Lt Commander Twilight - Sun Herald

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Twilight sat motionless except for when the bouncing of the dropship moved her. She wondered again how long it had been since she had seen her friends as she double checked her weapon. Each was was securely strapped with practiced perfection. Each strap, and every latch was in pristine working order, having been well maintained after each drop. She had been taught by the best, and refused to let them down.

After a few minutes she felt the sharp jerk indicating thing were entering the atmosphere, from there it was only another ten minutes to land. This time was thanks to the advanced heat shielding and inertial dampeners, otherwise it would take almost an hour to land. Her horn glowed as she pulled up the mission data. It had taken quite a bit of practice to master using her magic to manipulate the touch based interface.

Investigation mission, go in gather intel on what happened to the colonists, see if it was another geth attack or not. She read through memorising the map, the number of colonists, materials expected to be on hand, and more. She would need to make sure this mission was perfect...Shepherd was counting on her.

-----3 Years ago-----

“What is it?” Asked a mechanical voice, slightly higher, almost feminine.
“Looks like a horse.”

“To small, and its lavander, more like a pony.”

“Never seen anything like this on any planet, is it maybe an experiment?”

“Why would it be out here?”

Twilight tried to stir from her position, her head felt like it had been ripped apart, glued together with hot tar, and then ripped apart again. After several moments she finally managed to get her neck muscles to work and she tried lifting her head.

“IT MOVED!”

The loud exclamation caused her to jerk away, and cry out, “Ow, no talky, it hurts.”

“Oh shit, it talks, we need a medivac NOW!”

Twilight blacked out again.

----Present----
The drop ship landed on the designated landing pad, it was located at the very center of the colony, with easy access ramps, great for living a easy life, horrible for any kind of defendable position. Already with practiced ease Twilight was identifying many ambush points, several sniper hide outs. Along many of the paths, there were bottlenecks great for placing traps. There was even a closed hangar bay just north of the landing platform, so many mecha could be hidden in there waiting. She eyed everything with a dangerous level of paranoia, she failed her friends once she would not fail them again.

---3 Years ago----

It had been several days since the crew of the SSV Normandy SR-1 rescued Twilight from a barren planet, the local colony had been completely wiped out by something unknown. Medical scan and some use of biotechnics proved Twilight was telling the truth when she said she had no idea what was going on.

“Ok Twilight, I just need you to repeat everything you told me one more time for the record. Then we will find out what we are doing with you from there.” Shepherd told Twilight, despite his militaristic personality and mannerisms, he had proven to be very gentle and kind. These were very welcome traits for the recently displaced pony.

“I was with my friends in Equestria, we were in the middle of a fight with the beast Tirek. He had absorbed all of our magic, even that of our princesses. Discord gave me this medallion,” She held up the triangular medallion that hung from her neck, “Then there was a bright flash, a shadowy dragon figure. Then pitch darkness. After that I awoke to voices on the barren planet.”

“Thank you Twilight, I promise we will be doing everything we can to help you. Please rest you still look tired,” Twilight exited the room finding her bunk back in the medical bay.

She had a small collection of papers scattered about, drawings of her friends, she wasn’t perfect but they were the right idea. She resumed writing notes about what she had learned about this world, it was a welcome distraction, even if she was forced to write with her mouth. She sighed looking at her blank flank, where her cutie mark should be.

“I’ll find a way to make this all alright everypony, I promise.” Twilight laid her head on a pillow and drifted off to sleep.

----Present----

Twilight viewed her back up, a Female Turian recruit Ruteia Duvilus trained with pistols and assault rifles, and Steven Halton a human specialist in Biotics and Tech, equip with only a SMG.

“It’s too quiet,” Ruteia said sweeping the area much like Twilight.

“That’s what we’re here to see about,” Twilight said walking down a ramp to the dirt.

“It seems all power stations are shut down,” Steven said staring at his omni-tool, “looks like we’ll have to turn them on to get any information, we have one in the west barracks and a generator by the agri-unit to the south of our position, highlighting them now.”

Twilight’s HUD displayed and arrow to her right and one right in front of her in a quick build shelter, “Let’s get the one to the south first.”

“Aye ma’am,” the two bi-pedals said taking up defencive positions on either side of her. Her magic leveled her M-32 Crescent SMG. The squad advanced cautiously keeping constant lookout for attackers. Twilight walked up to the generator and used her Omni-hoof to trigger the machine’s activation sequence.

“One down, one to go. Keep an eye out, I don’t like the looks of the barracks,” Twilight stated advancing with her team back towards the barracks. As they neared Ruteia and Steven took up flanking positions by the door. Nodding Twilight dropped behind a canister for cover, changing out to her Sun Herald sniper rifle.

When Steven opened the door the first thing that Twilight saw was a bi-pedal creature, unlike anything she had seen in the galaxy yet. It had a large wide head and looked robotic with a slightly organic movement to it. It took her but a second to recognize the menace from the rough briefing she had from Shepard, “Collectors take em down!” Twilight ordered unleashing a round into the back of the collector’s head area blowing clear off.

“Think I know what happened to the colonist,” Steven said ducking to cover as collectors started marching out from all over the colony.

“What was your first clue?” Ruteia piped back laying down a quick suppression fire.

“Cut the chatter you two,” Twilight stated taking the head off of another collector, before quickly changing to her SMG and teleporting into the barracks. A surprised collector found half a clip of ammo in it’s chest as it fell dead the corpse burning from the wounds, “I’m going to see what they wanted in here you two keep me covered.”

“Aye ma’am,” they chorused with a snicker as Twilight began pulling up data from the terminal.

Outside Steven was having fun, he had managed to use his powers to make a warp point and had half a dozen collector snipers stuck in it. Ruteia had just mowed down three collectors that had been trying to flank them. More collectors seemed to appear starting to outnumber the three of them.

“Ma’am we’ve got more company than we have food for,” Steven said as he threw a collector into the advancing horde.

“I’ve got the data, clear a path to the LZ and we’re out of here,” Twilight said spraying bullets at the collector horde. Each target hit started to burn with a silver flame from there wound. Using the fire as a temporary barrier the team cut a path thru the collectors to where the drop ship had left them.

“Team Lavendar returning to shuttle we are coming in hot be ready for take off as soon as we get there,” Twilight said over her command bead.

“Aye team leader engines are hot ready to leave when you are,” the pilot replied as the team heard engines start up over the sound of gunfire. Leaving a burning pile of bodies behind her Twilight lead point with the team cutting a swath thru the on coming collectors. Steven and Ruteia jumped into the shuttle then covered Twilight as she jumped in.

“Well, always fun with you around Twi,” Ruteia said relaxing into her seat.

“That was not fun,” Twilight stated before going thru the data she had retrieved, “that was the start of a trap.”

“Twilight doesn’t like to goof around, when away from the commander that is,” Steven said making adjustments to his omni-tool.

“Why’s that?” Ruteia asked, quietly ignoring the glare they got from their LT.

“Not sure, it often seems like he’s her only friend on the ship, though she does have some friends they were all part of the Commander’s original team. Anyway when we get back to the ship I’m gonna get a drink, join me?” Steven spoke without looking her in the eye.

“Um, Sure,” Ruteia said taken back by the change in subject. Nether of them saw the small tear fall from Twilight’s eye, a tear from looking at her triangular golden medallion.

“Why if it isn’t little Twilight,” the turian in blue armor said bending down to give her a hug.

“Garrus what happened to your face?” Twilight asked giving him a hug that rivaled Pinkie Pie strength.

“Meh I took a rocket to the face,” Garrus said releasing the little pony.

“Twilight how was your mission,” Shepard asked walking over from the doctor.

“Collectors were there, they seemed to have been looking thru the colony data, but I’m not sure what they were after,” Twilight said saluting him.

“You can relax Twilight, we’re not Alliance right now,” Shepard said as he knelt down to get a copy of the data from her.

“Habit Commander,” Twilight said giving him the copy, “so Garrus what brings you under the call of the xenophobic Cerberus?”

“A favor to Shepard, I’ve been invited to join the reaper hunting party,” Garrus said with a smirk.

“Commander are the others coming?” Twilight asked referring to the old crew.

“Not sure yet, but we’ll see,” Shepard said, “I’m going to review this data take it easy for a bit.”

“Yes sir,” Twilight said prancing around Garrus, “so can we go hang out?”

Lt Commander Twilight, I, Nuada, seek your aid, Princess Celestia has been taken and I need a space faring vessel to rescue her. With that Twilight’s necklace glowed.

“I remember that, looks like we’ll have to wait to catch up,” Garrus said nodding to her and walking away.

Give me 20 minutes I’ll be right there.

Vinyl Scratch - Toronto Touchdown

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Vinyl Scratch walked through the marketplace in Canterlot, she was looking for a new mixing board after her last one died, in a very fiery death. She may have been pushing too much power though to her speakers to get the proper wubs, then that darn pony spilt their drink on it, after that the fireponies showed up to put out the fire on stage.

“I’m now hundreds of bits in debt thanks to that foolish plothole.” Vinyl mused normally she was really good about taking things in-stride but, after that her girlfriend Octavia chewed her out.

Octavia was the most beautiful mare in all of Equestria, the two had hooked up back in college, and they had shared a music theory class together. After about three heated debates and a partner project things happened. Octavia surprised her by making the first move, the normally prim and proper classical musician had locked eyes with her during a heated debate about proper music and that there was too much bass in their song.

Vinyl tried to stare down the driven mare only to have her soft lips suddenly take hers, it was by no means her first kiss, even with a mare, but it was the best. Vinyl shocked pulled away the act bringing Tavi to the brink of tears, she hadn’t thought about Vinyl rejecting her. At that moment Vinyl had finished processing the information and tackled Tavi in a hug and another kiss.

“Good Times.” She mused to herself, turning a street corner. Still Octavia had chewed her out about safety and letting herself get stuck paying for all of the damages. She was now in the market place looking for a new mixer so that she could get back to work doing gigs. Otherwise she might have to… work in a store.

She was a free spirit and did not need to go work at such a place.

She found a small pawn shop, the windows were a little dirty, but the contents were in great condition, several of the musical instruments, a tuba with case, flute, violin, even a flugelhorn. She opened the door to the shop. Inside the shelves were lined with all kinds of objects, crystal balls, books, jewelry.

“Hello Stranger, what brings you into my humble shop?” A voice appeared from behind Vinyl. She jumped spinning in place. She found the voice belonged to a pony with a cloak covering most of his body, and a bandana covering its muzzle.

“Oh uh, just checking the place out, sweet digs.” She complemented the store it really was nice, even if it was a little dusty.

“Thank you I work very hard collecting wares from everywhere. I have more in the back, if there is something particular you are searching for?” He moved past her indicating a door leading to the back room, there was a half door blocking the way with a sign that said, “Employees Only.”

“Well dude, now that you mention it, I’m checking around for a new mixer, hoping for something really good, last one overloaded and caught fire.” She answered fallowing him to the edge of the counter, he said he would return momentarily and disappeared into the back room.

Vinyl busied herself looking around at the wares she was surprised to see that all of the jewelry and really expensive pieces were just laying out. No locks, not even any glass. She didn’t feel any alarm spells when she walked in, but she wasn’t the best with magic after all.

“Here we are my friend, I happen to have this. I’ve had it for a little while, and nopony seems to want it. If you want it I’d be willing to cut you a deal.” The merchant pony held in a hoof a large black case. Setting it on the counter he opened it to reveal one of the most beautifully crafted mixing boards. It had a stainless steel case, with black decorative notes coating it. Each one seemed to absorb the very light of the room, along the top were several controls, each very familiar to Vinyl. The merchant pony rubbed his hooves together while eyeing the case.

