//------------------------------// // Dire News // Story: Assignment: Equestria // by Naxanz //------------------------------// As Nick stood in the corner of the party room watching the ponies dance and have a good time Applejack walked up to him and asked, “Ain’t you gunna dance?” “Nah, I’m not much of a dancer,” replied Nick with a smile. “If you say so.” Pinkie suddenly popped in holding a tray of colorful cupcakes. “Would you like one?” she giggled. “Uh, thanks,” said Nick taking one from the tray. Applejack also took one from the tray before saying, “Pinkie Pie sure does make a good cupcake,” and taking a huge bite. Nick also took a bite and his eyes lit up. “Pinkie, this is the best cupcake I’ve ever had. What’s in them?” “It’s my secret recipe, but I can’t tell you because then it wouldn’t be a secret anymore!” she chortled. Pinkie then bounced over to Rarity who was on the other side of the room leaving Nick and Applejack to eat their cupcakes. “Well I’ll see ya around,” said Applejack finishing her cupcake and disappearing into the crowd of ponies. While Nick continued to nibble on his cupcake Rainbow Dash appeared into view. She was pushing Fluttershy from behind and slowly scooting her towards where Nick was standing. Once in front of Nick she stopped pushing Fluttershy and raised her head. “See Fluttershy? He’s not scary,” said Rainbow Dash to Fluttershy. “Hi Fluttershy,” said Nick softly after finishing his cupcake. “Hi…” replied Fluttershy almost inaudibly. “Twilight told me that you like animals, is that true?” asked Nick with a smile. Fluttershy’s eyes lit up a little, “Yes.” “I would love to see them sometime,” said Nick kindly. “Well sure, if you want… A cute little group of baby bunnies has just been born.” “So, uh, Nick. When do you think we could have our race?” inquired Rainbow Dash somewhat butting in. “I don’t know… First I have to get back to the Atropos, and then I’d have to “ok” it with my commander.” “Who’s your commander?” “His name is Commander Trenton, but everybody in our patrol just calls him Commander Trent.” “Who else is in your patrol?” “Umm, Zach, Daren, and Mulder. By the way, why are you asking so many questions?” “I don’t know, just curious I guess.” “Ok then…” “You’re pretty cool Nick. See ya around” And with that Rainbow Dash disappeared into the mass of partying ponies as well. Nick looked back to where Fluttershy was sitting but she was gone now too. “Must have snuck off while I was talking with Rainbow Dash,” he thought as he started to walk over to the concession stand. On his way there he bumped into a brown pony. “Excuse me,” Nick said stepping aside. “No, excuse me,” replied the brown pony, “So, you’re from another planet? Let me introduce myself I’m Doctor Whooves.” “Hello Doctor Whooves, nice to meet you.” “And you too. You know when I was…” “Doctor Whooves? Oh, there you are. I’ve been looking for you,” said a light yellow pony with blue and pink hair as it approached the doctor, “You kind of just wandered off.” “Sorry Bon Bon, I was just having a nice conversation with our guest here,” smiled the doctor. “Hello,” greeted Bon Bon. "Hello..." greeted Nick in return. Nick chatted with the two ponies for a little while before departing for the concession stand yet again. Once he got there he poured himself a glass of punch and took a sip. The song that was playing ended and somepony called out the name of another song Nick didn’t know. The disk jockey, a blue haired pony with glasses, removed the other record and replaced it with the new song. “All right everypony lets party!” shouted the DJ before blasting the music. At that moment the door suddenly flew open and Spike stepped in. His normally friendly face was very serious and he seemed as if he had just seen a ghost. “Where’s Twilight?” he asked unemotionally. By now the music had stopped and everybody was staring at him. “Over there,” pointed somepony Nick didn’t know. Spike walked over to Twilight and whispered something into her ear. Twilight’s eyes widened and they both hurried into another room and shut the door to talk in private. All the ponies began to chatter anxiously wondering what was happening. After a few minutes the door cracked open and Spike motioned for Nick to enter. Nick walked over to the door and went inside of the other room. “What’s all this…” Nick’s words were cut off as Spike hissed, “Shut the door!” Nick shut the door behind him and looked around. They seemed to be in the baking section of the bakery. There was an oven, and cupboards, and also counters with baking tools on them. Twilight, Spike, and Nick were the only ones in the room. “What’s all this about?” Nick tried again whispering. Spike handed Nick a scroll. Nick unrolled it and began to read: Dear Twilight, This is an urgent message that must be responded to as soon as possible. Last night Las Pegasus had been attacked and captured by an unknown force. As Captain of the Royal Guard I sent troops to Las Pegasus to fend off the aggressors, but they only put up a small fight and were crushed easily by the attacking force. A scout reports that the aggressors are using strange magic. I was wondering if you, with all of your knowledge, had, by any chance, an idea of what this unknown attacking force could possibly be? Or, by chance, know what they mean by the term “strange magic”? If so please write back as soon as possible. From, Shining Armor P.S Do not tell any other pony about this! I do not want to spread worry. “Are you at war right now?” asked Nick after he finished reading the scroll, “And how does this Shining Armor guy know you?” “He’s my brother, and no we are not at war right now! Equestria hasn’t been at war for over 1,000 years!” exclaimed Twilight anxiously. “Well, than what is it?” asked Nick puzzled. “That’s what I was wondering at first,” said Twilight restlessly, “Equestria is generally a very peaceful place. But then I remembered about you and thought…” “There is no way! The intergalactic Starfleet policy clearly states that it is illegal to interfere with other alien civilizations by means of war and/or violence unless attacked by them first,” responded Nick cutting Twilight off in mid sentence. “Then what is it?” asked Spike throwing his hands up into the air. “I don’t know…” replied Twilight, “I don’t know…” While Twilight stared into space lost in thought and Spike paced the room Nick wondered if it really was the humans that had attacked this city. Unfortunately, he could not confirm this until he was able to contact the Atropos again. It would be at least another 24 hours before he could reach them. Until then Nick would just have to hope for the best. --Meanwhile on the Atropos-- “The alien city has been overtaken and barricaded; what do you suppose we should do next sir?” reported an officer to the captain. “Keep the city under quarantine. If alien forces attack again just fend them off, but do not take any more land. I want a complete analysation of the inhabitants of this planet as soon as possible. And, if you can, try to figure out what that strange energy reading is. That’s the whole reason we’re here in the first place,” said the captain coolly while spinning around in his chair to face the officer. “Yes sir!”