Penny Scillion came out, growling at Nurse redheart, "I do not care if you are her personal physician. This is dealing with Unicornicopian-"
"And I told you before, I am an expert on Pony anatomy and I know more about her! My mother helped deliver her, her brother, little sister! My family has taken care of an apple since-"
"Whoa, hold it!" Dash said. "Stop the arguing. Just tell us how she is."
Penny sighed, "Her body is ok and she'll live, just that...her wings were torn so badly that we can't fix them."
The five mares gasped, Dash just looked away, "It's ok, she hated the wings."
"So, all three of us then,” Rarity said looking down. “All three of us are without wings.”
"For those of you who haven't heard...Horn Kong was destroyed last night." Vinyl said over the radio.
Samus walked out, hearing Redheart's complaints,"No, you can't be out that fast, you are too hurt, are you even listening?"
Samus ignored her as she sat down.
She looked at Rarity,"What was that about losing your wings?"
"Pinkie Pie had wings, but she said she removed them. Applejack got her wings torn off, and of course I lost my wings before any of them," Rarity said calmly. "Not that we enjoyed having them anyway."
"They were horrible looking, Rare," Dash said.
Samus frowned,"There are scars on Pinkie's back, my visor scanned her, but how did you lose your wings?" She looked at Rarity.
A doctor with a greying mane looked at the x-rays of Samus' body,"Fascinating, her body healed in such a fast manner!"
"More so than an earth pony, Dr. Bracket?" Nurse Bleeding Heart asked.
"Yes. Not even an earth pony is this fast. What is she?" Bracket asked, his curiosity peaked.
Twilight sighed, listening to the radio,"I should've been there..."
Cheerilee walked behind Twilight and rubbed her back, "And what could you have done? Your magic is at its weakest, you are drained, and you would've hindered more than help."
Twilight punched the ground,"But... I could've saved more than a tenth! I could've saved..." She began to sniffle.
Cheerilee, sighed and pulled Twilight in for a hug, "You could've also gotten yourself killed. Do you want your friends to go through that again? They have been through a painful loss once."
"We all wish we could do something more Twilight," Ditzy said, walking in with some muffins and some steaming tea. She sat down and placed it down for the three of them, "But we can only do so much. You might have saved some or been a hindrance. We;re not like you and you friends, we aren't super-powerful."
Twilight cried,"So... this is what it's like, looking up instead of down..."
Ditzy put on her motherly look and sat with Twilight, "It's not so bad, you know. Having to look up from down here. When you were at your best, you inspired all of the little foals and colts into being heroes. I can't begin to tell you how often I hear Dinky brag how she will be the most powerful sorceress in the land. But now..."
"You are looking up, and that is ok. This gives you a chance to know what it's like from our end. We may not be the fastest, or the strongest, or the most empathic. But that doesn't mean we can't do anything," Cheerilee said warmly. "We can do just as much, in our own way. Trixie can trick, Ditzy can be protective, Lyra sings, and me...I can talk my way out of things. And I think you know what you do best."
Twilight sniffled and wiped her eyes,"Be sarcastic and try to make sense of the
situation?"
"No," Cheerilee wiped Twilight's eye, "You are as smart as Trixie is tricky. Which means you can probably figure out things better than us. We already have skill, strength, and stamina... we need the brains."
"And if you are still worried about being unable to do your part," Trixie walked in, smiling, "Allow Trixie the ability to train you."
Twilight smirked,"Oh, you train me? That's funny."
Trixie looked shocked, "Well, why not? You are currently not at full power, and not used to being weaker than Trixie. You need the help."
"I think we can all help, we are supposed to be together right?" Ditzy asked.
Cheerilee nodded, "Friends born of fire end up having bonds stronger than steel-Princess Twilight Sparkle, treatise on Friendship magic. Page 250."
"Yeah, and you just want to milk that for what it's worth, don't you?" Twilight smiled,"And that's actually a paraphrase, the full quote-”
"Bored now!" Trixie said, taking one of the muffins in her magic, and then adding some tabasco sauce and peanut butter. "Luna says she is going to have a mission for us to undertake tomorrow. So get some rest."
Lyra sighed, watching the scene, "Thinking about our little mismash?" Raindrops asked.
"We have a weakened alicorn on our team, with the exception of a few, we barely know each other, and we still havent provenouselves. I am just nervous that we might end up failing," Lyra sighed.
Raindrops lightly punched her friend, "I wouldn't worry. We just need time to bond. Just watch us."
Luna sighed, watching from the clouds, "Sister, how did you ever manage all of this for so long?"
Twilight yawned,"Okay, I'll probably stay up for a while, figure out what I can do now with my power up."
North Star sighed,"We got 1000, at least. Now we have to rebuild." She put a black piece onto a board,"This will not continue. I will win this day."
"Sir, may I ask, why Go?"
"Chess is a game for a war against two sides. Go, however, is more versatile." North Star said, waving her hand across the board,"There are four sides to this war, and Go one of the few games that can show this. The pieces can act the same, but separately, as with those two lone white pieces representing myself and the Elements, and those two black pieces, representing the Queen and Conquest."
Cookie stepped in, "So, where is the princesses pieces?"
North Star got up and looked out the window,"There are people who play the game, and then..." She frowned,"There are those who own the board. Those are the princesses, and others."
"Like Grand Ruler," Cookie stepped to the window, "By your leave, ma’am."
"North Star, we have begun the rebuilding preparations and begun to fix the town. There is just a little problem," said a soldier.
North Star nodded at Cookie, before looking at her soldier,"What is it?"
The soldier frowned, "It seems that some of our soldiers are getting weaker. Some are getting more hungry."
North Star growled,"Did Grand Ruler actually give them food!? I want you to go to Ponyville, and ask some of the farms for provisions, and rewrite the soldier's schedules. And report this only to me, not Grand Ruler or anypony else, understood?"
"And that is how I lost my wings. I have to admit, it was a painful-"
"Finish the story!!" Pinkie said.
Rarity looked at Pinkie, "What?"
"I like the next part," Pinkie giggled.
"Fine," Rarity said, rolling her eyes.
Somewhere in Manehattan, a building stood, a clover logo on the side. Inside, a green maned, grey coated unicorn mare stood, her hooves on the rug as she watched from her window,"War," She said,"War never changes." She turned, walking to her front desk, a newspaper was prominent, with the headline,"Friendship is Magic fails in saving Horn Kong." There was also an article with her picture,"New President of Clover Corp elected." She looked at a figure in the corner,"The pieces are falling together. North Star is making her move." She smiled.
The figure chuckled,"But I feel dissent amongst the populace." His pointed head leaned into the light,"The Gods are doing their work. Soon, Celesto will lose the people's belief in him and you will have to step in." He laughed,"And I'm proud, Samus is getting stronger." he sharpened his purple claws.
"And so is Twilight." She pressed a button on her desk, causing it to open to reveal a map, showing several images of the Elements, Samus, Morning Dawn, Celestia, Conquest, Grand Ruler, and Luna's rebellion.
"Where is your weapon, Locver?" The creature asked.
"My weapon? It’s safe" Locver got up.
"You seem especially interested in Twilight. Why?" He asked.
"Not just Twilight, Dragon, Samus." The mare smiled,”They are, shall we say, an integral part of our ongoing plan.” Her eyes glowed orange for a second.
The door opened as the dragon whispered,"Later."
"Clover, ma'am!" A unicorn said as he stepped through the door,"You're getting late for your appointment!"
"Is it for the new Clover Magic and Technology Workshop in Ponyville!? Oh, my gosh!" Clover pulled out several papers,"I hate being late!" She said, running out.
"Rarity here saw through his clever disguise," Applejack smirked.
"Yes, but hurting little Spike's heart hurt more than anything." Rarity frowned.
One day, after the other villians were taken down, he took me to a jewel cave
"I won't lie, there was something handsome about him, charming and kind. Though Lighting's report made it seem like I was a small school filly in his presence."
"However, over time I began to notice things about him. I saw that he would frown when he saw a Wonderbolts photo, the mere mention of Grand Ruler sent him into a tizzy, and he had a rusted Wonderbolts badge on his person. Now, I don't think I need to tell you that is suspicious behavior. Spike, my fiance and boyfriend, must have suspected something as well, for he brought it to me-"
Rarity smiled softly and began her story...
-
Theia walked up to Luna,"It's amazing. There were so many of you God-types in my time. How many are left?"
"Before or after the awakening of those 13 alicorns? Before, it was just me, Celestia, Cadence my niece, and Twilight Sparkle," Luna said. "Cadence and Twilight ascended however. There use to be two others, my Father and Mother.
"I wouldn't count those who... 'ascended' gods. Powerful, yes, but not gods. We used to classify gods as those who create outer magic, those that magicians tap into. Wells of magic as it were." Theia said,"We have seen many of you, but we dared not touch. What happened to your parents?"
"Father said that he found something he needed to take care of and mother vanished when me and Tia took the throne," Luna said, frowning.
Theia sighed,"I'm sorry."
Luna sighed, "IT is all right. I miss them both terribly. I wonder at times if they know what er are doing and if they are proud of me and Celestia.”
Theia put a hoof on Luna's back,"I'm sure they know, and they're proud of you."
"No, they wouldn't be proud of me. They can't be," Luna said.
"Why not?" Theia asked,"I can't imagine they wouldn't."
"Because I almost killed everything they worked for! Everything they had created was almost destroyed because of my jealousy and anger," Luna said.
Theia looked confused,"You... don't look like the kind of pony who'd do that."
"I was, once," Luna looked to the sky, "Once I ruled side by side with my sister, she rose the sun and I the moon. We were happy, but more and more I saw the truth. Ponies would sleep through my nights, become scared of me, and not even acknowledge that it was me who saved them from the nightmares. While they praised Celestia, calling her sun queen, they treated me as the devil. They shunned me and my art, so... I gave into the darkness in my heart and to the voices of the dark world. I became the monster known as Nightmare Moon."
Theia blinked in confusion, before shaking her head,"No. You're too nice for that."
"Now I am, thanks to Twilight and her friends," Luna smiled.
Theia smiled,"That is why they're proud of you, of your accomplishments. Just like they're proud of what you're doing now."
"Do you really think so?" Luna said looking at the pyramid, "Leading a small team of heroes who have never even seen a fight plus a weak mage?"
"Of course. That takes real guts." Theia said.
(Bad Horse? Great, the Thoroughbred of Sin, what's next, Johnny Snow) Samus rolled her eyes,"What's with the naming of attacks, that's so... unnecessary."
"Starfleet has this verbal tic," Applejack said. "Where they just start yelling their attacks willy nilly. It's like they have to do it for some weird reason, half surprised nopony has attacked them before they could use their moves."
"Yeah, they even wanted me to do it when I do my rainboom," Dash commented.
Rarity sighed, "The only reason Spike did it was because he thought it made him sound awesome."
"Well, it just makes them sound like dorks." Samus said,"Then again, I'm not surprised they have the tactical expertise of a watermelon."
Titan walked down a cave, a long frown on is face. The gods showing up, while not a giant wrench in his plans, was troubling. As he walked down further, he saw the white unicorn looking up at a glowing orb, "Titan?" asked Moondancer.
"Tell me young unicorn, do you see the six's Valkyrie modes in the orb?" Titan asked.
Moondancer quirked an eyebrow, "What? No, sir but I-"
"Let me see," Titan stepped closer, and saw nothing. Growling he punched his hand, "Damn it..."
"What? I am using an old Earth Pony Alchemy tool?" Moondancer asked. "But I thought this would bring back Twilight."
"It would've been the first step," Titan said. "It was a tool to remove Valkery from the equation. I did not want the bearers to be monsters when they fought. But now someone has forced a change of plans. Come Moondancer, we need to look into new maneuvers."
