//------------------------------// // Can we just say this is like one of those filler missions at the beginning? // Story: Patron Saints of Equestria // by Captain Scrappie //------------------------------// Pierce was tapping a pen against the table he was sitting at. Every now and again he would glance over at the comm-terminal, expecting The Boss to check in. The rest of the crew was keeping themselves busy, either writing things down on a data pad or fixing various forms of equipment. "Guys?" The rest of the crew looked up to meet Pierces gaze. "Should we go down there to get her?" Gat went back to cleaning his gun. "I know the gal. She's fine." "But she did say she would check in, right?" PIerce asked. "She's jus' taking a break." Gat said. "I mean hell, she needs a vacation from bein' all diplomatic and stuff. I mean who knows what she could be killin' down there... Maybe a dragon?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Are they going to be okay?" Cadence asked the pony dressed in doctors garb. He lifted the hoof of Celestia and looked at his watch, monitoring her heartbeat. "Zhey should be up by ze end of ze day. Just make sure zhey are not spooked in anyway." "Thank you, Doctor Cross, you may return to your duties." "As you vish." The white pony bowed and stepped out of the room with medical case in tow. Cadence sighed and turned to face Starswirl. "Who are you exactly?" "I could ask you the same thing." He said, slightly sizing up the alicorn standing in front of him. "The last time I was here, there was only one Princess." "Wh- How long were you gone?" She was baffled at that statement. "She said it was three years." He responded, pointing at The Boss. The Boss was sitting on a chair reading a book on creature anatomy, shutting out the outside world with large over ear headphones. Her head was bobbing to the music she was listening to. The book had a skeleton of a earth pony standing next to a skeletal changeling, zeebra, gryphon and dragon going from smallest to largest in size. She turned the book and her head to the side, letting a three page spread dangle towards the floor. "Damn, that big?" She inspected the image closely until dismissing it with a simple "Meh." "Boss! I asked you how long he was away!" Cadence yelled at her. Still no response. She rolled her eyes and lit up her horn. The headphones lifted off of The Bosses head, letting loud electronic beats bellow into the room. “Dios- What?” “I asked you how long has he been gone." She then repeated. "Oh." She looked up to the ceiling in thought. "Uh, the file said three years." "Okay, then before you got foalnapped, was there anything that happened that was of, say..." She was trying to find the right words. "Importance?" "The banishment of Nightmare Moon was a week before that." Cadence blinked. "Uh... Wow. Um, Boss? Would you like a tour of the palace?" "Eh, I've seen all I need to see." She said and went back to her book. It was lifted out of her hands an placed on the shelf. "I insist." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cadence had taken The Boss through various wings. The gardens, kitchens, living quarters... The only reason she did was to get away from the knocked-out Princesses and current time-bomb-if-told-the-truth, Starswirl. "So this is the Royal Library. It hold some of our most oldest-" Cadence was explaining until The Boss stopped in her tracks and pulled Cadence into a corner next to the history section. "Okay, cut the bullshit. What did you want to talk to me about?" It was less of a question and more of a demand. Cadence sighed. "Look, Starswirl has been gone for... One thousand years." "What? The file-" "I know what the file said and it's wrong." Cadence interjected quickly. "If he was gone for a thousand years, he should be dead." The Boss explained. Cadence looked at her. "I know your race has superior technology compared to ours. I'm sure you can expand the life of a pony and I'm also sure that you keep records of ponies in some sort of ledger. Can't you find it right now?" "Oh... Shit. Didn't think of that." She looked down at her watch. She pressed a button on the left side of the face that brought up a red holo-screen. "Wow..." Cadence brought up a hoof to try and touch the projection. She only succeeded in obstructing the projection and The Bosses view. She swatted the hoof away and mumbled various curses while trying to bring it up. After swiping through the various files on the database it was brought up with his anatomy and various information. "See?" The Boss said while pointing at the key bit of information. "Three years." Cadence read through it. "Last updated... 997 years ago..." The Boss never checked those listings. "Oh shi-" "A THOUSAND YEARS!?" A voice exclaimed, ringing throughout the palace. They both looked at each other and sprinted towards the infirmary again. When they burst in they found Celestia up and trying to calm down a fuming Starswirl. "YOU!" He pointed at The Boss. "YOU SAID IT WAS THREE YEARS!" "Hey, there's a good explanation for-" The Boss started, only to be smacked with a hoof. "Okay, I kinda' deserved that." "Kind of? You think being 997 years off makes you 'kind of' deserve it!? I was locked in a hell-hole with no hope of rescue and you could not even bring you brains together to check a date!?" Starswirl's teeth were so barred that they could have cracked from the pressure. He wanted to scream. The only thing he let his anger out on was that tacky vase on the counter next to the bed. He picked up the vase and threw it at the wall with a blood-curdling scream. When it impacted with the wall it shattered into many pieces. As soon as the shards fell a silence enveloped the room After a good few moments he spoke. "I need to be alone." He walked right out without another word. The silence still remained. It was awkward to say the least as the two alicorns and one human only glanced at each other every moment or so. "I'll go check on him." The Boss decided and walked out of the room. A groan came from the lavender alicorn as she brought her head up from the pillow. "Wha- What happened?