Exos don't dream, how could they when they were just machines. Nox-23 always wondered what it would like to dream. What would he dream of, who would he dream of. Whatever it might be it would be better then the dark nothingness before him. On the other hand why did he care about dreams, It was a human thing wasn't it. Wasn't it? "Nox, wake up. I need you to wake up now." A voice cut through the darkness. It sounded urgent and full of worry, and most of all it sounded like his Ghost.
Nox-23 opened his eyes to find his Ghost materialized right in front of him. "we're in trouble." it stated, before Nox-23 could say anything.
Nox-23 found the means it imamate a groan. "what else is new...So what is it this time? Some snow beast heading for the ship?" Nox-23 barely moved an inch while he spoke. Even with his Ghost hovering nervously in front of him he felt no fear as to what may come.
"No, it more of the we have been discovered somehow and I can now detect thousands of life signs just a few miles away type of trouble." Nox-23 jumped upon hearing their status and for the first time since he woke up he looked out the viewports. Instead of seeing snow and cloudy skies there was green grass and the sky was clear with the sun shining brightly. In the distance he could see buildings with a tower in the middle, What's' more was they all seemed to be made out of very glossy material. The sun's reflection off of the buildings would have blinded Nox-23 if not for the ship's viewports being shaded. The longer he stared the more he began to notice something else. The city was getting closer by the minute.
"How are we moving?" Nox-23 to a glance at the HUD for answers only to be find them confusing.
"As you can see nine life signs below the ship and are somehow generating some sort of energy that is holding the ship."
"any ideas on what we should do?"
"Wait for now, we need to get a better hold of the situation." The Ghost movements halted for second. "A life sign is approaching from the sky."
Instead of looking at the HUD to conformed what Ghost had said Nox-23 looked to the sky through the viewports. It took little time to spot a dark blue mass flying toward them. The shape soon looked recognizable to him however what he recognized it as completely obfuscated him. "Is that a horse?" His Ghost asked, taking the words right out of his mouth. Indeed it was a horse, a flying, horned horse coming toward them. The two occupants turned slowly to face each other, flabbergasted at what they were seeing. "Well looks like we now know what the locals look like."
Shortly after spotting the flying horse it landed a few feet away and started totting into the direction of the ship. As it did this more details became known to Nox-23. The horse had teal eyes, a constantly flowing mane with tiny white dots inside of the dark purplish-blue mass of hair. There was also black patches of fur on it's flanks and something white in the middle. He could not tell what it was from the angle he was in.
The horse stopped short, eyeing the ship with interest. Then it spoke. "sister? is the thing that we sensed." It said with a feminine voice. Nox-23 and his Ghost were so stunned that they almost didn't catch the second voice.
"Yes Luna, though I do not have a clue on what it is." A moment later the owner of the voice appeared from beneath the ship. This one was taller then the other one and was almost completely white. her mane was as wavy as the other on but with four different colors including pink, a cloudy blue, light green and sea green. On the flank was what might be a picture of a sun. The white horse trotted closer to the dark blue one where then continued their conversation in whispers.
Nox-23 withdrew from watching the two and refocused his attention on his Ghost. "Are they really speaking in our language? What are the chances of that.
Ghost stared blankly out the viewport, only the rotating prongs on it's body move. "No they aren't speaking our language...I'm translating as they speak. I didn't even know I had their language in my database until they spoke.
The surprises just kept coming didn't they. "What??? you don't have the languages of the races we fight against how do you know the language of some sentient race of horses that hasn't even traveled to space yet."
The ghost faced Nox-23 but it's eye wouldn't met his. "Like I said I-I just don't know. It's like some sort of secret program activated without me knowing about it beforehand. The only one who can tell you the answer is the Traveler."
"Captain Armor!" the voice of the white horse draws the Nox-23 and the Ghost's attention back to the outside. Another horse appears but this one is smaller, more pony sized. It was white like the big one but had a two tone blue mane. Surprisingly it wore some sort of purple armor. Also it only had a horn making it a unicorn. The unicorn saluted the two horses before stand at attention or at lest what would be at attention for a four legged creature.
