The chaos lasted for moments or several years, I wasn’t entirely sure how long. Then suddenly everything came to a jaring and very loud stop.
“...Ow…” I groaned and tried to move, finding that I couldn’t as somepony was on top of me. Several someponies actually. My everything ached.
“E-everypony alright?” Sunset called out, her voice a bit unsteady somewhere to the right and green-blue light lit the carriage as she lit up her horn, revealing that it was upside down.
“I’m not sure being dead would hurt this much,” Rainbow groaned from somewhere to the left, “Nothing feels broken.”
“I’m alive,” Rarity said from on top of me with a groan.
“I’m good,” Pinkie Pie agreed and carefully scooted off me, “Applejack?”
Silence.
“Applejack?” Rarity asked and moved off me before scrambling over to a shape on the floor a bit further away, “I-I think she’s hurt, she’s not moving!”
“I’m on it!” Sunset said and rushed over to her, “Page! Twi!”
“I’m alive,” Twilight said as she got up, her own horn lighting up and she visibly vinced with a sound of pain, “I think I sprained a wing. Page!?”
“I’m good,” I answered and carefully rolled over before wincing and testing my right foreleg. Testing my wings for a second I then answered, “I think I’m intact, but those are going to be some big bruises. Banged my shoulder, but my leg works.”
My everything ached, but nothing felt outright broken. My ribs ached, but nothing felt broken, all limbs seemed to be moving about as expected. If protesting loudly when I did.
“How’s Applejack?” I asked, looking over towards Sunset.
“I think she’ll be fine,” Sunset said and spared me a glance, “She’s starting to wake up. Earth ponies are tough. Looks like she banged her head hard against the wall though.”
“Ahm fine…” Applejack mumbled and started to shift to sit up, wobbling slightly.
“No, you’re not,” Sunset said and pushed her back down gently, “Just relax, you have a concussion at the very least and I don’t want you moving around until we have an actual medical pony looking at you.”
“What the buck happened?” Rainbow asked, looking around, her hoof on Rarity’s shoulder.
“We derailed,” I said and carefully climbed to my hooves, “Amber?”
Silence. Nothing.
...Amber… Flower...
“We need to check the rest of the train,” I said firmly and looked around, “Find the wounded and get them somewhere safe. There is a medical pony on the train somewhere, find her and get her back here. We’re at the back of the train, we may have the most intact carriage, we move everypony back here for treatment.
Luckily the train didn’t carry a lot of passengers. Mostly the train attendants, drivers and such along with our party as well as the guards.
Sunset nodded, “Okay! Everypony, pair up, nopony goes alone. Twi, Page, you stay here and watch Applejack. Get things ready to receive wounded.”
“But-” Twilight started to protest but Sunset had already turned away.
“Okay everypony! Rarity, you and Pinkie move along the inside of the train. Rainbow, you’re with me outside. We’re going to see if we can make it to the engine, Rarity, you and Pinkie focus on getting everypony back here.”
“R-right!” Rarity agreed. She spared Rainbow a quick nuzzle on the cheek before heading towards the upside down door towards where the next carriage had been, Pinkie quickly following after her,
“Wait up!”
“Who put you in charge!?” Rainbow protested but hurried and followed Sunset as she climbed out through a broken window.
Twilight sighed and checked on Applejack, “I don’t like being left here like this,” she said softly.
“Now you know how I feel,” I sighed and moved to join them, “How are you doing, AJ?”
“Head hurts, my side too,” she grunted softly, “Ah’ll be fine. Had a concussion before.”
Twilight nodded, her magic running over the earth pony, her horn lighting the carriage brighter, “I think it’s just a concussion and some bruised ribs, but stay down. Page, think you can find anything for her to drink?”
“We should have water here somewhere if the bottles held,” I agreed and looked around in the dark carriage, “What do you think happened?”
