//------------------------------// // H.O.R.S.E. Divisions // Story: A New Dimension, A New Threat // by ZeroChill //------------------------------// Mono and Lith eyes opened within the sheets of twin-sized beds. A ray of sunlight broke through the area between the red curtains. The both of them yawned. “Good morning, Lith.” “Good morning, Mono.” Mono pulled out his sheets, revealing his leg fabrics. He lifted his right leg and bent his knee. “It doesn’t hurt anymore. It looks like it does work.” “These bandages aren’t as effective as the Pokémon center back home, but they’ve done their job.” Lith stated, sitting up, pulling on the bandage and severing them with her teeth. The bandages fell apart, revealing a healed back with no scarring. “You know, Lith, I never thought we’d be enlisted into an army upon our arrival. I always thought I would find peaceful days within this new world.” “I know how you feel, Mono. I never thought I’d had an alien slash my back or reverse your knees natural positions. It just goes to show you that there will always be something.” “Despite everything we are going through right now, I’m still very happy. I mean, we are in the middle of a war for survival and we are split from the rest of Opelucid Lab’s scientists and Pokémon. But, we found Stereo and we can even engage our Pokémon in conversations with each other. Plus, the inhabitants of this world seem very friendly.” “They definitely aren’t like the people back in our world who hide their ulterior motives through this veil known as law and justice.” Mono hopped off the bed and onto his feet. “I’ll be brushing my teeth and taking a shower. Do you mind checking the holographic television for the news, Lith?” “I don’t mind at all. It would give us ideas on how to plan out our H.O.R.S.E. day, after all.” Mono walked out of the room with a slight limp in his legs. Lith hopped off her bed and approached the disk. She tapped it, revealing a hologram displaying all of Neo Canterlot above it. A silver-coated earth pony mare with a pink mane stood in the front, equipped with a blue suit and a headset. “Good morning, Neo Canterlot! You are tuned into the NCNN with Crystal Current here. Today’s weather is sunny with a chance of a cloudy noon. Temperatures will be around seventy-five degrees today and you will be able to feel a cool breeze today.” Crystal Current announced. “Seems like a good day to get a feel for the city with the others.” Lith said to herself. “I’ll pass it over to Bulk Biceps with the news.” The screen transitioned to the inside of a stadium, where a white-coated pegasus stallion with a dirty blond mane and oversized muscles appeared in a suit and headset. “Today’s the big hoofball game between the Griffonheim Eagles and the Canterlot Cavaliers. It’s gonna be awesome!” Bulk Biceps shouted, standing on his hind legs and flexing. “Yeah!” “Wow, this city even has its sports… and that announcer is such a ham.” Mono walked into the room with a white towel around his neck. He dried off the fur on his forehead. “The bathroom is all yours, Lith.” “Alright, Mono. But, please keep it on this channel and tell me everything that is happening. Be sure not to forget any of the details.” With these words, Lith sprinted out through the door and into the bathroom. Mono looked upon the hologram screen, watching it with unbroken focus. The hologram of Neo Canterlot became replaced with an image of a purple unicorn mare’s head. Her mane was a sapphire blue with a pink stripe running down the center and she had a warm smile complimented by her purple eyes. “Hey there, Mono.” Mono jumped back and shrieked, breathing with deep and successive breaths. Regaining his composure, he looked back into the hologram screen. “Ummm, who are you?” The mare looked to the right and then backed her head away with a sheepish smile. “Whoops! Sorry about that. My name is Twilight Sparkle, head of the Magic and R&D departments. Spitfire told me this was the area code to access you.” Twilight Sparkle explained. “Wait, you’re the head of two departments? Don’t you look a little young to be in charge of those things?” “Well… before the invasion, I was personally educated by Council Lady Celestia while Canterlot was still a monarchy. But then the Van’Goth appeared and you know what happened after that. Everyone says that my talent with magic and research is very strong, so I am now running these two departments.” “So, what did you call me for, Twilight?” “Nothing much, Mono. All I’ll need is a sample of your DNA for research purposes. Just place it in the drawer of the cabinet here and I’ll have it transported over to R&D for studying.” “Well…” Mono said with a stutter. “First, I would like to see your R&D division. It is to make sure that I can feel safe with giving my DNA to someone I’ve never met before. I have some trust