New creatures with strange abilities have started appearing across Equestria, how will things change when Slugs get thrown in the mix?
When Eli Shane reversed the Darkbane's portal, hundreds of Slugs were accidentally sent to Equestria. Follow their adventures as the explore their new home, make new friends, and get in trouble.
This world is home to many fascinating creatures, none more so than the Slugs. These increadible creatures come in dozens of different subspecies, each with a unique power, from commanding the elements to causing stink bombs. Their greatest ability is that, when they move fast enough, they transform into an even more powerful form. They formed a symbiotic bond with the inhabitants, who used them as ammunition, for use in sport, or more nefarious purposes.
Some time ago, a great battle was waged there that decided the fate of Slugterra, as well as our own world. On one side was the evil Doctor Black, who had made a deal with the demonic Darkbane. He had devised a way to turn innocent Slugs into Ghouls, incredibly powerful, but evil versions of their former selves.
Opposing them was the heroic Shane Gang, a group of heroes who stood in his way. Armed with nothing but their skill and their Slugs, they battled Dr Black at every turn, and were successful for the most part. But they almost didn't succeed.
Dr. Black had created a portal, powered by Ghouls, to the Deep Caverns of the Dark Bane. Only by recruiting an army of their own was the Shane Gang able to reach the portal generator and de-Ghoul the Slugs, reversing the portal and sealing the Darkbane and Doctor Black in the Deep Caverns forever.
However, they still had on them several Slugs each, as well as several other Slugs who were caught up in the portal by accident. They to would have been sealed, if not for the intervention of fate, although some might have called it coincidence.
In a parallel dimension, in a land inhabited by ponies known as Equestria, a being of chaos by the name of Discord was being sealed at the exact same time by a set of artifacts known as the Elements of Harmony. The Elements sensed that the Slugs were in danger, and did what it could to help. Unfortunately, it was restricted to Equestria, so it couldn't send them home. It could however, bring them to a new home, one where hopefully they would be able to live in peace, after a few days travel time of course.
Let us hope that they can find it, but knowing Equestria, that's almost a given.
In a grassy meadow, an Armashelt slug awoke.
However, this was no ordinary Armashelt, this was Sarge, number 2 slug of Will Shane, previous leader of the Shane Gang. Looking around, it noticed it was on the surface, which was a problem. One of the main duties of the Shane was to keep the surface and Slugterra separate, to protect both. His memories were hazy, but he could remember falling into the Deep Caverns, then becoming a Ghoul, then a bunch of hazy rage filled memories before regaining his senses in a pillar of blue light with a bunch of other Slugs and dozens of Darkbane. However, before they returned to the Deep Caverns, there was a rainbow that grabbed him and the other Slugs, then he blacked out.
While he could keep out of sight until he found the Drop, the wild Slugs, being naturally curious, would blow the lid off Slugterra like a Blastipede. He needed to find the Drop and find Eli, Will's son and the current Shane, to start damage control ASAP. However, something went wrong when he focused on his natural, finely-tuned homing instincts, he was completely lost.
However, before he could bemoan his fate, he heard footsteps and humming coming towards him. Quickly, he ducked into a nearby bush, hoping that whoever it was didn't spot him. What he saw surprised him, it was a yellow pony with wings and a pink mane. Sarge chittered to himself, having never seen anything like it before. Apparently hearing him, the pony jumped back before speaking in a voice so quiet Sarge almost missed it, "Wh-who's there?"
Sarge wondered if there was a Frightgeist around as he hopped out. Sun or not, there were no talking ponies, let alone any with wings, on the surface outside of storybooks that Will read to his son Eli. Slowly, the pony crept forward, her face changing from nervousness to curiocity, "Well hello there, aren't you cute?"
Sarge frowned, he wasn't cute.
Rainbow Dash was currently napping on a cloud. She had already cleared the sky of the rest of them, and her scheduled training time wasn't for another hour. She would have continued sleeping if it wasn't for something fluttering around her head. Opening her eyes, she saw it was a strange blue and white creature with one eye that was fluttering around her.
Wanting to get back to her nap, she waved her hoof at it to shoo it away, it chuckled as it dodged. Dash took a couple more swipes, but it dodged them all before blowing a raspberry at her. "Okay, that's it," Dash said as she got up, she didn't know what it was, but nobody made Rainbow Dash look like a fool.
The creature gave Dash a cocky grin before flying off, Dash in close pursuit. Dash had to give the critter one thing, it was fast, she'd have to actually put in some real effort to catch it. After a few seconds, she caught up, she noticed that it had a rather familiar look on its face, it was the same one she had when she was racing a good opponent. Just then, the critter ducked between the branches of a tree, forcing Dash to go around. The critter appeared on the other side, confident that he had lost her, until a cyan hoof grabbed her.
