Twilight created the portal, and something came through. When it came through, twelve ponies became trapped on another world. Can they survive long enough for help to arrive? And what was it that came through?
When Princess Twilight Sparkle's years of research and study comes to its fruition, and a portal to another world is finally opened, a team of ponies is selected to go through. But as they go through, some strange creature comes through, and the exploration team finds itself trapped on an alien world that proves to be much more dangerous than they could have known.
In Equestria, Twilight now must find the way to reopen the portal, and to find out just what happened to the team she sent through. But how do you communicate with something that is completely foreign to you?
And others want to possess this creature as well. They feel that it could be the key to power. Power enough to take control of Equestria, as well as the world from which it came from.
Will Twilight be able to learn what she needs to learn to save her trapped friends, and keep this creature alive, so that it may return home?
Will she be able to bring the team back, or will they be doomed to die on a hostile world?
It was hard to believe that it was actually happening. The end result of four years of work was finally coming to its conclusion. Four years ago, Twilight had been studying late at night, and her work had led her to come to the conclusion that there were other universes. It was not until after she had become a princess that she had actually found the proof that they did exist, and from there, had figured out a means to travel to explore them. Two more years of exhausting work had led to turning her discoveries into tangible results.
A month ago, the first test was run. They had sent some equipment through and brought it back. The equipment included various instruments meant to test conditions on the world she had selected, and even included a camera, to show what the place looked like. Much to the astonishment of Twilight and the ponies working with her on this project, they found that the planet was very much like Equestria. The atmosphere, gravity, and even the local flora and fauna were so similar, that one could mistake it for being someplace actually in her own world. Could it be that they would even find sentient life there? Life with intelligence like a pony?
There was one major difference that the instruments did tell her. Magic in this world was there, but it seems that the force of magic was much weaker in this alien universe. How it would affect those who would be going through was an uncertainty, but the weaker magic fields should have no ill effects.
Today, they would not be sending instruments through. Today, they would send a team of ponies to do a quick exploration of their surroundings.
“You seem rather calm today, Twilight,” said Princess Celestia, as she joined her favorite pupil. “I would think that you would be bouncing around like an excited filly on Hearths Warming Eve. It is not everyday that a whole new world is discovered.” The elder princess was very proud of her student, and how much she had accomplished in her short life. Twilight showed every promise of exceeding the discoveries of Clover the Clever or Starswirl the Bearded. It amazed the Sun Ruler that the mare before her could have risen so much in so short of a time. It seemed just like yesterday that Twilight was just a little foal before her bouncing up and down in excitement and joy, having both become her private pupil and having just received her cutie mark.
“That’s because our egghead princess is just way too cool to let her excitement show!” exclaimed a prismatic maned pegasus landing on Twilight’s other side. “Seriously, Twilight, this has to be the coolest thing ever!” Overcome with her own excitement, Rainbow Dash tackled her friend in a hug before flying off.
The now blushing Twilight looks to her teacher, who is trying to hide her mirth with her hoof. A few years ago, she would have been hiding in embarrassed terror at the thought of the princess seeing such things. It took a long while for the studious mare to learn to loosen up, but she had, much to Celestia’s relief.
“Shall we go check and see if the team is ready, Princess Sparkle?” asks the co-ruler of Equestria.
“Yes, I think we should.”
Walking together, the two alicorns approach the gathered exploration team. Leading the group is Twilight’s brother, Shining Armor. Spitfire, leader of the Wonderbolts is second in command. Rainbow Dash will be their primary scout while Fluttershy would be studying any animal life they happen to find while there. Others would study other aspects of this new world, or provide security for the team. Altogether, a total of thirteen ponies would go through the portal. Four pegasi, four earth ponies, and five unicorns. Twilight herself wished to be going through, but that was quickly vetoed by everyone involved. In no way, shape or form would they allow Twilight to take such a risk. And there were risks to this. Who knows what could happen, and if something were to happen to Equestria’s newest princess, it would be tragic for the whole kingdom.
Shining Armor trots over to his sister to report that the team is prepared to go through. Hell, they’re practically chomping at the bit to go. Even Fluttershy, who normally would be hiding from her own shadow, is excited. “Power up the equipment, Twilie, and lets get this show on the road,” he tells her.
“Will do, BBBFF,” she replies. She gathers the unicorns and the two princesses who will be helping her power the portal equipment, and once everyone is ready, she lights up her horn, bringing forth her magic. The others do the same and the power can literally be felt through the air as magical energies reach levels almost unheard of. In minutes, there was a flash of light, and before them was what appeared to be an opening in space, filled with swirling energies.
Looking to his gathered team, Shining Armor calls for them to follow as he cautiously steps through.
* * * * *
Roger Huffington stood near the top of the small mountain. Though small is a relative term at the moment, whereas the Rocky Mountains have many peaks that reached much further in height than the one he was on. That was OK with him, though, because this was one of the best locations for launching his hang glider from. From here, it would be a relatively short but exciting flight down the mountain slope and through the valley below.nine thousand feet of elevation may not be very high for Colorado, but it was plenty for him.
Born an only child, and with few friends, Roger was not one for group activities, preferring things he could do on his own. Running, riding his motorcycle, and hang gliding were his three biggest passions as of late. Today would comprise of a short flight of two, then after, he would ride for a few hours before heading back home. Though it did not sound like a lot, it was what he had planned for on his day off from work at the shop where he served as the parts manager.
Picking up his glider, he got a short running start before leaping off into the open air. The glider quickly started to descend and pick up speed, which provided the needed lift for his flight down the slope. Soon, the ground was racing underneath him at high speed, bring the drug like euphoric state that only adrenaline was able to provide. Yes, it was very dangerous to be flying only several feet from the ground, but that only added to the thrill for Roger, who found such thrills to be one of the very few things to live for nowadays.
After a few minutes, he is nearing the end of his trip through the air, and he begins to flare to slow down. It is at this point where something very strange happens in front of him. Something that looks like a portal from one of those shows he occasionally watches on SiFi appears in his path, and through it comes some strange creatures. Had he been capable of any further cognitive thought, he might have thought that they looked remarkably similar to horses, though with very unnatural colors, and were rather small in size for a horse. He could not have such thoughts, though, for his mind had pretty much frozen up in shock.
