Author's Notes:

Bold - Character Narrating (Either Perspective or Narrator)
Italics - Character's Thoughts
Color - Character Who's Narrating or Thinking: Vallan
Princess Platinum
Commander Hurricane
Smart Cookie

Cold... All I could feel was the cold embrace of death... Which was strange... because I can’t die, not in the way many assume. I woke awake with a groan, feeling something between my fingers... sand? “Hmmmm...” said Vallan, rising up. Indeed it was sand... above was the blue sky, the sun was out and I noticed I was near a lake... which lake I wasn’t sure of. Behind me was a forest... again, unclear to where my destination is.

“Where am I?” thought Vallan, rubbing his head. I remember... fighting... and... an explosion...

...

...

I... I remember now; the core exploded sucking myself and everyone... but to where... I... I also remember us falling... and music? Vallan sighed, not happy with his lack of remembering what happened to him the last previous hours after what he assumed was him being sent to another world. Better question... Where’s my guns?

Sometime earlier; several hours in the midnight sky. Vallan and company, who were sent to another world... found themselves crashing toward what they assumed... was a continent. While most of the continent was empty of light, there were three spots that shone with flickers of lights. Some of the members of Ins0ne Par1y were conscious while a few were... unconscious; in the air with them was surprisingly the boombox that got shot with an arrow... currently playing music as if nothing happened to it... yet.

“Could someone turn that bloody music off...” said Mathree, mumbling in his sleep. Mathree rubbed his eyes, opening them to see what situation he was in now... Mathree’s eyes stared at the ground that’s slowly approaching him every passing second... he was falling. “WHAT THE FUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKK!”

“You’re awake... Had a good nap?” asked Swuen, calmly.

“HOW CAN YOU BE SO DAMN CALM!? WHERE’S THE BOSS!? WHY ARE WE FALLING!? THIS BETTER NOT BE YOUR FAULT DAMMIT!” shouted Mathree, attempting to go back up only to make things worse for him. “STUPID GRAVITY WON’T WORK!”

“Gravity is working perfecting, now quit moving or you’re going to make things worse for yourself,” said A.I, entering the conversation.

“Ah, Mr. Ingine. How is our other companions?” asked Swuen, smiling sweetly.

A.I. pushed his goggles back up to the bridge of his nose; with a look around A.I. mentally counts those accounted for and those unconscious.

“Well... Joseph, the twins, and Vallan seem to be the only ones unconscious; everyone else however is fine. By guessing the distance of the ground and how fast we’re currently falling... we have ten minutes until we make contact,” said A.I, crossing his arms. “Good news, we’ll survive the fall.”

“What’s the bad news then...” said Rubert, gliding toward his fellow allies. “There’s always bad news.”

With a sigh, A.I. stares at Vallan who would be the best one to explain a situation and is the better leader-type than the logical and analytical A.I. Pointing at the ground with a finger, A.I. explains the “bad news” to his fellow companions. “The second we hit the ground... we’ll be unconscious for... three? Five? Hmmmm... eight, we’ll be unconscious for eight hours once we hit the surface,” said A.I.

Everyone stared at A.I. shocked at the lengthy time of how long they’ll be out... and what could transpire during that time. Tim, the last person conscious joins the conversation, putting his own question.

“Boho?” asked Tim.

“Yeah, you have a point Tim,” said Mathree. “Tim said that we should pair up together, so if we were to go unconscious we would wake beside someone we know.”

A.I. rubbed his chin in thought... and with a nod, agreed with the idea of crashing with a partner. “Well then that might work; since the twins are already paired, I’ll go with Miss Swuen. Rubert you go with your brother, and Tim and Mathree will be together... That just leaves...” said A.I, looking toward their sub-leader, and second-in-command.

“Vallan...” said Swuen, her tone sad. “Will he be fine alone?”

“Don’t worry, Vallan is a tough son of a bitch! The bastard can handle punches and take bullets more than we can... He is the clone of the boss after all,” said Rubert. “Besides he won’t be alone... he got the boombox with him.”