"Got ya," Dash said, "you're pretty fast aren't ya?" The critter nodded as Dash let it go. "Why don't you stay with me? Tank's great and all, but he can't keep up with me like you can." The critter nuzzled her in agreement. "Great," said Dash, "how about I call you... Dart?"
Twilight sighed pleasantly to herself as she read a book, after the business with her... letter to Celestia and Rainbow Dash's pet competition, to say nothing of Discord, she was looking forward to relaxing with a good book. However, as usual when she tried to relax, the universe looked at her and said, "Hmm, nah."
"Hey Twilight," Dash said as she burst in through a window, "take a look at my new pet!"
Twilight frowned as she looked up, "Didn't we just get you Tank?"
"Well sure, Tank's awesome and all, but nopony said I had to stick with just one pet. Besides," Dash held up Dart, "this one can keep up with me."
Twilight stared at Dart for a few seconds before pulling out several books, "There's nothing about anything even remotely like that in any of these."
"So you mean no one else has one, awesome!"
Just then, there was a soft knock on the door, "Um, is this a bad time?" asked Fluttershy.
"Oh hey Fluttershy," Dash waved, "I was just showing Twilight my new pet."
"Oh, you found a Slug too?" asked Fluttershy as Sarge popped out of her mane.
Twilight looked up, "Of course, if anypony would know what these things are it would be you."
"Well, not exactly, Sarge has been telling me about himself, but he has a teensy-weensy bit of an accent. By the way, Twilight, mind if I borrow an Atlas?"
"Sure," said Twilight, replacing the books she had removed, "what are you looking for?"
"Well, Sarge is just wondering how to get home, he's from a place called Slugterra, from what I could understand the Elements brought him here."
Before Twilight could reply, Pinkie popped up out of nowhere, "Watcha doin'?"
After recovering from the scare Pinkie gave them, Dash replied, "Fluttershy and I were just showing Twilight the cool new pets we got."
"New pets!? This calls for a party!" Pinkie said as she pulled out her party cannon. Before anyone could respond, Sarge and Dart jumped into the barrel.
Dash's eyes widened as she saw Pinkie about to pull the cord, "Pinkie wait!"
However, Pinkie fired the cannon, launching the two Slugs through the window Dash had entered through earlier. However, what happened next shocked all of them, even Pinkie. After a few seconds, they spun around and transformed in a flash of light. Sarge became what looked like a rocky crab without legs, while Dart turned into something more akin to a bird of prey.
They could only stare speechless as the two Slugs performed a few loops before returning, shrinking to regular size before landing on the heads of their respective owners.
"You can do that?" Dash asked Dart, who nodded in response, "So, awesome!"
"What the hay just happened?" Twilight asked/yelled, before Fluttershy shushed her so she could hear what Sarge was saying.
"Um, Sarge says that it's normal for Slugs to do that when they reach... 100 mile's per hour I think he said? Anyway it helps keep them healthy, and it's fun. He also said something about Blasters, his accent gets worse when he's excited."
"Really?" Pinkie asked before stuffing herself in the cannon and pulling the cord, launching herself out the window until she was too far to see, a little din and small twinkle following just after.
"Well, I guess I could try to put something together, although I might need a Slug to test it with," Twilight said. Just then, they heard a bunch of chittering outside the door. Opening it, they saw a small flock of purple and blue Slugs.
Sarge chittered and waved hello, most of the new Slugs waving back before they all entered.
"Why are they here?" Twilight asked no one in particular, before Sarge chittered away.
"Sarge says that they're called Fandangos, and they're here because they say Dart and Sarge come here," Fluttershy translated, "also, there's a lot of Slug Energy, whatever that is."
"Really?" Twilight said as she picked up one of the Fandangos in her magic, "well, whatever this 'Slug Energy' is, these little guys are chock full of magic. Now, how do I make a Blaster?"
In response, Sarge jumped off Fluttershy's head and onto Twilight's writing desk. Grabbing a pencil, he then made a rough sketch of a blaster, which Twilight grabbed. "I think I can work with this, thank you Sarge." Sarge saluted before hopping back into Fluttershy's mane.
"So, how soon until you can hook me up with one of those Blaster thingies?" Dash asked, "I wanna see if Dart can keep up with me when he's transformed."
"I should have a prototype by tomorrow," Twilight replied, "and the sooner you let me get started, the sooner I can finish."
"Got ya," Dash said before leaving.
"I should get home too, Sarge says that a lot of Slugs were brought here, and I want to make sure that my animal friends keep an eye out for them," said Fluttershy.
Twilight nodded as she examined the sketch, a blueprint coming together in her mind, "So, who wants to help me make a Blaster?"
All the Fandangos cheered, raring to do what they could to hit velocity.
