//------------------------------// // ...Part II // Story: The Encounter // by Winter_Solstice //------------------------------// I made a decision: I didn’t like the one called Rainbow. I was already uncomfortable with knowing they were both talking about me, and I couldn’t understand a word. What made it worse was the rainbow one kept giving me dirty looks. She seemed to have gotten over her initial fear of me, so I supposed that was good. However, some time during the conversation Fluttershy must have told her about my scaring her, and I could tell that didn’t go over too well. I still felt bad about it, but I was desperate, and it was before I’d gotten to know her. Everything about this place was freaky to me, and I’d already apologized. I was just glad I hadn’t made that mistake with this other pegasus, for I’m sure I would have had a fight on my hands. I tried to observe her without her noticing. This one is slightly bigger than Fluttershy. The markings on her butt are different too: some kind of stylized lightning, or some such. I really missed my glasses. I wondered if the tattoos indicated rank, or class of pony? Fluttershy seemed somewhat diffident towards her, and I didn't know if that was just her personality, or that's how they address one of theirs with higher rank. I could see Rainbow's wing muscles were far more developed as well, and she seemed more comfortable hovering in the air than sitting on her butt. Which made me think. The gravity here must be lower than on Earth, and the air pressure must be greater. How else to explain these creatures being able to fly with such relatively small wings? Maybe it was the magic? And I’d mentioned the ponies are small, but more accurately I should say they’re simply shorter than me. I’m just over six feet tall, and these beings are just above my waist at the shoulder. Standing on their hind legs, one could easily look me in the eyes. And these are just the females. I assumed the males are bigger, but I hadn't met one yet. A conservative estimate should have put the average weight of the females at about two hundred pounds by Earth measurements. So there’s no way I should have been able to lift Fluttershy when she was fainted. Unless I’m stronger here with the diminished gravity…which would also explain how I was able to run so far and so long without getting winded, for I am no athlete. I couldn’t keep the look of shock off my face once I realized this: I truly am on another planet. Nothing else would explain the things I’ve seen and experienced. It was a good thing I was already sitting down, or I would have fallen down. As it was, I leaned forward, put my face in my hands and groaned. Fluttershy must have noticed this, for she then addressed me. Char-Elles, what’s wrong? “I’m…fine I guess. It all just hit me: I actually am on another world. How am I supposed to get home?” We’ll think of something, try not to worry. I looked up at her and smiled. “Thank you, Fluttershy. You really are too nice to me.” She smiled back, and then turned to answer what must have been a question from the other pony. Fluttershy spoke to her for a few moments, and then the rainbow one looked right at me. I wasn’t sure, but I thought I could see a little bit of compassion in her eyes. Fluttershy must have told her what I said about getting home. I tried smiling at her again. She didn’t smile back, but this time she didn’t give me a dirty look either. Maybe I was wrong about her. Just then there was a knock on the door, and all three of us startled. I felt apprehension. No doubt it was more ponies, and from what I’d seen Fluttershy was the only one inclined to be friendly. I considered hiding, so I got to my feet. Immediately Rainbow spoke sharply to me, so I stayed where I was. Then she and Fluttershy seemed to have a quick disagreement, but Fluttershy went to the door and opened it just a little. I could only hope for the best. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ “Oh, hello girls. What can I do for you?” “Sorry to bother you, Fluttershy, but Apple Bloom’s dog tracked something to here. You seen anything?” asked Scootaloo. Fluttershy turned beet red. “Oh my, she did?” she said. “Er…umm, what are you looking for?” she evaded. “We don’t know, but whatever it is Luna’s Night Guards are flying all over the place looking for it too,” said Sweetie. “Two of them were just here.” Fluttershy started to visibly sweat. “They were? Oh dear, that’s…nice?” “You okay, Fluttershy? You don’t look so good,” said Scootaloo. “I’m…okay. I’m just…just...” Suddenly another voice interrupted her. “That’s it!” said Rainbow as she came to the door. “You squirts take off; we’re kinda busy!” “Rainbow Dash!” cried Scootaloo. “I didn’t know you were here!” “Hey, Scootaloo. I’m sorry, but we can’t talk to you three right now.” “Is it something we can help with?” she asked. “No! I mean…no, it’s fine. I’ll talk to you later.” Scootaloo started to further protest, when Winona had had enough,and managed to break free of Apple Bloom’s grip. Barking happily, she pushed past Fluttershy and Dash and ran into the house. “Hey!” cried Rainbow, “stop that dog!” But it was too late. The door flew wide open, and the entire group was treated to the sight of Winona barking and jumping happily on…a surprised creature that was petting her and scratching her ears. All three fillies could only stare at first, and then they all screamed at once. “Girls! Please!” cried Fluttershy. “It’s alright; he’s a friend!” But they all backed away, and only screamed louder. “What is that?!” yelled Sweetie Belle. “Keep it away from my dog!” yelled Apple Bloom. “Rainbow Dash! Save Winona!” cried Scootaloo. “Calm down!” yelled Rainbow. “I won’t let it hurt her or any of you! Just calm down!” She turned and addressed the hue-mon. “Hey, you! Leave that dog alone!” “Rainbow, he can’t understand you, remember?” said Fluttershy. “Fine! You tell it!” “Him, Rainbow.” She spoke softly to the creature, who immediately took his hands away from the dog, and sat back down. “Here, Winona! Come here, girl!” said Apple Bloom. The dog gave one last wag of her tail and reluctantly walked back to her. “See? There’s nothing to be scared of, girls. Winona likes him,” said Fluttershy. The three looked at each other. “I’m…I’m not afraid, if Rainbow Dash isn’t!” said Scootaloo. Rainbow scowled. “I’m not afraid of…him,” she said while giving a look to Fluttershy, “but I don’t trust him.” The others had almost made up their minds to follow Scootaloo’s example when there was the sound of bat ponies landing behind them. “We heard screaming! What’s going on?” said Corporal Sable. She and her companion looked through the doorway, hissed, and then assumed combat stances. “Everypony down! We’ll handle this!” Without waiting for a response she and Private Nocturne flew into the house and tackled the creature. It yelled at them and fought back, but the two of them soon pinned it to the floor. The animals went crazy, running all over the house in their attempts to get out of the way. Winona added her voice to the din. It was pandemonium. Fluttershy started to run to him, but Rainbow held her back. “Don’t hurt him, please!” cried Fluttershy. “Please, ma’am! Stand back!” yelled Nocturne. Soon they had the creature cuffed, and dragged it outside. Everypony moved out of the way as they went. The creature shot a pleading look at Fluttershy, who had burst into tears. “It’s going to be alright, Char-Elles!” she said as she was still being held by Dash. Once they got him outside, the Corporal turned to her companion and said, “Call for backup.” The Private nodded, took a deep breath and then opened his mouth. The other ponies couldn’t hear the sound, but it made their teeth vibrate. Soon, two other groups appeared over the trees and landed. Corporal Sable spoke quickly to one group, who saluted and then took off again. She turned to the ponies. “Princess Luna will soon be here. We appreciate your cooperation.” “What are you going to do to him?” Fluttershy tearfully asked. “That will be up to the Princess, ma’am.” “He’s not dangerous! He’s just scared and alone! Please don’t hurt him.” “We won’t ma’am, but I really need you to stand back.” The other Guards had surrounded the creature, blocking anypony from getting near. Fluttershy buried her face in Dash’s shoulder and cried. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ A little ways off, under the shadow of some trees, a dark figure watched the goings on, and smiled to itself. Taking out a communicator, it said, “Subject has been captured by indigenous forces. Probability of future encounter with the being known as Celestia, 98%. Phase Two complete.” It smiled again, and then melted into the trees.