"Wait, you need-"
"I have need of your talents," Titan said.
"Me, but what can I do?" Moondancer asked.
Titan lifted up an orb, looking at the magic inside, "What are you willing to sacrifice?"
"Redheart, Ah'm fine. The doctor gave me a clean bill of health and-"
"The moment you go home you will start working out!" Redheart said, frowning.
"Yeah, so?" Applejack asked.
Redheart growled, and then smirked, "Will one of you lovelies see her home? Then make sure she stays in bed for the rest of the day?"
"I will" Dash said.
Rarity looked at the two Griffons, "Miss Gilda, Miss Gabby. Is there anything we can do you?"
"Yeah, get me and the chick to Canterlot. I want to talk to Grand Ruler, it's why I am here," Gilda said.
Gabby nodded, "Our latest king is refusing to send troops, but Gilda has this awesome idea to send some mercs over to aid in fighting conquest and taking him out. Isn't that cool? When I saw her leve to do it, I told myself to go and-"
"Gabby," Gilda siad.
"I will be glad to guide you," Rarity said.
Pinkie Pie looked serious, "Where are the other Starfleet members?"
"With Penny Sillion," growled Redheart.
Samus muttered as she looked at the griffons,"Why couldn't I be a griffon?"
"Oh, dear!" Clover walked into the waiting room, holding a little foal on her shoulder,"I didn't expect to see the Elements of Harmony! Jeb, postpone my appointment!"
"Again, ma'am?" The stallion next to her said.
"Um, hello, and you are miss?" Applejack asked.
"Wait, you are Clover, are you not? The new president of Clover corp?" Rarity asked, looking at the mare with a finger on her chin.
Applejack looked with a weird eyebrow, "Clover Corp?"
"Oh, yes! Clover Corp is a company known for its Equestrian affairs, creating new ways to use magic, it's pharmaceutical subsidiaries, and it's perfumes!" Clover smiled,"I become president after my mother retired." She looked at Rarity,"And you are Rarity Belle! I actually own some of your dresses!"
"I am honored," Rarity said, smiling. "It is always a pleasure to know when such a big name uses some of my product. Just the same, I use some of your perfume."
"And who is the little one?" Fluttershy asked.
"This," She placed the foal down,"is one of the sick children I came to see. I was going to go to an opening for a new shop here, but then I saw how many tents there were in this hospital, and I had to go inside and check on the children and some of the wounded."
Rarity smiled, "My how wonderfully generous of you. My friend Fluttershy is doing much of the same. She is a wonder with her healing abilities."
"Oh, yes!" Clover smiled,"I've heard much about your work with animals, Miss Fluttershy."
"Oh," Fluttershy blushed as she hid behind her mane, "I didn't really do to much, I just do what I can."
"Speaking of Helping ponies, where's Pinkie?" Applejack asked.
Pinkie Pie looked in on the Starfleet members, and frowned. Walking in, she put on her smile, "Hey guys."
There was a groan from four of the members. Artie and Starla just sat in silence, not talking or moving. Pinkie skipped in and began to ask, "So, I was wondering how you all were doing?"
"What does it look like? We lost!" shouted rhymey.
Buddy said nothing, but instead got up and walked to a holophone, "Connect me to Ponyville please??"
"And here you are, bouncing without a care in the world," Rhymey said, his eyes narrowing.
Pinkie shrugged, "I just thought I could make you happier. We did take a major beating."
"Well, you thought wrong. Now get out," Rhymey said.
Pinkie rolled her eyes, "Fine, sheesh!" she then skipped out.
"Oh, but what you do is great for everypony!" Clover smiled,"I can only hope my resources can do as much as you can."
"OH, it's just enough. We are all in this together right?" Fluttershy said.
Rarity nodded and smiled, "Indeed. Though, more so than others."
"Of course, after all... unity is important." Clover said with a smile.
Samus frowned, getting up and walking past Pinkie into the room,"Hey, jerks!" Samus yelled,"Have you ever lost before!?"
"Yes, we have lost," Shouted Rhymey, glaring at Samus. "But the way that she acts, you think we are all fine and dandy. She is trying to be happy when we just suffered our biggest lost. That is how she always is, an overactive puppy who needs to learn that not all things are happy all the time."
"Hey, I was just trying to lighten the mood," Pinkie said, her smile unwavering.
"And we don't need it! You want to help, then be like us!"
"Miserable and sad all the time?" Dash growled, landing next to Pinkie.
Samus growled,"You don't act like it! You're acting like a bunch of children!" She glared at them,"She's trying to bring you up, and is the only one who wants to try, speaking of which, your family or friends aren't doing a good job of helping you, are they? But that's beside the point!" She walked up to Rhymey,"You all failed horribly, and you're unnecessarily taking it out on the one person who gives a damn! Instead of listening to her, you're insulting her, even though she's done more than you! You lost, horribly! Instead of taking it out on others, look inside of your own self, and figure out what you did wrong, and better yourself, not sit here and whimper!" She looked around,"While you all were getting your asses kicked, the social workers were evacuating the populace! Oh, you didn't notice that, did you? All you were focused on were the enemy, not the civvies!" She growled,"As a matter of fact, Buddy over there almost hit a firepony with his rose whip! And those arrows Starla shot actually injured a couple of officers! You had no regard for anyone around you, do you!?"
"Starla winced, a part of her trying to come over her pain in her head. Her mind began to try and feel bad for the civilians, while her training was telling her something else. There was a tick in her head that was hurting her, "We have shields and shelters. It is not our job to get those civilians out of trouble, it's theirs. They know the rules
Rule One: Do not enter battles.
You cannot get harmed by a battle or the effects of battle if you don’t get involved. When the alarms sound, do whatever you can to reach the nearest shelter before the force-fields activate. If, however, you are unable to reach any shelter in time, stay as far from the danger area as you can to avoid being seen or involved.
Rule Two: Help or hide.
If you do get trapped in the battle area with no means of escape, help out as best as can, if asked so, or just stay out of the way. Leave it to the professionals.
Finally, Rule three: Defeat the villains.
There are three known basic ways to do so: Either by forcing them to retreat. Render them weak enough to capture and imprison them, or heal them, or if and only if the situation truly calls for it and you have the authorization, destroy them! I repeat, this is only a last, and absolute last resort when all other methods fail and with proper authorization.”
"If they can't get out of the way then it's their fault, not ours!!!"
"Well those are some ridiculous rules!" Samus yelled,"If you don't care about collateral, than you're just as bad as those monsters are! That's why I didn't help you, you've got that flimsy armor, and those three were holding back! The soldiers weren't, so I focused on who need help the most:The civilians. Helping is what you should be doing, instead of causing collateral damage! I like you to go to those families and tell them it's their fault!" She glared especially at Rhymey,"But you don't care do you!? All you care about is your weak, significant, fragile pride! If things don't go your way, you lash out at others, even if they're trying to help!" She frowned,"And you are blaming everyone else for your monstrousness! Because you couldn't defeat a single bad guy, you're sitting there and whimpering over your lost and fragile ego! You can't handle failure, which is why you're sitting there moping about it!" She looked at all of them,"Instead of yelling at your allies, focus on what's important: How do we stop more lives from being taken? Because I don't know if you've heard, but Horn Kong is destroyed. If you had been outside like I asked, you could've saved some of them, but like idiots, you ran in half-cocked without regard for your own actions." She turned,"I should let you know:Some casualties in Vanhoover, were caused by you. If you had any compassion, you'd explain to those families what happened, because right now, you're the devil to them."
A clapping sound was heard,"Amazing." Concussion sat at the window,"Samus, you are something else."
Samus glared at the alicorn,"What are you doing here?"
"Seeing a very special pony." Concussion smiled.
Starla leaned her head back, in utter shock, "We-But we didn't, how could we. We didn't mean,"
Rhymey interrupted again, "It doesn't matter. It was their fault and now get out!"
Artie looked at Concussion, "And who are you looking for?"
Samus glared at Starla,"If you actually paid attention, you'd have seen it. You didn't notice the hateful glares you got as you were pushed into the shelters?" she looked at Rhymey with a smile,"No."
"Silence." Concussion said, knocking Rhymey out with his voice,"Now that he's out. Artie," He looked at him,"What have you learned from this experience?"
Starla's attention was focused on Samus, and didn't see Artie walk out with the Alicorn, "N-no, I couldn't. I didn't see them. I-I-I just thought that they were too busy running. I thought they were fine."
"That Starfleet is full of monsters. They like to trick and deceive others. Rhymey, he's messing with all of their heads and they don't even know it! I thought I could trust him, but know them at all," Artie said, narrowing his eyes.
Samus glared at her,"No, there were bodies strewn across the streets, I've heard those civilians shout their anger at you." She turned to the door.
"And what will you do with this new knowledge, Arthur Bristles?" Concussion asked.
Starla looked away, and sighed, "I... I don't know."
"I...I..." Arite paused.
(Momma, I want to be a hero.
One day, I will be a brave hero like in the stories.)
"I know they are wrong, that they are cruel, but I..."
"If you don't want to be a monster, go to those families, and talk to them." She walked out of the room. As walked, she noticed a teen walk past her. She stopped him,"Those in there are defenseless. I know you're angry, but this is a road you don't want to go down."
The pony looked at her, putting his knife away,"They killed my mother..."
"Do you want to be responsible for taking away someone else's family?" Samus asked,"Don't lash in anger, think your actions through." She walked off.
"Can you be a hero without them? Luna is creating a rebellion. North Star is working against Grand Ruler, and we alicorns are protecting the populace that worships us. Or you could only swear allegiance to the Fruits of Harmony." Concussion asked,"It is your life, my little pony, and I will not sway you in any direction."
Starla sat alone in the room, staring out into the void of her tent with only the soft beeping of Dyno and Myte's machine to keep her company. He looked down at her hands, tears flowing from her eyes before she placed her head n her palms and began to cry. For a few moments, she just kept on trying until she felt a hand on her shoulder, "Just let it out," Rarity said.
"Why do you care? You hate me," Starla whimpered.
Rarity sighed,"Yes, but that doesn't mean I won't help."
Artie frowned then narrowed his eyes in determination, "I know they can be a good people, if I can just try. I am going to become a hero and show them a better way. And if I have to follow the path of the bearers...so be it."
"Very well." Concussion said, slowly disappearing,"I will watch over you, Arthur Bristles."
Starla looked on in shock at Rarity's generosity, and then began to cry into her shoulder. For a moment, the two just sat there, letting her cry.
Buddy looked at the holophone, "What do you mean that calls out going are disconnected? Fine. I'll talk to Daphine when I get home."
Artie walked to the group, before looking to Pinkie who had her head down. Curious, he raised a hand and said, "Hey-"
"Hey there!" Pinkie smiled. "I was just walking, going to my friends!!"
"Ok, bye," Artie said looking to the tent where his team was,”Well, that was a bust...”
Clover stood in front of the building, her smile wide,"With this, I will bring new forms of magic to all of United Equestria! You will be able to learn much about Earth Ponies, Pegasi, Unicorns and even Alicorns! With the opening of this new shop, Clover Corporation will be able to branch out to all cities in the country, bringing our gifts to all of you wonderful ponies."
In Canterlot, Gilda screamed and walked out, "Can't believe that asswipe! We offer help and he throws it in our faces!!!"
"Well, at least Celestia looked nice. Give her that," Gabby said, flying in the air, "So...now what do we do?"
"We make our own mercs," growled the elder griffon. "Start delivering letters."
Grand Ruler sat in his throne, looking at the four assembled, "It is not enough that you four failed to save anyone back in Vanhoover, but now I discover that you let those miserable elements to save you? How much more can you disappoint me?"
