Trixie slowly woke up, shaking her head, "Oooooh, what happened to Trixie's head." Getting to her shaking hooves, she began to look around herself as her vision came back into view.
A pony in a lab coat came into the room, throwing his hooves into the air"Welcome, to the World of Tomorrow!"
"What?" Trixie said flatly.
A purple unicorn machine entered the room next. She had purple eyes and a glowing mouth,"You are in the year 1265."
"Sparkle!" Trixie exclaimed, hugging the unicorn, "Wait... year 1265? That explains the machine... How did I-”
"Exactly, I am Sparkle-Bot 3000." Sparkle-Bot cocked her head as her horn beeped,"It appears you came here magically.”
"I should've figured," Trixie said, walking away from the bot, "where am I? And how are you the 3000 model?"
"You are in Neo-Canterlot, and my previous two models were far less advanced than I," Sparkle-Bot beeped,"I recognize you now from my databanks. You are Trixie Lulamoon the First."
"The first you say?" Trixie smiled. "You mean that there were others that are just as powerful and great as Trixie? That Trixie's legacy has continued on! Oh, this is fantastic" As Trixie cheered, she suddenly realized that she was about to spoil things.
"As you are from the past, I am inclined to keep information from you. However, I am obligated to take you to the Queens." Sparkle-Bot said.
The... Queens? What?" Trixie asked, shocked as she followed the Sparkle-Bot. Sparkle lead her out into the city, which had ponies flying around in carriages and robots cleaning the streets. Sparkle turned and pointed up at a large metal castle with circuits positioned around its walls. The city itself was a strange mix of old and new, with much of the marble now replaced with steel and circuitry
"Wow," Trixie called out, impressed by what she had been seeing. "How did you get some of this stuff, and what is all of that and the flying around
"Magical hover tech. You won't see that in your time for another thirty years. We have made our tech and quickened our technological advancements in the two hundred years since you've been gone." Sparkle said as she lead Trixie along,"We better be careful here.”
"Why? And please don't say killer mutants," Trixie shuddered, "Trixie hates killer mutants."
"No, not unless we go into the lands in the south. No, we have to worry about the Mechanoids." Sparkle said.
"Trixie is scared that you took her seriously," Trixie groaned, "Wait... Mechanoids?"
"Yes, evil corporate robots created by The Institution." Sparkle said,"Their main goal is to kill all equines."
"What's the Institution?" Trixie asked.
"An evil organization that builds robots to kill others, as opposed to the Sparkle Corporation, which makes helpful robots like me." Sparkle-Bot said.
Trixie arched an eyebrow, "Why hasn't anypony tried to stop them? And who is behind it?"
"We can't find their location. Every Mechanoid we capture self-destructs before we can get any information on it. We have no idea who is behind this organization, yet."
Trixie looked up at the castle and then to Sparkle-Bot.With one more look at the castle, she let out a slow sigh and then smiled, "The Queens... they can send me back to the time Trixie left, right. Then come on!" she said, turning and beginning to walk away
Sparkle-Bot's eyes blinked,"Where are you going?"
Trixie turned and smiled, "Well, you just said there is an evil organization creating robots that kill ponies, and there is nopony trying to stop them. Which means this place needs a hero, and they," Trixie pointed a hoof to Castle, "would never forgive Trixie if she did not try and help these ponies. After all," the magician then straightened her hat, "A hero does no less.'”
Sparkle-bot's eyes blinked and then she raised a hoof, before stopping,"Alright, if you truly want to do that, then you're going to have to go to the H.A.R.M.O.N.Y. HQ and get a Runner's license."
"Sounds easy enough,” Trixie said, turning around to follow the Sparkle-Bot.
"On the contrary, Runners have to go through some tough tests!" Sparkle said, as she lead her to a large tower with a pony aiming a gun symbol on the front. the doors opened automatically as the two went through.
Trixie slowly walked through, looking at the walls and the building. feeling a little dwarfed, she tried to put on her usual confidence, "Trixie can handle any test!"
"Okay, but I can't guarantee your safety." She went to the front desk and spoke with the clerk,"I have one pony who wishes to take the Runner test."
The clerk chewed her bubble gum,"The testing room is in the back."
Trixie smiled with confidence as she walked to the back room. With a shrug of her shoulders, she strutted in.
A brown coated, brown maned stallion in a trenchcoat was working on a small weapon in a bench while several doors lay beyond him. He turned at the noise.
"Cain, this mare wants to become a runner." Sparkle said.
Cain looked at Trixie,"Are you sure
"Trixie wants to help take down these bots, of course he is sure," Trixie said.
Cain looked at Trixie,"You realize that it's a dangerous job to take, that these mechanoids have the ability to tear your head off and munch on your brains, that these robots look so much like us, that you won't know who's friend, or who's foe. Are you really sure?"
Trixie's eyes widened in horror as the stallion told her this. The words dripped through her ears and went into her skull bringing out the most horrifying images in her head. she gulped and sweated for a minute. Then taking her breath, her eyes narrowed in steel determination, "Trixie has faced gods, mad sorcerers, and the loss of a friend. She is ready for hell if need be!!!"
Cain gave chuckled,"Well, you have enthusiasm, at least. Go into the room beyond for your first test."
"But your friend will have to stay here." He looked at Sparkle.
Trixie nodded and walked into the room. she smirked as she looked into the room, "Please, Trixie was trained by Princess luna, what could you possibly throw at her that will scare her?"
The light's turned off. Trixie would soon feel her magic leave her as a small pistol fell near her."W-what?" Trixie asked, stumbling as she felt her magic disappear.after a few tries, she called out, “What happened to Trixie's magic?"
A laser blast burned Trixie's hoof. With a yelp of pain, Trixie leapt back,"Yeow!!" Trixie rolled and picked up the gun with her mouth "Give Trixie a warning!!!"
There was a slow mechanical thudding coming from the shadows as a machine began to walk out. The mechanical skeleton stood out with an open jaw and a red light glowing brightly, from the red light a bright beam of energy shot out at Trixie.
"A mouth-" she paused to roll out the way, running to a wall. Taking aim, she closed her eyes and fired a shot. A ping sound was heard as the machine continued to walk towards Trixie.
Sunset's voice could be heard,"Trixie! Run to the left, I'll help you!"
"Sunset?" Trixie whispered to herself. She noddd her head and ran to the left.The beams blasted the ground that Trixie left. She would then bump into the familiar form of Sunset.Trixie opened her eyes wide and smiled,"Sunset!” she exclaimed, hugging her.
Sunset smiled,"Hello, Trixie." Sunset placed her hooves to Trixie's neck,"It's good to see you." She said, slowly tightening her grip.
Trixie began to gasp as the grip tightened and began to fire in fear as she was strangled, "How dare you!"
"Well, you shouldn't trust anyone you see, even your own friends." Sunset chuckled madly.
Trixie growled and fired her gun at her, panting. he began to look around her to see where the next attack would come.Sunset's eyes widened as her head sparked from the shot. Several blades came up from under Trixie, spinning like saws. “EEEEP!" Trixie yelped as she jumped from the blades and landed at the side. She smiled coolly as she looked up at the monitor as if to ask for more
Several more robots came into the room, and charged their horns, firing waves of electricity.Trixie let out a gasp and began to run from the electricity, jumping and ducking under the waves. A robot smashed through the floor to grab at Trixie. "Oh, now that is just, AHHHHH!" Trixie screamed as she hoof grabbed at her leg and began to squeeze. Growing, he began to fire at the ground.
The bullets bounced off the robot as it's head popped out to fire a beam off of her. Trixie let out a yelp and jumped back, looking around as the other robots came at her. The robots came closer, and charged their horns.
"Stop." Cain said, entering the room,"Your skills need work."
"What? In what way?" Trixie asked.
"You were too trusting, freaked out when several machines were attacking, and you panicked too much."
