Yet Another Horrible Decision - Chapter 4

			 	   Yet Another Horrible Decision

					     Chapter 4


>The dim torchlight flickers in the deep cavern, faintly illuminating the small tram and its track.
>Chrysalis marvels at the construction her changelings have accomplished.
>It took months of effort to create this passage between the hive and Anonymous’s stronghold.
>The tramway was absolutely necessary. Even with it, the journey to the hive took nearly an hour.
>Chrysalis pads over to a luxurious seat in the back and sits down.
>A metallic squeaking sounds as the tram begins moving.
>So many months of work, so many materials expended.
>The quashing of her plot at the royal wedding consumed her with anger.
>No longer would she allow her race to starve. No more would she watch as young changelings grew weak for need of sustenance.
>The time has come for the changeling race to take its rightful place in the sun!
>The tram starts to pick up speed, racing through the dimly lit corridor.
>Chrysalis settles into her seat, thoughts racing through her mind.
>And what of the seed that filled her womb?
>What wondrous hybrid would be brought screaming into life?
>She would find out soon enough. Only a month or so until the eggs are ready for birth.
>After that, the broodmothers could begin their work.
>With any luck this new breed would not be afflicted with the incurable madness that the gryphon type changelings were all plagued by.
>She chuckles lightly to herself.
>Discord is to be commended for his efforts on their behalf.
>Anonymous was well chosen, although he did seem to lack the ambitious cruelty that Discord had informed her of. The swirling images of ancestral memories she dove into seemed to indicate that all humans have a potential for great violence. Perhaps he is merely keeping it under the surface?
>Furthermore, he was a xenophilic male. This was clearly to her advantage. Charm magic may not work on him for a time, but he seemed quite responsive to her seductive, feminine allure.
>And the method of feeding she chose... THAT was truly impressive. Chrysalis couldn’t remember the last time she had felt this satiated. She would be sure to engage in a few more of those sessions over the next year. After all, she needed to keep track of his progress.
>The tram wheels click upon the rails as the hive approaches ever closer.
>Soon enough it would be time to contact Discord. Soon enough...



>At the last possible second the Stuka lifts off of the cliffside runway.
>What the hell is this, a movie or something?
“Alright! We made it! How are the others doing, Miss Rarity?”
>“They seem to be doing well, all things considered. Poor Fluttershy seems to have urinated out of fear, I’m afraid. I must commend you on your skill flying this craft.”
“What was that last part? You’ll have to speak up! I can barely hear you over the propeller!”
>“I said that I must commend you on your skill flying this craft!”
“I got you! Thanks, I guess! I haven’t been doing it for long!”
>“You could have fooled me! That last maneuver was exhilarating!”
>You focus on the cyan pegasus ahead and to the left of you as she weaves to the... what?
>You look down at the cockpit compass and see that you’re now heading NNE.
>Evidently this world has a similar magnetic polarity to that of Earth’s.
>You look back up and see that Rainbow settles her wings into a smooth glide, probably following a series of thermal updrafts.
>You lock your direction and take a moment to observe your surroundings.
>On the left wing lie Pinkie Pie, nearest to you and seemingly excited, and Fluttershy on the farther end. As Rarity said, a thin trickle of moisture leads from her crotch into the sky behind.
>You turn your head and examine the right wing. Applejack is the nearer here, eyes tightly shut as she seemingly tries to shut out the experience, and Twilight Sparkle is on the other side of the gull-wing bend. She seems to be intensely interested in every aspect of your craft and the journey itself.
>Several silent minutes pass as you check your instruments and adjust your bearings to follow Rainbow’s lead.
>Rarity breaks the silence with a question:
>“So Anonymous?! What is your special talent?! I assume it’s related to flight somehow?!”
“Special talent?! What do you mean by that?!”
>“Everypony has a special talent! Didn’t you notice our cutie marks? My cutie mark is made of diamonds, representing the beautiful and rare fashions I create!”
“I was wondering about those! Would you mind telling me more about them!? And what they represent on your friends, Miss Rarity?!”
>“Just Rarity, Anonymous! I believe we will be - or are - close enough to drop the formalities, hmm?!”
“Sure thing Rarity!”
>“Anyway, cutie marks are images that appear on a pony’s flanks when he or she has discovered the thing that makes them special! A talent, skill, ability, what have you!”
“Is that so?! We humans have nothing like that!”
>“Then how do you know what your special talent is? How does your kind determine their goal in their lives?!”
“To be honest, Rarity, most of us don’t! In a way I envy you guys! Before we continue this line of discussion, though, I would like to know more about what your friend’s marks represent!”
>Rarity explains the origins and intricacies of cutie marks to you. She’s very articulate and spends several minutes doing so.
>The explanation strikes you. How amazing it must be to not only know your special talent, but to have a tattoo-like marking to remind you of it at all times!
“That’s truly amazing, Rarity! To answer your question, we humans do not have anything remotely like that! I mean, we do have tattoos, but those are often far removed from declarations of skill! If anything they are in a foreign language that proclaims ‘I enjoy eating yellow doilies!’ Or something along those lines!”
>Rarity laughs, a sound quite like the tinkling of bells.
>“Oh Anonymous! You have quite the sense of humor! I think we’ll get along quite well, you and I!”
>Hoo boy. Yet another mare that is interested in you.
>The cockpit is overtaken by a deafening silence as your breath is taken away by the amazing sight rising in front of you.
>A large-ish city, complete with a fairy-tale castle somewhat resembling Neuschwanstein of Bavaria emerges from the cloud-pocked horizon.
>This must be Canterlot, the capital of Ponyland - er, rather, Equestria - and the destination you are seeking.
>Rainbow Dash starts descending in its direction.
>You check your watch. Nearly forty-five minutes have passed. You slow your cruising speed and keep several meters behind Rainbow.
>Perhaps fifteen minutes separate you from the city itself. You can only hope that an adequate landing zone is available.



