//------------------------------// // Stand it no more // Story: ♘TCB Starbound - Era of pony // by Shaderai //------------------------------// TCB Starbound - Era of pony Chapter 1:Stand it no more ~~~~~ Spike was busy re-shelving the library, he had listened as Twilight Sparkle went into another hyper lecture about being the savior of an evil race, another world cured, another Reality claimed, he never approved of what they did to the humans. But being the good assistant he was he never said anything of it, personally he felt that the humans were never evil, they just lived a different way, but that didn't stop all of Equestria from converting them. Spike attempted to avoid the topic altogether, he didn't like to discuss something he knew he could get in trouble for having the 'wrong' opinion in, the newfoals were okay though, most of them didn't like talking about humans either, but Spike brought his mind back to the task at claw, re-shelving, how fun, but that was not what his mind seemed to care about. No, instead it wandered to the topic of transport, Queen Celestia and Twilight, and lets not forget the friends, were once again moving Gaia through a rift to another world, another Earth, another 'worthless' part of a species to convert. "SPIKE!!" Twilight Yelled suddenly yelled from behind him, making him lose his balance and fall off the ladder he was on. "Yes Twilight?" Spike asked, pain showing in his voice. "I told you to re-shelve!" Twilight yelled and gestured to the libray, "This is not re-shelved!" "Sorry Twilight," He realized that he had been staring at the spine of a history book for a good long time, "I was just distracted." "Well," Twilight pulled all the books off the shelf with her magic, "Just to make sure you didn't make a mistake, you will be re-shelving them all again." "But-," Spike was cut off as she held up a hoof. "No buts, I gave you a job and you didn't do it," Twilight turned to go upstairs, " This is the punishment for not doing what i told you." "Yes Twilight," He grumbled as he picked himself off the floor to re-shelve again. "And don't disturb me while i'm upstairs," Twilight climbed the stairs, " I have an important letter to write to the Queen." Spike didn't argue, he just went and began to pick up the books, sometimes he just wished he had the power to stand up to her sometimes, but didn't expect anything to come of it. Be careful what you wish for. ~~~~~ "My Queen", a unicorn guard in golden armor entered and bowed. "Ah, What news do you bring Steelbone?" Celestia asked with a warm and loving smile. "We have finally come to the right position in the new reality," the guard hesitated before continuing, "but, there is a major problem." "Oh?" The Queen inquired in a word. "The Astronomers wish that you come see for yourself," the guard bowed again and left the room. "Hmm," The Queen was curious, whatever it was, it was urgent. "Elites," The Queen beckoned the guards by her throne, both were clad in shimmering white armor, " let us depart to the Constellation tower." Both the Elite soldiers were by her side and following close, wordlessly surveying the surroundings for danger. As they passed other guards and servants, they got salutes and bows, passing the garden where the most evil creatures were stored, The Queen turned her head as they were nearly passed the garden, catching a glimpse of a statue, one of a familiar moon princess, almost enough to make Celestia stop and shed a tear. But they kept going, passing through the glass windowed hall of greatness, she did not spare a glance at any of the windows, she knew what they held, she knew the story of them all. Soon they had come to the Tower of Astros, giving the guards at the door a nod they entered, The Queen paused as she looked up the spiraling staircase, she sighed before beginning the climb up the dreadful stairs, she felt like she would lose five pounds of cake weight doing this. ----- After reaching the top,(and catching her breath), she stepped into the actual observatory, many ponies were working around the room, some observing, some documenting, and some discussing important,(hopefully), data. From behind the Queen a voice called to her, "Ah my Queen, just the pony I wished to see." "So I see," Celestia hated being so informal around other ponies, "What is it you needed to show me Starswirl?" "Right to business," Starswirl chuckled, "We have come to the coordinates of Earth." "Ah yes good," The Queen was pleased, but caught Starswirl's expression, " But?" "But there is none," Starswirl stated, simply. "What?" She didn't