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Starswirl, after an hour of searching, came to sit in front of a headstone in the graveyard. He read through the engraving: Here lies Starswirl the Bearded. Strong Pony, Loyal Student. May He Forever Rest In Peace In the hooves of our Creator He only sighed. "At least she didn't forget about me." "Hey." Greeted a voice from behind him. He turned his head to see The Boss sit down next to him. "Look I'm sorry about-" "Don't be. This was Zinyak's fault." Looked at the grave and sighed again. There was a silence between them that let the sound of the gardens fill the void. It was much more pleasant than indoors. It had a calming effect that let them be alone with their thoughts. "So you're not mad anymore?" The Boss asked as she stood up from the grass. "No. Just tired. I've had a long trip in my own personal hell-hole. I'm glad to be back." He got up. "A lot has changed, though. At least I'm not as famous as I was." "Y'know, you never told me about that." They both started walking along the path back to the palace. "I created spells. There wasn't a problem that couldn't be fixed without a little ingenuity and this." He tapped his horn with his hoof. "I got me a lot of praise from the populace. I liked knowing that I was leaving a positive impact on the world but it got out of hand, quickly as well." He sighed. "After I solved a major flaw in a spellcasting system, I was in every newspaper around the country. Everypony could recognize me going down the street and would want me to sign their books." "I've been there." The Boss agreed "I had almost every fanboy on me since one of my friends put me in a comic book." She shook her head. "I was the Twenty-third Commandant of the Saints Fleet in Gangsters in Space, issue twelve. Now thinking about it, it's kind of ironic." She chuckled. "Out of curiosity: What was your simulation?" "I was placed in a hell-hole where everything was determined for me. No control what-so-ever. People who weren't there were laughing at the most mundane things I did and everyone had a painted-on smile on their face." "That sounds horrible. What was it?" "Fifties sit-com." The jingle of "Leave it to the Saints" played in her head. It made her shudder. As they continued walking towards the palace The Boss heard something in the air that was not one of the things she heard when she first came in. The flap of rather large wings. The Boss stopped. "D'you hear that?" "No, why..." He turned his head and let the "Y" drag as his voice slurred. His eyes widened in shock at the sight. The Boss turned around to see a swarm. The creatures that were flying were lizards with wings, all of them were in various sizes and various dark shades of colours. All of them heading toward the castle, beating their large, leathery wings. "What the fuck are those!?" She yelled while pointing at the oncoming swarm of reptiles. "We must inform the Princess!" he replied and started to gallop off. "The fuck are they!?" She repeated as they sprinted. "I kind of need an answer!" "Dragons!" Shouted a guard as they passed, barking orders at the other stationed sentries. "Dios- Who would want to live here!?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Spike the Dragon has seen a lot in his lifetime. Only a baby dragon and he has seen the fall of Nightmare Moon, the reformation of Discord, the banishment of Queen Chrysalis (or at least he would like to think he was there for most of them) and had assisted in the second destruction of Sombra. Suffice to say, he's seen a lot of shit in his life. On this particular day he was not expecting another dragon migration. Especially one in the direction of Canterlot. At least he wasn't in a maid outfit to see it. "Hey Twilight, do dragons have two migrations in a lifetime?" He asked as he looked out of the study-room window. "Only when something really bad happens in the Dragon Lands. Why?" Spike pointed to the oncoming swarm of dragons. They ranged from all different shapes and sizes but there were only a few of the really big ones. When Twilight turned to face the window her jaw could have disconnected itself from her face, grow arms and legs and then have commit Seppuku due to not knowing how to properly react to this. "Didn't they travel east last time?" Spike wasn't paying attention to her as she bolted out of the room. "Twilight?" He looked back to see a stack of papers fall where the Princess once stood. "Twilight!" He called and ran after her. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Starswirl and The Boss ran down the many corridors that made the palace. Only the squeaks of The Bosses sneakers and the clop of Starswirls hooves were audible in the hallways as they ran. All of the guards patrolling were now stationed on the walls that surround the palace. The throne room is just ahead. There were more guards in this room than any other. Halberds at the ready, willing to die to protect their Princesses. "Princess Celestia! There are-" Starswirl started. "- Dragons on the way to the castle!" Twilight finished. They both looked at each other. Twilight had come in from another door on the other side of the room with Spike on her back. Twilight's eyes lit up from seeing her idol in the flesh. Although The Boss and Starswirl acted right away as they saw the miniature dragon. "Spy!" Starswirl cried and launched a bolt of energy at the purple dragon. With a cry the dragon stood stiff and fell to the ground. His body was unable to move as a feeling of numbness enveloped him. "Spike!" Twilight cried and rushed over to see if he was okay only to be shoved aside by The Boss. "Okay culero (asshole), you're going to spill as to why they are attacking and you might walk away alive." The Boss levelled a pistol in his face. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead as he could quite tell what would happen if she were to pull the trigger. "He's with me!" She shoved the pistol away as she dispelled the paralysis effect. "How do you know he's not been snitching this whole time?" "Because I was there when he first hatched!" Twilight exclaimed. "Enough!" Everyone turned to face Celestia. She cleared her throat before continuing. "The Boss and Starswirl were not aware of Spikes allegiance. I urge both of you to use caution before throwing accusations around." "I am sorry, Princess." He then helped up the small dragon. "I am sorry to you, as well." "No biggie." He replied. "You are forgiven." She then looked at The Boss and coughed slightly. "What?" "You are forgetting something." "Chica (Girl), I didn't get where I am today by saying sorry." One of the generals came up to the throne and kneeled. He only raised when Celestia gave the order. "Your highness, the ballistae are in position. We may fire on your command." Celestia looked at the oncoming swarm. "No." "Pardon me your majesty, but what!?" "This isn't an attack. They are too disorganized for them to mount any kind off offensive." "Then what are they doing?" "Fleeing." "What would they be..." The realization had hit the general. "No..." "No, what?" The Boss asked. "How would he be able to even get to the dragon lands, let alone set foot inside?" Twilight asked. "I have not told their leader of his fall. Back then he was allied with the dragons. Since the Crystal Empire vanished, they all assumed that he died along with it. They could have let him in with open hooves." "Who died along with what?" The Boss asked. She still got no answer. Starswirl was looking as confused as her. "But how would he be able to get the Zebras and Gryphons on his side? I know for a fact that they hate him." Twilight asked. "I don't know how-" "COULD SOMEONE EXPLAIN AS TO WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON!?" Everyone stopped and looked at The Boss. Her scowl unnerved even the most hardened of the Generals. Even Cadence who had just come into the room felt as if she had walked into an angry Ursa Majors den. Celestia sighed. "I am speaking about King Sombra. A tyrant from a long time ago." "What!?" Starswirl exclaimed. "He should be-" "Dead. I don't know why but he is back." She looked back out of the window. "Thousands of years ago he was ruler of a Empire, the same one that Cadence now rules over. With an iron hoof he enslaved the entirety of its citizens and spread hatred and fear all through the lands." Next to the throne lay a glass case with a single crystal. Celestia's horn lit up and plucked it from it's stand within the case and gave it to The Boss to examine. "My sister and I intervened, turning him to shadow and encasing him in the ice of the north. Not before cursing the Empire to vanish into thin air. He came back the first time and my student and her friends had defeated him almost a year ago." "I'm guessing he wants something? I've dealt with those types before." The Boss stated. 'Too many times' She added on in her head. "World domination. He has already corrupted the hearts and minds of the leaders of our surrounding nations. If the Crystal Empire falls... then there is no hope of resisting him." "Wait, what's so special about the Crystal Empire?" She then remembered that Cadence was in the room. "No offence." "None taken. The Crystal Empire spreads love and joy to the creatures of the world. Without it we would all be hate filled husks of beings that can't tell their heads from their plots." "That's... a blunt way of putting it." Twilight commented. "I call it how I see it." Another Guard came into the room. "Princess Celestia, the rest of the dragons have stopped while a lone one has landed at the gates. It says it wishes to speak with you." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The dragon was swiftly brought to the palace with a entourage of guards. When it got into the throne room it was obvious that it was weary from the journey. Draped in it's hood and cloak it clutched many scrolls and bottles that contained liquids of unknown origin. It had a limp in its step as there was a wrapped bandage around the ankle of it's scaly leg. It kneeled with a shaky leg as he approached the throne. "What business do you have with your..." Celestia looked out the window to see the rest of the swarm either flying around the outskirts or lying around on the grass, scratching the surface to find gems to make a mini-hoard or to eat. "Unexpected visit?" The figure removed its hood to reveal the rest of it's head and in turn, it's face. "My name is Kal'rhee. I am sorry for any inconvenience that the brood gives