//------------------------------// // Preparations // Story: My Little Pony: Exiles of the Empire // by Hikarikurai24587 //------------------------------// Chapter Three: Preparations As Rarity walked beside Twilight she could tell that her friend was lost in thought. She couldn’t blame her, the thought that something dangerous was coming scared her too. This time it wasn’t something from their own world, these were beings from beyond the stars, with technology far beyond their own. Her blue eyes flickered to the one known as Rex. ‘They were being chased by the ones coming. I wonder why?’ Knowing that she’d probably get an answer she couldn’t understand she decided to move closer to ask. “Twilight, darling, are you alright?” Twilight jumped, startled out of her thoughts by the sudden question. She looked around for a bit before seeing Rarity standing there waiting for a response to her question. Her thoughts were all over the place from the idea of travelling far beyond what they know to the fact that they were going to have to use the Element of Harmony once again. “My mind’s just all over the place. I think what’s really bothering me is that I was hoping… we would never have to use the Elements again.” Rarity wasn’t sure what to say, her eyes glancing around at the group of ponies who were unsure of what to say either. It was Applejack who decided to share her thoughts as well. “Ah think the Princesses just want us to be prepared. Ah know how you feel sugarcube, Ah don’t want to be usin’ them either. Granny Smith always says, ‘It never hurts to be prepared.’ Besides, there is this barrier you mentioned.” “Yeah, what’s the story behind that anyways?” Rainbow Dash asked, flying down, Twilight frowned knowing that she most likely didn’t get the full story. However that didn’t stop her from explaining the best she could. “Princess Celestia said that it was made by her and Princess Luna over 5,000 years ago to hide us from a war being waged. It was damaged by Anakin’s ship when they were fleeing from the Empire.” “So the Princess are worried that this Empire followed General Skywalker here?” Fluttershy asked, glancing at Rex who nodded his head. “Oh my.” This caused Rainbow Dash to lazily wave her hoof as she glided in the air boasting. “I said it before, we can take them.” “Rainbow!” hissed Applejack seeing the clearing that led to the cliffs where the cave entrance was hidden. Rainbow gave her a questioning look saying. “What? That barrier was probably what caused that hunk of metal to crash in the first place!” “There was a strange reading before everything went offline.” Rex spoke up causing the ponies to look at him. Rainbow Dash shot a glare towards him as she snapped. “Why’d you come along?” Anakin had asked that they bring Rex along at least. Rex responded with. “Orders.” This turned Rainbow’s glare of irritation to a glare of suspicion before she followed the group onwards. She flew to catch up with Twilight who answered the unsaid question. “I said it was alright, Anakin asked for him to go with us, besides in order to build trust we would have to get to know them. What better way to do that then to take someone from their own team with us. I could have easily left you behind.” Rainbow Dash landed grumbling under her breath as Twilight turned to look at Rex. He nodded his head. “Thanks.” “For what?” Twilight asked, tilting her head to the side. Rex nodded his head forward this time explaining. “Being willing to trust us.  There aren’t many species that would willing show a stranger a sight they hold sacred.” “That’s what friends are for.” Twilight’s response gave Rex pause as she looked ahead continuing. “I know, not a lot of people will think of a complete stranger as a friend. I could just pass it off as my duty as the Princess of Friendship, to treat everyone as a potential friend. However from the moment we first met, you were the only one willing to try and listen. So as both a princess and a pony I saw that I was able to trust you.” “A good leader prepares for the worst.” pointed out Rex, Twilight’s eyes flickered to him in confusion before she realized what he meant. She sighed as she thought about Celestia and all of the plans she had. Twilight’s next words were heavy on her heart. “And yet they hope for the best. That is what my teacher, Princess Celestia, would do. I’ve always tried to emulate her, ever since becoming a Princess. It’s hard a lot of the time to put my people’s needs ahead of my own wants. It means a lot of the time there is a lack of excitement.” Rex understood that feeling. It never felt right to him, being in command. He followed the ponies down towards the riverbed below. Soon they came to the cave where the Tree of Harmony resided. Twilight saw the glow of the crystals, she always felt a presence when here. She began to think about Rex’s words as they went to retrieve the Elements. She looked back at him, seeing him looking around as if expecting danger. She looked back and forth between Rex and the Tree before making up her mind. ‘He’s right, a good leader prepares for the worst.’ She walked towards the Tree as her friends talked amongst themselves. “We should head out soon, we’ll need to get to the crash site before dark.” Rex spoke up, turning to look at the ponies. Rainbow Dash seemed to want to protest but Applejack cut in. “Yer right. Hey Twilight! We’re goin’ soon!” “Coming!” Twilight called back as she approached the group, adjusting the top of her saddlebag. “Ready.” Rex glanced at her, he knew that something was up. Strangely enough she had the same look that Anakin had when he was planning something. He locked his eyes with her before walking ahead of the group and Twilight followed. They were far enough ahead that a quiet conversation would not be heard. Rex glanced down at Twilight inquiring. “May I ask what you are doing ma’am?” This caused Twilight to look up to him waiting for him to continue his thought. “You placed something in your satchel back there.” “I’m making preparations… just in case.” answered Twilight, her face grew someber then thoughtful. “Rex… you’re a leader, right?” “Uh… yes ma’am.” Rex spoke, slightly surprised at the question as well as the pensive look on Twilight’s face. “Are you feeling alright, ma’am?” “Do… do you ever feel worried, like you might be in over your head?” this question caused Rex to pause, he nodded his head saying. “A few times, but when you are constantly fighting you don’t have time for that worry. It could get you killed.” “That’s what I’m worried about.” mumbled Twilight, shaking her head before explaining. “My people haven’t fought a battle for a long time. Even the royal guard might be a bit useless if we have to do battle. I’m scared, I don’t want to see anyone hurt or even killed.” “That’s a good feeling to have, you’re more likely to do what is right for your people.” Rex told her he wasn’t sure if it would do anything to soothe Twilight’s nerves. Twilight gave him a smile, saying. “And you do what is right for yours. You know, you’re a pretty good leader yourself.” “I….” Rex paused before chuckling as they came across the clearing with the vessel. “Thank you ma’am.” Twilight was still amazed at the vessel, despite it being wrecked it still caused a great fascination to well up in Twilight. ‘To think that this flew in space.’ she thought, glancing up and seeing the setting sun. Rex’s voice broke her out of her thoughts. “It’s getting late, we should camp here for the night and then take the supplies back tomorrow. I’ll take the first watch.” “First watch?” Rainbow Dash looked a bit irritated at the term that she didn’t know. Rex took his time to explain. “It is a job, when in a dangerous area it is safer for one member of the group to keep watch while the others sleeps. They do this in shifts.” “That’s….” Rainbow Dash was cut off by Twilight’s hoof over her mouth and they locked eyes as Twilight spoke. “To keep an eye out for any dangers snooping around.” “We can use the ship for shelter, first we would have to seal up any breaches we find in there.” Rex mused his eyes glancing at the wreckage. “While we do that we can gather whatever was left behind.” Twilight just nodded her head, before looking at Rarity saying. “You, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash will be able to locate and seal the breaches.” “Of course darling.” Rarity told her before heading around the ship using her magic to drag Rainbow Dash along. Applejack nodded her head saying. “I’m gonna look around for any wood we can use to start a fire.” “Good idea.” Twilight told her before looking at Rex. “I’m going to go explore the ship if it is alright with you.” "Uh, sure ma'am." For some reason Rex appeared lost in thought, something was eating at him. Twilight smiled as she walked towards the ship, excitement overwhelming her. Yet she knew that they probably needed a conversation. Once they were far enough away she asked. “What’s the matter?” "Are you sure we should be doing this right now?" Rex asked, feeling uneasy. "Throughout one's life as a soldier you kinda develop a sense of something not being quite right." “The Everfree Forest may seem safer during the day… but it might get more dangerous since we had to remove the Elements of Harmony.” Twilight explained looking at Rex. “Since the sun is setting, we can retrieve any important information from the vessel if it makes you feel better.” "I don't think that's it, but we're just wasting time talking about it. Let's get to the ship." Rex replied as he moved forward. Twilight frowned before moving to catch up. “It’s never a waste of time. Is it like a “calm before the storm” feeling or a “the stars are all aligned” kind of feeling?” "Calm before the storm kinda feeling. I'm sure it's nothing." Despite Rex's words he definitely felt it was something. Twilight frowned before saying quietly. “Don’t doubt that feeling Rex. If you have that feeling then wouldn’t it be right to have a plan