//------------------------------// // Celestia's Secret Weapon // Story: Celestia's Secret Weapon // by Anonymous XXX //------------------------------// "SOUND THE ALARM!!" A brown maintenance pony wearing a yellow hard hat scrambled to the wall of the Canterlot Control Center. He shattered the glass case that surrounded a large, red button labelled "Emergencies Only" and slammed his hoof into it. The blare of sirens echoed throughout Canterlot. "WARNING! WARNING! CODE BLACK! ALL PONY PERSONNEL REPORT TO BATTLE STATIONS IMMEDIATELY! THIS IS NOT A DRILL! WARNING! WARNING!" All throughout the city, panic set in. Ponies vacated their shops and homes, barricading themselves in strategically placed bunkers along the street. But deep within the castle, the Canterlot Armed Forces gathered. Suddenly, there came a great flash of purple light, and a unicorn appeared, standing in their midst. This was General Twilight Sparkle, Commander of the CAF. Her crisp, green uniform was emblazoned with no less than thirty medals, each earned through valorous conduct in the face of danger. Three long scars, like claw marks, were etched into the side of her battle-hardened face. "Bring up the Princess on Screen One," ordered Twilight. The communications technician nodded his assent and linked the signal to the High Chamber, where Celestia would be during a time of crisis. The Princess's normally cheery face was darkened with the seriousness of the situation. "What happened, your Highness?" the lavender unicorn asked. "My Darkness Scanners have detected an unusual level of Hatred resonating from Manehattan," replied Celestia. "It is imperative that we eliminate these foul emotions, and protect the love and tolerance of Canterlot." "Yes, your Highness," affirmed General Twilight. "Now, I must go. My city must be protected, and my citizens must be reassured. If you need, me, Twilight, send me a signal and I shall reply immediately." The video feed cut out, to be replaced with up-to-date readings from Celestia's Darkness Scanners. Just as the Princess had said, a vast fog of hate was radiating from the Manehattan area. General Twilight immediately took control of the action. "Marefield, analysis." A blue stallion in a white lab coat adjusted his glasses as he read from his computer screen. "It's a Level Nine Hatestorm, General." Twilight had to resist the urge to gasp. Level nine was the highest rating available for unnatural disasters. In the words of her old friend from days gone by, this was, by far... The. Worst. Possible. Thing. Her analytical mind quickly returned to the situation. Twilight wasn't one to be easily sidetracked. "Coltman, raise the Anti-Hate Shields immediately!" "Shields ready and raising, General," stated the white stallion. "Hoofson!" "Yes, General?" replied a steel-gray stallion. "What's the readout on the Orbital Friendship Cannon?" "Charging." "How long?" asked Twilight Sparkle. "Thirteen minutes, forty-three seconds, General." She glanced at the readout on the screen. The Hatestorm was growing incessantly. It now covered all of Manehattan, and was spreading to Fillydelphia. "That's too long. Is there any way to speed it up?" asked Twilight. "No, General. Not without risking an overheat." said Hoofson. Twilight cursed under her breath. "Can we get a visual on that Hatestorm? It can't be natural, and I'd like to know what's causing it." "Bringing up Manehattan Camera 3, General," stated the communications technician. This time, Twilight Sparkle couldn't hold in her gasp. It was far worse than she had first believed. The camera, located on the outside of a skyscraper, showed a terrifying sight. The streets were riddled with small craters. Streetlights had been torn out of the ground, and a massive, consuming fire raged through the city. Ponies galloped around the fires as they fled for their lives. Above the flames, numerous black vehicles were hovering ominously. They were rounded, like eggs, and their tops were open to the air. Each vehicle was occupied by two evil-looking ponies dressed in black leather jumpsuits. Their eyes were red as blood, with pupils like those of a snake. Each pony was armed with a horrible weapon, a morbid cross between a high-powered assault rifle and a napalm grenade launcher. Twilight knew instinctively that these ponies were responsible for creating the raging Hatestorm. General Twilight immediately sent out a telepathic impulse to the Princess. She needed to speak with her. The situation was out of her control. Celestia's image once again appeared on the screen. "Yes, Twilight Sparkle?" "I have discovered the source of the Hatestorm, your Highness," reported General Twilight. "Check Manehattan Camera 3." The grave face of the alicorn was quickly overcome with a look of horror as she watched. "The OFC requires more time to charge," said Twilight. "But we can't allow this to continue any longer. What are your orders, your Highness?" Celestia deliberated for a moment. "It pains me to have to do this... But we have no choice. Send out the Beast." Twilight shuddered. "Th-the Beast? Your Highness, are you sure?" "Of course I'm sure, Twilight. These are my orders. I will deal with any repercussions caused by my decision." Celestia's image disappeared as she ended the transmission. The CAF ponies looked questioningly at their General. Twilight gave a curt nod, and Coltman raised a shaking hoof to press a button. A hole opened in the ceiling of the Canterlot Control Center and a steel box began to lower into the room. It shook violently as it descended, and a vicious snarling sound emanated from the air vents on the sides of box. As it reached the floor, General Twilight gave the steel box a hard rap with her hoof. "Beast! Are you ready to defend your country?" Twilight yelled over the snarling. Everypony cringed as they heard a huge intake of breath. The Beast's battle cry could be nothing less than horrifying. "-yay!-" "CelestiaSpeed, my friend," Twilight murmered as her horn glowed, teleporting the Beast deep into the heart of Manehattan, ready to wreak havoc upon the evil, red-eyed ponies.