Zackmar said “there are a bunch of ships in the Canterlot courtyard ponies are repairing them as best they can I think it would be to your benefit to bring them here.”
Cadence thought for a moment then nodded but asked “how can we fly them?”
Zackmar replied” they have neural interface devices however, the seats could use some modification.”
Cadence turned to Shining Armor and said “do we have any ponies who can pilot the ships?”
Shinning thought for a moment and said “I'm sure we can find some ponies to collect the ships, yes we can I know a few I'll get right on it.” and left the room.
Cadence said “I will do what I can to protect my Empire. But if Celestia is being manipulated by the Pontian’s and Luna has been replaced by an imposter who is to say they won’t attack us again?”
Zackmar said “if they believe they are in control they will not attack just go along with them and do not do anything to arouse suspicion” Cadence nodded in understanding.
Meanwhile on Pontus 2 scientists are walking along a corridor talking one of them is holding a tablet. He says to the other “this is your lucky day Schifla subject number 47-53 is a creature unlike any we have ever seen before.”
Schifla said considering the size of the universe that should not come as a surprise.”
They walked up to a cell and inside was a dark blue alicorn with a blue flowing mane and tail. Schifla stops in her tracks and says “what is that?”
The alicorn lying in the cell stared at the scientists intently. Schifla says “hello I’m Schifla this is Snoreg can you understand what I am saying?”
Silence, turning to Snoreg she asked is it sentient?”
He replied “we don’t know Hydoria said to keep it safe.”
After pressing a few buttons on his tablet he said “I’m going to get something to eat you want anything?
Schifla replied “I would like a hormark.”
As Snoreg left the room. Schifla looked into the alicorns eyes said “I know you can understand what I am saying I can see it in your eyes."
The alicorn’s expression softened and said “Luna.”
Schifla smiled “nice to meet you Luna what are you?”
Luna said “I am princess of the night.”
Schifla said “I mean what is your species?”
Luna said “alicorn why am I here?
Schifla said “you were brought here so we can study your species and your abilities.”
Then a beep was heard Schifla stood up and walked over an opened a communication channel “Schifla here” a voice replied “Hydoria will be arriving in 2 hemtas and wishes to see the new acquisition.”
Schifla said “acknowledged” then turned to Luna and said “our supreme leader wishes to speak with you.”
Luna said nothing, after the time passed Hydoria came into the room and saw the alicorn. He smiled and said “so you’re the princess of the night I’ve heard so much about.”
Luna said noting Hydoria said “oh come now surly you have something to say I know you can speak I’ve been to you planet.”
Luna said “my sister and friends will come looking for me.”
Hydoria said “I doubt that a replacement is posing as you soon the planet will be under our control.”
Luna got mad and tried to use her magic to blast the alien Hydoria smiled as the magic fizzled out. He pointed to the collar around her neck and said “that collar is more than just a fashion statement. It is a neural inhibitor it blocks the neural pathways between your brain and your horn.
Luna said “you know allot about ponies.”
Hydoria just smiled “I know more than you can imagine. I want you share with us the secrets of your magic and help the empire."
Luna arched an eyebrow “if I refuse?”
Hydoria smiled wickedly “if you refuse I will destroy your world” turning to one of the scientists he said “bring me the Coues footage.”
Schifla handed him a pad and he pressed a button Luna watched as a ship placed a box close to the planet. She watched as a dark spot began to grow soon there was a black hole with 3 probes on the event horizon it began to rotate. Soon the black hole’s event horizon began to bend forward. The probes moved faster and faster on the event horizon then 3 colored beam came out of the probes. One was red one was green the other was blue. The beams intertwined forming a multi colored beam as it shot out of the gravityit hit the planet. There was a huge blast of energy it was seen spreading across the planet. As the beam drilled into the planet once it hit the core the planet shattered. A huge ball of energy and rock fragments went flying in every direction.
After the display Hydoria said with an evil grin “if you refuse that will be the fate of your planet."
Luna said “your bluffing.”
