How Times Have Changed
Twilight's voice: Change is a part of life. The world changes, whether we want it to or not, and not all changes are pleasant ones. It's not that change itself is necessary, simply that it is inevitable. It can be a difficult fact to accept, but the fact remains- things change. Everything does.
Everfree Forest, Eastern Glade
"So are we gonna hunt for something or what?"
Team Rocket, or what was left of the criminal organization on Equestria set up a makeshift camp near the edge of the Everfree Forest. A few tents, a few scavenged crates of supplies and some shipping containers were all they had for the several-dozen black-clad crooks. They were on their own, but surviving. There were a variety of ways they could make it back to their own dimension, including through mirrors, concentrated magic pools, books and spells. Things were rough for them, but they had hope, hope to continue and possibly profit from their criminal activities.
Then, the Enclave landed. Pegasi, now loyal to Dan and operating under his direct orders, assembled on a hill in the clearing. Some landed, some remained airborne, continually flying around the area in scanning patterns.
"Boss? Hey, who's the admin?"
The acting admin straightened his black shirt, unwrinkled the R on it and fixed his hat.
"I'll handle this." The admin approached the armored ponies. He didn't know it, but Captain Springer was leading them. "Um, excuse me, my friends and I are a bit lost. We're part of-"
The Enclave ponies said nothing. They lowered their weapons. The hum of the plasma projectors, the spinning of minigun rotors began filling the air along with the scent of ozone.
"Hey- hey now, you don't have t-"
Luna's voice: This place is our home. We have a right, a duty to protect our kingdom and its magic. We've paid a heavy price for our negligence in the past. We've learned our lesson, however. We will not be caught off-guard again.
The Badlands, Southern Equestria
The freight train kicked up billowing clouds of sand as it raced north from New Troy. Faster than trains usually traveled from Donquestria, it drew a lot of attention. It especially drew the attention of a group of thieves who, after seeing so many trains leave from the south recently, were beginning to get curious.
"Alright, this one look good?" The first bandit said, handing the binoculars to his comrade next to him.
The second bandit peered through the binoculars. "Yeah, looks perfect. We can hit it before it even gets to Appleloosa." He handed the binoculars to the third bandit.
The third bandit, a griffon, squinted as she looked through the binoculars. "What do you think they have on there? Guns? Armor? Artifacts?" She handed the binoculars to the fourth bandit.
"All of the above." It wasn't the voice of the fourth bandit that said that. When the other three turned to face her, they saw a fully-armed and armored Captain Springer standing where the fourth bandit had been. The first bandit was about to ask who she was, the second would've asked where their friend was, and the third was wondering what she was doing with her high-powered assault weapons. Captain Springer answered before they had a chance..
Celestia: A lot has changed. But so much remains the same. We still believe in the magic of friendship, the Elements of Harmony, and in each other. They are the very pillars of our civilization. It's more important than ever to remember them, through the difficult times, lest we lose our way. We must remember what is important. And we must protect it.
Foggy Bottom Bog
Imperial research outpost
The Imperial researchers at the swamp outpost were not conducting illegal research. But they were conducting research and they hadn't asked for permission to be there. The Empire was powerful, it did what it wanted. It answered to only one authority: its own. That's the way it had been. Until now.
One of the assistant researchers exited the lab, more focused on his datapad than the surroundings. Not exactly the safest practice knowing how dangerous the bog was.
He tapped the datapad, sending the regular messages to his superiors over the Holonet. The shadow of something cast over the datapad, forcing him to squint at the screen. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough, as shadows began to grow all around him, blocking out too much light.
The researcher looked up to see the squad of pegasi overhead. He didn't have a chance to run.
The datapad landed face-down in the swamp and slowly sunk to the bottom.
Rice: The problem with progress is knowing what to keep and what to change. Holding on to what is important becomes more and more difficult as time marches on. Yet, some things endure, some things are timeless, both virtues and problems. The hardest part is knowing which is which. Sometimes, the answer only becomes clear when you've lost it. When it's already happened.
Manehattan, Future Integrations Stable-Tec headquarters
Main lobby
"By order of the princess, you are all under arrest! Do not attempt to resist!"
"Sparkle Guard!" one of the technicians yelled. It was clear they were going to resist. They were going to attempt resisting, anayway.
Armored pegasi swept the building. Gunfire, laser fire, plasma fire, until actual fires appeared on all floors. Some of the projects FIST was working on might have been beneficial. Some of the research data might have been useful. Some of the technicians, or the workers or the receptionists might have known something. They might have. Maybe.
The building was demolished. FIST was nationalized by the Kingdom of Equestria, all assets were seized and everything related to the company was taken or destroyed. All those affiliated with the corporation were at the very least detained. But most weren't.
Dan: There's a time and a place for all things. So they say. We may have changed, things may have changed but we still hold on to what's important. We've improved things, improved our methods and our tactics. Who we are is the same, at the core, as it has always been. As it will always be. We're just not going to be pushed around any more.
Equestrian borderlands
Humans, griffons, ponies, a few dragons, mostly ruffians. Their presence no longer tolerated, attempted to flee any way that they could. Some flew, some swam, others simply ran. None escaped.
Twilight: So what do we tell people when this happens? It might be hard, but the best thing to tell them is the truth.
Luna: The truth.
Celestia: The truth.
Rice: The truth.
Dan: The truth.
Twilight: Like change, it is inevitable. At some point, you must accept it. At some point, we must all face the truth.
Cleo: And the truth is, times have changed.
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Illness often starts with a core. Occasionally, you have to cut deep to kill the core.
The biggest problem is realising when its time to stop cutting.
10852658
That's a great point. Equestria has learned it can solve its social problems with plasma cannons. Not sure where this will take them, but I bet that new voice in Twilight's head will approve.
Ah, well I see where this is going.
A new chapter means it’s ~Sunday~
now let me see n’ere *dons reading glasses*
What Twilight about the truth is ... well, sad but true! Some things change and it’s “huh, okey doke”, sometimes it’s even “I love this!” but then others it’s “I absolutely bucking hate this!” and as someone with Asperger’s I tend to get these a lot for mundane reasons.
But y’know what will never change? My love of this story and everyone in it! It’s been a wild ride to this point and just a nail been hit one too many times I’m in it till the end and even after!
Thanks for another-oh wait I almost forgot Favourite Quotes time:
The Five of the Greatest Powers are in agreement ... oh *squee* I think this *squee* just got real!
Awesome as always and I’ll see you ~next time~
Your Eternal Fan
^_^
Great, now they'll move on to other undesirables.
10862151
Alternative title for the chapter was Equestrian Nationalism. Decided it worked better if the title fitted with the speech. I also like including thoughts from Rice to demonstrate how the protagonists and antagonists agree on things.
10862087
Planning on introducing a few new characters. Also, it demonstrates how Equestria and Earth differ on the subject of obesity. Biology definitely has something to do with that, too, but the mare that owns Sugar Cube Corner has to be a big girl.
10861232
That's how you know you're reading the right story.
10861839
TFS. I love me some Abridged Series. I remember when I first saw LittleKuriboh's YuGiOh Abridged. Still a favorite.
10862907
Hah, yeah, YGOTAS is great.
Whenever I see a fic where Chrysalis, especially a reformed one, meets Thorax, I always think of this exchange from that series:
"Friendship piledriver!" "NO!" *crash*