Ironically beside Vallan’s body was indeed the boombox, playing a tune right near him. With a nod from those who were awake, they each paired together preparing to crash down.

“Now remember, once we wake up, we are to find each other... immediately. I’m not sure where we ended up too... but we need to remember. We’re in an unknown land, so be cautious once your awake,” said A.I, with a salute he waves his allies a farewell. “Farewell! May we meet soon... or in another life!”

“You too, you stupid nerd,” said Mathree. “YIPPY-KI-YEAH!” Mathree began to laugh psychotically, riding on top of Tim’s back whilst the two began to crash down.

Swuen and A.I. nodded to one another, readying to land roughly. The Crane siblings or in this case Rubert grabbed hold of Joseph, noticing he was crashing into a thicket of trees. “...Fuck m-”

The twins who’re unconscious crashed too... probably not noticing their own crash landing; finally, Vallan crashed with the boombox, which was surprisingly continuing to play music still. The nine warriors, separated in a land unknown to their knowledge. Will it be the greatest obstacle and challenge they’ll face... or will it be the end of them. Either way, this world only gotten a little more crazy.

Back in the present; Vallan scratched his head in thought, unable to remember anything from before. Looking at his surroundings, Vallan sees beyond the other side of the lake some cliffs and possibly more land. The other direction led to a forest, possibly full of dangerous creatures. Except Vallan couldn’t leave his destination, for without his guns, he was defenseless and who’s to say the locals of this world will be friendly.

Now myself and the others can’t be the only things that fell here... Some stuff from our base must of fell here too... Vallan stood up, standing tall on two feet he scavenged the beach for anything. So far Vallan has found in the last five minutes were some scrap metal, charred remains of wood, and apparently the boombox... in perfect shape but...

“Thing is out of battery,” said Vallan, tapping the side of the boombox. “At least we got some entertainment to listen to... once I find the others.”

Leaving the boombox where he found it, Vallan notices something; in the bottom of the lake he can see two lights... Two very familiar lights. Disrobing himself, all that remains on Vallan’s body is his shorts; perfect as underwear and for swimming. I recognize that glimmer, and the only thing in this world or any world with that shine... “Are my guns,” said Vallan, finishing his own thought.

Staring at the glimmer reflection of his guns, and how deep the lake is, Vallan won’t be able to reach them and go back to the surface in time. Looking around Vallan decides to climb the top of the cliff-side; once reaching the top, he stares down below the lake. With a quick inhale of breath, Vallan dives toward the lake swimming for his prized weapons.

This lake’s pitch black, and it’s probably the middle of the morning. Well I better get my weapons before I drown now. With all his might Vallan swims down for the glimmering light, and reaching with both hands... he feels the handles of two guns. Gotcha.

In the surface of the lake, Vallan comes rising up like a bullet; reaching the shore he places both guns on a rock, so they may dry and be ready in the future. Seeing as the only clothes he has wet are his shorts, Vallan decides to gather what stuff he can on the beach and pile together. Now where did I put that boombox?

Gathering metal scraps, sticks, some rocks, the boombox, and luckily five batteries; two the size of his hand, and three the size of a box. With all the supplies he can find, Vallan decides to rest by sitting and leaning against a tree; now under some shade Vallan let’s his thoughts wander as he slowly descends to sleep.

I wonder if the others are awake now? No matter... for now I’ll continue the day tomorrow. Good thing I don’t need to eat as often as the others... considering my origins. As Vallan’s eyes slowly close... he swore he heard a scream in the distance, only for it to be a scream from the past... from an old nightmare.

In the mountains was a city made from the purest and whitest of stones, where the greatest deposit of ores and gems could be found; here was the aristocracy lived. Here where the unicorn tribe called home... Canterlot, the first Equestrian city. Ponies far and wide come to the grand city, for trading, show their art, and so much more. At Canterlot Castle was the ruler of the unicorn tribe, Princess Platinum... who was in the middle of a very important meeting with some in her words... “unruly peasants”.

