//------------------------------// // Looming plans // Story: Magic Morphin Pony Rangers // by Day Shine //------------------------------// Beyond the skies of equestria the moon looms over head as Goldar and Nightmare Moon plan their next move. “Mistress Moon, what is your plan?” Goldar asked kneeling to the stone body of the mare of the moon. The stone forms head turns with a harsh rock rubbing on rock sound “Goldar, please, Be patient. Raise my general” “Sorry mistress.” He said standing up “It’s fine, Now on to the matters at hand. Ponyville is without the protection of the bears of the elements of harmony. We now have a perfect opportunity to enact our plan.” “I’m at your command my mistress. What is your biding?” Nightmare Moon approaches Goldar levitating the capture jar “Take this with you, you’ll need it for phase threes oh the plan. Do you remember phases one and two?” Goldar bumps his head a few times “GAH! Phase one: steal the book from golden oaks library.” He ponders a moment “Right, Phase two: bring you my candidate for your new body.” “Phase three: go to Tartarus and bring me the ones named Tirek and Sombra.” She watches the world below as the mane-six fall back behind a shield fleeing a black fog. “Soon equestria will sing of its new ruler. Go.” she commands ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Scootalo and Sweetie Belle are sitting at the club house board out of their minds when Apple Bloom comes galloping up the tree house. “Hey girls, what do ya’ll want to do today?” she asked with ragged breaths The two look at each other “first, tell us why you’re so out of breath.” Sweetie asked. “tried…to get my….chores.” she stops to collect her breath “Bleh! I ran do finish my chores and come here as soon as possible so we could spend the day getting our cutie marks.” “psh! We have our cutie marks, so why should we even be here.” Sweetie and scootalo perk their ears to the sound of diamond tiaras complaints “Why are they here?!” scootalo barks Apple Bloom frowns looking between them “Well, I just thought. I-” Silver spoon approaches Apple bloom “I think she wanted us all her as a way of coming together as a group.” She looks to a relieved Apple Bloom. “Okay, Goldar hasn’t made a move since we beat him and he’s probably somewhere planning his next move. We have to be ready and we have to be able to work as a team.” Diamond tiara looks at the cmc’s and then to silver spoon, with a I don’t care sounding sigh she asks what they are going to do today. The three fillies look at each other “Cutie Mark Crusaders trash collectors!” “And guests.” Scootalo added “Really?” diamond and silver asked in unison As the girls discus what they have planned Goldar makes his way to ponyville from the moon. He materializes in the center of town being sure as to not be seen. He sneaks around the town keeping a look out for any ponies who could spot him and pony rangers who could delay him. He climes a building looking for the library “Hmm! Tree library, tree, tree. Ha-ha there it is.” He quickly drops from the building and sprints for the tree. Upon reaching the library he takes in the sight of the large tree and the door with a lite candle design over a bright red canvas. Next to the tree is a large sign with a picture of an open book, above the book read golden oaks while at the bottom it read knowledge is REAL magic. “HA! Yea right!” Goldar exclaimed He opens the door which was left unlocked due to the often quiet nature of the town. “Oh no, no, no!” pony-3 exclaimed as he watched Goldar on the monitor “Zordon, Zordon come quick.” The towers pulse with magic firing into the massive crystal bringing forth the being known as zordon. “Pony-3 what is the problem?” he asked attempting to calm the robo-pony Pony-3 paced in fright of the situation “Goldar is breaking into the golden oaks library.” ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Apple bloom is about to knock on the door to raritys boutique when a beeping on her foreleg catches her attention. She looks around before quietly sneaking around the back. She turns on the built in communicator “Zordon? What’s going on?” “Apple bloom, Goldars breaking into the golden oak library.” Zordon explains Apple bloom has a sudden realization “OH, no! All off twilights books and spell scrolls are there.” “You must stop him; the others are on their way.” Apple bloom closes her communicator and makes for the library twilight calls home. As she runs to the library she catches up with Scootalo and Silver Spoon. Scootalo looks over as apple bloom comes up beside them “Hey apple bloom, zordon call you?” “Yea, goldars at golden oaks. We got to get to him before he steals any