It was fortunate for him that he had slowed considerably before they appeared in front of him. Unable to think, or even react, due to his shock, he collided with one of them at over thirty miles per hour with a crunch of breaking bones, and both him and the creature he had collided with went tumbling through the portal.
* * * * *
The portal had been open for only a few moments, and Shining Armor had just taken his team on through to the alien world. They were just getting ready to close the portal temporarily when Shining armor came tumbling back through, along with something else. As everypony stood where they were stunned, the unicorn and the strange creature half tangled in his limbs crashed into the row of equipment. With a crash, the delicate machinery went flying, shattered beyond repair, and causing the portal to instantly close. In a panic, Twilight rushed over to her brother to check to see if he was ok.
He was not, unfortunately. Whatever it was that had sent him back through had apparently collided with the former Guard Captain with enough force to break his leg and shoulder. Also, when he collided with the portal equipment, he had hit his head hard, and was bleeding profusely from the wound. He would need medical attention immediately.
Looking closely at the amulet around his neck, Twilight feels a chill of fear run down her spine. The amulet is what would have allowed the portal to open back up for the exploration team. Without that amulet, the magic within the portal machinery would have nothing to lock onto, and it would now become that much more difficult for getting them home. Now, not only was the amulet not with the team, but the gem in the center was cracked down the center. It had taken six months to synthesize that gem. And even knowing exactly what to do, it would take another six months to make another.
While she tended to her brother, the rest of her team assessed the damage to the equipment. Several pieces were beyond repair, but they could be rebuilt. It would take a few months, but that was minor compared to the half a year it would take for the gem to be fixed. And then, it would take time to find the exact location that the portal had opened to. No matter how a pony looked at this, those trapped on the other side will have to fend for themselves until the portal could be reopened, and a team sent through to bring them home.
Celestia, as well as her sister, Princess Luna, on the other hoof, were inspecting the strange creature that had come back through the portal with the former Guard Captain. It looked as if it would walk upright, like a minotaur, from its shape, and it seemed to wear a lot of clothing, including a helmet even. Another interesting thing which the two princesses noted was that, unlike a pony, this creature seemed to have claws like Spike. All that mattered little at the moment, though, because it appeared to be injured badly, and would need the services of a doctor quickly.
“Tia, I shall fly back to the castle and bring a medical team and some guards,” the darker alicorn tells her sister. “Let us hope that we can figure out how badly it is hurt, and save this creature, so we may study it.” She then spreads her wings and flies off to Canterlot to gather guards and medics.
Princess Celestia starts probing the alien before her with her magic in an attempt to assess the injuries it has received, so that maybe they might get an understanding later of what fate may be in store for the ponies trapped on the alien world.
* * * * *
“What in Tartarus was that?” asks Rainbow Dash immediately after the closing of the portal. “And how will we be getting home now? Shining had the amulet, so we can’t trigger it to open, and that amulet is what the portal focused on!” Rainbow was getting close to panic, but suppressed it so as to stay strong for the team. Everyone needed to keep their heads together right now, because there was no telling how long that they would be trapped here. She had faith in Twilight, that she would get them home, but, from what she remembered from all the briefings, if the amulet was lost, it would be very unlikely that the portal could be reopened anywhere near where they were. If Twilight and the science team were able to figure out the location, it could take up to a week searching. And with what happened to Shining Armor just now, this world has shown itself to be potentially dangerous.
“Dash, I need you to scout above us and watch for any more surprises, so that they don’t bite us in the flank again. Stay close though,” Spitfire orders. Since Shining Armor got booted back to Equestria by whatever the Tartarus that was that ran into him, the leadership and survival of the team fell to her hooves. Turning to the rest of the team, she issues orders. “OK, listen up. It looks as if we may be here for a while. We shall bunker down in the forest over there,” she tells them, pointing to the trees about a hundred yards away. “Fluttershy, Keep your eyes open for any animal life we see, and watch for anything that might be a danger to us. Big Mac and Caramel, we will need food, so see what you can find for us that is safe to eat. And water too. That will be critical for us. The rest of you will help me get some sort of shelter set up. We have our work cut out for us, so lets get moving, ponies!”
Twilight Sparkle was not a happy camper. A dozen ponies were now trapped on an alien world with no way home and no help coming to them until the equipment could be repaired, and a new amulet made up. The broken machinery and ruined amulet did not make her make her mad, but despondent. Still, she knew she could fix it all with the help of her team. The fact that until such a time as the items were made working again, the ponies who had trusted her to be able to bring her back safely would be at risk was killing her. Not in the literal sense, mind you, but it felt that way to her. Damnit! Two of her closest friends are on that team, and because she was not cautious enough, they may not make it home.
Sighing, she set the clipboard down and walked out of the room. The needed items would be placed on order, and the devices would be fixed or rebuilt. As for the amulet, she would start the process of creating another gem in the morning. For now, she wanted to head to the infirmary to check on her brother. He had suffered a broken leg and shoulder from when the alien had impacted with him. On top of that, he had received a nasty cut on his head which required numerous stitches. To do this, they had to shave his mane, and he was not very happy about that.
She also wanted to see the creature that had come back with Shining Armor. This had been one of the things which she had hoped would be found; a sentient creature from another world. Well, she hoped to find that it is sentient. It would appear that it is though. Clothing is a pretty strong indication of some form of intelligence, and there is also the item that came with it. It was something that had been manufactured, and that takes intelligent thought to do as well.
Those thoughts were set aside as she entered the infirmary room where her brother was recovering from having his broken bones set back into place. In spite of the drugs and a pain easement spell from his wife, you could tell he was still in some discomfort. But he would not willingly let such discomfort show. Shining Armor was a proud stallion, and one who always took it upon himself to be the strong pony that was always there for everypony else. That was just part of his nature, and why he was looked upon as a leader among ponies. Still, to those who were closest to him, the look of worry and discomfort was plain as day.
“Hey, Twilie! Good to see you,” came his greeting as she walked in.
