The White House
A quartet of Secret Service agents flanked President Clayton Abernathy as he made his way to the Situation Room. The former head of an anti-terrorist unit scowled slightly as he moved with purposeful strides, his entourage struggling to keep up with the sixty-five year old who still did fifty push-ups every morning. The group turned a corner and entered the Map Room on the first floor, a room dominated by a long table with people already sitting there. Several others stood around the table, talking amongst themselves or into cell phones. Monitors were mounted on the walls, some on, but most of them blank. All eyes turned to the President and everyone stood, conversations ceasing as he entered.
Clayton wasted no time. He sat at the head of the table, followed by everyone else, and leaned forward intently. “All right, I just got pulled out of a call with Premier Brekhov for... whatever's going on.” He looked to his right at General Tim Hollingsworth, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “Tim, what have you got?”
Hollingsworth, a somewhat heavy-set African American and former adviser to Clayton and his unit during the 80's, shifted slightly. He reached over and tapped a control panel mounted on the table. “I received reports from orbital monitoring stations a half-hour ago,” he said. A hologram projector built into the table's center glowed. A three-dimensional image formed of a crystalline hemisphere, with blue-white lightning crackling up and down it. At the apex was a miniature version of a white alicorn. Several graphs appeared next to the model, fluctuating wildly.
Clayton stood up, eyes fixated on the image. “My god,” he muttered. “What the hell am I looking at?” He leaned forward and squinted. “Is that... Celestia?”
A younger man in a green suit and thin tie stepped up to the table, adjusting his glasses. He had unruly brown hair and his eyes shifted from left to right. “W-we're not sure, Mister President,” he said. “All visuals match with her, right down to her cutie mark. Her thaumic energy signature, though, is a bit different.” He pointed at the dome. “It’s disintegrated anything artificial. Houses, concrete, asphalt have all been vaporized by it. And we can’t really scan the interior beyond visually. The growth’s almost stopped, though.”
Clayton looked up at him. “Thaumic, that means magical energy, right?” At the younger man's nod he looked back at the hologram. “So it's not her, Mister...”
“Albert Preston,” he said, grinning. The smile quickly fell away as he pointed to a graph next to the small hologram of Celestia. “It's difficult to explain, but while part of the energy is identical to what we know of the Princess, there's a separate part to it.” he shook his head. “Like there’s two thaumic signatures there. Or even more.”
Clayton focused on the image once more. “Wait a minute. Where is this?” A map appeared on the side, showing the state of Kentucky, the location of the dome and the city. “My god, that’s right in the middle of a city!” He looked up to Hollingsworth. “Tim, for the love of god tell me we’re evacuating all civilians out of the area!”
Hollngsworth nodded. He motioned to the map. “Local police and emergency response crews are already on the scene. The governor’s declared a state of emergency. Fort Campbell and Fort Knox are already mobilizing.” He paused, glancing away. “Mister President, they’re still a half-hour away from even reaching the area. This caught us pretty damned unawares.”
Clayton focused on a younger man in the white and blue duty uniform of the Earth Defense Command. “Lennox, report.”
General William Lennox, formerly of the United States Army, straightened to attention. He was younger than Clayton by nearly twenty years, with short brown hair and an expression that always seemed to border on the surprised. “I’ve got two squadrons of Phantom X-19’s scrambling from Autobot City and ground units mobilizing as well. The X-19’s should be there in ten minutes, if that.” He paused and looked at the hologram. “Although, I have no idea if I should give the order to engage once they reach this dome. I don’t know if Celestia here would swat them away like flies.” He looked to the end of the table, focusing on Clayton. “And I won’t risk those under my command like that, Mister President.”
Clayton returned the gaze. “I wouldn’t ask you to unless there was no other choice.” He looked to the hologram. “And right now, there is. Keep an airtight perimeter around it, Will. I want to see what this... ‘Celestia’ does next. But make sure they keep on their toes.”
Lennox nodded. “Thank you, sir.”
Hollingsworth pointed at the map of Kentucky as it floated next to the dome. “All right, now for the sixty-four thousand dollar question. I think we can all see where the dome’s epicenter is.”