issues.” “Understandable. Also, I hear that Fluttershy is in your group. Is that correct?” Twilight Sparkle asked. “She’s one of my best friends. She may be a bit timid, but she has a wonderful heart and is an excellent field researcher. She’ll prove to be valuable in helping to find your friends.” Lith walked into the room with a dark blue towel around her neck. She eyes the hologram and Mono, who had his body leaning forward. “Mono, who’s your friend you’re talking to?” She asked. “Oh! You must be Lith. My name is Twilight Sparkle, head of the Magic and R&D departments of H.O.R.S.E. I’m just asking your brother here if he is willing to give a sample of his DNA for research purposes.” “Sorry, but my brother and I doesn’t trust government officials.” Lith responded in a cold voice, crossing her arms. “That is kind of ironic to say coming from your current position.” “It is also ironic that you are bringing up irony in this ironic conversation.” Twilight Sparkle groaned over the hologram. “You sure can be nasty to deal with.” “I have to be. My brother is one of the few members of my family I have left.” “Alright then, how about I just teleport where you are and we can talk this over in person?” Saying this, Twilight Sparkle’s horn flashed in a purple color. The screen filled with the light of the same color, turning into a beam aimed towards the floor in front of Mono and Lith. The beam disappeared, revealing Twilight Sparkle in a white lab coat and a six-pointed hot pink star on her flank. “Luckily, I’ve picked up a bit of Technomancy in that one class back in school.” “Alright, you’re here now. So, what is your next plan from here?” Lith responded. “I’d figure I would earn the trust of both of you by personally showing you around H.O.R.S.E. Headquarters.” With these words, Twilight Sparkle’s horn lit up once more. Mono and Lith became caught within the aura’s glow. With a brilliant flash, the world around them warped. Mono, Lith and Twilight Sparkle all found themselves within a white room with beakers, machinery and test tubes everywhere. Various Equusians in lab coats and goggles held beakers full of liquids and objects using magic, hooves and talons. The sounds of scribbling on crisp paper echoed within the walls of the area. “Welcome to the lab.” Mono and Lith gazed at the area around them, sighing in awe. “It looks like home.” Mono stated. “You were raised in a lab?” Twilight Sparkle asked. “No, but we spent most of our time in a lab doing research since we were children. We are very general with our studies.” Lith responded. “Professor Pasque taught us everything we know about science and philosophy. He believes that one should not let science dominate a culture entirely since there are bad consequences in society and in the environment.” Mono added. “That’s a great philosophy to have, Mono. Here in the H.O.R.S.E. R&D division, we do not go through with any sort of research conducted if it would have an ill effect on those of Neo Canterlot.” Twilight Sparkle proclaimed with a proud tone. The trio walked through the space of the lab, seeing minerals and plants being observed by scientific individuals and having various liquids added onto the substances. “We can cross ‘Unethical Scientist’ off of the list of reasons to not trust you chart.” Lith remarked. Twilight Sparkle rolled her eyes. “So anyways, let me show you to the Magic Division.” Metal platforms levitated above the ground and cases lined with books and tomes sprawled throughout the tower-like complex. Many Equusians in velvet robes, hoods and glasses scanned through each of the books. Mono, Lith and Twilight Sparkle walked up the set of floating platforms, reaching floor after floor. “You weren’t kidding when you said this was the Magic Division, Twilight. Everything here looks like it is being manipulated by a psychic force. Actually, I can feel that force as well.” Mono remarked. “Mono has a point there. I don’t know if it is because we are Psychic-type Pokémon, but the concentrations of energy levels feel much different than anywhere else on the world.” Lith added. “And you both are correct. Here in the H.O.R.S.E. Tower, we experiment with using mystical arts gathered through leading scholars within the field. The energy you two are feeling is known as Unda Magicae, a strange energy we were recently able to tap into that grants even those who are unable to process external magic the ability to do so. But, it actually takes a high level of discipline to be able to control the magic here.” Twilight Sparkle explained. “So… what is the point of this area? All it looks like is an expensive waste of money.” “Lith, learning magic is not a waste of money in the slightest. In fact, the magic used here is used for the purposes of devising new spells and equipment for our magic users on the field to use. I’m