//------------------------------// // Running home // Story: Night Patrol // by Foxgear //------------------------------// Night Patrol chapter 27 By Foxgear Canterlot gleamed in the morning sun as the Twilight Dusk limped through the sky. Smoke rolled out from under the ship as the crew does their best to keep the engines running. Overheat had been right when he said they wouldn’t need the cooling system, but once they got away from the snowstorm, things got hot really quickly. The internal engine parts were severely damaged. The cooling gems tried to catch up and cool the system. Some of the mechanisms turned a bright hot red, meaning the damage was already done. The parts warped and weakened. It was only thanks to emergency repairs that they kept the airship flying. Currently, they were managing ten knots (11mph). Any faster and the chief engineer said she’d blow sky high! “Why do they call ships she?” Applejack wondered aloud on the deck, enjoying the warmth of the sun. The morning air was cold, but a sweltering compared to the blizzard yesterday. Inspecting the crew, Applejack made sure every pony was ok or seeking treatment from their battle yesterday. Her mind was scattered, trying to make sense of yesterday’s attack. Mammoths, the last tribe she expected to fight, leading her to wonder what will be next? What other races have ponies crossed that were just itching for the chance to strike back? Fretting with the brim of her hat, Applejack wandered away from the crowd. “This is over my head.” She muttered. Part of her wished she was more than some pony from the stix, but at times like this, she didn’t envy Luna right now. Navigating this mess would be a heavy burden for any pony. She wished she could do more for her friend then just give her the bad news. The ship slowly came to a stop at the air dock. Crews of ponies rush out, no doubt concern about the substantial damages while medics evacuate the seriously injured. The ship’s anchor was engaged, allowing the engines to finally power down and give the crew a moment of relief. Really Applejack thought for sure at least one of the engines was going… (BOOM!)… Blow… “Every pony off the ship!” Fury yelled, carrying the closet ponies next to him onto the docks. Fire crews were dispatched, and water sprays as the fire spread through the ship. It was spreading too fast. There was no way they could save it. “Let her go!” Applejack yelled over the crowd galloping for the locks. “Release it! Send it down the mountain before she explodes! Is every pony off?” Fury nodded as the last group of escaped. With a powerful kick, Applejack released the ship locks letting the airship fall down the Cliffside. She leaned over the edge to watch the ship blow apart and explode into a massive firestorm. She breathed a sigh of relief, at least they got every pony out in time, or this could have been much worse. Now there was the matter of… “What has happened?” …Explaining this to Luna. “Howdy Princess, we had (BOOM) some trouble along the way.” Applejack chuckled nervously as a pillar of searing hot flame erupted behind her. “We have a lot to talk about.” Luna looked warily down the mountainside at the flaming wreckage. “Indeed, we do.” They walk away from the crowds, letting the professionals and sub-commanders deal with the matter. Applejack explained how they routed the changelings and then was attacked by mammoths and some other strange entity. Overheat would need to be called in for more details as he was the only one to see the mysterious equine. He didn’t seem very eager to talk about it on the way home, and Applejack let him be. There had been more pressing matters to deal with at the time. “I see your trip home was much more exciting than predicted, but in all seriousness, I had not expected Mammoths. To think they would rise up again. I had thought they didn't have the numbers, but this makes the second strange event recently.” Applejack gave her a puzzled look, “What was the first?” Luna sighed, explaining the chimera attack and Emerald’s and Crusader’s defeat of the beast at the cost of an entire village and squad. “I see, that’s bad news, very bad. Think it had anything to do with the Mammoths?” Luna shook her head, uncertain for the first time in a long time. “I do not know Applejack, and until Shadow Specter returns, I’m afraid I can only guess at this point.” Applejack came to a sudden stop, “Wait… didn’t Shadow Specter go off to see the world with the other Rinin?” Luna glanced warily around, making sure no other pony was around. “Well, that may be what he said he was doing, but he may actually be… spying on other nations for me…” She trailed off. Applejack blinked, “…WHAT!” A group of four, all different races and all of them had two things in common. One, they were royalty