-Rainbow Dash is basically how I feel she thinks when people complain about the Wonderbolts.

I agree with you there mate. They may faulter, as all ponies do, but they learn and grow just like the rest of the characters and kick ass and look good doing it. If you've ever seen DustyKatt's (AKA The Manliest Brony in the World) video tribute to them and our version, the Blue Angels set to Van Halen's Dreams, it pretty much sums them up. Totally awesome chapter with some completely BADASS scenes.

Huh I was kinda hoping Rhymey was gonna be next on the hit list but a good chapter never the less

Pretty good stuff.
Pinkie = Unstoppable Badassery!!!
Still think Conquest could do with another moment of genuine anger like he had with Trixie but very sporting of him.
I just hope Flutters and Belle come clean with their secrets sooner rather than later. Never a good idea to keep it bottled up.
I love the snark Rainbow and her crew share with each other.
Your take on Unicornicopia is what I based a city in my own fics in.
It's not a nice place to live but there are ponies who are trying to change it for the better.
Thanks for that.
So it seems not even Rhymey genuinely cares about Starfleet.
At this point, Grand Ruler's just pathetic.
Interesting take on Kudos (Literally had to look him up on TV Tropes) but damn, frightening.
I suppose with Raven turning out to be a better person than advertised, Conquest's in need of a totally unlikable teammate.
Makes sense.
Keep up the good work.

I do really like Pinkie in this and those close to her. It is nice that Artie will live and I assume Pinkie will be there to help him in his new lot in life. I can see that being an interesting story. We will see if those two ever make it official or continue to dance around the issue. IF Dash sees it you know it is obvious so we will see if they take the hint. I did like how she tells Artie that she will mess him up if she hurts Pinkie which I could totally see since Pinkie and her are very close in most stories.

Damnit no cybernetics. Now I can't make Bionic Man jokes.......

more serious note. Good chapter as always.

7948856
I was hoping he'd end up being used as a meat shield.

I saw the chapter title and I was just...ah! I'm so glad that you didn't kill him off in the end, though I do wish that something could be done about his hands, that's got to suck.

“I have not come here to arrest you, but rather hire you for your services,” Grand Ruler said.

Well, your own private Operation Paperclip backfired on you, didn't it Celesto? Although I kind of wonder where Starlight Glimmer is now.

“It’s a gift. One that I gave to Cerisse Wonder, one I gave to Lightning Dawn, and one I now give to you,” Grand Ruler said, lifting up the golden horn and placed it to her forehead.”

Okay, so Lightning, Cerise and Raven all had thier memories altered by the Grand Ruler...okay. That's interesting. He created one villain, one 'hero' and one...I've no idea where this is going, but it's very interesting.

The doctor shuddered, and looked away while Grand Ruler smiled, holding the horn to her forehead, “Now, I am going to tell you what I told Lightning. Just keep thinking those happy thoguhts of your loved ones.It will make your pain all the easier to digest.”

Jesus, you are one sick SOB, aren't you Celesto? For a moment there I actually thought that Celesto WAS Conquest, playing both sides of the war like Darth Sidious or something. After all, they both appear to feed on emotions.

As the world faded around her, leaving Luna back in the starry plane of the dream realm, the night princess began to think to herself, “So, Rhymey is a blue magic master. I should’ve figured as such and it give more fuel to this mystery. Grand Ruler, Rhymey, memories... they are all connected in some way. I’ll bring this up to Spark later.”

Stop being so tantalisingly cryptic!

Great chapter, and I agree with your editors about the rape. This story has grown beyond that kind of immaturity I think, it's become so much better, it doesn't need that kind of thing to shock.

Say, what DID Lightning do with Twink's body?

Dear lord, you're referencing ASADAE. I thought that thing was long buried and forgotten in the ruins of SVAM. Well played.

And nice references throughout - always liked a good reference - but I was sorely disappointed that Applejack didn't whip out that Hamon to beat up baddies with, after setting it up at the start. Of course, this was largely Pinkie's fight and her time to shine, so it wouldn't have made sense, but... wasted suspense, honestly.

