Chapter 1: The Black Stone
"I dunno Twilight," said AppleJack in a worried tone, "I think I might of planted these seeds too late, harvest is tomorrow, and they don't look a week old!"
Twilight Sparkle was helping AppleJack get ready for her corn harvest. She set down the book that she was reading, "I think I can solve your problem AppleJack!
"You can?"
"Sure, I just read in this book that there is a adulthood spell. Although it does look risky, the side effects include: rage, nausea, the flu, hydrophobia, sea sickness, and internal combustion."
"For you or the thing your casting your spell on?" AppleJack asked with a concerned look on her face.
"It doesn't say, so I'm going to guess maybe both. Always have to be prepared," She threw her biggest smile towards Applejack.
"You sure you want to try this spell Twilight? I mean it being risky and all, I don't want you to get hurt."
"Nonsense AppleJack, besides where's your spirit of adventure?"
"Right where your mushroom cloud is going to be when you internally combust," muttered AppleJack while turning away from Twilight.
"Okay here goes nothing!" Twilight's horn let out a large purple flash that enveloped the corn field. There was a slight boom that was sent throughout the entire Apple farm. The two ponies stood up and rubbed their eyes. In front of them stood fully grown corn stalks.
"Land sakes! You were right twilight, that spell worked perfectly. No side effects right?"
"Can I get back to you on that? I think I better get off the boat now."
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"This is going to be the best picnic ever!" Exclaimed the pink pony that was bouncing up and down on all four hooves.
"Pinkie, it's just our regular weekend picnic," said Rarity towards the hyperactive pony, "It's not like the gala or something like that."
"Yea I guess your right Rarity," Pinkie deflated a little bit, but she perked right back up, "But this is the only picnic that we will have on this very day!"
"I do suppose that you have a point there Pinkie."
"I always have a point," said Pinkie with a smile that was wide as a dinner plate. "But I have to say, sometimes my points are kinda dull," Pinkie then pulled a pencil sharpener from somewhere and then shoved it in Rarity's face, "So that's why I carry this!"
Rarity giggled, "Pinkie you are the life of the party aren't you?"
Pinkie nodded in agreement
"Where are Applejack and twilight? The question came from a rather impatient Rainbow dash who was sitting on a cloud right next to Pinkie and Rarity, "The Picnic was supposed to start five minutes ago!" She paused for a second, "Six minutes!"
"I believe that's them coming down the path," said Rarity squinting, "Why is twilight carrying a bucket I wonder?"
"Sorry we're late girls."
"Hey! It was wort' it all though! Twilight her' got my corn fields sprouting like crazy! Shoot, I think they ar' ready to be harvested tomorrow!"
Spike emerged from under the shade of a tree. "Then why does she look green?"
"Well, you see Spike, the spell I used had a lot of side effects. Luckily I only got one side effect. It is a bad one though," Twilight then turned as green as a leaf and then quickly ran behind a tree holding her bucket.
Spike turned towards everyone else. "Hey, anyone seen Fluttershy?"
"I'm... Umm... Over here"
The group turned their heads, what they saw made them gasp. Fluttershy was covered with splotches of mud. She was also walking with only three of her legs, her left front leg was crmblack and wasn't moving.
"What in Equestria happened to you Fluttershy," Rarity quickly ran over to her friend and let Fluttershy lean on her, "It looks as if your leg is covered in soot!"
"I don't know what happened," Fluttershy was replying quietly, "I was walking on the way over here. I saw a mud puddle ahead of me, so I went around it. I didn't notice the black rock that I stepped on. As soon as I did my leg went limp, and I feel in the mud," she looked away as if she was ashamed.
Twilight walked next to Fluttershy to get a closer look at her leg, "I knew it," Twilight had some confidence in her voice, "I've only seen this once before, it's Chaos magic."
"What in tarnation is Chaos Magic?" Applejack didn't know much about magic, but the word "Chaos" make her flinch a bit. "Is it some kind of virus or' somethin'?"
"Sorta, this is a specific spell though," Twilight was now pacing rather rapidly, "I've only studied Chaos Magic a little bit."
"Well we better find out whats going on and fast," Ranbow Dash exclaimed as she was looking at Fluttershy's leg, "Its slowly creeping up the rest of her body!" Sure enough, the blackness was slowly creeping over Fluttershy. Fluttershy squeaked as she saw this happening.
