//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Pokémon: X-traordinary // by Speven Dillberg //------------------------------// Chapter 2 Xavier looked ahead and saw snow. He turned around and saw more snow. Everywhere he looked there was snow. It whipped through the air from every direction, reducing his visibility to almost nothing. Are we really on another world? Daphne asked. For all we know, Arceus dumped us on Route 217 to Snowpoint. No trees, Gabrielle pointed out. I can barely see my own nose, how can you possibly make out trees? Luca shivered violently. This cold was different. On Mt. Coronet’s summit, it was something that could be toughed out. Here, though, it was like it sliced through his soul. Gabrielle had a barrier she could summon, and Daphne’s internal fire helped stave off the cold. But him, and the rest of the team? Nothing. Maybe Blaster, being so bulky, didn’t have it as bad, but the same could not be said for Amp and Razor. Xavier noticed this. “Daphne, reckon you could clear the sky, get some light through?” Easy. Daphne pulled out her wand and pointed it at the clouds. A pillar of white light shot up, striking the clouds and scattering them, letting the bright sun shine through. Luca sighed as he began to warm up, and nodded at her in thanks. It was still cold, but nowhere near as bad as it had been. As the clouds dissipated, the blizzard assaulting them waned. Xavier pulled up his ski goggles and looked around, now able to get a proper view. Apart from the snow, which he’d seen enough of to last several lifetimes, it was quite beautiful. To his right was a gigantic mountain ridge, and to his left was a seemingly endless expanse of flat fields. “Well, this doesn’t look like anywhere on Earth…” he said, pulling the scarf down off his face. He jumped up and down a few times to shake the snow from his rucksack. We don’t just plan on staying here, do we Master? Gabrielle asked, voicing the question they were all thinking. “No, Gabby, we won’t. And I keep telling you to call me by my name,” the man added, sounding a little annoyed. Of course, Master Xavier, she replied cheekily. Xavier just stared at her flatly. “Now you’re just being difficult.” So which way will we go? Daphne asked, hoping to head off what could be an explosive argument. “Not the mountains. Dunno about you guys, but I’ve had enough rock climbing for years,” Xavier replied with a small shudder. So, over the never-ending plains of snow? the Delphox asked. “Yeah, I guess. What do you guys think?” he asked, turning to the rest of his team. When they made their agreement known, he nodded. “Alright then. So, Daphne, reckon you can lead the way, melt us a path?” The Delphox didn’t say anything, instead just pointing her wand in front of her. A jet of fire erupted from its tip, melting the snow in a straight line easily a few hundred feet away. I don’t know, can I? she asked with a smirk. The letter that sat on Cadance’s desk was not one she liked. When she had written to her aunts about her vision, she had expected soothing words and a reminder to get enough sleep. Instead, she had learned that both her aunts had shared the same vision, except for them the strangers were coming from the north. The letter Shining received was exactly the same. For some reason, all four princesses had the same vision. “Why?” she asked quietly. She poked her head out of her chambers and saw her husband marching past, slipping his helmet on. “Shiny?” The stallion glanced at her. “Sorry, Cady, but a few ponies reported flashes of fire to the east.” “The east…” the alicorn muttered. “I know. That’s why I’m bringing a whole squad, just in case.” He strapped on his helmet looked the other way. “Relax darling, I’ll be fine.” “This isn’t a coincidence, Shiny. Last night I had my vision of seven strangers coming from the east.” “Well, we don’t know that they’re hostile Cady, maybe they’re just lost,” Shining replied. “Yet you’re taking a squad with you,” she pointed out. “Better safe than sorry,” he retorted. “That, and we don’t really have any idea how far we’ll need to go.” “Did that cold weather gear you ordered arrive yet?” “I’m wearing it now,” Shining said, undoing his peytral and lifting it up. Where a normal set would have had thin cloth to prevent chafing, this one had a thick layer of enchanted wool. “The normal stuff just doesn’t cut it out here.” “Promise me you’ll be careful,” Cadance whispered, grabbing him in a hug. “Don’t worry,” the stallion replied calmly, smiling confidently. “I’m sure whatever it is will be friendly.” I have had it with all this snow! Daphne mentally yelled as she shot another jet of flame from her wand. When I find whoever is responsible for this, I will melt the flesh from their bones! “Aaaaaaaand she’s lost it,” Xavier muttered. Behind him Luca and Amp laughed. We shouldn’t tease her, Gabrielle interjected. She has been at this for hours, the Gardevoir pointed out. Xavier nodded, thankful he had sent Razor up to make sure they progressed in a straight line. He didn’t want to know what Daphne would do if she realised that they’d gone in a big circle. After what had to have been three hours, she had to be exhausted. It didn’t help that where they had landed the snow had been rather thin. Now they were travelling through a trench so deep they could barely see the sky. “I just hope we can get back up at some point. If these walls collapse…” Master Xavier, what have we told you about tempting fate? Gabrielle asked, turning to glare at him. “That only happened once,” he replied. Yes, and we got buried under an entire swarm of Zubats, Daphne said. Do you have any idea how long it took to clean my fur after that? At