//------------------------------//
// SWAT Pawns (S5 E1+2) 1/2 
// Story: My Little Pony: Sonic Gen. Underground 
// by Jake Witt 
//------------------------------//

(Watch the episodes first!)

Sonic sped into Twilight's castle, "Yo Twilight! Can we borrow some TP?" He stopped when he noticed the huge map in the canter of the throne room. "Is that new? I like it."

Spike looked up, "That's what I said!" He walked around the map, passing transparent landmarks.

Sonic turned on his communicator, "Tails! Check out Twilight's new castle map! It has everything from our house to borders!"

"Hi mom and dad!" Pinkie called before Spike accidentally stepped on them, making her cry. Suddenly, their cutie marks flew around the air from their thones and Rainbow's broken crystal chair. The five marks surrounded Twilight's mark as the marks flew over the map, stopping at the place we found Scourge and Anti-Sonic. Spike was then pulled off the map by Twilight and set in his seat.

Fluttershy pointed at the marks, "If this is Ponyville, why are our cutie marks over there?"

Twilight in leader mode, taps on the map, "I don't know, but I think it wants us to found out. The tree, the chest, this castle, and now the map. How can we not follow it?"

"Count us in, Twilight!" Wolf Sonic said as he entered the room with Little Sonic, Tails, Jet, and both Knuckles.

Rainbow hovered over the map, pointing at a trail with her muzzle, "You know what? There's a ton of room for dangerous adventure along that route. Count me in!" The other ponies decided they wanted in on the adventure, Fluttershy on the other hoof wasn't so sure.

"Um... maybe I should stay here with Spike." Fluttershy said as Spike and little Sonic put on similar hoofball drink hat and foam fingers, obviously on different teams.

Spike help out a purple foam dragon claw while little Sonic held out a big white glove foam finger. Spike stood in his seat, "Awesome! Me, Sonic, and Big Mac have a huge weekend ahead of us! Talking about hoofball, trade hoofball cards, talk about hoofball stats-"

"O- on second thought, maybe I'd better go with them... In case they need me!"

Big Knuckles pumped his fist, "Heck yeah! Mountain hike!"

Twilight shook her head, "More like road trip."





Back at the rock from a month ago, Rarity attempted to look for the spa, but was shot down by Twilight's logic of "Why are we here?"

Pinkie began, "Stay behind me everypony-" The Sonics and Jet missed the last part as they raced each other around the town and back to a rock, down the slope that the others hid behind. The two noticed creepy smiles, resembling those being under the rule of a dictator or something worse. The town was plain and dull while the citizens looked the same while having the same black equal mark on them.

Jet left the group in his own adventure and stake out.

When they got close to the group, Rainbow stated, "Fighting a horrific monster would be super awesome!"

"Or not..." Wolf Sonic said. "Let's just walk in, say hi, and find out what the problem is."

"Those smiles are bad news," Pinkie said, glaring at the town. We walked on in, everypony saying "Welcome!" in the same tone, even a group of children said it at the same time making Wolf Sonic die on the inside a bit.

"This doesn't look too bad," Big Knuckles said, waving at some ponies.

A unicorn stallion with a light sky blue coat a short, potato bag cloak walked up, "Welcome!" He looked at Twilight, "Parden my forwardness, but are you an alicorn?"

Twilight gave a smile while AJ introduced her while both Knuckles jazz handed towards her, one not liking the idea.

"Well, you certainly came to the right place for friendship." He said, leaning in with a smile, rustling Sonic's jimmies at the creepiness of his tone.

He stepped aside, smiling at Rarity as a completely white earth pony introduced themselves as Double Diamond and (the disturbing) Party Favor. Apple Jack introduced the group, gaining a response from the newcomer Double Diamond, "And most of you have your own unique cutie marks." Leaning in, causing Pinkie to hide hers with her tail in discomfort.

Sonic pushed him away, "Yeah, is there a problem?"

"Problem? Why, I don't think we ever have any trouble in our little village, besides the green hedgehog a month back." DD smirked.

