Night Heart wasn't sure when he fell asleep, just that Eve was awake before him. It really was a beautiful day--the sky was blue, the wind felt good, the ominous hive of enemies was...
Oh right. That.
"Good morning, Night Heart!" Eve welcomed him back to the land of the living, "Did you sleep well?"
"I'm fine," he replied with a yawn, "What time is it?"
"I don't know... noon-ish?"
"What?!" Night Heart jumped up. "Eve, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sleep so late! I shouldn't have fallen asleep at all--"
"It's okay, Night!" Eve said with a smile, "I've been keeping a close eye on the Changelings, and I don't think they know where we are. They've just been flying around doing... whatever it is Changelings do. Oh! And look, I think I've got this posting thing down!" She demonstrated with a glow of her horn how she could see the other's posts and contact them. "I think their close to Ponyville, so if we could somehow figure out where we are, we could tell them to--"
"Eve, stop!" Night Heart pulled her back down behind the bushes. "If you use too much magic, the Changelings might be able to sense us," the earth pony explained.
"But you were posting earlier," Eve pointed out, "I just wanted to make sure everyone else was okay."
"But you're an alicorn, which means your magic is stronger and more easily detected. For now, let's just use magic when we need to, okay?"
Eve frowned. "Okay..." Night Heart knew what he was talking about, and she knew he was just trying to protect her. She could do this for him if it made him feel safer.
"Good. So... how is everyone?"
"I'm not sure everyone made it. Most of them are battling some creature in front of Ponyville..."
~~~
"Hey! Blazer, stop posting in the middle of the battle!"
Blazer opened his eyes and saw the beast running for him. He lifted himself off the ground and slid under the beast's legs to end up behind it. "Sorry, Swiftbullet, how else will they know what's happening?" He went back to his post."-sorry just dodged something, what was I saying-oh yeah um so he probably is asleep but I think he'll wake up soon..."
Swiftbullet sighed at his soldier. With Night Heart off somewhere else, he had taken responsibility to lead in the fight. "TC, I need you up close and ready! I'm going to go grab those vines over there, and we're going to trip him!" He pointed at some vines near the forest. After he saw the pegasus nod, Swiftbullet put his plan into action.
TC Dubstep had found himself to be a pegasus in this land. In fact, when he was leaving the earth, three things had been going through his head:
1) It's Luna! She's real!
2) My knife! I can't leave without it.
3) Whatever pony I look like, I hope I'm a pegasus. This could be my chance to fly for real!
His heart had leaped when he found himself with his friends and he could stretch his wings. Of course, there was a giant monster threatening each of them, but--hey!--he could fly!
TC jumped to the skies in hopes of grabbing the creature's attention. He flapped his wings as hard as he could and tried pushing himself forward with his legs, but his pony self wobbled and wouldn't go straight. After a few feet, he crashed into the ground and slid along the earth.
"Oof!" Okay... maybe he couldn't fly very well.
"Wait! I can just warp you there!" Blazer called to Swiftbullet. He concentrated and tried to focus his magic on the two of them. This was perfect! He'd just warp them to the vines, then Swiftbullet could grab them before the giant even knew what happened!
Swiftbullet felt himself surrounded by magic and was teleported along with the caster. Instead of going to the vines, however, they appeared much higher up.
"Blazer, you warped us on top of the--!" The beast threw its head back, and the two ponies held on for dear life. They were thrown left and right but managed to grip a grip on it despite having no fingers.
"Swiftbullet, two things: 1) I have an idea on how to beat this thing!"
"Great, what's th-the second?"
"Stagequill says she's on her way. Anything you want me to tell her?"
Swiftbullet let go and allowed himself to be thrown off.
"Don't worry, Swiftbullet, I've got things under control! I won't let anypony get hur--AH!" he was thrown off and landed near TC Dubstep. When he opened his eyes and saw the pegasus standing there, he got an idea.
~~~
There was nothing. He could neither see anything, nor hear anything. It was complete darkness.
Clever Build had found himself in Equestria as an earth pony. He was strong with a brown mane and hazel eyes. Basically, he was one good looking pony! But what excited--and scared--him the most was his ability to use magic despite having no horn.
It had to be magic! Pretty soon after arriving... wherever he was, he found he could reach out with his mind and "see" things. Although his vision was limited to nothing at the moment and he couldn't really move around, he could travel great distances with his mind, sensing objects as he went. And there was one object that caught his interest the most...