but I bring word from the dragon lands. It is about our Broodmother." The dragon had said. "Of Elisif? How is she?" She was already expecting the worst news. "Dead." The news stunned and shocked the ponies in the room. Celestia knew her well. They were able to make some of the first dragon/pony relations work. Although the most of the relations were to keep as far away from each other as possible, with the occasional trade deal for gems and precious metals. "How... how can that be?" "Murdered by her own daughter. I was there when it happened. She had his... purple haze in her eyes when she did it." "I know you have come for help but we are no better off as well." Celestia said and looked down at the floor. "We are besieged on all sides." "I can ask the rest of the refugees if they can provide military-" "We are still outnumbered three-to-one. The Gryphons were the first, the Zebras second and now you. It is going to take a saint..." She glanced over to one of the doorways to the planning room. There sat the human that was reading her book with her headphones over her ears. She looked back at the dragon that was standing at the foot of the throne. "We will consider your offer at a later time. We will contact you once we reach a decision." "Very well. I await your word." The guards then escorted the dragon out of the room. She recalled what The Boss had said before. The Zin Empire had conquered most of the galaxy. If they were able to do that then they would be the greatest allies that Equestria needed. But what was stopping her from saying no? After all, this isn't their war. She sighed and muttered "I'm getting too old for this nonsense." She got up and went over to The Boss. She needed to ask her. Just for the chance, even a very slim one at that, that she could provide some sort of assistance. "Boss... Oh, how would I word this..." She gave her plea a bit of thought. "We need your help. I know I haven't spoken to you about our problem but we are in desperate need of assistance. Sombra has us on all sides." She looked at the ground again, trying to phrase the rest of her plea. "If you can help us... We would be in your debt." The Boss looked up from her book and removed her headphones. "Sorry, what was that?" Celestia groaned in response and then told her plea again. When she finished The Boss was thinking it over. Earth got blown to shit after Zinyak. The only remaining population is as big as the population of Beijing and there were a couple of other races that stuck around with the armada as well. The one thought stuck with her. We need a new home planet. "I can help you..." Celestias face nearly went giddy when she heard it. "... on one condition." Celestia knew that would happen. "I told you about how we got captured, right?" Celestia nodded. "What I didn't tell you is that... our home planet got blown the fuck up." "I-I am sorry to hear that... My condolences to your brethren." "And with that comes the request... If we help you with your war, will you give us a place to crash?" That put Celestia on the spot. She couldn't say no either way, she needed the military support and these creatures lost their home planet. But she didn’t know what they were like. They could destroy the whole world if they settled. But if she said no now she'd lose support AND look like a dick. "I... guess?" She stammered. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ After that the preparations were made. They grabbed the rest of the Elements. Pinkie decided there was partying to be had in space and dragged the rest along. It also caused some... chaos. Since The Bosses communication equipment was destroyed in the crash she had to make a distress signal. Long story short; faux hostage situation and lots of gun/spear pointing. The shuttle landed in the bay. The Boss, the four Princesses and their entourage of guards stepped out of the ship and onto the black flooring. "Welcome to the Zin mothership!" The Boss said to the large crowd of nauseous ponies. One of the guards threw up into his helmet. "Er..." The Boss grabbed on of the ship technicians. "Get the Med-bay preped for a shit ton of people and motion sickness." He only shuddered and went off into the direction of the med-bay. After that bit of unpleasantness, the group made it towards the throne room. The room itself looked completely empty save for a few guards and terminals. The Boss stepped forward and a rumbling was heard. The floor shuddered as a staircase rose about five feet off of the ground and a single stone seat stood at the top of the stairs. The Boss stepped up and sat on the throne. A golden Fleur-de-lis rose behind her to complete the spectacle. "I want you to meet my crew." Right when she said that the door to the side room opened up with the rest of the crew stepping in. "Oh, hey boss, when did you-" Pierce started but was swiftly cut off. "That's Pierce, my communications director. Need bullshit and over complicated plans? He's your guy." "Hey!" "Oh let it go, Pierce. Half of your plans are overly complicated." Shaundi said. The Boss pointed at her "That's Shaundi. The head of my Secret Service..." Introductions went on like this for about ten minutes. Just enough time for one of the guards to break off from the group. She snuck out of the formation and out of the room, toward one of the stationed guards. "Excuse me, but can you point me in the direction of a toilet?" "You one of the visitors entourage?" The Zin looked the pony over for a second. "Follow me." They walked down the corridor and made idle