//------------------------------//
// Television Rules the Nation 
// Story: The Iron Horse: Everything's Better With Robots! 
// by The Hat Man 
//------------------------------//

Cobbler strode down the narrow steel corridor. He was flanked by a pair of senior officers, and ponies in the standard gray uniform of TechQuestria stood to the side and saluted as he passed. He wore a calm, confident smile.
 
Internally, he was forcing himself not to scowl.
 
This was supposed to be a glorious day, he thought. The nation should be focused on what we’re about to achieve, not the chaos erupting around us!
 
As he’d inspected their great machine, checking each section and hearing the reports from every department chief, the bad news kept pouring in: they’d lost control of 003; Biological Research had been turned into a literal zoo and 004 had been badly damaged; two of the fugitives had obtained an experimental device from the Acoustics Department and were using it to wreak havoc; there was an explosion in the Activation Room (luckily, he had backup copies of all the records and files that had been kept there); Unit Zero had been set loose, damaging the archives and injuring dozens of guards, and while it had been stopped, it had been completely destroyed in the process; and perhaps worst of all, the thaumatrium refinery was in ruins, and the guards he’d sent hadn’t even managed to apprehend Umahara!
 
He grit his teeth just thinking about it. Commander Lugnut said he’d personally stop them, but so far he and the other guards are about as useless as rubber lips on a woodpecker!
 
“Um, excuse me, sir?” the officer behind him asked.
 
Cobbler managed to hide his frustration as he looked over his shoulder at her. “Yes?” he asked.
 
“Mr. President, forgive me, but… can we really proceed without the thaumatrium refinery operating?”
 
And so it begins, he groaned inwardly. Now everypony’s doubting the mission. I’ll have to put a stop to that.
 
“We most certainly can!” Cobbler said, offering her a reassuring smile. “We have a sufficient supply on board New Dawn already and a reserve supply in TechQuestria. I hate to dip into it, but I’ll have every available pony set to rebuild and repair the refinery. I doubt it’ll give us too much trouble.”
 
The two officers exchanged a look.
 
“Still, sir,” the other officer said, pressing the matter, “at our best estimates, if a prolonged conflict arises, we’ll only have enough thaumatrium for about a third of the time it’ll take to establish order nationwide.”
 
“And that’s assuming the conflict doesn’t go on even longer!” the first added.
 
“First of all, I doubt that any conflict will be prolonged,” Cobbler said. “But if it comes to that, we’ll resort to alternative means of procuring thaumatrium.”
 
“Alternative means, sir?” the officer asked.
 
“If we encounter violent resistance, we’ll have to harvest it from any prisoners of war we take,” he replied.
 
The two officers froze, causing Cobbler to stop as well, looking back at them.
 
“I don’t like the thought of forcibly draining a pony of their magic either,” he said. “But I do suggest you overcome your squeamishness. We must be prepared to do whatever it takes to secure freedom for Equestria.” He frowned, giving them a look of fatherly concern. “You are prepared to do what’s necessary for our nation, aren’t you?”
 
The two stiffened, saluting him.
 
“Yes! Absolutely, sir!” said the first officer.
 
“Agreed! My apologies, sir!” said the second.
 
Cobbler smiled. “I’m glad to hear that,” he said. “Now come. We still have work to do.”
 
They proceeded down the corridor.
 
Soon, Celestia, Cobbler thought. It’s almost time.
 

***

 
It was a half hour before dawn. In the darkened land all across Equestria, in a line leading from Mustangia and heading north, a series of wireframe structures arose over the countryside. Triangular latticed towers made of connected bits of steel tubing, each a hundred meters tall, were hauled up with wires pulled by pegasi and secured to the ground by earth ponies. At the top of each tower was a metallic sphere that gleamed gently in the fading moonlight.
 
Most ponies were still asleep at this hour, so the towers went up unseen, one by one. A few graveyard shift workers spied them against the background of the starry sky, but either their curiosity was insufficient to make them investigate further or their posts demanded their attention.
 
The towers were spaced across the country in regular intervals. Through valleys, between mountains, and in the middle of deserts, the line carried on northward until the very last one arose in the Everfree Forest, just outside Ponyville. Thus, the line was completed, forming a strange pattern that ran from Mustangia to the heart of Equestria.
 
To Canterlot.
 
“Base is secure,” said the unicorn stallion to his superior officer after he and his crew secured the base of the wireframe tower to a concrete slab they’d poured into place earlier that week. He looked around at the surrounding forest, hearing the strange sounds of the animals and insects that dwelled within. Their work lamps cast long shadows through the thick foliage surrounding them. He swallowed. “I’ll sure be glad to get out of here when we’re finished.”
 
The superior officer, a mare, nodded to him. “I’m with you,” she said. “Lousy Everfree Forest… I’ve got bug bites in places I never knew I had!”
 
“Ma’am!” one of the other workers hissed, pointing at the sky.
 
She squinted and peered upward. Though it was dark, she could still see two figures flying down to them.
 
“Just relax, everypony,” she said, raising a hoof. “We’ll see what they want.”
 
The two pegasi landed. They wore the armor of the Royal Guard.
 
“Good evening, officers,” said the superior officer. “I’m Red Dahlia. How can I help you?”
 
“We were patrolling the airspace around Canterlot,” the senior guard said, walking over to her. “We spotted your work lamps with a telescope and saw you erecting this… this.”
 
She glanced over to the tower and then back at him, her expression unchanging. “Yes… and?”
 
“Would you care to explain what this is?” the guard asked her.
 
“Ah, I would have thought word would have gotten to the guards by now,” she sighed, rolling her eyes. “This is a weather monitoring tower. My crew and I are erecting this tower to gather data for Cloudsdale.”
 
“What kind of data?”
 
She shrugged. “Atmospheric. It’s some new thing they’re working on, but goodness knows how it works. I’m just the pony in charge of setting it up.”
 
The guard ran his tongue around his cheek. “May I see a work order or permit?” he asked.
 
Red Dahlia nodded. “Of course,” she replied, and fetched him the paper.
 
In the dim light, the guard read the document. “Hmm,” he hummed. “Looks good to me…” Then he raised his head and glanced back at the other guard. “Hey, Sky Warden?”
 
“Sir?”
 
“You used to work on a weather team before joining the Guard, right? Check this out.”
 
“Yes, sir!” Sky Warden said, and went over to examine the paper.
 
Around them, in the dim light, a few of the workers standing by began to sweat.
 
“This looks right,” Sky Warden said to Red Dahlia. But then he frowned. “However, this has the wrong seal on it. This form is outdated ever since Foxfire Flame stepped down from the National Weather Commission two months ago. I’m sorry, but this work order is invalid.”
 
Some of the nearby ponies discreetly began to reach into their uniforms.
 
“Jeez, you’ve got to be kidding me!” Red Dahlia groaned, stomping her hoof. “This is the form they gave me! I never thought to check it! And we’re supposed to start collecting data soon!”
 
The senior guard pursed his lips, looking up and down the tower.
 
“Listen, this doesn’t look like it’s anything dangerous,” he said, “and we all know how paperwork screws things up from time to time. We’ll let you carry on with your work for now, but we’ll need to check with the National Weather Commission in Cloudsdale to confirm your orders. If we can’t get this cleared in 24 hours, though, we’ll have to ask you to take this down.”
 
Red Dahlia breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good news, officer,” she said. “My boss would have me strung up and used like a piñata if she knew I botched the forms.”
 
All the other workers seemed to relax and joined in a mutual laugh.
 
The guard smirked as he gave her back the form. “Good luck with all that,” he said. “Sorry to bother you, but we’re being extra cautious. The National Convention is going on in Canterlot right now. In fact, the morning’s keynote speech and Sunrise Breakfast Banquet is starting soon.”
 
Red Dahlia’s eyes widened. “Oh?” she asked. “I had no idea!”
 
“It’s fine,” he said, saluting her. “Just be more careful next time. Carry on!”
 
With that, he and Sky Warden flew off.
 
A worker came up alongside Red Dahlia. “Think their inquiry to Cloudsdale will be a problem?” he whispered.
 
