//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3: Trial by Fire 
// Story: Pacific Rim: Equestria Rangers 
// by Loki777 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 3: Trial by Fire


Intro: Protectors of the Earth






January 7, 2025 AD (1:30 PM)

As both Twilight and Flash were reading, they overheard some of the Shatterdome personal talking about the new funding which they hoped to have the unfinished Jaeger finished which both emerged from their quarters surprising the workers.

"You mean that unfinished Jaeger?" Twilight asked. 

Both male workers nodded which a light bulb went off in Twilight's' head and she spoke, "I have an idea."

"What idea?" Flash asked curiously. 

"Follow me." Twilight said. 

Flash said nothing as they headed straight for the hanger and upon arriving Twilight spoke to all of those who were still in the massive area of the Shatterdome.

"Builders, stand aside because I will handle this."

The builders did what they were asked which Twilight closed her eyes and her hands light up in which before everyone's eyes, the Jaeger began to take on a more Samurai-like appearance along with its weapons being transformed into Samurai-looking ones. After about seven minutes, it was over, and Twilight collapsed out of exhaustion.

"Are they okay?" Wei Tang Hu asked out of concern.

"Don't worry my brother, they'll be okay because look what we got now." Wei Tang Jin said. 

Chuck nearby was walking Max the bulldog saw and spoke, "That's right mates! We got another Jaeger to help us beat the Kaiju!"

"That's it! We should call it Phoenix!" Wei Tang Cheung shouted. 

"No that stinks!" Chuck said seconds later. 

Just then, Mako appeared and suggested a name which she spoke up, "How about Phoenix Ronin? It will be honoring Tact Ronin which both Twilight and Flash are both Ronins now."

"Um, you know what Ronin means right?" Raleigh asked as he was walking up to Mako.

"Yes, it means a Samurai warrior with no master; a wandering warrior looking for a new master to serve as my ancestors had a few samurai who used our blades we made for them become Ronins sadly." Mako said.





Alexis and Sasha helped pick up the unconscious Twilight and brought her to her room while Flash followed them. A few hours later, she woke up and found herself in her room as then a knock was heard which upon answering Stacker Pentecost appeared before her. This made her nervous along with Flash who was watching from his room. 

"Are Flash and I in trouble sir?" Twilight asked. 

"Quite the opposite Ranger Hanson, at least that Jaeger is finished now as Mako and Raleigh are testing it right now as we speak. Tomorrow, you're Jaeger piloting training starts and remember carefully; don't latch onto a memory let it flow like a river along with your memories." Marshall Stacker Pentecost said calmly. 

Marshall Stacker Pentecost then pulled out a small iPad-like tablet and showed Twilight the new Jaeger being tested by Raleigh and Mako with them doing just basic movements and such. 

Flash walked over from his room and spoke, "After dinner, could we adjust the Drivesuits please?"

"Yes you may both, but don't overdo it as both of you will need your strength for tomorrow and like I said with Flash, when you're in the Drift Ranger Sparkle or Twilight don't latch onto a memory for it'll mess up the neural handshake or neural bridge okay. Don't worry as in case of what happened with Gypsy Danger when Mako and Raleigh first activated it, we'll take precautions just in case." Marshall Stacker Pentecost said.

"Very well then Marshall Pentecost sir!" Twilight and Flash shouted together while saluting Marshall Pentecost.

"Eat well, train hard, and get good sleep for you both have a big day tomorrow." Marshall Stacker Pentecost said while returning the salute.

After he showed Flash what was going on, he put the tablet away and then left, both Twilight and Flash first had their dinner with a bit of excitement of driving the Jaeger which the other rangers gave tips on a successful drift or neural bridge connection. 





Following the dinner, Twilight used her magic to adjust the Drivesuits to suit her body type and that of Flash's which Mako explained that they looked like the ones from Coyote Tango because of the Marshall wanting to honor his deceased friend Tamsin Sevier who died of Cancer due to radiation exposure from the reactor before the Jaeger was upgraded to fix the reactor issue prior to its destruction.