of her books or scrolls.” Silver spoon adds “hey should we go ahead and morph?” “No, remember never escalate a fight unless necessary.” Apple bloom reiterates. Goldar is skulking threw the library looking for the right book. He scans the book shelves throwing books across the floor, he grabs a book with a silver cover and four rings on the spine. He looks the book over “HAHA! This is it.” The door flings open as five colorful fillies fill the doorway. “Hey! Stop! What you doing in here?” a small pale yellow pony asked. Goldar placed his arm across his chest “sorry kids, no time to stay and play.” He disappears in blink. The fillies look in irritation as the gorilla disappears before them. “Great, what now ‘leader’.” Diamond asked sarcastically Apple bloom gave a dull look of annoyance “let’s just clean this place up before she gets home.” ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Nightmare Moon looks over the planet as a black unicorn in metal armor is engulfed in light and explodes. “Poor fool, those ponies are quite formidable even without the elements.” She turns her attention from the earth as her general returns, she walks to the gorilla knight as he kneels presenting the book. The stone body of Nightmare Moon walks with crackling sounds as she approaches the knight “Hmm, perfect. Very good my general, now attend to the next phase of the plan.” “Yes, my mistress” He stands up and disappears from sight in an instant. Nightmare Moon watches as the general vanishes before turning back to the world below. “Hopefully the pony rangers will be at bay for now.” Goldar approaches two stone pillars with the top stones carved in the shape of pony skulls, both facing each other with a black chain hanging from a ring clenched in their mouths. The chains trail down towards large metal door, the door was large enough for the most sizeable of creatures to easily pass through. The dense dark edge of the forest gave a haunting chill as Goldar drew his sword; he raised it to the sky letting two beams of magic pour form the tip and grasp onto the rings holding the black chains. As he slowly stepped backward tugging the massive pony skulls from their gage of each other to the forest he could hear the crackling and moan of the large metal door open. Once open he walks confidently to the edge of the door, as he looks over the edge of the inner sight of the gate to Tartarus he see’s nothing more than a long dark pit into an empty void. “Well here goes nothing.” He says as he plunges his way into the black abyss. As he descends the darkness is slowly over taken by an eerie lighten glow with a vast number of paths to stone plateaus with spiked walls to each side. Below the level where he stood he could see the great beast Cerberus pacing between the third level of the Tartarus’s many and unfathomably vast floorings. Upon taking in such a sight Goldar is unconsciously forced to take a step back. ”Mistress Moon wasn’t kidding.” He exclaimed With a deep breath he shock off his nerves and plunges down into the lower levels. He drops down into the third level of the under-prison which to slight dismay alerts Cerberus. With the sound of light thud the six ears of the three headed beast perk up as one head turns to assess the cause. When the head spots Goldar the other two join as he turns to face the gorilla knight. Goldar glares into the six red eyes as his large paw scrapes the ground and Goldar draws his sword. “GAH! Bring it on!” he cries as the beast charges. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Silver spoon was checking over the second to last using twilights alphabetized list of her book as the others used the sections lists to finish putting the strewn books back onto the shelves as diamond ‘supervised’. Sweetie belle trots up with the last book clenched in her teeth by the spine, she passes it to apple bloom who in turn tucks it into its spot on the shelf. Scootalo looked over the shelf list as she noticed the open space on the shelf. “Uh, girls we’re missing a book.” Scootalo commented scratching her head. Diamond gets up from her chair with an annoyed sigh “Which one?” Silver spoon scans over the lists “Magical Incantations and Rituals.” She dips her head back a moment “wh-why would he need a book on that subject?” “I don’t know but, we need to find out where he is and stop his plans.” Apple bloom explains as they walk out of the golden oaks library. Puzzled the five fillies decide to return to the tree house so as to figure out what their next move is and how to deal with Goldar when or if he decides to strike. Their stopped on by the approach of an excited snips and snails. Snips begins “Hey, hey! We have BIG news. Guess w-” “Uhh, sorry guys, we’re really in the a hurry.” Apple bloom interrupts before she and the others galloped off before they could finish telling them their big news. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………................................................................................................................................... Goldar stood with his blade ready in both hands as he charges the three headed guardian of Tartarus. Both strike with all their might as they rush past each other, a moment later the victor known as Goldar sheathes his blade. He turns to see Cerberus in a heap on the ground before turning to pathway toward his goal. As he ascends the jagged and crooked path he takes caution so as not to lose his footing and plummet into the awaiting abyss of the lower levels. Finally his walk ends when he reaches the circular platform of the spire. In the center sits a cage, in the cage sits a feeble looking centaur who simply mocks the approaching golden gorilla. “No, you’re not my brother, who are you?” the monkey centaur asked demandingly Goldar pulls out the moon jar “You’ve been invited to my mistresses’ hospitality, I’m merely the Chauffeur and this is your limo.” He said as he opened the jar sucking the centaur through the bars into the containment of the jar. “That was easy. Haha.” With that he has only one other thing to pick up. After a second extensive walk he reaches another platform of the same design, this one a pony face amidst a mass of fog floats about with the sound of howling roars and groans filling the immediate area. Goldar opens the jar, the black haze fights back against the pull of the jar as Goldar stretches it out closer as to capture the dark force. Finally the pull of the capture jar is too strong for its opponent who is sucked into its grasp as Goldar claps down the lid on the jar. With both his goal literally in hand he disappears from the world of Tartarus. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Nightmare Moon stands in wait of Goldar and her two needed assistance. Goldar rematerializes behind the mare as he kneels presenting the capture jar to her. “Very good. Your action and promptness makes me wonder about the wisdom of your former leaderships.” She says appraisingly. “None are wiser than you my mistress.” With her stone horn she levitates the jar from goldars hands “Now then, we can finally move on to phase three.” She looks at the awaiting knight “you look weary, rest. The next part of our plan can wait while you regain your strength.” Goldar quickly stands up “No my mistress, I will rest only after you have a proper form.” Nightmare Moon chuckled amusingly “Very well.” magically turning the jars lid in the opposite direction she released the captured occupants. Tirek lay on the ground as the ghostly fog that is sombra stretches out into the vast lunar ‘sky’ “Welcome, I am Nightmare Moon.” She introduces with a bow Tirek staggers to his hooves “Why should I care, pony?” Sombra gives a harsh growl as his black fog grows closer to Nightmare Moon. “Very true my friends, why would we have any reason to speak if not for a common enemy.” She explains with a soothing tone “The princess’s, the elements of harmony.” She says looking between the two “A lack of proper respect and a denial of aspirations, the four of us have been wronged by the ones who have control over our world. Alone we were weak but, together we will be strong. Together we can bring vengeance on those who denied us. Together we will defeat our foes and rule equestrian!” she looks over the band of failed villains “who will join me?” “I am by your side my mistress.” Goldar proclaimers The ghostly form of sombra gives a growl that nightmare moon reads as his acceptance of her offer. With a scoff “I humbly accept your offer, Ms. Moon” tirek declares. “Excellent, Now on to business.” She floats a moonion figure in front of tirek “I want you to craft me creatures more for formidable than these, I also want you to sculpt more of these current figures. Forming as well as awakening them is…exhausting.” “You’re serious?” nightmare moon glares through him eye slits “very well.” “Craft about 30 moonions, they are needed. 