Lennox spoke up. “Last report I was given, Michael and Michelle Richards were teleported to Autobot City. Twilight Sparkle and her fellow Elements of Harmony are there, too. Danielle Richards was still across the Rainbow Bridge in Equestria. I’ve sent teams to get Molly and Daniel Williams. As for Megan herself...” He hesitated. “According to his report, she was... magically transformed into an alicorn. Or at least something resembling an alicorn. And teleported her family there.” He rubbed his forehead, shaking his head slightly as everyone turned to him. “Hey, that’s what Perceptor said. And I trust him... most of the time.”
Albert’s eyes shifted. “Transformed?” He looked to the ceiling, his glasses sliding back. “That would be... difficult, at best.” He looked to Lennox. “And Perceptor said she was the one teleporting?” He suddenly straightened. “I mean-sir I-”
Lennox held up a hand. “Whoa, it’s all right, Preston. And yes, that’s what he said.” He took a step forward. “Why?”
Albert swallowed again as all eyes turned to him. “W-well, teleporting is a learned ability among unicorns at least. Although off the top of my head I don’t know about alicorns. I’d assume they’d have to be taught it. Also, such a transformation would require incredibly strong magic - most transformations are temporary, and reflect a pony’s special talent.”
Clayton tapped his fingers on the table. “Too many questions, not enough answers.” He stood up, anyone else sitting rising along with him. “Right now the priority is getting all civilians evacuated and resettled. The second priority is cordoning off that area.” He looked to Hollingsworth, then Lennox. “Tim, Will, coordinate your two groups to form a perimeter around that dome. I want a ring of trilithium steel around it, gentlemen. Am I understood?” At their acknowledgements he looked to Albert. “Albert, you’ll be by my side for a while. I want as detailed a report as possible on the dome, its effects and this Celestia. And I want it in twelve hours. We’ve got to know if this is really her.” He looked to the hologram and the miniature alicorn. “Although I’d bet the contents of my display case this isn’t her.”
Albert’s head bobbed up and down. “I won’t let you down, sir.” He turned, but stopped. “A-am I dismissed?”
Clayton half-smiled. “Yes, you’re dismissed.” He closed his eyes for a second. “All right, is there anything else I’m missing off the top of my head?”
Hollingsworth spoke up. “We need to call an emergency session of Congress, then inform the Security Council about what’s going on. I’d suggest calling Premier Brekhov back up and informing him of the situation, if he hasn’t already heard about it.”
“I’d also open up a real-time subspace communication channel to Iacon,” Lennox said. “I think we’ll be needing help on this one.”
Clayton nodded. “Good ideas, both of you.” He looked to Lennox. “Also, get me the Elements of Harmony to the Oval Office as soon as possible. I think I need to have a talk with Miss Sparkle and the others.” He looked around. “Dismissed.” And with that, he turned and walked off, his bodyguards forming up around him as he left.
An aide, tapping an earpiece, suddenly spoke up. “Mister President, there’s a news van broadcasting from near the dome.”
Clayton swung around. “Well, put it on!”
The aide nodded. He pressed a button on one of the monitors hanging from the ceiling and began scrolling through the channel selector. The image changed from a list of programs to a scratchy shot of the dome, with a news ticker scrolling across the bottom. A female voice came over.
“... not sure how the dome was formed. Police and emergency crews have evacuated most of the civilians from the area, and we have reports of army and EDC units moving in from Fort Campbell, Fort Knox, and Autobot City and-” There was a pause. The camera zoomed in on the alicorn at the apex of the dome. “Pat, Marsha, are you getting this? She’s speaking!”
Celestia’s voice boomed out. Even over the television’s speakers, it was loud and commanding. “I wish to speak with the head of your planet for negotiations! I guarantee safe passage as long as I am not attacked. I repeat, I wish to speak to the head of your planet! I will not speak with anyone else.”
Clayton crossed his arms over his chest. “Turn it off.” He let out a sigh. “Phil,” he said, addressing the aide. “Make sure Twilight and her friends are given every courtesy when they arrive, and apologize on my behalf for not being there.”
