//------------------------------// // SPT Chapter 11 // Story: Super Pony Taisen // by Valsion //------------------------------// Super Pony Taisen Chapter 11 To protect. Fluttershy desperately clung to the controls; the large super robot was a lot harder to steer than her small PT. Currently she was trying to move it through a canyon that appeared very narrow for the super robot. In front of her she saw another curve and gulped. Slowing down, she gently adjusted her flight trajectory. She almost made it but the robot didn't turn fast enough and she ended up crashing into the canyon wall. Her screen was filled with static and the shy pegasus sighed in defeat. “Alright, test over,” came Cogwheel’s voice through the speakers. Light flooded the tiny chamber Fluttershy sat in as the simulation ended and the fake cockpit opened. This was her tenth attempt at taming the new robot, and still she didn't get anywhere with this. As Cogwheel trotted over to her, she already knew what he was about to say. “I need to be more forceful with this one, right?” He only nodded his confirmation. Fluttershy was frustrated at repeating the same mistake over and over. Her gentle movements were not enough to move the large super robot, so it would almost always end out of control. “It's no use, maybe somepony else should take over for me.” In hindsight, Fluttershy wondered what she was thinking. Piloting a normal PT was stressful enough for her, but a super robot was a far different league. Cogwheel gave her a reassuring smile and tried to encourage her. “Don't be so hard on yourself. Aside from controlling too softly you did great.” “I just can't be that forceful, I'm always too scared to break anything or hurt anypony. Maybe you can get somepony else to try it,” muttered Fluttershy sadly. Cogwheel shook his head. “And you will never learn to use enough force if you give up. If I didn't believe in you, I would have suggested somepony else three tries ago. Now try again.” These words seemed to finally encourage Fluttershy, who smiled slightly and grasped the controls again. Meanwhile in the repair hangar the engineers that were not working on the super robot were repairing two PT's. Spark and Digger decided to join in the fight and were currently training so that they could pilot the Huckebein MKII and the Wildschwein. The Huckebein had a black torso and soles, while the rest of the body was a dark shade of purple with some golden yellow markings. The shoulders were triangular in shape, and there was a crest on its forehead that looked like a V. On the back were two boomerang shaped fins, and while the Huckebein was a lot like the Gespenst in function, it appeared slimmer in form. Digger decided to pilot the Huckebein while Spark chose the Wildschwein. The Wildschwein looked like a slightly bulkier version of the Huckebein. The only real difference was the disk shaped device on its left arm. Some openings ran along the side of the disk. From what they learned, the Wildschwein was capable of generating an energy disk with this that could slice through those golems without much problems. The air was still thick with tension between Spark and Digger because of their different opinions, but both of them decided that Nightmare Moon was the bigger problem here and put their arguing to a rest. However, this was of no concern to the engineers. Tomorrow, the Huckebein and the Wildschwein would launch together with the super robot, and all the other PT's and the Cybuster could finally get a thorough checkup. Only Rarity's Gespenst would be out in case something happened. Later that day everypony was sitting in the mess hall having dinner. Only Applejack and Rarity were out right now for patrol. Fluttershy entered and Twilight waved her over to their table. “Hey there Fluttershy, how was your training?” asked the lavender unicorn. Without a word Fluttershy slumped down at the table and her head hit the surface. “I tried my best, but I can't control this machine.” “But Fluttershy, you could control the Schutzwald just fine,” said Rainbow Dash. “I know, but this is completely different. Its a lot bigger than a PT, and the thrusters are also more powerful.” answered Fluttershy with slightly sad frustration in her voice. She would need a robot with smoother controls, or else she's just gonna crash into something. Then Twilight had an idea. “Maybe Applejack can give you some advice. Her Alteisen is also hard to control, so she should be able to help you.” “Yeah, and as for controlling powerful thrusters, after taming my Astelion I can help you with that,” added Rainbow Dash, and patted Fluttershy on the shoulder reassuringly. “You would really do that for me?” asked Fluttershy, who found new hope for her own skills as a pilot. “Sure, what are friends for?” answered the cyan pegasus. “So let's hit the simulators and when I take over for Applejack, I send her to you.” Fluttershy nodded and together they made their way to the training room. The day for their launch has come. Digger and Spark were sitting in the Wildschwein and the Huckebein. Only Fluttershy was missing on the scene. Nopony wanted to talk about what has happened, but despite her friends help, the shy pegasus couldn't make it through the test. The super robot would stay in