Golden armoured unicorns and pegasi fanned out to surround every creature on the Fluttershy’s land. The strange monsters became tense, with the Mawile and Umbreon, baring teeth at the brandished spears of the ponies.
The Lucario stood still, not even acknowledging the multitude of weapons pointed at her chest.
A golden armoured pegasus landed between the ponies and creatures, and with an authoritive tone, “By order of the Princess, guards, staaand-down.” His blue kept tight to his neck beneath his helmet.
The Royal guards shifted with near perfect practiced precision as they placed themselves at ease, though their eyes never left the unusual creatures or the grip on their lances.
“So what is exactly happening here?” Flash Sentry said.
His specially designed plates and saddle allowed him to stand out among the escorts. Under the personal tutelage Shining Armour, he was being trained as the new Captain of the Royal Guards of Canterlot. Though he seemed at ease, with a carefree smile towards the unfamiliar faces, one with a trained eye can see beneath the façade. Tense, lean muscles ready to leap into action for the sake of the Elements. Without a doubt for the Princess especially that landed behind him in the golden carriage. The Princess of Friendship, Twilight Sparkle.
Slightly panicking, Twilight sputtered, “Girls! Are you all okay? Spike told me you all were in danger when you came to help Fluttershy.”
The shortest of creatures pointed to Twilight and looked to her comrades, while talking incessantly. Her arms were waving up and down gesturing to Twilight then to the ponies around her. Unknown to the Mawile, she did not notice the Haunter sneaking up behind her.
“That is what we would like to know.” Rarity turned to Twilight as she took a step toward her. “Do you have any idea what these things are?”
While the Mawile continued to rant, the Haunter was hovering near the back of her head. With a wicked grin on his face, his hands disappeared, followed by its head. While the guards looked on at the strange group, some of them with the newer sets of armour, made the tiniest of shuffles as they attempted to turn their heads to find the now invisible creature.
Twilight Sparkle gave her friend a triumphant smile. “That I do Rarity, they are actually part of the reason why I wanted to talk to you all today, but first I have a few questions for them.” Twilight said while meeting the neutral gaze of the Lucario with smile. Twlight could see that on its back was a strange saddlebag that wrapped around its shoulders.
“Maw! Maw! Mawile!” Franticly trying to get the attention from the purple acorn, the Mawile has continued to go unnoticed.
Applejack pondered this for a moment before asking, “Pardon me Twilight, but how you suppos’ to ask them questions when they just say one word over and over?”
The Haunter materialized behind the yellow deceiver, and poked and prodded her body to her discomfort, but the teasing stopped the moment the jackal in the lead opened her mouth. “Lucario.” The Haunter looked rather dejected, while the Mawile huffed in embarrassment.
“As Rarity would say, with rank come privileges. Being a princess gives me full access to the Canterlot Library.” Her voice dropped into a low tone, a sinister gleam in her eyes as she rubbed her hooves together. “The history, knowledge and the spells, they are all within my grasp. Endless knowledge at my beck and call. Imagine what I could learn…” Twilight paused, hairs popping up out of place in her mane with a crazed look in her eye. “What I could do. I can lead Equestria into a new age of Enlightenment with my studies and then-” Twilight’s friends backed away from her, the unnatural change in demeanor frightening them.
“Umm Twilight?” Flash Sentry said, though moving from his post beside her.
“Yes Lieutenant Sentry?”
“You are starting to look malevolent.” He says the comment with such a casual tongue that you think he was making a comment on the weather.
“Ah, thank you Flash.” Twilight fixed her mane, smoothing out the erratic hairs. “Anyway, I came across a spell that Celestia created herself when dealing with diplomatic matters far beyond our borders.”
“How far exactly?” Rainbow questioned. “Like past Griffin kingdoms? Saddle Arabia? That country with the tiny ponies, what was it called again…?”
Pinkie piped up. “Mongolia, Dashie.”
Twilight laughed heartily. “No, no girls. I mean our DIMENSIONAL borders. You see, overlapping our existence is another-“
Applejack raised her hoof. “Twilight, I am just gonna stop ya right here.” She turned to the most inexplicable pony on the planet. “Pinkie,
summarize.”
“Creatures from another world.” Short, sweet and no icing on the top. Like a chocolate chip cookie.
A tip of the hat from Applejack, “Thank ya Sugarcube.”
“ANYWAY,” Twilight paused, gazing at her gathered friends and entourage. “This spell extracts the communication queues from the subject, everything from shoulder shrugs to rapid eye blinks, and translates it to a verbal language for us to understand each other.” Her horn begins to glow. “It will also make everything that I need to tell you girls much more believable with their help.”
Twilight’s horn flashed. A chiming sound echoed softly, growing in volume as her horn blinked rapidly at a faster rate. Everypony and creature tried to cover their ears as the chimes dinged so loud, it was as if it was piercing their minds. With a final chime, as loud as a Bell Tower, a bright flash encompassed the creatures.
Silence reigned after the final toll. Both groups, (now quite tired from staring) waited to see who would make the first move.
Twilight stepped forward so that she was in front of both her friends and the manticores.
The Lucario stepped forward as well, much to the nervousness of her comrades.
The Royal guardsmen looked ready to attack at a moment’s notice, none more so than Flash. His eyes were glued to the Princess with his wings ready to fly in but a second.
Under the steely gaze of the threatening predator, Twilight swallowed the lump in her throat and was the first to speak. “Can you understand me?”
“Yes.” A deep feminine voice answered Twilight. Short, precise, no facial tics betraying any emotion. Though the same cannot be said for the creatures behind her.
A showcase of emotions, going from the left to the right on the four faces. The Umbreon looked rather bored at this new turn of events. His eyes half lidded at the new revelation of communication.
The purple cat-like creature looked rather amused. Eyes glinting with amusement at the newfound spoken words between the two groups.
The Mawile looked on in awe, failing to grasp the words that her mouth wanted to say so badly.
As for the Haunter…
He smiled just a wee bit wider.
The jackal took this opportunity to formally introduce herself. She stood at attention with both her arms down at her sides, before raising her left arm and crossing it over her chest just below the spike. “I am Elena, a Lucario in service to my master.” Elena looked down upon
Twilight, “My comrades and I seek the wisest among you to help us in our quest.”
Though slightly taken back at the formal tone, Twilight Sparkle was wearing a smile; she looked to her friends and guardsmen, reassuring them before answering, “I am Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria, and it would be my pleasure to help. If you don’t mind answering a few questions.”
Elena nodded. “That is agreeable. I have a feeling you have much to discuss with us.”
-------------
Back at the library
“I refuse to sit at the same table as that thing!”
“But Pinkie-“
“NO BUTTS! We sit gathered around a table of peace with a criminal!” A collective gasp from the Elements at the revelation and Pinkie Pie’s accusation. “We may have gathered at a place of peace, yet I will not sit with him.”
“You ate my cake of friendship…and you didn’t share.”
Groans echoed the library as the “heinous” crime came to light.
Moriarty, ever since entering the building and being closer to the ponies, especially Pinkie Pie, shuffled his hands nervously. Saddened by the glares and distrust from the pink one, he had almost made himself disappear, before his eyes lit up with excitement.
“I know you are angry with me, pretty pink ponyta, alas I cannot think of anything I can do to appease your anger.” He feigned depression; his head sunk a bit closer to the ground before rising once more with a hand pointing up.
“But wait,” Moriarty said. “I do have something that I can give to you. Your cake was so delicious that I saved a few slices for later. Allow me to grab them so we can forge the friendship that it was made to make.”
The Haunter’s mouth opened wider, one of his hands flew into the open maw and dived into the darkness, returning a few seconds later with two slices of the cake on separate plates. “Let us eat and pledge ourselves to forming bonds of true friendship!” He smiled upon his announcement.
Pinkie took hold of one of the slices, paying no heed to where it came from, nor the glances of disgust from the ponies and Pokémon.
The room-wide cringe and muffled gags came about when she actually ate the cake.
Pinkie Pie, anger forgotten, was now beaming with happiness. “Why thank you! Now, we can have a “We Are Now Friends Party!”
Smiling wide she continued, “And you can be in charge of refreshments oh ghostly pal of mine.”
Only Flash Sentry was able to keep a straight face.
And the only stomach that did not churn.
After getting over the urge to gag, Twilight cleared her throat to address the creatures and ponies in the room. “Miss Elena, is it possible that you could introduce us to friends?”
Elena looked around the room cautiously; her eyes landing on each of the ponies though lingered on Flash Sentry for just a second longer. “…Very well. As some of you may know,” Elena paused sparing a glance to a bouncing pink blur with a swirling purple gas ball, “The ghost is Moriarty.” Ignoring the scared and questioning looks on the ponies the Lucario continued pointing out her comrades. “The two Eeveelutions are the twins, Whisper and Maria.”
Whisper the Umbreon nodded an affirmative, while Maria bowed low to floor with her eyes closed, before saying “How do you do?”
Elena then pointed towards the shortest of the group with the yellow skin and large mouth. “And the little one is Terra.”