They also colored the suits to emulate a phoenix which was orange, red, and yellow with some gray to symbolize the Ronin role both were filling. After that was completed, both continued to practice in the training room or called the Kwoon Room. 





Both showered afterwards though both looked away from each other before, during, and after the showering as both never wanted to see the other nude though Sasha and Alexis who both were showering at the same time found it funny and cute for some reason.

"Just like us from the early days of when Cherno Alpha had just started operating. They’re good friends I can see…" Sasha said. 

"Heh, heh, yep indeed." Alexis said with a smile. 





Both decided to pull a prank on the new pilots by taking a page out of a movie called The Proposal which both Russian pilots blind folded the new pilots, lured them towards each other, and pushed them forwards so Twilight would fall on top of Flash buck naked and soaking wet.

Twilight and Flash both quickly took off their blindfolds and screamed upon seeing that both were naked before scrambling up and blushing so heavily their faces were almost darkened. After covering up, Twilight and Flash found the Russian rangers Sasha and Alexis laughing their asses off at the prank they pulled on them.

"What the hell was that for!?!" Flash and Twilight shouted together.

"Just wanted to get a good laugh…something that is rare these days…” Sasha said. 





Once everything was cleared up, both would-be-Jaeger pilots headed off to bed after explaining to the Russian Jaeger pilots of their cutie marks that were now on their shoulders which Twilight's was about her talent in magic while Flash's was due to his role as a protector that had him become a Royal Guard before things went sideways. The next morning after breakfast, quick shower, and Kwoon training, Jin appeared as both were reading about Jaeger stuff.

"Okay you two; it's time for the big event." Wei Tang Jin said. 

"Alright then, here goes nothing I guess." Flash said seconds later.





Both got up and headed for the Drivesuit Room which was located above the Jaeger hanger upon which both were fitted with their respective Drivesuit with the help of techs which took about two minutes. After both had their drivesuits put on, both headed straight for the Jaeger they would drive upon which the door was opened for both of them. 

Twilight went to the left side of the Conn-Pod while Flash took the spot on the right side. The interior was similar to Striker Eureka, but had a Gypsy Danger feeling to it as both had the controls for control the weapons on either side of them which Twilight's was located to her right while Flash's was located to his left along with a panel in front of them.

"Good Morning you two. Ready for the big moment?" Tendo Choi asked.

"As we'll ever be." Flash said calmly.

Marshall Stacker Pentecost then spoke, "Engage the drop Mr. Choi."

"Engaging drop now sir; Marshall Pentecost on deck. Secure the Conn-Pod, getting ready for drop." Tendo Choi said as he worked.

Around the two, the other Rangers were watching the test drive of the new Jaeger while the Russian Rangers were watching from a gangway in front of Cherno Alpha. 





Within seconds after being locked and secured, the Conn-Pod of Phoenix Ronin dropped down and attached itself to its body. So far, everything was looking good for now as the Jaeger began to power up.

"Engage Pilot-to-Pilot protocol now."  Marshall Stacker Pentecost said calmly.

"Engaging now sir." Tendo Choi said.





Inside the Jaeger, both Twilight and Flash started the start up sequence in sync with Tendo Choi for the test run which Flash spoke to Twilight.

"Remember, this is the real deal okay. Let's not chase the Rabbit for either one of our sake and that of the Shatterdome's. Random access brain impulse triggers just let the memories flow by like water."

"I'll say the same thing to you okay." Twilight said. 

Back at the LOCCENT Mission Control Center, Stacker Pentecost looked at the Jaeger and then calmly spoke an order to Tendo Choi as the testing got underway.

"All right then, prepare for Neural Handshake."

"Engaging Neural Handshake now." Tendo Choi said. 

Stacker Pentecost quickly spoke to the two pilots about some last-minute advice which Tendo Choi then started the countdown while both Twilight and Flash braced themselves for the Neural Handshake that would come in twenty seconds.

