Guardians of the Multiverse
Book Two: "Wheels Within Wheels, Worlds Without End"
Chapter Three
Equestria Nine. Miranda and the rest of her team struggled uselessly as they were held in the grip of a magical stasis field. "Wh... who are you? What do you want with us? We're not here to hurt anything!" She exclaimed.
"As I already said," Their captor answered, "I am Luna, Soveriegn of the Night and Princess of Equestria. And if you truly mean no harm to my sister, or to our subjects, then I in turn mean no harm to you. But I must be certain, for our nation has seen many threats in recent days, and I have never seen the likes of you."
Christian said "That's probably because we aren't just from outside your country, we're from outside your world."
"Indeed? Continue."
Cassidy said "You are right to be worried. You are in danger. But not from us, we're the ones here to stop the danger!"
"There are monsters here." Aeris said. "Monsters made by a terrible being that wants to destroy everything else in all of existence! She's already destroyed my people, I'm the last Cetra left! Please, let us help you to find and stop them!"
"You say you are the last, but I see three others like you." Luna questioned.
Christian said "Aeris is half Cetra. Her other half is Human, like myself and Cassidy."
Luna's eyes opened wide. "You are... Humans? We have myths of your kind, but did not know you were real..." She looked at Miranda. "And what of you?"
"I'm a shapeshifter."
"A Changeling!?" Luna exclaimed, rearing back.
"Whoa, hold on!" Miranda answered, "What's a changeling? I've never heard that term before!"
"Changelings are like ponies, but insectile in their true form, with bodies full of holes. They feed off of love and can look like anything."
"Then I promise you that's not what I am. This is my natural form, I don't eat love, and there certainly aren't any holes in my body! Well... I suppose I could take a form with holes in it, but I never have. Frankly, it sounds kind of creepy."
Luna nodded once. "And what of you?" She asked, staring at Nanaki. "You have the look of an apex predator."
"I am a Firecat." He replied. "And while I am, as you can no doubt tell from my appearance, potentially dangerous, I would never harm an innocent, nor consume a sapient being."
Luna was silent for several moments, seemingly deep in thought. Then she called out "Twilight Sparkle. Remove your invisibility spell and join us." A patch of ground rippled, and a second pony appeared, smaller than Luna, with lavender fur and a horn but no wings. "You maintained the lie-detector spell?" Luna asked.
Twilight answered "Yes Princess. They were telling the truth about everything."
"Very well then." Luna released the binding spell, allowing the Guardians and their allies to move. "I bid you welcome to our world."
Bowing politely, Cassidy said "Thank you. I apologize for the rush, but we really should discuss why we are here. Our enemy is powerful, and there is little time to waste."
"I appreciate this. But you should save time by telling your tale but once, to myself and my sister together. Will you join us in Canterlot?"
"Of course."
"Very well then. Twilight, return to Ponyville and gather the Element Bearers. I suspect they will need to be present as well. I, in turn, will teleport to Canterlot to apprise Celestia of the situation. You-" Here she looked at the teens, "Will ride to the castle in my chariot." Here Luna fired a flare from her horn high into the sky. Moments later, a pair of ponies with midnight-blue coats, black manes, and bat-wings flew down, pulling a chariot behind them. "Convey our guests to the castle." Luna ordered.
"Yes Princess." Both ponies answered in unison.
"We will speak again soon." Luna said, and vanished in a flare of light.
"Everyone aboard." One of the Guards Ponies instructed, and soon the team was being whisked through the sky aboard the chariot...
W7W7W7W
While the Guardians were in transit to Canterlot Castle, Twilight Sparkle had returned to Ponyville. She ran helter-skelter about her library/home, gathering up what supplies she thought she might have need of. "Ink, paper, erasers... Spike! Where's the audio recorder? Oh, why didn't I have a 'Aliens come to our world' checklist ready!?"
"Uhm, Twilight? Aren't you supposed to be getting the girls? I mean, you said the world was in danger again..." Spike questioned.
"Right! The girls! Spike, go round them up for me!"
Shaking his head, Spike headed for the door. Only Twilight could be more worried about getting interviews with the good aliens than fighting off the bad ones. Heading out through the streets of town, the small dragon had planned to visit Caorusel Boutique first. It was closest, after all, and maybe Rarity would travel with him the rest of the way. But when he ran across three familiar fillies, duty won out over infatuation; There was a big danger, and employing their assistance would get word to the Element Bearers more quickly. "Girls! Wait up!" Spike called out.
The three turned to face him. "Well howdy there Spike!" Applebloom said. "What are you doin' out this late?"
"I could ask you the same."
"Crusaders sleepover." Scootaloo replied.
"Oh. Well listen, I need each of you to go get your sister... Or Dash in your case Scoots. Twilight needs them, 'Saving the World business."
"Again!?"
"Tell me about it. So can you help, so I only need to get Pinkie and Shy?"
"It MUST be bad if he's passing on getting my sister himself." Sweetie Belle said, making the dragon blush. "We'll do it!"
"Thanks! Hurry now, I think there's a royal chariot on the way to pick them up!"