Yesterday, I was informed by Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash of the appearance of a new species. They are called Slugs, and come in numerous varieties, each with their own unique abilities. Fluttershy and Rainbow have adopted an Armashelt and a Hoverbug respectively, and a colony of Fandangos have made themselves at home in the library. In addition, the Armashelt in question, named Sarge, has been quite a valuable source of information, thanks to Fluttershy's translation.
Attached you will find a copy of my research notes concerning the Slugs, as well as what I could glean from Sarge concerning their homeland Slugterra, where they were before the Elements brought them here for reasons that have yet to be determined. If it's not too much trouble, I would very much like to know what you do, if anything, about Slugterra. I am currently in the process of determining the scope of the Slug's arrival, as well as working on a piece of equipment which should prove invaluable for my studies(details can be found in section 3).
Your Faithful Student
Twilight Sparkle
Twilight smiled as she blew on the letter to dry the ink before stapling it to a think manila folder, "Ready Spike?'
"Just a second," Spike said as he popped a ruby in his mouth, "gotta fuel up for a job this big." Spike took a deep breath and breathed his flame onto the folder, sending it to Celestia.
"Thanks Spike," said Twilight, "I'm going to go see Rainbow and Fluttershy, mind keeping an eye on the Fandagos for me?"
"No problem Twilight," said Spike.
Twilight rubbed his head as she grabbed a set of saddlebags. These were modified with special magnetic clasps to hold tubes on the side, that held Slugs. She loaded them up, then grabbed a staff that was leaning against the door. This staff was a Blaster, specially modeled after the staves used by Unicorn Magi. It had a long white pole, and the triangular head was purple with gold accents.
As Twilight attached a few empty tubes to her saddlebags, she called out to a particular Fandango, "Coming Bright?"
The Fandango in question nodded before hopping on her shoulder. Bright was the Alpha of the Fandango colony, and had bonded quite quickly with Twilight during her(noninvasive) tests.
As Twilight walked out the door, she adjusted her saddlebags, "Dang it, can't get a comfortable fit, guess that's what happens when an amateur tries their hoof at making something from scratch. How about we head over to Rarity's to get this adjusted?" Bright nodded as they made their way to Carousel Boutique.
"Come in," Rarity's sing-song voice said through the door as Twilight knocked. Twilight entered the store to see Rarity working at a small loom. "If you'd excuse me for just one second," Rarity said, "but I'm almost done here."
"I didn't know you made your own thread Rarity," said Twilight.
"Well, it is cheaper to purchase unrefined material," said Rarity as she turned around, "although thanks to this little beauty, even that will soon be a nonissue." With that, a purple Slug with four dots on it's forehead jumped up from the loom onto her shoulder.
"You found a Slug too?" Twilight said as Bright and the Arachnet waved to each other.
"Slug? I thought Silk was a new kind of spider," Rarity replied.
Twilight chuckled as she explained what happened yesterday. "Although I have to ask, I always thought you didn't like spiders."
"Well, you've obviously never heard of Spider Silk," Rarity replied, "it's only one of the most sought after materials out there. I saw quite a few spiders when I went to a farm to purchase some."
Twilight chuckled as she looked at the loom, "I suppose that means you're rather happy getting your own personal supply."
"That I am darling," Rarity replied, "in fact, I'd even say it's even silkier than Spider Silk. Although, if it wasn't for Scissors, I'd never be able to cut it."
"Scissors?" Twilight wondered aloud, before a noticing that Bright and Silk were playing with a blue Slug with large teeth that she didn't notice earlier.
"Yes, these little darlings are going to do wonders for my business," Rarity said before frowning, "although Silk can only produce so much, maybe I need to find some more."
"Actually..." Twilight started, before being interrupted by the door slamming open.
"Twilight, you need to come with me," shouted Rainbow.
"What's the matter?" asked Twilight.
"Not sure, AJ just said that there were these strange critters in her orchard gobbling it up, she's gone to get Fluttershy," Rainbow replied before turning her eyes to Twilight's staff, "nice, make me one?"
"Yep," Twilight chuckled, before taking an blaster out of her saddlebags. It was the same color as Dash's coat, and designed to be worn on her wrist. Dash strapped it on and flexed her muscles, causing a pair of wing shaped extensions to deploy to the side, giving it a crossbow like appearance. "Sweet, thanks Twi," Dash said as she mimed firing it.
"Just one more thing," Twilight said as she pulled an armband out and secured it to Dash's leg above the Blaster and attaching a few Slug Tubes, "there we go."
"Twilight, darling, might I ask what those are for?" asked Rarity.
"Follow us to AJ's," Twilight said as she grabbed Bright and her staff, "and bring your Slugs. With luck, we'll be able to show you."
Twilight, Rarity and Rainbow approached Sweet Apple Acres, Slugs in tow.
