//------------------------------// // Into the Unknown // Story: A New Home // by Nightdasher1 //------------------------------// A New Home Into the Unknown Dr. Shard looked about the area, trying to take it all in, the air, the view, the thought that this planet may very well be the home for the next several generations of Lunestians to come. It was an idea to behold. He pressed his glasses back up to his eyes, and pulled up a small scalpel from his tool belt around his foreleg. The scalpel made a quick slicing motion through the air and cut a piece of a fern. Shard placed the small sample into a bag and sealed it shut, placing it in his pack. He raised his left foreleg and looked at the device on his wrist. It was a watch like device, with a holographic display on it. It presented his personal vitals, a topographical view of the area around him, compass, and his elevation above sea level. It also gave him some survival equipment, such as an emergency full body shield which would protect him from hard impacts, such as a fall, and a built in laser weapon, which was only for emergencies though. The dense foliage and tree line made it hard to precisely pinpoint where they were, but luckily he could see somewhat when they were flew in. Shard walked towards the trees, the air damp and misty, almost like a swamp. It was dark, even with the sun in the sky. A part of Dr. Shard wanted him to turn away, and get as far from it as possible, but his curiosity led him closer. He thought he was losing his mind as he could swear there were two little green eyes looking back at him. Suddenly his life became a blur as a creature made entirely of wood sprang forth at him with a loud howl. _________________________ Nightdasher's Perspective _________________________ Nightdasher sat stood on the ramp, panning back and forth, scanning the area around him. It was a different experience to say the least, but he figured he should enjoy it while it lasted. He tried to imagine what it might look like if his people were to colonize it, starships darting back and forth across the sky, settlements dotting the landscape. It may of well of been a Utopia. Nightdasher snapped from his stupor and noticed something odd, the birdsong, faint as it was, had suddenly stopped, leaving only the sound of hoof steps from the others around. A sudden jolt surged through him and quickly whipped his head around when Dr. Shard let out a scream. The biologist had suddenly been tackled by a wooden beast. Night couldn't figure out how the thing held itself together, as each piece of wood seemed to just be suspended in air. He telekinectically levitated his pistol from it's holster around his foreleg, and took aim at the beast. The trigger pulled back, and both gunshots rang throughout the clearing, causing some birds to fly away frantically. One shot struck the beast in it's shoulder, and another barely clipped it's spine. The hellhound gave a howl, and then proceeded to charge at Nightdasher. It moved like a blur, and was within pouncing distance of him. He barely dodged the beast as it shot towards him, crashing into the side of the tank in an unceremonious clatter. Night heard the shriek of terror from one of the scientists as he took aim at the creature. This time, it did not stand back up. The beast fell, and turned into what appeared to be a jumbled mess of leaves, sticks, and bark. Dr. Shard let out a yell of pain, quickly drawing Night's attention back to the matter at hand. Night made a sprint for the fallen scientist. He was covered in bruises, but his emergency shielding seemed to have prevented the beast's fangs from piercing his skin. Night and Dr. Bell, a paleobiologist sent on the mission, both lifted Dr. Shard, and carried him towards the tank, it's ramp already lowered. "This is Captain Nightdasher to the SS Nova, we need an immediate medical evac!" _________________________ Twilight's Perspective _________________________ Twilight looked over the letter sent by Princess Celestia. It was sent without notice, and judging by how it was written, was more than likely important. "Dear Princess Twilight, There has been an emergency occurring inside the whitetail woods, and I am unsure as of yet how to handle this matter. I would like for you and your friends to investigate, and try to explain what this might be. I am also sending you the giving you permission to use your Elements of Harmony, should the need arise. Sincerely, Princess Celestia" Twilight furrowed her brow, trying to make as to what this "emergency" might be. The princess may have been cryptic, but this was a new length, even for her. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, and hopped off her bed. "Spike, I'm going to go see the girls, there is a daffodil sandwich if you want it." "Mhmm," was all the little dragon said, clearly not yet fully awake. Twilight looked down at the sleeping dragon and smiled softly, levitating her crown over to her head. She crept down the stairs, avoiding the one she knew would creak no matter what, and hopped to the ground floor. She levitated her scarf to her, and wrapped it around her neck. "Scarf, check. Crown, check" Twilight listed to herself, opening the door. A cold blew past as she opened it, signifying fall was most definitely here. She stepped down onto her doorstep, and closed the door softly behind her. Most of the lights from the houses and buildings around her had gone dark, leaving her only form of illumination the flickering street lamps. She thought over who to go and get first, and settled on Fluttershy, knowing she had been acting a bit more nocturnal ever since the Flutter Bat incident. Twilight began her walk, her hoof falls seeming to echo around her in the deserted street. Her thoughts began to wander. "What is it that we're looking for? A monster? A new deity bent on overthrowing equestrian? A potato plant becoming sentient and getting cranky?" She giggled internally at her own joke, but returned to her thoughts. They kept drifting between theories, one she thought more than likely was a monster. If it were to be so, how would they handle it? Brute force? Fluttershy trying to befriend it was a more than likely scenario. Twilight stopped when she suddenly realized she was on the edge of Fluttershy's property. She made her way up the path, stopping at Fluttershy's door. The lights were on, and she watched Fluttershy's shadow trail back in forth in the light. Twilight knocked on the door, and heard Fluttershy's hoof steps approach the door. "Hel..oh, hi Twilight," Fluttershy greeted with a warm smile. "Why are you out so late." Fluttershy took notice of the crown on Twilight's head. "Oh." ******** Fluttershy sighed, sitting on her couch after Twilight's told her the news. "So, we don't actually know what it is?" Fluttershy asked, in a concerned manner. "I'm afraid not, Princess Celestia didn't tell me very much, other than to get us all together." "So, we need to go get the others as well?" Twilight nodded, looking through the window towards the forest. "I just hope it isn't anything to bad."