20 will go with Goldar to retrieve our ‘special’ guest. The other ten I have a special job for.” She turns her attention to the fogged form of sombra “I know the feeling of being without a body. As a token, take this stone form for yourself.” She exits the stone body as it falls to chunks on the ground. Sombra swops down into the hollow rock bringing it back to its hooves. The others watch as a mane, tail, and horn made of dark crystals form over the body. Two large spiked crystals pultrude from the shoulders of his forelegs and he gives a stretching yawn of relief. “I believe a thank you is in order.” He speaks regally “Your welcome, now with your new form I would like you to do something.” She asks string the conversation back on track. Puzzled he asked “What is it?” “My general is going to be busy, so I want you to take the remaining moonion to ponyville and deal with a few pests; they call themselves, Pony Rangers.” “As you wish, Nightmare Moon.” He says bowing. Tirek looks to the blue fog of Nightmare Moon “I’ll begin my work immediately.” “Good. Goldar, be ready” she addressed Goldar kneeled again “I will mistress, I won’t fail you.” …………………………………………………………………………………………………….... As Apple Bloom paced through the tree house the others sat with various states of waiting. Diamond continuously watched her as she paced back and forth. “Ugh, have you thought of anything yet?” she says with obvious distant Apple bloom stops in her tracks “No.” she answers with a slight hint of anger. “Well hurry up, jeez I could have come up with like 10 plans by now.” Diamond said insultingly as possible. “Well ya’ know what” Apple Bloom fires back “I’d like to hear one of these ‘great plans’ you got cooked up.” She says while paired with the movements of her hooves. “Fine” she answers with a victorious smile “We sneak into his hideout, see what he’s doing and then stop him before he can do it.” “WOW! That’s a great plan.” Diamond attemps to give a smug thank you when Apple Bloom springs up into her face “IF we knew where to find him.” She shoots back. “That’s why if I was leader I’d have us out there looking for him, not sitting in a tree house twirling our hooves.” She retorts “By us, you mean us while you sit on your flank ‘supervising’.” Scootalo says pretending to be secretive about it. Diamond turns to comment but, is interrupted by silver spoon “That’s enough!” she roars “Look your both right. We do need a plan for when we find him or he shows up again, however he has to be found before any plan can be enacted.” Diamond ignored the silver manned filly while apple bloom rested on her haunches. Before Silver could go on a beeping rang in the fillies ears. “What is it Zordon?” “Pony Rangers, Ponyville is under attack. Head to the center of town, I fear someone an old foe is here with Goldar.” “Why’s that?” sweetie belle asked “Because a monster was just teleported into the town.” He explains “This monster is different from Goldar; he’s more destructive and violent. Also he’s giving off a dark fog that springs forth dark crystals on whatever it touches” Pony-3 informs. “Okay, were on it.” Apple Bloom replies. “Caution rangers, May the magic protect you.” The five reach the center of town to see a large pony made of stone and crystals standing among the towns ponies. As quickly as possible they darted behind a building so they wouldn’t be seen. “That defiantly isn’t Goldar.” Sweetie exclaimed “Who is he- she? It?” diamond inquired “I don’t know but, I do know what time it is.” She said with a grin “Cragadile” scootalo calls “Tatzlwurm” diamond tiara calls “Manticore” sweetie belle calls “Ursa” silver spoon calls “Phoenix” Apple Bloom calls In a flash the five fillies are transformed into the pony rangers. “What was that?” sombra demanded of the towns ponies “That was us?” apple bloom answered. “Let them go creep.” Silver spoon added. “Were the pony rangers” sweetie chimes in. “We defend equestria from creeps like you.” Scootalo announced. “So save yourself the trouble and give up.” Diamond advised. Sombra laughs off their speeches and poses “FILLIES! Nightmare Moons greatest foes are fillies.” “Nightmare Moon?” silver repeats “HAHAHAHA! Annihilating you will be as easy as when I crushed the hopes and dreams of the of the crystal empire.” He says with a threateningly pleased tone. “That’s what you think.” Apple bloom rebukes “let’s get them!” “Crush them!” sombra commands of the charging moonions. The rangers and moonions collide as the battle begins. The moonions separate the group and begin to cause real trouble for them. Scootalo is trapped between three monions playing keep guard as she tries to escape the circle. Silver Spoon is backed up against a wall while sweetie belle dells with three of problems of her own. Apple Bloom spins on her hooves bucking her assailants away before charging and tackling another. Diamond bucks away a moonion as silver and scootalo each dispatch two of the moonions with ease. Apple bloom is quickly surrounded but, thanks to sweetie belle’s assistance they were just as easily dealt with. “Fools” sombra exasperated as he snorts black fog from the nostril slits