Hydoria leaned in slightly and said “am I?”
Luna looked at the image of her planet she sighed “magic is a learned skill it is not something that is just bestowed upon us.”
Hydoria said “I think there is more to it than that.”
Luna shook her head “magic is not something that just comes from nowhere."
Hydoria said with a smile “it does not matter I still think you’re not telling me everything.”
Luna just shook her head Hydoria nodded then turned to Snoreg and Schifla said “implement operation Bracktro forgarna.”
They both nodded As Hydoria left Snoreg and Schifla looked at Luna who just stared back she then said “they will come for me” they said nothing.
.The next day 2 soldiers came in and one of them said to Luna “good you’re awake.” He pulled out a small device off his belt and pointed it at Luna. The collar she was wearing lite up as she was pulled out of the cell. She protested as best she could but was dragged along by the collar.
As they dragged her along one of them said “stop struggling.”
Luna continued to protest she boomed in the royal Canterlot voice “INSOLENT WHELP THOU SHALT PAY FOR THIS!”
One of the guards “Bracktro forgarna.”
Luna boomed “COME NEAR ME AND ILL BUCK YOU SO HARD YOUR COMPANION WILL FEEL IT!
The one guard said “I doubt that” and pressed a button on the pad and Luna fell to the floor unable to move.
The other guard placed a small device on Luna’s skin just behind her ear. She began to felt dizzy and passed out the 2 guards looked at each other and nodded. As the one turned off the stasis field and removed the collar a moment later Luna opened her eyes.
One of the guards said “are you ok Matscuf?”
Luna said “what who?”
The guard said “Matscuf you.”
Luna said “my name is Matscuf?”
The guard said “yes you passed out.”
Matscuf stood up and said again "my name is Matscuf?”
One of the guards said “you feeling alright?"
Matscuf said “yes I’m fine.”
One of the guards said “good you would not what to be late for your fight.”
Matscuf nodded she entered a room and the lift began to descend the lift stopped and the doors opened she exited the lift and entered the arena she looked around and saw the stands were filled with cheering spectators there were 4 screens all around the arena.
A being came on the screen and said “greetings all and welcome to the Pontian games today we have a special treat for you. Our latest search has turned up a being unlike any that has ever been seen before will it survive the challenge?”
Matscuf looked around and saw a small cylindrical device on a table then looked up and saw the roof was open she saw 2 suns high in the sky. They were on each end of the sky one was blue the other was crimson the colors mixed giving the sky a violet hue. Then a door opened and a robot came out. It stood 1.3 meters tall it was bipedal and holding a similar cylinder. The robot pressed a button on the cylinder and a glowing blade emerged from the hilt. It glowed with a soft lime green glow. As the robot began to march forward Matscuf arched an eyebrow as the robot waved the sword. Her horn glowed as she levitated the sword in a blue aura and pressed a button on the hilt and the sword came to life. It glowed with an orange glow she walked forward as the robot swung the sword. She blocked its blows using magic had its advantages she stayed out of striking distance of the robot. The crowd cheered as the swords clashed furiously. Matscuf used her magic she enveloped the robot in a blue aura and levitated the robot into the air and flew it across the arena slamming it into a wall. The impact not only put a dent in the wall but caused the robot to come apart. The body parts sparked as the crowd cheered loudly.
A voice came over the intercom “the challenger has won the battle and lives to fight another day.”
Then a guard came in and escorted Matscuf to a room and sad “welcome home rest here soon someone will escort you to the armory for weapons armor fitting.”
Matscuf nodded and lay down on a sofa. As she lay down her mind began to drift she saw images of Equestria the sun and the moon rising she felt a sense of familiarity. Then a thumping sound on the door snapped her out of her daydream. As the images faded away she felt strange of connection to the images.
Before she could consider the images and feelings they evoked further a voice said “Matscuf it’s time for your armor fitting.
The escort took her to the armory where there were weapons of all types and kinds. A being came in and said “ah Matscuf you’re here follow me.”