"I want you to get Twilight and Cadance and bring them here. Have your stallions lower this... thing to the ground and set up a perimeter around it. The white horse ordered.
The unicorn bowed then turned around "Alright you heard her highness put the thing down." It said in a masculine voice. Sure enough the ship slowly lowered down and as it did more equine like creatures appeared backing way from the ship as they somehow lowered it without even touching it. Nox-23 notice among the group of equines there were eight not including the to big ones and the one wearing purple armor. Four of them were unicorns, all white with blonde manes, practically identical. Nox-23 noticed a light bluefish aura around their horns. The other four did not have horns but instead they had wings. Three of them looked the same as the unicorns the other one was a light grey with a white mane, All of them wore golden armor.
Once the ship was down on the ground the blue mane unicorn about-faced an began to run to the city. It stopped just before passing the two Horses. Once again he bowed. "If you don't mind me asking, what are you going to do. "
The white horse gave the unicorn a soft smile. "We will watch the thing along side your stallions. My sister and I are very curious on what it is." The unicorn nodded the returned to his duty of running off to the city.
Nox-23 and his Ghost waited quietly for the unicorn to return, during which he ran over a system check on the ship to see what functions were still operational. It was a precautionary action just incase things went south. After just over thirty minutes of waiting the familiar shape of the white unicorn was visible along with two more small equine. One was purple with dark blue mane with a purple and pink highlight and purple eyes. the other one was pink with a mane similar to the big white horse in that it had multiple colors. It's mane only had three colors, blonde, dark pink and purple this had purple eyes as well. The new arrivals also had both horns and wings.
Both of the new equines trotted up to the big ones all the while staring at the ship with awe. "Princess, wha-what is that thing" the purple one asked. the voice was feminine in nature. the pink one said nothing but edged it's way closer to the unicorn. The unicorn responded by moving a hoof to reach around the pink one's shoulders in a tight embrace. Those two must have a deeper relationship then the others Nox-23 concluded.
The white horse smiled softly. "we are not sure but with it's arrive Luna and I have come to a decision to reveal to you, Cadance and your brother something that we have kept secret from everypony." The white horse then frowned. A frown filled with guilt and sadness. "A secret that I am tired of keeping."
The purple one's mouth opened and closed like she was about to speak but in the end no words escaped her mouth. The pink equine wasn't so silent. "Celestia, If what you are about to tell us has been a secret for so long why tell us now. I mean there has to be a reason for it to be a secret in the first place and for so long. Something that could be a danger to us?"
"What my sister and I have kept from our little ponies isn't the danger you are thinking of." The dark blue horse stepped forward and with her movement Nox-23 could see the image on her flank. A crescent moon. "What we hide is knowledge, knowledge of if the past that was forgotten for the good of ponykind.
The purple... pony, that was what they were called Nox-23 realized, looked almost star stuck when the words knowledge was brought up. The pony's dazzled state became on of confusion as the full message of the moon horse sunk in. "What would have to happen to make it necessary for ponies to forget about it." The purple pony's ears drooped and her head tilted to the side as she raised an brow. Nox-23 did not know why but a single word came to him to describe what he just saw 'cute'.
This time it was the white horse that spoke. "that my friend is what I am about to tell you."
The three ponies shared a look with each other before sitting down on their hind legs waiting for the two large horses to being. the dark blue horse glances around to make sure none of the other ponies are near before nodding to the white one. "How do I begin..." the white horse signed. "You all know of the rumored Age of The Alicorns?" It received nods from the three ponies. "The rumors are true, there was such a age."
Out of three ponies the purple one was the most expressive. It's mouth practically dropped to the ground as it gapped at what the white horse told her. If Nox-23 or his ghost weren't interested before they were now. Alicorns? what were Alicorns. Nox-23 had an epiphany, The four horn and wings equines must be Alicorns. It just felt right to call them that.
"Princess Celeis-Celestia the greatest historical minds have searched for any clues for the existence of an Alicorn empire only to come up with nothing concrete and you just answered that age old question in a blink of an eye."
"yes, yes I guess I just did. But Twilight, The Alicorns that stayed to watch over the world made sure that only evidence of their rise and fall would be through their descendants."
