• Published 27th Apr 2019
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The Equestrian Odyssey - A Tale of Two Worlds - Kamahido



Twilight accidently brings a human from Earth to Equestria. Will he be able to coexist with the equine inhabitants of this new land?

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Chapter 11 - Chance Encounters

Arc hastily turns to the others.

“Everyone back to the ship!”

Ember looks to him, confused. “What? Why…?”

“NOW!”

Dinky jumps into her mother’s hooves as she takes flight. Ember walks behind Frank and puts her arms around his midsection.

“Ember? Why are you doing?”

“What I’m told!”

Flapping her wings the pair are soon airborne. Ember growls.

“It burns me up inside to get YOU to safety.”

Frank chuckles. “Why Ember, I didn’t know you cared.”

“I don’t. Just don’t get any funny ideas.”

“Really? I was going to say the same.”

“Shut up!”

Meanwhile, Auriel hurries to the monitors with Twilight.

“Everything looks okay!”

Auriel nods. “Yes. It’s just as we predicted. But where are those vines coming from?”

Arc grimaces. “We’ll figure it out aboard The Equinox!”

Twilight gasps. “But…!”

“GO!”

Twilight nods and turns to run. She looks back at her friend still going over the readouts.

“What about Auriel?!”

“I’ll take care of her!”

Cherry calls out. Yes! Run!”

Twilight hurries to the edge of the plateau and Blinks down. Arc turns back to Auriel.

“That means you too!”

Auriel works hurriedly to recheck her readouts. “I can’t! Something isn’t right here! Those voices you heard along with those strange vines… they have to be connected somehow!”

“Figure it out aboard the ship, Auriel!”

“You go! I’ll leave if things get dangerous!”

“Auriel, now!”

Auriel shakes her head. “No! I HAVE to see this through!”

Arc frowns. “Fine. Have it your way.”

Reaching out a hand Arc casts a Sleeping Spell. However, Auriel does not respond as he had hoped. She sighs but does not look up.

“Those kinds of spells don’t work on demons. Please just get yourself to safety.”

“Sure. I’ll be right behind you.”

“Don’t worry about me. After all, what’s one life in the grander scheme of things, right?”

“What are you…?”

Auriel sighs. “If something happens, promise me you’ll help Twilight figure this out, okay?! Just tell her to…!”

Arc grabs Auriel’s arm.

“Tell her yourself!”

He pulls the young demon away from the console. She screams out frantically.

“You don’t understand! I need to finish this!”

Arc silently continues to drag Auriel toward the edge of the plateau. Her struggles intensify as she drops to the ground and digs one hand’s claws into the rock in an effort to remain.

“Let me go, Arc! I don’t care what happens to me!”

“Well I do!”

Frowning, Auriel gets up and changes her stance. Suddenly pushing she is able to break free from Arc’s grasp and run back toward the monitors. Arc turns and gives chase. About halfway to her destination Arc catches up and grabs her by the collar. Pulling her back he is able to come between her and the controls as she seethes. Moon Dancer’s voice again comes over his earring.

“Sir! Something’s happening beneath the ground! You both need to get out of there NOW!”

“Get out of the way!”

Arc shakes his head. “No! You’re coming with me even if I have to knock you out!”

“You wouldn’t!”

“Try me!”

Baring her teeth, Auriel charges straight at Arc. Holding out a hand he grabs her by the front of her lab coat and picks her up. She claws at his gauntlet frantically as Thunderlane calls out.

“Sir, the ground under the ship is becoming unstable! We have to go!”

Arc grits his teeth. “Prepare to take off!”

“Put me down right now! I’m warning you, Arc!”

“But you could DIE out here!”

“A small price to pay for science! I’m fully willing to sacrifice my life to…!”

Arc recall his free gantlet. Without another word he brings his bare hand back and slaps Auriel across the face before slowly setting her down and speaking in an even tone.

“Auriel. It’s time to go.”

She puts a hand to her cheek and silently nods. Arc picks her up and runs toward the edge of the plateau. Blinking onto the deck he hurries inside the ship as he calls out.

“Arc to Thunderlane! We’re aboard! Take off as fast as you dare!”

“Aye, sir! Hold on!”

The ship quickly takes flight, knocking Arc and Auriel to the floor. In moments they’re able to put some distance between the ship and the artificial sun. The ship levels off and begins flying normally as Arc stands and turns to Auriel. Cherry calls out to them.

“Are you two okay?!”

“Yeah. You okay, Auriel?”

“I… um… y-yes.”

“Then we should get to the Bridge.”

He extends a hand to her which she accepts.

“Arc?”

“Yes?”

“I… um…”

Arc nods soberly as he helps her up. “I think I know what you’re trying to say. But we need to get moving.”

“Yes. Let’s.”

Hurrying down the corridor, they make their way to the Bridge. Twilight is standing next to Moon Dancer at her station.

“But… but that isn’t POSSIBLE!”

Arc calls out. “Captain! Status!”

“We’re out of harm’s way for the moment, sir. However our sensors show a strange life form beneath the plateau. Moon Dancer is studying it now with your friend.”