Twilight quickly moved into the middle of the group, her horn glowing brightly. "We have to get to my house! That's the only place where we can find out about this Chaos Magic!" Her horn began to pulse with a purple light, "I'm going to attempt to make a teleportation spell."
"But Twilight," Spike came running up next to Twilight, "You've never tried this many ponies before! What will happen if you can't do it?"
Rainbow Dash quickly soared down and picked up spike, "There Twilight, that's two more you don't have to worry about. Let's go spike, we'll meet you there," Rainbow Dash then soared off in the direction of the library."
Twilight then turned towards to her friends that were left, "Everypony ready?" They all nodded in agreement, "Alright let's go." Sparks began to dance around the five ponies. Fluttershy and Rarity huged each other, Pinkie and Applejack held tightly as well, and then the ponies were gone."
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A bright flash erupted from the Ponyville library. Five ponies were thrown across the library. Pinkie Pie was the only one to go out though a window. Twilight was the first to stand up. "Well I won't be trying that anytime soon," Twilgiht rubbed her forehead. She turned to look at here friends, "Is every pony alright?" The only sound that came was a groan.
Rarity stood up, "I'd rather not teleport anytime soon Twilgiht, no offense." A sudden thump hit the side of the library. Rainbow Dash came in from the window, with no Spike.
"Where is Spike?" Twilight looked at Rainbow Dash, who responded with a sudden glance towards the outside of the tree house. "He umm... needed some... Fiber! Yea fiber! He was complaining about how he was having some trouble," she landed gently by the window, "So I helped him out like any amazing friend would." Twilight placed her hoof on her forehead, "He hit the side of the house didn't he?"
"No he didn't! Well yea he did," Rainbow Dash went back outside, "I'll go get him." Twilight turned around to the rest of them, "Alright we need to find the book that contains information about Chaos Magic." She glanced over at Fluttershy, "It looks like we might not have enough time." The Yellow and pink maned Pegasus was almost completely half black now. She was lying on the floor as her body was almost completly limp. "You gotta hurry Twi! Applejack was running her hoof through Fluttershy's mane, "I don't think that she has much longer." Twilight was frantically rushing through the bookshelves. She didn't even notice Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Spike walk inside. Spike immediately ran over to Twilight, "Which book you looking for Twilight?" Twilight paused for a moment before replying, "The magical dictionary and hurry!" Spike ran up into the loft and quickly came back down with a large book, "It was on your nightstand as always," Spike rolled his eyes while handing it over to Twilight.
"Thank you so much Spike! She grabbed the book and then set it upon the table, she quickly began skimming through the pages with her magic. "Aha! Right here," She began to walk over towards the others. "Chaos Magic... There's not much, all it says is that it's not native to Equestria. But there is a cure!" Pinkie Pie took the book from Twilgiht, "The cure is a Black rose from the Everfree Forest." All the ponies gasped in horror, "The Everfree Forest..." The one thing that struck fear in Celstia herself.
Twilight looked over towards Fluttershy, the only part of Fluttershy that wasn't black was her neck and her head. Fluttershy lay there helplessly, looking around the room. Applejack and Rainbow Dash trotted over to Fluttershy to help carry her to the Everfree Forest. Twilight turned to head out of the house, "Let's head off then." They all started off to the Everfree Forest.
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The six ponies and Spike were already deep in the Everfree Forest. "There it is finally!" Twilight quickly made her way over to Zeora's hut. Everypony burst into Zecora's hut, startling Zecora greatly. "Why are you in such a hurry? You all made me worry, Zecora smililed, but it quickly faded away as soon as she saw Fluttershy. Who was completely black except for her face. Her mane was now a crimson red, like that of a rose. "Zecora we need your help," Twilight was right up to Zecora's nose, "We need a black rose. Please tell us that you have one!" Zecora went over towards her cupboard and opened it up. She pulled out a black rose as dark as the night. Fluttershy squeaked, she was completely consumed in the blackness, her eyes turned fiery red, she began to glow a soft purplish color.
Zecora rushed over and gave Fluttershy the rose to eat. Fluttershy chewed the rose ever so slowly, even when she was fighting for her life, Fluttershy was still keeping to her normal pace. The purple aura began to lift and Fluttershy's color began to restore. She tried to stand up, but she collapsed once again. Rainbow Dash and Applejack quickly aided Fluttershy to help her get back up.
Twilight turned towards Zecora, "Thank you so much Zecora, we wouldn't of made it if it weren't for you."
