Chapter One

Nicknames/shortened names: Conversion Bureau ponies
Full names: Rainbow Bridge ponies.

Canterlot, Converted Earth

Celestia looked out over Equestria from her balcony, a smile on her face as her sun rose, bringing light to lands once fouled by corruption but now purified through her magic. Seven billion ponies now frolicked and played through Equestria, formerly humans but now a superior species.

She turned and walked into a hallway, past several stained-glass windows depicting various events in Equestrian history. She saw representations of Discord's defeat, Nightmare Moon's sealing, her final resolution with Luna and Cadance, the final human conversion among others. Celestia paused at the final one and chuckled before resuming her walk to a throne set at the far end of the hallway, turning and sitting her posterior onto it and letting her forelegs rest on the floor in front. “Come, my Elements,” she said as Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Dash, Pinkie and Flutters approached.

The six ponies bowed, dropping to their knees before the alicorn. Twilight was the first to rise to four hooves. She looked up at the goddess sitting on her throne and sweat beaded on her forehead. “I bring grave news, Princess. It turns out our crusade is not finished. Humans are still out there, unconverted!”

Celestia's eyes narrowed. She lowered her head, peering down her muzzle at Twilight. “How? The barrier wiped out all traces of their civilization, and the last human was converted nearly a year ago.” She unfurled her right wing and swept it out. “All are Equestrians, all are under my protection. How could any survive?'

Twilight swallowed. “Yes, your majesty. All on this Earth were either converted or killed. The only problem is, there are other Earths.”

Dash looked over to her and cocked an eyebrow. “That multiple universe thing? How does that even work, Twilight? And so what?” She waved a hoof at her. “Let the stinking humans keep that little pile of dirt. We've got seven billion here and a new world for us all!”

Celestia scraped a hoof across the floor right in front of the throne, ripping up the carpet and digging up the tile below. “No, Dash. We can't do that.” She slid her backside off the throne and marched forward, right up to the ponies. “All humans must be turned to ponies, for their own good and the good of Equestria.” She looked to Twilight. “Have you observed this other Earth? Is it as bad off as the one we saved?”

Applejack nodded. “Yeah, Twilight. What'cha see in that hazy cloud o' yours?”

Twilight's eyes darted back and forth before she finally spoke. “Well... it was certainly different. There was the same overabundance of technology, but it wasn't the same. I saw these... things.” She reared back on her hind legs and held a foreleg straight out. “They were human-shaped, for the most part, but huge!” She dropped back to all four hooves. “And made of metal, too!” She stopped and shook her head. “And there was something... familiar about something there, almost like an echo.” She waved herself off. “Nah, forget the last part. I must be mistaken.”

Rarity held a foreleg to her forehead and rolled her eyes. “Oh, how absolutely ghastly, Twilight. Metal people? The shine off them must be horrendous! And their colors must be so flat, too.” She rubbed her chin. “The crime against fashion alone necessitates conversion.”

Celestia held up a hoof and all fell silent. “No matter what the reasons, our course of action is clear. These are humans, and for the good of their planet and for all, they must be converted. Their wild, animalistic tendencies must be tamed, and their vile technology must be purged from their planet.” She began trotting forward, the ponies falling into step behind her. “It shall take time, but I shall fashion a new portal and barrier. Equestria shall subsume another Earth, and all shall be richer for it.”

Twilight looked up at Celestia and beamed. “And we'll be right there for you, Princess – not that you need help or anything,” she added, looking away and blushing.

Celestia paused and turned her head, looking down at Twilight. “Actually, Twilight, I would be honored if you would help me with this task,” she said, a smile crossing her mouth but not reaching her eyes. “You're very powerful, and I feel time is of the essence with this Earth.”

Twilight's face brightened and she jumped into the air, hopping around Celestia. “Yes, yes yes!” she cried out, finally stopping in front of Celestia. She cleared her throat and straightened up. “I won't let you down, Princess.”

The other ponies chuckled, but a look from Celestia silenced them all. She waited for Twilight to trot around to her side before walking off once more. “I know you won't, Twilight. Now please come with me. There's much to do.” She paused and looked back at Applejack, Rarity, Dash, Flutters and Pinkie. “As for the rest of you, please make yourself at home. But be ready, for we have more to convert, to... save.”

Earth, unconverted
Twilight Sparkle looked up and around at the large room she and her friends walked and flew down. The walls, ceiling and floor were white. Bright fluorescent lighting in the ceiling shone down and there were several chairs strewn about. There was a single table in the middle with a tray of pastries, a pitcher of water and some old magazines on it, some almost painfully out of date. She had read through them for the first hour before beginning to pace about, wondering if they were early for their tour, or perhaps even late. Her head darted about, focusing on Applejack as she stood near the table. “Applejack, do you have the time?” She trotted over, her breath quickening.

Applejack rolled her eyes and trotted over to Twilight Sparkle. She reached out and patted her on the shoulder. “Now don't you fret none, Twilight. “No way they'll start tha' tour without us.” She looked around the room and swallowed. “Course, would've been maybe a bit nicer fer them tah ask us to wait outside instead of inside this here room. Not as roomy as I'd have liked.” She suddenly ducked as a cyan blur came within inches of clipping her head. “Consarnit, Rainbow Dash!” she shouted, waving a hoof in the air. “Git down here!”

Rainbow Dash looked down at the orange earth pony and stuck her tongue out. “No way, Applejack!” She continued circling around the room, buzzing the walls with each turn. “This is so boring! Why couldn't they just page us or something instead of having us wait in this tiny little room? Pegasi can get stir-crazy in such an enclosed space.” She looked down at Fluttershy, who sat on one of the chairs. “Right, Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy glanced up at Rainbow Dash from her chair. “Oh, I don't know, Dash. It was awfully nice of the people here to make sure we all had our own rooms and a place to meet the tour guide, instead of wandering around this big place.” She looked down at the floor. “And I wouldn't want to get lost or...” She swallowed, her eyes widening, “underfoot of anyone here.”

Rarity looked over at Fluttershy. The unicorn stood near a wall, opposite Twilight and the door. “At the very least they could've put us in a room with a bit more flair or style!” She rolled her eyes and grunted. “Honestly, would it hurt to add a little color to this place?”

Applejack glanced over. “Yah realize most of them here wear less clothes than we do,” she said, arching an eyebrow. She looked down at a lanyard hanging from around her neck and a plastic card attached to it, then at identical lanyards and cards hanging from everypony else's necks.

Pinkie Pie bounced around the table, pausing to lean forward and eat a cupcake in one bite. She spat out the wrapper onto the tray and swallowed. “Hmm, tasty!” She looked to Rarity and twisted her head around almost one hundred-eighty degrees. “That's odd, Rarity. I thought the walls matched your coat.” She hopped over and onto Rarity's back, poking at her flanks. “You almost blend into the background!”

Rarity's horn glowed. She wrapped Pinkie Pie up with her telekinesis and floated the earth pony off her back. “Pinkie, please! That's one of the problems.” She looked herself over and scowled. “And your hooves mussed my coat!” She turned around to face Pinkie Pie, her right eye twitching. She stalked forward even as Pinkie Pie backed up. “Do you have any idea how long it took for me to–“

Rarity stopped as the door slid open, catching everypony's attention. A human female stepped inside, clad in a white uniform with blue trim, a belt with a large pistol in a holster and a shoulder patch with the letters EDC. She looked around the room with sharp, brown eyes. “My apologies for the wait,” she said, holding a tanned hand to her chest. “My name is Lieutenant Commander Marie Hernandez, and I'll be your tour guide.”

Twilight Sparkle trotted up to her and let out a breath. “Oh, hello Commander! It's an honor to meet you!” She waved a foreleg around as the other five gathered around. “I'm Twilight Sparkle, and this is–“

“Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash,” Marie interjected, pointing at each in turn. She looked back to Twilight and half-smiled. “I did my research.”

Twilight Sparkle's cheeks turned scarlet and her ears folded down. “Of course, how silly of me.” She cleared her throat and placed a hoof on her chest. “My apologies, please.”

Marie shook her head. “Not a problem.” She turned on her heel and stepped out of the room. “So, are you all ready?”

Rainbow Dash flew out of the room throwing her forelegs up. “I can't wait!” she shouted, buzzing around Marie. “So, do we get to see the ships? Do we?”

Marie chuckled as the rest filed out. “Maybe, Miss Dash.” She looked down at the ponies. “Now please be careful and stick together. Most of our tour will be in areas more human-scale, but there will be times we'll be going to larger areas.”

Fluttershy swallowed and her head darted around. “Oh, I hope everypony-sorry, everyone will be all right!” she said, looking up at Marie.

Applejack suddenly glanced back at Twilight, still in the room. “Twilight, yah all right?” she asked, leaning in.

Twilight Sparkle's horn glowed for a second, but the light quickly dimmed. “Sorry, Applejack,” she said, finally leaving the room with the rest of the group. “I thought I sensed something... no, someone watching me.” She shook her head. “It's nothing.”

The group passed a few other humans before they stopped in front of a door. Marie turned to the ponies, a serious expression on her face. “Now please be careful, here,” she warned. Her eyes locked onto Rainbow Dash in the air, then drifted to Fluttershy on the ground. “Stick to the corridor.” She turned and pressed a few buttons on a control panel and a light changed from red to green. “All set?” At their nods, she opened the door and stepped out, the ponies following her onto an open-air corridor suspended nearly thirty meters in the air. A waist-high wall separated the corridor from empty space. Down below was a constant cacophony of absolutely huge metal beings, most humanoid in shape but of every color and variation imaginable. One common feature was a red face somewhere on their bodies, on all of them.

Some chatted, some hurried through silently. Some had weapons, some had tools. All moved with a purpose.

Marie looked back to the wide-eyed ponies and smiled. “Welcome to Autobot City.”

Chapter Two

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Nicknames/shortened names: Conversion Bureau ponies
Full names: Rainbow Bridge ponies

Twilight Sparkle inched her way to the wall and stood up on her hind legs, resting her body on the top of the wall and peering down at the various giant robots moving along. “I've only seen one Autobot up close,” she said, her voice almost drowned out by the din. “It was at Canterlot, about six months ago when their leader Optimus Prime drove up to meet the Princesses. He seemed so intimidating... but he was actually very gentle, and kind.” She dropped back down and looked up at Marie. “Have you ever met him?”

Marie shook her head. “I've seen Optimus Prime in the distance a few times, but I’ve never met him personally. I've worked with some Autobots before, mostly the Technobot subgroup, and some others.”

One of the Autobots stopped in mid-stride and pivoted on his heel, looking over at the corridor with bright-blue optic sensors.[1] His torso was red, with a transparent material over the upper half and identical-colored shins. His hips and forearms were blue, with chrome-plated disks on the forearms. A large barrel was attached to his left shoulder, next to a head with a rather inquisitive expression on it. “Hello,” he said, in an accent not out of place at an upper-class university on either side of the Rainbow Bridge. “Ah, of course! The sapient equine population from across the inter-dimensional and trans-chronological gateway! The bearers of the Elements of Harmony, if my datatracks are not in error.” He reached out a hand large enough to pick up one of them. “My name is Perceptor, and it's an honor to meet you!”

The six ponies stared at Perceptor, all six pairs of eyes the approximate size of saucers. Perceptor's optic sensors blinked on and off and his hand slowly slid back. His head dipped low and he looked away. “My apologies,” he said. “I... I did not mean to disturb you and your tour.”

Fluttershy looked the giant robot over before she hopped up, spread her wings out and flew over to him. She extended her forelegs and embraced Perceptor on his upper arm. “No, I'm sorry,” she said. “You didn't disturb us or the tour.”

Twilight Sparkle hopped up, resting her forelegs on the guardrail. She looked Perceptor over, wide eyes taking in every detail. “Treads on the back of the legs, that's obviously a cockpit in the chest, you've got a cannon on your left shoulder...” She slapped her hoof against the guardrail, her hoof thudding against the metal of the guardrail. “Your alternate form must be some sort of artillery unit or tank!” she declared, grinning.

Rainbow Dash rubbed her chin. She hopped up and flew out, circling around Perceptor's torso. “No, way,” she said. She reached his chest and flew straight up, looking at his face. “He talks too much like you. No way he's cool enough to be a tank!” She leaned in close and held a foreleg up to her muzzle. “No offense, Percy.”

Perceptor's mouth turned upward slightly. “None taken, Miss Dash. I assure you my emotive programming was not adversely affected by your evaluation of my vocabulary.” He looked to Fluttershy, still hugging his upper arm. “And I am most appreciative of your greeting, Miss Fluttershy. It warms my laser core that you are receptive to me.”

Applejack blinked twice. She moved her hat back and scratched her forehead. “Whad he say?”

Twilight Sparkle let out a mild sigh. “He said he wasn't hurt by what Rainbow Dash said and he's glad we're not afraid of him.” She looked him over again. “So, are you a tank or artillery unit?”

Rarity arched an eyebrow. “Darling, I don't mean to intrude, but I think you're focusing too much on the obvious and not enough on details.” She stepped forward, hopped up on her hind legs and leaned next to Twilight. “His language isn't that of some soldier, but of a scholar. And that barrel's not one for shooting beams of death, I'd wager. The dials on it and his forearms look to be for more manual adjustment than being turned in the heat of battle, even by him.” She pointed down at his shins. “And the treads are too short for mobility, unless he's got some other part that unfolds for transport.” She looked up at Perceptor's face. “So, my dear. Who is right; Twilight or myself?”

Perceptor chuckled slightly. “I am afraid, my dear Twilight, that Rarity is correct in her line of thinking. I do not transform into any piece of military hardware. Rather, my alternate mode is a microscope.”

Twilight Sparkle tilted her head to the side. “Really? That makes a–a lot of sense, actually!”

Rainbow Dash merely crossed her forelegs in front of her and nodded. “I knew it! You sounded way too much like an egghead to be some cool tank or cannon!” She suddenly gulped and a nervous smile crossed her mouth. “N-no offense, big guy.”

Perceptor chuckled. “None taken.” His optics shifted to the left and he looked to Marie. “My apologies, Commander Hernandez, if I have delayed your tour. I simply let my curiosity overwhelm my caution subroutines. I shall endeavor to be more careful next time.”

Marie shook her head. “Not a problem, Perceptor. I'm simply taking them around some of the more human-scale areas for a few hours.” She looked around as Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy flew back to the corridor. “So, more sightseeing from here, or does anyone have a destination in mind?”

Twilight looked to Marie, then to Perceptor. “Sorry, Perceptor. It was nice meeting you, but there's so much to see here!” Her face stretched into a wide, almost impossibly-wide grin. “But that doesn't mean I don't want to see you again!”

Rarity nodded. “Indeed, my dear Perceptor. It’d be ever so fascinating to hear what you think of Equestria. Have you been there?”

Perceptor nodded. “Indeed I have, Miss Rarity.” He let out a chuckle. “In all actuality, on my visit, I was able to find an old acquaintance of mine. Although his base form has altered itself quite radically from its previous bipedal humanoid form.” He abruptly spun on his heel, producing an ear-splitting screech and causing the ponies to cringe. “I look forward to processing your images again!” he called out over his shoulder before marching away.

Twilight Sparkle looked out at Perceptor. Her ears stood straight up. “Wait, wait! An 'old acquaintance'? Who the hay is this?!” She jumped over the guardrail into the open air, forelegs extended. “Wait...” She hung in midair for a moment. “Uh, oh.”

Time slowed for a moment. Marie's arm darted out as she yelled. Pinkie Pie and Applejack stood there while Rarity's mouth hung open in shock. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy stared at Twilight for a fraction of a second before instincts kicked in and the pair of pegasi dove, reaching out with their forelegs and snagging Twilight before she fell more than a few feet. They slowed her descent, all three coming to a gradual halt. “Okay, let's get you away from your coltfriend,” Rainbow Dash said, winking.

Twilight Sparkle grunted, but remained mostly silent as the two flew her up and back onto the corridor. “Thanks, you two,” she said, giving first Rainbow Dash and then Fluttershy a hug. She looked around as Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie gathered around her. Her cheeks reddened slightly and she looked up to see Marie standing over her. “Hehe, sorry about that.”

The EDC officer loomed over the unicorn, arms crossed over her chest and a scowl on her face. “Miss Sparkle, in the future, please leave the flying to those with either wings or jetpacks,” she said, a sharpness in her voice not there before.

Twilight Sparkle and the rest of the ponies suddenly stood up a little straighter than before. “Yes, Commander,” Twilight said, her head bobbing up and down. “I'll keep all four hooves on the floor for the rest of the tour!”

Pinkie Pie's head craned around. “Then how are you gonna walk?”

There was silence for the briefest of moments before Marie coughed into her fist. The coughing continued, rapidly evolving into laughter. She cleared her throat and looked down at Pinkie. “Okay, good one.”

Pinkie Pie grinned. “Thanks!” Her head suddenly twisted around. “Wait, what one?”

Marie looked at the pink party pony. She glanced to the others as they shrugged and waved Pinkie Pie off. “Never mind.” She pulled a small rectangular pad from her belt and pressed a small button along the edge. A screen on it flickered to life, displaying a map of Autobot City. “All right, from here we can get to the hangars,” she looked to Rainbow Dash, “the greenhouses,” she eyed Applejack,” or any number of other areas.” Her gaze swept over Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Rarity. She knelt down and held the map out for all to see. “Anything catch your eye?”

Twilight Sparkle looked at her friends. “I'm up for anywhere you girls want to go.”

Rainbow Dash thrust a foreleg into the air and waved it around. “Ooh, ooh! The hangars, the hangars! Please, I have got to see those ships that fly through space!” She stopped as everyone looked to her. The pegasus shrunk down bit and scratched the back of her head. “Or... the greenhouses would be cool. I guess.”

Applejack chuckled. “Nah, sugarcube.” She looked to Marie. “Iffn it's all right, I'd like tah see these hangars with Dash. Sounds mighty interestin', actually.”

Rarity nodded. “It would be nice to see these ships of the stars, darling.” She held up a foreleg and swept it from side to side. “The grace, the elegance, the clean lines!”

“Not to mention the cannons!” Pinkie Pie shouted, hopping up and down. She stood up on her hind legs and held her forelegs out as if gripping an imaginary rifle. Her upper body leaned back a few times. “Pew, pew pew!”

Fluttershy shook her head a bit at Pinkie Pie. “Oh, my! I hope none of those cannons have to go off while we're there!” She shuddered slightly. “Too loud...”

Applejack bit back a laugh. “Hasn't Big Mac toldja about his stint in tha Royal Tank Corps?” She looked up to the ceiling. “Land sake, he loved firing off those big cannons and driving 'round in those big things.”

Rarity looked to Twilight Sparkle. “A shame Spike couldn't make it. I have a feeling he'd simply fall in love with the place. You know how boys can be,” she said, winking.

Marie spoke up. “Maybe I'll tell you about my own brother.” She stood up and waved her arm. “All set?” At their nods and words of assent, she turned and started walking, the ponies trotting, flying or hopping along behind her.

Twilight Sparkle turned her head to Rarity as they followed Marie down the corridor, moving in close to allow others moving along space to get by. “I bet Spike's having too much fun at Megan's,” she said. Her eyes tilted up slightly as warm thoughts of her first human friend filled her mind. “Last I heard from him, he's helping out with a birthday party for her younger daughter.”

Rarity's eyes lit up. “Oh, Michelle! How marvelous! The little darling will be eleven, I believe?” She tossed her head back. “She simply has a most divine talent for braiding and working with a mane. She could open her own shop in Ponyville and have customers coming out of her ears!” She rubbed her chin. “I know humans don't mature as fast as we do, but her braiding and my eye for fashion...”

“Might wanna let her get past puberty,” Twilight Sparkle remarked. She sighed as they turned a corner, moving away from the Autobots below. “I might give Spike a call tonight. I wonder how he's doing.”

Spike thrust a small, scaly arm into the air. “Ha, I did it!” he shouted, hopping up onto the couch and wiggling his body around. “Who's the dragon? Yeah, who's the dragon?” he turned to the human sitting next to him. “Did you see that, Danny? I saved the princess!”

Danny Williams chuckled at the baby dragon's enthusiasm. “Nice job,” he said. He grabbed his wheelchair's wheels, rolled forward slightly and bent down, switching off his old Nintendo Entertainment System. The adoptive uncle of Princess Luna looked over his shoulder at Spike. “So, ready to experience a true legend?”

A voice from behind caught their attention, a voice tinged with wisdom, compassion and a slight weariness. “Maybe first you two should help out with the legend of the party planning?” Megan Richards said, emerging from the kitchen and walking into the living room. She placed her hands on the back of the couch and leaned over. “We've got about a week, and I do not want Pinkie Pie overdoing it like with Danielle. Or when I went back to Equestria. Or when the Cake twins were born. Or–“

Danny held up a hand. “Okay, sis, we get it!” He wheeled around to face her. “You might have wanted to wait for Pinkie to get back from Autobot City before doing the planning.”

Megan let a small smile cross her mouth. “By the time she gets back, it'll be too late for her to overdo things. Michelle will have a nice, fun birthday party that won't force the police to come and politely ask us to stop it from overflowing into the streets.” She looked up to the ceiling and the sky beyond. “And absolutely everything will go wrong!” she shouted. “It will be the worst birthday party ever!”

Spike blinked. “Danny... why did Megan say that?” he scratched his spinal crest in confusion.

Danny shrugged. “Trying to fake out any gods listening in, methinks.” He rolled forward and looked up at his older sister. “Think it'll work?”

Megan shrugged. “Can't hurt to try.” She stood back up, worked her shoulders and looked around the living room. She sighed and crossed her arms. “Doesn't matter much. Michelle's birthday party's gonna be the last thing we do before moving.” She pointed at the kitchen, the backyard beyond and the Rainbow Bridge that connected Earth to Equestria. “After that, the entire house gets moved ten blocks down and a month from now the embassy from Equestria to Earth opens up.” She looked away. “Still can't believe it.”

Danny's mouth turned down. He rolled around the couch up to Megan and grabbed her arm, Spike following to stand by his side. “You all right?”

Megan snorted. She wound her arm around so she could grab Danny's forearm. “I'm fine, thanks.” She looked to Spike. “Thank you.” She let go and stepped back. “Well, still lots to do.” She turned on her heel and faced the kitchen. “You two able to tear yourselves away from Super Mario Brothers long enough to help with Michelle's party?”

Spike sighed. He looked to the television and the video games, but quickly nodded. “For Michelle.” he stole a glance back. “But later can I save the princess again?”

Megan stepped back and patted Spike on the head. “I'm sure Mario will need your help, especially if the princess is in another castle.” She sat down at the kitchen table and swept her hand over a few sheets of paper. “Now, let's make sure our little princess has the best eleventh birthday we can give her.”

[1] http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Perceptor_%28G1%29

Chapter Three

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Nicknames/shortened names: Conversion Bureau ponies
Full names: Rainbow Bridge ponies.

Canterlot, New Equestria

“Now. Let's make sure our little princess has the best eleventh birthday we can give her.”

Megan's words echoed through Celestia's bedroom. The alicorn and her prized pupil Twilight stood in front of a mirror mounted on a wall inside Celestia's private chambers that was reflecting a distorted image of the inside of a human dwelling. A pair of bodyguards stood off, both silent and staring straight ahead, ears twitching in alertness.

Celestia's eyes narrowed as she beheld the image of Spike in the kitchen, sitting at the human's table and writing something. She snorted, whipped her head around and stared straight down at Twilight. “Twilight, my dear student, what is Spike doing there? How did he get there?” She looked back up at the image. “He accompanied you to Canterlot, correct? How did he end up on this Earth?”

Twilight's jaw worked for a full minute before she finally found her voice. “I don't know.” She stepped back. “Princess, may I?” At her nod, Twilight's horn glowed and she vanished in a bright flash. A half-minute later, she reappeared. “”Spike's still there!” She looked to the mirror. “Princess, I don't get it!”

The alicorn leaned forward and touched the tip of her horn to the mirror. The glass itself rippled, the image vanishing to be replaced by the back yard of the house. Celestia's eyes narrowed in concentration. The image shifted, focusing on a multicolored arc hanging in midair. There was a sudden gasp from the alicorn. “There!” she said, pointing at the apex of the arc. A rip in space hung there, a hole in the sky. “Twilight, you said these are humans from an alternate Earth?”

Twilight cocked her head to the side. “Yes, Princess.” She looked up to her mentor, eyes wide. “You don't mean–“

“Correct,” Celestia said. She touched her horn to the mirror and the image wavered once more, reverting back to Spike in the kitchen. “This must be some... alternate Spike, different from your number-one assistant!” Her wings rippled. “Tainted by humans and their evils and chaos, no doubt.”

Twilight's eyes watered. “How awful.” she murmured. She suddenly gasped. “But if there's some alternate Spike, then that must... mean...” Her breathing quickened. “Maybe there's some version of me, too!” She suddenly lowered her head, shaking it as part of her mane stuck up. “NO, nonononono! There's no way some freaky version of me could be in league with humans!”

The alicorn merely touched the mirrored surface once more. It flashed multiple times, going across this Earth before settling on a large golden city, an obscenity of metal and technology sitting on a lake. The image zoomed in, finally settling on a group of ponies being led around like chattel by a human. The image focused on a purple unicorn, physically identical to the purple unicorn standing next to Celestia.

Twilight's head dropped. She closed her eyes. “No, how can I do this? How can she do this?” Her head whipped around and she looked up at Celestia with pleading eyes. “Princess, I swear I would never consort with humans that are still humans. I swear!”

Celestia leaned down and lightly nuzzled Twilight. “I know,” she whispered. She raised her head slightly and looked Twilight in the eye, smiling. “I know you would never do anything so awful.” She looked back to the mirror, the smile melting away. “This other Twilight, though. She's not you.” Her gaze hardened and the mirror's frame twisted, ornamentation ripping off. “And she's not the only one.”

The image expanded, showing the rest of the ponies in more detail. Twilight gasped as she saw alternate versions of Applejack, Rarity and the rest. She dropped to her haunches, eyes the approximate size of saucers. “This whole other Equestria must be tainted by humans and their technology. I don't understand how or why, though.”

Celestia shook her head. “I don't know.” The image wavered once more, showing the human female from before and the other Spike. Celestia focused on her, memories from the ancient past stirring in her mind...

Discord's misshapen and mismatched limbs petrified. He looked down, sighing. “So you win, Celestia.” His mouth twisted in a crooked grin. “But I still have the last laugh. Oh, yes.” The stone spread up his legs and down his arms into his torso. “Because I know it'll come crashing down on you and Lulu, oh yes!”

Celestia floated before him, eyes ablaze. The whole of the countryside was an inferno of chaos, the land itself twisted like taffy. “No, Discord,” she spat out. “You'll never be free of your imprisonment, I swear it!”

By now all that was left was Discord's long neck and head. He rolled his eyes. “Not me, but her.” An image flashed in Celestia's mind, of a mostly-hairless biped with a long, golden mane cascading down its-her-shoulders and back, and a grim expression on her face. She wore rustic clothes, like what ponies wore on the frontier. “Oh, yes. She and all those like her. Such wonderful chaos, the likes of which give me pause! And you know what?” He grunted and strained as his neck solidified. “You'll see them, oh yes. Humans, Celestia. Remember that name and remember that face, because that one will end you and all you hold dear.” He laughed even as his chin, face and entire head turned to rock, his piercing eyes the last to petrify.

Discord fell to the ground, impacting with a dull thud, his laughter echoing across the scorched lands.

Celestia blinked and her entire body shuddered. The mirror's image wobbled before fading out, replaced by a simple reflection. Celestia stared at herself, her ethereal, multi-colored mane and tail drooping. She let out a sigh. “Sorry,” she said to Twilight. She forced a smile on her face to calm her student. “Even observing this other world is taxing me at the moment. After the events of the previous two years, my reserves are low.”

Twilight glanced at the mirror. “Princess, we've already saved one version of humanity. These others, do we have to?”

Celestia's eyes hardened slightly. “Twilight Sparkle, it is our duty to help those who need it.” She waved a foreleg at the mirror. “Yes, we helped many humans, but there's more to help here. And what of these other versions of ourselves? Shall we deny them our aid simply because of fatigue?” She shook her head and her mane began flowing once more in a non-existent breeze. “No, we must help them, no matter what!”

Twilight stared up at Celestia, tears in her eyes. She swallowed and her cheeks turned a brilliant shade of scarlet. “I'm so sorry!” she cried out. “You're right, Princess! These humans and ponies need our help. And we can give it to them!” She turned to the guards. “Get the serum ready, get the bureau staff on call! We have a people to save!”

There was a slight clearing of a throat behind Twilight. She slowly turned to see Celestia looking down at her. “Maybe the princess should be giving such orders,” she said, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. She winked and chuckled. “But getting them ready would still be a good idea.” She looked back to the mirror. “Opening a portal and creating a new barrier is going to be very taxing this time around, expanding it even more so.”

Twilight glanced to the mirror. “Perhaps... “ She walked up to it, head tilting to the side. “There's a connection from that Earth to this other Equestria, a... bridge already there.” She rubbed her chin. “Is there any way you can use that one instead of creating an entirely new one?”

