//------------------------------// // CHAPTER 3 // Story: A Thousand Voices // by SpartanD014 //------------------------------// CHAPTER 3 “Heretics say one is less than two. Geth say two is less than three.” Fluttershy awoke early in the morning, as she always did, to tend to the many animals who called her cottage home. She tiredly crept down her stairs and entered her living room, where most of the smaller animals she cared for were still sound asleep. Quietly, to avoid waking them up, she moved into the kitchen and opened her pantry, where, among the food reserved for herself, were dozens of items meant for the animals’ consumption. She gripped several bags in her teeth, then carefully brought them over to a counter where she put them down. Then, grabbing several plates from a cabinet, Fluttershy carefully poured portions of the food onto each plate. Finally, with ease that only came from years of experience, Fluttershy balanced two plates on her outstretched wings and a third in her mouth, before walking back into her living room. The scent of the food was enough to wake up most of the animals, who stared hungrily at the meal that the pegasus was bringing in. She set the plates on the floor, then quickly recoiled back as several of the animals leapt for them, immediately digging in. Laughing quietly, Fluttershy stood back up and turned around to reenter her kitchen and get more food. Before she could enter, however, she heard a knock at the door. Who could that be? She thought. Ever the cautious pony, Fluttershy quietly crept to the door, then looked through the peephole. She let out a sigh of relief when she found the pony outside to simply be Twilight Sparkle. She opened the door, revealing the full form of the tired alicorn. “Hello, Twilight,” Fluttershy said softly. “What are you doing here so early?” “Sorry, Fluttershy,” Twilight said. “I hope I didn’t wake you. I was just on my way to start more training with Dash when I realized I should come let you know something.” “What is it?” Fluttershy asked. “I got a letter last night from Princess Celestia,” Twilight began. “Princess Luna will be joining her at the celebration tomorrow, so I figured I should stop by to let you know to expect her.” “Oh, that’s good,” the pegasus said. “We haven’t seen her since the wedding.” “Yeah…” Twilight continued. “I’ve already let Applejack and Pinkie Pie know, and I’ll let Rainbow know when I see her. If you see Rarity today, can you pass on the message?” “Of course, Twilight,” Fluttershy said, smiling. “Thanks, Fluttershy,” Twilight said. She stepped away from the door, turned around, and walked over the thin bridge back onto the main road to Ponyville. Fluttershy closed the door and turned around, heading into her kitchen to get more food for her animals. Unbeknownst to Fluttershy, the entire exchange had carefully been watched by the ‘monster’ that had appeared to the pegasus the day before… Legion carefully peered through the scope of its Widow, making sure to watch from an angle where the sun would not glint off of the lens. It had arrived back at the site of the structures only an hour before to begin reconnaissance, and to try to find any hint of the intelligent beings who built them, but to no avail. That is, until now. Just as it was leaving to try finding more structures, or to wait for later, Legion passed by the small cottage it had seen the previous day. Curiously, Legion had seen another pony present at the cottage, this one a shade of light purple with both a set of wings and a horn. Cycling through its knowledge of human mythology and popular culture, Legion found the proper terminology of the creature to be ‘alicorn’. This alicorn had then approached the door to the cottage and, in an extremely strange display that was totally contrary to animals, knocked on it. A moment later the door had opened, revealing the yellow pegasus Legion had encountered and scanned the day before, yet another strange occurrence. But the strangest part, and the part that confused the programs within the geth the most, was what happened next. The geth was too far away to make out any sound while it was observing the two ponies, but there were a number of pieces of evidence pointing towards the two having had a conversation. First was the rate at which they each moved their mouths. Whereas ponies from Earth could only make a select few noises, the articulation that each of the ponies here possessed suggested a far greater vocal capacity. Second was the movement of hooves. The purple one in particular had moved its hooves quite a lot, almost giving off the impression of gesticulation, as though it were conveying emotions through hoof movements. And third were the facial features. They were incredibly dynamic for each pony, seeming to change with every syllable. These were all indicators of having an actual conversation. As little sense as it made, the programs within Legion could only come to one conclusion: the ponies were sapient creatures. While there was no solid evidence pointing towards it, the ponies seemed to be peaceful. Legion had seen no semblance of a military (so far), and the two it had observed seemed to have no hostile intentions. Of course, the actions of two of the creatures was hardly enough to judge an entire population. More evidence would need to be acquired before contact could be made. There was also the glaring issue of a language barrier. Legion fluently spoke the languages of all known species in the galaxy. Being a machine with a relatively limitless capacity for knowledge made that quite easy. However, this was an entirely new species, and as such, it was more than likely going to have a new language. All omni-tools included basic pieces of translation software to make contact between two different species easier, and Legion’s was outfitted with a much more