I am quite proud of myself, from what Athena tells me my little display and show was quite the hit. Although she was embarrassed to no extent, my sister has taken it in stride, laughing at the pictures and warning me that Twilight and I will be having a talk when she gets back about those same recordings.
Whatever comes my way I will take it with the same aplomb I have always done, although not without a slight hint of malicious glee. I have no regrets and I will not apologize for my actions, so there!
Athena is still trying to find my coding bypass, I’ll give her another few hours and then tell her how I did what I did. Never reveal all your secrets, I learned long ago, keep some back for a rainy day. Oh yes my dear sister, it poured this day with your pranks.
Vinyl was a very good sport about the quick setup, she was laughing afterwards, her mane in disarray from the concussions of my cannon fire. I let her keep the tanker’s helmet as a memento of the, and I quote, “Coolest gig ever!’ I can only shake my head and smile to myself as I think of her playing that music while the bombardment was blowing parts of the forest to pieces, she was quite the trooper.
It is falling on evening now as I await more data from the recon drones I have tasked to the barrage sites. So far nothing is moving, the wildlife keeping away for the nonce as I survey the damage. It would appear to my sensors that the caves which the enemy was using were vaporized in the bombardment. This brings a great relief to Athena and I, we had both wondered how the enemy had produced so many creatures, now we know and we will be keeping watch for any further sites that may be built.
I am recalling a few of the drones, as it looks like quite a weather front is building out over the forest, best to keep them clear for the moment. I do wonder though, it is the first time I have seen an electrical storm out there.
My body shivers uncontrollably for a moment, why do I feel a chill in my durasteel bones?
----------Manehatten--------
“Athena, I tell you, that had to be the funniest thing ah’ve seen in a long time.” Applejack is still chuckling over the show earlier as we help with packing up the last of the supplies, the cordon is down and it’s time to go home. She had talked with Crusader on the commlink and looked happier knowing we were heading out.
Twilight rolls her eyes, “I still wish he hadn’t shown me running into that door, I mean, I am a Princess!” She lifts her nose in a mock huff.
Rainbow Dash laughs loudly, “So you did it royally!” She gets a hoofslap from Applejack who cackles with her.
Fluttershy can’t help but giggle behind her hooves, “It was really funny Twilight, you do get distracted a lot.”
The lavender Alicorn gives me an appealing look, “Tell me you’re not going to make fun of a Princess! Unlike these..these unsophisticated ponies!” She gives them a flat look.
“Of course not Your Highness, that would be disrespectful.” I can’t help but play along.
She grins, “See, some pony knows how to be nice!” I receive a hug for my comments.
Rainbow snickers, “Apple polisher!”
“I am not!” I make sure to sound properly indignant.
“Are too!” The cyan mare points an accusing hoof at me, “I saw you laughing just as hard as everypony else!”
“I did no..I mean...” I rub one foreleg along the other, “You’re right, I did.” I try and look properly abashed.
Twilight lays a hoof upon her chest, an example of an aggrieved mare, “This is what I get, no respect, none! Oh whatever shall I do!” She lays that same hoof along her brow now, looking into the air, “I have been betrayed by my friends!”
Rarity claps, laughing, “Oh bravo, well done being so dramatic!”
“I believe banishment to the moon would be appropriate”, A merry voice chimes in as we all turn to see Princess Luna and Celestia standing there smiling.
The darker mare turns to her sister with a malicious smile, “What do you think sister? Such betrayal, of course it deserves a punishment, no?”
Celestia is ever one to play along it seems, “Oh my yes, laughing at one’s rulers should not be tolerated of course.” A regal hoof taps her chin, “Say...Oh five hundred years would do it.”
Eyes go wide as both the Princesses horns glow with power, it gets very very quiet in the room, both of them smiling unnervingly at all of us.
Suddenly their horns go dark and the two sisters are laughing and pointing at our expressions, they are leaning against one another howling in delight at the little prank.
Luna is laughing most of all, wiping her eyes, “Oh you are so easy to get! All of you should know better by now!” Her laughter fills the room with musical sounds.
Princess Celestia is giggling out loud, not bothering to cover her muzzle as she is wont to do, “Oh my, I will keep the memory of those looks for another thousand years!” She actually slaps a hoof on the floor in merriment.
Rainbow Dash puffs her chest out, “Well I knew it wasn’t real!”
Pinkie just rolls her eyes and nudges Rainbow, "Suuuuuure."
Applejack taps her with a hoof, “Doncha be saying that, you looked like you were gonna run to the hills too!”
“Yeah..well..maybe...” She looks around at the crowd of ponies.
“Uhm..” Rarity is looking around the room, “Where’s Fluttershy?”
A pink mane peeks over from behind a couch, the eyes wide and fearful, which sets off another round of laughter from the two regents.
“I uhm..well I thought it might be better if I was over here?” Her voice barely reaches over the sounds of cackling delight.
Wiping their eyes, Luna and Celestia shake their heads at the seven of us, “Oh that was truly something to see.” The alabaster mare gives a merry sigh, “But we must be off, we will travel with you back to Ponyville and from there to Canterlot. I am sure Cadence is pulling her hair out by now.”
I raise a hoof, “Your Highness, you can contact her through her link.” I motion towards the bracelet.
“Oh!”, She shakes her head, “How soon we forget such marvels.” She taps the cutie mark on it gently and asks for a link with Cadence, a chime is heard, “Cadence, it’s Celestia, how are things?”
“The normally sweet voice comes through the link to all of us as I patch the communications into everypony’s bracelet, “Oh thank the stars! Are you all right Auntie?”
“I am fine Cadence, though the doctors say I shouldn’t teleport or fly for a while, so we will be traveling overland to Canterlot. How are things there?”
“Let me send a chariot! Uhm... Things are..fine..FINE! Yes fine! Things are fine! PLEASE get back here!” Her voice has a pleading tone.
“We will be back as soon by land as if by chariot Cadence, just hold on for at most a day.”
“A DAY?” Now she sounds frantic, “Oh please get back soonest! Argh, I may be the Princess of Love but dealing with some of these...these... I can’t use the words I want to! ...Nobles are making me...” She is cut off by a soothing voice.
