//------------------------------// // Chapter 2, Pt. 1: Devestation and Surprises // Story: Power Ponies: Rise of the Loonatics // by Titan Commander Sebaste //------------------------------// Faust, the current co-ruler of Equestria and mother of Celestia and Luna, stared at the report in her hoof in shock. Her golden eyes looked up at the guard, a Pegasus, who had brought it. “This information is accurate?” she asked, her voice neutral. The guard nodded. “Yes ma’am, we estimate they will arrive in at least five weeks, if not less than.” he said. Faust nodded and waved a hoof in dismissal. The guard saluted before trotting out of the room. As soon as he had left, Faust collapsed onto the floor, tears streaming down her face. “Sister? Is everything okay?” A black Alicorn with a wavy light blue mane and tail asked. Her worried hazel eyes looked down at her crimson maned sister. “They’ve returned...” Faust said shakily. Nyx’s eyes widened in shock. “Frost Striker and Heat Breaker..?” she whispered. Faust nodded. “The report says they're on their way here. Frost Striker was  was last seen passing the Crystal Empire and is nearing Stalliongrad. Heat Breaker is near Mareami. Both will then converge on Manehattan, and then Maretropolis. ” “Where our daughters are stationed?” Nyx asked. “Yes, and the Power Ponies. But they’ve never faced anyone of Frost Striker's or Heat Breaker’s caliber. Even Mane-niac was child’s play compared to what she's capable of…” Faust shuddered as she recalled being buffeted by high winds and nearly being incinerated. Nyx nuzzled the alabaster alicorn. “We stopped them before, we can stop them again.” she said as she helped her sister and lover up. “I hope so. Because if we fail, Creators help us all…” Faust murmured. Stalliongrad, a few hours later… The blizzard struck without warning, catching many pedestrians off guard. As they were buffeted by the high winds and snow, they never noticed the single alicorn hovering over the city. Grinning madly, Frost Striker charged up her horn before taking a deep breath and sending a wave of super cold air into the city. Anything or anypony that was hit was instantly flash frozen. She soon began to zip through the city, leaving freezing waves of air in her wake while the blizzard began growing more and more intense with every second. All that the ponies who hadn’t succumbed to the bitter cold or had been flash frozen could do was huddle together and keep warm. All the while, the shriek of the storm was ever constant, along with the laughter of the one who created it. Soon, Stalliongrad was cut off completely.  In one home, a young unicorn cuddled her little sister as the storm raged outside. “Princesses… where are you…?” she whimpered. But there was no answer, only the wail of the wind. Eventually, the storm passed, but left in its wake was a city frozen and devestated. Many had frozen to death while those who had been flash frozen had been killed almost instantly. Many more were trapped in their homes and vehicles. It was a somber sight for the two princesses as they surveyed the city. “We were too late…” Faust whispered, her breath misting in the chill air. Nyx put a wing over her sibling. “Let’s get to Manehattan. We can get the citizens prepared and evacuated before she arrives.” Faust nodded before she spread her wings. The two alicorns leapt into the air and began the flight to Manehattan. Mareami The city burned. Everywhere that the eye could see was covered in flames. As Heat Breaker strode through the once beautiful city, she left melted and bubbling hoofprints in the asphalt. The skeletons of ponies who had been caught in the tidal wave of flames she had launched as she had closed in on the city littered the streets. Stallions, mares, even fillies and colts weren't spared as the flames incinerated everything in their path . Cars and buses were left as burnt out husks, while the once proud buildings were now barren, smoking torches. But the final horror was about to begin as the alicorn drew in her power. With a hoarse shout, she raised her head. The ground began to shake before a 20 meter long fissure ripped open the earth, spraying and oozing lava into Mareami. Soon, all that was left was a sea of molten rock where the city had once stood. Those who had managed to survive quickly left the ruined city, leaving it and those who weren't able to escape to their gruesome fate. A single jet fighter flew above the devestation, the pilot relaying what he saw with a shaky voice. He then saw a trail of flame flying away from what was once Mareami, and he uttered one word: “Inferno Bringer…” Maretropolis Outskirts The Masked Matterhorn studied the spot where the energy flare had been seen, a frown on her face. “Whoever was here, they weren't alone.” She said. Zapp snorted. “That much is obvious, even I could see that.” she said, getting an exasperated glare from her teammate. “From what I can tell from the footprints, they're bipedal. But they look like prints from different animals…” Matterhorn creased her eyebrow. “A duck, two rabbits, a diamond dog, a bird of some kind, and an unknown creature…” Saddle Ranger flew down and took a look at the tracks. “A Roadrunner and Tazmaneian Devil.” She said. Fili-Second blinked in surprise. “Huh, that training from Ms. Fluttershy sure came in handy for you.” The Pegasus gave a shy smile at the praise. Radiance looked over at Matterhorn. “Can you track the energy to its originator?” she asked. “I can try…. but I'm not too skilled in that branch of magic. I paid more attention in offensive magic class than in tracking magic class.”  