in his stone mussel. “Run! Don’t let that fog touch you.” Apple Bloom exclaimed The rangers run from the approaching haze as it encases the moonions. As the fog lifts the pony rangers are shocked to see that the moonion now have now gained jagged crystals littering their bodies. Sombra laughs as he watches the crystalized moonions once again charge the pony rangers. Once again the pony rangers are over put on defense by the moonion. Pony-3 panics “No, no, no. zordon, the rangers are in trouble! What do we do?” “Calm down, it’s time to introduce the pony rangers to the hoof mounted pharos blasters.” Zordon reaffirms The girls are all on the edge of defeat when something suddenly they each notice something appear on their fore legs. “Whoa!” scootalo said in excitement “Those are the phasor blasters, only to be used in absolute emergences. Simply aim and fire with your hoof.” “Got it zordon” Silver spoon answered. “Every pony ready.” Apple bloom asked “FIRE!” The five rangers raise their fore legs and open fire on the moonions, one by one they fall as the rangers fire with well given precision. After a few moments the moonions are dispatched and only the stone and crystal pony is left standing. “No pony in their right mind would give fillies weapons.” “Bring it on shiny.” Scootalo challenges Sombra scrapes the ground snorting as he charges. The five fillies raise their blasters firing on the charging pony, seeming to dodge most of the shots as he reaches the group. He rears back slamming his front hooves on the ground causing crystals to sprout from the ground incasing their legs. Scootalo rolls out of the way however and fires on sombra blasting on of his shoulder crystals. She blasts the others free, and the blasters disappeared. “Thanks scoots” sweetie belle applauds. Sombra stands back up as the fillies ready for round two. “Had enough?!” Apple Bloom asked Sombra laughed as his horn glows “Actually, I’m just getting started” in an instant he towers over the like goldar had previously. He stomps down on the ground with one hoof but, the pony rangers dodge it. “Time to get mythological on your flank. Phoenix zord descend.” She proclaimed striking a bird pose as the phoenix zord descended from the sun “Ursa come forth!” silver spoon called striking a bear like poses while the ursa appeared from the forest. “manticore zord charge!” sweetie belle yelled taking a predatory pose while the manticore zord swiftly ran through the forest. “cragadile emerged!” scootalo calls striking a crocodile pose as the cragadile zord rose from a nearby lake. “tatzlwurm arise!” diamond tiara declared as the tatzlwurm zord rose from underground. The rangers enter their zords and charge the colossal pony. The manticore zord pounces but is swiftly blocked with a magic blast. The ursa zord swipes at him but is met with a magic shield blocking the attack. The tatzlwurm zord strikes from underground knocking him to the ground, he retaliates by throwing it into the Cragadile zord before standing back up. “I’m going to enjoy destroying you!” he threatens Apple Bloom looks to the other zords “you all okay?” they all give an account of their status prompting her to make the call “Alright ponies, let’s form the mythology zord.” With the press of a button from each of them the zords come together forming the mythology zord. “Okay, let’s end this.” The zord walks up punching sombra across the face, sombra retaliates by kicking the zord away. Regain balance the zord readies for another attack when sombra fires a magic blast right at its center. “It’s no use, he’s too powerful!” Diamond says with a worried tone. Apple bloom calls the tail sword which descends landing in the zords hand. “Try this on for size!” scootalo calls out. Sombra fires more magic but, the shield deflects it with ease. They trike with the sword over and over though he raises a shield to block them. As the pony rangers do battle a train caring the elements of harmony comes to the final stretch of its journey as it exits a tunnel heading for ponyville. “Well that was an experience, rainbow-” applejack looks over as she sees rainbow staring out the window. “What is got you so-” she cut, speechless as she tries to phantom what she is seeing. She grabs twilight whom was enjoying a good book and turns her head toward the window. “What in equestria is that?” she asks “Oooh, it looks like a giant robot made of other giant robots fighting a giant pony made of rocks and crystals. Go giant robot go.” pinkie exposits snacking on popcorn as she watched. “Good, heavens. You don’t suppose that monstrosity is related to king sombra.” Rarity inquires. Twilight shook off her dazed expression “I don’t