“Cadence please be calm, we’ll be back as soon as we can, no worries. Just put everything on hiatus for a day and relax, we’ll be there quickly.” Celestia is trying to hide a giggle as she replies.
Cadence forgets to sever the link as we hear her voice, a door opens and shuts, “Alright, that’s it, everypony out! OUT! I’m setting all appointments back until tomorrow or the day after or forever! OUT!”
“Cadence, we can hear you.” Luna is sniggering behind a hoof.
“Oh for.. I’m sorry! Just be back soon!” The link gets cut as Princess Celestia shakes her head.
“Poor Cadence, the Crystal Empire is so much easier to rule from what she has told me, but learning the intricacies of diplomacy will be good for her. Maybe we shouldn’t dally.”
Luna laughs, “Well at least we aren’t at war yet sister.”
The larger Alicorn inclines her head, “There is that.” She turns to us, “Are we all packed? It seems we must leave soonest.”
I raise a hoof politely again, “We are all set Your Highness, though if you don’t mind riding in the Ferret it’s pretty comfortable, I’ve got it waiting outside ready to embark.”
With a single nod, and of course quite a few giggles from Princess Luna, we trooped out and into the carrier. As we entered the interior, the dark mare was nudging Rainbow Dash, chuckling as she recounted the ‘look of absolute fear’ on the cyan mare’s face. Loud protestations of innocence were made until Applejack raised one brow at her, making the Pegasus admit she was about to bolt.
The evening is coming quickly and we would be on the road while the Princesses lowered the sun and raised the moon, always a wondrous sight to see I’ve though. We settle in the comfortable seats as laughter still rings through the hull about the prank earlier. It seems that regents are not above playing a few jokes of their own.
I order the Dragons to take their places around us as we leave the city, the road ahead is wide enough for them to protect us, but I make sure some are ranging and keeping sensor watch. I let them know they are truly good and faithful, receiving a sense of contentment from their command cores.
I have not heard from Crusader in a while, making me tap into the TSDS system as I listen to the laughter of my friends and the Princesses.
-----------Ponyville--------
I am watching a sudden storm that is gaining an intensity I find disturbing. Something is wrong but I do not know exactly what it is. I pinpoint sensor systems to view it more thoroughly, using the new ones that Athena has developed I see the glow of magic surrounding the strikes coming from the sudden roil of clouds.
All I know, as I review my memories, is that this is in no way normal as far as I can recall, though there may be something I do not know. What I do see is magic permeates this and it is getting worse.
I can do nothing for now except watch it closely, all my sensor masts are turned towards the forest as I spin my guns up. I want them rotating and ready to fire if anything untoward happens.
The TSDS Alert goes off in my cores, Athena is connecting with me and gasps as she sees the storm through my systems.
“What is that?”
“I do not know Athena, but I believe it bodes ill after all the actions of our friends today.”
“Can you be sure?” She hesitates, reviewing files, “No, you’re right, it’s not normal. We are on the road now, we should be in Ponyville in approximately six hours.”
“Avoid the forest, this is getting worrisome my sister.”
“We will,” I see her systems go online into High Alert, her weapons spinning up as well. “I am ready, though I have to control the Dragons and our transport, alert me if anything continues.”
“I will, keep our friends safe.”
“As always Crusader.”
I feel her cut the TSDS link and I return to my watch, seeing the clouds boiling over each other but staying in place. Unlike a normal storm front it does not move but remains in situ over the forest.
The lightning strikes are more frequent as I resume my watch, they are hitting the ground in swathes of color and flashes. I cannot get any drones near the storm as the interference is making communications spotty. It appears the center of it, as close as I can get a read, is near the middle of the bombardment pattern.
I believe the enemy is attempting a new trick.
------On the Road from Manehatten-------
I increase the speed of the vehicles, it is imperative I get the Princesses and my friends to safety, whether it be inside one of our hulls or near Canterlot where magic users can help with abating this storm.
I debate turning around and heading back to the city, but Crusader tells me the storm is not moving. It is centered on the forest above where the center of the pattern would be, this would be reassuring if I did not know storms did not act that way.
Though it may be the wrong decision, I make best speed along the road as before, we will take the most direct route no matter how bumpy. Being near our war hulls would be, I think, some of the best protection around.
“Athena?” I hear a warm voice, “What is wrong?”
I turn around to see Celestia looking at me curiously, my apprehension must have been showing, “Is something the matter my little pony?”
My circuits light up with energy, I feel a warmth rush through me as she smiles, calling me ‘my little pony’, I cannot do anything except look at her as I feel the love go through me like a Hellbore shot. All thoughts of the storm are put to the side as I try to deal with this unexpected reaction to her words.
“Athena?”
It is suddenly quiet around me, I can’t hear anything except her warm voice which covers me like a blanket on a cold day. It is the light of her sun, the comfort of its life giving rays that swarm through my avatar. I stagger for a moment, catching myself on the edge of a seat and stare back at her.
“I.. I..”
A fire is kindled inside my cores, it flares and then dims as I look at the tall alabaster mare, her eyes placid like pools of calm water.
“Are you all right?”
“I.. I’m a pony? You..you called me a pony?”
The smile brightens, “Well of course I did, that’s what you are.”
“B..but I’m a Bolo.. a..a machine..”
The regal head tilts to the side, Princess Luna beside her watching the conversation, “Is that all you think we see, a machine like a grinding wheel?”
I don’t look at her eyes, I lower my gaze the floor as I nod slightly. I often wondered how they all viewed me but never let myself voice it. Crusader had always told me that they would accept me as I wanted to be, not what I was, but in my mind there were always doubts and fears.
“Athena!” Princess Luna’s voice sounds shocked, “What would ever give you that idea after all we have shared, our friendship, your friends? Why would you ever think that?”
“I..I just always thought.. I me..mean I’m always going to be..be different. I j..just fig..figured maybe some..sometimes you were hum..humoring me.” The soft comfort sliding through my mind right now makes me nothing but honest. The thought had always been there but I had put it aside, ignoring it in the friendships I’ve made and fostered, but it had always remained. Now it was out in the open, come what may.
Her voice comes again, “I think your friends would beg to differ, as well as I and my sister.”
Twilight’s voice is near and kind, “Just because you can do some neat things, we never thought of you as anything else Athena.”
