1 - Arrival Track 39
Extended Holiday
Chapter 1: Arrival Track 29
“All right.” A tall man with long brown hair parted up the middle pulled on his cuffs to align them. “After a few adjustments, I’ve got everything the right length. How’s your costume coming along, Matthew?” he asked as he looked into his computer’s camera.
“Goes well,” Matthew answered through the computer speaker. “Got my haircut yesterday to add to the point.” He chuckled as he adjusted his glasses. The bristles of his short dirty blond hair shone under the light from his room to play into the military aesthetic of his costume. His phone screen glowed while he finished shoving his feet into his boots. “My mother is a little irritated. Now all I need to do is wait for my ride. By the way, I won’t make our weekly DnD game. Heading up to my grandparents for the four-day weekend.”
“That’ll be fine. Everything’s a bit scattered with Halloween and all that follows.” He frowned as he looked back at their group call. “Shouldn’t Taze have been on by now? I get that his outfit probably has some work to it, but….”
“Might have been delayed. Oh, while we’re waiting, I might as well tell you some good news. My uncle from George Park got me an IPOD!” A grin split the man’s face from ear to ear as he showed off his new prize to his friend. “Give me a sec. I want to play you a song.” Without waiting for a reply he plugged the IPOD into a speaker and pressed play. Music began to filter through the room and into the microphone on his laptop.
Shawn watched through the camera lens on Matthew’s laptop as a train engineer and a heroine knight danced in time to the music in the foyer. A young toddler dressed in a frilly pink princess dress, complete with pointy hat, walked over to Matthew with a smile and proffered a Rainbow Dash pony figure. “Play ponies?” she asked.
Matthew looked at his wrist watch. “Well, how about tomorrow? Don’t you and your family want to go get some candy?” He smiled at the dance the Princess gave. “Want to say hello to Shawn?”
She grinned and turned to face the camera, then waved frantically as she looked at the screen to the man in the dark blue coat. “Hi, Uncle!”
Shawn offered a gentle smile in turn and waved, revealing the golden trim along the costume’s sleeves.
“Pretty! Are you a king?” she asked.
“Nope.” He chuckled as he adjusted the cravat at his neck. “A character from a show.”
“What show?” she asked.
“Maybe we can ask him later, Elizabeth. Let him talk with your uncle,” the engineer offered.
“Okay, Daddy. Can Uncle Mathew come with us?”
“He came with you to the trunk or treat. He’s got plans with his friends. Besides, you promised to help clean up Grandma and Grandpa’s yard.”
She looked sad, but nodded. “Okay….”
The knight soon joined her husband. “Come on, Elizabeth. Let’s go get your brother away from Grandma. Maybe she’ll still have a cookie for you before we go out for the night.”
Elizabeth squealed in excitement and raced down the hall as her parents smiled once more and waved to Matthew before following after her.
Matthew looked to Shawn. “Sorry about that. It’s the one downside of using the laptop in the main front room.”
Shawn gave a brief chuckle. “No worries.”
“Sounds good,” Matthew answered. “Still, where is Taze?” he asked.
It was here that the sound of the familiar Skype ringtone happened as the group chat they had created signaled the arrival of their long-awaited guest.
“Yo!” The Screen Popped to life as a head of messy dirty blonde hair held back by a large pair of goggles popped into view. Beneath the goggles, a pair of blue eyes and a smirk looked out at the world. “Sorry about that. The final details took longer than I expected.”
“I figured.” Shawn shrugged. “Well, either that or that something had come up.”
“Looking good, by the way. That coat of yours came out really well.” Taze Chuckled.
“I agree. It looks very regal,” Matthew chimed in. “And not a problem, Taze. Life happens.”
“Yeah, figured that if I was going to make something for the upcoming convention, why not use it for Halloween as well?” Shawn smiled as he pulled open the side of his coat to reveal the hilt and pommel of a sheathed sword.. “I even grabbed one of the decorative blades my father owned to add on to it.”
“Very nice.” Taze Nodded as he held up a replica katana and a smaller jitte blade. “I Got these for the look.”
