Author's Notes:

This is the first two part chapter, unlike the three part chapter one chapter ago. Hope you like it.

Edited by DiabloGuapo

Celestia’s sun poured through the window, Twilight groaning a little as she slowly woke up, rubbing her eyes as she wiped the sleep away. It had been a tedious night, constantly waking up from the night terrors that plagued her dreams. She glanced behind her shoulder, bringing a hoof to her eyes to shield the light away. Seeing the sun’s light glimmer through the glass, she closed her eyes and mumbled something to herself.

A warmth emanated in front of her, the object shifting against her chest as she turned to focus on what it was. Smiling, she looked at her daughter, nuzzling her still, sleeping form. She definitely felt like Nyx had helped her, even though she didn’t get enough sleep. Yawning quietly, she carefully slipped out from underneath the covers. Standing up, she made her way to a wardrobe a few feet from her bed, looking into a mirror perched above the wooden structure. Looking at herself, she chuckled as she eyed her hair, parts of it sticking up wildly in different places.

“This hair will probably drive me more crazy than that creature.” It was a dark joke, seeing how close she came to death yesterday, but she needed to find a way to ease the tension. Encasing a brush in a raspberry aura, she brought it to her hair and combed it out. After a few strokes, she smiled, happy with how it looked.

“Hey, Twilight.” She looked back to see who spoke, smiling when she saw Spike rubbing his eyes as he slowly woke up.

“Good morning, Spike.” Twilight greeted, putting the brush away as she turned around to face him.

He yawned again, stretching out before he spoke. “That was the best sleep I’ve had in a while.” Spike looked to her before asking. “How was the tour?”

Her eyes widening, Twilight looked away. A flash of white enveloped her mind, as the claws of death struck her once more, shivering a little but not enough to raise suspicion. ‘Just relax, Twilight. You don’t need to scare Spike or Nyx.’ She brought a hoof to her chest, breathing in and out before relaxing. “It was alright. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna enjoyed what we did with the place.” ‘Before that monster came in and ruined everything.’ She bitterly thought.

“Cool. Nyx was good if you were wondering. I think she was just happy to hang out with me yesterday, so it a was cool to play-” He coughed, his muzzle scrunching up until he burped. A green burst of flame exhaled from his mouth, a letter forming from within the magic fire. After materializing, Twilight grabbed the scroll in a raspberry aura as it floated in the air before her, wondering what Princess Celestia had sent as she unfurled it.

“Dear Twilight Sparkle,” Twilight read aloud, quiet enough though so she didn’t wake up Nyx. “As you are aware of what has taken place yesterday, my sister and I would like to see you all in Canterlot. There must be great deliberation if we are to deal with the problem at hoof. Yours truly, Princess Celestia.”

“What’s that all about?” Spike inquired, sitting up as he looked to Twilight.

“Oh… well, um.” Twilight began, wondering how she should say this. “Princess Celestia is probably just wanting to talk with us about how much of a wonderful job we did with the Royal Sisters’ Castle yesterday.” Chuckling nervously after she spoke.

“But wait, it sounds more like-”

“Well, can’t leave the Princesses waiting so I’ll see you and Nyx later.” Twilight interrupted as she opened her door, walking down the steps in a quick manner as she trotted. Unlocking the door to the outside, she sighed. The others would be needed for this, knowing how delicate the situation was at the moment. She just hoped that Princess Celestia had a plan to deal with this terrifying threat.

The sun’s bright light lit the world below it, the rays of luminescence beaming through the large glass windows of the halls of a castle. The huge corridor was quiet, the clopping of hooves walking along a marble floor being the only noise to break the barrier of silence. Twilight strolled ahead of her friends as the Element Bearers made their way to the throne room. It was quiet between the group of friends, nopony speaking a word as they walked across the threshold.

Twilight looked around, carefully scanning the walls around her. She glanced back to her friends, watching them do the same thing. Being inside this castle felt a little strange, feeling like it was a reminder of the events of yesterday’s horrifying encounter. These walls reminded them too much of how similar the Royal Sisters’ Castle was to the palace in Canterlot. The thought made her shiver, Twilight quickening her pace a little.

‘Just relax. That thing is nowhere near Canterlot.’ She silently breathed in and out before focusing back on where she was walking.

Seeing the guards stationed by a large opening, she was a little relieved as she and the others walked up to the open doorway. Gazing into the large room, she smiled as she saw the two royal sisters with her sister-in-law, Princess Cadance, and older brother, Shining Armor. Upon entering, they trotted to where the four figures stood, stopping when they were only a few from the base of the throne dais.