Trixie raised a hoof to argue, only to look down to her side and grumbled, " She didn't panic that often"
“If you can't handle several robots surrounding you, then you aren't fit to be a Runner, however." Cain sighed,"We may have to take you anyway."
"Just give Trixie a chance and she wil-what?" asked Trixie.
"There are very few of us, mainly because most ponies are too scared to fight these things." Cain motioned behind him,"Come, I'll train you to become a Runner."
Trixie nodded and followed him. Cain led her to an area with a wall of weapons. Next to it was a shooting gallery,"Pick a weapon." He indicated the wall.
On it was: a pistol, a tiny gun, a rifle, and a big cannon. Trixie picked up the tiny gun "Oh you gotta be kidding Trixie, there is no way she could do anything with this. Now this,: she said, picking the large cannon, "Screams Trixie.”
"Oh, the Noisy Cricket," Cain indicated the small gun,"That's actually pretty good, but that cannon's a bit unwieldy."
"Please, Trixie has-whoaaa!" she yelled as the cannon's knock back flew her back a little. "Maybe she will take the Cricket.” She said as she raised a hoof.
Cain gave her the Cricket,"Now, hit the robot dummy in the head."Trixie looked to her Sparkle-Bot and shook her head. aiming, she fired her gun
Sparkle blinked,"What?"
The dummy's head exploded into several tiny pieces.
"The center of a mechanoid's head is its weak point." Cain said.
Trixie smiled as she looked a the gun, "Trixie thinks she likes this.”
Cain nodded,"Come on, let me show you the computer room, so you could read up on more." He pulled out a card,"This is your temporary Runner's license. It's good until you finish in this timeline."
Trixie looked at the computer and then to Cain. giving her shoulders a shrug she muttered, "shouldn't be too hard. how much is there to read anyway?"
A large wall of text scrolled from the computer,"It might take a while." Cain said.
"Ok, Trixie is out!" She said, trying to move away, but stopping. She let out an irritated sigh as she sat back in the seat, remembering how often Luna told her to study and look at everything before going into a task.
'Mechanoids have been appearing for a year since the disappearance of the Monarch Corporation and the reveal of The Institute. They have the ability to take the form of anypony by creating artificial skin. It is this ability that makes it hard to trust ponies. The Mechanoids are hard to distinguish from flesh and blood, however, they only appear at night, and they've been known to lack compassion in their eyes. Their only known weakness is a small spot on the base of the head, all the other parts are covered in armor. The Sparkle Corporation has funded the Runners to track down and fight these things.' The computer finished
"The Monarch corporation," Trixie shuddered, feeling the eyes of her sister on the back of her head. " and of course, Twilight would come up with something for this."
"Indeed, the Sparkle Corporation has been the rival of the Monarch Corporation for years." Sparkle-Bot said.
A beeping sound came and Cain pulled up a device to his ear,"Yeah? At the old library? I'll send the rookie." He pulled the device down,"We got a job for you, kid. There's a sighting of something suspicious at the old Golden Oaks Memorial Library in Old Ponyville."
Trixie nodded and got up, “Wait... Memorial Library, what happened to the old one?"
"Spoilers, Trixie, spoilers." Sparkle-Bot said, leading Trixie out,"Your gear is in the locker room."
Trixie nodded and began to pull out the gear, "Ok, so... what do we got here?"There was a long coat with some Kevlar lining, a case with an energy pack for the Noisy Cricket, and a pair of boots with jets on the end.
Trixie took the boots and the energy pack, not wanting to mess up her cape, ""Trixie looks better in a cape,' she said, running off.
Sparkle-Bot followed her,"I shall help you on this mission, I am well equipped with various spells to deal with the Mechanoids!" She said as they got onto a train bound for Old Ponyville.
Trixie smiled, "Good, you can be Trixie's lovely assistant, her faithful sidekick”
"Of course, I'm always happy to help!" Sparkle-Bot said as the train sped over to Old Ponyville.
An ad sounded over the speakers,"Live the good life at the off world colonies!"
"Remember to buy Clover Perfume!"
“Just for the taste of it, Sparkle-Coke!”
A pony looking suspiciously like Checker Monarch walked by Trixie.
Trixie looked at the mare that passed her by
"Remember Trixie, there is only one rule,” The blue unicorn laughed "Only the best rule.”
Getting up from seat on the train, Trixie walked after the pony, "Hey!"
The mare stopped and turned, her long coat flapping behind her as her white mane flipped and twirled. She grinned widely,"Yes?" She said in Checker's voice,"Are you here to talk to the greatest Runner in existence?"
Trixie growled, wanting to punch her, "Sorry, you just reminded Trixie of somepony she used to know."
"Really?" The mare leaned in,"Was she great like me?" She held out her hoof,"Archmon Reckech, but you can call me Arch."
Trixie growled, "No, she was a horrible monster that lived to destroy lives because it amused her. Perhaps Arch, you are better. It’s shame though, your title will be revoked.'
“Well, as it turns-" She stopped,"Excuse me?"
“Trixie said, your title will be revoked, for now...SHE IS THE GREATEST RUNNER!!!"
Arch sputtered,"Are you crazy?" She laughed,"You're a rookie, you'd die as soon as you meet a Mechanoid!" She leaned in,"You'd be better off at home, where it's safe and you won't die! I, on the other hoof, can easily handle robots without even using magic!
Trixie brushed a hoof through her silver mane, "Well, Trixie can take these monsters down without even use a gun. Neigh, she can handle it with just the use of her tail." Pushing her nose against Arch, she growled "What makes you think that YOU'RE so superior?"
Arch pushed against her,”I’m older and more experienced!”
Trixie pushed back harder, "Age and experience isn't everything you know! Sometimes you need raw talent and exceptional ability that comes from being new and fresh." she then put a hoof onto the blue unicorn's chest, "And exceptionally beautiful!"
"Oh, yes, beauty is going to win this one." Arch rolled her eyes,"All that raw talent means nothing if you don't know how to use it!" She pushed even harder
“TRRRRRRRRRRIXIE know plenty of how to wield her unbelievable alicorn-like talent! She knows how to wield it like the legendary Twilight Sparkle of old, the powerful Sunset Shimmer, and the intelligent Trixie of old. Why her very name establishes that her use of her talent is godlike!" Trixie pushed back harder
"Oh yeah, you give the air of godliness!" Arch rolled her eyes again,"You're just full of it-"
A quiet, mechanical voice tried to speak,"Um, excuse me."
"Quiet!" Trixie shouted to the mechanical voice. Putting a hoof onto Arch's chest, she smirked, "Why not put your money where your mouth is? My ring is just outside."
Arch nodded as the train slowed,"Oh, you really want to do this?"
"Um, please?" The voice said, coming from a yellow robot with a pair of wings.
"Yeah, you and me, let’s do this!" Trixie said, putting a hoof to Arch's nose and flicking it. "And you little bot, keep out of this!"
"Oh, um, I'm sorry..." Flutterbot went back to the room, where a chromatic maned robot gasped.
Arch shook her head, and nodded, walking out of the train and beckoning with her hoof.
Trixie followed, then, a she got off, she looked, "Wait, I think your wallet dropped." she said, looking back onto the train and pointing to the dropped license.
Arch gasped as Sparkle-Bot went and picked it up. The robot walked over and gave Arch the license,"Here you go!"
Trixie growled, “Stupid Sparkle-bot, ruining my plan!” she thought to herself before answering, "Right, Well, Trixie is glad to have se-" with a quick refelx, she pulled Sparkle-Bot off the train, and used her magic to activate to send it it on iit way. "HHAHA! You see Sparkle-bot. This is why Trixie always wins!!!! Because she has master the art of fighting without fighting!
Arch stood behind Trixie,"You realize you just inconvenienced everyone off that train, right?"
The sound of flapping came from behind them,"Are you the two mares who wouldn't listen to Flutterbot?"
"Maybe, why are you looking for them?" Trixie asked.