conversation along the way. "I hear that you had a change in leadership." The guardspony said. "Yeah, not a lot of people are happy about it though." "How so?" "Some people liked Zinyak better than The Emp- Sorry, 'The Boss.' For some reason or another she prefers that than Empress. Anyway, a large majority say that The Boss has turned things around for the better. Abolished the laws against gay marriage, made a bunch of bad apples disappear, scientific advances and so on and so forth. The remainders don't like her because of her messing up the chain of command and y'know... the whole not alienating the lower class and a bunch of other reasons. Personally, I think she's alright. It's better than having a squid in charge." "Really?" the guardspony asked. "But there has been rumours of some of the generals trying to stage a coup. But they wouldn't be stupid enough to do it. They wouldn't have enough man-power. The Boss is a one-woman army. She tore Zinyaks head right off, spine and all." They stopped in front of a door. "Here we are." He placed his hand on the scanner. It turned green with a beep of approval and slid the doors open. "Thank you." "Just t' let you know the toilets are different from whatever you guys have. You'll figure it out though." He explained and walked back to his post. She went into complete darkness. When the lights turned on the first thing that she noticed was there were no privacy dividers on each toilet. “Oh... These better not be co-ed.” If no one was coming in then it would be all the privacy she needed. She went over and sat on one of the futuristic toilets. As soon as her flank touched the seat a energy barrier shot up around her, providing the much needed privacy. She opened a pouch on her armour and pulled out a green orb. She held it in her hooves and closed her eyes. Her eyelids opened to reveal solid blue eyes with no pupils or retinas. A green bale-fire erupted on her skin. Beige fur burning away to reveal a solid black chitin for skin. Her horn became twisted and jagged and her hooves grew holes right through to the other side of them. This was her true form. A changeling. She lit up her horn and charged the orb. An image shimmered into life of her queen. "Ah, Echo... Or should I say, 'Breeze Block.'" She chuckled. "I SWEAR TO CELESTIA I'M GONNA BUCKING DESTROY ALL OF YOU WHEN I GET OUT OF THIS CRAP YOU PRICKS!!" Shouted a voice from behind Chrysalis. She winced at the loudness of her captives voice. She looked over to see that the real Breeze Block has chewed through her gag again. She groaned. "The insufferable-" She almost started complaining but quickly composed herself. "Have you anything to report?" "I believe I do, my queen. It seems that the ponies have made new friends..." "That's a little vague." Chrysalis took note of the metallic wall behind her minion. "Where are you exactly?" "That is the thing, my queen. The new friends are..." She struggled to find the words. "They are... Extraterrestrial in origin." "You mean to say that they are alien to this world?" "Yes and they are pledging support to the ponies as well." "What!?" "In exchange for a home, I gather." "Is there a 'but' coming?" "But there is a weak link in the chain. I've heard of there being certain groups that aren't to happy with their leader." "Good. I will let our lord Sombra know. You have done well, Echo. Continue to monitor and report back with any other information." "Yes, your majesty." She put the orb away back into her pouch and re-assumed her form. On the other end of the line the image of the changeling shimmered out of existence over the green pool. She hobbled with her broken hoof over to the pool next to her captive who is still trying to bite through the even bigger ball that has been formed in her mouth. Chrysalis let her horn glow and focused on the pool. The image of Sombra had materialized over the pool. He was sitting on a throne that was seemingly made from dark crystals. "Ah, my subject... Have you anything to report?" "My lord, my spies have unearthed very important information." "Oh?" He reclined and put his front hooves together. "Tell me, what do the pretenders have to try and re-usurp me with?" "They have new allies." "Ah yes... Have the deserters reached Canterlot? Do not worry, they will fall like the others." "That is not it, my lord. They are alien and they have come for a new home." His eyes went wide. "Surely you jest. I will not tolerate any joking within my-" "I am serious, my lord. The red lights we've seen in the sky confirms it and one of my changelings is on their vessel right now." "Is there a 'but' coming?" "There is a... less-than-loyal faction within the alien visitors." There was a audible 'hmm' coming from Sombra. "We must test their mettle and see what they are capable of. Continue monitoring and report back with any other information." The image faded and left Chrysalis alone in her hive. What is he planning? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Zin mothership was big. So big that it was able to house over nearly half a billion life forms. It was almost a roaming self-contained mega-city. Of course it would have all the things necessary to keep the population well entertained. The Boss and her guests were approaching the theatre that was one of the venues for the Zin/human cultural music festival. It was one of the ideas that Pierce came up with to help boost relations between the races because of bad blood between them. On the digital poster on the wall next to the entrance stated that the next act was "Foreign Beggars x Noisia - I AM LEGION" The guards took them up to a private balcony seat on the left side of the theatre. It gave the group a proper view of the stage. "So, whom are we going to see perform?" Asked Rarity as she took her seat next to Twilight. "Some of the most awesome people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing." She would know them well as she had them perform at her inauguration into presidency. The lights dimmed and the crowd on the floor began to uproar in unison. There were strobe lights going off and flashing in multiple colours as the intro started. Three people stepped up behind a table with several turntables on it. The crowd roared as two more people stepped onto the stage. "WHAT'S UP MOTHERSHIP!?" screamed the smaller, east Indian man. The crowd roared even louder. "We got a great show for ya tonight. We even have some very special guests here!" The taller black man explained. A spotlight illuminated the balcony. "GIVE IT UP FOR THE BOSS!" The crowd was cheering for her. It wasn't her show but they were cheering none the less. She waved back at them. "Also give a huge welcome to the leaders of newest member of NATO, Equestria!" There was another round of cheering. "What is NATO?" Celestia asked. "It's a thing that the United States is apart of. It basically means we are able to give you military support if you're attacked. Without going through Congress I might add." She saw that Celestia was opening her mouth to ask. "It's basically getting permission from the rest of the states to do something." "But I thought your government got-" "Killed? Well, most of it. Some other officials got captured along with us. This is just for them to shut up if they get pissed about it." "Oh." The people on stage began to spit out their lyrics and the bass was thumping along with them. As the crowd was jumping, bobbing and waving their hands to the music. They all were having a good time. Although not all of the attendees were enjoying themselves. The group in the balcony minus The Boss were just confused. "What is this... Noise we are hearing?" Luna said while holding her hooves over her ears in protest. "It... is certainly something." Celestia said as she squirmed a little in her seat. The other ponies had similar opinions. For the exception of two however. "I kinda like it." Cadence said as her head bobbed along to the beat. "It's like poetry with a heavy beat." "I LOVE it!" Pinkie exclaimed as she was literally bouncing along with the bass. "Everypony down there looks like they're having a huge party! How popular are these guys?" Then her eyes went wide. She knew what she needed to do. "I NEED THEM AT A PARTY!!" "I could ask them if-" The Boss started. "NO TIME!" She tried to launch herself off of the balcony only to be caught by the tail in The Bosses hand. "Chill, amigo (friend). If you wanted to ask you could wait-" The Boss took a look down and saw her crowd surfing and giggling. "- until after the show..." She shot a look at the rest of the group. "Does she normally do this?" "More oft'n th'n not." Applejack explained. "Ugh, if you guys don't want to stick around, I'm not stopping you. Mingle with the rest of the crew? Fuck, I 'unno" She jumped after Pinkie and was crowd surfing to the front of the stage. "I'll, uh... Stay if that's alright with the rest of you?" Cadence asked. "Very well, Cadence." Celestia nodded. "We will be in the meeting room if you come looking." "Sweeeeet..." Cadence muttered under her voice as the rest left. She jumped off of the railing and onto the hands of the waiting crowd, cheering and throwing her hooves up in the air. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "For the last time, NO!" Kinzie was furiously pounding away at her keyboard. "Why not? I could drastically improve the life of people through their values and with po-" The virtual rendition of Celestia tried to explain on the huge monitor in front of the girl. "If you did you would have to remove a subjects brain." "That's so I could analyze it and-" "It would effectively kill the person and it's not likely they would transfer consciousness into the simulation if you did that." Celestia tried to interrupt but Kinzie continued. "Not to mention it would put a strain on the simulation and in turn; the entire ship." "But-" Kinzie pointed a finger at the screen. "Do you want Professor Genki running around Canterlot again? 'Cause I can put him back in!" "Nonono, No! Not again! Especially after the cannon incident!" Celestia cried. "Good." "Why is there a giant talking image of me?" A voice asked from the back of the room. Kinzie turned around to find Twilight and the real Princess Celestia standing in the doorway. "Wow is that... An entire world... Artificially made and managed..." Twilight said with wonder in her voice. The scientific ramifications were reeling through her mind. Twilight tried to get her hooves on the keyboard. It looked just like a type-writer without the paper and the machinery. It was all digital. She tried to take it from Kinzie but all she got was a slap on the hoof and a stern look from her. "Don't touch anything. We had to make this simulation crash and that caused the ship to nearly go haywire!" she seethed. "From what I hear, you're her student." She pointed at the real Celestia. "I know you're smart but I swear we came this close to losing our entire race and I can't and won't have it fucked up by someone who doesn't know what the fuck they are doing, typing in 'This statement is false' and ruining everything!" "... You are really high strung, aren't you?" Twilight cringed a little. "Well I was never a good Press Secretary, so yeah." "Well... Could you teach me?" Kinzie wasn't expecting that. "How much time you got?" Twilight brought a giant notebook from out of her saddle-bags. "As long as it takes." Celestia chuckled to herself. 