understand. "There is no Earth," Starswirl sighed as he cast a visual spell, it showed an image of what appeared to be an asteroid field. "What is this?" Celestia asked, she was utterly confused. "This is the location of Earth," Starswirl said, "Or what used to be Earth." "Used to be?" Celestia looked at him, "You mean to say that Earth was destroyed? Already?!" "It would certainly appear so," Starswirl was looking over the image. "Do you know the cause?" Celestia asked as she sat, this intrigued her. "Perhaps a natural disaster?" Starswirl stroked his beard stuble, "Or maybe another Equestrian Civilization has gotten rid of the planet already." "Another?" She tilted her head. "Yes," He stared for a minute more before turning back to her, "But that is an assumption based on the Multi-Reality theory." "Ah," She was familiar with that, a theory that every choice made or not made is another Reality. "So with this revelation," Starswirl floated a cookie out of his pocket, "What are we going to do?" Celestia tapped her chin thoughtfully as she levitated a piece of cake, from behind her mane? "Well we could tr-" "SIR STARSWIRL!" An Astronomer called from by the telescope behind Starswirl, making both of them jump. "Yes boy, what is it," Starswirl took a bite of his cookie. "I found something that may be important," the Astronomer said, he then turned and zapped the image of the destroyed Earth, making it zoom in on the lower left corner, it zoomed more and more. Finally it stopped, and in the image was that looked like an old building, still intact despite the destroyed planet. "And what significance does this serve?" The Queen asked, munching on a whole carrot cake. "Yes, what good does this do us boy?" Starswirl asked, but before he could get and answer something caught their attention, a space craft pulled in by the building, locking onto the bulding and powering down, this made both of them gasp, then the whole room gasped. "They survived," The Queen didn't give up munching the poor cake, but still stared wide eyed. "They have advanced," Starswirl finished his cookie and turned to the Queen, " What are we to do?" "Well," Celestia had finished her cake, "We will have to search for more bases on the destroyed planet and wipe them out, then we can call it a mission success." "Yes my Queen," Starswirl bowed, then turned back to the Astronomers, "Well lets get going!" "Wait!" the same Astronomer said. "What is it?" Starswirl was getting annoyed. "I received a message from the base over our radio interceptors," the Astronomer turned on the radio interception station. "This is Apex Research station Alpha, we ask the Leader or ruler of your planet, what is population or people of your world's intent. Are you present for hostile or peaceful means, please state what the population is, are you human, Apex, Floran, Avian, Hylotl, or Glitch? Please respond quickly." "What does it mean?" Starswirl said as the line emitted nothing but the noise of static. ~~~~~ "That wasss odd," Flo said as she turned off the communicator, she had intercepted a message sent to the odd new planet that had appeared by the Earth ruins, she had seen some odd things in the past, but this was a whole new level, she had witnessed a planet appear from void space, she wanted to know how. Unlike most Floran, Flo was on a hunt for knowledge, not for a prey like the rest, she was interested in knowing, she wanted to learn all she could in her life, to know the mystery of the Galaxy. "What happened?" A voice came from behind her, she jumped right out of the pilot's chair with a squeal. "Why musst you sneak up on me?" Flo scowled at Coniferous, or Conifer for short, he was a Floran who shared her interest for knowledge, and a bit of a hunk. "Cause, you are eassy to scare," Conifer chuckled, "But what was it you ssaid was odd?" "Some Apex Reassearch base contacted that planet," she pointed to the very bright planet in front of them. "When did that get there?" He went and checked coordinates, no known planet in the area, "How did it get there?" "It just appeared," Flo said. "Planetss don't just appear," Conifer checked the system for problems. "Well this one did," Flo began punching in a flight path, "And I want to know how." "What?" Conifer turned to see her finish putting in the flight path, "No don't!" But it was too late, they rocketed forward, making Conifer fall back, they were heading to the planet for answers. ~~~~~ Aboard the Apex Research center there was a duo of pilots sitting in the lunch room, having finished another boring scan of the Earth ruins, they ate and laughed as they talked, not a care in the universe. "Then I said, 'What fuel? I just been using gas!" Mathias delivered, both were laughing heartily. "Stop!