“Good morning, girls. I’m glad that you all made it.” Celestia greeted, watching everypony behind Twilight bow. She chuckled silently, seeing that her former student was finally learning not to bow to somepony of her own level. “I see that you are understanding why other princesses do not bow to one another, Twilight Sparkle.”

“Oh… right.” Twilight rubbed the back of her head, realizing that she did not bow down to her former teacher.

“It’s good ta see you too, Princesses.” Applejack greeted as the other five mares stood back up, a smile replacing the frown.

“So why did you summon us here for anyway?” Rainbow Dash asked, flapping her wings as she flew up above everypony else.

“We have asked you all here, so that we can figure out the course of action we should take against that creature.” Luna explained to the impatient pegasus.

Twilight flinched, averting her gaze from the other princesses at the mention of that monster. She glanced over her shoulder to see the others looking in different directions, knowing all too well how uncomfortable they must have felt as well.

“I know it’s not right to ask, but um, please don’t send us back into that castle.” Fluttershy pleaded, hiding behind Pinkie Pie.

Celestia nodded, a frown replacing her smile. “I understand that yesterday’s events were far from a pleasant experience.” Twilight watched her gaze focus on where she stood, a flash bringing her back to the creature’s attempt on her life. She shuddered, brought back out of her flashback and rubbing her right foreleg. “But do not worry. I have no intention of sending you to do anything considered to be too dangerous.”

Fluttershy sighed with relief, standing up from her lowered crouch. She watched Rainbow move up ahead of her and ask “So what are we going to do?”

Luna spoke up this time. “Celestia and I have discussed the possible courses of action to take. The best idea that we were able to come up with is to discover where this creature originated from. If we are to confront this creature, we need to know as much as we can, including if it comes from the Everfree Forest or... someplace else.”

“Someplace else?” Pinkie Pie spoke up, gazing at the lunar princess. “What, you mean like a different country?”

“No.” Celestia shook her head, closing her eyes as she spoke. “My sister and I believe that this creature is not from this world.”

A silence added to the tense atmosphere as the Element Bearers stood in a frozen state with Princess Cadance and Shining Armor the same way. The possibility of this creature being an alien did strike Twilight once or twice, but she was too worried trying to calm herself down to think of such a answer to what this creature was.

“So you mean to tell us that this atrocious beast is not a run of the mill unknown creature of the Everfree, but a possible alien from another world?” Rarity’s eyes glimmered with uncertainty as she looked up to the princesses, inquiring a question that everypony was asking themselves.

“It doesn’t seem too impossible of a theory.” Twilight looked to Rarity, turning to face Celestia and Luna. “This creature certainly wasn’t like any other predator we ever came across. Even the manticores and timberwolves aren’t as ruthless as this ‘extraterrestrial’ was. And its physiology is unlike any other animal in this world.”

The two royal sisters looked at one another, nodding to each other before Celestia returned her focus to the Element Bearers. “If that is the case, then we must take extreme cautionary measures to assure that the public is unaware of this creature. It would cause mass hysteria if everypony knew that there is a being from another world on the loose.” Celestia breathed in, exhaling a moment later before continuing. “With that being said, we must also do everything in our power to get rid of this ‘alien.’ It is far too dangerous to remain unrestrained. We must subdue it or, if necessary, eliminate it.”

“But as Celestia and I have explained earlier, we must first learn more about this creature to expose any weaknesses it may have.” Luna added, looking over the Element Bearers before gazing at Shining Armor. “With such a dangerous task, we decided to ask Shining Armor to see if there was any way of containing this creature.” She nodded to the prince. “Have you decided upon a plan we could enact?”

He gestured with a dip of his head. “Yes.” He moved his gaze to the middle of the group, a light rose aura surrounded the area before a map of the Royal Sisters’ Castle projected into a three dimensional model, the whole building and parts of the surrounding area encompassed onto the replica. “As everypony here knows, the creature is currently inhabiting the castle. However, we don’t know where it is hiding because of how big this building is.”

“Question.” Rainbow Dash raised a hoof, waiting for the princesses and prince to focus on her before she spoke. “I understand we’re trying to contain this creature, but why don’t we just get rid of it now and study it when it’s dead?”

“It’s not because we believe it is easy, but we don’t know what we’re dealing with.” Shining explained, hoping Rainbow would understand better. “Fighting this creature is more dangerous when we don’t understand what this alien is capable of. For all we know, it might multiply like a hydra head if we strike it down. That is why I thought of a way of containing it.” The three dimensional image showed the castle, but then a bubble formed around its perimeter, blocking off any exit. “If we were to position a shield around the castle, we would be able to contain the creature and keep it from going anywhere else. And if we can’t find any information about it and how to deal with it, we’ll just wait it out until it starves.”

“The other thing is that we will also take shifts in making sure that the shield is actively surrounding the castle at all times.” Princess Cadance added, a smile replacing her frown as the situation became a little more hopeful.

