//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 // Story: Equestria Girls: A Star Cometh // by Time Agent pony //------------------------------// Meanwhile, on Earth, New York. The girls and Gali, plus Laura Kinney a.k.a. the all-new Wolverine and Victor Stone a.k.a. Cyborg, walked through the streets of Manhattan. They were looking for another potential ally, Aaron Stack a.k.a. Machine man, the last of a series of sentient robots with some abilities that would be useful against the star conqueror. The streets were deserted, no sign of the inhabitants, but from time to time some figures were seen marching around zombie-like with starfishes attached to their faces. Fortunately, The girls, Gali and their two allies managed to avoid them, those that did notice them were taken care of without harming them. "Are we getting close?" Twilight asked, as they arrived on Broadway. "I think so," Cyborg replied, "I'm picking up a signal, it's coming from nearby." "Right," Twilight nodded, she turned to the rest of her friends and allies, "stay alert, be ready for anything." Everyone nodded and readied themselves, Laura with her claws and most of the girls with their power rings. As everyone continued on their way, Rarity suddenly noticed Gali was gazing around at the abandoned theatres and other popular hotspots on Broadway. "You OK, Darling?" she asked. "It's beautiful," Gali said, as she continued to be transfixed by the beauty around her, "really beautiful." "Yes," Rarity agreed, "indeed it is." The two were interrupted from their sightseeing, by a shout from the others. The two rushed to catch up with their friends and allies. When they had caught up with the Champions and their allies, Cyborg pointed to a nearby allyway. In the ally was Machine Man being slowly approached by some starfish controlled people. "I must insist that you stand down," Machine Man stated, "I do not wish to hurt you." The people paid no heed to the warning and proceeded towards him. The girls thinking fast, used their rings to bind the people and shove them aside, right afterwards Pinkie used her geo's powers to delay Machine Man's attacks while he, the Champions and their allies made a quick getaway. Moments later, after successfully losing their pursuers, everyone paused to catch their breath. "That was close," Cyborg said. "Indeed," Machine Man replied, "but what has happened to the people? Those starfish do not match any species found on Earth." He paused, realisation having struck. "Forgive me," Machine Man stated, "but who are you teenagers?" "We're the Champions," Rainbow Dash answered, "and we're here to help." "Getting back on topic," Sunset interrupted, "we think that these starfish are a prelude to an invasion," "They've already gotten to most of the superhero community," Twilight continued, "we're rounding anyone we can, those who are immune or unaffected." "You got any ideas on who else might be able to fight this thing?" Applejack asked, "besides us." Machine Man thought for moment, "I think I might know a place that we can use as a temporary headquarter," he said, finally, "it should keep us safe and allow us to contact, locate and recruit those that are unaffected by this thing." "Well, what are we waiting for," Rainbow Dash declared, "let's go." Later. "Here we are," Machine Man stated. He had lead the others to a rundown looking manor house, the building was covered in ivy and moss. "Are you sure this is the place?" Twilight asked, dubiously. "I agree," Rarity added, "this place looks like it's fallen into disrepair." Machine man simply smiled, brushed away some of the ivy to reveal a keypad, typed something in and waited. Soon after, the front door of the manor house opened, after which everyone entered the building. The inside of the manor house was full of cobwebs and dust, it look as though no one had lived in it for a long time. Machine Man proceeded towards a bookcase and removed one of the books, the book being Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Right after which, the bookcase moved aside revealing a staircase leading underground. "This way," Machine Man prompted, walking down the staircase. Everyone followed him down the staircase, which lead to a large computer and monitors arranged around it. "What is this place?" Twilight asked. "It's an emergency outpost," Machine Man explained, as he pressed some keys on the computer and turn it on, "only to be used if the Justice Force was ever compromised or if any members every turned bad, there are others like this around the world." "Ya know," Midnight said, "for a Justice Force emergency outpost, this place kinda homey." "We can discuss that fact later," Machine Man answered, "right now, we need to contact any Justice Force member or enhanced individuals, who are immune or have managed to survive whatever this thing is." Just as Machine Man had finished his sentence, the large computer screen lit up, displaying a world map with red dots on each continent. "These are the locations of every other outpost across the world," Machine Man said. "How are we supposed to get a message to anyone else?" Sunset asked. "Not a problem," Machine Man replied, "the outposts have their own broadcasting frequency so it should be able to get a message out." "And if we boost the signal through the telephone network," Twilight added, "we'll be able reach anyone who isn't near or at the outposts." Machine Man consider the suggestion, "That could work," he said. He began to press some more keys on the computer. After Machine Man was done, he turned to Twilight and her friends. "It's ready to broadcast," he stated, "which one of you will do the honours?" After thinking it over for a while, Sunset stepped forward to record the message. "This is a message to all heroes of the world," she began, "it seems that it's time to unite against a common threat..." As Sunset spoke, her message to the world was spread across the world and those who heard it were alerted and headed for the New York outpost. Within hours, six were assembled at the outpost They were: Jocasta, Static, Sideways, Kitty Pyde, Colossus, Wanda and Pietro. "Thank you all for coming," Sunset said, "Is this everyone?" "Affirmative," Jocasta answered. Jocasta was a robot created by the villain Ultron, who rebelled against her creator. "We're still outgunned," Midnight said, bluntly. "Midnight's right," Twilight nodded, "with what we're up against we're going to need an army." "There might others out there," Kitty suggested, "people who didn't see or receive the message." "That is a possibility," Machine Man replied, "there are some who have retired, faded or went off the grid." "Then we have to find them," Gali said, "we need all the help we can get." "We'll have to split up," Sunset noted, "that way, we can find those who are still out there and join up with them and meet back here." "You should take these," Machine Man said, presenting some ear pieces to everyone, "they'll help maintain constant communication and allow me to monitor any threats to you from here." "Right," Twilight nodded, "let's get started." They split into teams, each taking an ear piece and being assigned an area. Some were stationed at the outpost in case it got attacked. After that, Cyborg and Sideways opened portals to the areas that they had been given, using their powers. "Good luck everyone," Machine Man said, as the teams left. Elsewhere, on Earth. "Soon, my master," The Faceless Hunter murmured, he and his newly converted slaves from Genosha headed on their way to find more superpowered beings to controlled. "soon, your army will be complete," he continued, "soon you will have be able to combat the one responsible for destroying your home." Meanwhile, out in space. "Keep fighting!" Richard cried, as he, Hal and their team fought off scores of Starro controlled Nova Corps and Green Lantern members. "Try not to hurt them," Hal insisted, "all of them are currently possessed by one of the most powerful evils in the universe, they're still our fellow Nova Corpsmen and Green Lanterns." "Try is not in the Main Man's vocab," Lobo laughed, as he smacked around a few dozen enemies. "Remind me," Richard said, "why did I listen to you when you said bring Lobo again?" "Fight now," Hal replied "talk later."