“Thank you, Shiny,” she replied, gently hugging him, careful around his broken shoulder and foreleg. She then turned to Cadance, and wrapped her in a hug as well, though it was a bit of a strain, whereas her sister-in-law was carrying twins, and expected to have them any day now.
“How are you holding up, Twilight?” asked Cadance. She had known Twilight ever since she was a little filly, and could read Twilight as easily as her own family could. Still, being able to read somepony’s face and expressions was not the same as hearing it directly from the pony’s mouth. Hopefully, talking about the things going on in her life would help make things a bit easier to deal with.
“Honestly, I feel like a wreck. I feel like I should have been better prepared for something like this to happen. Now, because of my failure, the exploration team is trapped on that alien world, and it will take at least six months before we can get them safely back.” She sighs, dejected, before continuing. “I should have planned this out better, but, because I didn’t, we could lose them for good, and it will be my fault!” she exclaims, with a stomp of her hoof out of frustration. She was a princess, damnit, and a princess does not make foolish mistakes like that.
Cadance wraps her forehooves around the young princess. “Twilight, you must not blame yourself for what happened. Shiny already told me exactly what happened, and nopony could have foreseen such an event occurring. What matters now is that we all do whatever it takes to get them all home. We will do this,” Cadance assures Twilight.
“Yeah, Twilie. It’s not like you’re gonna be sent back to Magic Kindergarten or anything. And they will survive. Spitfire is a good leader. She’ll take care of them until we get there to get them home,” her brother adds.
“Thanks, guys. This is what I needed to hear,” she tells them.
* * * * *
After her visit with Shining Armor and Cadance, Twilight decides she wants to get a closer look at the alien creature. Fortunately, its injuries had not been as serious as they had suspected, and between the doctors and Celestia, they were quite confident that it should recover fully. She was hoping that would be the case. They will need answers, and the only one with any possibility of giving them the answers would be the strange creature that came through the portal.
Twilight greets the guards with a smile as she walks past them into the room where it is resting. Inside, the room, the infirmary’s medical officer is discussing the creature with Princess Celestia.
“It’s remarkable, Princess, how similar biologically he is to us. Blood chemistry, organ placement, its nervous system. So many similarities, you would think that it evolved here. I would be willing to wager that he can even eat the same foods that we eat. I would love to continue studying him.” Dr. Clover notices that Twilight has entered the room. “Good evening, Princess Sparkle. I must say, this creature is simply fascinating. I could spend years studying him,” he tells her excitedly.
Twilight looks to the creature on the bed. It looks so strange compared to anything else she has seen during her many adventures. From its shape, one would guess that it did not walk on four hooves in the way a pony does. The claws were definitely shaped for holding objects in the same way that Spike was able to do. They were not something a pony would walk on.
Other details stood out as well. It seemed to have a mane, but it was cut short, and it had the thick whiskers of a beard and mustache growing in as stubble along its face. Other than that, it did not appear to have much in the way of a coat. A thin layer of fur on its upper limbs, and some on its chest area, but beyond that, she could not see due to the blanket covering it partially. Maybe that is why it wore so much clothing. Discretely, she telekinetically lifts the blanket to look to see just how much the lack of fur extended.
“Checking to see that he has all of the important pieces, Twilight?” Celestia jokingly teased.
“Hush, you. I just want to inspect and learn, for science and all that. And, yes, plainly evident that it is a male. He seems to have a very unique structure to him. I am guessing that he should be nearly as tall as you when standing. Looking at his claws, I would guess that he is very adept at using them. They look quite dexterous.” Twilight finds herself wishing for her notes, so she can record her thoughts on her preliminary inspection of the new creature. “Just what were his injuries?” she asks.
“He suffered a few broken ribs when he collided with Shining Armor, as well as some nasty bruising, but it seems that he had a helmet on which prevented any head injuries. That, I am thankful for, because brain injuries are something we have yet to manage to cure. I’m surprised that he was not hurt much worse though, considering how badly your brother was injured by the collision. He will be hurting when he finally wakes up.”
The two princesses continued their talking, the conversation moving on to other topics. After a little while though, their discussion was interrupted by a pained moan from the alien in the bed. After a few moments, he slowly started shifting around, gaining consciousness. And then his eyes opened. He looked around for a second, until his eyes fell upon the pair of alicorns in front of him.
Eyes suddenly open wide in shock and terror, he lets out a horrified scream, and scrambles out of the bed, paying no heed to his injuries. He scrambles across the floor to huddle in a corner in sheer terror. Twilight decides to take the initiative, and slowly approaches the creature. “It’s going to be ok. You can calm down,” she tells him softly. This does nothing to calm him. Instead, it just seems to send him into more of a panic. Without any further warning, he bolts past the two alicorns, colliding with one of the guards outside the door. In a tangle of limbs and legs, they go down, both crying out, one in ongoing terror, and the other in pain as he lands wrong on his wing. The bipedal being quickly gets up and attempts to run away.
Even as the Sun Princess called out a command for them to stop the panicked creature, the other guard, a unicorn mare, lit up her horn and captured him with her telekinesis. Fortunately, she was able to hold him without aggravating his injuries any further.This did little to stop him from struggling still, and his panic grew worse with the realization that there was no escape.
From down the hall approaches Cadance, her horn glowing softly as she attempts to calm the still struggling alien. Being the Princess of Love, she had the ability to empathically sense the emotions of others, and influence such emotions to some extent. After a few minutes, she was able to calm him enough that a simple sleep spell put him under, so that he could be placed back in the bed.
Once that was done, Celestia called for the doctor to return so that he could check for further injuries. Turning to her niece, Celestia thanked her for the assistance she had provided. “I do not think either Twilight or I could have calmed him as you did. Thank you, Cadance, for your help here,” she said with gratitude. “When he comes around again, I think it would be very helpful if you were here to help.”
Twilight sits and ponders the situation before her. This creature obviously was scared out of his mind. Trapped by creatures that are completely foreign to him, with no means to communicate, or understand... Then it hit her. She would have to find a way to teach him to understand Equestrian. But how would you teach a language to someone without any common understanding between the two species?
“Princess Celestia, I think I have a plan to help us communicate with him, but I will need your assistance with this.”
