//------------------------------//
// 17 - Escape 
// Story: Stargate - Rise of the Sun God 
// by Arvaus 
//------------------------------//

	Five minutes earlier.


Something started pinging in the cockpit.

The rest of the group were still standing in the cargo hold, discussing the most recent developments, and wondering what would happen with Luna. Teal'c was the first to notice the sound.

"Colonel O'Neill, Ro'shur," he said, holding up a hoof and raising his head to listen. One by one the rest of the group fell silent, their heads turning toward the source.

"Does that mean what I think it means?" Jack said.

Ro'shur nodded. "We are being hailed. Our rescue has arrived."

"Sweet! Time to get out of here."

The three Jaffa walked through to the cockpit to answer the hail, but Jack caught Sam before she could follow.

"Major," he said, "are the rings okay for transporting us up?"

"Uh," Sam said, looking down at them and thinking. "The spell took a lot more power than usual, and their capacitors were nearly drained. I'll need to make sure they're charged before—"

"Okay," Jack said. "Get to it, then. We need those rings asap."

"Yes sir," Sam said, grabbing her tools and cantering over to the rings. Jack turned and followed the others to the cockpit. When he arrived he found Koresh stood with his eyes closed, his horn lit with magic, and Teal'c and Ro'shur discussing something.

"What's up?" he asked.

Ro'shur turned round to face him, looking worried. "We have a problem, Colonel," he said. "Zipacna has not send a patrol ship to pick us up as I had expected."

"Uh," Jack said, "then who's hailing us?"

"He did not send a ship, Colonel O'Neill," Teal'c said. "He has come himself in his flagship, escorted by two more Ha'taks."

"Oh, okay," Jack replied. "That could be a problem."

"He is hailing us," Koresh said. "I am transmitting a hold signal, trying to indicate a problem with our transmitter."

"Why are you doing that?" Jack asked.

"Because," Ro'shur said, walking up to him, "there is something we must discuss. I told them that we have you prisoner; it is the only reason they were willing to come so soon, and no doubt the reason why Zipacna has come himself. So I will need to show you to him to ensure that he does not think we were lying and simply leave us here. He will then take you prisoner, and I imagine he will wish to capture Luna for study as well."

Jack gave the Jaffa a curious look, sensing that he wasn't finished. "However…?"

"However," Ro'shur said, "in light of recent events, I have decided that, once we are safely away from this planet, it would be wise to arrange for you all to mysteriously escape from your cells and leave in a stolen cargo ship."

Jack raised his eyebrows. "No complaints from me," he said. "So, what do we do?"

Ro'shur thought for a moment, then walked over to the cargo bay and closed the door. "You two stand over there," he said, turning to face Jack and Teal'c again and pointing over to the side of the bridge. "I will call you over when appropriate."

Jack nodded, and he and Teal'c went and stood where they were told. Jack looked over at Teal'c and raised his eyebrows, the Jaffa returning a satisfied nod.

Then Ro'shur nodded to Koresh and the younger Jaffa brought up the heads-up display; an image of Zipacna, sitting on his throne and flanked by two flaming torches, appeared in front of them.

"Ro'shur," he said, "report."

Ro'shur took a deep breath, then said, "My lord, I regret to inform you that this world is no longer habitable, and we believe that it has not been so for many thousands of years. However, the threat which destroyed Ra's forces does yet remain, and I would advise that you remain here for as little time as possible, as a precaution."

Jack chuckled. Using the Ra'shek as a cover for their blowing up the sun was smart. It reduced the number of questions they'd have to answer when they got on board.

Zipacna looked sceptical. "I am your god," he said. "You doubt my ability to control it?"

"No, my lord," Ro'shur replied, bowing. "I merely mean that I do not believe there is anything here to make it worth doing so. You would be better to ignore this system, and keep it hidden from those not as wise as you."

"I see," Zipacna said. He looked unsure, no doubt disappointed, but apparently decided not to pursue it further. "I understand you have managed to find me another prize, however," he added, "one which may still make this venture worthwhile?"

"Yes, my Lord," Ro'shur said. He nodded to Koresh, who walked over to Jack and Teal'c,  pushing them forward into view. Zipacna leaned forward, eying his new prizes excitedly.

"Hey, Zippy!" Jack said. "Love the new headdress."

"Silence!" Zipacna shouted.

"We found them a day ago," Koresh said. "No doubt they were trying to claim this world for themselves."

Zipacna stood up and walked forward, looking down at them. "Colonel O'Neill," he said, "and the shol'va, Teal'c – we meet again. What brings you to this world?"

"Oh, you know," Jack said, shrugging. "Just looking for a new summer home. Got tired of fishing."

"You would be wise to watch your tongue," Zipacna said, frowning.

"Yeah, I hear that a lot," Jack replied. "But it's hard to, what with my eyes being on the sides of my head."

