private Unexplained Mysteries in the Undiscovered West (1x1 with Props ValRoa)

[Silly Druid 6,147]

The two ponies set up a camp near the vehicle, and prepared to spend the night there. Forest Storm was drawing a sketch of the armored pony and her craft in his notebook, to be used in his future report to Princess Celestia. Tree Song went to search for edible berries and herbs.

They wouldn't both sleep at the same time. They would keep watch in case they get attacked or another unexpected thing happens.

[Props Valroa 26,051]

@Silly Druid

For a while, nothing would happen - but that would be until there was a second ship seen in the sky in the distance. It moved towards the area at a fairly rapid rate, and deployed it's weapons. The weapons that it had deployed looked like a cross between antennas and guns. Of note, the second ship was more or less identical to the first. The first ship the mysterious pony was in would take off with no audible noise, and would raise into the air.

The second ship would fire it's weapons upon the first, but the first one would dodge rapidly. The sounds of the weapons being discharged had a distinct fizz in the air - while sounding a lot like thunder. It was clear the two ships had engaged in combat, and were now rapidly moving away form the area. The first ship would then turn invisible as it receded away, leaving the second ship apparently confused. 

The second ship would circle over the area in a threatening manner, and would drop a series of six rotating spheres with red lights. Four spheres would disperse into the air, following the last known trajectory of the ship - while two of the spheres would approach the area the two ponies were in now. 

It was certain the two ponies would be discovered. 

[Forest Storm]

It was Forest Storm's watch. Alarmed by the sounds of combat, he gently woke up Tree Song.

"We're about to meet the other side of this war. I have a feeling it's even less pleasant than the first one..." The druid said with a sinister tone in his voice.

They would both stand guard, ready to face whatever these strange spheres were going to do to them.

[Props Valroa 26,051]

@Silly Druid

The two spheres would soon locate where the two ponies were and their red lights would flash green. They'd spin in place rapidly and strobe various shades of green - clearly indicating that there was something of interest here. The second ship that would soon fly over - the setting sunlight cascading across it's intimidating hull.

The spheres would suddenly lurch forth towards the two ponies and emitted some sort of green light towards them - almost like a tractor beam. The two ponies were lifted up by the light through some sort of telekinetic force - and they'd notice that the back part of the ship was opening up. It was much like a hanger.

Perhaps Forest Storm and Tree Song can do something to stop them from being taken, but if not - they'd get brought aboard the craft by whatever kind of machinery the floating spheres were. 

[Forest Storm]

There wasn't much time to think. In that split second Forest Storm decided that it's best for them to split. He would be the one to risk getting brought to that craft, while his apprentice should remain free.

"Run!" He shouted, and used his magic to create a very strong gust of wind, hoping it would be enough to push Tree Song out of the ray that was moving her upward. If it works, she will try to run and hide from their pursuers.

[Props Valroa 26,051]

@Silly Druid

Tree Song managed to be pushed away safely for the moment. She would see Forest Storm get brought aboard the craft. He could see that the inside of the craft had a large bay towards the back, where there were other inactive sphere machines currently sitting in alcoves on the floor. He was set down on the floor, and the two spheres that had brought him aboard would then suddenly peel away - in attempt to retrieve Tree Song from the ground. The ship would stop and hover. It seemed like whoever it was, was intent on taking both of them with them.

The inside of the craft looked like some kind of military vessel, but it was very crude in nature. There were tons of chains, ropes, and nets all displayed towards the ceiling. 

 

[Silly Druid 6,147]

Forest Storm looked around the inside of the craft, hoping to find out who operates it.

Meanwhile, Tree Song was running as fast as she could to escape the spheres. She would use terrain features, such as rocks and shrubs, to try to hide from them, and run in the direction of the forest line at the foot of the mountains. She should be able to use her magic powers to make the trees help her escape.

[Props Valroa 26,051]

@Silly Druid

The hanger door would close ominously behind Forest Storm. For about a minute, the only sound that Forest Storm was able to hear was the humming of the engines. It sounded electrical - if anything. Then in front of him, a large door would open up. He'd be able to see said door had no handles or hinges, and it split apart into 6 different pieces as a large hulking figure would approach him. It was the same type of pony, all in a metal suit of armor. This one was far more menacing though. The armor was completely black - unlike the other pony who had red and black on her armor.

"It would be best for you that your companion surrenders. Wouldn't want anyone to get hurt, would we?" the figure would ask in a mocking tone, it was another mare. "You'd be wise to do as I say, or else you are going to end up getting hurt. Wouldn't that be so sad?" the figure chuckled darkly before walking towards him in armored hoof steps.

She'd place her hooves onto the sides of her helmet. Several hoses would detach, sending puffs of steam in Forest Storm's face. Her face was a dark grey color. Interestingly enough, her eyes were not what one would expect. They were a series of concentric lenses - almost like that of a camera. Looking into them was almost like a kaleidoscope. On her face, there were several ports and places for electric lines to plug into. Her snout was made of metal, and there were a series of large scars across her face.

"Equestrians. Always thinking they are the center of the world...oh..." she gripped his neck tightly, and looked into his eyes as if he was mere prey to her. "They have no idea..." she'd smirk devilishly as she'd put her helmet back on and give him a stare that could be felt through the helmet. 

---

The ship would then pursue Tree Song, with the spinning green metallic spheres giving chase as quickly as possible. The spheres may be able to be avoided, but the ship? That would be hard to avoid. 

