> All Hail To The Queen > by Hunter96 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Down the Rabbit Hole (Re write 5/1/18) Chapter 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the room nothing stirred, the cold winds of outside fended off by a space heater humming softly in the corner. The sound of early morning traffic was muffled by the walls as commuters made their way to work. A lone man lay half naked on his bed, his sheets spread haphazardly around him as he tossed in his sleep. The room was blissfully sireine between the distant car horns, loud yells of street vendors and the constant breaths of the man. His name was Alex cogs. A Chicago steel worker. Alex lives a shitty low class life. He was like anyone’s of of us. He had a job, a crapy apartment, a homicidal ex girlfriend and loving parents who loved the fist born more. His life is as normal as it can get livening in Chicago as a single 27 year old. He rests egsauted from along week end of day drinking and dealing with seedy characters. let us now sit back, sip our tea and watch as he meets his second biggest foe one which has plagued many for centuries. Waking up on a Monday. BEEP BEEP BEEP BE- Click A lone hand extened from the sheets as the once peaceful studio apartment was now filled with the disinterested aura of Alex Cogs. The clock went off once more and in one swift motion he knocked the alarm clock down and sat up stretching his sore body naked and unprepared for another week of bullshit. Getting up Alex walked over to his bathroom, entering the shower and tuning the water steam soon wafting out of the curtains as he stepped in. Alex thought about the day ahead of him, as scalding water flowed down his back marking it red. He listed out his objectives for basic human function. “I need to get breakfast and get to the bus. It was simple. Stupidly simple, repitive in fact and in ending. What could possibly go wrong with just a simple day of work maybe a beer on the way home and pick up some egg noodles if it wasn’t snowing. After his shower the man stood in front of his mirror naked shaving off his stubble with a safety razor. The gold plating mostly flecked of. It wasn’t great, but it wasn’t like he was trying to impress anyone anyways. Alex walked back into the main room pulling on his workshirt and blue jeans. The fabric work with many patches sew into it by hand. Breakfast was a power bar he stole from the break room and all that was left was to get his things and walk to the bus. The sky was choked with clouds and the beginnings of winter had arrived, brown slush lined all the streets and winds whipped though the air seeming to nip the skin from your bone. Alex shivered and warped his coat tighter as he made his way down the busy morning sidewalk. only stoping to buy a coffee from a street vendor. He held the cup close trying to keep himself warm as steam wafted up into the air and the heat of the drink burned his hand. He took a left turn and came to a cross walk. Realizing the time and figuring traffic was sparse enough, he walked off the cub and into the street. Alex dodged between cars as he crossed , the angry drivers honking at the lackadaisical man. He was half way across the street when he felt his leg give out. The Would was suddenly moved beneath him as he fell backwards. He threw his hands out trying to gain balance but only succceded in smacking his head on the pavement. Alex blinked and looked up at the hazy sky his coffee spilled like a brown halo above him . He stood up with a groan, rubbing the back of his head and he limped forwards a few steps unsure of where he was when a twenty ton bus slammed into him. THUD Alex felt him self get slamed hard to the left. Time slowed as he was sent to the pavement the ground became closer to him and people stared in horror as he was flung down the street. Then when he was soposed to his tar pack he felt nothing. Just blackness encompassed him wrapping him in it’s sweltering coldness. Alex shakily stood up gingerly nursing his right leg as his head spun, everything was shaking, his vision blotchy. Alex stumbled forwards and grabbed onto a nearby street vendors cart. Trying desperately to stay up he pushed off of it but was too rough and knocked it over. He fell once more onto his sore everything looking around his very unsettlingly warm surroundings from his perch on the hot cobblestones. Perhaps this was the downtown historic district and he was now measly smear on the road. He wiggled around a bit on the road calling out for help. His hearing coming back slowly as the ringing ebbed away into the sounds of the horse drawn carragies that towed tourists. The sun was shining and refracted off a rearby fountain the light too much, Alex groaned and once more made it to his feet. He walked toward what looked like a person trying to get help. Alex grabbed them in a desperate attempt, thier response was to push him back. Alex lost his balance and bumped into another cart knocking it over. Alex held his head in his hands before slinking away from the road into a nearby alley. Unsure of what to do he clawed his way under a dumpster