"Descendants?" the unicorn's ears perked up. "You don't mean..."
"Yes. Luna and I are the third generation of Guardians for this world. When we were old enough our parents took us to a hidden location. there we found the history starting with the arrival of a being we called the Visitor, A small moon like being that appeared before us for reasons that I do not know. But from is written it's arrival helped us advance to a greater society that is known to be the Alicorn empire."
Nox-23 sat in stunned silence. they way they talked about a visitor and it's description it could be no other then the Traveler they spoke of. Nox-23 almost missed the pink Alicorn talking due to is bewilderment.
"It sounds so great...but if the empire was so great why did it fall."
The white Alicorn opened her mouth to answer but was stopped by a hoof on her shoulder. It was the Blue Alicorn, giving her a pat. The white on nodded and the blue Alicorn took up the mantle of speaker. "To answer your Question Princess Cadance. War. War happened between our kind." The two smaller Alicorns gasped as the unicorn's eyes widen. "It will take to long to explain everything so I will give you a shorten version. Our race practiced harmony and with the light of the Visitor guiding us we wished to eventually spread it. They did not expect creatures that took refuge in Tartarus to attack in force. One thing lead to another an then we had some of our own kind turn against us for power. Those who sided with the light won but at great cost. With the power the wielded they almost destroyed the planet. The decision was made, the Visitor left and almost all of the Alicorns became one of the three pony races and their memories of anything Alicorn erased and replaced while a set number remained to watch over them and wait for the Visitor to return when we are believe to be ready to receive it's guidance again."
Silence, absolute silence. Sure the tale was lacking in description but what was said as enough for everyone to understand the implications. Eventually the silent atmosphere was broken by the purple Alicorn. "Princess Luna, Princess Celestia...this...this is just astonishing...more then astonishing but I have to ask, why are you telling us this now?"
Both of the larger Alicorns looked toward the ship. "We believe it was time to pass on this knowledge as for the same reason as teaching the both of you how to move the sun and moon and as co-rulers of Equestria you have every right to know ." The white horse paused, looking at the unicorn "and by extension, the spouse of one of said co-ruler." Once again the White horse turned it's attention to the ship "It is also because the light of the Visitor we spoke of...I can feel it inside this thing. I can only thing that it is related to it somehow. If it is the Visitor might be coming back and I want the fou-five of us to be ready for when it comes."
"Well you are certainty right in thinking we are related to the Visitor or the Traveler as we call It."
Nox-23 jumped from his seat at his Ghost's proclamation. "What are you doing!"
"We need to talk to them. A race of creatures that has been in contact with the Traveler and with powers we have yet to understand...we could use their help." Nox-23 remained quite, He wasn't to sure on involving another race with the war no matter what side they would be on, but he couldn't deny his Ghost's words. They needed help and to pardon the phase they should not look a gift horse in the mouth.
"...Um hello?" A voice came from outside."
"Oops, sorry I was talking to my partner." The Ghost said. All five of the Equine were staring at the ship in awe. 'Partner' the unicorn mouthed, it's eyes darted back and forth searching for something. "Oh sorry, this isn't how first contact should go. Hold on a sec I will transfer us outside now.
The ponies were unsure what to think upon hearing a voice coming from the thing. They gave each other glances of worry and confusion. What made it more confusion was when the thing failed to speak again. Being the brave Royal guard that he was Shining armor spoke up. The response came shortly after. 'partner? This thing has a partner?' Shining Armor thought as he eyes darted around in an attempt to find this 'partner' . Barely a second later the voice spoke again and spoke of a transfer outside. None of the five ponies really knew what it meant by that but whatever it was they were going to find out soon enough.
Out of no where a slivery light engulfed a small area near the ship. A second later it was gone and in it's place were two figures. One was small and hovering in the are yet there was no evidence of magic to making it happen. The small figure looked like a ball with a blue moving eye in the middle, several pyramid shaped prongs stunk out from it's body, rotating every so often. The other figure was much bigger, it was a little taller the Celestia not including her horn. It seemed to be decked out In some kind of orange armor from head to toe. It stood on two legs like a Minotaur but did not bend the same way. The bigger figure turned it's head to his partner who seemed to give him a nod or at least what looked like one. The big one raised it's other two limbs which where also Minotaur like. The hands grabbed it's helmet an lifted it off.