Celestia whipped her head around, the smile blossoming on her face. “Twilight, that's brilliant.” She reached over and slightly mussed Twilight's mane. “It's so good to have such an intelligent and clever student.” Her brow furrowed. “I'll set this up a few miles from Canterlot, as soon as possible. Any time delayed is more time that humans destroy their planet, destroy each other, and destroy these other ponies.” She slammed a hoof into the stone floor, cracking it and sending everything in the room hopping a good half-foot into the air. “I will not allow inaction to cause needless death and suffering.”

Twilight smiled at Celestia. “Oh, Princess, you're so kind. Is there anything I can do to help?”

The alicorn looked to the mirror, past it, past the walls of Canterlot. “Yes, Twilight. Please transport the mirror to where I'll be forming the new portal and barrier. I need to make sure when I form them that other Spike isn't there, nor any of those alternate versions of you and your friends. They could cause trouble, even for me. No matter the drain, I'll have to do this as soon as possible.”

Celestia turned and trotted out of the room. Twilight's horn glowed and she lifted the mirror off of the wall, taking it with her as she followed her mentor. And finally the guards left, one as silent as midnight and the other as quiet as a broken heart.

Equestria, across the Rainbow Bridge from Earth

Although Canterlot dominated Mount Eohippus, it was not the only structure on the mountain. Down the slope, opposite Hippocampus Falls stood Fort Bulwark, a gleaming structure of towers and defender of Canterlot from invasion by land. It was also home of the Royal Tank Corps’ First Tank Regiment, the ‘Steel Hooves’.

Although the front was massive fortifications with fences, turrets, and walls, the back was a massive open field and smaller buildings. A small chunk of it was laid out for pegasi, airships, and balloons, but the majority of it was for tanks, large and small. They rumbled around, lining up for target practice and massing for maneuvers as new tank crewmen got the feel for their machines.

A pair of tanks were parked near the garages. One was an Equestrian Mark XXIX, a large, green machine with four 75-millimeter gun emplacements in sponsons within large, wrap-around treads that overshadowed the main chassis, and a machine gun turret sticking out the top. The frontal armor was sloped, albeit somewhat thin, with a rather large engine and a smokestack in the rear. Next to it was an M1A3 Abrams, a tank actually slightly smaller than its Equestrian cousin, with a 120-millimeter hyper-velocity railgun sticking out from its turret and a smaller laser emitter atop it. The armor was sloped and thick, capable of taking tremendous punishment. A large engine sat in the rear, an inner glow barely visible.

Three ponies approached the two tanks. Two of the ponies wore the uniform and armor of the Tank Corps, trailing behind the third, who was clad in a blue general officer’s uniform. Major General Romper Stomper, Commandant of the Royal Tank Corps, strode forward. A tan-coated earth pony with a crew cut for a mane, he was a stallion of few words but big actions.

A human and a pony standing by the tanks suddenly snapped to attention. The human, Jack Robins, had dark skin and short black hair tucked underneath his hat. He wore an olive-drab jumpsuit with the insignia of Staff Sergeant stitched onto the left side of his nomex uniform. His equine counterpart, a unicorn mare named Blossomforth, had a green coat that blended well with her own jumpsuit. She had an almost-identical cap over her head, save for a hole for her horn and set of goggles. She held up her foreleg in salute at Romper Stomper’s approach.

Romper Stomper returned Blossomforth’s salute. “At ease,” he said. He looked up to the human. “A pleasure to meet you, Sergeant Robins.” He held up a foreleg and extended it to Jack, who shook it. The general turned his head, looking over at the Abrams. “So, this is from your military. It’s the first time I’ve seen one other than photographs or film.” He tapped the treads with a hoof. “Treads?” He looked up at Jack. “Don’t you have access to anti-gravity technology from the Autobots?”

Jack turned to his right, following Romper Stomper. “Yes, sir.” he knelt down and motioned to the treads. “Treads are still a lot more reliable and easier to maintain than those fancy anti-grav units the Autobots have.” He patted the belted metal. “There are weird magnetic fields and anomalies on other planets that stop those units cold, but a good old-fashioned tank tread will roll right over it.” He pointed to over a dozen shiny disks mounted underneath the hull . “We have emergency units for inclement weather and the like, but the primary mode of transportation is the treads.”

Romper Stomper nodded. “Excellent. I don’t feel as bad now that we still use treads.” He cracked a smile and chuckled before walking around the Abrams and Mark XXIX with his aides, Jack, and Blossomforth following. He stopped and looked up at the main barrel. “Seeing this makes me realize how far we have to go.” He stopped in front of the Mark XXIX, turning to face the two tank commanders. “Sergeant Robins, Sergeant Blossomforth, the truth. How badly would one of our Mark XXIX’s get mauled by one of yours, to say nothing of our lighter vehicles?”

Jack turned to face the smaller tank. “General, there’s nothing ‘technically’ wrong with your vehicles. They’re built with high-quality materials and I haven’t seen any real design flaws.” He bent slightly at the knees and rubbed his chin. “Kinda reminds me of the old tanks used during World War I, with your use of sponsons instead of a turret, though it’s nice to see you don’t have two exhaust pipes running up through the center of the cabin.”

Blossomforth spoke up. “Sir, permission to speak freely?”

Romper Stomper looked to her and nodded. “Granted, Sergeant. How bad?”

“Sir, with sufficient ammunition and without access to magic, I’m fairly certain this tank could wipe out the majority of the Steel Hooves. The armor is virtually impenetrable and their power source can last a month without refueling.”

Romper Stomper nodded. “And with magic?”

There was a moment of hesitation before Blossomforth continued. “We could knock the aim off, move the chassis around a bit with telekinesis with concerted effort or maybe mire it in mud for a bit with weather control before they turned on their anti-grav units.” She looked up at Jack. “Of course the tank would still be firing hypersonic rounds that would be blowing holes through our lines and taking out multiple units with each shot and a laser cannon that, while not as powerful, would still be capable of one-shot kills.”

Romper Stomper nodded. “I see. Thank you, Sergeant.” He looked up to Jack. “Well, we’ll see how we do in the war games five days from now.” He cocked his head to the side. “Lieutenant!” he barked at one of his aides. “Make sure General Faireborn, Director Burnett-Faireborn and the rest are given the red carpet treatment upon arrival. Understood?”

The aide snapped to attention. “Sir, yes sir!”

The General glanced to Jack and Blossomforth, who both straightened to attention. “Well, I shan’t keep you any longer. Carry on.” he returned Blossomforth’s salute before turning and trotting off, his aides following.

Jack looked down to Blossomforth. “Not sure it’ll be that bad.” He looked to the Mark XXIX, reaching out to touch the armor plating. “This is a fine piece of machinery. I bet they’d have killed to have something like this at the Somme.”

Blossomforth tilted her head to the side. “The Somme? I’m guessing some ancient battle on Earth?”

Jack nodded. “First use of tanks in warfare, nearly a hundred years ago. I read about it in high school.” He turned and looked to her. “That’s a human school for older teenagers.”

Blossomforth tilted her head down, staring at Jack over her muzzle. “Really, I had no idea.”

A sigh came from Jack’s mouth and he waved her off. “Okay, okay. That was dumb. I admit it.” He stood up straight and looked around, seeing a pair of smaller tanks racing about. “It’s just... I don’t know, a bit odd being here in Equestria, which makes no sense to me since I’ve been to Earth’s moon, Mars and even outside the Solar System three times.”

Blossomforth rubbed her chin. “Maybe because while there, you’re still in your own galaxy, and home’s a transwarp jump away, but here it’s the Rainbow Bridge and you’re still sort of on Earth.”

A smile crossed Jack’s face and he began humming ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’, getting a curious look from Blossomforth. “Old movie song,” he said, waving her off. He checked his watch. “Well, debriefing in fifteen minutes. Still on for the motor pool with our crews at 1800 hours?”

Blossomforth nodded, a smirk playing at the edge of the unicorn’s mouth. “I think our drivers are developing a bit of a rivalry. Should be fun to watch!”

Jack hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. “If by fun you mean butting heads like buffalo, then sure.”

Everfree Forest, outside Ponyville in New Equestria, four days later

Celestia planted her hooves apart and leaned forward slightly. Twilight stood beside her, mirror floating by her side and her bodyguards a short distance away. Several dozen ponies stood at the outskirts, near the path that led back to Ponyville. Some were original inhabitants of the town, but most were ‘newfoals’-humans changed to the superior pony form. Some held up signs reading ‘Celestia for Empress’ or something along those lines. Celestia had waved to them, but they all dropped to the ground, bowing.

She didn’t mind it, though she had not done what she did for admiration, but for their benefit. Still, ‘Empress Celestia’ had a nice ring to it. Perhaps after this new Earth was conquered?

She looked to Twilight, who swung the mirror around to float right in front of her. Celestia reached out with her horn and touched the surface. It rippled, eventually showing that human female from before, now known from a few more viewings to be named Megan Richards. She was walking around the backyard, holding one of the obscene devices to her ear and chatting away. A thin smile formed on Celestia’s lips. “You’ll thank me for this,” she muttered. The image rotated, focusing on the hole in the sky. She half-closed her eyes and grunted, summoning all of her reserves of power. Her entire horn was wreathed in golden energy as a strong wind kicked up, scattering signs and snapping branches off.

Twilight swayed a bit, but one of the bodyguards reached out, steadying her. Celestia paid it no mind as a coruscating field of energy formed a few inches in front of her horn, expanding and forming a new Barrier, one lethal to humans and their technology. Celestia thrust her horn forward, penetrating the Barrier and wrapping it around her horn. She continued, spreading her wings and lifting off the ground. She flew forward, her horn hitting the mirror a half-second later and shattering it. The shards and frame vaporized, but the reflection remained, expanding and focusing as the image changed into an actual portal.

Celestia soon found herself in the backyard, Megan scrambling away from her. She touched down on the ground and smiled. “Fear not, Megan Richards. I have come to save you from yourself, from your current human body and reliance on technology and science.” Her horn glowed slightly and a beaker of rainbow-colored liquid popped into existence. “Please, accept my gift, my new friend.”

Chapter Four

View Online

Nicknames/shortened names: Conversion Bureau ponies
Full names: Rainbow Bridge ponies.

Earth, a few minutes before

Megan walked through her backyard, pausing on occasion to look at a half-dismantled swing set here, an empty shed near a fence in the back there. She looked up at the Rainbow Bridge, trying to envision the structure that would be built around it for the embassy. Her musings were interrupted by the ringing of her cell phone. She pulled it out of a pocket and flipped it on. “Hello?”

A muffled voice came through, soft and apparently not directed at the receiver on the other end. “This is on? It is? Thank you, Danielle.” The voice grew stronger. “Hello, Megan! Greetings from the other side of the Rainbow Bridge!”

Megan bit her lip and placed a hand over her mouth. “Greetings, Celestia!” she said, waving her arm about. She sighed and rolled her eyes. “Didn’t you get the first phone in Equestria? You should be a lot more familiar with them than this,” she said, a note of teasing creeping into her voice. “And shouldn’t Danielle have shown you how to use a phone properly?”

There was a bit of shuffling over the line before another voice came over the line. “Sorry, Mom.” It was Danielle’s voice, her and Mike’s older daughter and part-time resident of the Ponyville Public Library. “I don’t think Celestia receives many phone calls. She kinda snatched it up and started messing with it. And hi, Mom. How’s the moving going?”

Megan looked back to the house. “We’ve got almost everything in storage for the move. They’ll dig the house up the day after the party and get it ready for transport. Mike is practically having kittens at the work involved.” She stifled a chuckle before continuing. “How are things in Ponyville? Anything change since last time?”

There was a brief sigh. “It’s just so... lonely right now. Twilight and her friends are at Autobot City on that tour. Spike’s staying with you. Trixie left yesterday morning for a performance at Flutter Valley. Big Mac and Applebloom are doubling down at Sweet Apple Acres when Mac’s not pining over Fluttershy.” There was another pause. “He asked me to say hi to Fluttershy for him. Could you relay the message?”

Megan snorted, her shoulders heaving. “I will. Could you put Celestia back on, please?” There was a shuffling over the line. Megan waited a moment before speaking. “Lunch today?”

Celestia’s voice came over. “Yes, please! Busy Body’s speech in the Senate Chambers almost put me to sleep! I dearly love him and he’s really good at his job, but sweet Herd is he boring! He’s like Wind Whistler, but all the fun removed!”

Megan’s jaw worked a bit. “Is that - is that even possible?” She held up a hand and waved it, more out of habit than anything else. “Never mind. Coming to get me?”

The entrance of the Rainbow Bridge suddenly exploded, a blinding flare of light expanding from it, growing into a large sphere. It ruptured, a snow-white alicorn emerging, spreading her wings out and touching down onto the grass. Behind her, the sphere reformed into a swirling vortex, exiting the hole and floating in midair. A crystalline web grew over the vortex, slowly expanding over the solidified rainbow trailing down from the hole while a second web formed over the hole itself, sealing it shut.

The alicorn regarded Megan and smiled. “Fear not, Megan Richards,” she declared. “I have come to save you from yourself, from your current human body and reliance on technology and science.” Her horn glowed slightly and a beaker of rainbow-colored liquid popped into existence. “Please, accept my gift, my new friend.”

Megan stumbled back in shock, barely keeping her balance, but dropping her cell phone to the ground. She looked up at the alicorn, at what appeared to be Celestia, from the ethereal mane and tail to her majestic wings to her sun-shaped cutie mark. She focused on her face, noting the smile not quite reaching this Celestia’s eyes. “W... what are you talking about?” She glanced to the alicorn’s side and the floating beaker. “Celestia? Are you all right?” She placed her hands on her hips and leaned forward. “What is going on?” she asked, eyes narrowing.

“Megan? What’s going on? We heard something. I’m coming over!” The phone suddenly shook, exploding into tiny fragments of plastic and metal.

Equestria, over the Rainbow Bridge

Princess Celestia’s head whipped around, her eyes traveling up to the hole hanging in the sky at the edge of the Everfree Forest. She and Danielle stood in a field, construction materials piled high, earth-moving equipment lined up in a row and close to thirty construction workers scattered about. She could see little of the other side of the hole from where she stood. “I’ll be right back,” she said, the cell phone hovering beside her floating down to Danielle.

Celestia’s body glowed, shrinking into a large sphere of white energy. It flew up to the hole, entering it, but quickly flying back out. The sphere reformed into Celestia, eyes wide and legs kicking at the air. She flew forward, forelegs straight out. They entered the hole, but stopped at the knee. Her wings flapped, kicking up winds. Her forelegs kicked, sending out loud thuds that reverberated throughout the land, shaking the ground.

Several of the construction workers gathered around Danielle, looking up at Celestia’s increasingly frantic kicks. “Miss Richards, what’s going on?” one asked.

Danielle shook her head, eyes locked on Celestia. “I have no idea.” She slipped her phone into a coat pocket before cupping her hands around her mouth and shouting, “CELESTIA!”

Celestia withdrew her hooves. Her body heaved slightly from panting. “It’s blocked!” she shouted. She looked down, eyes wild. “The Rainbow Bridge is blocked! I... there’s something there!”

The human workers there looked around, their murmurs growing in volume. “What can we do?” one shouted.

Celestia kicked at the air, nickering slightly. “I don’t know! I just...” She whinnied, wings flapping. She floated right up to the hole, eyes narrowing and neck craning. “I think I can see something...” She stopped a few inches away. “I can see... Megan? She’s there!”

Danielle craned her neck. “Mom’s there? What’s going on with her?” She stepped around the workers, walking right up to the hole. “What’s going on with Mom?”

“Something’s blocking the Rainbow Bridge,” the alicorn replied. After a minute, Celestia stuck her head fully into the hole, her mane flattening against her neck. “Something’s there with her! It’s a large, white blob. I-”

Celestia’s body suddenly flew back, tumbling through the air. The humans and ponies below stared up at her before several pegasi leaped into the air, flying after her, but Celestia quickly righted herself, spreading out her wings and slowing to a stop. “I’m all right!” she called out.

The pegasi slowed to a halt. “Your majesty!” one of them called out, reflexively bowing to her, “is there anything we can do?”

The alicorn floated there, eyes out of focus. She slowly regained her senses and shook her head. “No, but thank you anyway.” She flew down, landing on the dirt below and folding her wings against her body. She visibly stiffened, limbs straightening and all emotion draining from her face. “I must be strong,” she whispered. “I must be strong.”

All those in the field gathered around her. “I will not lie to you,” she said, looking at the humans standing there. “There is something blocking the Rainbow Bridge. It’s still there, but a barrier surrounds the entrance on Earth.” She held up a foreleg as some of them raised their hands. “That’s all the information I have at the moment. I’m sorry.” She looked to a black-coated pegasus, one of the ones who tried to help her. “Thunderlane, I need you to go to Ponyville, please, and inform Mayor Mare of the situation.” At his nod, she looked back to the humans. “I swear to you, I’ll do everything in my power to reopen the Rainbow Bridge. But for now, I’ll see to it that appropriate accommodations are made in Ponyville for you all.” She bowed her head. “I apologize for not being able to do anything else at this time.” And with that she turned, trotting down a dirt road that led in the direction of Canterlot..

Danielle broke into a run, circling around the workers and other obstacles, waving her arms. “Celestia, Celestia!” she shouted, increasing her gait. She caught up to the alicorn a few dozen feet down the road, in a forested section. “What the hell is going on?” Her breath quickened, and not just from exertion. “There’s some sort of barrier up blocking the Rainbow Bridge and Mom’s there with something and what tossed you like that?” She circled around to Celestia’s front, holding her arms up and waving them about. “Come on, dammit! This is...” Her voice trailed off as she stood mere inches from Celestia’s muzzle.

Tears streamed down flushed cheeks. Celestia’s barrel heaved. “I can’t do anything,” she confessed. “I made contact with what was with Megan.” She leaned her head down, bringing her muzzle close to Danielle’s ear. “It was me, Danielle.”

Danielle leaned back. “What?”

The alicorn cantered back slightly, giving Danielle more room. “Or some version of me,” she continued. She circled around, hooves making small craters in the dirt. “I saw her standing there. She looked over her shoulder at me and I felt the power in her.” She looked up at Canterlot in the distance, hanging off the side of Mount Eohippus. “I can’t do anything alone. I need Luna, possibly Cadance as well. But right now? I... can’t breach the barrier over the Rainbow Bridge.” She hung her head. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

Danielle stood there, hands clenching. “Mom’s over there with some... other you.” Her body shuddered. She wrapped one arm around her torso and wiped her eyes with her free hand. Her shoulders heaved and she stomped the ground. “And I can’t do a damned thing here!” she shouted, throwing her arms into the air. They dropped back to her sides, dangling loosely. “I’m not a hero like she is.”

Celestia’s mane began flowing once more. “No, Danielle. You’re not a hero like Megan.” She waited for Danielle’s head to lift before continuing. “You’re a hero like yourself. Or should I remind you of all the things you’ve done over the past year?” She held up a foreleg and waved it at the young woman. “Not like we’ve got time for reminiscing,” she said, a ghost of a smile on her muzzle. Her expression hardened. “We can’t lose our heads, Danielle. As much as I’d like to, and as good as it felt earlier, right now we both have to focus on breaching the barrier and rescuing Megan.”

Danielle leaned to her left, looking past Celestia and down the road. “B-but what if...” She waved her hands about, her voice failing.

Celestia reached out with a foreleg and patted Danielle on the shoulder. “She’s all right. I can feel it, Danielle. This other Celestia, she has no intentions of killing Megan. And Megan’s been in far worse situations.” She looked over Danielle’s shoulder, down the road. “But we still have to hurry.”

“Okay,” Danielle said. She paused. “Wait, ‘we’?”

The alicorn’s golden regalia glowed, spreading out from her chest and spreading around her barrel, withers and back and forming a saddle. She knelt and spread out a wing. “Yes, we. Now come on!”

Danielle smiled. She grabbed the saddle’s pommel, slid her toes into a stirrup and slid up and over, landing in the seat. Celestia reared up, spreading her wings and launching herself into the air, setting on a direct course for Canterlot.

Earth, a few minutes before

Megan’s eyes hardened at her cell phone’s destruction. “You’re not Celestia. I have no clue what’s going on, but you’re not Celestia!” She stepped forward, fists clenched. “Just who are you and what did you do with my friend?”

The ‘other’ Celestia regarded her, eyes slitted. “I have merely blocked her from interfering. And I am Celestia, dear Megan Richards.” She glanced back over her shoulder at the sealed Rainbow Bridge. “Your ‘other’ Celestia will not be showing up, I’m afraid.” Her horn glowed and the beaker floated towards Megan. “And with you, the ponification of humanity begins.”

Megan’s eyes locked onto the beaker. “The ‘ponification’ of humanity?” She looked to Celestia. “Okay, keep that thing away from me!” she shouted, holding up her hands.

Celestia shook her head. “It’s so rare for humans to see when something better comes along.” She floated the beaker back to her side. “Tell me, Megan. Do you long for a day of no pain, of no conflict or hatred? Do you wish all of humanity to be able to unite as one?” She tilted the beaker from side to side. “I can help you with that. I want to help you, to lift you away from all this and grant you and all of humanity a better future.”

Megan’s eyes moved to the beaker, then back to this Celestia. “Well, thanks? But humanity’s pretty good right now. We’re not perfect, but we’re getting better.”

Celestia snorted. “‘Better’ is a relative term, my dear Megan. Your species is still divided along political lines. There are still wars between nations. You’re over-reliant on technology.” The last word was virtually spat out, her muzzle contorting. “With this potion, I can cure you of your ills. All you have to do is drink it.”

There was a pause. Megan slowly shook her head. “Thank you, but no. I've never solved my problems the easy way. Well, almost never,” she corrected, a brief smile flashing over her mouth. “But no, the struggle is best for me. It’s best for humanity. We’ll overcome our own problems without some magic potion, thank you.” She spread out her arms. “Listen, I’m sure you’ve got the best of intentions, but this isn’t really for us. Please take down whatever it is you’ve got over the Rainbow Bridge. I have friends and family there.”

The alicorn’s eyes narrowed. “This is for your own good, Megan Richards. Not just for you, but for your entire species.” She sighed and her horn lit up. “I must remember how difficult it is to see one’s own faults. Lesser ones must be guided to the right decisions.” Her expression softened and she smiled. “Please remember, I do this for your benefit, Megan. You’ll soon thank me.”

Megan’s body suddenly twitched. Her shoulders jerked back, but her limbs refused to move. She rose into the air, stopping when her own head was level with Celestia’s. Her head jerked away from the beaker, but it slowly turned back and her mouth was telekinetically forced open. Her head twitched as the beaker floated up to her mouth, tilting over and spilling the rainbow-colored contents into her mouth. It sloshed around a bit, but every drop was forced down.

Celestia let out a sigh. “And thus Discord is proven wrong,” she said. “And another version of humanity is given the gift of ponykind.” She lowered a coughing and sputtering Megan back to the grass. “In a few seconds, your former life as a human will be but a dream.” She leaned down. “I wonder what you’ll be. A pegasus? A unicorn? Maybe an-”

Megan threw her head back, letting out an ear-piercing scream. She dropped to her knees, leaning forward and wrapping her arms around her stomach. She toppled over onto her side, rolling around and still screaming in incoherent pain.

Celestia stepped back, wings flaring out. “What the feather?!” she exclaimed. Her head whipped around, mane flaring out behind her head. “Why are you in pain? No newfoal has ever done this before! What is... going...”

Megan by now had rolled onto all fours. She leaned back and held up her hands. Her fingers began fusing together, a wall forming over them. “Wha-wha...” Her arms spasmed, bones reshaping themselves. Her entire body began growing, her skin changing to a dull orange even as her clothes ripped apart and shoes split. Her lower legs swung forward, a sickening crunch sounding out.

Celestia’s eyes became the size of dinner plates. “What is going on with you?! Newfoals don’t grow! Why are you growing?”

Megan’s face elongated, stretching out. Her eyes widened even as they looked down at her new muzzle. Her cries of pain had ceased, to be replaced by panting. She held up what was once a forearm, now a foreleg, looking over the hoof, the knee and elbow. Skin bulged near the croup, bursting out with a blizzard of feathers into wings.

Celestia snorted. “A pegasus, very well. A rather large one, but all right.”

The wings unfurled, revealing feathers along the primary coverts, but a thin, shiny, translucent membrane where the secondary coverts would be, glowing in the sun. A tail sprouted, swishing about. Tiny scales formed along her forelegs, right above her fetlocks and below her elbows. Her eyes crossed again, this time looking up as a long, spiraling horn sprouted from her forehead. A low moan escaped her lips as her eyes spun. Her flanks lit up, sparkling as the image of a rainbow against a black background appeared. After a full two minutes, Megan stood on four hooves, head ducking low as a long, glowing mane of gold trailed behind. She blinked and slowly raised her head. “What did you do to me?” Her head shot up and her eyes glowed. “Answer me!” she shouted, the ground rocking slightly.

Celestia’s right eye twitched, but she met Megan’s glare. “I improved you, far beyond what even I thought was possible.” She swallowed. “An alicorn, representing earth pony, pegasus, unicorn, flutter and sea pony, with a cutie mark. Neither thing should be possible, let alone both.”

Megan’s lips curled back. “I’ve been defying the odds since I was about thirteen, ‘Celestia’. Do you... think... “ She suddenly groaned, her head swaying back and forth. “What are you... are you..” Her eyes widened, turning glassy.

Celestia’s eyes turned all-white. “The potion flows through you,” she intoned, voice echoing. “I control the potion. Therefore, I control you.” A low chuckle came from her lips. “Equestria is still saved, and Discord is still wrong. Now come to me, Megan Richards... or perhaps Rainstorm? Prism?” She waved a foreleg at Megan. “Come to me, and take your place by my side as we both save humanity from itself.”

Megan trotted forward, swaying slightly. Her head hung low and her mane and tail hung limp. She turned to her left as she approached Celestia, swinging around and standing by the white alicorn.

“Princess Celestia?”

Megan’s head shot up. Her eyes regained focus as Michelle Richards entered the backyard, a bag slung across her shoulder and a wide-eyed expression on her younger daughter’s face. “No,” she spoke, the word clear as crystal.

Celestia cantered to the side, horn glowing. “What?” she exclaimed. She looked to Michelle and another vial of potion appeared. “Of course, your daughter. With her by your side as another-”

A rippling pulse of telekinesis slammed into Celestia’s flank, throwing her into a shed and leveling it. Megan was suddenly by Michelle’s side, a shield flowing up around her. Megan dipped her head and looked into the young girl’s eyes. “Bubble, squeak and coming to call,” she said.

Michelle’s mouth dropped. “Mommy?” she said, recognizing the code both parents had taught her. “How did you become a pony? What’s Princess Celestia doing?”

Megan leaned her head forward and gently brushed her muzzle against Michelle’s cheek. “It’s not Celestia, honey. I don’t know who she really is, but it’s not Celestia. Don’t worry. I’ll get you out of-”

The remnants of the shed exploded, sending out shrapnel that ricocheted off Megan’s shield, leaving a glowing Celestia standing there. “You will NOT defy me!” she shouted. The edges of her mane and tail began flickering, puffs of smoke coming from them. She slowly extricated herself out of the wreckage, every step igniting the grass. A hot white light blazed from her eyes and her horn was wreathed in energy. “I am Celestia, and you shall not-”

Megan and Michelle were suddenly enveloped in a sphere of violet light. When it faded, they had vanished, leaving Celestia there. “-leave.” Her nostrils flared and she dug a hoof into the ground, digging up nearly a half foot of dirt. The otherworldy glow around her faded as she took several deep breaths. “I must remain calm, for everypony’s sake.” She looked back to the barrier and the portal that led to New Equestria. She narrowed her eyes in concentration and it slowly began to grow, the barrier protecting it also inching forward. The crystalline web touched several bits of debris from the shed and the swing set. Every bit touched by the barrier turned to vapor, disintegrating with its advancement. Celestia looked upon it, and nodded in satisfaction as her work began.

Spike stared up at the rather large piece of construction equipment, a yellow bulldozer.. His eyes widened as he stepped up to it. He wore a modified hardhat, with a gap on top for his scales to poke out of. He looked up at his companion - Mike Richards, Megan’s husband. The two were standing in a field, a large pit a few meters away and various other pieces of construction equipment and supplies there as well. But aside from the materials there, they were alone. “So, you know how to work this thing?” he asked, waving his claws at it.

Mike nodded. “It’s what I usually operate at sites.” He turned and motioned to the pit. “We’ll get the foundation poured in and set. Utilities will be made ready, too.” He looked down at Spike. “I’m glad we’re moving the old house instead of building a new one. Megan and I raised our kids there. Even though I never could get one of the kitchen cabinets to stop sticking,” he said, winking.

Anything Spike might’ve said was cut off as a violet sphere of light appeared next to them. It faded, leaving behind Michelle and an alicorn. The alicorn stumbled a bit, hooves tripping over themselves. Each step left a small hole in the dirt. “Can’t... get it out of... my head,” she said, finally steadying herself. She looked around, focusing on Mike. “Mike?”