The cyan robot punched Trixie,"No messing with the other passengers, and no messing with the train!" Rainbot Dash flew off.
Arch knelt down to Trixie,"Are you alright?"
“Uggh," Trixie laid in pain, looking up at the Sparkle-bot. "Tell Arch and her twin sister that Trixie will not be making it tonight. She has to go and play with Mommy." she said before falling back down.
After a few moments, Trixie got back up and put a ice back on her bruised eye, "Ok, what the Buck was that?"
“That was Rainbot Dash.” Arch said,”It was mad at you for ignoring Flutterbot.”
“Why would it care, and why would that Flutterbot care if I was agitating... you," Trixie looked at Old Ponyville, her eyes wide. As some of the new sky cars flew overhead, the lights of the refurbished toan to suck her in. There wa a tearful smile that came to her as she began to walk ahead, looking up and down the streets. Stopping by the museum, she looked inside, "Should I? I could be spoiling our entire adventure... but, Trixie can't resist. " but before she went in, she saw the bronze statue of the elements.
A soft smile came to her lips as she walked to it and ran her hoof along the statute, "Hey...”
"The Rainbots are fiercely loyal." Arch went up to Trixie and looked up at the statue,"Amazing."
"Are you sure you want to take a detour?" Sparkle-bot said,"We do have a job to do."
"Yeah," Trixie whispered, her confidence and ego gone. Narrowing her eyes, she nodded "Right, let’s go!"
"Are you okay?" Arch asked,"You lost yourself there." She placed a hoof on Trixie's shoulder.
Like a switch had been pulled, Trixie's ego returned, "Of course she is fine! It’s that when she is put in the presence of legends, she needed to pay her respects! As a way to show that she matches up to them!
Arch frowned as she tapped her hoof,"There is something you are not telling me." She shook her head,"but you can tell me when you're ready, kid." She turned.
Trixie looked ahead, before turning to Sparkle bot, "So, where is this mechanoid?"
"According to my scanners, there should be something in there." She pointed to a large crystaline tree with the sign "Ponyville Memorial Library"
Arch went in front of Trixie,"Alright, stay behind me," She said, noticing that nopony had gone around the area. She opened the door with her magic.
Trixie looked at the tree with a raised eyebrow, "Where did this come from?" she asked herself. Deciding to follow the ponies she stayed behind, using her magic to light up the area.
They would see a large lobby with books and papers flown around the floor. Near one of the doors was a trail of blood.
"That blood has been there for one hour." Sparkle-bot said.
Trixie walked to the blood, and ran her hoof along the rail, "Wonder where it leads?" she asked her self as she began to follow the trail.
The trail would lead to a small hallway, where a body of a headless mare lay on the wall.
Arch nodded,"Mechanoids are insanely strong, so they could twist other ponies heads off."
Sparkle-Bot went over to the body and scanned,"This appears to be Clip Record, a Runner of two years. If she's here, perhaps her Rari-Bot is here as well."
"How can we find her bot?" Trixie asked, walking up to the body and began to look her over.
The body held a small pistol and a few bullets along with a note that said, "Sweet Apple Acres."
"Let me look." Sparkle's eyes glowed,"The robot is in the next room over."
The next room had a white unicorn bot with sparks coming from it's side.
Trixie took the note and put it in a small poket in her cape, smiling at the knowledge that the farm was still there. Looking at the sparking bt, Trixie sat down, "Oh, how Trixie wishes she was good with tech."
Arch sighed,"Let me see." She knelt down and frowned,"The thing's too heavilly damaged for me to fix it."
Sparkle knelt down to it,"Let me see if I can't access it's files." When she did, a sound came from her, before a mare's voice came,
"This is Clip, I just found out some new information about the mechanoids that H.A.R.M.O.N.Y. should know, but I can't divulge any information here. If you are listening, find my old computer at my family's old barn." A loud crash was heard,"Rari-bot, run!" A squelching noise was heard.
Trixie's heart fell to her stomach, "Uh... girls, didn't Spark-bot just say that this blood was an hour old?"
"Why yes." Sparkle said,"Why?"
"Because, Trixie is quite curious as to lhow long they would've been waiting for us," she gulped.
A crashing sound could be heard as several small robot spiders came into view.
"Spider-droids." Arch said.
"A Mechanoid scout bot." Sparkle explained as they leaped at Trixie, only to be deflected by Arch.
"Why would they have those!" Trixie asked, before ducking out of the way of one and firing her magic at another. "Other than the world hates Trixie."
"Apparently, they left a while ago, and set these up to attack us!" Arch fired on several of the scouts, before kicking one aside.
Trixie growled, "Oh, so they find us unworthy to settle things with their own hooves? HA! Must have been afraid!" as she gloated she fired off another bolt of magic.
"Of course, they saw me!" Arch grinned as she stepped on one.
Sparkle-Bot's eyes beeped,"It could also be possible that they're setting up a trap."
"And we tripped it. They should be thankful," Trixie said, "That Trixie decided to grace their little trap with her presance!!"
"Actually I was referring to when we head to Sweet Apple Acres. They are probably going to ambush us there." Sparkle said, stomping on the last scout.
"Well, shall we keep them waiting," Smiled Trixie as she used her magic to create a score card behind her (Trixie-22, Arch- -1000)
Arch growled, using her magic to change the board to (Trixie- 0 Arch- 1,000,000). She nodded,"However, I don't think we should go without a plan."
Trixie changed it back to an even number, "And what do you suggest?"
"Well, when we go there, you and Sparkle-Bot will go in the back, where they're less likely to attack, while I head in the front!" Arch changed it to an odd number.
"That plan is foolish," Trixie said. "What we will do is , me and Sparkle-Bot go into the back while you assault the front!"
Sparkle was about to raise her hoof, when Arch shook her head at her,"Very well." She walked away.
Sweet Apple Acres had gained several more buildings, including a gift shop and a small apple museum. However, there was a distinct lack of ponies.
"W-where are all of the ponie?" Trixie asked out loud as she began to look around the museum
A loud crashing noise could be heard as the sound of a whimpering pony came in the distance.
Trixie's eyes opened wide and ran to the sound, "What happened?
A small grey unicorn mare with a brown mane yelped as she ran behind a TV,"I'm just a TV repair pony, please don't hurt me!"
“Don’t worry, the great and powerful Trixie wouldn’t harm a fly!” Trixie said, holding her hoof up into the air.
"What about Mirage?" Sparkle-bot asked.
The mare's head popped out,"You... don't want to hurt me?" She slowly stuck a hoof out,"Listen, I don't have anything to do with breaking into that bedroom!"
Trixie muttered under her breath, "Cat-ladies are the exception." She turned to the mare, "What bedroom?"
"Um, the original bedroom of Applejack, the Element of Honesty herself," She gulped,"Look, I may have picked a few locks when I was a filly, but I have nothing to do with that!"
"You still kept the bedroom in pristine condition in 200 years?" Trixie asked. She then looked at the mare, "With what?"
"The door, it's been broken into!" She pointed to the bedroom, where a broken door lay.
"Wait here," Trixie said, walkng into the bedroom. Looking around she began to scan the room for clues.
The bed was turned over, the hat rack was in pieces, and the room was filled with papers. At the end of the room was a sparking computer. In one of the papers, the words'Jack' were written. ,"
Trxie growled, "Spakle, don’t supposed you can get anything frin that thgn, can you? she asked looking a the computer as she waed t th e paper and picked up to read
The paper read
"Jack
CY 992
Honesty
CY 1100"
Sparkle scanned the computer,"Input name."
"Trixie wants you to put in the name... Jack" Trixie said hoping she knew how this worked.
"Input accepted. Date of birth." Sparkle said.
"Ummm, 992?" Trixie guessed
"Correct. Element?"
"Honesty!"
“Date of death?”
"CY 1100...Wait, she lives tht long?!" Trixie shouted.
"Correct, Earth Ponies are known to live long lives." Sparkle said,"Processing information: One file located, Author: Clip Record, descendant of Applejack. Play?"