Princess Platinum sighed on her seat, watching the bickering of two farmers complaining about how much land they should have or not. Whilst Platinum was indeed the most possible likely leader for Equestria... in honest truth she didn’t wish to rule all of Equestria; all she wanted was a place for her ponies, the unicorns, to live in peace. Except with the earth pony and pegasus tribes also having found this new land; they are force to share it. Each of the three tribes’ leaders, her being one of them, each leader must focus on three important things for Equestria.

The leader of the pegasus, Commander Hurricane, was in charge of handling Equestria’s security and military might if other nations were to invade their new home; two possible invasions could come from either the griffin kingdom or the minotaur lands. The leader of the earth ponies, Chancellor Puddinghead, was responsible for handling Equestria’s food and finances, she would had to register the number of supplies and bits the nation had in case of future projects or... incidents.

Then finally there was her, leader of the unicorn tribe; she was in charge of Equestria’s democracy and rules. In other words... she was responsible for handling everypony’s complaints. Now she can talk her way through anything, but to be fully honest... she wasn’t the sociable type many believed. Platinum had few friends, and these friends weren’t other nobility or such... but rather the opposite; she was bored of listening to everypony’s pleas and wishes that she almost said yes to a pony who wanted to marry her. My it was one interesting morning when that happened.

I rather count the number of apples in a barn than... THAN THIS!

Before Platinum were two farmers, both stallions from the farms that Chancellor Puddinghead’s adviser, Smart Cookie was supposed to handle. Apparently these two stallions were mad that they don’t have enough land to grow their crops and the only land free is the same one they want. Both stallions were close to pummeling the other to the ground, but considering their in front of royalty they held that urge back.

“LOOK BUDDY! I need that plot of land more than you! So-back-off!” shouted the one stallion, on Platinum’s left.

“Nope! I need that land, you have more land than I do!” shouted the second stallion.

“Oh sure I have more land, well what about you! You have so many workers under your command, you practically have your own army!” shouted the first stallion.

Both stallions continued their arguing, until the doors that led to the hallway outside the room they were in swung open. Coming inside the now silent room was Princess Platinum’s own adviser, lead researcher of magic, and... close friend; Clover the Clever.

OH SWEET APPLE PIE, THANK YOU! Princess Platinum stood up on her seat, steadying her pace, while also making sure to meet her friend. “What brings you here my adviser?” asked Platinum, showing her regal look.

“Well...” said Clover, only to stop and look behind her princess. “...Am I interrupting something?”

“What?! No no no no no nooooooo, we were simply finishing right now,” said Platinum, smiling.

“We were?” said both stallions in confusion.

“Why yes, and as to who gets that land... Uhhhhhmmmm... You’ll both share,” said Platinum. Before both stallions could complain even more, Platinum hushed them and explained her reason. “Now don’t going rambling on about this and that; you two have a quota to meet and aren’t nearly close to completely finishing it this season. You two either share that land and complete your quotas... or I’ll send you both to the dungeons.”

Both stallions gulped, deciding to not argue with her majesty any further than needed. “Y-yes, Princess Platinum,” said both stallions bowing. Once both the stallions left, both Platinum and Clover headed to her chambers.

“Now... what was it you need to tell me?” asked Platinum, the two trotting down the hall with two guards following behind.

Clover coughed into her hoof, almost forgetting about why she came here the first place. Once making it to Platinum’s chambers, both guards wait outside while both the princess and her adviser enjoy some tea on the balcony of Platinum’s tower.

“Well... your grace, I-”

“Oh please Clover... there is no need for formalities. We’re alone so go on and... well, talk the way you always have. Your always so adorable when explaining something new you discovered,” said Platinum, giggling.

Clover blushed, drinking her tea in embarrassment. “Of course my- I mean... Yes Platinum,” said Clover. “Now... did you see the stars the night before?”