Splitting up was a success. Less than fifteen minutes passed before all six of Equestria's greatest heroes were gathered outside of Twilight's home. "So, aliens you say?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Are they all ugly and slimy and gross like in 'Daring Do versus the Mules from Mares'?"
"Of course not!" Twilight answered. "They're not even Equinoid."
"Equi-whatsis!?"
"It means they're not ponies." Spike said.
"Exactly. They're actually, uhm... Well some of them are human."
"Humans!?" The group exclaimed.
"You sure they can be trusted?" Applejack asked. "All the old myths say bad things about humans."
From seemingly out of nowhere, Lyra popped up and said "Well, not all of them. Those are the ones that are most commonly known, but there are plenty of good stories about humans too."
"What the...! When did you show up!?"
"Someone said 'human.'" Lyra answered. "I woulda heard that from a hundred miles away. So, can I come?"
"Actually darling, you were on my shortlist to ask to foalsit the girls while we're gone..." Rarity said.
"I still can, just at the castle! Surely the Princesses won't mind, and besides, where else would they be safer than there?"
"She's got a point there." Applejack said.
"Oh, all right." Twilight decided. "Now look, here comes the chariot..."
W7W7W7W
Aboard the Night Princess' chariot, a heated conversation was taking place. "Am I the only one who wonders if I'm dreaming?" Christian asked.
"Not by a long shot." Miranda answered.
"Yeah, me three." Cassidy said, "Although, why is it surprising to us? I mean, we've already got humans, a Cetra, a Shapeshifter, a Passling, A Firecat, all the other species on Meridian... Why not ponies too?"
"Speak for yourself... I can deal with the fact that our new allies are technicolor horses, but... I feel like I'm in a Saturday morning cartoon." Christian said.
"And the different types." Miranda added. "I mean, Unicorns? Pegasai? Thestrals? Those are myths even on Meridian."
"And the Princess said that Humans are a myth here." Aeris said. "I wonder, have our worlds met before?"
"Plausible." Nanaki agreed. "Though, it would require advanced technology or powerful magic."
"Both of which we know exist." Cassidy said.
"Right... Hey, look up ahead, that must be the city." Christian said. He pointed ahead to a cluster of lights directly in their flight path.
Aeris asked "Miranda, should you maybe change your form to look like a pony? Maybe it'll make our contact smoother."
Miranda shook her head. "Can't. Still on probation for my old life, 'Shapeshifting in life or death emergencies only.' Although, if the princesses ask me to, I suppose I'll have to."
"That's a fair compromise." Nanaki said.
"I just hope the parole board agrees." Miranda chuckled. "Oh well, look, we're coming in to land now."
Towed by it's two Thestral Royal Guards, the chariot went into a wide banking turn, slowly arcing down towards the castle, which it could now be seen was built into the side of a large mountain. It took three complete circles to reach the landing platform, and when they did the guards came to a stop with only the slightest of vibrations through the body of the chariot.
Disembarking, the team was met by a tall white unicorn stallion. "Welcome to Canterlot Castle." he said. "I am Captain Shining Armor, head of the royal guards. Their highnesses are waiting for you in the throne room, along with the Elements of Harmony. Follow me please." He turned sharply and cantered away towards a large open door, followed closely by Miranda's team...
W7W7W7W
Somewhere else. Far to the south of Canterlot, further south than even the frontier town of Appleloosa, a catastrophe was beginning to unfurl. A village of ponies and zebras was awakened from it's peaceful night by the howls of unknown beasts, and then the sounds of destruction, carnage, and screams. Villagers ran back and forth, most unsure what was happening until it was too late and a creature was upon them. The monsters feasted on stolen life energy, leaving lifeless husks in their wake.
As the terror spread one particular pony, a light blue unicorn with a white mane and tail, was determined to do something about it. In spite of her checkered past, Trixie Lulumoon had been welcomed by this village and she refused to take this attack on them lying down.
The sad truth, though, was that she wasn't particularly well suited to being a hero. Her stage magic talent was indeed 'Great and Powerful' but it was lacking in any real offensive capabilities. Still, she had to do something.
Galloping down the street, weaving left and right to avoid all the ponies running the other way, ignoring the voice telling her to turn around and join them, she reached an intersection and boldly stepped around the corner. Before her were the monsters responsible for the attack. There were twenty of them, large glowing jellyfish with red eyes. As Trixie watched, one of them finished draining a body dry of life and tossed it aside.
"You're not getting another!" She thought. Drawing on her powers, the mare created illusions of ponies running down an empty side street. The creatures noticed immediately and turned. "Come on, come on, fall for it, follow them!" Trixie whispered.
Suddenly, one of the beings jumped forward, landing on an illusion. It held the fake pony down and drained away the magic energy animating it. The illusion faded away, and Trixie actually felt the magic going.
Then, as one, all of the monsters turned to face where Trixie was, screamed, and came after her. She ran, ran as fast as her four legs could carry her, but these things just wouldn't give up. "And why should they?" She thought with growing fear, "They're gaining on me. At least I led them away from the crowds." In fact, it now dawned on the mare that she hadn't seen a single living soul since running in this direction.