* * * * *
In a field crouched two ponies in the tall grass. They had been exploring the mountain valley for the past two days, and after determining that no one was going to come back to the strange object before them, they were going to investigate. Approaching cautiously, they saw what looked to be some kind of four wheeled wagon, though it did not look like any wagon they had seen back in Equestria. In the back, there was a space like a wagon, but then it bulged up into some kind of enclosed space with a lot of glass. Beyond that, it sloped down for some reason. The wheels appeared to be made of some sort of rubber as well. Much different than any wagon they had seen before.
“What do you make of it, Fancy?” asked Spitfire.
“My guess would be a wagon of some sort. Where the passenger sits, I would not be certain. Maybe inside the enclosed space? I guess we shall just have to make an inspection of this and see what we can figure out.”
Spitfire thought for a moment, then made her decision. “Ok, it doesn’t appear that anypony will show up, so I guess it would be safe.” The two of them slowly approached the strange object. Upon reaching it, Spitfire jumps into the back section, and peers in through the glass window. “Well, I think I see where they sit, whomever it is that operates this. Fancy Pants, do you think you can figure out how to get inside this thing?” she asks the unicorn standing at the front of the strange contraption.
“One moment, Miss. I shall give it a go,” he replies circling around to inspect. Stopping at the right side, he decides that the door would be here, and takes a closer look. Seeing what appears to be some kind of handle, ge lights up his horn and uses his magic to see what happens when he pulls on it. To his surprise, he finds that the side of the object opens up. “Well, I did not expect to be able to find the way inside so quickly.”
Spitfire quickly jumped down from the back and jumped up inside. Crouching, she found she could barely stand on the seat, which resembled a park bench, only plush like a couch you would find in a living room. All the way to the left, there was a wheel sticking out, with numerous buttons, levers, and dials, as well as some gauges, all without any purpose that she could figure out. “I wonder, would somepony be able to move this around from in here? How would they control it?” she asks herself, as she reaches out towards the center of the wheel with her hoof.
The ear splitting noise was the last thing either pony had expected. In a mad scramble, Spitfire plowed over Fancy Pants in her rush to get out of the object, and flew a good fifty feet with the unicorn keeping fear induced pace with her before both had calmed down enough to stop.
“Captain Spitfire, I believe that we might be best off calling this mission over, at least for now,” Fancy Pants suggested, with the Wonderbolt Captain agreeing. Trotting back to the treeline, the two approach another pair of ponies. Faber and Dusty had been watching from a hidden spot, ready to jump in at a moment’s notice.
Faber, a cyan unicorn with bright, orange mane and tail, is huge. As tall as Big Macintosh, though not quite as bulky in built, he still towers over most unicorns. The closest in size would be Shining Armor, who himself is considered to be large as far as unicorns go. Standing next to him is Dusty. A brown earth pony of average height and built for his tribe. He has a proud stance before him, from his time serving in the Equestrian Rangers. He had proven himself on numerous occasions to live up to his cutie mark, showing opponents that he was very skilled with the spear he carried. When combined with the brute strength and berserker fighting style of Faber, along with the big broadsword he carried, any threats to the team would find themselves in grave danger.
“What in Tartarus was that noise?” asked Dusty as Spitfire sat down next to the pair. “You jumped up into that thing, and the next thing we see, you had Fancy Pants on his flank as you scrambled out of there.”
“Aye lassie, an’ Ah suspect ye left a brown trail ‘alf the way back ‘ere as well!” Faber added, laughing heartily in his thick Scoltish brogue. Faber was known for his wild antics, but he was also very capable of taking care of those he considered his friends, and a strong sense of loyalty that could be matched by very few. “Ah’m just glad it was no’ Fluttershy who went exploring tha’ thing. After tha’ racket, she would have flown ‘alf way back to Equestria by naow.”
“Let’s just head back to the camp. Hopefully, Big Mac and Caramel prove to be much better cooks than Trixie and Lyra. Last night’s dinner was something I wish I could forget,” the pegasus tells them as she starts trotting through the woods.
* * * * *
Dinner proved to be quite good this evening. Even the previous night’s cooks, Lyra and Trixie were agreeing that for now on, Caramel or Big Macintosh should be cooking dinner. Fancypants and Fluttershy would be good alternate choices as cooks, but nopony could compare to either Apple when it came to making a tasty meal.
As they settled in for the evening and the watch schedule established, Trixie and Cloudkicker stayed up for a bit talking. Cloudkicker was curious as to why the unicorn mare had joined the team. She seems to have changed since the last time she had come to Ponyville. On her last visit, she had been wearing a strange amulet which had increased her magic abilities considerably. Unfortunately, it had also increased all of her negative attributes, such as her rage, lust for power, and ego. It was only through Twilight Sparkle, and her friends that Trixie had been defeated, tricked into removing the necklace from around her neck.
“So, what made you join the team?” she asks Trixie. “After being beaten by Twilight twice, I would think that you would have been avoiding her like the plague, and yet, here you are.”
Trixie eyed the pegasus over for a moment, then looked down to the ground before she answered. “Well, it is not common knowledge, but after the incident with the Alicorn Amulet, I kept in contact with Twilight through letters. She was concerned for me, and wanted to keep in touch. At the time, I did not see why she would wish to do so, but as we corresponded, I have gotten to know her.” Her voice softens as she continues, “She is the first pony how has shown me real kindness. And she showed me forgiveness and friendship too. She showed me that I have more to my life than being a traveling showpony.
“I eventually settled down in Baltimare, and I found that I had the ability to make foals laugh with my shows. I started doing that more and more, and have become quite successful. If it was for Twilight showing me this side that I never knew I had, I never would have found the happiness I have achieved. I owe her everything.”
Cloudkicker thought about this for a moment. She would never had thought that Trixie, the once brash and overconfident showmare that had twice caused considerable havoc in Ponyville, would have changed so much. Still, Cloudkicker had reservations. Was there some ulterior motive for the former showmare to be here? “So, you joined the team because you owed her?”
Trixie looked the other mare in her eye then gave her reply. “Yes, I do owe her, but that is not the reason I chose to be on this team. Twilight thought that my magic abilities might come in handy, and also that I would enjoy the chance to participate in something as incredible as this. Besides, she is my friend, and she asked me. How could I say no?”