Platinum raised a brow, finding this topic to be interesting now; placing her teacup down with her magic, Platinum watches her friend’s movements. “Sadly no... I was asleep. Considering yesterday’s meetings were, as usual... boring,” said Platinum, placing her hoof under her chin.

“Well I was; when I was stargazing with my telescope... I saw nine comets raining down, crashing toward Equestria,” said Clover. “From what I can tell, two of them crashed near Commander Hurricane’s military camp, two near that earth pony settlement, and two somewhere in the mountains near Canterlot.”

Platinum rose from her seat, looking over the edge of her balcony; whilst looking away from Clover, the princess continue to speak. “And what of the other three?” asked Platinum, her full attention on Clover.

“For those three, two of them landed... in the Everfree Forest,” said Clover, gulping from mentioning that place.

The Everfree Forest... A place of evil and death. “And the final one?” said Platinum, turning to face Clover.

“The last one’s location is unknown, but that’s not why I’m telling you this,” said Clover, rising from her seat. “Each comet was giving off high magic readings from my new device I created with my mentor, Starswirl the Bearded.”

Starswirl? Haven’t heard that name for awhile, I wonder if his doing fine, that old stallion has always been getting himself in all sorts of trouble. “Ah Starswirl... How is he?” asked Platinum, clapping both hooves together.

“Well, his handling his own little pet project; you know how he is,” said Clover. “Anyway, I wanted to ask you permission to send a search party to the nearest crash. I myself will go too, but if I’m correct... that magical energy my scanners detected... it could mean another situation like the Windigos.”

With a frown Clover sadly stared at her teacup, seeing her tea swirl within the cup. Platinum in return frowned, sitting back onto her seat she places a hoof on her friend’s hoof, comforting her. “Do not worry Clover... I know, that maybe back then the tribes had... their differences, but now we’ll make a better home, for all ponies. I’ll prepare a party this afternoon; if you find anything report to me immediately,” said Platinum.

“Of course... your highness,” said Clover, bowing her head.

Clover left her seat departing Princess Platinum’s chambers to prepare her trip to the comet crash near Canterlot.

At the same time, some distance from Canterlot is a fairly big camp; within this camp held both the pegasus tribe and Equestria’s future military force. A certain pegasus began to glide through both pony and obstacle, in a hurry with very important news... well, for her it was important. Nearing her target, she accidentally trips on something causing the poor mare to begin tumbling into a tent. With a quiet yelp she meets muzzle first with her commander and leader of the pegasus tribe; Commander Hurricane himself.

“WHAT THE!? PRIVATE PANSY! WHAT IN THE NAME OF OUR ANCESTORS ARE YOU DOING!?” shouted Hurricane, pushing the mare out of his tent.

“Sorry sir, but it’s about something I saw the night before; and since you were busy with a meeting with the other generals, I had to wait until this morning... Sir!” said Pansy, raising a hoof to her forehead, only to hit herself. “...Ow.”

When Commander Hurricane stepped out, he had his armor on but his helmet was still inside his tent. The second Hurricane gazed down he saw a whimpering Pansy, rubbing her forehead in pain. With a sigh, the commander used all his might to get the poor private in ready action. “Up and at em private!” shouted Hurricane, his voice catching the attention of anypony nearby.

Pansy immediately rose up from her pitiful state and salutes back at Hurricane, straitening her back and gazing up. “YES SIR!” said Pansy, wincing a little from touching her forehead again.

“Now… What is it that you saw last night? Was it one of the other nation’s armies?” asked Hurricane. It better be, we haven’t fought anything since the Windigo incident.

“Uhm… no sir. I saw nine glowing objects falling from sky; comets,” said Pansy, remembering if there was anything else needed to be said. “Sir!”