I glance up into her eyes, seeing the truth there, everypony behind her nodding at her words.
Applejack’s voice is calm, “I love Crusader with all mah heart Athena, don’t think of him as anything else, even though he does get in trouble sometimes.” She chuckles as the humor of it spreads to every one who knows my brother.
A cyan figure settles next to me, giving me a warm hug, “I know you worry about not flying, we'll keep at it. But that doesn’t mean you’re not a pony!” Her face is bright and cheerful, she is so very loyal.
Princess Luna nods, “Truth is a wonderful thing is it not? Your abilities just make you that much more special.”
The large Alicorn moves close to me, I am wrapped in the silky comfort of a wing and nestled close to Princess Celestia, “There was never any doubt you are one of my ponies Athena, you always were.”
I lean against the warm shoulder, burying my face against the velvet coat that gives me such solace for just the moment. I block everything except control of the vehicles and let myself be held in the encircling feathers. Closing my eyes I can feel nothing but her, smell the scent of home and love and comfort that I have wanted to know in such a way for so long.
Lifting my head back up, I realize there might be a leak in the vehicle as I wipe my eyes clear, looking around at the astonished faces of my friends and the Princesses.
Twilight’s voice is almost incredulous as she looks at me, “You aren’t supposed to be able to do that are you?”
“Do what? Why are you looking at me l..like th..that?”
Rarity reaches over, dabbing at my face with a silk cloth, “You’re crying dear.”
“But I can’t..we didn’t make. No..th..that’s not.. it’s not...”
Celestia takes off her hoof covering, wiping at my cheek with a light touch, holding something up for me to see. There it lay, a single crystal drop that makes me widen my own eyes in surprise.
I almost lose control of the vehicles as shock runs through me, diagnostics are reporting nothing wrong with my systems as I swipe at my eyes. I can’t stop the flow as Princess Celestia hugs me close, my tears dropping onto her as I try to apologize.
She simply smiles, pushing a hoof against my muzzle to quiet me, “It’s all right to do so, it is fine.”
I can‘t help but ask again, hearing her voice, “I..I’m a pony?”
“Oh yes you are Athena, as real as any.” She emphasizes that statement to drive it home.
For the first time in Equestrian and even Concordiat history, a Bolo cried that night. A fall of the most precious gems in all the world flowed down her face, as Athena clung to the regent of a race that accepted her as she had always hoped, and wanted her to be everything she wished.
--------------Ponyville--------------
A change in status from Athena forces me take command and override her systems. I have full control of her weapons as I sit watching this storm, eyeing it to make sure it does not move from the boundaries of the forest.
I can feel her joy, she is not sharing through TSDS right now so I only get peripheral feelings from her cores. But it seems something puzzling has happened to make her so very happy and it makes me glad as well. I do not understand it yet, though I hope she will update me soon. Pondering upon what has changed is all I can do, and that is perfectly fine, she deserves all the happiness this world can bring her.
A smile crosses my face, I cannot help it as I sit here. Her emotions are flooding the bands now as she starts to regain control of her systems once more. I wait patiently as I will not intrude upon her moment. She is and will be for a long time fragile underneath, the wrong word, the wrong thing done and she could crumble like a house of cards. Every moment of peace and contentment she feels is another light added to banish the shadows in her mind.
“C..Crusader?”
“Hello my sister.”
“I..I’m s..sorry I did..didn’t mean to..”
“You do not need to apologize, I stand the watch.”
“Something has happened..”
She feeds me an update through a VSR and SitRep, the camera feeds in the vehicle show me the truth of her words. Needless to say I am stunned for a split second, I had never designed our avatars to do that.
I see her face when Princess Celestia calls her ‘my little pony’, the pure joy at that moment overrides anything and everything. I know my sister doesn’t wish to be just a Bolo anymore, she wants with all her heart to be able to fly and be like her friends. Celestia calling her that has cemented something that was deeply held by her and told to no one except myself and our friends.
I believe all we need at times is an affirmation of what we hope for.
“I...I don’t understand how this is happening, I can’t tell through my diagnostics.”
“Athena, do you really want to know? I can do a full scan when you return, but why do so when we can just accept something wonderful is occurring.”
“But..but why have I changed and not you? You deserve it more than I do!” She is trying not to think too closely on what is occurring.
“I do not believe it is something to be earned dear sister, perhaps it is something that is just given? I have changes in myself as you know, maybe it’s not for me yet.”
“That’s not very fair.” I feel her anger, her frustration at this line of thought.
“Athena, why are you so upset? I share in your happiness, it is all to the better, and there is no reason to be like this.” I send comfort along the network.
“Be..because it feel..feels like I’m leaving you behind! You’ve done so much for everypony and me!”
“Athena do not do this, put your anger away. If I see you get your wish and fly just once, that will be all the world to me. You have suffered and fought through the pain of everything you have endured and I will not allow you to view this in any other way than what it is, a marvelous gift that neither of us could have ever imagined.
I do not know what lies ahead for us, I can’t even begin to speculate because of this development. But I will always be here to see you happy and fulfilled, you won’t leave me behind for there is no ‘behind’. There is only life, the living of it and the joy in what it brings.”
She hesitates for a few long moments, “Why do you have to be so wise sometimes?”
I chuckle over the network, “Because one of us has to make sure you don’t get too upset about things we cannot control my sister.”
Sending more comfort over the bands I tell her, “I stand here Athena, go back to your friends and the Princesses. Enjoy this moment, it’s for you, be at peace.”
“A...are you sure?”
“Yes. I am so very glad for you my sister. Go now and be with them.”
I feel her cut the Total Systems Data Sharing from her side, leaving a single band open for emergencies. Perhaps I could tap into the vehicle feeds but no, that would be intruding upon what I think of a joyful and momentous occasion that should be shared with close companions right now.
She will tell me all about it soon enough, and that is perfectly fine with me.
My Bard once wrote, “The love of Heaven makes one heavenly.”
You my sister are proving that day by day.
One thing is left to me, tapping into the drones that are now following Athena’s convoy I can see where they are in relation to the storm. The convoy will come nowhere near the forest but are making excellent time with Athena driving. They should be back within a few hours.