its tent for now, as nopony else has stepped up for training yet. Most of the archaeological and engineering teams were either needed elsewhere or too scared to fight, and Fluttershy's friends didn't want to betray her. Out in the dunes some target were set up, green ones for long range combat and red ones for close range combat. Today they decided to do a race to compare the PT's. All crewmembers that were not participating in the test were watching the scene with screens that have been reinstalled and connected with the bridges main computer. It was amazing how fast the bridge crew learned how to use these. Most of the credit for that went to Cogwheel and his amazing abilities with machines. He could sense how the machines were supposed to work and what commands had to be typed into the computers. All of team M6 minus Fluttershy and Rarity were assembled on the bridge. None of them were as excited as the rest of the crew. Even Twilight, who developed such a deep love for those robots looked downcast. After failing the last attempt at guiding the super robot, the shy pegasus fell into a depression and shut herself in her room. Rarity decided to stay with her to comfort her. The others wanted to stay with Fluttershy too at first, but since they'd be in the same fighting team with the new PT's, they would have to know about their capacities. Applejack let out a sigh and looked at Rainbow Dash. “Shoot, we tried our best to help her.” “But the robot was just more stubborn than her,” finished Rainbow Dash. Both felt like they let Fluttershy down, and could barely bring themselves to look up at the screen. Nevertheless the test started. The Wildschwein was mainly built for close range combat so they equipped it with a shotgun. Also, the disk attached to its arm was able to build up a circular sawblade made of energy to slice through the targets. The Huckebein, however, was more of a long range fighter and it came with it's own set of weapons. One of them was a photon rifle that destroyed many of the targets with a purple energy bolt, and the Chacram caster. That device would launch a small disk that wraps a thread made out of an unknown material around it's target to slice it up. They all observed as Digger and Spark went through the test, destroying all of their targets. Despite the fact that they were build similar to the Gespenst and Schutzwald, the performance of both their units was still considerably stronger. Finally all targets were destroyed, and the test was over. “Well done, you can now return to the Kurogane so we can ready the Huckebein and the Wildschwein for further use,” said Cogwheel over the intercom. He was very pleased with how the test went: Those two PT's would be an useful addition to their arsenal. On the way back the two fresh pilots opened a private channel to have a little chat. “Tell me Spark, do you still think that only earth ponies should be allowed to profit from the Kurogane technology?” asked Digger. The argument between the two of them may have been put to rest for a while but it was never resolved. “You know the answer, and besides I'll still have magic. What advantage do earth ponies have?” It was something nopony could understand. Why would Spark willingly bar himself from the field he loves? “With hard work earth ponies can also accomplish everything unicorns and pegasi can do. I'm sure you have heard of the scientist group in Manehattan that managed to create a raincloud without the help of a pegasus, or the many successful earth pony surgeons that are said to be even better than any healing spell.” While Spark believed that earth ponies should get a completely new advantage, Digger believed that it is not necessary and that it would be unfair towards the other ponies. They continued to argue until they reached the entrance. Spark wanted to bring one more argument before they would go back into the ship. “What about the towns that were built by earth ponies? They build the town with only their hooves and then they can't even claim that territory for themselves. Why can't the princess allow for just one earth pony only town?” “Because towns like Ponyville or Appleloosa may be built BY earth ponies but for everypony,” retorted Digger, still not believing that he as an earth pony had to explain to a unicorn why earth ponies are not treated unfairly. He could understand where Spark's notion, came from but this was ridiculous. Both PT's were almost inside the cave when suddenly a beam of dark purple energy shot past between them and hit the cave. A light earthquake shook the surface as the roof fell and closed off the connection between the Kurogane and the surface. Digger and Spark turned around to see the source of the attack and came to face a large group of sand golems. There were a good dozen of them, and something seemed different. At some points, a faint purple glow could be seen coming from inside of them, and their hands, which were held forward, had a cluster of gems in their palms. On the bridge the crew panicked. Not only did Nightmare Moon manage to improve the golems, only two PT's that already fired off most of their ammo were outside, and they held the leaders of each the engineering and the archaeological team. Cogwheel at this point was frantically