The 2 walked into a room and the being said “welcome to the forge I am Zenzubah I make weapons and armor please take a seat."
Matscuf looked around and said “I’m afraid the chairs here are not made for my species.”
Zenzubah said “oh yes here sit on this” he pulled a cushion off one of the chairs and sat it on the floor. “You’re the first of your kind I’ve seen here what is your species?”
Matscuf thought for a moment and said “I-I can’t remember.”
Zenzubah said “well you look a lot like a Unariaian.”
Matscuf asked "a Unarian what are they?”
Zenzubah said as he picked up his measuring tools “they are a quadrupedal race from the planet Unaria. Their body design is very similar to yours.” Looking at her hooves he continued “they have 3 toes that form a triangular shape. I must say I have never seen or heard of one with your abilities”
Matscuf said “I would like to visit that world someday.”
Zenzubah smiled and said as he ran his mapping instilments over the alicorn’s body “perhaps one day you will.” He walked over to a computer console and said “computer manufacture armor from these measurements.”
Matscuf said while I was coming here my escort used a word that makes no sense.”
Zenzubah asked “what was it?”
Matscuf said “Farphubian-Scorak”
Zenzubah replied with a disgusted look knowing what she was talking about. "It’s an extreme universal insult based on a creature from the planet Farpubia. I saw one once and never want to again they are the most disgusting creatures known.” Thinking about the one he saw a long time ago made his stomach turn. “It is a small wormlike creatures with tiny legs less than a centimeter long. When threatened they excrete a purple slime that smells like rotten flesh mixed with excrement. It repels predators by triggering their gag reflex also contact with the slime can make one sick for weeks." Matscuf e shivered at the thought of this most foul creature.
Zenzubah said “the armor is finished let’s see how it fits”
He started with the helmet. He placed a on her head sliding it over her horn followed by a breast plate. Then leg armor and finally a back cover he smiled and said “perfect fit.”
He led her to a mirror Matscuf saw the armor and smiled wickedly the armor was solid black in color. The helmet it was a light blueish color the breast plate had 2 blue stripes across the chest that formed a crescent at the bottom in the center was a white crescent moon. The legs were also black with similar blue stripes and the flanks had a crescent moon on them there were enen 2 slots on the sides to hold laser swords. As Matscuf stared at her reflection she thought there was something familiar about the image she was looking at but was not sure who or where she saw it before.
Zenzubah asked “do you like it?”
Matscuf snapped out of her daze “yes I do” she chuckled and said “call me Night-mare.”
Zenzubah smiled and said “I like that that should be your gladiator name.”
Matscuf smiled and said “yes they will tremble when they hear my name.”
The next day an escort took Matscuf to the arena. Along the way he briefed her on when to come out into the arena once they arrived she stood in an archway the screens flashed with her image.
The announcer came on “citizens of the Pontian Empire we have a new gladiator one who can perform amazing feats of skill give it up for Night-mare.”
As Matscuf entered the arena followed by 3 floating cameras she saw a stadium full of cheering spectators. Her image was seen on the screens she decided to ham it up a little. She levitated her laser swords from their holsters. Then activated them they glowed with a teal glow she waved then around and did some tricks as the spectators cheered. She put them away and a door opened and bipedal being emerged. Followed by 3 cameras the being appeared to be male his skin was light reddish yellow his eyes were green. He had long black hair.
The announcer spoke again “on this side of the arena we have our champion Puntar and on the other our newest gladiator Night-mare will Puntar defeat the gladiator and remain champion? Or will Night-mare become the new champion?”
The crowd cheered as the Puntar activated his laser sword and Night-mare activated one of hers. Puntar charged forward and they clashed swords then Puntar used telekinesis to knock Night-mare off her hooves this mad her angry.
She stood up cringed her eyes and said with a grin “come and get me you Farphubian-Scorak.”
That got his attention he charged at her screaming. She shot a beam at the alien and knocked him across the floor. Puntar stood up and grinned he said smugly “a challenge this is going to be fun.”