before passing out from pain. The ponies that had been present screamed and ran from the destruction of the creature that had destroyed the carts and assaluted the ponies. The streets filled with more chaos as many fled Indoors. A lone guard saw all of this and sprinted off towards the castle screaming of a Monster. He hurried knowing the defense of canterlot was carried on his back. He slammed past the dentures and headed up to the castle only pausing for a quick scan before being allowed into the main guard post. The building was built of glistening white marble with turrets and towers seeming to be a smaller version of the castle. Like a tiny guard dog next to a Great Dane. “Captain Shining Armor! Captain Shining Armor!" yelled the royal guard as he burst into the captains office. "What is it?" asked Shining used to the over the top antics of the guards. Who came to him for thing from a jay walker to Changelings, with a sigh he put down his newspaper and opened his ears to the guard. “Go on, spit it out.” "Sir theres a monster on the loose in upper Cantorlot, and its headed this way!" Reported the guard. "Really? And what does this...monster look like?” He asked skepticaly “last week I had a report of a monster and it was just some dog rooting around in a trash can.” “I-it was loud! And scary, I didn’t want it to risk it seeing me!” The guard explains standing up on his back two hooves, It stands on two legs like this and has big teeth, it runs fast, it destroyed some carts before trying to eat two ponies!” “This is terrible to hear! Gather the garrison! Detain this creature!" ordered the Captain levitating his amor on. The guard saluted and ran off to relay the orders. “Even if it’s just some animal... destruction of property is a punishable offense.” Alex cogs looked out from under the dumpster gazing at the world as the swirling in his vision slowed down. He rubbed his temples and groaned. “What did coach always say? Something about fingers....”Alex held up his fingers and tried to count them, eventually giving up. He dry heaved once more before looking down the alley from his resting spot in the shade. “No one is coming huh...where the fuck is the hospital in relation to here... I do probably look like a bum, but still, it would have been nice to get an ambulance ride.” He yawned and rolled onto his side his black coat looking like any other trash bag. “I heard you aren’t soposed to sleep when concussed.....I’m tired.” He bit his nails and thought of solutions to his dilemma, each one even less useful than the last. Finally he rooted around in his bag and sighed in relief as he felt the cold metal of a familiar friend. With his new found confidence Alex wrapped his coat tighter as courage flowed weakly through his veins. The man then walked out in to the streets of cobble only to find them empty and abandoned. Alex thought about it and decided to go back to the dumpster. He crawled under the metal friend and drifted off. A few hours later he woke up, groggily and promptly banged his head on the bottom of the dumpster. "What the fuck? Am I dead?"Asked Alex looking around, Instead of Saint Peter he saw trash and rusted metal. It wasn't much of a step up from Chicago but still what he got. His head had stopped spinning and he could finally get a good look at his sourondings as he limped around a bit. He was definitely not in the Chicago historic district. The streets looked purple and the buildings looked to expensive to be Chicago. His mind kicked into over gear desperately thinking of a way to piece together what was going on. He took out his phone dialing 911 but there was no signal. "What's going on?!" Said alex holding his head in his Hands. “Where the fuck am I?” The royal guards had showed up in force searching for several hours unable to find the tall creature. The sight of the destroyed carts was unsettling to say the least. Smashed like they had been made of cheap wood, glue and paper. They were but that was besides the point. They scoured every inch of the purple colored cobbled streets. They checked behinda nd inbetween each white marble building not finding anything but old trash bags. They where about to give up the hunt when one unit shouted and they all rushed to see. A lone creature stood menacingly growling at them. The tall twisted thing was grotesque with its freakish hight and lack of four legs. Alex was nervous, he had been walking for the past few minutes and had not seen a single person. It was a ghost town, everybuilding had its shutters closed and some even boarded up. The scared man turned the corner and was met with a giant Palace. It had pillars made of ivory white marble, a gate made of gold and towers that rose up into the clouds. While Alex was admiring the architecture he was oblivious to the sound of hooves and clanking metal. Turning around as he lost interest in the structure he was met with an army. All of the troops had white fur, golden armor and very pointy spears. The army stopped and time seemed to stand still as they met eyes. So, which one of you is an angel?” Alex asked in a light chuckle. when their reply was to