The Shadow Saga (Part 4):
The Eclipse Cannon
At the Castle of Friendship, Twilight had gotten an early wake up and headed down the hall. Just then, she spotted Maria, Spike, Nyx and Joshua on the balcony. She then walked over towards the four.
"What's going on?" Twilight asked.
Maria turned to see Twilight and said, "Oh. Good morning, Twilight."
"You doing okay?" Twilight asked.
"Maria's just concerned about Shadow's behavior," Spike said.
"I'd understand, too," Twilight said. "If one of my friends went rogue for some reason, I'd want to understand why. Why don't you come inside?"
Maria sighed and said, "Alright. I just hope that Shadow will remember." Then they all headed back inside. Maria then looked back outside and looked up into the sky. "Please remember our promise, Shadow."
The Freedom Fighters and the Mane 6 were in the Throne Room, waiting for Eggman to make his move. Twilight sighed.
"Well, the Summer's almost over," Twilight said. "I might as well get Nyx and Joshua ready for school."
"And by then, we'll be back in America," Sonic said. "But we have to focus on finding Eggman before he tries something sinister. He's up to no good."
Then Nicole's holographic image showed up.
"What's up, Nicole?" MC asked.
"You all have to see this," Nicole said. Then a holographic screen appeared over the Cutie Map, showing Doctor Eggman, laughing.
"Citizens of earth, lend me your ears!" Eggman said to the world, scaring everyone who was watching. Including those all across Equestria and beyond. "Listen very closely... My name is Doctor Eggman, the world's greatest scientist. And soon to be the world's greatest ruler! Now, this is the beginning of the greatest empire of all time!"
As soon as they heard weapon, the group started running towards a balcony. MC was saying, "Nicole, trace the transmission!"
"On it, Michael!"came Nicole's voice. They then looked up into the sky. They saw a beam going through the sky, heading for the moon. When the beam made contact, half of the moon was destroyed.
"Holy Smokes!!" Mutt said.
"He destroyed... half of the moon!" Amy said.
Just then, Tails pulled out the Chaos Emerald he and Joshua were awarded, and it was reacting to the beam. Just then, they saw all of the ponies there running in a panic.
"Where did that beam come from?!" MC asked.
"Location, unknown!" Nicole said.
"That blast was powerful," Tails said. "Whatever the doctor used must've been one of Gerald Robotnik's old weapons. But there must've been a lot of weapons back then."
"No..." Maria said. The Freedom Fighters and the Mane 6 looked at Maria in confusion. "Just one. The Eclipse Cannon."
"Eclipse Cannon?" MC asked. "What's that?"
"It's a very powerful weapon created by Professor Gerald Robotnik, built in Space Colony ARK," came Nicole's voice.
"Space Colony ARK?!" Twilight, MC and Mutt asked in unison.
"We haven't been in there in months," MC said. "The last time, we went up there, we came back with Maria."
"So, Eggman set up base in his grandfather's old Space Colony," Sonic said. "So, how are we gonna get up there?"
"The Spaceship has been left at Freedom Fighters mansion," MC said. "So, we're gonna have to find a way back up there." Just then, he noticed Scootaloo coming towards them. "Scootaloo? What's up?"
"Guys! It's Nyx!" Scootaloo said. "When the moon broke apart, she fainted!"
"WHAT?!" Twilight shouted. "Where is she?!"
Later in the Cutie Mark Crusaders Clubhouse, Twilight, Sonic and MC were checking on Nyx. MC checked Nyx's forehead.
"Temperature, normal," MC said. He then checked Nyx's pulse. "Pulse rate, lowered by ten beats."
"How could this have happened?" Sonic asked.
"I don't know," Twilight said, rubbing Nyx's cheek with a hand. "Nyx's body originally came from the darkness that created Nightmare Moon, who was apart of Princess Luna. Who was the regent of the moon. I don't understand..."
"Wait a minute!" MC said. "Nyx and Luna are linked to the moon! It was the destruction of the moon that knocked her out!" He then got an idea. "If Nyx is knocked out..."