"So, ready to step inside of my brain?" Flash asked.

"I will and you better be prepared to step inside of mine as well." Twilight said seconds later.





Then just after the countdown reached the five second mark, the AI of the Jaeger announced the Neural Handshake was starting which both went silent as the Neural Handshake started. 

Memories of both pilots flowed past each other both good and bad ones which both saw some secrets that either one had that were like viewing a film in a unique form. After about five seconds, it ended which both started to calibrate the Jaeger.

"Left hemisphere calibrating..." Twilight and Flash said together.

The Jaeger moved its left arm and hand with clean and flawless efficiently which both spoke again seconds later as the Jaeger was being calibrated.

"Right hemisphere calibrating."

After both hemispheres were calibrated, the two began to move the Jaeger's arms, legs, and its wings more fully which nearby, everyone present including the Rangers were watching as the Jaeger trial run was running good so far and they began to see that both were indeed drift-compatible.

"Looks like they're both drift-compatible." Herc said.

"Indeed and looks like that near disaster won't happen like last time." Raleigh said seconds later.

Marshall Stacker Pentecost on the other hand like with the rest of those present were just silent as the trial run continued on, but things were about to take a turn for the worst as voices were starting to be heard by both pilots.






"Egghead!" 

"I love you Flash Sentry, you're my son."

"You will always be my precious filly Twilight."

"Git, you no good traitor!"

"You're now a disgrace to our nation of Equestria for doing what you just did Flash Sentry!"

"You're no longer my sister Twilight!"

"Get out of here you monster!" 

"I, Princess Celestia hereby banish you Twilight Sparkle from Equestria forever!"

"Flash Sentry, for your arrogance! Piloting of mass murder! The bombings of Canterlot and Ponyville! Willingness to attack your own and refusing to carry out my orders I, Princess Celestia strip you of your awards, achievements, and cast you out!!"

"Traitors!"

"Monsters!"

"Savages!"  






In the Conn-Pod back in real-time, both were struggling with the voices as Tendo Choi spoke to both pilots with grave concern in his voice as the test stared to go wrong.

"Twilight! Flash! Focus! Don't go off course! You’re both chasing the Rabbit!"

Both pilots struggled to get back in sync, and Flash was able to get back in sync though barely, but not Twilight as Tendo Choi spoke to Marshall Stacker Pentecost with worry as the test started to go downhill as the Jaeger was acting up.

"Oh no! She's drifting off course Flash! Twilight's chasing the Rabbit!" 

"Flash Sentry! Help Twilight now!" Marshall Stacker Pentecost shouted.

"I'm trying, but she's not responding!" Flash said quickly.

Twilight on the other hand, entered the memory that was troubling her; her banishment that led up to Flash’s banishment as well. She saw her friends and brother treating her horribly or at least the one she was seeing which Flash was standing beside her trying to get her back in sync. 

"Twilight! Wake up! It's just a memory!" Flash shouted.

Twilight meanwhile raised up her hands which back in the real world caused the plasma cannons to start charging much to the horror of those watching as this was just like when Mako first piloted Gypsy Danger with Raleigh.

“Aw man! Not again mates!” Chuck shouted. 

Moments later, the AI of the Jaeger spoke, "Plasma cannons charging now."

"No, please stop! Please!" Twilight shouted. 

In the LOCCENT Mission Control Room, Marshall Stacker Pentecost quickly shouted an order to stop a potential disaster from happening that could damage or destroy the Shatterdome. 

"Shut down now!"

"I'm trying Marshall!! Her connection is too strong!" Tendo Choi shouted quickly as he worked. 

The other Rangers ran inside the Control Room as the arms of the Jaeger along with the rest of it was moving around erratically while everyone else ran for cover. Tendo Choi struggled to pull the plug to shut down the Jaeger which Chuck and Alexis appeared at his sides.

"Let us help you!" Chuck shouted. 

"Heave Comrades! Pull!!" Alexis shouted seconds later. 

