//------------------------------// // Chapter Three: The Looming Threat // Story: Reign of Fire // by greenboozed //------------------------------// Chapter 3: Location: Platform-782 Local Time- 23:09 8 Hours After Crash Landing A light transport docked in the military hangar bay on the main Orbital Platform over Berenia. Its passenger, who was flanked on both sides by six Imperial Guards, walked down the ramp leading off the ship. A door opened on the far side of the hangar with dozens of guards pouring out and hurrying to clear the room for the visitor. The last one who entered the room was not the same as the others. He was dwarfed by everyone else in the room but carried himself with a dignified stature. His hair was black with blue highlights and his red eyes seemed unnatural. While everyone else had black or brown wings, his were white. The visitor walked up to him. His face was shrouded by a hood, his whole body covered by the cloak. “Kael Taylor, do you know why I am here?” the visitor questioned him. “Zihark, I assume it is important?” Kael asked. “You will address me as Emperor, and yes it is. My younger brother went missing.” “Zephyr?” Kael asked, worried about his good friend. “Yes, an automated distress signal was sent from the Equus system. I believe they were attacked by Lugolavians. I want you to assemble a Battle Group and head there as soon as possible. Bring Casey with you, I fear you’re going to need as much help as possible.” “Yes sir. Do you know when the Valhalla projects will be finished?” Kael asked. “We are almost done with the Asgard ships, but the Ragnarok project will take longer. I think we still have a year on the latter, but the formers should be done in a couple of months. With them under our control, the war with the Lugolavians should be over within a few weeks.” The Emperor replied. “Good, I could use a break from all the death and destruction. Have you heard any news from the colonies near the edge of the galaxy?” “Only…disturbing things. A new virus has been spreading through the most distant human colonies. It’s a highly regenerative pathogen that takes mere seconds to shutdown the whole immune system. Most of the colonies affected have been destroyed within a matter of days. Footage of the infected is... horrific. Grotesque creatures, they look nothing like their former selves. “ “What should we do?” Kael asked, a worried look on his face. “For now we should focus on the Lugolavians.” Zihark replied. “Sir, I still think it’s important that we at least investigate. For all we know this virus could very well become unstoppable.” “I will think on it. Anyway, I want you to head to the Equus system as soon as possible.” “Yes sir.” Location: Planet G-617 g (The verge of Berenian Space) Local Time: 5:09 10 Hours after the Crash Landing “Commander, you might want to look at this.” “What is it, Corporal?” “There is a large human colony ship plummeting into the atmosphere, it has odd bio-signatures covering the exterior and interior of the vessel. The ship has also refused to communicate on all frequencies.” The Corporal replied. “Where will it land?” The Officer asked. “Near the spaceport of Voi. ETA is approximately five minutes.” “Warn the spaceport’s security. I have a feeling that whoever is piloting that ship is not here for pleasantries...” Location: Planet Equus (Equestria) Local Time: 10:30 am 14 Hours after the Crash Landing A single ray of light shone right over Zephyr’s eyes waking him almost instantly. Mere moments later Twilight rushed into the room. “Get up, lazybones! And change back to a pony. I don’t want to have to explain to everyone why I have a bipedal creature in my home, well except for Spike...but he doesn’t count!” She yelled. “Two more hours…please….” Zephyr groaned. “No! You need to get up!” She threw a pillow at him after saying this. “Alright, alright. I’m going.” He replied, knowing he had lost the battle. After she left the room he used magic again to transform himself back into a pegasus. After putting on some clothes that Twilight had been kind enough to get him, he opened the door to his room and walked outside. *** Unknown Location on Equus Local Time: 8:30 am 12 Hours after Crash Landing “We’ve located the Optivus, my Lord.” Shadow Caller spoke to a hooded unicorn with a cloak decorated with many symbols. “So, at long last he returns. We have waited millenias for this moment. Light the Beacon! I want all to know that our Ascension begins!” The figure replied “I also recovered the Music Box, like you requested Hierophant.” Shadow Caller replied. “Good, soon my brother all will ascend and our final goal will be realized. When the Optivus is recovered, nothing will be able to stop us! Ahahahahaha!!!” “Should I send a group of acolytes to recover the Optivus sir?” Shadow Caller asked. “Yes, but I want you to lead them. Nothing to go wrong, understand?” “Yes, my Lord.” *** 14 Hours After the Crash Landing Zephyr walked outside, and stretched his achy bones. Whenever he transformed, it always tired him out. He had only gotten about three steps when he was tackled by a flash of bright pink. Owww! Thats the third time in two days… He thought. “Hey, you’re new around here. How come Twilight never told me about you!?!? Oh my Celestia, we haven’t thrown a party yet! I’m going to start preparing right now! Oh, I’m Pinkie Pie by the way! But, you can just call me Pinkie!” The pink pony stated in a record four seconds. “Nice to meet you, Pinkie. It’s kind of you to throw a party for me, but I assure you its ok, I really don’t need one-” “Aww come on, it will be fun. I won’t take no for an answer anyway. Make sure you are here at the Library by 7:00 pm, if you aren’t I WILL find you!” She bounced up and down. “Ok, ok. I’ll come, but only because you are so insistent.” Zephyr smiled. “Great! I’m going to get started on preparing right away!” Pinkie squealed while nearly flying down the road towards town. Man, she has got to be the most energetic person I have ever met. Zephyr thought to himself with a laugh. Zephyr turned to head to town when his mane spiked up. He stopped, sensing something wrong. Someone or something is hiding nearby. I always hate the feeling of being watched, I think I’m going to try