Chapter 6: Shepard’s Special Talent
Celestia frowned as she looked out at her sister’s tower from her office. Luna had been raising the moon each night, and Celestia could sense her younger sister was patrolling their subjects’ dreams, but she hadn’t seen her in the flesh for nearly two weeks now. “Noteworthy?”
As always, her personal aide was quick to respond. “Yes, Princess?”
“Has anypony seen Luna out of her tower in the past few days?”
“No, Princess. In fact, I was hoping to bring to your attention that she hasn’t been out of her tower since returning from Ponyville two weeks ago.”
With a soft sigh, Celestia rose from her seat. “Suspend my morning appointments please, Noteworthy. Make the proper apologies and assure everypony I’ll see to them soon. I need to speak with my sister, it seems.”
There were a few of the nobility who would no doubt be uppity, but Noteworthy had been doing this job for a few years now. She was capable of handling the occasional bellowing blue blood. “Of course, Princess. Should I have the kitchens send along a pot of tea?”
“No thank you, Noteworthy. Luna was never much for tea, I’m afraid.” The Princess of the Sun strode through the halls, outwardly calm, but inwardly she felt her worry growing with each step. Was Luna growing sullen and withdrawn again? Things had been going so well the past few years, she couldn’t imagine that the Nightmare was threatening to rear its head once more, but Luna was showing similar behavior to last time.
She was happy to give Luna her space for a time, but the longer it went, the more worried she had gotten. It always seemed as though somepony else needed her help for something or another, and her feelings for her sister had to be put aside again and again. Last time this happened, Luna became one of the greatest threats in Equestrian history. Celestia would not let that happen again.
Alarmed guards noted their beloved Princess’ steps quickening as she trotted in a rather unseemly manner through the castle halls. A few called out asking if she needed assistance, but she shook her head firmly each time. If it was the worst case scenario, her little ponies would only be in danger.
Taking the steps toward her sister’s chambers two at a time, Celestia practically knocked the doors off their hinges as she burst into Luna’s room. An alarmed bellow from the younger Princess within the room blew Celestia’s mane back and sent her skidding back out the door. “Celestia?! What do you think you are doing, barging into my chamber like this?! You nearly destroyed the door! ‘Tis an antique from our original castle, no less!”
Adrenaline was still raging through the elder sister’s body as she looked almost frantically about. “Are you alright? Why haven’t you left your room in so long?!”
At first Luna was completely taken aback by the frantic tone in her sister’s voice. It didn’t take long for the real source of her concern to click into place. “Tia! Do you truly think so little of me that you suspect I am slipping back into the nightmare?”
The hurt and outrage in her little sister’s voice worked to calm Celestia’s nerves. “I… I just worry, Lulu. First you’re prancing happily through the halls, and then you’re locking yourself away again. I suppose I let my fears run wild. In my defense, this is pretty close to what happened last time.”
Luna shot her a sullen glare, but couldn’t argue. Now that Celestia looked closer, her sister seemed exhausted. Noticeable bags hung under her eyes, her head held low, and even her mane had lost some of its fullness. “Luna, have you not been sleeping?”
Luna had in fact not been sleeping very much at all of late. Every time she closed her eyes, a cacophony of images flashed through her mind. All the things Legion had shown her—both the good and the bad—refused to relinquish their grip on her memory. Her eyes were constantly drawn to the star filled sky at night, wondering what was out there.
When Luna didn’t immediately answer, Celestia stepped inside, gently shutting the door behind herself. “Is this about the mare in the Everfree?” The way she stiffened told Celestia it was. “Sister, I think it’s time you told me of her.”
Closing her eyes, Luna took a deep breath. She was right, of course. If all she’d learned of the human visitor was true, then it was too big to keep to herself. “I apologize, Celestia, for I should have told you all about her sooner.”
Shaking her head with a gentle smile, Celestia lowered herself onto the cushions next to her sister. “No, you’re allowed your own private life and business, Luna. But if this mare is weighing so heavily on your mind that it interrupts your duties, then I think it a good idea that you let me in on what troubles you.”
Another deep breath, and Luna began. She held nothing back, telling her sister everything she had learned of the human woman from the Everfree, to the nearly impossible to imagine tale of dozens of races living amongst the stars. By the time she finished, the normally cool and composed Celestia was staring wide-eyed at her little sister.
“Luna, this human sounds incredibly dangerous. You should have brought this to my attention right away!”
“That’s just it, sister. She has a good heart, I know it. Shepherd is hurting terribly, and worst of all, she does not know why. I know a little of what it is like to lose oneself, Tia. Truly, it is a horrifying experience, and one I would not wish on another. Consider however, she is dangerous and powerful yes, but look at how she has interacted with the Elements of Harmony. Fluttershy has been sending messages to me nearly daily on the activities she and her friends have engaged in with the woman.”
Celestia raised an eyebrow as Luna levitated a small stack of letters before her. Accepting them with her own magic, she began to scan the first one. “These almost seem like Twilight’s old friendship reports.”
“Perhaps. Shepherd has had ample opportunity to do our subjects harm if she wished, and she certainly could cause great destruction with the tools at her disposal, I do not argue that. Yet she chooses not to. All the horrors she has experienced in her life, and she chooses to befriend these six young ponies. Some of these reports are rather humorous as well, sister. I believe you may like the woman if you give her a chance.”
Celestia was silent for a time as she read each report thoroughly. “Why do you keep your distance from her, Luna? It sounds as though you were building a rapport with her.”
A frown tugged at the corners of the younger alicorn’s mouth. “When I first appeared before her in the waking world, she reacted… poorly. It was my own fault. I should have eased into our meeting more gently instead of thrusting myself upon her. I had become something of a guardian angel to the woman in her mind. Seeing me in the flesh forced her to begin seeing her nightmares as real as well.”