“Dude this is a sweet piece, there is no way I could afford it. It’s a shame is so epic.” Vinyl closed the case; if she had waited a moment longer she would have seen a small object materialize inside the case.

“Like I said, I’d love to send it off; a piece that doesn’t move is worth nothing. Please make an offer; I’m sure we can come to an accord.”

“One hundred bits.” Vinyl ran some crude math in her head.

“One hundred and twenty.” He countered quickly and confidently. Vinyl hesitated a bit,Gotta spend money to make money

“Deal.” She pulled out her coin bag before counting out the requested amount.

“Here you are, enjoy, and have a safe trip.” The merchant smiled broadly as the white unicorn stepped out the front door… into a large blizzard.

Several hours later she found her way to a club, led by the wubs, which were ok, but not great, they were missing a lot, the mixing was flat, instruments were regularly overpowering the singers. She adjusted the case with her new mixer on her back, thankfully it wasn’t all that heavy.

She went in through the back, a headache forming from exhaustion… and the poor mixing. As she kept into the back found the mixing table pushing some figure out of the way she waited for there to be a break between songs, ignoring the muffled protest from under her headphones she jacked in and began fixing the setup on the mixer.
Vinyl felt her head phones pull off as she finished remixing the board.

“What the hell are you doing?” a tall bipedal asked holding her head phones up in his hand.

“Your mixing sucks,” she said as the next song started. The difference was instantly noticeable, Vinyl used her magic to pull the headphones back on. As the song played she adjusted the levels ensuring that everything balanced, or emphasized correctly, not knowing the songs she was a little bit slow, as the song finished she turned around.

“You are not a pony, what in equestria are you?” She looked up at the tall bipedal who was talking with two other very tall bipedals, who were wearing black shirts, and black pants. They turned to her, pulled her headphones out from the mixing table, picked her up and started carrying her out. “YOU CAN’T DO THIS! THE MIXING, THE MUSIC, IT MUST BE SAVED!”

The band, whose last song she had just hijacked, came walking off stage following her.

“You guys help, you heard what I can do an a mixer, get this hairless troll to let go of me!” The two bouncers didn’t listen as they opened the backstage door and tossed her out. She sat next to a trash can shivering, damn snow, it was cold, she had no jacket, and was exhausted. A few moments later the door opened again and the lead singer of the band walked out, looking around, spotting her on the ground he approached her.

“Sup,” She said not looking up, his eyes went wide as he poked her, “Hey stop that, it’s rude.”

“Ok so talking magical pony, is real. Well that is new, you said you mixed our last set?” His face had some short bits of fur, but was mostly hairless, he wore a simple t-shirt and denim pants. He was crouched down eye level with her.

“Ya, the music was good, but the levels were all wrong, it was giving me a headache, so I decided to fix it. Probably should have asked first, but I’m exhausted.” She looked up, he seemed to have relaxed a little now, and how was he not shivering?

“Sweet, how would you like to join us as our new mixer? Can’t offer much, but may be able to get you a job, sides, don’t think you're from around here.”

“No from Equestria, you know it?”

“Nah, this is Toronto, Canada. Planet Earth.”

“Damn, well sounds good, I’ll need food and a place to crash till I can figure out how to get home, man Tavi’ is going to be so mad.”

“Sweet, I’m Stephen Stills, welcome to the band, we are Sex Bobomb.” He smiled offering her a hand up, she took it. He knocked on the door and got let back in by one of the black shirt bouncers, they tried to lock Vinyl out, only for her new friend to vouch for her.

It was a lot warmer inside, Vinyl was led through the backstage avoiding the mixing table, which had been untouched, such a waste of potential. Eventually she was led into a screening room where she saw the rest of the band she had been helping.

Stephen introduced everyone, “So this is the bad, here we have Kim, our Drummer.”

“Great a unicorn, wonder what they put in the drinks,” She had her arms crossed wearing a zip up hoodie. Her hair was red, she had freckles on her face. Unlike Stephen, she did not have any face fur.

“Our newest member, Neil, bass player.” His shirt had an ‘N’ branded on it, he was playing on some gaming device. His hair was a light brown, he also had no face fur.

“Woa, a unicorn, sweet.” His only reply to the sudden colorful pony in the room.

“Everyone, this is… I never got your name,” Stephen rubbed the back of his head in apparent embarrassment.

“Vinyl Scratch, stage name DJ Pon3. I’m a DJ from Equestria, I’ve toured all over, not quite sure but somehow I ended up here.” She nodded her head at the room in general.

“She was the one who sniped the hack off the tables for our last song. I’ve offered her to join us in the band, that cool?” He asked the room, the amount of indifference on everyone’s face was kind of depressing.

“Sure, what ever.” Kim offered, she turned to look out the only window in the room, the blizzard had picked up its pace.

“Talking unicorn mixing, doesn’t seem half as crazy as the Scott stuff.” The new name confused the unicorn a little. She turned to Stephen for an answer.

“Old band mate, bit of a jackass and an idiot, but nice guy.” Stephen answered the unasked question. “So new band buddy, tell us of yourself, what’s in the case?”

“Ah my new mixer, I got it after my last one burned down. Now that I think about it, I found myself here after walking out the door, of the old pony’s shop, crazy. So anyone know how to get me back to Equestria? I’ve got a marefriend back there and would hate for her to miss me.” She sat the case down on the table opening it up, the band huddled around it seeing the beautiful craftsmanship of the piece. Neil reached in and pulled out a small object on a silver chain, it looked like a dog tag.

“What's this?” He asked lifting it for everyone to see.

“No clue, but the back has some writing on it,” Vinyl used her magic to levitate the dog tag over to her. Kim rolled her eyes and muttered a comment about magic. Vinyl red it aloud, “ ‘I am Mistress Change, grasp this token to call upon a friend.’ Interesting, so what should we do now?”

“I’m sure, sense Stephen was the one to invite you to the band he won’t mind you crashing with him, but at this point we are just waiting for bands to finish, its round one the new Battle of the Bands.” Kim answered she looked bored still.

“What you don’t even have a roommate, can’t you take her, it's already cramped with Neil and Joseph will kill me if I bring her home.”

Visitations

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Nuada walked off the ship stretching as he did, the ship was way too small to be comfortable for long, kinda like a minivan, he thought idly. Thinking back to his day, he had dropped off Ushio and spoken with Twilight, went to another world, helped a shapeshifter, and a changeling queen, met a crazy strong overpowered Displaced guy, got enchanted, yeah busy day.

“Oh it’s you Sparkle, what do you need?,” an older pony in robes said trotting up to the armored Alicorn.

“Starswirl a pleasure as always, your ideas for a magical power core worked well in my world, our guns are beginning to hit harder than ever,” Sparkle said giving the older pony a hug, “the Collectors will be no match for us.”

“Just be careful, don’t need you blowing up planets. Now then who is this?” he asked looking up at Nuada.

“Hello sir, I am Nuada Lugh,” Nuada answered extending his hand, “I met Sparkle recently and she’ helping explain this Displaced thing to me.”

“Great another new Displaced, I’ve met quite a few of you, so how’d it happen tricked by that ‘Merchant’ or some hogwash?” he asked shaking Nuada’s hand with his hoof. He looked rather disinterested.

“I bought a book online from a store called Virgil: Seeker of Knowledge’s book emporium. Claimed to have every book under the sun and a few from the shadows. Anyways the book I ordered was a complete guide to everything Juraian and came with a gift bag. Got the book, opened it, and bam there I was in the middle of a forest. The items in the bag was a pair of royal tree seeds from Jurai and what looked like copies of Washu-sama’s three sealed gems,” Nuada explained, “eventually figured out I had been turned into a variant of Tenchi, from the anime Jurai is from.”

“That’s a bit different, I will have to keep an ear out for this Virgil, now then have you got a token made yet?” he asked.

“That’s why I wanted to meet with you,” Nuada said, “in my world you were one of the greatest mind around.”

“I get that alot,” Starswirl said, “so you need my help with something?”

“Yes I have a concept for a communicator watch, that was used by the galaxy police in the anime, I want to make and use it as a beacon for when I figure out how to travel the void,” Nuada explained.

“I see, explain it to me and I’ll see what I can do,” Starswirl said taking Nuada aside. Where they walked into a side room leaving Sparkle to run diagnostics on the ship.

“So this communicator draw it for me,” Starswirl said summoning a quill and parchment.

Nuada nodded and began sketching, “so Mister Starswirl, what is this place, feels like some kind of spaceship.”

“This is my home, it’s a ship that I made that exists in the void between worlds. Fairly advanced spell, though easy enough for me,” he said praising himself as he pulled a small bell out of his cloak, “This is my summoning token, put your will into it and ring it. I will answer as quickly as I can, try not to abuse it though I have a great deal of research to do.

“Understood,” Nuada said taking the bell and looking it over, “so here is the basic shape of the communicator.”

“I see,” Starswirl said taking the parchment, “very small, not bad, micro computer, may need help with this. What else should it do?”

“Well as I understand it, it’s a com device and a tracker of sorts, specifically energy signatures,” Nuada explained.

“Give me a while, to work on this, this kind of tech isn’t my strongest area of study,” Starswirl said making some notes.

Nuada nodded and saw Starswirl lose himself to the challenge, much like his old Starswirl from back home. Deciding he wasn’t really needed here Nuada wandered off. After a little while he had made it back to the hanger where Sparkle was under a ship wing working.

“Hello Sparkle how goes it?” Nuada asked watching her pull apart what looked to be the main wing cannon.

“Crap, between rushing that ship and your sword overcharging my systems these cannons are shot. The barrel is warped, and some of the charging system is burned up. I’ll have to spend the next week trying to fix it. Luckily the engines are doing okay, though I’ll have to move the scheduled maintenance up a month.” Sparkle continued listing off issues as she worked on the shuttle.

“Wow I’m so very sorry that happened, anything I can do to help?” Nuada asked, feeling most of that was his fault.

“I’ll need to get a new pair of guns from my closet in my room, walk with me and help carry them,” Sparkle said, “I’ll give you a tour and introduce you to some of my friends.”

“Okay,” he said, “so why keep them in your room, why not in the hanger?”

“Starswirl helps a lot of Displaced, and you’ll find you can’t trust all of them. I keep certain things in my room as it’s set with a special lock spell Starswirl and I made. Each room has one and it keeps everyone out that isn’t the owner or has permission, this even blocks Starswirl,” she explained trotting out of the hanger.

“Makes sense,” Nuada noted.

“So this is the main corridor, this will take you to the gym, comms room, kitchen, and other general use areas, such as the hanger,” Sparkle explained, “at the end here is an elevator that will take us to the residential block, as a void ship, don’t be surprised if the ship shifts layout.”

“Or doesn’t make any kind of spacial sense, three lefts don’t make a right here. Name is Gaige btw, new guy?” A brown haired woman with a robotic arm stood in a doorway. She was covered in scars, and her outfit looked like it was old and warn.

“Yes Nuada this is Gaige, she’s a human cosplay Displaced from Borderlands,” Sparkle said, “Gaige this is Nuada Lugh, a new book Displaced based on the Tenchi Muyo series.”

“Nice to meet you Miss Gaige,” Nuada said extending his hand.

“Pleasure, if you need a hand, I’ve got extras” She joked waving her robotic hand, ”I’m not only good with basic robotics, but have gotten good at prosthetics, had to build this one.”

“There you are Gaige, I need your help,” Starswirl said walking into the hall from the opposite room, “what do you know of micro electronics?”