"No need to thank me dear Twilight," Zecora then walked out of the hut, "Now let me clear your path so you won't have to fight." Twilight smiled back, and urged the others to follow behind Zecora. They made it quickly outside of the forest. They said their goodbyes and thank you's to Zecora before heading back to Ponyville. They were about halfway back when Fluttershy let out a blood curtling scream. "Fluttershy," Rarity was slightly annoyed, for Rarity was standing right next to her. "Why in Equestria did you scream like that?" Fluttershy stayed silent for awhile, she then mustered her voice up so that the others could hear her. "There's that black rock..."
Everypony turned and looked. There were multiple black stones littering over the ground.
"Fluttershy are you sure these are the stones that you stepped on? Twilight was inspecting the stones. Fluttershy nodded in agreement, "I'm sure of it, these are the stones that made me turn black." Rainbow Dash went over the hill where more of the stones were located. "Umm... You might want to check this thing out." Everypony rushed over the hill. They all stood motionless at what they saw. A giant egg made of the black stone lay imbeded in the dirt. It was about six feet long and four feet wide. It's tail end ended in a sharp point.
They all rushed up next to the "egg" and started to inspect it, they were careful enough not to touch it. Spike turned to Twilight, "Is it a dragon egg?" Twilight shook her head, "I doubt it," she then paused for a moment "but I do know one thing." Rarity looked at Twilight oddly, "What do you know then?"
"It's open."
Chapter 2: The encounter
"What to do mean open?" Applejack's face was in confusion, "Like some critter was in there and now it's walking about all lose?"
The lavender unicorn looked at the capsule and then looked at Applejack. "Yes, I believe that there was something in there, but now it's gone."
"Hey!" The yell came from Spike, who was peering at the ground. "There are these prints leaving from the 'egg.' They don't look like a ponies' hoof print though, they look more like a triangle thing then anything else."
There was a metal "CLANG" that came from not too far away. Every pony ran towards its direction. There right before the forest, stood a object. Twilight gasped,"wait, that object has arms and legs!"
Twilight was trying to grasp this situation. The object turned around and then it's eyes meet with theirs. It's eyes were a crimson red, shaped like a crescent moon. It's body looked like two cylinders, the head was half of a sphere. The being had a glass dome over top of its head to protect it from the environment. One of the arms ended in a claw, but it had five fingers that moved just like a hand. The other arm ended in a smaller hand, but it was much smaller. In this hand there was a cylinder with a handle and on the end of the cylinder, a small circular triangle sat on the end. The being was golden and brown much to the look of brass.
There was silence for a couple of minutes before Twilight spoke up, "Hello? Who are you and do you need help?" The being pointed the object in its smaller hand towards Twilight. Twilight winced back as pain hit her shoulder, she looked down. Her shoulder was burned and smoking.
"What was that for?" Twilight was now charging at the being, "Tell me now!" The metallic being turned around to reveal two wings, there was also a rectangular object with two holes on the bottom between the wings. The wings opened up, flames erupted from the two holes in the rectangular box. The being soared up into the sky.
Twilight turned towards Rainbow Dash, "Get it" Rainbow Dash looked over to Twilight with shock, as the tone of voice that Twilight had given her was not what she would of suspected.
Rainbow Dash nodded, "On it!" she then soared after the metallic figure. "This thing flies faster then I had thought! I'm almost tired already!" As the word "Tired" came into Rainbow Dash's mind, she quickly sped up. This "Thing" will not beat her. The metallic being noticed Rainbow Dash starting to catch up. It began to speed up, then as soon as it sped up it closed its wings and cut off the flames. It began to free fall, directly towards Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow Dash collided with the Figure, the being thrust out its claw and grabbed a hold of Rainbow Dash's neck. Rainbow Dash gasped as the air was cut off to of her lungs. The claw then began to gain a black aura. Rainbow Dash began to feel weaker and weaker. The eyes of figure were squinting, concentrating on the magic that was flowing towards its claw.
They were still free falling. Rainbow Dash started to faint as her energy was almost completely gone. The figure then lost go of its grasp, spread its wings and began to fly off. Rainbow Dash was plummeting quickly to the ground. She wasn't able to fly to save herself. All she could do was wait for the ”Crunch" of her body hitting the ground. But no crunch came, instead there was an enormous "Splash!" She landed in, water? How was this possible? She was overtop of the ground, there was no water.