"Yes," Trixie said, sitting back. Looking to Sparkle-Bot, she asked, "Would you happen to have a peanut butter cracker on you?"
A peanut butter cracker dispensed itself from Sparkle's abdomen,"Here.
"Hello, my name is Clip. If you are hearing this, then I am dead.
I have recently found some new information regarding the mechanoids, and their possible origins.
It seems the reason that they only appear at night is because the sun is dangerous to their circuits. They try to solve this by wearing mass amounts of sunscreen to protect themselves. I have also seen the symbol of the Monarch Corporation on their bodies, suggesting a connection with the disappearance of the company and the arrival of the Institute. I do believe more clues could be found in the old Monarch warehouse, but only a member of the Lulamoon family could enter it."
Tiie looked at little squicked by thr action, but took the cracker in her mouth an began to eat it. s the name monacher reachered her ear, she growled, "Monarch! Where is the Monarch Company warehouse?"
"The main warehouse is located in Neo-Canterlot, by the Joe's Donut Shop.” Sparkle said.
Trixie smiled, "Well, now that we have that down... Trixie will check out the museum!" the blue unicorn smirked, walking ahead.
A couple of gunshots were heard as the TV mare shrieked and hid away.
A robot had fallen over with a hole in it's head while Arch stood over it.
Trixie cursed under her breath, "Damn, Trixie knew she forgot something." she then ran out of the hallway, and looked to the mar hiding. Smirking, she put a illusion spell over the spot before running to arch, "Leave some for Trixie!"
Arch chuckled,"Sorry kid," She turned,"I do believe I got them all."
Trixie growled, "No fair, Trixie wanted at least a few of them." she then turned to her illusion, and then back to Arch, "So you sure it’s safe to come out?"
Arch looked around,"If there were more, I'm sure they'd have come out by now." She gave a soft smile,"Look on the bright side, you're safe."
"Trixie was not scared or worried," she said, dispelling her illusion. "She was very conifdent that she could handle it!"
"That's the problem! You would get too reckless with that confidence and get killed!" Arch growled,"I don't want you to die on my watch!"
Trixie shrugged, "The only reason why Trixie has such confidence, is because she knows that she is the best. And that is why she won't die," she then pushed Arch's nose. Smiling she walked to the repair pony's hiding place, "Hey, it’s alright now. The great and powerful Trixie and her assistants saved ou. You are safe now, miss-"
The mare's head popped out,"Little Pip, thank you." She gulped as she walked out,"I never expected to come across a Mechanoid, they're scarier then I thought..."
"Assistant? You're more like my assistant!" Arch muttered
"Well, there are tour guide tv's around here that my boss wanted me to fix." Little Pip said, scratching the back of her head,"I don't know why he sent me here specifically, even though I'm just a new employee."
"Your boss wouldn't happen to be Red Eye, would it?" Sparkle asked.
Little Pip nodded.
"Who's Red Eye?" Trixie asked.
"The head of Unity Tech. They are collaborators with Sparkle Corp." Sparkle said.
"What does Unity Tech do?" Trixie looked at Sparkle bot, her curosity piqued
"They create parts and machines for recreational use. It was Red Eye who created the computer." Sparkle said.
"So, it was he who made that hard-to-use thing," Trixie said, grumbling under her breath. "Little Pip, are you sure there isn't any other skill that you have that would make you appropriate for any of this?"
"Um, I'm good at lockpicking?" Little Pip squicked,"I was kind of a criminal in my fillyhood..."
Trixie raised an an eyebrow, "You were a what?"
"I... kinda broke and entered into a lot of places." Little Pip chuckled,"I was trying to find my cutie mark!"
Trixie huckled, "Remind Trixie to introduce you to three little fillies. Trust her, she has seen worst attempts to get your cutie mark."
"Really?" Little Pip gasped,"So, why are you asking about my ski-" She walked backwards,"No! I'm not going with you!"
"Trixie is only curious as to why he would want you you specifically," Trixie said, holding up her hooves,
"Well, I can pick locks which would make me useful in entering places such as warehouses and I'm also small..." Little Pip slowly ended her sentence.
"Really small," muttered Trixie under her breath. "So that would mean... they wanted something here?"
"But, what could they possibly want here?" Little Pip asked,"Although, I did find this disk meant for a tour guide in the museum." She pulled out a small disk.
Trixie took the disk in her magic and smiled, "And the gods of coincidence seem to favor the Great and Powerful Trixie!”
"Well, then, let's head to the museum." Arch said,"We don't have to pay over there, we've got clearance."
"Good," Tixie said, looking to her hat, "Trixie's wallet is back home." turning to look to Little Pip, she asked, "Are you going to be ok, getting home?"
"I should be fine, I'm pretty good at running, and hiding, and making squeaky noises." Little Pip gulped.
Trixie arched an eyebrow, "Squeaky noises?"
"Uh, my wife tells me I make the best squeaky noises." Little Pip blushed.
"..." Trixie stood there, shivering,"T-thankyouforthatinfo,Trixiemustbegoingnowcomealongarch." Trixie said, her eyes wide as she ran off.
Arch turned green as she and Sparkle followed Trixie.
After a few minutes of running Trixie stopped in front of the museum, "Ok, remind me to know that information if we EVER have to visit her home."
"I understand." Arch said with a nod as she walked to the front of the museum.
Sparkle turned to Trixie,"Anything you find out here, must not be told to the ponies in your time."
"Please, what is the worst that Trixie will find in there," she said, walking into the museum and putting in the disk
"Welcome to the Ponyville History Museum, founded by Trixie's adopted daughter, Star Lulamoon."
"See, Like Trixie-What?!" she yelled.
"Good evening, Red Eye, would you like to see the special exhibit?"
A deep voice sounded behind them,"Yes."
Trixie's hat shot up as she felt the hair of her coat stand up, "Arch, tell Trixie your voice deepened." she then turned around to look at the direction of the voice.
Arch shook her head,
"Incorrect:Red Eye is simply behind us." Sparkle said as they turned to see a red-coated, black maned stallion in a suit behind them. He seemed to have a glowing red right eye.
"Hello. Any particular reason you are using my disk?" Red Eye asked.
"Very simple, we found it outside of Sweet Apple Acres and were curious as to who it belonged to. Figuring it must be here, we decided to try it out. Very are very sorry for the inconvenience, Mr. Red Eye. May Trixie ask as to how your eye-”
"I was born without an eye." Red Eye said simply. He smiled,"Well, since you started it, will you join me?"
"Of course," Trixie said with a bow, beckoning the others to follow.
As they walked, Red Eye spoke,"In the late 1000s, Twilight helped to create her new corporation with her new robotic technology. The robots were meant for recreational use, until the Mechanoids appeared. It is said that Twilight created those robots to get back at the aging Checker Monarch."
Trixie growled at the name, "Checker Monarch," her eyes narrowed in rage, "Not that I don't already have a thousand things she could've done, what did she due to spur the wrath f Twilight?"
“That I do not know.” Red Eye turned to Trixie,”I apologize for my secrecy, I did not want anyone to know that the CEO of a major corporation lost an important disk.”
"Understandable sir," Trixie said, nodding. "No one wants to reveal anything like that."
"Of course, it would be embarrassing." Red Eye used a key to open a door to a room filled with robots,"These are prototype machines that were used throughout the years."
In awe, Trixie began to walk down the halls of machines, taking in every model and trying to read each card about the various models.
"Model 1: Metal Gear: Robot designed to use Balefire Bombs against enemy threats. This is a scaled down model." One card indicated of a a four legged tank with an eye on the right side
"Model 3B: Helping Hoof: Primitive Machine designed to do housework." A spherical robot with three eyes, and four arms on the bottom
Pinkie's voice said,"Pinkie-Bot: Designed to do parties." said of a Pinkie shaped robot.