Celestia didn’t respond for several long minutes as she read through each of the letters. Finally nodding as she finished the last letter, Celestia returned them to Luna. “I’m going to meet her.”
Luna’s eyes widened slightly. “Tia, if you bring a contingent of guards into her territory, she will assuredly see it as a threat and react poorly. You or she might be hurt.”
Chuckling softly, Celestia rose to her hooves. “Give me a little more credit than that, Lulu. I’ve had a thousand years to get better at this whole ‘Princess’ thing. I can be subtle when I wish. I simply want to meet her. I’ll handle this delicately, I promise.”
Frowning in concern, Luna finally nodded. “Very well. Just tread carefully, sister. She is a powerful warrior when roused to anger. Her weapons and abilities are not to be underestimated.”
Smiling brightly now, Celestia cantered to the doors. “Not to worry, sister. I’ll be the very picture of subtle.”
“Nightmare Moon, huh? Armor looks pretty impressive I guess. Hard to believe that’s Luna.” Shepard regarded the image in her omni-tool with a frown.
“By all accounts, she was driven temporarily mad with jealousy. I speculate that their emotions influence their magic, and this may be the source of her transformation. It is entirely likely it was not a willing change. I intend to ask Twilight to elaborate on the matter this afternoon.”
Dismissing the omni-tool interfaces with a thought, Shepard rose from the water, moving to her clothes and armor. The sunlight glinted brightly off the silk, diamond encrusted undergarments Rarity created for her. Still not entirely used to seeing the gaudy things, Shepard pulled them on carefully. “I still can’t believe these are real diamonds...” When the unicorn returned with her armor, Shepard had asked what happened to her original clothes. An accident involving ‘dragon fire’ was all she could get.
“Precious gemstones seem to be as common as ordinary rocks on this world. I heard Twilight Sparkle mention in passing that Pinkie Pie grew up on a ‘rock farm’ where earth ponies raised stones and gems like crops. I intend to ask her to elaborate on this as well.”
“Rock farm. Jeez, this place gets weirder and weirder. I like it though.” The woman grinned as she fastened her weapons to her still sparkling armor. “Not as goofy as cutie marks though.”
“I believe we will discover nothing as ‘goofy’ as cutie marks, Shepard-Commander. At least I sincerely hope so.”
Nodding at her digital companion’s comment, Shepard started along the path back to her main camp. “True enough. Still, pretty convenient way to find your place in the world, don’t you think? What d’you think mine would be?”
“Judging by your typical activity the past several months, either you stuffing poppers into your face,or lighting wooden wolves on fire. You seem to excel at both.”
Blowing out a heavy breath in annoyance, Shepard was about to shoot back a retort when an alert pinged on her omni-tool. “Something has tripped several proximity sensors and managed to elude the electrified barriers, Shepard-Commander. Rough size and shape suggest a pony.”
With a quick glance at the offered map, Shepard was in the tree tops, vaulting toward the intruder. “Maybe Fluttershy? I don’t think any of the others come into the Everfree if they can avoid it.” Of all the ridiculous names she’d been subjected to since regularly visiting Fluttershy, the Everfree Forest was by far the coolest, and most tolerable.
“Perhaps. Though I find it unlikely she would choose to run rather than fly.”
“Good point.” The sound of frantic hooves pounding on the ground soon reached her ears, followed by the excited snapping and snarling of the wood wolves… ‘Timberwolves’ she had to remind herself. Dropping from the trees, she got her first look at the intruding pony. A snowy white unicorn mare with bright pink mane and tail. Large violet eyes widened as Shepard appeared suddenly. The poor mare seemed torn between fleeing the wolves and fleeing this new creature.
Waving a hand frantically, Shepard motioned for the pony to move. “Get out of the way! Get off the path!”
Nodding wordlessly, the little pony zipped off the main path as the wolves bounded into view. It was almost funny the way they skidded to a halt and tripped over one another to flee the sudden appearance of Shepard. Not bothering with her guns, she discharged a glob of super-heated plasma into the lead wolf, nodding in satisfaction as it burst and spread to the others, leaving only ashes.
Dismissing her omni-tool, she turned to face the mare staring up at her and shivering in fear. Shepard smiled kindly and knelt lower to the ground. “Hey there. This forest is pretty dangerous. What’re you doing out here?”
Slowly it dawned on the pony that she wasn’t about to be cooked or eaten or something. She inched out of the bushes. “W— well I was g— g— gathering herbs in a field when those t— timberwolves jumped out at me. You saved my life! Thank you so much!”
Shepard’s eyes drifted toward the mare’s flank, noting the cheerfully smiling sun shaped cutie mark. Maybe some kind of weather pony? Weren’t those all pegasi? “It was nothing. Though you’re lucky you didn’t run into any of my traps. Damned lucky really. I have snares and nets all over the place.”
The pony’s eyes went wide with fear again as they darted all around. Chuckling a little, Shepard patted the air to calm her. “It’s ok. You’re safe now. Are you from Ponyville?”
Rapidly, the pony’s head bobbed in a nod. “Y— yes. Oh, I’m sorry! I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Sunny Skies.”
Yup. Definitely weather pony. Shepard offered her a smile, very aware of the flinch Sunny Skies couldn’t suppress at seeing her teeth. It was the same reaction every pony had, really. “I’m Shepard Commander. Just Shepard is fine though. Come on; let’s get you back to town.”
The mare nodded gratefully, falling into step with her savior. She cast the smoldering remains of the timberwolves a quick look as they passed them. “What sort of creature are you? You must have very strong magic to kill the timberwolves.”
“I’m a human. And no magic, just technology. My omni-tool…” She called it into being around her arm. “...can release stored up energy every few minutes. It’s enough to put the timber wolves down for good.”
Sunny examined the offered arm curiously, looking over the shimmering orange images. “That’s amazing! What else can it do?”
