//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: The Enemy Within // by scarletmanuka //------------------------------//         “How much do you know about Equestria’s Planetary Defense System?” Kirk asked.         Twilight had invited the trio in and they were now sitting on various chairs around the library - all expect for the one called McCoy. He was browsing the books upon the shelves, pulling out any he found interesting.         “I know a little. I was in Canterlot when we were first attacked by the Venusians. I was only a filly back then, but my magic was already strong. I didn't partake in any of the actual fighting but I worked at finding spells to fight them.”         Twilight let her mind wander back to that time. She had only just been accepted as Celestia’s personal student and had been so eager to prove herself to the princess. She hardly slept, preferring to stay up until the wee hours of the morning studying in the castle library. She had been there when the attack had commenced. No one had any idea what was happening. The citizens of Canterlot were pulled from slumber by an explosion that rocked the western part of town. Then came the army of Venusians. Large black ponies with red stripes on their coats and eyes as black as a moonless night. They spoke in a harsh, guttural tongue, in a language no one had ever heard before. Twilight had worked around the clock with the Alicorns. They had hunted through what felt like every book in the library to find spells that would help counter attack the alien ponies. It was Luna who finally stumbled upon a spell powerful enough to make any difference. It was an ancient magic created by Star Swirl the Bearded and it took the power of both Alicorns to wield. It caused all who held ill will in their hearts towards Equestria to be banished back to whence they came. It wasn’t just the Venusians who disappeared that day. A handful of Canterlot’s top politicians were not seen again. Twilight mentally shook herself and focused on the present. “I was also present when Luna created the spell that allowed ponymade craft to fly in space.” “You were there for that?” Kirk looked awed. Twilight nodded. “It was the single most amazing piece of magic I have ever witnessed. It was only cast on a small pod but the potential was overwhelming. We’d discovered we were not alone in the universe but we could now protect ourselves.” “Not all aliens we’ve encountered have been hostile. Take my Vulcan friend over there.” Kirk smiled fondly at the unicorn. “Oh yes. He’s just the epitome of warm and fuzzy.” Dr McCoy muttered under his breath. “Your predilection for pointing out my lack of pony emotion is irrelevant to this situation,” Spock responded. McCoy waved a hoof. “My point precisely.” “Gentlecolts! Please. We don’t have time for your sniping today,” Kirk admonished them. “So you’re aware then of what has happened in the years since our first launch?” he asked Twilight. “I’m not that up to date anymore to be honest,” the purple mare apologised. “There hasn’t been another attack on Equestria and I’ve gotten caught up in my studies and life here in Ponyville. I hear the odd piece of news but I fear my knowledge is sorely lacking.”         “That won’t take long to correct.” Kirk smiled at her. “The specifics of our missions don’t matter so much. It’s more the overall picture that you need to understand.” He stood from the chair and moved towards the window. “In the few short years that we’ve been exploring out there - ” he gestured vaguely to the sky “ - we have made so many discoveries. Met numerous alien races. Befriended allies. Made enemies. Fought and won battles. Licked our wounds after defeat. Announced our presence to the galaxy.” He turned back to the small group. “Herein lies the problem. They know that we’re here. They know what resources we have. They are getting to know our weaknesses. They want what is ours.”         “They?” asked Twilight.         “Hostile alien races. And now it would seem that one of them has made their way to Equestria. Ponyville to be precise.”         Twilight gasped. “Are you sure?”         Kirk nodded. “Commander Luna is sure of the information she has received. It doesn’t seem to be a full scale infiltration as yet - possibly just a scouting party. But they’re here. It’s just a matter of time before they gather all the information they require and report back to their commanders.”         “How could they be here?” Twilight shook her head in disbelief. “Surely we would have noticed!”         McCoy laughed. “How? Do you expect them to have two heads? Or tentacles?”         Twilight blushed. “Well - no. But they’re aliens! The Venusians were different enough from us that we could tell right away that they were not Equestrians.”         “The ‘killing everything in sight’ may have had something to do with that,” McCoy countered.         Twilight glared at the doctor and he had the good grace to look abashed. “You know perfectly well what I mean.”         “Spock has a theory about what we might be up against,” Kirk told her.         Twilight listened as the Vulcan unicorn explained his theory about the aliens possibly being shapeshifters of some kind. She paled when he got to the part about ponies not acting like themselves.         “Funny you should mention that,” she murmured.         Kirk raised an eyebrow. “You’ve noticed something?”         Twilight squirmed in her chair. “Yes. No. Maybe? Some of my friends have been acting odd. That’s not unusual though. Ponies have off days!”         Kirk leaned forward in his chair. “How do you mean, odd?”         “It’s really probably nothing,” Twilight said. “It’s hard to explain properly without you knowing them. It’s just little things. Somepony being a bit more girly than normal. Another being more helpful. Then another friend got really mad at my baby dragon and she normally adores him.” Twilight winced. “It really doesn’t sound that ominous when I say it out loud.”         “It can be the small things that make all the difference,” Spock said.         “You honestly think my friends could have been replaced with shape shifting aliens?” It sounded so silly to Twilight.         “Possibly,” Kirk admitted. “We’d have to see them for ourselves.”         “And if they are aliens?” Twilight asked. “What of my friends? What would have happened to them? Do you think they’ll be okay?”         Kirk avoided her gaze. It was Spock who answered. “It is unlikely. The more possible scenario is that they have been killed and then discarded.”         Twilight gasped back a sob and McCoy glared at the unicorn. “You green blooded hobgoblin, Spock! You may be a Vulcan but have some damn tact!”         “It is the most logical assumption.Should I have withheld the information?" he asked the earth pony.                  “You’re damn right you should have!” The doctor snarled.         “Enough!” Kirk rose from his seated position. “We have no way of knowing what could have happened. Instead of sitting around here making assumptions why don’t we go and find out?”         McCoy continued to glare at the unicorn but eventually nodded and looked away. Twilight wiped a hoof across her eyes and got to her feet. “It will be dark soon. We should leave now.”         McCoy and Spock headed for the door but Kirk stopped Twilight before she could join them.         “I just want you to know that I will do everything I can to save your friends. So will my crew. Spock can come across as being harsh at times but his heart is in the right place.” Kirk grinned. “Wait. I lied. It’s kind of down here.” He pointed with a hoof to where his liver was.         Twilight laughed despite her worry. “Thanks, Captain. I appreciate your help.” “Please, call me Jim.” Twilight nodded. “Thanks, Jim.” Kirk held the door open for her. “Shall we?” *************************** The sky was darkening quickly as weather pegasi herded in storm clouds. The eclectic group of ponies made their way across town to Carousel boutique. Twilight’s mane whipped about her face as the wind picked up and she felt the first specks of rain on her face. They reached the shop just as the heavens opened. Twilight knocked loudly to be heard over the downpour. Rarity opened the door and quickly ushered them inside. “Whatever are you doing out in this weather, Twilight?” “It’s a long story. I’d like you to meet some friends of mine. This is McCoy, Spock and Kirk.” Rarity seemed to really look at the stallions for the first time. Her eyes lit up when she took in Kirk. Her hoof automatically went to her mane, smoothing down any wisps and she fluttered her eyelashes. “Why hello! It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Kirk took Rarity’s hoof in his own and placed a kiss upon it. “The pleasure is all mine,” Kirk murmured. “I must confess I have never seen beauty such as yours before.” McCoy rolled his eyes. “Here we go again.” Rarity giggled. “You flatter me sir.” She looked over at her friend. “Why have I not been introduced to your friends before, Twilight?” “Ah...they’ve just arrived in town on business. First time to Ponyville.” They had decided on the way over that it would be best to avoid any mention of the Starfleet. “I thought I would introduce them to my friends this afternoon. You were first on the list.” Rarity’s eyes brightened. “You’re forgiven then, darling. Can I get anypony a hot drink to warm up a little?” They all nodded and Rarity disappeared through a door leading to the kitchen. “Is she still acting unusual?” Spock asked. Twilight frowned. “Not really. I must have been over thinking her reactions earlier. This is pretty normal for Rarity.” “We have to be sure,” Kirk stated. “A shape shifter can adapt. We mustn’t be caught off guard.” “How do we do that?” Twilight asked. “Did you bring any of your scanning equipment with you, Bones?” Kirk asked. The earth pony nodded and pulled a small rectangular