Hollingsworth’s eyes widened. “Clayton, you’re not seriously thinking of going there, are you?” He stepped around his chair and walked right up to the president. “There’s no way in hell you can trust her!”
Lennox spoke up. “I’m in agreement here, Mister President. You can trust her about as far as you could throw her.”
Clayton shook his head. “Sorry, but you heard what she said. The only way for me to get to answers is to go there and speak with her.” He leaned in close to his old friend. “I don’t like it any more than you do, but it might be our one chance to get the answers we need.”
Hollingsworth let out a sigh. He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Just be careful, Mister President. This stinks worse than anything.”
The President nodded. “I can smell it from here, too.” He reached out his arm and shook hands with Hollingsworth. “See you later, Tim.” And with that, he turned and left, the Secret Service agents forming around him.
Hollingsworth stared after his friend, his hand still extended. He closed it into a fist. “If there is a next time.”
That meeting is not going to go well.
Yay update!
So now the G.I. Joe crew is getting involved. I'm betting negotiations with evil-Celestia go absolutely nowhere.
really looking towards the next good chapter
I can't wait to see what the Autobots do in response to this. Hell, I can't wait to see the real Celestia and Luna kick the Solar Tyrant's ass!
1751908
You and me both buddy, I've already thought of how my Celestia would take care of that corrupted upstart, it revolves around an epic one on one battle.
I'm thinking that Regular Celestia would probably have an armor piercing question ready to hand: "Why in the hay did you believe that son-of-a-gelding Discord? What's wrong with you?"
For some reason, I'm getting the feeling the President will pull up in a certain red and blue big rig near and dear to all of our hearts. Said big rig will then scare the crap out of Xenolestia by not only speaking, but doing what we know it does best.
I smell a Shut Up, Hannibal! coming.
Oh, and MOOOOOOAR!
This chapter was way too short!
Please let this have the elements get amplified through a certain awesome device all the while the touch is playing.
Wait, preston...who's this (checks the Link) OH MY GOD!!!!! Excuse me, I need to have a geek out over there (EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!) well, now I know for a fact that the evil that made Venger was what made Luna into NM (yes, I have seen the unaired end script to DND...and I loved it!)
1751741
Nope, because evil Celestia does not negotiate: she does not ask, she demands.
So the question is How will President Abernathy escape her sudden yet inevitable betrayal with his mind and humanity intact?
1752397
we call this the Hasbroverse for a reason. There are a lot of 80's cartoons that are fitted into this setting.
Eleshtia is going to be surprised when the entire UN Assembly shows up with reps from Cybertron and other friendly extraterrestrials. "We know you asked to speak to Earth's leader, but we have this thing called democracy. You'll just have to deal with all of us." Not entirely accurate, but any excuse for extra bureaucracy is a good excuse in this kind of situation. Polite, diplomatic obfuscation and refusal has the added benefit of confusing Eleshtia, who seems to be expecting certain extreme responses: either immediate acquiescence, or violent opposition.
AHAHAHAHAHAAAA!
What TCB!lestia does not realize is that removing a leader figure just tends to make humans angry.
Discord is right: Humans will be her downfall.
Yo joe time to kick some ass
1751908, Xenocidestia just doesn't know when to quit, does she?
Well, things are about to get really ugly.
I smell a self full filling prophesy.
1752352
Yes, TCB!Celestia totally needs one. And another from Optimus. And yet another from Hasbroverse!Celestia (the one stuck on the other side).
1751733
I'm thinking she tries ponifying him, only for him to deck her in the face and call in an orbital bombardment.
"Knowing that your target is a combat veteren with dozens of missions kicking the flanks of tyrants like you is HALF the battle, Bitch."
1755651
...the other half is Red and Blue lasers. //dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Rainbow_dealwithit.png
1752397
Wait... What was that about an unaired script?
Oliver Voice: Please, sir, I want some links!
1756096 I think I've fallen in love with that tank.... WHERE IS IT FROM?!!?!
1755994
I am required by internet law to say this joke " LIIIIIIINKS?" Sure!
here's a radio play of it. It was quite awesome and gave the show the best type of colsure, a way to leave it open for more while making it true in a way to the game...its all about choice
Presto! Oh man, you really like the classics, don't you? I love the D&D cartoon series!
