//------------------------------// // Prologue // Story: These aren't the ponies you were looking for // by walk-in closet brony //------------------------------// A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away . . . Star Wars Following the fall of the galactic empire and the death of it's tyrannical dictator, Emperor Palpatine, the rebel alliance and the free citizens of post imperial-occupied worlds have gathered on the streets to celebrate. Major worlds of commerce and those holding important seats of power like Coruscant and Dantooine have already ousted their oppressive rulers, inspiring many smaller worlds to follow in their actions. The Imperial Garrison on Endor has been crushed, and their fleets have been scattered. Space ports belonging to the Empire, like the Kuat ship yards, have been destroyed leaving all but a select few Imperial star ships the fleeting chance of escape. The loss of valued leadership and communications has hit the Empire the hardest, leaving them blind in the dark. A small rebel vessel, the Liberator, has been tasked with scouting a remote area of the outer rim in search of Imperial star ships that may be using the isolated area to regroup. All is quiet until an Imperial Star Destroyer, the Eradicator, enters the system from light speed and begins firing on the minuscule Alliance Frieghter. With nowhere to run, the small corvette has only enough time to wait until it is bombarded into oblivion by the Imperial turbolasers . . . "Rewire all power to the shield generators! We have to hold out!" Shouted the captain of the Liberator. A blast from an Imperial turret slammed straight into the side of the corvette, rocking the main deck like a stampede of feral Banthas. The impact knocked most of the crew off balance and sent many protocol droids sprawling to the plexiglass floor. "Sir, we just lost communications with deck three, and we have a breach in deck two near the mess hall!" Yelled a technician. "Damn, we're not going to live much longer without support. Seal off deck two! What's the ETA on our reinforcements?" Asked the captain. Another turbolaser hit the starship, shaking it violently. "The nearest frigate is about twenty minutes out by way of hyperspace!" "We'll never last that long," Said the captain, clenching his fists. "Can we make the jump to hyperspace?" A Sullustan engineer typed away at his console. It's dark eyes scanned the dashboard and then turned to face the captain. "Nee da-na vebb. Re'tusa-sa ba fo lah." It spoke. "Alright, we'll have to risk it. Sah-jo!" Shouted the captain, pointing to a Mon Calamari technician. "Reroute all power to the engines and initiate the jump to hyper space!" "Yes sir." It said, not lifting it's head from the holographic dashboard. The roar of the engines powering up coupled with the hyperdrive activating was heard over the sound of the Imperial deck guns pounding the small ship into dust. Rebel fleet troopers and engineers scattered about their posts, grabbing onto anything nearby that would pin them in place when the corvette went into hyperspace. "Sir, we've lost our number two and six engines but we're still operational. We're ready to make the jump on your command." Said a Kaminoan technician in it's usual, tranquil voice. "Do it!" The night sky over Ponyville glowed beautifully as it's denizens left work for home, a hot meal and a cozy bed awaiting their aching hooves. Sugarcube corner and the surrounding shops had all been closed for the night, and the parks and avenues were long deserted. Everypony had already drifted off to their homes- save one group of excited Equestrians sitting in a field south of the town. "Gee Twi, it sure is nice to have you visit us, despite the whole princess business." Said Applejack as she munched heartily on an apple fritter. "It's no problem Applejack. I wouldn't want to spend the annual meteor shower over Ponyville with anypony but you girls." Said Twilight. "Hey!" "Don't worry Spike, I wouldn't miss a meteor shower with you for the world." "Thanks Twilight." Said the purple dragon as he adjusted the zoom on the telescope lens. "Yeah, I was starting to think that you figured we weren't regal enough for you to spend time with." Said Rainbow Dash, downing a mug of apple cider before laying down on the sleeping-cloud she had brought. "Please darling, Twilight always has time for old friends. Relations come first after all, even though we aren't actually family." Chastised Rarity. "Rarity's right. No matter how many royal duties come my way, I'll always make sure I have time for you girls. You're all like sisters to me, and sisters always have time for each other." Spoke Twilight. "WOW! It's starting!" Exclaimed Pinkie Pie. A shower of meteors glinted in the night, then began raining down diagonally across the sky, leaving a marvelous trail of light in their wake. OOO's and AH's were exchanged around the small campfire as the elements of harmony and their half-secretary-half-close-friend gazed on in awe. "It's so pretty . . ." Said Fluttershy, losing herself in wonder. "You've got that right- hold on. What the hay is that?" Asked Rainbow Dash. "What's what?" Asked Spike, trying to locate the source of Rainbow's concern. "That." The girls followed their friends hoof and sure enough, a distinct fireball-of-a-meteor was falling from the heavens, cruising through the night sky. The flaming giant careened toward the ground two miles from the girls and smashed into the dirt at breakneck speed, exploding in a fiery inferno. Smack-dab in the middle of the Everfree Forest. The ponies sitting on their picnic blanket stared in shock, none of them able to find the words capable of describing their current thoughts. "Spike." Said Twilight, breaking the silence. "Take a letter."