//------------------------------// // Chapter 16: Choose the Guides // Story: Equestria, I Choose You! // by BronyDJ //------------------------------// Stephen finally looked at the clock. It was only 8 in the evening. And he had been rudely aware of an intruder in his mind. This did not go well with Stephen. "I'm being completely serious!" Stephen was already pissed about this morning. He did not want another other reason to get angry. "You two best explain why you were in my dream or shit goes down!" "Please," Celestia calmly responded. "Calm down, Stephen. There is a perfectly logical reason as to why we were in your mind." Stephen crossed his arms, eyebrow raised. Celestia hesitated under an irritated glare. "We thought," Luna intervened. "That we could get some kind of help as to how you can defeat your marefriend." "Marefriend?" Stephen repeated. "Oh, you mean girlfriend." The Princesses nodded. "Well... Kara's a damn good Trainer, and as you can see, she's managed to beat me in battle from time to time." Stephen stepped away from the Princesses and looked out the door. He changed the subject, "How's Nova doing?" "She's in good hooves, Stephen." Celestia welcomed the change. "We're performing several especially heavy healing spells, but since we know nothing about Nova and her anatomy, it may take longer than expected." “It was against my better judgment, I admit.” Luna’s eyes fell, still referring to the dreamwalking. “However, it has given both of us some new insight on you and Nova’s relationship.” “Luna has a point, Stephen.” Celestia added. “We were both curious, and you know the old saying. As such, I’d like to formally apologize for both of us for invading the privacy of your mind. It was not our place to pry.” Stephen still appeared nonplussed. Celestia smiled. “I’d also like to congratulate you on your bluff earlier. You are angry, but we all know you wouldn’t risk Nova’s safety just to destroy our castle and eliminate us. I was almost frightened.” Stephen’s right eye twitched. He threatened their lives and she was making fun? Either way, she was right. As furious as he was, Nova was still in the castle. There was no way he could have his Pokémon friends start breaking pillars. Not to mention he didn’t want to see the inside of a dungeon again. Instead, he decided to keep his accusatory tone. “Do you two enjoy invading people’s minds?” he asked. “That was private. Hell, everything in my mind is private!” “If it is anypo–” Luna nearly forgot who she was talking to. “Anyone’s fault, it is mine. I crafted the dream-walking spell ages ago, and modified it so I could see memories as well as time went on. Almost all this time, I was able to walk in dreams and see memories without notice. Only three have ever seen me. You, a young filly named Scootaloo, and my sister. Going to Scootaloo was deliberate – I had to teach her something. In your case, I had to find out why you value Nova just as much as Kara.” Stephen glanced at Celestia. “I was bored. At any rate, I apologize again.” Stephen heard her, and confirmed it with a short nod, but his eyes were now on Celestia. “The doctors and nurses are working as quickly as possible.” the Princess told him. “If it’s any consolation, Nova’s psychic powers are actually helping them figure out how to revive her. She isn’t speaking to them telepathically, but her abilities are strengthening the process. Oddly enough, my being in close proximity to her upsets that. I’d be there if I could help. They’ll tell me if something happens.” "How long?" Stephen didn't look at Celestia, but waited for a response patiently. "About a week," the Solar Princess answered. "Maybe a little more." "But what if Corruption decides to attack within a week? Then how can I fight Kara, let alone Corruption?" Stephen was now worried. He agreed to this quest, and now everything seemed to go absolutely wrong for him. "I don't see any way we can defend Canterlot if Nova is incapacitated!" "We have other options," Luna said. The other two looked to her. "Discord said he had been to his elder brother's lair. You can venture there, and see what you can do to weaken his army from the source." "Ah, yes." a new voice spoke from the walls. "Take my idea and sell it as your own. Thanks, Loony." Discord appeared, with a flash next to the Moon Princess, then looked to Stephen. "But she is correct. I can send you off in the right direction, but I can't go with you myself. Someone needs to help them defend the ponies." He said the last bit was a bored tone and a roll of his eyes. "Right," Stephen said. "I think that's a pretty good idea. How far away are we from the lair?" Discord thought about it for a few moments and responded. "Very." Silence. "That's it? Very?" Stephen asked. "Discord, could you be a little more specific?" Celestia asked. "I don't exactly know how far, but it was around 250 miles west of Ponyville," Discord said. "Past the Badlands of the Changelings." "Then we should