"Balefire Bombs?" Trixie asked aloud as she walked to the next model, "Helping Hoof. Maybe later." She walked by one particular mecha that was shaped like a pony, "An Orbital Frame? What’s a..." she paused and looked at the Pinkie bot-"When did you get here?"
The Pinkie-bot giggled,"I walked, silly!" She patted Trixie on the head, and then produced a small bowl,"Neo-Canterlot pizza?"
"Neo...Canterlot pizza?" Trixie asked confused.
Pinkie nodded,"First you take a piece of pizza," She took a piece of pizza out,"And place it over some soup of your choice, like noodle soup!" She placed it over the bowl of soup,"Try it!"
Trixie smiled, "Of course, why didn't Trixie think of doing such a thing. Trixie must try this again later," she said, dropping the pizza into the soup. After a few moments, the slice rose back up from the yellow broth. Smiling, she took the slice into her mouth and ate it, "Hmmmm, needs a little of this," she then took out a jar of peanut butter and rubbed it along the slice. After taking another bite she moaned, "Perfect." (Note to Trixie, take back this recipe for later.) "Tell Trixie, how did this recipe come about?
"Oh, it was created by you after you defeated the big bad of this fic!" Pinkie Bot said, her teeth lightening up,"Here ya go!" she handed Trixie the recipe.
Trixie groaned, "Trixie refuses to think about the paradox that has caused."
Sparkle beeped,”Pinkie, you shouldn’t have done that!”
“Oh, don't worry, I'm sure this won't have any repercussions!" Pinkie sang.
Sparkle-Bot shook her head,"You might have broken several time laws."
"Oh, don't be like that, Sparky!" She appeared suddenly beside the purple robot,and patted her on the head,"It could have been worse: It might have been a predestination paradox!"
Trixie shook her head, trying her best to not think of the problems with the time stream. Instead, she continued to look at the various robots that lined the walls.
“Sprite-Bot, Model X-35: A machine built for surveillance." A small mechanical parasprite.
"Cypher: A camera robot made to detect spies." A small lifesaver attached to a camera on the bottom.
"Turret bot: Flying machine of intense hot death.” A turret with four legs.
Trixie walked by a small yellow orb bot, "Hmmm, 'cute droid' model 8. And an R2 Unit."
She then walked by a scale model of a "RX-78 Mobile Suit, Name: Gundam."
"Veritech fighter," Trixie read, eating her neo Canterlot pizza. "Mazinger, Golion, these robot are impressive Red Eye."
"Indeed, in the hundred years since Sparkle's death, and the Cold War, we as a species have evolved our technology to exceptional levels." Red Eye said with a smile,"It's a shame the Mechanoids are around though."
"'The cold-" Trixie paused, trying to figure out if she should ask about that.
"The Cold War. It started when the zebras found a meteor of unimaginable power. Some equestrians got jealous, and started looking for more powerful magical objects, all the way until the zebra czar fell from power and a president was created. It's very complicated, more than what I could tell you." Red Eye said.
"And that was when we started getting these mechanoids," Trixie said, running a hoof along one machine. "Hsa anypony been able to see inside of them or know what makes them tick?"
"We've tried, but their insides are so well-coded that they're nearly impossible to crack." Red Eye said with a frown.
Trixie arched an eyebrow, "Ok, so going on that Trixie might actually have an idea what coding means, anything else known about these mechanoids that your group might have heard?"
"Well, we heard that they like slightly cold climates like in Neo-Canterlot or the Crystal Empire." Red Eye said.
"Trixie sees," she said, turning away from the machine, "Trixie thanks you for you time, Mr. Eye. Come along assistants, we have other places to hunt." with a turn of her cape Trixie walked out, subtly writing down on paper about Red Eye.
Arch frowned,"I am not your assistant!"
"I am. I am happy to help anypony I can!" Sparkle-Bot trotted behind them
Trixie smirked at Arch, “See, Sparkle-Bot knows her place."
Arch frowned,"She's a robot based on Twilight, she's supposed to be nice about it! But you should be my assistant, you know, the pony who stays behind where she wouldn't get killed!?"
“But, if Trixie stayed behind,' she said, bowing before jumping onto a bench and raising her hooves into the sky, "Then no pony would be able to her her magnificence. Such a loss would be a crime. She needs to be in front so the world can see how great of a fighter she is!"
That was when she was hit in the face with a cupcake,"Get a job!" shouted a random pony
Slowly, Trixie licked the frosting off, "It isn't even Trixie's favorite flavor.”
"Right, I'll get you peanut butter and hot sauce cupcakes later." Arch said, getting to the train.
"And sprinkles," Trixie added, walking onto the train.
"And sprinkles." Arch hid a smile as she went to her seat.
Sitting down next to Arch, Trixie looked to her companion, "So, what made you want to become a Runner? If you are to be Trixie's subordinate, then we might as well get to know each other."
Arch looked at Trixie, and fell silent,"Let's just say... it was the last request from my mother..."
"Your...mother," Trixie whispered.
"Yes, before she died, she told me to help stop these monstrous robots..." She looked away.
Trixie nodded, "Trixie knows how it feels, to have a mother you want to honor." Trixie looked to Sparkle-Bot, "So, what can you Tell Trixie about Neo-Canterlot."
Sparkle's eyes glinted,"Well, Neo-Canterlot was created after the original Canterlot was destroyed by a hideous beast known as Blargoth. It is where Luna and Celestia made themselves Queens after dueling Hydia at Tartarus. It is where many ambassadors go to have meetings, or to visit. As a matter of fact..."
Trixie was trying her best not to fall asleep, but she calmly noddd, and went, "Yes?"
"The city is known for it's many attractions such as the Everlasting..."
Drooping her eyes, Trixie began to lull off to sleep.
Arch began to use her magic to pull Trixie's cape over her like a blanket, and then gently laid Trixie's head on her shoulder.
Trixie leaned in Arch's shoulder and let out a light snore as she began to sleep. With a little yawn, she whispered, "Why can't you stay like this, Checker?"
Arch's eyes widened in a bit of fright as she looked down at Trixie,"She's just dreaming..." She caressed her mane.
("So, you got your cutie mark? Nothing special, Trixie, it's just shows you can do everything we unicorns can do for," the older blue unicorn said with a low growl, a sneer on her lips.
"I don't need your help, why? Because I don't need a weakling like you."
Checker monarch looked at a drawing of her and Trixie, done in crayn. The older mare smiled for a few moments, before slowly tearing it apart, "It wasn't good enough"
"Oh, did you get kicked out of Celestia's school? I am so sorry, but it goes to show how well you studied... right?" Checker said, throwing away an acceptance letter)
Trixie let out a small whimper as she snuggled against Arch.
"It's alright, it gets better, little sis, I promise." Arch leaned her head on Trixie's.
"I hope so..." Trixie whispered.
Soon enough, the city of Neo-Canterlot loomed over head. Through the tall neon skyscrapers, the sky chariots flew by. The ponies below the lit city continued their business, hustling bustling through the streets as if they were in their own worlds. so bright was the light the emanated from the city, no pony could really tell the night from the day.
Arch looked around,"This place gets more beautiful the more I look at it."
"This, is beautiful?" Trixie asked her companion. "It feels noisy to Trixie." the mare said putting down her cap over her eyes.
"You are just not used to this kind of city life. Come on, we have a warehouse to investigate!" Arch said with a smile.
"Yes, we do," Trixie smiled, walking ahead of her two companions.
"What are you doing walking ahead!? What if a mechanoid were to attack!?" Arch went ahead of Trixie.
Trixie put a hoof to the mare's shoulder, "Because Trixie is the leader of this little team and this is the one who will go ahead." she said with a flip of the hat.
"I am older, so I have to be the leader!" Arch argued.
Very well then, old fogey, age before beauty," Trixie said with a bow.
Arch growled,"I am only five years older than you!" She shouted.
"Thus, and older and slower mare," Trixie stuck her tongue out at her rival.