“Not a bit,” she whispered through her grin as she continued to watch the guards’ retreat. “It’ll take hours before they get word back. By that time, it won’t even matter. We’ll have done our duty in about twenty minutes.” She placed her hoof on her heart. “For TechQuestria.”
 
The gathered ponies formed a circle and mirrored the gesture. “For TechQuestria,” they said in unison.
 

***

 
Turing Test helped Twilight down the stairs of the arena rather than let her strain herself by flying. Once they arrived in the center, the others quickly spotted them.
 
“There they are!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, taking to the air and swooping over to them. The others made their way over as well, though they had to take care to avoid the fragments of metal and machinery that littered the arena floor.
 
“Hello my friends,” Turing Test said as she lowered Twilight into the center ring with her magic and then hopped down after.
 
Rainbow embraced her robotic friend tightly. “Ah, jeez, Tee… it’s great to see you,” she whispered.
 
Turing Test patted her on the back. “Likewise, Rainbow Dash,” she said. “Tell me, are you once again getting ‘mushy’ on me?”
 
“N-no!” Rainbow Dash snapped, letting her go instantly. Then she turned her attention to Twilight. “Oh my gosh, Twilight, what happened?!”
 
The others arrived and likewise gasped when they saw the various cuts and scratches all over Twilight’s body, as well as the visible bruise on one of her wings.
 
“I’m okay, everypony,” she said, giving them a reassuring smile. “Just a little banged up. Turing and I walked into an ambush, but everything’s okay now.” Then she smiled. “I’m just glad you’re all okay.”
 
The others went to her, sweeping her up in a group hug. Twilight held Spike particularly close.
 
They then turned their attention to Turing Test, though they hesitated a moment before going to her.
 
Turing tilted her head. “Is something the matter?” she asked.
 
“W-well, darling,” Rarity began as she rubbed her chin, eyeing Turing worriedly, “it’s just that, well… are you really, um, you?”
 
Turing tapped her chin as she considered the question. Then she lay down in the ‘Draw Me Like One of Your Prench Girls’ pose she remembered from Rarity’s book. “Oh darling,” she intoned, “I am as me as I have ever been.”
 
This got a big laugh from Rarity and the others, but as Turing got back to her hooves, she suddenly found herself held tightly by Pinkie Pie.
 
“Rinny,” she whispered. “It… it really is you!”
 
“Pinkie Pie,” she murmured, surprised at how emotional her friend was. “Please do not be concerned. I am in perfect working order. There is no reason to be so distressed.”
 
She looked up and saw the the others were now smiling at her. Some of them had tears in their eyes. A moment later, she found herself on the receiving end of a group hug.
 
“Ah,” she said. “I have missed you as well, my friends.”
 
For a moment, they only held each other, glad to be reunited at last.
 
Immediately afterward, however, the group erupted into excited chatter as they began to share their experiences getting to the amphitheater.
 
“Spike, I’m so glad you’re safe!” Twilight cried.
 
“Yeah, I’m fine!” he said, puffing out his chest. “Gadget and I fought off some guards, but then we both got caught, and later I helped Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy escape! What about you, Twilight?”
 
Twilight began to tell about her escape with Turing Test. Nearby, Rainbow Dash was talking to Rarity and Pinkie Pie.
 
“Hey, that music gun you and Pinkie found was awesome, Rarity!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “Please tell me there are more of them!”
 
“Sad to say,” Rarity said, rolling her eyes, “there are not, as far as I know.”
 
“Yeah, it’s a shame we had to use it to blow up that big metal door,” Pinkie sighed. “That AKG-9000 would have made one heck of a party cannon.”
 
She pulled a piece of the now-destroyed machine from her mane that she’d kept as a souvenir. She kissed it tenderly.
 
“Poor weaponized sound machine,” she whispered, “you were too good for this world.”
 
Meanwhile, Gadget, Umahara, and Fluttershy were talking to Turing Test.
 
“...and then I turned into a giant!” Gadget shouted, practically bouncing on her hooves. “At first it was really weird, but then I scared off all the guards and smashed up the entire refinery!”
 
“It was impressive,” Umahara said. Then, with a sly sideways glance at Gadget, he added, “And a little scary.”
 
“Darn right!” Gadget said, crossing her mechanical arms in front of her chest. Then, turning back to Turing Test, she said, “Anyway, Umahara was awesome too. He used a bunch of spell cards, and the guards didn’t know what hit them!”
 
“Not as awesome as you were, using your arms to take on all those guards!”
 
She punched him playfully in the foreleg. “Aw, come on! I mean, we never would have made it in there without that invisibility spell you gave me!”
 
Fluttershy and Turing both watched the two of them. Fluttershy giggled at the sight, covering her mouth with her hoof, though Turing wasn’t certain why.
 
“I see,” Turing replied, cutting in. “It seems that you two had a fascinating adventure.”
 
“It really does!” Fluttershy exclaimed. “Oh my… it is a little scary to think of you as a giant pony, Gadget, but I’m glad you’re both all right. Rainbow Dash, Spike, and I barely escaped at all from 004!”
 
Turing Test’s ears went ramrod straight.
 
“You encountered my brother?” she asked, drawing the attention of the others.
 
Rainbow Dash walked over. “Yeah,” she said, raising her wing and gingerly touching her side. “I’m pretty sure he broke a rib or two.”
 
“But how did you manage to escape?”
 
“It was awesome!” Rainbow Dash shouted. “I kept him busy, but then Fluttershy found Spike and a bunch of animals and set them free! Spike overheated him with his fire breath, and then they all ganged up and kicked 004’s sorry flank! They just about smashed him to pieces!”
 
Turing Test froze, her eyes constricting as she stared at Rainbow Dash. “To… pieces?”
 
“Rainbow Dash!” Fluttershy hissed. “That’s her brother, remember!”
 
Rainbow winced, realizing her error. She lowered her head, her ears going back. “Oh… oh, right, Tee. Sorry.” 
 
Turing turned to Fluttershy. “Fluttershy… I am glad that you escaped 004,” she whispered, “but please tell me… were you forced to destroy him?”
 
Fluttershy shook her head. “No, Turing Test,” she said. “I stopped the animals once the fight was over. He wasn’t literally in pieces. He’s damaged, but I’m certain he can be fixed, so please don’t worry; he’s all right.”
 
Turing Test was still for a moment. Then she went to Fluttershy and embraced her.
 
“Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank you for sparing my baby brother.”
 
Fluttershy smiled as she returned the hug. “Oh Turing,” she said. “You really are a kind pony. And I think, in his own way, 004 cares about you too. He mentioned you. I think something you said to him got to him. I think maybe he feels guilty about hurting you… or maybe he’s just grateful that you said you didn’t hate him.”
 
Turing nodded silently as she let Fluttershy go. “I am so relieved,” she said. “I know my siblings have hurt you all, but I still hope that my family and I will one day be able to be together as one.”
 
“Speaking of which,” Umahara said looking around at the wreckage of the drones scattered all around them, “it looks like 002 really went after you and Twilight.”
 
“She did,” Twilight said, rubbing her bruised wing tenderly. “It’s hard to believe how much anger and bitterness she had inside her. She really seemed to enjoy terrorizing us and watching us run for our lives.”
 
“I can believe that,” Gadget said, shivering at the memory of her own encounter with 002.
 
“But Turing Test was amazing,” Twilight continued, smiling at her mechanical companion. “She kept me safe and even figured out that 002 was watching us from close by!”
 
“That is correct,” Turing said. “Once I determined her actions, I confronted her. She stated that she had no further interest in existing in servitude of TechQuestria, or in any existence at all. She… she instructed me to destroy her.”
 
They all stared at her.
 
“But I did not,” Turing continued. “I could not. I chose to spare my sister.”
 
“You did what?!” Umahara shouted, drawing stares from all of them.
 
Twilight frowned at him and went to Turing, putting her foreleg around Turing’s shoulders. “That’s right, she spared her,” Twilight said, raising her chin. “And I’m very proud of her for it.”
 
“I understand your misgivings, Mr. Umahara,” Turing said, “but due to the time I have spent with Twilight Sparkle and the rest of my friends, I have developed a respect and concern for life. The lives of others are precious. And if even my life as an artificial being has value, then I assert that 002’s life is important as well.”
 