go," Luna said. "Get some accompanying guards." "I have my Pokemon to guard me." Stephen responded. "I don't want innocent lives to burden me." "They know the stakes." Celestia immediately countered. "They're doing it for their country and fellow ponies. If they fall, it won't be in vain." The four walked out of Stephen's room and started making their way to the throne room. ~~~~~~~~~~ In about half an hour, the gigantic throne room was filled with guards of each pony race, along with the remaining Changelings that arrived with Chrysalis or recovered quickly after their failed invasion. Celestia looked over the mass of bodies, all eager to help defend their country, their allies, their brethren. Discord looked upon them with a bored expression, levitating several small, random trinkets in one hand and holding a glass of chocolate milk in another. "Ponies and Changelings," Celestia spoke, and all chatter was silenced immediately. "The time has come for a very dangerous mission. One that needs a being brave and willing to assist Stephen is weakening Corruption's army before he launches his attack. We all have a common enemy now. He took your hive away, Changelings, and he is coming to destroy Canterlot and harm your friends and loved ones. His lair lies beyond the Badlands, but it is not out of reach. Do not let him strike first! Who will join Stephen to find Corruption's lair, and help give us an edge in battles to come?" Once again, chatter rose to an almost deafening state. Everyone attending had the same thing on their mind, What if he catches us? They were brave, but not brave enough to go into the unknown with an alien to fight even more destructive aliens. The Princesses started to believe that all hope was lost. They didn't blame them. Stephen already described what powers these "Legendary Beasts" held. If the evil draconequus had them already, then the result would be utter devastation. They looked down in sadness. Well, Luna thought. There goes that idea. It wasn't until the room was completely silent that the two looked up. A lone pegasus mare walked up to the Princesses. She held a steady gaze. She spoke out loud, "Commander Swift Gale, ready to serve on this mission, Your Majesties." Smiles began to appear on the Princesses faces, and hope began to rise a little bit more. "I may not trust this Trainer creature," Swift Gale glared at Stephen, who shrugged. "But I will sacrifice my entire being if it means being able to take down Corruption's forces." "Thank you, Commander." Luna spoke, then looked to the crowd. "Anypony else wish to join her?" Murmurs of excitement and hesitation ran through the crowd, until another pony approached the princesses. "Lieutenant High Marks? Are you sure?" "Yes, Your Majesty." the unicorn answered. "I'm totally ready to make sure that we have an advantage in this war. Also, I'd like to see this alien's creatures' powers in person." Luna nodded, accepting this. "I," A new voice joined, before the crowd's volume could increase once again. "would also like to join." The Princesses looked to see a Changeling approaching them, Chrysalis not to far behind. "I am Corporal Mirror. I am willing to serve at their side to make sure we get our hive and home back. Plus, since we are passing through the Badlands, it would make sense that I guide them through the treacherous landscape." Chrysalis nodded. "I thought about it for a while as well." She spoke up. "The Changelings here will add to the defense effort against Corruption. I do hope we can find a great alliance amongst the ponies." Celestia smiled at this. "Of course, Chrysalis." The Solar Regent responded. "Thank you." She then turned to the three volunteers; a pegasus, a unicorn, and a Changeling, along with Stephen's Pokemon, would make quite a team. "Prepare yourselves. You leave in two days." The four nodded and left the Throne Room to their respective chambers, and the crowd filed out after. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Hello, Stephen." Luna sneaked up behind the human as he was approaching his chamber door. "Ah!" Stephen jumped at the sudden noise and turned to the Alicorn. "Jesus, don't sneak up on me like that. What do you want?" "Apologies for scaring you." Luna bowed her head a bit to show that. "I wanted to ask, will you be bringing all of your companions with you for this mission?" This caught Stephen off guard. "I haven't exactly thought of that." Stephen thought for a moment. "I need to make up for Nova's absence, but still need an effective team." Another pause to think. "I'll let you know tomorrow." "Of course." Luna said. "And I promise that we will no longer trespass in your dreams without permission. Goodnight, Stephen." "Thank you. Luna." Stephen smiled. He liked this one better than the Celestia, even though she knocked him out a few times already. "And goodnight." He entered his room, and immediately got ready for bed. Tomorrow would be a busy day for preparation.