"Then Luna must be out cold as well!" Twilight said.
MC then held up his wrist and said, "Nicole, send the Spirit of Freedom to Sweet Apple Acres. We need to take Nyx to Cadance and Shining Armor."
"Yes, sir," came Nicole's voice. "Also, I have news from Knuckles. It appears that he has found an Eggman Base that leads to Space Colony ARK."
"That's the best news I heard all day," MC said. "Location?"
"The Middle of the Sahara Desert," Nicole responded.
"Good to know," Sonic said. "We'll drop Nyx and Joshua off and we'll meet Knuckles there. Tails is working on making adjustments to the X-Tornado."
"Alright," Twilight said. She then picked Nyx up. "Let's get going. I'll have my friends help keep the ponies here in Ponyville calm."
"Good to know," Sonic said. "Of course, some of us are gonna have to stay here as well."
"Maria is a most definite," MC said.
"You and I both know that Maria will do anything to get Shadow to reason with her," Sonic said.
"She's afraid that if Eggman sees her, he'll take her," MC said. "She purposely hid her face from him so he wouldn't take her and force her to do things she doesn't want to do. So, it's best if she stays grounded."
"I feel like this is gonna come back to haunt you later," Twilight said, carrying Nyx out the door. The rest of the Crusaders looked towards Twilight and Nyx in worry. Twilight looked towards Joshua and said, "I'm going on a trip to save the world. Joshua, you and Nyx will be staying with your Aunt Cadance and Uncle Shining until we get back."
"Okay, Mom," Joshua said.
Then they all headed over towards Sweet Apple Acres, where the Rest of the Mane 6 and the Freedom Fighters, minus Tails, Mutt and Maria, were. The remaining Freedom Fighters, went into the Spirit of Freedom, followed by Joshua and Twilight who was carrying Nyx.
Twilight turned towards the others and said, "Keep an eye out for Equestria for me." The rest of the Mane 6 nodded and the doors to the Spirit of Freedom closed. Then it took off. MC was piloting.
"Okay, ever since they fired the Eclipse Cannon, Eggman started a countdown for a full day," MC said. "We have until then to get up to Space Colony ARK, stop Eggman, and keep that cannon from firing again."
"Let's move!" Sonic said.
Back over at the Castle of Friendship, Tails, Mutt and Maria were working on the X-Tornado.
"How are we gonna get the group to Space with just the X-Tornado?" Mutt asked.
"Well, we're going to need more power to get the X-Tornado into space," Tails said. "We need more than one Chaos Emerald."
"But one Emerald is all we have," Maria said.
"We got two," Tails said. He then held out the real Chaos Emerald and another one, but it was duller.
"You made a copy of an Emerald?!" Maria asked.
"It's not an exact copy, but it should give the same properties of a normal Chaos Emerald," Tails said.
"Great," Maria said. "Let's get it in there and get to the ARK."
"Oh, no," Tails said. "MC says that you're staying here."
"What?! Why?" Maria asked.
"For your own protection," Tails responded. "We don't want your evil cousin to try and take you away and make you do things you don't want to do, do you?"
Maria just grumbled, then she sighed.
"I better get this done soon," Tails said. "Why don't you go inside and wait until we get back." Maria and Mutt then headed back into the Castle of Friendship. As soon as the doors closed, Maria grabbed Mutt's arm.
"Mutt, you have to help me get up there," Maria said. "I'm the only one Shadow will listen to."
"But what about MC?" Mutt asked. "He won't let you go up into space."
"I have to take that risk," Maria said.
Mutt thought about it, and then he sighed. He then said, "Alright. I'll help you. But you have to be hidden from the others."
Maria nodded.
The Spirit of Freedom landed at a pyramid that was one of Eggman's bases. Knuckles was standing outside of the entry to the place. The door to the Spirit of Freedom opened, revealing Twilight, Sonic, MC, Amy, Cream and Cheese.
"About time you all showed up," Knuckles said. "It was starting to get hot."
"Sorry it took so long, Knucklehead," Sonic said. "We had to do a drop off at the Crystal Empire."