"I am sorry sir, but it is as I said, Starla is untrained, as you can see by her absence," Rhymey said. "Perhaps, it is time you appointed me as leader?"
Pinkie Pie bounced to Starla's house and knocked on the door. After a few minutes, she heard nothing. Looking at the door oddly, she picked the lock and walked in. The house was filled with an eerie silence. With each step, Pinkie noted how barren the place was and dark filled inspite of the time of day. Then she walked up to the room where there was light. When she went to the room, she watched in horro as Starla held a sharp blade to her wrist. Without a word, Pinkie ran to the unicorpian's side, pulled the weapon away.
Starla looked at Pinkie, glared angerily, and then wept into her chest. Pinkie Pie hled Starla closely, patting her back and hugged her.
Rainbow Dash sat on the fence, watching Applejack punch a tree, " Working harder than usual?"
"Yeah, trying to find out that thing that Alicorn used, Hamon?" Applejack said.
"I don't see why you are so hung up on the alicorn, AJ. We kicked his can, we're alive, things are-"
"They are not fine dash! He whupped us, he made us look like chumps and we needed Samus to save us!" Applejack punched her hand into her fist, "And I could do nothing to help you! That's what ticks me off the most! You could've died and Ah would've had to watch."
Rainbow Dash felt her ears dropped and patted her friend on her shoulder, "You messed up. So what. We just need to get back up and try again, right?"
"Yeah, and that's what I plan on doing," Applejack said, narrowing her eyes and walking off.
Dash sighed and flew off. As she flew, she watched over the town, watching as the life of the town continued on as normal. Ponies walked and talked, friends were made and love was shared. A part of her felt warm, knowing that the town probably didn't know about the war, or even care. What was important was them living.
--
Rarity looked at Spike, Remember, nopony come int!"
When Trixie next woke up, she would find Twilight gone.
In a newly furnished room, Twilight was attempting pull-ups on a bar, making struggling grunts with each attempt.
"Twilight, what are you doing?" Trixie asked, coffee in magic as she stood in the doorway.
Twilight jumped down and picked up a towel to wipe off. She breathed in, letting some earth pony magic through,"I'm training my body, since my magic's only at 15%. If I can get in shape, I can better protect ponies."
Raindrops stepped in, "You are doing it wrong."
Twilight stammered,"Well, I tried to do everything the book said!" She pulled out,'Exercising for Eggheads.'
Raindrops looked at the book and threw it away, "Forget it, my uncle wrote most of it.
Now, Let's get down to business.
To get you strong!
We are going going to do this right
Before you get it Wrong!
You may be an alicorn
but you can bet, before we're through
Twilight, I'll make a mare
Out of you!!!!
Raindrops walked in front of Twilight, and begins to show her how to do a pull up. Then she shook her head when she messes up. Then as she helped out again, Twilight manages to make one perfect one.
Quiet as Fluttershy
But the fire within
Once we find your inner strength
You are sure to win!
(Insert rest of lyrics here.)
Raindrops smiled as she put Twilight down, "Now I think you're getting it." there was a towel around her shoulders.
Twilight panted,"I feel like I'm going to die!"
"Good, then it's working."
Luna watched the early morning workout and began to laugh.
Theia gasped,"This almost seems like torture..."
Twilight whimpered,"It is..."
"Princess," Raindrops bowed.
Luna shook her head and held up her hand, "At ease. Let yourself finish the training. We will talk at 1000."
"Good," Raindrops then smiled, "You know, maybe I should give the others-"
"No!" shouted the other five at once.
Twilight looked up at the clock,"9:35. That's seems un- Oh, shit."
Twilight's screams echoed throughout the building.
Samus held up her welding mask as she looked at Fluttershy and the messenger,"The school wants me to speak? I thought Grand Ruler would make them hate our guts."
"Well," The messenger said,"They were going to give out the propaganda, but one of the generals promised to give a more free, honest press if we gave her mares provisions."
Fluttershy smiled, "I am glad that they want to let you talk with the foals."
Samus sighed as she got up,"Well, okay. I guess I can teach them a couple of things." She looked back at the boots she made,"Just a little bit more." She whispered before going towards the door.
Buddy smiled, looking at his cousin as she walked down the steps, "Morning, my dear little cousin!"
"Hey Buddy," said Daphne, looking down with the usual morning dumps.
"Daphne, we've been over this. Can't you call me dad at least once?" Buddy asked.
Daphne began to eat her cereal, "You know how Starfleet sees us, we're just cousins and nothing more. I may live with you, you may raise me, but we aren't anything more than that. Not siblings, and definitely not parental units. Now, I need to head to school."
"Uh, sure thing. Good luck," Buddy frowned, seeing his little cousin go out the door. Turning to look at a photo of his aunt and uncle, he sighed. he looked at another photo of him holding his little cousin in his arms, smiling at the camera. Shaking his head, he walked out of the house. The air was crisp for him and a perfect setting for him to train. Then he heard crying and saw Pinkie Pie walking out of the Dawn house, with Starla in tow.
Apple Bloom waved to Sweetie Belle, notinc her friend was looking down, "What's the matter, Sweetie?"
"Rarity, she is in her mood again," Sweetie Belle said, putting her head on her head as she sat on a bench.
Lighting shuddered when he heard the door opening, seeing Conquest step in. Fearfully, the captain backed up, "Hey, I don't wanna hurt you, I just want to bring you news from the front."
"Get away," Lighting whispered.
Conquest smiled as he sat with Lighting, "Guess what happened in Vanhoover. You lost, big time."
"What? But, we can't we could never lose."
"Oh no, then why do I have a slew of new slaves out front?" asked Conquest.
Conquest smiled, "Oh yes, and your wifey seemed to be pretty broken about it too. Who knows what might happen to her."
"What, but Starla can't possibly lead them," gasped Lighting.
Conquest smiled, "OH, and now you insult your wife?"
"No! I mean, I don't mean to, it's just that-" Lighting trailed off.
Conquest tucked his chin, "What's the matter, unable to think or do anything unless Grad Sneeze gave you a command? This is why Twilight was better than you."
"No, she wasn't. She was brash and a brat and-"
"Didn't let innocent people die!!" Conquest said. The he began to laugh, "That is what it's all about with you Starfleet members. You act like heroes, you talk like you are heroes, but you ain't heroes."
"No, we are heroes!" Lighting said. "I am only here because I want to be."
"Then prove it, beat me. If you win, then I will show you a photo of your wife. IF not, then it's the bed for you," Conquest laughed.
Fluttershy decided to fly out into the market. As she made her way through, she saw Rhymey. Looking around, she saw Rainbow Dash, "Um Rainbow Dash?"
"Yeah Flutters?" asked Dash.
"Could you walk with me? Rhymey is here and I don't want him to see me. Or talk to me."
"Sure thing," Rainbow Dash said, walking with her.
Fluttershy looked up at Rainbow Dash, blushed and stood a little closer to her. Rainbow Dash smiled when she looked down at Fluttershy, and protectively, placed her arm over Fluttershy's shoulders. There was a warm smile when she brushed against Rainbow's body. As Dash walked with her, she could feel a warm feeling come to her.
Applejack laid against a tree, painting. Sweat washed over her body as she looked up to the sky. Lifting up her hand, she looked it over, the front and back, "Hamon, reconnect with our element. What does it mean?"
"What in tarnation are you doing, waiting out here Applejack?" Granny Smith asked.
"Trying to figure out this thing called Hamon, granny," Applejack said.
"Hamon? Let me tell you all you need to know about Hamon," Granny said.“You remember how it was, way back before the union of the tribes?”
“Yeah, we all hated each other. The only reason why we even tolerated one another was because the other had something the other wanted,” Applejack frowned, “Almost as bad as right now.”
“And you can expect this led to some might bad confrentations once in a while, some pretty bad wars,” Granny Smith said. “Amd how do ya think we earth ponies kept up with the other tribes?”
Applejack looked up in thought for a second, “Well, Ah know one way was with Earth Pony alchemy. Kind of had a run in with that a few months back.”
“The other way, was with Hamon,” Granny Smith said. “It was an ancient fighting art that allowed us earth ponies to match unicorns in their spell casting and match the pegasi in speed. A hamon user is capable of doing impossible feats, such as catching lightning, destroying shields, and moving with great agility. It also helped us Earth ponies live for a very long time. You wouldn't know it, but Ah am actually 120, not 80.”
“Wow,” Applejack gasped out in shock. “Amazing. Do you think you can teach me that?”
Granny Smith then looked at Applejack weirdly, “Ah thought you already knew it. From the way you exercise and fight, you already had some of the basics down. He way you breathe, keeping yourself focused, that’s all the basis in hamon. In a way, you make me think of your pa, Celestia rest his soul. He had the potential to be a great hamon user, but he chose instead to raise his his family. Good choice if you ask me, no sense in fighting if the world’s peaceful.”
Applejack nodded as she followed Granny away from the house, “Ah guess you’re right about that. Wait, did you say Ah’m like pa?”
“Of course you are. The both of you are as determined as can be, and hard headed too,” Granny said, getting a chuckle form Applejack. The two made it to a small grove of apple trees, “Now, the reason why hamon works so well for us earth ponies, is because it taps into our basic element:Earth. You know how a tree gets it strength and energy from photo-wotsits”
“Photosynthesis, Granny,” Applejack said.
“Ah on’t need a 30 bit word to tell me how trees work!!” Granny Smith grumbled. “Hamon is based on the same principle, you are breathing in to take in the energy from the sun and transferring it to you own body. Now breathe deeply.”
Applejack began to breathe slowly, letting her chest rise and fall with each slow breath, “Like this?”
“That’s it, slow deep breaths,” Granny said with a smile. “Feel the air go into your lungs, taking with it the warmth of Celestia great gift. Breathe out, feeling the power of the sun go into your cells and empower them with energy. You are like the trees you raise, strong, enduring, and powerful. You are an earth pony, wich means your magic is about strength and endurance. The sun is a part of that, feeding you strength and keeping you strong against the harshest of fights.” then she looked up at a tree, “There is a fruit bat up in this tree. When you are ready, punch the tree and wake up th bat, without distrubing the applas.”
Applejack nodded and continued to breathe. After few short seconds, she drew back her punch and delivered a hard blow against the tree, knocking down some apples. Applejack looked down in defeat, “Not good enough.”
Granny Smith patted Applejack on the back and gave her a hug, “You’ll get it it. It just takes some time.”
“Ya, you’re right,” Applejack said, then she looked up at Rainbow Dash, creating a double rainbow in the sky as she practiced her flying. “After all, she wouldn't quit.”
“Ah yes, one of your many friends, “ Granny said, smiling as she sat with her granddaughter, “I am glad you met them, they seemed to have a positive effect on you.”
“You think so?” Applejack asked, looked at her grandmother.
Granny nodded, “Before all of this, you used to be so headstrong and focused on your work that it was hard to get you away from it all. Ah used to worry if you were gonna work yourself to death. Now look at you, you open up more, let other help you out, and have become a great mare. If your pa were here, he’d tell you right now... you did good kid, real good.”
Buddy walked into the hospital, "Excuse me, but where is Starla Dawn?"
"Room 301, psyche."
"Thank you," said Buddy as he walked up the stairs. As he ran up the stairs, he began to see so many ponies from Starfleet sitting around. Some of them were in bandages, some were in casts, while others had families looking over them. The more he watched, the more he became disheartened. He had never seen the results of war on the populace, and now... he began to feel a weight on his shoulders. One pregnant mare sat in front of a door, in tears as she held a piece of armor in her hands.
