When Worlds Collide

by Lon35hadow


Three months later

Thunder's day, all things considered, could be worse, but not by much. It had been three months, three, long months, since Lone and the others failed, and Plasma came to power. He had put a bounty on any and all members of the team, but, ever since then, none had been captured, as they had many hiding spots, including the library, where she, Vinyl, Wubsy, and a mare named Midnight Stream, a former member of the Brotherhood that Hermit had vouched for, were hiding. Robin had disappeared a day after the failed attack. What made this a bad day was that her long lost sister, Rainbow Dash, had been captured, as well as Thunder's crush, Radiant.

With Wubsy there, they still had contact with other branches of the team, and were well informed of what had been going on.

A mere few days after his victory, Plasma had told the cells of his Brotherhood in various capitol cities to rise and take the government in his name. The takeovers had been quick, relatively bloodless, really. After that, there was a small griffon rebellion, one not related to lone team, and Plasma sent his enforcers, all but two of which were alicorns, though Thunder knew one of them was Metamorpha, and the another was Chitinia, who killed all of the rebels, and their families, often times in front of the rebels, then killed them after a few minutes of sobbing, each time without mercy. That's how things went in the first month.

The second month was worse, as this was when Plasma decided to utterly destroy Canterlot's foundations. With the ponies still in the city. A few members of lone team were able to get in the city and save a fair portion of the citizens, even a few nobles that were worthy of that title, but most of the citizens were killed. Among those that were saved was the adoptive parents of Metamorpha, Fancy Pants and Fleur De Lis, old members of the team that retired for a life together, and Blueblood, who, to Thunder's amazement, was among a secret group of the team Nightengale had started to ensure that any and all events the Brotherhood could attack were closely monitored. A few days after that, Plasma had a dark castle built in the shadow of the once great mountain. A week after that, ships had appeared in orbit, and they sent down smaller ones that had aliens similar to four of the ones that had been with Lone, and they helped Plasma take control of the planet. But, by far, the most eventful thing in the second month was the defection of many Brotherhood members, all lead by Midnight, all of whom Hermit, who could tell if ponies were lying, vouched for, to Lone team, though they were being watched by the members of the branches they were sent to.

They were currently a week into the third month, and nothing interesting had happened yet, fortunately. Right now, the pegasus was reading a book about various theories on the multi-verse, which had been proven true, but she wanted to see what others thought before hoof, when Midnight came up to her.

"Hey, Thunder," she said a she looked for a book as well. "What'cha reading?"

"Just something on multi-verse theories," Thunder said. "What are you looking for?"

"Just something interesting," Midnight replied. She found a book that caught her fancy, one on what some thought was lost history to the races of Equis.

"So, what'd you find," Thunder asked, turning to look at the other mare.

"Just a book of what some think is lost history for the planet. Some ponies are just crazy, and I know what I'm talking about when I say that."

"I can imagine," Thunder said in a joking tone. "No offense."

"Really," Midnight said. "I lost my best friend three months ago to those plot holes. I want them to burn I know I was with them, but that changed when Shadow and I, mostly me, discovered the truth of his heritage."

"You know, I'm still a little surprised that Lone's brother was alive. Shame that they died not a week after they decided to fight together."

"At least it was together. I think the real shame was that Plasma turned those they loved against them," Midnight said.

"Yeah, there's that," Thunder said. "How'd you find out about that?"

Shrugging, Midnight said, "Shadow and I had a mental link going when he made it here, which is how I knew the location of this place. I'll admit, a few things he learned while he was here surprised me. None of them matter any more, but still. Interesting."

"Really," Thunder said, raising an eyebrow. "Like what?"

"Well, the main one is that cutie marks were created by Plasma to control the populace. Too bad only Lone and Shadow could remove them, huh."

"That, actually makes sense, I guess. If I was Plasma, I'd want something like that, as cutie marks do give ponies special skill in a certain area, and only a few of the former royal guard had guard related cutie marks, hence their incompetence."

"True," Midnight said with a small chuckle. "So, Thunder," she said, lying down next to the pegasus, "what do you think's going to happen, what with those aliens fighting for Plasma."

"I don't know, Midnight. Lone team training doesn't exactly prepare you for an alien invasion." The two mares laughed a little at that.

"Fair point," Midnight said as she revovered from her laughing, "but seriously, what do you think?"

