Approaching Lunar Trench
Celestial Sea
December 23rd, 2022
1900hrs
“The Anomaly disappeared and all returned to normal last night.” Darrick said.
Sparkler nodded. They were about 20 minutes from the Lunar Trench and Derrick had called again. “That’s good.” She said. “But another can appear at any moment, I’d stay alert.” She recommended.
“Of course.” Derrick responded. “What’s happening on your end?”
“We’re twenty minutes out from the Lunar Trench, where Sundown and Midnight are supposedly operating from.” Sparkler responded.
“The Lunar Trench? Nothing can survive down there.” Derrick said.
“These two demons command a power still largely unknown to us.” Sparkler deadpanned. “You really want to suggest they can’t do it?”
“And what about YOU?” Derrick asked. “Your vehicle cannot go that far down.”
“Maybe not before. But I came across something that should correct that.” Sparkler responded.
“You came across?” Derrick asked.
“Again, full report later, but I will warn you now. The one who called knowing what’s causing these anomalies has requested anonymity. And I intend to uphold that.” Sparkler said.
“Convenient.” Derrick responded.
“And perfectly within their rights.” Sparkler reminded Derrick.
“Indeed. I will admit I am intrigued as to what this report will entail. Keep me posted.” Derrick responded before the signal cut.
Sparkler took a deep breath. Wondering if Santa wanted her to do everything possible to keep SMILE from finding the magic generator, assuming he let her keep it at all. “Hey Rudolph.” She asked as she turned in her seat to look back at her passengers.
“Yes Sparkler?” Rudolph asked.
“Does this Secret of Santa thing cover the Mini Magic Generator? Like am I allowed to talk about the magic generator?” Sparkler asked. “Assuming of course Santa let’s me keep the thing?”
“Not sure. This has never happened before.” Rudolph responded. He turned back to his fellow passengers and glanced down at a holographic projection of a chess board, he was playing a game of chess against Daydream. “So king can go in any direction no matter how far?” He asked.
“That’s the queen.” Twilight responded. “The king can only go ahead one space in any direction.” She corrected him.
“Ah. Ok.” Rudolph responded as he moved his queen forward all the way to the other side of the board. Right next to Daydream’s king. “Is that a checkmate for me?” He asked.
“It’s a check.” Daydream responded. “However.” She moved her king one to the side, and took Rudolph’s queen. “THAT was a checkmate.”
“Aww man.” Rudolph responded when he realized his mistake. “I thought I had that.”
“Ya lasted longer than a newbie normally does.” Sunset responded. “So that’s something to be proud of.”
Rudolph smiled as his spirit lifted back up. “Really? Neat.” He said. “Another game?”
“I wouldn’t.” Sparkler responded. “We’ll be there soon.”
“Alright.” Rudolph responded.
As they neared the trench, Twilight decided to ask Rudolph a question she had on her mind. “So Rudolph. Do you…know how it is you have a red nose?” She asked. “Like is it a genetic thing or…?” She asked.
“Believe me I wish I had an answer. But nope.” Rudolph responded. “For all I know my red nose is a magical gift from the magic of Christmas.” He said.
“Well it’s certainly come in handy.” Sunset said. “Is it true you actually guided Santa’s sleigh?”
“Yep. And have every year since.” Rudolph responded. “The sleigh’s travel times have actually decreased since I joined the Reindeer.” He stated.
“Nice.” Twilight said.
Soon, they arrived at the trench…well, over it. Sparkler brought the Sparkmobile in for a hover. And we are at the trench.” She said as she raised her watch. “Flappy, what’s the best submarine for the job?” She asked.
“The SeaTruck from Subnautica Below Zero.” Flappy responded. “With a single passenger compartment.
Sparkler saw the vehicle on her watch face and she smiled as she tapped it. “Hang on everyone.” She said.
Everyone watched as the Sparkmobile changed form into a submarine, and dropped into the water. “Time to dive.” Sparkler said as she made the vehicle dive into the water, towards the bottom of the trench.
Lunar Trench
Celestial Sea
December 23rd, 2022
2100hrs
In their not-so-secret-anymore base, Midnight smiled wickedly as she tightened the last bolt on her latest invention. “Finally! Our ultimate weapon is FINALLY complete!” She declared.
“About time.” Sundown responded. “What should we target first?”
“Sundown. This thing can now attack multiple targets at once. We can hit every capital city on this planet!” Midnight responded. “With this device, the world will be at our mercy. Once we show its power, they will have no choice but to surrender.”
“Excellent.” Sundown responded. “After that, we can use this planet’s resources to enact a complete take over of Equestria on the other side of the portal. And we will rule TWO worlds instead of one.”
“And the best thing of all, NO ONE can stop us. Even if they know where we are.” Midnight said as she and Sundown laughed maniacally.
Unbeknownst to them, the Sparkmobile had parked itself right outside their base, inches away from the shield perimeter around said base, with Sparkler and her team gazing upon it with their own eyes. “Wow.” Sunset said.
“They actually have a base down here.” Twilight said, still not believing it was true.
“I’ll give them this. This was a clever hiding spot.” Sparkler responded. “Too bad they decided to mess with Santa.”
“So. We’re just gonna go in and blast our way to the generator?” Rudolph asked.
“The two demons will be on us immediately. So here’s the plan.” Sparkler, the only person there with any tactical training whatsoever, said. “Two teams. Team A will engage Midnight and Sundown directly and keep them busy. While team B secures the generator.” She said.
“What are the teams?” Twilight asked.
“Daydream and I will be on Team A, we’re the best suited to keep the demons busy. Team B will consist of Clear-Cut, Twilight, Sunset, and Rudolph.” Sparkler explained.
Clear-Cut immediately roared his objection to his assignment, stating that Sparkler’s protection is his number one concern. Sparkler shot him a look. “Dude, you are in no position to argue right now.” She said, reminding him of the little incident. “I have my ring. Which YOU activated.”
That shut Clear-Cut up. Sparkler nodded and continued. “Zora and Cortana will jam their sensors so that they won’t see us coming until we want them to see us.” She said.
“On it Sparkler.” Cortana said as she and Zora began emitting a jamming signal.
Flappy meanwhile detected something disturbing. “Sparkler, there’s a massive buildup of energy occurring.” He reported.
“What is it?” Sparkler asked.
“If I had to guess, it’s whatever they stole the magic generator for.” Flappy responded.
“Then we don’t have a lot of time. Flappy get the lower access port inside the shield. We’ll take it from there.” Sparkler said.
“Acknowledged agent Medley. Good luck.” Flappy said as he moved the Sparkmobile into position.
Sparkler meanwhile got out of the pilot’s seat and pressed a button that opened up part of the Sparkmobile’s mobile armory. “Sunset, Twilight. I’m granting temporary authorization for you two to carry one of these weapons for protection. By law you are required to return them when they are no longer needed unless they are rendered destroyed or otherwise unrecoverable.” She said, going through the procedural spiel.
Sunset and Twilight marveled at the selection, before each grabbing a pistol from the rack. “Finally all those VR first person shooters are going to come in handy!” Sunset said.
“Good thing we put in the hours.” Twilight commented.
Sparkler smiled as they all gathered around the access port which had opened by then. “Alright team.” She said. “Let’s rock and roll.”
“Right!” Everyone responded as they all jumped down the port one by one.
To be continued…