With the idea set, this alien creature didn’t seem like it would become a major problem anymore. But there was one thing that Twilight felt was still unexplained. “Princess Celestia.” Speaking up, her former teacher turned her gaze to where she stood. “Have you figured out who will be sent to retrieve any type of evidence?”

The two sisters looked at each other, exchanging glances once more before Celestia turned to face her again. “My sister and I discussed on who would be best suited for this assignment. There were many choices, but we came to a conclusion that you and the other Element Bearers will take on the task of finding any infor-”

“Woah, wait a minute.” Shining Armor interrupted the eldest sister, the stallion raising an eyebrow at his princess. “Why are you sending my sister and her friends? They’ve been through enough already.”

“It is not because they were the only choice, Shining Armor, but that they were the most trustworthy option.” Luna tried to reassure the prince, hoping he would see reason. “Rest assured, we will send a few of our Royal Guards with them just so they do not get into any danger.”

“But they’re not ready to face this alien.” Luna’s words fell on deaf ears as Shining shook his head, worried that his sister and her friends would be hurt, or even worse. “If they go out there, what happens if they stumble upon that thing, or what if it finds them? We don’t know what would happen. And I don’t like to admit this, but the Royal Guard wasn’t even able to stand up to this creature.”

“Shining Armor.” Celestia spoke, the stallion turning to meet her gaze. The elder princess closed her eyes and breathed. “You must understand that we were not willing to make this choice. They have faced the likes of Nightmare Moon, Discord, Queen Chrysalis, and King Sombra. They are more than able.” Turning to face the six mares again, she continued. “As for the alien. If you do stumble upon it, or if it finds you… then run.”

“Run? From that thing? We can totally take it on.” Rainbow Dash assured, landing next to Fluttershy, folding her wings onto her back.

“Do not take any chances. We do not know yet what this creature is capable of. The best thing to do is to evade it and not confront it in a fight. If it was able to take out five highly trained Royal Guards, then this is a creature that is not to be trifled with.” Hardening her stare, Celestia slitted her eyes at Rainbow Dash and murmured. “Is that clear, Rainbow Dash?”

The pegasus mare crossed her forelegs, sighing before saying. “Fine.”

Celestia closed her eyes, opening them as she exhaled. “I do not need to caution that this mission is not only important to figure out what this creature is, but that you must take this as the most dangerous task you all have ever been on.” Hearing her former teacher speak about the assignment in such a way was unsettling, Twilight thought as she kept her gaze focused on the elder alicorn. “Please… be careful. All of you.”

“Don’t you worry none, Princess Celestia. We’ll make sure that we get all the info on this here varmint.” Applejack tipped her hat, guaranteeing that they wouldn’t have a problem.

Twilight nodded, turning to face her friends. “Alright girls. We all know what we need to do. Let’s go see what we can find.” With that, she led the others out of the throne room, hoping that this mission wouldn’t be their last.

Princess Celestia sighed, watching her former student and her friends leave. It was worrisome, knowing that they were going up against something so different. She silently prayed, hoping that no harm would come to them. Hoofsteps echoed to her right, glancing to see Shining Armor.

“You do know that if anypony gets hurt that-”

“Yes, Shining Armor, I know!” Celestia raised her voice, the stallion flinching from her sudden burst in volume, even astonished as she lowered her eyes, glaring at the stallion. “Do you not think that I’m just as worried about Twilight Sparkle as you are? And not just her, but her friends as well!?” She didn’t want to send them. She truly didn’t. But there was nopony else they could trust other than the Element Bearers.

“We’re just concerned.” Princess Cadance stepped in front of her husband, her eyes glittering as they softened, looking to her aunt. “Twilight Sparkle is important to him and me, and I know how much you two care about her as well. It’s something that we’re worried about, knowing that they’re risking their lives to find information about this alien.”

Celestia knew that they were right. She rubbed her temple with a hoof, sighing as she breathed in and out. “We will just have to wait and see what they come up with when they return. But when they do, we must go and secure the perimeter.” They needed to know it was in there too, but that would be the dangerous part. “If it is wandering the Everfree Forest, we must make sure to force it back into the castle. That… is all we can hope for.” With a new threat on the loose, one that was more dangerous than any before, she hoped the girls were up to the task to find any information on this being, and hopefully without the cost of any lives.

The sun had slowly risen higher into the air, its rays of light bringing more warmth to the surface of the world. The wind gently blew across the treetops of the forest as the six mares standing at the edge of the forest with six Royal Guard members behind them. The girls’ eyes glimmered as they stared at the gloomy and dark forest, the sights of overgrown foliage and vines spreading across the trees not being what truly scared them. Knowing that there was an alien wandering these woods, they couldn’t help but wonder if the creature was already watching them.