“No way to know yet,” Twilight said and floated a pillow over, sliding it in beneath Applejack's head and a blanket to settle over her, “Maybe a tree had fallen over the tracks. Normally those can be spotted in time as the train slows down, but… with the speeds we have to keep while heading through the jungle for safety…”
“Yes, that- oh buck,” I said and looked towards the broken window at the rain pouring down outside, “We’re in the jungle and just made a ton of noise. I’ll send a message to Nocturnis, the guard should be able to get here in a day or so.”
“I’ll keep watch.”
Sweeping broken glass from a spot on the previous ceiling, I settled down and closed my eyes, sending myself into the dream realm. It didn’t take long for me to find somepony from the Nocturnis Guard that worked the day shift and as such were deep asleep now.
I touched my horn to her dream and walked through, solidifying it as I did.
I found the mare sitting by a table, reading a massive book larger than a pony. The bat-pony looked up at me in surprise when I walked up to her,
“Your highness!”
“Sweet Slice,” I said in greeting, “I’m sorry to interrupt your dream, but I need you to wake up and bring a message to your commander. The train bringing us back has derailed and I need a detachment sent along the track to us. We’re about twelve hours via train from Nocturnis. Unknown number of injured at this time.”
She gasped and surged to her hooves, “Are you alright, your highness!? Princess Twilight!? Lady Sunset?”
“I’m going to have some bruises and Twilight is unhurt. But as soon as you can, we have other injured, including one of the elements, don’t know how many yet. Tell her ‘Sunstorm’ so she knows it’s a real message and just not a dream.”
“Of course. Wake me up, I’ll deliver the message at once!”
I nodded and sent her waking up. I spent a second looking for Luna, but she was awake at this time. I’ll tell her later, she couldn’t get anypony here sooner than a week in anycase.
Buck, this jungle really hates mass transport. I hesitated for a second. I really should wake up, this was not a safe place to be sleeping right now, but last time I got in danger and didn’t tell them as soon as I could, Luna got really angry. Even if they couldn’t do anything about it.
She wasn’t asleep, but Sunshine was.
I turned and headed into her dream.
Wonder if it'd be plausible to either make the train run underground or otherwise have some sort of metal protection around the tracks.
...and I hope Amber and Flower survived.
11046985
Maybe they were slammed into each other so hard that they fused into a single pony?
Introducing Amberflower, a black-dappled unicorn Alteration Master with a penchant for paperwork, a talent for surprising Page, and the weirdest taste in decor outside of the Hive...
Or not.
I'm calling it: sabotage; by an idiot noble.
For all we know, the train might have derailed because a rexosaurus stepped onto the track as the train got there. If that is the case then cases like that might be another reason that the long distance teleporters should be developed sooner.
11047013
Might also just have stepped onto the track some hours to days before (wrecking it in the process) and simply moved on. I’m not sure one of these things would necessarily even notice, and I certainly don’t get the impression that the entire track gets routinely patrolled and inspected for damage or obstacles just yet either.
Well damn... The benefits and calculated risks on train speedy transport.
My guess is still raiders rather than tree fall on tracks and didn't get spotted.
Perhaps Discord can help? I mean it's a emergancy and if he can make points by helping Flutterbats friends for some Snu-Snu points tonight...
Hm... Totaly- worth - it ~♡
11047017
We can only hope that it's that because if it's my scenario that occurred, then this is just the calm before the storm and the Mane 4 are about to get a real "Welcome to the Jungle" experience.
11046985
Don't give Hiver bad ideas for good drama.
Nice one 👍
11046987
That wasn't a teleporting accident... Still... Nice
👍
11046996
That or raiders. Hm... I wonder how long Nocturnis is away via airship...
11047013
Good point indeed. I than see Midknight Defender suggestion happen 🤝
11047017
I'm voting for development of airplanes. A B17 full of trading goods and/or passangers would be awesome ♡
All piloted by Changlings and powered by love.
Join the Changeling Airline. You know to love it, when you see us coming ♡ 👍
I here for officaly claim the idea of B-17 flying Changelings trough the air. Transporting good and loved ones all over the globe.
Changeling airlines! You know to love it, when you see us coming.