Mike grabbed Michelle and pulled her over, stepping in front of Spike. “Who are you and what are you doing with my daughter?” he barked out.

Michelle looked up at her father. “Daddy, it’s Mommy. Something happened to her and turned her into an alicorn. It’s really Mommy, Daddy!”

Mike’s eyes narrowed. He locked eyes with Megan, clutching his daughter tight. “Those eyes... my god.” He stepped forward, raising his free hand and gently brushing Megan’s face. He looked her over, at her hooves, her scales, wings and tail. “What happened?”

Megan finally looked away. “At our house, Mike. There’s some mockery of Celestia there. She-she forced some damned poison or something down my throat and I just changed into this.” She lowered her head and closed her eyes. “God, it was the most painful thing I’ve ever been through. And she’s talking about ending humanity and turning us all into ponies because we’re chaotic and disorderly and evil.”

Mike wrapped his arms around Megan’s neck, hugging her tightly. Megan simply leaned into the hug, eyes closed. The two stood there for a moment, simply glad the other was there.

Spike crossed his arms and shook his head. “This is nuts. Another Celestia? One that doesn’t like humans? I don’t get it. What’s so bad about humans?”

Megan opened her eyes and gently pulled away from Spike. “I don’t know, Spike. We’re not perfect, by any stretch of the imagination. I have no idea what this other Celestia hates about us so.” She let out a groan. “No, NO! Get out of...” Her wings flapped and she leaned to her left. “She’s in my mind, though.” She screwed her eyes shut. “Get OUT!”

Mike grabbed Megan’s head and steadied it. “Megan, I don’t know what she’s doing, but you have to fight it. You can fight it. We’re here for you!”

Spike waved his stubby arms around. “Yeah, come on! You’re the Mag’ne, Megan! No two-bit Celestia imposter can stop you.” He glanced to Michelle. “Right?”

Michelle’s head bobbed up and down. “Right, Spike!” She looked to her mother. “Right?”

Megan’s eyes glowed once more. “No...” There was a flash of violet light, and all four vanished.

Autobot City

Perceptor toddled about his laboratory, moving from one of several large computer consoles to a large table in the center of the room. He looked down at the table and Twilight Sparkle standing next to a large, free-floating hologram of mathematical equations written in both English and Cybertronian. “So you see, Miss Sparkle, by utilizing fourth-dimensional computations and subspace scanning, we are able to accurately assess the motion and position of particles, bypassing the Uncertainty Principle and allow us to shift portions of our mass into a subspace pocket for transformation.”

Twilight Sparkle’s eyes darted back and forth as she took in the floating blue numbers, letters and symbols. She began hopping about. “Of course, of course!” She threw her foreleg into the air. “It all makes sense, Perceptor!”

One of the consoles began chiming, its monitor flaring to life. Text scrolled down one side while the image of a swirling vortex appeared on the other. Perceptor walked over to it, optic sensors brightening. He rubbed his chin in thought. “That’s odd.” He looked back to Twilight Sparkle. “Twilight, incoming unicorn-powered matter-transference!”

The unicorn cocked her head to the side. “Somepony’s teleporting in?” Her head darted about. “Who? Where?” She looked to Perceptor and cocked her head to the side. “Wait, you know how to detect teleportation?”

“Of course. It’s rather simple when you know what energy waveforms to look for.” He turned to the table just as a flash next to Twilight Sparkle heralded the arrival of Mike, Michelle, Spike and Megan. He leaned down, looming over the newly-arrived quartet. “A fourth alicorn! This is most unusual!”

Twilight Sparkle’s jaw dropped. “Wait-what-I just...” Her right eye twitched slightly as she trotted around the group. “What the hay?!” She stopped and looked over Megan. “You’re... who are you?” She looked to Megan’s cutie mark, then to her mane. She leaned her head in, forcing Megan herself to lean back. “Are you Cadance’s sister?” She looked to Mike, standing next to the alicorn. “Mike?”

Mike looked down at Twilight and massaged his forehead. “Twilight, this is... Megan.” He looked to his wife. “I’m not sure what happened. She just winked into existence with Michelle and then teleported us all here.” He swallowed. “Something changed her, but I’m not sure what exactly.” He reached up and gently stroked her mane. “But it is Megan.”

Megan nodded. “Thanks, Mike.” She looked down at Twilight. “Twilight, you have to listen to-”

“Wait, you’re Megan? How did this happen? Was it some sort of transmutation with magic? With a machine, some sort of combination?” Twilight Sparkle rubbed her chin. “Did-”

Megan’s wings unfurled and lit up. “Twilight, please!” she half-shouted, sending the unicorn stumbling back. Her cheeks colored. “Sorry. Still getting used to this a bit.” She held up a foreleg and looked it over. “Amazed I can even walk... OUT OF MY HEAD!” she screamed, tossing her head back and screwing her eyes shut. She stumbled back. “Sorry, Twilight. Anyway, long story short. There’s some evil version of Celestia at our house from some other Equestria. She’s blocked off the Rainbow Bridge - oh god, Danielle!” Her breathing turned ragged. “She’s still on the other side and... oh Mike I don’t know how she is!” Tears fell from her eyes and her entire body shuddered.

Mike wrapped his arms around Megan’s neck in another hug. “She’ll be alright. She’s our daughter, after all.”

Megan leaned into it and continued. “This other Celestia, Twilight. She wants to do the same thing to all of Earth and all humans. We’re... disorderly and chaotic, according to her. She pities us.” She motioned to her head with a hoof. “And I can hear her, in my mind. She wants me to follow her. She wants everyone to follow her.” She suddenly pulled away from Mike’s grasp. “I need to go. Now.”

Michelle swallowed, blinking as realization hit her. “Mommy, are you gonna be alright Can we help you?”?”

Megan leaned her head down and leaned her head against Michelle’s cheek. “I love you, Michelle. I just have to leave for a bit to sort myself out. You’ll be safe here.” She looked to Twilight Sparkle. “I know how crazy this sounds, but I swear it’s true, Twilight. She’s insane.” She looked up at Perceptor. “Contact the president. We’ve got to get everyone away from my house. She’ll turn them all into ponies and control their minds!”

Perceptor nodded. He looked to Twilight Sparkle, who had a confused expression on her face. “Twilight, Autobots have encountered alternate-quantum realities before. Our own Cliffjumper has been to one. If you will excuse me.” He turned, walking up to a wall-mounted monitor.

Megan shook her head. Her lips raised in a grim smile. “Someone has to have seen something by now. She wasn’t exactly the master of subtlety.” She let out a groan. “I have to go. Now.” She turned her head to Mike, tears in her eyes. “I love you. And I’m sorry. But if I stay here, there’s every possibility the other Celestia will make me do... things...” She sat back on her haunches and wrapped her wings around her head. “No, I won’t do that! I won’t hurt my... “ She suddenly rose to her hooves, eyes glassy. “I must help save humanity...” Her head jerked to the side, eyes on Michelle who stood there, lower lip warbling and fists clenched at her side. “I must save my family and friends from you.”

Perceptor returned to the table. “Fort Campbell has been alerted, but it will be some time before they can get anywhere. It will take upwards of an hour for them to mobilize.” He motioned to the hologram still floating with one hand and tapped a control pad with the other. The equations faded to be replaced by an overhead shot of a crystalline dome covering a plot of land and eating into two adjacent houses. “This is a direct feed from a Sky Spy satellite in orbit,” he said as everyone turned to look.

Celestia floated above the dome, wings spread far and horn a pillar of energy. Below was a scene of chaos, as people fled on foot, in cars or on bicycles. Police officers were on the scene, most directing the refugees as they fled their homes while others took up position around the dome. Police cars and vans drove up and down the streets while a pair of police helicopters flew about.

Mike shook his head. “My god. She’s serious!”

Spike rubbed his eyes. “If I hadn’t seen it myself... she’s nuts!” He crossed his arms. “But she’s not Celestia.”

Twilight Sparkle slowly walked up to the image. She raised a foreleg to the Celestia. “I didn’t want to believe you,” she admitted. “But that is Celestia, or some other version of her.” She turned and looked up at Megan. “But how? Why?”

Michelle and Spike simply wrapped their arms around Twilight’s neck. The unicorn leaned into the embraces, sighing. “Thank you.”

Celestia’s head shot back and she looked straight up, directly into the camera. Her eyes narrowed. Megan’s entire body trembled and she stumbled back. “No no!” She grit her teeth and twisted her hooves, digging into the steel table. She looked to Mike, then to Michelle, Twilight and Spike. Her horn flared and she disappeared.

Michelle broke the embrace, running to where her mother stood. “MOMMY!” she yelled, holding out her hands. Her shoulders heaved and she dropped to her knees, crying. “I want her back, Daddy,” she sobbed out. “And I want Danielle back too. Why is she doing this?”

Mike dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms around his younger daughter, hugging her. “We’ll get her back, Michelle. We will.”

Twilight Sparkle’s eyes narrowed. “Spike, stand back. I have to go get everypony else.”

Spike’s arms dropped to the side. “Wait, what?!” He looked Twilight Sparkle over as her horn lit up. “Twilight, can’t you use-” The unicorn suddenly vanished as she teleported away, “-the intercom?” Spike stared at the spot where his big sister stood a moment ago. His upper body leaned forward. “I hate it when she does that.”

Perceptor looked to Mike and Michelle. “I shall contact Lieutenant Commander Hernandez and make arrangements for your stay here, Mister Richards.”

Mike stood up and looked up at him. “Thanks.” He looked around the table, a bark of laughter escaping him. “I’m actually wondering why there aren’t guards here already.” He waved a hand around. “Don’t you have cameras or a security system?”

Perceptor chuckled. “The lab does, but I control it. Unless I specifically set off an alert or am incapacitated in any way, it does not activate. It saves on paperwork.”

Michelle looked to the hologram and the image of Celestia, still staring up at the camera. She quickly looked away, shuddering at the image. Spike took her hand. “Don’t worry, Michelle. Once Twilight gets the others together they’ll find a way to help out Megan and stop this impostor!” He paused. “I think. I hope...”

Chapter Five

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The White House

A quartet of Secret Service agents flanked President Clayton Abernathy as he made his way to the Situation Room. The former head of an anti-terrorist unit scowled slightly as he moved with purposeful strides, his entourage struggling to keep up with the sixty-five year old who still did fifty push-ups every morning. The group turned a corner and entered the Map Room on the first floor, a room dominated by a long table with people already sitting there. Several others stood around the table, talking amongst themselves or into cell phones. Monitors were mounted on the walls, some on, but most of them blank. All eyes turned to the President and everyone stood, conversations ceasing as he entered.

Clayton wasted no time. He sat at the head of the table, followed by everyone else, and leaned forward intently. “All right, I just got pulled out of a call with Premier Brekhov for... whatever's going on.” He looked to his right at General Tim Hollingsworth, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “Tim, what have you got?”

Hollingsworth, a somewhat heavy-set African American and former adviser to Clayton and his unit during the 80's, shifted slightly. He reached over and tapped a control panel mounted on the table. “I received reports from orbital monitoring stations a half-hour ago,” he said. A hologram projector built into the table's center glowed. A three-dimensional image formed of a crystalline hemisphere, with blue-white lightning crackling up and down it. At the apex was a miniature version of a white alicorn. Several graphs appeared next to the model, fluctuating wildly.

Clayton stood up, eyes fixated on the image. “My god,” he muttered. “What the hell am I looking at?” He leaned forward and squinted. “Is that... Celestia?”

A younger man in a green suit and thin tie stepped up to the table, adjusting his glasses. He had unruly brown hair and his eyes shifted from left to right. “W-we're not sure, Mister President,” he said. “All visuals match with her, right down to her cutie mark. Her thaumic energy signature, though, is a bit different.” He pointed at the dome. “It’s disintegrated anything artificial. Houses, concrete, asphalt have all been vaporized by it. And we can’t really scan the interior beyond visually. The growth’s almost stopped, though.”

Clayton looked up at him. “Thaumic, that means magical energy, right?” At the younger man's nod he looked back at the hologram. “So it's not her, Mister...”

“Albert Preston,” he said, grinning. The smile quickly fell away as he pointed to a graph next to the small hologram of Celestia. “It's difficult to explain, but while part of the energy is identical to what we know of the Princess, there's a separate part to it.” he shook his head. “Like there’s two thaumic signatures there. Or even more.”

Clayton focused on the image once more. “Wait a minute. Where is this?” A map appeared on the side, showing the state of Kentucky, the location of the dome and the city. “My god, that’s right in the middle of a city!” He looked up to Hollingsworth. “Tim, for the love of god tell me we’re evacuating all civilians out of the area!”

Hollngsworth nodded. He motioned to the map. “Local police and emergency response crews are already on the scene. The governor’s declared a state of emergency. Fort Campbell and Fort Knox are already mobilizing.” He paused, glancing away. “Mister President, they’re still a half-hour away from even reaching the area. This caught us pretty damned unawares.”

Clayton focused on a younger man in the white and blue duty uniform of the Earth Defense Command. “Lennox, report.”

General William Lennox, formerly of the United States Army, straightened to attention. He was younger than Clayton by nearly twenty years, with short brown hair and an expression that always seemed to border on the surprised. “I’ve got two squadrons of Phantom X-19’s scrambling from Autobot City and ground units mobilizing as well. The X-19’s should be there in ten minutes, if that.” He paused and looked at the hologram. “Although, I have no idea if I should give the order to engage once they reach this dome. I don’t know if Celestia here would swat them away like flies.” He looked to the end of the table, focusing on Clayton. “And I won’t risk those under my command like that, Mister President.”

Clayton returned the gaze. “I wouldn’t ask you to unless there was no other choice.” He looked to the hologram. “And right now, there is. Keep an airtight perimeter around it, Will. I want to see what this... ‘Celestia’ does next. But make sure they keep on their toes.”

Lennox nodded. “Thank you, sir.”

Hollingsworth pointed at the map of Kentucky as it floated next to the dome. “All right, now for the sixty-four thousand dollar question. I think we can all see where the dome’s epicenter is.”

Lennox spoke up. “Last report I was given, Michael and Michelle Richards were teleported to Autobot City. Twilight Sparkle and her fellow Elements of Harmony are there, too. Danielle Richards was still across the Rainbow Bridge in Equestria. I’ve sent teams to get Molly and Daniel Williams. As for Megan herself...” He hesitated. “According to his report, she was... magically transformed into an alicorn. Or at least something resembling an alicorn. And teleported her family there.” He rubbed his forehead, shaking his head slightly as everyone turned to him. “Hey, that’s what Perceptor said. And I trust him... most of the time.”

Albert’s eyes shifted. “Transformed?” He looked to the ceiling, his glasses sliding back. “That would be... difficult, at best.” He looked to Lennox. “And Perceptor said she was the one teleporting?” He suddenly straightened. “I mean-sir I-”

Lennox held up a hand. “Whoa, it’s all right, Preston. And yes, that’s what he said.” He took a step forward. “Why?”

Albert swallowed again as all eyes turned to him. “W-well, teleporting is a learned ability among unicorns at least. Although off the top of my head I don’t know about alicorns. I’d assume they’d have to be taught it. Also, such a transformation would require incredibly strong magic - most transformations are temporary, and reflect a pony’s special talent.”

Clayton tapped his fingers on the table. “Too many questions, not enough answers.” He stood up, anyone else sitting rising along with him. “Right now the priority is getting all civilians evacuated and resettled. The second priority is cordoning off that area.” He looked to Hollingsworth, then Lennox. “Tim, Will, coordinate your two groups to form a perimeter around that dome. I want a ring of trilithium steel around it, gentlemen. Am I understood?” At their acknowledgements he looked to Albert. “Albert, you’ll be by my side for a while. I want as detailed a report as possible on the dome, its effects and this Celestia. And I want it in twelve hours. We’ve got to know if this is really her.” He looked to the hologram and the miniature alicorn. “Although I’d bet the contents of my display case this isn’t her.”

Albert’s head bobbed up and down. “I won’t let you down, sir.” He turned, but stopped. “A-am I dismissed?”

Clayton half-smiled. “Yes, you’re dismissed.” He closed his eyes for a second. “All right, is there anything else I’m missing off the top of my head?”

Hollingsworth spoke up. “We need to call an emergency session of Congress, then inform the Security Council about what’s going on. I’d suggest calling Premier Brekhov back up and informing him of the situation, if he hasn’t already heard about it.”

“I’d also open up a real-time subspace communication channel to Iacon,” Lennox said. “I think we’ll be needing help on this one.”

Clayton nodded. “Good ideas, both of you.” He looked to Lennox. “Also, get me the Elements of Harmony to the Oval Office as soon as possible. I think I need to have a talk with Miss Sparkle and the others.” He looked around. “Dismissed.” And with that, he turned and walked off, his bodyguards forming up around him as he left.

An aide, tapping an earpiece, suddenly spoke up. “Mister President, there’s a news van broadcasting from near the dome.”

Clayton swung around. “Well, put it on!”

The aide nodded. He pressed a button on one of the monitors hanging from the ceiling and began scrolling through the channel selector. The image changed from a list of programs to a scratchy shot of the dome, with a news ticker scrolling across the bottom. A female voice came over.

“... not sure how the dome was formed. Police and emergency crews have evacuated most of the civilians from the area, and we have reports of army and EDC units moving in from Fort Campbell, Fort Knox, and Autobot City and-” There was a pause. The camera zoomed in on the alicorn at the apex of the dome. “Pat, Marsha, are you getting this? She’s speaking!”

Celestia’s voice boomed out. Even over the television’s speakers, it was loud and commanding. “I wish to speak with the head of your planet for negotiations! I guarantee safe passage as long as I am not attacked. I repeat, I wish to speak to the head of your planet! I will not speak with anyone else.”

Clayton crossed his arms over his chest. “Turn it off.” He let out a sigh. “Phil,” he said, addressing the aide. “Make sure Twilight and her friends are given every courtesy when they arrive, and apologize on my behalf for not being there.”

Hollingsworth’s eyes widened. “Clayton, you’re not seriously thinking of going there, are you?” He stepped around his chair and walked right up to the president. “There’s no way in hell you can trust her!”

Lennox spoke up. “I’m in agreement here, Mister President. You can trust her about as far as you could throw her.”

Clayton shook his head. “Sorry, but you heard what she said. The only way for me to get to answers is to go there and speak with her.” He leaned in close to his old friend. “I don’t like it any more than you do, but it might be our one chance to get the answers we need.”

Hollingsworth let out a sigh. He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Just be careful, Mister President. This stinks worse than anything.”

The President nodded. “I can smell it from here, too.” He reached out his arm and shook hands with Hollingsworth. “See you later, Tim.” And with that, he turned and left, the Secret Service agents forming around him.

Hollingsworth stared after his friend, his hand still extended. He closed it into a fist. “If there is a next time.”

Chapter Six

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Six ponies and one dragon sat on a table in the middle of Perceptor's lab. Mike and Michelle had been taken to VIP quarters to eat and rest. A holographic image of the barrier and white-coated alicorn floated before them. Rainbow Dash finally spoke. “Twilight... what in the bucking hay are we looking at?!”

Twilight Sparkle glanced to her right, at the pegasus, noticing that she was sitting on her haunches instead of floating in the sky. She looked back at the hologram, focusing on a series of numbers and graphs just to the right of the image. “It's some sort of barrier, Dash. Extremely destructive, too.” Her eyes narrowed. “The amount of thaumic energy being put out is immense!”

Applejack stood up and trotted over to the right of the hologram and looked up at the scrolling numbers. “Celestia's sakes, I cain't make heads nor tails o' these!” She looked to Twilight Sparkle. “Whare is this?”

The unicorn's eyes focused on a small map. She looked to her left and Perceptor, standing there but remaining silent. “Perceptor, is this hologram contained in magnetic fields for touch-sensitivity?” At his nod her horn lit up. The map expanded. Latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates appeared over an image of Kentucky. Twilight Sparkle's expression changed from intense to a mixture of worry and sorrow. “Oh, no. Herd no. Not there, anywhere but there!”

Applejack glanced at her friend. “Twilight, ahm not tha smartest pony, but that's where Megan and Mike's house was, I'm guessin'.”

Fluttershy's entire body heaved. She bit her lip as tears streamed from her eyes. “T-this is awful!” she cried out. Her head darted about to all her friends. “Why is she doing this? Princess Celestia would never do something s-so awful!” Her head dropped down and her eyes screwed shut. “I'm sorry,” she squeaked out.

Rainbow Dash and Rarity sidled up to their friend. The former draped a wing over Fluttershy's still-shaking withers and back. “Hey, it's all right,” she said, squeezing lightly.

Rarity wrapped a foreleg around Fluttershy's neck. “Indeed, darling. This has proven to be a most traumatic experience for us all. There's no shame in crying a bit.” She wiped her own eyes. “I... must admit a certain moistness to my own eyes. I hope it doesn't ruin my mascara.” She swallowed as Applejack turned and glared at her. “A joke, a joke!”

Twilight Sparkle rubbed her chin. “Megan told us that this isn't Celestia, Fluttershy. It's some other version of her.” She shook her head. “Although how the hay she became like this is... I have no bucking clue. We're talking massive personality drift here.”

Pinkie Pie spoke up. Her hair, while not fully straight, had lost some of its poofiness. Her coat was also a bit duller than usual. “Ah, I know I'm not normally the one to point out stuff like this. But if this dome thingie is over where Megan and Mike's house was...” She let her voice trail off to let the implications sink in.

Rainbow Dash sucked in a breath. She jumped into the air and flew up to the hologram, kicking at the air. “Oh my gosh!” she blurted out. She looked down at Twilight Sparkle. “Twilight, where's the Rainbow Bridge?” The pegasus landed, placed her hooves on Twilight Sparkle's shoulders and began to shake them. “Twilight, we're stuck on Earth!”

Twilight Sparkle's head whipped back and forth. Her horn glowed and Rainbow Dash's hooves were forced from her shoulders. She dropped back onto her haunches, her eyes spinning. “D-Dash...” Her eyes blinked rapidly, finally regaining a bit of focus. She looked over various numbers, occasionally tapping the hologram to bring up even more numbers. She finally looked up to Perceptor, her teeth grinding together in frustration. “How can I cut through the thaumic radiation to get proper sensor readings?! I'm getting massive feedback along a lot of channels, here.” She stomped a hoof as frustration built.

Perceptor slowly shook his head. “I am afraid that at current levels, the information we are obtaining about the interior is as optimal as possible. The interference seems to be deliberate, not naturally occurring. Otherwise there would be vastly more information at our disposal.”

Spike spoke up, catching everyone's attention. “Hey, wait a second,” he said, waiting for everyone to turn to him before continuing. “Isn't there some sort of time thing going on between here and Equestria if there's no bridge?” He scratched his forehead, ruffling his spines slightly.

Twilight Sparkle's eyes became the approximate size of saucers. “Oh, bucking horse apples!” She slapped a hoof against her forehead.

Rainbow Dash's ears twitched. “Wait, time's going faster there if the Rainbow Bridge goes kablooey, right?” At Twilight Sparkle's frantic nod, her eyes dilated and her wings flared. “Oh my gosh oh my gosh ohmyGOSH!” She jumped into the air. “All of our fam-”

Applejack reared up on her hind legs. Her teeth clamped onto Rainbow Dash's tail and she tugged, bringing the panicky pegasus to the plasteel table below. She spat out the multi-colored tail and stomped on the table. “All right, now wait just one cotton-pickin' minute!” she roared, catching everyone's attention. “Now, I know things don't look too good, but no sense in panicking and runnin' off half-cocked. We lose our heads, we'll be no good to nobody. We all get that?” At their nods, she turned away for a moment and looked to the table. “Jus... gotta put it in the back of our minds is all.”

Rainbow Dash patted Applejack on her shoulder. “Hey, like you just said. We gotta be strong right now.” She spun around. “Okay, so now what do we do?” She reared back on her hind legs and punched the air with her front hooves. “I say we go right over to this so-called 'Celestia and show her what the Elements of Harmony do when our friends get messed with!”

Fluttershy dropped down and covered her head with her wings. “Oh, no!” she squeaked out.

Rarity rolled her eyes. “Please, darling. I am fairly certain we'd be swatted away like fruit bats.” She motioned to her neck. “Besides, it's not like we have the Elements to combat this cheap knockoff.”

Twilight Sparkle let out a gasp. “That's it!” She trotted over to Rarity and the still hunkered-down Fluttershy. “Rarity, you're a genius!” she said, wrapping her forelegs around Rarity's neck in a hug.

Rarity blinked. “I am? Well, I suppose I am, at that,” she said, grinning. She looked at Twilight. “Although, pray tell, just what am I a genius at, precisely? For future reference, of course.”

Twilight Sparkle let go and turned on a hind hoof to look at Rainbow Dash and then Spike. “We're going to create a new Rainbow Bridge and go get the Elements!”

Spike blinked a few times. He exchanged a glance with Rainbow Dash, who wore a similar expression of confusion. “Wait, Twilight.” He held his hands up in the air, palms out. “We're not even fully sure of what happened up over the Everfree that day. W-we might end up burnt up or kicked into another dimension. Or worse!”

Twilight Sparkle's head swished back and forth. “It's not just us who have been affected, Spike. There's over a thousand ponies on Earth besides us.” She waved to the image of the barrier with a foreleg and grunted. “We have to open up a new path to Equestria, as soon as possible!” She walked up to Spike and leaned down, nuzzling him slightly. “Please?”

The baby dragon let out a sigh. “Okay, but you owe me a sack of emeralds when we get home.” He scratched the side of his head. “Hey, wait a second.” He looked up to Perceptor. “Are there any hot air balloons kicking around Autobot City?”

Perceptor's optic sensors flashed. “I'm sorry, what did you say?” he asked, scratching his head.

Twilight Sparkle let out a groan and rolled her eyes to the ceiling. “Perceptor, please focus! We're trying to recreate the Rainbow Bridge here, so we need a balloon for Spike and I to float in and Rainbow Dash to hit with a sonic rainboom!” She turned back to the hologram. Her horn glowed and lines of text began filling up sidebars. “Ugh, why no balloons? You've got anti-gravity this and that, but no hot air balloons?!” A few bits of her mane sprung out of place.

Rarity spoke up. “Twilight, my dear, perhaps you should focus less on getting this precisely like it was that day. I seriously doubt that the hot air balloon was really necessary to the creation of the Rainbow Bridge. I'm not even sure Spike is essential.” She looked to the dragon. “We should consider his safety, after all.”

Spike's cheeks turned beet-red, but Twilight Sparkle cleared her throat, getting everyone's attention once more. “Rarity, we have to make sure conditions are as close as possible to the original incident. So that means a hot air balloon!”

Applejack eyed her. “Don't that mean a dragon has to be shootin' fire at yah while yer hovering close to a forest?”

There was a pause before Twilight Sparkle's head drooped. “Okay, okay. Maybe I don't have to go that far.”

Applejack nodded. “Good tah hear.” She rubbed her chin. “Say, I recall there being a heap o' humans and ponies around studying tha Rainbow Bridge.” She looked to Perceptor. “Any info in that fancy computer of yours?”

Rarity spoke up. “Actually, now that I think about it, wouldn't we need permission before we try ripping a hole in space? I don't think Rainbow Dash can simply start zipping around and creating sonic rainbooms all over Autobot City's airspace.” She looked up to Perceptor, trotted up to the edge of the table and batted her eyes at him. “My dear Perceptor, if you could be so kind as to talk with those in charge and expedite permission for us to engage in recreating the Rainbow Bridge?”

Perceptor chuckled slightly. “My dear Rarity, there is no need for flattery on your account.” he turned to face one of the various computer consoles lining his laboratory. He tapped the side of his head. His optic sensors changed from blue to green and twin beams shot from them. They hit a light-sensitive sensor embedded right below the screen. “Computer,” he intoned, his voice going oddly monotone. “Transfer files in the folders labeled 'Inter-Dimensional Displacement' and 'Sonic Teleboom' to central table and holographic projector'.”

The holographic image of the dome and alicorn at the top disappeared, only to be replaced by two holograms. The first was the Equestrian side of the Rainbow Bridge, a simple hole in the sky right above the edge of the Everfree Forest. The other was the Rainbow Bridge on Earth, with the hole and solid rainbow trailing down into the backyard of Megan and Mike's house. Schematics and numbers scrolled down all around them.

Twilight Sparkle's eyes widened and her mouth dropped almost to the table itself. She reached up with a hoof. “This is... by the Herd, Perceptor. Approach vectors, energy emissions...” She reached up with a hoof, tentatively poking at the magnetic field surrounding the hologram. Her horn glowed and windows began opening up.

The door chime sounded. Perceptor's head turned. “Enter,” he called out.

The door opened and a cargo truck rolled in, one with four benches running the length of the bed. An EDC soldier was in the driver's seat with Marie Hernandez sitting right beside him. She opened her door and leaned out. “Twilight Sparkle!”, she called.

Twilight Sparkle trotted over to the edge of the table. Her horn glowed and she disappeared, reappearing on one of the benches, behind Marie, then looked up at her friend. “Commander Hernandez?”

Marie turned to face her, letting her legs hang out of the door. “Twilight, the President of the United States has 'requested' that you go to Washington DC,” she said, making quote marks with her fingers at the word “requested”.