Umahara made a face, looking away. “Maybe so,” he muttered, “but 002 is twisted and heartless. Gadget told me all about what she said, and we all have seen what she did to us… and it looks like she nearly killed Twilight! She obviously doesn’t hold life in the same regard as you. How in Equestria could you just let her go on her way?”
 
“This may sound illogical,” Turing said, meeting his gaze, “but I believe I ‘saw myself in her,’ as the expression goes.”
 
“But you’re nothing like her!” Spike cried.
 
“Yeah, Turing,” Gadget added, “you’re sweet and gentle and--”
 
“Forgive me, but what I mean is that I could have become a robot like her,” she said, holding up her hoof to silence them. “We both began our existences in the same way, with only the most basic mentality to start with. I was raised and educated by Twilight Sparkle and encouraged by my friends. I was accepted by others and given the right to make choices in my own existence. 002, however, was not. The ponies of TechQuestria did not regard her as a sentient being and used her only for labor. She was shown no care or affection. Our upbringings were what shaped us… which means that if I had been the one to stay in TechQuestria rather than her, then it is likely that I would have acted as she did.
 
“I could not punish her for her actions because, quite simply, I believe that I would have done the same.”
 
They all looked to each other, considering what she’d said.
 
Before anypony could comment further, however, they heard the galloping of hooves as somepony approached. They all turned and looked at the giant hole that the AKG had blasted in the arena. A moment later, Applejack emerged.
 
“I’m here, I’m here!” she shouted, skidding to a halt as she looked around. Her face lit up when she saw her friends standing there. “Aha! I knew I’d find y’all if I kept lookin’!”
 
“Applejack!” they all shouted, running to her.
 
“Whoa there, I--oof!” she grunted as Pinkie latched onto her, followed by the others. “I sure am glad to see ya, everypony. I--” She paused, noticing Umahara. “Uh, what’s he doin’ here?”
 
“I’m on your side now,” Umahara said, keeping his distance as he waved to her. “Please don’t hit me,” he quickly added.
 
Applejack shrugged, deciding not to question it. “Now hang on, everypony!” she said as she pried Pinkie Pie off of her. “It ain’t just me that’s here. I brought a friend!”
 
Turing’s ears twitched as she heard the whirr of mechanical legs. She was the first to notice, but the others followed her gaze as Applejack walked over to the entrance.
 
“Come on now,” Applejack said softly, beckoning for the pony in the shadows to come out. “Don’t be scared. Nopony here’s gonna do ya any harm.”
 
001 emerged from the tunnel, her camera eyes refocusing in the more brightly lit arena. The others all stood and stared at the new robot in their midst, but it was then that 001’s gaze fell on Turing Test.
 
Turing’s eyes shrank to pinpricks. “Applejack?” she asked. “You found another of my siblings?”
 
“This here is Unit 001, Turing,” Applejack said, giving her a warm smile as she went over to 001, placing her hoof on the robot’s shoulder. “001, that’s Turing Test. You two are sisters.”
 
001 cocked her head at Turing Test. Then she began to approach her. Turing Test did the same.
 
When they met 001 raised a hoof and Turing Test mirrored the gesture. Each one watched the other in silence as they took in the sight of one another. Turing touched her hoof to 001’s, and at first 001 flinched away, but then she seemed to relax and press her hoof to Turing’s.
 
001’s jaw moved as she spoke: “You sissa?” she asked.
 
Turing nodded. “Yes,” she replied quietly. “I am your younger sister, Turing Test.”
 
001 put a hoof over her own eye, mimicking 002. “Nice sissa? Mean sissa?”
 
Turing wasn’t certain how to respond at first, so she tapped her chin. “If you are inquiring as to whether I am amicable or not,” she said, “then I would say that I am, at least in my own estimation.”
 
001 tilted her head from side to side. “You talk lots. Talky talk talk.”
 
“Ah,” Turing Test said. “Then I will speak plainly.”
 
She stepped closer and put her hoof on 001’s shoulder, meeting her pale green eyes. “I am very happy to meet you, Big Sister.”
 
001 raised her head. “Me big sissa,” she said slowly. “You lil sissa. Sissa. Happy sissa.”
 
She came closer and rested her head on Turing Test’s shoulder.
 
“Nice sissa,” she murmured. “Nice sissa Turry Tess.”
 
Turing gently embraced her. “Yes,” she said quietly. “I will be a good sister to you, 001.”
 
She turned and saw the others were all watching her. Fluttershy, Rarity, and Twilight had tears in their eyes.
 
“Oh, this is just wonderful, Turing!” Rarity said, dabbing at her eyes with her hoof. “I wish I had a camera to capture the moment!”
 
“Me too, Rarity,” Twilight said, approaching the pair of siblings. “But no matter what, I’m sure I won’t forget this.” She smiled at Turing. “I’m so glad you found another member of your family, Turing.”
 
“And that she’s nice instead of a killer robot!” Pinkie added.
 
Twilight’s smile became strained. “Yes, Pinkie, thank you,” she said.
 
“Me not killa rowboat!” 001 shouted, suddenly throwing her forelegs in the air. “Nice rowboat! Nice nice!”
 
The others watched as she began to jump and galavant around excitedly.
 
“Uh, why’s she… um... like that?” Rainbow Dash asked, whispering to Umahara.
 
Umahara frowned. “She was a prototype for the neural net that makes Turing and the others work,” he whispered back. “But it’s not as complex or as developed. I thought she was in storage.” He turned to Applejack. “How on earth did you find her?”
 
“It’s kind of a long story,” Applejack said, rubbing the back of her neck. “I’ll save it fer later, but right now I’m just glad I found 001 at all. Lan’ sakes, she coulda been stuck in that box for who knows how long if I hadn’t come across ‘er!”
 
Turing Test turned to her. “My sister was in a box?” she demanded.
 
“It you sis in a box!” 001 sang.
 
“Yeah,” Applejack sighed. “They just turned her off an’ left ‘er there.”
 
Gadget glanced over at Umahara, wrinkling her nose.
 
“Whoa, hey, she was put into storage when I was just a colt!” Umahara protested, holding up his hooves. “Don’t blame me!”
 
“Perhaps the important thing is simply that she is here now,” Turing said as she turned to 001. “Eldest Sister, these are my friends,” she said, sweeping a foreleg at them.
 
001 stopped dancing around and pointed at the others. “You friends?”
 
“Correct,” Turing replied. She began to point to each of them, introducing them to her. “They are Fluttershy--”
 
“Futtachai!” 001 said, echoing her.
 
“--Rarity--”
 
“Raradee!”
 
“--Gadget--”
 
“Gazzet!”
 
“--Pinkie Pie--”
 
“Ponka Pa!”

“--Spike--”

“Spork!” 

“--Rainbow Dash--”
 
“Fus Ro Dah!”
 
“Oh come on, that wasn’t even close!” Rainbow snapped.
 
Umahara snickered.
 
“--my mentor, Twilight Sparkle--”
 
“Toilet Spackle!”
 
“Hey!” Twilight shouted, even as Rainbow Dash and Pinkie erupted into loud laughter.
 
“--and last of all,” Turing said, coming to Umahara at last.
 
Umahara stiffened up. Oh boy, here it comes, he said to himself.
 
“--is Umahara.”
 
“Umahara!”
 
“That’s--!” Umahara froze, blinking a few times. “Oh. Yeah.”
 
Applejack patted 001 on the back. “Glad ya met everypony, 001” she said. “But enough o’ this standin’ around. Now that we’re all here, let’s skedaddle!”
 
They all voiced their agreement and made for the stairs that would lead them up and out of the amphitheater.
 
“Wait!” a voice cried from behind them.
 
They turned and saw a white unicorn stallion with a graying mane and mustache running after them.
 
“Looks like we’ve got more trouble!” Rainbow Dash growled, taking to the air as she and the others assumed a defensive position. 
 
However, Umahara’s eyes lit up. “Mr. Alfalfa Sprouts!” he exclaimed. “Everypony, relax!” he shouted, going to meet him.
 
“Alfalfa Sprouts?” Twilight asked.
 
