Warframe: Equestria

by Urimas Ebonheart

Chapter 3: Lunch with the locals

The white and dark blue equines look around in awe at the cockpit of my Orbiter as the door closes behind them. I walk to a console and place my Warframe's right hand over a small scanning pad. The data of the insect flows out into my Orbiter's hard-drive and Ordis beings his analyses.

I then walk over to the mat and kneel down as the solar system shows up again.

Both of the equines gasp and sit beside me, the white one to my left and the dark blue one to my right. I tap on the planet Equus and it zooms in showing multiple locations that show some electronic and or radio signals.

All the locations but one are marked ????? since Ordis has no data to work from, but the city we are in, Ordis has dubbed the, Equus Capital.

I'm wondering where the pilot is but my attention is drawn to what the creature is doing.

We're looking at the image of our planet as small blue dots and what look like buttons show city locations around the world. I gingerly tap the button that's above a dot where Stalliongrad is with the tip of my hoof, it rotates the planet and zooms in on the area in question.

Additional symbols and letters appear, most likely additional information about the area, but what confuses me are the words all look like they have the same five letters except for Canterlot.

He then looks and points at all three of us, he then faces his palm to the floor, lifts it up slowly and moves it forward then points to the dot.

I look to Tia with a raised brow. "What dost thou think he wants?" I ask her.

"I am not entirely sure, but I believe he wishes to go there in this vessel," she replies.

"Would that be wise? He may not have shown hostilities towards us, but this could be an attempt to abduct us," I say.

"If he wanted to do so, I believe he would have already. I think we can trust him, besides, he saved us and left his companion behind. I doubt he would leave it here,"

Tia nodded to him and by his command the vessel takes to the air with surprising agility. What confused me and Tia is that a voice answered him. The vessel then quickly takes off towards Stalliongrad without causing us to lose our balance.

Odris is heading towards the location in question, we would get there sooner if the main thrusters were not destroyed. I slowly get up and wave at them to follow me.

We head down the ramp and into my armoury section, the equines look around but I wave at them to continue following. We go to the right past the armoury and into the back of the Orbiter where my real body is located, the door opens which seems to get their attention, I guess they don't have automatic doors here.

We walk in and see me with my eyes closed sitting in my open pod, though it looks more like a very large chair with glowing white cables connected to the back going down behind it. All of my Warframes are currently in pods underneath us where two circular plates on the floor are to the left and right of us which are used to raise them up, over the centuries I have fabricated new ones that are designed and I have more than twenty total with room for a few more. Though I use the Rhino and sometimes the Valkyr more than the others as they seem to fit my personality more.

The two equines walk over to my body which looks like it's asleep, I make my Warframe kneel down and disconnect from it. I open my eyes and look at the them with my green and orange eyes.

Just like the image he showed us, this must be his real body, compared to the large bulky armoured body he looks like he's a young scrawny colt... Then how is he controlling the other one? With magic? Technology? Is there another living being in that armour and he's using some kind of mind control on it or some kind of telepathy and issuing orders to it?

I glance towards Luna and it seems she's also thinking the same thing.

They look at each other and then back at me. I stand up and take a few steps towards them, while in my Warframe I was slightly taller than the white equine but now I only reach up to the base of her neck. I hold my hands out to them where they look at my hands and both place a hoof in them, I give them a gentle shake before sitting back down and reconnecting to my Warframe.

Once our face to face introduction is done, I lead them back to the front of my Orbiter as they talk to each other.

I walk to the radio wave scanner and turn it on since it seems to be picking up signals here. I hear some static as it cycles through looking for a clear signal, it stops once it picks up some equine chatter. The two equines go wide eyed when they hear it and look to each other concerned.

What we hear is a cause for concern, whatever he is using is picking up signals from a magically warded Canterlot Guard unicorn signal.

"Captain sir, I have the collateral damage report from the Invasion ready," a guard says.

"Thank you, Private. Bring it to me and then return to helping the citizens," replies the Captain of the royal guard, Shining Armour.

