//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: The Theft of the Tomb of Clover the Clever // Story: Equestria Wars Episode XIII: Revenge of the Lunar Republic // by sonicdash123 //------------------------------// A meeting was called by Charming Thunder. Ever since the Lunar Republic returned three weeks ago, the Equestrian Empire had to increase defenses around Canterlot and the Phantom Consortium along with Thrall's Horde have a fleet ready to repel any enemy attacks. When Danny and Rainbow arrived, the meeting has started. "Wonderful, let us start," Charming Thunder said. "Care to explain why you called us so urgently, Charming?" Luna asked. Charming Thunder looked towards Cadence. "Cadence, show the data we have recently found." Cadence pulls out a datapad, plugs it into the computer hologram and the curtains lowered as a hologram played. "Charming, what is this?" Danny asked. "This looks like coordinates to something." "We found some sort of device that acts like a map underneath the Crystal Empire Palace. We never noticed it before and we managed to talk to some sort of machine that told us that it was created by Mephiles and that the map leads to Mephiles' Ultimate Weapon; The Dark Forge." "I heard of nothing about this...Dark Forge, back in the dark days of Mephiles," Celestia said. "We talked to the machine and while his information was limited. He did tell us that the Dark Forge has a weapon known as the Dark Reanimation Control. It allows Mephiles to restore the physical bodies of the dead back to their nature in their youth and before their death. The thing about this, though, allows Mephiles to controlled the Reanimated Minions like puppets and they are forced to do it without question. And not to mention; the Dark Forge is a powerful battle station; maybe even more powerful than the Death Star." "We can't spare resources looking for this...Dark Forge," Danny said. "We are busy protecting Equestria from the NLR and Garrosh." "But maybe a small team can leave Equestria to look for the Dark Maps. There are five in total and we can use them to help us locate this Dark Forge." "Then do what? You can't control the dead! Only Mephiles can!" "I was thinking that maybe Danny could--" "ME!!" "Make sense since he is Mephiles' Heir," Chrysalis said. "But what if I can't!? What then!?" "Then we destroy it to make sure Mephiles can't use it; should he return at all," Charming Thunder replied. "What if... what if I use Unicron's Blood; Dark Energon? I can control any machine with my will and with Unicron's domination; the Dark Forge could be used for...other means?" Charming Thunder's medallion began to glow as Primus' voice advised, "I suggest that we don't go with your brother's plan. He might use the Dark Forge against us if he betrays us. Trust me on this." Charming Thunder then looked at Danny and said for Primus, "No. Primus has pointed out to me that you could use the Dark Forge against us; should you turn against us." Danny got up from his chair and pounded the table with fury. "Have I showed you no true trust brother!?" Danny shouted. "I helped you, supported you, and gave you all sorts of help and this is the thanks I get!? No trust from my own brother!?!" "Danny-" "NO!!! I refuse to help you track down these Dark Maps! If you don't trust me; you don't trust the alliance between the Vampony Empire and its allies! And not to mention; I'm sure the Phantom Consortium will not support you in this uproar!" "Primus has never led me wrong." "Oh! So you trust a Cybertronian God who is no more than your adviser than your own brother!?" Danny turned to the door. "I knew this would not work! By this action; the Vampony Empire will NOT support you for this act of distrust! I will NOT work with a King who has doubt of his relation; his brother alone!" Rainbow got up from her chair and followed him. "Charming, as queen of the Vampony Empire, I leave Equestria with my husband," Rainbow said. "I hope you can think next time about your show of distrust." --------------------- Arriving at the Crystal Empire, Charming Thunder, Luna, Applejack, Sunset, Shining, and Dusk arrive to the Crystal Knight Temple to find the Dark Map at Clover the Clever's tomb. However, a droid control ship arrived before they did over the temple which is now on fire. "Does Twilight already know about the Dark Maps?" Charming Thunder asked. "Impossible," Dusk said. "She would have shared that information to you. I think someone could have told her." "Perhaps a spy was amongst our mists," Luna said. "Are you suggesting Danny?" Charming Thunder asked. "NO!" Dusk shouted. "My father would not feed information to the NLR!" "Well he DID leave the alliance," Shining added. "Him and his empire disconnected themselves from Equestria. Perhaps he joined forces with the NLR." "Don't you dare talk about my father like that or I'll kill you here and now!!" "Is that a threat?" "If you are going to talk about my father like that; I might as well disconnect my hive from the Alliance and end it forever! Then I'll join with the Vampony