Chapter XI- The Story So Far

The remains of the Serket beast smoldered on the ground as the people of Tamriel and the ponies of Equus cautiously gathered around it. Though the innards of the creature had been reduced to a fine black ash, the exoskeleton was remarkably intact, appearing as if it might spring back to life at any moment.

“Is it- is it dead then?” Meadow Sweet asked nervously.

Shahk kicked a pincer with his foot and a stream of ash spilled out from the hole where the creature’s eye used to be.

“Yeah I’d say so.” The Orc said.

He snorted and spat on the creature’s remains in disdain. Lielle, satisfied that it was safe, turned and looked to Bastian. The Breton’s flesh was paler than usual and beads of sweat ran down his brow.

“Are you okay?” She asked.

“Yeah.” He panted. “No. Damn it, I burned up more magicka than I planned. How’s Haala?”

Lielle’s head jerked to where their friend had been standing. The Dunmer had collapsed on the ground several yards away. Lielle gasped and ran over to her, nearly slipping in the mud with Bastian right behind her.

“Haala!” Lielle cried turning the Dunmer over. “Haala answer me! Wake up!”

The Dunmer’s red eyes opened slowly.

“Am- Am I dead?” She asked. “Am I dead?”

Lielle scoffed and smiled.

“No. You did it! You blasted that thing straight back to Oblivion.” Lielle said.

“Huh.” Haala said closing her eyes. “I was hoping to use that spell on a dragon. This works too I suppose.”

“Is she okay?” Twilight asked as she and her friends approached them.

“She’s exhausted but she will recover. Thank you for the assistance.” Bastian replied.

“Shoot, we should be thankin’ ya’ll.” Applejack said. “Why, without yer help, there ain’t no tellin’ what that thing woulda done to our town.”

“That stuff you guys did was pretty cool.” Rainbow Dash admitted folding her hooves across her chest. “I mean, I softened it up for ya, but you guys held your own.”

The Serkets tail fell backwards with a clang and the Pegasus pony jumped back with a yelp of surprise.

“Pretty cool?!” Wally exclaimed as Rainbow’s friends chuckled. “When a snack machine gives you an extra pack of fruit snacks, THAT’S pretty cool! They were amazing! The monster was like “ROAR! ACID TAIL!” and they were all like “LIGHTNING HANDS!”

“Sorry to cut the celebrating short but we still have a lot of sick and wounded, along with whoever was injured in the fight.” Bastian said.

“You’re right.” Twilight said. “Where are they?”

The ponies were led a little deeper into the forest where a detachment of Blades stood guard over the sick and the wounded. The Blades quickly readied their weapons at the sound of crunching twigs but sighed in relief at the sight of Shahk and the others. Esmeralda ran up to them looking worried.

“Bastian!” She exclaimed. “What happened? There was some kind of monster and-“

“I know.” He said cutting her off gently. “It’s been dealt with. How is everyone?”

“Not good.” The Redguard replied. “Ulvar’s fever has returned and Baird’s stitches have reopened.”

“Wow.” Twilight said observing the hundreds of frightened aliens. “You weren’t kidding.”

“I’ll say!” Pinkie Pie gasped. “This IS serious! I didn’t bring nearly enough lollipops!”

“A lot of them can’t walk.” Esmeralda said, her brown eyes moving over the new ponies that accompanied Bastian. “I- I don’t know how we can move them all.”

“I think I can help you there.” Twilight said.

The Unicorn’s horn glowed and vines and pieces of bark rose into the air. In a few short moments, a stack of make shift stretchers appeared on the ground near Esmeralda.

“You’ll have to teach me that one.” Esmeralda said smiling.

“I’d be happy to but I’m not sure how it would work without a horn.”

“All right everyone.” Shahk said grabbing two stretchers in each hand. “Let’s get moving.”

The Blades quickly went to work and soon Twilight was leading the several hundred refugees of Tamriel out of Everfree forest and towards Ponyville.

“Uh, you guys are sure you aren’t invaders right?” She asked Bastian mostly joking.