"In all honesty? I don't know. Hopefully, we can remain underground, trying to at least slow him down. I doubt there's anything short of the royal sisters using the Elements at their full strength could stop him, and both of those are out the window, as said alicorns are two of his enforcers, and three of the Element bearers are in the same boat, with the other three being imprisoned."

"I'll say. I heard before I left the Brotherhood that Plasma set the rules of nature similar to the worlds Lone's alien allies came from," Midnight said. "The sun and moon rise by themselves, animals all tend to themselves, and weather happens on it's own. The whole planet is now the Everfree."

"I see no problems with that," Thunder said.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Ponies have interfered the growth of new species. I had a chance t talk with Garrus, one of Lone's allies, and he said every single creature in existence in his universe came about because they all fended for them selves, with naturally occurring weather cycles, many of which could be predicted. If ponies hadn't become so soft and caring, we mat actually have competent guards. The weird part. They all said, and I agree with them, by the way, that the reason Equis is so far behind them, technologically speaking, is because we haven't had wars, and new technology often comes as a result. That doesn't mean war's good, but some, keyword, some, of the inventions created for war can be rebuilt or re-tasked for good uses, like power."

"Jeez, talk about a weird outlook," Midnight said.

"It's how they were raised. Can't help that."

Before Midnight could respond, Vinyl walked up and said, "Hey, guys. Wubsy says we got a few teammates coming in from the Canterlot branch, and they want us there when they come in, which, by the way, is just outside the main entrance."

"Seriously?" Midnight asked.

"Just relaying the message," Vinyl said, holding up a hoof. "Now, lets' go." She then galloped off in the direction of the main entrance.

The two mares looked at one another, and Thunder shrugged, using the telekinesis her training had given her to put the book back. "Might as well see who it is," she said as she began to head to the entrance.

"Right," Midnight said, getting up and following the pegasus as she put her own book away. The two then made their way to the main entrance.

. . .
Bravo-six:Sydney,Earth; personal quarters of Admiral Lord Hood

"Artemis," Hood said as he sat at his desk, "anything on Ken and the others?"

Aretemis' hologram appeared, and she said, "Unfortunately no, Terrence. I've checked with the others, but no one seems to have seen the Spear since my matrix went with it. At least when they dealt with Plasma, they kept us informed on where they were. Now, it's like they just disappeared."

"Maybe, Artemis, but this is Ken and the other we're talking about. They've gone up against stuff even the Chief hasn't."

Before she could respond, the two heard a knock on the door. "Permission to enter, sir?"

"Permission granted," Hood said.

The door opened to reveal a Dark blue ODST, his sleeves missing. On his helmet was two green fangs just under his visor, and his left arm had a dragon tattoo that spiraled down his forearm. His name was Dawson Stubel. He was an interesting ODST, having joined the infamous hundred and fifth two years after the Human-Covenant war, and had been assigned on Dratheus-V as it was attacked by a rouge Covenant group, and had even helped out Spartan Sarah Palmer during her mission to eliminate Merg' Vol, leader of the rouge group. It was these actions that got him noticed by lone team, more accurately, Ken and his team, and, when they approached him with the offer, he accepted it with out hesitation. He had been present with the three Spartans that brought him into the team on Requiem, though the rest of his squad was killed. Hood then had him transferred to his guard, as rising tensions between the different Covenant groups might lead to an attempt on his life.

"What is it, Lieutenant?" Hood asked Dawson.

The ODST saluted and said, "Sir, it's her."

Hood's eyes fixed on Dawson. "Are you certain?"

"Yes, sir. It's her. Cell Bravo had an encounter last night. She gave them coordinates, as well as a message to you as well. She said to bring the entire fleet. Not just the renegade fleet, but the UNSC fleet as well. Faith Cell also reported the same, and said the same to Shipmaster. I already sent a message to those in the insurrection as well, and they will send who they can."

"Good job, Lieutenant," Hood said. "Be ready to move out. If she's asking for the entire fleet, it must be huge."

"Sir!" Dawson said, saluting, before he turned and left, the door closing behind him.

"What do you think, Artemis," Hood said, turning to face the AI fragment.

"She'd call only if it was serious. If The Librarian is calling for all the fleets, it means we're going to need them."

"Agreed. Get the word out, and see if Bravo got any coordinates from her."