>The skies above the Wonderbolt practice fields are positively buzzing with frenetic activity.
>Spitfire bolts forward at an incredible speed.
>The Wonderbolts are in the middle of a practice session.
>Specifically, they are practicing formation #18, where two wings (Spitfire & Fleetfoot, Wing One; Soarin’ and Misty, Wing Two) fly in a parallel staggered line through a spinning cylinder formed by Wing Three (Rapidfire and Breezie) culminating in a smoke-laden Pegaspread.
>Spitfire comes to a rapid stop, raising both forehooves to indicate a temporary pause.
>”What’s up, Spitfire? Did we screw up or something?” Soarin’ asks,
>“That’s not it, Soarin’. Look there.” Spitfire points to the south with a forehoof.
>”Yeah, what about it?”
>“You see that black spot? Looks kinda like a bird?”
>“Yeah, now that you mention it. Maybe it’s some kind of freakish dragon?”
> “I’ve never seen any dragon --or bird, for that matter-- that looks anything like THAT.” Fleetfoot offers,
>“Just what I was thinking, Fleetfoot! Furthermore, it’s heading straight for us!”
>“What do you suppose it could be?” Soarin’ inquires,
>Spitfire paused for a moment. This... thing was entirely unfamiliar to her, and she was one of the most well-studied pegasi in all of Equestria.
>“No idea, Soarin’. All I know is it’s heading our way and fast!”
>Spitfire rotated midair and faced the other Wonderbolts, assuming a comfortable air of command.
>”Soarin’, you, Fleetfoot, and Misty go alert the Royal and Town Guard. Rapidfire, Breezie! You two go down and clear off the runway! I don’t know how long we have, but the last thing we need is for this thing to crash-land in the middle of Canterlot. I’ll go ahead and check it out!”
>“But Spitfire, isn’t it a little dangerous to go on your own?” Misty queries with concern,
>“Dangerous?! What’s dangerous is an unknown airborne object heading for Canterlot at high speed! All of you, get to it! I can look after myself!” Spitfire announces,
>The rest of the Wonderbolts quickly salute and take off toward their objectives.
>Spitfire orients herself toward the black bird-like silhouette and begins rapidly flapping her wings, simultaneously straightening her legs out to the front and back of her torso.
>She picks up speed and shoots forward like a fiery arrow.
>As she gains on the object, a smaller silhouette begins to come into view.
>Never before in all her years of flight has Spitfire seen such a curious sight.
>A peculiar black bird with solid wings being escorted by a pegasus. Or is it chasing the pegasus?
>Something odd is definitely ahoof. It would only be a matter of seconds until she made contact.