'Always ready to learn...' she thought. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Keith David was doodling in his personal notebook. He was usually a busy man but today he had fallen into one of those moods. He felt like doing stuff but he was just unable. He was sketching a detailed picture of the Washington Monument. Sadly it had been lost in the destruction of Earth but he had the image burned into his memory in his time as Vice-President. "Um... H-hello..." a sheepish voice said from behind. "Hm?" Mr. David grunted as he turned around to see a shy looking pony with a pink mane. "Ah, you must be one of The Bosses guests. The name's Keith David. Actor, writer and politician." He stood up off his chair and extended his hand out for a hand/hoof shake. The pony moved back a little with a small whimper. "Oh come on, don't be shy." Keith encouraged, extending his hand further. Fluttershy was never one to talk to somepony outside of her friends. But here was a another human that seemed, albeit less, but still pretty intimidating. He looked all business-like but he seemed friendly enough. She shook his hand. "So what's your name? I never caught it when The Boss was introducing us." Flutershy said her name in a barely audible tone. "Sorry, could you repeat that?" She repeated it in a slightly higher but still inaudible volume. "Still can't hear you." "my name is fluttershy..." "Little bit more." All that came out of her was a squeak. "Not the talkative type are you?" She sheepishly nodded. Keith chuckled. "You should meet Roddy Piper. Same situation as you. You're just missing the whole being able to suplex a man through several tables." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The remaining princess was sitting on the couch with Matt, the screen in front of them played ominous music as the narrator of the program spouted exposition. "Last week; on Nyte Blayde. Reeling from the loss of his wife, Nyte Blayde seeks vengeance and unleashes a barrage of hellfire against all who stand in his way." The titular character dressed in white body armour with red cape had burst through the glass front door of the dingy warehouse office. Nyte Blayde pointed a pistol at the person sitting behind the folding table, reading his magazine full of pin-up centerfolds. "Where's Mr. X?" The man only scoffed and went back to his magazine. "I don't know who your talking about." "Wrong answer." Nyte Blayde scowled. He jumped the table and knocked over the person to the ground, pummelling him senseless. "Nyte Blaydes search for Mr. X leaves a trail of destruction, where no man is safe." The narrator continued. "But the enigmatic Mr. X has tricks of his own..." The scene jumped to a woman wearing similar armour to Nyte Blayde, except the armour was revealing her skin right down the middle, displaying very nice cleavage. "You failed, Nyte Blayde. While you were following false leads, Mr. X destroyed 31 orphanages." she taunted with a slight smirk. Nyte Blayde dropped to his knees and threw his fists to the sky. Rain began to fall as lightning and thunder struck. "MR. X!" he screamed to the sky. Luna looked at the screen as the title sequence began. "If you have watched all of these before, then why are you watching it again?" Luna questioned. "Well since the major people worked on and are in the show are, well... gone, it falls to the fans to keep Nyte Blayde alive. The Boss was generous enough to give me the rights to it. I'm already working on a re-boot of sorts." He explained as he was writing notes down on his data-pad. "Pray-tell, what is a 're-boot'?" "It's like a re-imagining of a series. It can be anything from a simple re-telling to a full blown re-imagining." Luna nodded and continued to watch. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- She sat there for six hours. Matt left he room shortly after they started to deal with some buisness but Luna had sat there, unmoving. She only took breaks to move her moon, get more popcorn and Saints-Flow. Her eyes were bloodshot from the eye-strain and her normally perfect flowing hair all messy from the constant tugging in distress to what happened on the show. All with a giddy smile on her face. She was indifferent by the second episode, intrigued by the third and hooked by the fourth. "God dammit Cardinal, I had no choice!" Nyte Blayde exclaimed, pointing one of his four swords at the man in front of the giant cross. "And neither do we!" The windows above them shattered as men repelled in with automatic weapons at the ready. "Oh, CARDINAL!!" Nyte Blayde yelled after him and started firing his pistols at the men. "HaHA! Get those Cyprian Order peasants, Nyte Blayde!" Luna cheered on as the door to the room opened. Applejack was confused as to what she was watching. All she saw was some people shooting at a single guy and the same guy shooting back. She was never much a movie goer. “Uh, princess Luna? Princess Celestia needs us in the armory.” “I will be along soon.” She said as she took another sip of Saints-Flow. “She said it’s important.” “I said I will be along soon. I have… things that need doing.” Applejack cocked an eyebrow. “Princess, you need to come. Ah know yer invested in whatever… this is, but