"Already got them, Terrence," Artemis said. "Have a little faith."

Hood chuckled a little. "I do, Artemis, but you can never be too careful when dealing with Forerunners."

"True enough," Artemis said as her hologram faded away.

"Let's just hope that this isn'y like the Didact," Hood said as he went back to his desk, now to look over the files of two Spartan-IVs and one former Spartan-IV, as well as a former ODST that was a squad mate of the others.

Presidium-Citadel; Council chambers (Mass Effect)

Six figures stood on a raised platform in what was, arguably, the most important place in the Galaxy. Some would argue Mindoir, where Commander Shepard was born. Others might say Elysium, where said Alliance soldier was able to rally the citizens of the colony to fight back a Batarian sponsored raid. Once, maybe those were true, but, ever since the Reaper War two years ago, it was the Council Chambers on the Citadel that became the most important location in the galaxy, as it was here five years ago that Shepard defeated the rouge Spectre Saren Arterius and bought the Galaxy some time, and it was where a memorial for all who lost their lives in the war, even the Geth, was commissioned. Said statue was the center piece of the chambers, it having a single member of each species in the war on it, but, of that, the attention grabber was of a bronze likeness of the famous Alliance soldier that had united the Galaxy against the Reapers, and the same one who gave his life to destroy the Reapers.

One of the figures was the Turian council members, Sparatus. He wore a dark blue turian business suit, with accents of red, white, and a hint of gold. "This has to be a fake Transmission," he yelled to the others, referring to the reason of this council meeting. He was the only member of the council from five years ago still on said council, the salarian councilor having been killed by a human centric organization when they attempted a coup two years ago during the war, and the Asari councilor of then stepping down shortly after the war.

"Possibly," Aeria V'dolyt, the Asari concilor said. She wore an entirely yellow outfit, which, amazingly, went well with her blue skin. "But it does use authorized channels, which is why we're here now, Sparatus. Besides, we never did find the body."

"That means nothing," Keneth Kagsab, the batarian councilor said. Needless to say, a lot of people were shocked when they heard the batarians were getting a council seat, but most saw why, as it was the batarians who helped hunt down remaining indoctrinated government officials, even stopping rebellions before they could start, and helped rebuild quite a few colonies. "Batarian's used to do the same during our slaving days, and Cerberus records say the Collectors could do the same."

"You would know, wouldn't you," Lokoln Manik, the salarian councilor, said in an insulting tone.

"Lokoln, I was never involved in that crap, and you know it," Keneth said, pointing an accusatory finger at Lokoln.

"Can you two put the arguing aside for now," Sisor' Manis vas Likor, the quarian councilor said. Quarians had earned a seat on the council due to it being them that had helped recreate VIs, as well as most automated systems a government needed. Living just about your entire life on a ship will do that. Sisor was one of the few quarians who liked living on something that was actually dependable with little effort by those who lived there, and, as a quarian well versed in politics, she was an obvious choice. "We have more pressing matters to attend to, like this message. If it really came from him, then it has to be important."

It was then the last member of the council spoke up. "Agreed," former Admiral Steven Hackett said. "If this came from who we think it did, we need to follow it."

"And if it isn't?" Sparatus said.

"That's why I was going to suggest we send the Normandy in first, to recon if the coordinates aren't a trap. If not, then we send a larger force to see what it is."

"I agree with him," Keneth said.

"And I as well," Aeria said.

"He does provide good logic," Lokoln said, "much as I don't want to admit it.

"It does make sense to send in a stealth ship," Sisor said.

"Looks like we're investigating it at the very least, Septimus," Keneth said.

"Fine," the turian said with a wave of his hand in annoyance.

"I'll let them know," Hackett said as he turned to leave the council chambers. As he reached the elevator, he thought to himself Shepard, you'd better be there.

Equis-Badlands hive

"Sir!" changeling general Wasp said as he saluted Lightning Spear. "Our forces are ready to move out."

"Good," Lightning said. Lightning was in his changeling-pony hybrid form, which was really just pony form, but with hardened chitin instead of a coat. "Do we have word from the dragons, or the rest of lone team, for that matter?"

"No sir, but something. . . interesting did occur last night."

"What?"