Terra the Mawile gave a huff, and turned her back to the ponies. Showing them a terrifyingly happy mouth filled white, pearly smile with dagger teeth.
Maria took this time to speak up. “So Miss Twilight-“
“Princess Twilight. Refer to her as such.” One of the Royal guards chided her from his position near the door.
“Very well.” The espeon raised in eyebrows in amusement before continuing. “Princess Twilight, do you know where we are and why your species of Pokémon are so varied?”
All of the ponies in the room were confused at the mention Pokémon, except for Twilight. “We are ponies and we are definitely not Pokémon. Allow me to explain about Equestria…”
-------
“This is the pansiest place we’ve ever been to.” Terra deadpanned. During Twilight’s explanation, she constantly rolled her eyes and resisted the urge to gag during the lecture. The rather long explanation had taken up a good portion of the day, the setting sun’s rays washing over the library’s interior.
“Hey! You wanna start something shorty?” Rainbow flew over the coffee table between the groups and got up close and personal with Terra.
The Mawile lurched forward undaunted by the flier. Their heads only a millimeter apart. “Back off, ya walking kaleidoscope, or am I goin’ to-“
“Terra.”
The Lucario’s tone carried strong authority, even in the low volume that was said. Terra and Dash simply huffed before Rainbow
returned to where her friends sat.
Elena turned once more to Twilight. “You are very knowledgeable, your Highness. Can you tell me on how that you are the only one who knows what we are?”
“Gladly.” Twilight gave a nod and stepped forward, allowing her to address the entire room. “Yesterday Canterlot castle had two portals that opened throughout the city. Out of one of them came a young Pokémon. With the help of the other Princesses, we were able to get him to calm down enough to tell us of his home in the Kalos region.”
“I see.” Elena listened intently, not wanting to give her own opinion till she knew what these ponies knew. The Lucario also knew that Maria would make sure none of the others would say anything…yet.
“The little guy was so afraid. He couldn’t tell how he exactly got here, but that he was being chased by…humans.”
Only the Pokémon notice Elena’s eyes spark with recognition at the announcement. They knew that it was Elena’s turn outside of her ball when their trainer disappeared the day before.
“But Twilight, I thought you said humans were a lot like us? Why on earth were they chasing such a child?”
Maria spoke before Twilight could answer. “Pardon me, Princess.” Her eyes kept on Elena, as she continued to speak. “I thought you said there two creatures entered Canterlot. What of the other one?”
Twilight gave a long sigh. “The other one was taken to the dungeon. The little one, a “Litleo” said that the other creature, actually an entire pack of them, was chasing him and his father through the home.”
The Lucario body remained still, yet her mind hungered as she watch the ailercorn’s lips move as she memorized every word coming from her mouth.
“So the other critter was a human?”
“…Yes.” Twilight’s face then scrunched up in anger. “But the humans of that world are monsters. They used Pokémon as-“
“I apologized once more for interrupting Princess, but before you continue can I ask one question?”
A pregnant pause hanged in the library as Maria thought over her next words carefully. She and the others were growing very anxious of Elena. It was the small movements that showed what she was really thinking. The way her eyes became focused pricks upon her target. Her arms stayed at her side, at the ready for a fight. Maria knew that whatever happened before they were brought to Equestria, Elena was at their master’s side. The espeon knew that she had to be very careful with her question, or risk a fight breaking out between the two groups.
Sadly, so did Terra.
“So Princess Eggplant,” Terra said rather haughtily, “This human, was he wearing a black fedora?”
Elena perked up awaiting an answer.
“Yes.”
------
Glass shattered as a small coffee table was thrown through the library’s window and outside onto the road. A voice boomed through the broken window, sending many of the citizens fleeing in terror. “YOU ALL WILL PAY FOR THIS TRANSGRESION AGAINST OUR MASTER!” At the end of the yell, a Royal guard was tossed out from the library and into the fruit stand across the road.
While inside the old tree was chaos. Fluttershy and Rarity were screaming in fear while Twilight and the rest of the girls stood protectively in front of them, horns and hooves at the ready. “What the hay are ya doing?”
“You dare jail our master on the words of a mere child!?” Elena’s eyes blazed blue with the aura, gathering the energy around her fists waiting for another attack from the other guards still within the room.
Maria and Whisper growled and hissed at the lances being pointed at their friends, Maria’s gem glowing with psychic energy, while the umbreon’s markings flared brightly golden.
“But…but we are going to have a party…with cake.” The haunter’s permanent smile fell of his face, literally as it hit the ground with a clink and shattered into nothingness.