Auriel gasps. “Wait! LIFE FORM?!”

Soarin sighs. “We didn’t believe it ourselves. However the sensors are picking up a large, complex life signature down there.”

Tight Ship nods soberly. “What are your orders, sir?”

Wrangler looks to Arc. “We should turn around and clobber that thing with The Equinox’s cannons and ORB system!”

Lemon Hearts gasps. “What?! But it’s ALIVE!”

Wrangler grins. “Not for long!”

Soarin shakes his head. “That’s up to the Hero of Light!”

Thunderlane looks over. “Sir! I need a course!”

“Circle the plateau at a safe distance. I want to be close enough to be able to watch things unfold, but far enough away to keep us safe. Keep us in weapon’s range though.”

“Aye, sir.”

The ship turns and begins circling. Auriel frowns as she looks down. The only source of light other than the moon being the fledgling artificial sun.

“How did it go so wrong, so fast?”

Arc puts a hand on her shoulder.

“This wasn’t your fault. We’ll find a way to fix it.”

He turns to Twilight.

“Still have that plant sample?”

Twilight nods. “Yes. Auriel and I should get to work studying it.”

Moon Dancer gestures to her console. “That won’t be necessary. My station can analyze its chemical makeup and tell us what it is we’re dealing with.”

She turns to Arc.

“With your permission, of course, sir.”

Arc nods. “Go ahead.”

Twilight gives the vine to Moon Dancer. She places it on a small pad which lights up at her touch.

“Now then, this should only take a few minutes.”

Moon Dancer presses a few buttons on her console and the process begins. She looks over her screen as the scan continues.

“Very strange.”

Arc looks over. “What is?”

“Judging from the preliminary scan, this plant’s chemical makeup is very different from any other plant I’ve yet encountered.”

Twilight looks over her shoulder. “You’re right! What could this be?!”

Moon Dancer sighs. “Since I don’t know about it, I can only assume it’s either something completely new, or very… very old.”

Ember frowns. “That’s not reassuring.”

Frank shrugs. “The truth is the truth. Good or ill.”

Derpy raises an eyebrow. “What does that mean?”

Arc sighs. “He means we should accept whatever Moon Dancer comes up with even if we don’t like it.”

Dinky turns to her father. “Why would anypony do anything else?”

“Some people, and I assume ponies as well, would prefer to hear what they want to rather than the truth.”

Auriel nods soberly. “Demons prefer such things over reality. In our society, it’s normal for a male to say how much they care for someone’s well-being and outward appearance in an effort to coax them to the bedchambers.”

Ember blushes slightly. “Oh… um… dragons… aren’t much different in that regard, I suppose.”

Arc turns to Moon Dancer as he lowers his voice. “Please tell me you’ve found something. I’m not sure how much more of this conversation I can take.”

Moon Dancer nods. “It would appear the scan is nearly complete. Twilight, might you help me go over the results?”

“Of course.”

Twilight steps forward and pushes Auriel toward the console.

“You can help too.”

“I’ll certainly try. But I know very little about exotic Equestrian plants.”

The display pulls up the chemical data regarding the plant. Twilight frowns.

“It really isn’t like anything I’ve encountered. Moon Dancer?”

“There aren’t any matches in the ship’s database. I just submitted it to Sunburst back in Canterlot for addition screening.”

Arc nods. “Good idea. Now then, what did the scans tell you, Moon Dancer?”

“That this plant is far more complex than any normal vine. It’s cellular structure allows for near limitless regeneration while consuming very little energy.”

Ember frowns. “Kinda like Tempest, huh?”

Auriel looks over the readout. “Yes. However her strength comes from Dark Magic and The Dark One himself. Somehow I doubt this plant has the same deal.”

Twilight sighs as she looks out the main window. “Right. But we should find a way to keep it away from the Artificial Sun. Who knows what would happen if the vine were to feed off of it.”

Arc puts a hand to his chin thoughtfully. “I sure hope it won’t. But I can’t help but wonder if such a thing is possible.”

Twilight turns to him. “There’s never been anything like this discovered before.”

Derpy nods. “Right. But who’s to say it isn’t possible?”

“My dad’s kind were thought to be a myth before he came to Equestria.”

Auriel frowns. “Hey!”

Arc puts up a hand apologetically. “Don’t worry about it, Auriel. I’m sure Dinky didn’t mean any offense when she said…”

“What? No! I mean, look!”

Dinky point to the vine which has begun to regenerate. Moon Dancer steps back nervously.

“That’s… not possible.”

Ember frowns. “Why not?”

Twilight gasps. “Everything that’s living requires a source of energy. Normally that’s the sun in regards to plants.”

Frank looks out the window at the moon. “But the sun’s down right now.”

Twilight nods. “Exactly. So what’s feeding this thing?”

A moment later it begins to move. Arc calls out.

“Everyone get back!”

He turns to Moon Dancer.

“Ideas?!”

“My scans show it to be regenerating at an alarming rate!”

Soarin’s eyes grow wide. “Is the ship in danger?”

“It may be if this growth doesn’t stop!”

Arc grits his teeth. “I have an idea. Moon Dancer, you and the others keep an eye on your screens.”