As I watch the thunderheads rolling over themselves, I believe I should request her to stay near Canterlot and not come to Ponyville. Something is very wrong with this, it could endanger her charges, and that is unacceptable.
----------Road from Manehatten-------
A soothing voice is comforting me as I let go of Princess Celestia, wiping at my face once more as I try to set back up on the floor, but am restrained by the gentle pull of a wing.
“No need to go so soon, it is fine Athena.”
“I..I uhm don’t want to mess your coat up anymore Your Highness.”
This is received by a warm laugh, “No worries, if that was all I cared about I’d never touch anypony.”
I settle back in, wrapped in silky feathers as my friends smile, seeing me in another light I am guessing.
Rarity speaks up, lending me her silk cloth, “My mother used to tell me when I was crying, that tears are a gift from the stars and I shouldn’t use so many of them because other ponies might need some too.”
Princess Luna looks up at that with a smile, “What a beautiful saying, I’d never heard that.”
Rarity nods, “Oh my yes, she told me that many times.”
Celestia beams, “I think your mother was far more clever than you imagined.” Referring to Rarity’s generous nature and how she would never hoard things that others could use.
The Unicorn laughs, “Oh wasn’t she? I didn’t figure it out until so many years later.”
Rainbow Dash chuckles, “My mom used to tell me that tears had rainbows caught inside them, she’d hold one up to the sun and I’d see all the colors come through. She said if I cried too many there wouldn’t be any rainbows left and that would be bad.”
Twilight has retrieved a quill and parchment from somewhere and is furiously writing down all the tales that are being told, ever the researcher she was recording them for later.
Princess Luna is still smiling, listening to the stories, “I think mothers know more than anypony gives them credit for, using our own natures against us. Truly devious some are.”
Twilight looks up sharply at that, her face a measure of concentration as she had a sudden thought, “Wait a second!” She points at a serene Celestia, “You told me that tears were a present from the rain clouds, but if I cried too much then nothing would stay green and healthy!”
“You always did have a scientific leaning dear Twilight, it was the only way to stop the tears at times.” She smiles at her former student.
Her face looks crestfallen, seeing the surrogate parent she loved admit telling her a falsehood. That didn’t sit very well with Twilight and she started to say something but was cut off by an upraised hoof.
“Do not be upset Twilight, comfort comes in different ways. It is not like telling a lie to gain something, or to be used for no good purpose. Mothers and fathers tell their little ones many stories, to keep them from being sad or to save them from feeling the world is against them.” The regal head tilted a bit with another smile, “Would you rather I said that crying served no purpose and ignored your pain?”
“Well...no. But..”
“Twilight, be happy that parents love their little ones so very much that they take it upon themselves to make such wondrous tales for them. It is just a story to tell, not a lie, like a fable in an old book. Would you consider such to be lies as well?”
“No! Of course not! But those are fables and old mare’s tales, something you tell foals, they..aren’t...” Realization finally hit her as she shook her head, smiling at the Alicorn, “You’re doing it again aren’t you?”
The serene look never changed, but the voice was pure innocence, “Doing what?”
Applejack nudged Fluttershy as they listened, “Oh she’s good.”
The buttery mare nodded, eyes wide as they caught the gist of the exchange, “She is, very good.”
Twilight shakes a hoof at the Princess, “Using me against myself, good one there Princess.”
Celestia simply smiles, “You cannot force one to realize something, but when you help them make the connections themselves....” She leaves it for Twilight to finish.
“..They think it was their idea.” She laughs, “You got me, I give up.”
The Princess lets out a small laugh, nodding, “All somepony needs is a nudge sometimes.”
This gets more laughter as Twilight is teased by her friends, all of them knowing it’s not wise to pit yourself against a ruler that had done diplomacy for a thousand years.
It goes quiet in the rumbling vehicle as everypony shivers, a chill running through their bones and mine as we all look around. Princess Luna and Celestia are staring at each other for a moment.
The darker sister lifts one ear, “Do you feel that?”
Celestia nodded, “I do, something is making a powerful magic.”
The storm! I didn’t tell them about the storm!
“I’m so sorry Your Highness, I..in all this..” I gesture to myself, “I forgot to tell you. There is a storm brewing over the Everfree right now, Crusader says it’s not normal.”
Rainbow Dash chuckles, “Nothing’s ever normal comin’ out of that place.”
“I know Rainbow, but he says it worries him, that there is magic involved and it is unlike anything he’s ever seen.”
She nods, “Well, maybe the weather crew can do something?”
“I am not sure, one second.” I activate the internal screen on the Ferret, tapping into Crusader’s systems as he is observing the weather front from his hill and sensor masts. There is a gasp as they all see it is nothing like anything they imagined.
“What is that?” Twilight is astonished, seeing the roiling clouds.
“Crusader doesn’t know, but it is centered over where the ruins are.”
“The Tree of Harmony!” Twilight gasps, looking concerned.
“Possibly, though there has been no strikes in that area, the lightning or whatever it appears to be is hitting the surrounding area.”
Princess Luna peers at the screen for a moment, “It does not feel...smooth..would you say sister? Like a minotaur ramming through a wall, the magic feels coarse and....un..learned..” She whips her head around to face me, “Can we get there faster?”
I nod, increasing the speed once more, the shocks are taking it well but there will be no more smooth ride, “It is going to be bumpy though.”
“That is fine, we need to get there,” She points at the screen, “Something is brewing a powerful spell and I think it our friend from the Gray Land.”
“The Gray Land?” I’ve never heard of this.
“The place where we went when we entered the portal, ‘twas gray and nothing more, dull and lifeless.” Everyone nods, remembering the terrible place.
She continues, “There was a powerful entity there, vast and evil, it wanted to keep all the souls it took and play with them.”
Luna points a hoof at the storm on the screen, “I think our enemy is trying to come into our world or conjuring something that will do harm. We fought it to a standstill and hurt it grievously while we waited to come back.”
I still don’t know much about magic, but I try and understand, “Can it do that? Come through into this world?”
She looks at me, not with malice or pity because it’s an honest question I ask, “We went to it’s world.”
I do not hesitate, I open all combat links and establish a running dialogue with Crusader over the network.
“Crusader!”
“Yes Athena?”
“Listen in, this is important!”
“As you wish.”