Shepard shrugged as she carefully led the pony around the myriad of traps. “Pretty much anything, honestly. It’s how I’m speaking Equestrian, it’s a flashlight, a computer, a uh… a bunch of technical stuff you probably don’t have words for here.” The woman laughed, lightly rubbing the back of her head.
To her surprise, the mare simply nodded as if she understood everything. “Where are you from? Are there more humans in the Everfree?”
A frown formed now as Shepard shook her head. “No. I think I’m the only human in the forest. Maybe on the whole planet. I come from, uh… From the stars. Another world.”
“Whaaaaat? That’s impossible. How would you even get here?!”
Shepard smiled again at the pony’s reaction. “Ideally in a ship. I don’t know how I got here though. I lost my memory, maybe when I landed? I… I really don’t know.”
Sunny seemed to sense the woman’s growing distress. “Well lucky for me you landed in Equestria then, huh? If not for you, I’d be some timberwolves’ breakfast!”
The human’s smile returned at that. “Glad I was there to help then.” They’d come to the clearing with the hydra’s bones still lying there. Though a few were missing by now.
Sunny Skies eyed Shepard’s holstered pistol now. “What’s that?”
Glancing down at the weapon at her hip, she smoothly removed it and held it as it unfolded to its proper shape. “A gun. My pistol, I guess. I’m told it’s a ‘Carnifex Hand Cannon’.”
Sunny raised her eyebrows. “My, but that’s a very provocative name. What’s it do?”
Stepping in front of the hydra’s remains, Shepard raised the pistol. “Might wanna cover your ears.” Once the pony did so, she fired off a round into one of the skulls. It burst in a cloud of dust and bone splinters.
Shepard had expected surprise or fear on the pony’s face, not the calculating frown she had leveled her way. “That’s… quite a weapon. A hydra’s bone is as strong as most of the royal guards’ armor.”
Shepard quirked a wry grin. “Well guess I know I’m covered if the royal guard comes to arrest me for squatting in the woods.”
The mare’s brows immediately drew together in a frown. “Are you suggesting you would use such horrible weapons against a pony?”
Eyeing her pistol quietly, Shepard shrugged and refastened it to her hip. “I wouldn’t want to. So far I’ve only met a few ponies, but you’ve all been pretty kind and understanding. I’d much prefer settling a dispute with you guys with words over bullets. Taking the life of an animal is one thing. Taking the life of another person, that’s…” The woman’s eyes grew unfocused as a faraway look came to them.
The strange man drops from the ceiling. An alien. Green scaly skin. Large black eyes with two sets of lids. He shoots the blue woman in the chest before gently laying her out on her desk, folding her hands over her chest. His voice is gravelly, but not entirely unpleasant to the ear.
“I came a long way to talk to you.”
“One moment; prayers for the wicked must not be forsaken.”
“Do you really think she deserves it?”
“Not for her. For me.”
A hospital. It smells too clean and sterile. Shepard always hated them. The green being… The drell looks tired, but content.
“It's freeing to find no requirements placed on me. No responsibilities, no fears. It is a good end to a life.”
“Thane.” Her voice was barely a whisper. “Thane Krios.” Shepard dropped to her knees unsteadily as a concerned Sunny Skies rushed to her side.
“Miss Shepherd? Are you alright?”
Shaking her head slowly, she ignored the pony. “Legion! Do you have any data on a… a drell! A drell named Thane Krios?!”
Sunny slowly backed away as the omni-tool flared to life and a harsh male voice spoke. “Indeed, Shepard-Commander. That name is among the thousands recorded. One moment…” An image of the drell appeared in the omni-tool.
Shepard just stared at the image, smiling toothily. “Ha! I remember someone else! He was… An assassin? But… he had such quiet nobility. We were close. Good friends, I think.”
“You were friends with an assassin?”
Sunny Skies’ voice brought Shepard out of her happy moment. She looked from the image of Thane to the gently frowning pony. “Oh, uh… Well, yeah. He wasn’t just some killer for hire. He dealt with bad people.” She assumed.
“Still… He routinely took the life of others. Is that sort of thing normal where you’re from?”
Shepard briefly considered lying, but thought better of it. If the ponies were somehow introduced to the worlds outside Equestria, they’d be taken advantage of if they assumed everyone was as kind and honest as they were. “It’s not normal… But it does happen. The sad fact is, many governments and wealthy individuals are very corrupt. This corruption can cause them to hurt other people, sometimes a lot of other people. These were the kinds of people Thane dealt with.”
“And you? What kind of person are you, Miss Shepherd?”
Shepard regarded the little pony with a sad smile. “I wish I could tell you, Sunny Skies. I really do. For now, I know I’m the kind of person who saves ponies from hydras and timberwolves, and has diamond encrusted underwear made for her by a local fashion designer.”
Sunny smiled a little at the joke. “Well that doesn’t sound like the worst kind of person to be to me.”
Running a hand through her hair, Shepard got back to her feet. “Me either, Sunny... Me either.”
Shepard parted ways with Sunny Skies at the lane leading up to Fluttershy’s cottage. She watched the little mare trot into town before heading up to the cottage. She was about to knock when Fluttershy herself suddenly opened the door. The bandages were gone, and her fur was more or less completely grown back in. “Oh! Hello, Shepherd. I was just on my way to Sweet Apple Acres actually… Oh! Oh dear, I should have left you a note in case you came by. What if you knocked and I wasn’t home? I’m so sorry.”
Shaking her head with an amused grin, Shepard chuckled. “It’s alright. I thought I’d send Legion off to study with Twilight some more while we talked.”
Stepping fully out of her cottage, Fluttershy pulled the door closed behind herself. “Well all the girls are going to be at the farm today. It’s Applebuck season and we’re helping the Apple Family bring in their harvest. You’re more than welcome to come too if you like.”
A faint look of apprehension came to the woman’s face. “Oh I don’t know, Fluttershy. I don’t really want to go through the town and cause a big ruckus.”
“Hm. Well we can take the long way around. Sweet Apple Acres is a little ways outside of town. Further than my cottage, even. It’d just be me and the girls, plus Applejack’s brother.”
Shepard looked back at the looming Everfree for a moment before facing the pegasus again. “Know what? Sure. I need to see a little more of the town than just your cottage if I’m ever going to go in, right?”
Smiling softly now, Fluttershy set a leisurely pace down the path. “It couldn’t hurt.”
The pair walked in silence for a time. Shepard looked more nervous than Fluttershy as her eyes darted back and forth constantly. She was clearly uncomfortable being out in the open like this, a fact that Fluttershy noticed easily. “So do you remember any more animals from other worlds?”
Shepard’s eyes shifted back to her companion. “Afraid not. Just the pyjacks and the varren. I sort of remember these giant acid spitting worms… I can’t remember what they’re called. Either way, they probably wouldn’t be very fun to meet.”
Fluttershy giggled softly. “No, I suppose anything that spits acid would probably not be very friendly.”
“So! What’s apple buck season?”
“Well it’s when the biggest apple harvest has come in. Applejack and Big Mac knock apples out of the trees by bucking them. So, apple... buck.”
“Ha! That’s cute. I bet it’s something to see. So you guys all go and help out?”
“Mmhm.” Fluttershy smiled at some distant memory. “A few years ago, Applejack got a little in over her head and we helped out then. Every year after that we all go and just get to work. It’s hard, but fun. And Granny Smith makes us all really delicious food while we work.”
“Oh yeah? I’m always up for trying new food. She uh… She doesn’t mix hay or grass into it, does she?”
Fluttershy couldn’t suppress a giggle at the memory of Shepard trying homemade oatcakes for the first time. “No. I’ll make sure she doesn’t in your food, at least. Mostly apple dumplings, apple pie, apple fritters, apple cider, app—”
Shepard raised a hand, cutting her off. “I get it. They like apples. If the ones at your place come from Applejack’s farm, I like them too.”
“They do, as a matter of fact. Everything I buy is locally grown. I like to support my local businesses.”
“That’s nice of you.” Shepard was relaxing—if only a little—during the conversation. “So I guess being the town vet pays good?”
“Oh no, I’m not the veterinarian. I’m more of a caretaker than an actual doctor.”
Shepard frowned. “Where’s your money come from?”
Now it was Fluttershy’s turn to frown as she looked away. “Oh, um… Well… My family has a lot of money. I don’t really like to talk about it much. My great grandfather invented a machine that makes cloud making much faster and smoother.”
“Oh, well that’s pretty cool.” She meant it too. She had kinda freaked out the first time she saw Rainbow Dash make it rain.
The massive fields of Sweet Apple Acres soon came into view. Shepard admired the neat rows of lush apple trees stretching as far as the eye could see. “This place is enormous!”
Nodding a little, Fluttershy nudged the gate open. “The Apple family does very well. Everypony is probably up at the house getting ready to get started.”
Shepard followed her guide through the rows of trees up to a cheerful little farmhouse. A big red barn was off to the side, and she recognized five of the six ponies milling about the front yard. The sixth, a massive red stallion, had to be Big Mac.
“Howdy Fluttershy! An’ good mornin’ t’you Miss Shepherd. Welcome t’the farm.”
Shepard smiled at the farm mare’s kind welcome. “Thanks. I was just going to visit Fluttershy when she told me you were ‘apple bucking’ today.”
“Sure are! And I’m mighty glad t’see ya here. I have just the thing you can do if y’all were lookin’ t’pitch in.”
Shepard shrugged. She definitely didn’t have much going on with her days. Usually a visit for some tea and whatever edibles the pegasus had in her kitchen was how she filled her time. “Sure, I can lend a hand.”
She caught the huge stallion eyeing her carefully now and again. The massive pony’s muscles rippled visibly beneath his cherry red coat. She had little doubt that if he thought her a threat, he could do some real damage if he got in close. “Well c’mon ‘round this way then. Girls, why don’tcha all get started. I’ll catch up with ya soon.”
Cheerful affirmations came from the assembled mares as they set out into the fields to get to work. Mac cast one last warning look Shepard’s way before he too departed. Offering the human an apologetic smile, Applejack started waking the opposite direction from the rest. “Don’t mind Mac, he’ll warm up to ya. Just a little protective is all.”
Shrugging, Shepard fell into step with the mare. “I don’t mind. He’s just worried about you, I guess.”
“Reckon so, reckon so.” Shepard winced as Applejack whistled shrilly. Excited barking sounded from behind the house as an energetic brown and white dog came bounding out. It circled Shepard, alternating between sniffing and barking. “This here’s Winona. She’s gonna be yer helper for t’day.”
Kneeling down, Shepard offered the dog her hand, allowing it to get acquainted with her scent. “Hi there, Winona.”
The dog barked cheerfully before falling into step at Applejack’s side. “Truth be told, you bein here’s a bit of a blessin’ in disguise. Was afraid we were gonna have t’keep these poor fella’s penned up all day. Now that yer here though, I s’pose ah can’t think of anyone better suited for lookin’ after ‘em.”
Shepard’s curiosity was definitely piqued. “Who am I looking after?”
Beaming now, Applejack crested a small hill. Shepard followed and blinked at the large herd of sheep milling about in the pen before her. “Just get th’herd out a’the pasture. Let ‘em graze a little, then bring em on back. Easy stuff, I bet! Probably even show Winona a few tricks. She’s never been taught by a bonafide Commander of shepherds before!”