rush him with spears In one quick motion. The mans response was to turn around and sprint away from the golden army screaming at the top of his lungs. "AFTER IT," yelled Shining Armor, as he charged after the odd two legged creature. He readjusted his armor and got a firmer grip on his spear, then smiled to himself. He turned the corner in pursuit. The stupid thing was going to be surrounded, it was running to the edge of canterlot. It would have to be suicidal to try to escape. Alex was frantic he was being chased by the things, what had he done wrong? thought Alex as he turned the corner, and jumped a hedge that the horses plowed over. Alex soon found the path in front of him was blocked, there was at least 100 of the golden jerks. He turned around and was about to run off the way he came, but the original welcoming comity had showed up. Now he was surrounded with no way out. To his left was a wall of smooth marble, his right a railing and the rest the horse things. He ran over to the railing and looked over, It was a long, long way down. Alex reached Into his bag and puled out his last ditch effort to ward off the horses, a .38 revolver. Shining Armor watched from afar as the creature clumsily pulled out a small metal object. "Very Cute" laughed Shining Armor as he stepped past the line of guards, purple armor gleaming in the sun. "So whats that thing do? You gonna hit me with it?" Jested Shining Armor as he got with in ten yards of the creature. "Zůstaňte Zpět" snarled the creature flashing its teeth and raising the odd object. "Did it just talk?!" said Shining confused as he took a few steps forward. Click "Řekl jsem zůstat zpět!" screamed the creature as it pulled back a small hammer on the object. Alex watched the horse creature infront of him. It was all so much to take in at once, the city in the sky, horses in armor and terribly gross miss use of white marble. But, Alex knew one thing for sure at that moment. If that thing took one more step forward it was painting the floor red. CLACKLE A pair of cuffs landed at his feet. He sighed and looked back up. Shining Armor was not sure what to do so he levitated a pair of hand cuffs from behind him, and held them up above his head before tossing them to the creatures feet. "Stand down and we will show mercy if not we will use force." He said in a strong voice. Shinning armor stepped foward to intimidate the creature. He heard a loud CRACK Shining Armor stopped, and looked around confused by the sound. He looked at his guards, all of them stared back in fear. He tried to speak but all that came up was blood. The captain held a hoof to a small hole in his armor, out of which blood spurted out. His vision started to fade and he collapsed. His heart pumped on nothing as it came to a halt and Shining Armor husband of Princes cadence, older brother of Princess Twilight Sparkle had been hit by the shot heard round the world and now lay dead in a pool of his own blood. Alex looked on in fear at the now dead creature, his hand shook as his gun smoked in his hand. Knowing he was going to die alex without a word turned and ran up to the railing before hurling himself over as the entire wave of golden armored horses rushed forward like a Typhoon. Alex screamed as he fell, he tried to control his fall but could not and he plummeted. The wind stung his eyes and made his coat and clothes flap in the wind. As he fell he heard a voice. It was calming, feminine and sounded like someone whispering into both his ears. It spoke only a sentence into his ear. "Let me in and you will survive, reject me and you will die. " The voice cooed seemilyly flirting with his soul. Alex welcomed the odd felling of a warm damp blanket as he started to glow a dark purple and went into a deep sleep just as he hit the water. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Private Fox Trot saw the creature jump over the railing. Along with everyone else, seeking his glory he yelled out to his fellow guards then jumped over to chase after it. He quickly remembered that he wasn't a Pegasus his mane flapping in the wind as he plummeted and when he hit the water at maximum velocity, head first, his neck snapped and his heavy armor dragged him to the bottom, as he was swept away with the current and the human. > The Desert of Dunes (re write 09/11/18) Chapter 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alex awoke to the soft laps of water on sand. He sat up and hazily looked around. He was on the shore of a muddy pool of water with a couple cat tails in the water and was sourounded by palm trees. Around the small area where he sat was sand and a small but deep stream that ended at the pool of water. Alex put his hands in his hair sand and dirt sticking to the wet hair. He let out a sigh of relief before realization hit him and he backed away from the waters edge shock over taking him. "Where am I?" Alex shouted out as he inched away from the shore his water logged clothes geting covered in mud. He reached back to try to get away from the water when his hand touched something soft, wet and hairy. Alex jumped up and looked at this new gross