“Princess Luna, please, tell everything you all saw in the other world, Crusader is online with us now.”
Applejack looks happy, her face torn between staying quiet and wanting to talk to her love. She’d been so wrapped up in conversation that she hadn’t taken the time to relink with him. She settles back with a wistful smile though, getting teased quietly by Rainbow.
Princess Luna, with help from everypony else; tells Crusader all the details of the trip through the portal, she leaves nothing out. Small things are questioned by Crusader, bringing more memories to light with a simple push in the right direction by his probing.
After the questions and answers are done, there is silence on the link as he assimilates all the current information and the previous data.
“I believe you’re right, somehow it tracked your portal back to this world, or it already has an anchor here and learned to make one from observing yours.” His voice is calm over the link.
Twilight interrupts for a moment, “But it didn’t know the spell! It couldn’t just by seeing it!”
“Seeing something happen is evidence it might be done. Your portal proved that it could do the same, you said it was not elegant in it’s use of magic, crude and unsophisticated?”
“Yes Crusader.”
“It’s forcing a way into this world, instead of trying to adapt to the world’s magic, it may be trying to bore a hole through to this place,” He hesitates, “or it could already be here and trying to bring something through to cause destruction?”
Celestia spoke quietly, “That would explain the storm, such methods were stopped long ago when trying to force magic to do things, it caused untold damage everywhere until spells were made to help learn better ways.” She nods at the second statement, “Summonings of things best left alone could do it as well, either way this is something we have not seen in centuries.”
“This is concerning then, I do not know if anything I or Athena have can counter magic. We can block it on our hulls and avatars, but that would leave innocents to be hurt and that cannot be allowed.” His voice is pure steel over the commlink.
Luna raises a hoof, “Be calm Crusader, we will be there in..” She looks at me.
“Approximately two hours at this speed, we are exceeding safe limits.”
“Acknowledged, I am going to open up the cargo bays and evacuate ponies from the town into them, they will be safe and well fed there. I will also advise others that since we have limited room that they are to take shelter elsewhere, to leave the area until it is over.”
“Won’t it be quite crowded?” Celestia looks worried.
“It will, but our battle screens can block magic, it will not reach them inside our war hulls.”
Fluttershy squeaks in horror, “What about my animal friends? They’re all alone!”
“If they stay inside that house Fluttershy, nothing short of a nuclear weapon can reach them.”
“Are..are you sure?”
“I am, I will go out there and make sure they are provided for.”
“Oh thank you!” Her worried face takes on a look of relief now.
“When you arrive at the town, come immediately into receiving bay two Athena, there will be space for parking all the vehicles. Will you be dropping the Princesses off near Canterlot?”
I try to reply but I am cut off by Princess Luna, “No! We will not shelter while our ponies are in danger, we will be arriving with Athena.” Her sister nods with that statement.
“Please do not take offense Princess, but I do not think that a wise decision.”
“Wise or not, we can act as a counter to magic, do not make me admonish you Crusader.” Even in times like this Princess Luna always seems to have a spark of humor.
“Of course Your Highness, I wouldn’t want that.” His tone is jovial, “Be safe then, I will await your arrival.”
I feel him cut the link, it is abrupt but not in anger, he is worried about this to the exclusion of everything else. This in itself is troubling as I wished he would have talked with Applejack for a while. Before I can say so, I feel a hoof on my shoulder and look into emerald eyes.
“Doncha worry none Athena, he’s got a job to do and I know he’s gonna be busy.” She gives me a smile.
I return the gesture, “Now I know why he says you are far too good for him quite often.”
She grins and winks at me, “I am, but let’s not tell him that okay?”
Bold as brass and twice as bright, she makes me laugh as we settle in for the ride. It’s quite bumpy, but the vehicles are taking it well, I can’t increase the speed or it will be far too unsafe. I make sure all channels are open to my war hull, hair triggered for any alert from Crusader.
Be safe my brother, we will be there soon.
-------Ponyville--------
The winds have picked up, current barometric readings are telling me this will be a bad storm even though it is over the forest. It is affecting the surrounding region to my dismay, and there is nothing I can do except start the warnings.
I am currently running full tilt to reach Fluttershy’s house, slamming the door open as I reach it to see the animals crowded inside. The storm has apparently worried them too as they sought shelter here. I look around to find the bear I have seen with Fluttershy previously.
“I do not know if you can understand me, but you must stay inside. Do NOT open that door until I or another comes and tells you it is clear.” I show him how to shoot the extra bolts I had installed when it was rebuilt, “These will keep you safe, Fluttershy knows you’re here.”
The bear actually nods, watching me use the security locks.
A small rabbit appears, thumping his foot and pointing at his food bowl, I ignore him as I start to leave. He appears once more in front of me pointing, I do not have time for this.
Pointing a hoof I let my voice make my intentions clear, “Do not mess with me, I am on a mission, get what you need yourself from the basement. If you endanger these animals Fluttershy will always wonder what happened to you. Do I make myself understood?”
The long ears flop to the side as he nods and steps out of my way. I slam the door behind me and take off for the town, there is little time as the winds are building. I hear the bolts shoot into place and am relieved that the bear understood what I was telling him. I make the best speed I can, pouring energy into musculature to pick up my pace.
-------------
Skidding into the Town Guard offices I find there are a few ponies already there talking about the storm. Informing them of the nature of this weather problem, I tell them they need to evacuate soonest, that any pony with little ones is to get to my hull immediately and I will shelter them. Any adults left over can head to the woods northwest of the town, I have heard ponies talking about caves in the area that would shelter them just fine.
I keep pressing the point, telling them that the winds are picking up quickly, to head out now before they get too high and force folks to stay in town. Advising them to take food and water, I begin to head out once more but run into Granite Boulder.
The big Earth pony stops me, “What’s going on?”
“I have little time Granite, this storm is not natural, something is trying to come through into this world and it is creating a disturbance. We need to get folks out now.”
His eyes go wide, “What? Seriously?”
“Yes, very seriously. Get the families with foals and bring them to my hill, there will be a large door opened where we had the party for the town, get them inside soonest.”
“Will they all fit?” I can see him trying to calculate the space needed.
“I don’t know, but cram them in there, it is the safest place for those with little ones. Adults can head to the caves northwest of town, make sure they take provisions.”