From the hallway in Matthew’s foyer, Taze and Shawn saw a man dressed as Uncle Sam walk in briefly, then pop away again. “Dang, and all I got is this case,” Matthew said. He walked off screen and came back bearing a large leather attaché case. He opened it up and displayed the contents. “Authentic millennial attaché case. As you can see, I even have some documents inside. The Declaration of Independence, Constitution of The United States, Magna Carta, my mission scriptures, a survival book for the US Army, The Art of War — never can go anywhere without that book for the costume —, and for you, Taze, because you keep talking about it, The Five Rings. I also have Count of Monte Cristo along with Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy, Redwall, Martin the Warrior. Oh, Time Machine and War of the Worlds! Along with Frankenstien and Dracula.” He continued to pull out books “Oh, and I have Hamlet and MacBeth and the complete Sherlock Holmes book series.” He grinned more at this. “My brother gave me the Geneva Convention as well for some of the file holders in the case.I stamped them to make it more authentic.” He couldn’t stop smiling. He paused then and patted his pockets, checking to make sure he had everything he needed one last time. “Oh, and also a pocket Constitution.”
“And you’re still missing something if your friends all have blades,” Uncle Sam spoke up as he entered the room again. “I was going to give this to you on your birthday, but I suppose now’s as good a time as any.” He produced a box wrapped with bat and pumpkin wrapping paper.
Matthew looked to the group. “Mind if I open this in front of you all?”
Shawn gestured for him to go ahead.
“No problem,” Taze said.
Matthew smiled and opened the box to find a fully kitted out K-bar knife.
“Now you all are armed and dangerous,” Uncle Sam spoke with a laugh. “Heaven help any world you go to.”
“Or time period,” a woman dressed like Lady Liberty said as she approached and kissed Uncle Sam’s cheek.
Matthew laughed and shook his head as he strapped it to his outer thigh. The two could see the clip to a smaller folding knife on him. “Now I feel safe going to any corn fields.”
“Yeah, here’s hoping you don’t need to use it, huh?” Shawn chuckled.
“Yeah, pretty sure that's not going to be an issue.” Taze laughed. “Not like anything big’s gonna happen tonight.”
Uncle Sam chuckled as he left the room. “Watch. Tonight’s gonna be when the zombies hit.”
“Please, no,” Matthew snapped. “I don’t want to think about it at all. And this is real life, not some sci-fi story.”
“Well, there was that one parasite,” Shawn commented with a smirk. “Jokes aside, it was great to chat with you all, but it’s almost time. If it’s anything like last year, I’ll be giving out candy for the next two hours. That, or until I run out.”
“Going out, just walking around, see if I can find some friends to talk to, basic stuff.” Taze chuckled. “You guys stay safe,”
“Will do,” Matthew answered. “And good luck Shawn, hope you keep some for yourself.” His eyes glanced at the laptop clock. “Seems like my ride is a little late. Also, … I am looking forward to when Omni gets back from his mission and our group is whole again. Oh, and while I’m at it, thanks for keeping me sane in my recovery.”
“Later,” Taze said and he vanished from the call.
Shawn chuckled as he disconnected from the call. “All right. Here’s hoping three bags will be enough this year….”
The conference room stood silent; so silent one could have heard a pin drop. Freshly broken pieces of pewter and blobs of foam and ale splattered the table where Luna had shattered her mug. The threat still lingered in the air around them as the supposed ‘diplomatic’ party fled the scene.
“Cowards! Scoundrels! Wretches! You would dare threaten Canterlot less than a fortnight from a joyous occasion?” Luna shouted after them, her enhanced voice echoing thunderously through the halls.
“Luna, please, calm yourself,” Celestia said gently as she laid a wing over Luna’s back. “Like it or not, those messengers are still protected under law. They must be allowed to leave the castle unharmed.”
“Our father would have killed them before they finished speaking, Celestia,” Luna growled.
“Not so. He would have given them each a proper chance first. You know his rules,” Celestia countered.
“Your Highnesses, if I may,” Shining Armor, the Captain of the Royal Guards began, “I would like to remind you that the last Engagement of War Laws state that I can put up defenses at any time the crown deems it necessary. Whether we be in a state of war or not, I can still throw up a barrier to protect the capital and ensure certain events remain undisturbed.”
Celestia nodded. “Well cited, Captain Shining Armor. I want a close eye kept on those messengers. Make sure they leave the city’s walls, then cast your spell.”
“Aunt Celestia, is that really wise? They’ve all but declared outright war. Pushing them out would be the most effective method, and Shining’s magic would repel anyone he deems a threat or enemy when he casts it,” Princess Mi Amore Cadenza said as she frowned.
“I agree with Cadance,” Shining Armor answered. “We have no information outside of old mare’s tales and history books about these creatures. And after everything from your sister’s return to Discord’s defeat and reimprisonment, I’d rather be overprepared than overwhelmed.” He looked to Celestia. “Or would you rather we wait for him to pull us out of this mess, instead of fighting our own battles?”
Luna smirked knowingly at her sister, then turned her attention back to Shining Armor. “I suggest we postpone the wedding and put the city on full lockdown while—” The mare was cut off as the doors burst open and a Unicorn guard galloped with all speed.
“Your highness!” He looked to Celestia who then after a moment gave a small barely perceivable gesture toward Luna “Ses,” he finished weakly. “Something is happening out in the garden near the draconequus statue!”
Shining Armor immediately rounded to address the guard. “Get to the barracks and bring up guards. I want a full mobilization. No colt or mare stays behind And send word to Captain Night Shade as well. Ask him to have his troops on standby, in case we need reinforcements. I hate to wake his guard like this, but this is an emergency.” He turned to the sisters and his fiancé with a grave expression. “It seems the threat may already be in motion.”
“Come, Sister. We should see to this personally!” Luna rose to her hooves. She moved her head as if to lift something at her side, then looked sadly at the empty ground before heading off for the garden.
“Cadance, I want you to take your guards and lock yourself in your room. Ward it against any intruders until we get a better understanding of what’s going on,” Celestia ordered.
“But—”
“Don’t argue with me, Cadance. You’re the prime target right now, not only for your love, but the magic you possess to control and spread love. Please, do as I ask.” A hint of steel crept into her voice. “I won’t let them hurt you.”
Cadance approached her guardian and hugged her gently with her wings. “Be careful, Auntie. Please.”
Celestia brushed Cadance’s hair lovingly. “We will. Just remember to do the same for yourself. It won’t be much of a wedding without the bride, you know?”
Cadance chuckled as they broke contact. “Auntie.”
Celestia turned to the remaining guards that had been stationed behind the princess’ seat during the proceedings. “Escort her to her quarters with all haste.”
“Of course, your Highness,” the two guards said in complete unison. They formed up on either side of Cadance and led her away. As they exited the chamber and rounded into the hall, one of the two guards smiled as her green eyes flashed malevolently.
Out in the gardens, near the draconequus statue, a weird phenomenon was indeed happening above Celestia's beloved rose bushes. The flora were among her favorites because they always seemed to bloom pink on her birthday, despite being red, and gave off the smell of fresh cake. The air seemed to shimmer, waver, and twist in odd ways that shouldn't have been visible against the blue sky, and yet were still quite visible.
“What is that?” Luna balked. “Nevermind the guard, send for a mage!”
Shining Armor turned to one of the Pegasi. “Get to the barracks and bring a squadron of battle mages,” he ordered. “This could be a portal invasion. If anything comes through, I’ll hold it back, but the sooner we get some specialists here, the better.”
As the Pegasus took flight, Shining Armor used his horn in an attempt to scan the ripple that most definitely was not a heatwave. He frowned at the opening as he let his magic die. “Whatever it is, it’s not like any magic I’ve encountered before.”
There was no warning, no great change, no outpouring of energies of any sort. One instant, the wavering was there. The next moment, three figures crashed into the rose bush, snapping branches and leaving the bodies draped at odd angles over the sturdier portions of the structure. And then, like some great mouth that had finished disgorging an unpleasant meal, the ripple “shut,” disappearing without a single trace, save that which it had ejected into the now-mutilated topiary. Two rolled off the crushed parts of the plant and landed with their faces on the dirt while the third splayed atop the center of the bush, suspended by the firmest of the branches and the main trunk jutting into its back. A large leather bag landed heavily in the dirt next to the bush after crushing several branches and shoots, deforming the poor plant all the more.
The third creature’s eyes were wide open, and deep blue gazed into the azure above as pupils fluctuated. Its mouth gaped and flapped like the fabric of its coat while a gentle breeze rolled through the garden.
“Stand back, Your Highnesses,” Shining warned as his horn glowed.
“The endless void. The embers of life before.... Those creatures, the eyes watching. Waiting.” The creature took a shuddering gasp as its eyes rolled back and it fell into unconsciousness.
“I know those ramblings.This creature has seen things that should not be seen,” Luna stated. “He must be handled carefully, lest his fragile mind be shattered.”
Celestia frowned. “It … spoke Draconic. Are these supposed to be a lost branch of the species?”