this is important.” She grabbed her tail with her teeth and tried to pull her out the door. “Now c’mon.” “Applejack I know you are one of the element bearers but I swear to my moon if you are to take me off of this couch I will have you tried for treason and executed.” “Ah said c’mon…” She started to pull her away. “Nyte Blayde, my love, I will return!” Luna called out to the screen. “Who the hay is Nyte Blayde?” --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “You sure that vest will stop this?” Rainbow Dash asked while hefting the rather heavy pump-shotgun at shoulder height, aiming at his chest. Johnny Gat only scoffed. “Please, I’m like a motherfuckin’ murderbot in this.” He then noticed the skeptical look on her face. “Don’t believe me? Pull the trigger.” “Now are you sure-” “I SAID PULL THAT TRIGGER NOW!” Rainbow Dash didn't want to but she was startled enough to accidentally do it. The recoil was enough to send her flying backwards right onto her flank. Johnny however was sent through the window, falling down three stories with a loud crash. An audible thud was heard while Rainbow got up and ran to the window. A crowd gathered around the prone Johnny as he got up without a scratch. "The fuck y'all lookin' at?" The crowd quickly cleared as it had gathered. "Are you okay!? Rainbow asked as she leaned out of the window to get a look at the human. "Never better! You're a hell of a shot for someone that has no opposable thumbs!" "Thanks! I guess...?" The Boss walked up behind Rainbow to see the damage. "Jesus, the more people you scare with that, Johnny, The more liable you are to get shot in the face." "Well it's not like it would be the first time." Gat chuckled. "Well get back up here, we got business to take care of." The Boss said with a point. She turned to see that the rest of the group had arrived. The Boss motioned towards the other door in the room. The red sign beamed the word "Armoury" as they entered. The Boss noticed Zinthrai looking like she had seen a ghost and a older looking scientist yelling at her. “Oh this is gonna be good…” She mumbled as she entered. "I said no more pet projects!" Yelled an older looking Zin at Zinthrai. "B-but, The Boss-" Zinthrai tried to explain but was swiftly cut off. "I do not care what she thinks! It's damn near blasphemous to say that Zinyak's designs were flawed." He growled. "They were perfect!" "The fuck's all this?" The Boss asked. The older Zin scientist turned to see his leader with her arms folded. "Ah, you are here. I've been trying to get it in this insubordinate's head that you never approved the-" "About that... I approved every single one. For some reason or another they never end up back here. 'Gets lost in the inbox all the time.' I think it was you who gave me that excuse." The Boss scowled. The scientist was perplexed as to her reaction. Zinyak would have let him go off on her. "Bu-but-" "Also I think that that's an offence as well? 'Tampering with any equipment or documents is treason and can be punishable by demotion back to recruit.' I also think that you are in the Penal Legion as well." "I-I can ex-" "-plain to the recruitment sergeant that you're a grunt now. Also tell him that I still got his number." The lead scientist ran out of the room in a fit of rage. Zinthrai was now locking The Boss in a near death-grip hug. "Oh thank god, I don't know what I would have done if you didn't come along." She said as The Boss struggled to breathe. "No... problem..." The Boss struggled. The hug was released as Zinthrai looked at the guests. "You're her guests?" They all said something to the affirmative. "Then let's get you guys geared." Twilight had a look of confusion on her face. "Geared? Geared for what?" "You guys are important to both Sombra and Celly. From what I've seen he sent two large forces just to capture you. It never hurts to have some sort of protection." The Boss said as she picked up a holster and gave one to her. "Remember, all you got to do is point the end where the bullets come out at the other guy and pull the trigger." Twilight studied the holster, looking at all of the different slots to put various firearms into, before turning to Celestia. "Celestia? This society is so very advanced, especially in the military sciences. How did you convince them to help?" Celestia looked away. "I will tell you later. For now we just follow-" "Princess Celestia! We've got a scroll!" The group turned around to see a pegasus guardspony with a scroll in her mouth. Celestia snatched it from her mouth with her magic and proceeded to read it. "How in..." she tried to comprehend "Sombra is attacking several border cities at once! How could he do it without alerting us sooner!?" she crumpled up the scroll and burned it. "Princess, we'll handle it! There ain't nothin' that can keep the Elements from keepin' peace!" Applejack appealed. "I wish I could, but there are six of you and they are too spread out for us to do anything." The Boss raised her hand. "I got this!" she said and walked out of the room. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Celestia was now standing in front of a camera. "Is this necessary?" "Well do you want your people to go ape-shit over an alien species that's heavily armed and fucking scary to a peace loving populace?" Shaundi didn't wait for an answer. "Then sit there, look pretty and address your people." The red recording light came on and Shaundi gave the signal to start. Celestia cleared her throat. "Attention citizens of Equestria, do not be alarmed..." she began.