Five Weeks before the Liberation of the Crystal Empire
It's been quite a while since the attack at school. Nopony dared speak of it, let alone mention the pony responsible. Not even his close friends such as Rumble, Cosgrove, and Button ever talked to him. Likewise, they shunned Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon whenever they passed.
Sitting at a lunch table, Silver Spoon slowly nibbled her sandwich, something her closest friend seemed to not grasp clearly.
"Okay, Silvie." - Diamond slammed her soft drink on the table - "What's up with you?!"
Ignoring that, Silver Spoon just continued to eat.
"Oh come on!" - Diamond rolled her eyes - "Is this still about that pointless attack? Daddy kept the tabloids out! We are safe."
Silver looked up and fidgeted her glasses, "It's not about you. It's about Cogsworth."
"You still worry about him!?" - Diamond pointed to Cosgrove a few tables away - "That circus animal's teacher stopped him!"
Turning an ear to that, the Hipparion growled, trying to restrain himself from lashing out.
Silver Spoon stood on the seat, glaring at her long enough to have her glasses fall out of her nose.
"We almost got ourselves killed!!" - Silver's outburst drew the attention of her classmates - "And you still haven't taken that to heart?"
The gray Earth Pony grabs her glasses, rubbed them on her fur, and stormed away from her friend. Diamond huffed before noticing the looks the others gave her.
"What are you looking at?" She mumbled
Two Weeks Before the Liberation of the Crystal Empire
Despite the rather mixed public opinion, The Ponyville Juvenile Detention Center was among the most comforting of such centers. Inside, a majority of the incarcerated participate with each other in hopes that their good behavior could land them a way out of there. Cogsworth was more of the harder cases. Being the only one there with a wheelchair, the mechanic didn't interact well when it came to statements such as, "I know how you feel," or, "Must be tough having to climb the stairs." Still, he did his share when he interacted with Scruffy Jan whenever he came down to fix the furnace. His parents have visited him three times in the last two months, though often these were talks of, "What are you going to do first thing you get out."
His answer, "I don't know."
One night, Cogsworth did receive a mysterious package, the tag only reading, "To: Cogsworth, From: A Friend." This wasn't a wise move. He would imagine that this could a last minute prank by Diamond Tiara. Placing the box on the dresser, the mechanic stomped his front hooves, summoning his roommate Screwloose. The dog minded pony hopped over and took a sniff at the container before giving her friend a lick and running off. Cogsworth opened the package but found nothing inside. Screwloose got his attention as she patted the door. The Earth Pony walked towards her, unaware that the package hid a secret compartment as a leech like being slithered out and eyed him.
"You I am going to -" Suddenly the beast snatched him.
Today
It was the last day for the school year, and of course, everyone was excited. During lunch break, fillies and colts talked about their big plans for the summer. For the Crusaders, this was the extra time to go out and find their Cutie Marks. For Button Mash, this was an all out gaming binge. For Cosgrove, he would go on the Royal Train with Sunset and Princess Celestia to Saddle Arabia first thing the end of the day bell rang.
The Hipparion would be happy... Had Featherweight not published the last paper for the year, the headline reading, "Former Classmate Captured: Suspect Unknown," displaying a very well taken photo from Shady Daze. Cosgrove crumpled the paper. He never took the opportunity to schedule a visit and had hoped that he would once he got back.
"I... tried to time it right." - Cosgrove jumped when he heard the new Editor-in-Chief right next to him - "But his parents had to know..."
Cosgrove patted his back. "You did what you could, Featherweight."
"It still hurts, doesn't it?"
Cosgrove looked to find Silver Spoon walking a little farther to Diamond's left. "Sometimes."
Well after the school bell rang, Cosgrove's friends and family were at the station, waiting for the train to arrive. Lion Tamer and Loopty Hoop hugged their grandson. Sunset watched as Twilight walked next to her.
"I'm so happy that you and Celestia finally got back together again." Twilight wrapped a hoof around her.
"Though I do question why would you bring Cosgrove with you." - Rarity curled an eyebrow - "A diplomatic mission would be boring to a child."
"Cosgrove made his choice. Besides" - Sunset looked at Spike - "you brought Spike to the Crystal Empire."
Spike chuckled before turning to the sound of a train whistle. The Royal Express ground to a halt with the most elaborate train car positioned before them. The doors opening, two guards, Flash Sentry among them, stepped out.