>The clouds rush by as you gaze in wonder at the fairytale city ahead.
>These ponies truly do have a magnificent civilization.
>You check your instrument panel. Although you shouldn’t be; you’re somewhat surprised at the fuel gauge. It hasn’t dropped at all. Whatever the changelings did is clearly effective.
>Your eyes are drawn to the bombsight on the cockpit floor.
>The vista below you could very well belong to earth.
>Wide patches of farmland broken apart by small dwellings, a thin line of black that runs symmetrically north-south, most likely a railroad. These ponies are more advanced than you thought. It seems they live in what is to you an anachronistic fusion of medieval and modern.
>You look back up and find that another pegasus, this one seemingly blue with a fiery yellow and orange mane and tail, has flown up to meet Rainbow.
>They appear to be conversing, and given what you think you understand from their body language, probably about you.
“Hey Rarity?! How are the others doing!?”
>“Oh they seem to be fine! At least as fine as one can be strapped onto a wing!”
>Your destination closes in on you. There is just one problem:
>Where the hell are you supposed to land?



>Spitfire flies up close to the unknown craft and its escort.
>To her surprise the pegasus in front is more than just familiar to her.
>“Rainbow Dash!? What are you doing with this... what is this thing, anyway?”
>“Heya Spitfire! This example of supreme coolness is a ‘plane’, and I’m guiding it to Canterlot. An alien creature is inside and needs to meet with Princess Celestia.”
>It takes a moment for Spitfire to process what Rainbow just said.
>“You have got to be kidding me... But why? And wh- Y’know what? Forget it. I’ll have more time to figure it out later. Any idea where this thing is going to land?
>Rainbow’s face drops. Evidently she didn’t think that far ahead.
>“Uh, heh heh... No. No idea. If it needs as much space to land as it did to take off then we’ll need to find a long, wide, and straight path. I don’t think trying to land on one of the main roads will be such a good idea. Got any better ideas, Spitfire?”
>“You’re lucky I saw you guys when I did! I had some of the Wonderbolts clear off the practice track. That should be enough. I’ll take the lead, follow me. You should probably have... whatever it is start descending.”
>“Sure thing, Spitfire!”
>Rainbow drops back next to the transparent bubble on top of the craft and motions downward with her hooves.
>Spitfire, on the other hoof, begins slightly descending.
>Locking her speed with the others in tow, she calculates the amount of time until they land.
>Two minutes. Maybe three if they’re lucky. Hopefully Rapidfire and Breezy have already finished.
>If they haven’t...