What was beneath the helmet brought the ponies to a new level of awe. The head was not made of flesh of any kind but of some kind of metal. Most of the head was metallic black but with a red plate on the forehead. the eyes were two balls of purple light within it's eye sockets. The mouth area of it's face had to gaps with what could be described as lips meet in the middle. For a few moments the two groups stared at each other. This of course drew the other guards attention. their weapons readied for the first sign of trouble.
A few more moments of blank stares were exchange before Princess Celestia made the first move. She walked slowly toward the Exo. Nox-23 clenched his fist but did nothing more and then... Princess Celestia curtsied. "Hello. I am Princess Celestia and I welcome you to Equestria."
That simple greeting broke the ice. Nox-23 unclenched his fist and gave the Princess a slight bow. I'm called Nox-23 and this..." Nox-23 motioned to his hovering companion. "...Is my Ghost."
"your ghost? If ghost did exist how can you have a ghost if you are still alive?" Twilight blurted out.
Twilight wasn't the only one curious about what Nox-23 had said. A few raised eyebrows were evident enough. "Oh I'm not that type of ghost. We are just called that, I and others like me are act as... personal secretaries...no that doesn't sound right...oh I'm his sidekick, I take care of everything that Nox-23 can't like item transfers, hacking, upgrades and a few other things.
The eyebrows did not lower instead Nox-23 and his Ghost believe they went higher. "I assume this 'hacking' you speak of is not the kind Is not the kind I am thinking of." Princess Celestia said.
"No it's not." Nox-23 replied, shaking his head,
Before the line of conversation could continue The moon Princess stepped forth along side her sister. "I apologize for the interruption but are you a massager from the Visitor?"
"...Um and you are?" Nox-23 asked.
The princess's eyes widen in realization. "Forgive me." she bowed. "I am Princess Luna and younger sister to Princess Celestia. Using a foreleg Princess Luna pointed to her other comrades and named them off. "This is Princess Twilight Sparkle, Princess Cadance and her husband Captain Shining Armor." Cadance and Twilight gave a short wave while Shining saluted.
"Hello everyone." the Ghost said, flying closer to the ponies. "and to answer your Question Princess Luna, not exactly."
"Explain."
"The we call the Traveler, your Visitor has been dormant for the last few centuries following the war with the Darkness."
Twilight gasped "War..."
"Yes." the Ghost replied somberly. "A war that lead to the Collapse. The Traveler defended us from the darkness but at a great cost and If the darkness returns now we may not survive. That is why I must ask, can you help us?"
While the others gave the two looks of pity and sorrow Princess Luna was giving them critical gaze. "And in what form are you asking us to help you in?"
This time Nox-23 spoke up. "Understanding. You...ponies have an abilities we haven't seen before. We detected an unknown energy reading that appears to come from your kind. We are hopping that if we could understand how that works we could use it ourselves. Also if you have anything material was that you can give us it would be appreciated. My Ghost and I will make it worth your time."
"Yea, were aren't going to ask you to join the fight against the forces of darkness that would wrong us to uplift you like that. And as my partner said I am sure we can give you something in return." The Ghost added in.
During the time the two offworlders were pleading their case Twilight made her way up next to her former teacher. Catching the sight of her former student Celestia turned her head slightly. The purple mare raised her head up as high as she could and whispered. "Are they talking about magic?"
Celestia nodded. 'I believe so." She turned her attention back to the two visitors. "I believe we can come to an agreement on an exchange of sorts but let us move to somewhere more comfortable if every...everyone agrees. Words and nods of agreement were the responses she received with Luna being the last one to respond. "alright let us move to the castle then." She turned to face Shining. "Captain, Please inform the guards. Make any orders you deem necessary."
Shining armor saluted then called out to his stallions. Out of the corner of her eye Celestia could see Twilight and Cadance approach Nox-23 and his Ghost with Twilight not doubt wanting to learn more about the bipedal visitor. Celestia smiled in amusement however her amusement end by the voice of her sister. "Are you sure about this? They come from a dangerous place."