"Well you are young and arrogant!" Arch blew a raspberry at her.
"Trixie refers the term 'awesome and loving it!'" Trixie said, pushing her forehead to Arch and blowing out a raspberry back.
"Oh, you've done so many awesome things!" She rolled her eyes,"Did you defeat an army of robots? I think not!"
Sparkle raised her hoof,"Um, madams, we have arrived."
"No, but Trixie has looked at a dream-god being twice and make her blink!" Trixie looked to Sparkle, "Thank you Miss Bot."
Arch nodded as they neared the warehouse. At the entrance to the shutter doors was a large blue light. A voice rang out,"Please use retinal scan."
"Hmmm, who owned this wherehouse again?" Trixie asked.
"The Monarch Corporation." Sparkle said
"So, it would make sense that somepony with that lineage or their workers would be able to open it," Smirking, Trixie lowered her head (Ok sis, let’s see how much our blood line dwindled after all this time.) She then opened her eye to the scanner.
"Scanning. Identity confirmed, welcome, Vice-President Trixie Lulamoon."
Tixie pulled back, "What?"
Sparkle looked at Trixie,"You are the Vice-President, apparently."
"But, why, how? Trixie never, she means..." (Why would Trixie be seen as a vice-president?) she asked herself as she walked in.
Inside were towers of boxes. The area was dark except for small bits of light. In the back, there was a door with a slight glow.
"Trixie has to wonder what is in all of these boxes," the blue unicorn muttered to herself as she looked to the back, "Now, we what do we have here?”
The door was locked. Upon closer inspection, the door had a sign saying,"Back Room."
Trixie frowned and looked back at Arch, "Any lockpicking spells?"
Arch smirked,"I got one," She said, bringing out her pistol and shooting the door handle
"Trixie was going to try that next!" growled the unicorn.
The door opened to a small room with a computer. The screen showed a flashing message.
'Please enter password."
Around the room were newspaper clippings talking about Trixie.
Trixie looked at the newspaper clippings. For a few moments, her ego began to take over her mind, "Hmmmm, clippings. I wonder what they say about the Great and Powerful Trixie!!!" using her magic, she began to pull on some of them and began to read them.
'Trixie saves Hoofington again." Trixie's name was underlined.
'Trixie accepts the Golden Wand at the Magicians Festival." The word Magician was underlined.
"Trixie becomes greatest magician in the world after defeat of Marthlok." The word Greatest was underlined
"Hmmm," Trixie muttered to herself before typing in, "Trixie Greatest Magician.' into the computer. Then she picked up the clipping of Marthlock "Ok, now tell Trixie how she defeated a powerful magic user and became the greatest mage in all of Equestria!!” she then began to look at it.
Sparkle-Bot took the clipping away,"Sorry, no spoilers."
The screen showed a message,"Hello, Ms. Monarch. Would you like to access your contingency video?"
“But... fine!" Trixie grumbled and turned to look at the screen, "yes. Monarch would. She would also love it if the computer were to refer her by a vulgarity before every mention of her name for now on."
The computer had another message,"Don't you already beat yourself up, Ms. Monarch?"
“What?” Trixie whispered to herself.
A video appeared of a snow-covered plain,"Trixie," Checker's voice came out,"If you are watching this, then all is going according to plan. Under this plain southwest of the Crystal Empire is the lab for the Mechanoid project, which I fear may go ary, no thanks to Spark Lulamoon. Trixie, if you are still alive, you are the only one able to stop the Mechanoids, please, save Equestria, before it is too late."
"Me? You... want me to stop it? But, why? And what do you mean beat yourself up? What makes you think that Trixie is going to do this? And who are you to say what is your plan! You could not have predicted Valtor!" Trixie growled as she grabbed the side of the screen, and then pressed her face against it. Tears began to form in her eyes, "Why are you, of all ponies, putting faith in the Great and Powerful Trixie! Why do you have faith in me!!!!"
"That is the question I must ask." A voice came from behind them.
Arch turned and backed away as a blue mare with a pink mane and tail came in with several ponies next to her,"Hello, Grandmama! It is I, Spark Lulamoon."
"But you should be dead by now." Sparkle said.
"Nope! Alive and well." Spark chuckled.
"Spark Lulamoon? Grandma? What?" Trixie asked, looking around the room at the ponies entering the room
"I am your granddaughter. After you adopted Star Lulamoon, she met a nice young stallion, and had me and my sister, Trixie Lulamoon II." Spark said with a grin,"I grew up to be business pony, and I worked at the Monarch Corporation, where I took the seat from Great Aunt Checker. Good Riddance, I say." She gave a smile,"Now I have the Mechanoids to myself!"
Trixie looked side to side, "Why do you care for having mechanoids? And what are you planning on doing to us?"
"Simple, I want to take over the world with machines. No more do I have to worry about food, water, and all those other things that other living ponies worry about." Spark chuckled,"And I'm going to kill you.” The robots behind her charged their mouth beams.
Arch looked behind her,"There's a vent behind us. Run, I'll hold them off." She whispered.
"What about you?" Trixie asked
"I'll be alright." Arch said with a smile,"I'm tough, I'll survive."
"Incorrect, that is a lie." Sparkle said.
"Shut up. If Trixie doesn't get out of here, you force her out!" Arch glared at Sparkle-Bot.
"No, Trixie has a plan, if she could just use a ligh-"
Sparkle grabbed Trixie,"I'm getting you out." She said, breaking through the vents. She could hear Arch scream as laser blasts sounded out.
"Poor, obsolete Arch..." Spark's voice said.
"Ach!" Trixie yelled as she was dragged out, struggling against Sparkle. Angry, she glared at her computer companion, "How could you! Trixie could've gotten us all out!! We needed to save her, Trixie... she's dead isn't she?" Trixie asked, tears welling up in her eyes.
"That..." Sparkle said,"You could've died, too."
Trixie growled, wanting to disagree with the Sparkle-Bot. But instead, found a building to lean her back again and began to slump to the ground, letting the tears roll down her cheeks. Growling, the pue her hat down in front of her eyes, "Trixie...I...feel like I lost a sister. I didn't even know her that long. And I...I..." she cried a little more, choking back a sob, "Stupid rain!!
Sparkle-Bot sat down next to Trixie, and placed a hoof on her shoulder,"There, there."
"Arch, Sunset... why does it feel like whenever Trixie finds a sister, she loses her!" she said, slamming a hoof onto the ground. Lifting up her hoof, she whimpered and said, "I didn't want to win you. I never really do. I rather have them out there waiting for me so I can challenge them and prove I can win.
"You didn't lose Sunset." Sparkle said,"Or Arch. Are they not with you right now?"
"Yeah, I guess they kind of are. Heh, Look at me, grieving ovr a friend that I didn't even know how you spelt the name of.
Spark thought about it,”"A-R-C-H-M-O-N R-E-C-K-E-C-H,"
“Thanks,” Trixie said, sniffling a little,” I must look like a total loser. She did that to me, you know. Twilight and the others. I would'nt even have cared about them so much if Twilight didn't teach me friendship and now... here I am," Trixie sighed.
She looked down at Trixie,"And now you are here, able to save the future. Will you do it?"
Trixie got up, putting her game face back on, "Of course Trixie could! She is the one who can... say those letters again?"
"A-R-C-H-M-O-N R-E-C-K-E-C-H," Sparkle repeated.
Trixie took out a piece of paper and began to write down the letters. After looking down at the paper for a few minutes, she began to rearrange the letters in a different order. After a few moments, she let out a gasp, "What?!!!!
Checker Monarch
"But, what... what does this mean?" she asked herself as she put the paper back into her hat, "Sparkle, come , we have a case to solve and a future to save and a sister to ask question about!!" she said as she straightened up her hat and cape before running away and leaping in a dramatic fashion.
"Agreed." Sparkle trotted after Trixie, before asking,"Was that leap really necessary?"