Then just before things got worse, the plug was pulled in the control room and the Jaeger stop moving like crazy much to the relief of everyone watching as the massive Jaeger began to shut down as the Jaeger AI spoke one last time.

"Plasma cannons and Jaeger shutting down.” 

"That was way too close." Raleigh said. 

While the Jaeger collapsed on all fours, inside of the Jaeger, Flash disconnected from his side and walked over to where Twilight was and gently lowered her down which he then hugged her and spoke as he held her protectively upon which he removed both of their helmets.

"Don't worry, I'm here..." Flash said calmly. 

Twilight said nothing as she held Flash and cried which the Conn-Pod door was opened, and both exited the Jaeger which back in the Control Room, the Rangers just looked outwards with nothing to say. The test almost ended in disaster and no one liked it as they hoped it wouldn't happen again. 

"Get those two in my office right away..." Marshall Stacker Pentecost said with disappointment. 





A few minutes later as the Jaeger was being put back into place, both Twilight and Flash wearing their normal PPDC outfits were in Marshall Stacker Pentecost's office which both were scared as they could be grounded before they could take off and try again or worst be kicked out of the PPDC leaving both homeless once again. 

As the Marshall of the PPDC paced around a bit, Flash reflected on the memory he saw which, was the banishment that had him fighting before the rescue by Gypsy Danger and Striker Eureka.

"What in the name of good grace happened?" Marshall Stacker Pentecost asked.

"Twilight went off course and chased the Rabbit sir which I nearly fell victim to it but was able to pull back in time. Please sir, forgive us for we don't deserve to come far only for this to happen sir." Flash said calmly. 

Marshall Stacker Pentecost nodded as Twilight spoke, "Please Marshall, don't kick us out because you rescued both of us, gave both of us a new home, help make us into Rangers, helped get more funding for the Jaeger program, and help us make new friends! Please don't banish us!"

"Look, I won't do that to either one of you two, but let's try not to do that again and this isn't the first time this happened anyway. The Drift is strong and if you master it, it'll work with you instead of against you now get some rest and while try it again later..." Marshall Stacker Pentecost said. 





Just then Mako appeared Marshall Stacker Pentecost's office and spoke, "Excuse me Marshall, but you're needed in the communications room because you got a call from this Princess Celestia."

"How soon Miss Mori?" Marshall Stacker Pentecost asked. 

"About an estimated several hours due to static Marshall." Mako said calmly. 

"Alright then, I'll be there and Twilight, Flash it's best neither one of you come with me okay. Get some rest and practice a bit more." Marshall Stacker Pentecost said. 





All three left the office which after both Twilight and Flash had lunch, they both took a nap though for some reason right after Flash fell asleep, Twilight was uncertain about sleeping alone along with the experience of the Drift decided to snuggle up to the former Royal Guard and fell asleep as well. 





Meanwhile despite it being assumed it would take several hours the line of communication was cleared up thanks to the techs working hard to clear up the static which then the face of Princess Celestia appeared before Marshall Stacker Pentecost.     

"Good day to you Princess Celestia of Equestria, I'm Marshall Stacker Pentecost of the Pan Pacific Defense Crops. What can I do for you your highness?" Stacker Pentecost said. 

"Greetings to you Marshall Pentecost, I'm Princess Celestia of Equestria. I was wondering where Twilight or Flash were at? Also, I was able to track your probe droid back to its source via magic if you were going to ask how." Princess Celestia said.

"Both of them are sleeping right now and since we're contacted now I'll say this; so you're the one who stripped both Twilight and Flash everything they had which were awards, achievements, and allowed their family and friends to disown them especially when Flash was simply asking for a more proper investigation into what happened at the Griffin Kingdom? Not to mention, you let Flash be accused of a crime they didn't do? Why? By giving Twilight a sham trial and another one for Flash? You even took away the element of Magic pendant tiara thing from Twilight? That's just stupid and dumb." Marshall Stacker Pentecost said calmly. 