Celestia smiled again but this time it was softer and directed to Luna. "Yes we can't promote harmony and friendship yet turn away from those who need help. Besides we can learn from each other maybe even find a way to help the Visitor."
"...I guess you are right sister but I can't help worrying what is on the horizon. If were are not careful we may find ourselves in a predicament that we won't be able to solve."
Nox-23 stood at the edge of the Crystal Palace's balcony. He was leaning against the railing looking up at the stars. It had been hours since he first made contact with the ponies and boy had the day been exciting. When he and his Ghost entered the city they were given curious glances and awed stares. It must have been because he was with the Princess that they eventually relaxed and acted like nothing was out of the ordinary...or at least when it came to the adults. The kids or foals as Twilight had told him, would gather around watching him as he made idle conversation with the Princesses. I couldn't help feeling a bit weird to be able to walk around place filled with non-humanoid and not get attacked.
Once at the Palace he was greeted by five more ponies all of whom were close friends of Princess Twilight. There was Applejack the orange blonde mane apple farmer. Rarity the white furred dressmaker with fabulous purple mane and tail. Pinkie Pie the pink party/baker pony who's uncanny ability to pull party favors out of nowhere would make Ghost want to have a jaw only so he could drop it. Rainbow Dash the cyan, Rainbow mane speedster and self-proclaimed fastest flyer in Equestria. Lastly there was Fluttershy the shy yellow pony with a pink mane.
It was then that the flood of questions came, all ranging from the mundane to the weird. He recalled with mirth the one about why his mouth glowed blue when he spoke.
It took three hours to satisfy the curious mares. The three older Princess were long gone but the time Q & A was finished. The did have duties to attend to. Shining Armor stayed but kept out of the way of the mares...he was a smart stallion.
Eventually dinner came around and while Nox-23 nor his Ghost needed to eat they joined the others at the dinning table. It was at said dinning table that he met Spike, Twilight's assistant and adopted little brother. For Nox-23 and Ghost one could not show them a dragon and not think they wouldn't have any questions to ask. Thus history, culture, and much more was revealed to the two Earthborn adventurers.
Now here he was taking it all in. Under the starry sky. He focused on the moon, if not for it's sudden movement he would have never met this kind creatures. Though it was still hard to believe that they could be move by the very Princesses he had met.
"It's not like you to be staring off into space even when were are flying in it." NOx-23 didn't need to turn around to know that it was his Ghost.
"It's not like you to go off on your own." he shot back.
Out of the corner of his eye he could see the Ghost float up next to him. "touché...I was at the library. Princess Twilight took me there when I said I would like to learn more about this world. Quite the scholar that one is."
Nox-23 finally turned his head to look at his Ghost who did the same. "A library? I guess that means that you can translate their written language as well?"
"For the most part." The Ghost replied. "The translation isn't completely accurate since the program I'm translating it with is technically ancient. I guess were are lucky that their language didn't change to much since their restart."
Several minutes of silence passed before the Ghost spoke again. "there is something I find quite peculiar though."
"Oh and what is that.?" Nox-23 said taking the bait.
"I've been looking over the biologics of the three main pony races and what I found struck me as odd. I noticed that each class of Guardian share some similarities with one of each race. Titians are like the Earth ponies. They are both every strong and have plenty of endurance. Hunters may not be able to fly but they as well as the Pegasus are the most agile of their respected groups. Warlocks and Unicorns... well the Warlocks super abilities seem a lot like offensively focused magic." Ghost explained, thought not quite use to using the term 'magic' I such away.
Nox-23 nodded in agreement. "Yes, I do see the connects and it might be worth looking into but for now let us focus on the task at hand. We have a ship to repair and negotiations to handle and that is enough for me for now." He stared at his Ghost and the Ghost stare back both conveying a silent understanding.
There will be busy days ahead.
Things To Come...
NOOOOOOO!!! "Please Shining, I..." "It's the Fallen!!"
"Twilight! Your...your..." "I want to come with you."