Shepard could only stare open mouthed as she slowly processed everything Applejack was saying. Giving her a firm clap on the back, Applejack set off to get to her own work for the day. A bright flash from her omni-tool drew her attention and an alarmed back from Winona. “Legion? What the hell was that?”
"I am taking a picture of the look on your face. While I could replay the moment over and over and over and over again with your omni-tool’s recording functions, this deserves to be preserved in photograph form.”
"Legion, she thinks I’m a sheep herder!”
"Consider the naming scheme of the typical pony, Shepard-Commander. Generally, they tend to fall in line with what their ‘special talent’ is. It is my understanding the humans Twilight Sparkle encountered were named identical to their pony counterparts of this world. When you introduced yourself as Shepard Commander to them, they heard it as ‘Shepherd’, as in the herder of sheep sort of shepherd. It is very likely they believe you to be some sort of leader among shepherds where you come from.”
Looking from the dog at her side to the sheep milling about the pen, Shepard rubbed the back of her neck. “What the hell am I supposed to do with sheep?”
“The intelligent course would be to find Applejack and explain the miscommunication. However, it is my experience that is rarely the course you choose, and I would postulate you are about to attempt to herd these sheep as she requested.”
Narrowing her eyes at the sheep, Shepard stomped forward. “I can herd sheep! How hard can it be?”
Legion was silent now, though most certainly recording every second for future review. Almost the second Shepard unlatched the gate, the herd as one swarmed her, slamming the doors to the pen open and bowling her onto her backside. Winona was running back and forth, barking furiously in her best effort to keep the animals in line, but they most definitely sensed Shepard’s hesitation.
Sputtering in rage, she surged to her feet. Her anger only grew when one of the wooly bastards stuck its tongue out at her. That meant they were smart enough to mock her, so they likely understood Equestrian. “Hey! Hey, knock it off! You need to go to the pasture!”
“Get lost!”
“Yeah, baaaAAAAaack off!”
They were even ignoring Winona. The poor dog was looking more beleaguered and worried by the second. Scowling at the errant animals now, Shepard’s hand drifted toward her hip.
Fluttershy landed beside Applejack, casting a worried glance in the direction of the grazing fields. “Do you think Shepherd is doing alright?”
“Don’t see why she wouldn’t be. If her special talent’s herdin’, she shouldn’t have any trouble at all, right? Plus, that gal’s tough as nails. Can’t see one little old flock of sheep givin’ her trouble.”
Both mare’s ears splayed at the sudden BOOM coming from the direction of the fields. They were soon joined by the others working in the orchard in racing toward the sound. The six mares and one stallion stood gaping at the scene before them.
Shepard was glaring around at the sheep, who had ordered themselves into three neat, single file rows. “That’s better! Now turn your wooly butts around and march! You will graze for two—count them—two hours! You will then return in an orderly manner to your pen! There will be no straying, no complaining, and no funny business! The first one to put one hoof out of line is volunteering to donate their wool to be my new blanket! Do I make myself clear!?”
“Maaaa’aaaam yes, maaaa’aaam!”
“Then march! Keep those lines tight! Move it! Move it! Move it!” Winona trotted happily beside the orderly columns of sheep, guiding them into their grazing pasture. Noticing the audience finally, Shepard cracked a smile. “Looks like I’m pretty good at this after all!”
Twilight Sparkle was the only pony to notice the small, smoking hole in the ground near where the biggest of the sheep had stood.
Luna paced nervously in her tower. She hadn’t slept all day, not after Celestia announced she intended to meet Shepard. It was growing late in the day however, and her sister still hadn’t returned. She whirled with wide eyes as the door to her chambers opened.
A small pink-maned unicorn mare entered. Casting the Princess a playful grin, she was enveloped in a golden glow, returning to her proper shape and size. “Well I met with your human from the stars.”
Luna swallowed nervously. “And?”
“And she’s very dangerous. She has enough destructive potential within her that I feel she cannot be allowed to run about unchecked for long.” Seeing Luna about to protest, Celestia raised a hoof. “However, I feel she does indeed have a good heart. She is simply lost, scared, and confused. What she needs right now are friends. Kind hearted individuals who have her best interests at heart.”
“So you… You do not intend to lock her away?”
Celestia rolled her eyes. “No, Luna. I don’t plan to arrest her. She hasn’t done anything wrong besides carrying those weapons of hers into a populated town. I’m not comfortable with such things around our subjects, Luna. I understand her need for them within the confines of the Everfree Forest, but I can’t help but dwell on what could happen if somepony got their hooves on one of those devices somehow. Imagine the damage that could be done by accident.” Slowly, she shook her head. “I would like you to speak with her again and invite her here, to Canterlot.”
Luna was conflicted. She was certainly glad Celestia approved of the human’s presence, but she doubted Shepard would come to the city. “She refuses to enter Ponyville proper due to its population size, sister. I sincerely doubt she would feel more comfortable in Canterlot.”
Celestia inclined her head, as if expecting that answer. “I’m aware of that, Luna. That’s why I’m tasking you with making her comfortable coming to Canterlot. The team from Canterlot University tells me their space camera will be ready in a month to launch. Perhaps that will pique her interest enough to lure her to the city?”
Luna looked out the window, toward the distant Everfree forest. “Very well, Celestia. I will do all I can.”
“I know you will, Luna. I have faith in you. My concern isn’t solely for our little ponies, you understand. I believe if we can speak with Shepherd at length, we may be able to help find her a way home. I’m certain the ‘Legion’ you mentioned can teach us many wondrous things as well. This could be a great benefit to us both. I do however feel that forcing the matter would cause her to react poorly. You were definitely right about that.”
Ruffling her wings, Luna stepped out onto the balcony. “I will go to her tonight then. With luck, she will react better to my appearance than last time.” Without another word, she sprang into the air.
Celestia watched her fly toward the forest with a gentle frown. “Be careful, Lulu.”
