//------------------------------// // Escape to the Armory // Story: Martha and Skits 2: The Cloned Emperor // by Zenitram Nadroj //------------------------------// In the cave, everyone is still arguing and bickering as Martha and Skits are covering their ears. "Hold it!", Martha shouts. Everyone stops and turns to the dog. "This arguing isn't gonna solve anything." "Well what are we supposed to do?", Stanley asks. "We're stuck in here while those crooks are gonna use that monster to take over this land." "Sure. In plain sight, it does seem like we have no hopes of escaping and getting back home." "But that's beside the point.", Skits says. "We shouldn't be bickering about the bad future. What we should be focused on is how exactly we're going to take down those fiends and get all of us back to our worlds. Now look, we may all be of different races and/or species, but we're all the same in so many ways. We all have feelings for each other and have always helped each other in our time of need. We've all had to face problems of ourselves from time to time, but we've always managed to succeed in the end. So why should this be any different? Just because we're in a world that we don't know about, doesn't mean we should just give up. That monster actually tried to save us and he willingly gave himself to those goons just to keep us alive. That must mean he actually cares about us. So, we shouldn't just sit here and mope. We should all band together and fight! Help that monster as he helped us. So, who's with me?" They are in awe at what they just heard. "Wow. Skits, since when were you able to give speeches?", Martha asks. "I guess it must be one of the side effects of this spell." They all then cheer at Skits's speech. "That's such a good sentiment, Skits.", Helen says. "A sentiment?" "A 'sentiment' is a view of or attitude toward a situation or event. So that's a good sentiment." "Yes. Except we have no idea how to get out of this dungeon.", Rarity says. They hear growling and look around. They turn and find the source. Behind the door are two shadows. "Hey, it's the same shadows that gave us time to hide from the other monster.", Sarge says. "What are they doing here?", Nelson asks. The shadows seep into the lock and unlock the door. The door opens and the shadows form again. The rest of the shadows, imps, monsters and minions enter and break the shackles and chains. "They're helping us?", Carolina asks. "But why?" One monster approaches them and growls. "Oh, I see.", Martha says. "What did it say?", Helen asks. "They want us to help them save their emperor." "Do you really think we can trust them?", Truman asks. "Their emperor saved us from being experimented.", Martha's mom says. They all consider the circumstances and agree to comply with the minions. "Very well. We'll go with you.", Twilight says. One of the creatures pushes a brick and makes a secret entrance open. "There's a secret entrance in this dungeon?", T.D. says. "Wow does this land works differently from ours.", L.C. says. In the throne room, the crooks, Neighsay and the clone are confronting the emperor who is in a cage. "You've got a lot of nerve to be defending those humans and animals, Your Highness.", Weaselegraft says. "But you won't be for long, once we've trained you to become destructive.", Kablooey says. "And after that, we'll abolish you and the other non pony creatures forever.", Neighsay says. "Abolish?", Gimmie asks. "'Abolish' means to get rid of something permanently.", Bumblecrum says. "You are all despicable.", the emperor says. "Despicable?", 001 asks. "'Despicable' means deserving of hatred and contempt.", Fildgemarker says. "And especially you, Neighsay." "I'm not despicable. I'm just trying to clean this kingdom of pests." "They are not pests. You're just a discriminatory heathen." "A heathen?", Pablum asks. "A 'heathen' is an unenlightened person or a person regarded as lacking culture or moral principles.", Weaselegraft says. "Enough!", Neighsay shouts. "We are not here to take vocabulary lessons. We've got a kingdom to cleanse." They all leave the room as Keretomatus sulks in his cage. "I can't believe this is happening. I've let all of those creatures down. Star Swirl, I'm sorry I couldn't save them." "Don't be sorry, Keretomatus.", a voice says. "Who said that?" A glow emits in front of him and it clears to reveal Star Swirl and the Pillars of Old Equestria standing before him. The emperor stares in disbelief. In the secret room, the creatures all enter the armory and see all kinds of armor and weapons on the walls. "Whoa!", they all exclaim. "Look at all this armor.", Rainbow says. "And weapons too.", Applejack says. "The emperor must've been working tirelessly on this for any battle to come.", Starlight says. "What are we waiting for? Let's put them on.", T.D. says as he's about to run. "Wait, T.D.", Helen says. "What is it?" “We don’t fight anyone in our world. We’re lovers, not fighters.”, Truman says. “Wait a second. Are you saying that you all have baddies in your world and you don’t even fight them?”, Pinkie asks. “Yeah. We mostly just run and hide, and the police arrest them.”, Milo says. “Guys. You really need to learn how to defend yourselves and others.”, Sunburst says. “But we don’t know the first thing about battling.”, Helen’s dad says. “Well we can show humans.”, Rutherford says. “Let us show you.”, Thorax says. They all show the human and animals how to fight, defend and counter. The humans and animals take all the lessons taught by the friends and minions. Once they are all ready they all put on armor and pick their weapons. In another part of the castle, the crooks and Neighsay work on a mind control machine. “I have to say, Pablum, you’ve really outdone yourself with this.”, Neighsay says. “It’s a gift.”, Pablum responds. He then senses stronger aura. “Wait a minute.” “What is it, Neighsay?”, Kablooey asks. He closes his eyes and sees that the prisoners have escaped. “What?! Impossible!”, he shouts. “The creatures have escaped.” “There’s no need to worry, Neighsay.”, Weaslegraft says. “What?” “Me and Otis were actually expecting this, so we took extra precautions.”, Pablum says as he pushes a button. A door opens to reveal robot versions of the pets and animals. “Wow. You guys really have no lives.”, Stubble says. “Now, robots, find the escapees.”, Weaselegraft commands. The robots then bolt out of the room and search for the escapees.