Terra smirked as she twisted around to show the Royal guards just how much she could fit in her mouth. “I like this kind of party better, lad. More fun.”
“Please calm down Miss Elena. Are you not-“Rarity started before she was interrupted by a sharp response from Elena.
“Quiet.”
The aura around Elena flared up, like when Twilight and the others first met the Pokémon outside of the cottage. But instead of the calm and peace that soothed their minds and bodies before, this was different.
Very different.
Aggression, anger and a tiniest sliver of hate swirled like a tempest in the room. A chaotic force of emotions that were completely naked to the eye, yet could be felt in the heart and soul. It twisted and turned, bucked and twirled before coming to an abrupt halt. The room felt as though the temperature dropped ten degrees. Then the maelstrom started once more, only this time with a target.
Twilight could barely stay standing under the emotional assault, as her legs threaten to give in beneath her. Elena seem to stare through the guards, even being unable to see her completely, Twilight could feel the gaze. The next words spoken gave her such fear that it would have rivaled Sombra.
“I swear that I will destroy you Twilight Sparkle.”
Flash Sentry charged forward ready to pierce the Lucario for threatening not only a princess, but his friend.
“Moriarty!”
An exasperated sigh filled the room, along with a thick green gas that sent everyone into coughing fits. When the smog finally wafted into the sky through the broken window, the Pokémon were gone.
“Where that dog go!?” Rainbow yelled as she flew around the room looking for any trace of them.
“I thought you said they were “pretty cool” Rainbow.” Applejack said.
“That was before she wrecked the library and threatened Twilight. I’m gonna kick. Her. Butt.”
“Are you all right Twilight? Your shivering.” Fluttershy placed a wing over her friend in comfort.
“I’m fine Fluttershy, but the same can’t be said for Ponyville if I stay here. Who knows what they might do to get to me.” Twilight spoke, worry in her voice and body.
“Your Highness, we should return to Canterlot Castle. We will be safe there.” Flash Sentry stated, his carefree state gone, replaced with the stoic professionalism of a career solider.
“Hold on a sec, we are coming with you Twilight.” Applejack stated the other girls behind her stood behind the farm pony looking determined as well.
“But girls, you saw how easily they took out those Croagunk at the cottage, and those things almost got you all.” Twilight tried to reason with them.
Applejack stomped her hoof to make a point. “It don’t matter one bit Twi’. Your in danger and no matter what you say were all coming with you.”
“But-“Twilight tried her best to persuade them, but…
“No buts egghead. We are your friends, so you are just going to have to deal with it.” Rainbow Dash said as she made her way out of the library and towards the carriage. She was soon followed by the rest of the Elements, except for the Twilight.
“…Thank you. All of you. We should hurry and get to Canterlot. The longer we are in Ponyville, the longer we put our friends and families in danger. Lietentent Sentry, prepare the carriage.”
-----
“Why aren’t we just getting them now?”
Hidden within the leaves above the massive tree housing Ponyville’s library, the Mawile could not help but to complain. “I wanna hit somethin’”
“…”The umberon gave her the most threatening Mean Look he could with having his markings to lit up and alert the guards below.
“Patience Terra.” Elena spoke next, her eyes never leaving the purple pony as she and her friends loaded up into the carriage drawn by the pegasi. “No matter how hard we fight, or how many we defeat, it means nothing unless we can release him from their dungeon.”
“So where the heck we goin’ pooch?” Terra questioned, though the glint in her eyes showed that she knew the answer.
The Lucario’s hawk-like eyes trailed the flying carriage heading toward the city built on the distant mountain.
“We are heading to Canterlot.”
-----
While awaiting the return of Elena and Moriarty, who took this time to figure out how to get to the city high in the mountains, Maria hopped over a branch and landed in front of the snoozing Terra. The sudden movement awoke her with a start, but the Mawile simply smiled at the espeon.
“You knew that the ponies were walking on thin ice when we were talking about the humans.”
“Yep.”
“Then why in the name of Areceus did you ask the one question that you knew would set Elena off? You know how protective she is.”
Terra’s grin grew wider. “If we are gonna rescue da boss, these ponies are gonna need to know not to get in our way. What better way than an angry Lucario?”
“We could have reasoned with them. They were perfectly open to negotiation and discussion.”
Terra’s grin was wiped clean from her face, her jaw clenched determinedly as she stared at the day Pokémon without the usual mirth. “You know what I think of discussions Maria.” The predatory smile returned as she continued, “Besides, we get kick some prissy pony butt, and rescue the boss from a dingy dungeon? It sounds like it will be a good day.”