know, however I’m a little more concerned with whom that ‘robot’ is aligned with.” The mythology zord charges in for another attack. Sombra strikes with a magic blast which gets deflected by the tail sword into his face. Sombra roars as the smoke fades revealing his face to be broken open slightly at the eye as black fog spilled out of the hole. “Okay, I think it’s safe to say it’s on the good side for now.” Rainbow comments “What will it take to stop this guy?” Diamond questions “When I shot the crystal on his shoulder, he was weakened and even pained by it.” scootalo stated Silver Spoon interjects “Okay, how do we get past the shield spell.” Sweetie looks at her reflection in the glass “His horn, if we cut off his horn he’ll be unable to use his magic.” “That’s pretty extreme.” Apple bloom comments “although, I suppose we don’t have a better plan.” With a group unease for the plan they were about to enact the readied as sombra dropped the shield ad fired another blast of magic. With their shield raised the mythology zord grew closer as he lay on the magic energy. Once close enough they swipe at his horn with the tail sword, his horn shatters in half causing his magic to dispel and his head to whip back in shock. Twilight and rarity give an uncontrolled wince to the sight of his horn being ‘removed’. “Oh…my.” Mutters the shy yellow Pegasus Enraged sombra charges the zord striking it with his for hooves; they counter with the shield and strike the crystal on his left shoulder. He gives a yelp of furious anger as he pulls away. He turns snorting black haze at the zord which swings the sword wildly as it tries to escape the fog. Sombra goes in to finish the ponies but, upon getting in close a lucky swing shatters the crystal on his other shoulder. “GAHHHH!” he roars “There, we have an opening.” Apple bloom exposits Sombra slowly stumbles to his hooves as the pony rangers ready the final blow. The zord raises the tail sword as it begins to glow as bright as the sun. “MAGICAL ENERGY STRIKE!” the five rangers’ callout in unison With a few waves of the sword the energy strikes fly into sombra causing him to collapse and his body to explode into rubble. Twilight and the others are flabbergasted by the defeat of the stone and crystal pony. “Yay!” fluttershy called just within hearing ability. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….... The ghostly form of sombra returns to the moon enraged as Nightmare Moon and Tirek wait. “A new body, customer crafted to better suit you.” Tirek says presenting the stone body. Sombra seeps into the body as his crystal horn, mane, and tail return “That was an utter disaster. Now that’s twice in the same day I’ve been blown up.” The blue mist of Nightmare Moon cooed “Oh, I’m sorry. I had a feeling they’d figure something out. In truth you were only the distraction.” “What!” sombra roars, his voice echoing through the moon. “Everything is going according to plan. Once goldar returns we can begin the final act in my reformation and then” she chuckles “Then the real plan for the conquest for equestria can begin.” …………………………………………………………………………………………………….... The cmcs return to town just in time to catch the train stopping in at the station. Applejack and Rarity storm from the train scooping up their sisters “Sweetie Belle you’re ookay.” Rarity says relieved hugging her sister. Applejack pats Apple Bloom on the back “how ya’ doin’ apple bloom.” “I’m fine.” Rainbow looks trots over and places a wing around scootalo “you alright squirt?” “ye-yea.” Scootalo answered blushing “Glad to hear It.” rainbow stated with a smile “Where’d you fillies hide.” “Oh we found a place.” apple bloom said grinning “Yea, we found the perfect place to watch the whole thing.” Sweetie exclaims excitingly Twilight walks in the middle “All that matters is that you’re alright, and ponyville is safe” With that the cmc’s and the mane six return home ready one group ready for a well-deserved rest and the other to give any need assistance in any need to repair the town. As the apple sisters return home apple bloom gets a call on her communicator “Yea zordon?” she answers “I just wanted to congratulate you on a job well done.” He congratulates. “While you were at the train station silver spoon filled me in on battle as well as the mention of Nightmare Moon. Pony-3 and I will look into this matter, for now you and the others rest and enjoy you victory.” Apple Bloom smiles “Thanks zordon” “No Apple Bloom, thank you, all of you” zordon retorts The End They’ve got a magic and a force no ponys seen before. They’ve got the Magic to morph and equal out the score. Nopony will bring them down. They know the magic is on their side.