Hurricane, with a bored and annoyed look grabbed Pansy by the shoulder, causing the mare to shake and shiver from her commander’s sudden touch. Pansy slowly looked at Hurricane’s eyes; the anger in his eyes made her shrivel down toward her leader’s gaze. “Pansy… What did we say about which is important… and which isn’t important,” said Hurricane, his voice becoming angrier over time.

Anypony nearby watched, but not showing pity toward the scene playing before them. Private Pansy and Commander Hurricane always had “talks” like this… which involved a lot of shouting and Pansy screwing things up. While Hurricane imagined this being Pansy overreacting with something, Pansy’s expression changed from her previous cowardly look… to something of pure fear. Usually Pansy would look scared, but she respected Hurricane and tried her best to look brave in front of him… this was different.

“It’s just… the lights those comets gave out… They reminded me so much… of the Windigos,” said Pansy, the color on her face disappearing. “Those lights were just… so… so…” Pansy faltered down on the ground, nearly hyperventilating in front of her very commander. “Something about those lights… It wasn’t natural.”

Commander Hurricane’s face softened; he had never seen Pansy like this before, now she was a very pathetic mare, but to join the military at her age… She showed true courage and gusto, which was why Hurricane knew she would make a wonderful leader in the future… whether many don’t see it or not. Not only that, but while Hurricane made up all the battle strategies, Pansy was of some help and had a talent of telling when things were going to go hairy or not; whether a battle was worth winning or it was better to live another day.

Sighing, Hurricane patted Pansy’s head, getting her attention to look up. “We’ll go search where you saw these comets crashed. You said nine correct?” said Hurricane.

Pansy was happy that her leader was being understanding today, and went back to saluting. “Yes sir, but they all crashed into different directions. There should be one crashed near us, the other tribes may have sent their own parties to find the others; we’ll probably receive news of them finding them too,” said Pansy. “Should I go get some others to come with us, and search the perimeter?”

“That would be helpful. We’ll leave in two hours!” said Hurricane, returning to his tent. I guess today won’t be so boring after all.

In a small settlement near the Everfree Forest, but a good distance away, the earth pony tribe made their home here. Though the settlement has no name yet, it would slowly become a good place for trade and sort considering it’s in between Canterlot and the military camp some distance away. Trotting down the dirt roads was a yellowish mare, who wore a hat and vest of sorts. Many ponies welcomed and recognized the mare, the mare in return welcomed them back. In the center of the settlement was a building being complete in time; with the skeleton of the building down, walls and windows would slowly be added soon. In the front of the soon to be done building, was an interesting figure; she wore a hat that resembled pudding, her dress too had also looked as if it were pudding too.

The mare who wore the pudding hat noticed the other mare, waving toward her in excitement. “OH, THERE YOU ARE SMART COOKIE!” shouted the mare with the pudding hat.

“Good morning Chancellor Puddinghead; I was taking a nap near this spot that would make a nice spot for a farm,” said Cookie.

“That’s good that’s good,” said Puddinghead, trotting toward her secretary. “But we have bigger news!”

“We do?” said Cookie. Does she mean the comets from last night, they were bright and all but I doubt they would be in the big news category.

“Now, this morning I saw a long pillar a smoke some ways outside of the settlement. I decided to check it myself… and guess-what-I-found!” said Puddinghead, her excitement increasing.

Oh cupcakes, don’t tell me she found another dragon. “What did you find Chancellor?” asked Cookie, worry growing in her voice.

Puddinghead placed both her front hooves together, grinning childishly. “I… found… A NEW SPECIES!” shouted Puddinghead, jumping in one spot.

“Not another d- Wait… did you say new species?” said Cookie, confusion in her voice. Out of all the things she found… she found a new species… This can’t be good. “Are they sentient?”

“I don’t know… they were both unconscious when I found them. I brought them to my home so they can rest up. This way!” said Puddinghead, trotting away.

“WAIT! CHANCELLOR!” shouted Cookie, following behind. Please be a dragon, please be a dragon, please be a dragon, PLEASE BE A DRAGON!