Twilight Sparkle let out a sigh. “And by 'requested' you mean ordered, right?”

A sigh escaped the EDC officer. “Autobot City itself is on High Alert and a state of national emergency's been declared.” She looked up to Perceptor. “Sideswipe is organizing a task force to head north to Kentucky, and Jazz wants you in Central Command ASAP.” She tapped her temple. “You might wanna turn on your internal comm a little more often.”

Static erupted from Perceptor's vocalizer, causing everyone in the room to wince slightly. “My apologies, Commander Hernandez. It must have slipped my central processor.”

Pinkie Pie blinked rapidly. She looked up to Perceptor. “B-but you've got a computer for a brain and how does that work?” She tilted her head to the side, continuing around for a bit. “I mean, can't you just-”

Applejack jammed a hoof into the pink pony's mouth. “Not now, jus... not now.” She removed the hoof and trotted to the edge of the table. “Twilight!” she shouted. “Yah might wanna tell 'er about yer plan!”

Rainbow Dash spread her wings, hopped up and flew down to the floor below. She motioned to Twilight Sparkle with her right wing. “Twilight and I have a plan to bust through to Equestria. After we do that, then we can go to Washington.”

Marie's eyes widened. She looked to a rapidly-blushing Twilight Sparkle. “I'm sorry, what?” she asked, straightening back up.

Twilight Sparkle's ears folded down. She cleared her throat. “With the Rainbow Bridge either blocked or outright destroyed, we're trapped here on Earth along with a lot of other citizens of Equestria. It's imperative that contact is reestablished as soon as possible. Not only for us, but for humanity as well.” Twilight looked away as she continued. “This other 'Celestia' or whatever the hay she is has already harmed Megan in ways I can barely understand.” She looked up and locked eyes with Marie. “And I feel the real Princess Celestia can help, not only with Megan but stopping this other alicorn.”

Rainbow Dash nodded. “That's telling it,” she said, grinning.

Twilight Sparkle glanced to her friend. “But that's not all of it to tell, Dash.” She turned and motioned to the table and holograms. “There's a lot of information you and I have to go over. Some of the information there I'm not too sure of.” She waved off Rainbow Dash even as the pegasi's wings unfurled and her mouth opened. “I'm serious, here! I do not want to rip some hole into yet another Equestria. We need to get this right the first time.” She stomped a hoof onto the floor for emphasis, wincing slightly from the impact.

Rarity trotted over to the table's edge and looked down. “Twilight is right!” she shouted. “One must pay attention to the details on such a monumental undertaking.”

Rainbow Dash let out a groan and rolled her eyes. “Oh, all right!” she groused, frowning.

Rarity smiled, but her expression changed to one of fright as she caught eye of the distance from the table to the floor. “Twilight, could you be a dear and teleport us down to the floor?” she asked, batting her eyelashes.

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Herd's sake, Rarity! We can't jus' rely on Twilight or Trixie tah teleport us from here to thar!” she exclaimed, waving a foreleg from side to side.

Twilight Sparkle chuckled slightly. “It's no problem, Applejack.” Her horn glowed brightly and the tip flashed. Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Spike disappeared from the table, only to reappear right in front of the unicorn and pegasus. “See? No problem at all!”

Marie cleared her throat, getting everyone's attention. “Now, if there's nothing else, we've got to get you to Hangar Nine.” She motioned to the benches on the truck. “We have all your personal belongings loaded up for you already, so no need to go to your rooms for anything.”

Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Spike all climbed into the bed while Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash leapt into the air and took up flanking positions along the carrier.

Perceptor walked up to the group and knelt down. “Wait,” he said, holding out his right hand and extending his index finger. The tip opened up and a comparatively-tiny claw emerged, clutching a small tablet in its pincers. “I have downloaded all relevant datatrax to this,” he said.

Twilight Sparkle smiled up at her friend. The tablet glowed and floated over to her. “Thanks, Perceptor.” Her expression hardened. “Rainbow Dash and I will be sure to put this to good use!”

Chapter Seven

View Online

Kentucky
A small convoy barreled down a residential road, a quartet of Humvees surrounding an armored limousine. A pair of police motorcycles with flashing lights, one to each side of a Humvee in the middle, completed the group. The convoy slowed down as it approached a police station that had been commandeered to serve as an emergency command post.

Inside the limo sat President Abernathy, surrounded by Secret Service agents. A small pedestal was in front of him, the three-dimensional image of Russian Premier Ivan Brekhov floating above it. “I am not happy with you going to confront this being,” he said, his lips curling upward. “It is far too dangerous and foolhardy, Clayton.”

A sigh came from the President. “I know, Ivan. But right now, it's our best best chance at getting information from this... thing. You heard what she said. She'll only talk to the 'head of the planet'. And right now, I'm the closest world leader for her to have a chat with.” A sardonic smile crossed his lips. “Although I'd give anything to have you by my side, old friend.”

Ivan snorted, but his left eye softened. “You are soft in your old age, Hawk.” He paused. “Then so am I, tovarysh. I've already talked with Iron Bear and the rest of the Ministry of Defense. We'll be coordinating with Hollingsworth and Lennox as best as possible and will have units standing by for support.” He chuckled. “Now perhaps we can test the Geneva Accords!”

Clayton let the ghost of a smile form. “Perhaps, but hopefully we won't need help.”

An agent touched his earpiece. “We've arrived at the police station.” Agent Smith said a moment later.

Clayton nodded to him. “Thanks.” He looked to Ivan's holographic image. “I will talk to you later.”

The limo door opened, allowing Clayton and his detail to emerge in front of the police station. A pair of EDC soldiers stood at the top of the stairs that led to the entrance, each one armed and armored. They snapped to attention as Clayton walked up the stairs and through the entrance, the President saluting them as he passed inside.

Inside was a scene of barely-contained chaos. Soldiers and police officers alike moved back and forth through the front lobby, some pausing at desks but most running about. The chaos died down somewhat as people began noticing the new arrivals, quickly pushing back to give them space. The agents formed a human barrier around Clayton and the group made their way through to the front desk and the secretary sitting there. “Agent Smith, lead agent of the president’s protection detail.” As he spoke, he pulled out an ID card and slid it across the counter.

The secretary took the card and looked it over before handing it back. She glanced over at Clayton and swallowed. “Glass door, first on the right,” she said, leaning over and pointing the way.

“Thank you,” Smith said, inclining his head to her before taking back his card. He led Clayton and the other agents down a short hall to a glass door and partial wall. Inside stood three people in front of a wall-mounted map of the local area. The first one, Chief Harold Michaels, was a tall, well-muscled police officer with dark skin, his black hair cut to a sharp buzz and wearing the gray duty uniform of the Kentucky State Police. The woman right beside him, Commodore Marissa Faireborn wore the white uniform of the Earth Defense Command, with shoulder-length brown hair a touch longer than regulation and pale skin. The final one standing there, General Bat Madison, was clad in the combat uniform of the United States Army, with a shaved head and tanned skin.

Smith knocked gently on the door, waiting for the trio to glance over at him before opening it up and walking in. Clayton followed, walking right up to them while two of the agents waited outside by the door. The three spun around, snapping to attention. Bat and Marissa snapped off a salute, which Clayton quickly returned. “At ease.” he said. His eyes went to each of the three. “All right, let's dispense with any formalities.” He walked up to the map. “What's the situation?”

Chief Michaels spoke up and motioned to a circle drawn on the map. “We're evacuating all residents and civilians out of a five-mile radius from the dome,” he said in a rather deep voice. “I've called in every off-duty officer available and we're converting every available building into shelters for those who need it, but it's been chaotic at best.”

Bat spoke up. “Every member of the National Guard has been called to active duty, and by the last report I’ve received, Fort Knox is sending combat engineers to assist in the evacuation while their training units gear up for combat. Their tanks will be ready to move by tonight. The 101st Airborne at Fort Campbell is fully mobilized and sending out units to coordinate with EDC personnel in setting up roadblocks and moving as close to this dome as they can. Their airmobile artillery is already positioning itself around the dome, and the First Brigade is moving into position right now.” He pointed to several spots on the map. “We'll have the area covered and we'll be ready for almost anything.”

All eyes turned to Marissa. The brunette stepped around and up to the desk, where an onyx-colored dome and keyboard sat. Her gloved hands danced across the keyboard and the dome lit up, a holographic map of the area around the dome appearing. Smaller objects, barely more than smudges, appeared around it. She pressed her fingers against the hologram's 'edge', rotating it for a vertical view of the area. “We have two squadrons of X-19's in the air surrounding the airspace around the dome and an additional three at Autobot City on hot standby. Troop transports have been deployed and are moving down both major highways and backroads for maximum coverage. And finally, Jazz is organizing a battle unit of Autobots for support out from Autobot City.”

Bat let out a breath. “Damn, how'd you get deployed so quickly?”

Marissa let out a grunt. “The Earth Defense Command is tasked with the defense of humanity, General. We have to be ready to mobilize at a moment's notice for threats from without and within.”

Clayton held up a hand. “All right, thank you all for the information.” He focused his attention on the holographic map for a moment before focusing on the Commodore. “Marissa, I want the word passed down to everyone in the blockade. No one is to make any first move out there. It's gonna be hard enough talking with this... being without worrying about our side setting anything off.”

Harold crossed his arms and tilted his head down. “So you don't believe this is actually Princess Celestia?”

Clayton shook his head at the chief of the State Police. “I've met with her close to a dozen times over the past year. And this isn't her.” He glanced off to the side, bit his lip and shook his head. “I've got to find out what her intentions are. We've got no information and that is not good.”

Marissa's posture stiffened. “Mister President, I strongly advise against you going to her like this. It'll be difficult at best to protect you, even when we get all units into position around the barrier.”

Clayton nodded. “I know, but right now we're seriously hurting on information. Someone's got to get in there and find out what's going on. Now I could wait for Ivan to fly in from Moscow, but something tells me we can't wait that long.” He let out a mirthless chuckle. “And hopefully she has enough sense to realize killing me there would not be in her best interests, as it'd remove any restraint on your part.” His expression once again turned deadly serious. “I trust you'll be monitoring me.”

“We've got one of the meeting rooms converted into a monitoring room, with feeds from a dozen sky-spy satellites and drones,” Marissa responded. “If a fly sneezes, we'll be aware of it.”

The President nodded. “Good, good. All of you, good work so far.” He looked to Bat, then to Harold and finally to Marissa. “Make sure all the civilians are out and taken care of as best as possible. That'll be a lot off my mind during these 'negotiations'.” he said, making quote signs in the air.

Bat nodded. “We'll do our best, Mister President.”

“As will we.” Harold added.

“That's all I can ask of you.”

The Barrier

The presidential limousine approached the dome of energy, driving down an empty street and abandoned buildings. Over two dozen Phantom X-19's, the most advanced fighter produced by humans, circled around the dome, the teardrop-shaped stealth fighters maintaining an aerial blockade. The pure-white alicorn standing on the dome's apex stared down as it drove up, then stepped off of it. Celestia spread her wings and gently floated to the asphalt still intact in front of the dome. She silently waited and observed as the limo's doors opened, President Abernathy and the Secret Service agents emerging from it.

Clayton walked up to her and spread his arms out. “My name is Clayton Abernathy, President of the United States and representative of the people of Earth.” He motioned to the quartet of agents surrounding him. “These are my bodyguards. They've been instructed not to attack in any way, but they will defend me and themselves in case of hostile actions.” He pointed to the sky. “This area is also being monitored.” He focused on Celestia. “Now, then. If I may ask, who are you and what are your intentions?”

Celestia nodded. “These actions are acceptable, President Abernathy.” She craned her head back. “There are members of the Royal Guard in the barrier with a similar purpose.” She looked back to Clayton, spread her wings out and the tip of her horn lit up. “And as for identity, I am Empress Celestia, of Neo-Equestria. I am here to help.”

Clayton's eyes narrowed and his lips pursed. “'Help'.” he repeated. He leaned to his right and stared at the barrier, wincing slightly at the energy crackling over its surface. “May I ask what this 'help' is supposed to do, precisely?”

A smile slowly formed on Celestia's mouth. “Of course, Mister President. I am here to help you shed your human forms and evolve into ponies. I am here to help you cast off destructive technology and embrace the wonders of magic.” She looked to the sky. “I am here to usher forth a new age, a union of our people into one whole, a new day of harmony for all!”

Clayton's mouth formed a thin line and his brow furrowed. “I see,” he finally responded. He raised a hand and motioned to the barrier. “You've got a funny way of offering 'help' to us. You've destroyed property, personally assaulted a citizen of this country and have displaced thousands of people from their homes.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “And you're impersonating royalty. If this was Great Britain, that alone would be grounds for the death penalty,” he deadpanned.

Celestia's wings fluttered slightly, but she otherwise remained impassive. “I am not impersonating royalty. I am Empress Celestia.” She let out a growl and her mane flared. “And I do apologize for the inconveniences,” she said, waving a wing about at the damage, “but it is a necessary evil for the greater good and harmony that shall come soon. You'll thank me, Mister President.” Her gaze drifted around to the agents surrounding her verbal sparring partner. “You'll all thank me, in time.”

Clayton held up a hand. “Okay, one point at a time. The Celestia I know is a princess of Equestria, no 'neo' there at the beginning. We're allies with them.” He pointed at the dome. “That dome has not only cut us off from them, but it's an invasion of our territory. I'd like it gone. Now.”

Celestia turned her head and narrowed her right eye at the President. “You do not seem to understand. It's not surprising, but it's still disheartening. The dome shall not be removed from Earth until its mission is complete.”

The President's eyes shifted to the dome, looking it over and the surrounding area. His face paled slightly as he noted the wrecked buildings, the almost-perfect curvature to the chunks removed from them... “My god,” he muttered.

A smile lit up Celestia's face. “Ah, now you see!” She craned her head around and looked over her shoulder at it. “The barrier is my creation, under my total control. It destroys that which I wish seen gone, leaving pristine land ready for resettlement.” She flapped her wings. “As it grows, the portal connecting Neo-Equestria to Earth shall grow, allowing my land to claim Earth for its own and to bring harmony to your species.”

Clayton's hands clenched, his fists trembling. “Invasion,” he muttered.

Celestia's head whipped around, her eyes wide. “What? Oh, no!” She held up a foreleg. “It's not an invasion, simply a merging of your world and mine. That which is evil on Earth shall be purged, for the good and harmony of all.”

“Whether we like it or not?” Clayton countered. “That’s not being very harmonious. I don't recall asking for your help, or anyone else doing so, for that matter.

Celestia shrugged. “Children think only of themselves. Their selfishness stops them from acting in harmony with others, so they must be helped, even if they do not ask for it.”

“But we're not children,” Clayton replied. “And even if someone asked for help, that doesn't give you any right to impose your will on every other sapient being on the planet.” He began pacing back and forth, keeping his eyes on Celestia. “Your intentions may seem noble to your view, but your acts are aggressive and tantamount to a declaration of war. Again, I ask that you take down this barrier, allow us to reestablish contact with Equestria and reverse what you did to Megan Richards. If you cooperate, then some sort of relations might still be salvaged.”

Celestia's eyes narrowed. “And if I refuse?” she asked, lowering her head until it was mere inches from Clayton's face.

Smith and another agent stepped in front of her, but the former brigadier general waved them off. “If you refuse, then that is a declaration of war, no matter what you say it is or isn't. Given your actions against Missus Richards, you're on some damned shaky ground as is.”

Celestia's upper lip curled into a half-smirk. “I have the powers of a goddess, Mister President.” She motioned to the barrier with her left wing. “The barrier is unassailable by your technology. More importantly, I have the righteousness of my cause leading me on and the moral responsibility to help you. I will not stop until Earth is converted and cleansed of technology; until humanity is uplifted to pony form and united.” She stomped the ground, sending a minor tremor shooting through the ground and shaking both the buildings and the humans. Two of the buildings, already damaged, slid into the barrier, the detritus disintegrating as it struck the translucent and coruscating field of energy.

Smith's hand went for his jacket, but Clayton held up a hand and placed it on his forearm. “Not now,” he whispered. He focused once more on the alicorn standing before him. “So, that's it then? No negotiation, no compromise on this issue?” At her slow nod he let out a grunt. “Very well, then.” he held up a hand and extended three fingers. “Three days.”

Celestia blinked. “Three days?” She reached up and scratched her head with a hoof. “But there are no facilities for your conversion, no time for-”

“You don't understand,” Clayton interrupted. “I'm giving you three days to reconsider, withdraw this barrier, stop the blockade of the Equestria we're allies with, pay reparations to the people whose lives you've disrupted and change Megan Richards back into a human. Failure to do so or any aggressive actions taken on your part will result in a formal declaration of war between at least the United States and your nation, if not this entire planet and our allies.” His gaze drifted up. “And believe me, our allies are quite powerful and numerous.”

Celestia's jaw dropped and her eyes bugged out. She choked slightly before coherent words finally formed. “Y–you are threatening me?!” Her mane and tail both flapped and bolts of magic traveled up and down her horn. “A most unwise decision, Mister President.”

The old man shook his head. “It's not a threat, but a promise. Humanity's dealt with power-mad dictators, interstellar tyrants, ancient civilizations trying to 'reclaim' what they lost and even abominations that claimed to be gods. And that's just been the past four decades. Trust me on this, we will not back down from you or from your threats.”

Celestia snorted and rolled her eyes. “Ah, yes. And now you resort to threats and posturing. Like time and time again throughout your history, violence is the answer to everything for you.” She flapped her wings. “I'm trying to help you move beyond that, Mister President, to a more harmonious way of life. Can't you see?” She tilted her head to the side, her mouth drawing up in a smile.

There was a pause before Clayton finally spoke. “You're serious,” he muttered. He pointed to the ground. “You come here without warning, invade us, threaten us with genocide and then have the unmitigated gall to act shocked when we say we'll defend ourselves?” He slowly shook his head. “Unbelievable.”

A sigh escaped Celestia. “I should have expected this,” she admitted. “You're reacting quite similar to the ones I saved before. Sure, a lot of them saw the light and were converted, but-”

“Wait,” Clayton interjected, holding up a hand. “'Before'? You've done this... before? Where?”

A low growl came from the alicorn, but she continued speaking. “Yes, before. I saved an entire planet of humans from themselves.” She drew herself up straight. “Seven billion humans, Mister President, all straining under the yoke of their evil technology and their warped, twisted immorality.” She looked back down at him, eyes wide. “I couldn't simply let them be! I had to help them evolve, grow past what they were.” Her horn glowed and a small vial of rainbow-colored liquid popped into existence. “The vast majority were saved through this,” she said, looking the vial up and down as it shimmered in the sunlight. “With it, you and as much of humanity as possible will be changed into newfoals and saved from yourselves.”

Clayton stared at the vial, his face paling. “And you used this and your barrier to... wipe clean all traces of humanity from this alternate Earth.” His left foot slid back and he squared his shoulders, reflexes quickly reasserting themselves.

The vial suddenly vanished in a flash of light. “Do not fear,” she said, sweeping out her wings. “I need you to spread my message to all the people of Earth, so that they may prepare for their coming salvation.” She turned and looked to the barrier. “And things in Neo-Equestria are not quite ready yet, either.” Her head whipped back, her mane fluttering and billowing about. “But it soon shall be. Ponies work together, in harmony. You'll see. Eventually.”

Clayton looked her over, face a mask of stone. “I wish I had words,” he said, holding up his right hand and shaking his head. “The worst part is, you think you're right. That means you won't stop.” He turned, but a flash of sparkling light caught his attention. His head whipped around as a glowing vial emerged from the barrier, surrounded by a telekinetic field of magic. It flew at an agent, striking him, shattering and covering him with the iridescent potion. A strangled groan came from him as he shrank. His clothes bunched up as his skin changed to a light-blue shade...

And all hell broke loose.

Sergeant Leaping Blindly paced back and forth, glancing at the shimmering barrier and the humans beyond. His lips peeled back in a snarl as his empress haggled with them, showing her infinite mercy and patience. “Why does she not cleanse them right here and now?” he muttered, horn flashing on and off. With each flash, a vial of potions lid out of one of his saddlebags, sliding back in a moment later. “We can raise them up right here and now!”

Captain Shining Armor glanced back over his shoulder at the younger stallion. “We stay put, as the Princess has ordered,” he said. “She wishes to let them know what will happen to them, as a kindness.” He marched up to the subordinate, eyes never wavering from his fellow unicorn.” She could sweep the barrier over the wounded planet and be done with them, allowing our own Neo-Equestria to claim it. Instead, she gives them a chance they don't deserve.” He stopped right in front of Leaping Blindly and pivoted on a hoof to once more face the barrier, his eyes shining.

Leaping Blindly's eyes narrowed. His horn flared for an instant and all the vials in his saddlebags rattled. The one he was fiddling with shot out, flipping end over end in midair before finally flying at the barrier, passing right through. Blindly’s adam's apple bobbed up and down as he made out one of the humans being struck by it, changing into pony form. “Whoops...”

Shining Armor's jaw hung open for a moment before he slapped his forehead with a hoof. “Leaping Blindly, you're going to be on KP for about a year for this,” he growled. He spread his hooves out and his horn lit up, a force field springing up right in front of him. “All right, you foals!” he shouted, getting everypony's attention inside the barrier. “Thanks to Private Blindly, the situation has just escalated. Princess Celestia will need our help.” His eyes shifted back and forth as other members of the Royal Guard formed up, unicorns in front, earth ponies taking backup positions and pegasi hovering above. He scraped a hoof against the ground and lowered his head. “CHARGE!”

The police station, five minutes earlier
Marissa paced back and forth, hands on her hips and a scowl on her face. She, along with EDC and US Army personnel, were inside the hastily converted observation room. Technicians were hunched over monitors, each screen showing the meeting between President Abernathy and the alicorn from a different angle. Mounted on one wall was a large screen showing the entire area around the meeting.

Bat Madison walked up to her. The two were standing in front of the wall-mounted screen. “We've got four battalions of artillery being moved into position,” he said, pointing to nine blue squares. “We've airdropped M198 howitzers with railgun upgrades and have M113 carriers with mortars moving into position. The National Guard will place older-model M102's in position here, here and here,” he said, motioning at several squares on the map. “But they’re not fully mobilized as of yet. We'll get tanks on tractor-trailers and they’ll be transported down the highways.” He paused and let loose with a predatory grin. “The tanks are Abrams, all the M1A3 models. I'm not making any bets, but I think they can handle most of what's thrown at them. We're also scrambling other units from farther away, but it'll take time to get to Kentucky.”

Marissa held up a hand. “Never a good idea to count your chickens before they've hatched, General.” She looked to the screen and turned to face it. “In any case, we also have units moving in to surround the area.” She traced a thin red line leading in from Tennessee. “And Autobots are on their way as well. Unfortunately our best bets are currently unavailable.”

“The Equestria we're allied with?”

“Precisely,” Marissa said. Her head turned slightly as Harold walked through a door and made a beeline for the pair. “Chief?”

“All civilians have been evacuated,” he reported, looking at a clipboard in his hands. He looked back up at the two soldiers. “I've still got every officer I can out there patrolling for strays, and to keep looting and rioting down as much as possible.”

Bat nodded. “Your men did a hell of a good job, Harold. You should be proud.” He glanced to the monitor and squinted. “Hey, what's going on?” He raised a hand and motioned to an area near the barrier. “That part's... wavering?”

Marissa's head whipped around to the bank of computers and monitors. “Magnify grid...” She looked back to the screen, eyes tracing a row of numbers and a column of letters. “Magnify grid G-5 and enhance.”

Harold's right eyebrow arched. “I thought that could only be done in TV shows,” he remarked.

Marissa smirked at him as the image zoomed in, losing none of its clarity. “This screen doesn't have pixels,” she said, waving at it. “I could tell you the name of the imaging technique and technology used, but the last time I thought of it-” She stopped mid-sentence as a vial emerged from the barrier, striking a Secret Service agent. “what the hell?!” She turned on a heel and scrambled over to the monitors, leaning over a technician. “Put me through to Agent Smith.”

The technician flipped a switch and pressed three buttons, connecting the Presidential Detail’s head agent to the room’s intercom. “You're on,” she said.

Marissa nodded. “Agent Smith, I need a SitRep right now!”

Agent Smith's voice boomed out. “- back here, Roger! Roger, what in god's name...” There was a pause before he spoke again. “Commodore, Agent Jones has been... compromised. He has been exposed to some sort of substance and has been transformed into a quadruped, possibly an equine.”

A sudden shout drew everyone's attention. “General, send in an air strike and pound this area flat with artillery!” the President shouted. “she's planning on turning every human on Earth into a – a pony and wiping our entire civilization out! She's already done it to a parallel Earth and is coming for our own!”

Smith's voice came over again. “We're evacuating the President and-the hell?”

Marissa's head shot up in time to observe a group of ponies clad in plate-armor emerging from the barrier. “General Madison, please remind me what the absolute lowest limit is for military aircraft operating in United States airspace.”

“One thousand feet,” Bat responded. “but as of now, all minimum safe altitude limits are null and void over that area. And now if you'll excuse me, I have to call in an artillery barrage in a danger-close operation.” He touched his ear and the small comm unit in it. “Get me the artillery battalion’s CO. Tell him to be prepared to fire.”

Agent Smith's hand flew to his jacket pocket and he pulled out a slim, blue-tinted laser pistol. There was a mild hum as he disengaged the safety and the internal power generator cycled up. A small targeting reticule appeared on a HUD on the interior of his sunglasses, matching where the targeting scope on his firearm was. He let out a small breath as his friend and comrade of over fifteen years galloped over to the alicorn claiming to be Celestia and prostrated himself in front of her. He held up his pistol in a two-handed grip while slowly backing up, he and the other agents forming a human shield around President Abernathy. “Mister President, we're getting you out of here,” he declared, his eyes never leaving the armored ponies.

The President gritted his teeth and clenched his hands, the knuckle bones cracking. “Dammit, what the hell happened to Roger?” He craned his head up. “Roger!” he barked. “Snap out of it, man!”

Celestia's head shot up. “He does not follow you anymore,” she announced, her voice ringing out. “He is a newfoal, the first of many.” She looked back down at the prostrating pony, extended a wing and gently stroked his back. “Do not fear, little one. Your time of strife is at an end. Soon you and all of humanity shall know harmony in Neo-Equestria.” She looked to Shining Armor, standing at her side. “Captain, who threw that vial?”

Shining Armor ducked his head, keeping his eyes on the humans. “It was Leaping Blindly,” he said, motioning to a unicorn with crimson cheeks. “I've demoted him to the rank of private and will have him doing KP for the next year.”

“There's no need for that,” Celestia replied. “It was impulsive, but ultimately for the best.” She bent down and looked the still-prostrate newfoal over. “So what shall we call you, little one?”

“His name is Roger Jefferson!” Clayton shouted, face flushed red.

Celestia's eyes glanced up, locking onto Clayton. “Not anymore. He has shed his flawed form and has evolved into one that shall lead your people into a new golden age.” Her ears suddenly twitched. “Captain Armor, take the newfoal into the barrier, along with yourself.” She looked to the sky. “I feel the humans are about to show the one thing they have skill for.” She let out a tired sigh as she observed the President and his agents reaching the limo that brought him here. “As soon as he leaves, I have a feeling they'll begin attacking us.” She snorted, her nostrils billowing out and a cloud of steam emerging from them.

Shining Armor looked to them, his horn's glow intensifying. “I'm surprised his bodyguards held their fire.”

The alicorn shrugged. “Their duty was to get him away as soon as possible. I shall let him leave, to honor my half of the agreement. He did not attack me.” She looked to Shining Armor out of the corner of her right eye. “Now, don't you have somepony to get to safety, Captain?”

The unicorn's ears flattened against his skull. “Of course, your majesty.” He motioned with a hoof and a pair of earth ponies broke away, flanking the newfoal and leading him to the dome.

Celestia's wing extended. “Also, Captain, prepare the air wing.”

“Of course, he replied, ducking his head low. Shining Armor himself backed up, eyes never leaving the humans as they escorted their leader to their vehicle. The other Royal Guardsponies followed, eventually re-entering the dome.

Five seconds later, a shimmering trail appeared, heralding a high-pitched wail and the thump of a hypersonic bolt of metal impacting against the barrier. Several more impacts rang out from multiple directions, each one striking the dome and sending out waves of magical lightning and coruscating energy with each impact. A few struck Celestia directly, rebounding off her own personal shields.

Celestia rolled her eyes and slowly spread her wings out. “Very well,” she said, rising into the air even as teardrop-shaped aircraft approached, spitting out lasers and missiles at her and the dome. The tip of her horn flared and her eyes flashed golden. “If this is how you wish to behave, then so BE IT!”

A yellow beam of magic shot from her horn, flaring out and sweeping through the sky in a wide arc. It passed through the chassis of several of the aircraft firing at her, slicing them apart like a hot knife through butter. The aft sections exploded, sending the forward parts tumbling through the air to the ground below. A few canopies were blown off and ejection seats rocketed out, but most of them impacted the earth, scattering both plane and pilot.

Celestia let out a grunt as more shells, missiles and lasers impacted her personal shields and the dome below. “I wish I could've saved you all,” she muttered, “but my power is too low. I must... end this... NOW!”