"Yes sir."

A small bit of static later and a new signal comes in. "Sir, the delegate has returned from Gryphonia. She's now in the medical wing with two broken legs, severe cuts and bruises across her body... Her personal guard did not return with her," oh no.

"WHAT! That does it, call for an emergency war meeting with all the Captains and the Princesses now! I've had enough trying to play nice with those barbarians. Ever since that new king of theirs killed the old one and took the throne all he's done was attack our borders... Not anymore," shining replies in anger.

"Yes sir!" the guard replies.

I Look to Luna and her face has the same look of horror.

I'm just listening to the shouting of one of the equines on the scanner, at least I think it's shouting. The white one frantically pulls my right arm and drags me back over to the system map, she taps the button for the Equus Capitol and looks at me with worry filled eyes. I guess what she heard is what has her upset.

"Ordis, set new location for the Equus Capital," I tell him.

"Yes, Operator."

And with that we fly back, looks like exploring will just have to wait for now.

We arrive within eight minutes and land, the two equines leave the Orbiter and tell the others something before rushing off into the building.

The purple one looks at me, then to my ship with a pout still, cute. I pat her on the head which just makes her more grumpy and the others to giggle, I then walk over to Nightshade who is still next to the yellow one.

"So I take it you like her?" I ask him.

He barks and his tongue flops out as he pants happily, I then scratch him behind his ears. Well if he's made a new friend then good for him, he usually just barks aggressively when anyone but me tries to get near him.

The purple one waves a hoof towards herself and points to the building, she walks towards the doors of the building and waves again as the others follow her. I Close the Orbiter's door and follow behind them.

I cant believe he wouldn't let me see inside his ship! GAH! Then he has the nerve to take off with the Princesses no less! Oh well, maybe I can get a look inside later.

I wonder what has the Princesses so worried. Did they see something on his ship? Is he a threat to Equestria? The Princesses told me to keep an eye on him but what am I supposed to do?

We walk down the halls towards the dining hall, with all that has happened today I'm pretty hungry and by the sounds of it so are the others.

*GGGGUUURRRGGLLEEE* A loud gurgling rumble echoes throughout the hall. We all turn to see Pinkie giggling while patting her belly. "BWAAHAHAHAHAHAA! Oh my gosh! Your stomach seems to get louder every time, Pinkie!" Dash says calming down from her laughing fit.

"I know right! I haven't eaten since breakfast and all that running around from the Changelings didn't help either!" Pinkie replies still giggling with a few snorts as well.

"Okay, okay. Let's go get a bite to eat," I say to them while shaking my head with a smile.

We continue down the hall passing some guards and maids. Just as we arrive at the hall, there was one pony that we all wished was taken away by the Changelings... Prince Blueblood.

A white equine with blond hair and a fancy collar exits the door looking smug. If I know anything from some of the colonies I've protected, it's that there are always those that think they are better than others, I believe he is one of them.

He then turns to look at us, he says something to them in a conceited tone but then notices me. I have never heard such a feminine scream come from any male before and without warning his horn glows and blasts me right in the head, it surprisingly had enough force to make me back flip onto my stomach with a loud thud, cracking the stone floor a bit.

The others all gasp and backed away as he continues to blast me. I slowly stand up and walk over to him, that first blast actually took fifteen percent off my shielding.

Oh no no no no no. Not now! Why did Blueblood have to be here right now!? The biped slowly stands up and walks towards Blueblood as he just keeps taking the blasts. He then with a quick movement of his right arm, grips Blueblood's horn and effortlessly lifts him into the air by a good metre and a half.

Blueblood starts to panic as he has trouble controlling his magic. I'm tapping on the biped's leg trying to get him to let go but he's ignoring me.

What really gets me worried is when his left hand grips the handle of that dagger of his, the moment he pulled it out, we can feel the heat coming off from it as the blade seems to glow. He then holds it up to Blueblood's throat and he stops struggling. Blueblood's eyes are mere pinpricks as the hot dagger is singeing his coat slightly.