advanced version. However, this was an unknown language. The software could run scans based on audio gathered from listening to an individual speak to create basic translations, but it was a lengthy process and required very close contact. Even though Legion had access to a tactical cloak module, the omni-tool could not operate with it online. There was only one solution: Legion was going to have to determine the hostility or peacefulness of these creatures before being able to speak with them. Princess Luna quietly sulked through the brightening hallways of Canterlot palace, watching her hooves with every step. Each step echoed down the empty hallway, threatening to awaken anypony who was not yet up. Mere moments ago she had lowered the moon and her sister, in some other part of the castle, had raised the sun. Her night had been an uneventful one, a fact for which she was partially grateful. Her Night Court had, as usual, seen no visitors, which had given her more time to catch up on reading the Equestrian history she had missed. On the other hoof, it did get quite lonely… Even after being back for three years, she still felt apprehensive around her subjects. The first few days of her return had been the worst. She had been treated like some kind of demon, risen from the pits of Tartarus to devour the living ponies and plunge Equestria into chaos. As soon as word had spread that Nightmare Moon, who had taken over Luna’s body, had returned, the story had sprouted back up all across Equestria. By the time the Elements of Harmony had freed her, and she had returned to Canterlot with her sister, nearly everypony in the country remembered her banishment. Only a few were convinced of her restoration to good, the one who really mattered being Celestia. But no matter what her sister had said, nopony trusted Luna. They looked at her like she was a monster, like something that needed to be purged. The changeling attack one year prior had not helped at all. Some ponies were actually beginning to open up to the princess, and even start trusting her. But after the attack, Luna was surprised and horrified when the first few ponies had asked if she was involved. “But you weren’t there to help,” they had said. And no matter how much she explained that she, too, had been captured in her tower and was incapable of leaving, they did not believe her. Just remembering the event brought up the anger in Luna, and her hooffalls suddenly became much louder. But among the anger was also a great sadness. She never liked to show it, but the way she had been treated ever since her return tore her up inside. The knowledge that her ponies, her subjects, hated her existence and believed her to be an evil abomination was enough to drive her over the edge several times. After waiting a millennia to see her subjects once again, the way they treated her was heartbreaking. Many days were spent simply trying to keep her sobbing quiet as she attempted to sleep in her bedchambers, not wanting the guards who she knew did not want to protect her to hear her. As Luna continued diving into the memories, the emotions began to resurface. Her expression of anger was replaced by one of sadness as she choked back tears, and the princess quickened her pace to get to the stairwell to her tower sooner. Hopefully she would get to her chambers before encountering anypony. Luck was not on her side, however, and just before she reached the stairwell, her sister rounded the corner of a conjoining hallway and almost walked right into the princess of the night. “Sister!” Celestia said gladly. Her tone totally changed when she saw the first few tears staining Luna’s cheeks. “Sister…?” Luna ignored her and approached the door to the stairwell, pulling it open with her magic. Celestia trotted up behind Luna and put a hoof on her shoulder. “Sister, what is--,” Celestia was cut off as Luna whirled around on her, anger mixing with the sadness in her deep blue eyes. “WHAT!?” Luna screamed angrily, causing her sister to recoil back. “What is wrong? Is that what you were going to ask? What is wrong with Luna? Everything!” “Luna, please!” Celestia shouted, pleading. But Luna was not having any of it. “You act so concerned about me, ‘Tia, but I wonder why…” Luna snarled, glaring. “You have everything all perfect for you! Yes, everypony loooves Princess Celestia! But nopony loves her evil sister! Nopony!” Celestia stared at Luna, wide-eyed, as she went on her tirade. Finally she slammed her golden-clad hoof on the marble floor, sending the noise echoing down the hall and causing Luna to fall, clutching her ears. “That’s enough, Luna!” Celestia shouted. Luna slowly brought her hooves down from her ears, which then folded over her head in shame. Her eyes drooped and she looked to the floor sorrowfully. Celestia bent down, extending a wing over her sister. “What happened?” she asked. Luna looked up to Celestia, tears still brimming in her eyes. “I’m sorry, sister,” she whispered. “I’m just a little worked up… I should get some sleep…” “’A little worked up,’ Luna?” Celestia asked. “That is not ‘a little’. That has been building up. What happened?” Luna looked down and paused for a moment, before looking her sister back in the eye. “You returned responsibility of my Night Court to me two years ago, sister,” Luna began. Celestia nodded and urged her to go on. “Would you care to know how many ponies have actually shown up in that time period? I have been keeping track.” Celestia did not respond, knowing that the number was going to be miniscule. Luna waited, then spoke. “Five,” she said. “Five ponies. Of those five, two were drunks who wandered into the castle, one was a solicitor, one was asking if you were available, and one actually had a concern to address with me. One.” “Luna…” Celestia said. “I’m sorry, I… I had no idea…” Luna slowly stood