Matterhorn replied. The yellow unicorn groaned in response. Closing her eyes, Matterhorn focused on the energy trail the newcomers had left after they had teleported. When she opened them, a bright trail of magic could be seen leading away from the outskirts and into the city. “They’re in the city. Somewhere in the south quarter.” she said. “What art thou waiting for? Let's go!” Zapp cried before zooming off. “Zapp, wait!” Matterhorn cried, but by that point it was too late. The pegasus had already vanished. “I swear, princess or not, she’s gonna get herself hurt or killed if she pulls this type of stunt again…” she groaned. “I have to agree with you on that, darling.” Radiance said. Using her powers, she formed a helicopter and jumped in, the others following after. With a whir of blades, the construct lifted into the air and followed the direction Zapp had flown. Maretropolis South Area, seconds later… “She’s a Pegasus in a black and white suit with a lightning pendent, how in Tartarus is she so easy to lose track of?!” Matterhorn growled as she scanned for Zapp. Humdrum put a hoof on her leg. “She’s eager to prove herself, and that makes her act first, ask questions later.” The unicorn opened her mouth to say something before her helm communicator began beeping. “Matterhorn, what's the emergency?” she replied. “No need for formalities, after all, you were my favorite student.” a gentle voice reprimanded her. “Professer Celestia! What's the problem?” Matterhorn asked, her voice concerned. “My mother recently alerted me to a new threat approaching Maretropolis. Are you familiar with the tale of Frost Striker and Heat Breaker?” Matterhorn shuddered at the names. “Yes, I remember hearing about them. They nearly destroyed Equestria with their power. It took Faust and Nyx several years to halt them.” “Indeed. Unfortunately, they’ve awoken and will be converging on Maretropolis on their way to Canterlot. I hope your team will be ready by then.” Celestia said, but as she did, Matterhorn heard an undercurrent of fear in her voice. The unicorn then realized that behind the calm voice, the professor was scared for both her and the city. “Don’t worry, we’ll be ready!” Matterhorn replied, trying to keep her voice upbeat. There was a slight pause before Celestia spoke. “Be careful. And good luck finding the ones making those flashes.” “Thanks Professor. Matterhorn out.” Tapping the communicator, she cut the link just as Radiance suddenly swerved to the left. “Whoa, Radiance, what…?! “ Matterhorn yelped before her jaw dropped at the scene before her. Zapp had engaged what appeared to be a bipedal yellow and black rabbit armed with a sword. Worse, he wasn't alone. A blur zipped up a building before dodging a lightning bolt cast by the hot headed pegasus. On the ground nearby, a duck in a what was now realized by the team as some kind of suit and a cape charged up two energy spheres and tossed them at Zapp, who easily flipped over them before getting blasted by a bolt of magic from another rabbit on black and pink, her eyes glowing. A diamond dog with a narrow muzzle in green and black colors and a purple and black Tazmaneian Devil stood in the sidelines. “I’ve heard of thunder and lightning, but this is ridiculous!” the rabbit joked as he dodged another lighting bolt. His eyes lit up before a blast of energy emanated from them, forcing Zapp to jink out of the way. Unfortunately, the laser blast continued on its path and struck Radiance’s construct. “Oh dear… hang on everypony, seems we’re due for a crash landing!” she shouted as the helicopter spun out of control. “Jump!” Matterhorn shouted before leaping out of the construct with Humdrum on her back and forming an ice ramp from her horn. Fili-Second, Mare-volous and Radiance soon floated down on a crystal carpet while Saddle Ranger soared down on her own power. Zapp soon joined them as the newcomers looked on in surprise.     “Great, as if we didn't need more to worry about…” the duck muttered under his breath.     The blur from earlier soon screeched to a halt to reveal a roadrunner in a red and black costume. “FromwhatIcantellthey’renot liketheotherswe’veseensofarandfromwhatI’veheardfromciviliansthey’retheprotectorsof thisplace.” he said in a rapid fire voice.     Matterhorn winced. “He sounds like Fili when she gets hopped up on caffeine…” she muttered as an aside to Humdrum, who snickered. The diamond dog and the Tazmaneian Devil soon walked over to their teammates, while a tense silence pervaded as the two sides studied each other.     “So you're the law enforcement here? Bit underwhelming if ya ask me.” the black and yellow rabbit said, causing Zapp and Mare-velous to bristle in anger.     Matterhorn gave the two warning looks before speaking. “Funny, you're the ones causing the trouble with your teleportation flashes.” she retorted.     “Hey, I can't help it if my Quarking gets too bright!” the duck groaned.     “Just who art thou?” Zapp growled, hooving her amulet and glaring at the strangers.     “We could be asking you the same question.” the rabbit replied as he leaned on his sword and chewed nonchalantly on a carrot he had procured from his pocket. “We weren't exactly expecting to run into something out of a cartoon show.” Zapp took a step forward in anger.     “Zapp… let me do the talking.” Matterhorn snapped at the pegasus, who snorted in reply. “How do we know you're not hirelings of Mane-iac?” she then directed the question at the group.     The duck gave a stiffled snort of amusement. “Mane-iac, who comes up with these names?” he chuckled.     “Says the guy who keeps trying to make up names to inflate his own ego.” the female rabbit retorted.     “...Touche.” the duck muttered. This got a chuckle from some of the others.     “To answer your question, we have no idea who this whacko you mentioned is, besides, we would’ve carted their ass to jail. No offense.” the first rabbit added to a glaring mule nearby. As the offended donkey walked off in a huff, Matterhorn shook her head to clear it of what she just witnessed.     “So you're heroes like us?” Radiance asked. She looked over at their costumes. “Hmm, not as flashy or fabulous as mine…” she murmured to herself.     “At least I don't look like a walking jewelry store.” the second rabbit retorted. Radiance's eyes widened in shock and anger. But before she could utter a single word, Matterhorn clapped a hoof over her mouth.     “Don’t. I’d rather not risk the city getting damaged over a personal insult. Besides, we have a bigger problem to worry about than these six.” she warned. As the yellow unicorn raised an eyebrow, she whispered, “I’ll explain later.” Turning back to the group, she said, “We got off the wrong hoof. I am the Masked Matterhorn, leader of the Power Ponies. And these are my teammates, Radiance,” the forementioned unicorn nodded her head in greeting, her eyes glaring at the pink and black rabbit. “Mistress Mare-velous,” the red suited Earth pony bowed. “Saddle Ranger,” the pegasus gave a meek little wave. “Fili-Second,” the speedster saluted. “And you already know Zapp.” the pegasus princess snorted but didn't move. “And this is my protege, Humdrum.” the colt gulped and waved. “Charmed. Name’s Ace.” the black and yellow rabbit said. “These guys are Lexi, Duck, Tech E., Rev and Slam.” he continued, gesturing to the rest of his group. “We’re known as the Loonatics.” “The ‘Loonatics’? Sounds like thou belongest in an insane asylum.” Zapp snorted. Ace gritted his teeth at the slight. “And you sound like someone who’s a bit too much into Shakespeare, your point?” he quipped. Before Zapp could angrily retort, a band of magic clamped her muzzle shut. “My apologies, she's the more hotheaded of my team.” Matterhorn said in a strained voice. Ace smirked. “Sounds like someone I know.” he said. Mare-velous stepped forward and asked, “Why are you here in Maretropolis?” “Would you believe a freak accident involving one of Tech’s toys?” At this, the diamond dog had the courtesy of looking embarrassed. “How was I supposed to know the teleporter was gonna create a wormhole that would send us here?” he objected. “I made sure everything was working properly!” Duck shrugged. “Something must’ve gone screwy. Although I do recall there was a storm going on at the time…” Tech facepalmed. “Lightning must’ve shorted out the circuits… great… and thanks to us being stranded here, I can't fix the problem.” “Well, while you're here, we can help you with learning about our world, if you’ll tell us a bit about yours.” Matterhorn said. Duck raised an eyebrow. “How do we know you won't try and backstab us when you get the chance?” he asked. “For all we know, you might use the info against us!” Matterhorn frowned at the accusation. While it was unfounded, it did have a ring of truth to it. Ace soon spoke up. “Duck, I think we can trust these gals not to spill. Besides, we have no clue about where we are and they're more familiar with the place.” “IagreewithAce,theycanhelpuswithfindingoutwhatthisplaceislike.” Rev said. Duck groaned, but he had to agree with what Ace had said. “Fine…” Lexi twitched her ears as her hearing picked up on the thwip-thwip-thwip of several helicopters heading their way. “Ace, we should go. We got choppers heading our way.” As she said this, four MTPD helicopters rounded the corner with their spotlights blazing. “Alright, follow us.” Matterhorn said as she and the Power Ponies slipped into the shadows, the Loonatics hesitantly following after. Ace was the last to follow, as he looked up, he couldn't help but think ‘Almost like home… if humanity was replaced by wacko horses…” He smirked before vanishing into the alleyway just as a spotlight focused on where he had just been standing.