least Amp was able to get rid of most of them, Gabrielle added. “It was more than eighty years ago!” Xavier replied, exasperated. “Can’t you just let it go?” No, this is more fun, the Delphox replied, grinning at him. Xavier just rolled his eyes as Luca and Amp laughed at his expense. Even Blaster let out a single chuckle. Xavier was actually thankful when Razor came back down and landed with a muffled thump in front of Daphne. He began to squawk and gesture forwards. “Another trench?” the man asked. “And it’s coming this way? Are you sure?” Razor looked insulted and slapped the man with a wing. “Ow! Okay, you’re sure. Daph, might wanna stop the fire for a bit.” Thank you, she replied, letting her arm hang limply at her side, clearly fatigued by her efforts. Oh, my arm, she moaned. “Get ready guys, for all we know whatever it is won’t be friendly,” the man warned, pulling his scarf back up. “Snow Plow, stop.” The earth pony heading the squad turned to look at Shining Armor. “Sir?” the pony asked. “I think we’re close…” Shining stated, narrowing his eyes a bit. He turned sharply and looked at the armoured pegasus behind him. “Whiplash, fly up, tell me if you see anything.” “Yes, sir,” the pegasus replied, taking to the air from their trench. “We’re definitely close, sir,” he said, flying back down a moment later. “Another trench, can’t be more than a hundred hoof-lengths. Looks like whatever made that trench melted its way here.” “Didn’t you say we were coming this way to investigate flashes of fire?” one of the other guards asked. Shining turned to glance at the crystal pony. He’d been one of the few who were determined to clean the reputation of the Crystal Empire’s Guard after Sombra had twisted them into his own personal secret police force. That was why he, and the rest of the new guard, wore all-silver in order to distance themselves from the darker colours the tyrant had favoured. “Do you know of anything out here that could be responsible?” the unicorn asked. “No, sir,” the crystal pony replied. “What do you think it is?” another crystal pony asked. “No idea. Snow Plow, keeping going,” Shining commanded. “Do you hear that?” Luca’s ears swivelled forward. There’s definitely something, Daphne replied. It must be from the other trench. Gabrielle turned to the Lucario. Are they hostile? Luca’s eyes briefly glowed before he shook his head. Non-hostile, but wary, she elaborated. “Guys, get ready,” Xavier ordered in a low voice. “Just because they don’t want to hurt us doesn’t mean they won’t.” Amp’s tail orb began to glow as he began to charge it, ready to make it flash with blinding light. Blaster balled up one of his paws into his fist and punched the palm of his other. Luca’s eyes glowed again as he focused on the auras of those digging towards them. Daphne whipped out her wand and let it hang loosely, ready to rain fire on them. Gabrielle and Razor simply stood still, waiting for the moment to strike. They certainly hadn’t expected a small herd of armoured Ponyta to step through the breech. Except for Luca, they all faltered for a moment. What. Daphne stated. Are these the natives? I… I think so, Gabrielle commented, taking a moment to recover. This isn’t what I expected. “What were we meant to expect?” Xavier asked. “More humans?” We should probably greet them, Gabrielle pointed out. “Right,” the man muttered. “Hello!” he said loudly, waving kindly in their direction. I don’t think they speak the same language as us, Daphne pointed out. “Ah.” “What are they doing?” Shining whispered. “I think it’s trying to communicate,” Whiplash whispered back. “It’s doing a poor job,” Snow Plow replied. The crystal ponies glanced nervously between the seven strange creatures before them. Nothing in their training had prepared them for anything like this. What were they supposed to do? Shining looked the beings over. True enough, one was a giant bird, with grey, white and black plumage, while two resembled Diamond Dogs, though only in the vaguest way possible. The red-and-orange one had a more vulpine feel to it and seemed to be wearing robes, while the blue-and-black one had the stance of a graceful warrior, something the average Diamond Dog was not. That was discounting that the fox-thing had a lot of fur growing from its ears, or that the other had strange things growing from its head and metal spikes adorning its body. Of the others, one vaguely resembled a big tortoise, though he had never seen one that was blue, nor one that had strange cannon-like things poking through its shell. The other three, he had no idea where to begin. The yellow one had a number of black markings, but didn’t look like anything he had seen before. The one with the green hair and red growths on its chest reminded Shining slightly of a ballerina but... more regal, rather like a noble mare. It also seemed to radiate kindness, despite its red eyes and clearly defensive stance. The last, though, was definitely the oddest. It was covered entirely in clothing, clearly designed for cold weather if the padding was any indication. The bright colours made it a little hard to look at for too long, but he could tell that any distinguishing details were completely hidden by a scarf, a beanie and a pair of goggles. There was also a big, bulky bag on its back and what looked like a sheath and a knife’s handle on his hip. “How are we meant to say anything?” another crystal pony asked. “I don’t know…” the unicorn muttered. They all jumped when a mare’s voice sounded through the air. Can you hear me? it asked. “Who said that!?” Shining asked loudly, looking around. I’ll take your reaction as a sign that you heard me, it said. Please, calm down. “What are you?” he