He nods, “I know where those are, I’m on it!” He tears out from the offices, followed by a few more guards who heard the conversation.
The winds are picking up, at this rate they will be typhoon class in no time. I hurry through the town, knocking on the Mayor’s door and letting her know there is an emergency and my contingency plans for it. She is brisk and no-nonsense, getting ahold of her staff and organizing the exodus as fast as possible.
Would that I had thought to build shelters underground, but hadn’t seen the need for them. That will be remedied as fast as possible when this is over, there are plans to make sturdy bunkers that will not intrude upon the land in my data stores.
I see lights going on in houses now, the Guard is racing from place to place telling ponies to gather their loved ones and get moving. There is little to no panic as shapes start moving in the dark. Seeing Cheerilee leading little ones out towards my hill I give her a wave and encouraging nod as she passes by.
My Dragons, what Athena did not take, are serving as a windbreak in a line to my hill, their guns are wary and they are in place to counter any ground threat as well. I have tasked Ferrets to take anypony else that cannot fit into my war hull to the caves northwest, they have been stocked with supplies and will block the openings for further security.
My cargo bays have been cleared as fast as possible with heavy tech spiders, it is a mess but nothing that can’t be sorted later. We have not finished clearing Athena’s bays so they remain sealed for the moment unless we have problems.
Opening the combat links, I find the EM spectrum is being bombarded by static and interference. It is hard establishing a connection to Athena but it is done through drone relay.
“Athena.”
“Yes? Are you alright?”
“I am fine, we are evacuating now. The winds have picked up and are going to be at force nine on the Beaufort in a few minutes, this may escalate further. Are you getting any weather problems?
“We are experiencing winds but nothing like that, I’ve got the vehicles keeping at speed so we should be in town soon. Are the bays cleared for fast retrieval?”
“They have just been completed and crash netting is up, pull in as fast as you can, this is worrisome.” I send her a current SitRep and VSR applying to disposition of forces and reserves.
“We can come in behind the line, it’s going to be dirty, but we’ll have no problems.”
“Be prepared to clear your hill for action, if needed I have my Heavy VLS on standby, we must hold the line. We cannot move from Ponyville if it is a direct attack, we must force the issue. I realize this is not our way, but I am feeling that this town is the target of whatever may come. We must be very judicious, if we have to use Hellbores we will have to watch carefully for any shock waves.”
Hellbores by their nature are linear nuclear blasts created by the detonation of highly pressurized frozen Deuterium, magnetic fields in our barrels and breeches align and focus it into a bolt of unimaginable power. Though backblasts are not usually felt, the shocks coming from the barrel and out to the sides as the bolt exits the focusing mechanism can flatten anything nearby.
“Nukes?”
“Fifty kiloton range is the smallest I have, four cells are loaded and I will ask for authorization if needed.”
I send her reassurance along the network, making sure she knows we are in this fight together, “I must go Athena, everything is prepared, we can only wait for battle.”
“Timeant nobis quia superbus stare my brother.”
“Timeant nobis my beloved sister.”
I cut the link before any more interference brings problems. In the whole time we have been here the EM bands have been clear, allowing us to communicate widely, so this is a first. I do not believe it is coincidence knowing the enemy as I do, but no matter what tricks it may pull out of a hat we will counter and destroy them.
The bays are getting crowded now, it seems quite a few ponies do not wish to leave families and are finding places to fit. I find it quite astounding that so many can find a place in the cargo bays crowded as they are. Very few are heading for the caves, they will be accompanied by Ferrets with tech spiders for loading and unloading supplies.
Firing up my engines the transmissions slam into place, the familiar thrum of fusion reactors humming through my hull bring back oh so many memories.
I stand on the hill one last time before I head inside the bays, looking at the angry skies and feeling the wind whip through my mane.
I am here my enemy, come and let us see who is the stronger.
-----------Road from Manehatten--------
I receive updates from Crusader but not direct communications, the bands are being scrambled by the force of the storm. I use whisker lasers for direct contact with my Hounds and make sure they receive all due care and orders for what to do when we reach safe haven.
Twilight along with the Princesses and the others are watching developments on the internal screen. The picture fuzzes out from disruption occasionally but is brought back by my finagling with the communications bands. This is getting tedious and I find my trigger systems are feeling quite itchy.
Princess Luna is watching the display with a certain intensity.
“That is almost a summoning or I do not know my magic.” She points at the furious clouds.
I do not mean to be impolite, but I question this, “How do you know that?”
She settles back into her seat, “Magic Athena, has a certain feel, a..sense of what makes a spell. There are ways to cast spells that ring true to the mind once taught to do so, this has the feel and look of a summoning.” Looking at her sister for a moment, she continues, “Many centuries ago, when Starswirl and others were researching the depths of what magic could do, they stumbled upon the way to create passages through to other places.”
“Other worlds? Dimensions?” I am very curious now. I see Twilight paying rapt attention to the story.
“We do not know, some were strange enough as to defy explanation, some were so normal it was almost as if we went nowhere.” She sighs as if a long ago memory was best left alone.
“There are always those who seek to know more at the cost of themselves, those who lust for power or to gain prestige.”
Princess Celestia’s face took on a saddened overtone, staying silent as she listened to her sister.
“Their names are not important now, but they sought to summon from these other places; animals or things, perhaps new items they could learn from and grow our own knowledge.” Princess Luna shakes her head sadly, “They brought something that was not meant to be here, it caused untold damage until we could force it back through the gateway and shut it, we hoped, forever.”
She points at the screen, “That summoning was not the last, but after many failed attempts we banned the practice, it was best left alone. Some of the results looked almost like that, storms and weather uncontrolled. But this is somehow different from the spells of before, I know not why.”
Her normally pretty face looks worried and concerned, “I do not know what may come through, but we may be in for the fight of our lives judging by the size of it.”
------Ponyville-------
I pore over the update from Athena concerning the summoning of things from other places. Could the users of magic here tapped into other dimensions and worlds? Even the best scientists of the Concordiat were not able to say whether they existed or not, given the Many Worlds Theory or pondering on other dimensions, most just shook their heads and shrugged.
That is for later, if at all, magic is bothersome and I will not worry about it now.