attacker. There, in all it's glory was a dead royal guard. "HOLY FUCKING SWEET BUTTERY BABY JESUS TAP DANCING CHRIST!" Screamed Alex as he looked into the eyes of a blue faced, gold armor wearing pony shaped corpse. Out of instinct Alex reached for his gun and pointed it at the guard before he mentally slapped himself and realized it was pointless. It was dead. Like really dead, the head was canted at an odd angle and the Eyes bulged out of it’s head and flies swarmed it’s mouthAlex turned away and upheaved nothing his stomach long since empty. he began to hum to him self to try to calm down, he needed to assess the situation. "Okay, okay" Alex whispered to himself. "Lets see...number one figure out what you have and how useful it is, step two is there any thing of use, step three walk away, step four try not to barf...shit, failed that rule of survival” He said to himself. As he heaved again. The smell of dead wet horse was pungent, on him and in the air. This was going to be a long day. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Twilight sparkle was sitting in her living room reading a book on pears a, strange foreign fruit from across equestria that no one really talked about for some reason. A piercing knock caught her attention as she heard the clang of the horse shoes bang the oak door. The pony fourowed her brow and kept reading. Who ever it was is probably going to leave a dent in the door. She hated when people just used her stuff like that. The knock came a second time. More urgent this time and louder. Twilight gave up and got off her haunches and walked over to the door "Come in" she says casually as she reached the door and opened and in one step. She promptly bowed her head and smiled. “Princess Celestia! How are you! What brings you here? I haven’t seen you in so long! Is every thing Alright?” she trailed off noticing the princess had a grim look with her ears flat, tears welled In her eyes before she spoke. “Twilight. My brave little pony...your..your big brother died today....” celestia Stammers choking back tears. “H-he was killed by a monster in canterlot. They found a lead ball in his heart...the monster somehow threw it through his armor. Twilight laughed, “That’s not a very funny joke princess. BBBFF isn’t dead, he Is the Captain of the guard! He’s is young! He’s trained for this you can’t trick me like this! It’s a cruel joke...right?...princess..shiny isn’t ...dead” she whimpers trialing off as the princess looks down with out saying anything. “Twilight I’m not playing a joke on you..I’m sorry my little pony but Shining armor....passed away. I need you to come to canterlot with me I’m sorry for your loss. It Hurts me deeply, but equstra is in danger I need you and the rest of the elements. Come with me please. I’ll have the rest of the elements brought as well in a few days.” She says looking down at twilight, she slowly wraps her wings around her as the two start to cry. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Alex looked down at the pile before him. There was his shoes and trench coat that along with the rest of his clothes were drying by a small fire. He dug around in his messenger bag and retived his gun and the soggy cardboard box that contained 13 rounds. He took out his lunch which was now just a soggy sandwich and two cans of soda. He had his aluminum water bottle which contained now cold coffe. A half eaten chocolate bar and some spare change. He groaned looking at the measly pile before taking out his pocket knife and lighter tossing it into the pile he grins seeing the lighter again and began to search around in his coat’s pockets. He retrieved what he was looking for almost gleefully, his cigarettes. His smile faded immediately as brown water dripped from the package into the sand. He opened it hoping for the best but all that was Inside was a big slurry of Tabbaco and paper. “God Fucking Damn it!” Alex yelled as he threw them into the water. The box bobbed on the surface for a few seconds before sinking like a ship. Alex sighed watching it as it slipped under the surface. He took out his phone and opened it one last time dialing 911 knowing it was pointless. He turned it off and looked at his reflection in the obsidian black screen. As the 92% charge faded into black. Placing the phone down in the sand he held up his consolation prize, the sword and leg cuffs from the horse thing. Alex bent over and put all his things that weren’t drying away in his bag. He then stood up and leaned against a palm tree waiting for the last of his clothes to dry. He played around with the the belt from the dead pony. He slidthe sheath that was attached to a spot that would work for a human. Alex extended it fully and made a new hole with his knife and wrapped it around his waist finding it would fit just fine. Alex adjusted the straps on the leg guards and attached them to his arms and legs. Ugh to himself for a few seconds and threw them on the ground. “That’s a fucking stupid idea”. He kicked it before groaning a bit and looking out at the desert. He paused setting his gaze back to the now looted corpse. "Okay I give up, I'll bury you" said Alex in a huff as he picked up its chest plate and began to dig a shallow grave in the soft sand. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Three hours later __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Ruby Wings landed in the sand around the small pond, looking around with the rest of her squad. She scanned the beach and made her way over to a fire pit, examining the smoldering chunks of wood. "Keep your eyes peeled it might have survived the fall." Said the squad leader walking away towards a glint in the sand. “I found some leg guards!” She shouted excitedly "Ma'am I found a chest plate" said a private "What does it look like?” she asked hopping it wasn't the creature. "It appears to be on a grave" the private declared. “And it looks like it’s foxtrots!” Ruby walked over to the private and looked at what he was talking about. There in front of her was a discarded royal guard chest plate and a stick coming out of the ground. On top of the stick was a dented royal guard helmet scratched into the helmet was Zde leží kurva tvář. Ruby wings turned toward the private and sighed "Go get a recovery team we found are MIA." __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Alex walked over the next dune. Sweat beading on his head as he looked around out over the vast desert. There was nothing but sand for as far as the eye could see. occasionally a rock formation but it was a sea of sand. There was nothing out here. The only thisng that kept him goin goin was his quest to escape. So he went pushing forward, the sword heavy on his hip as he headed towards the rocks. Hoping for a desperatly needed bit of shade to get away from the sun bearing down on him. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The next day ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Every news paper in all of Equestria showed the smiling picture of Shining Armor and the picture of Private Fox Trots grave. Cantorlot was in an up roar. News that the creature had escaped scared every pony. Mass search party's combed the desert for even a hint of where it was. Little did they know the desert was not kind to ponies. Wind and heat and the ever changing sands made foot steps impossible to find. It was hopeless to find it out there in the desert so after three days of searching led by the elements of harmony themselves. The hunt for the creature was given up. Every pony hoped it died out in the desert. How wrong they were. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Alex sat on top of a sand dune his sword in his lap. He took out his pocket knife and scratched the name Lexi into it. Alex then returned the knife to his pocket where he had forgot about it. Then standing up downed the last of the water in his thermos. He put his foot out and began to continue his trek into the desert he knew where he was headed now: an odd sand colored bubble about 6 miles out. He knew he could make it, if he didn't well guess Those strange horse things friends would find him dead. As Alex walked he did not see the black dots go zooming by over head. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Queen Chrysalis sat on her throne, a rather bored look on her face. She batted at a strand of hair on her forehead to pass the time. Looking up at the throne rooms grand expanse in the heart of her hive. She mulled over the idea of a glass of wine with her dinner tonight. When all the sudden a drone came rushing in. The small thing was panting and wheezing. Barely able to stand. "WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS EXPLAIN YOURSELF AT ONCE" Screamed the queen in a shrill vice that pierced into even the toughest of drones very soul. She winced internally as the loud shriek echoed a few times. "M-My queen I have travelled for three days to bring you news!" Stammered the drone. “I-I am drone 47 of flight squadron 23 stationed in canterlot underground observation post 3” "We'll spit it out before I have you beheaded"sighed the Queen leaning back in the throne. Mentally thanking him for bringing her something to do. "Captain Shinning armor is dead!" Blurts the drone excitement filling his voice. "Dead?"asked the Queen now leaning forwards in her seat to get a closer look at the drone. "He was murdered."States the drone getting his breathing under control. “He was killed by a monster!” " By a monster?” Questioned Chrysalis propping her head up on a hoof. "Yes my queen. It walks on two legs and stands far taller than any pony.” the drone said calmly "Drone 47-23-3 where is this monster right now?"cooed the Queen feeling giddy to know that the equestrians finally got what they deserved. "It escaped into the dessert my queen and could be anywhere.” Stated the drone. “Before I left I heard the equestrians had called off the search for it.” Chrysalis nods trying to look sagely. Very well. You are dismissed! Flight captain come here! I want all squadrons available scrambled to intercept the monster. Befriend it. I want to meet our new friend” the Queen cackles as the sound of scrambling hooves echo in the room and orders are barked. She sat back and grinned signaling a drone over. “I want a glass of wine please~ something...very nice and red” “M-my Queen....we only have white wine right now..” whimpers the drone. “Oh..well then a glass of white wine will do all the same” she mutters before going back to thinking of a way to welcome her new guest. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Alex was at the bottom of a sand dune. The heat making him wilt, his tounge felt dry and patchy as he dug his hand she into the sand to crawl up the dune, when he heard the same voice from the fall speak up. "Alex" flowed the voice "Who said that!" yelled Alex, drawing his gun in a daze waving it around. "I did Alex, I'm in your head, I'm part of you now." Cooed the voice. "Wait a second your that thing that saved me when I was falling" Alex pointed out. “AND YOUR IN MY HEAD GET OUT NOW!” He yells putting the gunto his head. "I am that "thing" I prefer Nightmare Moon but you can call me Night, and I strongly recommend you do not kill yourself because I cannot leave your head with out a better host.” Said Night sternly "How about I call you Moon." Stated Alex taking the gun away from his head. As he sat his butt down into the sand. "No" Stated Night "Okay moon, well I have some questions for you Like for starters how did you save me? slash become a part of me." Questioned The human as he dug around in his bag and tossed out the trash he had been lugging. "Well my current host was weak and you, you are just different. Your spirt is far stronger and oh your will to DO AND GET DONE!"Shouted Night from inside Alex's head. "LOUD! LOUD! INSIDE MY HEAD SCREAMING YOU FUCKING TUMOR." Yelled Alex in response to Nights verbal praise. "Sorry" chuckled Night "I don't usually lose myself like that." "Yea save it for the jury. Anyways did you physically change me in anyway can you like...read my thoughts?” Asked Alex a little concerned. "Yes, your left eye is now navy blue, and no I cannot we are two minds in one body" Said Night casuals glossing over the big picture. "WHAT" yelled Alex. Taking out his phone and looking into the camera. His sunburned face looked back and low and behold his left eye was now navy blue. "YOU MADE MY EYE CHANGE COLOR"screamed Alex. “H-HOW DID YOU DO THAT!?” "Well I thought it was a fair trade off for saving you" Stated Night “it’s kind of the place I’m living right now, also magic, magic is not that hard to learn. "Yea well that was my favorite left eye"huffed Alex crossing his arms.”and that’s bullshit! You gave my eye cancer or something!” "You only have one left eye” pointed out Night "That's why it was my favorite!" Yelled Alex Nightmare moon didn’t even dignify him with a response as the entity watched what he was looking at "Hey Night?" Asked Alex."What are those black dots coming toward us?" "Take out your sword!" Screamed Night “STOP YELLING IN MY HEAD!” He said brandishing his gun and sword. > Hard Cheese and a Tin Cup of Water (rewrite 10/19/19) Chapter 3 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Satin buzzed his way though the thin clouds over the dessert, his eyes evaluating the long expanse of dunes below. The sand stretched out for miles in all directions as the drone captain lead his squadron on patrol. The telekinesis was weak this far out from the hive but he had thankfully been able to get the orders. Strange orders to be honest, but orders from the Queen herself nonetheless. So he was still obliged to look for a magical two legged creature. For the most part all he saw was rocks and sand like always. He along with the his squadron kept on combing the desert for the creature, or anything really but they weren’t finding shit. Something reflective and shiny caught his eye. The flash standing out from the normally motionless sand. Satin gritted his Mandrils and he motioned to his squadron to head for the glint. The anomaly in the sand in question was some kind of metallic cylinder sticking out of the sand. Satin lifted it up and tried to read the odd writing, the characters were uncanny and foreign to him. They reminded him of saddle Arabians with hints of Germaney. Satin rotated it around to look for any other clues as to the cylinders purpose. On the bottom he found a small hole, and as he tilted the can just right a few drips of liquid fell out. He used his long tounge and tasted the strange substance. He spit it out and cramped his tounge with his hoof. “Disgustingly sweet... what ever left this here might have seen the monster or Perhaps the creature itself did....Alright form up and spread out signal me when you see something!” "Nothing but sand so far Captain!" Yelled a drone over the sound of beating wings. Satin face hoofed. “WHAT PART OF DONT SIGNAL UNLESS YOU SEE SOMETHING DON’T YOU UNDERSTAND?!” “S-sorry just wanted to establish a base line for communica- hold on, Captain, whats that over there!" yelled the same drone pointing in hopes of redemption. Satin pivoted his head over to where the drone was pointing, and there, standing on top a sand dune holding a sword and jumping up and down was a strange creature that fit the description. "Ok squad, V formation on me!” Barked Satin going into a dive as his troops fell in behind him. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Celestia stood in the hallway outside of the up until recently “disaster” room. Now renamed and rebranded for the more sinister role that she had not had to use in eons. The War Room, after the changling invasion and various other attempts to destroy the Equestrian Empire. Once again it became nesasery for the peaceful kingdom to sharpen its swords, raise war banners and muster an army for defense. Celestia let out a half hearted sigh as she gazed down the windowless hallway at the heavy iron and oak doors illuminated by candles. The griffins to the north wanting back territory lost almost 2000 years ago, the buffalo refusing to let equestrian settlers reach their manifest destiny and the Damned C.R.A underground trying to form an independent Crystal state. She grumbled internally about the millstone of chaos that hung around her neck as she trod up to the door. The two guards on duty saluting her and opened the door. She walked in and made her way to the head of an ancient table to a chair. She sat down and looked out at the table with a spread of maps. The window that flanked her was covered with sealed shutters and the room was dim. It’s bit of light produced by the dying hearth that was fed by the guards outside and a couple of candles hanging from an iron chandelier. Celestia placed her hoof on the table and unrolled a map infront of her, it was the latest report from the recon. She looked at the map with prudence and grimaced. It was full of red "X's" and blocks representing search party's. All of them pointed back toward Cantorlot except one. She tapped it and prayed silently that they too came up with nothing. She then stood up and rolled up the map and headed back up to her private chambers where the elements of harmony rested on various bits of furniture. Celestia stood in her room and watched the peaceful forms of the elements of harmony as they slumbered exhausted from worry and pouring over the maps. Why did this happen thought Celestia Two of my little ponies dead and the rest are scared Celestia banged her hooves into the floor out of frustration startling Rainbow Dash from her sleep. "Huh- who's there!" Shouted Rainbow Dash flying up out of her seat, wakeing up everypony else in the room. "Rainbow dear, calm down it's just the princess." Said Rarity sitting up straight and rubbing her eyes with a yawn. "Sorry" said The blue mare rubbing the back of her head sheepishly. “Nerves I guess, got to be ready for when the big monster shows up! I can’t wait to give it a taste of my hoof!” "It's quite alright" said Celestia "I shouldn't have woken you all up. Rainbow dash I appreciate your vigor but I beg you calm down.” "It's OK we needed to talk anyway" said Twilight looking at her mentor with blood shot eyes, her fur matted and tear stained, mane unkempt. "What is it my pupil?" Asked Celestia trying not to look directly at her depressed student. "Can we take this to the hall?" She asked measly rubbing one leg and staring at the floor. "It's about this hunt for the creature," Twilight whispered to Celestia. Nodding an affirmative Celestia followed Twilight into the hall. "Twilight I've told you the search parties could not find anything. Besides, it's probably been killed by the desert by now." Said the old mare. "But what if it's not dead?" Twilight stammered. “It has to be brought to justice for what it did!” "If it is not dead and buried by the shifting sands the last team would have found it by now." Said Celestia softly leaning in and hugging the mare all too aware of Twilight's recent loss. "I... I suppose princess, the only thing left is to mourn and move on." Tears streamed silently down Twilight's face. "But, if that thing is still alive, I swear I will bring it to justice, I swear. It’s what Shining would have done, right?" she whimpered as she broke down, fully sobbing now into the Princess' coat. "It’s ok Twilight. It's gone." She cooed, draping a wing around Twilight's back. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Alex took a step back as the odd bug like horse things landed in front of him. They were jet black with blue eyes, and hoofs that looked like cheese. "Uh, hi odd pony things, odder than the ones before." Said Alex confused as he examines them. His pistol in one hand and sword in the other he licked his chapped lips as he attempted once more to use diplomacy. ''Did it just talk perfect glik-tk?'' Said Captain Satin. "Yeah and you did too" Except I was speaking English..." Alex trailed off, more confused than scared of the desert ponies. "glik-tk" repeated Satin "English" said the man. "Now I need to go. I’m on a quest to find water. It was Nice meeting you odd talking desert ponies, bug things. That may or may not be mirages.” “They aren’t Alex, they are very real.” Night says trying to soothe to twitchy man. “Thanks for the input voice in my head” Alex snaps back at night. "You need to come with us, the Queen wishes to speak with you!"said the odd pony. “Like hell I am, last guy who...I think implied that to