//------------------------------// // Looks like we're not in the Universal Century anymore Zaku. // Story: SIEG EQUESTRIA! // by Macross84 //------------------------------// As the dust began to settle in the aftermath of the climactic clash between the two Titans. Ponies everywhere slowly started to come out of hiding. Many searching for loved ones, hoping that they survived the ordeal. Others simply trying to help the survivors. There would be many needing some sort of medical attention. There was even a group of curious ponies that cautiously approached the kneeling Giant. As they approached, their eyes were glued for any signs of movement. Poised to flee at the first sign of life from the giant. AppleJack, and Pinkie Pie would rejoin Twilight Sparkle, and the others after calling back the ponies that made it to Sweet Apple Acres. Twilight was busy trying to organize the clean up. She sent Fluttershy to take Spike, Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Bell to the Library, and keep an eye on them. Rainbow Dash, and a couple of the other Pegasi were pulling in Rain clouds to help fight the remaining fires. Rarity stood by Twilight to be of whatever assistance the newly ascended Alicorn needed. It was looking like it was going to be a very long night for everypony. Soon, there was the sound of flapping in the night sky a company of Night Guard swoop down, and landed. Fully armed, and armored, they came loaded for Dragon, but quickly found that they were to late, and the Dragon has already been slain. They were thestrals that served Luna, Princess of the Night. Thestrals were winged ponies much like a Pegasus, but they did not have the feathered wings of their Pegasi cousins. Instead, they had wings much like bats. Skin membrane stretched over long finger like appendages. They also has slit irises that helped them to see in low light conditions. Seeing the carnage was quite shocking, but even more shocking was the Green, and now black, Giant simply kneeling in the towns square like a statue. The group landed well away from the remains of the Dragon, and the Giant, touching down close to the large group of ponies. Though many of ponies backed away from the intimidating looking bat-winged ponies as they touched down. From the new arrivals, a Thestral in ornate armor came to the front. His size was larger than the others, hinting to some Earth pony mixed into his heritage somewhere along his line. The crest on the large one's helm denoted an Officer. He cleared his throat before he spoke. "I'm looking for Twilight Sparkle." He announced as he looked over the sea of ponies looking at him. he craned his neck to try, and get a better vantage to see the one they came to see. "Over here! Over here!" A tired voice called out as a lavender Alicorn made her way through the crowd to the Officer. Though it wasn't that difficult as the ponies were already parting for her, and her friends anyways. Twilight quickly approached the Thestral, eager to get things sorted so that Ponyville can be taken care of. When Officer's eyes fell upon Twilight, he swallowed hard, and quickly bowed. "My apologizes your Majesty. I completely forgotten that you have ascended." The Large thestral declared. His subordinates quickly following suit. Twilight's ascension was quite recent, and many of the Guards were still used to there only being three Princesses. Twilight felt very awkward as these thestral bowed before her like, well Royalty. "Please, get up." She hissed at the Officer with embarrassment darkening her cheeks. She looked around, and hoped that not too many ponies saw that. Twilight unconsciously tucked in her wings as tight to her body as possible. Hoping to make them less noticeable, if not completely invisible. Course, the entire town saw it. Several even started to whisper among themselves. The Officer quickly stood back up. "I'm Captain Calm Night of Princess Luna's Night Guard." He introduced himself with a professional nod. Removing his helm, he set it on the ground so that Twilight could get a good look at him. His coat was charcoal grey with a short black mane, and tail. His greenish gold slitted eyes were more open to let more light in, and allow him to see better. On his flank, a couple of soft clouds, and stars could be seen. "We came as quickly as possible once Princess Luna received your distressing letter. She would have come herself, but her duties forced her from doing so. She sends her regrets." Calm Night explained. There was a twinge of disappointment at not arriving in time to be the Hero at the edge of his voice. "It is quite alright, Lieutenant. I understand it takes time to organize a rescue effort." Twilight replied. She remembered how much work it took for her to organize Ponyville's Winter Wrap up when she first arrived so long ago. "We are going to need your help still. I'm going to need a Search party to look for any surviving ponies in the remains of the damaged buildings. I'm also going to need that dragon carcass removed so to prevent the spread of any