- Sponsored by the Princess of
foodL♡vecamo.fimfiction.net/7WICIBHZ-2XX37MgOp-7v48un_j3fJuhS8I6Lk2sxiI?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.discordapp.net%2Fattachments%2F121894548510081024%2F742299199244206150%2Fflurrybug.gif
Totaly going to use that absolutly silly idea in one of my storys 👍
Captain Fortress to crew: "Incoming Griffon raiders, self powered flight. I don't see planes yet. Give em hell guys! Report in everyling!"
Tail Gunner: "Tail reporting in. Ready to give em none, wile taking everything from them.
Belly Gunner: "Belly ready, lets bring down the thunder.
Roof Gunner: "Roof ready and waiting. I like myself a good hailstorm.
Nose Gunner: "Nose here, ready to run.
Navigation here: The left and right Gunner need a minute until there ready.
Captain: Aknowlaged, they have about that mutch time. Tell em to hurry.
Griffon raiders leader: "Hey boss, you sure we want to do this? No planes, only on our wing power alone?
Griffon raiders: "This is were the fun begins" ♡
Well, the train, like the story, suffered a sudden, but somewhat anticipated, derailment
Curious to find out what happened, given that the breaks were apparently used just before the train got derailed one would suspect that something got in the way or was on the track
Yeah, not easy to stop at those speeds
11047032
Go for it, the tagline is awesome
11047041
I read your post and came to this part
Nose Gunner: "Nose here, ready to run.
All I could think was this was the joker of the pack.
For jarring, you need two r's, not one.
Would turquoise be a better description of Sunset's magic color?
11046985
An underground train isn't a bad idea. The biggest issue is the ground itself. They're in a jungle, so there's going to be large tree and other plant roots in the way as well as a lot of rain here and there making the ground wet. They would have to construct an underground tunnel sturdy enough to hold the weight of all the wet soil and roots as well as not fall apart with the cacophony of jungle critters walking on the earth above. Especially the rexosaurus. That thing's weight would mean the tunnel absolutely has to have support beams of something that's more than just stone. Even magic enchantments will wear out eventually, but then there's no guarantee that they will always be able to recharge them before they fail. There's too many variables to build an underground railway to Nocturnis. And then you have to wonder how they would get back above ground with everything & everyone.
Nice
11047062
Correct in one. I actually made my comment here into a chapter as special in my released story. Bless Pinkie Pie's random nature...
11047042
Priceless pun. I salute your humor 👍:rainbowdetermined2
11047067
their biggest issue is just lack of ponies. the rail network in this approximate timeframe employed tens of thousands of people just to watch a stretch of track and report anything happening to it.
11047081
A lack of workers is the smallest issue in the underground railroad idea. As more ponies move to the village, they'd likely have some volunteers to do that job.
11047082
underground railroads and steam locomotives don't mix in general.
11047097
No, not really. It would be an environmental disaster and ruin the jungle's ecosystem. If they could run the train without fossil fuels, then it might be a good idea.
Hiver…you wouldn’t…
-Phew-
Wha?
This chapter has been a rollercoaster of emotions!
*Sunset whips her head around*
Sunset: Rainbow Dash...I have two years of military leadership experience of a city guard specialized uniquely within a hostile jungle setting. What do you have?
Rainbow Dash: Uhhh..I attended the Wonderbolt Academy??
Sunset: Lovely...if I need an airshow organized for a local holiday, I'll defer to you but until then MOVE YOUR HINDQUARTERS PRIVATE DASH! Or are you planning to waste more time?
Rainbow Dash: EEP! I mean SIR! No! SIR! Awaiting orders SIR!
Sunset: GOOD...you chose wisely!
"You did, when you started doing what I said."
I hops celestia reminds page that Midnight Sparkle is just chilling in nocturnis doing nothing at the moment and could probably chain-teleport herself out there in moments.
Man, I thought for sure someone was gonna due there for a second. Thank goodness they didnt...
for now.
(Seriously, if your gonna kill anyone off don't let it be a changeling)
11047205
The death tag is still on this story, it’s just a matter of time
Let's hope it's just a fallen tree, the alternative is too much !!FUN!! to contemplate...