asked. If you are wondering who or what is speaking to you, then please, look at the group gathered before you. As Shining and the rest of the guards did that, the one in the gown curtsied. Hello. My name is Gabrielle. Shining just stared dumbfounded. One of the crystal guards summed things up perfectly. “Sweet merciful crap…” I’m afraid that we are unable to understand you, the voice… Gabrielle said. I am only accomplishing this by projecting my thoughts. Before I can tell the rest that things are safe, we need to know if you mean us harm. Do you? There was a brief pause. Tap your hoof once for yes, two for no. In a mild daze, Shining replied with a pair of stamps. Thank you. Gabrielle bowed her head in thanks. Can we get on with this? a second, much harsher yet still female voice butted in. Daphne, must you? Gabrielle asked. I am making progress. Very slow progress, the second voice, Daphne, said. Just tell them what we want already. Fine. Gabrielle sighed. As my… ugh, companion so tactfully pointed out, she turned to glare at the Diamond Fox, as Shining had labelled it, we would appreciate being led to somewhere warmer. We have all seen enough snow to last us years, and would be truly thankful if you were to help. “Orders, sir?” one of the crystal ponies asked, leaning in close to whisper the question. “Two of you, go ahead, let them that we’ll be housing… aliens.” Shining Armor finished the order as though he couldn’t believe what he had just said. Are you able to help us? Gabrielle asked. Receiving a single stamp, she nodded. Thank you. “I can’t believe I’m doing this…” Shining muttered as he turned around. “We’re heading back. Whiplash, take one of the privates, bring up the rear,” he added as he started walking back in the direction they had come from. “Are you sure this is a good idea?” Xavier whispered, looking at the armoured Ponytas they were following. They clearly weren’t Ponytas, but for lack of anything else to call them he would stick with that. The fact that a majority of them seemed to be made of crystal, or that one had wings didn’t really faze him. What choice do we have? Gabrielle asked, careful to limit her thought projection to only Xavier. “True. I don’t have to like it, though. How did they know we were here?” he asked. They probably saw me melting us a path Daphne interjected. I wasn’t exactly being subtle about it. “True,” he conceded, but then a frown crossed his face. “Still... they got here a bit faster than you’d expect.” Now that you mention it… Daphne replied thoughtfully. We should be careful, then. Luca growled. “You did say that, but maybe their leaders want to hurt us,” Xavier suggested. We mustn’t speculate, Gabrielle offered rationally. We need to place our trust in them if we want to accomplish anything. Following the armoured Ponytas led them to a city unlike anything they had ever seen. “Okay,” Xavier said, impressed. “That is… pretty amazing.” Is everything made out of crystals? Daphne asked. How did they even do this? It does look beautiful, Gabrielle added. Their awe of the city before them was cut short when their field of view was blocked by a light blue barrier. What!? Daphne shouted, whipping out her wand again. We’ve been trapped! Gabrielle noticed the leader, the one in purple armour, hammering away on the barrier. Wait, she said commandingly. It seems our escort is just as unaware as us. Looking beyond the barrier, she noticed a small number of the Ponyta-like creatures approaching. The most striking features about the one that led the way was that she was bigger than the others and had both horn and wings. I’m going to try communicating with their leader, she stated. “Are you sure about this?” Xavier asked. You want answers for why they’re doing this. What better way to get them than straight from the Rapidash’s mouth? she asked back. Hello? she asked, projecting her thoughts as far as she felt comfortable. The Ponytas on the other side recoiled. If you can hear me, please respond. The pink winged Rapidash, as Gabrielle labelled it (despite not being white or on fire), approached. You… can communicate like this? Gabrielle smiled. Yes, and this makes this much easier. Tell us, she asked coldly, why are we imprisoned like this? What possible reason could you have for betraying our trust, as well as those who serve you? The winged one’s eye went wide. No! I don’t like doing this, but there’s the risk that you may carry dangerous bacteria or viruses. They’ve already been exposed, we… we need to limit the number of ponies you make contact with. The Gardevoir raised an eyebrow at the other’s tone. We have been quarantined? she asked, receiving a nod. And you are willing to trap your own subjects here, with us? No, her conversation partner replied harshly. If it was up to me, I would not be risking the lives of those who look to me for leadership. However, the needs of the few are outweighed by the needs of the many. If this prevents an epidemic then… then so be it, she finished hesitantly. My apologies, Gabrielle said, bowing her head. This must be tough. Would it trouble you to give us your name? I… I’m not sure that would be wise, the pink one said, looking around carefully. You fear for the safety of those around you. I can empathise. How about I start? she offered. I am Gabrielle. There was a moment of uneasily silence. Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Now, you must excuse me, I have matters of state to attend to. As the Gardevoir hastily relayed their captor’s identities, and intentions, the princess turned to the stallion in the purple armour and said something to him. If they had looked, they would have seen that both of them were crying.