Party Favor commented, "Its true! You'll see! Hmm!" He gave a wide smile-smirk.

They turned, guiding the group, "Perhaps you'd like to meet our founder, Starlight Glimmer?"

Fluttershy followed happily, "I wish everybody in Equestria was as friendly as these ponies are!"

Wolf Sonic looked back with Pinkie saying, "I have a bad feeling about being here. I have my eye on them... especially the stallions."

We stopped at a building, the two ponies knocked in sync with Double speaking, "Starlight? We have new visitors!" We all entered the small building that looked bigger on the inside like everywhere else. Next to the stairwell of the barren room was a teal door.

Rainbow whispered, "Prepare to fight! We don't know-"

Tails rolled his eyes, "Best bet: a pony. Just like the town, ponies. Leader of ponies is a single pony. My best bet is a pony."

A pink mare strutted through the door, acting more normal and speaking with true enthusiasm, "Welcome! I'm so pleased to have you here."

Rainbow groan and Double introduced the ponies, ending with a smooth "and Twilight Sparkle" as if it was some chocolate commercial. Twilight smiled, rustling her wings and sending Starlight's attention to them.

"Forgive my bluntness, but assuming its Princess Twilight Sparkle?" Starlight asked.

Big Knuckles butted in, "And two Prince Sonics!" Making the mobian group groan a bit.

Starlight kept her composure, acting as if Knuckles didn't say anything, "Also, we don't get many alicorns around here."

Wolf Sonic whispered to Pinkie, "I don't trust her. Watch the stallions and this mare."

"Yes! But Twilight is fine."

Starlight nearly squeed, "So?! How did you learn of our little village?"

Sonic stood next to Twilight, "Long story. We followed a map and the wind of destiny."

Big Knuckles laughed, "Technically, its a giant map."

Pinkie added, "A tree-chest-castle map!"

"BUY OUR TOYS!!!"

Starlight jumped, "Who said that?!" She fixed her composure, "Anyway, no matter how you found us, we're happy to have you! We're happy to have anypony... and anybody who wants to experience true," her pupils turned pin sized at the word, sending chills down Sonic's spines, "friendship, for the first time."

"Say what?" Apple Jack asked, glaring at the unicorn.

Sonic leaned over to Pinkie, whispering in a frantic manner, "We're not safe! We need to leave!"

"Oh, indeed. That's what's so unique about our village, you see. Around here, we don't flaunt our special talents because... We don't have any special talents to flaunt!"

Tails pointed at Starlight's flank, "Is that why you have those marks?!"

"Perhaps it would be easier to understand, if we give you a tour of the village!" Starlight said, almost cheerfully.

The Sonics whispered to Pinkie, "Watch your butt..."





After a musical performance that varied from insulting Rainbow to bad touching and making sure ponies were in line. Fluttershy enjoyed it, but was denied by an angry Pinkie.

Sonics and Rainbow started laughing. Wolf Sonic stated, "Utopia? That's a fool's gold! Dr. Robotnik tried to make a utopia and failed, continuously."

Rainbow added, "Besides, your joking? Give up our cutie marks? That's so stupid! Why would we ever do that?"

"Rainbow! Sonic! Don't be rude! We shouldn't judge them, they all seem perfectly happy with their choice," Fluttershy replied.

"Don't believe their smiles, Fluttershy!" Pinkie warned.

Wolf Sonic got in a fighting stance, "I've seen it before. These ponies are like robians! Stripped of their free will! Probably forced into this!"

Twilight "resolved" the problem, mentioning that they were confused while Tails glared at the Sonics.

Starlight calmly said, "We have no judgement in our village. Each of us was confused once as well," three ponies behind her nodded in agreement, "blinded by the false promise of our cutie marks."





Back in Ponyville, the crusaders gained a cold feeling. Applebloom looked to her friends, "Girls, for some reason Ah don't feel like crusadin' today..."

The other two gasped, before suddenly feeling the same way. They suddenly lost their purpose in life.





Rainbow pointed a hoof, "Are you for real?!" Receiving a glare from Twilight.