11046985
That 'death' tag is looking very ominous now. Then again, it could just be some redshirts, or even the redshirts mentioned to have died in the time skip at the beginning of the story if Hiver was being ultra-paranoid about it.
11047032
I mean, a German bomber would be more appropriate for Changelings, like a Heinkel He 177, especially given its nickname (griffon).
11047067
Not to mention the massive amount of labour required to build a tunnel like that even today, let alone in an early industrial society like this. It'd probably be more economical to simply cut back the jungle for half a mile either side.
11047116
"And don't call me 'sir'! I work for a living!"
Grammar jackboots:
so she knows it’s a real message and not just a dream.
Missing space, should be: 'sooner than a week in any case.'
It's kind of boring to read, that he didn't go with them looking for Amber and other changelings and Flower.
After informing everyone in dreams he should go looking for them.
11047205
11047240
Better be one of the mane 5 and not changelings or Flower
Elements aren't on the main stage anymore
11047075
Noice
11047289
Noiccles
Hmm, dream communication is a good way to give information to distant places, but what if a pony had a "normal" dream where Prince Page "told" them do something that wasn't real. It could cause quite the bit of chaos.
I think some emergency codewords known among certain people would be useful here, confirmed by two sources, and changed every day or week to make it more secure.
.
.
.
No, I haven't watched spy movies. What made you think that?
Ah fuck
11047281
I agree I would be less heart broken if one of them died but I don’t think it will be any main characters. It wasn’t last time, and having one of the elements die off would cause too much chaos. The other stories haven’t been as chaotic as what I’d imagine an element dying off would cause.
Personally I think it’ll be another background character like last time, but who knows for sure ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
it sure hit the fan. or something. for some reason i am thinking trestle out.
and what of Amber and Flower and skitter.
11047116
Sunset: Changed my mind. You’ve been demoted, get a broom and clean this mess up.
11047395
That's the thing, they aren't main characters anymore, they are background characters now
So I guess Rainbow and Rarity are a couple now?
11047544
Got me there
Raiders? And a train? Why must Jimothy send the diamondbacks after trains?
11047276
Yeah, it would take a lot of ponies years to dig out a tunnel and make sure it can support itself to be able to use that idea.
I seem to have misplaced the next button. Please help.
But damn. Reread series and had 5 new chapters waiting for me. Helluva set to come back to.
11047041
11047062
Teal'c: "Ah. Jaffa jokes. Indeed! "
11048262
For that alone could i kiss you
11047067
The easiest way for them to do would be to build an earthen bunker-type covering for the entire line, essentially construct a very long low hill straight through the length of the jungle. No need to worry about flooding if the tracks are staying at ground level, and with sufficient stonework using Roman arches immediately around the train route, you can easily make the berm thick enough to hold a Rexi's weight for whenever they walk over it. After all, the Romans built aqueducts for hundreds of miles using such stonework, and you can rest assured they held up to much more weight than any Rexi could have.
The big issue is if you ever want to expand that trainline to have more than one set of tracks, you'd better plan for such expansion before you even think about breaking out the shovels.
Was at work thinking about this chapter and something occurred to me. We have never seen Alicorn Page truly angry. Annoyed, pissed off, and exasperated, sure. But not truly enraged. He is the Alicorn of Stories. Any writer will tell you, a story is more than just words. It is color, imagination, life. Beyond a mere story, it is a world. It is a place where someone said "I saw what wasn't, and I made it so."
Page has had ponies die on his first expedition, but he did not see them perish. He has lost guards since Nocturnis was founded, it is unknown if he was present. Now imagine what could happen when an Alicorn of Stories, Imagination, Worlds, sees a loved one die. Not a guard, or even a close friend, but someone he cares and loves, dies. And fear what could happen when an enraged Alicorn of Reality sees this, and says to the universe: "It shall not be so."
11048272
That would be a very smart way to do it.
11046985
it would be much more efficient to develop a magical 'ram' with what they have available
well buck, someponies gonna get eaten... arent they?