“Scanning data regarding TechQuestrian personnel,” Turing Test intoned. “Subject identified. Though I have not met him, he is listed as one of the members of the TechQuestrian Council, the governing body of TechQuestria.”
 
Alfalfa Sprouts nodded, panting as he slowed to a halt. “That’s… that’s right!” he gasped, wiping the sweat from his forehead. “I’m glad I caught up to you! It looks like you gave the guards the slip!”
 
“More like used a giant sound wave to blast them,” Pinkie said, giving a shrug of her shoulders, “but po-tay-to, po-tah-to.”
 
“Tornado, torpedo!” 001 agreed, nodding emphatically.
 
“Mr. Alfalfa Sprouts is one of the elected Civilian Representatives,” Umahara explained. “He actually proposed cancelling New Dawn.”
 
“Yes, but the proposal failed,” Alfalfa Sprouts sighed. “Listen, we don’t have much time. I came here to give you something…”
 
They noticed he was carrying a pouch around his neck. He undid the drawstrings and removed a small, L-shaped piece of metal.
 
Umahara and Turing Test both jerked their heads back in surprise.
 
“That’s a security hex key!” Umahara exclaimed.
 
“Twilight Sparkle, you and Rarity may use it to remove the magic suppression rings on your horns,” Turing explained.
 
“Oh, thank heavens!” Rarity cried. “I can’t wait to get this horrid thing off me!” She reached for it, but then paused, blushing as she looked to Twilight. “Ah, but perhaps you should go first, Twilight?”
 
“Hey, you said you couldn’t wait,” Twilight said, smirking at her. “Go ahead.”
 
Rarity grinned as she took the key. The others helped her use it to deactivate the ring around her horn. As they did so, Twilight bowed to Alfalfa Sprouts.
 
“We’re very grateful for your help, sir,” she said.
 
Alfalfa Sprouts smiled. “It’s the least I could do,” he said.
 
Gadget approached him as well, adjusting her glasses as she looked up at him. “Sir, if you don’t mind my asking,” she began, “it’s great that you’re helping us… but why are you doing it?”
 
He looked down at her, momentarily taken aback at the question. Then he smiled. “You’re Gadget, aren’t you?”
 
She blinked, surprised by the question, but nodded.
 
“Ah,” he said, giving a sideways glance at Umahara. “So, this is the young lady you were so taken with, Umahara?”
 
Both Umahara and Gadget blushed deeply.
 
“Jeez, did everypony in TechQuestria think we were dating?” Gadget grumbled.
 
“I apologize,” Alfalfa said, chuckling, “but after the Council meeting, I started having second thoughts about what we were doing. Or, at least, what I was doing. I felt like I had to abide by the Council’s decision, and that respecting our democracy was more important than how I felt about it. But then I realized that I had a duty to try to do what I felt was right, not what the majority said was right. When I heard about the escape, I had a feeling that Mr. Umahara had a hoof in it. I figured if that young pony could do it, then I should do something too.
 
“Listen, Princess Twilight,” he said, taking Twilight’s hoof, “I’m so sorry for all of this. I and most of the rest of TechQuestria came here because we wanted our own nation. We wanted to do things our own way without Celestia holding us back. I still believe in that, and so do a lot of us. But Cobbler convinced too many of us to abandon that goal, and now we’re forcing our way of life onto the rest of Equestria.
 
“Cobbler says that TechQuestria has to do this or else it won’t survive. But now I’m worried that this will start a war that will destroy both nations. If TechQuestria’s doomed, then it’s our fault for betraying our ideals. I’d rather face that than drag others down with us.”
 
Twilight undid the magic suppressor on her horn, letting it fall to the ground and roll away in the dust. She smiled at Alfalfa Sprouts. “Sir, I think what you’re doing is very brave,” she said. “Thank you for this. And, for what it’s worth, I’ll vouch for you and try to preserve the best of what TechQuestria has to offer.”
 
He nodded. “I appreciate that. Still, I’m sure there will be consequences later, and I’ll gladly face them. For now, I’m going back to the Residential District to be with my family. As for you lot, you’d better get going.”
 
Umahara’s eyes widened. “Wait… does anypony know what time it is?”
 
Turing Test nodded. “At the tone, it will be 5:46 AM,” she replied. “Beep.”
 
Now Alfalfa Sprouts wore the same look of shock as Umahara.
 
“This is no time for jokes! You need to go now!” he shouted. “New Dawn launches at six o’clock when the sun rises!”
 
“He’s right!” Umahara exclaimed, turning and leading them up the stairs. “This way! We’ll take the main elevator back to the surface! The launch site is a few kilometers away! We can make it if we hurry!”
 
They all ran up the stairs toward the Great Hall. As they went, Alfalfa Sprouts watched them go. He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly.
 
“Good luck,” he whispered. “For all our sakes.”
 

***

 
Celestia walked through the banquet hall, her hooves clicking lightly on the smooth marble floor. The room was filled with tables for all the delegates. Many were already there and taking their seats, and more were filing in. In her experience hosting the National Conference each year, there were always a few stragglers, but it was much more common for everypony to arrive to the Sunrise Banquet on the last day of the conference. They all wanted to watch their princess as she raised the sun.
 
She smiled at the gathering ponies, each one the leader of their town, village, city, or otherwise. The mayor of Ponyville was there, as well as the mayor of Manehatten, the Sheriff of Appleoosa, and Fancy Pants, who wasn’t a political leader, but had been chosen by the citizens of Canterlot to represent them. All told, just over a hundred delegates would be there.
 
Celestia went to the balcony and looked out at the castle gardens below. In a tower across the way, she spotted Luna walking out onto her own balcony as she prepared to lower the moon.
 
She smiled at the sight of her sister, but couldn’t help the nagging feeling at the back of her mind. There hadn’t been any word from Mustangia yet. She told herself that perhaps Twilight and her friends simply hadn’t found anything. It had only been a day, after all.
 
But something just felt wrong. Her instincts were telling her that something was about to happen. Her instincts weren’t always right, of course, but they’d served her well enough for the last thousand years.
 
And yet there was nothing she could do. She couldn’t send more guards to Mustangia without just cause, and even if she did, it would take time to get there. Not only that, there was the conference to think about.
 
Just put it out of mind, Celestia, she told herself. After the conference is over, I’ll see to Twilight and the others. For now, the ponies of Equestria need me.
 
She glanced a nearby clock, though she hardly even needed to, her schedule was so internalized.
 
Five minutes until six. Until dawn. A new day for Equestria was about to begin.
 

***

 
Cobbler Mustang stood at the door as it was opened for him. He stepped inside.
 
“The President is on the bridge!” shouted the First Officer. “Attention!”
 
All the ponies stood up from their stations and saluted him.
 
Cobbler smiled and saluted them back, removing his hat. “As you were, my friends,” he said. “Commander, is everything in order?”
 
“Yes, Mr. President!” the first officer said. He was an earth pony stallion with a black mane and beard and a burgundy coat. “The captain’s chair is all yours, sir.”
 
Cobbler stepped in. The bridge was U-shaped, with various stations and consoles all around him. A dozen ponies sat, eagerly checking their instruments, reading dials, and using their headsets to communicate with the various decks of New Dawn. At the center of the bridge was a raised platform with a large, cushioned chair.
 
Before taking his seat, however, he walked to the thing that was placed just in front of his chair.
 
Atop a cylindrical metallic pedestal was a circular disk. Sticking out of like the spokes of a ship’s steering wheel were six vials. Inside each, dimly glowing, was pure thaumatrium. It had been refined to be almost solid, much like the thaumatrium used inside the magic mechanisms of 003 and 004. He ran his hoof in a circle around the device, noting the colors: white, blue, pink, yellow, orange, and, last of all, lavender.
 
The Elements. The data gathered by 004 had helped them calibrate the thaumatrium to match the signature of Twilight Sparkle and each of her friends to a virtually perfect match. It should perfectly emulate the power of the Elements of Harmony.
 
Such an awesome power that they wield. And now, thanks to our efforts constructing this device, the Harmonic Drive, so do we.
 
“Commander, please prime the Harmonic Drive,” he said.
 
The commander raised an eyebrow. A few of the gathered officers paused what they were doing and looked over at him.
 