"Presenting your Royal Highness, Princess Celestia!"
As she stepped out of the train, the ponies before her bowed before rising up. She looked down at the two ponies that would accompany her.
"Are you ready?" asked Celestia.
"Please do be careful." Loopty Hoop hugged her grandson.
"Do not worry," - Celestia assured - "he will return as you see him now." - She turns to Twilight - "Twilight, I would like for you to provide the entertainment when we arrive with the delegates."
"Yes, your Highness."
As the train made its departure, the ponies at the station waved goodbye as the train drew ever farther away. As it sped through the railroad, the landscape changed from the grassy hills of Ponyville to the desert scrub of Appaloosa. Cosgrove watched out the window as they passed through the badlands, not noticing the faint reflection of Princess Celestia.
"Should it not surprise you that the view is beautiful?"
"Oh!" - Cosgrove yelped before he stepped off his seat and bowed.
"No need to bow, young stallion. You and Sunset maybe my guests, but I still treat you as equals."
The Hipparion sat back on the chair before the Alicorn set next to him. Cosgrove dared not mention Celestia's cake consumption, lest he be blasted off the train on the spot.
"So... In your life as... An immortal, have there been any fascinating stories?"
"I have had quite many." - Sunset was just returning to the main passenger car when her ear picked up their conversation - "And there I was, flying as fast as my wings could. The dragon gained on me, his jaws opened wide, teeth above me, teeth below!"
"Can't blame you, Your Highness." Cosgrove grabbed a small cookie "You live a very exciting life."
"High praise indeed coming from you." - Celestia wrapped a primary wing Feather around him - "Twilight has told that you have had quite a life yourself."
Behind a door slightly ajar, Sunset smiled as her former mentor and her friend are getting along so well.
A few hundred feet higher, a large object was flying above the train. In a green visor, the being picked up energy signatures from several Ponies on the train, the highest being Celestia and Cosgrove. With a command sent to it, "Continue Surveillance, Don't Engage," the mass veered right.
The train finally arrived at the desert city of Saddle Arabia. As was custom, Princess Celestia stood behind two of her guards while Sunset and Cosgrove stood behind her. The doors opened, allowing the two guards to step out.
"Presenting the Royal Highness of Canterlot: Princess Celestia."
On cue, the Alicorn walked out, her two guests joining her side. In front of them were two Horses of an Arabian stock. One was dark brown with a yellow mane and tail, the second was pink with a darkened mane. Both wore an elaborate garb from head to flank.
"Presenting the Sultan of Saddle Arabia: Saluk Cassim."
Walking between them was another Horse wearing a garb much more elaborate than his protectors. After the two rulers stepped forward, they greeted each other with a bow.
"Welcome, Princess Celestia." The Elderly Horse turned around "Please, come."
They began their walk through the marketplace. Sunset and Cosgrove looked around at the various people in one location. Aside from Horses, Goats, Griffons, and especially Camels both one and two-humped walked the streets. There were still a few familiar races, but for the most part, Horses are dominant in Saddle Arabia. Both master and student looked to see the Flim Flam Brothers once again trying to sell their merchandise (in this case Mana) to the town square.
When they arrived at the palace gates, they were greeted by two large guards that made the two rather uneasy. Since the chaos caused by Discord, Elephants have largely been extirpated from the main areas of Equestria, and tend to not take kindly to Ponies. Cosgrove shouldn't have any trouble with this, but being away from the Circus he lost being used to their smell. As they walked through the wooden doors, the beasts gave them a glare.
The representatives from Equestria Proper were split off into two groups; Celestia, Sunset, and Saluk in one group, Cosgrove, Amira, and Haakim with the other. After waving goodbye, the Hipparion and the two Horses walked through the halls. Unaware, the object targeting them now has a victim separated from the other. Both groups stopped to the sound of a sonic boom in the air before they continued.
Cosgrove and his escorts stopped at one of the palaces finest locations: The Court of Twelve Manticores. The Hipparion noticed how many of the statues aren't spilling water. Looking around the fountain, he found one spilling out water.
"It helps the Sultan keep track of time." Said Haakim as he pointed to the sun
After looking up at the massive star, Cosgrove turned to the two Horses when Amira lowered her head.
"Does our size intimidate you, young one?"