up. “I’m sorry, sister…” she said. “I should not have snapped at you. I… It was just a long night. I shall get some rest.” She then turned to face the stairwell once again. “Luna,” Celestia said before her sister could go. “If you ever wish to talk… I am here. Always.” Luna smiled briefly, then disappeared up the stairs. Celestia stayed for a moment to watch her go, before she continued down the hall to her private study. The ponies were preparing for something. If there was one definite thing that Legion had discovered so far in its reconnaissance of the creatures, that was it. From its perch at the top of a tall water tower, with its tactical cloak engaged, Legion had watched the ponies of the small town for nearly four hours already. The town was not large; it was only a few kilometers in either direction. The buildings resembled that of 17th-century Earth, as most were constructed of wood with thatch roofs. By far the most interesting building in the small bustling town was one in almost the exact center. It was not the exact definition of a building; rather, it seemed to be a massive hollowed-out tree. Windows were set into the bark at random intervals, and at the base of the tree was a rounded door. In front of it was a sign with a book on it, and below it was writing in some unknown language. Starting about two hours into the recon, the same pony that Legion had seen earlier that day, the purple alicorn, began quickly entering and leaving the tree house. Whatever the ponies were planning, this one seemed to be in charge of it all. In front of the tree house was a large clearing that seemed to be filled with market stalls. In the very center of this clearing was a large stone statue of a tall alicorn that had a long, flowing mane and a crown atop its head. Legion had no evidence, but it appeared that this was their leadership. In front of the statue a long wooden table had been lain out, and on it was set a white tablecloth. At the entrance to the clearing, strung up between two buildings, was a long white banner that had more untranslatable writing on it. The purple alicorn moved around the clearing, occasionally stopping to issue orders to another pony or make sure that something was correct. What they were planning for, Legion did not know. However, based on some parallels it was able to draw between this society and other organics, it appeared to be some form of celebration. Only time could confirm the geth’s observations, and hopefully it would not have to wait long. Revealing itself during a large event seemed not to be a very good idea to Legion, as it would only serve to give unnecessary attention to the unit, and the likelihood of panic was much higher. Legion had to be careful if it was to make peaceful contact. Future survivability depended on it. Twilight Sparkle bustled around the clearing outside of her home, making sure everypony who was helping to prepare for the festivities was doing everything right. As per her orders, the original banner was expanded from just saying “Welcome Princess Celestia” to saying “Welcome Princesses Celestia and Luna”. The table was also widened to seat the extra guest, and a third throne had been retrieved from the town hall and placed at the end. Almost the entire time that she had been out here, Twilight had a nagging feeling that she was being watched. A tingling on the back of her neck, like there was a pony hiding somewhere, not taking his eyes away. Occasionally she would spin around and try to catch whoever was responsible, but every time she saw nothing. Chalking it up to her simply being nervous for tomorrow, Twilight ignored the feeling, and instead decided to go over the remaining tasks. Catering was well underway, Twilight had made certain of that. From what she heard, Pinkie Pie had been working non-stop for the past two days to complete the huge order, and the addition of another guest just added even more work for the pink party mare. Applejack was also busily working on food, creating her dozens of pie products to go along with Pinkie’s less-healthy baked goods. Rainbow Dash was working on making sure the skies were totally clear, while Rarity was doing decorations and Fluttershy was helping her. The other ponies of Ponyville were working on setting everything up, and making the town the most welcoming environment possible for the two princesses. When Twilight had revealed that Luna was going to be joining Celestia, the ponies had responded nervously. The last time that Luna had visited Ponyville, she effectively terrorized the population, and even though by the end of the night most ponies were more comfortable around her, there were still those who were afraid of the princess of the night. But Twilight was confident that everything was going to go off without a hitch. Everything was perfectly on schedule for tomorrow, and everypony seemed happy. The likelihood of anything going wrong was, Twilight was happy to say, small. It was not often that something like this happened, and the young alicorn was confident that she had taken all steps necessary to make sure everything would go perfectly according to plan. Twilight smiled as she continued trotting around the town center, satisfied. Yes, she thought. Everything is going to go perfectly… Princess Luna awoke to a sharp knock on her bedroom door. It echoed through the room once, twice, three times before the calm silence that once filled the room took back control. At first, Luna ignored the knocks, instead grabbing one of her many pillows with a hoof and putting it over her ears to block out the sound. But after a few moments, the knocks continued, this time somewhat louder. Sighing, Luna slowly crawled out of bed and approached her mirror. She straightened her mane, then supplied the magic required for it to appear to flow. She equipped her blue