Princess Celestia looked away before speaking again, "Twilight was doing a magical performance at the Griffin Kingdom to help improve relations when something went wrong which Flash patrolling nearby in case and brought Twilight back quickly. What followed was a faulty investigation along with a faulty trial for both which I now see what happened at the Griffin Kingdom wasn't her fault nor was Flash planning on trying to cause mass-murder on other leaders beyond Equestria. I then banished Twilight first before banishing Flash as well and, why did your giants come into my Kingdom."

"First and foremost, they're called Jaegers; Jaeger means Hunter in German. Second, we needed their help with fighting the Kaiju which Kaiju is Japanese for monster. At this point in this Kaiju War that we the Human race are fighting in currently right now, we're losing and we only have five Jaegers left including one dubbed Phoenix Ronin that was initially a Mark 5 Jaeger in design, but was changed to a Mark 6 during construction which was halted and remained unfinished until they arrived and with Miss Sparkle using her magic, finished it and soon it will hopefully help end the Kaiju War. The Two Jaegers in question that entered your world were Gypsy Danger a restored Mark 3 Jaeger from the USA piloted by Raleigh Beckett and my adopted daughter Mako Mori and Striker Eureka is a Mark 5 Jaeger from Australia piloted by Herc Hansen and his son Chuck Hansen. Besides, Crimson Typhoon a mark 4 Jaeger from China visited before and yet, you didn't say anything on that matter to your subjects...We even sent messages of help to you folks, but you likely ignored them for some reason or another." Marshall Stacker Pentecost said. 

"Marshall Pentecost, the reason we want both Twilight Sparkle and Flash Sentry back is because we were deceived by a Changeling Queen named Chrysalis which we learned just now from a letter from the Changeling Queen herself." Princess Celestia said.

"Wait, what are you talking about? What Changeling Queen?" Marshall Stacker Pentecost asked with confusion.

Princess Celestia using her magic sent the letter which reveled the truth of what happened in the Griffin Kingdom and the events that followed that were planned out by the Changeling Queen which at the same time, the other rangers and the three scientists including Newt came in and read the contents of the letter with Stacker Pentecost with disgust and shock.





"Hey there you little ponies if you're all reading this scroll then all of you realized by now that I've fooled all of you once again or have been had. Yes, Twilight was responsible for the spell in the Griffin Kingdom which was to impress the Griffin leadership, but my subjects sabotaged it at the critical moments. I also took the liberty of having them look like a bunch of Royal Guards including Flash Sentry to make it look like he was up to no good which were in the form of Changeling Dragons which I myself are still looking for them.

All of the other stuff you thought was the doing of either one of them; the blackmailing, the bribery, the journal that supposedly belonged to Flash Sentry, the two planned bombings in Ponyville and Canterlot, and the attempts to keep the Griffin king’s offspring happy and quiet was all of my own subjects doing. You see, I've always hated that brat Twilight for ruining my attempt to invade Equestria which I saw that this was the perfect payback. I knew that there would be at least one Royal Guard who would defend Twilight which I laughed with glee when I heard he was banished as well along with your little brat Twilight.

That two-bit show off pony replacement is not ready to harness the powers of the element of Magic. By now, both are far away from Equestria. The Griffin Kingdom will be after all of you for you will have failed to deliver the punishments they wanted and all of you will be the laughing stocks of Equestria and beyond because none of you will admit I fooled all of you!

The joke is on you Princess and your elemental attack dogs! You dumb suckers!  I got the last laugh after all! 

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA! 

Signed, 

Queen Chrysalis of the Changeling Kingdom."





The rangers and other PPDC personal looked up with all of them showing unfriendly glares at the ruler of the Day as Newt spoke first. 

"What the hell?! You threw them out for this dumb and stupid reasoning?"

His fellow scientist Herman agreed and spoke, "You bloody fools! What were you all smoking?!"

"Idiots..." Tendo Choi said while shaking his head.

"You all basically overreacted without looking at all of the facts?" Herc asked with a glare. 