She was pulled out of the water by an orange pony. Her vision was blurry but she could tell it was Applejack. "Land sakes Pinkie! Where the hay did you get a swimming pool from?" Pinkie was beaming, "Oh I keep pools all over Equestria! Just in case for a pool emergency."
Rainbow Dash was beginning to gain her energy back. "What just happened? I'm sure I was dead. I couldn't even move a muscle," Rainbow Dash tried to stand up but she collapsed while doing so. "Pinkie Pie here, just pulled a swimming pool from nowhere and then placed it right under you," Rarity shook her head, "I still don't know where she got it from though." Pinkie Pie was still beaming.
Rainbow Dash had a frown on her face. All her friends were looking at her, "Why are you frowning Rainbow Dash?" Fluttershy was concerned for her rainbow colored friend. Rainbow Dash looked up, her face was filled with tears. "I let it get away," her head hung down even further, "it beat me."
Rarity let out a sigh, "He didn't beat you dear. He didn't play far," she came closer to Rainbow Dash and nuzzled her, "He used magic to cheat."
A explosion came from over where the egg was. "The explosion most likely came from the egg." Twilight thought, "Oh no!" Everypony galloped over the hill, Twilight was the first to reach where the egg had been, "Spike!" Spike was lying on the ground. He was in terrible shape, his scales were singed. It didn't hurt him though, he's a dragon after all. His arm though, was bent sideways. "Spike!" Twilight galloped over to him, "What happened?" Spike began to get up but his arm was hindering him from doing so.
"Twilight, is there a spell to fix my arm?"
Twilight smiled, "unfortunately not Spike, I believe Fluttershy is the only one that can help you for now."
Fluttershy trotted over towards Spike. "Now umm... Spike this is gonna hurt a bit, but do your best not to freak out."
"No worries about me freaking out Fluttershy, I already am." Spike's eyes were as wide as dinner plates.
Flutttershy held tightly onto Spike's arm. She made a quick side motion, there was a loud "CRACK" that echoed throughout the field. Spike yelled out in pain. Spike then began to move his arm, with little effort.
"How... how did you know how to do that?"
Fluttershy smiled, Spike knew that her cutie mark meant that she was good animals. Putting a bone back in place with no side effects is a different story. "Many times a animal family comes to me, and one if their members has a bent arm or leg, like you did. I discovered this technique one day when a bear got his arm caught under a tree. I did the same movement, like I did to you, and he was good as new."
"Well thanks again Fluttershy," Spike hugged the yellow pegasus.
"Do you remember what happened to the egg?" Twilight was anxious to find out what happened to it.
"Not much, I remember the egg started to seal itself. Like the little stones where being pulled towards it. It reassembled itself and then it rolled over on top of me hurting my arm. Then flames blew out from the bottom. After that I blacked out, most likely from the weight."
A yell came from behind the ponies, the voice didn't come from another pony however. It came from the metal being that had nearly killed Rainbow Dash. It's face showed the look of disappointment, as if it had just missed it's ride home. "The thing must of been on a timer," Twilight quickly chimed in, "We must of delayed it long enough before it had a chance to get back to its vessel."
A shot came from the cylinder that was in the beings claw. The shot nearly missed Applejack. "Run for your lives!" Pinkie started to run, everypony followed suit. The metal figure had become enraged, it began to throw black spheres of magic towards the ponies and exploded as soon as they touched something. Twilight responded with a magical force field surrounding her friends. "Applejack," Twilight was looking at the earth pony, "Buck that thing as hard as you can!" Applejack nodded, she quickly began to drop behind. She then planted her front hooves into the dirt, and reared up her hind legs.
The metal figure yelled out in pain as two circular dents appeared in its chest. It roared as its larger claw glowed a dark purple. It dropped the cylinder that was in its smaller claw. Applejack gasped as she was running away. The creature was gaining speed, with it's claw, now engulfed in black flames. Purple sparks began to form around Applejack.
"What the hay?"
A bright flash of purple engulfed Applejack. She appeared right next to her friends, who were cowering behind a fallen tree.
"Thanks Twilight," Applejack didn't usually like the feeling of being teleported. This however was an exception. If her friend hadn't of teleported her out of the way well... Let's just say there would be five bearers of the Elements of Harmony.