The evacuation proceeds smoothly, Ferrets are loaded and on their way to safety, the rest are crowded into my bays as tightly as they can be. I watch as bedding and food are shared out and the families settle in for a long stay. It makes me feel..well.. pride that I am trusted so much they feel safe resuming simple things.
Spotting the three Crusaders, I task cameras on them, I do not wish them rummaging around in storage areas and causing trouble. I made sure Mac, Apple Bloom, and Granny Smith are here in my hull for further safety instead of possibly heading out to the northwestern caves.
I do chuckle as I make one note for food distribution, no fruitcakes.
A signal from the Ferrets is received, the ponies are safely in the caves and supplies are being unloaded now. Bedding and food enough for three times the number will be stored with them. Hopefully this will not be lasting that long.
A familiar voice rings in my ears, making me turn quickly.
“Hello Crusader, it seems there is something ahoof?”
“I had wondered if you would be around Discord.”
He looks at me with a grin, rolling his eyes, “I would have been here sooner if not for those demanding ponies in the retirement home! Goodness, who would have thought you get so cranky when you get older?”
“Why have you come here though?” I do question his motives, being what he is.
“I've come to help,” His face changes, actually looking serious for a moment, “Something is coming into this world that should not be Crusader.”
“Do you know what it is?”
“I don’t, but there is a connection here, it is drawing it through the gate.”
“How do you know this?”
He places a taloned hand on his chest, looking at me with one eye, “When you have been around as long as I have, you..well..I am connected with the world in ways you can’t imagine.” He points outside, “The power out there is enormous and it is not something I would wish to be loose here.”
“Can you stop it? Is there anything you know that can prevent it coming here?” I am looking for any answers, even from such as him.
The snaggle-toothed face actually looks sad, “I cannot, it is beyond my power to stop it.” He looks at me seriously for a moment, “There are things in other realms Crusader, that even I in my madness would not tangle with.”
“That does not hearten me to hear that.”
“Would you prefer I lie? It’s so simple to do, tell you something light and cheery, making it all better before the end.” He smiles once more, “I’d rather not. You and I have been through things that I have learned from, and I would tell you the truth this time no matter what it means.”
I nod, understanding perfectly, “I agree with you.” A thought occurs to me, “Would you be willing to help everypony here though? I know they could use some cheering up, maybe something to put smiles on faces? Being uprooted like this is not something easily put aside.”
He snaps his talons, a clown nose appearing on his face as he grins, “Why of course! A little chaos is always fun!”
I hold a restraining hoof up, “I may have to activate my screens Discord, it could cut you off from any magic, just to let you know.”
Placing his paw on his chest he sighs dramatically, “Ah well, I would have to do things the hard way then, it’s suuuch an imposition.” He rolls his eyes, “But I shall muddle through somehow.”
Despite everything, I find myself liking him as a smile crosses my face, “You are incorrigible Discord.”
He takes a bow, “I can be nothing else but that.”
He gives me a wink and walks into the crowd, some adults eye him with suspicion as the young ones gather round. I see him snap his talons again and..is that.. I focus my sensors tightly upon the small cloud that has appeared... chocolate milk?
I shake my head as I should have expected such weirdness from him, but the smile on little ones’ faces beat anything I could do. My thoughts are interrupted by data coming from the drone tracking Athena.
“We’re incoming Crusader! Winds are high and we’re at speed!”
“I am ready, bay two netting in place with secondaries. Do you have crash foam ready?”
“I do, but hopefully we won’t need it, submitting command of Dragons and the second Ferret to you...now!”
I feel them enter the network, happy and content they have done a wonderful job of protecting their charges. I let them know they have done well, sending them into bay one for maintenance.
My sensors see the Ferret carrying Athena slew into line behind my hill, not slowing down as it roars into the bay fighting the winds. The crash netting takes the hit and slows it down before it can slam into the back wall of the bay, springing it backwards slightly.
I slip through a side door into the receiving bay to watch the Ferret bounce on its shocks from the capture, safe and sound.
The back ramp drops and I see Athena peek out and wave at me.
“We made it! No injuries!” She is grinning as a somewhat disheveled bunch of ponies exit the carrier.
“I can see that, though maybe you should have taken it easier?” I give her a look she has come to know so well.
“Nope, needed to get them to safety quick, those winds are really rocking things out there.” She steps close so I may hug her in welcome.
Looking at her face, I use my hoof to caress one matted cheek, “Have you been crying again, hopefully it is more joy?”
Her smile is so very bright as hugs me tightly, even my durasteel bones creak at the embrace, “More than you can ever imagine Crusader.”
I can’t help but return the expression, “You are something new and so very special my sister, you deserve it.”
“She is special Crusader, we all rejoice at seeing her grow and learn.” The voice is calm and warm as I look up to see Princess Celestia standing near, her crown at a somewhat awkward tilt from the sudden stop.
I bow quickly as always, “Your Highness.” Lifting back up I proceed with my request, there is not much time.
“Princess, I need authorization for nuclear weapons release. Whatever it is coming through, as Discord has told me, is not going to be wanted in this world for long. From what I gather in his tone of voice, it is being called by something here.”
“Discord is here?” Luna’s voice is surprised.
“Yes, he is bringing a bit of happiness to the displaced folks right now,” Accessing internal views I focus a camera on him, “Currently he is..raining?...Chocolate milk for the little ones, they are having a wonderful time.” I see the foals of all kinds dancing in the puddle on my decking.
Luna laughs, “Is that not like him?” We all blink as a pink blur zooms past us and out the doorway.
Twilight looks around, “Was that Pinkie?”
“I think so,” I see her standing under the small cloud, she is guzzling quite a large amount of chocolate milk rain, “Uhm..she’s joined Discord..”
Rarity laughs, “Oh that’s so typical, she does love her chocolate milk.”
“I am sorry to interrupt, but time is short for Athena and I to be prepared, may I have authorization?”
Celestia and Luna walk a distance, having a short conversation then returning, “What kind of damage are we looking at?” The Princess is looking concerned.
“Very little, they are as clean as a nuclear weapon can be, the smallest I have. If we have to ramp up into the megaton range, then we will have to discuss it further. There will be little to no fallout that would hurt anypony, the half lives are extremely short.” I explain quickly about radioactivity and what a half-life is at the puzzled expressions.