just in case?” "You know this world better than me, what do you have in mind ma'am?" Rex asked, taking off his helmet. Twilight smiled up at him responding. “Please call me Twilight, I was thinking of just barriers but you know the technology better than we do.” "Oh, sorry ma'a---er, Twilight. I suppose you're right." Rex smiled back, rubbing the back of his head. "It's hard to prepare for something though that you don't even know exists." “Perhaps we can help each other understand? I mean I know a lot about magic but I don’t know anything about technology. Anakin knows about the Force but I don’t know how similar it is to magic so I could probably explain that.” Twilight mused looking around. “I mean I didn’t even know a ship like this existed. Is it a smaller ship? What is it’s capabilities? If there are bigger ones then what are they used for?” "You're a little better off asking Tech those questions, but I can tell you that there are bigger ones. Most ships I have been around are used for battle in some way." Rex stopped a moment as he was explaining this to Twilight. Twilight summoned a notebook and quill taking down the notes as they walked along. “Hmmm, is there a big difference in the technology used five thousand years ago?” Twilight asked, looking at Rex. “Or is the overall design and blueprints the same?” "That I don't know. Sorry I can't answer a lot of these, I wasn't really taught about historic technology. I have only been alive for so long and bred for battle after all." Rex answered with a laugh. Twilight looked at him with sadness telling him. “I’m sure that there is more to you than just that Rex. We just need to find it.” "You don't need to be sad, I am proud of what I have accomplished despite well...secretly serving the very Sith Lord we were after." Rex's mood suddenly worsened as he realized why he was feeling uneasy. Twilight stopped as well. “We’re going to lose a lot if we just buckle down and hide behind defenses. Aren’t we?” "Twilight…" Rex didn't know how else to put it into words as he looked at her sadly. "I'm afraid that casualties are inevitable." “But we can lessen them with a plan.” Twilight looked at him before pulling out what she had retrieved from the Tree of Harmony. “But… I want to keep it a secret, not until I’m sure that it is finished. There is an old vessel that crashed here over five thousand years ago. Originally I was going to make it my project to repair it and see what I could learn from it… now there is a better use for that plan.” Rainbow Dash stared at the fire watching as the logs crackled and popped. Applejack was nudging one of them with a stick letting it burn brighter. Twilight was still inside the crashed ship, she wasn’t sure what she was doing but Rex had left before her. The silence was starting to gnaw on all of them. So Pinkie Pie was the first one to break the silence. “Soooo, Rex, what kind of sweets do you like?” "Sweets, ma'am? Can't say I have, I have been a soldier eating what is offered to me since my birth." Rex answered with a scratch of his head. Pinkie Pie reached in her mane as Fluttershy asked quietly. “You mean you’ve never tasted foods from all the different places you’ve been to?” "My brothers and I were not really offered much recreation time aside from being with ourselves. The Republic did not view us...or the Jedi with much favoritism." Rex looked away as he thought back to the war. Pinkie Pie pulled out a box of cupcakes and began to pass them out. Fluttershy reached out and touched Rex’s arms, she wasn’t sure what words of comfort she could offer. “Are you serious?!” Rainbow Dash asked, getting mad at the thought of his words. “You and the Jedi fought for them and all that they did was roll their eyes and brush it off?” Rex didn't know how to answer Rainbow's words. He simply looked at her with a stern look in his eyes. He grabbed the cupcake from Pinkie Pie and smiled. Applejack glanced at Rainbow Dash, sighing a bit before Rarity inquired. “Darling, is that what it was like? Fighting for the Republic? Did they really take you and the Jedi for granted?” "Honestly ma'am, we fought for them without giving it much thought. We did what we were bred for and did it well, and we were proud to do it. Everyone was played by the Emperor, not just us and the Jedi but the people too." Rex said with a sigh as he took a bite out of the cupcake. His eyes lit up as he looked at Pinkie Pie. "Do you uh...have more?" Pinkie giggled before pulling all of the boxes out of her mane. “I’ve got tons of flavors, but I just grabbed the safer ones for now. We have chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, caramel, caramel creme, neapolitan, mint chocolate, peanut butter, buttercreme, strawberry shortcake….” Applejack decided to grab an apple cinnamon cupcake while Pinkie Pie listed them all. “So, you have brothers?”  