Once again, Trixie’s gaze fell towards the ground. “I can understand your reluctance to accept me, considering the trouble I have caused in the past. I know I really do not deserve to have it, but I would ask for forgiveness. My actions in the past were inexcusable, and for that, I’m sorry.”
This caught the pegasus by surprise. This was not the same mare that had come to town a few years ago, full of bravado and cockiness. Cloudkicker had expected arrogance, but had found humbleness, mixed in with the pride of somepony who has found purpose and meaning in their life. She could also see that the request for forgiveness was a genuine one, and with that thought, Cloudkicker decided that it should be granted, which she did, along with a gentle hug.
They sat there for a while longer, talking about various things within their lives. Soon, it was time for Cloudkicker to take her spot on watch, and Trixie decided that she should get some sleep. They bid each other goodnight, and went their separate ways.
* * * * *
Two alicorn princesses, one violet, one midnight blue, sat at a table discussing how they might be able to learn to communicate with the alien being that was currently under a spell induced sleep within the medical facility within the castle. It had taken a bit of thought, but Twilight had come up with a tentative plan. “My plan will require the help of both you and Cadance. I will need Cadance and her ability to induce a calming effect to keep him not only calm, but hopefully, his mind open to suggestion. While she is keeping him calm, you have the ability to enter dreams, and to influence them if need be. We shall use that as a portal into his mind. Once you are in, can you bring me in as well?” she asks. When she receives a nod of affirmation, Twilight continues. “Ok, I am working on a spell that will find the areas of his brain that focus on language, and I shall read just how his mind speaks. From there, I can use a translation spell, and teach my mind to understand his language. From there, I can do the same for him, so he can understand Equestrian, including reading and writing the language. What do you think?” she asks her fellow princess.
Princess Luna gives this some thought. She thought it to be a well thought out plan, but she did have some ethical concerns. “I feel that this could work, Twilight,” she said, “but we have to consider the ethics about invading another creature’s mind, as well as any potential risks. The mind can be a very fragile thing, and if we did him any harm, I would have a very hard time forgiving myself.” Taking a sip of her coffee, she continues, “We should talk to Tia about this. A decision with such potential consequences, and with the potential risks to the mind, we cannot lightly jump on in.”
“Yeah, you’re right. We could speak with her as soon as the sun is raised in the morning. If all goes well, maybe by tomorrow evening, we shall finally be able to talk to him, and start getting answers that will help us get the team back safely.” Twilight levitated her cup to her lips, only to find that it was empty.
Well, I guess that this is a sign that I should consider getting some sleep. I don’t need to be nodding off when we are talking to Celestia tomorrow morning. Goodnight Luna,” she says as she leaves the table.
The day dawned with clear skies and crisp temperatures. Though she would have loved a cloud to lay upon as she watched the dawn, Rainbow Dash was content watching as she glided several hundred yards above the treetops. She was starting to wish for that cloud more now, due to the exertion of flight. It had to be the weaker magic of this world. Rainbow had never given it much thought on just how important magic is to flight, but she thought about it now. She was finding herself relying on the physical work a lot more than she normally would, and the higher she went, the more difficult it became for her. There would be no sonic rainbooms performed here.
Setting those thoughts aside, she resumed her scans of the area. It was her duty to be watchful for any signs of any potential threats that might approach. After the incident that trapped them here, it became clear to her that this little adventure could end up being her last adventure.
Every now and then, she notices things much higher up in the sky pass over. She guess them to be maybe six or so miles above her altitude, and even though they look small from here, she realizes that they much actually be pretty huge. Her sharp eyes tell her that they seem to be shaped like long cylinders with wings. The wings do not appear to move though, so just how they push themselves through the air would be anypony’s guess. Still, they are something which she watches for, just in case they become threatening.
After a little while, she heads down to join the rest of them in their makeshift camp. Most of them are finishing up a breakfast consisting of various berries and other edible plant life. Sitting down next to Spitfire, she grabs some food and digs in.
“How does it look this morning, Dash?” asks the leader. “See anything we should be concerned about?”
Pausing her breakfast consumption, she tells Spitfire about the morning flight. “Saw a few more of those objects flying over. They don’t appear to be threatening in any way, but just the same, it’s better to watch them. While I was up there, I followed what appeared to be a road. After a while, it connected with another one that was much wider, and appeared to be made out of some sort of blackish stone. And there was something else. You know that weird, wagonlike thing you and Fancy explored? Well, I saw a few things similar traveling on it. They had lights on the front of them that lit the roadway pretty far. None of them turned up this way. So I guess we’re still safe for now.”
“Tell me, how is flying here for you? You're the strongest flyer I know, and you were looking a bit winded when you landed. I know I have found flying more difficult, and so has Cloudkicker. And poor Fluttershy can barely get herself off the ground for more than a few moments. The unicorns are telling me that they are having similar issues using their magic, and the Vigilance tells me that the connection earth ponies have with the ground and plants seems to be considerably weaker.”
Spitfire’s questions are interrupted by Faber plopping down next to her. “Tell me aboot it, lasseh! Me sword Claire weighs a ton naow. In Equestria, it felt light as a feather ta meh, but everypony else aboot kills ‘emselves trying to lift it.” Pulling the big broadsword from his back, he tosses it down before Spitfires hooves. “Go ahead an’ try liftin’ that, lass!”
Not thinking much of it, where it looks as if it would weigh five to six pounds at the most, Spitfire attempts to lift the sword. She strains, and is just able to lift the hilt off the ground, but thats it. She lets go, and it falls with an audible thump. “What in Tartarus is that thing made of?” she asks in bewilderment. The damn thing weighs a ton. “Maybe Big Mac could carry it, but I don't think anypony else would be able to do so!
“Eeyup. Ah could carry it, but that’s about it. Ain’t no way Ah could wield that thing,” says the red stallion, who had walked up behind them. “How is it that you can wield that sword of your’s when it is so heavy?”