“After that bout with that monster I don’t think we have much fight left in us. Except perhaps Shahk.” Bastian replied.

“Don’t worry little one.” Shahk said with a wink. “I like ponies.”

“Not for dinner right?” Twilight chuckled nervously examining the massive creature’s green skin and sharp tusks.

Okay, time to stop talking now. She thought.

“So who exactly are you guys?” Rainbow asked Meadow Sweet.

“We’re Everfree Rangers.” The mare replied. “We keep an eye on the forest and make sure the creatures that make it their home behave themselves.”

“You mean ya’ll can tame those varmints?” Applejack asked.

“I don’t think that “tame” is the right word.” Summer said. “We just make sure that the creatures more or less behave themselves and stay out the civilized parts of Equestria.”

“So where the hay were you guys when we were going after the elements of harmony and trying to stop Nightmare Moon last year?” Rainbow asked.

Silver Stride, a tall Unicorn with a gold mane and silver coat scoffed quietly.

“Well with a rampaging spirit tearing through the forest and spreading its evil influence everywhere, we had our own problems.” He said.

Rainbow Dash scowled at him.

“Fair enough ah guess.” Applejack said.

“I must say, those cloaks you wear are rather dashing.” Rarity said.

“It’s the latest design from Canterlot.” Silver said flexing his shoulders and letting the cloak flow freely. “They are made from a special light weight, fast drying, temperature controlled fabric. It can also become a makeshift shelter with some rope.”

“How interesting!” Rarity said batting her eyelashes.

Rainbow Dash and Whisper Wind rolled their eyes in unison.

Considering the size of their group, they made excellent time to Ponyville, most of the Nords were capable of keeping up with the ponies trot at a light jog even in their heavy armor and carrying their injured comrades. Haala, who was still weak from her spell, was riding on Wally’s back.

“I appreciate it.” She said.

“No problem buddy!” Wally said cheerfully.

Straggling behind Twilight and her group, Fluttershy walked alone, head low to the ground. She couldn’t get the image of the Serket out of her mind. The red light, the sound it made when they killed it, it was too much. Twilight looked behind her and noticed the yellow Pegasus falling behind. Twilight fell back and approached her.

“Fluttershy?” She asked softly. “Are you okay?”

“No.” She mumbled quietly. “No, Twilight I’m not okay. What happened back there… it was awful.”

“I know Fluttershy and I’m sorry it had to be that way.” Twilight said placing a hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “But that creature couldn’t be reasoned with. It would have hurt us and everyone else.”

“I know that, really I do.” Fluttershy said. “It’s just…”

The Pegasus looked up at her friend, her soft sad face framed by a pink mane, her cyan eyes wet with tears.

“I’m so good with the critters in Ponyville I should have been able to help that Serket. I didn’t want anypony to get hurt, but I didn’t want it to- to-“

She choked back a sob as tears welled up in her eyes. She ran ahead of Twilight towards Ponyville, leaving the others behind without another word.

“Fluttershy! Hey!” Rainbow Dash said rising into the air. “Where are you going?”

“Let her go Rainbow.” Twilight said. “She needs to be alone right now. There’s nothing we can do for her.”

Rainbow Dash scowled at Twilight and looked like she was about to take off after her friend but paused. She grimaced and lowered back to the ground with a defeated sigh.

“She’ll be okay.” Twilight told her friend confidently.

Rainbow nodded solemnly.

Further down the caravan, Pinkie Pie glanced over her shoulder and spotted a little Nord girl of maybe six or seven, walking behind her mother and clutching onto her mother’s dress as the woman carried a baby in her arms and large bag on her back. The little girl stared at the pink mare with wide blue eyes filled with timid curiosity. Pinkie Pie turned away and then looked back, eyes crossed and tongue hanging out.

“Bleh!”

The little girl smiled and clung tightly to her mother’s clothes.

“There it is.” Twilight said as they reached the top of a hill. “Ponyville!”