The world around them shifted as Gaige was suddenly whisked away with Starswirl.

“That happen a lot?” Nuada asked, looking at the empty space that was Gaige.

“You get use to it if you stay here,” Sparkle stated, “anyways on to the residential area.”

"Right so this ship is some kind of chaos subspace?" Nuada asked.

"It's a void ship, so not really, it's more of a physical manifestation of Starswirl's desire to help ponies, which because it's tied to his ancient mind causes it to shift form sometimes, like there is a swimming pool that comes and goes," Sparkle tried explaining.

"Okay sorta get it, so here in the void his thoughts are given form, but he's an old man with a scattered mind," Nuada said.

"In very basic form yes, the implications of this power are interesting at the quantum thaumaturgy areas of research, but I've been unable to replicate the effect," Sparkle pouted slightly.

"I'm sure one day it'll make sense to you," Nuada said as they walked out the elevator to see the strangest thing of the day.

"To be or not to be, that is the question," said a skeleton headed body to another skull. His suit was a strange yellow and black martial arts gi.

"Ah Scorpion, what are you doing here?" Sparkle asked unphased by the freaky necro man.

"Alas my compatriots are scattered and in hiding, and I was wounded. I choose to dwell here for a few days until my vigor rose once again," Scorpion stated.

“I meant what are you doing here in the hallway?” Sparkle said, “didn’t we build you a garden for you to practice your acts in.”

“Alas what is life but a stage, this free heart knows no walls and no limits. Such a confined stage can not hold my heart,” he said exaggerating his motions.

“Fluttershy in there again?” Sparkle said flatly.

“Yes, she came in while I was in the middle of King Lear and ousted me on my arse,” he said flame around his head flaring.

“That doesn’t sound like the Fluttershy,” Nuada stated off hand.

“This Fluttershy went thru some dark things and now is a bit unnerved by humans,” Sparkle stated.

“Unnerved tis a bit kind Lieutenant, psychopath berserker is more like it,” Scorpion stated in a huff.

“She’s working on,” Sparkle said, “this kind of healing takes time.”

“I know this but she’s known me longer than you and I still can’t stay in the same room as her,” he said with a sigh, “by the way who is this?”

“I’m Nuada, I was displaced as a variant of Tenchi Masaki,” Nuada stated.

“I am Scorpion from Mortal Kombat, displaced oddly to a Gundam universe,” he said shaking Nuada’s hand.

“A pleasure may I ask what’s so odd about that?” he asked.

“My good man, the Displaced are by large sent to Equestria, and rarely a pony from Equestria is sent to another world. I am strange as while I am Displaced I was sent from Earth to another Earth,” Scorpion answered.

“Yup we know only one other right now who is like that, and she’s a bit hard to approach,” Sparkle explained, “we must be off Scorpion see you later.”

“I bid you adieu,” said Scorpion with a bow. Nuada and Sparkle bid him farewell and continued on. As they continued down the hallway they came to an elevator, attached to it was a scanner, which Sparkle explained would read the mind of the user, taking them to the area they wished to visit. As it moved them though the void, familiar elevator music played.

“I’m so far removed from my earth and still we have the same elevator music,” Nuada remarked, twiddling his thumbs.

“Seems to be a multiversal constant, which is a weird thing to say.” Sparkle commented, tapping a hoof to the music. The elevator binged and the doors opened to a hall that looked the exact same as the last one.

“I’m the room on the corner to the left,” Sparkle stated walking off the elevator. Nuada followed and came to a door that reminded him of the one on the Golden Oaks Library. The door opened for Sparkle and Nuada saw the largest library of his life. The expansive of written knowledge was awe inspiring, even for one who had lived for so long.

“Every world I visit I get a copy of their written history and cultural information. I get technical manuals and research material from various people I meet and help. When I get home, I hope to help my world with some of this,” Sparkle said noting Nuada’ hanging jaw.

“How long have you been doing this?” Nuada asked.

“Well as you can imagine, time in the multiverse is tricky to track. But relative specifically to me, a few years,” she answered.

“My gods, well I know where to go for some light reading,” Nuada joked, “I read every book Celestia and Luna had a few decades prior to my imprisonment.”

“That was just prior to Nightmare Moons, so you have a lot to catch up on,” Sparkle stated motioning him to follow to the side.

“I imagine, but if I’m going to live as long as Tenchi then I’ll have plenty of time,” Nuada said following her to a spiral staircase. The steps felt odd to Nuada as they were spaced for Twilight’s body size.

“How long is that you figure?” she asked stopping at a landing waiting to open it.

“Till the end of everything and beyond, he ascends to a god state eventually, surpassing beings that created portions of the multiverse where he was born in.I speculate that I can achieve a similar growth but it will take many many years to get there,” Nuada explained, “it was shown that in a hundred years he still looked about the same and was living as a human on earth still.”

“Interesting, take care a life that long can be lonely,” she said opening the door.

“I know,” Nuada said looking in. Surprised again by the size, it seemed to be a warehouse of sorts, clean painted white illuminated by mini sun spheres in the roof. “You know I just realized your room is smaller on the outside.”

“Huh?” Sparkle asked.

“Well by my guess this room should be only big enough for a bed and a desk based on the size of the hallway and the wall placement, but it’s massive in here,” Nuada said.

“Oh that's just one of the perks of being in the void, space is a malleable thing. We could set it up so there is no space between doors and each room the size of a planet, but for those with less open minds we simulate slightly more realistic geometry for familiarity. My room is one of the largest as I helped with the designs and expanded it myself,” she explained walking up to a crate and pulled it down with her magic onto a hover trolley parked near by. Popping it open she double checked it’s contents, “here are the new gun barrels let’s head back she said going further into the warehouse.

“Shouldn’t we go back the way we came?” Nuada asked.

“Nope,” she said as she trotted over to a door that was in the back of the room. The door popped open and revealed a side entrance into the hanger.

“Wait if you have a door right here, why did we take the long way?” Nuada asked pushing the trolley over.

“I told you I was giving you a tour and introducing you to the others,” Sparkle commented as her necklace began to glow. Nuada recognized that as someone calling her.

“Darn it, Nuada we’re gonna have to cut the repairs short, can you pilot?” she asked trotting to the ship and began putting things back together.

“I think I can may need some pointers to start,” he said running over leaving the trolley behind. The door closing behind him.

“Good, Mistress Change is in deep trouble and needs help, we won’t have weapons though so I need someone to keep the ship flying while I shoot from the hatch,” she said pouring magic into things as they fitted back into place.

“Won’t that be dangerous?” Nuada said as a wing hit him in the face, “right Alicorn soldier who was I kidding.”

“Going for specter soon, I’ll keep myself tied to the ship with a magical harness just keep it flat and fly in circles, try to dodge the enemy,” she said the ship reassembled, “get in we gotta get going.”

“Okay,” Nuada said activating his battle armor for protection.

Comet Crusade - Ponymorphs

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Comet, the unicorn was walking thru the woods by his new friend Cassie’s ranch home. It was taking some getting use to, as ponies in this world were apparently dumb creatures, like pets or things found in the Everfree forest. Thinking of home caused him to start moping again, as he shuffled around.

<What saddens you, Comet Crusade?> a voice said in the pony’s head. Looking up Comet saw his new friend Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill, referred to as Ax by there friends.

“Just missing home again, and a warm bed,” he responded sitting next to the blue alien centaur.

Ax responded, <my people had much better accommodations, though I should not complain too much, it is a safe place free from yeerk danger.>

“I am curious as to what these yeerks are, I know they are your enemies, but I know little else about them,” Comet asked.

“I get that part, but what about just them, there culture, physical form, abilities, things that make them what they are,” Comet asked, “back home on Equestria I was an infiltrator of cults. Maybe I can help you to figure things out about them?”

“In my land cults were used to describe ponies, whom would gather in secret, hold meetings about various things, and usually worship a foreign god. Now not all of these cults were bad, the Squires of Flame I still hold membership in, great guys. However many were dark, the last cult I infiltrated was one. They held dark rituals, praying that a dragon god, would visit there world and free them from their mortal coils,” Comet explained, “I was at one of these rituals, which involved an inebriation party, during which I blacked out and woke up here.”

Ax replied.

“Magic is magic, I could go into the theory a little, but without being able to touch the mana of the world, I don’t think it would make sense to you,” Comet said, “but back to the yeerks, please tell me of them.”

<Yes a conversation for another time. Yeerks are a parasitic race from a distant planet, they slide through the ear canal and into the brain. Once in the brain they take control of everything, including the memories of the host, so they can seamlessly integrate with the world around them. They have a few weaknesses, specifically they must leave the host once every three days to absorb kehdron rays, or they die, and they can not do much of anything without a host,> Ax explained.

“Is that why you guys subjected me to that three days of being tied up?” Comet asked remembering his less that spectacular first meeting of the group.

<Yes, I must say I am most pleased that you are not a controller for the yeerks,> Ax stated.

“Me too, so the problem is right now that the yeerks are infiltrating the whole planet as we speak trying to get enough people turned or enslaved that they can just drop in and take over?” Comet asked, “but you have almost no intel on them, where they are stationed, who they are, about like fighting an invisible enemy?”

“I mean this in the best way possible, but you know this is a losing battle right?” Comet asked reviewing the situation in his mind.

“You all need a spy, someone who can get you the intel you need,” Comet stated, “because fighting on the defencive like this isn’t going to win any fights.”

Ax thought grimly.

“But you have a new friend here who might just be able to help,” Comet said holding a stick in his magical grasp, “magic is a powerful force.”

<I’ve seen this, you managed some interesting things with this power,> Ax said remembering Comet build a house in the forest over the course of a week. He said he still wanted a proper bed.

“Let me show you some of it’s properties.”

<What’s going on Ax?> Jake asked as he landed in his ospray morph.

<Prince Jake, Comet Crusade is offering his service in helping us against the yeerks,> Ax said allowing Jake time to change into this human form. Comet has seen it a few times specifically when Ax heads out with Cassie to see the team, but is still gave him the willies.

“What kind of help?” Jake asked the pony.

“Prince Jake, I believe I can use my magic to help you all, specifically I want to make an earring to keep your ears protected from yeerk. I also was thinking of ways to help you morph without being seen,” Comet explained.

“Wouldn’t the morphing remove the earring?” Jake asked trying to ignore the prince title they both started using.

Ax said.

“There is an advanced spell from my home land that ties something to a person regardless of size or shape. It was developed by a pony who would regularly visit other nations and even borrow the native form. He did like his hat and cape a bit too much and made a spell that would always keep it on him,” Comet explained, “the Princesses utilized this spell so that we guards would always have armor regardless of the situation, though only our officers got that armor before a better solution was found.”

“Can you make this?” Jake asked, “I am trying to swallow this magic thing, but you have to understand we don’t have that here.”

“I have a prototype,” Comet said holding a tacky little piece of gold in his red magic aura.

Ax said, <it clips on the earlobe and then Comet triggers the spell locking it in place.>

“I see,” Jake said looking over it, “Rach will hate this one, Marco doesn’t much like jewelry, but I think this could really help our efforts. Any plans to test and see if it works?”

<That is the problem Comet and I have been trying to work past,> Ax said.

“I need a yeerk, to make sure it works right, or someone has to place their head in one of those yeerk pools,” Comet said getting a cringe from Jake, “Ax and I agree not a good plan.”

“Wait this keeps yeerks out, what about if they were already in a person’s head?”