or leader of their tribe, and two, they all had a bad history with Equestria. From left to right, the four sitting at the table were the Griffon King Silverous, the Mammoth chieftain Largo, a Zebra Chiefitess named Zelka, and lastly a familiar (And hated) face, Dr. Hoofenstein. They spoke in quiet whispers, making it almost impossible to hear what they were saying. Needing to know what they were saying, Shadow Specter moved through the wall for a better position. “My friends, we gather today to rejoice in the first step in our path to victory. The attack by my Chimera and the lovely Lumi has the royal sisters looking every which way, but where they need to be looking. Rest assured, our moment will come, and we will descend upon Equestria with the fury of thousands of suns and wipe it from this earth!” Largo snorted, “I hardly call losing some of my best warriors in a small skirmish a step forward! Please explain to me how making us shoulder the blame will aid us in the coming battles.” Hoofenstein frowned, lowering his glass, and taking note of the mood of the room. “I’m sorry for your loss, my friend, but be assured it was not in vain. The royal sisters have not kept track of the Mammoth tribe for many moons. They know not your location, your civilization structure, or even the reason for the attack. They will have to take time to find you, and when they do, they will want to talk rather than fight, to try and understand and reason with you. Thus buying us more time and the chance to strike!” The Mammoth scoffed, his brushy brows hiding his intense glare, “What of Princess Luna? With her back in the picture, the Equestrians will be quicker to strike as they have in the past. Celestia is the peace talker, Luna is the one to bring the peace. If Luna is in charge of the assault, the chance to parlay will be small. The Princess of the Night is not one to drag out a battle as you personally have experienced Hoofenstein.” Hoofenstein coughed in his hoof, “Yes, her attack on my compound was profound with unexpected ferocity, but it is in defeat that we can find victory. We know how they act, and our spies are collecting everything without even a hint of suspicion. Right my little friend?” A small insect-like creature flew onto the table. Shadow Specter glared as the blue bug pony flew up to Hoofenstein’s ear and spoke in some jibber-jabber language. “Hmm, I suppose that’s expected. Thank you, my little friend. Largo, could you please smash that wall over there? There’s an old, test subject, sticking his muzzle where he shouldn’t.” (How did he know I was here?) Shadow Specter wondered, making a break for it. He phased through the wall and ran down the corridor, the big Mammoth barreling through the stone and mortar with an angry battle cry. His stomps shaking the floor. Specter wondering how it didn’t fall out from beneath them. Turning right, Shadow phased through the dead-end, stumbling into a guards’ room full of griffon soldiers. He flashed them a smile trotting past their bewildered faces into the next wall. The sound of Largo plowing through them was profound as their screaks of pain bounce of the stones walls. Sometimes it was just too easy. Still, Shadow kept up his pace, making quick and random turns through many walls to hide his trail. Eventually, when he had everypony running every other way, he sank to the lower level and carefully picked out a hiding spot. He needed the heat to die down or heat up in this case. The fortress had few hiding places outside its walls. The barren landscape made it easy to spot fleeing prisoners, spies, and approaching armies. His only chance was to blend into the guards as they fanned out to search for him. He’d need armor and a squad of pony guards to join up with. Shadow finish placing the last piece of armor on, making sure his visor was lowered to hide his face. He liked being unique, but his face was too unique to hide in a crowd. Black and white weren’t typical pony colors, and having white bone patterns was even less conventional. A group of ponies formed up marching out the front gate. Shadow slipped in the back unnoticed. Looking around, they all seem to be earth ponies, not surprising, really. Hoofenstein wasn’t fond of other pony races. Still, there was something different about these ponies. Were they foreign? He listened to some of the guards muttering, their language was harsh and thick, but not unfamiliar. They were speaking germane, Hoofenstein’s native tongue. “Move out!” The commander yelled. As one, they march out at a steady gallop racing for the tree line ahead. This is it. This would be his chance to get away! Only something wasn’t right, they weren’t splitting off into smaller teams. In fact, they were surrounding him, every way he looked he was surrounded by