At the same time in Twilights castle every pony is wondering what to do with Cadence being exiled from Equestria. Zackmar suggested she wear the cloaking belt while outside the castle.
Cadence said “I am going to prove my innocence and get my empire back the question is how?”
Synora said “you could start by forming a resistance movement.”
Cadence thought for a moment “yes that could make things very difficult for the Pontian’s.”
Applejack said “I would be honored to join this new faction.”
Rainbow said “count me in.”
Pinkie said “me too.”
Rarity said “and I as well.”
Fluttershy said “I’m in.”
Twilight said “I’m in too any others raise a hand claw or hoof.”
Spike, Zackmar and Synora raised their hands and claws.
Zackmar said “we need a name.”
Rainbow said “the invisible raiders.”
Rarity said “the hidden bandits.”
Applejack said “I got nothin’.”
Fluttershy just shook her head.
Pinkie said “super spies.”
Twilight said “the freedom warriors.”
Synora thought for a moment then said “I have one it applies to all the names you gave, on my world a being or group of beings that fight against an oppressive force are called Neptar.”
There was a moment of silence then Rainbow said “I like it.”
The others smiled then Twilight said “all in favor of the name Neptar raise your hoof, hand or claw.”
The 6 ponies 2 aliens and dragon all raised their hooves, hands and claws Twilight smiled and said “I hereby declare this the first meeting of the Neptar.”
Cadence smiled and said “Shining Armor would love a chance to get back at th changelings after what they did.”
Twilight said “the rest of you go into Ponyville and rally who you can I will join you we will make this town our base of operations.”
Meanwhile in the Crystal Empire a coronation ceremony is being held for Menznor Zentah but only a few ponies came to the event.
Celestia told the citizens who missed the trial of Canterlot and the subsequent exile afterwards she said “citizens on the Crystal Empire I hereby decree that the sins of the old have been swept away and a new era begins. I declare Menznor Zentah ruler of the Crystal Empire. also our alliance with the Pontian’s will enable us to acquire technology setting the Equestrin union several hundred years ahead of the other nations.”
Menzor said ‘thank you your highness I will do my best to help usher in a new era also a few refugees will be coming in I ask you treat them well they have been through a lot.” After the ceremony concluded Celestia and Luna left for Canterlot in a royal chariot.
The first thing Menzor did as ruler was to re organize the royal guard into a para military organization. There were rumors them commencing raids on the Griffin Empire and plundering their gold.
Shinning Armor disgusted with the allegations levied against his wife and what the royal guard was doing. He went to Menznor and said “I resign my position as Capitan of the royal guard.”
Menznor nodded and said “as you wish but may I ask why?”
Shinning said “personal reasons.”
Shinning left the empire and boarded a train for Ponyville he hoped Twilight and her friends could help him find his wife he wondered what happened to her after the trial. As he entered Ponyville he went to the castle of friendship and knocked on the door.
Spike went to the door and saw Shinning Armor standing there.
Shinning said “hi Spike is Twilight home?”
Spike said “yes come on in.”
He led Shinning into the throne room where he saw Twilight her friends and the 2 aliens.
Shinning seemed so distraught he said “hi every pony has any of you seen Cadence?”
A voice came from what seemed like nowhere “I’m here.”
Synora walked over to where the voice came from and pressed a button and Cadence came into view.
Shinning’s face lite up “CADENCE!” He ran over and the 2 embraced “I thought they locked yu in a dungeon.”
Cadence said “no I was just exiled I have a few days left in Equestria.”
Zackmar discreetly pulled out his scanner and nodded at Synora.
As the ponies talked he pulled Synora aside and said “we need a scanner that can detect non-ponies and will sound an alarm can you create such a device?’
Synora thought for a moment and said “yes I can.”
Zackmar said “I will discuss it with Twilight and the others and once I secure their permission we can build it Synora nodded.”
They went to where the ponies were Zackmar said “attention every-uh pony in light of the recent events and the possibility changeling infiltration. I would like to install a security system a scanner that can detect specific DNA types which can be added as we gain new alies.
The ponies looked around and at each other then at Twilight who asked “what will it do?”
Zackmar said “an alarm will sound and lights will flash and a stasis field will envelope the intruder.”
Twilight said “that’s a good idea install it.”
Synora said “I would like to create a base of operations any suggestions on a location?”
Zackmar said “what about the mountain to the west? The one that was previously occupied by the Pontian’s?”
Synora asked “what mountain?”
