//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: The Meeting // Story: Voodoopunks of Equestria // by steelnorthman //------------------------------// Deep within the Everfree Sanctum of The Voodoopunks, Steam Alchemist, the head of all the Voodoopunk order in Equestria, sits in his study. He’s been planning to meet with the newest Princess of Equestria, Twilight Sparkle, and reveal their existence to all those under the Sisters’ Rule. Steam Alchemist was awaiting his scout’s return telling of when Princess Twilight would be returning to Ponyvile from her journey to the northern reaches of Equestria. He had come to the conclusion that when she returns he and his personal best Voodoopunks were to meet with the Princess and finally expose themselves to Equestria once again. He could hear the sound of not one, but two ponies approaching his study. There was a knock at the door and the sound of his scout asking to enter. “Come in.” The door opens and the scout as well as another pony entered. “What news of the Princess’s return?” Steam asks. “She has returned from her errand from Celestia.” responded the scout. The other pony had been waiting to be acknowledged, egger to relay his information. “And what about you? Do you have anything of importance? I’m currently very busy planning our return.” Steam explained. “Aye, I have a message from the northern posts, regarding Princess Twilight’s business.” the Messenger began. “Go on?” “She and her “friends” have been snooping into the history of New Albion and us.” “What?! She’s already been looking into us?!” “Yes. She seems to have had stumbled upon a journal from one of the many refugees that came from New Albion.” the messenger stated, looking like he was about to collapse. “Interesting..” Steam pondered, pacing his study, recalling the tales of how the refugees had moved across Equestria. “Somehow, some pony must have given the journal to the library either as a donation, or, for safe keeping.” Steam, now realizing that if the journal was from one of the Voodoopunk sympathizers, realizes that she may be more inclined to listen. But if it had the tales of the incident of the Dolls, then it could be worse. He stops for a second when one of the ponies coughs, realizing he hadn’t dismissed the two. “You both can go back to what you had been doing before this, and thank you for this information.” Both ponies salute, Steam didn’t really like the idea of the saluting, but it had been that his family had been the top ranking members of the order since the Fall. Steam salutes back and the two leave and close the doors to his study, leaving him to contemplate the coming events. Steam begins his trek through the Sanctum he had spent his entire life in. Even when he wasn’t giving orders, teaching magic, or participating in rituals, his people still showed him the greatest respect and awe. Most within this Sanctum knew he doesn’t like being saluted when just walking through, while those from the other Sanctums from around Equestria were not so informed. Every once in a while he’d have to stop to tell some pony not to salute him, or to answer questions about history or magic. He was feeling rushed, and most of the ponies could feel it in the air. There was a magic connection among most Voodoopunks that live within the Sanctums. His connection was particularly strong, having been born third generation Voodoopunk. As his anxiety rose, more ponies would leave him be as he made his way to the central command for external contacts. There would be waiting those he’d chosen to accompany him into Ponyvile as well as their guide. [~~~~] Upon arriving, he quickly got the group together for the journey out of the Sanctum, to the edge of the Everfree Forest. The Voodoopunks, over the years, had built an underground railway all across Equestria with each going directly to a Sanctum, under the towns and villages where the Albion refugees lived. Only Ponyvile, being one of the newer towns, didn’t have any Albion contacts living there, making it hard to have any direct connections within the town. They make their way to the entrance to the Sanctum, an elevator that will take them to the surface. The elevator rises up inside a hollowed out tree that looked to be living from the outside. There was a doorway that, from inside, was transparent and, from the outside, looked like bark. As the two guards, Steam, and their guide step onto the platform to take them up, there is a low humming heard as magic seems to be collecting within the platform. The platform launches up, nearly two hundred feet, where the tree is located. The occupants would feel nothing as it rises quickly and stops. The four step off as the guide leads them to the edge of the Everfree. The trees are dense and hard to go through, although the guide weaves his way through the thick forest with ease, shortly followed by Steam and his guards. The trees began to thin as they grew closer to the meadow near Ponyvile. They come out of the dark forest and peer across the open field toward what is Ponyvile. Steam asks the guide, “Is that Ponyvile out there?” “That is Ponyvile, sir.” the guide responds. “Good. We can go on from here. Thank you for showing us the way.” Steam says while shaking the guide’s hoof. “Come along now we’ll need to talk with Twilight before night fall.” A/N: Proofread by jellytehscout.