“I doubt it, sister. Their forms seem more like small Minotaurs, devoid of fur,” Luna commented.
“If that’s so, how could they have survived for this long? Their bodies look weak, no outer defensive horns. They’re ripe for a predator to take them down. One of them seems to have deliberately shaved its only fur almost to the pelt.” His frown deepened as she peered closer at the one that had shaved its head. Red blood had already begun to flow from the scratches the rose bush had left behind on its face and hands. “We may need to treat them for injuries. Their hides are much thinner than a Minatour’s, judging from this one.”
“Regardless of their physical state, it’s clear that they’re a new creature. However, it’s also clear that they come from a civilized species, judging by their garments,” Celestia noted as she eyed the three. “That implies that they can be reasoned with. I agree caution should be exercised, but we shouldn’t necessarily imprison them until we’ve had the chance to hear their stories.”
“What do you suggest Princesses?” Shining Armor asked both Celestia and Luna.
“We will each take a prisoner and some guards and keep them separated. Hopefully, we can learn enough to decide what to do from there,” Luna commented as she walked over to one covered in what seemed to be green leather and wearing goggles. “I’ll take this one. He has the look of a combatant.”
Celestia frowned. “I had hoped you would take the one with the fragile state, given the mind is more your field, sister, but if you believe your choice would be better suited, then I can take this one. It appears to be of noble bearing, judging by its garb, and that means I should be able to keep it in an area that will be comforting to it.”
“Be careful how you treat it, Celestia. Its mental state will be dire for a while,” Luna warned.
“I will. You needn’t fear,” Celestia promised.
“Then I suppose we’ll take the last one for questioning.” Shining Armor levitated the case and opened it to reveal the various documents and books. “It seems they are well read. I’ll ask it about these when it wakes. Its garb is somewhat reminiscent of the camouflage some of our Earth Pony recruits are trained with, but the make doesn’t appear to have any direct military application. It certainly wouldn’t stand up well to a sword.” He frowned. “We’ll get to the bottom of it soon enough.”
Celestia nodded her approval. “Then so be it.”
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What pun? As far as I know they don't know about the Changeling's otherwise I doubt Chrysalis would be able to get away with her plan, so there wouldn't really be a pun to anybody other than 'Cadence'.
Well, Uh Oh, they are in trouble?
Gotta love how they have all the stuff necessary to survive XD and lots of books, nessisary ones.
5259620
Well I have learned how to make comments on the chapter themselves.
So yeah for working now.
But yes, they were lucky. And the crazy thing is I know some folks, myself included that would act that way in creating a costume. Just happy it was not something else like a Pokemon Trainer or the like.
i like this
beveragechapter , ANOTHER!!!!5317497
Ah, you liked this.
Well I am sure you will enjoy the selection that is before you, you have easily another thirty plus chapters to choose from. I hope you enjoy the selection and coming story.
Okayyy, so in your version they knew about the changelings BEFORE the invasion.
That just opens up so many plotholes--- crap, it turns your story into a flipping fishing net, there are so many holes now.
5862995 I'm pretty sure they did, actually. Why else would have a big pink bubble?
6401686
Celestia had apparently received an unspecific threat of an invasion or attack. They didn't know who or what might be attacking.
You had me at war of the world's , best book ever written now I want to go reread it for the 5th time
5224401
Swarming.
Coz a changeling swarm?
And shinings guards will swarm the place?
AHAHAHA
Puns.
Though, this one wasnt actually too bad.
I appreciate you, 'American Brony'.
You are appreciated.
I am assuming because of the pun that they knew changelings would have given the threat, which makes Celestia not trusting twilight when it comes to her saying something is wrong with cadence to be utterly stupid.
Other than that nice intro.
Started another re-read of this story.
a slow beginning, though the style isn't that bad judging from how long ago this was written.
7524215 Yeah, but what he is saying is that shining armor wouldn't be able to make the pun because he doesn't know about the changelings.
Just decided to start reading this and see how it is. I don't have much of an opinion yet but I'll see over the next few chapters
Well All-right! You've got the good stuff there, for certain sure! The only thing that would improve that list, in my mind, would be a copy of Kautilya's Arthashastra. But that's a somewhat obscure book, can't fit everything in a briefcase I suppose.
8042583
Something tells me Chrysalis couldn't resist using that word in the message she let ponies find.
Here we go again!
What is this, my third or fourth time around? Let's see if I can stick with it and catch up for the first time, aye?