“Ponyville?” Shahk asked Bastian in a whisper. “Is that really what it’s called? She’s not making that up?”

“Yes.” Bastian said. “And I believe it was said that the country is Equestria.”

“You’re pulling my leg.” Shahk snorted.

“Behave yourself Shahk.” Lielle said. “And they might just let us stay.”

“Do you think they have any food?” A Nord asked.

“Would they serve it on a plate or will we have to strap feed bags to our mouths?” Heciri asked dryly.

“Shut it!” Lielle hissed at the Altmer.

As they got closer, Bastian thought it would be best if the others stayed behind once again, letting only himself, Lielle, Shahk, the wounded and those necessary to carry them into town for aid. Twilight quickly agreed. After the way the ponies freaked out earlier, who knows what they would do if a small army of aliens marched into town wielding lightning bolts and swords.

They crossed the bridge and found the mayor pacing back and forth nervously in the spot they had left her in. Standing next to her and looking thoroughly annoyed by the pacing, jabbering mare was Spike.

“Mayor? We’re back.” Twilight said.

The mare gasped at the new creatures accompanying Twilight and nearly looked like she was ready to faint again.

“Twilight!” Spike cried in relief as he ran up to her.

“T-Twilight!” The mayor gasped. “Thank goodness you all are alright! What happened?!”

“Everything’s fine mayor.” Twilight said rubbing a hoof on Spike’s scaly head as he embraced her. “Crisis averted!”

The mayor sighed in relief.

“That’s fantastic news! But, um, just what, er who exactly are these… things?”

“These are, uh, well…” Twilight wasn’t sure exactly how to describe the circumstances that brought the Nirnic people to Equestria, or even what exactly those circumstances were. “These are guests. They helped us in Everfree.” She said finally. “A lot of them are injured and are in need of medical assistance.”

“Oh! Oh of course!” The Mayor said. “I’ll alert the emergency services at once.”

Suddenly, the sound of trumpets filled the air. Twilight and the Mayor gasped in unison.

“What? What is it?” Rarity asked.

“Oh no!” Twilight cried. “Not now! It’s the princesses!”

She looked up to the sky and then back down to the state of disarray that Ponyville was in. The streets and many of the buildings of Ponyville were still covered in smashed fruits and vegetables, the remains of several merchant stalls and a single goat eating from an over turned apple cart.

“Quick! Everypony! Grab a broom! Pinkie! Eat the salsa!”

“Yay!”

“You! Blue wizard guy!”

“My name is Bastian…”

“Whatever! You gotta help us clean this mess up!” Twilight exclaimed.

“Uh, there is still the matter of our injured companions to-

“They can help too!”

Baaaaa!

“GET OUT OF HERE!” Twilight bellowed at the goat.

The goat ignored the Unicorn and took another bite from an apple. The trumpets grew louder and a pair of carriages appeared from the clouds. One was gold and white, pulled by a tandem of armored white Pegasus ponies. The other carriage was black and purple and pulled by creatures similar to the Pegasi pulling the white carriage save for their gray coats and fleshy featherless wings. Twilight watched in horror as the carriages landed in town square. The fanfare ceased. The Princesses had arrived. The goat swallowed.

-The Pony Scrolls-

Princess Celestia and Princess Luna surveyed the town of Ponyville in silence. Celestia had a subtle look of bewilderment on her face as the goat wandered past her and began to munch on a mostly intact head of lettuce. Princess Luna’s eyes narrowed almost suspiciously at the group of ponies before her, who seemed to have become immobilized. Twilight quickly dropped down onto her front legs and bowed before the two royal Alicorns, her friends quickly following suit.

“Hello Twilight.” Princess Celestia said pleasantly. “I… hope this isn’t a bad time.”

“Oh! Not at all your majesty!” Twilight said nervously.

She walked around and stood in front of the goat smiling awkwardly, as if trying to hide its presence from the Alicorns.

“What, uh, what bring you to Ponyville?” She asked.

“We sensed a magical disturbance coming from Everfree Forest.” Luna said coldly. “Whatever it was must have been powerful indeed for its echoes to reach out to us in Canterlot. We are here to investigate. Who is this with you? We do not recognize them.”

“This? Uh, this is Wally! He’s Applejack’s cousin!”

“Not the stallion.” Luna said eyeing the Unicorn with a chilling gaze. “The creatures behind you that stand on two legs and do not bow in the presence of royalty.

Twilight turned and looked at Bastian in a panic, realizing just how little she actually knew about them. Sure, she knew that she’d have to bring them before the Princesses eventually but not that bloody afternoon. She made a choking noise in her throat that Bastian was familiar with. It was the sound of someone drowning on dry land and he quickly came to her aid.

“Your highness,” He said with a proper bow. “My name is Bastian Bellrend of Skyrim. Forgive our rudeness. The events that have transpired in the past few hours have left us a bit flustered. My people come to you humbly asking for aid in our most dire hour.”

“Skyrim? We are not familiar with this land.” Luna said. “Sister?”

Celestia approached the wizard.

“Rise Mister Bellrend.” She said. “I have not heard of your home and I would ask just what exactly happened here this afternoon.”

“And I will gladly answer your highness, as well within my ability to do so. However, those you see standing behind me are injured, defending your lands from an enemy that sought destruction.”

“Oh really?” Celestia asked. “And what enemy was that?”

“Princess Celestia, there was a Serket in Everfree Forest.” Twilight said.

The Princesses eyes grew wide.

“We will discuss this matter in private. Mr. Melon? I would also like to hear your side of things. Mayor Mare? Meadow Sweet?” Celestia asked.

“Yes your majesty!” Meadow said, surprised to hear the Princess address her by name.

“Arrange for those that are injured to receive medical attention immediately. Twilight, I would appreciate it if you and your friends would join my sister and I for afternoon tea. We came over in such a rush we did not get the chance to enjoy lunch.” Celestia said.

“Y-yes your majesty!” Twilight said with another little bow.

“And Mister Bellrend, I know you must be concerned for your friends but if I give you my word that they will be taken care of, would you please join us as well? We would very much like to know the roll you and you’re people have played in this.” Celestia asked.

“It would be an honor your majesty.” The mage replied with a bow. “If you would allow me a moment to confer with my companions I would be happy to join you.”

Celestia nodded and Bastian approached the Nords.

“I’m… taking afternoon tea with a winged Unicorn princess.” He said.

“That’s nice.” Shahk said gruffly. “What about my men?”

“They are going to see to everyone’s injuries.” Bastian replied.

“Bastian, is this a good idea?” Lielle asked.

“We don’t have many options at this point Lielle.” Bastian said wearily. “The rulers of this land have requested an audience and I think it’s within our best interests to oblige them. They have given me their word that our wounded will be taken care of.”

“And you’ll just take them at their word?” Shahk asked.

“Of course not.” Bastian replied. “But so far no one we have met has shown us any ill intent. I can only hope their rulers are as hospitable.”

He bid them farewell and walked back to the Princesses and Twilight’s band of mares.

“What do you think?” Lielle asked Shahk as Bastian and the ponies walked away.

The Orc grunted.

“You Bretons basically invented politics right? Should be fine.”

“Bas is half Nord Shahk.”

“…”

“Should be fine.” He grunted again. “Assuming of course that these ponies don’t have a taste for the flesh of Men and Mer.”

Lielle groaned internally.

Princess Celestia led the band of ponies and he lone human down the street.

“I wonder sister, if Sugar Cube Corner would be willing to cater us on such short notice.” Celestia mused.

Luna said nothing as they approached the bakery. Bastian was eerily reminded of a story he had heard as a child about a pair of orphans that were lured into a Hag Raven’s home that was made from sweets and devoured by the witch inside but he kept silent on the matter. Celestia’s horn glowed brightly as opened the door and held it open for her party, the bell jingling merrily over their heads. The ponies thanked her profusely as they stepped inside and were greeted by the sweet scent of baked goods.