“Sir, we’ve been told that we shouldn’t utilize the Harmonic Drive unless it was necessary,” the commander said. “It hasn’t gone through very much testing.”
 
“I’m aware of that,” Cobbler said. “But we’ve yet to hear word from Commander Lugnut. I have to assume, therefore, that Twilight Sparkle and her friends are on their way here. If so, then this device will soon prove very necessary. Wouldn’t you agree?”
 
The room got very quiet.
 
“Prime the Harmonic Drive!” barked the commander.
 
Cobbler took his seat. The Harmonic Drive began to hum as it powered on. The thaumatrium in the vials started to glow more intensely.
 
“Very good,” Cobbler said. “Commander, will you please activate the PA system and pass me the microphone?”
 
“Yes, sir!” he said, taking the microphone in his hoof. He cleared his throat and turned it on. “Attention citizens of TechQuestria! This is Commander Hill Hiker of the New Dawn! Please stand by for a message from President Cobbler Mustang!”
 
Cobbler took the microphone. “My fellow citizens,” he began, “today is a glorious day…”
 

***

 
Across TechQuestria, ponies in their homes or at their stations throughout the extensive network of caverns raised their heads as Cobbler’s voice echoed out to them.
 
Weissenhoof Seedling listened in the Biological Research Department. 
 
“Yes, a glorious day indeed,” Cobbler continued. “Today the ponies of TechQuestria will reveal themselves to the world.”
 
Bell Breaky and Airy Siren paused in the hallway on the way to the Magitech Department. 
 
“I realize today has not gone perfectly according to plan. Betrayal and sabotage have threatened all that we’ve worked on. But none of that matters now.”
 
Dr. Hawk Eye glanced up from the patient he was treating in the Medical Ward. 
 
“In the end, not even these setbacks could stop us. Today, the tyranny of the old regime will fall, and a great age of knowledge and scientific advancement unseen by ponykind in all of history will dawn.”
 
And even Blue Blazer, who’d finally escaped and gone to her post in the Communications Department, stood by and listened to Cobbler’s voice.
 
“Today we will rise up and use our combined might to end the reign of shortsighted royals and petty nobles once and for all! The sacrifices of those who came before us will not be in vain! Rejoice for freedom! For innovation! For progress! For TechQuestria!
 
“Today, Canterlot will see the light of dawn: the New Dawn has arrived!!”
 

***

 
In her charging station, 002 reclined against the wall, rolling her eye as Cobbler finished his speech.
 
“Blah blah blah,” she intoned. “The old windbag sure likes to hear himself talk.”
 

***

 
Cobbler passed the microphone back to the commander.
 
“Excellent speech, Mr. President!” Commander Hiker said.
 
“Yes, but the time for speeches is over now,” Cobbler said, getting to his hooves. “Now is the time for action! Initiate the launch sequence!”
 
“You heard him, everypony!” the commander bellowed. “Prepare for launch!”
 
The communications officer switched on her system, broadcasting to the whole of New Dawn. “All crew members, prepare for launch! I repeat, all crew members prepare for launch!”
 
“Engines have been engaged,” the helmsmare said, “levitation panels energized.”
 
A dull rumble grew louder as the great machine they piloted came to life.
 
“Deployment reports that officers are at the ready, sir!”
 
“Weapons are charging!”
 
“Engineering reports that thaumatrium is flowing at 100% efficiency!”
 
“Docking clamps are releasing in three… two… one…”
 
The sound of the massive metal clamps disengaging was heard throughout the massive chamber. The vessel began to rise.
 
“Launch area is clear. Airspace is clear. Transmission towers are in place!”
 
Cobbler couldn’t keep the grin from his face. “Excellent work, everypony!” he laughed. “Open the launch bay doors!”
 

***

 
On the surface, Twilight and her friends ran across an open field. Along the way, Umahara had explained what New Dawn was. The thought of such a machine reaching Canterlot was unthinkable, but she’d already seen what TechQuestria was capable of and how far Cobbler would go to achieve his goals.
 
It’s almost dawn! she realized. If only we’d managed to escape faster… no, there’s no time to dwell on that. Right now we just have to focus on stopping it before it gets to Canterlot!
 
“We might not make it at this rate!” Rainbow Dash shouted, flying in front of them. “Let’s just use our Rainbow Power and we can zoom over there in less than a second!”
 
“No!” Umahara shouted. “Look, it’s like I said: they have devices that would detect it from over twenty kilometers away! If they know you’re coming, they’ll activate the Harmonic Drive for sure! You need to wait until we get there to try and catch them off guard!”
 
“But if we wait too long,” Fluttershy said, “then we might be too late to stop them!”
 
“They’ve both got a point, Twilight,” Applejack said. “What should we do?”
 
Twilight didn’t respond immediately, thinking even as she ran. “We… we should do what Umahara says,” she replied. “After all, his plan got us out of TechQuestria, didn’t it?”
 
“That’s true!” Pinkie exclaimed, looking up at the sky, which was still dark. “I was starting to wonder if I’d ever see the sky again! I mean, I grew up getting rocks out of caves, but I think I’d go cuh-razy if I had to live in one!”
 
“Okay okay!” Rainbow Dash snapped. “Look, just get the lead out, everypony!”
 
“I am not made of lead, Rainbow Dash,” Turing Test remarked.
 
“That’s not what I--”
 
“That was a joke,” she added. “Ha ha.”
 
“Ha ha! Ha ha!” 001 shouted, repeating after her.
 
“Turing, I get that you’re trying to give a little levity here,” Twilight said, “but this isn’t the time!”
 
They thundered like a herd of wild horses across the open, grassy plain in silence, but Twilight’s mind was filled with doubts and fears that seemed almost deafening.
 
The Harmonic Drive. A machine that can emulate the powers of the Elements of Harmony, according to what Umahara told us on the way here. I can’t believe they built something like that… but if it’s true, then almost nothing could stop them! And to think, trying to steal our power was the entire reason for sending Turing Test in the first place…
 
She glanced over at Turing, who noticed and turned to face her as well.
 
“Is something wrong, Twilight Sparkle?” she asked.
 
Twilight managed a smile. “A lot,” she replied. “But nothing with you, Turing Test.”
 
“I see. That is good to know, at least.”
 
Twilight was about to say more when they heard Gadget gasp.
 
“Look!” she exclaimed, pointing with one of her mechanical hands. “The moon is setting!”
 
Twilight’s heart skipped a beat. If Luna was lowering the moon, then that meant…!
 

***

 
Celestia stood on the balcony, her horn glowing with its telltale golden aura. The delegates all stood at their places, looking out through the tall windows as the glow of the rising sun peeked over the horizon, bathing the land in golden light.
 
Celestia turned and spread her wings majestically. “Ponies of Equestria!” she said, addressing the crowd of delegates. “Good morning, and welcome to the final day of the Equestrian National Conference! As dawn comes to Equestria today, let us work towards a brighter future for us all!”
 
The hall erupted with applause.
 

***

 
The ground began to shake, causing them all to stumble.
 
“An earthquake?!” Rarity cried.
 
“No!” Umahara yelled. “They’re launching! Look!”
 
Twilight looked across the plain. In the light of the rising sun, she saw the grassy field begin to tremble and ripple as if it were turning to liquid. Then, impossibly, she saw the field begin to rise up. It was then that she realized that the earth itself was opening up: something was hidden beneath the ground and was pushing the top layer of soil out of the way.
 
The dirt began to slide off of the massive, flat object as it rose. Twilight saw that it was a metal door that seemed to take up the whole horizon. It swung completely open, dumping what remained of the layer of dirt as it came down with a thunderous sound. Something inside the newly-opened chamber produced a roar as it ascended into the air above.
 
They all stared up at the gargantuan machine with a mixture of awe and horror, but only Gadget managed to articulate what they were all thinking:
 
“Incredible,” she breathed.
 
The New Dawn was an airship, but not like any they’d ever seen. It was covered with armored metal plating. It had to be nearly 300 meters long and a hundred meters wide at the beam. The upper deck was flat, but the observation deck and the bridge near the ship’s stern rose up like the tower of a castle. Impossibly, the monolithic machine, which was large enough to completely block out the view of the rising sun, had no balloons or even propellers to keep it aloft. Instead, glowing blue panels along the ship’s hull produced a deep, resonant sound as they lifted the ship.
 