*snort* Your killing me!*hehe*," Diana snorted again and attempted to catch her breath, her sides were hurting. After they had calmed they looked at each other, both let out one last chuckle before they settled, then a call sounded on diana's radio, "Flight team Beta, please Respond." "This is Flight team Beta, over" Mathias clicked his radio and waited. "Flight team Beta, you are receiving a new mission," Both of them sighed, probably another sweep for something not even there. "Go ahead base, we will hear the mission," Diana then let her radio down a bit. "A new planet has appeared next to the Earth ruins, we know not it's intent, but you are to go determine it," Mathias and Diana exchanged glances before answering. "Could you repeat that, we may not have heard correctly," Mathias was still watching Diana for a reaction. "We know, we couldn't believe it either, but you heard right, now go," the voice commanded, both of them sighed again. "Leaving immediately," Mathias signed off. "Well," Diana huffed as she got up. "It's alright," He said, "we can have that date later." "Yeah," Diana really wanted to go on that date. They both left the lunch area and walked into the dock bay, which was just next door, they then went and started up their ship, it would be a long while before they got back. but they didn't know that, so they set off as they normally do, heading for the mysterious new planet. "To get some answers." ~~~~~ Aboard the trading ship 'Lightchaser' two Glitch Traders were talking, they had been sticking together since they had first joined the crew. Both were running from the Circuit Empire, they had both done something horrible in the Empire, and now they were on the run, what better way to get around than on a Trader ship. "Hey, did you manage to find the rest of the weapon imports?" Gram asked, from behind a stack of crates Melisa stopped and looked at him. "No, I think they were taken back at that pesky Apex checkpoint," Melisa huffed and leaned against the wall as she thought of where else they could be. "Hmm, so a little less weapons to sell, not a big loss," Gram shrugged. "But the Captain won't be happy," Melisa leaned her head back. "Yeah, but at least we still make some pixels," He said, and he was right, they did still make money. "Yeah," She agreed, "Should I tell the captain?" "I can if you need me to," Gram motioned himself for the door. "But what will you tell the Captain," Melisa gestured to him. "Hopefully the truth?" the Captain walked into the doorway, he heard only the last part, but knew what they were on about. "Oh!" Melisa nearly jumped out of her circuits, making Gram tense. "I'm guessing this is about the missing weapons?" He got affirming nods from both of them. "My guess is the Apex swiped some when they were checking the ship," Melisa folded her arms. "Most likely true," The Captain agreed, "stupid monkeys always wanted first grabs at the goods, just glad that's all they took." "So we just sell what we got?" Gram asked. "Yep," the Captain said, but moved on, "But I have a more important matter at hand, we are going to have to land, we don't have any more fuel." "Wait, land?" Gram was confused, "Where?" "Come have a look," Captain motioned them both to follow. They followed from the storage up to the bridge, neither knew what he meant, the nearest port was five solar systems away. As they came onto the bridge their view was filled by a bright colorful planet, both gasped, no habitable planet was supposed to be present in the Sol solar system, but there was a planet, clear as the stars. "How?" Gram managed to say. "Don't have the faintest," Captain replied, " But we need to refuel, and that is our only option." "Should we stay aboard?" Melisa was still registering the bright cheery planet. "No, we don't know what danger that world holds," Captain took a wide stance, "We will need the force." "We will get ready right away," Gram said as they both went to ready themselves. "I'm getting to old for this job," Captain sighed as he readied his two plasma pistols. ~~~~~ "What a find," Terrena said, she was staring at the planet that had manifested right in her flight path, so she adjusted to land on the planet, whatever this world would hold would surly change her luck. She and her partner Sebastian were part of a abandoned military scouting branch, unfunded and unsupported they have been for a long while, but this could hold the key to