All around, Shepard had been having a pretty excellent day. Sheep herding went really smoothly. Afterwards, she’d helped the ponies with the apples. She wasn’t exactly equipped to buck them of course, but she surprised the lot by being able to haul the heavy baskets to the waiting cart. And further surprised them by being able to pull said cart. “Heh, the look on Big Mac’s face when I started hauling it.”
“I am sure you impressed the ponies with your wondrous cart hauling skills, Shepard-Commander. Perhaps tomorrow you can dazzle them by weeding their garden.”
“Whatever. So it’s something most of them can do anyway, it’s still fun. Can’t I have fun?”
“I apologize, Shepard-Commander. In truth, I could not be happier that your mood seems to be steadily improving. I believe these ponies are a positive influence on you. Your gradually recovering memory is heartening as well.”
Shepard smiled and leaned back in her hammock. “Fluttershy asked me to start sleeping at her cottage again. I think I might take her up on the offer. Sleeping in a real bed without having to keep my hand on my gun might be nice.”
“Would my saying it is a good idea influence your decision at all? While your accomplishments in wilderness survival are to be applauded, we remained here out of necessity, not knowing there was a better location to live so close by. I strongly encourage you to accept.”
Shepard eyed her A.I. companion with a wry smirk. “You just want me to be closer to the town so you and Twilight can nerd out all day and all night.”
“I will not even dignify that with a response. You— Alert! Intruder within the perimeter of the main campsite, Shepard-Commander!”
In a flash, she was sitting up, pistol in hand. “Where is it?”
“Reading is hazy, but there is another life sign nearby it… Directly beneath you, Shepard-Commander.”
Eyes wide, the woman looked to the ground beneath her high-strung hammock. A thick, twinkling purple mist was swirling about the forest floor. Slowly it coalesced to reveal… “Luna?!”
The tall pony blinked up at Shepard hanging from the hammock. “Greetings to you this night, Shepherd. I hope my presence is not quite so offensive as last we met.”
A pang of regret flashed across Shepard’s face as she dropped to the forest floor. “I think I owe you an apology, huh?”
“There is fault on both sides, I believe. I am sorry for appearing so suddenly before you. You are unwell, and I should have taken that into consideration.”
Shepard shifted uncomfortably. It was so weird hearing the gorgeous dream woman’s voice coming from this imposing midnight hued pony. “Well, I’m sorry for almost shooting you in the head.”
A little smile quirked on Luna’s face. “Well now that we have both apologized and been forgiven our trespasses, shall we begin anew?” Delicately, Luna seated herself on the ground, lifting a forehoof toward Shepard. “I am Luna Equestris, younger sister to Celestia, Princess of the Night and Vanguard of Dreams.”
Tentatively, Shepard took the accepted hoof. “Uh… Shepard Commander, eater of poppers and sleeper in of hammocks.”
Luna shook daintily. “A pleasure to meet you, Shepherd Commander.”
Slowly, Shepard returned her smile. “A pleasure to meet you too, Princess Luna.”
2999743
Nearly exactly what I was thinking when I named them Poppers.
Waaait a minute... Blue Flowers are the Worst? This should be fun
lad I have a feeling that they gonna see some reapers on that camera.
Woohoo I love this chapter, she is indeed a "Shepard Commander" just more commander then shepard.
2999820
Shepard better not give up her guns.. Or armour.. Or technology.. Heh.. Please hand over all your tech, *handsself over for thine body is tech*
Heh...
Well, that's one way to tell sheep that you're their boss.
I was laughing so hard for most of this chapter, good work. A+
Who said Celestia couldn't do subtle huh?
“Oh, um… Well… My family has a lot of money. I don’t really like to talk about it much. My great grandfather invented a machine that makes cloud making much faster and smoother.”
....I'm stealing this. Just thought I'd let you know.
Also please don't send Sheppard Commander to kill me.
Wait, what was that! ...It's too late isn't it?!
Renegade interrupt on sheep. Priceless!
Also I just realized how similar "discording" is to indoctrination. Let's hope our freshly reformed draconequus never meets Shepard. For Discord's sake. I hear getting gut-shot with a Carnifex is most unpleasant.
Brilliant introduction, Shepard. Now, please excuse me, I have to go and laugh like a loon.
Great story, dood. Do keep up the good work!
Fun chapter, and with the title-drop for the next one, now I can't wait to see how Shepard reacts to Poison Joke.
Y'know, it occurs to me that I'm a little surprised that Zecora hasn't had more of a role in this story. The Everfree may be a big, wild place, but you'd think she would have noticed signs of a new apex predator hanging around in her back yard.
Also, if the LunaShep ship ever leaves the dock, I can just picture the Princess of the Night serenading her.
You can flirt like an asari
Burn like a salamander
But you'll never be hotter
Than Shepard-Commander
I have no idea how you keep so many good chapters rolling off the presses so quickly...
It's mind boggling!
I agree with 'Insanity'. Don't let her give up her guns and stuff. I don't want those ponies all armed up suddenly.
I do have a feeling that Celestia is going to regret the part that she lied to him about her real name.
When he sees Celestia with the same cutie mark as Sunny Skies and feels like he has been tricked into going to Canterlot.
Whoooo boy, stuff might get interesting then :D.
God, Celestia being the pink maned unicorn was so obvious.
Also, that chapter title? Oh noes, nothing good can come from this.
I'm kind of surprised Shepard bought 'Starry Skies' story. A unicorn weather pony? And you couldn't march most ponies into the Everfree at gunpoint.
Laughed my ass off at Shepard's sheep herding technique. Did she ever bother to disabuse them of the notion about her name having the same sort of meaning as pony names?
Really hope Celestia isn't going to try to get Shepard to disarm, that would... not be met with a favorable response. Besides, she's an Infiltrator - her onmi-tool is a weapon in and of itself. More so than usual, even.