ignoring whoever it is and keep walking. Lets see how that works. Zephyr grimaced. *** Von and his friend Rainbow Dash where flying above Ponyville when the former stopped mid-race. Rainbow Dash continued to fly before she realized that her friend had stopped. “What is it Von? She asked him. “I don’t know… I just have this feeling that somepony is in trouble. My gut keeps telling me to go investigate.” He replied. “Who do you think it is?” “Do you remember that new stallion who just moved here?” “Yeah, why?” “I keep having this feeling that it has something to do with him. I’m going to go check.” Von said, a look of deep worry on his face. “I’m coming with you then, I could use a good fight anyways.” Rainbow Dash responded with a wide grin. “You sure? ‘Cause I’m pretty sure it could get dangerous.” “You are NOT holding me back from a brawl, Von. You know how much I like to get dirty.” Von chuckled at that last comment. “You perv! Thats not what I meant!” She yelled, rolling her eyes. “Alright, well lets get going.” He replied, still grinning. The pair flew towards the Golden Oak Library as fast as they could. *** Meanwhile, seventeen miles above Equus “Is this Equestria?” “Yes, Lord Taylor. We are approximately seventeen miles above the planet.” “Hmm, obvious signs of a battle. I don’t see any IBN ships though. Executive Officer, send a scout squadron out. I want to make sure this area is clear of hostiles.” Kael Taylor commanded. “Yes, my lord.” The forty-five ship Battle-Group was nestled in an asteroid field. Although it protected them from scanners, it severely lowered their shields. Around two minutes after Taylor gave the order, twelve long-range fighters left his ship’s hangar bay. They scouted area after area with no results until they stopped at a nearby nebula. The squadron’s leader immediately contacted Kael. “Commander! I’m detecting multiple signatures! Ther-” The radio became fuzzy a second later. “Dammit! Get those men out of there!” Kael screamed. “We’ve lost contact, sir.” An Ensign responded. “...Shit, setup battle formations, I want this battle done and over with.” “Yes, sir.” His EO replied. The fleet left the asteroid field and setup positions facing the incoming Lugolavian threat. The most heavy and armored ships took the front with the carriers in the middle and the lighter long-ranged ships in the back. As the Lugolavians approached, the IBN ships let loose a torrent of fire. *** Zephyr heard rustling behind him. No sooner than he had turned his head was he tackled by a hooded pony. He at first assumed it wasn’t a threat, but no sooner than the horse pulled out a dagger from its hood did he realize the danger. Kicking it off his chest, he scrambled to his hooves only to be knocked down by another one. Zephyr struggled with the one on top of him, and was eventually able to throw the pony off. As Zephyr got to his feet, he looked to see if anyone was around to help, but he soon found that he would not get any. Zephyr turned around to run but soon found himself face to face with something he had never seen before. It was hard to describe, with the closest thing to it being a cyclops. With one swing of its massive arm, he was flung backwards twenty feet. Zephyr landed in a heap on the dirt road, literally paralyzed. “Next time we’ll use you first, Ouroboros.” “It would be my pleasure, Shadow Caller.” Ouroboros responded, his voice like two boulders being grinder together. “Quickly, pick him up and lets go! We have to hurry before anyone comes.” “You’re a little too late for that.” The hooded group turned to face the newcomers. Their eyes set upon Von and Rainbow Dash, who were clearly ready to fight. Von was wielding a rusted longsword while Rainbow was carrying two daggers. “Von... you would do well to not interfere in conflicts that don’t involve you.” The apparent leader of the group cautioned him. "Even if I don't happen to know this pony, its not right to just sit idly while you ruffians roam and do as you please. I won't let you harm innocents!" Von retorted. "Humph… so be it then. Acolytes, kill them." The sinister figure commanded. Several ponies approached Von and Rainbow, daggers drawn and glistening. "You ready Dash?" Von asked his friend. "Ready as ever. Lets bring the pain!" She replied grinning. The pair drew their weapons and launched themselves at the group, knocking two of the cultists out almost immediately. The group managed to reorganize themselves and face the pair. Three of the ponies attacked at once, trying to overwhelm Von and Rainbow Dash with pure numbers. As soon as the acolytes were in range however, Von jumped up in the air and shot a blast of air directly where he had just been standing. Dash managed to avoid, like Von knew she would, but their pursuers weren't so lucky. Around two minutes later, all the acolytes had either been killed or knocked unconscious. “So it appears you still have some fight in you, Von. It annoys me that you had to appear now, of all times. No matter. You cannot win, there are too many of us and too few of you. I must be going now. Ouroboros, kill these fools.” Shadow Caller commanded. “It would be my pleasure.” The cyclops replied. He jumped over Von and Rainbow, landing next to a tree, he pulled the whole thing out of the ground. With one quick swing he knocked Rainbow backwards, knocking her out instantly. “Rainbow!” Von yelled. Ouroboros grinned and then moved to attack Von. As soon as the cyclops swung, Von jumped on the tree and climbed as fast as he could up Ouroboros’s arm. The cyclops tried in vain to hit the Kirin but failed in every attempt. Von swung his sword at the cyclops's neck but tripped and fell the seventeen feet to the ground. “Hahaha, did you really think you could beat me? You should learn to choose your competition wisely, young one. A mistake that will now cost you your life.” Ouroboros prepared to bring his makeshift-club down on the wounded kirin, but stopped mid-arc as a ornate sword sprouted from his chest. The cyclops’s face was that of pure terror as he slowly fell to the ground, dead the instant the blade punctured him. In his place stood a bloodied, dirt-covered Gortoss. “Forgetting someone?” Zephyr grinned as he too fell to the ground in a heap.