diseases as well as security while all that is going on." Twilight stated. Working surprisingly well without her ever present check list. Had Spike been around, he would have made a joke about how today needed to be marked down on a calender. "Understood your Highness." Calm Night replied before he turned and spoke to his Lieutenants whom broke up the three platoons into their assigned duties. With that out of the way, Calm Night broached about the "Elephant in the Room". "Your Highness, your letter only mentioned a Dragon, but not that...um...It." he mentioned as he pointed an Armored hoof towards the kneeling Giant. A couple of his guards were already turning back the curious ponies that were drawing closer to it while casting cautionary glares at it in case it should awaken suddenly. "Yes, well...It arrived immediately after I sent the letter and things escalated from there." Twilight explained. "It was the Cutie Mark Crusaders that first stumbled across it in the Ever Free Forest." She added as an after thought before calling out to Nurse Red Heart to see if she needed any help. Red Heart smiled, and wave her off with a dismissive hoof. She, and the other Doctors had everything well in Hoof. "Um...Cutie Mark Crusaders?" Calm Night asked. He was fairly knowledgeable on all equestrian Guards, and Militia, and yet he never heard of these Cutie Mark Crusaders. Twilight let out a giggle. "I'm not surprised you have not heard of them. They're a group of young Fillies that are constantly trying to find ways to get their Cutie Marks to appear. Some of their attempts have been rather entertaining." Twilight giggled again as she remembered the show they put on for the talent show shortly after she arrived in Ponyville. "I would like to talk with them. Perhaps they can shed some light on where It came from." Calm Night stated. Though he was admittedly curious to these "Attempts" that the Princess seemed to be enjoying reminiscencing about. Twilight shook her head to clear the whimsical memories away. "They're asleep right now, and I rather not disturb them. I'm quite sure they'll be more than willing to tell you their tale, along with the rest of Ponyville, when they wake up." She stated before moving over to try, and see what she could do to help. "Come on, we have a lot of work to do." She called over to Calm Night. The Thestral quickly trotting to catch up with her. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning would come eventually as the last of the fires died out, and the wounded were bandaged. The dead were moved to where they would be given the last rites before Passing on, and those ponies that lost their homes in the night were gladly taken in by those that didn't until their homes could be restored. Through all of this, the Green Giant remained silent, motionless. It was as if it had become a great statue. Some ponies started to think that it possibly has died from wounds inflicted upon it by the Dragon, and many hoped that was the case. After speaking with Applebloom, and her friends, Calm Night sent a platoon of his Night Guard to investigate the Ever Free forest, and see what they could find out. Afterwards, he approached Twilight sparkle whom was now studying the Giant. She seemed particularly interested in the strange slab on its right shoulder. "What are you looking at, Your Majesty?" Calm Night asked as he looked up at the gouged slab. Making out some strange markings. Twilight was so engrossed with her observations that she didn't register Calm Night's approach. Twilight had a parchment, and quill suspended in air with her magic, and was staring rather intently at the large flat surface that hung on the Giant's right arm. It had markings that she never seen before. Though a lot of it was obscured from the rends from the dragon's claws, and the the scorching from the fire. There was two rows of symbols below a large half burnt yellow Emblem that survived the fight intact. Perhaps they were letters of some kind. Maybe part of the Giant's Language. she was trying to make out what the markings mean. Though the half burnt Emblem was a bit disconcerting as it had a lot of sharp points, and an Arrowhead facing down. The symbols she was scrawling down on her parchment were: PRINCIPALITY OF Z E O N The markings certainly weren't equestrian, and Twilight could only guess to their meaning. This was something she was going to have to research when she had time. The prospect of a new language intrigued, and excited her. Perhaps the Giant was intelligent, and could be interviewed. She found herself squirming with the possibilities. Calm Night remained patiently standing next to the princess as she would glance up at the Giant, and then scribbled something down on her parchment. This went on for a few more minutes before he Calm Night gently cleared his throat. This caused Twilight to let out a cute "Eep" in fright before turning around to see the Thestral standing beside her. "Oh, Sorry. Have you been standing there long?" she asked with a liberal amount of abashment