"Hm," Zipacna said, his eyes narrowing. He then turned back to the two Jaffa. "And what of the rest of their team?" he asked. "Major Carter and Doctor Jackson?"

"They are in the hold," Ro'shur said. "They attempted to resist us, and we had to restrain them."

Zipacna looked sceptical, and Jack started to wonder if they should have worked on their story more beforehand. Brave as he was, Daniel was hardly known as the fighter of the group. Ro'shur seemed to sense it too, so he went on.

"We have also apprehended another pony," he said. "A most interesting specimen, and apparently allied with SG-1. She also resisted, and is bound up with the others, but I am sure you that you will wish to study her."

Zipacna raised an eyebrow. "Explain."

"She is… difficult to describe," Ro'shur said. "But she is unlike anything I have ever seen before."

Zipacna stood silently for a moment, his face screwed up in deep thought. Then he turned back to look at Jack. "Colonel O'Neill," he said, "if this mysterious pony is your ally, then perhaps you will have an easier time of describing her. What is she?"

"Oh, she's my sister-in-law on my first cousin's side," he said. "Not much to look at, but she's a great singer."

Zipacna fell silent again, not even bothering to shut him up. Jack was getting worried; he had the distinct feeling that Zipacna wasn't believing a word of this, and was starting to worry that they'd have to take the mothership by force. Doing that in an hour, with two other ships standing watch, was pushing it a bit even for them.

Then he noticed Zipacna's eyes dart down to his side for a moment. He glanced down and realised with a sinking feeling why their story was falling on deaf ears; he'd forgotten to remove the zat gun from the holster on his side. The game was up.

"Well, this is all very interesting," Zipacna said. "It would appear that I have before me an entire ship full of traitors. The only question is, what do I do with them?"





Daniel and Luna stood with their ears pressed up against the door, trying to listen to the conversation going on on the other side.

"What are they doing again?" Daniel asked.

"They're trying to bluff Zipacna into taking us prisoner," Sam said from behind them, still hunched over the rings. "It sounds like Ro'shur and Koresh have decided to help us escape afterwards."

"Well, that's good news," Daniel said.

"I am still not clear on this plan," Luna said. "Our escape is contingent on being captured by a Goa'uld?"

"Yeah," Daniel said. "Don't worry, we do this all the time."

"That does not stop me worrying," Luna replied.

"How's it going?" Sam asked.

Daniel leaned closer to the door, listening. "Okay, I think," he said. "Zipacna's disappointed about losing the planet, but at least he's interested in us."

"I'd hope so," Sam said. "We've put so much work into building our reputation."

Daniel laughed, but Luna was frowning.

"This does not sound good," she said. "I think he must be sceptical. Wait… are they trying to sell me now?"

"They're just trying to trick him into letting us on board," Daniel said. "We're not going to hand you over to him, don't worry."

Luna nodded, putting her ear back against the door. "That is good to hear—"

She took a step back. "Sister-in-law?"

"Oh, no," Daniel said. "He's not buying this at all. Now he's deciding how to kill us."

"Oh, for goodness' sake!" Luna shouted. She pulled Daniel out of the way and marched up to the door.

"Wait!" Daniel said, but she had already hit the button on the control panel. The door opened and she strode out into the cockpit, pushing her way between the shocked group already assembled there and up to the screen.

Zipacna took a step back when he saw her, his eyes going wide.

"Iah'shek!" he said.

"You must be Zipacna," she replied. "I don't believe we've met, but I see you know who I am."

"Sorry Jack," Daniel said, running up between her and the colonel. Sam followed a moment later, stopping next to Teal'c.

"Major?" Jack asked, looking over at her.

"Sorry, sir," she said. "The rings need at least fifteen minutes before they're charged."

"I doubt we have that long," Jack said.

Zipacna was slowly backing away from the screen as if he'd seen a ghost. "This cannot be," he said. "Ra died eight thousand years ago! How is it that you are still alive?"

"Don't be a fool, Zipacna," Luna said, pushing herself up to her full height and raising her wings at her side. "You know of the power my sister and I wield. You call us demons, and with good reason. You know what happened here all those millennia ago. You know you cannot stand up to us, just as Ra could not.

"So here is what I am going to do. I am not going to make requests, demands or bargains. I am simply going to state a fact. You will surrender and give your ship over to us immediately, and you will allow us to leave this system without contest. If you do not, then you will face the full force of my wrath. You and your ships will be destroyed in an instant."

"She's bluffing," Jack whispered, "...right?"

Sam looked up at the princess and saw the anger in her eyes. "I honestly don't know," she said.

"Well?" Luna said, as Zipacna stood in silence, staring at her. "What will it be? Will you co-operate and live for the moment, or will you resist and face your death with as little dignity as Ra did?"