[Tree Song]

"What do you want?" Forest Storm asked the mechanical pony. He didn't know what to expect from her, but he was ready for anything.

---

After reaching the treeline, Tree Song began her chant. It wasn't like ordinary singing, it was a strange, captivating, trance-like sound. Using her natural talent, she was only able to communicate with plants, but the druid training allowed her to do more: to control them and make them grow, shrink or move rapidly. Using this ability, she made the forest open the way in front of her, and close it behind her, creating obstacles for the spheres and slowing them down considerably.

She realized the ship was following her as well. She was tired, and not sure if she would be able to escape it. But then she noticed something that could help her: a cave entrance.

[Props Valroa 26,051]

@Silly Druid

The pony would simply laugh. "I want you. And I want her. Equestrians are a commodity...I am sure someone will be willing to offer me a fair sum for you. For whatever purposes that may be." she said, almost cackling. It seems this pony wanted to auction them off to someone - selling them as if they were mere property. 

---

The ship would rapidly fly over, and the spheres would glow a bright green as they forced their way down through the newly grown branches. Tree Song could hear the snapping of the branches as the two large spheres flew down, examining the area as they tried to keep pursuit of her.

[Silly Druid 6,147]

Slavery... Well, if there's slave trade going on, there must be a center of civilization nearby. I guess I'll be taken there soon, and find out what it's like...

That's what Forest Storm thought. But he didn't say anything, silently awaiting his fate. Or maybe an opportunity to escape, if it presents itself...

---

Tree Song entered the cave, and spotted some large stones lying on the ground. Luckily, she didn't forget to put her saddlebags on after waking up in the camp, so she had some potions with her. One of them was a strength potion. She drank it, and picked up one of the stones. She was ready to throw it at the spheres, should they enter the cave after her.

[Props Valroa 26,051]

@Silly Druid

The strange pony would look to him, as if keeping guard over him. "That's what I thought." she said in a domineering fashion.

---

The spheres now had caught up with the cave, and moved in quickly. The ship stopped right over where the cave was. If the spheres were unable to capture her, then perhaps the pilot of the craft might have to come down and do it herself. If she the stone at one of the spheres, she'd manage to dent it and send it back - but that would cause the other one that was following her to speed up rapidly and attempt to snare her in with it's tractor beam.

[Silly Druid 6,147]

Tree Song threw the stone with all her potion-enhanced strength and managed to damage one of the spheres, but the other one started pursuing her faster, so she didn't have enough time to pick up another stone. She decided to flee deeper into the cave. Meanwhile, the pilot left the craft, intending to capture the mare by herself. Forest Storm would try to summon lightning and hit the mechanical pony with it, hoping that metal armor would be susceptible to it.

[Props Valroa 26,051]

@Silly Druid

The metal sphere would rapidly pursue Tree Song in an attempt to capture her - while the actual Pilot of the craft itself would open a door on the side of the craft from another area of the ship - where Forest Storm and the other Mechanical Pony were not in. The pilot would jump down from the craft - rocket plumes would erupt from thrusters on their legs and they would land with a sudden thud on the ground, before rapidly giving pursuit into the cave itself.

---

Meanwhile, the other mechanical Pony that was holding Forest Storm hostage wouldn't really react that much to the lightning strike. She was well insulated, after all. She'd charge towards Forest Storm and aim to knock him out - but wouldn't do anything else with him other than put him up against the wall if she succeeded.

[Silly Druid 6,147]

Tree Song ran at full speed to the depths of the cave, hoping that there was some sort of monster in it. With her druid training, she should be able to avoid it and direct its rage towards her pursuer...

---

A little disappointed with the effect of his magic, Forest Storm hoped that it shocked the metal pony at least a little, which he would use as an opportunity to avoid her attack and sneak past her to escape the craft, if possible.

[Props Valroa 26,051]

@Silly Druid

The sphere rapidly keeps chasing her and closes in. The sphere's pursuit of her hides the other armored pony who was already lumbering down into the cave. They already knew there weren't any monsters in the cave, which is why they kept pursuit.

---

The pony chuckled at his attempts to damage her. While the metal armor did show some marks from the lightning, the pony didn't seem bothered. The craft's back door was closed, and there were no other apparent doors to escape from. The pony would grab a large metal net and throw it over him, and shout at him to stop resisting.

[Silly Druid 6,147]

Forest Storm, seeing there was nothing else he could do, did as instructed and stopped resisting. Perhaps an opportunity to escape would present itself later. He was worried about Tree Song though.

---

Tree Song, desperate to escape the sphere, used another potion from her arsenal, this time it was an invisibility potion. She hoped it would prevent the sphere from locating her. And in case the sphere gets close to her, she would buck it violently with her hind legs, which should be quite devastating, as the strength potion was still in effect. She didn't know about her other pursuer though...

[Props Valroa 26,051]

@Silly Druid

The pony would quickly move to restrain Forest Storm and disarm him of any weapons or objects he had carried with himself. The pony would mock him about not being as tough as he thought.

---

 

The sphere gets severely damaged from the attack Tree Song does to it. It moved forward rapidly, but didn't appear to be able to accurately track her location. The other pony in the cave would hide, using this to their advantage - making Tree Song think she was in the clear. After Tree Song went invisible, the pony would switch to infrared vision within their helmet - being able to see where she was still.