“The spell is designed to block things going in that are ‘Yeerks’ so I guess it would let them out,” Comet said tapping his hoof to his chin, “not gonna lie magical theory and understanding wasn’t my strongest suit in school. I focused more on combat training."

"I see, so I know a yeerk controller, if I put this on him would it mean that he would be protected from reinfestation?" Jake asked holding the little clip on earpiece.

"In theory if the spell works, though I would have to be there to perform the spell to lock it in place. Otherwise it could be removed and the spell useless," Comet explained.

<Prince Jake are you thinking of using your brother as a test subject?> Ax asked.

"I think this maybe the best course of action, he's a forced controller, if freed we maybe able to save him," Jake stated handing the earring back.

"It maybe worth it, I'll contact the others and we'll talk it over," Jake said, "I'll have Cassie tell you when we'll meet."

Comet then felt the mana around him twist and saw a small portal open dropping something before him. A small silver bell sat on the ground. Picking it up he heard the song melody of ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ with the words ‘This had better be important’.

<Where did that come from?> Ax asked confused.

"A random portal dropped it," Comet replied.

"Portal?" Jake asked, "like magic portal thing?"

"Yes but this bell had a telepathic message tied to it, saying ‘This had better be important," Comet told them, "so I'm not sure what's going on."

“This is Starswirl the Bearded, I’ve been watching you, ring the bell and we can talk face to face, I hate this damn token plot.” the bell said.

“It spoke again, saying it’s Starswirl the Bearded, he’s been watching me and to ring the bell so we can talk?” Comet explained.

"Okay I’m going to take a combat form, Comet ring the bell when ready. If this guy has been watching and not attacked yet, he may be on our side, but we should still take care," Jake ordered shifting to his tiger form.

"Starswirl, we are ready to meet you," Comet placed his will behind the message and rang the bell. Twinkle twinkle little star played from the bell and the group saw a shadowy portal form about three feet high. Out stepped a small yellow pony with a white beard. He wore a cape, and hat both decorated with stars and moons, along with several small bells similar to the one rang to summon him. He was incredibly old look with his skin hanging from his body like a loose bag.

“Thank you, now I can actually get to know you all… seriously turning into a scary animal is your best option?” Starswirl asked looking at the ferocious tiger looming over him.

“Mister Starswirl, I’m Comet Crusade these are my friends Prince Jake and Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill, if you don’t mind me asking, how are you alive? The history books the guards read said you died years ago,” Comet said looking over the pony, who was just like the drawings he had seen years ago.

“Just call me Starswirl, as for the whole not dead, I’m from a different universe and became an immortal void dweller, meaning not your Starswirl but similar. Now then I am going to tell you this all once so listen up, I hate repeating myself,” Starswirl said looking at all of the ‘people’ around him. Before anyone could interrupt he continued, “Comet here is what we call a Displaced, capital D, obviously from being moved from his home world here. No I can not return you home, generally a Displaced loses all ties to their homeworlds and it becomes untraceable for return spells. Some Displaced made it home but they are rare. Now then Displaced make tokens that are ‘symbols of themselves’ and toss them into the void. These act as beacons for other Displaced to call upon them to help them in times of need, which is good as you can learn a lot from doing this and gain powers. I own a void ship that I let Displaced stay on and meet others you are welcome to move there if you choose, but know unless you can move yourself thru the void, I’m busy and will not be sending you back and forth like some ferry service. Now then any questions?”

<You mentioned multiple dimensions what did you mean?> Ax asked.

“There is the universe you exist in, this is what you can see and touch, without aid, if you have space travel you understand this concept yes?” Starswirl asked.

<Yeah we all get that,> Jake answered.

“Okay well that is the universe, there is more out there, you could say this is universe a and Comet here came from universe b. Each world is separated by what we call the void, which is the literal nothing, no space, no time, no nothing traditionally exists there. To go from universe a to b you have move thru the void in someway be it magic, tech, or something else, got it?” Starswirl finished.

<Yes this is similar to a theory one of my people had many generations ago but according to scientists at the time it was considered impossible and research was allocated to other fields,> Ax stated.

“Not surprised, crossing the void should be impossible by definition, but it’s so easy for some that we live in it now which may be throwing something out of wack but oh well,” Starswirl told him, “now then unless you have something else, I need Comet here to make a token so I can get back to a research project.”

<We’re good, I think Ax and I will need to take a minute to digest this,> Jake said motioning Ax to follow as they left into the forest.

“Now then Comet got something for me to make a token from?” Starswirl asked.

After a pause Comet pulled out a medallion from behind his head in his hair, “this is my guard signet marking me as one of Equestria’s guards. With your news it won’t do me good here but I think it will do as a token.”

“Now then with your will focus on the medallion and recite a message for other Displaced to hear when they first get it,” Starswirl said pacing impatiently.

“Comet Crusade of the Equestrian Royal Guard, I offer my skills and prowess to those who are of good intentions and have a strong sense of justice. If you ever need my aid hold this medallion and call my name I will be there in a heartbeat,” Comet spoke as he felt power fill the medallion. Starswirl took the token and tossed it in a small portal he had opened.

“There we go now you’ll be getting a bunch of kids bugging you for help, have fun,” Starswirl said moving to open a portal.

“Wait Starswirl may I ask a favor?” Comet asked grabbing his cloak with his magic.

“What is it?”

“I made this earring to keep Yeerks from entering the ears of those who wear it can you look over the spell?” Comet asked holding up the little gold earring.

“Fine give me a minute,” he said taking the item in question.

“Not bad for a guard, give me a day I will send you a refined version, this one will work but the magic consumption is too high, the enchantment will burn out after about 3 yeerks,” Starswirl said plainly, “I don’t know who taught you enchanting but stacking this way is a bad idea, if there is any magic users in this world they could break it on accident. Best solution is to break the object into smaller parts and enchant the parts, unless you are a master of enchanting and know what you’re doing.”

“Thank you Starswirl may you find what you seek,” Comet said.

“You’re welcome now then I’m off,” Starswirl said leaving thru a portal.

“Well that was different.”

Infiltration - LtC Sparkle and Comet Crusade

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<Comet how are you doing?> a thought speech asked the unicorn guard.

Looking up Comet caught sight of an osprey making a straight shot for him, “Prince Jake I’m doing well, the Hork Bajir are settling nicely, and appreciate the earrings.”

<Good to hear,> Jake said has he landed and began shifting to his human form.

“What brings you here today, it’s quite a trip to come out to the valley here for a quick call,” Comet remarked he turned to watch the new residents of the area. The Hork Bajir were seven foot tall reptilian humanoids covered in deadly looking blades, who ate tree bark. When Comet found out this he fell to the ground rolling in laughter imagining what would happen should they run into a Timberwolf.

“Ax was spying on the Hork Bajir camp we were going to raid tomorrow night and we have some very important guests coming.” Jake said.

“You don’t mean that he’ll be there?” Comet asked his face turning pale.

“Yeah Visser Three is going to be there and Marco had a thought.” Jake said, “can you make one more earring.”

“Prince Jake are your sure this is a good idea?” Comet asked looking at Jake’s ear where an earring sat. The ear ring with the help of Starswirl was enchanted to block all yeerks from entering the ear canal, and would even stay locked in place through a morph.

“There is a second question, you met some other ponies after meeting Starswirl, can you call any of them to help us?” Jake asked.

“Yeah let me see who we can get.” Comet said taking a bell out, ‘Starswirl I need some help on short notice for a raid tonight.’

‘Short notice? How to ponies not understand time in the void. What kind of raid? We smashing or infiltrating?’ Starswirl responded over the token.

‘Step one Infiltrate, Step Two Smashing, and sorry non linear time is still confusing,’ Comet sent glaring at the bell.

‘Don’t glare at me, I’ll get Sparkle and Fluttershy for you. Also Comet,’ Star Swirl paused for moment. ‘be careful.’

A few moments later a gray stone appeared in the air hovering more stones shifted out of the first in a ring, Nine of the stones turned red and spun locking in place. Then a wavy blue portal appeared with a gray tube shaped ship flying out of it. The ship did a fly by before settling down in the field next to the group. The back opened up with a pony in advanced SciFi armor stepping out.

“I am LtCmd Sparkle, Star Swirl said somepony need my help?” The pony asked, a face mask currently covering them.

“Hello My name is Comet Crusade, and my friends and I need some help taking down a really big bad guy.” Comet said.

“Pleasure, it’s good to see another pony. So how did you end up here, and why are they a bad guy?” The pony reached up taping the side of their head, the helmet shifting back to reveal her form. The pony shocked Comet, the purple pony was unmistakable with her blue hair and purple and pink streaks. She then flared her wings before settling them to her side.

“Princess what are you doing here?” Comet asked jaw almost touching the ground, “and what’s with the armor?”

“Please I am no longer a princess, I was Displaced just like yourself. Now I fight along my Commander, Commander Shepard. I found this ship here and am now trying to find my home world, something happened and I need to save it. Now then…” LtCmd Sparkle looked into the ship before sighing, “Fluttershy get out here and introduce yourself.”

After a few moments a yellow pegasus pony with pink hair emerged from the back of the ship. She stood with her hair covering most of her face and avoiding eye contact. She mumbled something that no one could hear.

“Could you say that again louder, miss.” Comet asked leaning closer.

“My name is Fluttershy.” She responded barely above a whisper. “I’m here to help, nice to meet you.”

“Nice too meet you miss Fluttershy, I take it you are also Displaced and not from my world?” Comet asked to verify.

She nodded to answer confirming she was Displaced, “Not likely.”

“Ponies are seldom displaced from the same world. Now then you could you please explain why we are fighting this bad guy what is the story?” LtCmd Sparkle asked again.

“I can explain that,” Jake said stepping up.

“Ah yes this is Prince Jake, he is the leader of a group of guerrilla warriors known as the Animorphs.” Comet said as Jake stepped forward.

Twilight bows her head, “Your highness pleasure to meet you. So still awaiting an answer.”

*Sigh* “I am not an actual Prince, Comet and Ax just call me that sense I am the defacto leader here.” Jake said rubbing his brow, “The quick story is this world is being invaded by an invisible army, the yeerks. These invaders are mind control parasites that live in the brains of their victims controlling them completely. One of their leaders is known as Visser Three, he is a ruthless slug who managed to steal the body of an Andalite a race who has shapeshifting abilities, and has used this power to pull himself up thru the ranks. I want to end his reign.”

“Is there any chance of peace with them?” Twilight asked falling back to her old teachings of friendship.

“No the Yeerk survive on enslaving other races, this valley now hosts some freed Hork Bajir. The entire culture of this race is built on enslavement. They do have one major weakness though.” Jake told her, “Yeerks must feed every three days on kehdron rays by leaving the host. We know that the Visser has things in place to deal with this but he still doesn’t know about these.”

Jake bent down and showed Sparkle his ear. Probing with magic she noticed Starswirl’s magical style on the duel enchanted earring. “I see and fixed point morphing spell, and a racial filter spell. I see Starswirl helped with it.”

“Yeah he tweaked it for us so it would be more efficient.” Comet explained.

“Yes so we need a second one of these and we wanna put it on Visser Three will you help us?” Jake asked.

“Yes, we will do everything we can to help protect your world. In exchange I would really like your help. I am trying to collect fighters for my new world. We have our own invasion to deal with.” LtCmd Sparkle answered. Fluttershy just nodded.

“Will bring what support I can to your fight, if we can stop these yeerks here we maybe able to get the Andalites to help you.” Jake said extending a hand.

“Any help we can get would be appreciated, when the Reapers come we’ll need everything we can to stop them. But that is a fight for another day let's go over what we need to do tonight.” Sparkle agreed sitting down.