sure you’ve seen some of the brands of magic used by operatives, right?” “We have actually! Those spells some of those Equusians used looked potent.” Mono exclaimed with perked ears. “That is an example of the research that goes into use. Another example is crafting enchantments to be used on weapons that further their normal attributes. This area is devised this way so that those who are not capable of external magic, but show a natural affinity to using it can use it.” “I guess I spoke too soon by saying it is a waste of money.” With a defeat sigh, Lith remarked. “I make sure that no money goes to waste. After all, every little bit we have matters. We do not have the luxury of throwing around money wherever we want.” Towards the right, a young dragon with a purple body, green spines and underbelly underbelly ran towards Twilight Sparkle’s direction. In his right hand was a red book, where the cover was imprinted with the golden seal of a flaming avian. “I have good news, Twilight. The ‘Risen Through Ashes’ spell has been doing well in the testing phase so far! We’re ready to try it out on the field.” He proclaimed. “That is excellent news, Spike. Tell the testers that we will be practicing it Gnosis Valley.” Mono and Lith eyes Spike with tilted heads and confused glints. “I don’t think I have ever seen a creature like that before. I mean, he looks like a purple Gible.” Mono noted. “He somehow is a Dragon-type that looks even cuter and cuddlier than Custard. I never thought that was possible.” Lith stated. A red blush came upon Spike’s face and had a burning rage deep in his eyes. “I’m… I’m not cute and cuddly! I’m just small.” Twilight Sparkle cuffed her mouth with her right hoof, suppressing a giggle. “Anyways, this is Spike. He’s a dragon who also happens to be my apprentice in the magical arts and my personal assistant. I hatched him ten years ago for my exam in the presence of the royal Canterlot sisters.” She explained. “And, yes, I have a natural affinity for magic despite my appearance.” Spike added, raising his right index claw into the air with his eyes closed. “You know, I don’t think I’ve seen any dragons around in Neo Canterlot. Is there a reason why?” Mono asked. “Dragons are an Equusian race of beings and are very strong, but almost all of them were annihilated upon the invasion of the Van’Goth. Only a few hatchings were able to make it into this city, one of which being Spike.” Twilight Sparkle responded. “That’s horrible!” Lith shouted. “Truly, the Van’Goth are void of any sort of sympathy.” “I could go further on how they made several other races of Equusians extinct, but now is not the time for that. I’m here to show you around the divisions, not give you a sob story.” “Before I forget; where do you want the enchanted weapons to go, Twilight?” Spike asked. “Ummm… put them in the weapons hold along with the assault cannons. Everyone is going to want to have access to it.” The trio walked into a white room beyond what can be seen beyond their horizons. Several targets floated around the room. Ignitions of guns flared throughout the area and the targets shattered with the sound of glass breaking. An azure-coated pegasus mare in a black suit with a rainbow mane and safety goggled zipped throughout the air in the room with an assault rifle in hoof, mowing down every target in her way. “Hey, Rainbow Dash!” Twilight Sparkle called out, eyeing the pegasus in the air. “Oh! Twilight!” Rainbow Dash shouted, lifting her safety goggles and flying down onto the ground. “So did finally decide to take up my offer on having a shoot-out with me?” She said with a cocky grin. “Not really. I’m just giving a tour of the base to our new recruits.” Twilight Sparkle explained. “Maybe you would like to explain this area to them?” “Oh! I guess this our first time meeting each other, then. The name’s Rainbow Dash, Senior Marksman II of H.O.R.S.E. and don’t you forget that.” “Greetings, Rainbow Dash. My name is Mono Samers.” Mono introduced. “And I am Lith Samers. So what is this area all about?” “I’ll tell you two in complete detail; this is where the Marksman Division hones its gunning skills at. The Marksman Division is one of the major combat divisions of H.O.R.S.E. Here, we teach our recruits how to hold a gun and how to get the most use out of holding said gun. Speaking of which…” A target spawned in the air behind Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash aimed her gun over her left shoulder and fired, shattering the target. Mono and Lith stared at the air the target used to be, speechless. “I’m not even sure that is humanly possible.” Mono noted. “That was impossibly cool…” Lith stammered. “Heh, I know right? That’s one of the tricks and trade we teach in the Marksman Division.” Rainbow Dash hoisted her rifle onto a sash on her back. She looked at Twilight