getting the attention of their military commander. "SEBASTIAN GET IN HERE!" Footsteps approached and the door opened, Sebastian stood with an slight scowl and asked, "What, did you find a rift?" "Better," She pointed out the front window, "This planet appeared right in front of us, and still emanates rift particles." "Ooh, when?" He sat in the other pilot chair, checking coordinates and flight path. "Just an hour ago," She squealed with joy. "This is going to change everything!" He said with a grin plastered to his face. "We must get to the planet fast," Terrena said. "Why?" Sebastian asked. "I'm detecting other ships heading to the planet," She looked at him with a worried look. "Don't worry, they won't cause a problem," he assured her. "I hope your right." ~~~~~ The ship 'Freesoul' was passing near the Earth ruins when the planet appeared, but instead of seeing it in time to reprogram the ships course, Fentera and Rehawk had only enough time to brace for impact, they had collided with the atmosphere and went spiraling down into a thick forest. Awakening hurt, Rehawk felt that much, but he managed to get up, looking around the ship looked normal, but when checking the system he found that had no fuel and had many minor systems were down, all repairable, so he let out a sigh of relief. He immediately sucked it back in as soon as he let it out, was Fentera ok? "Fentera!" He called from the cockpit, hoping she would answer. "Yeah?" She poked her around the corner and gave him a curious look. "Thank goodness," He let out that sigh for good this time, "Are you alright?" "Yeah," She said, "Just attempting to find out what we crashed on." "A planet," He said. "What? How do you know, navigation is still down," she had come ina and checked the system again. "Well one minute we are flying through clear space, and then bam! Planet," He said. "But planets don't just appear." she gave the science major look. "I know, but what else could it be?" Rehawk pointed out. "Why not check the front visor?" She asked. "System still has the ship in lockdown," He said, "We won't get visor view for a while." "Hmm, what about a scan?" She kept messing with the system. "That should still work, give it a try," He let Fentera do her work. "Fair size planet, perfect conditions for supporting life, life present, and the planet seems to be giving off rift particles," She finished her list and looked over at Rehawk. "Interesting," He stoked his beak, "This could be the find of the millennium." "Good thing we found it first huh?" She gave him a smile. "Yeah, but too bad our com system is offline," He said. "We can work on getting it up and running," She was always optimistic. "Yeah," He got to work repairing the system. "Find of the millennium." ~~~~~ "Hey! Hey! Didja hear?!" Trinity asked, she always got excited over little things, not that David minded, it was kinda cute. "What's the news?" David asked as he calmly watched her bring up something on the computer, on the outside he held a cool and calm demeanor, on the inside he was slowly dying of a D'AAAAWWWWWWW!!! attack. "A message was sent from an Apex base on the Earth ruins, they sent it to a planet that appeared through a rift," she was absolutely happy, no question about it. "Through a rift huh?" He remembered that being mentioned in her latest report, something about achieving inter-reality travel. "Now we can finally get to get a rift sample," She set the coordinates for the new planet, but it would be quiet a flight. "It's gonna be a bit of a flight," He saw her turn toward him, "I can make my famous full breakfast if you want." "Sure!" She never got a taste of his famous breakfast dish, she wanted to try. "Come on, I'll make you a special serving," He motioned her toward their lunch room. "Thanks," Trinity followed. ----- After having a wonderful meal they both returned to the bridge and continued to talk, before long they saw the bright and colorful planet in view, both stared in awe as the planet got larger and larger, they had slowed the approach a little. "Wow," Is all David said. "That is one heck of a planet," Trinity smiled. "Are you sure about this?" He asked her, an uneasy feeling overcame him as he looked at the planet. "Aww, is the big bad warrior having second thoughts?" She laughed at his expression. "Don't mistake it for fear, but for some reason that planet gives me a bad vibe," He just pointed to the planet. "Why? It looks like a cute little planet to me," She said, prepping the re-entry panels. "Alright, If you say so," David sat down and buckled up, ready for anything. "A bad