Said pony walked forward, "When we were sent to this village, we assumed it was to help it in some way, but, well... It doesn't seem you need any help."

"Have you ever thought that you were sent so that we could help you?" Starlight asked, placing a hoof on Twilight's chest before walking away. "After all, those who entered our village never wanted to leave. Why should you be any different?" The pony group looked to each other while Pinkie continued her scowl.

Both Sonics exclaimed in sync, "Neither did the mobians who became robians!" Wolf Sonic continued, "Enter Robotropolis and you were never seen again... until Robotnik died. But, you don't have that problem."

"... Anyway. That is entirely your choice! Please, enjoy our little corner of Equestria. We're all fond of it, no doubt you will be as well. Double Diamond, help our guests with whatever they need."

The perv smiled, "Of course!" Once he said that, the whole group backed away slightly as one. Even Sonic was afraid of what he might do. Starlight walked off as Tails berated the Sonics with scolding.





While the girls did whatever, Sonic and his group sat at a lunch table somewhere else discussing things.

"Why are we here?" Tails asked.

Sonic checked on sleeping Caliburn's ear muffs, "The map sent us."

"We don't even know what that map is!" Knuckles said, shaking his fist.

"Its a magic map, duh!" Big Knuckles said.

Knuckles sighed, "I should've stayed behind!" The conversation became bickering and comparing Starlight to a SWATbot or Robotnik, causing more problems. The ponies stared, suddenly covering the children's ears as the debates and bickering contined, yet kept their smiles.

The waiter came by, "What'll it be? We have muffins!" The group quieted, looking towards the pony.

Big Knuckles raised an eyebrow, "Aaand?"

"Um... just muffins."

Jet rode over on is board and wearing the local fashion, getting off and sitting with group, "We'll have twelve muffins, if you don't mind."

"Not at all?" The waiter walked back inside with the order.

Jet leaned in his seat, "I don't know why the girls were sent here, but the sooner its done, the sooner I ride free." Suddenly the plain bran muffins came and the waiter stood.

He spoke, "Sorry for the intrusion, but you were arguing a bit ago... and now you're agreeing. How are you still friends with the different viewpoints?"

Wolf Sonic leaned over the table, "Yeah?"

"Well, you had different opinions and looks!"

Knuckles smirked, "Dude, opinions don't always matter. It happens all the time, no matter what time frame or reality we're in!"

"But... you look like your friends!"

Big Knuckles group hugged his Sonic, "We are friends!"

"Yeah! A simple disagreement wouldn't change that!" Tails added, being an expert.

The waiter rugged his neck, "Excuse me, I have a hard time believing this." He went from nervous looking to dull and straight faced, "Different appearances lead to different opinions, which lead to bitterness and misery. So why aren't you miserable and-"

A chunk of muffing was coughed up by Big Knuckles, who spattered before smiling falsely, "Tastey..."

"Well, I'm not any good at baking. At least I'm not the worse, either!" Across from them, Party Favor stopped reading his book and noticed what the waiter said. He unsettling finished, "Hope you enjoy the village!" He walked off with a strained smile towards Party Favor, leaving a note. Party calmed down, reading his book with a smug look.

Sonic got the note, motioning Tails and the others to read it as Big Knuckled placed a sock in his mouth.


Quick, come inside! Meet me down the stairs. - Egg Beater



Wolf Sonic whispered to Sonic, "Party and Diamond remind me of SWATbots... Let's go."

Jet looked at the group, "Yep, that's normal."

Tails whispered, "Let's sit here, eat muffins, and act normal. I think we're being watched."

Knuckles responded, "The whole town is watching us. Just look! That guy is playing one note on his triangle and smiling at us."

Sonic shook his head, "Not like that, I don't think anybody wants us talking to Egg Beater- Great name, by the way. Must have smart parents." Sonic motioned his head towards Party Favor, who munched on a burnt muffin with glee.

Jet rolled his eyes, "Screw it. Eating contest, who ever can eat all the muffins without gagging wins." Big Knuckles won, eating nine muffins while Tails got one and Wolf Sonic got two.

