[Equestria]
[Everfree Forest Borders]

“What do you mean ‘My god, it’s wearing a Stetson hat?’” asks Razorblade.

“An orange pony is wearing a hat! A STETSON HAT…COWBOY HAT! Whatever you call it!” yells Ammo.

“And what’s wrong with it?” asks Diamond Back.

“It just seems…” Ammo pauses, thinking of the right word. “…wrong.”

Razorblade jumps off the tree, and lands right next to Fortress, who is currently sitting on a crushed log (the crushed part probably came from Fortress).

“Ssso, what do we do now?” asks Serpentine.

“We go back. This kind of information would be useful for Mechos.” says Ammo, while jumping off the branch and landing with a thump.

The other five nod in agreement, and head back the way they came as silently as they could muster.

“I can’t wait to hear his reaction.” says Razorblade, snickering.

[Slightly deeper in the Everfree Forest]

The Cutie Mark Crusaders are terribly lost, ever since that giant metal spider shot that strange ray of light; they turned got out of there as fast as they could. Somehow they made a wrong turn, and now can’t find a way out. Traveling on scooter was really difficult, so the Crusaders had no choice but to walk on hoof, while pushing the scooter and wagon with them.

“Ugh, this is the SAME tree!” groans Scootaloo.

“All the trees look the same!” says Apple Bloom.

“I just hope we get out of here soon, before that spider gets us.” Sweetie Belle worries.

The three continue to trot through the dense forest. The more time they wander the more anxious and scared they get. Before they lost all hope of finding their way back, they came across a tree. This is no ordinary tree, it is a house. Painted masks are hung on it, and there are many windows, along with a door. The three fillies run up to the house and knock on the door hastily. After a few seconds of waiting, the door opens.

Standing at the entrance is a zebra. Her mane style is a Mohawk, and she wears golden ring earrings, along with matching neck and leg-rings. She smiles when she sees the three fillies.

“Apple Bloom and friends, I am glad to see you. I was just making some stew, would you like some too?” she asks with an African-esque accent.

The three fillies nod anxiously, and Zecora steps aside, letting the three fillies inside. Zecora walks towards a cauldron filled with a vegetable stew; she grabs three bowls with her mouth, and starts filling them.

“Zecora?” asks Apple Bloom.

Zecora walks towards the three with the bowls balancing on her back. She bends down and lets the bowls slide off and stops in front of the three fillies. “My pony friend, you have a question in your mind. Let it out, and I will try to give the answer you seek to find.”

“Do you know a lot about the wild life in the Everfree Forest?” she asks.

“Of course Apple Bloom, I know animals from Manticores to doe. What do you wish to know?”

“Ummm.” says Apple Bloom. “We saw a strange animal. It looked like a giant metal spider.”

Zecora cocks her head in confusion.

“Yeah!” Scootaloo chimes. “It was battling a Manticore! It shot these balls of light and they EXPLODED!” she starts waving her hooves in circles when she said “exploded”. “Then the Manticore was gone!”

Sweetie Belle nods. “Then it turned to us. It was so scary.”

“But I got us out of there.” says Scootaloo, posing like a hero.

Zecora shakes her head. “During my time I have seen change. But what you have described is quite strange.”

“Oh.” says Apple Bloom, her head sinking.

“Cheer up, Apple Bloom!” says Scootaloo. “Think of it! We’ve discovered a new species! Maybe that was the treasure we’ve been looking for!”

Apple Bloom perks up, and the three look at their flanks, and they find nothing.

“Awww…” groans the three.

[Everfree Forest]
[Ghost Location]

The six approach the invisible ship. Once they’ve gotten in range, the ship shuts off its cloaking field.

“Welcome back.” The robotic voice says.

“Yeah yeah.” says Ammo. “When can we send the information to Mechos?”

“In approximately 12 seconds the portal will reopen for communication.” replies the voice.

“Just in time.” says Diamond Back.

The doors open and the six walk inside. Ammo walks up to what appears to be a speaker in the back of the room. Not a moment later, it buzzes to life, and the familiar voice of Mechos speaks through it.

“This is Mechos. Do you copy?”

“Aye.” says Ammo. “We’ve got a load of information that you wouldn’t believe. Ah think we encountered intelligent life, possibly the dominant species. It’s hard to be sure, but Ah have mah money on it.”

“Can you describe them?” asks Mechos.

“Let’s see here.” Ammo pauses, making it seem like he is thinking on how to describe them. “Ponies.”

“What?” asks Mechos.

“Ponies, they come in all colors and have pictures of rainbows and flowers on their flanks. And there are unicorns and pegasi too.”

“What?” repeats Mechos.

“You heard me, Ponies! Think of small horses that are painted with the color of Skittles. Occasionally imagine them with a small horn or pair of wings, and don’t forget to at a smiley face or a rainbow to their flanks.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” says Mechos, sounding annoyed. “Enough fooling around Ammo.”