vibe." ~~~~~ Spike stormed out of the library, he had had enough of Twilight for the rest of his life, he had finished re-shelving when Twilight came down and yelled at him for the quality of his work, which was the same as always. Then Rarity came in and heard about what Twilight was scolding him for, and says that he must have agitated her in some way, telling him to apologize, HIM apologize, no he had stopped crushing on Rarity not too long ago, and now she was getting him back for it. He just wanted away from the library, away from her, some time to cool off, in his enraged thoughts he was not watching where he was going, he bumped into somepony. "Oof," Spike hit the ground, hard. "Eep!" Futtershy Squeaked as she felt something bump into her, she turned to see who it was, and found Spike, "Oh, i'm so sorry Spike, I didn't mean to bump into you." He looked up at her adorable face, he couldn't let her blame herself, she didn't do anything wrong, his rage melted away as he spoke up, "No, i'm sorry Fluttershy, I wasn't watching where I was going." "Where are you going in such a hurry?" Fluttershy inquired. "I just need some time away from the library," spike grumbled. "Oh I heard, you really should have apologized to Twilight," Fluttershy said, he couldn't believe this, even she sided with injustice! "RRRR!" Spike stormed past Fluttershy and toward the Everfree forest, It was getting dark and Spike knew it would be the perfect time to reflect. "An jus where do you think yer goin?" Spike jumped at the sudden voice behind him, he turned to see Applejack with a stern look on her face. "Away, now leave me alone," Spike turned to walk away, but felt himself fall over and felt the pressure of hooves holding him down. "Y'all er gonna come with me and apologize ta Twilight," was everypony against him? "No! I didn't do anything wrong! Let me go!" Spike fought to get her off him, but his efforts weakened when she pressed down even harder, he suddenly feared for his life, and in the span of half a second he managed to roll over partially and lash out, leaving three big slashes over her right eye. "AHH!" Applejack screamed and fell back off Spike, holding her injured eye, he got up and looked at Applejack, shock registering, he looked at his claw, blood. "AJ I'M SO SORRY!!" Spike rushed to go help the injured farmer, but before he reached her he was hit right in the gut by a rainbow blur, sending him flying into a nearby tree, he couldn't get up. "Stay away from my friend!" Rainbow dash yelled as she and the just arrived Pinkie pie helped Applejack up, they turned their attention to Spike, who was laying against the tree, holding his injured chest. "I-I wa-," Spike couldn't finish his sentence, he felt like his chest had imploded. "Well!? What do you have to say meanie!?" Pinkie asked, she too had an angry glare fixed on Spike. "Yeah! Say something! I mean you can't just hurt a pony like that!! Explain!!" Rainbow shouted at him, then Spike felt something inside his mind click, he knew, anything that wan't pony, was less, was a slave at best, they hated different, and all Twilight thought of him was a prized slave, something to brag about, yet sill abuse, as Rarity so did to him, he hated it, he hated them! Spike felt a new rage grow in his soul, enough to make him forget his injury, he stood and with a yell of rage ran full sprint into the Everfree, behind him a cyan mare growled and sped after him, leaving Pinkie to take Applejack to the hospital. In the Everfree Spike ran without tire, he sprinted with a hate that could only be rivaled by King Sombra, he ran, for something better, for something happier, for better friends, but he didn't get as far as he hoped, a cyan blur landed in front of him, delivering a lethal double backhoof kick, right to his face. Rainbow watched with a smile as he lay there, she was determined to make him pay for what he had done, even if it didn't involve an official court, she didn't care, but before she could lift another hoof she heard a noise from behind her, she turned and saw some odd metal boat, but it was glowing, and she saw a part of it was opening, aliens. Out stepped two odd bipedal creatures, she didn't have time to analyse in detail, she found herself on the receiving end of a high roundhouse kick, hitting her head and smashing it between it's foot and a tree, then let her drop. One creature pointed to Spike and said something she couldn't understand but sounded female, "YESTE MUN KEL ISTRIPE, RA NEDSSS MUDICAL!!" But Spike understood it perfectly, "GET HIM ON THE SHIP, HE NEEDSSS MEDICAL!!"