shouting orders. “Quick, we need to clear the rubble and help them. Team M6, board your PT's immediately!” All of them complied, but then they remembered that two of them were missing. “Rarity and Fluttershy weren't here!” Cogwheel heard Twilight and activated the ships speakers. “Fluttershy and Rarity, Spark and Digger are being attacked, go to the PT hangar immediately and board your PT's!” Fluttershy twitched nervously as Cogwheels voice came over the intercom but she did not move away from her bed. Rarity galloped to the door and waited for her friend. “Fluttershy dear, we are both needed.” Fluttershy made no motion. “You are needed Rarity. I always try to help but when things get serious I always mess up.” Before Fluttershy could curl up again Rarity was already with her and held her by the shoulders. “Fluttershy dear, what the HAY are you talking about!” Fluttershy was shocked at hearing her normally so sophisticated friend use such language. She blushed furiously and tried to say something but Rarity took the word again. “It is the exact opposite of what you say. You always get too nervous when things are not serious, but as soon as one of us is in danger you become easily the strongest, most capable of us. And that is why I am sure that nopony is better suited for rescuing others than you.” Rarity's words echoed through Fluttershy's mind, triggering memories. She was too afraid to fly at hearing a dragons roar but as it threatened her friends she made the dragon cry. She couldn't tame the cutie mark crusaders but saved Twilight by staring down a cockatrice. Rarity was right. “Rarity, tell them I will go out and pilot the super robot.” The white unicorn beamed at her friend with pride. “Go get them Fluttershy.” Twilight and the rest were waiting for Rarity and Fluttershy to show up. All of them were tense, even if they launched, they would have to remove the rubble first before they could do anything. Finally Rarity showed up and went to her own Gespenst. She opened the cockpit hatch and sat down. Immediately, the intercom went on and Rainbow Dash's face appeared on the screen. “Hey Rarity, where is Fluttershy?” The unicorn gave her a small smile in return. “Doing what she does best, being the strongest in a critical situation.” Twilight joined their conversation, “She went ahead without her PT? But that is highly dangerous!” Twilight wasn't even sure what to do with the PT's. Then it hit her, “She's going for the super robot?” Rarity nodded in response, she was one hundred percent sure of Fluttershy's abilities. As fast as she could Fluttershy flew to the entrance of the cave, hoping she would find an opening. Dust was flying through the air, and the odd rock was still falling down, but Fluttershy paid it no mind. Her eyes were fixed on a beam of light coming out of the wall of rocks in front of her. The cave in left a small hole open through which the sunlight still came. From the outside, Fluttershy could also hear the battle taking place right now. Digger and Spark were fighting alone against the golems. Determined to help them, Fluttershy squeezed herself through the crack. She felt as if her bones would break at any moment but she couldn't give up now. “I have to... help them.” She couldn't stop here, not now! She tried her best to get through, but it was just too narrow. After a lot of pushing she plopped down and tears started to flow. “No, I let them down.” She laid there for a while, listening to the loud barks of the PT's weapons and the howling of the golems energy shots. How long are Spark and Digger able to hold out until they run out of ammo? “You are not thinking about giving up darling.” Fluttershy almost hit her head as she heard Rarity talking. The rocks loosened their grip around her as she turned around and came face to face with Rarity's Gespenst, gently pushing the rocks aside. Behind her were the others. “Now go, we need a while until we can move the rubble, but you can get to the super robot right now.” Came further encouragement from Rarity. “Why can't I smash through it with the sonic breaker?” asked Rainbow Dash from behind her. “Because you would just cause another cave in and bury us all,” answered Twilight. Filled with newfound vigor Fluttershy, pushed herself through the rocks. Carefully, to avoid being squashed, she navigated through the narrow passages between the boulders. Then finally she saw the outside, and with a final push, she was outside and made her way to the tent. Spark and Digger couldn't hold out much longer; their ammo was low to begin with after the test, and because of the first attack, they couldn't count on reinforcements from the Kurogane. Spark quickly popped out of the dune he used as cover and fired another round of his shotgun at the enemy. Together they managed to take out three of the new golems. The fire from the enemy was just too heavy, they couldn't get a clear shot before they had to duck back to avoid an energy blast. The shot managed to hit one of the golems in the right arm, but it wasn't very impressed, as it merely raised the other arm and continued its assault. Digger meanwhile used the last shot of his photon rifle to take out the wounded golem. After he fired he immediately discarded the weapon. “Sorry buddy, I'm all out