“Okay girls.” Twilight announced, turning to face her friends as they stood to her left. “Are we all ready?”

“Ready as Ah’ll ever be.” Applejack murmured, lifting a hoof off the ground and securing her stetson.

“I do despise the fact of searching the Everfree Forest with something so terrifying wandering about, but I shall not leave you girls here all alone.” Rarity smiled, turning to face the forest with a frown.

“You know me. I’m always ready for action!” Rainbow Dash flew into the air with the flap of her wings, swinging an enthusiastic hoof across the air in front of her chest.

“Let’s get this party, started!” Pinkie Pie bounced as she exclaimed, smiling like she wasn’t even worried about a thing.

“I, um, I guess so.” Fluttershy murmured as she shivered in her spot, lowering herself as she stared at the forest.

“Do not worry, ma’am.” The guard in the middle spoke up, his eyes staring ahead. “We’ll make sure to keep you all safe.” Although these guards were there to assist them, it was still unnerving knowing what happened to the other five.

“Alright. And I understand how idiotic this idea sounds, but we’ll need to split up.” Twilight suggested, watching her friends’ eyes widened, some more than the others.

“Yer right, yah do sound plum crazy right now.” Applejack said, raising an eyebrow as she stared at her friend.

“I do not mean to be rude, Twilight, but that is simply an awful proposal.” Rarity stepped back a little, bringing a hoof up in nervousness.

“Yes, I understand completely. But if this works, then we’ll be able to find any evidence suggesting this creature’s origins in a more quick and diligent manner. And besides, this creature may only be nocturnal since it has no eyes. We should be safe since it’s still morning.”

“But what about all the shade under the trees?” Fluttershy pointed out with a hoof, Twilight gazing at the shadows covering the forest floor. “If it’s nocturnal, then the shade would be a place it would hide in.”

“You're right, Fluttershy… but we don’t know if it has even moved out of the castle yet. If it hasn’t, then we should be hurrying before it finds us wandering the Everfree.”

“Then what are we all waiting for? Let’s go!” Rainbow Dash flapped her wings as she moved toward the trees.

“Wait, Rainbow Dash!” Twilight yelled, the pegasus mare stopping a few inches from the treeline. “Don’t rush ahead just yet. I still haven’t assorted us into teams.” She looked to everypony else, watching them reluctantly nod before returning her focus back on Rainbow Dash. “You have to promise me something.”

“Promise you what?” Rainbow asked as she floated down to the ground, folding her wings back onto her back.

“Promise me that you won’t try and fight this creature.”

“What? Why not?” The pegasus’s eyes widened, frowning as she stared at the alicorn.

“Because Princess Celestia told you not to. We can’t just pick a battle with this thing. There is still so much we do not understand about this creature. Trying to fight it would be too dangerous, not to mention a foolish idea to begin with.”

“Pfft, that thing doesn’t look that tough. Besides, it can’t fly. I don’t think it will be able to reach me no matter how hard it tried.” Rainbow Dash assured, waving off Twilight’s concern.

“For all yah know, it can shoot fireballs from its hands and bolts of lightnin’ from its rear end.” Applejack cynically muttered under her breath.

“Please, just listen. We can’t endanger the mission because of a simple skirmish. You realize what danger we would all be in if one of us got hurt, don’t you?”

Rainbow looked to the others, seeing the concern in their eyes as well. She rolled her own eyes and sighed. “Fine. I won’t try and beat up the monster.”

“Alright then.” Twilight moved in front of the others, looking over her friends. “The teams will just be split into two groups. I’ll take Pinkie Pie and Rarity.” She looked to Applejack and said. “Applejack, you’ll be in charge of group number two. Keep Fluttershy safe and Rainbow Dash from doing anything reckless.”

“Hey!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, offended by Twilight’s comment.

“Yah can count on me, Twilight.” Applejack nodded, tipping her hat to her friend.

“You’ll also be assisted by three of the guards here and we’ll take the other three. And remember everypony; if any of us happen to come across its path… run and hide as fast as you can. I couldn’t bare the thought of seeing any of you hurt.” Everypony nodded, a sad frown forming on Twilight’s muzzle. She didn’t know how she could handle losing one of her friends. The memory of her encounter flashed before her eyes, shivering as she realized how bad an encounter could turn out.

With that said, she waited for Rarity and Pinkie Pie to join her, watching Applejack lead Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy down a different direction with three of the guards. Watching them disappear into the thicket, Twilight sighed to herself, hoping that everypony was ready for this task. Saying a silent prayer for her friends, she believed that they would all come out of this unscathed. That thought was all she could really fall back on.