Zackmar told how the 6 ponies used their elements to destroy the hidden Pontian base.
Synora said “I would like to see the ruined mountain base.”
Zackmar took her to the location of the ruined base there was still a huge hole and the equipment was still inside.
She took out her scanner and said “this equipment is damaged but not inoperable.”
Zackmar asked “how long will it take to get this equipment operational?”
Synora looked around and said “hard to say several solar cycles at least.”
Zackmar thought for a moment then asked “what about those ships that were left in the Crystal Empire?”
Synora said “I installed cloaking devices on them they are hidden on the outskirts of the capital city I can bring them here by remote control.”
Zackmar asked “how many could you salvage?”
Synora said “out of 12 only 7 were salvageable we had to use parts from some to replace others.”
Zackmar said “the 5 you could not make operational bring them here as well we will find a use for their parts.”
Synora pulled a device from her belt and pressed a button “they will be here soon.”
A short time later several shimmering silhouettes came floating over them landing nearby depressing the ground as they came to rest.
Synora said “the 5 have to be brought here manually these the seats were being refitted when Menzor took over, what I want to know is why was Cadence deposed?”
Zackmar said “I suspect the changelings are behind this and I think Twilight and Cadence suspect the same thing. But not to worry in the next few solar cycles a friend is coming who can help us.”
A couple days later after Zackmar woke up and went down the hall and an outside balcony where Fluttershy was leaning on the railing looking out watching the sunrise.
He said “hi Fluttershy you’re up early.”
Fluttershy looked over and smiled “hi Zackmar I like watching the sun rise.”
Zackmar said “I’m still getting used to this world, where I come from the sun rises in the west and sets in the east so for me this would be sunset.”
Fluttershy looked over and said “are you worried about what’s to come?”
Zackmar asked “what do you mean?”
Fluttershy replied “I’m not sure but I feel something big is coming.”
Zackmar asked “do you know what?”
Fluttershy shook her head “no I just feel something I’m not sure what.”
As the sun continued to raise Zackmar’s communicator began beeping he pressed a button and the device opened “Zackmar here.”
A voice spoke “Zackmar, this is Kendar I am in orbit”
Zackmar said “lock on to this signal.”
Kendar said “acknowledged I’m on my way.”
Zackmar said “come I’ll introduce you to my friend Kendar.”
Fluttershy smiled as the 2 went inside and went out the front door Fluttershy sat down as a ship came into view it was saucer shaped with lights flashing around the center. Fluttershy tilted her head and thought it looked like a giant plate with a bowel on top with lights. Three legs extended from the craft as it landed and a ramp came down and a being similar to Synora came down it had light blue skin greenish yellow eyes.
Zackmar said “hello Kendar it’s good to see you.”
Kendar said “you too Zackmar” looking over she said “who’s your friend?”
Zackmar smiled and said “Kendar meet Fluttershy.”
Fluttershy smiled “uuum hello.”
Kendar smiled “hello.”
Fluttershy said “I’ll tell the others we have a guest.”
Zackmar said “wait I want to test something first” turning to Kendar I would like you to help me test the new security system.”
Kendar nodded “Pontian issues?”
Zackmar said “big time” turning to Fluttershy he said he said “tell the others I am going to test the security system.”
As Fluttershy went inside the castle Kendar asked “what a strange creature is that the norm here.”
Zackmar said “yes you will find this world has many unusual inhabitants but I find they are pleasant when I crashed here they saved my life. They are good creatures who do not deserve to be enslaved by a narcissistic race with an ego the size of a galaxy.
Kendar said “I know how you feel I lost my best friend and several allies when Coues was destroyed.”
Zackmar nodded in agreement “you have our support.”
Just then Fluttershy poked her head through the doors “were ready.”
Zackmar said “thank you Fluttershy.”
As Fluttershy went back inside Zackmar said “ready?”
Kendar said “yes but I have to ask this won’t zap me with an energy beam will it?”
Zackmar replied “no an alarm will sound and a stasis field will envelope you.”
Kendar nodded as the 2 went through the doors Zackmar went first and Kendar followed suddenly alarms sounded and an energy field surrounded her. Zackmar walked over to a keypad on the wall and pressed a few buttons and the alarms stopped and the field dropped.
Kendar said “I hope that does not happen to me every time I enter.”
Zackmar said “no once I enter your DNA into the system ou can come and goas you please, come I’ll introduce you to my friends.”