Trixie stood on a small stand, twisting her hat and smiling, "Of course, because how else will Trixie prove her dynamic awesomeness. Her glory, and her beautiful style! Why, without that, there is not Trixie at all, just Beatrix and no pony wants to be called that. No there is only room for the Great and Powerful TRIXIE!!!" she said, throwing her hat into the air
A cupcake fell into Trixie's face,"Get a job!"
Trixie calmly wiped the cupcake off her face, "And they still don't get Trixie's favorite flavor!"
Sparkle went towards the train station,"Shall we start at the Crystal Empire?"
"Let’s,' Trixie smirked, licking some of the cupcake off.
Sparkle lead Trixie to the train as it headed towards the Crystal Empire.Trixie looked out the window as the train traveled down the tracks, "So is Cadence..."
"Dead, I'm afraid." Sparkle said,"Ascended alicorns don't have the immortality of natural ones, such as Empress Flurry Heart."
"Trixie sees...wait, Flurry Heart!?" Trixie exclaimed
"Then, I will rip the unnamed princess away from Cadence’s body before the child has a chance to breathe life. " Mirage gloated
"So that is what Mirage meant by that. Cadence was pregnant at the time! Oh, if Trixie hadn't already kicked Mirage's tail..." Trixie growled.
"Indeed, it would've been horrible. It is a good thing that you have defeated Mirage four times." Sparkle said.
"F-four?!"
"Yes. I'm afraid that's all I can tell you." Sparkle said.
A smirk came to Trixie's lips as she said, "I look forward to the other two times."
"Oh trust me, they are going to be interesting." Sparkle said as the Crystal Empire came into view.
Much like it was in the past, the Crystal empire shone like a beacon in the cold north. However, unlike the past, the crystals were now mixed with the technology of the new age. Cyber tech seemed to mix in with the crystalline buildings like a leech latching onto the cides. In its own way, the city was beautiful. As the train rode in, Trixie quickly got off,, and began to look around
Several guards lined up in front of Trixie,"I was told you'd be coming." A pink alicorn with a three toned mane walked in front of them,"I am Empress Flurry Heart, welcome to my Empire."
Trixie's eyes widened at the sight of the princess’ equipment, "Sweet baby Celestia, they're huge~~!!!”
The mare giggled,"Thank you!" She folded her wings at her sides,"Now, I assume you're here for your final mission. A source told me about you."
"A source? Who and what did they say?" Trixie asked.
"They simply said,'You are a trusted ally, and a friend." Flurry Heart said,"But that's all they want you to know." She motioned with her wing,"Come, I know where you must go.”
Trixie chuckled, "You are like your mother... she wouldn't be one for staying behind."
Flurry nodded,"I know, Dad used to tell me stories." she lead Trixie along
"Trixie can only imagine," she said, following Flurry
Flurry lead Trixie out of the barrier, where several ponies were building flying machines. In the distance, a large metal door could be seen.Trixie looked on in awe at the flying machines she walked, taking note of the large metal door, she walked towards it.
She door produced a light that scanned Trixie,"Welcome, Vice-President Trixie." the door opened.
"This is as far as I can take you." Flurry said.
"Thanks" Trixie said, walking forward
Sparkle looked around as Trixie walked down the long stairway. A light shown from a doorway. Inside were several tubes with robotic ponies inside."And this just got creepy," Trixie shuddered. Moving a little closer she looked at some of the tube
Suddenly, one of the robots in the tubes moved its eyes to Trixie. It raised its hoof and smashed the tube to lunge at Trixie.
Trixie let out a gasp of shock before jumping back and firing the gun at it, destroying its head. "Ok, that was a bad move. Sparkle, never let Trixie get close again!"
"Affirmative, I will keep you away." Sparkle said.
Along the floor were wires leading to a small pod that had vital signs on a screen near it. The pod had the name,"Checker Monarch," written on it.
Trixie's eyes widened," No... Checker!" she then went to look at the vital signs and began to look over the pod.
There was a small button on the pod, reading,"Voice Command."
"Vice-president Trixie," Trixie said without a second thought. "How long has this mare been stuck here? Why is she here?" she asked, her questions coming before her mind could catch up.
"100 years ago." The computer said,"The biology in this mare is being used to power Mechanoids. Removal of biological component will stop Mechanoid activity."
“How can I free her?" Trixie asked After I free you, I have some questions, then I am going to slap you!
Opening pod." The pod hiss with fog as it opened, revealing a grey maned wrinkled unicorn mare with tubes and a breathalyzer attached to her. Her eyes opened,"Trixie?" She gasped, her eyes going to her sister, and raising a hoof to her face. She smirked a bit,"What's your secret, you look so young...”
Trixie gasped when she saw her sister once again. Emotions began to bubble in her eyes. Pure anger at the mare who had made her life hell for years, and a desire for revenge. Growling, Trixie pushed her sister's hoof away as she glared into her sister's violet eyes, "How could you. How could you want me to do all of this. To stop the mechanoids. Why did you have any faith in Trixie?”
Checker chuckled,"A lot can change, Trix. That temporal anomaly showed me my future, and it was wrong. That vision caused me to walk the planet in search of myself, and then I came back here, to start up a company." She looked up at Trixie,"You're my sister, I know how strong and capable you are, and that anger in your eyes is the reason you can defeat the Mechanoids.” She coughed,” Unplug my machine, kill me."
Trixie stepped back from what Checker had just said, and began to tremble, "Y-you, what? But, after all this time, Tri-I hated, and I wanted it to go on. It was my strength. Hating you, that was the only thing I had left to be mad about And now you..." as soon as the words hit Trixie's ears, they drooped, "You want me to what? N-no, I can't! Not when it seems like you've finally become the sister I always wanted. You can't expect me to ‘kill you!
Hate is such a stupid drive. I feel stupid for going that far." She looked at Trixie,"The moment I came back was the moment I decided to do everything I can to better my future, and yours. I created the Mechanoids to help ponykind, but that was not to be, thanks to Spark. My last manipulation, at that point, was to get you to stop her." tears welled up in her eyes,"Kill me, Trixie, and you'll have one last obstacle."
"How... how can you expect me to kill anypony, even my own sister," Trixie asked, crying, she closed her eyes to try and stop her tears.
"Come on, little sis," She put a hoof to Trixie's cheek again,"Do it. It's easy, I'm a monster, a worthless monster that shouldn't live anymore. I don't deserve life. Just take the pistol, and fire."
"Trixie, she may be right, that machine is feeding off of her." Sparkle said,"It seems to give her her pain."
Without anyone seeing it, a mechanoid began to rise behind them. Growling, the robot jumped. Trixie jumped out of the way and fired, the shot going through the robot and into Checker's heart. As she lowed her gun, Trixie's horn began to lose its glow.
The mechanoid fell, as Checker's chest began to bleed,"Hehe, it looks like fate won again. Good job, I love..." Checker's eyes drooped as the EKG beeped. A door opened beyond them.
Trixie sighed as she watched the mechanoid stopped it's glow. Mumbling under her breath, she said, "Yeah... fate." Trying her best to stop the tears from flowing down her face, she continued to walk through the open door.
Spark sat on a throne, a figure in a cage next to her was sparking,"Aw, did you kill your big sister?"
Showtime Trixie smiled a little, "Why no, she did not. Trixie just had to stop a mechanoid. See, the Great and Powerful Trixie doesn't like the idea of killing. Now, whoever you got into that cage, let her go before Trixie demonstrates to you, why she is the greatest of Luna's students.”
Spark chuckled,"No." She said, as the cage moved closer to reveal Arch, with half of her face torn off to reveal a Mechanoid skull.
"A mechanoid!" Sparkle said.
"Yes, the first that Checker created just for the purpose of being the 'Best Sister Ever." Spark chuckled,"She was created to protect ponies and be the sister Checker could never be. It was the last thing she wanted to do, after watching you for so long, and protecting you."
"Protecting me?" Trixie asked, looking puzzled. "How has she EVER protected me?"