Well I've finally read all the chapters... Good God is that how the TCBverse Mane6 act, wow no wonder I won't read it, I would be annoyed by the third paragraph with the gross exaggeration of the characters. I'm trying to not laugh at them, and of course I am waiting patiently for them to get their flanks handed to them by the true Mane6
1756096
Don't forget the Titan!!!google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111218225425/warhammer40k/images/8/81/Emperor_Titan_2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Imperator-class_Titan&usg=__7P-n9e3e9wdDxGwh3gu3vS1gUm8=&h=480&w=564&sz=113&hl=en&start=7&sig2=DeTai2jeX0JwZPn44M6JfA&zoom=1&tbnid=r2hwi1TGQq3IiM:&tbnh=114&tbnw=134&ei=IKfCUNikN8e30gGEnIHoCg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Demperor%2Bclass%2Btitan%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dms-android-verizon%26sa%3DX%26v%3D141400000%26nomo%3D1%26biw%3D360%26bih%3D615%26tbm%3Disch&itbs=1
Andthe BANEBLADE!!!
1754618
Give me enough time, dakka, and weapons, and I can write a new CANNON version of it...
Huh. Almost forgot about this. Nice update.
1752241 That...would be quite possibly the most epic way that meeting could play out. Especially if it also turns out that her spiffy super special awesome magic anti-technology barrier doesn't work on uniquely living machines like Cybertronians...
Double the "Oh Crap!" moments, double the fun.
1763231
Part of me hopes that a combination of Ponies, Cybertronians, and Humans wrest control of the Anti-Six's Elements away from them.
...the other 99.9% of me wants to see them latch onto Omnicorn Megan; one on each leg, one on the neck, and the crown; their emblem changed to the Cutie Mark of the G1 pony each of the Mane Six was based off of. Double Rainbow of Light, anyone?
//dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Twilight_crazy.png //dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/Rainbow_Dash_lolface.png
Huh. So can Presto actually do magic on Earth?
moremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremoremore
Looks like Discord knows the meaning of a self-fulfilling prophesy shame Tyrant sun doesn’t, that peace of information usually sits snugly next to the part labelled ‘hypocrisy a definition’ and ‘why it’s a bad idea to attack humans’ second edition with the bonus chapter ‘Why it’s a really bad idea to attack humans who are friends with the Auto-bots and cannon equestrian’s when they both owe them there existence’.
PLease update soon
1766198
So Element of Harmony Voltron? Needs a transfomer to make some armor for it and it gets around with a absurd GI Joe Vehicle.
1986427
...what?
Let me try this again...
Option 1: A coalition of the willing, containing a Pony, a Human (Preston gets dibs on the Element of Magic), a Cybertronian, and three other species from the Hasbroverse prove themselves more worthy of the CB-verse's Elements of Harmony than the Nega Mane Six.
Option 2: Megan herself takes over the CB-verse's Elements, and the Cutie Marks on the Bling change to that of the Mane Six's G1 counterparts. (Posy for Fluttershy/Kindness, Firefly for Rainbow Dash/Loyalty, etc.)
1839239
Of course he can. The only question is if he (still) needs his hat to do it.
1988304
I know what you meant but I still like my version.
/Do my suggestion and blast "You got the Touch" And it would be so 80's it would hurt.
That ending... the "next time" does not really work if it's not been preceded with "see you next time". I know that "if there is a later" sounds a bit off but I think it would be better. It's actually even more ominous.
1766198 Which brings up a point; can the Psycho Six use their Elements? If so, I will, I admit, be rather cross.
Just when I think the Hasbroverse is as big as can be...
... Just, don't be a hero, okay? We need that information, but more importantly, we need you, just like every other person on this crazy little mud ball.
The link goes both ways! She's learning!
1752606
Ooh, "Eleshtia". That is a delightfully brilliant portmanteau. Kudos.
8762959
What is the first word on that portmanteau?
9126358
Elesh Norn
9127135
Thank you. She was mentioned earlier in the comments but I didn't retain her name at all, only a few details about her.