“Ah’m telling the truth!” says Ammo. “That’s what Ah saw! They were in a small town; they came in all sorts of colors that would put rainbows to shame!”

“So you are not fooling around.” asks Mechos, sounding serious.

“Nope!”

Mechos sighs. “It’s hard to believe, it sounds like it came from some show for little girls.”

“That’s what he said.” snickers Ammo.

After a moment of silence, Mechos speaks again. “Listen, I want you six to gather as much information as possible. Do not, I repeat, do NOT be detected! We must not disrupt the locals until we have enough information. We don’t know if they’re friendly or hostile.”

“Alrighty Mechos! You’ve got Ammo on the job!” says Ammo, with a salute.

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” says Mechos, before the speakers turn off.

“Really?” asks Razorblade. “This time you made it seem more unbelievable.”

Ammo chuckles. “Eh, just wanted to mess with him. Onwards, its time to go stealth mode! Mechos wants information, and we will give him information!”

[Everfree Borders]
[The same spot]

Ammo is perched on the same branch, peering through the scope of his rifle. Serpentine, Diamond Back, and the rest are currently lounging around.

“Ammo, we have been sitting around for at least a hour.” says Razorblade, sounding bored. “When will we do something?”

“You’re supposed to keep watch!” growls Ammo. “You and Diamond Back, patrol the perimeter as silently as possible. Blackout and Serpentine, scout the forest and warn us if you see any creatures that could prove as a threat.”

“OOH OOH WHAT ABOUT ME?” booms Fortress.

“You just sit there and be as quiet as possible!”

“AWW-“

“Quite!” Ammo orders.

“Awww.”

“Much better.”

The four that were assigned for duty march/slithers off into the forest, leaving Ammo and Fortress.

[Ponyville]
[The Road to Fluttershy’s House]

Twilight Sparkle and Applejack trot down the road towards their friend’s house. They have spent hours searching for the Crusaders, but they only come up empty-hoofed.

“Don’t worry, Applejack,” sooths Twilight. “Maybe Fluttershy will know.”

“And what if she doesn’t?” asks Applejack.

“There is always Zecora.”

Applejack sighs.

After a few minutes of trotting, they reach their friend’s house. Fluttershy, a light yellow Pegasus with a pink mane and tail is currently tending to her animals; on her flank is an image of three pink butterflies.

“Hey Fluttershy!” says Twilight, louder than intended.

The Pegasus jumps with an “eep”, dashes and hides behind her chicken coop. She peers out slowly and sees her friends; she sighs with relief and trots slowly up to them.

“Sorry Fluttershy.” apologizes Twilight with a sheepish grin.

“I-i-it is okay.” Fluttershy says timidly.

“We’re just wondering if you’ve seen the Crusaders.”

“Ummm, I’m sorry to say that I haven’t seen them since yesterday.”

Applejack groans and turns her head away, looking at the Everfree Forest that is merely less then fifty yards away. Something catches her eye in the distance, some creature is sitting on a branch, but the darkness is covering its appearance.

“Ummm, Applejack?” asks Fluttershy, in a more timid voice than before.

That little voice was enough to turn her head.

“Yeah?” she asks.

“What are you looking at? I mean, if it’s okay with you to answer…” says Fluttershy, her voice getting even quieter with each word.

“I’m just looking at-“ says Applejack while pointing her hoof at the direction she saw the creature, but pauses, and sees that there is nothing there. “Huh.”

[A little earlier]
[Back to Ammo]

“It’s looking at me.” says Ammo, uneasy. The orange pony with the Stetson hat (which he still thinks it’s wrong) is looking at his direction, in fact, it is looking at HIM. Out of uneasiness, he takes a small step back. Forgetting that he is in a tree branch, he falls off and lands on his back.

Fortress starts laughing, but quieter than usual, but still loud enough to make the ground shake slightly.

Ammo curses to himself for forgetting that he was in a tree, and just lies. “Just my luck.” he groans.

[Everfree Forest]
[The Pathway Out of the Forest]

The three Crusaders ride down the path, which they apparently forgot during their time of “treasure” hunting. They will reach the borders in no time!

“We should’ve taken this path.” says Sweetie Belle. “That way we wouldn’t get lost.”

“But this path is the most used by ponies! There wouldn’t be any treasure!” says Scootaloo.

“But that means there would be even more monsters!” retorts Sweetie Belle.

“Stop it!” yells Apple Bloom. “There is no time for fightin’ right now!”

The two fall silent.

‘Usually Sweetie Belle is the one that breaks up the fights.’ Apple Bloom thinks, she chuckles silently at the thought.

After few more minutes, the Crusaders see light at the end of the path. Scootaloo beats her wings harder, propelling the scooter even faster. Less then a second, the three Crusaders are in open daylight. The three cheer, happy that they are out of the forest.

“APPLE BLOOM!” yells a voice. The Crusaders cringe - especially Apple Bloom.