Sparkle with pleading eyes. Twilight Sparkle sighed and rolled her eyes. “When I’m done with my duties, I would love to engage in a match of Break the Targets with you.” “Yes!” Rainbow Dash shouted, pumping her right hoof with an ecstatic grin on her face. “I’ve been waiting all month for you to say that. Oh, and tell the new recruits that I’ll teach them how to hold a weapon soon.” She flew off, pulling out her rifle and aimed it towards a faraway target. “She seems very hasty.” Lith stated. “That’s Rainbow Dash for you. She’s the kind of pony whose energy is very contagious. But, she isn’t careless and will make sure she is the last to leave a battlefield of any kind so that she can cover the back of her other allies.” Twilight Sparkle revealed. “She obviously has a lot of trust within you, Twilight.” Mono noted. “Now, we’re going to go into the heavy armor division area.” Walking through the doorway into the room, the very first object that caught the attention of Mono and Lith were the bulky armors equipped by all of the Equusians in the room. The room had dim lighting and dumbbells labeled with various numbers were sprawled along the hardened floor. Lith’s eyes wandered over towards Razor Wind, Hydrangea and Strawberry Delight, who were facing each other and engaging in conversation. She smiled and waved her hand. “Razor Wind! Hydrangea! Strawberry Delight!” The trio of armored operatives glanced towards the source of the noise and smiled. The three of them walked towards Mono, Lith and Twilight Sparkle. “Mono! Lith! Didn’t think you three would come here.” Razor Wind greeted in a casual tone. “Oh? You three know these Pokémon?” Twilight Sparkle asked with a smile developing on her face. “Of course we do. They saved our lives two days ago.” Hydrangea responded with a voice oozing cheers. “Looks like Twilight is giving you two a tour of the facility. I guess that since we aren’t doing anything, I’ll give you a brief explanation of this division.” Strawberry Delight stated. “The Heavy Armor Division is what you would consider the shield of H.O.R.S.E. We specialize in setting up formations as well as guarding against threats. Essentially, we take the fire so that other H.O.R.S.E. members can attack.” “That doesn’t mean we are incapable of offensive power as well. In terms of raw strength, the Heavy Armor division is among the strongest platoon of Equusians in H.O.R.S.E.” Hydrangea added in. “As such, we usually take the frontlines of battle.” “Probably the most notable group of members within the Heavy Armor division is the Apple Family.” Razor Wind noted. “Before becoming members of H.O.R.S.E., they were a family of Apple farmers. As such, they have a naturally high endurance level that makes them stars of H.O.R.S.E. Currently, Applejack and Big Mac are members of the Heavy Armor Division and Applebloom is looking towards becoming one as well.” “If you see Applejack, can you tell her I said ‘hi’?” Lith requested. “We will do that for you, Lith. After all, we still owe you for saving our hides back during the invasion.” Strawberry Delight chimed in. “Also, make sure to take care of Twilight. She can be a bit eccentric at times.” “I resent that remark.” Twilight Sparkle stated in a flat tone. “Hey, you’re still a valuable member of the team and an even more valuable friend. I meant that as a compliment.” The trio then walked away to the left. Mono looked Twilight Sparkle in the eyes and smiled. “I think I have seen enough of the place to know that you can be trusted, Twilight.” “But… don’t you want to see the Civilian Division or the Architecture Division? We still haven’t made our way through even half the divisions of H.O.R.S.E. yet.” With a quick tug, Mono yanked out a strand of white hair from his head. “We could always see those divisions some other time. Besides, if my brother trusts you… then I guess I can trust you as well.” Lith stated. “I’m sorry I treated you in an unpleasant way.” “You are correct to be cautious, Lith. You don’t know if I am a friend or foe. Heck, we could have been secretly committing Van’Goth xenocide and they’re attacking us just to save what little they have left.” Twilight Sparkle joked. “Veeery funny, Twilight.” Mono said with an unamused tone. “But, before I hand you my DNA, I have a personal request I would like to ask of you.” “And what would that be, Mono?” “I would like to join your R&D division. I could do that and still be with my group, correct?” Mono asked. Twilight Sparkle stuttered, looking towards her left and right. Sweat plumed down from her face. “That is going to be difficult. Yes, you can join any division while still remaining in your group. But, the R&D Division is notoriously hard to get into. You need to be recommended by one of the higher-up members and have to have a history of working in an actual lab. Also, you