Sparkle flew her ship around a light tower, for the compound, her magic modified stealth systems were keeping the ship invisible, and untraceable. Next to her Comet was strapped into his seat holding Tobias in a squirrel form held an earring in his teeth. Fluttershy sat quietly in the back next to the door gritting her teeth as time passed.

<LtC Sparkle, we’re all in position.> Jake thought to her directly.

“Okay Fluttershy, you ready?” Sparkle said unable to respond to Jake, though Tobias seemed to be covering that.

“Um not really, but I guess I have to.” She said quietly dreading what came next.

“Sorry Fluttershy, but this way you’re saving many innocent creatures from enslavement, just focus on that, okay?” Sparkle asked as the hatch opened and wind rushed into the ship.

“Okay Twilight,” Fluttershy said as she let herself fall out the ship.

The thing about Fluttershy that many ponies didn’t get to see is under her kind exterior is A LOT of built up anger. The thing about angry Fluttershy is that when she came out everyone knew.

Fluttershy’s body started to bulk up, muscles growing quickly.

That and the last time she saw her friends she had been in a comic book world, where she took the role of a superhero.

More muscles grew her body deforming as she grew in size, her wings little more than decoration at this point.

*CRASH*

An earthquake shook the compound as the massive quadruped form hit the ground. Standing 12 feet tall Fluttershy let out a roar the scared many of the compound workers to the core.

<Fluttershy is the incredible hulk?> Tobias asked watching out the window as Fluttershy began to destroy random stuff, building generators, and trucks.

“That's what Mistress Change said, though I still don’t quite get it.” Sparkle said as she adjusted the shuttle to a holding position by the antenna tower.

<When this is over, we should pick you up some comics.> Tobias said quietly watching as guards began shooting at Fluttershy.

“Will she be okay?” asked Comet remembering what the team had told him of guns.

“That just makes her angrier, which makes her stronger.” Twilight said stepping out into the night air, her full armor on.

<What is that noise?> a voice asked one of the human controllers that was running by in the compound.

“Visser Three sir, a giant pony monster is attacking the compound.” the man said as Hork Bajir and humans were rushing back and forth down the hallway gathering alien weapons.

<Begone fool,> the andalite Visser said as he began walking out of the compound. All around him activity whirled as aliens and humans prepared to fight the monster. Outside the Visser was treated to quite a sight, a giant yellow mass of muscles with what looked like pink hair coming from a very small head.

<You there beast are you intelligent?> he demanded staring at the thing.

The beast paused and looked at him, before roaring and swinging a hoof at him.

The Visser said stepping aside. Features began to melt as his form changed. First his limbs lost all bone as his body grew, his limbs grew in length and thickness as little suckers with barbs in them. As his limbs split a long head grew up from the whirling mass, 5 eyes looked at the beast and the new maw screeched. The beast looked up at him, now half again as tall with 20 limbs flailing around.

The beast screamed back and jumped at him. A powerful tentacle swatted the beast causing it to slam into a building. The Visser grimaced as he saw blood and a pool of what looked like dirty water. One of his feeding pits, and his personal attendants.

Ignoring the rubble the beast just stood back up and gripped a tentacle with it’s teeth. Pain raced up the Visser’s limb as he began trying to fling the beast away. Only to succeed in letting it tear a chunk of flesh from his limb.

Jake watched in awe as the two titans battled, it was just like an old monster movie, with more blood.

<Hey Jake, I know watching pony Hulk fight a Kraken is cool, but we should get moving.> a silverback gorrilla said as he paused walking.

<Yeah, let's free the Hork Bajir, I think we can actually trust those four to take care of things.> Jake thought moving his his tiger form,

the ape thought back.

<What is a Hulk?> Ax asked confused in his natural andalite form.

<Ax my friend when we are done here let me introduce you to comics.> Marco thought laughing.

<What is a comic?> Ax asked looking at Jake.

<Comics are basically really short fiction picture books.> Cassie thought her wolf form keeping to the middle of the group.

<That lame kids read.> Rachel thought laughing in her bear form.

<Hey last I read one of those was way before we all decided to be idiots and sign up for the suicide squad.> Marco thought back.

<Cut it out, we need to get in and free everyone, most of the guards should be dealing with our friend, but we should still have opposition.> Jake said as they left the forest and sprinted to the fenced area.

True to expectations the guards patrolling the outside of the buildings were all missing. With an ease that the team hadn’t had in months they slipped into the compound and broke into a building labeled ‘Communications’.

<Ax, Marco, you guys take care of this area.> Jake ordered, motioning Cassie and Rachel to follow him.

<Yes Prince Jake.> Ax said opening the door. As the others left as Marco walked into the room to see a human at a computer typing away. The human looked up just in time to see a gorilla.

<Good night.> was the last thing he heard as the gorilla's first met his face.

“Okay Tobias ready to go?” Comet asked holding the squirrel in his magic. Twilight, Tobias, and himself had been sitting there as Fluttershy wreaked havoc on the base and Visser Three. Visser Three looked worn down, his purple blood spilled everywhere, however in a triumphant move, he was using 19 of his tentacle to hold Fluttershy who was straining against his hold as his last one preceded to strike her over and over.

<Why won’t you go down!> he screamed as his toxin was ignored by the struggling beast.

<Yeah send me down, he looks very distracted.> Tobias thought chewing at the fuzzy blue earring.

“Same here, However if it’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that Fluttershy won’t go down like this. In this form each shot is more anger that makes her stronger.” Sparkle said holding up her sniper rifle, taking a potshot at a human that was shooting at Fluttershy. Nobody had noticed her it seemed so she was free to pick them off like fish in a barrel, though she was disgusted to see worm like creatures with red eyes and lots of teeth swarming the bodies. Tobias had explained that Taxxons as they were known had a permanent hunger that drove them to madness. So cannibalism and what not was normal for them. Shifting her aim she began focusing on the Taxxons.

“Alright, let's do this.” Comet said throwing Tobias.

Tobias felt the free fall and opened his arms and legs wide, the flaps of skin stretched far and caught air. Gliding through the air as a squirrel felt weird considering he had spent most of his recent life as a bird of prey but, he let the squirrel instincts take over as he glided towards the titanic battle. With the night sky to his back he was hard to see, which was good as the Visser ignored him.

Tobias made his way down one of the tentacles and jumped on to the head of the Visser. Tobias had to dig his claws into the Visser as Fluttershy broke free, of the tentacles and began thrashing the Visser again. Tobias felt as a tentacle was slammed into his leg snapping. <Fluttershy try to imobolise him.>

“RAWR!!!!” Was all Tobias heard as Fluttershy continued thrashing. Accepting that Fluttershy must be gone like with the hulk. Dodging he began making his way towards the ear.

<Please step back.> Jack thought to the caged aliens. Having shut down communications the team made it to the holding pens.

“Andalites save us?” One of the Hork Bajir asked stepping back.

<Yes Andalites save you.> Marco said as he punched the gate on the cage a few times as the lock began to buckle.

“Halt!” Someone called out and a gunshot sounded. The team looked and saw a few human, hork bajir, and taxxon controllers. In a split second everyone except Marco lept into action.

<Marco get the Hork Bajir out of here.> Jake said leaping through the air to land on the human who had fired the gun first.

<Yes sir.> Marco agreed as the lock finally buckled and shattered under the brute force of his punches. Ducking a lazer blast Marco started waving the hork bajir out of the cage and towards the door they had come in through. The hork bajir spilled out of the building leaping on human controllers, taxxons and other hork bajir clumsily cutting through their former captors. Cassie had broken free of the fight and was leading the escapees into the forests and away from the compound.

“Other andalites?” one hork bajir asked as they made it to the tree line as most of the pursuit was caught by the other animorphs and a few fell randomly. Cassie stopped for a moment to see a human with a quarter sized hole in the back of his head. Looking up she saw small flashes of light from the radio tower as more of the pursuit team dropped.

<We have friends helping us.> Cassie told him as she took off again.

<Tobias here, I have managed to place the earring, Comet trigger your spell now!> Tobias sent back stressed out. Comet couldn’t do much to respond but triggered his magic and felt for the earring. FInding the piece of jewelry he pushed magic into it causing the enchantment to take hold.

<It just glowed and won’t move anymore so I’m out of here.> Tobias began running and a few moments later Sparkle saw a red tail hawk fly up on to the watch tower.

“Good job, this should ruin any plans the Visser has.” Comet said from his place in the floating puddle jumper.

<Yup, any word from Jake and the others?> Tobias asked flying into the ship and disappearing from sight.

“I’ve been taking out their pursuers.” Sparkle stated, “They should be making a clean get a way. Most of the base personnel are more worried about Fluttershy.”

“Yeah how are we supposed to get her out of here?” Comet asked as Fluttershy had grabbed ahold of the Visser and was swinging him around smashing buildings.

“We don’t.” Sparkle said ringing a small bell that played Twinkle Twinkle Little star, “Starswirl can you send Fluttershy into cool down?”

They didn’t get a response but a large portal opened under Fluttershy, the loss of footing caused her to loose grip on the Visser and tossed him into the radio tower. The tower immediately began to tip over as Sparkle took the the air and went into her ship.

“Well I think that was a successful mission.” Sparkle said closing the doors and taking the helm.

<That was insane.> Tobias stated, <with the two of you we could actually take the fight to yeerks.>

“Sorry to burst your bubble but, I can’t stay here too long, I have my own alien menace to deal with. One much more sinister than this.” Sparkle said guiding the ship to the meeting point.

“You’re saying the Reapers are worse than the Yeerks?” Comet asked in shock.

“Much worse.” Sparkle stated, “Let’s meet up with the others and get everyone to the camp.

Marco sat back on a log as he took a five minute nap. They had managed to get free, some of the hork bajir were hurt, but they would all live. Cassie had taken a bullet in the leg and had to be carried until they were safe to demorph. Jake and Rachel had been shot multiple times but thanks to the mass of muscle and fur had been mostly okay. Ax had been forced to morph into a bird as they got free his tail had been held by the fur and drug along the ground. Marco himself had gotten away with a broken hand from punching the cage door. However as with all morphing one quick change and everything was okay again.

“Andalites not andalites?” a hork bajir asked Ax confused seeing all the humans.

<No these are humans who are fighting the yeerks. These humans are andalite allies.> Ax replied back in his andalite form. Eye stalks moved all around keeping an eye out for any invaders. They had saved 25 hork bajir in the raid and damaged what they found out was an interstellar communications system. This it seems would hinder the Visser’s ability to call for reinforcements.

“Yup we’re your new friends.” Marco said waving a hand at the seven foot tall aliens. “Ax any clue what is taking Comet and them so long?”

“Well that puts her at being here in fifteen minutes. Rachel can you fly up and keep an eye out?” Jake asked looking at his cousin. Who just sighed as she shifted into her golden eagle form and took to the sky. Cassie started explaining that they were all going to be going to a secret camp with other free hork bajir and that some very special aliens with very advance tech were going to take them there.

Rachel had been up in the air for about ten minutes when she felt the air ripple, like a plane going by but she didn’t see anything. Flying around she tried to find the ripple again but it was gone. <Heads up felt some weird air up here, they might be back.>

No sooner than the thought left her head, Sparkle’s ship decloaked just above them and set down at the edge of the clearing. The hork bajir all took a step back as the door opened and a falcon flew out. <Man I hate tight spaces like that.> Tobias said flying around until he landed on a tree branch.

Everyone had been relocated to the hidden hork bajir valley thanks to Sparkle and Comet’s magic teleportation. The hork bajir were holding a celebration for the return of their clanmates and for the heros that saved them.

“Thank you Lieutenant Commander Sparkle.” Jake said with a poorly done salute, “we really couldn’t of done this without you. This right here may be the turning point in our fight against the yeerks.”

“Think nothing of it.” Sparkle said returning the salute, “if you ever really need my help again don’t hesitate to call, and if I can’t help Starswirl will find you someone who can.”

“Thanks we’ll keep that in mind, and can you tell your friend thank you. It doesn’t look like we’ll get a chance to anytime soon.” Jake asked her.

“I will do. See you all around.” Sparkle said entered her ship. Everyone cheered and waved as her ship took off. Runes shot out and the blue worm hole formed in the sky. The puddle jumper flew into the wormhole and the whole thing collapsed on itself.

Collectors Part 1

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Shepard stood in the briefing room on the SR2 Normandy, looking at the odd group of companions that he and Sparkle had collected. Most of their other allies would be staying on the ship, defending it or holding other fronts against the Collectors.

“Alright, we’ve gone over the teams and plans. Everyone knows their objectives. We will make contact within 2 hours, I recommend you do what you need to prepare and get some rest. All team report to the hangar bay for drop 30 minutes before start of the op.” Shepard ordered evenly, leading the crew to disperse and do so.

“So Gaige bring any new weapons with you?” Sparkle asked trotting out of the briefing room.

“Yup, between my freaky mechanical knowledge and Vinyl’s freaky void tech, we came up with something. We call it gigabass, and the effects are super effective on both synthetics and organics. And I have my trusty Syringe gun so I’ll be able to keep you guys standing.” She responded, falling in between Garrus and Sparkle.

“You guys made another bass cannon?” Sparkle asked with a smirk.

“Let’s hope this one has better directional aim than the last one. The Doc was pretty mad about having to help repair eardrums.” Garrus said with a smirk.

“One little mistake with the bass cannon. The mission was a success.” Gaige responded, flopping her arms to her side.

“True, it was amusing to see that squad of Collectors fall over clutching their heads.” Garrus agreed with a small laugh.

“You know, if you had worn your helmet like a proper solder that wouldn’t have hurt as bad as it did. I walked out with my ears intact.” Sparkle shot over with a smile of her own.

“But then you ladies couldn’t see my handsome face.” Garrus replied turning the scarred side of his face to them.

“And that would be a problem, I would much rather look at the Lieutenant Commander’s cute plot.” Gaige responded winking at Sparkle.

“I agree, it is a nice view.” Garrus said winking as well.

“You guys are horrible.” Sparkle said a faint blush crossing her cheeks.

<hr>

An hour and 45 minutes later, everyone was sitting in the hangar bay. The main comms channel was buzzing with orders.

“Commander, we are receiving heavy fire, we need to clear the LZ!” Joker called, out as the ship was made a sharp turn, shaking everyone within. The explosions could be heard flaring off the shields.

“Commence operation… Titanfall.” Shepard ordered causing Sparkle to snicker. Soon after, the sounds of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star began playing over the comms, in front of the ship, a large black portal opened that was keeping pace with the ship. A giant green robot with a single head cam came out falling and flailing about.

“Its called a Mobile Suit! Not a Titan, wrong world!” The pilot yelled, the pilot being a very confused undead humanoid in yellow and black ninja garb.

“Suck it up Scorpion, you agreed to use your Leo unit for this!” Shepard called. The mobile suit slammed into the plating of the Collector base, sliding across the ship hull. Having a desirable effect of clearing the landing zone, allowing the Normandy to line up for landing.

“I didn’t agree to being a hockey puck!” Scorpion cried firing off random shots in the direction of the anti-ship guns. Some of the shots hit home, blowing up the guns at seeming random. Tripping over a random cropping of damaged hull, Scorpion’s Leo unit fell over, squashing a squad of heavy gunners.

“That man is a disgrace to warriors everywhere.” Grunt said, watching the idiot of a pilot slam into things and fire at random.

“Mr. Grunt that isn’t very nice.” Fluttershy squeaked out while cowering by Sparkle.

“Krogens don’t need to be nice.” Grunt said with a huff.

“Or bathe.” Sparkle shot back.

“Yeah, that’s the Krogan Battle Stench. It kills enemies in droves.” Joker said over the comms while rolling the ship to avoid fire.

“Very funny Joker, should I come share some Krogan humor with you?” Grunt said grinning.

“I’m good. I think your blunt sense of humor would break every bone in my body. Commander, touchdown in 30 seconds.” Joker said starting to count down.

“That’s the point.” Grunt said as everyone braced themselves.

“Brace for impact!” Joker said as the ship lurched and spun around tossing everyone around.

“Thanks for the landing.” Garrus said shaking his head.

“You’re welcome, We’re here commander. That big mech is keeping most of the Collectors off us.”

“HOW DO YOU STEER THIS THING?!” Scorpion screamed as he tossed a giant grenade at an incoming ship.

“Okay each team has their objectives let's get going.” Shepard hit the hatch release and everyone rushed out into the expanse of space. Collector weapons fire came down upon the team. Everyone spread out and began punching a path through the groups of Collectors.

Sparkle charged her magic, and disappeared with Garrus and Gaige. Moments later, sniper fire came raining down on the Collectors, heavy units began dropping, leaving weaker units for Shepherd’s fire teams to take out. Fluttershy rode on Grunt’s back, cowering as they trudged along.

“Commander, why are we bringing this, pony?” Grunt asked irritated at being a taxi.

“You’ll see when we get inside! Just move up! Sparkle’s group has cleared a path!” Shepard ordered as he gunned down a Collector drone that swooped down at them, and they moved with all haste to the nearest airlock.

“Commander, we have more drones coming in behind us.” Tali called out while ducking enemy fire, a few shots glancing off her shields.

“Everyone in, Sparkle we’ll see you on the other side.” Shepard ordered, taking a few pot shots as everyone made their way into the tight airlock.

“Hey Grunt, what do you call a Krogan in a tight airlock with a pony?” Shepard asked as the airlock pressurized.

“What?” Grunt asked.

“A Krony.” Shepard said with a chuckle, and getting a groan from everyone else.

“A horrible pun is not one of the last things I want to hear.” Jack said glaring at the commander.

“Just trying to lighten the mood. Jack, Legion, make sure Tali gets to the ship core. We’re headed towards the command center.” Shepard reminded them as the door opened to a surprisingly empty corridor.

“See you soon Commander.” Tali said as her squad left.

“Okay team, we’re heading up. Keep an eye out for Sparkle’s squad.” Shepard ordered, leading his team in the opposite direction. The team moved quickly through the corridors taking, out collectors as they went.

<hr>

“Sparkle, can you teleport us again?” Garrus asked as weapon’s fire pinned them all down.

“I need a few, without knowing the place there’s a lot of bad things that could happen. Gaige can you cover me?” Sparkle asked her horn glowing.

“You know it,” Gaige reached out her prosthetic arm, smirking as she summoned her Deathtrap from its pocket void location. “Number 5 Alive!”

The Deathtrap’s laser swept through a group of Collectors, severely wounding them as a different squad shot at the bot. Rounds hit the shield, causing fire to erupt around it, doing decent damage to the drones not behind cover. Swinging around, the bot shot lightning from its hands, disrupting a heavy unit’s actions, and arcing to the other drones around it.

With focus on the psycobot of death, Garrus got up from cover and began unloading his assault rifle into a Collector dropping it to the floor ice forming around the wounds. Gaige laughed madly as she swung her gigabase around and held the trigger down.

“Lets clean up this mess!” Gaige said with a knowing smirk. As her shield expired, causing a nova explosion Sparkle teleported her out of fire and up by her. “It’s a symphony of suds!”

“Pun later shoot now!” Sparkle said as her magic pulsed sensing around for a more clear area. “Maintenance tunnels a few decks over, this is gonna be tight.”

“Doesn’t matter.” Garrus said watching the deathbot explode. “We need evac now.”

“We’re going!” Sparkle said, magic enveloping the team as Gaige ducked behind cover. A blip of light later, and the Collectors were at a loss as to what happened.

<hr>

“Bring me the quadruped.” an eerie robotic voice said. Watching as Sparkle's team left one area of the ship and appeared in another area near by.

“By your command.” the collector leader said as it began sending out orders to the drones.

<hr>

“So uh Shepard what’s going on here?” Grunt asked as a collector flew over his head and across the hanger they had entered.

“Fluttershy is beating up the collectors.” Shepard said shooting a downed collector in the face.

“I see that but why is she giant and everything?” Grunt asked watching the now hulked Fluttershy pick up a fighter craft and chucked it at a door a group of collectors had come out of.

“Collector got a lucky shot on me, I’m medi-geled up and fine. However it kinda pissed her off.” Shepard answered with a smirk enjoying the show. As the sealed door they needed to go though was a casualty of Fluttershy’s rampage.

“Should we, I don’t know, help her?” Grunt asked kicking a collector back into the chaos.

“No let her have her fun, however.” Shepard said casually, “Hey Grunt can you do me a favor?”

“What Shepard.” Grunt asked, his admiration for the little pony growing, as she just ignored the Collector’s attacks. Rounds bounced off her muscles like bouncy balls.

“You mind going down there and asking her to rampage in the direction we need to go?”

“Why don’t you go.” Grunt asked, not relishing the idea of getting into that fray.

“Because I said you should go.” Shepard stated.

“Well I think she’ll respond better with you than me.” Grunt stated.

“You’ll be fine.” Shepard said patting him on the shoulder. “And besides think of this not as a request but as an order.”

As the two of them argued there was a flash of purple light and a familiar equinoid form appeared hovering in front of Fluttershy. Sparkle appeared to speak with the giant who got more angry and started crashing through walls in the direction of the command center. Sparkle then disappeared again.

“That works.” Shepard said as he and Grunt took off after the raging pony.

“I do like your friends here Shepard.” Grunt said grinning as he was running.

<hr>

Elsewhere Sparkle, Gaige, and Garrus, were running with a group of collectors hot on their heels.

“Gaige why did you do that?!” Garrus yelled, ducking a shot.

“I thought it was a good idea!” She responded dropping an incendiary wubnade behind her. The high pace music setting several collectors on fire.

“We can argue about the merits of battlefield actions later.” Sparkle said trotting ahead of them, “we need to find cover and reduce their numbers.”

“In these tunnels, I don’t think we’ll get much cover.” Garrus stated.

“And I’m too low on magic to teleport all of us.” Sparkle said before getting an idea and stopping. Sparkle grabbed a thermal grenade from her back and tossed it against the wall, hoping it would melt a hole and let them escape to the other side. Instead a massive explosion rocked the corridor, tossing the pursuing Collectors back and everyone else forward.

“What did you do?” Gaige asked noticing the lack of bullets flying at her, and the smoke covering one end of the corridor. Gaige didn’t hear a reply looking around she saw Garrus on the ground knocked out and Sparkle was missing. “Sparkle!”

“Gaige, Garrus? Status report, Sparkle just dropped off EDI’s scanners what happened?” Shepard’s voice came over the com-link.

“Shepard, this is Gaige. Sparkle used one of her thermal nades to try and open a path and kill some collector bastards. It looks like it hit a fuel line or soemthing. I’m okay, Garrus is… Garrus is okay but unconscious. Sparkle… Sparkle is missing.” Gaige replied over the radio.

“Shit, okay stay where you are, we’re on our way.” Shepard stated.

“Commander we do not have time for you to make a detour. The sabotage teams will be arriving at their locations soon. We need you to take out that leader.” EDI’s voice said over the radios.

“Damn, you’re right. Wait Sparkle gave me this for these situations.” The sound of twinkle twinkle little star played over the radio as Shepard cut out, a minute later he was back. “Gaige the old guy says help is on the way.”

“Alright I’ll get Garrus up, let me know what’s happening.” Gaige responded looking over Garrus, she began patching him up before applying medi-gel.

“Roger.”

About a minute later Gaige heard the familiar sound of bells and a portal opened letting three figures out. Gaige recognized Nuada as the new Displaced Sparkle had been gushing about, but the anthro-wolf and demon pony were new to her.

“Gaige, Starswirl told us Sparkle’s in trouble.” Nuada said rushing over, his beam saber out and ready.

“She just went missing, I can feel she’s still alive through the token, but she’s not responding.” Gaige said as Garrus finally got his head situated.

“Let's not do that again.” Garrus said looking about, “where is Sparkle and who’s these guys.”

“Sparkle is missing, these are our reinforcements.” Gaige explained, “Nuada another Displaced and…”

“Bestla, Officer of the GXP in our world.” the she-wolf said bowing a little.

“Cinder, succubus pony.” the demon looking pony said with a sultry smile.

“Time’s wasting, Bestla start tracking Sparkle’s communicator, if we’re lucky they missed blocking it. Cinder try feeling for her, she should be one of only a few biologicals here. Miss Gaige, take your friend here and regroup with Shepard, we’ve got this.” Nuada said giving out orders.

“Aye.” Bestla and Cinder said as they began working.

“We can help.” Gaige said helping hold the disorientated turian stand.

“Three man team rule, we can move through here faster without you. In addition, Shepard will need your help supporting the other teams more than we will.” Nuada said starting down the corridor. “Don’t worry Gaige, we’ll bring Sparkle back even if I have to tear this whole ship to pieces.”

Gaige just watched as the trio ran off Nuada quickly taking the lead. Leaving her and Garrus to get back to Shepard.

Collectors Part 2

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Nuada led the way beam saber at the ready the first encounter with a Collector squad was less impressive than he had expected. His sword had cleaved thru the first one like a knife thru butter.

Bestla and Cinder on the other hand learned that while GXP armor and shields were good, stopping a couple shots before needing to recharge. Succubus magic and GXP blasters left something to be desired as their attacks did little against the shields and armor of the more advanced foes.

“Nuada how do I use one of these?” Cinder asked holding one of the collector’s assault rifles. Her prehensile tail held around the grip and pointed the jaw-shaped end the nasty projectiles came out of down the hallway.

“To be honest, the only thing I know about guns is point at things and pull the trigger.” Nuada said taking a moment to point at the trigger part which Cinder placed the tip of her tail against.

“That covers most guns use. Reloading is another thing.” Bestla said tossing a couple into a subspace pocket over her shoulder. She paused long enough to inspect one, “See this lever here would release the spent clip it seems then you just insert a new one in.”

“I need to do that when it stops shooting projectiles?” Cinder asked.

“Yes but you have to use these ones.” Bestla said holding a piece of metal that looked like a beating heart.

“That looks a little gross, and I grew up in Tartarus, with demon parasites.” Cinder said watching as Bestla tossed the ‘clip’ over her shoulder into her subspace.

Further instructions were set aside as a group of collectors advanced upon them. Nuada put up a shield using the master key’s power, shots bounced off the shield as Bestla and Cinder ducked for cover.

“Okay so point at them and press the trigger?” Cinder asked holding the gun up.

“You’ll want to brace it in some way.” Bestla said demonstrating holding the weapon awkwardly, The weapon was oddly shaped and rested strangely on her shoulder. Pulling the trigger she watched only a few of her shots hit a few collectors but no telling damage. “Hard to aim this thing.”

“WHOW!” Cinder had used her tail to brace against her shoulder, however with the kick of the gun and not knowing any better, she tumbled backwards on her back.

“Are you girls done?” Nuada asked his face had turned hard as they continued through the ship, a rigid flat look covering his face. The collector fire meant little to him, and the collectors hadn’t tried advancing on them yet.

“Well my sexy man, I can’t be a good wife if I can’t even fight alongside you.” Cinder said eyeing him seductively from the very open pose she had found herself in.

“Cinder we do have Sparkle counting on us, we shouldn’t hold up any longer than we must.” Bestla said taking more shots, each time her aim got better and a few collectors started dropping as their own ammo bypassed their defenses and tore through them in vital areas.

“Cinder if you can keep a trace on Sparkle’s location we’ll keep you covered. When we get home you can join me in combat training.” Nuada said walking forward with his shield. “We need to get to her.”

Cinder bit her lip as she had to accept the situation, she didn’t have the skills to help here other than act as a blood hound. “Right lets finish this quickly.” When they got home, she was going to go into training overdrive.

<hr>

Gaige and Garrus managed to meet up with Shepard as they approached the command room. Fluttershy heard them arrive and turned around to see the four humanoids in one piece. She jumped in the air and shrunk down to normal pony size. Fluttershy approached the group speaking softly.“Oh goodness I’m glad all of you are ok, I hope the rampage was helpful. Where is Twilight though?”

“She disappeared, a Displaced team is searching for her right now. We need to focus on our missions right now.”Garrus explained. He shifted his rifle, as Gaige approached the team and pegged all of them with her syringe-gun, giving them a boost and clearing most of their wounds.

“Thank you Gaige.” Fluttershy said softly, she didn’t really get hurt when Raging but she still got tired and the stimulants in the medical shot helped a lot.

“No problem, so we ready to drop this guy?” Gaige asked hefting her bass cannon on her shoulder.

“Edi has informed that Tali’s team is in position and currently sabotaging the primary drive reactor.” Shepard said priming his rifle. He was equip with one of Sparkle’s modified rifles, the assault rifle fired armor piercing shots, and had the added benefit of redirecting excess heat to his shields which had been expanded to having multiple layers. He still had to swap thermal clips if his shields didn’t receive damage now and again but in his line of work he didn’t have to worry about that often.

“Then let's stop talking and start shooting.” Grunt was getting irritated, most of this battle was him watching this tiny little horse creature ripping through legions of collectors. He knew that even the greatest krogans probably would never match what she had done this day, but he was itching to show his skills were not to be dismissed.

“Alright, hacking the console.” Shepard said as Fluttershy flew up and latched on to Grunt’s back to hide. Garrus and Gaige readied their weapons trained on the door, and Grunt held a large shotgun ready standing in the middle of the door.

The team was met with pitch black darkness. Helmet mounted lights lit up parts of the room as they advanced in. Once the last member of the team entered the room the doors slammed shut. Lights flared to life temporarily blinding most of the team. Once their eyes adjusted they were greeted by a disturbing sight.

A giant half built human looking technorganic monster, supported by various tubes, cables, and mechanical arms. The thing began glowing blue as it powered up, it’s dead blue eyes opened to look at them.

“Well buck.” Fluttershy swore looking up at the monster.

<hr>

“Did you just feel that?” Jack asked looking up her biotic tuned mind sensing something fundamentally wrong just happened.

“Nothing besides this stupid reactor being difficult.” Tali complained, rewiring collector tech was not on her list of things she did often.

“This unit has observed nothing abnormal to our present situation.” Legon said keeping an active guard of the area watching for enemies.

“Whatever the fuck that was it didn’t seem right.” Jack said trying to ignore what just happened as she went back to guarding the Quarian as she worked.

<hr>

Far far away in a separate universe Discord looked up from a set of equations a different Twilight Sparkle and him had been working on and blushed slightly.

“What is it Discord?” Twilight asked, “did you think of something that could help us get Fluttershy back?”

“No my dear Twibright Spankle, but I must say Fluttershy has gotten quite a mouth on her.” Discord said gnawing on a carrot before scribbling a note down with it on a large leaf, rolling it into a tube and sticking it into his ear. It disappeared in the void that was where his brain logically would have been.

“Right, so back to the task at hand.” Twilight said trying to ignore the Draconequus' actions.

<hr>

Cinder shivered she felt the wrongness more than anyone due to her ability to sense emotions. Before she could mention it though she felt Sparkle’s aura growing stronger, “Nuada, Bestla, we’re getting closer and I think she’s starting to wake up.”

“Good.” Nuada said absent mindedly cleaving through a group of collectors. His Juraian armor was meant to stop high velocity energy attacks, and had a thin layer of shielding from the master key and said weapon was supercharged by the goddess jewels embedded in the hilt. He had found at this point he didn’t even have to dodge and had taken to just marching towards the collectors, cleaving them down as he walked, a bored expression took over his face.

“Nuada’s a little scary when he’s like this.” Bestla said quietly as she followed behind. She knew he was strong considering Katago’s records, but didn’t realize how strong because of the facade he put on for everyone around him.

Cinder didn’t register Bestla’s comment, as a blush forming on her face, power was one of a few traits that demons were attracted to, and Nuada was putting off such an aura Cinder was starting to have a hard time focusing. She even recognized that she wasn’t feeling lust for the man like she normally felt. She felt a different tug, one that she only ever felt in ponies like Mr. and Mrs. Cake.

She was pretty sure she was in love with Nuada and not sure how to deal with it. ‘It’ll have to wait till we get home.’ Cinder thought trotting after Nuada, not even realizing she was starting to consider Nuada’s house actually home.

<hr>

“What happened?” Sparkle asked herself, her head hurt and she couldn’t get her hooves to move enough to rub her head.

Sparkle was instantly awake at that, noticing she was held by multiple robotic arms, her armor and weapons stripped from her. Having been in the armor so long she felt naked without it, idly wishing she had some pants. Looking around she realized she was still on the collector ship and was being mostly ignored by a giant looking collector that was talking to a hologram of a creature she never wanted to see again.

A Reaper.

‘Well this can’t be good.’ Sparkle thought to herself as she tested the bonds, couldn’t muscle her way out. Magic? Nope ring on her horn was pulsing a mild throb disrupted her focus, must be a prototype magic inhibitor, if she had some time she could overload it probably, but that would alert the big guy.

‘Sparkle are you there?’ Nuada’s voice echoed in her mind.

‘Yes, I can hear you, kinda in a pickle right now can’t come see you.” Sparkle replied ignoring the pain in her head best she could.

‘I’m on my way hold tight, eta in a few minutes.’ Nuada thought as Sparkle felt the lack of emotion in his voice.

‘Be careful.’ She thought back getting okay in response.

“It awakens.” The hologram of the reaper turned and looked at her, at least as close to look as a faceless, soulless robot bug thing could.

“Release me.” Sparkle said trying not to sweat as she felt the reaper pressing against her psychi.

“It resists me.” The audio came from speakers Sparkle realized. “What manner of creature are you, you were not here last cycle, and we have seen none of your kind here except the yellow one you brought with you. Answer my questions.”

“First off Reaper, I am Lieutenant Commander Twilight Sparkle of the SR2 Normandy, and I AM AN ALICORN PRINCESS OF EQUESTRIA! I will not bow to you or your kind, nor will I answer your questions.” Sparkle said pushing as hard as she could causing the collector leader to recoil as some of Sparkle’s magic leaked out as a mental backlash against the reaper.

“Interesting, the unique energy field around this alicorn princess is able to cause feedback. We will dissect you and incorporate your energy into our own systems.” the reaper said. The collector at the console began pressing buttons as different manipulators came down primed with various tools, some resembling medical tools.