She kicked at the air, leaning forward and shooting off to the nearest weapon firing at her, sonic booms echoing in her wake.

Sergeant Rebecca Winchester raised her binoculars as the fifth armor-piercing round from her team's M198 howitzer shot to the target. She let out a growl as the round impacted, doing no appreciable damage to the translucent dome. “Target hit, no effect.”

The rest of the crew let out groans and a few muttered swear words. The piece of artillery, airdropped into an evacuated parking lot near the barrier, had fired at the barrier when the order came in from General Madison, but no damage had been done to... whatever it was that had appeared and destroyed part of a residential neighborhood.

A voice from her right snagged her attention. “Sergeant, orders from the BC.” a soldier from the Fire Direction Center reported to her while handing her a scrap of paper.

Rebecca nodded, pausing to rub the bridge of her nose. “Thank you, Private.” She cleared her throat and touched a throat mike. “Load high-explosive rounds and repeat fires”

“I don't think you should do that. It's just a waste of your weapons.”

Rebecca's eyes shot up, catching sight of a white horse floating right above her, ethereal mane and tail floating in the air, wings slowly flapping in the air and a glowing horn sprouting from the forehead. She had barely enough time to reach for her sidearm before a vial flew at her, breaking apart and spilling some sort of liquid over her face and hand...

Marissa let out a groan as two more X-19's were destroyed. “Tell all aircraft to pull back,” she ordered.

A communications officer suddenly glanced up from her screen. “General, we've lost contact with artillery positions twelve, thirteen and fifteen.”

Before anyone else could respond, President Abernathy and his bodyguards walked in. Clayton walked up to Bat and Marissa. “Negotiations are off,” he declared, face an expressionless mask. “Not that they were ever on.” He straightened up and locked eyes with Marissa. “It's war against all of humanity.”

Marissa's eyes blazed. “Well, that is what the Earth Defense Command was founded to do.”

Bat, meanwhile, walked over to the comm officer who made the previous report. “Have you been able to reestablish communications with those positions?” he asked, crossing his arms.

The communications officer shook her head. “No, sir. And now their biometric data's going haywire!” She tapped her keyboard. “Now position fourteen's gone dark!”

A voice suddenly boomed out, commanding and forceful. “I have disabled four of your weapons platforms. Do not attempt any more attacks on the dome, or else.”

Bat glanced to the ceiling. “What did you do to the crew of those artillery units?” he growled out, hands clenching.

“I have freed them from their human form,” Celestia replied. “Even now they go to Neo-Equestria. Hopefully, as many as possible will join them. I go back now to begin preparing my little ponies for their new brothers and sisters. You shall hear from me very soon.” And with that, her voice fell silent once more.

Clayton swallowed. He leaned in close to his goddaughter. “Marissa, what space-based assets do we have in orbit?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Marissa slid a small datapad out of a pocket on her pants and tapped the screen several times. “The Enterprise, Repulse and Yokohama are currently in orbit for our battleships. We've got some destroyers in dock as well. Plus there's the Home Fleet.” She glanced up at him, eyes widening as realization set in. “Mister President, are you suggesting-”

“I hope to hell it doesn't come to that,” he said, holding up a hand. “But I need all options open.” He turned and focused in on Bat before glancing to Marissa. “General, Commodore, I'm heading back to Washington. Hopefully Mister Preston has something for me by the time I get back and Twilight Sparkle and her friends are there as well. I'll expect hourly updates from you. Anything happens, I want to know about it.”

Both Bat and Marissa drew themselves up to attention and saluted. Clayton returned it. “And godspeed to you and your soldiers. I swear, we'll get those turned back,” he said.

The communications officer touched her headset. “Mister President,” she announced,” there's a message coming in from the White House,” she said. “There's a message from Iacon.”

Clayton's head whipped around. “Can you patch it through to here?”

There was a pause before she nodded. “Putting it up on the main viewscreen now,” she said.

The wall-mounted screen's image faded and switched to the static image of the Autobot emblem. All eyes in the room turned to it as the head and shoulders of Optimus Prime appeared on it. “President Abernathy,” the leader of the Autobots said, voice grave and carrying nine million years’ worth of authority. “I apologize for not being able to talk to you directly. As of five minutes from now, Iacon-One has departed from Altihex with myself aboard. We are taking the fastest route to Earth in order to help aid you. Also, as per the Geneva Accords, all Autobots and Autobot assets in the Sol System are placed under Earth Defense Command authority to aid in the conflict.”

There was a pause as the Autobot leader glanced off to the side. “Clayton, my old friend. I do not know what this false Celestia wishes to accomplish, but by my laser core, by the Matrix, she will not succeed. I do not know what trials await humanity in the coming weeks, but the Autobots shall help those who helped us win the Great War and bring peace and justice back to Cybertron. This, I swear.” And with that, the image disappeared, to be replaced by an overhead view of the dome.

There was silence before a technician let out a small “Whoop!” Before long almost everyone in the room was cheering, thrusting their fists into the air or clapping.

After a few seconds, Bat held up his hands. “All right, settle down!” he barked, bringing the impromptu celebration to an end. “We've still got a lot of work to do. Get it in gear, people!”

Clayton, meanwhile, placed his hands on his hips and looked around. “Well, I say our chances just shot up a bit,” he said, chuckling slightly and looking around. “Bat, Marissa, keep me posted.” He turned to walk out, but stopped. “And General, keep the current forces held back until reinforcements arrive.”

Bat straightened up to attention. “Yes, Mister President,” he said, saluting.

Clayton returned the salute before finally leaving.

Neo-Equestria, outside of Canterlot
Shining Armor looked out into the landing field. He and two of his top guardsponies were standing on a balcony, right outside of Canterlot proper. His eyes swept over the five thousand pegasi standing at attention before him, all clad in armor and with saddlebags loaded with vials of potion.

He cleared his throat before speaking, using a minor spell his beloved sister taught him to project his voice out over the crowd. “You know what your mission is! You will be divided into teams and sent out to this new Earth, to spread the potion and convert as many as possible before the barrier and conversions bureaus are ready.”

He paused for a moment. “Many of you... might not return, but know this! Your deaths shall not be in vain, for you shall be saving an entire species from themselves!” He thrust a foreleg into the air. “Caelestibus inuictum!” he declared.

The pegasi all returned the salute. “Caelestibus inuictum!”

Chapter Eight

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Celestia sped through the sky to Canterlot, going as quickly as she dared with her passenger. Danielle's arms were wrapped around Celestia's neck, her head tucked down as far as close to Celestia's mane as possible. “Can't you go any faster?” Danielle shouted over the wind.

Celestia's head shook slightly. “Not without putting you in undue danger, Danielle. I can't even spare any magic to shield you against the wind.” her horn glowed and a roll of parchment and human-style ballpoint pen appeared, floating right in front of her. The parchment unrolled and the pen wrote across it before both vanished once more.

Canterlot quickly filled their vision as Celestia flew up to the tallest tower and a balcony jutting out from it. She touched down even as a half-dozen ponies walked out onto it, Chancellor Fancy Pants leading them. They all bowed as Celestia touched down and Danielle hopped off. “Your majesty, what is the emergency?” Fancy Pants asked. He straightened up, the roll of parchment hovering next to his horn.

Celestia kept walking, the others following her as she exited the balcony and entered the throne room itself. “I do not wish to say this multiple times, Chancellor. Time is already precious enough as it is.” She looked back to him. “I need to address the entire senate, as quickly as possible. It's a matter of the highest importance!”

One of the other ponies there spoke up. “An emergency session was called as soon as your message was received, but it will still be about ten minutes before they're all gathered. General Spanish Steel and Captain Shining Armor have both been summoned. Princess Luna's been roused as well.”

A booming voice from the room's entrance caught everyone's attention. “And I would be MOST interested to hear what's happened at the Rainbow Bridge, Celestia,” Luna proclaimed, entering the throne room herself. She walked up to Celestia and Danielle, eyes darting between the two of them. “Where is Megan?”

Danielle swallowed, shuddering a bit. “We... don't know what's happening with Mom,” she said, rubbing her temple. She waved Luna off even as the alicorn opened her mouth. “Luna, please just...” Her voice trailed off and she sucked in a breath. “Oh, god...” she muttered, finally dropping to her knees. “I just... we just...” She trailed off, tears streaking down reddened cheeks.

Celestia looked about. “Everyone but Luna and myself, please leave the throne room, guards included. Disturb us only when the Senate has convened.” Her eyes hardened as they lingered. “Go!' she barked, sending them trotting out. She waited for the guardponies standing by the door to leave before dropping down next to Danielle. “Danielle, it's alright. Let it out.”

Luna trotted over, joining the pair on the floor. She locked eyes with Celestia. “What has happened?”

Celestia returned her sister's gaze. “The Rainbow Bridge has been blocked. And there's something on the other side with Megan,” she stated, voice little more than a whisper. She raised a hoof even as Luna rose to her hooves and her horn glowed. “Luna, don't. We don't have anymore information beyond that. And someone here needs us right here and right now.”

Luna's eyes flashed, turning white for a moment. She glanced to the door leading to the balcony, then to Danielle sitting next to her. She unfurled a wing, draping it over Danielle's shoulders.

Danielle swallowed and wiped at her eyes. “Thanks,” she said, forcing a smile. “I'm sorry about this, you two.”

Celestia leaned forward and gently nuzzled Danielle. “I broke down a bit after we left the Everfree Forest, Danielle. It's taking pretty much all my will at the moment not to break down again.”

Luna's eyes shifted from Danielle to Celestia. “What precisely happened at the Rainbow Bridge, Celestia?” Her eyes narrowed. “Please, what has happened to Megan?”

The alicorn of the sun shifted her gaze away from her sister. Celestia's body trembled as she spoke. “We called up Megan to arrange lunch, but she was cut off by some odd noise. I flew up to the hole itself, but there was some sort of energy field blocking it.” A mirthless chuckle escaped her. “I tried kicking it, but to no avail. I peeked my head through it and saw...” She looked to Luna. “I saw me, or something that looked like me. She flung me back with an almost casual flick of her horn. There wasn't any way for me to breach this barrier, so I flew here for help and to begin planning... something.”

There was silence for a moment before Luna slowly nodded. “I see. Thank you, Celestia.” She sucked in a breath. “Danielle, how are you?”

Danielle wiped her eyes. She was no longer crying, but her body still shook. “I– I think I'm better,” she said, sighing. “Maybe this whole year's finally started catching up with me.” The young woman pursed her lips. “But Mom needs me. And I can't do her any good sitting here.” She planted her hands on the floor and began standing up, but a soft, golden glow enveloped her and she slid back down. “Hey, what gives?”

The glow around Celestia's horn faded. “Sit. You're in no real condition to go anywhere at the moment, Danielle. And I'm not leaving your side until either you're better or the Senate convenes.” Her horn glowed once more, two tea kettles and three cups flashing into existence on the floor. The first kettle floated, pouring piping hot tea into two of the cups while the other poured coffee into the third.

Danielle slowly reached out to the cup, picking it up and bringing it to her mouth for a sip. She lowered it and chuckled. “Chamomile, my favorite.” She took another, longer drink from it.

Celestia nodded as she drank. “I know my family.”

Luna smiled as she drank the coffee. “Indeed you do.”

The three sat there for a few minutes. The door opened and a hoofmaiden stuck her head in. “Your majesties?” she said, voice quavering, “the Senate awaits your presence.”

Celestia nodded to her. “Thank you, Featherful.” She rose to her hooves, Luna following right behind. She suddenly looked down to Danielle as she rose to her feet. “Danielle, what are you doing?”

Danielle's eyes narrowed even more than they usual. “I'm going with you. There's nothing I can do here.” Her eyes drifted to the two thrones and a stained-glass portrait behind it. “And... I don't know if there's anything I can do there, either,” she admitted, blushing, “but there's more of a chance there than here.” Her hands balled into a fist and she sniffed. “And I don't want to be alone here, either.”

The two alicorns shared a glance before trotting over to Danielle, Luna on her left and Celestia on her right. “Then let us go,” Luna said. Her horn glowed and the main doors opened, allowing them to exit.

The Senate Hall was a scene of minor chaos as senators chattered back and forth, some of them pounding tables for emphasis or because it was a good release. Members of the Royal Guard, stationed at the exits, looked around, pawing at the tiled floor in either confusion, nervousness or both.

Cadance, Shining Armor and Spanish Steel all sat at the front with the Cabinet itself, aides flanking Shining Armor and Spanish Steel. “So... any clue what's going on, Shiny?” Cadance asked, eyes shifting from left to right.

Shining Armor shook his head. “No clue. I just received orders to mobilize the entirety of the Royal Guard and report here.” He turned his head to Spanish Steel, who was staring straight ahead. “General, anything?”

The pegasus shook his head. “I received the same summons as you did, Captain. I also received orders from Chancellor Fancy Pants himself to mobilize the Armed Forces.” He hesitated for a moment. “There are scattered reports of problems at the Rainbow Bridge. Nothing fully substantial, but most of them confirm each other.” He looked to his right. “Hopefully the good chancellor will have answers for us.”

There at the front stood Chancellor Fancy Pants, banging a gavel on the speaker's lectern. His monocle floated about, his head following as he scowled. “Order, I say, order!” he bellowed. He whinnied and nickered. “Not a good show, not at all!”

The commotion quickly fell to a hush as Celestia, Danielle and Luna strode in. The senators bowed their heads as the three walked up to Fancy Pants, who not only bowed but backed away. Celestia bowed her head to him. “Thank you, Chancellor.” She took her place at the lectern, Luna to her right and Danielle standing slightly in back. “I apologize for the abruptness of this, but time is growing short, or may have run out already.

“Luna and I were to have lunch with Megan Richards today. However, something has happened to her.” She paused as murmurs swept through those assembled. “While I was speaking with Megan, something appeared in her front yard and erected a barrier around that end of the Rainbow Bridge. I flew up to the hole itself and saw something through it.” She paused and ruffled her wings. “Something that looked almost exactly like myself. I could feel immense magical power coming from her. I attempted to bring the barrier down, but was tossed away by it... by her.”

Quiet murmuring swept the room. An earth pony by the name of Busy Body slowly raised his foreleg. “Princess, this news... the Mag'ne is in danger?” the minister of economics asked, eyes wide. “Earth is threatened by this... doppelganger of yours?”

Another voice spoke up. “If there is some alternate Celestia, could there be other alternate ponies? Maybe some... alternate Equestria entirely?”

“If that's the case, then there's probably an entire population there!”

“What do they want with Earth? Are they just using it to get to us?!”

“What of those on Earth while this happened?”

Shining Armor and Cadance exchanged a look. “Twiley and her friends are on Earth!” they exclaimed, their breath hitching in their barrels.

Squabbling broke out among the senators. Luna glanced to Celestia. “I do not recall the Senate being so... unruly,” she observed. Her eyes glowed pure-white, the tip of her horn sparked and a small thundercloud formed near the ceiling, rumbling. “ENOUGH,” she commanded, the force of her voice sending the first row tumbling back. “We do not have time for this,” she continued, stomping a hoof on the floor and cracking the tile. “All we have at the moment is the barest of information concerning what is going on. We cannot descend into panic when there is much to do and almost no time to do it.” Her piercing gaze swept out across the chastened senators. “Now then, we need a plan of action.”

Danielle suddenly spoke up. “More importantly, we need information.” She stopped as every eye turned to her, blushing crimson. “I mean to say –“

“You're completely right, my dear,” Fancy Pants said, nodding to her. He looked to Celestia. “Isn't there a... Time Pony or some such in Ponyville?” His brow wrinkled and he rubbed his chin with a hoof. “Some sort of medical pony?”

Celestia glanced to Danielle and motioned to her with a wing. “Doctor Whooves is his name, but I do believe Danielle's gotten to know him and his family quite well over the past year.”

Danielle stepped forward. “If there's anyone in Equestria who can figure this barrier out, it'd be him.”

Fancy Pants' head bobbed up and down. His horn glowed and a quill floated over to a sheet of parchment on his lectern. “Danielle Richards, I am sending you to Ponyville to enlist Doctor Whooves' aid,” he said as he wrote on the parchment. “Normally I'd be a bit less direct about this, but time is of the essence.” He finished writing. The scroll rolled up and floated to Danielle, who grabbed it. “Here is authorization for a direct flight to Ponyville via the Air Wing, as well as instructions for the good Doctor.”

Danielle straightened up and tossed Fancy Pants an informal salute. “You can count on me, Chancellor.” She turned to Celestia and Luna. “Will you two be... alright?”

Celestia cracked a smile. “We will be. Will you?”

Danielle sighed. “No choice. I gotta do this.”

Celestia inclined her head to the nearest exit. “Then go on. No time to waste.” Her eyes followed Danielle as she left before looking down the table to Cadance, Shining Armor and Spanish Steel. “Captain Armor, I need the Royal Guard fully mobilized and sent to the Rainbow Bridge.”

Shining Armor stood up, swallowing. “Your highness, before we continue... I feel I should remind you that Twilight Sparkle and her friends, the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony, were on Earth in Autobot City when we were cut off.”

Celestia's eyes hardened. “I know,” she half-whispered. “Right now all we can concentrate on is trying to reestablish contact with Earth any way we can. Besides, you and I both know Twilight and her friends are probably doing their best to help out on their side.” She trotted over to his side, leaning her head down and lowering her voice. “I'm torn up inside as well. But we all have to focus to figure out what's going on and get through whatever this is.”

Shining Armor slid out of his chair, turned on a hoof to face Celestia and nodded. “You can count on me.” He turned to Spanish Steel. “General, with your permission, I need to mobilize the Royal Guard.” At his superior's nod he stepped back, sidled up to Cadance and gave her a kiss before galloping out at full-tilt. His aides hesitated a moment before following him.

Spanish Steel spread his wings and flew into the air. “Chancellor, with your permission, I've got a long night ahead. Off the top of my poll I know there's about a half-dozen or so humans at Fort Bulwark that have to be informed about what's happened.” He looked down at his aides still sitting. “Get to the war room. I'll be there within ten minutes.” With that command, he flew out of the room.

A crabnasty raised a reddish-orange claw into the air, clacking it. “Your Highnesses, is there anything can we do at the moment?” she asked, eyestalks wiggling back and forth.

Celestia looked out at the senator, a smile slowly forming on her muzzle. “Right now, I don't believe so. But thank you.” She looked out at all those there. “Thank you, all.”

Cadance rose to leave, but stopped as a shadow fell over her. She looked up and to her right and spotted Luna looming over her. “I have a mission for you,” Luna said, quickly explaining herself.

Cadance blinked. “It will take at least two days to get there, Luna.”

Luna shook her head. “If you fly at maximum speed, hug the terrain, and don't stop, you should be able to make it in about two to three hours.” She leaned in close to the younger alicorn. “Please, Cadance. We need all the help we can get.”

Cadance nodded, an expression of determination on her face. “You can count on me,” she said, cantering back, turning around and flying up and out of the room.

Fort Bulwark, near Canterlot
Sergeant Jack Robins tried keeping his gaze level as he followed a soldier down the corridors to General Romper Stomper's office, but his eyes kept drifting to the... being leading him on. It was a Stoneback – a three foot long armadillo-like creature with a green underbelly, sharp claws that clacked on the floor, a tail that snaked out and armor from head to toe. His lips were curled back in an almost perpetual snarl, and the only thing he wore were rank insignia and a harness with various tools and pouches.

The pair eventually came to a somewhat nondescript door in the middle of a hallway, a plaque mounted on it and a single guard at attention the only thing making it stand out. The Stoneback stood up on his hind legs. “Ssssergeant Robhins to sssee General Ssstomper,” he hissed out.

The guard nodded, opened the door and stepped inside. “General, Sergeant Robins is here,” she announced.

Romper Stomper looked up from his desk, his expression grim. “Thank you. Please come inside, Sergeant.”

Jack ducked slightly and stepped inside, snapping to attention in front of Romper Stomper's desk. “General, reporting as ordered.”

The earth pony nodded and motioned to a chair. “Please sit, Sergeant. I've got bad news and I'm not good at sugarcoating it.”

Jack looked down at the chair, sturdily built but roughly half the size for his body frame. He hesitated for a moment before stepping over to it and sinking down onto it. His knees rose nearly to the level of his chest as he sat. “What's the news?” he asked, uncertainty tinging his voice.

“The Rainbow Bridge has been blocked by some outside force. Right now Equestria is cut off from Earth. We have some vague notion of what's behind it, but nothing concrete.” Romper Stomper slid a glass of water across the table in Jack's direction. “I think you might need this.”

Jack reached out, grabbed the glass with a shaky hand and drained it in one gulp. He slammed the glass back onto the oak table. “Cut off,” he mumbled, blinking rapidly. His mouth opened and closed a few times and he waved his right hand in the air before speaking again. “Is t-there anything else or...” He sucked in a breath and closed his eyes.

Romper Stomper slowly shook his head. “What I told you is what I was told by Spanish Steel. I'm sorry, Sergeant. I don't have anything else beyond that.”

Jack nodded, straightening in the chair. “No, thank you for that at least. I... apologize for spacing out like that, General.”

Romper Stomper snorted and waved him off. “I'd be shocked if you didn't.” He let out a soft whinny and shook his head, tossing his mane about. “The second new information comes down I'll let you, your crew and support staff know.”

Jack leaned forward, leveraging himself out of the chair and standing to attention. “With your permission, I'd like to inform them of the news myself.” He paused for a moment to gather his thoughts. “And if there's anything we can do, we're at your command.”

The general nodded, his lips curling back. “Of course. I'll be calling a general assembly to announce this, but I'll delay it about ten minutes for you. Dismissed, Sergeant. And may the Herd travel by your side in this.”

The walk to the garage where Jack's tank and crew were passed by quickly. He walked into the cavernous room, quickly spotting the Abrams and a small gathering of humanoids, ponies and a smattering of other species in front of it. He strode across the mostly-unoccupied garage, snippets of conversation drifting to his ears.

“So there we were, Trypticon in front of us and shooting missiles from his mouth. We shot at him, but since he's about the size of Canterlot... we just succeeded in pissing him off.”

A pegasus floating in the air chuckled. “So how long before you tucked tail and ran?”

Jack spoke up, catching their attention. “We prefer to think of it as 'tactical withdrawal'. Not that we had much of a choice at the time, mind you.”

“Attention!” Corporal Janet Kowalski called out, snapping to attention with the other four. She exchanged a salute with Jack. “Sergeant, the natives are chickening out,” she reported.

Blossomforth nickered and trotted over to Janet. “Well, that's a load of bucking horse apples,” she said, looking up at Janet.

Jack looked around. “Janet, I got some news from Romper Stomper. And it's pretty bad.” He glanced down at Blossomforth. “He'll be calling everyone for a meeting, but I'll tell you right here.” He looked back up at his crew, wavering a bit before speaking. “The Rainbow Bridge has been blocked by something or someone. Right now we're stranded here in Equestria.”

The air was quickly sucked out by the collective gasps of everyone there. Janet's gray eyes twitched and her mouth quavered. “W-we're cut off from E-Earth?” she stammered out.

Jack held up a hand as the others began talking. “Easy, easy!” he shouted. “Calm down, everyone. Believe me, I know how you all feel. I went through the same thing in Romper Stomper's office, but we can't lose our heads at the moment.”

Private Racno raised his hand. He was a native of Tlalak, human-looking save for small fins on his neck and wrists, a slightly green pallor to his skin, short webbing connecting his fingers and vestigial gills running horizontally right above his collarbone. “Sergeant, the time dilation if the Rainbow Bridge goes down!” he blurted out. “Is that in effect here? Will time speed up here and slow down on Earth?”

An earth pony stallion spoke up. “I doubt it,” Private Shiny Day mused in a rather cultured voice. He looked up at Jack through thick goggles. “Sergeant, if I may ask, what were the general's exact words? Blocked? Destroyed?”

Jack rubbed his chin for a moment. “He said 'blocked'. But to be honest, I'm not sure they've got all the information on what happened,” he said, shaking his head.

Shiny Day nodded. “Yes, but as the old saying goes, glass half-full, Sergeant.”

Janet slowly let out a breath and bowed her head to the earth pony. “And half-empty,” she retorted.

Jack fixed a glare on her. “Janet...”

Janet swallowed and straightened up. “Sorry, sir.”

A sigh escaped Jack and he shook his head. “Can't blame you. I had a bit of that back in Romper Stomper's office.”

The final member of the crew, Corporal Jose Hernandez, spoke up. “Sergeant, for the moment, what are your orders?”

Jack focused on the youngest one there. “Good question, Corporal.” he began pacing, looking at those under his command. “First off, I told the general that if there's anything we can do, we'd be there.” He stopped in front of the support crew. “Zale, Rizzo, go over every inch of the tank and make sure she's ready to go at a moment's notice.” He about-faced and walked back down to his crew. “The big thing for all of us, right now, is to stick together.” His eyes drifted from Janet, to Racno, then to Jose as he spoke. “We're a team, so we be there for each other if being stranded here gets a bit much. I don't know what's gonna happen over the next few days or even hours, but I do know this; there's no one I'd rather have at my side when the shit inevitably hits the fan than you.”

Janet's face lit up. “Thank you, sir,” she said. “And I think I speak for all of us when I say there's no one else I'd want leading us when... whatever happens happens.”

Shiny Day sniffed. “What a lovely sentiment,” he said, wiping his eye with a hoof.

Blossomforth rolled her eyes. “Snap to attention, Shiny.” She looked him over as he stood there. “I mean it!” she shouted.

There was a sudden high-pitched whine as several large loudspeakers in the ceilings and walls turned on and a voice came on. “Attention, everyone. There will be an emergency meeting in the main training field in twenty minutes. I repeat: there will be an emergency meeting in the main training field in twenty minutes. For those unable to attend, there will be additional briefings held later on. That is all.”

Blossomforth looked up at Jack. “Three guesses as to what this is about.” She looked to her own crew. “Alright, canter to it.” She looked up to her counterpart. “Will you be okay?”

Jack bit his lip. “I hope so.”

Blossomforth stretched her hoof to him. Jack smiled, bent his knees, closed his hand, and completed the pony equivalent of a fist bump. “Thanks.”

She returned the smile. “Anytime,” she said before lowering her hoof back to the pavement and galloping off after the others.

Jack turned to his crew. “Alright. Let's get to work.”

Earth, the White House, a few hours later
Twilight Sparkle paced back and forth, head low. The rest of her friends were scattered about a dining room adjacent to the Oval Office, a wall-mounted television on and showing an emergency news broadcast. A pair of Secret Service agents were standing at the door. “Okay,” she muttered, “this is insane. I mean really insane.” She stopped and dropped to her haunches, staring at a spot on the wall. “Really, just really...”

Spike walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her neck, simply hugging her. A smile formed on Twilight's mouth and she wrapped a foreleg around Spike, pressing against his dorsal spines. “Thank you, Spike.”

Rarity, sitting on a chair with her legs tucked underneath her barrel, let out a sigh. “This is absolutely out of control. Some ghastly creature impersonates Princess Celestia, cuts Earth off from Equestria and declares war on humanity?” She held a foreleg to her forehead, swooning slightly. “I know I say this often, but truly, this is the worst possible thing!”

Applejack, sitting across a table from Rarity, looked at her friend and sighed. “Yer known for blowin' things outta proportion, sugarcube... but this time?” She lowered her head and her entire body seemed to sag. “This time yer right.”

Rainbow Dash, hovering near the ceiling, dropped down to the floor next to Twilight Sparkle. “So, what now?” She looked to the Element of Magic and swallowed. “Sonic teleboom? Some sort of magical science? I... I know there's gotta be something you've got cooking up in that head of yours!”

Any response was cut short by the newscast on the television. “And we've just received word that President Abernathy will soon be giving an emergency address from the Oval Office.” the anchorman announced. “We go live to the White House.”

President Abernathy sat at his desk in the Oval Office, flanked by two members of the Secret Service. The old soldier placed his hands on the desk and leaned forward slightly, waiting for acknowledgement that he was on the air before speaking. “At approximately ten o'clock, the United States was attacked. This attack is not limited to the United States, but affects the whole of Earth. A hole in space was ripped open in Kentucky and an energy barrier formed in the heart of a suburban neighborhood, destroying a large portion of it, forcing thousands to flee from their homes and cutting us off from the Equestrian Alliance. And that was merely the start.

“From this hole a dark counterpart of Princess Celestia emerged, summarily judging humanity unfit for continued existence. She has declared her intentions to convert every man, woman and child into what she calls 'newfoals', as well as using the barrier to wipe out every trace of our civilization. Our art, our technology, our entire culture would be obliterated under her hoof. She and her 'Neo-Equestria' have already done this to an alternate Earth, and now wish to convert us whether we like it or not. Simply because in her eyes, we are barbarous, immoral creatures incapable of making the 'right decision' ourselves.”

Clayton's eyes drifted to his right hand, which curled up into a fist. “I would be the first to admit I've done some questionable things in the past, but I have also done my best to make the world a better place. The human race as a whole has done some monstrous things. But we have also done many wondrous things. And we have done so of our own free will, which this tyrant wishes to strip from us.