"No problem Applejack," Twilight was now sweating. Her friend almost died because of her orders. What was she thinking? The thing nearly killed Rainbow Dash, what makes Applejack any different? She thought that Applejack's buck would certainly put that thing to rest. She knew that the thing was made of metal, then why did she send Applejack to hit it? Twilight shook her head. She will think about this later, but now she must think about how to get rid of this thing.
"Theres only one person we can turn too," Twilight's eyes where fixed on the raging metal figure. Who's claw had embedded into a tree after its failed attempt at hitting Applejack. "We need to get to Canterlot as quickly as possible."
Everypony turned towards Twilight with the look of disbelief. Rainbow Dash began to hover and gaze over towards the still raging figure. "Umm Twilight?"
"Yea?"
"Can't we... You know, send a letter to Princess Celestia through Spike?"
Twilight Sparkle facehoofed, she had completely forgotten about her assistant having a one on one connection with Princess Celestia. "Anyone have a piece of paper?"
Pinkie left in a quick burst of speed towards a tree stump. "Don't worry Twilight! I've got paper stored all over Equestria!"
Twilight looked dumbfounded. "Thanks again Pinkie, Spike take a letter."
Twilight cleared her throat, which attracted the metal being. It turned towards the sound, It let out a metallic growl and began to walk over. "Well if this could get any better!"
Twilight felt a tug in her mane, "Umm, Twilight..." Spike was looking at his feet, "We have no quill or ink remember?"
Twilight's face went blank. She had completely forgotten about ink and a writing utensil! What was she going to do? Twilight turned her head towards Pinkie hoping for an answer. All she got was a rather vigorous sideways shaking pink head. Twilight frowned, if Pinkie can't help me. What am I going to do? Twilight's face lit up, How can I be so stupid! A writing spell! All I need to do is think the words and they will write themselves on the page! Twilight concentrated, her horn glowed purple. Letters began to form on the page within Spike's hand.
"Spike! Send it now!"
A burst of green flame came from Spike's mouth. The letter was sent. The metal figure came closer with its larger claw still ablaze with black flames. It let out a roar before it started to run towards the the helpless six ponies and small dragon.
The being reared back it's claw, ready to swing. But it stopped as a bright flash erupted in front of the group of ponies. Princess Celestia stood there along with Princess Luna.
Twilight rushed forward towards Princess Celestia, "Princess Celestia!" Celestia's hoof stopped her in her tracks.
"Stay... Back... Twilight." Twilight looked at her mentor, Celestia's face was filled with fear. Twilight thought that Celestia was filled everything, but fear. She had never showed signs of it, ever. Either this situation was going to turn bad quickly or she forgot to turn off the facet in her bedroom before leaving the castle. She concluded that the situation was going to go bad.
Celestia nodded to Luna, who threw up an illusion in front of the metal monster. The monster began to swing at the illusions. Certainly frustrated as it's swings were doing nothing to the shimmering ponies in front of it. Princess Celestia charged through the illusion. Celestia's horn ran through the victim's chest. Celestia pumped magic through her horn, making it glow brightly. The being yelled out in pain as it's metal figure was melting on the inside. The eyes of the being began to flicker. They soon died out and the once living figure slumped over on the ground, dead.
Celestia turned around to look at the six ponies. Their faces were all different, except for Fluttershy who had passed out. Rarity's and Pinkie's mouths were agape, Twilight and Applejack both just stared. Spike joined Fluttershy on the ground while muttering, "She just.. duhhhhh...." The only pony that wasn't terrified was Rainbow Dash who seemed to enjoy the little show.
Celestia had expected this reaction. She quietly strode up to the ponies. "Are you all alright?"
Twilight shook her head to clear her mind of the things that she just saw. "We're fine princess." She nuzzled the much larger alicorn, who returned the gesture. Twilight's nose wrinkled as she smelled something foul coming from the metal figure that was on the ground. The foul smelling liquid was black, with a purple glow. The grass turned black as the slow moving liquid seeped out of the metal body. "Princess Celestia," Twilight trotted over to the metal being. "What is this?"
Celestia's face became downcast. She came up next to her student, "Twilight," she sighed and put her leg around Twilight. "Let us all go back to the castle and discuss this further. We are not safe here."
As they turned away a message began to type itself on the dome of the dead metal being. No doubt it was safety protocol. If it died it would type a message. "BEINGS ARE HOSTILE. USE EXTREME FORCE."
The message blinked for a few more seconds and then it faded away. New text was displayed, "MESSAGE SENT."