have to be knowledgeable in various sciences and engineering.” She explained. “I thought I made it clear that we were both scientists. We’ve also assisted Professor Pasque in developing and engineering tech that helped enrich the lives of our people. Also, I’m sure you would be able to put in a good word for me if you talked with registration.” With a smirk, Mono responded. “But I don’t even know what you are capable of. It would be foolish for me to simply accept you in just with your own word.” “Then I guess you do not want this DNA for your research then.” Twilight Sparkle stammered and stomped her right hoof. “But I do!” She let out an exasperated huff. “Alright, but you’ll first have to show me your skill in the lab. I expect you to live up to your word.” “Fine by me.” Mono stood in front of a counter at the lab, wearing a white apron and safety goggles. On the counter are several beakers with colorful liquids, plants and stones within them. To the right of the counter was a packet of several pages. Twilight Sparkle walked by him, wearing her lab coat and safety goggles. “So… what am I supposed to do here?” Mono asked. “Simple; I want you to create a fuel solution for our mechs using the ingredients in front of you. To your right is all the information you need to know and there is no outside assistance on the exam.” Twilight Sparkle explained. Mono grabbed the packet of notes and scanned through each individual material and chemical. He grabbed the beaker of green roots and dumped them into the mortar. Using Psychic, he brought a beaker of water over to him and added it into the roots. Using a pestle, he began beating the moistened vegetation. Doing so, he levitated a beaker of thick liquid in the color blue towards him and added it into the mortar during the crushing. “Not bad at all.” Twilight Sparkle noted, keeping a stone-hard face. Mono took the mortar of the dark green-blue compound and scooped it out into a test tube of red liquid. The tube began shaking and glowing in a red color. With a grimacing face dropping beads of sweat, he levitated three white stones from a test tube and brought them into the solution. Using a wooden stick, he mixed the solution with rigorous force in his wrist. “How am I doing so far?” “You got passed one of the difficult portions. Many that have taken the test always seem to foul up when it comes to adding the bracyix tail solution into the bergamot oil since it causes a sudden volatile reaction.” “Reading through the notes you gave me, Wilderness Quartz can stabilize the reaction and allows me to make it into a useable compound.” Mono took the test tube and placed it into a boiling pot of water. The brown solution within it bubbled, changing into a white-brown color. Levitating it, he brought it into a pail of ice and snugged it between the cubes. Twilight Sparkle raised a cautious eye when Mono took a packet of salt from the table, tore it open and poured it into the liquid. “Don’t do that, Mono! You might cause a chain reaction to occur!” She shouted, seeing the liquid bubbling over the beaker and into the ice. The ice began melting. “Then watch this.” Mono grabbed a sprig of pink petals from a nearby plant and inserted it into the tube. The leaves dissolved, but the solution stopped bubbling over. Twilight Sparkle, who ran behind a potted tree, peered out and saw Mono with the test tube of clear brown-yellow solution held high in his paw. “Azalea…? But, that’s not one of the materials used in the exam!” Twilight Sparkle stated. Her eyelids scrunched into anger. “You could have gotten us all killed like that! Salting that solution would have been a huge safety hazard.” “But it didn’t. Azalea leaves have a biological composition that allows them to neutralize covalent reactions involving salt.” “Fair enough, but let me test that.” Twilight Sparkle levitated the test tube from Mono’s paw and poured it into a gray funnel of a cube-shaped monitor. The screen lit up in a green color. Twilight Sparkle smiled. “How does it test?” Mono asked. “The monitor sees a three-hundred percent increase in power and it looks like the solution will keep powering for three times the length of the standard fuel devised here. How on Equus did you ever think to do that?” “I may be timid around others and in society, but I’m bolder when it comes to the lab. Professor Pasque always tells us that taking risks is just another part of being in the lab, and I knew I was risking many things when I made that solution.” Twilight Sparkle smiled and lifted her right hoof towards Mono. “As afraid as I was to involve you within our division, I see no reason as to why you shouldn’t be a part of it. You are free to work in this lab whenever you want, Mono. Heck, I may even post some tasks in your group specifically for you!” Mono raised his paw and shook Twilight