"You dare challenge me?" Zipacna shouted, running towards the screen and glaring down at them. "I am your god!"

"Well, that was predictable," Jack said.

"Don't be a fool, Zipacna," Luna said. "It will not protect you from your fate."

"You lie!" Zipacna said, waving a hoof at the screen. "Whatever you are, you are just one pony! I could strike you down now with a single word!" He then turned and started shouting orders in Goa'uld at Jaffa off-screen.

"He's not buying it, Princess," Jack said.

"We only need to stall him," she replied.

"He isn't going to let us," Ro'shur said, backing away from the screen. "He's arming weapons!"

"Everypony out of the ship!" Jack shouted. But before any of them could move, a siren started blaring.

"That's coming from Zipacna's ship!" Koresh said.

Jack looked back up at the screen, as a Jaffa appeared in view, bowing hurriedly to Zipacna. "My Lord!" he said. "The other two ships are gone!"

"What do you mean 'gone'?" Zipacna said.

"I don't know," the Jaffa said. "They just… exploded!"

Luna's body sagged. "No," she whispered.

"Is Luna doing this?" Jack asked.

"I don't think so," Sam said, backing away reflexively.

Another Jaffa appeared from the other side. "Fire alarms, my Lord!" he said. "On every level!"

Zipacna spun around and glared at the screen, his eyes filled with panic. "How are you doing this?" he shouted. Screams started to become audible behind him, and he looked round in fear, before advancing right up to the screen. "I demand that you stop this!" he yelled.

Luna's chest dropped, a single tear running down her cheek. "I can't," she said. "I'm sorry."

Then, in an instant, the entire image was consumed in flames. Zipacna disappeared, barely having time to scream before he was drowned out by the roaring of the fire. The entire team backed away, transfixed by the terrible image.

"Is this…?" Daniel said.

"Celestia," Luna replied.

As if responding to the name, the flames suddenly came to a halt. Then they collapsed inward, the form of a pony emerging from their midst. She stared down at them, eyes burning with hatred, her entire body radiating light.

"Luna," she said.

"Sister," Luna stammered.

Celestia snorted, then with another flare of light, the image cut out.

"This is bad," Jack said. "This is very—"

Then the entire ship began to shake under them, nearly knocking Jack off his hooves.

"Colonel!" Koresh shouted, pointing at the wall. Jack looked up and saw that the beam of sunlight coming in through the window had begun to shift, shadows of consoles panning across the floor until the light was shining straight down on them.

"The sun moved," Sam said.

"She knows where we are!" Luna said.

"Everypony out!" Jack shouted again. They all ran for the door, pushing out through it and back into the ruins.

"The rings at the temple!" Sam shouted. "We can use them to get up to the ship!" The others turned to follow her, and they charged along the street away from the ship as fast as their hooves could carry them, Koresh pulling forward to the front, and Luna bringing up the rear. Jack could hear what sounded like a missile coming in impossibly fast above them.

"Down!" Luna shouted. The others fell to the ground without question, and moments later the ruins were shaken by a tremendous explosion. Jack looked up again to see Luna standing behind them, her wings spread wide and a magical blue aura extending out from her and surrounding them. Outside it, debris and flames flew in every direction, bouncing off the shield and making a loud ringing noise with every collision. Slowly, the tumult began to clear, and behind Luna Jack saw a giant flame-filled crater where the ship had been moments earlier, tongues of fire rising out of it and twisting together in the air.

Then Luna collapsed to her knees, exhausted, and the shield died away.

"Go," she said.

"No," Jack said, marching up to her and pulling her up off the ground. "We are not leaving you behind!"

"Luna, you don't have to do this!" Daniel said, running up next to them.

"Yes, I do," Luna replied. "If I come with you, she will follow and kill us all. If I stay, I can delay her. You can escape, and she will be trapped."

"You will die!" Ro'shur said.

"It is the only way to protect the galaxy!" she replied. Then she turned and looked at O'Neill, a fierce resolve in her eyes. "Save your team so you can continue to fight! I'll stay and do what I can here!"

Jack looked back at the rising flames behind her, which were starting to take on shapes in mid-air, and then up at Luna again. He knew that look; he'd worn it himself on his first mission to Abydos. She was ready to die, and he wasn't sure he was up to talking her out of it.

"She's right," Sam said. "We can't stop Celestia, but Luna might be able to slow her down."

Jack looked up at Luna again, at her unmoved expression. He sighed, and gave a small nod. "Okay, move out," he said, backing away and turning to run.

"Goodbye," Luna said, giving a bow to the team. One by one, they bowed back and turned follow the colonel.

Standing alone in the rising heat, Luna lifted her head to the sky, feeling the sun beating down on her from above. Once more she summoned her protective spell, streaks of blue magic wrapping themselves around her body and forming an invisible shield. Then, she turned and faced the inferno.

"Forgive me, sister," she said.