MC then held up a hand and it started glowing. He was inspecting the place. MC then said, "No living life form is here. They must've been gone hours ago."
"Alright," Twilight said. "Let's get going." Then all of them headed into the pyramid, looking around the place.
"Okay guys," MC said. "Stick together. It's easy to get lost in here." They all walked together, heading towards a huge door. MC then looked at the door. "Oh, crud. That door's at least six feet thick."
"Wow," Twilight said. "That's gonna be a problem."
"What about this key hole?" Amy asked.
"It could get us through there," Cream said. "Maybe MC can pick the lock."
MC then looked at the keyhole. He then said, "The keyhole's too deep. My claws would break the mechanism."
"Then the only thing to do is to find the key," came another voice. The group looked towards the voice and there stood Olive. Cream and Cheese were happy to see her.
"Olive!!" Cream shouted. Then she and Cheese ran towards Olive, and they all hugged.
"I missed you, too, Cream," Olive said.
"Chao chao chao chao chao!" Cheese said, getting Olive's attention.
"You too, Cheese," Olive said, hugging the Chao. "This place is so big. It's so difficult to find the key." Then they all looked towards Knuckles.
"Why are you all looking at me like that?" Knuckles asked.
"Think about it," MC said.
"WHAT?!" Knuckles asked. "I'm a treasure hunter! A key is not a treasure!"
"You wanna get back the Master Emerald, don't you?" Sonic asked.
"It's the only way to get through," Twilight said.
Knuckles grumbled and then he stomped away, saying, "I can't believe this. I have to do everything around here. Find some stupid key. I shouldn't be searching for it."
Then another voice came to his attention as he was walking.
"Boy, you must be having a hard day." Knuckles looked towards the voice and saw Bokkun.
Knuckles grumbled. Then he got his cool and said, "Never mind me, Bokkun. I got somewhere to be." He then walked off.
Bokkun then pulled out a remote and said, "I don't think so. Go get 'em, Egg Golem."
Back at the door, MC was inspecting the lock again. He then said, "Perhaps with the enough momentum and strength, I could bash through this door."
"Great," Sonic said. "I'll go find Knuckles." Just then, the room started shaking. "Whoa, what's going on?!"
The group looked down the hall and they saw Knuckles being chased by a giant stone man. Knuckles called out, "Everyone out of the way!!" Egg Golem was about to smash Knuckles and the others, but they all jumped out of the way, smashing the door open. "There's your key!"
"What the heck is that thing?" Twilight asked.
"It's a Golem," MC replied. "A humanoid creature made entirely of rock and stone." He then had his eyes glowing in a golden aura. "But this thing ain't a real Golem. It's a machine covered in rock and stone."
"You got that right!" came Bokkun's voice. They all looked towards Bokkun and saw him flying over them with a remote. "And there ain't nothing you can do to stop it. Now, smash them, Egg Golem!"
Egg Golem then tried smashing them, but they all kept jumping out of the way. Just then MC stood his ground as Egg Golem's fist was about to collide with him. Egg Golem then smashed him into the wall.
"MC!!" Twilight, Amy and Cream called out in shock.
Bokkun laughed and said, "Oh, man! That guy's a big idiot! Now, smash the others!"
Egg Golem then spun around as Sonic and Knuckles were about to come in with attacks of their own, but they were deflected. Sonic and Knuckles landed by Amy and Twilight. Olive then shot a coil to the ceiling but then she was grabbed by Egg Golem.
"Gah!!" Olive cried out.
"Olive!" Cream called out in worry.
"Now, crush her!" Bokkun said. Egg Golem then tightened his grip, attempting to crush Olive, who was crying out in pain.
Olive continued crying out in pain as Egg Golem was trying to crush her. Bokkun was laughing.
"How are we gonna stop that thing?!" Twilight asked.
"It won't get us near it to attack it," Amy said.
Sonic then looked towards where MC stood, seeing that he wasn't there. He then said, "Wait a minute." Sonic then looked towards Egg Golem. "I think MC's got this."