I hope I'm not too late! Clever Build thought as he experimentally tried posting a comment into the "story". I've got to warn them! That beast's power was off the charts! It had the energy to last for another week at least! How he knew this, he wasn't sure. It just came naturally, like back on earth when he could read people's emotions. The worst part was that the "giant" was only a baby. And the parents were coming. The parents were three times that size and had arms, so they needed to do something FAST!
After the post, he tried searching for Night Heart and Eve. He could pick up Eve pretty well--her being an alicorn and all that--but Night Heart somehow evaded his sight. It was strange... but he knew they were together by their comments, so he didn't worry about it. If only he knew his way around Equestria, he might have been able to tell where they were...
Maybe I should be more worried about where I am, he wondered. He had been so worried about his friends, he hadn't thought about himself and his own circumstances. Let's see... are these rocks? It felt like he was both standing on stones and yet floating all at once. "They'll find me," he told himself, "And we'll all group and save Ponyville!"
It was strange... he finally got to Equestria, and he could even see it. Yet he was totally at peace with that. Because even though I can't see it, I can FEEL it, and that's maybe even better! After all, the thing that makes Equestria so great is the love, friendship, and innocent joy of the ponies. And those are all feelings, so I can feel them even more than the others.
Though, if I find a way to get rid of this blindness... I'm doing it.
Suddenly, he felt a darker presence on the move. I think it's... Queen Chrysalis!
~~~
"Get down!" Night Heart pulled Eve down from her low hover. She had been eager to try flying but knew she couldn't go too high and attract attention. "Somepony's coming."
Eve landed and hid behind the bushes. She watched as nearly all the Changelings flew above the hive and greeted their queen. Chrysalis walked right passed the bush that concealed the ponies--thankfully too occupied to notice them--smiling and raising her head proudly. "Is that--?"
"Yes... that's the Changeling Queen," Night Heart answered her. Eve made a tiny squeek, and Night Heart pulled her to him. "Don't worry, she didn't see us."
"I know, she's just so... evil looking."
"Well, we don't know that she's evil. Remember, she may be different than the one in the show. I'll bet if I could talk to her, I could convince her to help."
"What? You're not going in there!" Eve exclaimed. "It's crawling with Changelings!"
Night Heart just looked at the hive as all the Changelings went back into it with their queen.
~~~
Hey, that's my knife! TC left Blazer lying on his back in the grass and ran to the shiny object. He thought for sure it hadn't gone through with him! Reaching down with his hoof, he tried picking it up just to realize he couldn't. Oh yea... Gently, he grabbed the handle with his mouth, picking it up and watching it gleam in the sunshine.
"Did you just grab that knife with your MOUTH?! Are you crazy?" Blazer asked as he ran up to him.
"Professionally Trained," was his reply. "Listen, he has scales everywhere--"
"--Except his eyes," Swiftbullet finished.
"Right! So if you guys can get me up there, I'll use this knife to blind him, allowing us to get in that well-placed shot." TC explained.
"But you're a pegasus; can't you just fly up there?" Swift brought up.
"Well, I'm not quite used to flying yet..."
"All right, and Blazer seems to have a little trouble aiming that warping spell," The commander looked at his comrad.
"Hey! That's a high-class spell. The fact that I can do it at all is a good sign," he replied.
"That is a good sign," Swiftbullet agreed, "Which is why you're going to be dealing our well-placed shot. Listen, everypony, here's the plan--"
"Wait! Where's James?"
"I'm over here!" James called from their left. In flew the Princess Celestia with James on her back. The sun princess warned them to close their eyes before letting out a bright ray of light right at the monster. It shuddered and raored as it tried to look away. Unable to escape the light, the giant jumped and bit at Tia.
Celestia, however, executed a dodge with grace and speed, setting herself up for another blast at blinding it.
"Yea! Go Princess!" TC shouted as he flapped his wings just for fun.
"Okay, team, as SOON as there's an opening, we're moving in!" Swiftbullet took charge once more. "TC! I'm not sure if it was a good idea to bring a knife into Equestria, but it's about to come in handy!"
TC Dubstep gripped the weapon harder and got into a battle stance. His wings flew out on their own, and he prepared himself for battle. No more dodging! No more buying time! He was taking this sucker down!
~~~
What was that? "Night Heart, did you see that?" Eve stood and faced away from the hive.
"Hmm? Do you need something? You're probably thirsty by now; I'll find us some water, okay?"
"No! That flash of light," Eve pointed at the horizon.
