//------------------------------//
// Disaster Strikes - Gaia Rises - Edited 
// Story: Cutie Mark Crusaders: Heroes from the Stars 
// by Chrome Masquerade 
//------------------------------//

Apple Bloom was born on Sweet Apple Acres, raised there and lived there even after she grew up. Her sister, Applejack, had also become an Alicorn with her friends, and they were needed to find other potential Alicorns. But that's a different story

The point is that Apple Bloom, since Granny Smith had died a couple of years ago, was taking both mares' roles on the  farm. On Applejack's end, of course, was applebucking (and collection of other crops they had), tending to the fields, feeding the animals, all of that good stuff. On Granny Smith's end it meant cooking, jarring, processing the different fruits and such into various products, such as jellies, syrup, baked goods and more. And while Big Mac was still shouldering a lot of the work (mostly to keep himself healthy, he said), Apple Bloom took to her new duties with gusto.

Apple Bloom's friends had gone on to other places, but they still met at least twice a month. They were still the best of friends, they just... had a litttle more difficulty meeting up than they used to. That's all.

Ponyville itself, meanwhile, had grown significantly. While it was by no means a metropolis of any description, like Manehattan or Las Pegasus, it had still become more of a city than a village. In place of thatched huts were much more stone or metal based ones, more sturdy, if harder to repair every few months rather than every Tuesday or so.

But on this day, something would happen that would change the course of Equestri's history.

Suddenly, what seemed like a gigantic meteor streaked through the sky, landing solidly in the Everfree forest. When the dust cleared, the object uncurled itself, revealing itself to be a gigantic three headed dog, much like Cerberus, but bigger. WAY bigger. And much more dangerous! (1)

As Ponies saw the fierce demonic-looking dog, they started to run in all directions, the Flower Trip having to be carried elsewhere, as they had fainted upon seeing the creature. One of its mouths spewed flames, scorching many of the houses and causing burns to any ponies that hadn't gotten far enough away fast enough. The second head sprayed jets of supercooled aerated water, being jets of concentrated icy mist. From the third head spewed clouds of a sickly green mist, which corroded the metal in some of the buildings, making them collapse in on themselves, much like unfired clay.

Apple Bloom came galloping, along with Big Macintosh. As the beast weas reaching for a group of foals on the grond nearby, too scared to move, he looked to Apple Bloom and said, "Double-Header, on three. One... Two... THREE!"

The two leaped at the beast, using the momentum that they gained to buck with all of their might, slamming four hooves in the beast's hide, managing to stagger it.

Apple Bloom shouted to the foals, "RUN! GO! Git outta here!" When they hesitasted, she said, "GO! We'll be fine!"

As the foals scattered, the two turned to face the problem at hoof.

They tried as hard as they could to stop the creature, but all they could really do was stall for time. While Big Mac was able to more or less hold his own, Apple Bloom, being less experienced at combat, was soon tossed aside into the remains of what was one of the significantly fewer wooden houses. joined a short while thereafter by her brother.

As the two lay there battered and bruised, Apple Bloom saw a green mote of light float up from the earth below her. Curiously, she touched the mote.

(FLASH!)





Apple Bloom found herself in a blackish landscape.

{"Apple Bloom."} said a voice, {"Apple Bloom! Arise."}

Looking around, Apple Bloom saw a gigantic being, with a face that looked like a mask.

"WHOA!" She exclaimed. "Are you a... God?"

{"No, I am not. I do, however, care very much about nature and its inhabitants. That said, to the subject that requires our attention. Even now, that beast roams freely, and it will likely not stop with your home."}

"Ah hafta do somethin'!" Apple Bloom exclaimed.

{"With your current ability, you are incapable of fighting it off, much less defeating it. I will give you access to my power."}

As Apple Bloom switched to a two legged stance, the being continued. {"Together we may be able to defat that monster"}

A winged, golden crest appeared on Apple Bloom's chest, In the center was a blue shield shape.

{"All you must do is call out the name that we shall share, then hit that shield shape."}

"Okay! D'we need ta hurry? Ah'm new at this too, y'know? This's kinda overwhelmin'."

{"Worry not; time here is dilated. A minute in here is like a second out there. Center yourself; take a deep breath. Ready?"}

"As Ah'll ever be."

{"Alright. I ask that you incant our name! Ultra-"}

"ULTRAMARE: GAIA!"

{"Close enough."}
(FLASH!)





Suddenly, an enormous equine creature appeared as if out of thin air, clocking the gigantic canine in the jaw, before doing a flip in the air and landing on all fours.

The creature was red and white, with golden highlights in several spots. On its head was a rounded bladelike crest. It wore a black and gold peytral that resembled a shield. Getting up to two legs, the gargantuan Pony cracked its knuckles experimentally, as the canine was getting back up, clearly quite irritated. 

Having finished warming up, the colossus projected its challenge. "{We are Ultramare Gaia. We protect these ponies from creatures such as yourself, monsters that would sow chaos and destruction to what We protect. Step any closer and you will face a foe unlike any you've ever seen before.}"

So saying, Gaia drew a line with one hoof, daring the beast to come forth. Which it did..

It snapped at the giant Pony, who deftly blocked the attack, despite only using two hands on three heads. The beast attempted to claw its opponent, but this was blocked as well.

Gaia attempted to yeet the creature from the city streets, but managed only to slam it to the ground instead. Not the effect desired, but effective nonetheless.

Even more ticked off now, the giant canine's claws began to glow with a sickening greenish-red energy. Then it unleashed a flurry of swipes, too fast to dodge all of. The massive Pony managed to counter several of the blows, but soon enough was knocked to the ground, the fire breath weapon of the colossal canine spewed over Gaia's body.

Reacting quickly, the giant Pony rolled to one side before it got stepped on or snapped at to boot, rolling to all fours, then swiftly standing on two once more.

Suddenly, the shield on Gaia's chest turned red and began blinking. Sensing its opportunity, the beast dashed forward to deliver a finishing blow. This, with some effort, was blocked, then the beast's momentum was used against it, getting it slammed to the ground again, allowing the giant Pony to back up. Raising their arms to the sky, Gaia gathered energy in its hands, drawing it back and thrusting forward. 

{Photon Stream!}

A beam of energy blasted the creature, shortly thereafter obliterating it with a dramatic explosion.

Turning around, Gaia looked to the sky, then leaped skyward and vanished.





When Apple Bloom awoke, she was in Ponyville's General Hospital, in one of the beds. Sitting up, she asked the obvious question. "Ugh. What happened?" shaking her head, she added, "Did anypony see that wagon what ran o'er me?"

Nearby, Big Mac chuckled. "As it turned out, we got some help. I dunno who or what it was -I was kind of out of it too-, but they're calling them... Ultramare. We're lucky that monster didn't kill us. Doc says that we'll be good to go in a few days. Meantime, why don'tcha get some more rest? That's what I plan on." Suiting words to action, Big Macintosh fell asleep.

Apple Bloom smiled to herself. Sudddenly, a blue light started to appear on her chest. When she put one hand to the light, she heard, "Excellently done, for your first fight. Together we may be able to stop more of these creaturfes, should they appear in the near future. I look forward to working with you, Apple Bloom."

Withdrawing her hand, the light faded. Apple Bloom blinked a few times, then decided to follow her brother's advice, Something told her that she was going to need all the rest she could get.