Faber replies to this question with a smug grin, saying, “She’s enchanted ta me, an’ me alone. It allows meh to wield it as if it were a wee twig.” He spits in dissatisfaction before continuing, “Unfortunately, tha weaker magic of this world makes tha ‘er heavier for meh. Claire weighs aboot a hundred pounds, but feels but as a feather to meh normalleh. Naow, she feels ta be aroun’ sixteh. Ah was talkin’ with Fancy Pants, and ‘e estimates that tha magic ‘ere is only about forteh percent o’ that in Equestria. Ah could wield ‘er, barely, but she’d be very clumsy when Ah do so.”
“So, the question is, do we have enough magical strength to be able to effectively fight, if something happens that we are threatened? Our magic is under half the strength we normally have, and we have no clue whether or not the inhabitants of this world can use magic, or if they may be resistant to a unicorn’s magic attacks. There are too many unknown variables here, so it is in our best interest to stay concealed until Princess Sparkle can retrieve us.”
Dash speaks up after finishing her breakfast. They had been sent here for a purpose, and although it looked like they may be here a lot longer than they had planned, they should do at least what they came to do. “What of the job that we were sent here to do? Just because we can’t get back home right now, that does not mean we should just cower here like scared rabbits. We were sent here for a purpose, and even if the situation has changed, the purpose has not,” she tells them. Standing, she walks over to them, and the remaining ponies, stand up and follow, wondering where this will go. “We were selected because we are among the best that Equestria has to offer. All of us have a reason to be here, and if we ignore that, then we dishonor the ones who gave us this opportunity to do something that NOPONY has ever done before. Yes, we will need to be careful, but we still have a job to do.”
“I agree with Rainbow Dash,” says Dusty. “Granted, being cautious may make it so we explore less, but we can still do so.” Turning to the rest of the ponies, he continues, “Fluttershy, you have an incredible gift with animals. I am certain that you would want to catalog all the wildlife you see. Big Mac and Caramel have already collected a ton of the flora here, and thats just from within the wooded area here. Rainbow and Cloudkicker, you two probably know more about weather observation than anypony around. Lets not waste this opportunity.”
Lyra stepped forward to voice her own two bits. “I too agree with Rainbow. Though my reason for being here will be severely hindered by caution, I can still help the others study. Besides, who wants to just sit around twiddling our hooves while waiting for Twilight Sparkle to get the portal back open and get us home?”
“Speaking of which,” asks Dusty, “why has she not gotten the portal reopened so we can go home?”
It was Trixie who answered this one. “My guess is that something happened during the collision that sent Captain Armor back through the portal. Maybe the equipment was damaged somehow. The equipment was not built to be knocked around, and if Shining Armor and whatever it was that hit him damaged it, it will have to be repaired before the portal can be activated. Also, what if something happened to the amulet? If that was damaged, then it will take six months for Twilight to synthesize another. To be honest with everypony here, we could be trapped here for a while.”
Spitfire was not happy about all of this. She did not enjoy having her authority challenged. The only pony she allowed to do so was Soarin, but he had the advantage of being married to her. When others did it though, it pissed her off. Still, she did have to admit that Rainbow Dash had a point. And if the others agreed with her, then there was not a whole lot she could do. She could enforce her rule and be a dictator, but that would just cause bitterness among the team and could cause a rift. Or she could concede the point and go with the team’s wishes, at the same time directing them to follow as safe a manner as possible. Yes, that would be the best solution.
“Okay. We will explore, but with caution. Before we do that, I suggest that we take stock of the situation. We need to know just where we stand here before we go any further.” And with that, she started asking for the reports from the various team members.
* * * * *
Two days have passed since Roger had initially awakened to the sight of the strange creatures in the room with him, though he did not know that such time had passed. He knew that there was a voice talking to him in his dream. A voice in a language that he had never heard before, but for some reason, he could understand just as clearly as if the person talking to him was speaking English.
”Can you understand me, Roger Huffington?” asks the voice. A woman’s voice. She sounds nice.
”Yeah, I do understand you, though I am uncertain why I do. Who are you?” he asks.
”My name is Luna.”
Okay, Luna, where am I? And what were those creatures I saw? And why do I feel so relaxed right now?”
”All of that will be explained to you. I just wished to make sure that you would be able to understand us. I should let you know though, what you see when you wake up may shock you. Please understand that none of us wish you any harm. Now, it is time for you to waken.”
Before he could reply, the dreamlike state that he was in faded, and he slowly returned to the conscious world.The first thing that he noticed was that he had a mild headache. That and he was incredibly thirsty. When he opened his eyes finally, he discovers that he is in what would appear to be a hospital room. But certain details were different. Where there were words, they were in some completely foreign language. Yet, like in the dream where he could understand the woman’s words to him, he could understand what was written.
Looking down towards the foot of the bed, he sees something that should have him terrified, because there is no way such a creature could exist. What this creature appeared to be was a unicorn. Not quite the same size as a full grown horse, and the color was not what one would expect either. The unicorn’s coat was colored navy blue and her main and tail could only be described as looking ethereal, like the nighttime sky. Furthermore, she appeared to be wearing some sort of chest plate with a representation of a crescent moon upon it, and a crown, both black in color.
For some reason, this did not shock him like he would have expected. He could not understand why he was not panicking right now. It was unnatural. Then again, everything seemed to be unnatural right now. Then the unicorn spoke.
“Hello Roger Huffington, I am Princess Luna. Welcome to Equestria.”
Roger is a bit dumbfounded. This is the voice he was hearing in his dream. Well, she is not a woman, per say, but she seems friendly enough. “Yeah... this is crazy. Where the hell is this Equestria, and why am I talking to a unicorn?” he asks.
Standing up, luna turns sideways towards him, and flutters her wings a second. “An alicorn, actually,” she tells him, smiling. “I am here to help you understand what you are experiencing right now. I am certain that your mind is filled with questions, and I am willing to answer all that I am able.”
The first thing that came to his mind to ask was to ask if he could have some water, because he was very thirsty.
* * * * *
Evening time has Roger being visited by four alicorns now. Being in the presence of four princesses would have most sentient creatures, pony or human, feeling intimidated, but thankfully, Princess Cadance’s calming spell has done wonders for him. Unfortunately, due to subtle differences between human and pony minds, the spell also made him feel slightly wonky.