“Just a moment!” Mrs. Cake called from the back room.

She and her husband appeared a moment later.

“Sorry.” She said. “We’re still trying to get everything settled after that scene in town earlier- OH MY!” She cried at the sight of not one, but two royal princesses in her store.

The two ponies quickly bowed at the Princesses hooves.

“Good afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Cake.” Celestia said smiling kindly at them. “I’m terribly sorry to just barge in unannounced but I was wondering if we could borrow your parlor for a late lunch.”

“Oh of course! It would be our honor your majesty!” Mr. Cake said. “Let us just grab a few extra chairs! Can we get you anything in particular?”

“Tea would be lovely.” Celestia said. “And if you have any of that cake that was served at the Grand Galloping Gala, I would forever be in your debt.”

“Yes of course!” Mr. Cake said nodding so hard the Princess was afraid his head might fall off.

“Please follow me!” Mrs. Cake said.

She held the door open for them, smiling at each of them as they entered the parlor, her jaw dropping slightly at the sight of Bastian as he passed her. The parlor of Sugar Cube Corner was small and homey with just enough room to sit them all comfortably at a round table. In just a few minutes, plates containing small crumpets, a whole cake and a tea set had been placed on the table in front of them along with plates and utensils.

“How do you take your tea dear?” Mrs. Cake asked Bastian as she poured his tea.

“Oh, er, white. Thank you.” He said.

She smiled oddly at him, probably trying to put a name to whatever species he was as she poured milk into his tea cup.

"Pardon me but aren't you and Mr. Cake expecting a child?" Celestia asked as Mrs. Cake poured her tea.

"Oh! Uh, yes!" The mare stammered. "Yes we are!"

"You both must be very excited." Celestia said.

"Yes! Very nervous, er I mean, excited!" Mr. Cake said.

"Congratulations." Luna said sipping from her tea cup.

"Thank you you're majesty!"

“If you wouldn’t mind Mr. and Mrs. Cake, we had some things we would wish to discuss in private.” Celestia said.

“Of course your majesty.” Mr. Cake said. “If you need anything at all, please don’t hesitate to ask!”

“I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.” Celestia smiled.

The Cakes bowed again and left the parlor. There was an uncomfortable silence in the moments that followed, Wally being the only one oblivious to it. He sat there eyeing his crumpet in the same way that Luna was eyeing Bastian across the table; with mild curiosity and obvious suspicion. The green stallion shrugged, took a large SLUUUUURP of tea and began to chow down on the little tea cakes. Applejack nudged him in the ribs, causing him to choke. She shot him a dirty look and he got the message, swallowing nervously.

“Now, now that we have refreshments, we would very much like to know what happened here this afternoon.” Celestia said. “From the beginning please. Twilight?”

And so, Twilight told the Princesses her side of the story, with Wally filling in the blanks were he could, about the explosion, the arrival of the “aliens” and the appearance of the Serket.

“I don’t understand, I thought that Serkets were extinct?” Twilight asked.

“They are.” Celestia said. “At least to the extent of our knowledge.”

“They were driven away in the only war our race had ever seen.” Luna said. “But this was long before we were ever born.”

“Goodness!” Rarity said in shock. “If that is the case, how could one have survived?”

“It’s entirely possible that our arrival might have had something to do with it.” Bastian said. “The technology we used is almost completely alien to us and its side effects unpredictable. I am sorry for any trouble we may have caused.”

“You used technology that you did not fully understand?” Luna asked.

“We were out of options.” Bastian replied.

“There is no need for apologies Mister Bellrend.” Celestia said. “You and your people helped us in our time of need. If that Serket had managed to escape, you really have no idea the damage it could have done. For this we thank you. However, there is still the question of how exactly you got here and what it is you are seeking.”

“Well, your majesties, it is a very, very long story and even though I have lived it, I still don’t really know where it begins.”

“Take your time.” Celestia said patiently taking another bite of cake. “Tell us what you can.”