Buddy shook it off, trying his best to focus on his destination. When he got to the psyche ward, he saw Pinkie Pie sitting in front of the door. Her ears was lowered and a sad frown was on her face, "Pinkie? Why are you here? Why is Starla-"
Pinkie shushed him, "Sorry Buddy, but they aren't allowing anypony in. She has someone keeping a watch on her."
"A watch, what do you mean?" Buddy asked.
"Suicide."
"Suicide? B-but why, when?" asked Buddy.
Pinkie looked away, "She felt bad about your loss, especially since she just found out she almost killed ponies. It hurt her real bad."
"My god, but..." Buddy walked to the door and pulled back. "Can I sit with you?"Buddy sat with Pinkie Pie, looking back at the door occasionally. He had a frown on his face when he thought about who was behind the door, "Why? Why would she do that?"
"Because, she was feeling hurt about our loss at Vanhoover," Pinkie said.
Buddy then asked something without think, "Why didn't you let her?"
"What?" Pinkie asked in a very dead manner.
"Well, in Starfleet, we don't force help onto others. It's not our way. If someone doesn't need help, we let them refuse it. We don't just barge into their homes and stop them," Buddy said.
Pinkie frowned, "You really think that it would' been all right to let her die?"
"Well," Buddy paused. "I mean, she... Well, We in Starfleet are prepared to,"
"I don't care about those meanies, I care about you. Would you have been happy if I let your friend die?" Pinkie asked, her eyes tearing up.
Buddy looked into Pinkie's eyes, and then sighed, "You know, it's a lot harder to say that, when it’s someone you care about in there."
"You don't open yourself up much, do you?" Pinkie asked.
"No, we don't," Buddy said, shaking his head. Then he sighed, "I never thought about death. It was just something that happened to others. "We're Starfleet, we are invincible" I thought we could weather anything. But, this loss...I just don't know. And now I know that one of my fr-teammates was about to kill herself? I don't know what is supposed to be done. Everything in the Starfleet manual says that unless she asks for help, unless she wants it, we can't do anything about it."
"So, basically, you would've let your friend die?" Pinkie asked.
"Yes! No, I mean..." Buddy sighed and placed his face into his hands, "I don't know. I just don't know."
Pinkie then pulled him into a hug, letting him rest his head onto her shoulders.
Samus walked into the school house, and saw the children.
"And here is Samus Aran! One of the heroes of Vanhoover!" The teacher said with a smile,"I'm sure she has lots to say."
Samus looked at the almost dull eyes of the children,"What did they do to these kids?" She asked herself.
"Hello Miss Aran," said the students.
Applebloom shot her hand up first, "Samus, when you and my sister fought, did you hold back?"
Samus chuckled,"I did, a little. I didn't want to break any of her bones." She looked and noticed that very few of them were actually into this,"You know what? This is too boring, let's go on a field trip!" She got up with a grin.
The teacher, a young stallion, probably just graduated, gasped,"But-"
"No buts, let's take a trip around the village, and I'll tell you whatever you need to know!"
Scootaloo, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle all smiled and almost ran to the door. Each with a grin on their face.
Applejack walked away from her orchard, her thoughts still walking away with her. Looking back at her hands, she let out a sigh, "Wish Twilight were here. Maybe she could figure out what’s going on."
"Hey, Applejack?" Caramel asked, stepping behind her. "I was wondering, if maybe you aren't busy...you and I could take a walk?"
Applejack smiled warmly, "Sure, need to clear my head any way."
Samus held Dinky on her shoulder as she walked with the kids,"And that's how I destroyed an entire race of evil monsters!" She said,"Now, remember, if you have the will to do something, you can do anything!"
"Really?" Diny asked, listening to Samsu with wide eyes.
Samus nodded,"Yep! Went to their home dimension and everything! Trust me, I've seen a lot, now let me tell you of an evil radioactive poison that was also alive!"
Scootaloo smiled, "So, how fast does your speed booster go?"
Samus smiled,"Roughly a little higher than the speed of sound."(Though, I never tried going higher. If I did, my suit would break down, and my body would be torn to shreds. If I were a full Chozo however...)
"Cool!" smiled Scootaloo.
Applebloom looked at Applejack weirdly when she noticed that she and Caramel were walking together, "What are they doing?"
"Those two look very happy together." Samus said,"Are they on a date?"
"A date," Applebloom asked herself. "Are they really...Oh, please say yes!!!"
"Samus," Dinky asked, "Do you think my mommy is ok?"
It had been a few hours since Starla had been admitted and Buddy had fallen asleep on Pinkie's shoulders. Pinkie looked from her spot to see Nurse Red heart standing before her. There was a caring smile on the nurse's face, "Pinkie... thank you."
"You're welcome...for what?"
"Being here, for her," Redheart said. "Nopony else came to see her. I don't think anypony will."
"I noticed," Pinkie said, looking away. Then she asked, "Will Starla be-"
"She is going need time to recover. This loss, the rape, then being told that she indirectly hurt others. It's just too much to take. It's amazing," Redheart said "Starfleet are trained to be physically strong, and able to combat mental manipulation, but psychologically, they crumble."
"You have seen worse?" Pinkie asked.
Redheart nodded, "Besides Ace Ray? Oh, yes. Follow me." sxhe led Pinkie down the psyche ward, showing various ponies in the rooms, some shuddering, some looking on in fright and mumbling about a mare in their nightmares, while others were catatonic. "There just somethings that being the strongest and the fastest can't solve."
Pinkie gasped at all of this, "Will Starla be ok?"
"She needs constant care. Does she have anyone living with her?" asked Redheart. Pinkie shook her head no, "Then she will need someone to live with her. I also want her to undergo psych evaluation. Then convince our lord and savior to let her have some time off."
"I'll do it," Buddy said, standing up.
"You will do that?" Pinkie aked, smiling a little.
Buddy nodded, "I need to do this. She needs somepony and right now, I think I am the only one who can help her open up."
"All right, I will entrust her into your care," Red heart said.
Pinkie Pie went to the door where Starla still slept. Softly, she sighed and sat, waiting.
"Rainbow Dash, thank you," Fluttershy said softly. "For this. I was afraid that Rhymey might make a scene."
"He wouldn't dare, not with me around," Dash chuckled.
Fluttershy smiled warmly at this and cuddled closely.
A few minutes after the training session...
Carrot Top stood next to Twilight, a smile on her lips as she held out a plate of food and some coffee.
Twilight whimpered as she slowly took the food and coffee,"Thank you..."
"You are welcome dear," Carrot Top said.
Ditzy smiled at Twilight, "Are you ok?"
Twilight got up, her legs trembling,"Besides feeling like every muscle in my body is trying to kill me, I'm fine!"
"Good," Raindrops smirked.
Twilight frowned,"I'll remember this when I get my full power back..."
"I'll look forward to it, chubby," Raindrops said, playfully tugging on Twilight's cheeks.
Luna landed on the balcony, "If you lot are finished. I have your first mission."
Twilight muttered,"I'm not chubby..." She looked at Luna,"I'm ready.”
"There, now wasn't that fun?" Conquest asked, holding Lighting down on the bed. The room was torn to shreds, giant holes and flames littered the room.
"Just finish it," Lighting said.
"Ah, but I want to be nice, and show you your wife," he then showed Lighting a picture of Starla, in the hospital. "Seems the poor dear wanted to commit suicide. Isn't that sad. It looks like without you, her big strong man...she's falling apart."
"No," whimper Lighting as he felt his torture begin, "No...please no."
Samus looked up,"Why do you ask?"
"Well, it's that she went missing a few weeks ago on a vacation and I'm worried about her," Dinky said, lightly rubbing the ground with her hoof.
Applebloom waved her two friends away from the group and looked over a cart, "Look at it. It's so a date."
"I think you are overthinking things Applebloom," Sweetie Belle sid. "They are just walking around, talking, and enjoying each other's company."
"Yeah, if that is a date, then Fluttershy and Dash are on a date," Scootaloo said, looking at the two pegasi.
Samus rubbed Dinky's mane,"I'm sure she's fine. But I can look for her if you'd like?"
"Please!" Dinky said.
Scootaloo stood on top of Sweetie Belle, lightly parting her mane, "Ok, so what do you think they are saying?"
"I don't know, but I hate the way Applejack's acting. She's like 'oh this guy is totally into me, might as well not notice," Applebloom said, frowning at Applejack, who would smile and talk to Caramel occasionally.
"Not as bad as Fluttershy and Dash," Sweetie said. "I love this mare, but my ego and coolness won't let me show it."
Scootaloo rolled her eyes, "Of course they won't say it. They need time to coax the other into it."
Samus gave a thumbs up,"That's a promise!" She got up,"Come on, it's getting late, and your families are probably wondering what the heck I'm doing!"
The teacher, Meter Stick, chuckled,"Actually, I think they'll enjoy the fact that their kids got to go on a field trip."
The girls nodded and ran to Samus. The mood was a little bit brighter on their faces as they ran to the school to get their things. Daphine pulled her back pack away, and then listened to the CMC talk, "Ok, it’s been a while, but I think we’re closer than ever in finding our marks! What do you want to do?”
"Well, I have a couple ideas..."
Daphine sighed and took a look at her flank. Then to her id code, frowning as she glared at it, "Stupid code!" she whispered.
Fluttershy just then noticed that she was holding Dash's hand, "Oh, how long was I-"
"The entire time, but it's ok," Dash winked, "I think Rhymey got the message."
"Yes," Fluttershy said, blushing and walking out of the market, "I need to head back. Want to-"
"Walk you home?" Dash smirked, holding her hand.
Luna stepped into a large circular room with a circular table in front of them. Pressing a button on the table, a hologram of the planet showed, "Grand Ruler has been making some very poor moves as of late. With his constant showing of strength and declarations of superiority, not only are we becoming more isolated due to fear, but I worry that we are making more enemies than we need. If we are to fight Conquest-"
"But Luna, are the alicorns not the bigger threat?" asked Carrot Top.
Luna nodded, "True. But fighting a war on two major fronts is not only foolish, but deadly. Grand Ruler is right now our biggest obstacle, followed by Conquest, and then the Alicorns. Correct, Twilight?"
Twilight nodded,"Our resources are stretched thin thanks to Grand Ruler. If we remove him, we'd have a better chance of getting allies to fight off the bigger threats." Twilight then looked back at Luna,"So, what's our first mission?"
"I have arranged meeting with the strongest powers on the planet. You seven are to present yourselves as ambassadors to Equestria. Talk to them, find out their problems, what they need, and most importantly...what will get them to our side."
Twilight nodded,"Are you sure it's alright for me to do it?"
Theia stood up,"May... I come?"
"Yes, you may Theia," Luna said. Then she looked to Trixie, Cheerilee, and Carrot Top, "Girls, please give Twilight something that I believe she has not had in a while."
Twilight blinked,"What do you mean?"
"Make-over," Luna said with a smile.
Carrot Top grabbed Twilight's mane while Cheerilee bagna to help with some of Twilight's make up. Trixie, meanwhile, kept her horn glowing, making Twilight change coats, "Let's see, grey?
"Eep!" Twilight gasped. She looked at herself,"Nah, grey doesn't seem to fit. No offense, Ditzy."
"No problem," Ditzy said.
Trixie continued to modify her illusions, "Blue? Cyan? Green? Pink? Light pink with a star cutie mark? Yellow with bacon hair?
"I like the yellow with bacon hair!" Twilight suggested.
Trixie nodded, zapping twilight and making her look like Sunset Shimmer. "There we are."
Luna smiled, "There, any more questions, Twilight?"
"Yeah," Twilight smiled,"Where can I get a leather jacket?"
Luna smiled at this, making her horn glow.
The ambassador room was held in the pyramid’s ballroom. The major powers, excluding the unicornicopians, all began to talk and mingle. Stopping in front of the door, Trixie narrowed her eyes, "If any mare has any ideas on how to mingle, now is a good time.