Night-mare just smiled and said “bring it ugly.”
Puntar charged at his opponent. Night-mare moved to the side and stuck her hoof out causing Puntar to trip he stumbled and fell. Puntar was angry he got to his feet and charged again at Night-mare who levitated a sword and blocked a blow. Puntar smiled as the swords clashed furiously the crowd cheered as each one drove the other back. Puntar tried to use telekinesis again but this time Night-mare was ready. She put up a reflective shield and the energy he sent outward bounced off the shield and struck him instead. He flew backwards and landed on his rear end his sword went another direction.
Night-mare stood over him holding a sword to him she said “do you concede?”
Puntar said nothing then he used his telekinesis to draw his sword to him. It clashed with Night-mare's the crowd cheered loudly as the battle continued the swords continued to clash violently. As Night-mare forced Puntar backwards soon he was backed against a wall. She levitated her other sword form its holster activated it then spun them like spinning blades of light. Puntar tried to block the sinning blades but to no avail the blades sliced the Geyorian to pieces the crowd cheered as Night-mare bowed to the cameras and was seen on the screens.
After the battle the announcer came to the arena standing on a floating pad and said “citizens of the Pontian Empire we have a winner and champion Nigh-mare.”
The crowd cheered as Night-mare left the arena for the next scheduled fight to begin. In her chambers Night-mare removed her armor and sat down in a chair and began to relax. She saw a screen on a wall it was similar to the one in the arena. She found a small device nearby and levitated it and soon found the device activated the screen. She was captivated by the moving pictures on the as she pressed the buttons pictures changed. She enjoyed this she found all the different things she saw enjoyable.
Soon a knock came on her door she went to answer and a being stood in from of the door Matscuf said “yes?”
The being said “oh right message for you.”
Matscuf took the letter in her magic and began to read the letter read dear gladiator as required by imperial decree 129-47 of the imperial edict, all combatants are required to report to the medical facility after combat an escort will arrive soon. Matscuf rolled her eyes nd went back to watch the images on the screen a short time later a knock came on the door she opened it and a being stood in front of her.
He saluted and said “greetings Matscuf I am Icthars and I will be your escort.”
Matscuf nodded as they walked to the medical facility Matscuf asked “why do I have to visit a medical facility when I feel fine?”
Icthars said “it is to protect the gladiators. About 200 years ago when the gladiatorial games began we had a gladiator who had a fight she also claimed to be fine. Then one day she came out into the arena and collapsed. Our doctors did all they could but it was too late we fund out later she had sustained an injury 3 dranors before.”
Matscuf said “what’s a drandor?”
Icthars replied “a solar cycle after the loss of the gladiator the leader at the time decreed that after each battle the gladiator be scanned for potential injuries."
Matscuf nodded “a sensible precaution.”
Once in the facility the doctor scanned Matscuf and said “I do not see any injuries but could you perform your magic? Levitate that pad over there and bring it to me.”
Matscuf’s horn began to glow and she levitated the pad over to the doctor. He pressed a few buttons and said “everything looks great I detect no injuries your free to go."
Matscuf nodded and came down from the table and said “if you need me I’ll be in my chambers.”
After Matscuf left the doctor said “Zabador calling Hydoria.”
An irritated voice replied “this better be important.”
Zabador said yes my lord I have the scans of the new gladiator.”
Hydoria said “excellent I am on my way.”
Hydoria soon arrived at the medical facility. Zabador showed him a 3-D image of Matscuf’s brain it was oval shaped with 4 hemispheres and a spherical shape which led to a spinal cord. He rotated the image and showed . Then he showed a side by side comparison of Matscuf’s brain pointing to the image with front 2 hemispheres that were lit up.
He said “this is the part of the brain she uses when she does magic.”
Hydoria said “can it be replocated?”
Zabador said “yes it can, it is a form of energy the horn acts as an amplifier and directs the energy.”
After pressing a few buttons on his pad he handed it to Hydoria who smiled and said “you have done well.”