"Where?" Night Heart lifted a hood to his brow and looked harder. There it was again! It WAS a flash of light--a bright one, too! In the middle of the day... Princess Celestia...
Night Heart smiled at Eve. "Eve, I think you just saved our lives!" If that really was the princess, then that was Ponyville. It was far, but at least they knew how to get there.
"What would you do without me?" Eve laughed. It was amazing how she could stay happy during such a time. Even though it was obvious she was scared, she didn't let it get the best of her.
Now he just had to decide whether to go to Ponyville... or try talking to Chrysalis... he had to get Eve to safety, but Ponyville wasn't exactly safe right now. Chrysalis might be able to help in the battle... however, last time she had agreed to help, they hadn't held their end of the bargain, so she might be hesitant to help again.
[PM me, Night Heart, with your response.]
~~~
How could blinding light have possibly made it faster?!
The beast seemed to get faster the madder it got, and boy was that light making it boil! It had turned away from the princess and was stepping wildly trying to hit the others. Every time Celestia moved in front of it, it went after someone else. Everypony was panting and resting every small moment he got, and they didn't seem to have much left in them. Their reaction time was slow, and there had been several close calls.
Celestia realized it couldn't be blinded and simply tried to distract it for a few moments to give the team a chance to rest.
Swiftbullet analyzed its every move--it had a pattern it seemed, but not many openings. At least not one that wasn't risky in their condition. Swiftbullet! The pony jumped at the voice. Oh, it was just Clever Build! "Yea, what... what's up?" he panted out.
I found out something else about that creature. Something very strange--it can only feel one emotion at a time. I don't know why, but it's been like that since I studied it. It goes from all scared to all angry and no in between. I don't think it's evil--it just only has one feeling at a time.
"Really? Then what's its emotion right now?"
...It wants to kill you.
"Ah... gotcha," Swiftbullet said before watching it lift a foot to crush him. He jumped out of the way and kicked the giant's leg just for good measure. "That doesn't help much."
I'm just saying, don't kill it. It's just confused, that's all.
"...Right... don;t kill it..." Swiftbullet summoned his last reserve of strength to keep standing. He wasn't going down without a fight. None of them were. All he had to do was defeat the giant beast that wanted to kill them and wouldn't tire out for another week, without ACTUALLY killing it. Piece of cake! ...heh...
Another flash of light appeared, but this one didn't come from Celestia. This on hit the ground and left a unicorn in its place. The pony was blue with amazing hair that defied gravity. "Hey, guys, am I late?" Stagequill saw the monster they were fighting. "Holy Tia..."
The flash had drawn the beast's attention, and it went to attack the new enemy. Just as it reached her, though, TC flew in and knocked her aside.
"Gotcha!" he called as he pulled her to safety. "See? I'm getting used to these wings already!"
"Stagequill!" Blazer called over, "Glad you made it. Think you could help us take out this beasty?"
Stagequill stood up and thanked her rescuer. Then she turned and saw the giant roar.
"Out of the frying pan..."
3628942 I hope to God you're right... dying before even experiencing life as a pony is a bit of a downer... Listen, I can slow down my metabolism, but even with that, I have about 18 hours until I go into exhaustion.
Hi James, I hope you got my message, to see if it reaches you is currently a little difficult without a monitor. I hope I don't make a mistake.
3629448 Okay... I'm gonna conserve my energy now... until next time for now...
3632549 We are alright on our part, at the moment at least. We saw Chrysalis here, I am not sure if she is aware of us, but I think that she has Clever Build. And we know that she is rather angry about ponies at the moment.
3632589 I think I will use the third option *sigh*. Wish me luck, I cannot leave Clever Build behind and we also have a responibility for the changelings. If this goes wrong, it was a honor to be with you all *bow*.
Non descendet, sine certamine.
We need to stop this thing, now. If only I had something more effective, Like a javelin missile. But this is Equestria and no missile bases are anywhere here.
So plan Q, we confuse the crap out of it until it hurts itself. The only thing that can penetrate those scales are its own scales...
3630867>>3632985>>3632913 *pant* Ahhh, can you guys hear me? I... I'm going into exhaustion, so I won't be able to talk with you guys anymore.
Night, if you and TCDubstep could *pant* find me, I'll try to give a weak psychic signal... but -*pant* *pant*- wait for two more days, and I don't know what you'll find.
This is my cry for help. Hope I see you guys soon.