“They’ve launched New Dawn,” Umahara breathed.
 
Twilight shook her head, putting her fear aside. “Then it’s now or never, everypony!” she shouted. “Spike, Gadget, Turing, Umahara, 001, stand back! Everypony else, let’s stop them right here!”
 
The six of them gathered around Twilight. There was a strange sound, and they all began to glow. Columns of light shot into the sky. There was a bright flash, and the six bearers of the Elements of Harmony rose into the sky, now transformed by the Elements’ power.
 
“Amazing,” Umahara breathed.
 
“It is,” Gadget agreed. “But… um…”
 
“Big goofy hair!” 001 yelped, pointing up at them.
 
“Well, somepony had to say it,” Gadget said, grinning at 001. “Still, it looks like we’re just in time, right Turing?”
 
There was no response, so Gadget turned and saw that Turing’s eyes had constricted. Her ears began to twitch.
 
“Turing?” she asked.
 
“I… I hear something…”
 
Gadget raised an eyebrow. “You hear something?” she repeated. “What do you mean?”
 
“I am not certain,” Turing whispered. 
 
They all looked as Twilight and the others rose up in a brilliant orb of light, the colors of the rainbow swirling around them.
 

***

 
“We’ve achieved liftoff!” the helmsmare declared.
 
The bridge erupted in cheers, but she suddenly cried out again.
 
“Sir, we’re getting a massive energy reading! The Elements are here!”
 
Cobbler leaped out of his seat and went to the console of the Harmonic Drive. “Engage the counter-wave function immediately!” he bellowed.
 
The ponies around him did as he ordered, and the large button on the console began to glow.
 
“Ready to fire, sir!”
 
Cobbler brought his hoof down on the button.
 

***

 
Twilight glared down at the colossal ship. “All right, everypony!” she hollered. “We’ll use our power to take out some of those levitation panels on the side to force them to land. We don’t want to hurt--”
 
Suddenly there was a massive burst of multihued energy from the bridge of the ship. It blasted forth, and they all screamed as it slammed into them. Twilight felt the energy tear through her body and found herself struggling to breathe. It lasted only a moment, but her head was swimming and she felt her limbs go numb.
 
Wind whistled in her ears. She tried to focus her vision. Then she realized that they were falling. 
 
The power that they’d wielded had been stripped away.
 
“Everypony, wake up!” she shouted, spreading her wings.
 
Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy came to and did the same. They quickly swooped down, catching their remaining companions and carrying them safely to the ground below.
 
“Twilight!” Spike shouted, running over to them. “What happened?!”
 
Twilight was still gasping for air. Her body was coated with a cold sweat.
 
“That device,” Twilight whispered. “The Harmonic Drive… Umahara was right: it works. It can counter the Elements!”
 
“But… I mean…” he stammered. “Then how do we stop them?”
 
Twilight looked up at the airship as it hung in the air.
 
“I don’t know, Spike,” she whispered, hugging herself.
 

***

 
The bridge crew all groaned. The wave of energy had actually been produced from the top of the control tower, but it seemed to create some kind of recoil effect. The machinery in the bridge momentarily went haywire as well, but to their relief it all seemed to be working normally again.
 
“Observation reports that the Elements are down!” the communications officer shouted. “It worked!”
 
Another cheer went up from the crew, but then the commander looked to Cobbler and saw that he was hunched over the Harmonic Drive. He was staring into space and breathing shallowly.
 
“Sir!” the commander cried, going to his side and shaking him. “Are you all right?”
 
Cobbler swallowed and gradually turned to face the commander. Then his gaze seem to refocus, and he grinned.
 
“Yes,” he said slowly. “I do apologize if I gave you a fright, but I just…”
 
He took a deep breath and stumbled back, taking his seat in the captain’s chair again.
 
“It was quite overwhelming,” he said. “The power… For a moment I--” He paused, his ears twitching. “Commander? Did you say something?”
 
The commander narrowed his eyes. “No, sir,” he replied. “Mr. President, are you certain you’re all right?”
 
Cobbler waved him off. “I’m fine, I’m fine. Prepare for teleportation jump!”
 
“Aye, sir!” the commander said. “Prepare for teleportation jump!”
 
The communications officer relayed the order to the rest of the ship.
 
“Sir!” she said. “Observation deck has spotted some other ponies with the Elements! It appears to be the other fugitives, 003… and 001, sir!”
 
Cobbler frowned, but got up and went to the window. He took out a telescope and peered through it. His frown deepened at what he saw. “Engage the speakers,” he said. “I would like to say farewell before we depart. Oh, and send a small group to contain them while they’re weakened. Even if we can counter them, they could still be trouble if they recover. We mustn’t let them escape.”
 

***

 
Turing Test went to Twilight’s side as well. “Twilight Sparkle, your injuries have vanished,” she observed, noting that the scratches and injuries she’d received from 002’s drones were now gone. “How is that possible?”
 
Twilight struggled to get up, but Spike and Turing assisted her. “The Elements rejuvenate us,” she said. “The first time we ever used them, they regrew Rarity’s tail!”
 
“Yeah, and it looks like my ribs are better now too!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. Then she winced, clutching her head. “But that thing they hit us with gave me a splitting headache. I feel like I got run over by a stampede of buffalo.”
 
There was the crackle of static above them. Somehow above the din of the gigantic ship, Cobbler’s voice carried.
 
“Well, Princess Twilight,” he said. “It seems you were able to join us for this special day after all. I regret that we couldn’t come to an understanding, but I believe you can now see why resisting us was pointless.”
 
“I’ll show you pointless!” Rainbow Dash shouted up to him.
 
“I don’t think he can hear you, Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy murmured.
 
“Umahara, my dear boy,” Cobbler continued, “I don’t know how you and that girl got away from those guards, but I promise you that you will pay for your treason. For all the kindness I showed you, you can expect an equal amount of ire. Bear that in mind.”
 
Umahara heaved a sigh, looking down. Gadget placed her hoof on his shoulder.
 
“Well, it seems you’ve regained control of Unit 003 and even stolen Unit 001 from us, Twilight. However, even if they are both more trouble than they’re worth, they still belong to us. I’m afraid we’ll have to take them from you; they are TechQuestrian property, after all.”
 
Turing’s ears slowly drooped. “Father,” she whispered. Is that truly how you see us?
 
001 cowered on the ground, covering her head with her forelegs. “No go back… Not Da, no put back…”
 
Turing Test stood before her, offering her a hoof. “Do not worry, sister,” she said. “No matter what our father says, I will not let him deprive us of our freedom again.”
 
001 looked at her hoof blankly for a moment, but then took it and stood at her side.
 
“Well, I do believe our time is up, my friends,” Cobbler chuckled. “We’re off to Canterlot. I’ll give Celestia your best regards, Princess Twilight. In the meantime, I’m providing you with an escort back to TechQuestria.”
 
There was a series of four flashes, and suddenly somepony had seized Twilight and was pointing a spear at her neck. Three other ponies seized Spike, Rarity, and Fluttershy.
 
“Halt!” barked a strangely familiar voice.
 
They all looked and saw that it was Sea Hawk who’d seized Twilight, and the other brainwashed Royal Guards of Mustangia - Buttercup, Orange Slice, and Violet Wisp - who’d seized the others.
 
“Sergeant Sea Hawk!” Twilight shouted. “Let me go!”
 
“You are charged with crimes against the crown,” he intoned. 
 
Turing Test took a step forward, but froze with a glare from Sea Hawk.
 
“Stay where you are!” he bellowed to Turing Test. To Twilight, he said, “I will escort you to a prison cell. If any of you make a move against us, I will be forced to take drastic measures. It is as Celestia wills it.”
 
To show he meant business, he held the tip of his spear almost against Twilight’s neck.
 
Above them, the great ship began to move toward the hills. A giant metal tower, the first of the line toward Canterlot, was just in front of them.
 
The ship began to glow. Electricity crackled around it. A high-pitched hum built and grew louder and louder.
 