Theia walked into the room,"Um, excuse me." she looked around,"We're here to represent United Equestria."
One of the griffons looked at the pyramid with awe,"I've only heard about this in legends..."
A deer remained silent, looking away. The dragon ambassored snorted at the name. The boars, yaks, and antelope all winnied dismissively. Lyra gulped at this sign, "We have our work cut out don-"
"Hello there, Mr. Deer. My name is Cheerilee and this is my associate, Ditzy," Cheerilee said, smiling.
"Um hi," Ditzy said.
Carrot Top walked away, fluttering her orange outfit, "Sometimes you need to know the right thing to say.
Twilight smiled,"Hello, everyone, I'm Sunset Twinkle, what're your names?"
Theia nodded,"I am Dr. Theia." She looked at all of them,"How... amazing."
"Amazing?" question a deer.
"I don't know if you've heard tales from your ancestors, but I was once part of an ancient race of creatures that watched over this world. I am amazed at how things have definitely changed from 10,000 years ago."
"Yes," the deer sighed," For the worst it seems.”
Twilight looked around,"But we can change that. What will it take for you all to work with us?"
The dragon looked at Carrot Top, "Well, for starters, get rid of Grand Ruler."
"He is holding so much of this back. He treats the rest of us like slime," A seapony said.
Twilight thought for a moment,"If we get rid of Grand Ruler, would you be more willing to help us?"
A Griffon nodded to Raindrops, "Yes, we would. Celestia was a kind leader, she could actually rule her country with respect."
"I'm just here for infiltration and food," said a changeling.
A Saddle Arabian looked at Ditzy, "But do you think Conquest will attack us? It seems that all your battles take place on other planets or Equestria. Never anywhere else."
Twilight looked at him,"If Conquest wins, he will attack you too. The same if the Alicorns of Light win."
"The Alicorns of Light?" asked an antelope, "I thought they were only a legend."
Twilight looked at him,"Well, they're not. They're a very real threat, and if we're too busy fighting Conquest, we won't be able to fight them off."
"Do you even have a plan?" asked a kirin
"Yes." Twilight said,(No!) She thought,"If we use Conquest to defeat Grand Ruler, we'd be able to give Celestia back her throne, and then you can help us! However, I need your assurance that you will be able to help." She looked around,"Conquest's men are made up of other races. However, I'm willing to bet that half of them will leave once Grand Ruler is defeated, as they won't have a reason to fight anymore!"
"Providing you can get Grand Ruler off the throne," a minotaur said.
"Hey we can do all of that and more," Lyra said.
Trixie then got up onto the stage and smiled, "Ambassadors, your worries are unfounded!! We do have plans for every contingency. We will find ways to take down Grand Ruler and give you all that you need to win. We will stand strong and fight to the end."
"Even with just six of you?"
"There are eight of us. And just watch, we will wow the world with our colossal might!!!"
"The world was saved time and time again with only six ponies, and once with two." Twilight said getting up with Trixie,"Because they were united. If we are united, we can conquer any foe! Alone we are strong, but together, we are invincible!"
"Then we await the results. " the dragon ambassador said, taking his leave with the others.
Ditzy gulped, "So, do you think we did good?"
Twilight gave out a sigh,"I don't know. We'll see when we defeat Grand Ruler."
"So, then, what is the plan?" asked Trixie.
"I think we need to find a way to weakening the ponies’ trust in him, to break the hold he has," Cheerilee said.
Twilight nodded,"We should start by destroying the re-education camps and the prisons, and then relaying important documents to K-Colt."
"Then that means we find them and who knows where they are," Ditzy said with a smile.
Lyra sat back, "It's going to be hard, so might need to gather the information we have."
"Oh this is so exciting," Cheerilee said, smiling.
This prompted a raised eyebrow from Raindrops, "You are excited about this?"
"Espionage, intrigue, and adventure?" asked Cheerilee, "Of course I am excited! Applejack and the others are going to be busy stopping gods and monsters... we're freeing a whole planet with our wits and skills. This is going to be fun!!!
Theia grinned,"So, I get to watch a new generation defeat a dictator with their own skills?"
Twilight gave a small smile,"Just like in a spy novel." She chuckled,"I'm glad to be able to save others, even if it's not with the Elements."
Ditzy smiled, pulling in Twilight for a hug, "Hey, we may not be like them...but we can be the next best thing."
"Hey...are we going to have code names and the like?" Raindrops asked.
Cheerilee smiled, "Only if we can get Twilight to make us gadgets."
Luna watched from the shadows, "And slowly, they are banding together."
"Hmm, what codenames could we use?" Twilight asked herself,"But I'd love to make things!" She hopped up and down.
Ditzy waved her hand, "Oh, how about: Muffins." she then pointed to Raindrops, "Rainshower, then Heartstrings," she then looked to Cheerilee, "Mulbrerry, and Big Sis!" she giggled at Carrot Top.
Carrot Top smirked, while Trixie stood up, "Lulamoon of course and then for Twilight we can have Starlight Shimmer!
Twilight nodded,"Starlight sounds good." She smiled.
Luna spread her wings, and then began to fly back to Canterlot. As she landed, she saw Celestia looking at her photos, "Thinking are we, Tia?"
"Oh just, thinking about the past, and out family," Celestia said, smiling at the photo of her and Luna sitting at a beach, sharing Ice Cream.
Luna sat with her sister and looked at the photo, "Do you think about them? Mom and Dad?"
"Sometimes.When I am mad at Grand Ruler or I make a mistake."
"Another fight?" Luna asked.
Celestia shook her head, "No, I was thinking about the mirror, Sunset, and my mistakes. I then began to think of how much our lives had changed since we took the title of princess."
"You have been through so much, without me by your side," Luna said.
Celestia looked down, "Though I tried to fill it, I knew I was missing something... you."
"I did too sister," Luna said, leaning up against her.
Titan pulled out a photo of Celestia and Luna, his mind flashing back.
(Daddy! Something is wrong with Mommy. She was moaning in pain and demanded the doctor and-"
"There is nothing wrong, sunbeam...we just got a new guest," Titan said rubbing Celestia's mane.
Celestia looked weird and ran into the med room. Laying on her bed, was Terra, holding a little blue alicorn in a bundle. Celestia gasped and walked over. She smiled when she looked at the baby, "Hello, I-"
the little baby booped her)
Stryker leaned back, holding a grey painting of a black alicorn,
(Stryker looked down the road, watching Titan run. Titan stopped, and looked behind himself. What he was thinking, she did not know, but all she could do was hold up her hoof, and beckon him to run,"You're free, my son. Go."
Titan had a look of surprise before running forward. Stryker wiped her face, before walking away.)
(Celestia stood proud, smiling at her father, "Don't worry mother, father. I promise to rule Equestria well. Come along Lulu
"Okay, sister!" Luna said, hopping alongside her big sis.)
Lightspeed knelt down before the photo,"I'll get them for this." She choked back a sob.
(Week 1)
Vinyl Scratch’s voice came over the radio, "Good morning United Equestria!!! And how are we this morning? Miserable? I don't blame you. Considering that we have our lord and dictator telling us that the Equestrians lost the fight for Vanhoover and failed Horn Kong, you can imagine the mess of things that have been going on. Soldiers are running scared and some of the men are asking questions."
"Right now, there seems to be a fear of being attacked by not just conquest, but of alicorns as well. There also seems to be reports of a rebellion brewing, one that is just been leaving messages that says "the Fall is coming"
"Was that really necessary?" asked Raindrops to Lyra.
Lyra smirked, "I had to spread the word somehow."
Octavia continued on the radio, "Right now, there hasn't been a major attack by other faction. However, the fear has set some of the soldiers on edge, with some even leaving Starfleet."
"And who can blame them. It seems that Big Buffon can't figure out who the real threat is! Personally, I say it's the gods."
"Agreed, while no one can doubt the attack of Conquest is a real threat, we also have to take in power." Octavia said. "Though, the fact that Conquest has been quiet since his two pronged attack is worrying."
"Yeah and-"
Rarity clicked off the radio and looked at the five suits in front of her. Besides each suit was a gem: Citrine, Aquamarine, Morganite, Sapphire, and Diamond. Then she looked back at the armors, and sighed. Using telekinesis to bring out her glasses, she murmured, "Never tried to use enchantments on this type of scale before. But it should be easy, if these things work like cloth as I expect them to."
"Burning the midnight oil, Rarity?" Spike asked.
Rarity smiled softly, "Yes, dear." she leaned up and kissed her fiance on the lips. "Keep an eye on the door and tell them to-
"KEEP OUT?!" Rainbow Dash asked, looking weirdly. " All I wanted was for her to fix my dress suit and she is seeing nopony!?"
"Not until she's done," Spike said.
Dash felt her ears droop as she turned away, "Dang there goes my day."
"What about the others?"
"Pinkie Pie is busy, with Starla," Dash sighed.
Pinkie Pie guided Starla in to Buddy's house, "Here you go, nice and steady."
"Thank you," she said, her voice barely a whisper.
Buddy nodded to Pinkie and closed the door. Pinkie sighed and began to walk away, her hair a little limp. She began to look at the town, and tried to hide her frown as she walked along the bridge. While the Equestrians looked hopeful, the Unicornicopians were talking in low whispers. This made her shudder coldly, her heart wanting to help them so much. Turning she looked ahead and smiled when she saw Samus, "Hey Sammy! Made any good arrests lately?"
Samus rolled her shoulders,(This uniform is itchy! Wish I could use my armor.) She smiled at Pinkie,"Eh, it's been a slow day. I only caught a streaker, and then told her to never do it again."
"A streaker?" Pinkie asked.
"Yeah, this girl decided that she wanted to stick it to the man by going nude." Samus chuckled,"I think she was a hippie or something."
Tree Hugger shouted from the distance, "Freedom!!!"
Pinkie Pie giggled as she walked with Samus, "So, where are you going next on your patrol."
"God damn it." Samus muttered,"She's doing it again." She looked at Pinkie,"Well, these alleyways look suspicious.
"How?" Pinkie said, looking in them. She was glad for this, something fun for her to do to take her mind off the things that had been happening.
"I don't know, alleys are never a good place to be, even in small towns. Though for all I know, there could be a-" Samus was then interrupted by a guy in a trench-coat
"Hey, girls," He pulled the coat back,"Wanna buy a Friendship Pin?"
"OH! I do!" Pinkie said, smiling and pulling out her bag of bits.
Samus pulled Pinkie’s hand down,"Didn't we have this discussion, Rip-Off?"
Rip-Off frowned,"Aw, come on! I gotta make a few bits!"
"Aren't those Flim and Flam guys hiring?" Samus asked.
"Yep!" Pinkie Pie nodded, "I remember seeing their flyer around."
Rip-off frowned, before walking off,"Fine..."
Samus sighed,"Man, things can get slow around here..." She looked at Pinkie,"Fine for you all, but for a bounty hunter like me, it's kind of... boring."
"Sometimes, I like it a little slow like this," Pinkie said skipping to the front of Samus and out of the alley. "It makes all the more fun to appreciate the important things like your friends and cake and parties, and all of the other fun stuff. Don't you get to appreciate that?"
"Well, I do." Samus said,"But I find myself relaxing better if I'm out in the universe, seeing different and new sights." She saw a group of kids playing,"It does feel nice, though, seeing people at peace."
Pinkie stopped and watched. She sighed happily when the ball rolled to her. For a moment, she picked it up and bounced it on her head before throwing it back, much to the laughter of the kids. Turing to look back at Samus, she nodded, "I am always happy during these moments, no fighting and no big bad attacking you. Kind of makes you appreciate all of the happy times and fun times the more. You know?"