Ok Guys I have a Idea, target his eyes (Fluttershy will kill me later for that). Fu** Ok I am officially tired... and I was in Boot Camp, that means something. We have to end this quick.
3633168 Heh heh... sure hope James is seeing this. It would be a shame for him not to put it up in the next chapter to chronicle it...
3633162
No time on the first one, google translate is your friend.
I can probably stab it in the eye with my knife if I can get up there, I need to find an updraft if I cant ascend by myself
3633810>>3637011>>3637051 Well... Stage is here, that must mean something good... *cough* I know you told me not to do this, but I am going to keep an open channel here with Swiftbullet, in case you guys need me. Also, as I said, don't kill it. If you can, use it's one-track mind to your advantage in stopping it, though. If it is needed, I may be able to put another emotion into its mind, shorting out the one it has now. I'd rather not do that, though... Pretty sure dying here from exhaustion kills me back on Earth, and I still gotta finish school.
3637711 Well, yes for movement, though that won't really help me now, weak as I am, and for smell... *sniff* Yes, though there isn't much to smell. It seems only my sight is gone.
Why?
3637051
My bad, couldn't be sure if that was you there. Anyways, I get the feeling we wont be able to win this fight without killing it sadly. Hopefully we can find another way, if not we have to kill. That my friends, is a last resort, Until I figure out how to weaponize sarcasm. But I dont see that happening anytime soon.
3637681 3637011 3637711 Yeah easy to say "Don't kill it" Especially when it look like from his side we cannot expect the same. Grrrr...
Sorry you just sound like command on earth. Don't kill terrorist leader we need him alive, but they don't listen then we are under heavy enemy fire, and they just starting shooting at us using mortars.
Yeah, yeah I know I will try my best, well we have hard time to even harm him, so If I not somehow find a gun here I don't think that we are able to kill him.
Ok I have a idea... well it is stupid idea but still. This is Equestria so we will use some trick from movie. So anybo...pony watched Harry Potter first movie? Ok... we will use the same trick, like they use on troll. Look around about big stone, maybe piece of wood, anything heavy enough to knock him down. Ok when you find something like it rapport to me right away. I will try to distract him when you will search for our "weapon". When we will have our "weapon", you Stagequill you will like Hermiona (Now I don't want you to hide under sink and scream. Yeah I know stupid joke. Sorry... Welcome in the army! ;) ) you will distract him from one side you have to be like unobtrusive fly. In the same time the rest of you will surround him and thrown at him everything you find. I will lift this *whatever you find* and dump on his head.
Ok plan is stupid, extremely stupid. But we are tired and we cannot hold for long, and there is no better plan. Well if you have better plan I will be happy to hear it. If not, well so let's do it.
3637969>>3637873>>3637835 Well, I am sorry, it's just that I don't like seeing innocent things dead. And to answer to you, Incognito, I am sorry to say that wherever I am, there is no food. I think there is some water I could use, I can hear it at least, but I feel like the rocks I am on are being supported by maybe an updraft of air or something, leading me to believe that I may be in the Griffin Kingdoms. I don't know. I can survive on water for maybe 2 more weeks before it's lights out for old Clever.
3638020 Alright, I'll get to it, but I am going to keep communicating with you guys, in case I am needed.
3638046 Hey, dying is not my top priority right now. I'll be fine for now.
Wait, Stage is good at finding people, why not send her to me?
3638030 I said it in the beginning that it is STUPID idea. But It is Equestria, so it might work.
Hi! Oh, this is exciting.
I had an actual dream that involved Star Wars, Clever Build joining the Dark Side, me yelling at him for that, and macaroni art.
3638153 Good point. I can manage not to drown myself by this... pond maybe? while you guys subdue the threat.
3638141 Hello. Nice to finally see you in Equestria.
3638133 Yeah I am Sorry I just little irritated about some giant beast, who try to kill us... Remember me when it is over, then I should ask Applejack for Cider... a lot of Cider.
3638170
Nice to see you too.
3638251 I can speak just fine, but it would be best not to, I think.
3638077 I can find Clever Build. Unicorns can find things, right? With magic? I actually went to school with Clever in real life for a few years, so I could probably track Clever down.
3638257 Yeah. Wish we still went to the same school.
3638260 That was a great school.
It also gave us skills usable here- Such as knowledge of handwork, carving, musical instruments, and nature.
And belief in magic.
Um- so Clever, you're like Daredevil here.