"I've seen bigger" Cosgrove placed a hoof on his chin "It's just that I haven't seen so many Horses in one place outside of the Circus. Did you chose to stay here... Or did some Draconequus find you unworthy?"
Haakim and Amira looked at each other before the former looked back at him.
"You ask very deep questions for one your age." - Haakim turned to the walls around him, looking at how there are words of their own language inscribed - "The answers do lie within our architecture, along with our laws and testaments."
Cosgrove raised a hoof when an object crashed onto the fountain, the shock wave sending them flying back as dust and water spills everywhere. When the dust cleared, they saw something that is practically foreign to them. It appeared to be some kind of machine but looked very advanced. The top half had a head like that of a bol weevil, two mechanical wings, two arms jutting from slim shoulders with the hands being four-fingered claws. The lower half pivoted at a ball joint as it balanced on four arachnoid legs, with a tail holding a stinger.
"How dare you violate the Sultan's palace with your perversions!!" - Haakim's warning appeared to fall on deaf ears as the machine's "eyes" glowed purple - "Get Back!"
It shot a series of purple lights that "splattered" on the ground in their tiny shock waves. Seeing that the targets have fled, the machine drew out a scanning laser as the upper body pivoted around the hall. They were in fact, hiding behind the walls of a doorway.
"This is unlike any war machine we have ever encountered." Amira peeked from the door just as the laser was about to scan her presence.
"But any siege machine can be destroyed." - Haakim turned to Cosgrove - "You must seek help from your Princess!" - the Horse drew a scimitar blade from a scabbard embedded in the armor - "Go! We will distract it!"
The two Arabian Knights galloped out, drawing the attention of the machine as it's pincers glowed a sickly green before firing at them. Dodging each blast, Haakim swung his neck around before turning around. The blade didn't leave a scratch as the machine turned to the stallion and prepared to fire from it's "nose" when Amira slashed it, turning the discharged flame the other way.
Cosgrove stopped and turned to find that the battle was not in their favor. He wanted to help, but then he remembered: "If you ever see encounter something like this again, seek help immediately." He furrowed his brow as he took out a parchment and an ink quill.
"Well, they are the help."
The two Horses were pinned by the machine's claws as the stinger drew towards Haakim.
"Do what you will monster, but others will rise to end you." - the machine applied pressure to his neck.
"No! Leave him alone!!" Amira yelled as the stinger aimed at her head.
Just at the stinger draws back, the machine began to fidget and spark, releasing it's victims and shutting down. Amira ran to Haakim as he wheezed. They turned to find Cosgrove walking around the mech.
"Though we Saddle Arabians have had wars with magic users, we are in your debt." Amira thanked him.
Cosgrove turned to the machine, noticing the intersecting plates on its thorax.
"The spell won't last long." The Hipparion tried to fiddle a fingernail to pry out the hatch.
Haakim dug a little of his blade and with the help of the EMP spell, he pried it open.
"By... Allah..."
What they saw inside was no magic gem or liquid fuel.
It was a pony, Cogsworth to be exact, his body attached with cables piercing his spinal cord. Cosgrove's eyes became pinpricks as he shambled onto the mech and placed his hoof on his neck. Feeling a faint heartbeat, he relaxed.
"Thank Celestia!"
Cosgrove noticed the green lining of the chamber having a somewhat organic nature. Scraping it, he felt that it was viscous. This had him piece together the thing in front of him. The black and blue color scheme, an arthropod form, green insides, all attached to a pony.
"Chrysalis!" The Hipparion hissed.
"That is only half true."
The three Ponies looked up to see a hornless Changeling descending upon them.
"Makes sense that she'd send a bug to ruin the picnic." Cosgrove stamped his hooves and lowered into an attack position, his cohorts drawing their swords.
"Hmph! This is merely a side effect, what I really want is my horn back!"
"Well," - Cosgrove growled - "I don't have it."
"No matter, my Queen promised me a new horn" - She slowly drew her "hoof" around her throat - "if I bring a head from one of the Ponies that resisted our invasion."
Cogsworth awoke, bringing the machine back online. He turned to Cosgrove who had a sympathetic look to him.
"Cosgrove..." A gentle voice from his before his eyes turned green, changing one of the arms into a hammer - "you betrayed me!"
Dodging the attack, Cosgrove turned to the Changeling.
"What have you done with him?!" He roared.
"Having no power of my own, I needed... Additional help." - The Changeling hovered to her servant and rubbed his shoulders - "You should have seen him be so strong, but all too soon Galgameth succumbed to our will."