The two fillies, Diamond Tiara ans Silver Spoon, said that they saw four shapes resembling that of the humans, though two of them had horns. They only got a small glimpse of them before there was a flash of light and they blacked out. When they came to in the hospital, they were brought there by the other three, they were given standard treatment, and, when the doctors examined them two hours ago, they discovered, much to the fillies horror, though I don't know why, the fillies cutie marks were gone. We're still trying to calm them down."

Lighting rolled his eyes. "Great," he said sarcastically. "Any leads on those four beings they saw?"

"No, sir. We put an alert out to the other changelings, and none have reported anything similar."

"I suppose that's all we can do," Lightning said as he faced the changeling army in front of him. Most, if not all, adult changelings knew of lone team, but few were part of it. That is, before now. When word of Lone's defeat reached the hives, every changeling adult, regardless of age or gender, spoke up, requesting to be a part of the team in order to help the planet. Not for glory, but because it was the right thing to do. All of those assembled before Lightning were aware of their chances of survival, but didn't care.

Shortly after the second Canterlot incident, the leaders of each branch of lone team got together, and decided that they would all make one final push, with any and all forces they could muster. This meant every single adult changeling, and every single battle ready dragon would be in the attack.

The time for said attack was in a week.

"Get everyling ready to move out, General. We move out tomorrow.

"Sir!" the General said as Lightning turned to leave for his room. Damn it, Lone, why'd you ave to die and not take Plasma with you, he thought. He was surprised when he got a response.

Couldn't really help it, could I?

"Lone?"

Yeah, Lightning it's me. Before you ask, no, I can't make myself visible, nor can I possess anypony.

"So you're a ghost?"

No. More like a. . . fallen angel. That'll make sense in time. For now, I'm just here to say that Plasma is expecting an all out attack from lone team, and, chances are, it'll fail.

At the moment.

"What do you mean?" Lightning asked, confused.

Give it a week, was the last thing Lone said before one of Lightning's aides came up.

"Sir, we have word from Nova," he said. "The dragon armies are ready for the attack a week from now."

"Right." After a second, he said, "Tell them the changelings are ready as well." The aide saluted as he left. As he did so, Lightning thought on the conversation with Lone. Probably just my mind playing tricks on me, he thought as he went to his war room.

Southern mountains-Dragonhold city

Nveryll, a tall, quadruped dragon with deep, red body scales and green underscales, yellow eyes, a dagger like tail, and razor sharp teeth, stood at attention outside the war room of her Highness, Queen Saphira, her generals, and hers two sons. Nveryll, commonly called by both his friends, comrades, and even the queen as N, as his name was hard to pronounce, was among the best of the dragon guards, his scales tough enough to where he did not need to wear armor, his breath hot enough to melt through lone team standard armor.

In the past three months, lone team had become a public name, as the Brotherhood had been seen publicly putting up notices about what would happen to civilians about conspiring with them. On;y the changeling hives and the dragon monarchies had been able to hold out and retain their freedom, though many had lost their lives in the fighting.

Along with the changeling populace, many dragons, noble and migratory, had been recruited into the team, as many had demonstrated fighting skills at and above the entry standard for the team. N had been one of them, and was already a guard by that time, which led to him becoming the queens personal guard. Ironic, as he thought that meant being n the war room with her, but he knew someone had to guard the door, so he didn't complain.

A few hours after the war council had come together, one of the few changelings in the city came by and said, "Message for the queen."

"Proof, identification, and magical aura," N said, as he was also a rare dragon with the ability to tell intentions just from magical auras. It wasn't a long lost instinct, you just needed to pay attention to how it looked.

The changeling produced an envelope that was addressed to the queen, as well as an authorization signature from Octavia Melody, leader of the former Canterlot branch of lone team, a piece of paper with the changeling embassy's emblem on it. It wasn't well known, but dragons and changelings had always been good allies, even before they had a common enemy in Plasma. As he did so, N looked at the aura. It was the normal changeling green, and had the normal wave-like appearance, but what N was looking for, and found were the small sparkles, or lack of them, from the horn, which indicated there was no ill will from him.

"The queen is in a meeting as of now, and asked not to be disturbed, but I shall ask if she will allow an immediate audience. N turned around, keeping an ear on the changeling, and knocked on the door before opening it. "Your Highness, a changeling has a message from Madam Octavia, and says it's urgent.