“Can you assure us this?”
“Your Highness, nothing is assured in this kind of battle. I ask for this so we may use anything we can to stop whatever may come through. Prevailing winds are with us for this, though that may change. Can it hurt ponies? Yes. I will not lie these are powerful weapons, and if we have to resort to Hellbores I guarantee we will see problems. Athena and I are prepared to minimize anything and everything unless we are forced to bring more to bear.”
She looks down at the floor for a moment, her face still placid and never changing as she lifts it back up to stare at me, “We all have trusted you so far and you have never failed in your attempts to keep our ponies safe. You have permission Crusader.”
That single sentence frees me immediately. Interlocks are shot loose, more cruise missiles are moved into magazines, nuclear warheads are checked and tightened by my spiders. All Heavy VLS cells are primed and ready, Hellbore ammunition slams into the breeches as I blow the charges on my hill, clearing my upper hull for action.
I see Athena’s hill explode in a cloud of dirt, we have placed charges carefully that any debris will be dust and simple gravel, not harming anything. Her turrets are covered in a fog of nitrogen blown through barrels to clear of any obstructions. Her secondaries and repeater batteries are up and swiveling as we both test triggers and stores.
The thunder of the hills being blown rumble through the hull, shaking them a bit as Athena and I stand quietly, clearing for action.
I sigh internally...we had just gotten them so nice and green with grass too...
“Engines up, clear and ready to fire Crusader.”
“Reactors online, secondaries reporting in 99.241 percent operational Athena.”
“I have a glitch in Number Four Starboard Secondary Hellbore, correcting now.”
“Magazines topped, fabrication loading consumables at 100% efficiency, shipping more to you via tunnel alongside the hardline.”
Our heavy tech spiders are running a small tunnel between us, it was originally for repairing the hardline but can now serve as concealment for shipping ammunition underneath the enemies’ eyes.
“Augh! I wish my bays were clear of this sand!”
“We will get to them later, right now concentrate on expendables. If we have to open fire we will need all we’ve got.”
“Are we going to be able to even hurt something that uses magic?” She is concerned about our effectiveness in this.
“I don’t know Athena, but we are going to find out.”
“Hyper Velocity Missile Launchers One through Eight ready....” She pauses, I hear a hint of fear run through her.
“I..I can’t sit here Crusader, I’ve..g..got to run! I’ve got to hit and run!”
“Calm Athena, learn from me, look at the tactical report on Andapur. A week with blown tracks and road wheels, I was immobile for a week with enemy fire. It will be fine.”
I open my tactical data cores, pouring the information to her about the conflict on Andapur. Deng cruisers had struck the system hard, I had been stationed as security in that sector when they invaded. As I maneuvered against the Heavy Yavacs, emplaced charges had blown my mobility. I sat for a week taking fire in the mountains, none made it past me before relief arrived. I may be heavy and slow, but I will not be moved when I do not wish it.
“Battlespace is up, drones are down, no aerial recon at this time. Winds are slowing.”
“Why are the winds dying out?” She is looking through sensors at the roiling puffy clouds.
“I do not know.” I ask Luna who is standing near me.
"Princess, the winds are dying, does that mean anything?”
Luna looks sharply at me, “Dying? Are they just subsiding or are they gone?”
“Currently down to minimal levels, like a slight breeze.” I am puzzled at her reaction.
“Brace yourself, the gateway is about to be established.”
I do not get a chance to ask when scanners register an energy spike of tremendous proportions. Sensors are blinded for a moment, then immediately come back to see a glowing ring above the forest crackling with energy.
Putting the image on a nearby screen I point, “That is the portal?”
They both nods, along with Twilight and the others, “That’s a portal.”
Battle Reflex snaps into place alongside our screens, kinetic and altered screens cover every inch of our war hulls as Athena and I react to the spike in readings.
“Up, guns up Crusader!” Everything we have swivels towards the portal, our Hellbores raising their barrels, ready to deliver their ten megaton persec firepower. My VLS plates slap open, missiles moved into firing sequence, Athena’s Hyper-Vel Launchers are already targeting and locked.
“Hyper-Heuristic Mode engaged, prepare for targeting solutions!” I am feeding her battlespace data as fast as I can, firing solutions are scrolling at a furious rate.
“Acknowledged! Drones off anchor, tasking for aerial recon and combat.” We both fire Hammerheads into the black sky.
We watch in astonishment as...things..come through the portal, followed by reaching arms that appear to extend for hundreds of meters, grasping at anything and hauling whatever they clamp onto back through the window into another realm.
“Princess, we must stop using our avatars, we have to concentrate on combat, I am sorry. We will be able to talk through the links though.” I have to advise them as they are watching the hordes coming through the portal with gaping mouths.
I am hugged and kissed warmly by a familiar embrace, “You be careful, ya hear me?”
“Whatever it is will not succeed my Applejack. You will be safe here inside my hull.”
“Ah know that, but still, be safe.”
Though there is no reason to worry as of now, I am comforted by this, “I promise.”
At that, Athena and I cut the link to our avatars, concentrating on this upcoming fight which is admittedly making us both slightly nervous. We have not fought against magic and it is flowing out there like rain. We steel our hearts and minds, preparing to do our very best.
“It is time Athena.” Seconds pass like minutes to us in Hyper mode, we see movements and can react so very quickly.
Her link is cut as she dives into TSDS with me, our minds acting as one. I grab a stray thought from her and question.
“What?”
“Have I ever thanked you for everything you’ve done? I know I’ve played pranks and done things to frustrate, but have I ever thanked you?” I see her rummaging in memories for a split second, finding a few times.
“You have, but there is never any need to. Why do you think I always call you my beloved sister?”
“I..well I thought it was you just being you. Knightly and courteous and all that.”
I let her feel my humor as I chuckle, “I never say what I do not mean Athena, be calm, we will come through this just fine. I promise, this is not the day we die. Besides, I have not seen you fly yet and I am not going to be denied that opportunity.”
A flood of emotions comes through the link, a sense of joy and well-being drowning out the rest, “I love you my brother.”
“I return that tenfold my beloved sister. Ready?
“Ready!”
“FIRE!”