“As she has made her intentions clear, so must we. Therefore, I ask Congress to vote for a formal declaration of war between the United States and Neo-Equestria.” He looked right at the camera. “I ask all of you listening to give your all for this fight. I ask those nations who signed the Geneva Accords to send soldiers, supplies and anything that can be shipped as soon as possible. I ask all nations period to send aid. For if this fight is lost, if this barrier expands, then all of us will pay the ultimate price. Thank you, and godspeed.”

A Secret Service agent standing at the door raised her right hand to an earpiece, nodded, then looked down at Twilight Sparkle. “Miss Sparkle, the president will meet with you shortly.”

Twilight Sparkle nodded to her. “Thank you.” Her eyes narrowed as she stared straight ahead. “Dash?”

Rainbow Dash snorted and pawed at the carpet. “Yeah, Twilight?”

“Get some sleep tonight. Tomorrow, we're going back to Autobot City and telebooming right back to Equestria.”

Neo-Equestria, the Solar Throne
It was one of the most disturbing things Twilight had ever seen. It was something she had never thought was possible, and something she had never seen before.

Queen Celestia sat on the Solar Throne, wings folded tight against her body. Her mane and tail were almost limp, barely flickering. And finally, Celestia's head hung low with her eyes closed as she quietly snored, fast asleep.

Twilight's eyes never left the sight of her majesty quietly sleeping. It was... disturbing to her in ways she couldn't quite place. Celestia's bodyguards at the hoof of the Solar Throne apparently felt the same way, as each one would occasionally glance behind them at the dozing alicorn.

Hoofsteps behind her caught Twilight's attention. She turned to see Minister Busy Body led inside by another stallion. “Miss Sparkle,” Busy Body said, fishing a clipboard out of a saddlebag and placing it on the floor in front of him. He stopped short as he saw Celestia. “Oh, my!”

Twilight let out a sigh. “Busy Body, can this wait? Queen Celestia is... indisposed at the moment,” she said, sparing a glance to the other stallion.

Busy Body paused for a moment. “Well, I'm not sure. I have some reports from some of the larger cities.” He looked over the clipboard. “There's been reports of unrest in Manehattan concerning food shortages there, as well as Hoofington and Marelin. The farms are having trouble keeping up with increased demand.”

Twilight arched an eyebrow at him. “Then... can't the farms increase production? That's part of earth pony magic, after all.”

The earth pony standing before Twilight stared at her. “It's not that easy, Miss Sparkle. Earth pony magic enhances plants, but it can't create nutrients or revitalize soil. We have seven billion more mouths to feed... although that number is decreasing, even as we speak.”

“What?”

Busy Body flipped the pages attached to the clipboard. “There's been an increase in deaths in Manehattan... of newfoals.”

Twilight's jaw worked for a moment before she finally spoke. “W-well, newfoals do make up the majority of the population nowadays.” She let out a nervous chuckle. “I'm sure it's–“

“It's not 'nothing',” Busy Body interjected. He looked back up at the sleeping queen. “But for the moment that must wait.” He picked the clipboard back up with his mouth and slid it back into his saddlebag. “I shall return,” he said as he turned and trotted out.

Twilight turned to the colt, an earth pony with a purple coat, green mane and the cutie mark of a quill and rolled-up scroll. “Spike, take a letter,” she said as a quill, inkwell and scroll suddenly appeared in a flash of light.

Spike nodded. He reached for the quill, but his hoof merely lifted it a few inches off the ground before it fell back. “Oh, horse apples,” he muttered.

Twilight let out a sigh. “Oh, just use your mouth, Spike.”

Spike nodded. “Sorry, Twilight. I'm still getting used to this.” He let out a chuckle. “But I am glad you did this to me. It's a lot better being a pony than a dragon!” He gingerly picked the quill up with his lips, dipped it into the inkwell and positioned it over the parchment. “Othay!”

Twilight cleared her throat and placed a hoof on her chest. “Dear Queen Celestia. After viewing how the humans treated you and the condition you are in, I have determined I have no choice but to take direct action on your behalf. Therefore, I have decided to cross over to Earth with the other Elements of Harmony and confront our counterparts directly. They must be shown the error of their ways in siding with humans. I'm sure we can convince them of this. Signed, your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.” She looked to Spike. “Got all that?”

Spike continued scribbling on the parchment for another minute before finally dropping the quill. “Now I do.” He looked up to Twilight and brushed a hoof across the floor. “Ah, Twilight, you sure this is such a good idea? How are you even gonna find them? What about the Elements of Harmony? They're still locked up!”

The unicorn reached out and patted Spike on the head, gently mussing his mane and causing him to squirm slightly. “Oh, Spike. You worry far too much.” Her horn glowed and she disappeared, only to reappear right next to Spike and startling him. “I can easily track the other Twilight's magic, then teleport everypony there and back. No problem!” She turned and began walking away from him. “Please make sure the queen gets the letter, alright?” And with that, she walked out.

Spike let out a sigh as he looked over his barely-legible scrawling. “I think I'll just tell her what happened instead.”

Celestia did not dream. Her mind traveled out, beyond the confines of her body and across planes of existence barely thought of. She sought out one mind, across the barrier and to the other Earth. Megan, Megan...

Earth, the Antarctic
Megan kept her head low and shook her body. Her breath came out in a near-constant cloud. “I'm cold, right?” she asked herself. She looked out across the empty landscape, eyes wide. “And... I should be snow blind but can see fine.” She flapped her wings, shaking snow off of them. “Is this how Celestia, Luna or Cadance feel?”

A voice suddenly echoed inside her mind and across the snow, driving her to her elbows and hocks. “Megan, Megan...”

Megan threw her head back. “LEAVE ME ALONE!” she screamed, her voice echoing. “I... I don't want you in my head, or on this planet!” she sobbed out, biting her lip.

“Megan, please! I want to help you. I want to help you all. But I can't do that if you won't let me.” Celestia's voice grew louder. “And I need you to help me help humanity. That's what I want, and what you want, right?”

Megan's eyes rolled back slightly. She rose to her hooves and her horn glowed, but it sputtered and died. “No, no! Not like this, not like this.” She stared straight ahead. “Why are you doing this?”

“I only wish to help you. Isn't that what friendship is about, helping others?”

Megan shook her head, her mane flying all about. “No, this isn't 'helping others'. This is twisting them against their will. You destroyed the humans of the other Earth, and now you're threatening to repeat that horror here.” She tapped her forehead. “I can see... bits and pieces of what you did. I just... why?”

“For them, for the greater good. They needed our help, just as you do now. My Equestria has fought through much since its founding. But we have finally reached the point where we can share our wealth and harmony with others.”

Images flashed through Megan's head, coalescing into a wavy scene from the past. She screwed her eyes shut, but it continued behind her eyes...

A tiny Celestia wandered out of the Crystal Castle and looked up at the deep-blue, almost purple sky. She winced slightly as explosions tore across the sky. She looked to her left as Princess Tiffany walked up to her. “What's going on?” she asked, her tiny wings buzzing.

Tiffany glanced up, mouth forming a thin line. “Tirac's stratodons are fighting Grogar's golems, Celestia.” She leaned down and nuzzled the young alicorn. “But don't worry, young one. They won't be able to reach us here. We're too far away.”

A particularly large BOOM echoed out, sending Celestia scrambling behind Tiffany's hind legs. “They're so scary!” she wailed.

Tiffany looked down at the sand and nickered. “They are.” She spun around to once more face the filly. “But don't worry, Celestia. You and Luna will have the power to stop those tyrants and restore Ponyland to its former glory. You can end Tirac's eternal night and drive Grogar and Tambelon back into the shadows.”

Celestia slowly walked back to Tiffany's side. “Why didn't anypony stop them before they did all those bad things?”

The pale-white earth pony princess closed her eyes. “A pegasus named Firefly went over the rainbow for help... but never returned.” She reached out and gently nudged Celestia back. “Now come on. It's time for lessons...”

Megan blinked. “Your Firefly... never returned?”

There was blessed silence for almost a minute before Celestia spoke again. “Yes... my Firefly. You knew of her?”

“She was one of my best friends,” Megan replied. She looked to the sky. “We worked together to stop Tirac. And I helped her build Equestria. She and I are proof that ponies and humans can coexist, Celestia. There's no need for what you're doing. Please, stop this now!”

Celestia's voice thundered in her skull, driving her back down. “NO! You are murderous, magic-less beings with the barest hint of potential for something better. But I can and will help you, Megan. And you will help me help humanity to ascend to its next level!” Her tone took on a sheen of ice. “And you'll do it willingly, too. With all your heart and soul...”

Megan grunted, her eyes rolling into the back of her head. She slowly rose to her hooves, stumbling a bit from left to right. But she eventually stood up straight and extended her wings. Celestia's voice continued. “Yes, yes! You will help me, Megan. Your family will join you as well. Your husband, your siblings and children will look quite nice as ponies, I think. They and those others from that Equestria-”

“NO!” Megan shouted, her voice shattering ice and sending up great waves of snow. Her eyes turned white and her mane whipped about. “You will not harm my family or friends, do you hear me?!” The tip of her horn glowed a brilliant yellow. “Thank you for giving me a good kick to the flank and getting me in gear. You almost had me.” She lowered her head and kicked the ground, shaking the land. “But no more of that!”

Celestia's voice echoed in her head, softer now. “No, you cannot do this!” she wailed. “Think of the consequences of your betrayal, Megan. Your species will lose, and I will not be kind to you nor your family.”

Megan snorted. “Of course you won't. The real Celestia is kind, merciful and extended the hoof of friendship to humanity. You invaded Earth to conquer it and wipe out all mankind!” She ground her teeth together. “You wear her face, her body and mannerisms, but you are not Celestia. You are not my friend, and you have to be stopped.”

“I have an army at my command!”

Megan flashed back to a movie she saw with Mike that summer. “We have an Optimus Prime,” she said. “And now I think it's time I start fighting back against what you've done to me.” The wind kicked up, swirling around her. Celestia protested, but her voice was drowned out as the glow from Megan's horn increased, building to a blinding light. It encompassed her body, fading as quickly as it had formed and taking Megan with it.

Neo-Equestria

Queen Celestia's eyes snapped open. She stood up, quickly focusing on Spike standing at the hoof of the Solar Throne. “Spike, where's Twilight?” she asked, walking down to his level.

Spike swallowed. His ears folded flat against his head. “Well, you see it's... I mean...” He whinnied. “She and the others went off to fight those freaky counterparts of theirs,” he finally said.

Celestia smiled. “Of course you did, my student.” She trotted over to a balcony jutting out from the room. She focused on the sun and a few images that accompanied Megan's announcement of 'Optimus Prime'. “So, Megan, your humans will have aid from mechanical abominations from beyond the stars?” Her gaze drifted out, focusing on something far off in the distance. “Then perhaps I should enlist help of my own like that.” She turned back to Spike. “Spike, take a letter!”

Spike groaned as another quill, piece of parchment and inkwell appeared before him. “Not again.”

“Congress voted to declare war against Neo-Equestria in record time, with only one vote against. Within an hour of the announcement, Premier Ivan Brekhov announced Russia declaring war alongside the United States, followed by all signatories of the Geneva Accords and nearly every country on the planet. We go live to our correspondent in Moscow...”

Chapter Nine

View Online

Deep Space

Around Wolf-359 orbited the metal world known as Cybertron. Once it had drifted through the void, wracked by Quintesson conquest, the tyranny of the Functionists, the Great War between Autobots and Decepticons, the almost-complete depletion of its energy resources, and had almost been destroyed on numerous occasions. Now, it sparkled, lit from within and without as the numerous scars and wounds across its surface were healed.

In the northern hemisphere, like the jewel of a crown, sat Iacon, the hub-capital of Cybertron and the planet's largest city. The last stronghold for the Autobots during the Great War, it had been heavily damaged almost to the point of annihilation. Now, it had been rebuilt to its former glory and stood as a beacon of hope for the galaxy.

Near the center of the city stood the Council Pavilions, a series of gleaming edifices and the center of government. In the heart of the Pavilions stood the Main Council Chamber itself. A relatively small building, two stories tall, square with little ornamentation. When chief designers Hoist and Grapple questioned the requested design, Optimus Prime told them, “We are the servants of the populace, not above them or in any way superior. We do not need fancy designs or decorations to perform our duty, my old friends. Simple is better.”

In the Council Chamber itself was a simple semicircular table, curving around a lectern. Rows of chairs encircled the table. At the moment, five Autobots, one human male and a female buffalo occupied the Chamber. Council members Ultra Magnus, Kup, Impactor and Silverbolt sat in four of the seven chairs at the table, while Emirate Xaaron, chief diplomat and legal advisor, stood right behind them and to Ultra Magnus' right. On the table itself, Spike Witwicky, ambassador from Earth and the Autobot's oldest human ally and friend, stood in front of a podium scaled for his relatively-diminutive size. Little Strongheart, ambassador from Equestria, stood in front of another podium, one designed for her equinoid form.

Ultra Magnus looked to the three empty chairs and fiddled with a datapad. “I understand Optimus rushing off to Earth's aid, but did Elita have to go with him?”

Kup, one of the oldest Autobots still functional, chuckled and shook his head. “Never been in love have you, lad. Those two were apart for about four million years, so they're trying to make up for that in four.” He looked up at the ceiling. “I still remember the time I first met them at Polyhex.”

Silverbolt, leader of the Aerialbot combiner team, waved Kup off. “No time for your stories, old man.” He looked down at Spike and Little Strongheart. “Want to get into some power armor or your old Headmaster suit before we let him in, just to be on the safe side? Strongheart, what about you? I'm certain we can build something quickly for you before the meeting.”

Spike looked up at Silverbolt. His brow furrowed for a moment, but he shook his head and looked to the main entrance. “Thanks, but no. Earth doesn't have time at the moment. I don't think he'll try anything, either. That hasn't been his style for a while.”

Strongheart nodded. “I agree with my colleague. And I shall not show fear before this one. From what I have heard, he is a coward at heart. Or laser core, in his case.”

Ultra Magnus nodded, but his shoulder-mounted missile launchers swiveled to the door. “We're sure he's unarmed, right?”

Impactor, leader of the assault team known as the Wreckers, grinned and held up his right arm. A hook in place of a hand spun around. “He flew in unarmed, and he's been scanned and searched a dozen times over. I've had three of my best standing guard over him since he landed, too Even if he managed to smuggle something in, I think we four can handle him.” He pressed a button on a control panel mounted in the table. “Send him in.”

The main entrance opened, and Starscream, Air-Commander and leader of a rogue faction of the Decepticons, strode in. Even bereft of his null-ray cannons or any other weapons, and flanked by Wrecker members Bulkhead, Whirl and Roadbuster , he still managed to keep a swagger in his step and a smirk on his face. He stopped in front of the table and bowed deeply. “I am honored to be granted this audience by you.” He suddenly straightened up and his expression turned serious. “I know time is short, so I shall make this brief. Astrotrain is in deep space, with Soundwave, his team, and Shockwave aboard. Blitzwing is also there in formation. With a single transmission they can be at Earth in thirty-six hours to aid in some inter-dimensional threat I've heard about through the circuit path.” He held up a hand. “And to answer your first question, the human colonies my faction trades with have been very worried about the plight of their homeworld. It's all over their comm chatter.”

Spike crossed his arms and stared up at Starscream. “So out of the goodness of your laser core, you're here to help Earth out?”

Starscream looked down at Spike. He took a step forward, but Roadbuster jabbed the barrel of his automatic rifle right into Starscream's face. Bulkhead's left hand retracted and a rather large mace popped out of the socket, and Whirl's pincers clacked open and closed. Starscream scowled, held his hands up high and leaned back. “Oh, come now! You all know how self-serving I am. Do you really think I'd do anything while unarmed?”

Impactor held up his hook and pointed it at Roadbuster. “He's right. Step back and let him continue.”

Roadbuster growled, but pulled his rifle back while Bulkhead shuffled back a few paces. Whirl shrugged and let Starscream have some space, too, but kept his weapons trained on Starscream.

Xaaron stepped forward. “I have a feeling we all know what you want in return for your aid, Starscream. A formal end to hostilities between your faction and Earth, Cybertron and any government allied with us. Correct?”

Starscream's grin returned. “Exactly, Emirate. I feel that helping to save your oldest and staunchest ally from the invasion of the pastel-colored ponies would go a long way to show that I am sincere for peace. A peace I know Optimus Prime wants. He so wants, so needs the fighting, the senseless fuelshed to end.”

Strongheart's eyes narrowed. “And you wish for it to end as well?”

Starscream's smile fell away and his voice dropped as he spoke. “I have been fighting for a very long time, Strongheart. Longer than perhaps you can comprehend. Yes, I am self-serving. I look out for myself. I won't deny it. That doesn't take away from this being a good opportunity for a legitimate peace. We'll all get what we want out of it. I will remain king of my own little hill, and you will have peace.”

Ultra Magnus held up a hand. “Starscream, please wait outside while we talk.” He waited for Starscream to be escorted outside before standing up himself. He clasped his hands behind his back and started pacing in front of the table. “I don't like it. He's got something up his sleeve.”

Xaaron nodded. “You're right. He does; his continued survival.”

Strongheart looked across the table to Spike. “Forgive me for asking, but I am somewhat unfamiliar with the current situation concerning the Decepticons and Starscream.” She looked down as her cheeks turned red. “I've been trying to catch up as quickly as I could.”

Spike scratched his head and bit his lip. “Ho, boy. Well, to try and...” He paused for a moment before continuing. “Five years ago, Starscream founded a small colony on an uninhabited system and sent out a signal. A number of Decepticons followed it and joined him in a breakaway faction. For the past five years they've done their best to present themselves as 'respectable', engaging in trade with outlying colonies and even helping them out against Quintesson raids or other problems. Hell, in 2011 they helped save a relief convoy from a Tyroxian fleet.” He shook his head. “The sad part is, Starscream knows that we know he's sincere about wanting peace. It'll leave him functional and king of his own little hill.”

Strongheart slowly nodded as comprehension dawned. “He wants to save his own skin. That is his primary goal. Nothing else matters.”

Silverbolt balled his hand into a fist and brought it close to the table, but stopped short of slamming it into the metal. “Self-serving or not, we all know Screamer's got about two gigabytes of ambition on a one-gig hard drive. He's got something in his subspace pocket. The question is, what?”

Impactor shook his head. “Maybe, but doubtful. We've kept our optics on his little group ever since it formed. They're doing well, but right now they're not much of a military threat. Earth and Cybertron can have a couple of fleets over their heads if we had to.” He glanced up at Ultra Magnus. “I think we can trust him on a peace, up to a point.”

Silverbolt's optics blinked. “But what point, Impactor?” He stood up, pushing his chair back and sending it to the floor. “He can't be trusted. We all know it!”

Impactor rose to his own feet and jabbed his hook at Silverbolt. Kup slapped his forehead, but rose, wedged himself between the two and did his best to separate the two bickering Autobots.

Ultra Magnus's own optic sensors dimmed. A panel on his right leg slid open and a holster with his laser rifle popped out. With a single, smooth motion, he pulled it out and fired a single blast at the ceiling, blowing a small hole in it and startling everyone there. “We don't have time for this. Humanity has no time for this! We're going to deal with this right now.” He took two steps forward and stood over the table as the three sat back down. “Spike, Strongheart, your opinions? This affects you the most.”

Spike looked up at Ultra Magnus and looked him right in his optics. “I say we trust him, for the moment. I'm still not entirely sure about this alternate Equestria invasion or whatever, but we need brains and that team he mentioned has some big ones.”

Little Strongheart stepped away from her podium and craned her neck up to look at Ultra Magnus. “If war can be avoided, it should be avoided. I think we can trust Starscream to at least not give us a reason to annihilate him.”

Ultra Magnus leaned over the table and pressed the control panel in front of his chair. “Send him back in.” He turned just as Starscream was once more escorted into the room. “Okay, Starscream. First off, you're going to the comm station down the hall to tell your little group to head to Earth and help out any way they can, under EDC authority.” He hesitated and looked to Starscream's left. “After that, you'll be escorted back here... to sign a formal cease-fire agreement with our governments. And once the current crisis on Earth has been resolved, we can begin working to a peace treaty and formal cessation of hostilities.”

Starscream held his arms out and up. “I knew you'd do the right thing, Ultra Magnus!” he stepped around, placed one hand on Ultra Magnus' shoulder and swept the other out in front of them. “Let this day mark the dawn of a new era of peace for our people!” He leaned in close. “Could we also talk about prisoner exchanges, too? I do believe the Combaticons have done their time and are ready to make amends, as all under my lead are.”

Ultra Magnus jerked his shoulder away from Strascream's grip and pointed to the entrance. He turned to the others as Starscream was led out. “If anyone has any objections, please note them for the record.”

Silverbolt placed his elbows on the table and leaned forward. “I don't like it, but I also hope I'm wrong.”

Kup grabbed his shoulder and gently squeezed it. “Good on you, lad.”

Spike tapped his podium a few times. “I think it'd be a good idea for me to let Earth know as soon as possible about Starscream's help. I don't want to hand him any advantages or anything to gloat over. He'll be insufferable enough over this peace treaty as is.”

Neo-Equestria

Queen Celestia soared through the sky, leaving sonic booms and after-images in her wake. She would occasionally glance down at the land below, noting the various camps and settlements for the majority of the newfoal population. Her eyes narrowed as she focused on their shabby condition and how thin most of the newfoals looked. I'll have to have Fancy Pants or Busy Body look into this. They became ponies for a better life, not to live in squalor.

She looked ahead and spread her wings wide as her destination came into view. A mountain rose from the horizon, but it was not the craggy spire of rock that held her interest. Rather, it was what had been buried inside of it that drew her there.

Celestia landed in front of a tunnel. A pair of guards at the mouth bowed to her as she entered. Torches mounted in braziers flickered as she strode past them. After a few minutes, she emerged into a large cavern, easily a third of the base of the mountain. Occupying most of the cavern was a black-plated starship, resembling a flattened arrowhead. Celestia had once cursed herself for overlooking this particular piece of technology with the original barrier, but now she half-smiled at the opportunity it presented her. Perhaps we can fight technology with technology, at least until we've won.

A large number of ponies in lab coats or armor could be seen around it. One of them spotted Celestia and dropped to her knees, with almost everyone else following suit.

Celestia waved a wing at them. “Please, rise.” She approached a unicorn mare with a red mane and squared-off glasses. She lowered her head. “Moondancer, what progress has been made?”

Moondancer adjusted her glasses and floated a clipboard up to eye-level. “W-well, we've managed to restore twenty-three to what we believe to be working order. We think. Maybe?” She swallowed and wiped her forehead. “I-I'm sorry, it's just this is so beyond anything we've ever seen, even from the humans.”

Celestia looked up at a face stamped onto one of the armor plates, identical in shape to one she saw in Megan's mind, but with purple coloring instead of red. “It's all right, Moondancer. You've done the best you can so far.” She looked at an enormous open hatch on the side of the ship. Celestia's horn glowed and Moondancer floated up and over to her side. She spread her wings and flew up and through it, entering the ship itself.

It was a short trip for through an airlock and corridor for the two, the way lit by lamps and firefly lanterns. They came upon a large chamber near the center of the ship, a cargo hold of some sort, if the storage containers thrown about were any indication. Twenty-two large automatons were laid out on the floor, end to end. Another vastly larger one was vertical, held against a bulkhead by thick metal beams and straps. They were all mostly intact, as far as Celestia could tell. Their faces – when they had faces, instead of visors or grills in place of eyes or mouths – were frozen in a rictus of terror. All of them had their upper torsos pried open, exposing their inner mechanisms and devices. Unicorns stood next to them and levitated specially-shaped crystals into gaps in the interior, cramming them into any open space as tightly as possible.

Moondancer followed Celestia as she walked up to one of the machines. She read through her notes once more before speaking. “We think all they need is energy. We think. We hope.” She rifled through several sheets of paper, her eyes widening as she scanned through her notes. “And yes, your magic can repower them. That much is certain.”

Celestia paid Moondancer the barest bit of attention as she stared at the machine before her. Its form was very similar to the images of 'Optimus Prime' Megan had in her mind, although the colors of the metal were different and muted. Purple dominated the chest instead of red, and even though there was a mask, it, or rather he, still seemed to scowl. She rose her head and sucked in a lungful of air before projecting her voice out. “Attention, everypony! Please back away from the machines while I charge them. I don't know how they'll react.”

The ponies all bowed to her before scrambling away from the machines. Celestia's horn lit up and her eyes flashed. Beams of magic shot out from the horn's tip and struck the inner mechanisms of the machines. Slowly, their muted colors gained some measure of vibrancy and their limbs twitched. Low moans echoed out from them.

The one in front of Celestia shot up into a sitting position. His eyes or optic sensors or cameras blazed a fiery red. He reached his arms out towards Celestia. “Who are you? What the pit is going on? I demand – “

Celestia narrowed her eyes. She jabbed her head forward and telekinetically forced the machine back, pinning it to the ground. Her eyes shifted about as the others slowly sat up. “I wouldn't try anything if I were you. It's completely unnecessary, anyway. I wish simply to talk with you and offer a helping hoof, in exchange for you helping me out.”

One of the machines, a smaller one with dull-green coloring and dull-red highlights, suddenly began shuffling away as fast as possible from Celestia. He held his hands up and waved them in the air. “Sweet Primus get it away from me get it away from me!” His head suddenly shot up and he stared at the unicorns huddled near the back. His eyes or whatever it was that took their place brightened and he keeled back onto the deck, limbs spread out.

The machine lying in front of Celestia groaned and clenched his fists. “Hound, you cowardly blob of grease.” He tilted his head forward, far enough to look awkwardly at Celestia. “All right, what do you want from us? And what will we receive in return? More importantly, who and what are you?”

Celestia drew herself up to her full height and spread her wings out. “I am Queen Celestia, ruler of Neo-Equestria. A short time ago, I saved the human species by uplifting them into pony form, cleansing their world of all their sins in the process. Recently, I've discovered another Earth, with another human population. I intend to save them as well, and I need your help. Aid me, and you may leave here without incident.”

The machine leaned his head back down and laughed. The guttural sound echoed through the room as he spoke. “Hound, kill them all. Use their flesh for grease and their bones for picks! Smear them across the bulkheads!”

Hound looked to his apparent leader, then to Celestia. “I... no, way, Optimus! I'll get all icky and slimy. It's scrapping disgusting!” He waved him off. “Not doing it.”

Celestia arched an eyebrow and rubbed her chin. “'Optimus'? As in Optimus Prime, yes! I knew you looked like the image in Megan's head!” She frowned. “Hmm, two of you named Optimus? I don't like that. Too confusing, you see. There's already an alternate version of myself to contend with. Hmm, Nemesis Prime? Yes, that should do.” She waved a hoof at him. “I dub you Nemesis Prime!”

Nemesis Prime, as he was now known, screamed and smashed the floor with his fists. “Someone, turn her into a grease stain NOW! The first one to get to her does not suffer my wrath!”

One of the other machines rose to a standing position. He slammed a fist into the palm of his hand as he approached Celestia. He stopped and jerked back, limbs spasming as muffled thuds could be heard echoing inside. His torso bulged, and smoke wafted out of cracks even as bluish fluid streamed out of his mouth and eyes. He fell to the floor, twitching slightly.

Celestia's mouth turned slightly upward. “Inside your chests are crystals infused with some rather explosive magical energy. With but a thought, I can ignite the energy, detonate the crystals and terminate any threat you may pose to my ponies or my plans.” She cocked an eyebrow. “And yes, Nemesis Prime, that includes you.”

Nemesis Prime growled, more a discharge of static from a radio grille than anything produced by something organic. “Very well. I shall obey you. For now, at least. What is it you desire?” He sat up as much as possible. “I assume it's something dirty, so you don't sully your... do you even have hands?” He cocked his head to the side.

Celestia pawed at the deck plating, digging up a small furrow in the metal. “We do not, nor do we need them. Our magic and hooves are more than sufficient. Only lesser beings need them.” She sucked in a breath, then continued. “I am using an expanding barrier to cleanse this other Earth of its technology and any evil. The humans, however, are misguided, and oppose my help in saving them. I need the barrier guarded from their attacks, and that's where you and your fellow machines come in.”

Nemesis Prime barked a laugh. “Let me guess. We'll soak up whatever the humans throw at you so your precious ponies won't get their little waste-extraction systems kicked in?” He chuckled. “I'll admit, an admirable plan and something right up my alley.”

Celestia's mane wavered and lashed out as her eyes narrowed. “Please do not insult me with such comparisons or compliments. You will be supported by the Royal Guard, and the barrier at your backs will provide the perfect retreat if you need it. Serve me faithfully without betrayal, and I shall even let you depart Neo-Equestria in this vessel of yours.”

Nemesis Prime's right eye brightened. “'Without betrayal'? Do you know who you're dealing with?”

Celestia's right eye twitched, only for the fraction of a second, but it still moved. “I know I hold all the cards, Nemesis Prime. I know my cause is just, and will see it through to the end. I have much work to do here, so for the moment, I leave you to decide your fates.” She turned and trotted off, the other ponies following her as she left the room.