As a last resort I hit him with as much force as I can into his right leg with my right foreleg, only to end up spraining my fetlock in the process.

It did the job though as he looks down at me, his expression unreadable. I lift my hoof and point it to Blueblood, then slowly lower it to the floor. He looks back to Blueblood then to me. He sighs, puts his dagger away and lets go.

Blueblood falls to the floor with an 'eep' and thud, he then scrambles behind some guards. "KILL THAT THING! ITS OBVIOUSLY A CHANGELING SENT HERE TO KILL ME!" he yells at the guards.

The guards don't know what to do, they know they'll be no match against the biped. "WELL WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!? KILL IT!" Blueblood demands them.

"Guards, if you would be so kind as to escort Prince Blueblood back to his chambers that would be most appreciated," I ask them calmly.

They nodded and drag Blueblood away quickly. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? GO BACK THERE AND KILL IT BEFORE IT KILLS ME!" the so called prince screams.

I frown at the display the white one is showing as he flails around and screams at me, I'm going to have to keep an eye on him. The group of equines behind me all sigh in relief.

He has no idea how lucky he is right now, attacking a Tenno is practically asking to be killed, but then again killing one of them would reflect badly upon me. I look to the others, the white and purple one is actually smiling at me, the orange one looks even more on edge, the pink and cyan ones are still giggling while Nightshade is acting as a shield between the ponce and his new yellow friend.

The purple one looks like she's about to have a nervous breakdown.

"Operator, Analyses of the insect is completed and there is one of the insectoid creatures at your location. Target has been marked," Ordis warns me.

Oh thank Celestia that's over, not that it would be a bad thing to be rid of that stuck up stallion, but killing somepony is not the answer, nor would it make the best first impression in the castle. Suddenly the biped looks at one of the maids and without warning charges her into a wall, but before we could react he pulls his dagger out again and lightly cuts her foreleg.

The blood is green. "Changeling!" I yell and the guards surround them.

The biped is holding it by the throat with the dagger poking it in the chest making a sizzling sound. The Changeling looks stunned, probably wondering how it was discovered. Wait a minute... He did absorb one of the Changelings earlier, maybe he can now detect them? Oh I cant wait to learn about his technology!

I quickly shake my head to clear my thoughts. Oh right, the Changeling needs to be dealt with first. "Guards! Take this Changeling to the dungeon and place an inhibitor ring on its horn. Also tie it up good and with a muzzle, we don't want it to try and kill itself." I order them, one of the perks of being the Princess's personal student.

The unicorn guard's horn glows, restraints are summoned and strapped to the Changeling when the biped lets go. We'll have to check the whole castle staff then, if there's one there's bound to be more.

The biped looks to the rest of them, probably looking for any more, but he relaxes and puts his dagger away again.

"Wow, that was sooooo, AWESOME!" Dash says as she hovers in front of him. "How did you know she was a Changeling?" she asks him. After a few seconds of silence and a tilt from his head she gets why. "Oh, right. You don't know what I'm saying," she says as she floats down to the floor.

"Well, that was exciting wasn't it? But I must say I am quite parched and would like to discuss what has transpired over a delightful lunch," Rarity says.

I watch as the insect is dragged away. So they can change their appearance, it's a good thing I had Ordis analyse the corpse then.

The purple one gets my attention and points to the door, I nodded to her and we enter the room. There's a long table with cushions down the length of it... Not a single chair is here.

We all sit down on a cushion. The purple one is to my right, the cyan one is to my left with the yellow one to her left with Nightshade. The other three sit on the other side with the pink one in front of me, the white one to her right and the orange one to her left.

Some sort of servant arrives and takes their orders while throwing me the odd glance or two. The purple one gives me a menu of sorts, I can't read it but the pictures of the meals look good. Unfortunately, a Warframe cannot eat or taste at all.