3638274 Let me see... Blind, smart, extremely handsome, yet perceptive... yeah. If Daredevil was psychic.
3638299 Ok. I'll help. I am actually really good at archery. I came in first at a competition once.
3638234 3638247 Hey We don't left ours behind I fallowed this rule on earth and I will fallow it in Equestria.
And why so much Cider... It is kinda military joke. Well original joke have vodka not Cider, but I don't think I will find here vodka.
Ok I am not feel good in this body yet but it is time to use my special talent.
*I put my head down my horn is frontally into beast.*
POW POW POW POW POW POW POW POW *series of magical bullets hits back side of beast head.*
Hrrr... Blazer If we want to have any chance to win we have to be organized and fallow a orders. Ok I have military experience so I will take command. I give you all order earlier. No let's do it. And I don't want any waywardness here. Am I clear? I will not lose anypony here. And chaos in first step to get killed ourselfs.
3638298 Should I find you some red long johns?
3638315 I have younger siblings. I can help- I can be pretty bossy. And stubborn. I have no other experience though. But getting a seven-year-old in bed, teeth brushed pajamas on correctly (E.g with her pants on her arms and not her head) is hard. She bites.
3638339 No. Just no.
3638299 I get it.
Clever is Clever.
Maybe he can reach us psychically! Clever Build? Are you There?
3638298
3638367 You prefer the black and red early look? With a bulky hood?
That fashion is horrendous!
3638355 Yes but we are in middle of battle, have you battle experience? I have. Well last time I have few soldiers from by squad, fingers and modern weapons. Well it is first time when I see civilians so calm in the middle of the battle. Well I kinda don't know what to think about it. But still I am only soldier here.
3638411 I never said I did. I defer to you for orders.
3638391 I don't want to interrupt something... BUT we have now BIGGER problems than fashion!
3638425 Ok.
What do I do now?
3638367 Try to reach out to us from where you are. I'll think about where the sun is- Landmarks- Try to see it through my mind.
3637969 Good. I'll try screaming, dancing, singing... Hey Beasty! Over here! Brilliant plan.
This thing is huge.
Hi! How are you, huge creature thing? Good? That's great! I- Yes, turn towards me- HI! HOW YA DOING!
3638447 *Facehoof* No first we have to find something to knock him down bulldozer or big pile of wood. Go and find something I already send a rest of us. I will distracted him during yours search. When you find it rapport to me and then all of you will distracted him, when I try to dump this on his head.
And I said in the beginning that this plan is stupid.
3638484 OK! GOT IT!
Wait I need to stop yelling.
Got it.
*Runs and finds a tree*
Can I-
*Experiments with magic* Wait. What do theatre and writing have in common?
Characters and story.
Maybe.... Characters. Can I become fictional characters?
Nothing is impossible.
*I try to channel The Thing. My magic knocks down the tree and I carry it to Swiftbullet.
I'll distract it now!
I'M OVER HERE!
3638133>>3638197>>3638579 I can still hear you guys. All your yelling isn't exactly good on my nerves, especially since I can only 'see' small flashes. But I understand. Fighting for your life tends to do that to people.
As far as reaching out, Stage: I am, as far as I know, on a field of dry, hexagonal rocks, which seem to be supported by a massive current of air, leading me to think I am in the Griffin Kingdoms. Think Luna would have chosen a better spot for me.
Wait- I can feel this monster's thoughts. Maybe I can make it hesitate long enough for you guys to subdue it?
3638133>>3638197>>3638579 I can still hear you guys. All your yelling isn't exactly good on my nerves, especially since I can only 'see' small flashes. But I understand. Fighting for your life tends to do that to people.
As far as reaching out, Stage: I am, as far as I know, on a field of dry, hexagonal rocks, which seem to be supported by a massive current of air, leading me to think I am in the Griffin Kingdoms. Think Luna would have chosen a better spot for me.
Wait- I can feel this monster's thoughts. Maybe I can make it hesitate long enough for you guys to subdue it?
3638698 Sorry for the noise.
I think I can channel fictional characters' 'talents' through my magic for a few seconds at a time. Or it may have been a fluke when I knocked down the tree, but- Maybe I could find a way to transport you here? I don't know if I could...
3638709 No, I can only faintly feel your magic. I am too far away for even Incognito or Twilight to teleport me to you guys... plus I would not be able to fight, seeing as how I cannot see.
3638719 True. Hope Luna is listening to this. Also, I can help with the fight if I am closer, that way I could focus more on the creature's mind.