The two Horses trotted up to him when he turned around.
"Go and protect the Sultan, warn him about the intruder!" Dipping his hoof in water, Cosgrove drew a copper and gold symbol on the stone floor, drawing the power of electricity - "I can handle this."
The Changeling drew a toothy grin as she turned to her servant. "Bring me his head."
Drawing his hammer hand again, Cogsworth slammed into the stone ground as Cosgrove pounced on him, discharging electric currents around the machine. The mind controlled Earth Pony aimed his stinger, barely missing his target as it stabbed him in the back, just barely missed the cockpit. This was a risky maneuver, but if he could last long enough for Sunset or Celestia to arrive, then he could be removed.
I don't want to hurt you!" Cosgrove yelled
Cosgrove aimed a laser at the Hipparion. "You left me when you could've helped me, you never visited me, you aren't my friend, you already have!!" Cogsworth immediately shot a grenade that spiraled forward.
The explosion can be heard very well up the towers of the palace. The Sultan rushed out to a balcony, spotting a smoke trail rising up. The echo of the explosion is disturbed by the sound of heavy hoof steps as Haakim and Amira entered the bed chamber.
"Your Highness!" The two Horses bowed before them "There is an intruder: a Changeling is trying to sabotage!"
Sunset looked behind them before her eyes shot wide open before another explosion is heard.
Back at the battle, Cosgrove started to wear out. The spell he performed drains his energy the least, it still counts as he got slower and weaker in dodging the robot's attack. Arching back, Cogsworth shot out a grappling hook, grabbing the Hipparion and pulling to his reach.
"Changeling magic suits me well, while you have no magic left to use. What more could you possibly do?"
As he aimed a blaster at the tired Hipparion, the light drew him to the Earth Pony.
"Im... pro... vise..." With one final pulse, Cosgrove used his magic to shock the claw. With an opening exposed, He leaped onto the cockpit, grabbed onto the pilot, arched his head back and slammed it on Cogsworth's crown.
As one of the methods of breaking a mind control spell, the red Earth Pony reeled back before becoming limp. Cosgrove, now deprived of energy, fell onto the stone floor, his breath shallow.
The silence of the horseshoe halls is disturbed again by the buzzing of wings. Cosgrove slowly turned his head as the Changeling landed on top of him.
"Queen Chrysalis isn't the only one with a name. You should know it before I end you! My name is Blackarachnia."
As she prepared to sink her teeth into him, she stopped to the sound of a gun clicking.
"Adios cucaracha." Cogsworth fired a spiral grenade at her, sending her flying, screaming into the sands. Cogsworth steered the machine to Cosgrove, now fainted on the floor.
"Cogsworth?" The mechanic turned the machine again to an amazed Sunset Shimmer staring at him. The Unicorn galloped to her student and checked his pulse. Lifting him onto her back, Sunset looked up to find the mechanic tearing up. Wiping a tear, inadvertently causing the robot's arm to move as well, he lowered himself to her height.
The black void soon ebbed away to a full view of Sunset Shimmer up close, along with Celestia and her chosen delegates, those being Haakim and Amira. Cosgrove slowly tilted his head down to find that he was bandaged on his torso.
"Cogsworth...?" Cosgrove wheezed when Sunset gave him a scroll.
Dear Cosgrove,
I was unable to say this in person because you were out cold. I want to say that I am so sorry for what I almost did to you, Diamond, and Silver Spoon. The truth is, I have been teased so much by them that before you arrived I was already... Bitter. When you come home, can you tell my parents that I am okay? I need to go under a... Reformation. I will come back, just not now.
Showing this to Cogsworth's parents made them tear up as they hugged Cosgrove as if he was their own. Back at the library, Sunset was in the middle of a conversation with Twilight.
"And I thought that Trixie was bad, but a techno-organic being, that really takes the cake." Twilight chuckled.
"So what happened to this Alicorn Amulet?"
"Oh, I have if." Twilight levitated a chest Zecora gave her when they put the Amulet away. Opening it up, Twilight frowned.
"Is there a problem?"
"I could have sworn Rainbow gave it to me. Spike!"
Well into the trees of the Everfree, Blackarachnia glared at the nearby town before holding up the Alicorn Amulet to her face. A toothy grin spread across her mouth as Sombra's face appeared inside.