horseshoes, breastplate, and crown, and walked over to the door. The knocking had continued to persist while Luna went through her routine, a fact with bothered the princess greatly. But she put on a neutral expression as she opened the door, and found one of her guards standing outside, mid-knock. “Forgive me, your highness,” he said, clearly seeing past Luna’s neutral expression. “But Princess Celestia has requested your presence in her private study.” “Thank you,” Luna said, forcing a kind grin. The guard stepped out of the way and Luna exited her bedroom, closing the door behind her. She did not have time to check her clock before exiting her room, but based on the amount of light flowing in from the windows in the hall, Luna guessed that it was sometime in the middle of the afternoon. She was almost never awake at this time, being a nocturnal princess, but Luna technically did not need sleep at all. Being immortal alicorns, she and her sister enjoyed a number of useful perks, including an almost constant supply of energy. While this energy did wane after a few weeks of use, Luna could theoretically go months without any form of rest. Still, to keep up their strength, Celestia had decided that it was good for both of them to keep a normal sleeping schedule, which Luna was perfectly okay with. Luna approached a door at the end of the hallway, beyond which was the long stairwell to the bottom of her tower. She opened the door and began making her way down the stairs, stifling a yawn. It was not a long flight of stairs, and soon Luna was at the base of her tower, and back in one of the main hallways of Canterlot castle. Trying to remember the direction of her sister’s private study, she turned down one of the hallways connecting to her tower, then began slowly plodding down it. As she walked, she began to examine the architecture. When Luna had been banished, she and Celestia still used the Castle of the Two Sisters, located in the Everfree Forest. That was a different time, however, before the forest became untamable by magic. Nopony knew just what caused the strange magical anomalies, but whatever it was, it had become so intense that, only a few decades after her banishment, Celestia had had to move the location to the mountains that now held Canterlot. The first time she had seen Canterlot, Luna had been amazed. She and Celestia had often spoken of moving the castle to a more centralized location, and linking it to a city where they could have easier access to their subjects. But when she had been banished, the massive city was still just a dream. Now, seeing the grand scale of the massive mountainside metropolis truly impressed Luna. If there was one downside to the massive size of the castle, it was just that: the size. Very often, Luna found herself getting lost in the maze of hallways, requiring her to awkwardly ask a guard for directions. This was not the case today, as the route to Celestia’s private study was one that Luna often took. Only a few minutes after she exited her tower she was at Celestia’s door, which she knocked on to get the attention of her sister. The door was surrounded in a golden aura as it pulled itself inwards, revealing Celestia sitting at her desk with several stacks of papers on it. Luna slowly walked inside and took a seat on the other side of the desk. “Hello, sister,” Luna said, stifling another yawn. “Hello, Luna,” Celestia replied. “I’m sorry that I woke you up, but it is important.” “It is fine, ‘Tia,” Luna said. “What is it?” Celestia paused, before turning one of the papers around to face Luna. Luna grabbed it in her magic and began reading over it. From the moment she picked it up it was clear that it was a border control document. As she read on, her expression grew from one of boredom to one of worry. Once she finished, she set it back on the table. “You must have reached the same conclusion as I, sister,” Celestia said gravely. “…. The changelings…” Luna replied. “It is the only explanation. The diamond dogs could not have arranged these attacks, they are entirely too disorganized and reckless.” “My thoughts exactly,” said Celestia. “The diamond dogs are not capable of the attacks. The only beings in the badlands who are, are the changelings.” “What do you suggest we do, then?” Luna asked. Celestia sighed. “We must send more soldiers,” she said. “Soldiers who are specifically meant for these kinds of operations.” “My Nighthawks will do,” Luna said. “They are experienced enough.” “I was hoping you would say that,” Celestia said, satisfied. “Will that be all?” Luna asked. Celestia nodded, and Luna stood up, then turned to exit. “Wait!” Celestia interrupted just before Luna exited. “Be in the castle courtyard tomorrow at eight o’clock so we can leave for Ponyville.” Luna nodded, then exited the study, closing the door behind her. As night began to fall, Legion gazed out over the small town from its perch on the side of the water tower. Lights were popping up in each of the houses as lights went out in other buildings, likely stores. The lavender alicorn had retired into the tree building not long ago and had not yet come back out, leading Legion to believe that it served as the pony’s home. The work that the ponies had been doing throughout the day seemed to have wrapped up, and whatever they were planning for seemed not too far off. Lowering its M-98 Widow, Legion decided that it was time to power down. After almost a full day of using the tactical cloak, Legion’s rechargeable power source was dangerously low. It stored the Widow on its back, then folded up into a small, compact box. It set up a motion sensor so that if any pony came up to the top of the tower while it was powered down, it would know and be able to go back into hiding. The world went dark as the photoreceptor shut down, and Legion entered into a quiet, uneventful sleep.