ponies, even behind him. Something wasn’t right, did they know? Four guards closed in on him. There was little doubt in Shadow’s mind that they knew who he was. He saw a few preparing to attack, and when they did, he sunk into the ground. The four collide and trip up every pony behind them. However, he was barely halfway to the forest, and now they knew where he was, which was out in the open and alone. “Well, come and get me if you dare!” He taunted, appearing in front of the group. His breath was slightly labored, he didn’t have enough magic left to phase for more than a few seconds. The first brave soul charged, and Shadow intended to make an example out of him. He reached out with his hoof and bats the pony’s brains out his skull, literary. His hoof phased through the pony’s head, and for a second, he made it corporeal grabbed the pony’s brain, and lobbed it out of the skull. He tossed it aside as the pony’s body dropped like a sack of potatoes. No pony daring to get closer after that. Warily Shadow backed away from the quaking group keeping his eyes on the enemies in front of him. Up above, griffons circled in the sky, and mammoths gathered at the castle gates. He didn’t have much time. He was one, and they were many. How many phases did he have left in him? How long would they last? He was in deep, too deep this time. The forest was still at least a mile or so away. From there would be plenty of cover from above, and hopefully get to the Everfree forest. Still aways from home, but at least the wild magic of the Everfree would work against the bigger group. The forest didn’t take well to large groups entering. Still, he had to reach it first. He paws away faster, but the ponies were keeping pace as griffons squawk above. Even the mammoths were catching up. It seems he was out of time. Shadow whirled around and made a run for it. Behind him, the ground rumbled as everything, pony, griffon, and mammoth charged for him. Head down, eyes focused ahead. He ran for all he was worth. His muscles screaming and burning. He’s never had to run this fast before! He was so focused that he didn’t even notice entering the tree line, even as low hanging branches and shrubs cut him, he just kept running. So focused on the path ahead, he didn’t bother to watch his footing, and it would cost him, it would cost him dearly. He fell and skidded against the forest floor, his front right leg in agony. A tree root… a stupid tree root would be his undoing! Hobbling one three legs, Shadow pushed on, being more careful of his footing as he ran towards the sound of water. Behind him heard the shouts of his pursuers. (How are they finding me so quickly?) The mouth of giant rockcodile snapped up from the watery depths of the swamp, snatching up a fish mid-jump. It gave Shadow an idea. “There he is!” A griffon yelled above. Behind him, at least twelve ponies surrounded him, he guessed the mammoths were having trouble getting through the foliage. Letting his pursuers close in around him, Shadow jumped and lands on the rockcodile’s head! The beast rears up, snapping its powerful jaws. Shadow jumps again to another crock causing the swarm to go into a frenzy. Ponies and griffons screamed as the rockcodiles rush the beach, snapping up ponies and griffons alike with their powerful jaws, ripping them to pieces. At the same time, Shadow safely landed on the other bank and took off again. He pressed on for what seemed like hours, maybe more, his vision blurry from lack of sleep and exhaustion. His hoof steps wavered, and he stumbled, hitting his injured leg again. Hissing while biting back a scream as Shadow bit on a fallen stick. The enemy could be anywhere, and he’d be dammed if he gave away his position again. Shadow laid there for who knows how long. The ground wet beneath him, making him shiver. Slowly he rights himself and stood back up, his body stiff from lying down for so long. A thick mist surrounding him, so thick that he could barely see the trees in front of him. He licked his lips, tasting the wet air. He tasted magic. “Who’s out there?” He demanded. Flexing his claws in the dirt. He probably had enough magic for a few phases, but not many. His ear twitched at the sound of a twig snapping. Phantoms dance around him, their silhouettes running circles around him. There was five total. A feminine voice chuckled, “Strong and wise is our prize before his demise, yet the fates have yet to debate his fate. Answer a question to choose your destination, a life of pleasure, or a life of pain. Choose swiftly before thy time runs dry.” Rhyming… meaning zebras. Could it be Zelka? "What do you want with me? Why have you not alerted others?” The voice chuckled again. Soft musical of chants sang in the background, “Though we aligned with others, our goals