“What are they doing?!” Gadget cried.
 
“They’re teleporting directly to Canterlot,” Umahara breathed. “They set up dozens of transmission towers across Equestria to boost the signal to get them there!”
 
“There’s gotta be something we can do!” Rainbow Dash shouted, taking to the air.
 
“You stay put if you know what’s good for you!” Orange Slice snarled, holding a short sword to Fluttershy’s throat.
 
Rainbow Dash grit her teeth and landed.
 
The New Dawn glowed brighter and brighter until it was almost blinding. Then, with a great sound, the massive ship suddenly vanished in a bright flash, leaving only the shockwave of air imploding and rebounding in the sudden vacuum echoing out over the Mustangian countryside.
 
“We’re too late,” Umahara groaned, placing his head in his hooves as he sank to the ground. “They’re on their way to Canterlot.”
 

***

 
Celestia gave her most regal, benevolent smile as she walked back into the banquet hall, turning her back from the balcony. She’d begun to move toward her seat at the head of the room when she heard a sound like thunder behind her, and then all the delegates screamed as a shockwave shattered the windows and knocked her to the floor.
 
She got up, whirled around, and ran to the balcony, unable to believe her eyes.
 
A gigantic metal airship was floating over the Canterlot Royal Gardens. The monolithic ship blocked out the sun and cast a long shadow over the palace, looming like a thundercloud over the castle grounds.



Along the side of the ship, she saw movement. On each side of the ship, a huge white screen unfurled, and unseen rear projectors began to display a gigantic image of a gear held up by a unicorn, an earth pony, and a pegasus upon them. In between the spokes of the gear were the letters “P,” “I,” and “F.”
 
Celestia’s jaw dropped open, her words catching in her throat.
 
It’s an invasion, she realized. Canterlot is under attack!
 
“Your Majesty!” shouted one of the Royal Guards as he ran to her side. “Please, you must get inside! We must get you to safety!”
 
Celestia remembered herself and nodded to him, her expression grave. “We must get the delegates to safety at once! Sound the alarm and rally all troops to defend Canterlot!”
 
She went with him as the other guards began to gather the panicked delegates to begin evacuating the room.
 

***

 
“Teleport jump complete!” the helmsmare shouted.
 
“Projector has been activated!” the communications officer reported.
 
“Excellent!” Cobbler said. “Now, while we still have the element of surprise, commence phase one! Deploy strike teams immediately!”
 
“Understood!” the tactical officer said. He pressed the comm button to broadcast belowdecks. “All strike teams deploy! I repeat, all strike teams deploy!”
 

***

 
In the bowels of the ship was a cavernous room lined on either side with four tiers of metallic alcoves, each one large enough to accommodate one pony. An armed soldier stood before each one. Many had masks and gas grenades, and most others had shock batons or pellet guns. A few even carried bladed weapons like spears or swords. A small number carried other specialized weapons. All told, eighty soldiers stood at the ready, their faces stern and tense, knowing their training was about to be put to the test.
 
The overhead intercom blared to life, and they heard the tactical officer give the order they’d been waiting for: “All strike teams deploy! I repeat, all strike teams deploy!”
 
They turned and entered the alcoves. There was a high-pitched whine, and they all simultaneously vanished in flashes of light, teleporting away to various places around Canterlot.
 
“First wave is away!” shouted the officer in charge. “Second wave, get into position!”
 
The next group began to scale the stairs and walkways, lining up in front of the teleportation alcoves.
 

***

 
All across Canterlot, before the general alarm could even be sounded, the forces of the Royal Guard suddenly found themselves under attack from soldiers teleporting in seemingly out of nowhere.
 
The guard tower at the outer wall barely had time to react as soldiers in gray uniforms fell on them, electrocuting them with shock batons as they stormed the parapets. 
 
At outposts and barracks in three different locations, guards were bombarded with gas grenades and pelted with pellet guns as the TechQuestrian strike teams swiftly engaged, rounding them up.
 
Guards sleeping in their beds barely had time to get to their hooves before soldiers with strange devices suddenly encased their quarters in ice, or surrounded them with drones that utilized spinning blades. Others found themselves unable to escape as drones armed with explosives were placed at every entrance and exit.
 
Even newly-recruited cadets who’d awakened at first light were suddenly greeted by soldiers who overwhelmed them. The less-experienced cadets, too green to know what to do, mostly surrendered and were rounded up before being taken to the mess hall to be locked in. The few brave cadets who tried to resist were answered with a shock baton before being tossed in with the others.
 
Even the Night Guard found itself under attack. Bombs detonated at the entrances and exits of supposedly secret underground bunkers, sealing many inside. A barracks that was home to thestral pegasi, many just then bedding down for the night, was suddenly greeted with blinding sun lamps that left them stumbling before devices that produced piercing sonic waves simply incapacitated them.
 

***

 
“Reports are coming in, Mr. President,” the tactical officer said, holding his hoof to his earpiece. He grinned. “We’re getting only minimal resistance. Seventy-five percent of all targets of tactical importance have been secured.”
 
Cobbler nodded. “Activate shield generators,” he ordered.
 
“Aye, sir!”
 

***


 

A machine with a large tank of thaumatrium attached to it came to life in the depths of the ship. It sent a signal to a rotating dish on the outer deck, broadcasting its spell. A moment later, a tremendous shield formed in a bubble around the whole of Canterlot. 
 
Guards on patrol outside the city who rushed back slammed headlong into the shield encasing the city. Pegasus citizens who attempted to flee were likewise repelled.
 
It soon became clear: nopony was getting in or out of Canterlot.
 

***

 
An off-duty Royal Guard, a gray unicorn stallion with green eyes, saw the airship hanging in the sky as he was eating his breakfast that morning.
 
“Oh,” he said simply.
 
Sitting across from him, a yellow pegasus mare with a green mane, spectacles, and ladybugs in a trail as her cutie mark raised her head. “Hm?” she murmured, still chewing the bite of toast with marmalade she’d just taken. “What is it?”
 
Her companion pointed out the window behind her. She turned and froze, staring at the sight.
 
“Oh.”
 
The stallion got up and went for his armor. “I am sorry that I will miss the events you had scheduled today,” he said as he dressed. “I was interested in the play you spoke of.”
 
“Something tells me it’s cancelled now anyway,” the mare said, watching him as worry lines crossed her face. “But even if not, I understand. You’ve got a job to do.”
 
“Yes,” he said matter-of-factly, going to the door.
 
“H-hey,” she said, her voice suddenly plaintive. “You watch your flank out there, okay?”
 
He turned and looked at her with confusion. “Would it not make more sense to face forward? Monitoring my posterior is of dubious tactical value.”
 
She sighed, shaking her head. “I meant that you should be careful, Idol,” she said.
 
“Ah, I see,” he said. He remembered to give her a reassuring smile. “Do not worry, Topaz. I will return unharmed.”
 
She watched him wordlessly as he dashed out the front door, galloping into the street to confront the invading force.
 

***

 
“Shield in place!” the tactical officer called.
 
“Sir, the lookout reports a squadron of pegasus guards approaching from the starboard beam!” the communications officer called.
 
“Engage and repel them at once!” Commander Hiker barked.
 
“Just give them a small taste,” Cobbler said, his face stern. “Enough to send a message, but not enough to be deadly.”
 
“Aye, sir!” the tactical officer said, pressing another button at his station. “Gunners to the ready! Enemy combatants approaching from the starboard beam!”
 

***

 
The pegasus guards were approaching the ship, intending to assess its capabilities if they could, perhaps even to board and take over the bridge if an opportunity presented itself.
 
As they approached, however, panels all around the rim of the ship slid open. Ponies sat at chairs manning strange-looking weapons of some kind. They were shaped like cannons, but the barrels were lined with a series of metal rings and had chrome spheres at their ends.
 
“Evasive maneuvers!” the squad leader called.
 
A moment later, the gunners fired. Bolts of lightning shot forth. Two of the guards were struck and dropped out of the sky, plummeting toward the ground below.
 
“Guards down!” the commander shouted, swooping down after the falling guards.
 
The others followed suit, rescuing their companions. They eyed the gunners above warily, but a second salvo never followed.
 