Bastian wasn’t sure what was happening to him as he stared at the royal sisters. As he gazed at them he felt something he had not felt in he didn’t know how long. Peace. A calming serenity spread through his body like a hearth fire after a long night in the snow. He didn’t know where it was coming from. Maybe the Princesses were using some subtle sorcery against him to pacify him. Regardless, whatever it was Bastian was thankful for it. It gave him enough resolve to begin his story.

“We come from another world. A place called Nirn.” Bastian began. “A few years ago an ancient prophecy came to pass that spelled the destruction of our world. The return of the dragons.”

Neither Princess said a word. Bastian took it as a sign to continue.

“When misrule takes its place at the eight corners of the world, when the Brass Tower walks and time is reshaped, when the thrice-blessed fail and the Red Tower trembles, when the Dragonborn ruler loses his throne and the White Tower falls, when the Snow Tower lies sundered, kingless and bleeding, the World-Eater wakes, and the wheel turns upon the Last Dragonborn. This was the prophecy foretold thousands of years ago detailing the return of Alduin the World-Eater, first born of Akatosh, the dragon god of time. It was Alduin’s role in creation to destroy our world to make way for the new one.”

“So you came here to escape the destruction?” Celestia asked.

“Yes but not intentionally.” Bastian said. “We combined ancient technology and magic to create a gateway to another world but had no way to control where exactly it would send us.”

“To reach out blindly for safety you must have been desperate indeed.” Luna commented.

“As I said, we were out of options at that point.” Bastian replied.

“Was there no hope at all?” Celestia asked. “Nothing you could do?”

Bastian said nothing. He stared into the steaming liquid in his tea cup. The steam turned to smoke before his eyes and for just a second he was back in Skyrim, watching his world collapse in a burning hellscape before his eyes. He blinked the vision of destruction away and looked back to the Princesses.

“There was hope for us in the beginning.” He finally said. “The final part of the prophecy, the wheel turns upon the Last Dragonborn. The Dragonborn, much like the dragons themselves, was thought to be nothing more than a myth. The Dragonborn was a mortal born with the blood and soul of a dragon and the only mortal that the dragons feared, the only one capable of defeating Alduin. After the dragons attacked, the Last Dragonborn was revealed to be among us. He drew his sword, united to long disbanded dragon hunters known as the Blades and took the fight to Alduin himself. We fought so hard for so long, slaying the dragons where we could find them but ultimately his efforts were in vain. On the peak of High Hrothgar, the throat of the world, the Dragonborn met his end at the claws of Alduin himself.”

“From that day forward we were at the mercy of the dragons. They do not know death as mortals do, the very notion of death being literally incomprehensible to them. The Dragonborn was the only one capable of destroying them for good. With his death our last hope for survival died with him. The second dragon war raged. Countless villages burned, thousands were enslaved and even more died each one feeding Alduin’s ravenous hunger in Sovngarde, the world of the dead. Some became so desperate that they turned to us, the mages at the College of Winterhold for help. Using the assets at our disposal we were eventually able to construct a gateway from our world to yours. It was a one way trip and we were not sure what waited for us on the other side but whatever it was, it had to be better than the alternative. That is what brings us before you today. With nowhere else to turn we humbly place ourselves at your mercy seeking asylum in this foreign land. We have lost… everything. Our homes. Our land. Our families. They took everything from us. I have lost entire graveyards of friends and companions, both of my brothers, my school and my masters. Nothing remains but ashes.”

The Ponies stared at Bastian forlornly. Rarity’s eyes welled with tears and Pinkie’s lip trembled. The ponies weren’t quite expecting things to get so… real. Princess Luna’s aloof expression had softened slightly and Celestia’s head tilted forward sadly.

“I am truly sorry that the experiences that brought you before us today have been so terrible.” Celestia said lifting her head and looking to Bastian. “Your plight has moved me Bastian Bellrend and if it is safety you and your people seek within our borders, we welcome you with open arms. Bastian Bellrend of Skyrim, we welcome you to Equestria.”