"What were you bakas or fools were thinking?!" Mako said. 

Sasha glared at Princess Celestia and spoke, "Both Twilight and Flash trusted you especially with the former greatly, this is how you payback both of them?"

Alexis nodded and spoke, "That's low even for you and those who they trusted as even we Russians have standards."

"Morons!" Wei Tang Jin shouted with anger. 

"You all got fooled by that insect twice!" Wei Tang Hu shouted in seconds. 

"What's wrong with all of you? Are you all on stupid pills?" Wei Tang Cheung asked with anger.

Chuck just shook his head and spoke, "You’re a dumbass Wanker you stupid princess idiot! Same goes for those who Twilight and Flash once called family and friends!"

"You think both will just want to drop everything and come back? No way because it'll just reopen wounds that are healing right now. Plus, Twilight and Flash both have a new family us! If they want to come back or not will be up to them and if you’re a real leader that you will all admit your mistakes willingly along with both of their former friends and family.  For them, they're the only friend each has left now. Also, any rational-minded fellow Royal Guards that Flash trusted will now hate you for what you and those others that were once Twilight's friends did to them." Raleigh said while glaring at Princess Celestia. 

"Except for my now estranged niece Cadence who left her husband Shining Armor and is looking for them after finding out the truth." Princess Celestia said with sadness.

"Seriously?" Tendoi Choi asked. 

Princess Celestia nodded sadly as Herc spoke, "Twilight and Flash stay, end of story! No exceptions mate!!"

Communications ended which Newt asked something, "Are we going to show them the letter Marshall?"

"I'm afraid I can't take that risk or it'll open up a vendetta that can't be stopped which could affect their fighting skills which can't be taken into the drift." Marshall Stacker Pentecost said softly. 

"I'll go check on them to see if they're ready to try the test again." Mako said seconds later.





Everyone left to their spots while Mako went to go find Twilight and Flash which she didn't find Twilight in her quarters which she then checked Flash's where she found a nice, cute surprise; Twilight was sleeping snuggled up to Flash like a child holding a teddy bear in nothing but her undergarments along with Flash as well. 

She of course giggled at the sight which woke the two up and the results were comical as both were shocked and pulled away both very red in the face. Mako then started to laugh like an idiot at what was going on like something out of a romantic comedy movie.

"Aw, how cute!" Mako shouted in between laughs. 

"This can't get any worse right?" Flash asked. 





It then just did as the other rangers appeared which after she calmed down, Mako told what she saw, and the other rangers looked at them like and started to tease them at what Mako told them. Both Twilight and Flash denied they were romantically involved at all. 

Both tried to get up only to stumbled and fall on top of each other with Flash on top and Twilight on the bottom where Flash's human hands were in the one place he dared not to place them on; Twilight's breasts as Chuck quickly took a picture with his phone which Flash got a smack to the face for it.

“Getting a good feel there mate?” Chuck asked with a bastard smile. 

"You're both so red that you match the color of the old Soviet Union flag!" Sasha shouted with a grin. 

Everyone got a good laugh out of it, but thankfully, Marshall Stacker Pentecost appeared and everything settled down so the second test could begin. It didn't take long for the second test to begin and this time, nothing went wrong as the test went smoothly. 





After the test was done, Newt went against what Marshall Stacker Pentecost suggested and showed the letter to Twilight and Flash in the hopes of giving them more fuel to not only end the Kaiju War, but stop the Queen which although both looked angry as hell, they calmed down and Flash looked out the window to Hong Kong along with Twilight.

"That queen has signed a major pain card and we'll make sure she pays dearly for this." Twilight and Flash said together.

Marshall Stacker Pentecost appeared and did reprimand Newt for going against his orders, but after seeing that both Twilight and Flash were more determined than before, he let it slide by though he gave an order to keep an eye on both of them until they could focus properly. That order ended quickly as both Twilight and Flash let it go for it could affect their piloting skills for they would be tested in the fights that would come.......


Ending Theme: Requiem of the Gods