'Gorgeous', huh? I thought Shepard seemed a bit put out that Luna turned out to be an equine in the real world last chapter. Did the tough as nails vanquisher of the Reapers have little bit of a crush on the beauty of her dreams?
Shame she doesn't have her memories back yet, she could have come up with some much more impressive titles to match Luna's.
As for the next chapter... all I can think of is the Commander with some ridiculous modification, glaring at a field of flowers going "I have a hand that shoots fireballs" and promptly turning back to normal. Even the flowers are smart enough not to mess with Shepard.
2999583 I though of that quote too, but Equestrian sun can be a giant ball of fire and still be not to scale.
2999585 In my language (Polish) there is one word "ludzie", which translates as both "humans" and "people". It would be a translation problem if we encountered some non-human people.
img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/salazar/Screenshot2011-12-16atAM085911.png
For some reason when I saw the title of the chapter I thought about explosions, lots of explosions.
2999635
The explicit statement is the mass effect negates the mass/inertia of objects and allows them to be accelerated as if they were less resistant to acceleration.
Size of the field is not really much of a factor unless the weapons' element zero involved is literally only grazing a few atoms of the projectiles that are already smaller then a grain of sand and only just BARELY reducing the mass of the object.
I could understand people intentionally building hand weapons with such low quantities of Element Zero maybe but what it does in context of physics is still unavoidable.
It is necessary given the observed effects of the weapons however that an object accelerated by element zero retains the full ENERGY of a mass moving at the velocity the zero energy for some period of time after it leaves the field (if not eternally).
That is more or less the whole point.
Otherwise the projectiles in the game would slow down and or impact with much less energy, never mind that that the FTL travel would not even work.
So they might be built to have serious safety measures in place and with VERY LIMITED element zero utilized but still an engineer who knew how to work with the stuff and had the facilities should still be capable of using element zero you can find in between 1 and 1000 rifles, some utility gel (possibly hacked to prevent safety protocols form preventing building exactly this) to make a bomb that puts everything in earth's arsenal to date to shame and would fit in your pocket.
And if you say "oh its not a lot of mass so its not that dangerous"
Equivelant Energies of Various Events
and this
The Relativistic Baseball
And given how the weapons work I can only surmise that its either by ingenious piloting or so many safety protocols and fail safe devices that it makes the security measures needed to initiate world war 3 look like a lunchbox that joker does not accidentally send the Normandy through a speck of dust and cause an explosion that would sterilize all worlds within thousands of light years.
To be fair we don't actually have math for the physics of a superluminal velocity object moving through space.
But even if we assumed they just treated it like a mass moving at 99.99999% of the speed of light because physics actually does not let you have more energy then that even when moving at ludicrous speeds it would still mean every starship in the setting could have been used to burn the entire solar system to vapor out to the oort cloud.
All in all this information makes the entire mass effect series look a lot more CIVIL and chivalrous a war of near extinction on all sides considering the rest of the galaxy and the reapers could have started using starship drives as star-cracking grade weapons at any given time whose energy release would probably change the shape of the galactic disk.
And incidentally this actually puts Celestia's ability to move a star of assumed mass of our sun only about on par with the destructive potential available to the guy with a starship according to the mass effect's tweaking of the nature of physics in the universe.
In closing.
FTL IS SCARY CHILDREN
Shepard, all of these ponies are Reapers!
3000242
That's... entirely possible, depending on what they mean by 'giant'. In fact, that would also explain something that puzzled me about that space probe of theirs.
It's supposed to travel, powered by starlight, for three years until the timed teleport poofs the camera back to Equestria. Apart from the fact that starlight is very weak unless you're very close to a star (in interstellar terms), three years is nowhere near enough to get to another star, even at relativistic speeds (and since even Celestia can't get further than the moon I doubt they can attain such speeds).
But if their sun is in fact much smaller than a normal star, and they assume the other stars are to the same scale, they most likely severely underestimated the distance to the stars. That's why they only allotted three years for the probes mission, they have no idea just how far the nearest system really is.
Hm... I'm having a the world survived but she died saving them plot here. Otherwise, a very impressive work, can't wait for the next chapter and her memories finally returning.
3000193 are you SURE she's an Infiltrator? She could be a Vanguard or something else
3000051 usually she's as subtle as Discord wearing a sombrero doing the Makarana
3000451
You haven't read some of the really scary Celestia fics then have you?
3000134
24.media.tumblr.com/8813b8e7ad0bf200a167f19c9ab8bae4/tumblr_mi1mc5jkQd1rqfhi2o1_500.gif
But seriously, once Shepard finds out the deception, she better flip her shit.
In the throne room.
Surrounded by guards, whose armor is as strong as hydra bone.
I laughed so hard at that I nearly died.
Nice work!
3000441
Yeah, pretty sure. She hasn't shown any sign of biotics. Infiltrator is the only class that has access to the Tactical Cloak power, and one of only two that has Incinerate (favorite of ten out of ten deceased Timberwolves, don't leave your hammock without it). Infiltrators also specialize in sniper rifles, and Shepard carries a Black Widow, which I'm told is the best sniper rifle in the game for an Infiltrator (I haven't played ME3).
I liked the subtle humor. Very entertaining.
I had a hard time breathing when it came to the sheep herding bit, just so funny!
You sir have written a wonderful thing, and I would give you my mustache as kudos for it but I'm currently wearing mine and it would be very painful to remove so have Spike's!
3000451
Ohh you poor poor soul. You've never read some of the really hardcore Celestia fics, have you?
3000192
To be fair to Celestia, its only incredibly glaringly obvious because we know so much about her. If you were like Shepard and knew absolutely nothing about Celestia other then her name, it's much more subtle. Celestia however COULD use a refresher course on "effective disguises 101". Like first of all, actually bothering to change her coat and mane colors. Casting an illusion spell over her cutie mark is another good idea, or even just slapping a sticker onto it. And your alias should not reference your primary job at all.