As planned Knuckles flipped the table, "Great, you ate all the muffins, you moron!"

Tails raised his hands with obviously terrible acting, "Hey, we can get more inside!" The group did just that, going down some dark stairs.

"I ate cardboard tastier that those muffins!" Big Knuckles said.

Tails flew ahead, "Ms. Derpy would agree with that!"

"I'm so glad you made it!" Egg Beater said.

Sonic punched Wolf Sonic, tossing rings everywhere. The ring's light illuminated the room, revealing more ponies, "Ha! I had my suspicions!"

A green earth pony tossed his hooves up, "Did you see how high he tossed that table!"

"I heard the blue ones are the fastest things alive!" Egg Beater said, pointing at a Sonic.

"I would like to be as skilled on a board as that bird!" a tan pegasus exclaimed, trying to do a trick on a piece of wood his friend levitated.

"I also heard you were a prince. Is that true?!" Egg Beater said to a Sonic, nearly in his face.

"This guy is huge!!" the tan colt said, hanging off of Big Knuckle's arm.

"How are you friends, yet a different species?" The green pony with gold eyes asked.

Egg Beater sighed, "I wish I could have long hair again! I would totally style it with spikes! Even for one day!" He looked down, sad, "It would be better than those god awful muffins and combed mane..."

Sonic leaned on a crate, "What's the hold up? Get your butt mark back and maybe leave the town!"

Green pony gave a smile, "Day dreaming is one thing, but you mean actually putting it back on?! It seems extreme..."

Jet rolled his eyes, "Seriously? You don't know extreme..."

Egg Beater frowned, "I doubt Starlight would enjoy that. She wanted us all to be happy in our sameness."

Tails got out a notepad, "A question for a friend: How does somebody take away a cutie mark?"

The colt flew away from Knuckles, "Cutie Unmarking is an exciting experience! Starlight wields the Staff of Sameness to zap our marks away, and replace them with these!" Egg Beater, the tan pegasus colt, and green earth pony pointed to their equality marks in sync with a smile.

Wolf Sonic impressed the group with a quick transformation into Werehog, ignoring it as he spoke, "Isn't Cutie Marks your identity? Ponies shouldn't be banned from themselves and not chose their destinies! They're essential!"

The colt smirked, "Its not like we're away from them! They're in a vault in a cave and we can visit them all we like, to remind us of torture of life without equality."

"Can we visit this cave?" Knuckles asked, for other reasons.





From a distance in the form of crimson eagles, thanks to the wisp watches, Sonic's group noticed Twilight's group following Starlight up a trail to a cave with DD behind them, creepily close to Rarity. Jet circled around in his normal form as back up, in case of a fight while Knuckles used yellow drill to travel.

Twilight held on an unheard conversation. The group reverted to normal, slipping on stealth suits powered by Anarchy Beryl as then entered. Their vision became a golden Tails, violet Werehog, sparkling blue Sonic and Caliburn, and red Big Knuckles and everything else looked the same.

Thy came across a wall with picture, assuming to be the vault. They saw Starlight pick up a staff that looked like a fusion of Gandalf's staff and a tuning fork. She pointed it at Rarity, who backed into Double Diamond... actually saw that coming. More ponies fled in as Twilight's group huddled together with an audible:

Coming from Twilight as she charged her magic.

She teleported above, firing magic, but was countered by Starlight ripping Twilight's mark off her and tossing it into the vault. The result, instead of a star, Twilight's flank had a black equal sign embedded and her coat lost some color. The rest were shot with the same effect as Sonic's group got into position.

Starlight walked over to the ponies, "I don't blame you for what you're trying to do here today, but you've spent your whole lives thinking those marks are a good thing."

"GIVE THEM BACK!" Twilight yelled in serious, burning anger.

"Well, now you can spend the rest of your lives here with us! And we'll teach you how much better life will be without your cutie marks!"

"To Be Continued!"

Everyone not used to the voice jump, startled. Starlight stomped a hoof, "Seriously?! Who said that?! Show yourself!!"