He led Kendar into the throne room where the 8 ponies a dragon and a Geyorian were talking about various things.
Zackmar said “ponies and company meet Kendar.”
They all said “hello.”
Kendar said “nice to meet you all I am happy to help out.”
Twilight said “welcome to Equestria we are always glad to meet new beings.”
Kendar smiled.
Cadence said “welcome to the castle of friendship I’ll give you a tour.”
As Cadence showed Kendar around Rainbow asked “what can your friend do for us?”
Zackmar said “Kendar has connections in several galaxies and can procure and can provide us with much needed ships and troops if needed.”
Fluttershy asked “does this mean we have to go to war?”
Applejack said “we are at war and have been since the Pontian’s came.”
Zackmar walked away from the group and went outside to a balcony and stared out to the landscape.
As he stared out Fluttersy came to him and saw his distress.
She asked him “you feeling alright?”
Zackmar looked over and sat down as Fluttershy lay down in front of him.
He sighed “I feel this is my fault if I had not come here none of this would have happened I was supposed to deliver the graviton weapon plans to Zandarian command. Then I crash here then the Pontian’s have compromised your leader and Luna has been replaced by a shapeshifter, the Crystal Empire has fallen. Twilight told me about the changeling queen I’m certain she is ruling it and is probably feeding off the love there and now were talking about war.”
Fluttershy said “they may have come here anyway and we would have been taken over and we possibly would not even know it its possible you were destined to come here and help us.
Zackmar said “I never thought of it that way” he smiled “thanks Fluttershy.”
Fluttershy smiled “your welcome I’m always glad to cheer a sad pony or alien up.”
Just then Kendar came to the balcony “there you are Zackmar.”
Zackmar asked “you have what is it?”
Kendar said “Cadence was telling me about Luna and I have a lead on where she may be.”
Fluttershy said “you do?”
Kendar said “yes before I arrived here I was watching a broadcast of the Pontian gladiatorial games and their star gladiator is a being similar to the ponies here. She was clad in black armor with blue trim and a blue helmet they called her Night-Mare.”
Fluttershy’s eyes grew wide “Nightmare Moon?”
Kendar replied “there was no mention of a Nightmare Moon just Night-Mare.”
Zackmar asked “what did Twilight and the others say?”
Kendar said “I haven’t mentioned it to them yet I did not think it was important besides I do not think this planet is equipped to receive broadcast signals.”
Zackmar said “we were looking for a missing alicorn and rather than run all over the universe we needed a solid lead and now we have it.”
The 3 went to the throne room and Kendar told them about Night-Mare.
Twilight was confused “why would Luna fight in an arena in a strange planet?”
Zackmar said they probably used a theta wave generator similar to the one they used on Celestia.”
Rainbow said “what are we waiting for let go rescue her!”
Applejack said “hold your horses Rainbow we can just rush on to a strange planet willy nilly.”
Rarity said “I agree we need a strategy.”
Twilight said “agreed if I’m not mistaken the inhabitants have Zackmar and the other visitors shape right?”
Zackmar said “yes the only other planet that has a shape similar to yours is the planet Unaria but they are not sentient like you are. If Luna is under the influence of a theta wave generator and lead to believe she is another creature that is most likely where she would go if she is looking for her origins.”
Twilight asked “if we leave this planet who will defend it in the event either the Pontian’s or the Changelings decide to attack?”
Zackmar said “what about Cadence and your brother?”
Twilight said “that’s fine but what about Cadence’s exile?”
Kendar said “I believe I can help in that regard, I have a device on my ship it’s just a prototype but I think it can be useful.”
Zackmar asked “what is it?”
Kendar said “it’s a portable holographic projector this one projects an image that makes the wearer look like anything they wish and it comes with a voice changer.”
Zackmar said “they used something like that to convict Cadence.”
Kendar said “this is a similar device only this one changes the appearance of th wearer who wants to be the first to try it?”
Synora said “I’ll volunteer.”
Kendar said “I programed an image into the projection matrix and will add more with the final design when your ready press the button.”
Synora took the belt she placed it around her waist pressed a button and a dome of light came down over her as the light faded something different stood before them. It stood 1 meter tall with 4 arms 3 legs and 3 eyes she said “how do I look?”
Rarity levitated a mirror and said “very strange darling.”
Synora looked in the mirror and chuckled “this could be fun for what do you call it nightmare night?” She pressed a button and the hologram dispersed.
Kendar said “I will construct the device it will take several solar cycles once it is complete I can replicate more.”