"What do you think the problem is?" asked Rarity.
"Hopefully, if it is what I think it is, it won't be too much of a problem," said Twilight as they entered the orchard, where they were greeted by dozens of Slugs. They were mostly in the trees, more then a few hanging upside-down from the branches. More than a few were munching on apples.
"I assume this is what you were talking about?" asked Rainbow.
"Pretty much," Twilight replied as Applejack ran up to them.
"Thank goodness yer here," said Applejack, "these critters have been chompin on my apples since this mornin'." She then noticed the one on Twilight's shoulder, "I hope that one there's domesticated."
"You could say that," Twilight replied, "so, what exactly do you need us for?"
"I want these critters out'a my orchard," Applejack replied.
"If I may darling," Rarity interjected, "isn't Fluttershy better at that sort of thing?"
"She's doin her best, but..." Applejack pointed to where Fluttershy was talking to some Slugs, who were currently pranking her.
Twilight sighed, "Rarity, mind if I borrow Silk for a minute?"
"Of course darling," holding him out in her hoof, "but I'm not sure how much help he'll be."
"Oh he'll be plenty," Twilight said, holding out a tube, "think you can round them up?"
Silk nodded before hopping into the tube, which Twilight inserted into her blaster.
"This," Twilight said, pulling the trigger and launching Silk at 100 mph, where it swiftly turned into a rather large spider.
Silk quickly spun a web, which he then shot out, capturing a large group of Slugs.
"That wasn't so hard," Twilight said, picking up the web bag in her magic and depositing it in an empty cart, "keep an eye on them Bright?" Bright nodded before hopping onto the edge of the cart.
"Hey, don't leave me out of this," said Rainbow, as Dart hopped from her shoulder into one of the tubes on her armband, which Dash then loaded and fired. Dart transformed and snatched a pair of Slugs from a high branch before dropping them in the cart and returning to Dash, ready to go again.
"Oh, don't hurt them," said Fluttershy, "they're just curious, and hungry."
"Please, if anything they're having fun," said Dash. In fact, when the next few Slugs landed in the cart, they were laughing.
"Well, I suppose if they're okay," said Fluttershy before turning to Sarge, "I don't suppose you'd like to help?" Sarge nodded.
"Well if you're going to help round them up, you'll need this," Twilight said before pulling a Blaster out of her saddlebags. It was stubby, and certain parts of it looked like they were made of wood.
"Oh, you didn't have to," said Fluttershy.
"It's no trouble, it's the prototype," replied Twilight as she levitated it and a few tubes over to her.
"Well, as long as you're sure," said Fluttershy as she took it, "ready Sarge?" In response, Sarge jumped into the tube that was already loaded. "Try not to hurt them," Fluttershy said before pulling the trigger. Sarge flew off and transformed, snatching a Slug in each claw before depositing it in the cart.
After a few minutes, all the Slugs were in the cart, one last web from Silk keeping them in. "Thanks for the help," Applejack said.
"I'll just take them over to Whitetail Woods," Fluttershy said, "there's already a colony or two there."
"Wait a sec, we missed one," said Rainbow, pointing to where a two-toned blue Slug was currently reaching down on a branch to grab an apple.
However, before anyone could go an grab it, it slipped and fell. Fluttershy eeped and dove to try and catch it, but before it hit the ground, a tiny green lasso snagged it. Looking up, they saw that they had missed a second slug, this one a two-toned green.
It nodded before releasing the blue Slug into Fluttershy's outstretched hooves. Fluttershy looked it over, "I think I'll take this one home, if that's alright."
"I don't see why it would be a problem," said Twilight as she levitiated the green Slug down.
"Actually Twi," Applejack said, "I think I'd like that one ta stick around."
"You sure?"
"It knows it's way around a lasso," said AJ as it hopped onto the brim of her hat, "might come in handy if any more, Slugs I think you called them, come round."
"No problem, if you'd like I can make a Blaster for you," said Twilight, "you too Rarity."
"Can I have one?" asked Pinkie.
"Sure you can Pinkie," Twilight said, before processing exactly who she had answered, "Pinkie!? Where did you come from?"
"From my house silly," Pinkie replied, "and I found a little Slug friend of my own, say hi Giggles." Pinkie held up a Slug that looked like an orange pill bug.
"Why'd ya name it Giggles?" asked Rainbow Dash.
Before Pinkie could reply, Giggles burped up a cloud of brown gas, which Rainbow inhaled, and immediately started chuckling.
"Cause he makes you giggle," Pinkie said, chuckling herself.
Twilight sighed, "Looks like things are going to get interesting, huh Bright." Bright nodded with a grin.
Sarge grinned as well, this might not be Slugterra, and he would always be loyal to Will, but for the moment, this would make a good home.