Saphira wore beautiful battle armor. It's color matched her scale, and it flowed like water. At the same time, though, it was fierce, in a subtle way. "Let him in, N. If it's from Octavia, then it's important."

"Yes, Ma'am." N then turned to the changeling, and said, "You can enter."

The changeling simply nodded before heading in, his head held high.

He closed the door behind him as he went in.

. . .

Stinger walked into the dragon war room, and bowed once he was at his end of the table. At the opposite end was Saphira in her armor. On her left was Nova Blaze, wearing his usual shades. He wore black armor with high lights of neon blue, his flame color, that looked heavy, but, using normal dragon metalsmithing techniques, was light, flexible, and offered a lot of protection.

On Saphira's right was her son, Spike, who, though not wanting to become king, had adjusted to his role of a prince rather well, and had quickly passed the combat courses all royal family members had to pass, some would say to the point he was already in lone team, but, at the time, he wasn't, though, shortly after the Brotherhood's first attack on Canterlot, he had been inducted into it, though he still had qualms about killing, which was expected, given he was raised by ponies, a pacifist society, for the most part. He wore purple and green armor, matching his scales and spines coloration, respectively, and resembled Nova's very well, with the exception of a white and light purple spot over where his heart would be. Stinger had been in Ponyville once, and knew this represented the sister of the Element of Generosity. To be fair, in pony years, he was in her age group.(1)

"Your majesties, I bring news from the library."

"What is it?" Saphira asked.

"Octavia has called for a war council of all the members of lone team that have the highest pull in their governments, and she was hoping you could attend."

"When is it?"

"Three days, majesty."

"Good. I leave tomorrow," Saphira said. She then turned to face Spike. "Spike, I know you don't wish to be king, but I ask you to take my place while I am there." She turned to Nova. "Nova, you are to help him however possible."

"Right," the both of them said.

Saphira turned back to Stinger. "Thank you, Stinger. You can go back to what you were doing before you delivered the message.

"Thank you, Saphira," he said as he exited the room.

The library-main gate; a few minutes earlier

Vinyl, Midnight, Thunder, and Wubsy were waiting at the main gate for Octavia to arrive, as well as her guest as Wubsy had informed them of somepony, most likely Blueblood, arriving with her.

Just as Vinyl was going to start complaining, there was a flash of yellow light, and the familiar pop of teleportation. Standing in front of the four were Octavia and Messenger.

"Hey, guys," Octavia said.

"Hey, 'Tavi," Vinyl said as the others gave her nods in greeting.

"Good to see all of you," Messenger said.

"You, too, Messenger," Thunder said.

"So, how are you guys doing?" Octavia asked.

"Good," Thunder said. "You?"

"Same," Messenger said.

"So, why are you guys here?" Wubsy said.

"I was hoping on holding a war council here at the library to discuss the attack, and every races role in it."

"I can see that, and it's a good idea, really," Midnight said, "but, and this is just me thinking out loud, this is Plasma, and he plans for stuff like rebellions. Why do you think he made his enforcers in the first place?"

"I already have a plan to take care of them," Octavia said. "Though, unfortunately, that may involve, ahem, killing them." She said that last part sheepishly.

This got slack-jawed expressions from those of the Ponyville branch, or, former Ponyville branch. "WHAT?! Midnight yelled.

"That's the only way to make sure they aren't a problem anymore. Besides," Octavia said, "I already have the messages." At this, she pulled out a bag of scrolls, each with a different name on it and her own name on each. "And the council is going to be here at the library," Octavia said as the scrolls disappeared in a flash of changeling flame.

"So there's no way of pulling you off the path," Vinyl said.

"Nope."

"Fine, but you won't be getting support from us, 'Tavi," Vinyl said, turning back to the interior of the Library. "Now lets' get inside. I'm freezing." With that, the others followed the unicorn into the library.

Unknown location

Three figures stood silhouetted against multiple screens that showed what was happening across Equis. "I suppose we should have seen that coming," one of them, a tall woman with flowing hair and a knee length dress said.

"Agreed," the second figure, a woman as well, said, "but there is nothing we can do to prevent them from going down this road. Unless you two think they're ready."

"I'm sure they are," the third, a male, said. "They have the best training we can give them, given how long they've been here."

"True," the first said.

"And if they aren't," the second said.

"They are. They have the best training, the most powerful spells, and one thing not even they know they possess," the first retorted.

"Sacrifice."