"How!?" Twilight asked. "He got crushed!"
"No! He took that blow on purpose!" Sonic said. "So he can go into Egg Golem and control it manually."
"Wait, what?!" Bokkun asked.
"Surprise!!" came MC's voice from Egg Golem. He then had full control of Egg Golem and put Olive down gently. "Sorry about the crush. I had to make it convincing."
"I understand," Olive said as she was put down.
"Now! You're in for a world of pain!" MC said, punching one of Egg Golem's fists into the other hand. He then started chasing Bokkun.
"Wha--?! Waaaah!!" Bokkun then started running away. "No! Stop! This isn't funny!" Then chunks of Egg Golem started firing towards Bokkun, making him fly out of the pyramid base in fear. "You're going to regret this!!"
All that remained of Egg Golem was it's left foot, which MC walked out of through a golden aura.
"How was that?" MC asked, looking at the group.
"That was awesome!" Sonic said. Twilight then walked up to MC.
"You couldn't have said something earlier?!" Twilight asked.
"If I'd told you, Bokkun would figure it out," MC said, walking towards where the door stood. "Let's get going." Then the group started heading through the door. The room was dark.
"What is this place?" Twilight asked.
"It's too dark," Sonic said. Just then, the lights went on. The group looked around and saw MC with his hand on a big switch.
"Found the light switch," MC said. The lights continued going on and in the room was a rocket shuttle. MC whistled in impressiveness and said, "That's one way of getting us up there." MC then walked towards a lever and pulled it. Just then, the top of the pyramid started opening up. And coming down was the X-Tornado, turning into the X-Cyclone.
Tails got out of the X-Tornado and said, "Guys! Good news! I converted the X-Tornado so it can take us into space!" He then noticed how many people were there. "Oh. There's one problem. The X-Tornado only has four seats."
"It's okay, Tails, we'll take the Rocket," MC said, pointing at the rocket.
"Oh, that could work," Tails said. "I better load the X-Tornado into the shuttle." Tails then walked towards the X-Tornado's cockpit. Then he looked towards the back and saw something yellow in the back seats. Tails then flew towards the back and saw something. Or rather, someone. "Maria?!"
The group looked towards the X-Tornado's back seats as the window opened up and Maria climbed out.
"Maria!" MC said. "I specifically told Tails to keep you back in Equestria."
"No, MC!" Maria snapped. "Shadow will listen to me! I can get him to stop this!"
"Maria, that is..." MC said, but he was cut off.
"If she can get Shadow to listen, then it might be best if she came along," Sonic said, cutting off MC.
"What?!" MC asked, looking at Sonic.
"He's got a point," Twilight said. "Put it to a vote. All those who agree to bring Maria with us, raise your hand." Then everyone but MC raised their hand. MC then grumbled in anger.
"Fine...!" MC said, trying to keep his anger in. He then sighed. "Although, there ain't gonna be room in the rocket for all of us. Some of us are gonna have to stay here."
"I'll take Cream and Cheese back to Equestria," Olive said. "You have the keys to the Spirit of Freedom?"
MC then tossed the keys to Olive and said, "Don't scratch it." Olive nodded.
"See you all later," Cream said.
"Chao chao chao," Cheese said. The three of them were heading out of there.
The X-Tornado was loaded into the rocket shuttle. The group was in the main control of the rocket. On the left side, from front to back, were Tails, Sonic, Amy and Knuckles. On the right, MC, Twilight and Maria. The rocket shuttle then started shaking.
"Alright guys," Tails said. "Prepare for take off. Start the count down."
"10... 9... 8... 7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Ignition," MC said in a voice that was not his own. The rocket then took off.
Sonic then asked, "Was that the voice of James Earl Jones?"
"You got a thing against James Earl Jones?" MC asked with a smirk.
"Meh, you got me there," Sonic said. The rocket then continued ascending into the sky. Back on the ground, the Spirit of Freedom was taking off with Olive at the controls.
"Good luck, guys," Olive said. She then started taking the Spirit of Freedom west towards Equestria.