I actually approve of letting Artie survive (after, admittedly, killing his dream - we'll see how he copes with that). Frankly, killing him off after killing off the previous ones would have been repetitive. It's what we expected (especially with the 'Tonight Someone Dies' title), and subverting expectations is good. The point has been made, anyway. This is more interesting.

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you're referencing ASADAE. I thought that thing was long buried and forgotten in the ruins of SVAM. Well played.

I am old when it comes to this game. So old. Old enough to still have SVAM on my favorites and still read some of the riffs to this day.

- but I was sorely disappointed that Applejack didn't whip out that Hamon to beat up baddies with, after setting it up at the start. Of course, this was largely Pinkie's fight and her time to shine, so it wouldn't have made sense, but... wasted suspense, honestly.

I want to give time for Applejack to grow into that power. I don't want her to instant expert it.

I actually approve of letting Artie survive (after, admittedly, killing his dream - we'll see how he copes with that). Frankly, killing him off after killing off the previous ones would have been repetitive. It's what we expected (especially with the 'Tonight Someone Dies' title), and subverting expectations is good. The point has been made, anyway. This is more interesting.

That was another reason for letting Artie live. I want to keep the suspense flowing.

7951430

Buried it, he didn't want Krysta to see it. But, seeing that it's still a zombie and under ______'s control (Necromancer's real name is so secret, even I don't know it)

7951152

But, if I'm not tantalizingly cryptic, how can I keep you engaged? ;)

7949958 I suppose Unicornicopia's technology just goes into weapons and armour.
I don't think any of them even 'consider' having to deal with injuries.

Peach looked to her side, and saw her husband laying there, his ribcage torn open. With a whimper she asked, “W-why are you doing this? “
“To prove Earth Pony superiority,” the doctor said,

So the story about him having his heart broken by Peach Berry was bogus too, eh?
Makes sense. Another clueless, shoehorned 'Love Is Worthless And Turns You Evil' Aesop on MLU's part.
Damn, he's cold. I see you took my advice on adding more genuinely unlikable characters.
May have gone a bit too far...
And I can't say I'm surprised at Grand Ruler admiring Our Town.
Though Starlight Glimmer's society is an allegory for extreme Communism while Unicornicopia more resembles a fascist state. Though I suppose he just enjoys others taking his crap with a smile.
And that's another fellow he thought he could count on flipping him the bird and walking out.
Fascism is most pathetic when it's so blatantly ineffective.

7958830

Usually happens when one keeps touting the "We are extremly durable and can take SO much damage" line.

7958849

When it comes to facism, I live by the rule that its always hard to maintain.

7963706

The scary part is...

I also based this off of a line from Voltron. Yeah, in the original series when Hunk says ,"Hey lets use Voltron to take down Zarkon (Because they know the location of the enemy planet" Keith says the above line. Now, this is Starfleet following Power Ranger logic, except for one thing. In every power ranger series with the exception of the originals, they don't know the location of the enemy lair. So, yep, once a city is caught, they are SOL

7963789 I have no idea why he chose to so enthusiastically rip-off a show that highlights friendship and teamwork...you know...the stuff he says is worthless.
Actually I have several ideas, none of them suggesting he has a lick of sense.

I'm surprised Our Town is admired by the GR, seeing how real life fascists hate communist societies.

Ooh, ooh, just came up with a very appropriate reference.
"You Unicornicopians are superior in only one respect...
You are better at DYING!"

7982184 I think he just loves it when ponies let him step on them with a smile.
No doubt he has plans to incorporate Our Town and bring about his fascist principles, rendering Equestrians equal but Unicornicopians superior.
No doubt he has plans...Poorly laid-out plans.

Just to say, I've been doing fanart sketches for this fic for the last week.
If anyone wants to see a particular scene (Preferably SFW) illustrated as best as I can manage, let me know.

7950142 I kind of see him being used as one by Grand Ruler in the finale.
Perhaps?

First blood on conquest, hamon!,rwby reference, Artie surviving,blood oaths of friendship.10/10

It appears we have discovered Conquest's weakness.

Also, I'm surprised that Grand Ruler would want to use five Equestrians as soldiers, even if they're the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony.