Ranger
Chapter 58: Planning
By Wanderer D
The moment they were in her quarters, Chrysalis leveled a look at Sunset. "Want to tell us what the hell happened down there? Because I don't appreciate being controlled into staying put by my subordinate using dangerous magic on me." She grimaced. "I never expected to have to say that with a straight face either."
"Was this part of the possible corruption you and Twilight discussed in relation to your Blood Magic?" Tygan asked.
"I-I don't know if it was the Blood Magic…" Sunset said, wrapping her arms around herself. "I was just… so angry! I reached out and… the Element reacted." She bit her lip. "I think, because of the nature of the Element of Magic, and its connection to Twilight, it might have let me—"
"Wait. Let you?" Shen asked. She had joined them on the way to the Commander's Quarters, when she had overheard Michael babbling about being attacked by a monster. "Is it… alive?"
Sunset shrugged. "Not… in the sense you're thinking, but I think that… on some level, whatever dictates the Element's actions was also frustrated with Mic—that asshole." She shook her head.
"In any case," she continued, "I was angry. And when I felt a source of magic, I instinctively reached out, and the magic flooded me." She looked down, feeling embarrassed. "All of a sudden, I could do everything without fearing of overusing my own energy… It was almost like being back home." She gulped. "But even when I used the Blood Magic in Equestria, I didn't… transform. Into anything."
"I see..." Tygan pondered this for a moment. "There are many factors affecting this issue, from a possible limitation on who can truly access the Element's power, to Lt. Shimmer's possible misuse of its properties, whether as intended by the artifact or not.
"Until we bring back Twilight I can't know for sure, but it appears that these unintended transformative powers do not have a positive effect on Sunset." He adjusted his glasses. "I advise caution as to the usage of the artifact, if complete avoidance can't be helped."
Chrysalis sighed. "That might not be possible. There might come a time where we'll need to use it. Tygan, you… and Twilight, when we get her back, need to get on it. The Council Man has already sent me the coordinates for our next objective and we have started engaging the local resistance. We need all the advantages we can get."
Sunset shuddered. "I'd… rather avoid it for now." She glanced at the location where it was supposedly hidden. A not-so-deep part of her wanted to connect to it again. To feel the magic burning through her veins and making her feel so… complete. So powerful! In utmost control. It was almost a physical need—she wanted it. She wanted it so bad…
"Either way, we don't have time to ponder at this time," Chrysalis said. "I want Menace on this right now. Annette, you're going with them." She started pacing. "We're splitting the team in two to avoid any possibility of ADVENT spiriting Twilight away through the most obvious means."
She pulled up a rendering of the building. "We know from what she told us that most of the buildings she could see were shorter than the room she was in… so we'll assume she's around the middle. Whichever team finds her first, will cover and protect her and Kevin until the others arrive, then start advancing up. The pickup will be at the top of the building.
"At first glance we can tell their options are limited, and given that our traitor knew nothing, and they are unaware of Twilight's unusual method of communication, they will not expect such a quick response."
"The schematics of the building show that the power supply is in a secure room right under the first floor," Shen spoke up, touching the lower part of the building and lighting it red. "It's fairly standard ADVENT tech… this building was never intended to be used as a secure facility, although I am really not surprised ADVENT has prison cells in almost all of their structures."
"It is a rather unsettling practice," Tygan agreed.
"Anyway, the ground team can simply drop a couple of EMP explosives down the elevator shaft and that will disable the whole building's electric grid… and the emergency systems can be activated from the security office on the first floor. If we time it right, it will lock down the ground floor and prevent the access of additional troops for quite some time."
"Eliminating the enemy is secondary to getting our people out," she added, looking at Sunset straight in the eye. "No matter how pissed off we are."
"Right," Sunset said.
"Good," Chrysalis said, holding Sunset's eyes with her own for a moment longer before turning around. "Go get yourself and your team ready, you leave immediately once you're done. We'll finalize the strategy on the flight."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Twilight now sat on her cell bed with more confidence, although she was trying not to show it. As far as she knew, magical conversations like the one she had with Sunset were untraceable. But she didn't want to reveal her hoof to her captors… the Assassin would notice something immediately if she came again to visit her.
Kevin had stopped breathing hard at some point too. Whatever ADVENT had done, it seemed to have worked. They had taken them both prisoner, but it wasn't clear why… could it be that the Assassin didn't believe Twilight would know much?
She shook her head, her thoughts darkening. If Starswirl himself had fought the Assassin and the other Chosen, then they couldn't have been anything but evil… but even so, the thought that creatures such as these could possibly come from her world baffled her.
Not since the Windigos had she ever heard of creatures so evil, and Starswirl had fought a lot of them. What did the old legends say? Sirens? Dragon-wights? Demonic Minotaurs?
Twilight sighed. It could be any of those, and more… she never thought she would actually agree with the human's tendency to try and… what's the word Tygan used? Terminate? Maybe… maybe Starswirl should have… killed…
Twilight shook her head. She couldn't. She knew she was part of the war now, but… she could never wish that upon another.
"And how is my little pony today?" The Assassin's sudden appearance drew a gasp from Twilight, and she stood up in surprise, staring at the woman.
"Um…"
"Well?" The assassin smiled.
"I…" Twilight gulped. Despite everything… this creature came from her home. "I'm Twilight Sparkle."
The Assassin blinked in surprise. "What?"
"My name. It's—"
"I know that's your name, pony!" The Assassin hissed, walking up to the glass separator and glaring at her. "What I want to know is what you're planning!"
Twilight winced. Right now pretending to not be so sure of herself wasn't much of a problem. "I… was just thinking… we're both Equestrians and—"
"Silence!" The Assassin snapped. "I am not! Neither I nor my sist—" she cut herself, hissing in anger. "I belong to the Elders now. Everything that was me before has been erased."
Twilight gulped. "Um… what about that gem?"
The Assassin straightened up, mouth tightly shut.
"I-I just... " Twilight licked her lips. "I'm not trying to make you angry… but… I just, I don't know what you could have possibly done to-to deserve…" she motioned at the Assassin. Twilight looked down and away. "Maybe that's why you hate us ponies… me… maybe that's why you hate humanity and joined ADVENT…"
The Assassin snorted. "I worked for the Elders before ADVENT even existed, this was my reward!"
Twilight nodded, still not looking up. "I'm sorry."
The assassin slammed her fist on the glass. "Don't pity me pony!"
"I-I have to say something!" Twilight cried, looking up. "I-I can't hate you! Not-not after hearing what you—how you came to be here… why did Starswirl do this to you? Why did he throw you out of our world? Away from your family? Friends?"
"I wasn't cast alone," The Assassin hissed. "My sisters were with me."
Twilight flinched. "I'm sorry… you shouldn't have been… sent away. I wish I could have been there, if only to offer an alternative."
The Assassin was silent for a moment, looking to the side. "Like what?"
"Friendship."
The Assassin snorted. "Ridiculous."
"No! It isn't!" Twilight insisted, looking up. "Friendship turned Nightmare Moon back into Luna! Friendship allowed Discord to be free! It stopped King Sombra!"
That stopped the Assassin's laugh. She glanced at her. "King Sombra, you say? Discord and Nightmare Moon? You would have tried to befriend us?"
"At least… tried to find common ground!" Twilight offered. "You couldn't have done any worse than Nightmare Moon and Discord!"
"Stupid pony," The Assassin said, although there was less strength to her words. "Your species was our food. We lured the worst out of you with songs and we feasted on your corpses." She snorted. "What friendship could bloom from that? What common ground can a meal find with the creature it is served to?"
"Something!" Twilight cried. "Anything! We would have found a peaceful way to solve our differences if we tried! You didn't need to be exiled away from everything you knew! I know who you were now… siren."
The Assassin took a sharp breath.
"I studied everything… everything I could. I've learned so much about other species thanks to my friends… there's nothing that's insurmountable! One of my best friends has a griffon "friend" and she—"
"Did you just... air quote?"
"...and she eats meat. Other creatures we know do it to. We are still able to coexist!" Twilight continued, ignoring the Assassin's question.
The Assassin snorted, then walked away, fading into invisibility, leaving Twilight alone.
"I want to go with you."
Sunset looked up and shook her head, finishing strapping on her inherited armor. "Not happening."
Alejandra gritted her teeth. "I just watched my whole team die!" She paced in the changing room, where Jane was sliding her leather jacket on top of her armor. Sunset had to admit, it looked… kinda cool.
"That is part of the problem," Sunset said. "You're exhausted. Your mind is not going to be in the game. This is not a mission where rookies can survive, Acevedo, just one mistake will not only cost your life, but put at risk everyone else."
"I-I just…" Alejandra sat down. "They're my friends… I saw the others die and I couldn't do anything."
"You didn't panic," Elena said from where she had already finished getting ready. "You kept your cool and followed orders." She nodded at Alejandra. "You'll be getting much better in the future, but sometimes you need to let others step in."
"But you're not with us," Sunset added. "When you have rested, you need to deal with your loss somehow and we'll support you, but this mission rides with too much baggage for this…" her eyes narrowed. "And something important waits for you, Twilight and Kevin later on. You'll need to be ready."
"But—" Alejandra yawned and swayed.
Sunset blinked in surprise when the rookie sat down and was soon snoring away.
"She needs rest and calming dreams," Laetitia said. Next to her Annette smirked.
Sunset shook her head, but stood up. "Alright, if we're all ready, let's get going."
They were joined by Mox, who was waiting outside the changing room, and the group made their way down to the hangar. As she approached, Sunset couldn't believe what Bradford had in his hands. "Is that—"
"You might need every advantage you can get," Bradford said. "The Commander wants you to take it for now."
Sunset gulped, but nodded, taking the package.
"Be careful out there," Bradford said as the group boarded the plane.
"We've got this." Sunset smiled down at him from the ramp. "We'll bring them back."
o.0.o End Chapter 58 o.0.o
10 bucks says it’s Bradford 's gun
Go get Twilight back Menace Team! Godspeed!!
8851906
My bet is the element of magic. No matter how poorly Sunset reacted to it, it is undeniably a power boost for her and could save her and her team's lives if she needs to use it, consequences be damned.
A). Bradford's gun
B). Element of Magic
C). Human Sunset's gun
I think I've got a decent betting pool, but knowing this game, I'll probably end up doing a 180 and shoot my teammate through another teammate.
8852004
I'd like to add beserker drugs to the mix. I mean, its mosr likely the Element, but more options never hurt.
Huh, and now poor sunset's dealing with mana addiction. Come to think of it, she does kind of look like a blood elf, from a distance, in low lighting, if you squint... alright no she really doesn't, but it still sounds like mana withdrawal.
8852020
And with that option added, I'll add the likelihood of my sniper falling flat on his ass, firing one off straight up, the bullet ricocheting off the moon and hitting himself in the face. For critical damage.
8852004
D). Grilled cheese sandwich, pudding cup, and Capri-sun.
8852050
In the right combination, they'll either make a good makeshift X-4, recreate the Black Death, or turn the Vipers into tiny babby sneks.
Why do i get the feeling that by the end of this rescue op, the building they are getting the captives out of, is going to be a half molten pile of slag in the shape of the former tower.....
Good plan! Make them pay!
8852067
I'd love an April fool's chapter on that.
8852004
Don't see how much good Sunny 1's gun would do, they took the only laser weapons with them on the Temple ship mission and it's already been stated that Magnetic is better anyways. Not to mention our Sunset is a Ranger, while she was a Sniper
Their primary goal may be to extract their imprisoned comrades, but I do hope they will inflict some serious damage onto the aliens along the way. Nothing like brutally swift retaliation to make your enemy think twice about pulling that sort of shit again. Show the elders they aren't the only ones who can engage in terror missions.
The most unbelievable part :)
Hoo boy. Sunset is not going to have a good time trying not to abuse the Element of Magic, assuming that's what she got handed.
they will no expect such a quick response
1. Not.
8851906
8851953
8852004
You guys sure it ain't Snickers?
Hold on Twilight, rescue's on the way. Though if the package really contains the Element, which I'm pretty sure it is, although it will give a tactical advantage on the mission, right now it's a double edge sword with Sunset's state of mind.
Also what I'm liking here right now is Twilight trying to convert Aria to friendship. Do you imagine having the Assassin among you ranks.
Seed of doubt planted!
Gotta watch out for those demonizing properties. Blood can be good too you know!
Keep going! ;)
8852004
It's either going to be the easy choice: the crown, or something none of us will think of until it's used.
Twilight tries Friendship! It was partially effective.
Are they sending the Element with on the mission? If so, seems like a good way to risk another irreplaceable resource.
Looks like Twilight's conversational flailing struck some psychological pressure points. Try as they might, the Elders can't strip out everything if there's continuity of consciousness. (That said, using the sirens to spread unrest would be a boon to the invaders.)
And I have to wonder what that "something important" might be, assuming that Sunset wasn't just trying to talk down Alejandra.
Twilight. Twilight, stop. This is WAR. You can't befriend the enemy. And did you forget that friendship KILLED King Sombra?
8853075
Unless this is AU Twilight didn't use the Elements on Sombra. It was Cadence and Shining Armor that dealt with him. It was love that killed Sombra, not friendship. Celestia forbade Twilight from taking the Elements with her when she was sent to help Cadence in the Crystal Empire.
Laetitia is Luna or a reincarnated Luna dam I knew it. Ow shit hat means she’s also nightmare.... well this should be interesting.
8853075
Eh I know it’s war but that’s kinda what makes twilight better than most even in hell she will still try and find a better way. But she’s also willing to fight to protect those she cares for. But hey sometimes you can find a peaceful solution and it’s good to see twilight atleast try.
8852902
I have a feeling it has to do with the gen pod and there “killed” teammate.
8852800
Eh but it does seem like xcom, I mean don’t they ussaly risk really expensive and hard to make weapons and gear all the time. What’s one more irreplaceable resource.
8852693
What about the king viper armor.
8852568
I have a snaking suspicion it’s the king viper suit.
8853807
throws marshmellows at awful puns source
When I read this chapter I pretty much knew what the Chosen are then you just thrown it in my face, that was funny.
in the last chp of this i think i pissed my own pants
8984645
Good to know.
8853807
What? Nah, she's about to have her first mission with her inherited armour. She's not going to switch to the Serpent Suit yet. It seems pretty likely to be the Element.
I have a feeling she's gonna be giving that to Twilight ...
Avecedo
8852568
You're not you when ur hungy
Daaammnnn... Twilight talked partaly the Assasin down for the moment... That inserted joke was priceless in the situation
In less than 1 minutes I come up with 5 solutions to the problem.
1. Maybe they need only to drink the contents of ponies blood? Transfusion from donations could supplement wild life meet, if they are pure carnivores.
2. The of old aged died get stored cold for consumption.
3. Death row/lifetime sentenced become food.
4. Cloning ponies magical and keeping them unconscious until the moment they die and get feed to them.
5. Friendship laser to the face?
In less than 60 seconds I found 5 possible solution...
Neat.