>The ‘Jericho-Trompeten’ begin their signature wailing as you start to descend.
>Following the mysterious blue pegasus and Rainbow, you see where you’re being led to.
>A large oval trackway, rather similar to car racing tracks back on Earth, is your destination.
>It’s certainly large enough, and the straightaways long enough, to land your aircraft.
>The two pegasi turn off to the left and set down on the grassy middle.
>You continue toward the paved trackway, slowing down and leveling out.
>The landing is quite smooth, given that you’ve only actually done it once before.
>You continue to brake and bring the Stuka nearly to a halt, making sure you taxi into the grassy center yourself. There are no proper hangars here, so this will have to do for now.
>“Well now, that wasn’t so bad. You’re quite good at this, I must say.” Rarity states,
>You open the cockpit and Rarity clambers out onto the farther edge of the wing, attempting to untie Twilight’s bindings.
>You grab your backpack that holds what few possessions you brought with you and look to the left wing. The mysterious fiery-maned pegasus and two other pegasi, also blue - wait a second. They all have matching, slick fur? That can’t be... maybe they’re flight suits? The goggles they all wear seem to lend credence to that interpretation. Regardless, they’re busy untying Fluttershy and Pinkie from the other wing.
>You throw on your backpack and climb out of the cockpit and onto the wing, crouching down to untie Applejack.
>“I gotta say, Anon. I didn’t slip or slide one little bit. I s’pect you’re almost as good with a rope as I am. Still, I’m not too keen on doin’ anything like that again. Mighty cold trip, that was.” Applejack seems to be warming up to you now. Maybe she’s into bondage or something.
>The six ponies that accompanied you have all gathered around together, chattering about the experience. The three pegasi in matching clothes approach you.
>“Well aren’t you a strange one. I have to give it to you, though. You can fly that thing pretty well there, slick. I’m Spitfire, and these two are Rapidfire and Breezy. You got a name?
“Huh? Oh, I’m Anonymous. Pleased to meet you all.”
>You extend a hand for a handshake, rapidly realizing that such a greeting would be impossible for these hooved beings. You close your fingers for a fist-bump.
>Your fist is hit once, twice, three times. You guess that you did something right.
>“So you have some idea of Equestrian customs. What are you, anyway?” Spitfire asks,
>Before you can answer, you hear strong hoofsteps closing in. They seem to be marching in order. You also hear what you assume to be the clanking of metal armor.
>“Stand your ground, creature! Make no sudden movements!”
>You turn in the direction of the voices and see a group of armored ponies (somehow) armed with spears pointed in your direction.



>“Guards! Stand down! Mister Anonymous here is no threat. My friends and I have spent the last two days trying to get him here to meet with Princess Celestia. Thank you for your vigilance, but the situation is under control.” Twilight asserts with an air of authority,
>“Oh, Twilight Sparkle! I didn’t realize you would be involved with all this. Soarin’ and Misty came and informed us that the strange bird many had seen was likely to land here. Mister Anonymous, is it? I apologize for the misunderstanding, but we must keep the safety of Canterlot foremost in our minds.” The deep, husky voice belongs to what you assume is a captain of the guard, clad as he is in more ornate armor.
“I understand, sir.”
>“Very well. If you like we can provide a carriage to transport you and the Elements to the castle. It would take but a moment.”
>You glance at Twilight, the apparent leader of the Elements, and are rewarded with a small nod.
“That would be most appreciated, sir.”
>“Guards! Acquire a carriage from the nearest post and return here as quickly as possible!” the guard captain bellows.
>Most of the group of guards vanish off into the streets beyond, save for two who flank the top of the stairway, the guard-captain among them.
>Two more flight-suited pegasi glide into the field near Spitfire and the others.
>“Good work Soarin’, Misty. This here is Anonymous. Don’t know much about him other than his name, but he’s the one who operated the strange bird. It’s called a ‘plane’, I think?” Spitfire says,
“Yeah, it is. Well, all aircraft like this are called ‘planes’, this one specifically is a Stuka. By the way, it’s good to make your acquaintances Soarin’ and Misty.”
>You extend a closed fist and get another two hoof-bumps in return.
>After a few minutes of casual conversation, you hear the sound of spinning wheels and synchronized hooves close by.
>“That sounds like our ride. Ready to meet the princess, Anonymous?” Twilight asks,
>You dust off your clothes, straightening out any major wrinkles.
“As ready as I can be.”
>“The carriage has arrived! I expect you’ll be on your way, then?” the guard captain inquires,
>“Yes, of course! Come on, Anonymous. The princess awaits.” Twilight responds,
“Alright, one sec. Well Spitfire, I’ve got to thank you for your help. Same goes for the rest of you.”
>“No problem, Anonymous. And hey! If you get the chance, maybe you’d like to fly with us one day? I’m already thinking up some great routines we can do together.” Spitfire nods her head at you.
“I’ll keep it in mind. Gotta go, though. Hopefully I’ll see you all later.”
>And with that you turn to head up the stairs to the waiting carriage. The Elements are already getting in. Hopefully this trip will take long enough to give you a chance to think over what you’re going to say when you meet the ruler of this strange land.