A loud crash sounded in the room, all three occupants turned to see the super heavy blast door had been cut in half diagonally, and the pieces had flown across the room. Where the door should have been was a very calm looking Nuada with a slight scowl on his face, lowering his foot after having kicked the door. Sensors exploded as read out data on this ‘human’ flew by on the screens, none of it making sense to reaper.

Sparkle felt a warm arm holding her up, in the blink of an eye Nuada had severed her bonds and was holding her like a child in his arm. “Nuada?”

“Are you hurt anywhere?” Nuada asked looking her over.

“I’m okay.” Sparkle said, noticing the lack of emotion in his voice.

“Good. I understand that you’re hear to kill this thing?” Nuada asked pointing at the collector that was stunted as the reaper was trying to figure out what was happening.

“Yes.” Sparkle said noticing that Bestla and Cinder were both in the doorway watching.

“Okay, go stand by the girls, I’ll take care of this.” Nuada said setting her down. As she quickly ran over to the door Nuada walked forward. Saber at his side, Nuada ignored the collector’s attempts to push him back with biotics, and other physical means were met with a quick slash from his sword. Once he was standing at the foot of the over 9 foot tall creature, Nuada swung his sword once, turned around and walked away.

“I am leaving for now human and quadruped but we will return.” the reaper image said fading out. The body of the collector commander fell over, the top separated from the bottom. Nuada didn’t even acknowledge the reaper as he walked away.

<hr>

A little while earlier.

“What was that Commander?” Garrus asked as the stood over the dead husk of the giant robot they had just had to fight. Fluttershy was catching her breath, being big still took a toll on her especially when she had to do it more than a few times a day or for really long period of time.

“If I had to guess that was what was harvesting humans for our parts.” Shepard said looking around the room, it was sparse, but they did see some husks, and some humans that looked like they were half turned to husks.

“That’s pretty gross.” Gaige said shivering.

“Commander the sabotage team has completed their objective and is moving to rendezvous with your team. Eta is a less than a minute.” EDI’s voice broke over the radio.

“That’s pretty fast.” Shepard said as a door opened as Tali’s team joined them.

“We were done a little bit ago. But EDI said you were fighting and the coms were fucked up.” Jack said strolling up.

“Ship is rigged to explode we should be getting out of here.” Tali said anxious not wanting to be shipside when the reactor went critical.

“Right, any word on Sparkle?” Shepard asked.

“One minute.” Gaige said ringing her own bell to contact Starswirl, “Hey Star… Yeah.. that’s good… can you evac them back to the Normandy when they’re done?”

“Good news?” Garrus asked.

“Nuada is minutes out from her, apparently the Succubus can pinpoint her based on ‘lust’ energy that she’s giving off while out cold.” Gaige said with a chuckle.

“Then let's get outta here.” Shepard said turning around just in time for a shot to miss him. The shot hit Legion right in the chest area, the machine looked down for a moment before collapsing to the ground in a heap.

“NOOOOO!” Fluttershy yelled, rage taking over her mind again. Her body exploded out as she threw herself at the collector that had taken the shot at them.

“Can you girls repair Legion?” Shepard asked Gaige and Tali, taking pot shots as he dragged the robot with Garrus’ help behind a console for shielding.

“DAMN IT! I’m a doctor! Not a xenotech specialist! Compared to Deathtrap, Legion is the Mona Lisa compared to a child’s macaroni doodle!” Gaige fretted, pulling on her pigtails. The rest of the team was forming a defensive area around Legion shooting back at some of the collectors. Fluttershy was leading the counter attack, well she was counter attacking, and the others were just shooting things that shot at them.

“I appreciate the compliment to my people’s skill, but we need to bypass the main energy conduit if we’re going to keep his core from dying!” Tali shouted as she quickly used her omnitool to rip off a piece of the black and red N7 armor next to the new gaping hole in Legion’s chassis. “Just give me any conductive material you think could withstand a charge of-!” Gaige quickly shoved her prosthetic arm into the gaping hole, suddenly sparking Legion active.

“Here, have a hand!” Gaige nervously snarked with a wry grin as she began going through the process of detaching her robo-arm.

“This u-unit is comp-p-p-ro-ro-pro-romised-ed-ed-ed. Sug-g-g-g-gested-ed-ed course of ac-ac-ac-action: abandon for-or-or-or own sur-ur-ur-urvi-v-v-v-v-val.” Legion spoke with bad glitching

“Not a chance Legion!” Gaige said as her arm hissed and broke free of the socket locks. The arm flopped slightly as Tali grabbed it and placed it across Legions chest. In the background Grunt laughed as he and Fluttershy both had grabbed collectors and were using them as melee weapons.

“This-s-s-s-s unit-t can not-ot-ot help-p-p-p-p with the mission-ion-ion a-a-a-any longer. Ally Ga-a-a-a-a-aige-e-e-e is now also compro-ro-ro-ro-romised. Best course of-f-f-f-f-of action is to aban-ban-ban-bandon this unit and-d-d-d-d-d continue mission-ion-ion-ion.” Legion said his limbs moving slightly erratically.

“It’s okay Legion I can still fight.” Gaige said with a grin as she hefted her gigabass onto her shoulder.

“You’ll be fine Legion.” Tali said tack welding the arm in place, “We get back to the Normandy and we’ll fix you right up.”

“Tha-a-a-a-ank you Creator-or-or-or-or Tali-zora-ra-ra-ra-ra-a-a-a.” Legion said standing, his movements were a little rough but he was moving at least, and stable. The ship shook with a large explosion.

“What that’s too soon we should still have more time.” Tali said panicking.

“Commander you need to leave, an explosion has occurred in the core of the ship.” EDI informed them, “it appears Nuada has completed his mission.”

“Okay we’re getting to extraction.” Shepard said calling everyone over, Grunt and Fluttershy took lead as the latter barreled her way through the door they came in and was leading back down the path she had previously made on her first rampage. Grunt just followed along finishing off anything still moving after Fluttershy was done.

The rest of the team was moving with Legion in the center protecting him as they moved in unison. A flash of light and purple startled those watching the back. Sparkle out of her armor grabbed Legion and Gaige and vanished again.

“Looks like Twilight is okay.” Garrus said as she flashed in again grabbing Jack and Tali.

“That’s a relief.” Shepard said as light flashed and he tasted, purple?

<hr>

“Never do that shit to me again!” Jack yelled trying to not vomit all over the floor. But Sparkle had vanished again before the light had cleared from Shepard’s eyes.

“Looking like a pretty successful mission.” a new voice said to Shepard’s side. Vision clearing enough he realized there was a humanoid wolf in some form of military uniform standing next to him. Looking around he realized he was in the cargo hold of the Normandy.

THUD

Everyone turned to see Grunt on his back holding Fluttershy. Looked like he fell a few feet judging by the dent in the floor. Sparkle was next to him collapsed breathing heavily.

“Joker take us out.” Shepard said walking over to the last arrivals.

“Shepard.” Grunt said from under the unconscious Fluttershy, who thankfully was back to normal size.

“Grunt you okay?” Shepard asked gently picking up Fluttershy and depositing her in Garrus’ arms to be taken to med bay.

“Fine Shepard, takes more than a little fall to hurt a Krogan.” he said rolling over and standing up. It was pretty funny to watch though everyone kept their thoughts to themselves.

<hr>

“I’m done here.” Dr. Karin Chakwas said marching out of the medbay compartment in a huff. “Commander, I can deal with ponies, The odd human with cybernetics is fine. But I will not put up with some undead, that defies everything I know about medicine, trying to wax poetry on me.”

Shepard just stood back and stared at the retreating doctor left towards the rec room. Entering med bay he saw the problem. Scorpion had his mask off and was reciting Shakespeare from memory.

“Scorpion what are you doing in here?” Shepard asked moving to check on Sparkle and her friend Fluttershy, both were okay, they were just napping it seemed.

“Alas my vessel of conflict took a fatal wound to the chest. Mine own life spared only by a few hands as metal twisted in upon itself upon my throne.” Scorpion said grabbing his mask and replacing it looking passably human again, “Alas I feared I was wounded and thus I requested the aid of thine fair maiden of healing.”

“Uhg Scorpion cut the crap.” Sparkle said rousing from her nap.

“Hey I could have been badly wounded. I come to help you save your world and this is the thanks I get.” Scorpion turned from the just waking up alicorn in a pout.

“Scorpion we appreciate your contributions to the fight, if you’re okay could please head down to the mess hall.” Shepard ordered more than asked.

“Aye aye my Captain.” Scorpion said leaving.

“It’s Commander!” Sparkle called out as the door closed, growling. Scorpion was one of her friends that she dealt with in small doses, occasionally, and when she didn’t have a magic burnout headache.

“Don’t worry about it Sparkle, how are you doing?” Shepard asked sitting on the bed next to her.

“Well my magic is burned out, my armor and weapons are gone, and I was taken captive because I made a mistake. However I am alive and safe now. I would settle on, could be better but okay for now.” she said, rubbing her head. “I remember teleporting everyone back to the ship, did we win?”

“That’s a hard question to answer.” Shepard said rubbing his chin, “we definitely defeated the collectors, but from what Nuada told me the reaper wasn’t even phased and just said they would return.”

“So the fight isn’t over.” Sparkle said with a sigh.

“Until we beat the reapers this fight will never be over. But we’ve earned ourselves a break.” Shepard said standing up, “Up for a small party before we head back to earth?”

“Sure, is Nuada still here?” she asked getting up, the headache was bleeding off and she felt better, though she knew no magic for a while, she thought hopping down to the floor.

“Yeah he said he wanted to see you before they left.” Shepard said, “should we wake Fluttershy?”

“Let her sleep, she’ll need a bit to recover, she’s still not a fan of violence and there was a lot of that today.” Sparkle said leaving the medbay with the commander.

<hr>

“Sparkle! You’re okay.” Bestla said sweeping the poor alicorn into a hug.

“Glad you’re still with us.” Nuada said flashing one of his slightly rare genuine smiles. Sparkle thought he should smile more, it suited him better than the smirk or neutral face.

“Well the princess is okay, we can go home now?” Cinder said faking disinterest, even though 5 minutes earlier she had been antsy with worry.

“Yeah we need to head back.” Nuada agreed giving Sparkle a quick if awkward hug.

“Oh right time dilation, how long have you been here?” Sparkle asked.

“About 7 hours, so figuring the time dilation estimation was one day to a week, Ushio last saw us two days ago.” Bestla said running the numbers in her head real quick.

“You Displaced give me a headache.” Joker complained, Sparkle then noticed that the mess hall was filled with the crew and they looked to be in the midsts of a party.

“Could be worse, have you met Mistress Change?” Nuada asked.

“We have, that was awhile back, one of Sparkle’s first friends.” Shepard said remembering back. “She definitely was stranger than you three.”

“Well we have to go, see you all later.” Nuada said shaking the commander’s hand, “You’re all welcome to come visit my place at any time. Sparkle I hope to see you soon, we’ll keep your room clean.”

“Thanks.” Sparkle said blushing slightly getting some laughs from the crew, a glare silenced some and made others louder. Twinkle twinkle little star sounded through the room and the visitors dropped out of the room.

“Good people.” Shepard said patting Sparkle’s head, it was a sign of affection she hated at first but grew to like.

“They are, I don’t like involving them in this, but who knows what would happen without their help.” Sparkle said nuzzling into his hand.

The Displacement of ponies across the Multiverse

by DemonWolf

Lt Commander Twilight - Sun Herald

Vinyl Scratch - Toronto Touchdown

Visitations

Comet Crusade - Ponymorphs

Infiltration - LtC Sparkle and Comet Crusade

Collectors Part 1

Collectors Part 2