looked at where the bladed batarang flew to see the red and black bat shaped blade lodged inside of the barred off vault. He looked back at Terry just to be met with a fist straight to the face. The amplifier in the batsuit caused the changeling to fly backwards into the metal bars on the vault causing the bars to suddenly glow to life. The blue magic hummed once the changeling made contact and soon, volts of electricity coursed through the bars and into the back of the creature. He roared in pain and agony. The flashes of light and electricity caused Terry to shield his eyes as the changeling soon fell to his knees and to the ground.

Terry stood where he was. Smolder rose off the seemingly darkened black figure of the changeling. He took a step forward, watching for any movement. He was about to reach into his belt for some handcuffs when the burnt body moved. The clone shuffled and shook as he brought his hands to the floor. He shakily brought himself onto his hands and knees. Blood spat out of his mouth and splattered onto the floor. The figure rubbed the blood off his face with his hand and paused. From where Terry was standing, he couldn’t see the figures eyes. The changeling licked the blood off his hand with his forked tongue. Terry narrowed his eyes as the changeling got up to his feet. Half of his face was the twisted face of the changeling. A set of fangs hung out of the creature’s mouth as he looked at Terry with its green eyes. The dark knight backed up as the changeling coughed up some more blood. a grin creeping onto his face as he licked the crimson liquid off of his lips.

“LET’S DANCE!” The changeling rushed at him, teeth barred and claws out. Terry hastily blocked the changeling’s wild blows and kicked him away. He rushed at it himself and right hooked it in the head. He quickly followed up with an uppercut and a punch to the gut. The changeling grabbed his arm and roared in his face, blood and spit splattering onto his mask. Terry growled and proceeded to kick him away.

The changeling winced and pointed his palm at the dark knight. Suddenly, a large beam of green fire erupted from his dark palm and shot at Terry. He quickly dodged the beam with only a small burn on his arm. The fire erupted the wooden desks and other things in the room. The fire alarm blared to life as the sprinkler system sprayed down some water on the whole room. The changeling groaned as the water put out his fire. Terry rushed at him and kicked the creature in the gut. He followed with a quick flash kick and proceeded with a flip kick to head. He knew the changeling was still dazed by the shock, so he had to take advantage of it. He ducked under a swipe and punched him in the gut. The creature coughed up some more blood and doubled over. Terry narrowed his eyes and kneed him in the jaw, the sounds of a bone cracking causing him to wince. The changeling took advantage of the pause and tripped him to the wet ground. He grabbed him by the neck and began to choke him as much as he could.

Terry kneed him in the gut. The changeling coughed some blood onto his face, almost blinding him if it wasn’t for the sprinklers. He kneed him again, this time with more force. He grabbed the changeling’s arms and pried his grip off his neck. He narrowed his white eyes and head-butted him right in the nose. The changeling got up and covered his now shattered nose. He ignored the beast’s cries of pain and tossed a bola at him. The bola’s tied up the changeling’s arms and legs. He fell to the ground with a soft thud. Terry walked up to him and pulled him upwards. He glared at the wounded mirror of him.

“It’s over, changeling.” Terry said. The changeling smiled. His smile turned into a chuckle, which then turned into a laugh.

“You forget one thing Batman.” The changeling looked directly at Terry. “Who are they going to believe? You? Or me?” Suddenly, the clone of Terry erupted into green flames. He quickly covered his eyes from the green light. His white eyes widened as he looked at a cyan pony with a rainbow mane looking at him with a large grin. She was covered in wounds from Terry’s assault and her nose was bleeding.

“FREEZE!” Terry looked over his shoulder and at the doorway of the bank. There, in full clad armor, were at least ten stallions. all of them wore golden armor with golden helmets except for one. His white fur and blue mane was drenched in the sprinkler system. He glared at the dark knight, his horn glowing a faint blue. His eyes glanced at the tied up Pegasus then back at him. Behind the stallion was a purple mare that looked at the tied up Pegasus in shock and horror.

“Rainbow Dash!” Twilight exclaimed. She was about to run to her friends side when the blue manned stallion stopped her.

“You dare hurt one of the elements of harmony?” The stallion yelled at Terry. “Hooves in the air! NOW!”

“Who are they going to believe?” Rainbow Dash whispered to the dark knight.