“Sir, what are your orders?” a guard asked the commander.
 
“We couldn’t even get close before they ghosted us,” the commander growled as he hefted the unconscious guard. “We need to retreat and plan a different means of approach.”
 
“But sir--”
 
“You want to risk your comrades, guard?!” the commander shouted. “We’re no good to Her Majesty if we’re dead! Retreat back to the castle and regroup! And somepony find a medic!”
 

***

 
Celestia watched in horror through a window as the guards were repelled, only breathing when she saw that the squad was able to rescue those who had been shot down.
 
“Your Majesty!” shouted a guard. “Please, we must get you to safety!”
 
Celestia nodded as she and the guards made their way to the War Room. Upon arriving, she saw with relief that Luna was there as well.
 
“Celestia!” Luna cried, going over to her. “Thank goodness you are all right!”
 
Celestia laid her neck against her sister’s, enfolding her with her large wings. “Luna,” she said, breathing a sigh of relief. “I’m glad to see you too.”
 
The Captain of the Guard approached them, saluting.
 
“Your Majesties!” the captain said.
 
Celestia stood before him. “Your report, Captain?”
 
“The delegates have all been moved to secure locations around the castle,” the captain said. “There has been no attack on any part of the palace, but that seems not to be their goal. However, reports are coming in that the Royal Guard have been attacked in key locations across Canterlot. I regret to report that the news is grim: nearly every member of the Guard outside the palace has either been captured or is pinned down by the enemy forces. The enemy has essentially gained control over the entire city.”
 
Celestia gawked at him. “Impossible,” she breathed.
 
“There’s more,” he said, bowing his head. “Princess Luna, the Night Guard has likewise been cut off or captured. Furthermore, we sent a force to secure an evacuation route through the crystal caverns below Canterlot, but it seems somepony has booby trapped the tunnels: explosives and mines have been set, making evacuation suicidal. Whoever did it most likely did so in advance of the attack.”
 
Celestia swallowed. “What of the populace?” she asked.
 
“The invading forces do not appear to be targeting civilians,” the captain said.
 
Celestia and Luna both breathed a mutual sigh of relief.
 
“That’s some good news, at least,” Luna said.
 
“Yes, but what I don’t understand is what these invaders want,” Celestia said. She closed her eyes, rubbing her chin. “It’s no doubt that these are the same conspirators we’ve been tracking, the ones who created Turing Test and then abducted her from Ponyville.”
 
“All our information indicates they oppose your rule, Your Majesty,” the captain said. Then, turning to Luna, he added, “And likely yours as well, Princess Luna.”
 
She scowled. “Traitors!” she spat. “Do they not realize that without us to raise the sun and moon--”
 
“I believe they have that covered, sister,” Celestia said, turning to her. “These ponies most likely created the device that raised the sun during the evening we took in Turing Test’s play.”
 
“Ah,” Luna said, her realization dawning. “But if they wish to depose us, then why have they attacked everywhere except the palace?”
 
“An attack could still be imminent,” the captain said. Then he knelt before them. “Forgive me, Your Majesties, but all we have at the moment are the guards who were already on duty in the castle and a few who managed to escape the invaders. We estimate our forces are scarcely more than one hundred guards in total. We are not many, but we will protect you with our lives, if necessary.”
 
“I hope and pray that it will not be,” Celestia said gravely. “But thank you, Captain. Your loyalty is greatly appreciated.”
 
Just then, another guard ran into the War Room. “Sir! Your Majesties!” she shouted. “The enemy has deployed strange devices all over Canterlot. They appear to be utilizing radio to broadcast a signal. They say they will be making a statement in less than five minutes!”
 

***

 
All across the city of Canterlot, ponies in their homes went to their windows or walked out into the street. Drones hovering on propellers carried speakers that loudly announced their message:
 
“Attention ponies of Canterlot: do not be alarmed! We will be issuing a message explaining our intent shortly. Please remain calm. You will not be harmed. If possible, please focus your attention on the airship above Canterlot. Repeating… Attention ponies of Canterlot…”
 
The populace, at least those whose fear was not enough to overcome their curiosity, or was at least reduced enough by the invaders’ promise that no harm would come to them, did as they asked and looked to the ship looming in the sky like a dark, colossal bird of prey.
 
A few minutes later, the projector screens changed and the grainy, black and white image of an older stallion wearing a top hat appeared on the screen. As he spoke on the screen, his voice was broadcast over the radio drones.
 
“Good morning, citizens of Canterlot,” he said. “Through the miracle of technology, I am broadcasting this message live. I reiterate: this is not a prerecorded message.
 
“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Professor Cobbler Mustang, namesake of the region of Mustangia, peach farmer, businesspony, scientist, and, at one time, a father. But today, I come to you as the President of the Nation of TechQuestria, a nation built in secret in the caverns below Mustangia.
 
“Our nation is a refuge for inventors and freethinkers who have suffered in Equestria and had nowhere else to go. We are scientists and engineers who’ve seen their ambitions crushed or left to die on the vine. And all this is thanks to the system of government which left their fates in the hooves of a single pony. That pony has ruled over the nation for a thousand years, but her unwillingness to accept change has left our beloved Equestria languishing in stagnation. I refer, of course, to Her Royal Majesty, Princess Celestia.”
 
He paused, keeping his face stern as that last part sank in. The ponies in the streets all began to murmur and talk amongst themselves. Some scoffed at this mad pony, while others silently began to fear for the princess’s safety, and still others only listened with curiosity, wondering what Cobbler was talking about.
 
After a moment, Cobbler continued his address:
 
“Now, I understand many of you will not understand my words, or wonder what grievance we could possibly have against one of the most beloved ponies in all Equestria. Well, during the next few hours, we will be broadcasting some films explaining the stories of some of our citizens as well as the wondrous creations which we will offer to the ponies of Equestria. We urge you to watch and listen. We intend to show you what Equestria has been denied by leaving its rule in the hooves of a single, ancient pony, and then we will let you glimpse the miracles that science has wrought. We are liberators, not conquerors, though you may not yet understand what we’re liberating you from. Regardless, I assure you that you will not suffer: your lives will only get better. The sooner you realize that, the sooner it will be.
 
“And now to Princess Celestia herself, I have a message just for you: we will be sending a private communication shortly to the Royal Ballroom. We ask that you gather the delegates from the National Conference there as well, as the message pertains to them. We do not intend any further violence.”
 
Here he paused, removing his hat, softening his gaze as he stared into the camera. “I promise you this: no harm will come to you or the delegates as long as you cooperate with this simple request. Please go there at your earliest convenience.
 
“That is all for now, Canterlot. While I realize many of you are frightened, I believe you will one day all look back on this day not as the end of an age, but as the dawn of a new one..”
 

***

 
Celestia watched the broadcast discreetly through the narrow window of a tower in the castle, Luna at her side.
 
“Professor Mustang,” she whispered, lowering her head. “I’d hoped I was wrong. I’d hoped your hatred had subsided. I never thought you would go this far…”
 
“Sister?” Luna asked.
 
Celestia shook her head. “I’ll explain later, Luna,” she said. To the Captain of the Guard, she said, “Captain, gather the delegates in the Royal Ballroom. Let’s hear what he has to say.”
 
The captain jerked his head back. “Your Majesty?” he asked. “You intend to dignify this traitor with a response?”
 
“Now, Captain,” she said sternly. “All I intend to do is listen. I will not put anypony at risk by stubbornly refusing a request.”
 
Luna eyed Celestia uncertainly, and even the captain paused for a moment before saluting her and carrying out her orders.
 
As the two princesses made their way to the Royal Ballroom, Luna glanced up at her sister, seeing the faraway look in her eyes.
 
“Do not worry, sister,” she said, forcing herself to smile in a manner she hoped looked reassuring. “I am certain that everything will be all right. Surely Twilight Sparkle and the others are on their way, and I know that one way or another, these traitors will be stopped and everything will return to normal.”
 
Celestia gave Luna a quick smile. “Yes, I’m sure you’re right,” she replied.
 
But her smile faded almost immediately. That’s a lie, she told herself. No matter what happens, nothing will ever be the same after today.
 

To be continued…