“So, all the ponies that appeared in front of me were there as an exploration team. I hope for their sake that they stay hidden. Sad to say, but Earth can be a pretty rough place. Where they are at though, I should imagine that they are fairly safe. The valley does not get too many people traveling there, though there may be the occasional hunter to worry about...”
Twilight pauses in her note taking to ask a question. “Excuse me, but what exactly is a hunter? I would assume that it would be a pony that hunts or searches for something, but I am guessing that in this context, it means something different.”
When Roger explains to Twilight just what a hunter on earth does, she blanches, with a queasy and slightly scared look on her face. To think that a sentient creature would kill another creature for the purpose of sport was so alien to her, she just could not conceive it.
“Do not look so surprised, Dear Twilight,” Celestia tells her. “It was not too long ago that the Gryphons still hunted in a similar manner. Some still do, from what I understand, though the practice is not looked upon as being civilized even amongst themselves. Yes, to us ponies, it seems barbaric, but that is only from our perspective. You need to remember that different cultures will have different rules and moors which they follow. As an example, the Gryphons consider the earth pony practice of burial after death to be most horrifying. They are most like the pegasi whereas they prefer cremation upon death.”
“I’ll try to remember that, Princess,” Twilight tells her.
“I’m guessing that ponies do not eat meat either,” Roger says offhandedly, to the regret of Twilight’s stomach.
“For the most part, no,” says Celestia. “Though, Pegasi used to eat fish, and there are a few who will still do so on occasion. There is no law, per say, against it, but culturally, it is considered to be revolting to most. Gryphons still eat meat, though not as much as they used to in the past. And other races do so as well. I would guess that your race does eat meat, Roger?”
Roger hesitates for a moment, afraid of offending the princesses before him. Considering that they are most likely very powerful, it would not be a good thing to have them thinking poorly of him. Still, dishonesty would probably have even worse results. “Yeah, we do eat meat. Granted, there are some that choose to not do so, but they are not in the majority. And, yes, I am one who does eat meat.”
Twilight gasps in disgusted shock at this revelation. To her, it was one of the most abhorrent things she could conceive of. Even worse than burning books or... wait, nothing was worse than burning books, but still! “How can you do something so revolting?” she exclaims. “It’s just... inconceivable!”
“Twilight, calm down,” chides her sister-in-law. “You have to remember that he comes from a whole different world from ours, with completely different social moors and values. We do not have the right to judge him for following what is considered perfectly acceptable in his own home. Now if he were to choose to do so while here, then that would be something that we would have to have concern for. Not that it would be evil, but more of the societal ramifications that would come from that.
Turning to Roger, Cadance asks pleasantly, “Would you mind telling us more about a human’s typical diet, so that we can make sure that you can enjoy a good meal, but not offend everypony in sight?”
* * * * *
It was a good afternoon to be in the skies, thought Warrant Officer Edwards as he was manning the equipment in the back of the helicopter. Granted, the reason for the flight was work, but he did not mind. Any chance to be airborne was looked upon as a gift.
The work he was doing was looking for signs of a strange energy phenomenon that happened a few days ago. The energy surge detected just happened to be of the type that they were doing research on. Needless to say, Everyone in any position resembling authority was scrambling for answers to what was detected. And everyone without sufficient was driven like slaves by those who did. Fortunately, he was just high enough on the totem pole that he scrambled more than he slaved.
They were now over a valley heading at an upwards climb towards a smaller mountain. More like just a hill in this state. As they came over the valley, Edwards noticed a black Dodge Ram parked down there. The passenger door was open, but there was no sign of an occupant. Strange, and noted, just in case it is somehow related to the incident. He turned his head to check the equipment when he saw something strange on the monitor. He could have sworn he just saw some animals down there. Weird animals though, maybe the size of deer, but colored very unnaturally. Calling to the pilot, he asks that he make another pass.
* * * * *
Cloudkicker was the first to hear it. The noise was a thumping sound, unlike anything they were accustomed to hearing. “Do you hear that?” she asks the other three with her. Maybe it was her formal training from West Hoof that was kicking in, or maybe it was just fear, But she was thinking that it might be in everypony’s interests if they suddenly got really well hidden.
“I hear it as well,” replied Fluttershy
Before anypony else could say anything, some strange machine flew into the valley from over the treeline opposite of them. It was big. It was loud. And it was coming right at them.
“INTO THE TREES, NOW!” screamed Cloudkicker at the ponies with her. She had no clue what this was, but she was afraid that they may have been discovered. She jumps behind a boulder and crouches, only to have a big, red earth pony just about flatten her as he picks the same spot. Fluttershy and Lyra find hiding places as well, and Lyra pulls some brush over them all with her magic to conceal them.
“Ah think we need ta get back to the others. Do ya think it saw us?” asks Big Macintosh.
“I don’t know, but I think I hear it coming back,” Lyra informs them, trying to make herself more hidden.
The mysterious object makes another pass over them, flying low enough that the thumping sound rattled their teeth. After a moment, it was gone.
“Mac is right. We need to get back to the team. Double time it, ponies!” Cloudkicker commands and starts off towards the camp.
When they got to the camp, they find out that the thing had passed over here as well. Rainbow Dash had spotted it coming first, and had warned everypony at the camp, and they believe that they were not seen.
“Still, this is a bad sign,” Vigilance tells everypony. “Whatever it was, I think it was searching for something, possibly us. I hope that Princess Twilight can get the portal opened back up and get us home. I don’t like this one bit,” he adds.
The silence seemed tangible as each pony delved in their own thought of family, home, and whether or not they would ever see them again.
* * * * *
Twilight was lost in her own thoughts as she went through the equipment that needed replacing. She knew she had a job to do here, but she could not get the things that she learned today out of her head.
The fact that humans eat meat was bad enough. Just the thought turned her stomach enough to wish to vomit, but the fact that humans would also hunt other creatures just for the fun of doing so sent a cold chill down her spine. It was utterly barbaric! And the fact that it was her inability to protect her friends from getting trapped on such a world made her all the more angry. She felt fear for all of them. Would they end up hunted down and brutally killed just to please some sick and twisted thrill?
As of now, she hated humankind, and all it represented.