He reaches over and grabs the vine which has more than doubled in size. Heading for the door Arc calls back.

“Record everything that happens! Instruments and eyes!”

Tight Ship nods. “Aye, sir. We’ll see to it.”

“Mom? What’s dad doing?”

“I don’t know sweetie. But we should trust your father.”

Ember nods nervously. “Right. Um… I think I’ll follow him.”

Twilight holds out a hoof toward Ember. “Wait! Arc told us to stay here, remember?!”

Ember rolls her eyes as she heads for the door.

“I’ve never been much for following directions.”

Meanwhile, Arc exits the ship’s Main Hatch and heads for the guardrail. Looking out at the glowing sphere below them for a few moments he turns his attention back to the vine in his hand. It’s squirming is becoming stronger by the minute.

“You want me to let you go?! Fine! Get off my ship!”

Tossing the vine off he watches it fall. Cherry grunts.

“Good riddance.”

“Arc to Lemon Hearts.”

“ Lemon Hearts here.”

“Tell Moon Dancer to keep her scanners on that vine. I want to know what it does when it hits the ground.”

“Yes sir.”

A minute later Moon Dancer’s voice rings out in Arc’s ear.

“Sir, the vine burrowed back into the ground upon touching down.”

“Is that good?”

“Not really. I’m detecting it tunneling down at an alarming rate! It really shouldn’t be able to move that fast through rock and sand.”

“Keep watching its actions. I want to know what it does.”

Wrangler grins. “Yeah! So we’ll know when to blast it to smithereens!”

Arc shakes his head. “Not yet. After all, this plant hasn’t actually done anything to hurt us.”

Ember calls out. “Well, it hasn’t exactly been the best houseguest either.”

Arc whirls around to see Ember walking toward him.

“Ember?! I told you to…!”

“Yeah, I know. But I was worried about you.”

Arc sighs. “Worried? That a little vine was going to hurt me?”

“With your luck, yes.”

“Well, it’s gone underground. Not sure how it could hurt anyone from down there.”

Lemon Hearts calls out. “Sir, I have Lead Sage Sunburst holding on the line. He sounded very anxious. Shall I patch him through?”

“Yes. Maybe he knows what that vine is.”

Ember chuckles. “Or was.”

“Yes sir. One moment.”

A few moments later Sunburst comes on the line.

“Sir! I’ve just finished checking one of my old tomes! That plant you found was a Plunderseed Vine!”

“Is it dangerous?”

“Very! In fact, none have been seen anywhere in well over a thousand years! Where are you?!”

“Western Equestria. We’re south of Los Pegasus on a peninsula overlooking the South Luna Ocean.”

Ember raises an eyebrow. “What’s so dangerous about a little vine? My spear made quick work of it, after all.”

“It can regenerate limitlessly! Cutting it will actually make it spread FASTER! How many vines did you cut?!”

Arc frowns. “Just the one. Do you think there’s more?”

“Yes sir! That much I can say for certain! Plunderseed Vines have NEVER been seen alone! They’re less of a plant and more like a colony!”

Ember shrugs. “Well, we threw it off the ship. So I guess that’s the end of that.”

Sunburst gasps. “You did WHAT?!”

Arc winces. “Was that bad?”

“Cutting the vine made it a separate entity! It’ll go to great lengths to rejoin the mother plant!”

Ember laughs. “So what’s it going to do? Throw seeds at us?”

“Sir, did you say anything in front of it?”

“Quite a bit, yes. Why?”

“Because whatever you said in the presence of that vine will get back to the Mother!”

Ember stops laughing. “Um… do you think the vine’s mother will be upset about Wrangler suggesting we destroy it?”

“Probably, yes!”

Moon Dancer calls out. “Sir! I’m detecting massive amounts of movement underground!”

“What about the vine I dropped?!”

“It vanished from my screen. Whether it went too deep, or there’s some other external force at work here is anypony’s guess though.”

Sunburst calls out. “It must have merged! Be ready for its attack!”

As if on cue several massive black vines shoot out of the ground and latch onto the ship. Arc and Ember are thrown overboard by the shock. The others watch helplessly from the Bridge.

“DAD!”

“Don’t worry, sweetie! I’m sure Ember will catch him!”

Spreading her wings Ember dives after Arc. Grabbing his hands she levels off as a much larger plant body emerges on the tip of the peninsula.

“Get us back to the ship, Ember! We need a plan!”

“Finally!”

Returning to the deck the pair land and hurry back inside. Entering the Bridge they see Thunderlane trying desperately to pull the ship free. Soarin calls out over the din of the engines.

“Ease up! The engines are already at full output!”

Tight Ship nods. “That and the strain will put too much pressure on the ship’s structure!”

Wrangler turns to Arc as he hurries over to Moon Dancer’s station.

“Can we shoot at it NOW, sir?!”

Arc nods. “Yes. Wrangler, prepare to fire. Target the two vines holding us. Thunderlane, as soon as we’re free get us out of here.”

Wrangler chuckles to herself as she presses a few buttons.

“Now you’re talking my language, sir!”

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