defer by design, the conquest of the weak is not what we seek in our amazon tribe, but males of strength and valor of the divine are our prize. Come with us, and you shall see or not and die where no pony will see.” Amazons… the Zebras of the Amazon Basin! That’s the tribe Zelka rules. He’s heard of them. Their tribe is all mares, and they capture stallions from other tribes, but only ones that they think are strong or have genetics they desire. From what he’s heard, they are the single zebra tribe to have pegasus zebras and possibly the even rarer unicorn zebra. “You want to take me back to your tribe? Why?” “You walk on two planes, on the earth and in the spirit, an ability that would benefit us greatly.” “Two planes… you mean my phasing? I wasn’t born with that! I don’t even know if it can be passed on. You’re wasting your time. Now get out of my way, or I’ll make you!” Zelka chuckled again, it was getting annoying. “Whether or not the power of the two plane walker can be passed on is not of significance. Your skills and cunning are more than enough without it.” “If I’m reading you right, you’ll let me live if I come and be your… impregnator for a while?” “Correct. Know if you refuse the sentence is death.” Well… that made a choice easy. “Fine, but only if I can get my message to Princess Luna, after that, I’m all yours.” There was no reply right away, but the mist began clearing, and Zelka stepped out from the tree line with a small grin. “Your terms are agreeable, but you will not be delivering them. Tell my eldest daughter Zell what must be spoken to the moon bringer, and she’ll deliver them.” Zella was an average looking zebra, safe for the wings folded at her sides. A pegasus Zebra. Never thought he’d see one. “Fine, tell Luna…” Zella listened intently to the message, writing the important parts down before taking flight. Shadow just hoped he could trust them to keep their word as the amazons lead him onto a raft set to take him to the sea and from there Zebra country. He wondered if he would ever return home. “This is not good, Hoofenstein. Our scouts report nothing. Undoubtedly the spy escaped and is now on his way to the royal sisters. The plan is foiled!” Silverous proclaimed with worry. He’s risked so much with this alliance, going against the sisters like his forefather before him. Perhaps his son was right, this was foolishness. Hoofenstein stood with his back to him, the pony looking intently at the wall. He’s seen this pose before. Hoofenstein made it often when he was deep in thought. The earth pony began pacing the floor, looking stressed. “There is a way this could still work in our favor,” Hoofenstein said aloud. “Come with me Silverous, I will show you my secret weapon. Once you see it, I’m sure your faith will be steadfast.” He was uncertain of Hoofenstein’s claim, but none, the less Silverous, followed the earth pony deep into the bowls of the fortress. They descend further and further the air becoming almost freezing cold as they approach the lowest level. There they came to a door. “In the battle of Rainbow Factory, I acquired something very precious from Princess Luna, something that has allowed my research to progress farther and faster than ever before.” “And what was that?” Silverous asked as Hoofenstein fiddled with several locks. A lot of locks! What did he have in there? From inside came a chilling whinny echo, it was cold and filled with anger. The door swung open, and Hoofenstein wordlessly waves him into the room. The room was dark. Silverous could barely make out the shape of the being locked inside. A flash of metal caught in the light, revealing razor shape teeth, dripping with saliva. The creature was tall and slender and defiantly equine. It whinnied, rearing up, pulling at its chains as it spreads its massive wings to touch the walls of the small room. A spark fell from above, and Silverous looked up to see a long pointed object scraping against the ceiling. This couldn’t be what he thought was, could it? Lanterns flickered to life, revealing the creature, its coat pitch black and its mane dancing black ethereal. There was no doubt about it, it was an alicorn, and it looked just like Luna! “King Silverous, might I introduce you to subject LC-4, created from the bits of King Sombra's DNA with a hint of bat and dragon and a dash of Princess Luna’s blood.” “LC-4? Luna’s blood, you don’t mean this creature is…” Hoofenstein smiles, “Indeed, a copy of Princess Luna, the fourth copy to be exact, but she’s taken a name of her own choosing.” “That thing can speak?” Hoofenstein nodded and undid the bridle letting the copy alicorn speak, “Go ahead, say your name, my dear.” Dark blue eyes glared at them as the alicorn snarled at the both of them, “Nightmare Moon, my name is Nightmare Moon!”