"Yeah, but..." She looked at her hand,"It's kind of hard for someone like me to truly enjoy peace, because... I'm useless." She caught the ball in her hand and threw it back,"What's a bounty hunter to do without bounties to hunt? I'm also an adventurer. Sure, I do take breaks every now and then, but I absolutely have to go to other places, see new things. Civilians get to enjoy this, but I'm not a civilian, I'm a warrior. The moment I save a world, I leave and find other places to explore, new bounties to hunt." She sighed,"But, in times like these, I'm just waiting."
Pinkie hit the ball back, "You aren't useless, not at all."
"Really?" Samus asked.
"Of course you aren't silly," Pinkie said, playfully nudging her shoulder. "You're helping ponies out by being here. You make a fun sparring partner for AJ, and you really take to the little fillies well. They act like you are their big sister! They love it when you tell them stories. I say that is very useful."
Samus sighed, kicking the ground,"Yeah, that's a good thing." She frowned,"But... I feel like I should do more! I'm a fighter, darn it!" She looked at Pinkie's eyes,"You're a civilian, thrown into a battle you didn't want. That tears me up, because the battlefield is for people like me. Your place is here, where you can make others happy! My place is up there, where I can stop the things that hurt innocents!"
A scream came from a far off house.
Pinkie was about to say something, but the scream made her rush to the house.
There was a pregnant mare laying on a couch, moaning in pain. Samus gasped,"She's going into labor!"
The mare moaned,"Yes, but my doctor... he's still in the kitchen! I heard a crash in there!"
Samus looked at Pinkie,"Can you handle a pregnant mare?"
"Doctor Breckett? Oh no," saluting, Pinkie went to the mare. "I was there when the cakes were born so I can help. It's ok, Rosalie. Just breathe and push. You can do it."
Samus ran to Dr. Breckett, seeing him on the ground. She frowned, her visor coming on and scanning,"Alright, I'm not too late!" She ran to him, and applied pressure with her hands,"Come on, breathe!"
"Just a little more, come on, I can see the head, you can do it!" Pinkie cheered.
Samus panted,"Come on, don't die now!"
"Just a little more," Pinkie smiled as she helped the baby out, "You did it!!!"
Samus smiled at the old stallion coughing,"Got it..."
Samus leaned on the wall as the ambulance took the two ponies away, and smiled softly,"Cheated death, and brought about a new life."
"And you say you are useless," Pinkie said, smiling and handing Samus a cupcake. Leaning back she sighed, "That's what I love about calm moments. Starfleet, the can be such sticks in the mud. They always want to fight this, and fight that. They never stop to think about what's important. That," she said, winking, "Is what we fight for."
Samus smiled,"They don't realize that we all have a similar goal," She looked up at the sky,"To make sure smiles stay on the people in villages, and that those people are able to see sky once more."
"To make sure that everypony can see eachother again," Pinkie paused for a moment, and sniffed when she thought of Twilight. Shaking her head softly, she nodded. "That's why we need a place like this, to remember why we need all of those smiles and to keep those ponies happy!!"
"That's why I go out. So places like this can exist." She sighed, getting up,"Well, my shift's almost over." She frowned,"... How's Starla?"
Pinkie looked down, "Buddy is right now taking care of her. After what happened yesterday, I am glad he is."
Samus sighed,"I didn't mean or want to drive her to suicide. But she needed to know about it."
"I think she needed to know about what she was doing," Pinkie said, hugging Samus, "But with the rape and everything, I think too much hit her."
"Yeah, you're right." Samus patted her back,"Come on, let's get you home for some ice cream first."
"Yay!" Pinkie cheered.
Trixie looked into Twilight's room, and saw her sitting near a window. There was an open letter in her hand, "Twilight?"
Twilight teared up, and crushed the letter in her hand. Without turning, she said,"I need to be there. Why can't I just tell her it's going to be alright?"
"Because, then you might risk somepony seeing you," Trixie said, sitting down with Twilight. "Then you risk everything we are working for. T-I know it's eating you up inside, being unable to help them. But, it's times like this you need to believe in her inner strength. That she can pull through.
Twilight pulled her knees in close to her chest,"Trixie, sometimes it seems that believing in my friends is all I can do! I don't know if Samus is going to be able to protect them or make sure Pinkie doesn't hurt herself!"
After making sure that no one was around to see Trixie's softer side, she moved a little closer to Twilight, and then pulled her close. Letting Twilight res her head on the showmare's shoulder, Trixie began to say, "As a magician, I have to put my faith into an assistant everyday o make sure they don't mess up and get me killed when I perform something dangerous. You need to do that to. You saw Samus, she looks to be tough, and as for Pinkie..."
Twilight looked up at her expectantly.
Trixie had a smile, "I think you probably know her better than me. Can you look me in the eyes and say you don't think that she can bounce back from this? Personally, I think it takes a lot more than that to bring down somepony who is so full of hope."
Twilight looked at Trixie, and chuckled to herself,"I guess... Pinkie is stronger than I or most ponies give her credit for most times..."
"I wouldn't know, I only spent time in Ponyville three times. Twice I had to leave and the third was an assistant to that... Grrrr," she growled at the thought of her boss.
"You mean the twit?" Twilight grinned,"Why did you even work with that guy? He's not even good."
Trixie looked down, "I was forced to by Grand Ruler."
"Oh, right." Twilight frowned,"Seems he's in control of almost everything." She muttered,"I wish I'd have seen that coming, or prevented him from taking over! All it would require would be my friends working with me and then I can defeat him! But..." Twilight sighed,"I couldn't. Raven got to me." She muttered,"Which makes no sense, because I was stronger than her."
"Luna said she saw the battlefield where you had your battle," Trixie said. "And she saw something interesting."
"Really?" Twilight asked.
Trixie nodded, "Luna wasn't sure, but she saw the remnants of what looked like to be an anti-magic rune."
Twilight growled,"Of course! I was weakened so Raven could kill me! But who could..." Twilight thought for a moment,"Grand Ruler."
"But he was nowhere near the battlefield. He had..." Trixie then looked at Twilight,
"You don't think he used Lighting to-"
(one year ago)
Lighting watched the huge battle take place between the two mages. Suddenly, his eyes went red as he looked at a sigl on the ground. Then, when Twilight got near the sigil, he pressed his hand against the ground, activated it. Twilight then found shelf without magic.
(Present)
"Yes." Twilight frowned,"Remember, he's Celesto's lapdog."
"So why stop and attack you, why all this?" Trixie asked.
"Because I was a threat to him. I kept challenging every decision he made." Twilight said," Add on to the fact that he only had one general that could stand up to me, and..."
"Wait, one general?" Trixie asked.
"North Star. The only Equestrian to get up to that rank on her own. She..." Twilight frowned,"Didn't like me very much. I think it's because she believed I was spoon fed everything I got: Princesshood, Celestia's student, heroism, you name it. I tried to explain to her that I wasn't given everything, but..." She shook her head,"She wouldn't listen. I've theorized that it was because she could never do normal magic."
"Normal magic? You mean like how I can't do anything but Illus-I mean, Trixie's power is unlimited!!" Trixie said.
"Yeah, you're not fooling me." Twilight said,"But she can only do her special talent: Anti-Magic. Basically, her cutie mark is the opposite of mine. Unfortunately, unlike me who was able to get a teacher, she had to teach herself. I got my alicornification through allies and friendship, she got hers on her own." Twilight frowned,"To her, I'm the only worthy opponent because my magic is so much, it can cancel her power out, but her power also cancels mine out."
"So, a fight between you at full power and her would be a sight," Trixie said, taking a look at the ceiling, "No wonder she doesn't like you."
"It would devolve into a straight up fist fight, with which I would most certainly lose." Twilight nodded,"That power's probably the reason she's also the only general that Grand Ruler fears."
Trixie nodded, "And the reason he is ok with her keeping Horn Kong safe. You are not not planning on facing her alone, are you?"
"Not really, but," Twilight smiled,"She has no love for Grand Ruler, so maybe she's on our side? Hopefully?"
"You really believe that?" Trixie asked.
"Any rebellions, we either take to our side, or we crush them. I will not have any obstacles in my path." North Star said.
"Sure." Twilight smiled, though she looked a bit nervous.
"You have this horrible poker face," Trixie laughed.
(Week 2)
Rarity looked at the red stallion in front of her, "I heard it said that you are the best pyromancer in Equestria. Is this true?"
"Yep," Pyro said, his Brismane accent coming out in full force. "Why, I invented at least three brand new fire spells when I was thirteen. Why I can-"
"Yes yes, very good," Rarity said getting back behind a shield, "Use your fire magic please, full force."
"Sheila, that could burn down your whole house," said Pyro, charging his magic.
"I am aware of the risks, I live with a dragon," Rarity said, putting on a pair of goggles, "Just aim at the six suits and fire!"
"Ok!" he said, unleashing a forward stream of fire blazing bright blue. After a few moments, he stopped after a few moments and panted, looking up at the suits. He gasped for a moment, "They are still-"
"Not perfected!" Rarity shouted. Grumbling she looked to a cyan suit, running her hoof along the burn marks, "If Rainbow Dash used this, she would burn up before she even hit mach 3."
"Wha-"
Rarity shook her head, "Thank you for your help. Spike, pay the nice gentlecolt."
Applejack ducked under Samus's right cross and then uppercutted her, "Come on Samus, you can hit harder than that!!"
"Starla?" asked Buddy as he walked into the bedroom. Sighing, he looked at the girl as she sat alone on the bed, just staring out at the window. Moving to sit with her, he looked calmly at her, "Hey, I was thinking of visiting Applejack's in a bit. Maybe you could come?"
Starla only stared, breathing slowly.
"Did you eat any yesterday?" asked Buddy.
"She hasn't," said Daphne as she walked in. "She hasn't come down since we brought her here."
"Starla," said Buddy. He turned away, "You need to eat, to move or something! I know you have had trauma after trauma, but we need you... I need you." sighing, he got up. "I'm useless."
Daphne watched as he walked away, "Cousin?"
"I need help, there is no way I can handle this," Buddy said was he walked out.
Samus grinned,"I need to hold back, don't want to splatter you to the ground!" She kneed Applejack
Applejack let out a grunt as she felt the knee hit her stomach. Grinning she did a back kick into Samus's chest, "So, what's your style."
Samus grunted, before spinning and striking with the back of her fist,"Chozodian Kickboxing."
Applejack let out a grunt as she pulled back and used a right hook into her side.
Samus blocked it,"How goes the Hamon practice?"
Applejack went in for a spinning back fist, "Horribly, Ah keep getting close, but something just keeps missing for me."
"Really?" Samus ducked,"Me, I just watched the alicorn breath in deeply and calm himself."
"Yeah, Ah do that, but ah keep getting nothing, not so much as a spark," Applejack said.
Samus frowned,"Hmm." she stopped,"Come with me."
Applejack lowered her defense and followed.
"In my training with the chozo, I learned a lot about spirituality." Samus said,"What they taught me as I had trouble with a certain move known as the Crystal Flash. If I had all the ability to access a move, but couldn't use it, it meant that there was a mental block I had to overcome. It wasn't until the first time I beat my mortal foe that I realized what the block was: My trauma after the death of my parents." She looked at Applejack as they walked through the orchard,"Something's troubling you, and that's preventing you from utilizing Hamon."
"Troubling? But what could be troubling me?" Applejack asked, looking at the trees. "Ah mean, the war is bad and all and Ah'm a might peeved at the gods, but that's it. Twilight's death? Ah mean, Ah am still ticked at the thought that Ah wasn't there for her."
"You sure?" Samus asked,"The idea that you're missing a vital part of yourself isn't troubling you one bit?"