I hand her the menu back and shake my head, I then gesture to my Warframe and then pretend to lift something up to where my mouth would be then I shake my head, basically telling her I cannot eat while using a Warframe.

She frowns for a second before hesitantly nodding, I think she understood... I think. The servant says something to the others and writes down their orders, he then turns around and leaves the room.

"Oh oh oh! So when can I throw him a welcome and thank your for saving Equestria party!?" I ask with excitement while bouncing on my cushion. I wonder if he would like chocolate or vanilla more? Maybe strawberries! Does he prefer cupcakes or muffins? Oh why does he have to not understand us? I GOT SO MANY QUESTIONS I WANNA ASK!

"Maybe later, Pinkie. First we have to help him get settled in before we do anything else," Twilight says. "From what I could tell, the back of his ship looked damaged, there was some torn and bent bits of metal." While Twilight was talking the tall guy just looks around the hall.

I get up and hop around the table and have a really good look at him, from what he showed us, he looked like a little colt. I wonder if those were from his foalhood? Even if he's an adult now, you're never too old for a party! Oh he has some kind of fancy cape or scarf!

We watch as Pinkie is examining the Biped and looking at the two long pieces of what appear to be very strong, flexible and durable material in the shape of a cape.

Our food arrives and we all dig in as our guest just watches.

I'll have to gather some of the food here and see if it's edible for me, I have rations and a large water supply digitised on the Orbiter, but having a renewable source would be better.

Now that things have settled down I can now observe them.

The pink one is very energetic from her constant bouncing and chatter.

The white one seems like the posh and cultured type.

The orange one is hard to figure out, but guessing from the muscle mass compared to the others she must work in physical labour.

The cyan one looks brash and boastful.

The yellow one looks shy and timid while the purple one is curious and studious, if her attempt to get into my Orbiter is any indicator.

I pull out my Lex and unload its magazine and eject the round in the chamber, I put the bullet back into the mag and Digitise the mag into my magazine hard-drive. I hold the pistol out to the purple one now that its harmless and she gasps. It's covered in a purple glow and floats in front of her face, hopefully that will satisfy her curiosity... for now.

Oh my gosh, he's letting me look at his weapon? Yes! Now let's see here, I scan the weapon with a spell that lets me see its inner workings. Wow, so many small details, the trigger is connected to some sort of hammer and.....

Huh, he's letting the egghead look at his toy? Meh, I don't care about that, I wanna see those metal wing things he showed us. I nudge him and he looks at me, I point to his hips then to my wings which I flap, he looks down for a second then grabs that disk thingy again. I nodded and he places it on the table.

After a few swipes with his hands the pictures of him flying again are shown, he's flying through space between giant pieces of scrap metal with a large broad sword that's different from the one he just had. Some weird shaped metal thingies start shooting at him, he does rolls, flips, and other manoeuvres as he slices his way past them... So awesome.

The cyan one is now engrossed with the recordings. I turn back to see the purple one trying to dismantle my Lex so I take it back from her with a shake of my head, I really should of seen that coming actually. She whines with another pout and I sigh, maybe I can give her an empty auto injector to fiddle with later.

"Damm that monster to Tartarus! I was so close to taking over Equestria!" In my anger I fire a blast of magic at my desk and destroy it.

When I meet that beast again, I'll make sure it'll never see the light of day!

I was about to fire off another magical blast but the door to my chambers opened. "My Queen, we've finished excavating that strange metal thing from the canyon," my drone informs me.

Well at least that's some good news. "Then let's see what we have shall we?" I say and fly out to the dig site.

The canyon is right in front of the old pony sisters castle. We fly down to see a heavily rusted green metal ship like object, it has a hole in the side. I enter with caution, there's a few skeletal remains similar in shape to that monster but the clothing or armour is different. Most of their limbs have also been replaced with metal.

Something catches my attention in the corner, it's some kind of canister with a glowing orange and blue organic mass, I start grinning.

"Now what do we have here?"