Though in the end, I suspect that Celestia just doesn't give two bucks if Shepard eventually sees through her disguise.
3000561True.
2999843
For us! Not so much fun for Shepard.
2999851
SOMETHING is going to see the camera, that'll be coming up in the next few chapters.
3000089
Well we never see Fluttershy working. She looks after animals but she's not the town vet so it seems unlikely to me that the Mayor would pay her for bandaging sick rodents. She seems to have money to burn however what with her spa trips and self-help seminars so she must get her money from somewhere.
3000128
I normally work on 3 or 4 stories at once, so the updates seem to come out slower for them because I'm alternating which one I write after I do a chapter. Lately though this is all I've had on my brain, so it's all I've been writing.
3000134
Celestia and Sunny have similar cutie marks, not identical.
3000387
I can promise it's not that. I kinda feel like that's I dunno... a dumb plot? Like Equestria is definitely not heaven. Admittedly her actual method of arrival is probably going to seem pretty stupid too, but it's not by death.
3000441
She's an infiltrator. That's the only class with cloak. She's 100% biotic free. She's mostly shooting, assassinating, and a little bit of tech know how.
3000507
I made myself laugh at that too. ...I make myself laugh at a lot of what I write, I'm a sad individual. XD;;
3000580
Her grandfather having invented the Cloud Spinning Jenny or whatever is as good a reason as any for Fluttershy apparently having no job yet tons of disposable income. Personally, my previous headcanon was that her job was something to do with the Everfree Forest, or the much more silly "she's actually a squatter in her cabin, living off welfare checks."
So it seems like Shepard was romancing Thane in your canon. Alright, that makes sense and opens up Luna shipping. Carry on, then!
Kiss her, you fool!
Considering Shep can be with all sorts of aliens. Making out with Luna shouldn't be a problem.
3000580 how could I forget that?! Infiltrator is my favorite class
Something tells me Shepard or Legion will freak out when they hear of the space probe
2999954
Just think, Shepard is going to be in a facility full of pony researchers with a shitty magic like sputnik, And Shepard will probably be really ancy, How well do you think that's going to go out with?
3000605
Clearly fluttershy is secretly related to rich royalty and they send her money cause she is most adorable.
Just think, Princess Fluttershy *flutterstare all the enemies into non-existence*
I kinda think referring to herself as Legion's way of speaking is kind of dumb, though. Surely she'd remember "Commander Shepherd"? It just seems dumb when anyone other than Legion says it.
3000580
I don't know about that. Remember, animals on Equestria need ponies to look after them, with the exception of the wild ones in the Everfree forest. It makes sense to me that animal caretaker would be a normal job just like, say, being a weather pony. Probably paid by the state; when the whole world needs constant intervention to keep running, the public sector gets a whole lot more important.
3000561
Now I'm curious as to just what you mean by hardcore celestia fics... My poor gutter dwelling brain immediately went "Bet he/she means clop!" and was subsequently smacked upside its metaphorical head with a rather large stick... hehe stick
3000561
It's not the disguise I thought was the obvious part, it was the way she acted. What sort of pony who's been chased all the way deep into the Everfree by Timberwolves, only to be rescued by something even more dangerous, is going to ask such probing (not to mention pretty judgmental) questions? Without shwoing any of the fear ponies normally show toward her? She might as well have been wearing a neon sign saying "I AM TRYING TO INTERROGATE YOU".
3000089
I think this was used in multiple works. For example, in the Lunaverse her parents are nobles.
Another seemingly popular variant is her being a writer. Sometimes, of stemy romance novels.
3000890
Like I said, I don't think Celestia particularly cares if Shepard figures it out eventually as long as she gets a few answers to some questions while Shepard is relatively unguarded.
3000886
Well, off the top of my head, Diary of a Mad Man, where if you can actually read through 1.2 million words, you eventually find that Celestia and Luna were responsible for utterly fucking over the main character's life (what was left of it at least) in order to get an operative to do wet work for them so they wouldn't need to expose their ponies to the harsh reality of realpolitik. I got to about chapter 66 or so and then just couldn't read anymore till I had a break.
Including from what I recall: (Spoilers obviously)
Constantly spying on Nav via arcane links forged by teleporting someone.
Manipulating Nav into a relationship with Luna so he'd be easier to control, cheerfully described as "Whoring out your own Sister" by Nav.
Forcing him into becoming a knight, which includes making various magically compelled oaths to follow your lieges commands.
Being pretty blatant about the whole "You are less important to me then my little ponies are" thing, to the point of refusing to punish several of the Elements for some pretty heinous stuff (like rape or attempted murder) because she needs to maintain their public image (This does drive her to tears though when Nav confronts her on it, so good for her I guess?)
Trying or planning to kill him at least three or four times (To be fair, this was mostly Luna)
Transmitting wet dreams starring Nav to every single pony in the world because you caught him with another female after he already broke up with you because you couldn't respect boundaries.
Slapping him with at least a thousand years of additional life because it was easier to kill a few trees in the royal gardens for an immortality ritual then do a proper healing spell.
Probably lying about their inability to return Nav to his home dimension.
And for that matter, probably lying about their inability to fix the mutations that said immortality ritual generated as side effects.
3001078
Funnily enough that one's been sitting on my read later list for some time now... Better get cracking then... If nopony sees me for a few days you know where I went... GLad I read really fast
Thirty bits says that given a year I could read through most every book in Twilight's library, key word being most. Nonfiction tends to give me a head ache if I spend more than a few hours reading it. I did once go through an entire textbook reading cover to cover though because I found it interesting... I feel like an egg head, but psychology is cool.