me got dropped. So unless you want to go home in a body bag you should beat it.” Alex says leveling his gun at the bugs. "Go with them Alex" said the soft voice of Night. “You will die without their help.” "I don’t need their help” whispered Alex as he really yelled it. "This "Queen" might be an ally we could use. Plus you need water and food, A shower also wouldn't hurt."replied Night "Thanks for the input Night sure saved my butt there! Don't want to stink them to death!"said Alex sarcastically back loud enough that the changelings could hear. “Give me one good reason I should comply!” Satin felt a nudge from one of his squad mates. "What drone?"said satin in reply to the nudge. "Should we do something? It has been arguing with itself for ten minutes." Said the same drone. "Shut up" Replied Satin "creature you want water?" "Yes, holy sweet illegal rock farm on fire do I." Said the odd creature, its water deprived brain acting on instinct. "Then follow us to the Queen, that’s all the reason I got to give." Answered Satin Night mentally face hoofed. "You didn't have to be this excited about it." said Night “Fuck off night, hydration is fucking sexy.” Alex snears as he walks toward the bug pony. Far above the desert on one of the few sparse clouds. A young Pegasus watched from above. The mare was named Ruby Wings and she peered through a telescope high above as the odd creature talked to the changelings. She looked down at a drawing of the creature she had been given then back through the telescope before gasping and almost dropping her telescope. "Its friends with the changelings! The creature was sent by the Changelings! I need to report this to the Princess quick!" She said in a harsh whisper. “This is terrible! How did they get it on their side!?” She ponders to herself as she Stows away her telescope and flies off back to the capital. Thirty minutes later Queen Chrysalis watched the odd creature before her eat old hard cheese and drink water like it was the best food and drink on Equis. She considered saying something but the way it ate and drank she just decided to watch for a couple of awkward minutes. The creature scarfed down the salty cheese and drank cup after cup of water so much so that a servant had to bring another bucket full. As soon as it began to slow the queen saw an opening and at up. She spoke with grandeur and a booming voice in the large throne room her words echoing off the skulls as she berated all ears with in. "Creature what are you and is what you have done true?" "What?" Replied the creature. "I said- "I heard what you said I was just not sure of what you want me replying to."said the creature interrupting the Queen. "Well then answer me when addressed!" yelled the Changeling Standing up from her stone throne. "Did you or did you NOT kill the Captain of the royal Guard?!” "Was he the one in purple?" asked the confused creature. Chrysalis sat back down with a thud as she stared down the hall past the creature as if trying to burrow her sight into the wall, her mouth slightly agape. He is really dead. thought Chrysalis looking at the famished beast before her. "Creature....tell me, what are you, that you, a scrawny thing, are able to take down Captain Shining Armor of the Royal Guard." said Chrysalis breathlessly. "I am man." Said Alex standing up, his new found full stomach and the absurdity of the situation before him getting the better of his more theatrical side. “I Work the earth before me into tools and with tools I can make weapons far stronger then the sword on my hip and the gun I slayed that purple horse with. “Said Alex locking eyes with the bug pony. "My name is Alex Cogs and all I seek is a way back home. So far you are the only one to show me kindness and I request your assistance, I will do anything for said way." The queen stared at him for a moment before regaining composure and going back to her ussal self and thinking before grinning ear to ear as a plan hatched in her mind. "Then bow to me Alex Cogs, join me. I will house you and feed you. In return you must make me weapons you claim you can build.” Said Chrysalis counter staring into the eyes of the human. She watched him uncertain of what he would do. She tasted the fear and boldness in the air. Then he got on one knee and lowered his head to the floor. What have I done though Alex as the Queen cackled from her throne. “You have chosen wisely Man, you shall help me destroy my enemies and one day soon get you to your beloved home.” Celestia sat on her throne an hour before her day court. Sun light streamed into the large room from stained glass windows. She sipped from her tea cup listening to the early morning chips of song birds preparing for the long day ahead. Celestia the heard the sound of galloping, she perked her ears and listened as it got ever closer a mare clearly yelling for the guards to make way. Then BANG in came Ruby Wings at full speed tilt panting and sweating. She tried to speak but wheezed and gasped hanging her head Untill shecaught her breath. The mare looked up at the princess and said two words Celestia feared more that anything. “It's Alive.”