"One more trick up my cape..." Trixie thought. Focusing her magic, she teleported away, as far as she could go in a single leap, which worked out to be just over half a mile. Now outside of town, Trixie looked back and saw nothing but burning ruins.
"Canterlot..." She said. "I've got to warn them in Canterlot..." Steeling herself for an exhausting night of magic use, Trixie began teleporting one leg of her journey at a time towards the Capitol City. She prayed it would still be there...
W7W7W7W
Canterlot. As the team followed Shining Armor into the throne room, they all looked about in awe. Even Miranda was surprised, for Elyon's castle, impressive though it was, could not compare to this. All along the side walls of the chamber guards stood at attention, garbed in shining golden armor. Directly ahead a series of steps led up to a dais, where twin thrones sat side by side. Luna and her sister sat upon thier respective thrones, and a group of ponies stood off to the side.
As they came to the foot of the steps, their guide announced their presence and took a place near the thrones. Miranda and Cassidy stepped forward and bowed, Christian, Aeris, and Nanaki following suit.
"Rise. We do not stand long on pomp or circumstance here. My sister you have met, and I am Celestia, Soveriegn of the Day. Approach, and speak."
Climbing closer to the thrones, Cassidy said "Thank you for hearing us out."
" I ignore no possible threats to the well being of my subjects. Luna says you have pursued monsters here, and that one of you has lost everything to them."
"That would be me." Aeris said. "As I told your sister, I'm the last of my race."
"A terrible thing... If what you say is true we have little time. If you are willing, I would like to cast a spell which will show myself, Luna, and these six what you have seen and experienced. It will be non-intrusive, nothing private or personal would be included... I know it is much to ask. Discuss it amongst yourselves if you wish."
"What do you think?" Miranda asked the others.
"I don't like my head being messed with." Christian said, "But it might be the best way."
"I agree." Nanaki said. "If they are to trust us, this may be necessary."
"Agreed." Cassidy said. "Aer? Miri?"
"As long as she's sure it won't get anything personal, I'll allow it." Aeris said.
Miranda's thoughts on the subject were more complex. "About a year ago, I had a big bug-thing try to get into my head. She wanted to break me, turn me into her servant... So, you can guess that I'm not big on this idea..."
Cassidy put an arm around Miranda. "You're not alone there you know... Nerissia did the same thing to me."
"How'd you get over it?"
"I don't think you do... But sometimes you have to do what you have to do."
Miranda nodded. "You're right. Okay, let's get this over with."
"You are agreed?" Celestia asked. "I thank you... Please remain still, this will take mere moments." The princess' horm lit up with the tale-tell glow of spellcasting, accompanied by orbs of light over the heads of each member of Miranda's team as well as both regents and the six other ponies. As she had promised, it lasted only a few seconds.
Miranda gasped as the spell faded. "Whoa... It was like reliving everything."
"Yes." Luna said. "And now I understand fully why you have been so alarmed. We are indeed under a terrible threat."
Celestia motioned with a wing towards the six seated to her left. "These are the bearers of the Elements of Harmony, our greatest defensive weapons. Will you work with them to end this horror before it grows and claims more lives?"
"Of course Princess. That is why we're here after all." Aeris said.
"Excellent... I see that you sensed the enemy to the south...?"
"That's right, but I couldn't get a precise fix."
"South is still a good start. I will arrange for transportation at once."
As Cassidy was about to thank the Princess for her assistance, a commotion arose outside the throne room doors. Guards could be heard, and a voice shouting back at them. "What the...?" Miranda asked.
Twilight said "That voice sounds familiar..."
Then, with a flash of light and a rush of displaced air, a new pony appeared before the thrones. She was in a bad way, roughed up, coat matted, blood in places, eyes bloodshot with exhaustion. "Trixie!?" the Element Bearers exclaimed.
"Forgive me... for the intrusion... Princess..." Trixie gasped out.
"Done." Luna said, "But how did you get in here? The throne room itself is shielded from unauthorized teleportation."
"Heh... Showmareship and slight of hoof is my game... I know how to get around such things..."
"Trixie why are you here!?" Twilight demanded.
Trixie turned to look. "Twilight...? Please, you've got to help them! Please don't hold what I did to you against them because of me!"
"I would never... I don't even hold it against you..."
Celestia said "Help who? Against what? What has happened Miss Lulumoon?"
Teetering over the edge of exhaustion, Trixie managed to speak only one more word, "Monsters..." before she passed out.
Rainbow Dash asked "You guys thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?"
Christian nodded. "Five bucks says she knows where we need to look."
"Ain't taken' that bet..." Applejack said, "'Cause I'm sure you're right... Though I can't imagine why you'd wanna get bucked five times."
"What?"
"What?"
"I think we're misunderstanding each other."
"At this point, should we wait for her to wake up before we leave?" Miranda asked.
"Probably. It would cut our searching time down, that's for sure." Twilight agreed.
Celestia nodded. "Very well then. I will give orders for you to be accomodated in the castle's guest wing, and medical care for Miss Lulumoon as well." To Miranda's team she said "You would do well to become acquainted with our Element-Bearers, for the elements work best through the powers of friendship. Until then, there is little more for us to do here..."