Rex blinked as he realized that she didn't know. "We're clones, I have over a million of them." He couldn't help but chuckle at what they must think of that. All eyes widened before looking at Pinkie Pie. She had her mouth full of cupcakes catching all the stares. “What? I dim’t do itsh. Diffents clonesh if he refersh to them as broffers.” Applejack took her time before saying. “Of course, they don’t have that kind of magic so they would have to have another way to clone. So uh… how are you cloned?” "I don't know the science behind it but a race of incredibly intelligent beings known as Kaminoans did it in their labs." Rex tried to explain as straightforwardly as possible. Rainbow Dash was intrigued. “So there’s more races? Seen anything cool? Like a dragon?” "I've seen many races, creatures, you name it. Lots of worlds in the Republic and beyond. Including you!" Rex answered with a smile. Rainbow’s wings spread happily for a moment before she glanced away a blush on her face. Pinkie placed a whole box in front of him. “Sample platter!” Twilight stood in the ship alone before glancing behind her. “Discord, I know you’ve been listening.” There was a bright flash of light as Discord appeared behind her. “I know what you’re thinking, Twilight. Needless to say there isn’t much time before the enemies of your new found friends come along.” “You can always fix the ship.” Twilight pointed out and Discord looked surprised. “On top of that… I’m going to need you to set something up for me.” “Twilight… there is hardly enough time at all. I wouldn’t be able to transport everyone to the ship and have enough energy to get us out of here.” Discord pointed out, Twilight sighed as she began to think. “Not everyone, there will be those who’d want to stay and fight. Just teleport the ones who are willing to go, the explorers, the adventurers, the sick, the wounded, anypony willing. If need be… make sure that some doctors and soldiers go to. I don’t want them all to die because of lack of foresight. I want to make sure they are protected.” The next morning they headed back to Ponyville. All the ponies were chatting and Twilight looked drained as her eyes scanned the skies. She was worried, there was no timeline on how long it would be before the Empire made their move. “Twilight!” A familiar voice called out and Twilight’s head lifted to see her brother approaching. “Shining Armor!” Twilight said happily running up to him to give him a hug. “What are you doing here?” “Princess Celestia called an emergency meeting.” Shining Armor explained as they headed inside being followed by the others. “We’re discussing what to do when this Empire arrives.” “Actually I have an idea for that.” Twilight said as they walked into the map room. “We need to keep them out of the cities and towns. Away from the civilized areas, perhaps set up a location to meet them in.” “I think we should also place barriers around the populated areas immediately. From what General Skywalker has told us they aren’t afraid to play dirty.” Luna spoke and Celestia nodded her head adding. “Twilight, as a Princess you will come with us to meet with them. When they arrive.” “You  should put up the barriers immediately.” Rex said, eyeing the map. “There’s no telling when they’ll show and make their move.” Darth Cyrin stood in the docking bay watching as a shuttle lands. The door hissing and lowering as guards walked out followed by an elderly man. She bowed deeply. “Welcome master.” “Rise.” The man said and Cyrin climbed to her feet leading the way to the bridge. “What is the situation?” “The shield is blocking all attempts to scan the surface of the planet. However there is a break, we can send a squadron down to investigate.” Cyrin explained keeping her eyes forward. “There is no need.” her Master told her, Cyrin tilted her head in confusion asking. “Master?” “I will take care of this shield.” He stated as they arrived on the bridge. All troopers and officers saluted as they approached the window. The older man sneered at the sight of the planet before raising his hand and cracks began to stretch across the surface. “Have the Fleet ready!” Ordered Cyrin watching the shield dissolve. “How do you wish to proceed, master?” “Skywalker is our top priority. If we can convince the locals to surrender him we can convince them to surrender to the Empire.” The man said looking at her. “Be ready for anything my apprentice.” “Yes Master.” Cyrin spoke through clenched teeth, her fingers digging into her palms. Celestia let out a gasp as she and Luna collapsed to the ground. Twilight running over calling out. “Princess Celestia? Princess Luna?” “The barrier!” Luna panted trying to get to her feet but collapsing. “The barrier is being destroyed!” Twilight heard screams coming from outside and rushed to the balcony. Her eyes widened as she watched cracks form across the sky before fading. Large vessels appeared like a fog being lifted. Dread sank in as Twilight realized Ponyville did not have the barrier up. “They’re here.” Anakin said from next to her, causing her to think. ‘I hope you’re ready, Discord.’