Sparkle’s hoof. “It would be a pleasure working in this division, Twilight.” “That reminds me! Spitfire asked that all members of your group are to report to the briefing room as soon as possible.” Twilight Sparkle announced. Mono pulled his paw away from Twilight Sparkle, leaving a strand of white hair on her hoof. “I better go then. Spitfire does have a temper when anyone is late.” Mono sprinted into the briefing room, erecting his back and saluting Spitfire. Lith, Rondo, Jasmine, Stereo, Gnasher, Custard and Fluttershy all glanced towards him. Spitfire and Rarity both smirked. “You’re somewhat late, Mono.” Stereo stated. “That’s alright, Stereo. Mono was simply taking the exam to get into the R&D division. From what I could tell, you seemed to have passed with flying colors.” Spitfire noted. “I have. So, what did you call us all over here for?” Mono asked. “I’ve gathered you all here to tell you that your uniforms are complete.” Rarity took a step forwards underneath the bright light. “I was very grateful to see such a large amount of Nytherium gathered by you all. I’ve heard from Fluttershy what happened during the request and it was a shame that you had to encounter that nasty Giacomo.” Rarity announced. “After giving Stereo the proper measurements, my squad of teammates and I have went straight to making the clothes themselves.” Rarity levitated seven black uniforms, all of varying sizes, to each of their respective Pokémon. All of the Pokémon grabbed the uniforms and held it out, revealing a symbol of five stars etched onto all of the torsos. Everyone smiled. “These feel pretty good!” Jasmine stated. “And my talons aren’t scratching them up!” Rondo noted. “These uniforms are tested by the R&D division and they greatly reduce the impact and damage done to the wearers. No more nasty injuries like the ones you two suffered yesterday.” Spitfire said. Spitfire, Rarity and Fluttershy waited outside the door into the Pokémon room, their legs trembling with deep anxiety. From what felt like forever, the door opened. All of the Pokémon stepped out, each equipped in their uniform. Mono and Lith were both wearing a two-piece uniform, with each piece stretching down to the hips, ankles and wrists. Lith’s shirt extended past her waist and curved into a skirt-like fashion. Their tails were free from the bindings of the clothing. Jasmine and Rondo only wore a top piece for their uniform; Jasmine’s uniform stretched down to her hips, which extended into an enlarged skirt. Rondo’s shirt covered down to his abdomen and the top portion of his wings. Stereo’s shirt fit around his massive forearms while still contorting to his upper arms and cutting at his wrists. Its backside was also dotted, leaving the pipes of his body unhindered by the fabric. His bottoms stretched down to his ankles and gave his tail pipe an ease of access. Gnasher and Custard’s bottoms expanded wide enough to fit their hips and their shirts extended to their wrists. Goo leaked from Custard’s clothing and absorbed it, hydrating his body. Gnasher’s clothes were reptilian in texture, retaining the heat within her body. “So… how do we look?” Lith asked. “You seven look fabulous!” Rarity shouted out. “I had not thought that I would make beings such as you seven look this good in clothing, but I somehow did it. You can see that the clothing I made for each and every one of you reflected your overall physique. For example, Jasmine and Rondo do not need bottoms due to their physiology, but Gnasher and Custard are specially suited to maintain their physiological needs.” “I can feel that. For once, I can wear clothing without having to damage it or damage me.” Custard replied, hugging himself with a euphoric grin. “I definitely like the retaining heat feature. This will definitely keep me active while I’m hunting alien rabbits with Razor Wind.” Hearing Gnasher’s words, Fluttershy’s legs shivered. “Ummm… could you not mention hunting down rabbits in front of me? I can’t stand the thought of slaughtering a wild animal myself.” “Well, that settles that; you have the talent and now you have the look. Neo Canterlot will be looking forwards to your duties, Pokémon from another world.” Spitfire announced. “Thank you very much. I shall wear my clothing proudly in battle!” Rondo stated. “So… now what do we do?” Jasmine asked. “Beats me.” Shrugging her shoulders, Spitfire responded. “Just… do whatever you want as long as it is ethical and legal. I really didn’t plan much for you seven after getting your uniforms. Get yourself acquainted with H.O.R.S.E. and Neo Canterlot.” “You know, I have a good plan. It’s more for fun though, but it would be good if the three of you can follow up with the plan.” Lith suggested. “So what plan do you have in mind that would require us three, Lith?” Rarity asked. “Simple; a Girl’s Night Out.”