Applejack stopped for a moment and looked down. She let out a sigh, "My Ma and Pa." she breathed low, "Aint a day that goes by that Ah don't miss them."
"Feel the same about my parents." Samus looked at her,"Unless there's something else."
Applejack stood by a tree and leaned against it, "If there is, Ah can't think of it."
"How do you feel about leading this team?" Samus asked.
Applejack opened her eyes in shock for a moment, then she turned away, "Ah...don't know. There are times when Ah get nervous about it. Did Ah do right leading them, is this how Twilight would do it or is this what she would've wanted. Ah've got a responsibility to these girls Samus, and sometimes...it's a little nerve racking that I might be leading them into a suicide mission."
"That's it." Samus said,"It's okay to be a little nervous about leading, but you can't always believe that your friends will die. Have faith in them, and yourself to protect each other." Samus got up,"Come on, let's go to that forest of monsters or whatever."
Applejack smiled a little, "The Everfree-"
"Um excuse me," Buddy said stepping out. "I know that I am not exactly your favorite guy right now, but could you help me?"
Samus sighed,"Okay, what do you want?"
Buddy lightly kicked the dirt, "Do any of you know, how to help a teammate out of a funk."
Samus raised an eyebrow,"Hmm, well, does he or she have anything she likes?"
"I..." Buddy paused. "I have no idea." he stood there with wide eyes in shock. "I, really don't know anything about her. I can't tell you a thing about her. Oh god," he said sitting down onto the ground, "OH, god, I am a horrible friend aren't I?"
Samus sighed,"And you're living with her." She shook her head,"Good lord, did Grand Ninny even debrief you on her? Any personnel files? Does she have a journal back home?"
"Debrief?" asked Buddy.
"Yeah, you know, told stuff about her?"
Buddy shook his head, "We were literally just thrown in together. We didn't et debriefed or told about one another. I don't even know if she keeps a journal or anything,' sighed Buddy.
Samus facepalmed,"Does this twit know anything about war!? These are people you're going to be working with for the rest of your careers, you should at least know something about them!" She sighed,"Does she have any family?"
"A mother, who died on a mission. Though no one can tell her what her mom died of or how or even when. And then there is her father," he groaned.
"Her father?" Samus asked.
"Yeah, a jerk," Buddy said.
"What did he do?" asked Applejack.
Buddy growled, "He wanted to talk things peacefully and didn't want Starla to join the team because he was worried about her."
Samus went silent for a second,"That's it." She grabbed Buddy by the collar,"We're going to visit Starla's Pop. Go to her house, get her. We're having a field trip. Any objections, Rose?"
"B-but, he's dead," Buddy said, "How can we visit..."
"Ah think Ah know," Applejack said.
Samus walked with Buddy,"Where's his grave?"
A booming voice shouted,"Who's dead!?"
"Starla's dad," said Buddy.
Suddenly, a white coated stallion walked up, his muscular frame bulging through his clothes. He stroked his bearded chin,"I assure you, the rumors of my death were greatly EXAGGERATED!" He yelled.
Applejack smirked, "Somehow I knew it was hooey."
Buddy, on the other hand, was dumbfounded. For a few moments he stuttered and gasped, "W-wait, what? How? What?
"Yes! I have BEEN ALIVE for years, but was without my beloved daughter, who was taken from me too soon!" The stallion said.
"But how?" Buddy asked, "Starla said that her father was killed when he was trying to talk peacefully with a bunch of bad guys who killed him."
"You mean the bad guys I punched in rage? Please, I'm a technical pacifist, not a full one." Mr. Shine said.
Buddy was left dumbfounded, trying to comprehend what was said. Applejack just smirked and hoof bumped him, "Nice."
"But, wait. What, how come you never saw Starla, why did she think you were dead?"
"Because I was trapped in Horn Kong. There was this barrier that seemed to be keeping me away from my desire to find my daughter." He frowned,"She was taken from me at a young age. I fear she may have been brainwashed into thinking I was dead."
"You came from the Street of the Lost." Concussion voice echoed as he slowly appeared next to Buddy,"Lightning Dawn was not the only one Grand Ruler shaped into his lapdog."
Buddy shivered as he shot up and turned. Letting out a shout of “Alicorn!"
Applejack held out her hand, "Hold it! What do you mean, shaped?"
"There are things Grand Ruler has not only kept from you, but from his own squad. He has led you to believe that you were randomly chosen, when in actuality, you were taken, and shaped: Brainwashed into something else." Concussion said.
Buddy shook his head, "N-no. That's not true, that can't be-"
"Then how do you explain Starla's dad," Applejack said. Then she looked to Concussion, "How do you know all this?"
Concussion looked at Applejack,"Grand Ruler can cloud the minds of those he tricks into believing that he is untouchable." He looked at Samus,"People like us who have not been subjugated are rendered immune to him." He looked at Applejack,"I have scanned their minds, and I found hidden memories that I cannot reveal without their permission."
"Hidden... memories?" Applejack asked.
Concussion looked down at Applejack,"Tell me, do you feel your element within you?"
Applrjack frowned, "No...not for a long time."
"Indeed. That Valkyrie mode of yours had poisoned your connection, along with the murder of Twilight Sparkle."
"(Ah had a feeling somehow Twilight dieing messed up our connection with the elements.) How could he poison something like that?" Applejack asked.
"Perhaps he managed to find the Tree of Harmony, and found a way to corrupt it." Concussion said.
"The what?" Applejack asked.
"Tree of Harmony. You ate from the Fruits of Harmony, correct?" Concussion asked.
"Yeah, we were given the elements when we fought Nightmare Moon. We proved ourselves worthy of taking them in and that was when Twilight told us who was who," Applejack said, before shaking her head, "But Ah ain't never heard of no tree."
"The Elements, that is what you call them?" Concussion frowned,"There should've been a tree you took them from. It is one of many." He cocked his head,"Who had the Elements last then?"
"Yeah, they were these necklaces that we wore on our necks," said Applejack. "And it was Celestia and Luna who wore them last. Celestia had three and Luna had three."
Theia poked at her computer," Search: Magic Trees." She said. She watched as several dots appeared on the holographic globe,"Where is it?"
Lyra walked into the room, her eyes going wide at the sight of the globe. When she heard Theia ask her question, she asked, "Where is what?"
Buddy looked confused, "Wait, Grand Ruler would never corrupt anything. How could he? And if you are talking about those gems that you six had. They were destroyed in the battle with Titan."
"We never had a fight with Titan. Ah don't even know who that is," Applejack said.
Buddy stood there in shock," W-what."
"Ah never remember meeting anypony named Titan. Ah only remember that me and my friends fought Nightmare Moon spirit, and her three lackeys-Dementia, Rep-stallion, and Mysterious," Applejack said.
"Yes, then you were enslaved, we came by, rescued you, you tried to use the elements, they failed, we killed those three when they fused into a monster, and then Titan came, destroyed the elements," Buddy said.
"The elements cannot be destroyed. Those jewels would've reformed," she looked at Concussion, "Right? Because they are a part of Harmony and that can't be destroyed."
Then Applejack looked shocked," Wait, there's more than one! You mean there's more than six elements?"
Samus rolled her eyes,"Buddy, I think you've been fed BS, it's time to face it."
Concussion nodded,"There is more than one tree, each with a different name: Harmony, Fate, Balance, and so forth. The Fruits, or Elements, can not be destroyed, as they are mere manifestations of virtues." He looked at Applejack,"Titan, as in my nephew? Celestia's father?"
"The prototype Tree, Destiny." Theia looked at Lyra,"Your friend is connected to the Fruit of Friendship, I want to know where my other Seeds have gone to."
"Other seeds? The prototype tree?" Lyra asked, almost as a whisper as she sat in front of the large hologram, "Maybe I can help you."
Theia nodded as she let Lyra sit next to her,"I helped created Seeds that were meant to absorb latent emotional magic around them and create powerful weapons. Most trees have six gems, however, the prototype only had one gem."
"That would be the prototype tree?" asked Lyra. "Do you know what kind of energy I'm looking for and why are you looking for it?"
Look for any large amounts of emotional energy. I'm looking for it to make sure it doesn't fall into the wrong hooves." Theia said,"It is one of the most powerful Gems, because it does not need others to actually work. It can aid other gems, but it is entirely self-sufficient. The other trees, however, require all of their gems working together to truly work."
"Like the tree of Harmony?" asked Lyra as she began to look over the map. "Do the other tree have names.
Buddy stepped back," W-what? Celestia's father? If he is the same one that we fought. The titan we fought was a man in a robe with red eyes and big claws. He wasn't an alicorn. Though," he looked to Starla's father, "with the news like this and seeing Dementia and her friends alive like this... I am unsure of anything."
Concussion frowned,”Then I must be mistaken."
Samus nodded,"The way things are going, it seems you shouldn't put so much faith in Grand Ruler." She blinked,"Wait, Celestia's your grandniece?"
"Luckily, that agent of North Star had some intel," Samus said,"General North Star's been doing a good job aiding the town as of late."
Applejack looked to Concussion, "You know...I am kind of glad you are approaching us peaceful like."
"Of course." Concussion said,"Like my sister, I am trying to look for a more sensible solution to this war." He shook his head,"And we are not evil, at least, some of us aren't."
This made Samus frowned,"If that's the case, is there anyway you could give me my missiles back?"
She scanned him,
"Concussion
Threat Level: Medium.
Special Talent: Able to see truths within lies.
He is holding your missiles."
Concussion frowned,"I was getting to that, Corvid." He looked at Applejack,"In one week's time, I wish to have a duel with you, to figure a way to allow you the usage of your Hamon."
"Me? You want to have a fight with me?" Applejack asked. "And how's that gonna get back my Hamon."
"Yes. Life, Protection, Death, Chaos." Theia said,"There's more, but those are just the ones off the top of my head.
Lyra clicked on the keyboard, her fingers running through the images. As she looked she gasped, "Wow, look at all of this. MAgic fields, life energy, sould, this map has it all."
Theia nodded,"That means it's working well! We made it to observe the races on this planet, and to watch for any Deity-types in the area."
"Like those gods," Lyra said.
"Are we alicorn watching? "asked Cheerilee as she stepped in.
"Well, at first we were searching for other Trees, but then it devolved into alicorns." She smiled at Cheerilee,"You're a teacher, correct?"
Cheerilee nodded.
"In time, Applejack." Concussion said,"In time." He turned and prepared to fly to Canterlot Castle.
Applejack stepped forward, and then pull away, "Fine."
Buddy watched all of this, a look of shock in his eyes. Then he looked to Starla's father, "You need to see your daughter, now!" he said, latching onto the only thing he could.
"Yes!" Mr. Stellar Shine said,"Come, the rest of you as well!"
Buddy sighed and looked back, "My world, is everything a lie?" he asked himself.
"Sometimes the truth can be hard to take," Applejack said, patting Buddy on the shoulder.
Theia smiled,"Then, I think you and the unicorn would enjoy what I have here. I've managed to unlock the data files for my observations of the primitive races."
Lyra shot up and begin to look through the files, "SQUEAL!!!!"
"Oh, this is so fascinating, thank you thea!" Cheerilee said, trying to look over Lyra's shoulders.
Twilight suddenly appeared,"Did somepony say, history?" She held a notepad in her hand.
Cheerilee nodded, "Yes, Theia just brought out some interesting history reports. That is,,, if Lyra can get away from it.
Twilight looked at Lyra,"I never pegged you to be into history."
Lyra looked up and smiled as she looked away for a moment, "I love cryptozoology and history was a big part of it. Every chance I got, I would look something up in the bard's college about the legends of Equestria or the mages of the past. It's been something I loved since I was a filly. Part of the reason why I even got my mark."
