//------------------------------// // Part 2. Plans for the future. // Story: The missing mercenary // by Toa from Siberia //------------------------------// Twilight reappeared in a flash, finding herself to be in the living room of her castle. She was instantly greeted by her number one assistant. “So, how was it?" Spike asked shakily, worry evident on his features. "Did you solve the problem? Did anything happen?" The memory of Tirek was still fresh in his mind, and he didn’t want something like that to happen again. “No time to explain, Spike," Twilight huffed, gathering herself. "I need you to take a letter." Without hesitation, the dragon grabbed a parchment and a quill, ready to write. Twilight began dictating: “Dear Celestia and Luna. I am sending this to report that the issue with the energy disturbance has been resolved. However, we have another problem on our hooves. The reason for the disturbance was two humans who entered in our world. What is more interesting, these humans are not from the human world I visited, which is a human version of Equestria, but an entirely new one. The humans turned out to be a father and a daughter. By the words of Dell (the father), they came to this world seeking a place to hide from something he said he would better discuss with you. Both of them seem to be friendly enough, but I can see that they are hiding something. Something that is most probably the reason for them being hunted. Anyway, I ask for advice what to do next. The humans, me and my friends will be waiting for your reply at the old castle. Sincerely, Twilight Sparkle.” “…Twi-light... Spar-kle. Okay, done.” Spike burned the letter in a puff of green flame, sending it to the Royal Sisters. “So, now what?” “Now, you come with me. We will wait for their reply there.” The alicorn grabbed the baby dragon with her magic and they both vanished. Back at the old castle. The duo just stared at the spot where Twilight was standing a moment ago. “H-how?” was all Dell could say at this point. The ponies looked at him in confusion. “You manage to teleport to another world, yet you still are shocked by a simple teleportation spell?” Rarity tilted her head. “Well, teleportation ain’t uncommon for us, but to do it without any equipment… this is amazing!” the human replied. “Wait, you don’t have magic in your world?” “We have, but it’s very rare. Personally, Ah knew only one magician”,- Dell grimaced at the memory of what Soldier’s roommate pulled him and his team through. Memories of the boastful, rather awkward wizard filled his mind. He shook them out. The group shielded their eyes as Twilight reappeared in the room. “Well, that was fast," Dell remarked. Spike’s eyes widened in shock when he saw the two humans. Noticing his expression, Twilight reassured him. “Don’t be afraid, Spike, they're pretty friendly. Dell, Irene, this is Spike, my number one assistant. Spike, meet Dell and Irene, the two humans I mentioned.” “Uh… hi…” Irene’s eyes widened in amazement: “Oh my, a real dragon!” The girl walked closer to the baby dragon. “That is sooo cool!” Spike puffed out his chest proudly. “Well, yeah, you don’t see many of those like me around here.” At this remark all ponies rolled their eyes. “Well, pleased to meet you!” the girl extended her hand, which Spike eagerly shook. But right at this moment Spike’s cheeks puffed as if he was going to belch. “Oh, my, did I do something wrong?” Irene looked at Twilight in panic. Before the alicorn could reply, Spike belched a puff of green smoke which quickly materialized into a parchment tied with a ribbon and a golden seal. The dragon quickly caught it in his claw. “Heh, pretty interesting method of communication.” Dell commented in amazement. “But is it safe for ya to do it all the time?” “Nah, just slight discomfort, nothing more.” Spike shrugged and handed the letter to Twilight. “Dear Twilight” she began reading in whisper as her friends crowded behind her. “Me and my sister are glad to hear that the issue has been resolved without major problems. However, we are very concerned about these humans and for their reasons for being here. I fail to imagine what must happen to make somepony take such extreme measures. It is true to assume that they are hiding something. However, we agree to discuss these problems with them to prevent misunderstandings. We will be arriving to your location shortly. Sincerely Celestia and Luna.” “So, what does it say?” Dell asked from across the room. “The Princesses will arrive here soon to discuss the situation," Twilight replied, not wanting to reveal her and the Royal Sisters’ mistrust towards the duo. “Well, now we wait, Ah' guess.” “Yes, oh, and I forgot to ask,” the lavender alicorn said as her childlike curiosity returned to her. “What is this thing anyway?” She pointed at the no longer working sentry that still stood by the entrance. Dell smiled. “This here is the automatic firing device, or just sentry. Basically, it’s a machine that automatically locks on targets and destroys them in seconds.” He walked up to the sentry. “And looks like it needs fixin`”. The ponies just stared in shock. “W-why would you create such a horrible thing?” Twilight stuttered. “These things were designed to guard top secret facilities and such.” Conagher pulled off the hull of the contraption and started checking the wires. “And, by the way, it ain't my creation.” “But still, this machine was made for murdering!” “You should understand, Twilight, that there are some things that would be disastrous in wrong hands and must be guarded by any means necessary.” The Engineer put the hull back into place. “Alrighty, Ah' fixed it.” As if to confirm his words, the sentry started rotating and beeping once again. The ponies looked at the contraption nervously. “I-It won’t attack us, right?” Applejack asked nervously. “Nah, don’t worry, Ah' changed its program a little bit so it won't detect you as enemies.” “How did you repair it so fast?” Twilight asked. She was sure that her spell had fried all the electronics inside this thing. “Heh, it was designed specifically to have as little important and hardly replaceable parts as possible. So, the internal repairs take no longer than five minutes.” Dell spoke not without a hint of pride in his voice. “You speak like you knew the creator of this thing," Rainbow thought aloud. At these words the man sighed sadly and turned his eyes away from the group. “Ah' did." this time the Engineer’s voice was filled with something the ponies never heard in his voice before: sorrow. Meanwhile near the castle’s bridge. The four hooded ponies gathered around a large metal container. From the inside they could hear loud squawking of anger and flapping of thousands of wings. “Everything is ready, boss.” “Is the princess inside the castle?” “Yes, we saw her entering with her friends. They all are still there.” “Good. This means we can take them out all at once. Release the beasts.” One of the ponies opened the lock on the cell. Once the door was unlocked, out rushed a giant flock of strange beings. The creatures had serpentine body, bat-like wings and chicken heads. They all stared at the group as if waiting for something. “Boss, as you ordered, these cockatrises were specially trained to attack any target they are told to. Just give them the order.” “Excellent.” The boss walked up to the flock and gave the monsters a look. At last, he could deal not only with the princess, but with all of her friends too. And then, he would only have to get rid of with the Royal Sisters. The Queen will be very pleased. “You all know what to do," the boss addressed to the creatures. “Go to the castle and turn the princess and all of her friends to stone. If they prove to be a problem, don’t hesitate to kill them. Now go.” With that, he pointed his hoof towards the castle.