in her voice. Sometimes when she was so focused it was hard to get her attention. "Not Long your Majesty. I was just curious to know what has you so interested in this creature." Calm Night explained. Looking up at the towering titan gave him the chills. Even now, when it was kneeling, it still was taller than a House. "I was studying the markings on that slab on its shoulder. I think it could be perhaps runes, or letters to a language. What they mean? I don't know. I only hope that Fluttershy could open a dialog with the Giant. It could possibly be a great boon to us to know more about this Giant." She explained with unbridled enthusiasm. Calm Night actually had to take a couple of steps back, but chuckled none the less. What Luna said about Twilight would seem to be very accurate. "Um....You needed to see me, Twilight?" An impossibly adorable voice broke into the discussion between Calm Night, and the Alicorn. Fluttershy had been watching Spike, and the young fillies through the night before she was asked to see Twilight. Calm Night quietly bowed, and took his leave to make a report for the princesses so that Twilight, and Fluttershy would be undisturbed. "Yes Fluttershy. Thank you for coming. I know this is sudden, and probably very scary, but I'm going to need you to try, and communicate with the Giant." Twilight stated in a matter of fact tone. It was a long shot, but if any pony could do it, Fluttershy could do it. Fluttershy's eyes shrank as she tried to make herself as small as ponily possible. She couldn't speak, but made small squeaks of fright as she glanced up at the enormous Giant. Twilight quickly rushed over to her friend, and placed a comforting hoof around her shoulders. "I know it is very scary, Fluttershy, but you have a way with Animals, and ponies." Twilight tried to explain, though conveniently leaving out that the Giant appeared to be neither. "Please Fluttershy? You won't be alone, We're all behind you, I promise." Twilight spoke softly, comfortingly as she pulled Fluttershy into an a hug. Fluttershy was silent a moment, her hoof drawing small scribbles on the ground as she thought about Twilight's request. The Lavender Alicorn's embrace was emboldening, but still the Giant was so huge, and what it did to a full grown Dragon caused her to shutter. Fluttershy swallowed thickly before looking at Twilight, and her friends. All of them looking at her with encouragement, and unspoken promises of support. Fluttershy let out a soft exhale before turning back to Twilight. "Okay, I'll do it." She stated in that barely audible tone of voice she was known for. Fluttershy gingerly approached the Kneeling Giant. She spared a glance over her shoulder, and watched as a crowd has gathered to see what was going on. The Night Guard formed a cordon between the Town's ponies, and the Mane Six. Twilight, and the others gave her encouragement, but looked like they were ready to move to help her at a moment's notice. With the assurance that her friends were backing her up, Fluttershy spread her wings, and started to lift off the ground. He flew up right to where the head was. The visor was dark, possibly the giant is asleep. Fluttershy licked her lips, and summoned as much of her courage as possible. She opened her mouth to speak when suddenly the great eye of the Giant glowed to life. Bathing Fluttershy in a fiery red glow. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael awoke with a stiff neck, and back. That always seems to happen when he sleeps in his cockpit. He rolled his head around his neck a few times to work the kinks out of it. Making it sound like he was popping popcorn. "Okay, that was a weird dream." He yawned, stretching his hand up over his head. His palms pressing against the ceiling of the spherical chamber. "Fighting dragons." he said with mix of a scoff, and chuckle. That had to be the only possible explanation for what happened, he was merely dreaming it. Sure, it was a helluva dream, but still a dream none the less. There was no way he fought a dragon. Dragons didn't exist. "I better get my ass back to base. I don't want to be listed as MIA, or AWOL." he mused aloud as he pressed a few controls on his instrument panel, and the screens rezzed back to life. However when he looked up into the main screen, he was given the surprise of his life. If it wasn't for the seat restraints he would have jumped out of his seat, and hit his head upon the control panel overhead. There, upon the main monitor, a butter colored equine face with large deep teal colored eyes was staring right back at him. Michael was stunned motionless for a few minutes. The more he looked, the more unbelievable it appeared. He noticed a long pink mane, and a long tail of matching color. Small wings on either side of the Creature flapping, holding her place in the air? She was flying! Sweet zombie Jesus, there was a Flying horse directly in front of his main camera! Michael's struggled to find a logical explanation for this, but his mind kept drawing a blank. He panned the Camera away, and watched as the Flying horse shifted out of the screen. He then returned it thinking that it may be possible a trick within the camera. Nope, The Horse was still sitting there. Michael rubbed his eyes. "This can't be happening. This simply cant be happening." He groaned as he opened his eyes once more, and saw that Pegasus still hovering there, but as he looked closely, he saw that she appeared to be terrified. Not that he could blame her considering she was hovering in front of a 60 foot tall Mobile suit. However, the biggest surprise was yet to come. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fluttershy hovered there in fear for several moments, staring into that enormous eye that was bigger than she was. It burned like piece of coal from a fire. Swallowing thickly, Fluttershy found she lost her voice. The eye unexpectedly turned away from her, facing to the left. That was curious. Did the Giant not see her? How was that possible? She was right there in front. Fluttershy looked down to her friends. They were watching her intently. The Night Guards had their lances ready to attack should the Giant prove to be hostile. She would turn back just before the eye returned to glaring at her. Her wings continued to flap, and hold her in place as she looked at this creature. Fluttershy's heart raced within her chest. Beating so hard against her rib cage that she feared it would burst forth. For a moment, her mind went blank, and she forgot what she was suppose to do. She Jammed her eyes shut, and forced her rapidly beating heart to slow down enough for her to remember. Remember that she was the Element of Kindness. That she stood up to a Cockatrice, a Minotaur, and reformed Discord. That she even pulled a thorn from a Manticor's paw. She could do this! Fluttershy took a deep breath before she spoke. "Um....Hello?" She called to the giant. For a moment, there was nothing, no reaction, or sound save for that curious low Humming noise that surrounded the Giant. Fluttershy wondered if the Giant didn't hear her. She looked over to her friends once more, and got a chorus of shrugs, and one over zealous Pinkie waving up to her. The next moment, the torso of the Giant stirred to life, and straightened up. The crowd gasped as the guards readied themselves for anything. The Giant's hand, and arm that was resting on the Knee came up, and moved to the chest. There something moved, a recessed panel slid up, and something emerged from the Giant's chest. A couple of the ponies seemed on the verge of losing their breakfast. What emerged was a strange creature that was similar to that of a Diamond Dog, or a Minotaur. It walked on two long legs, but it was tall! Twilight estimated that it was as tall as Princess Celestia. At first, it appeared that it had a lumpy green coat of fur, or skin, but Rarity recognized it as clothing, and very dirty clothing at that. "Ew, what drab fashion sense." She observed. The Creature wore green pants with over sized pockets, and a matching green button up shirt that was tucked in. The small round head was topped with a short brown mane, and its eyes were so small, the Ponies were wondering how it could see anything. Fluttershy squeaked at the emergence of the new creature, but her fear quickly morphed into curiosity as she never seen a creature like this one before her. Slowly she lowered herself from the Head to where the new creature stood in the Giant's hand. When the two were eye level, she saw that he had very clear hazel eyes that seemed to constantly shift between the blues of the ocean, or the green of grass. He was looking directly at her in disbelief. The two simply looked at each other, not fivefeet apart. Micheal didn't believe his eyes as he stepped out of the cockpit, and upon the Zaku's hand. He was in a very bright, and colorful land. The air was cool, and crisp. Simply breathing it in was invigorating. Though as that Butter colored Pegasus drifted down in front of him. He simply stared at it for a couple of moments. What was one suppose to do in this situation!? A part of him wanted to jump back into the cockpit, and another wanted to wake up from this very weird dream. In the end it would appear his curiosity got the best of him as he reached out, and with one finger gently touched the Pegasus's nose. It felt soft, and warm. He even felt the warm breath as she exhaled upon his hand. The touch brought another reaction, the pegasus giggled. It was barely heard, but Michael certainly heard it. It was like a dainty bell that tickled at the edge of his hearing. "He he. That tickled. I'm Fluttershy." The pegasus spoke once she was able to stop giggling. Michael stumbled back, and fell on his butt in the palm of the Zaku's hand. The Pegesus spoke, and he understood her! Everything was happening so fast that Michael's head began to spin, and he thought he was going to faint. However, he was able to keep his head as he looked up at "Fluttershy." After a moment, he finally spoke "Looks like we're not in the Universal Century anymore Zaku."