Nemesis Prime shot up into a sitting position. He scrambled to his feet and looked around. “On your feet!” He spun around as Hound approached and grabbed him by the shoulder. “Hound, you disobeyed me.” His grip tightened and the squeal of rent metal echoed in the room. “Tell me why I shouldn't scatter your parts from here to Cybertron!”

Hound gasped and dropped to his knees. “I-I'm sorry! I just panicked when I saw her and those other b-blobs of grease. I mean that's disgusting and please don't offline me please don't offline me!”

Nemesis Prime let go and shoved Hound down to the deck plating. “I'll let you function, if only because I'm short on manpower.” He pointed at wall and the inert mechanoid still strapped there, a large, gray machine with several translucent-orange panels scattered about its torso, and laser cannons instead of hands. “Grimlock, get Omega Doom operational. We're going to need all the firepower we can get.”

Grimlock, a stocky Autobot with gray armor plating, looked to Omega Doom. “What? I, Grimlock, given the honor of repairing our secret weapon? I shall do my best!” He bowed to Nemesis Prime.

Nemesis Prime nodded. “Good, good. As for the rest of you, get ready to do what you do best.” He clenched his fist and electric bolts arced from knuckle to knuckle. “We're going to war.”

Shining Armor stood just outside of Canterlot, right below the mouth of the portal that led to Earth. He turned to face the armored pegasi assembled in neat rows, stretching back across a vast field of grass, ready, willing and able to save humanity from itself with the potion in their saddlebags. It had taken some reorganizing and reshuffling, but now all was in readiness. “All right!” he shouted, his voice magically-amplified, “you know your duty! For Neo-Equestria!” He stepped back and jabbed a hoof at the portal. “Wave One...” His voice trailed off as he spotted Twilight and her friends galloping towards them. “Oh, for the love of–stand by!”

Twilight and the others slowed down as they approached Shining Armor. Twilight pasted a rather large grin on her face and leaned in close to him. “Shiny, I have a plan, but we need to get to Earth to do it!”

Shining Armor groaned, floated his helmet up and kneaded his forehead. “Twiley, we're kind of in the middle of a very important military operation, here.”

Twilight sidled up to him. “Please, Shiny? We won't get in the way. We'll cross over and I'll sense where we need to go. One teleport later and we'll be out of your mane!”

Pinkie bounded forward and began circling Shining Armor and Twilight in big bounces. “Yeah, Shiny! We gotta get over there and talk to our counterparts and help them to see how nasty humans are and how much they need our help!” She stopped in front of Shining Armor, dropped to one knee, held her front hooves together, and shook them as she stared up at him with large, pleading eyes. “Please?”

Shining Armor grimaced, but his head finally dropped and he waved them on. “All right, all right! I'll send the pegasi waves in five minutes after you.” He leaned forward and nuzzled Twilight. “Just be careful, okay?'

Twilight returned the nuzzle. “We will.” She turned around and walked back to her friends. Her face scrunched up in concentration as the tip of her horn glowed. A sphere of magic enveloped the six, and when it faded, they were gone.

On the former site of the Richards' now-destroyed home, ponies moved about, making preparations for the expansion of Neo-Equestria into this plane and the inevitable influx of humans to convert into pony form. Already supplies of potion were being stocked, and unicorns stood ready to teleport newfoals over for their glorious new future. They would occasionally glance at the barrier, the great shield and instrument of Queen Celestia's crusade.

A sudden pop and the appearance of Twilight and the other Bearers of the Elements of Harmony drew their attention. Several of the workers dropped down and bowed their heads as they passed by, then quickly returned to their work.

Twilight, meanwhile, groaned and dropped back onto her haunches. She massaged the base of her horn. “Okay, that was... harder than I thought.”

AJ knelt by Twilight's side and pulled a bottle of cider from her saddlebags. “You all right, sugarcube?”

Twilight took the bottle with her magic and greedily gulped down several swigs, draining it dry.” Thanks.” She slowly stood up and shook her head, sending her mane swishing about. “Okay, I think I'm better.” She breathed in and out. “That still took a lot more out of me than I thought it would.” Her gaze drifted to the so-called 'Rainbow Bridge' that led to the other Equestria. Her eyes traveled up the solidified rainbow, all the way up to the portal currently caged behind Queen Celestia's powerful shield. “I wonder if my counterpart has trouble doing that.”

Dash waved her off. “Ah, who cares?” She leapt up and punched and kicked the air. “Let's get going!”

AJ rolled her eyes at Dash. “Calm down, for Celestia's sake!” She turned to back Twilight. “If you're not feelin' up to this, we can go back –“

Twilight waved her off. “No, just give me a second.” Her eyes half-closed and her horn glowed. A low humming filled the air as Twilight waved her head back and forth. Her eyes snapped open and she jabbed a hoof out. “There! It's faint, but I found them. They're about four hundred seventy-three miles east of here.”

Dash's jaw dropped. “Wow! How do you know it that precisely?”

Twilight smirked and swung her left foreleg in front of her right. “Measuring how long it took to get the signals back. Basic math, really.” She waved her friends in close. “Okay, this is gonna take a while. I can only do short hops, and I'm gonna have to take a break between each one so I don't tire myself out before we get there.” Her head drooped. “Sorry, everypony.”

Flutters extended a wing and gently stroked Twilight's back. “Don't worry, Twilight. We all know you'll do your best!”

The others gathered around Twilight and cheered her on. Twilight grinned. “Thanks.” Her eyes narrowed and her mouth formed a thin line. “Now, let's go save ourselves from the humans, and the humans from themselves!”

Chapter Ten

View Online

Marissa Faireborn and Bat Madison entered the main monitoring room and walked up to a sensor technician at a station. “Report,” Marissa said as she leaned down and peered at the display screen.

The sensor technician pointed to a spot on the screen. “There was a surge of Thaumic radiation five minutes ago, followed by six ponies teleporting in. There was a stronger surge two minutes later, and they teleported out.”

Marissa growled as she quickly identified the six ponies. “Dammit, their versions of the Elements of Harmony.” She stood up and walked around to the large wall-mounted monitor. The image on it was a close-up of the barrier. A dot on the screen marked the spot of the teleportation. She growled and rapped the screen with her knuckles. “I know what you're about to ask, General, and no.” She turned her head as Bat walked up to her. “The Earth Defense Command has no way to plot the direction of a teleportation.”

Bat nodded. “I figured. For what it's worth, neither does the US military.” He turned around. “I want all crews on the perimeter on high alert, and to have anything suspicious reported in. My guess is that's the prelude to something. What, I don't know, but we can't be caught unaware.”

Marissa stepped back and her eyes widened as she watched the screen. Before she could say anything, another sensor technician spoke up. “General, Commodore, we have pegasi emerging from the barrier!”

Bat spun around. The image on the screen had split in half. One side showed the same overhead view of the barrier, while the other showed it from the side. Pegasi flew up from the hole leading to Neo-Equestria. They started flying around in a tight, circular column a few dozen meters or so from the barrier's edge. A dial showing wind speed suddenly began climbing, even as another showing air pressure dropping. Dark clouds also floated up, collecting and coalescing around the barrier

Marissa shook her head. “Weaponized weather, but a bit early. I expected them to wait until nighttime, at least. Still thirty minutes to sundown.”

Bat shook his head. “Their mistake.” He pointed to the map. “We’ve already got reinforcements from Forts Knox and Campbell. The perimeter's been reestablished and reinforced with pre-railgun artillery. More useful against pegasi than missiles.”

Marissa nodded. “Those and the laser artillery platforms we airdropped in should keep them contained. For now, at least.”

Bat touched the comm unit in his ear. “Contact the battalion's CO and tell him all positions have permission to fire. Take out that tornado team and any pegasi that fly out of the barrier!”

Flash Sentry could barely contain his excitement. Here he was, about to strike a blow for peace and harmony! He hopped from hoof to hoof as squadrons in front of him were called forward. One by one they flew through Queen Celestia's gateway to Earth, to spread the potion and help those nasty humans.

Quicker than he thought, he stood at the base of the gateway. He barely listened to Captain Armor's instructions as he took in the sight of the roiling energies that connected Neo-Equestria to Earth. He suddenly snapped to attention as his flight leader spread her wings and flew through the gateway. Flash followed her through the gateway, through the barrier... and he was on Earth.

He unbuckled his saddlebags and readied his bottles of potion. Flash's helmet slid down over his eyes and he was blinded for a moment. He stopped in midair and slid it back. Loud crashes of thunder echoed through the air, surprising him. Wait, when did we send thunderclouds through? All we had available were regular dark clouds!

He looked around, suddenly noticing how very few other pegasi there were. The tornado that was supposed to be uprooting the humans' weapons emplacements was barely ruffling his mane. He looked to his left and saw a few pegasi flying around, but not nearly enough to form a proper tornado, just enough to kick the wind up. Dark clouds hung in the air, and he coughed. Where is –“

Boom

Sergeant Dale Peterson lowered his binoculars as his team continued firing shells at the pegasi flying from the barrier. Although their M198 howitzer was not specifically designed for anti-aircraft duties, their airburst shells were proving quite effective against their current targets. The roar of jet engines overhead briefly drew his attention, but he quickly focused once more on the barrier and the pegasi still emerging from it. “Continue firing.”

A strong gust of wind blew through, causing everyone there to clutch at their helmets or duck behind sandbags. Dale scanned the barrier again and swore as he saw more pegasi flying around in a tight circle. Trees near the area swayed and lost their leaves. “Fire-control, target the pegasi trying to form a tornado. If they get going we'll end up in Oz.”

One of the soldiers loading a shell looked over from the howitzer. “And me without my ruby slippers,” he quipped.

Dale allowed himself a smile before turning around and scowling. “Can the chatter and keep firing, or the Wicked Witch is gonna be the least of our worries. And put a call in to Battalion S4, too. I don't want us running low on ammo.” He looked once more to the battlefield as more shells exploded amongst the pegasi. “God knows how many more are coming.”

A small dot near the barrier caught his attention. It quickly grew into a tan-colored pegasus. Dale dropped his binoculars and pulled out his sidearm. “Incoming!”

The pegasus flew forward in a steep dive, hitting the ground. He bounced and skipped along the ground, rolling with each bump. He finally slowed to a halt a few meters from the howitzer, body heaving. His wings were torn and missing a lot of feathers, while his armor was pitted and ruptured. Blood matted down his mane and oozed from cuts and gashes along his forehead and body. Groans and cries of pain came from him as he tried and failed to get to his hooves.

Dale swallowed. He looked back. “Get a medic team over here, on the double. Reed, Abgarowicz, cover me. I'm gonna check on him.” He held his pistol up and slowly moved around the sandbags. “I'm coming to check on you! I will not harm you unless you try anything!”

The pegasus slowly raised his head. His eyes focused on Dale. “Not... ugh, not in a position to stop you.” His head dropped back and he panted. “Didn't expect this.”

Dale's eyes narrowed as he knelt by the pegasus. “Didn’t expect what? The resistance, or me helping you out? And what's your name?”

“Flash Sentry, and the resistance mostly. Although it's a bit surprising to see you trying to help me after blowing me out of the sky.”

Dale looked Flash over. “Well, considering your queen or whatever is trying to wipe our species out without even asking, I'm not gonna apologize.” He froze as his eyes fell upon Flash's saddlebags and several bottles clinking around inside them.

Flash raised his head and looked back in the direction of Dale's stare. “Oh, don't worry. Those are just bottles of potion. We were –” He stopped and slapped his face with a hoof. “Oh, horseapples!”

Dale turned and waved at his team. “Get command on the line. We got something big. And get those medics here!”

A comm officer looked up from her screen. “General, Commodore, there's news from the perimeter.” She adjusted her headset as the two walked over to her station. “Artillery position twenty-three reports taking a prisoner, along with seven bottles of their potion.”

Bat leaned back, while Marissa let out a low whistle. “That's one hell of a big break,” Bat said.

Marissa nodded. “If I may recommend Autobot City for analysis? It's probably the closest and best place to study it and develop some sort of countermeasure under controlled conditions.”

Bat rubbed his chin. “Can't disagree with you on that. You heard her, Lieutenant. Send the word, and make sure they know to be extra-careful with that crap.” He paused. “And let them know that POW better be taken care of, or else someone's ass is gonna be in a sling.”

Marissa half-smiled. “Well, this may not be the beginning of the end, but to paraphrase Mister Churchill, 'the end of the beginning.'”

Bat shrugged as he turned and looked to the main wall-mounted screen and the barrier. “Maybe, but we've still got one hell of a middle and end.”

Equestria, across the Rainbow Bridge

Megan looked up. The ground raced above her head, a brown and green blur. She looked down between her forelegs and saw the endless sky. She looked ahead as she flew over Equestria. “Firefly always made this look so easy.” She leaned to her right slightly before throwing the entire weight of her body to her left. She spun around, momentarily righting herself before spinning back around to end up right where she had been before. “Of course.”

She slowed herself down, not entirely sure how. Her forward momentum slowed, finally ceasing. Megan hung in midair and swung her head about. “Where the hell am I?” She narrowed her eyes, but quickly yelped as the landscape zoomed in, blurring and dizzying her. She covered her head with her wings and shut her eyes. Even her legs folded up into a sitting position.

A few minutes passed. Megan finally uncovered her head and slowly opened her eyes. She sighed in relief as the world did not suddenly converge on her. She slowly spun herself around, kicking her legs out as she righted herself and sending out miniature whirlwinds with each thrust. After a halting spin, she found herself right-side up.

A cool breeze ruffled Megan's mane. She closed her eyes for a second, letting the horrors of the day's events fade, if only for a moment. Queen Celestia's voice had faded to little more than a whisper in the dark corners of her mind. It nattered away, other thoughts and concerns drowning the words out.

Megan's eyes snapped open as she heard shouts and cries. Her ears twitched, and she quickly located the source of the cries. She turned and shot off, reaching a small lake in the middle of a forest within seconds. She threw her forelegs out as she slowed down, but still overshot the lake by two miles. Megan turned around and flew back, slower but still reached it within seconds. She leaned forward and flew down, as slow as she could.

Down in the lake, a small rowboat was out near the middle of the lake. A small filly in it leaned over, reaching for a colt in the water that was struggling to keep his head above water. His legs kicked and thrashed, sending up waves that rocked the rowboat and kept the filly inside from being able to get to him. Both shouted at each other, but the colt's head bobbed up and down beneath the water, drowning his words out.

Megan gritted her teeth. “Hold on, I'm COMING!”

The water rocked from Megan's voice, pitching the boat up and sending the colt underwater. Megan tapped her forehead. “Dammit, Megan!” She dove down into the water and looked around, quickly spotting the colt. Her eyes adjusted instantly, and her mane and tail flowed back, the mane plastering itself to her body and the tail twisting around almost into something a fish would have. Her horn lit up and she carefully, gingerly grabbed the colt. She flew up, taking the colt and also grabbing the filly.

Megan touched down onto the shore and placed both foals onto the sandy beach in front of her. She looked them over. “Are you two alright?”

The colt coughed and sputtered, but nodded. “I – hack – think so.” He cleared his throat and wiped his eyes. He then batted the filly away as she fussed over him. “I'm all right, Sassa!”

Sassa rolled her eyes. “You weren't all right a few minutes ago, Sure Hoof!” She looked up at Megan and smiled. “Thank you so much, Miss...” Sassa's voice trailed off. Her eyes widened as she spotted Megan's wings and horn. “W-who are you?”

Megan smiled. “Oh, my name's Megan Richards.” The smile fell away as soon as the words escaped her lips. “Oh, dammit.”

Sassa's and Sure Hoof's eyes went wide. Sassa shook her head. “N-no, way, you can't be Megan Richards! Megan Richards is a human from Earth, not an alicorn princess.”

Sure Hoof patted her on the shoulder. “Wait, wait, Sassa! Maybe it is Megan Richards, and she's showing her true form! Maybe she's decided to show she really is the Mag'ne!”

Megan shook her head and waved a hoof at Sassa. “No, nonononono! I'm not the Mag'ne. Well, I sorta am but not in the way you're thinking. You see it's...” She trailed off and she stared off into the distance. “It's a bit of a long story, actually.” She suddenly noted the low position of the sun in the sky and how dark the sky was getting. “And I don't have time.” She knelt down and gathered the foals close with her wings. “Listen, do either of you have an idea what direction Canterlot is in? I really need to get there quick.”

Sassa and Sure Hoof looked to each other, then up to Megan. “Canterlot is south, Miss Megan. Or Miss Mag'ne, actually,” Sassa said, bowing her head to her.

Sure Hoof nodded. “It's about three hundred miles, I think.” He too bowed

Megan gently reached out with her wings and lifted their heads “Thank you very much, you two. And no need to bow to me, either.” She stood up and looked around. The sun was now a thin sliver on the horizon, but it was more than enough for Megan to orient herself to face south. She leapt into the air and sped off, quickly disappearing into the sky.

Sassa and Sure Hoof turned and galloped off. “No one's gonna believe this!” Sassa shouted. “We met the Mag'ne and helped her out!”

Sure Hoof nodded, grinning. “I know. Wait until we tell Mom and Dad about this!”

Megan looked down at the ground as it sped by. Night had finally fallen. Clouds blocked most of the stars, but a few shone through. The moon was little more than a fuzzy patch behind them, but Megan could see everything and everyone just fine. “I could get used to this.” She gasped as pegasi and airships appeared ahead. She dodged and weaved around them, shouting, “Excuse me!” as she passed by them at transonic speeds.

After nearly an hour, the familiar sight of Mount Eohippus and Canterlot itself rose, as if in greeting. Megan kicked her forelegs out once more to slow down, not only to avoid overshooting her target, but to better avoid any airborne obstacles. Finally, she was over the city itself. She flew down as slow as she could, circling around until she came upon Canterlot Castle.

Megan's eyes narrowed. “Okay, no X-ray vision. I think.” She stopped in front of a balcony and looked inside. Her heart jumped with joy at what she saw inside. “Oh, thank goodness!”

It was a small sitting room, with some bookshelves, a desk, chairs and other amenities. At the desk sat Celestia herself. She was absentmindedly leafing through a dogeared copy of The Two Towers and sipping tea. Suddenly, she stood up, knocking the chair over. “Who's outside!” she commanded.

Megan flew over to the balcony and touched down onto it. She swallowed and kicked the air. “C-Celestia, I... I'm not sure how to say this, but –” She gasped as Celestia walked through the double-doors and outside.

Celestia's eyes widened as she took the sight of Megan in. She stepped back and leaned first to the left, then right. She locked eyes with the alicorn before her. “By the Herd, by Granny Bonnie herself. Megan... is that you?”

Megan nodded. “Yeah, i-it's me, Celestia.” She turned her head around and looked herself over. “I know it's hard to believe, but – ”

Celestia rushed forward and wrapped a foreleg around Megan's neck in a tight hug. Tears streamed down her face. “Oh, thank goodness you're alive! I was so worried about you when that barrier went up and that other Celestia was there!”

Megan let out a deep breath and shrank into herself. She returned the hug and her eyes stung with moisture. Within seconds, she was crying too.

The room's inner door opened and a hoofmaiden poked her head in. “Princess, are you all right? I heard voices.”

Celestia screwed her eyes shut and nodded. “I'm fine,” she slowly said. “I wasn't before, but now it's a little better.”

The hoofmaiden, Featherful, stepped into the room proper. She started to speak, but froze as she caught sight of Megan. “Princess... if I may ask, who is that?”

Celestia turned and looked to Featherful. She slid out of the hug and stepped around to Megan's side. She looked to Megan, then to Featherful, then back to Megan. She walked forward and placed a hoof on Featherful's mouth. “First, it's Megan. Second, I need you to immediately go and get Luna.” She paused for a second and cocked her head to the side. “She's in the Senate Chamber.” Her horn glowed and rolled-up scroll with a large, red seal popped into existence. “This will get you in without any questions.” She loomed over the hoofmaiden. “Don't tell anyone!”

Featherful took the scroll with her magic. She bowed her head to Celestia, then glanced at Megan with wide eyes before turning and galloping off.

Megan let out a soft whinny. Her head hung low and her mane drooped to the floor. “This has been one of the most insane days of my life, and that includes the time the Decepticons attacked my hometown in 1985.” She dropped to the floor. “I'm so tired.”

Celestia walked over and dropped down next to her. “I have so many questions, but they can wait for when Luna gets here. Right now, I'm glad you're safe.” She floated a cup of tea over. “How's your telekinesis?”

Megan half-smiled. “Probably better than my flying, but right now I don't wanna chance it.” She opened her mouth as Celestia tilted the cup forward and sipped some tea.

The two sat there for a few minutes. Finally, a dark-blue mist flew into the room and coalesced into Luna herself. She stared down at Celestia and Megan, her expression one of naked shock. “I do not believe this, but yet my eyes, and my magic...” She dropped down to the floor. “Megan, what did this false Celestia do to you?”

Megan nickered and slowly stood back up, Celestia and Luna following. “It's not a long story, but there's a lot to it.” She started at the beginning, detailing everything the other Celestia had told her, where she had ended up in Equestria after teleporting from Antarctica, all the way up to arriving at Castle Canterlot. With each word, Celestia's and Luna's expressions grew darker and more somber. At the end, Luna shook her head. “How could any version of us be so foalish as to trust Discord of all beings?”

Megan shrugged. “I don't know much beyond a few fragments and what managed to slip out during our telepathic chats. Quite frankly, I don't care.” She held her head up high and snorted steam. “She threatened my family and–” Megan suddenly gasped. Her horn lit up and both Celestia and Luna were drawn in close to her. “Danielle, Danielle! She was talking to me when this whole damned thing started!” She closed her eyes and hopped from hoof to hoof. “Oh, god, is she all right?” She shook the two with her magic. “Is she?”

Celestia's magic flared and Megan's grip on her was broken. “Megan, it's all right. Calm down. Calm down!” She reached out and placed a hoof on Megan's shoulder. “Danielle's in Ponyville right now. She's checking out our side of the Rainbow Bridge. She's strong, Megan, just like her parents.”

Megan barked a laugh. “I wouldn't call myself 'strong', Celestia. I've been having to fight off the voice of that crazy version of you ever since I got changed into this.” She held up a foreleg and looked it over. “I'm not even sure what I am, not anymore. Am I an alicorn, now? Can I go back to being human?” She looked down and sighed. “I just don't know anything right now.”

Celestia's lips pursed. “Megan, I don't know how, or what it will take, but I swear to you. No matter what it takes, we will make this right.”

Megan opened her mouth slightly, but it quickly stretched out as she yawned. She folded a wing over her head. “I-I need to go see Danielle. I got to get to...” Her wings dropped and her body wobbled back and forth. “I have to get to...” Her mouth stretched open once more in a yawn, and this time she didn't even bother to cover it.

Luna reached out with a hoof to Megan's chin and held her head up. She locked a stare onto her and Luna's eyes glowed white. “Megan, sleep.”

Megan's eyes rolled into the back of her head and her entire body slumped down. Within seconds she was gently snoring

Celestia yelped and caught Megan's drooping body. She floated a pillow over and placed it below Megan's head. “Luna, what the hay?”

Luna stood over Megan, face impassive. “Celestia, she's exhausted, mentally and physically. Even an hour's nap will help her while we retrieve Danielle from Ponyville.” She held up a hoof. “I know we could teleport there ourselves, but Megan really does need the rest, and I suspect Danielle would appreciate her mother getting it.”

Celestia stared at Luna for a moment before sharply nodding. She walked over to the desk, and a quill and parchment floated up to her. She scribbled a note on the parchment, rolled it up and teleported it away. “She should receive that momentarily, and be back in Canterlot soon.”

The door opened and Featherful stumbled in, panting and snorting. She leaned against the doorjamb, body trembling. “Princess... Celestia...” She sucked in a breath and, in one gasp, blurted out, “I told Luna and she disappeared on me and flew out and I tried to catch up to her but she was too fast and there were so many to get through and I got stopped a dozen times along the way and is there anything else I can do for you?”

Ten seconds later, Fancy Pants, Spanish Steel and Shining Armor showed up behind Featherful, slightly winded but nonetheless all right. Fancy Pants spotted the still-sleeping Megan and his monocle flew about. “I say, for once we really did have to see for ourselves!” He looked up to Celestia. “Princess, that is... the Mag'ne?”

Spanish Steel's wings jutted out in surprise. “Like the Prophecies of the Moochik!”

Celestia blinked. “Well, that saves me a step.” She walked around her desk and over to the three. “Come on in, gentlestallions. We have a long night ahead of us.”

Doctor Whooves floated twenty feet in the air. Ditzy was to one side, their friend Raindrops on the other, holding his forelegs and maintaining his position in front of the Equestrian side of the Rainbow Bridge. Trixie, who had canceled her tour of Flutter Valley when news had reached her of the crisis, and Amethyst Sparkler, were below him, both using their telekinesis on him for added safety. He clutched his sonic screwdriver between his teeth, waving it about as he scanned the hole in the sky.

Below him, Danielle stood and craned her head back, looking up at him. She wobbled a bit, but managed to remain vertical. Mayor Mare stood by her, along with numerous other ponies, including the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and a few humans. She cupped her hands to her mouth. “Got anything?”

The Doctor switched off his screwdriver and motioned to Ditzy and Raindrops to lower him. They fluttered down and gently released him a foot off the ground, letting him land with a mild thud. He turned and trotted over to Danielle. “All right, good news and bad news time.” He held his screwdriver up and looked at the scanner end. “The Rainbow Bridge itself is intact. Time still flows the same in Equestria as it does on Earth.” He braced himself. “The bad news it, that barrier is immensely powerful. It's like a sky trench!”

Murmurs of equal parts relief and concern swept through those standing about, but it quickly died down as they all refocused on the Doctor and Danielle.

Danielle breathed out. She dropped to her knees and hugged the Doctor. “Thanks, Doctor.”

The Doctor's cheeks colored, but he leaned into the hug. “I just wish I had better news, Danielle. I'm sorry about that.”

Danielle shook her head. “It's something, at least. Better than what we had before.”

Trixie leaned her head to the side. She reached out and gently patted Danielle on the forearm. Danielle glanced at Trixie. She wound her arm around, gripped Trixie's forearm, and half-smiled at her. “Thanks. This hasn't been the best day for... anyone, probably.”

Trixie snorted and rolled her eyes. “Gee, I wonder why.” Her expression turned serious as she looked to the Doctor. “Okay, any ideas how to get to Earth? Can we use that time machine in your backyard to, I don't know, get there somehow?”

The Doctor broke from Danielle's embrace and turned to Trixie. He locked eyes with her for a second before looking to the night sky and the moon overhead. “Get to Danielle's Earth, well, it's possible.” He paced back and forth. “I mean if I can get another power source then definitely, definitely! Inter-dimensional travel's tricky, though. If you don't have a precise quantum signature you could end up in a reality where we're all shrimp, or even worse, all talking pears!” He stopped and shuddered. “I can't believe I even said that.”

Danielle held up a hand. “Trixie, it's a good idea, but I'm not sure it's the right time.” She slowly stood up. “Even if we get there–and that's a big if–I'm not sure what I'd be able to even do over there.” She abruptly covered her hand with a mouth as she yawned. After, she held up her arm and looked at her wristwatch. “Good lord, how'd it get so late?”

Ditzy trotted over to Danielle and flew up to eye level. “Danielle, you've been running back and forth for hours with almost no rest.” She grabbed Danielle by the shoulders, spun her around and started pushing her towards Ponyville. “You need some sleep, even if it's for a few hours. You're in no condition to do anything at the moment.”

Danielle stumbled a bit from Ditzy's prodding. “Hey, hey, slow down!” She turned around and held her hands up in front of Ditzy. “I know, I know, but I'm not sure how I'm gonna be able to sleep at a time like this.” She looked up to the hole in space and kicked at the grass. “Mom's over there. Michelle, Dad, Uncle Danny, Aunt Molly, and here I am in Equestria. And I can't do a damned thing to help.”

Trixie, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Dinky all walked over to Danielle and Ditzy. Sweetie Belle wrapped a foreleg around Danielle's leg. “If you want, I could sing you a lullaby, Danielle.”

Apple Bloom smirked. “I think that'd keep her awake, but I could go to Zecora's and get you some sort of herbal sleeping thing!”

Scootaloo stuck her tongue out and gagged. “Ugh, that would taste horrible! No, what Danielle needs is a nice cloud-pillow, and I'm just the pegasus to make that!”

Dinky cantered back and forth. “No, no! Danielle needs something to put her at ease!” Her horn lit up and Trixie's hat floated off her head and over to Dinky. It plopped onto the filly's head, swallowing it up. “I, the Great and Powerful Dinky shall tell her a majestic tale of daring and adventure! As soon as I can see, again.”

Trixie stared at Dinky. Her horn flared and the hat teleported back onto her head. She trotted to Danielle's side and started shooing the Crusaders away. “What Danielle needs is some peace and quiet, girls.” She craned her head around and looked up at Danielle. “You're not staying at Golden Oaks tonight by yourself. I've got room at the theater for you and I am not taking no for an answer.”