Empire and declare war on the Crystal Empire!!" "Since when this tension and a need for violence occurred?" Sunset asked. "I mean; sure Charming didn't mean to show distrust to Danny. All he was doing was saying what Primus thought of the matter." "Shut your mouth Sunset! Charming should have kept Primus' opinion to himself! Now look at where Charming has led this, now, poor excuse of an Alliance! The Changelings no longer support the Alliance! The Vampony Empire disconnected itself from the Alliance! Now the Crystal Empire and the Primal Changelings are on a thin thread; tension brewing and getting ready to go to war the moment the thread cut itself! And not to mention but the Alliance between the Equestrian Empire and the Phantom Consortium is on a thin thread as well! So tell me Sunset; what is your opinion on the situation! I'm pretty sure that whatever you say here and now will affect this very alliance! So please; enlighten me about your thoughts about this! I'm dying to hear them!" "Enough!" Charming Thunder shouted. "We need to group up and do whatever we can to save what remains of our Jedi Soldiers." Danny looked at Charming Thunder and nodded. When the shuttle landed, the group ran out of the shuttle and began to look around. They see no soldier corpses but Battle Droids, Super Battle Droids, and Dwarf Spider Droids. The group destroyed them and eventually made it to the entrance of the Tomb of Clover the Clever. The entrance was guarded by Super Battle Droids, Droidekas, and Magnaguards. "Twilight is defiantly here," Shining said. "And she is, no doubt, after the Dark Map." Charming counted to three and they went into battle. It didn't take long to defeat the droids. They entered the temple to see what looked like a battle. Battle Droids, Super Battle Droids, and even Droidekas were on the ground with some weird droids. The group made it to a giant room when they began to hear Twilight's voice. "I got the data, that is just another step into winning this war," Twilight said. "So, when will the 'Spy' give you the data Charming got?" "He already has it and transferred it to me," the distorted voice replied. "I've already gotten the last piece of the puzzle. All I need now is that data from that Dark Map and we will have all the pieces of the puzzle. And at last; I can have the location of the Dark Forge." "And once we have the Dark Forge, we will be unstoppable." "Correct. But it requires a power supply. Maybe the dark matter below Canterlot." "Is that why you wanted the entire NLR and Garrosh's forces to attack there?" "Not only that. My spy knows what we else we need. He can retrieve the object we need to free Mephiles from his cell in Tartarus. The very object that Celestia created to make sure that Mephiles NEVER returns from Tartarus. Mephiles spirit endured the spell and managed to get loose. However...Mephiles has warned me and my spy about his minion's betrayal." "Are you referring to Arcaan?" "Indeed. Mephiles already knows he will betray him and will, no doubt, go to Charming and warn him of my presence." "Is he a threat." "He knows little of Mephiles plans but his information about Mephiles' allies is quite...valuable. I think he should be terminated." "Does he know the identity of the spy?" "No. Mephiles has been keeping all of his allies in the dark. But enough about Arcaan; did you retrieve the remains of Clover the Clever?" "Indeed. I transported it through the shortcut and hidden passage that was built. Her remains will be in your collection of dead Jedi Soldier corpses. I hope this weapon is not just a legend." "It is not. My spy has reported that Charming learned that the weapon is, indeed, not a legend. Charming will realized that with this weapon being used against him; he will be facing old enemies who will be wanting revenge." "I heard you mention something about Slade earlier. Is he one?" "Not really. Slade may be the Son of Discord but I do not trust him. However; there is something rather...disturbing." "What do you mean?" "I searched for certain ponies but their remains... are not in their grave." "Who?" "Not of your business. Before I leave; there is something you may want to know?" "Yes?" "Take care of your guests that are listening on this." The transmission ended as Twilight turned to the group. "Crud!!" Charming Thunder whispered as he and the others came out of hiding with their weapons ready. The two Jedi Hunters with Twilight grabbed their lightsabers. "Kill them!!" Twilight shouted. The Jedi Hunters attacked them while Twilight fled to the hidden passage and closed the door and jammed the door. The group combated the two Jedi Hunters and managed to kill them. When they did, the roof began to shake. "Twilight is going to burry us alive here!" Dusk shouted. The group began to run out of the tomb and managed to get out on time. The left the temple to see the Droid Control Ship leaving the sector and entering slipstream. "Our enemy was always a step ahead of us," Sunset stated. "What now?" "Now?" Charming Thunder replied. "We prepare for their arrival."