Applejack angrily trots up to the three, along with an annoyed Twilight Sparkle. “Where have y’all been?” she angrily asks.

“W-w-we’ve been in t-t-the Everfree Forest.” says Apple Bloom, shrinking into the wagon.

Those words made Applejack even angrier. “You know it’s dangerous in there Apple Bloom! You could get lost, or worse!” she scolds.

An idea pops into Scootaloo’s head. “We were just visiting Zecora.” she says.

“We were?” asks Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo nudges her. “Ow. Oh yeah, we were!” she says.

Applejack gives the three an unconvinced look.

“Y-yeah!” Apple Bloom shakily says. “But we heard a roar, and thought somepony was in trouble!”

“It turned out to be a Manticore, fighting a giant metal spider. It was very scary.” says Sweetie Belle.

“The spider transformed! It started shooting these balls of light that exploded!” says Scootaloo “The spider was like pew pew and the Manticore was like roaaaarr and the spider was like-“ Scootaloo stops when the other Crusaders give her annoyed looks.

“What Scootaloo is trying to say,” Apple Bloom says. “That the metal spider shot out these balls of light, and they exploded when they touched the Manticore! Then it turned to us, and this blue light came from it. We got out of there as fast as possible, I swear!”

“We asked Zecora, but she didn’t know! We’re honest, that’s what we saw!” begs Sweetie Belle.

The three Crusaders give Applejack and Twilight a puppy-eyed look.

Twilight sighs. “Fine, I’ll try to look it up. But a giant metal spider that shoots exploding balls of light? That doesn’t sound normal, even for the Everfree Forest.” She looks at Sweetie Belle. “Rarity is looking for you in town, you should go see her. Its getting late anyways.”

The three Crusaders nod slowly. Apple Bloom gets out of the wagon, and follows her sister (Applejack) back to the Sweet Apple Acres. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo follows Twilight, who is leading them back to their homes.

[Back to the borders of the Everfree]

Razorblade, Diamond Back, Serpentine, and Blackout arrive back at the spot, seeing Ammo sprawled on the ground.

“Don’t ask.” says Ammo, before anyone could say anything.

Razorblade and Serpentine chuckle at the sight, while Diamond Back helps Ammo to his feet.

“Okay, I’ve got a new plan.” begins Ammo. “I bet when it turns night, they will go to sleep, since they seem so similar to humans on Earth. Blackout, you will investigate the town while the ponies sleep, get as much information as possible.” Blackout nods. “You start in five hours.”

[Five hours later]

Ammo is right; the ponies of the town indeed need their rest. The moment the moon (which looks just like Earth’s, except a little bigger) rose into the sky, all of the lights turns off. They still waited just in case, when Ammo nods, Blackout went off into the town.

The town is truly quiet, except for the occasional whistle of the wind. Blackout silently creeps around the town, seeing through the darkness with his glowing purple eyes. He would blend into the shadows if he would hear a sudden noise, which would only turn out to be an animal or an object moved by the wind. He approaches an unusual building (all of the buildings are unusual to Blackout, except this one stands out from the rest). It appears to be a mix between a house and a carousel.

He would use his Cape of Blink to enter inside, but he needs to at least see the surroundings once, for he could blink (short range teleport) into anything (a wall perhaps, or even a living creature). He tries the door, and it is unlocked. He opens it slowly, and feels a pressure of some sort at the top left of the door. He looks up, and sees a bell, stops opening the door the moment he caught sight of it. He peers through the small crack of the door, and sees a large room, okay enough for him to blink.

He grabs the edges of his cape, and flings it around him. Not a moment later, he is inside the room. He looks around him, seeing mannequins in the shape of ponies, along with rolled up tubes of cloth, even an unfinished dress. Many tools litter on tables; scissors, spools, even an iron and sewing machine.

He cautiously takes a step forward, not noticing a white fluff ball in front of him. He steps on the tail of the creature, and it lets out a loud sound that’s sounds like a mix between a screech and a meow. He jumps back and with an automatic reaction, draws his twin swords from their sheathe, both glowing purple in the darkness (the swords appear to be Katanas, the blade made of a black metal that glows purple). What Blackout sees is a white cat, it hisses at him for stepping on its tale (which is awkwardly bent on the spot he stepped on, the bent part strangely resembles a foot-mark.).

Under the cracks of another door on the left side of the room, a light turns on. And he hears a frantic female voice. “Opal!?” The voice is followed with a thump, and the clopping of hooves, the clopping is fast, telling him that whatever it is, its running towards the door.

Without anything else to do, he quickly sheathes his swords and flings his cape around him. Disappearing from the scene.

[Several yards away from the strange building]

Blackout watches the building, as all of its lights start turning on. He is currently standing on the roof of a building with his cape flying in the wind; his figure is in front of the moon, giving him a mysterious and heroic appearance. He quickly jumps off the building and runs back towards the forest, where he can meet up with his associates.