Stellar kicked down the door,"My daughter! Starla!"
Starla backed up from the sudden shock of the door opening violently. When she looked up at the boisterous figure, she shrank back a little, fearful of being touched. After a few brief moments she looked up into the eyes of the friendly giant, and whispered, "Fa-fat..."
(A white unicorpain with messy red hair looked into the eyes of Stellar as she held her daughter close, "T-this is your daddy. And he is sorry he couldn't be here for your birth. But, he loves you a lot."
The little filly booped the stallion's nose.
Stellar held his 8 year old close, rubbing her back as she cried into his chest, "Don't worry, you momma still loves you."
"I want to be in Starfleet!"
"You can't, I won't allow it!!!")
"Fat...Father?" Starla whispered under her breath.
"Starla." Stellar stepped a little closer to his daughter, and held out his hand.
Stellar gently pulled Starla close,"I'm here, Starla, it's going to be okay."
Samus stood off to the side, shooting a glance at Buddy before sighing.
("Maybe we can negotiate?" asked her father.
The bull ignored him and pulled out a blaster. In one shot, Starla's world ended.)
Starla reached up with her hand, about to touch Stellar’s face. Then she pulled away, looking up at him with a mixture of emotions: Hatred, love, compassion, and confusion. With a slight whimper she asked, "But how...I saw those bulls kill you."
'But Starla never mentioned anything about bulls to us when she mentioned her dad's death," thought Buddy.
"How are you alive? I saw," she began to cry and lean her head onto her father's chest. "I saw you die! I saw you murdered, how could you be alive!!!"
(Starla, only six, hears her parents arguing. At first she thinks they hate each other, but then sees them hug one another. Though she can't' hear what is being said, she can hear, 'I love you. I just get worried about you."
"There are other ways to help..."
"Starla, I do not want you to join it...not after your mother-" there was a faint buzzing at the end of the memory.)
"Why," she continued to cry, "Why were you so much a pacifist, why didn't you help Mother."
Stellar gently rocked Starla back and forth,"Your mother... I tried, but she wanted you to be the scholar. If you had a sister, she'd be the warrior. I was never that big a warrior, kid. We wanted you to be safe."
Samus sighed, leaning against the wall and looking away.
"But I wanted to be like her, I wanted to be a warrior, a fight," she continued to cry. She tried to take a breath and calm herself, but instead let loose another sob. "I tried so hard, to be what I thought you wanted me to be. But I failed," she whimpered, "I am just not good enough."
Applejack looked to Samus and rubbed her back, "You ok?"
Stellar gently rocked Starla,"I know. You'll get better, I promise."
Samus sighed,"A little bit frustrated, a little bit sad." She looked at
Applejack,"Grand Ruler's going to pay for this."
"Ah know, he will pay for everything he's done," Applejack said, punching her hands together.
"How can it get better," she whimper," how can it get better...I'm broken.
-----------------------------------a few years ago-------------------------------
A twelve year old Lyra said a cream colored earth pony filly crying, "Why are you crying?"
"My best friend is going away soon and I won't be able to see her again for a long time," the filly cried.
Lyra felt her ears droop. She had always had friends back at the school, so seeing a pony lose a friend was heartbreaking for her. Looking up at the sky, she saw a rainbow pass over head. Smiling, she turned to the filly, "Wait right there. I have something to cheer you up."
After a few hours, Lyra came back with a lyre and a book. With a big grin she said," Let me tell you a story."
As she began to play a song of a young mage hunting and finding her friends across a barren wasteland, the sound of quicksilver and a flash f light on her flank signified a new beginning for her,
------------------------the present---------------------------------------
"Bon Bon said that song was the first thing that made her fall in love with me," chuckled Lyra. "Sing then, I realized that I love to tell stories about the past through song and dance. I think if it can help make ponies realize where they come from or how unique they are or to even have an adventure on their own, I think it's worth it."
Lyra frowned a little, "Tell you the truth...I've been a little jealous of you.
"Jealous, of me?" Twilight asked.
"Yeah," Lyra said, looking down. "It's not just the hero thing, cause I always want to be Bonnie's little knight in minty armor. But it's everything else! You found the Elements of Harmony, one of the biggest legendary things out there next to Meadowbrook eight items. You met Nightmare Moon, Discord, and I don't know how many dragons. I bet you would meet Tirek himself one day. And me...I've done nothing but study and read."
Twilight sighed,"Sometimes doing all that isn't all that's cracked up to be." She turned away,"At least you live in a world of steel. Me? I was in a world of cardboard."
"Cardboard?" Lyra asked.
"Try living like me. A pony who if she messes up a simple telekinesis spell, could break a pony's entire body. Try living with the fact that if you're not careful, someone could die due to your stupidity! Try facing the mirror and realizing that, you alone could kill millions by accident." Twilight sighed,"Being without power, it's a new experience. I do want it back, but... it feels easier not trying to hold back everyday of your life."
"Hey," Lyra said, patting Twilight onto the back, "That just means you can respect it more and help out those who need it. I may be jealous, but I am also kind of glad to help out like this."
----------
Samus sighed,"Makes me think of my parents, though, they were willing to see me become a warrior."
Stellar held her close,"Honey, you're stronger than you think you are. You can get back up."
Samus looked at them,"Why do we fall?" Samus asked simply, remembering something Solomon Aran always said.
("Why do we fall?" asked Starla's mother.)
"To...get back up again," she said with a whisper. Then she looked back up to her father and gave him a bigger hug, holding him tight. "Do you really think I am that strong??"
"The strongest." Stellar smiled.
"Your parents," Applejack asked, looking to Samus.
"Dead. The main reason why I became a bounty hunter was because a space pirate killed them." Samus growled.
Samus nodded, walking out with Applejack.
Applejack looked to Samus and then back to the family reunion, "LEt's head outside...don't want to ruin this."
Starla smiled and hugged her dad, "Dad...I want to say, I'm sorry. I am sorry for everything I have ever thought about and said."
Stellar shushed her,"It's okay..." He stroked her mane.
Buddy gulped, "You know, I think I should let you two have your moment."
"Dad, if you're alive, do you know if mom is alive?"
"Sorry, your mother's MIA." Stellar sighed.
Starla looked away, letting out a sigh as she snuggled to her father, "Guess you can't have everything back. No matter how much you want it."
"Wait," Buddy said. "At this, 'road of the lost' did you see two other ponies? About 30 years of age, ruby coats. Go by the names of Flora and Chrysanthemum?"
Stellar thought for a moment,"I believe I may have seen those two around. But there were a lot of them wandering the street."
"H-how did you even wind up-" Buddy began but was interrupted by a light snoring from Starla. Looking to the purple haired girl he asked, "She's asleep?"
Stellar nodded, motioning for Buddy to go.
Twilight nodded,"Yeah, at least this way I can actually manage to do something!"
"That's how I always felt," Lyra sighed, "Of course, Starfleet thinks it's silly. ‘There is no use for legends around here! It is not your job to find out about stuff, you should just stick to playing your harp and nothing else. Get rid of that nag you abomination.’"
Twilight growled,"Damn that Grand Ruler. Why must he stifle others’ creativity? What does he gain from keeping every citizen on a tight leash? What kind of horrible stallion is he?"
"One who seems convinced that he can bend the rules to how he pleased," Cheerilee said, looking at the globe. "Like he can just rewrite history to suit him and his twisted vision."
"I can't believe he's rewriting books!" Twilight growled,"You don't ever do that!
"So much of our history is destroyed," Cheerilee said. "The unification, the princesses ascension, and even what little there was of the old alicorn tribes."
Twilight frowned,"Maybe if we find a way to get the real history out, we'd be able to remove some of Grand Ruler's brainwashing."
"But how," Cheerilee asked.
Twilight stood up on a chair,"To my library!" She then fell off,"Ow."
Lyra laughed, "You ok?"
Twilight let out a muffled,"Sorta..."
Applejack leaned against a tree, "So you lost your parents too? Mine died when I was 13, a little while after my sister was born."
("Poppa?" Applejack asked, running into the forest. After a few minutes of runnig, she found her dad lying in blood, claw and bite marks on his body, "PAW!!"
"Applejack, find your mother and sister..." whispered Bright Mac before succumbing to his wounds.
Shaking her head, tears flowing down her cheeks, she calmly took up her father's hat and ran off. After running she could hear her mother scream and a bone breaking crunch. This was followed by a filly's cry. Running to the sight, she saw her mother, hunched over a little baby while a large, black manticore bit down on her mothers back, drawing blood.
The sight made her see red, and tipped her hat over her emerald eyes. With a jump, she bucked the manticore in the side, getting him off of her mother. The manticore roared at Applejack, blowing her mane back. Unfazed, Applejack bucked the manticore in the face, "Get away from my family!!!!)
"Ma died...protecting my little sister. The last thing she said was, 'watch over her for me' and I have," Applejack sighed, wiping a tear. "It's kind of why I have been so focused on the farm and family."
Samus sighed,"Almost exactly how my parents died."
(Samus held her little brother's hand as Virginia carried them off. Samus watched over her shoulder as her father fired on the dragon,"Daddy?" The dragon raised his claw up and sliced down.
"Rodney!" Virginia put Samus down,"Take Solomon and run." She said, running towards the dragon.
Samus held her little brother's hand as she took him away, crying as she heard Virginia scream in pain. An explosion erupted, causing the little girl to black out.
When she came too, she saw the face of a bird.
"She's alive."
"Her little brother? I saw her with a little brother." A female one said.
"Couldn't find him, but," He stroke Samus' hair,"We can take care of her."
"You want to have a child again?")
Samus sighed," I became a bounty hunter so that doesn't happen again."
"Ah guess we're a lot more alike than we thought. We're both working hard for to honor our parents," Applejack said, leaning against the post and smiling. Turning her head back to look at Buddy's home, she said, "In a way, I envy her. At least her pa has shown up."
Samus sighed,"Yeah, me too."
"Not a day goes by that I don't wish I could see them again, to let me know if H did all right, if Ah did everything like they wanted, if Ah proved myself. Or just the chance to have mom come in and help with the nightmares or to tuck me in again."
"If I'm doing alright, am I on the right path." She sighed,"Are they proud of me?"
"OH, defintally that," Applejack said, and then shook her head, "Look at us, just talking about our dead parents like a couple of old hillbillies."
"Or a couple of old soldiers." Samus smirked.
"Yeah," Applejack sighed. "Don't think Ah am against you soldiers at all. Ah like being a hero and protecting ponies. That's why Ah followed Twi in the first place. She needed me to be by her side and Ah was helping to oblige. But, a soldier...with all of this? That's for guys like you, not me."
"People like me are supposed to be on the battlefield, fighting monsters, saving planets. My job is to keep people like you safe from the bad guys. You weren't meant to be forced into this." Samus said with a frown.
"And Ah don't want to be forced into fighting monsters. If Ah'm gonna fight, it’s going to be for my family, my life, and," she lightly punched Samus, "my friends. Ah want it because it’s the right thing to do."
"No one likes being forced into any battle situation." Samus said, putting a hand on AJ's shoulder,"You choose who you are. And you join because you want to, not because some three dicked idiot told you to."
"Exactly," Applejack looked back at the house, "Hate to think what he did to get them to join."
Samus frowned,"Wonder how many of their own parents are looking for them now? Can we find them?"
"He said Horn Kong, maybe we could try there soon," Applejack said, walking into the orchard.
Samus nodded,"Of course, we'll look there."
"First, we are getting ourselves some supper," Applejack said, racing ahead, and then smirked at Samsu, "Come on, let's work for that appetite!!"
Samus grinned,"Try to keep up!" She ran ahead.