//------------------------------// // Moving Forward // Story: Spike's Omnitrix // by JSan82 //------------------------------// Princess Luna teleports out of the hidden base and arrives in the throne room. Instead of Twilight and her friends leaving on cue, they trot up to Princess Luna, questioning her about Spike's involvement with the plumbers. Princess Cadance confronts Princess Luna about Shining Armor. She wants to know what her husband will be doing. Princess Celestia wants answers from her sister and the plumbers' association; however, she knows that knowing too much can be problematic. Princess Luna dismisses all questions spoken by the Bearer of the Elements. Her response to each question is private until further notice. Twilight refuses to relent and will attempt different procedures to uncover the truths Princess Luna is avoiding. Princess Luna notifies Cadance that Shining Armor will have an extended vacation with Starlight Glimmer and Spike, traveling the world. Princess Luna advises Cadance not to send or hire anypony for espionage. Princess Cadance is distressed that her husband won't accompany her at the Crystal Empire for who knows how long. She can't take care of Flurry Heart alone and needs support. Princess Luna reveals a chosen delegate who'll accommodate until Shining Armor returns to the Crystal Empire. Every pony tries to speculate the hand-picked pony qualified to aid Princess Cadance at the Crystal Empire. Rarity becomes flabbergasted and livid seeing Prince Blueblood in all of his glory strolling into the throne room. Out of anypony promising, Princess Luna chose the one who'll act absurdly imperial. Even Princess Celestia is not fond of her nephew partaking in the role at the Crystal Empire. Prince Blueblood trots up to Princess Cadance, speaking in his dignifying tone. "Princess Cadance. Shall we embark on the return trip to the Sovereign Crystal Castle?" Rarity cringes from being closer to Prince Blueblood. Now, if showcasing or emergencies arise at the Crystal Empire, she will contemplate. "No offense, but why him, Luna?" Princess Cadance is not indulgent in allowing Prince Blueblood to assist with the tasks at hoof. "He's qualified to handle any circumstance, and he owes Shining Armor a favor," Princess Luna harmoniously replies. Princess Cadance gives in, knowing that Shining Armor has cashed his favor. She sighs in defeat. "Very well," Now Princess Cadance smirks. "I hope you can handle diaper duty, mister," Princess Cadance starts laughing and imagining likely scenarios where Flurry Heart will give him trouble. "Diaper duty?" Prince Blueblood's eyes want to pop out, and now fear getting dirty. He's appalled by any scenario involving an uncontrolled Alicorn foal. His shocked face causes Rarity to burst into laughter. "Playing charades with these ponies is too much fun. However, I do hope Shining Armor planted his weapons at the castle. I'll need them since more invasions will take place than usual." "Thank you, Luna. Oh, this'll be a blast!" Princess Cadance's imagination gets the better of her. Hearing the whining from Prince Blueblood will be gold. "You take care now," Princess Luna watches Princess Cadance leap for joy while Prince Blueblood slowly lopes to his demise. Prince Blueblood taps his blue bowtie. It's a telepathic communication network that no magic spell can detect. "I'll watch for anything inconceivable during my stay at the Crystal Empire. I will report to my squad. Hopefully, the Crystal Empire doesn't become a target with the Spike statue plastered in the Empire." "Understood, Blueblood. I'll keep you in touch about Spike's progress and what I see on night duty." Prince Blueblood taps his blue bowtie, canceling the telepathic communication. Princess Luna leaves the throne room. "Twilight? What are we going to do since Spike and Starlight won't be coming back to school with us?" Pinkie asks, breaking the icebreaker. "Continue as is for now. I'll announce the notable changes in the school and prepare to-" Twilight gulps, realizing a crucial flaw since Spike is not with her. "Twilight, what's wrong?" Applejack reads Twilight's body language. Something is not right with her. "Spike is not coming home..," Twilight looks down at the floor. "Twilight, what's wrong? Tell us so we can help you," Princess Celestia walks up to Twilight, trying to understand why she's bothered by Spike's departure. "Oooooh," Twilight doesn't want to reveal the harsh truths to Princess Celestia. She knows Princess Celestia will scold and scorn her for being irresponsible. "Oh boy," Rainbow Dash picks up Twilight's uncertainty real quick. Spike's confession during the night and how Twilight mistreated him. She recalls Spike doing so much in the castle. Now, Twilight is alone to pick up Spike's chores and more. "Is it about Spike's rant last night, Twilight?" Pinkie Pie eagerly asks, which causes Twilight's pupils to shrink. "What rant?" Princess Celestia wants to know what Spike said. Now it's correlating to Twilight's sudden mood change. "Pinkiiiiiiiiiie!" Twilight is fuming. Now she has to tell the truth. "Sorry!" Pinkie Pie backs away from Twilight, not wanting to upset her even more. "Twilight. What did Spike say?" Princess Celestia commands in her royal tone. While Twilight explains Spike's rant and the reasoning behind Spike's involvement with the watch, Starlight finds a list detailing all the devices Doctor Whooves modified within the recreational vehicle. "What you got there, Starlight?" Shining asks after test-driving the RV in a simulator. "A list of the devices Doctor Whooves equipped to the RV. Here, check it out and tell Spike and me how it functions." "Alright," Shining Armor takes the list. Turbo engine Solar Panels: To charge all equipment in the RV during the day. Lunar Panels: To charge all equipment in the RV during the night. Thrusters: Powerful jet thrusters deploy from the rear and sides of the RV. Grappling Hook: A high-tensile strength cable with a spike at the end to attach onto things. Electric Pulse: The wheels of the RV can discharge electrical currents. Flamethrowers: The exhaust pipes of the RV can expel a superheated plume of flames. Gyro Blades: Reconfigures the paneling along the sides of the RV to emit a powerful energy beam. Laser Turrets: Turrets deploy from the back of the RV that fire laser blasts. Plasma Cannon: A narrow cylindrical gear that deploys out of the side of the RV. It produces a powerful plasma discharge. Hidden Gun Compartment: In the cup holder between the driver and passenger seats lies a hidden compartment that holds a gun. Ejector Seats: Both cab seats can be ejected and have built-in parachutes for a slow descent. Intergalactic Monitoring System: An advanced threat detection interface when something abnormal reveals itself. Ram: The grill of the RV extends out and to the sides. It glows with energy and can ram objects with great force. Rocket: A rocket launcher positioned on top of the RV. Caltrops: Small spiked balls are deployed behind the RV to pop a pursuer's wheels or anything to prevent the chase. Autopilot: A system that drives the RV autonomously. "Doctor Whooves thought of everything in detail. Not much for me to explain when it's written. He is a mad genius at times." "So, what is our first destination on this so-called vacation?" Spike does the quotation mark gesture with his fingers. He wants to know what kind of training is in session. "Las Pegasus. I'll drive the RV there to inspire many engineering ponies to construct more vehicles after they bear witness to this RV," Shining Armor said. "This thing will take weeks to get there," Starlight said. "Which makes an excellent road trip. Also, you can use the time to practice your alien powers," Doctor Whooves bud-in the conversation. "That's true. Who knows what else I may encounter on the road trip? Possible aliens, monsters, and villains that went unnoticed by the friendship map at the castle," Spike said. "Spoken like a true plumber," Shining chuckles a bit. "Déjà vu," Starlight said. She heard the same sequence with Applejack about speaking like a true camper. Spike checks his watch, and it turns green. Spike twists the faceplate to start the initial count. After a few minutes, Spike wrote ten numbers on the paper. He labels the three names of the aliens he turned. Now, he'll wait to test out the others. "Any aliens you're eager to try next, Spike?" Shining Armor asks after taking a look at Spike's notes. "The four-armed alien and this alien that has balls as feet. I'll give them their names once I've tested their capabilities. So, when are we hitting the road?" "In a few moments," Princess Luna teleports into the RV. "Doctor Whooves, I love the interior of this vehicle." "Thank you, your highness," Doctor Whooves bows in respect. "What's the status, Princess Luna?" Shining Armor asks. "Princess Cadance has accepted Prince Blueblood's services. She has devious scenarios running amuck in her imagination." "She doesn't like Prince Blueblood?" Starlight Glimmer thought he and Cadance has some fellowship. "Prince Blueblood's character is irresistible irritation. Rarity is opposed to the presence of Blueblood. He pretended to be fearful of diaper duties and anything unpleasant and unclean," Princess Luna confirms. "Which is why he's perfect to handle my hidden weapons at the Crystal Castle." "Hidden weapons?" Starlight and Spike wonder what kind of weapons are undiscovered. "Since the robots are after what you possess, the Crystal Empire will be subjugated since there's a Spike Statue. I don't think the Crystal Heart is capable of protecting the empire from intergalactic aliens. Prince Blueblood is the only pony with the training to use my weapons. He's the sole protector of the Crystal Empire unless his squad comes in stealthily." "Oh crap! I forgot about the Spike Statue! Thanks a lot, Twilight for not bringing me to the Crystal Empire more often!" Spike groans in anger. "The Crystal Empire is in good hooves, with Prince Blueblood protecting it in secret. Have fun with your training and Shining Armor," Princess Luna stares into Shining's soul. "Y-Yes..?" Shining Armor stutters due to Luna's glare. "Stay on course," Princess Luna refers to the map inside the RV. "I-I-I but..," Shining Armor sighs in defeat. He was hoping to make a quick trip to the Crystal Empire. "Yes, ma'am." "Good," Princess Luna steps out of the RV with Doctor Whooves. She pats the side of it to alert everyone. "Alright, everyone stand aside. The RV is about to depart from the station!" All scientists gallop away from the RV, and signals on the floor light up. There are yellow arrows to help guide Shining Armor out of the hidden base. Spike and Starlight look out the windows to see everyone waving bye, wishing them good luck on their venture. Shining Armor uses the key to ignite the engine of the RV and uses his magic to drive. "We're moving," Spike laughs in excitement. "Hey, does the map say what pitstops we can make or take?" Starlight asks Shining Armor. "First stop..," Shining Armor takes a look at the map. "Ponyville. We can buy rations for the long trip to Las Pegasus. Also, you and Spike can gather your belongings at the castle before Twilight returns." "Uh, there's not much for me to get. I won't be needing my Power Ponies comic. I have a real superpower on my wrist. I need to stay focused and control the powers to help every creature." "Wow, Spike. That's mature of you to commit," Starlight is impressed with Spike's decision-making. "The watch is not a toy. However, that won't stop me from having a little fun once in a blue moon," Spike chuckles a bit. It scares Shining Armor a bit. "Since that's the case, I just want to say farewell to my friend, Trixie. Will that be alright, Shining?" Shining Armor smiles. "Of course. I'm sure Trixie will understand." Shining Armor focuses on his magic to drive the RV smoothly. Following the yellow arrows, the RV rises from an underground chamber. The hatch closes and uses a mechanism to disguise itself as grass. The RV is below Canterlot near the waterfall. Spike and Starlight look out the window and see the sun rising. It's now the dawn of a new day and a new adventure.