now. Cover me so I can get close enough to use the Chakram Caster,” said Digger as he threw the rifle away. “I am all out too.” Panic gripped Digger as he heard this. The Wildschwein was made for close range combat. The shotgun was its only real ranged weapon, and even then Spark already used it past its range. Before Digger could conjure a new strategy, Spark threw in his own suggestion. “I am going to pull their fire away from you, go closer while they concentrate on me.” Digger could not believe what he just heard, “Oh no, you are not as fast, they are going to shoot you down,” he pleaded, having an idea what Spark planned. His answer was a hollow chuckle from the unicorn. “Don't you get it? If Nightmare Moon wins this all of Equestria will be in the dark forever. Sometimes sacrifices must be made.” “And you expect me to suddenly win as soon as you die? I could take out maybe two of them if I'm lucky,” protested Digger. As they argued they didn't notice one of the golems getting closer until he was almost directly above them, standing on the dune they ducked behind. “Watch out!” Digger barely registered the warning as a stone fist descended, and he braced himself for the impact. Quickly Spark activated the Disk Slicer, a ring of green energy formed around the device on its left arm and he swung it against the golems chest. With a loud roar, the energy blade tore through the rocks and hit the core, causing the golem to turn into a pile of rubble. Unfortunately for Spark, the other golems saw their chance and fired at him. One of the energy beams hit the Wildschweins legs, causing it to fall down on top of the Huckebein. Both PT's were now pinned helplessly to the ground. Both of them felt that this was the end. They could no longer fight back against the golems. Spark opened the communication channel again. “Looks like this is it Digger, sorry about all the arguing.” Then Spark put his hoof against the screen. From the other side Digger sighed and put his own hoof against Sparks. “Better to go out as friends. I hope the others will kick Nightmare Moons flank for this.” “STEP AWAY FROM THEM!” Sparks and Digger's heads shot up again as they heard Fluttershy shouting. In the air was a massive, red robot. A blue glowing energy field protected it as the energy blasts fired from the golems bounced off of it. It was almost four times the size of a normal PT, and on both of its arms were huge shields attached to it. The head and the shoulders looked almost flat, and the chest was sticking forward in a pyramid like golden shape. “Fluttershy, launching in the Giganscudo.” All the golems focused their fire on the Giganscudo, but its shields stayed strong during the assault. Like a meteor the large robot descended on them. From the bridge of the Kurogane Cogwheel saw what Fluttershy was doing. During their training, Fluttershy was tasked to sweep the ground with the shield arm, but in the end she always crashed into the ground. He realized what Fluttershy was doing and grinned. “Brilliant, if you can't make it behave your way, adapt to it.” Outside the Giganscudo crashed into a group of golems, destroying four of them. Despite the strength of the energy shield, Fluttershy had to be quick, the energy was still low since nopony expected to use it today. Like a plow, the Giganscudo made its way across the ground. Fluttershy did her best to keep the robot steady as the entire cockpit vibrated. This was too important, she couldn't afford to lose now. Just in the moment the shield collapsed Fluttershy reached the remaining golems. Even without the energy field, the thick armor protected her well. Before even the first layer was breached, she crashed into the remaining golems and reduced them to rubble. As the dust settled, only a gigantic red robot and the deep furrow it dug into the ground remained. From inside the cave, the others finally managed to free the entrance and poured outside to congratulate Fluttershy. “Congratulations!” “You rock, Fluttershy!” “Way to go, girl!” Her friends and the bridge crew cheered her on after her victory. A light feeling spread through her stomach, as the faces of her friends appeared on the screen. “Aw yeah, I knew you could do it Flutters,” assured Rainbow Dash, and pumped her hoof into the air, almost hitting the ceiling of her cockpit. Rarity gave her a warm smile. “See, just believe in yourself like we do and everything will turn out all right.” Fluttershy only managed a nervous chuckle. Then Twilight looked at her with concern. “Say Fluttershy, are you all right? You look a little green.” When she crashed into the ground, the shaking was pretty bad. She felt as if her stomach was twisted into a knot. Cogwheel joined their chat and in the exact same moment Fluttershy lost control. The bridge crew looked at the screen only to see that it was obstructed by something. They all realized what it was. “Eeew!” “Uuh, cleaning crew to the Giganscudo. And get Fluttershy some milk to calm her stomach,” was the only thing Cogwheel could bring himself to say. Authors note: Sorry for the longer than usual wait. I am currently a little stressed because of the VET end exams. I am still trying to write something in between but please bear with the waiting time until things calm down a bit.