Pushing those thoughts aside, she focused on finishing up the order list for all the parts she would need. Surprisingly, it looks like the equipment could be repaired fairly quickly. Most likely two weeks tops. Still, it is the gemstones that will be the most time consuming. No matter what, it would take six months to get them made. This time, Twilight decided that she would be making multiple amulets. Enough that she should have plenty to go around.
She was so caught up in her thoughts that she did not notice the entrance of the Princess of the Night. “Are you still troubled by what Roger told us today, Twilight?” she asks softly.
“Yeah.”
“Would you like to talk about what is bothering you?”
“No. And I see that you are apparently on a first name basis with him now,” Twilight says with unconcealed distaste. This displeased her greatly that he would be treated as if he was an honored guest here. That creature’s collision with her brother got them into this mess, and the whole race was likely to be trying to eat their friends by now, so she was not feeling all that friendly towards him.
“Twilight, you need to take into consideration that you cannot compare two completely alien cultures. And the accident was not his fault. He could never have guessed that the exploration team would have suddenly appeared in front of him.”
Gently turning her around with her hoof, Luna looks Twilight in the eyes. “Tell me, what is it that is bothering you. Not only are you my friend, but family as well,” she tells the smaller alicorn before her. “Talk to me, Twilight. Please.”
Twilight slumps dejected, with tears forming in her eyes. “It’s all my fault that they are trapped there. If I had better prepared this mission, then they would not be trapped there. I should have made more amulets, and made sure that every unicorn on the team could use them. I should have built tougher equipment. Hell, even placing the equipment out of the way would have helped.” She cannot hold in her frustration and anger any longer, and she breaks down, crying softly. When Luna wraps her forelegs around Twilight in a hug, the young mare grips her tightly in her own hug. “I should have gone with them, Luna. It’s my damn fault they are stuck there, and because of me, they all could die!”
Luna says nothing, but instead, chooses to continue holding her friend close, comforting her the best that she can.
* * * * *
The sun was heading towards the horizon when William walked into the valley. He doesn’t often get out of work before nightfall, so he was taking advantage of this opportunity to get a little hunting in. He was hoping to bag a coyote or two, and his 7mm Remington Magnum was perfect for the job.
After a moments walking, he sees a truck sitting there. It’s strange though that the door seems to have been left open. Why would the owner have left it open like that is beyond him, and he briefly feels a mild concern for the owner, hoping that everything is ok.
Pulling out a small set of field glasses, he scans the treeline up the hillside. He sees something that just does not look right. There are four of them. They appear to be roughly the size of a large German Shepard, but resemble no dog he knows of. And it looks like two of them have wings even. What the friggin hell?
Switching from the glasses to his rifle, he cranks the magnification on the scope and gets a closer look. Yes, the light blue and orangish yellow one definitely had wings, and so did a third one. The biggest of them, a red one, lacked them, but that did not make him any less strange.
William makes a decision right there. He was going to try and bag one of them, and then he would bring it to the Sheriff’s office. They would know who to contact about this. Probably the military, as unusual as this seemed.
Cycling a round into the chamber, he sights in on the light orange one with wings, and pulls the trigger.
* * * * *
“Are you certain that this is the best choice of action, Spitfire? Ah mean, what if the machine flies ova’ again? Ah don’t wanna get caught out in the open if it does,” Big Macintosh asks the pegasus leader. Some may not think of him to be very bright, but that is only those who do not know the stoic earth pony of few words, but wise thoughts.
“Don’t tell me that you’re getting scared, Mac,” Rainbow Dash jokes. She has known the big stallion for years, and was really close friends with his sister, Applejack. She often would use joking around as a way to disguise her own personal fears, and Big Mac could tell that this was one of those times.
“Eeyup. And you are as well, even if ya don’t care to admit it,” is his reply to her.
“Ok, you two. Can the idle chit-chat and lets investigate this wagon down in the field. We need to try and get every clue possible about the indigenous beings here. Someone, after all, was operating that flying machine, after all,” Spitfire tells them. “And when you get there, you will find a wheel inside the thing. Do NOT touch the center...”
Rainbow Dash, Big Macintosh and Cloudkicker stared in shock as something seemed to hit Spitfire in the left shoulder, and virtually explode out the right shoulder, quickly followed by a sharp boom from off in the distance. The projectile that had gone through her had shattered both shoulders, and had transversed her lungs. She never stood a chance, and collapsed immediately. The three quickly snapped out of the initial shock, and rushed over to her. There was not a thing that could be done. Spitfire looked up at them and tried to say something, but all that came out was a gurgling gasp. One more faint gurgle, and a couple twitches, then nothing.
“S-S-Spitfire?” Rainbow asks in disbelief, as if by saying the fallen mare’s name, it might bring her back. She does not notice the native on the far end of the field lift something to his shoulder. Neither does Big Macintosh. Cloudkicker does though.
“Get down!” she yells at the remaining two, and Big Mac complies immediately. Rainbow is in too much shock to respond, and Cloudkicker tackles her to the ground. As she does, a bullet penetrates the meat of her neck, just above the spine. This is also followed by the same sharp crack boom that had caused the Wonderbolt leader to fall. The big stallion sees the pegasus get hit and hurries over to her.
“Dash, help her onto my back! Hurry!” he tells the prismatic mare. They get her onto him, and they gallop off into the woods. They run for maybe a half a mile before Rainbow Dash suddenly comes to a halt.
“What are ya doin’?” Big Mack asks in a panic. “We need to get the hell away from here!”
“I’m goin’ back for her. We can’t just leave her behind,” she informs him. Without giving him a chance to respond to that, she takes off back the way they came. The big stallion is split on what to do, but realizes that Cloudkicker needs him to bring her back to the camp. He continues towards the camp, where he hopes that the wounded pegasus can get help for her wound.
When Rainbow got to the edge of the woods, she cautiously approached the clearing, only to stop when she saw some creature standing over Spitfire’s body. It walked upright like Spike does, and seems to have claws like the little dragon too. She also notices that it wears a lot of clothing. She continues watching from her hidden position as he picks up the dead pegasus, and carries her off.
With that, Rainbow Dash turns around and heads back to the camp. The team is now without it’s leader, and they are in serious trouble.
