//------------------------------// // The Dark Voice Revealed (Part 1) // Story: Universe and Sparkle // by King Xeno //------------------------------// Unknown to Steven, Connie, the Gems, the Mane Six, and the Princesses, the Dark Voice had finally waited long enough, he was tired of sitting an doing nothing more than watching as his plan was ruined every time, he would now play a personal part in their demise... Pearl was panicking, she was definitely panicking. From what these three, young, ponies have said, there are tons of Gem Mutants there, and they weren't exactly hidden either, there was no telling how long it would take for them to find some town and attack. She groaned and cupped her head in her hands, she didn't know what to do. It would take weeks before they were all defeated, and she had a feeling that Connie's parents were starting to get suspicious. She let out a groan, while Steven, Connie, the Princesses, the Mane Six, and Shining Armor, watched on, hoping that she would be able to provide some kind of advice. "I... I... I'm at a loss... I don't know what to do, I don't know what can be done... Things were so much easier before any of this happened..." Pearl muttered, before looking up and adding "Not that I have anything against any of you! It's just that... I've never been so stressed before!" "It's understandable, but we need to agree on some kind of a plan... Something has to be bringing these creatures here, but what could have the power to do something like that?" Celestia asked, and that left them all silent. "Is there anything from your world that would have the capabilities to do any of this?" Celestia asked, and Pearl shook her head. "Although we have technology far more advanced than the humans here, not a single Gem has been able to successfully create a way to cross dimensions, let alone bring dangerous creatures with." Pearl replied, and tried her best to think, before asking "Do you know anyone who would do something like this, who would send monsters this... Dangerous?" Celestia began to think and chuckled to herself. "Now that you mention it, there is a short list of foes that we've faced before... There was Nightmare Moon, but her influence had been cleared from Luna's mind... Chrysalis hasn't been seen since the changelings' attack during Shining and Cadance's wedding... Sombra is... Dead..." Celestia stopped, still trying to find other possibilities. "What about Discord?" They heard Amethyst say, although she couldn't be seen at the moment. "I mean, we've seen him travel from your dimension to ours. Couldn't he be a candidate?" Amethyst asked, and a soft gasp could be heard. Fluttershy nearly tripped rushing forward, before saying "Oh no, no, no! Discord wouldn't do anything like this. He may have been mean at first, but now he's our friend, I can't see why he'd want to do this." Pearl sighed, and pressed a hand against her Gem, she just wanted to get this over with, and hopefully find a way back for Steven and Connie. Her mind was racing with possibilities and yet nothing seemed to make it to a simple conclusion, nothing seemed to work out, nothing seemed to lead to an answer. Twilight's eyes widened as she had a sudden realization. "What if it's nothing we've faced before... Something that is evil by nature, that was born to be a destructive monster?" Twilight asked, and suddenly it made sense. This must have been the answer, but they had no idea how wrong they were. The Dark Voice began to put a plan into action, in order to attack those who had ruined his life, he would need to create body to inhabit, and with the surplus of Gem Mutants in the area, he already knew what he was going to do. Several of the creatures began to come together, and almost as if under some kind of a trance, moved towards a cave, and slowly emerged with crystals and gems of various sizes. At this point they were nothing but slaves to the Dark Voice, and his evil plots. They began t construct something, a large object, and although it would take a while, the Dark Voice knew that this would lead to his rule over Equestria. "So what do we do? Just start beating up those Gem Mutants?" Rainbow Dash asked, and Pearl sighed, before she could say anything the house she was standing in began to shake. She stood up and placed her hands together, before saying "Until we can come up with an actual plan... I don't think we have a choice, but just be careful... All of you." Pearl said, before the hologram started to fade. "Remember, start thinking while I'm gone." Pearl added, before she disappeared, leaving them all standing there in silence. "Well, you heard Pearl. Let's go smash some Gems!" Rainbow shouted, and just as she was about to fly out the window, Celestia stopped her. "You need to travel as a group, stick together, but most importantly stay safe my little ponies, and as for you two..." Celestia turned to face Steven and Connie, who suddenly felt nervous. "You both need to stay safe as well. Now then, try and defeat as many of these Gem Mutants as possible, I will relay a magical signal to Twilight when we have discussed a proper plan." Celestia exited the room, with Luna, Cadance, and Shining Armor followed. Steven turned to face everyone, and he grinned before shouting "Now then, let's go kick some Gem Mutant butt!"