"When she came back, she put surveillance all over you, sending snipers out to kill anypony who might be a threat to you, paying for stuff you couldn't, and sending nice gifts.
“She's going to that... for me?" Trixie felt a tear go down her eye. Narrowing her eyes, she smiled, "All the more reason why Trixie needs to save that mare in that cage and put an end to you, grandaughter." the mare grinned as she pulled out a gun."
Spark got up,"Not happening. You see," Bits of metal began to form around her,"I'm a new model of Mechanoid. One that is far superior, with none of the previous weaknesses. You're welcome to try to kill me, of course."
"You're right, Trixie can try!" she said, firing round after round at the mechanoid.
Spark walked slowly towards Trixie, the shots bouncing off.
Sparkle charged her horn, and made a shot at her, which also bounced off,"Oh no."
Trixie then threw down her gun and sighed. A small smirk crossed her lips as she looked up at Spark, tipped her hat over her eyes and pointed a hoof, “Your next line is: ‘There is nothing you can do.’”
Spark laughed maniacally,"There is nothing you can do!" her laughter then died down when she realized what Trixie had just said. Looking on, she gasped in horror when she saw the ‘Trixie’ fall down as a mechanoid. With a flick of her head, she saw Trixie standing behind her, Arch leaning onto the blue mare’s shoulders. “What?”
Tipping her hat with her magic, Trixie remarked, “Before she entered the room, Trixie put herself in a magical cloak spell. This one blocked ponies sight and made Trixie invisible. Of course she banked on one thing that kept her hidden.”
“What is that?” Spark asked.
“That you are Trixie’s granddaughter, and thus,” she thrusted her hoof out, “You would be too busy gloating to hear Trixie’s hoofsteps!!! This allowed Trixie to sneak over and save Arch.”
“So, now what?” asked Spark. “You just saw how invincible I am, how much power I am. You are just a little stage magician, and you are out of tricks.”
“Who says Trixie is out of her tricks?” Trixie asked, levitating the gun to her hoof.
“A gun? Ha!” Spark laughed.
Trixie shook her head, “No, not a gun.” in a flash, her gun turned into a sword that flared with electricity, “A sword of lighting. Trixie is willing to bet that if she rams this sword into your chest, you will create a pretty explosion.”
“You wouldn’t dare, you would end your own life,” Spark sneered.
Trixie shrugged, “And there is the paradox. But, it’s ok, Trixie likes to en-”
Before she could finish, Arch pushed Trixie out of the way and then grabbed Spark, “Trixie, go! I’ll finish her off.”
“No,” Trixie said, turning off the illusion off on her sword and turning it back to the gun. “Trixie has a plan, if you just let Trixie-”
“No, you go, I’ll handle this,” Arch said. “I'm going to set off a bomb in my body that'll destroy her and everything else in this place!" She smiled,"I'll be fine, because you'll be safe, and I'll have succeeded in the mission your sister gave to me."
"What? But that's crazy! You'll kill yourself! Trixie can't lose another sister. S-she just can't!” Trixie yelled, tears beginning to run down her eyes."
"It's okay," Arch smiled,"When you go back to the past, Checker will start to change, and you'll get another chance."
Trixie held out a hoo but then pulled it back, "Sparkle, let's go." she said, covering her hat over her eyes and running off. Using her magic, she began to throw the mechanoids to block the exit
Sparkle nodded as she ran with Trixie out the exit.
"Looks like we'll be seeing each other in Robo-Tartarus, bitch!" Arch laughed as the place blew up.
Sparkle jumped on Trixie, shielding her from the blast.As Sparkle landed on top of Trixie, the blue unicorn made sure to turn her head, hoping that she did not see her cry into the ground. Her tears rolled down her cheek as she began to think of her sister, and how much was lost.
Sparkle got off of Trixie and patted her back,"There, there."
Trixie wiped her eyes, and sighed, "Thank you.' (I might have lost one sister, but I'll be damned before I lose seven more)
"You did well, my dear student." A deep voice came from the sky.
"Auntie Luna!" Flurry Heart shouted.
At the sound of the familiar voice, Trixie turned and bowed, "Mistress! Trixie is so happy to see you!" she said, her tail wagging.
Luna flew down, her mane glittering with many stars. She looked as tall as Celestia, with her face full of regalness,"And I am happy to see you again, Trixie." She smiled,"I have been watching you, I even told Flurry Heart to help you."
"Luna, you've grown," smiled Trixie as she forgot her place for the moment and ran to her teacher, hugging her blue leg. Smiling, Trixie whimpered, "T-thank you for watching over me."
Luna caressed Trixie's mane,"You've grown yourself, Trixie."
"Not that much, Princess,' Trixie blushed as she enjoyed the feeling of Luna's hoof. "Luna, will Trixie... remember all of this? Trixie means, will she remember enough to help Checker?"
"Yes, but I don't know if you can change this future." Luna smiled,"But don't let that deter you, time is ever fluid, like a river."
Trixie nodded, "Yes, she knows. She knows," she then sighed and looked to the Sparkle-Bot, "Hey... thanks. For being there."
“I am always happy to help!" Sparkle-bot beeped happily.
"Oh," Luna pulled out a letter,"Here, it's from the Alicorn Faith. She wanted me to wait until this time to give you this."
Dear Trixie,
Fight on, and keep the Faith alive. I'm afraid I can't give you anything special, but know this: you don't need anything fancy to be awesome!
Faith.
"Well, at least the alicorn knows Trixie all too well," she smirked. "Ok Luna, I'm ready."
"Alright. Oh, and I should let you know, Rarity is alright. My sister is bringing her back as we speak." Luna smiled as she used her horn to teleport Trixie away.
"Wait you mean Rarity wa-" Trixie was cut off thanks to the spell.
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As Rarity walked through the portal, she saw a wisp of a white tail pass her by. Smiling, she ran, following the tail.
Twilight got up, finding herself alone on a long road, with several different timelines passing by her. Standing up, she swiveled her head back and forth, trying to see a way out. Then her eyes caught a glint of a blue light down the path. Narrowing her eyes she raced forward.
Rainbow Dash began looking through the library at Golden Oaks, "Come on, there has to be something here."
Will began walking around, a look of terror in her eyes, "Dash..."
"Something, an egghead’s book on time travel or something-"
"Dash... where did I come from?" asked Will.
Fluttershy sighed, floating through the temporal wave, and then smiled when she saw a purple light walking towards a cyan one.
"Van...hoover," Dash dropped the book she was holding, "Will, don't tell me..."
"I think I'm losing more of my memories," Will said, shuddering, "I can't remember my hom town, my family! I...I-
Applejack adjusted her hat, following the glowing orbs of light that flew ahead of her. Feeling a nudge from the side, she smiled when she saw a grinning Pinkie Pie.
"No, don't start failing on me now, Will," Dash said. "We are going to get to the Heart of Worlds, stop Valtor, and then make him undo whatever it is he did to your memories!"
Rarity followed close behind, only to watch a light blue blur pass her by. Shocked, she then smiled as the mare caught sight of the other orbs.
"Now, come on, we need to sa-"
"HOLD ON! WE WILL NOT COMMENCE THE PLANNING, NOT UNTIL TRIXIE HAS MADE HER ENTRANCE!!" Trixie said, appearing from the portal in a flash of light.
"T... Trixie!" Dash said, smiling.
Trixie tipped her hat, "Any doubt? It seems that Trixie is the fir-"
"Trixie, you could've waited up!" Applejack smiled, stepping in and noogying Trixie. "Ah swear, the mare is so impatient."
"Probably was waiting to get home as soon as possible, "Rarity smiled as she went in the door with a bow.
Fluttershy nodded and then was interrupted by a squeaky voice, "This world, spins faster than you know ooh ooh, I love that song! Hey Dashie!!!” Pinkie bounced into the room.
"Girls, you...where's Twilight?" Rainbow asked.