box from a pocket. “I never go anywhere without a basic medical tricorder. I can use it to determine if the readings given off by Rarity differ to those of earth based ponies.” “Excellent.” Kirk nodded. “We just have to get her to stand still long enough to get an accurate reading.” “Leave that to me,” Twilight said. Rarity emerged from the kitchen. She was using her magic to carry the five mugs in front of her which she set down on a small coffee table. “Drink up while they’re hot!” she announced. “You are the most delightful hostess,” Kirk told her. Rarity gave him a demure smile and fluttered her eyelashes again. Twilight decided she should jump right in before her friend battered those eyelashes right off her face. “You trust me, Rarity. Don’t you?” “Why of course I do, Twilight. Why would you ever doubt that?” Rarity had pulled her gaze away from the captain and gave her friend her full attention. “I need to ask you to do something for me and I need you to not ask any questions until it’s over. Can you do that?” Rarity frowned at the strange request. “Of course I can, darling. Is everything alright? You’re acting awfully strange today.” “I know I am. I promise I’ll explain everything afterwards.” “Promise?” “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” Rarity smiled at the Pinkie Swear. “What do you need me to do?” “Sit down over there and close your eyes. McCoy is a doctor and he’s going to use a machine to scan you.” “A doctor? Do you think I’m sick?” Twilight smiled at her friend and guided her over to the chaise. “It’s not as bad as it sounds. It won’t take long.” Rarity sank into the cushions and dutifully closed her eyes. McCoy stood over the unicorn and held his tricorder just above her head. Each time a light began flashing he would press a different button and wait for another light. After a minute he smiled. “All clear. She’s one of us.” Rarity’s eyes flew open. “One of us? What in Equestria does that mean?” “These stallions are from Starfleet. Luna has detected a threat here in Ponyville and they have reason to believe that shape shifting aliens could be taking over local ponies. We need to scan anypony not acting like themselves.” Rarity’s eye widened. “You don’t think I’ve been acting like me?”         Twilight shook her head. “Just a little.”         “I don’t understand? When? What did I do?”         “You kind of bit Spike’s head off today,” Twilight stated.         Rarity winced. “I guess I did. Poor Spikey Wikey.” She looked up at the purple mare. “Do you think he’ll ever forgive me?”         Twilight took a seat next to her friend. “Of course he will. This is Spike we’re talking about. He adores you!” She gave Rarity a playful nuzzle. “I know he upset you, but was there something else wrong?”         Rarity sighed. “Hoity Toity came to visit me last week. He hated all my new designs.”         “Come now, Rarity. I’m sure he didn't hate them.”         “He did!” Rarity wailed. “He called them hideous and garish. Garish!” Tears streamed down her face. “I’m positively devastated. He told me he wouldn’t stock any of them in his boutique in Canterlot and if I wanted anything to make his new line then I had to come up with something half decent in a hurry.”         “Oh dear.” Twilight put an arm around the sobbing unicorn.         “I’ve been designing all week and had finally completed a few dresses. I just needed the gems for the finishing touches. I was so upset when Spike ate them. I know he can’t help it - he’s a dragon after all. I shouldn’t have been so harsh on him. I just couldn’t help it.”         “Spike will understand. I’m just so happy that you’re actually you!”          “So am I!” Kirk winked at the unicorn.         “For crying out loud, Jim!” McCoy snapped. “For once can you keep your mind on the mission?”         “With beauty such as this in front me? Doubtful.”         Rarity blushed. “Look at me! I’m a mess. I’m just going to go freshen up. Please excuse me.”         She left the room and Twilight let out the breath she didn't realise she was holding. “Thank Celestia she’s herself. What now?”         “We proceed to the next pony you have identified as acting strange,” Spock told her.         Kirk cocked his head to one side. “The rain is coming down pretty heavy out there. The storm is going to hit rather soon. We might need to call it a night and pick up the search in the morning.”         Everyone nodded. “You can all stay at the library with Spike and I,” Twilight offered.         “Your hospitality is appreciated.” Kirk smiled.         Rarity returned to the room and they told her of the plan for the morning. She insisted on accompanying them and they made arrangements to meet after breakfast.         “Please tell Spike I’m sorry!” Rarity called after them as Twilight lead the three stallions into the storm.         “I will,” Twilight called but her voice was carried away on the wind. She put her head down and started galloping home.