Danielle held up a hand, but dropped her arm and slowly nodded. “Okay, Trixie, you win.” She leaned forward and patted the side of Trixie's head. “Thanks.” She looked to the Crusaders. “And you four! Thanks for wanting to help.”

A puff of smoke erupted in front of Danielle. She recoiled, but stopped as it cleared, revealing a scroll. She grabbed it and unfurled it, skimming over it. She gasped and tossed it into the air. “Oh, oh oh! Mom's here!”

Sweetie Belle's head darted back and forth. “Where, where?”

Danielle looked around, finally spotting Canterlot in the distance. “There, in Canterlot!” she said, pointing up at the city. She raced over to the quartet of guards that had brought her to Ponyville. “How soon can you get hooked up to your chariot and get me there?”

The pegasus straightened up and saluted. “Give us five minutes, Miss Richards, and you'll be on your way back.”

Danielle smiled at him. “Thanks!”

Trixie and the Doctor galloped over. “We're coming with you,” Trixie said. “And we're still not taking 'no' for an answer. At the very least you need someone to keep you awake on the ride there!”

The Doctor nodded. “And you might need an expert on inter-dimensional travel. In case you decide to make the try, that is.”

Danielle barked a laugh. “Then welcome aboard.” She looked up and over at Ditzy. “Ditzy, you're in charge until we get back!”

Mayor Mare, silent for the most part until now, scoffed. “As if!” She placed a hoof on her chest. “I am still the mayor of Ponyville!”

Trixie smirked. “Right, right. Ditzy, you're in charge until we get back!”

Ditzy reared back on her hind legs and saluted. “You can count on me, Trixie!”

Nearly an hour later, Danielle, Trixie and the Doctor were airborne and rapidly approaching Canterlot. The city built into Mount Eohippus glittered, even in the low moonlight. She bit her lip as a yawn threatened to escape, but her body shuddered. She spared a glance at her wristwatch. Nearly 1AM. I need caffeine, or to sleep for eighteen hours. Whichever comes first.

The sky chariot slowed down as it approached one of the tallest towers of Canterlot Castle. The pegasi touched down on a balcony jutting out and trotted to a halt. Trixie's horn glowed and the rear door swung open, allowing them to disembark.

Danielle ran off the chariot and through the balcony doors to the inner room. She skidded to a halt as she quickly spotted Celestia, Luna and a familiar-seeming alicorn. Danielle leaned back as she locked eyes with her. She suddenly covered her mouth and gasped as recognition set in. “M-Mom!”

Megan swallowed and tentatively stepped towards Danielle. She looked to Danielle's left and rubbed her wings in nervousness. “Yeah, Danielle, it's me. I know this might seem a bit–”

Danielle rushed forward and hugged Megan's neck. Tears streamed from her bloodshot eyes and down her cheeks. She stood there, rocking back and forth.

Megan leaned into the hug and wrapped her wings around Danielle. She too cried, tears of relief and exhaustion flowing freely.

Trixie and the Doctor walked into the room. Trixie's right eye arched at the sight of Danielle and Megan. “Who is...” She suddenly sucked in a breath. “Oh, Herd! Is that Megan?” She took her hat off and dropped low to the ground, her forehead almost touching the floor.

The Doctor simply stared in open-mouthed shock, finally uttering a single word. “What?”

Danielle finally broke the embrace. She wiped her nose with her shirtsleeve and sniffed. “W-what happened?”

Megan swallowed and took in several breaths. “It's complicated, but here goes.”

The Valley of the Chieftains

Cadance floated before Spykoran the Old, King of the Dragon Clans. “We're not entirely sure of the threat facing Earth, but we do know we've been cut off and that some... thing appeared over there and there's every indication of hostile intent.” She bowed her head low. “We request the aid of the Dragon Clans, your majesty.”

Spykoran snorted, jet-black plumes of smoke shooting from his nostrils. He looked out to the clan heads all around, all sitting on their hoards and listening to Cadance's message. “I will go myself. Whatever is threatening Earth – threatening Megan – will not be threatening her much longer.”

Jormun the Red's head shot up. “Spykoran, you cannot go to Equestria to help. It is not a good time for that.”

Spykoran roared. “And what in the name of Draco would you have me do, hatchling? An allied nation calls for help! A friend is in danger! What would you expect me to do?”

Jormun rose from his hoard and stalked forward, head and neck low to the ground even as he looked up to Spykoran. “I would 'expect' you to realize what time of the year it is, or are so enfeebled as to forget of the Trials of the Younger?”

Spykoran gasped and recoiled slightly. “No... it is that time again already?”

Cadance spun around to face Jormun. “'Trials of the Younger'? Oh, right! I remember attending those twenty years ago!”

Jormun bared his fangs to her in his best smile. “I remember you there, Cadance. You and Celestia honored us with your presence.” He drew himself up to his full height. “Unless it is physically impossible, the King of the Clans attends the Trials. I am... sorry, Spykoran.”

A low growl came from Spykoran. He clenched his hands tight enough for his claws to pierce the scales on his palms and draw blood. “And you are right! But still, Equestria and Earth need help!”

Mei Long slithered forward and twirled her body around into a corkscrew. “Yes, they need help, but probably not the help you could provide, Spykoran. I have a feeling this calls for knowledge, not brute force. This may not be a problem you can solve by hitting it.” She soared to Cadance's side. “I will fly with you, Cadance, and help as I can.”

Cadance swallowed and bowed her head. “Thank you, Mei Long. How soon can you be ready?”

Mei Long flew back to her hoard. She dove her head into the pile and gulped down several mouthfuls of gold, jewels and other precious materials. She suddenly thrust her head into the air and let out a long gout of flame. “Ah, much better!” She stretched out and flew to the east, comparatively-small wings beating rapidly.

Cadance reared back and kicked the air. “Wait for me!” She flew a few feet, but stopped, turned and bowed to Spykoran. “Thank you, your majesty!” And with that she shot after Mei Long. Within moments both had dwindled into small dots in the sky. A minute after, they disappeared below the horizon.

Most roads, streets, and highways in Kentucky that led to the Rainbow Bridge had become clogged with people streaming away from it and the barrier that enveloped it, their cars and other vehicles loaded down with whatever they could take before leaving. They moved away as fast as possible, several streets becoming one-way to increase traffic flow.

One street, however, had two vehicles heading towards the barrier. They were a white 1984 Martini racing Porsche 935/76 with blue and red racing stripes, and a bright-red Cybertronian sports car with flame decals on the hood and trailing along the doors. They were Jazz, member of the Autobot Council, and Hot Rod, ambassador from Cybertron to Earth. Hot Rod's engine revved and he sped up. “Two hours, Jazz. If we had left two hours earlier we could've helped out against that attack.”

Jazz's high-beams brightened. “Hey, we got out as quickly as we could, and we're almost to the command post. They kept the lid on this sideways version of Equestria by themselves. Humans aren't as helpless as they used to be.”

Hot Rod growled. “I know, I know! Primus knows how glad I am, but it still grinds my gears. They're our friends, our closest allies.”

The pair passed through several checkpoints, finally arriving at the command post. As they pulled up, hard-light holograms of humanoids coalesced into existence in their driver's seats. Jazz's avatar was somewhat lanky, with dark-skin, short black hair and a bright smile. He wore an impeccably-tailored three-piece suit that fit him perfectly. Hot Rod's avatar was rather more muscular, pale-skinned, with sunglasses, casual clothes and his brown hair tied into a ponytail.

Outside the command post stood Marissa and Bat. They straightened up as Jazz and Hot Rod pulled up to the curb and their avatars disembarked. Hot Rod strode up to Marissa and hugged her, lifting her off the ground. “Hey, Marissa!”

Marissa squirmed, kicked and bared her teeth. “Hot Rod, what the hell is the matter with you? Put me down!”

Hot Rod swallowed and dropped Marissa back to her feet. He scratched the back of his head and swallowed. “Sorry, I forgot myself a bit. Just good to see an old friend, you know?”

Marissa punched him in the shoulder. “I know, but I'm on duty, and so are you.” She turned to Bat and tugged down on the front of her uniform. “My apologies, General.”

Bat held up a hand. “Forgiven, Commodore.” He turned to Jazz. “So...”

Jazz straightened to attention and saluted Bat. “General, Councilor Jazz of Cybertron reporting as per the Geneva Accords.”

Bat snapped to attention and returned the salute. “Thank you, Councilor.” He turned his head and looked down the street in the direction the two Autobots came from. “Who else is coming?”

Jazz followed his gaze, then looked to the command post. “You got one of those big situation monitors inside, right?”

Inside, the four stood in front of the main wall-mounted screen. Jazz's eyes turned a bright green and twin beams of light shot from them, hitting a sensor right below the screen. “We figured it'd be one bad traffic jam if every Autobot in the area showed up around the police station, so they're deploying around the barrier.” On the screen, small Autobot symbols appeared at various points around the barrier.

Bat let out a sigh of relief. “Thank god.” He squinted as he read names floating besides the symbols. “Are there any more coming?”

Hot Rod spoke up. “This is what we could get out right away. We've got reserves organizing in Autobot City, but the rest are scattered all over the globe and even the Sol System.” He rocked back and forth on his heels. “And... most all the big guns like Omega Supreme or the combiners are on Cybertron itself or deep space. Optimus is bringing in a small army on Iacon-One, but it's still a ways away.” He cleared his throat and looked to the floor. “Sorry, General.”

Bat nodded and patted Hot Rod on the shoulder. “You can't fight all our battles for us, Hot Rod.”

Marissa rubbed her chin. “Well, we should be able to keep any attacks contained, especially with the international forces on their way, but what about the barrier itself? It's only a matter of time before that other Celestia begins expanding it again. What then?”

Jazz's eyes stopped glowing. He turned to the others. “I know Wheeljack and Perceptor are doing their extreme science to try and figure something out, but you're right.” He pointed at the barrier and the Rainbow Bridge. “We've got to get back to Equestria. They're probably the best ones to knock that thing down.”

Bat sighed. “So, we have to get to Equestria to get help to get the barrier down, but right now the only way to Equestria is... behind the barrier. So to get the barrier down, we have to go through the barrier to get to Equestria to get what we need to get the damned barrier down.” He rapped his knuckles against the screen in frustration. “Dammit!”

Marissa glanced at the screen. “We might not be so bad off, General. Twilight Sparkle and her fellow Elements of Harmony are in Washington DC, last I heard. She and Rainbow Dash are the ones who created the new Rainbow Bridge. If there's anyone who can figure out a way to get to Equestria, it's her.”

“We can only hope so,” Bat responded. “We're going down fighting, but if that barrier's not stopped, this Queen Celestia might succeed where Megatron, Cobra Commander, Cobra-La, Metlar and others failed.”

Jazz shook his head. “General, if the worst happens and Earth falls, you won't be alone. No matter what, Cybertron will stand with you, as you did for us.”

Chapter Eleven

View Online

“Miss Sparkle, the President will see you now.”

At Agent Smith's voice, Twilight Sparkle looked up from datapad she was studying and blinked bleary eyes. She slowly slid off the couch and stretched, popping joints. “Ugh, thank you, Mister Smith.”

Agent Smith's head twitched as the other five ponies gathered around Twilight. Even in the early morning hour of three AM, he still wore his shades. “I apologize for the delay. President Abernathy has been in one long continuous meeting since his speech and the declaration of war on this so-called 'Neo-Equestria'.”

Applejack waved him off. “No need to apologize, partner. We all know how busy the President can get, 'specially in a time like this.”

Agent Smith nodded to her and led the six out of the dining room and down a flight of stairs. As they approached one of the doors that led to the White House's Situation Room, Twilight Sparkle held up a hoof. “Okay, before we go inside, please remember we'll be talking with some of the most powerful people on the planet, and they're dealing with a very tense situation. We don't need to make things worse by acting out or not taking this seriously. Does everyone understand?” At their nods and confirmations, Twilight Sparkle looked up to Agent Smith. “Please show us in.”

The door opened and they were led in. The interior was rather crowded; some Twilight Sparkle recognized, others not so. She immediately picked out President Abernathy sitting at the head of the table, head bowed as he conversed with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Tim Hollingsworth. Secretary of State Phillip Provost stood by a chair. Chip Chase and Albert Preston were near one of the wall-mounted monitors, quietly talking amongst themselves. General William Lennox, the head of the EDC, was talking rapidly on a cell phone and gesticulating wildly.

Clayton abruptly stood up and looked to Lennox. “Are you absolutely sure about that, Will? They're being treated with the utmost caution?”

Lennox looked up from his cell phone and nodded to the President. “Yes, definitely. The prisoner's pulled through and the vials are under maximum security at Autobot City. Although considering Wheeljack's penchant for insanity...”

Hollingsworth rubbed his forehead. “Just make sure he doesn't accidentally turn the entire organic population into ponies, all right?” He stood up and turned to Clayton. “As I was saying, French, Russian and British cargo planes landed an hour ago.”

Clayton nodded, grimacing slightly. “The chain of command is going to be interesting, to say the least.” He looked down at Twilight Sparkle and pointed at her. “Oh, thank god!” He waved around at everyone. “Folks, this is Twilight Sparkle, personal student of Princess Celestia and probably the foremost expert on magic here.” He looked to his left. “No offense, Albert.”

Albert shook his head. “None taken.”

Twilight Sparkle straightened up and smiled. “Why thank you, Mister President.” She floated her datapad up and flipped it around so the screen faced the room's occupants. “Now, I have an–”

“We've had some new developments, Miss Sparkle. We need you to go to Autobot City in order to study some captured potion, and perhaps recreate the sonic teleboom that reconnected our worlds.”

Hollingsworth spoke up. “We figure our best bet are the Elements of Harmony and Equestria itself, and our only way there is currently unavailable. You and Rainbow Dash are our best bets to get an alternate opening to Equestria, even if it's temporary.”

“–idea to possibly – wait, what?” Twilight Sparkle stopped at Clayton's words. “You... really? That's great!” She tucked the datapad into one of her saddlebags. “That's just what I was going to propose!” She stopped and rubbed her chin. “Well, except about the 'potion' bit. Wait, potion?”

Rarity rubbed her chin. “Pardon me, Mister President, but this potion you refer to. Is this vile brew what this false Celestia is intending to use to turn humans into ponies?”

Clayton nodded, his mouth a thin line. “More like intended, Rarity. She's already used it on several citizens of this country. Right now they're in that Neo-Equestria and god knows what's happened to them.” He clenched his fist and slammed it into the table, rattling everything on it.

Hollingsworth leaned in close to his old friend. He placed a hand on Clayton's shoulder and gently squeezed. “Easy there, Clayton. We'll get them back.”

Rainbow Dash scowled. “Mister President, sir?” As everyone looked to her, sweat formed on her brow and her cheeks blushed. “I... I've never been able to do a sonic rainboom willingly. What I mean is, the two times I've done it, I wasn't consciously trying to do it. I just... did it. But you need me to do another one, right?” At their nods, the scowl fell away. “Well, then, Mister President, consider it done!” At that, she rose to her hind legs and did her best salute.

The President smiled and returned Rainbow Dash's salute. “Thank you, Miss Dash.” He looked to Lennox. “Will, how's Operation: Exodus going?”

Lennox turned to the largest monitor at the far end of the room. It currently displayed a map of Earth. He pointed to several circles. “Well, all space bridges are on hot standby. We've contacted the colonies, Nebulon, Cybertron and other allied planets. They're ready to receive if the worst happens.”

Twilight's ears folded flat against her skull. “Wait, you have a plan to evacuate Earth?”

Lennox shrugged. “Well, yeah? That's news to you?”

Clayton let out a sigh. His eyes lost focus for a moment. “We had two near extinction-level events happen within a year when the Decepticons first woke up. And they weren't the last.” He pointed to the map. “We have twenty-one of the first-generation space bridges at key locations around the globe. They're not exactly pretty, but they can move large quantities of people off the planet relatively safely.”

The six ponies there stared up at Clayton in open-mouthed shock. Pinkie Pie finally shook her head, her mane flattened slightly and duller than normal. “I... really wish I had something to say to break the tension or make some of you laugh right now. Or maybe some cupcakes or confetti, but I got nothing right now.”

Clayton held up a hand. “Appreciate the thought, Pinkie.” He waved to Chip and Albert. “Misters Preston and Chase will be accompanying you back to Autobot City. I believe you know Mister Chase already, Twilight.”

Twilight walked up to Chip and nodded to him. “I kinda wish the circumstances were different, Chip, but it's good to see you again.”

Agent Smith's head suddenly shot up. He touched a finger to his earpiece. “Confirmed? Contain and call in reinforcements.” He walked over to Clayton and Hollingsworth, two other agents joining him. “Mister President, General, there's just been an incursion just outside the Oval Office in the Rose Garden.”

Clayton's head whipped back and forth as he was surrounded by the Secret Service. “Wait, what? Smith, who's out there?” He slid a drawer on the table open, pulled out a laser pistol and two energy packs, and slid a pack into the pistol's handle. With the flick of a switch, the laser thrummed to life.

Agent Smith nodded as he and others surrounded the people inside. “We have snipers on the roof and soldiers moving in, but it appears they're protected by a force field.” He continued nodding. “Yes, yes. Hold your fire for the moment.”

Twilight opened her mouth, but stopped and whipped her head to the left. She slowly walked forward, up to the window. “That... no. It can't be!”

The other ponies exchanged looks of confusion. Rainbow Dash flew over to Twilight and dropped down beside her. “Twilight, no offense, but you're kind of freaking us out.”

A voice echoed through the room, startling everyone inside. “Hey, is this on? They can hear us, right? Okay, good. Attention, humans! We wanna speak to the ponies inside. And no shooting, either.”

Rainbow Dash's jaw worked around for almost a minute before she finally spoke. “Was that... me? That was my voice!” She grabbed Twilight Sparkle's head and turned it around. “Twilight, what the hay's going on outside?”

Twilight Sparkle leaned back and wrenched it free of Rainbow Dash's grip. “Dash, outside is, well, it's us!” She turned as the other ponies slowly walked over to her and Rainbow Dash. “Outside, my magic, or something that is very close to it, is there. I can even feel the Elements of Harmony!”

Clayton growled. “Great, so we've got some fairly powerful ponies out there with the damned Elements of Harmony.” He glanced to the ceiling. “Does the rainbow come in through the window, or does it bypass roofs?”

Dash's voice echoed again. “Hey, we're not gonna blast you with the Elements of Harmony, okay? We just wanna talk with the other versions of us.” She paused for a moment. “We're under a... flag of truce. We're envoys.”

Hollingsworth rubbed the bridge of his nose. “So much for privacy.”

Twilight Sparkle's horn glowed and the walls all began shimmering slightly. “Okay, that should stop them from listening in, for now.” She looked around. “So, you folks probably have a bit more experience in situations like this. How do we proceed?”

Clayton pointed to the monitor. “Get a feed from the cameras outside. Let's see what they're packing.” A minute passed before the main monitor changed from the map of Earth to an exterior view of the White House. Six ponies, identical to the ones inside the Situation Room, stood in a loose circle on the lawn of the White House. A shimmering sphere of violet energy emanated from their Twilight's horn, surrounding them. Bright-red dots flickered on and off the force field, while the light from several searchlights could be seen illuminating them.

Clayton walked up to the monitor. “If I remember, this uses Cybertronian imaging technology. Magnify and enhance.” The image zoomed in on the ponies. “Ah, excellent.” He squinted at the image. “General Lennox, can you confirm the ponies are not wearing saddlebags?”

Lennox leaned in close to the image, even as others in the room drew close. “Unless they've got subspace pockets, looks like they didn't plan that far ahead.”

Rainbow Dash flew up and over to the screen. She craned her neck in close and squinted her eyes. “Say, is it just me, or does their Twilight Sparkle look really tired?”

Hollingsworth cleared his throat. “If we could see the image, Miss Dash, we could confirm your observation.” He half-smiled when she floated back. “Thank you.”

Twilight Sparkle's mouth slowly turned up as she observed her counterpart. She trotted over, hopped onto a chair and examined the image. “Oh, yes!” She hopped out of the chair and danced around a bit. “Yes, yes yes yes yes–”

“Twilight, control yourself!” Clayton thundered.

Twilight Sparkle froze in mid-hop. She shrank down into herself and her cheeks turned beet-red. “S-sorry, Mister President.”

Rainbow Dash snorted. “And you told us not to embarrass ourselves?”

Twilight Sparkle glared at Rainbow Dash for an instant before clearing her throat. “Whenever I teleport across the Rainbow Bridge, it drains me, physically and magically. I need time to recover, and usually a long nap. Tell me, does anyone think she's taken the time to recover?”

Applejack rubbed her chin. “If she's anything like you, Twilight, I'd bet Sweet Apple Acres' crop she hasn't. No offense.”

Twilight Sparkle waved her off. “None taken. We still have to be cautious, though, if we go out and talk with them. They do have the Elements of Harmony, and they don't require outside magic to work.”

Clayton sighed. “Miss Sparkle, I'm hesitant to ask you to go outside and talk with them. The last time they tried diplomacy, one of my best agents was turned into a pony, brainwashed and captured.”

Fluttershy swallowed. “W-well, thank you, Mister President, but we know you need information from them, right? Well, if that's the case, and they're not going to talk to you, then we have to go and meet with them.”

Rainbow Dash grinned. “It's settled, then.” She rose up onto her hind legs and boxed the air. “And if these losers try anything, we'll buck 'em all the way to Mars!”

Clayton half-smiled. “You remind me of half the Joes, Miss Dash.” He walked over to Twilight Sparkle and slowly knelt down. “Miss Sparkle, whenever you're ready, let's go.”

Agent Smith rubbed his forehead. “Mister President, is is highly inadvisable for you to go up there. Last time was a special circumstance. This time, there's no need for you to confront them.”

Clayton looked up at Agent Smith, his eyes narrow. “Smith, I am not going to hide in my own house. They're threatening the country I swore to defend as a soldier and President.” He held up his hand as others started protesting. “My mind's made up, people!” He jabbed a finger at Hollingsworth, even as his old friend walked over. “Stay down here, Tim. For backup, okay?”

Hollingsworth growled. “All right, Mister President, although for the record I think this is a bad idea. Smith, head up with him.”

Agent Smith' nodded. He tugged on his lapels and dropped down to one knee besides Twilight Sparkle and Clayton. “By your leave, Miss Sparkle.”

Twilight Sparkle half-closed her eyes. The sound shield around the Situation Room disappeared. She cleared her throat. “Okay, listen up! We're coming up, with Agent Smith and President Abernathy. If you try anything, it's not going to go well for you. Understood?”

There was silence for a moment before Dash's voice echoed through the room once more. “Ugh, all right, but the human stays silent.”

Agent Smith shrugged. “Afraid of dissenting opinion or other experiences. The sign of a closed mind, Miss.”

Clayton nodded. “Besides, this country has freedom of speech. And you're not shutting us up.”

“Yeah... right....”

The other ponies gathered around Twilight Sparkle, Agent Smith, and President Abernathy. Her horn flared to life and all eight were enveloped in a flash of light. When it faded, they were gone.

The horizon was a fiery orange in this pre-dawn hour. Dash looked up at the humans standing on the roof, pointing their weapons down at them. She stuck her tongue out at them and waggled her head back and forth. “Nah, nah, can't hit me!”

AJ rolled her eyes. She cantered over to Dash and whacked her on the back of the head. “For Celestia's sake, Dash, you're embarrassin' us!”

Dash stumbled a bit, almost colliding with the inner surface of Twilight's force field. She turned and butted foreheads with AJ, pushing her back. “Hey, watch it!”

Any further argument was stopped as their counterparts, Agent Smith and President Abernathy appeared in front of them. Dash spun about and her wings spread wide. “About time!”

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “Sure, whatever. So, what do you want?”

Flutters stepped forward, grinning. “Hello, it's nice to see you six in person. We've been wondering what you're doing among the humans, and why you seem to be opposing our helping them. We just want what's best for the poor dears.”

Rainbow Dash blinked twice. She looked around before waving a wing at Flutters and stepping back. “Ooo-kay, anyone else wanna tackle this?”

Twilight Sparkle cleared her throat and waved a hoof up in the air. “It's very simple. You're not helping them. You've already destroyed their property with that barrier, sent hundreds of people fleeing for their lives and have turned people into ponies against their will. How in any way, shape or form is that 'helping them'?”

Rares rolled her eyes. “Oh please, darling! Those newfoals–”

“People changed against their will and brainwashed, Miss,” Clayton said, glowering. “One of them is a friend of mine. His name is Roger Jefferson. You attacked him while under a flag of truce. There's also the crews of three artillery positions. Others were transformed as well. Do not use pretty words or euphemisms for your crimes.”

Rares scoffed and thrust her nose into the air. “Typical human bluster. We had quite a bit of that rudeness and ill-mannered behavior on the first Earth we saved. Fortunately enough saw the light to help us help them. A shame we neglected to bring potion, President Abernathy. It'd do well to improve your disposition!”

Twilight Sparkle stared at Rares for a moment. “I don't know what to say.”

A bark of laughter came from Dash and she thrust a hoof into the air. “Ha, all right! You're seeing the light, right?”

Twilight Sparkle shook her head. "No. I'm just not sure what arguments can be made to get through those thick skulls of yours that what you're doing isn't helpful! It's hurtful, horrible, and against everything those Elements you're wearing represent!"

At that, Twilight's eyes gained focus. "No, you're wrong! Queen Celestia is risking so much to help the humans rise above themselves, to better their lot in life." She took a tentative step forward, eyes focused on Twilight Sparkle. "Look at their wars, their violence, their hatred and destruction. You can't honestly tell me they wouldn't be better off as ponies!"

Clayton held up a hand. "Twilight, my Twilight, may I respond?" At her nod he stepped forward. "As I said in my address, humanity has done evil in the past, the present and undoubtedly the future. To deny or downplay that would be a lie. We have, also, done much good in the past, present and future. To deny or downplay that would be a lie as well. No, we are not perfect. We've struggled and will continue to struggle with our inner demons. All sapient species we've encountered so far do that." He paused for a moment. "Even ponies."

Twilight snickered and snorted. "Oh, that's rich!"

Twilight Sparkle shrugged. "Well, it's true. Ponies aren't perfect, not by a long shot. The things I've read what Queen Majesty did curled my hooves. Ponder that for a moment. Hay, I've had moments of anger, jealousy and outright hate on more than one occasion. You can't condemn humans for their negative emotions without condemning pretty much every sapient species out there for the same exact thing."

Rares rolled her eyes and stuck her nose into the air. "Oh please, my dear. I'm sure whatever things Queen Majesty did are minuscule compared to what humans have done."

Rainbow Dash's head tilted back in laughter. She clutched her sides and rolled about in midair. "Oh, Wow! That’s a good one!" She finally stopped, wiped her eyes and focused on Rares. "Listen, I don't know much about Majesty, but what the Princess Ponies told me about her and what I've read? She was crazy! A grade-A psychopath!"

Twilight Sparkle blinked and looked up at Rainbow Dash. "Wow, Dash. I never knew you were into history."

Rainbow Dash waved her off. "Eh, don't get me wrong. I'm not much into all that egghead stuff. It was just one conversation, but what a conversation! Some of the things she did was just nuts."

Rares swallowed. "W-w-well, fine! One pony out of–"

"There's also Commander Hurricane, Princess Platinum and Chancellor Puddinghead of the Sky Clans of the Peak, the Mages of the Rock, and the Ponies of the Plains, respectively," Twilight Sparkle said. "Tales of their war-making and general insanity abound in historical literature and eyewitness accounts. The things the Princess Ponies told me?" She shook her head. "By the Herd, they were insane! If you think Queen Majesty was the only one like that, then maybe you should've paid more attention in class."

"Yes, they were insane." The admission surprised everyone on both sides, causing them to stare at Twilight. "But what did the human say? 'Past, present, and undoubtedly the future'? Didn't you agree with him saying that the same was true of your Equestria? So sure, we have the same brutal history, but what about our earth now? War is gone; crime nearly so. When we found humanity, twenty-five thousand of them were starving to death every night because of petty wars that destroyed crops and tore families apart while the rest of them watched, debating the morality of helping!"

Applejack shot back. "You’re lyin'!"

"She ain't, and that's the honest truth!" AJ responded, with just as much conviction.

"Go ahead, Twilight Sparkle," Twilight resumed in a sickeningly sweet voice of contempt. "Ask your president how many humans have starved to death since we started this mission. How many of his 'fellow citizens' were murdered last night. How many have died in fighting since their 'War to End All Wars'. On our Equestria; on our Earth, the answer's easy: none. We're not the ones that should have paid more attention in class."

Pinkie Pie piped up and waved a hoof in the air, grinning from ear to ear. "Ooh, ooh! If you're gonna condemn all of humanity like this, better save some potion for Transformers, Nebulons, dragons and Herd knows who else." her smile fell away and her eyes narrowed. "Wouldn't be 'fair' to not invite them to this party!"

Applejack tapped a hoof on the ground. "Hay, now that I think 'bout it, how are you even feedin' all of them? You took in seven billion humans from that other Earth, and now seven billion more, or however many you manage to convert? That's nuts!"

Flutters stepped forward. "Oh, well, when Kindness overcomes greed, hate, and fear, anything is possible. When ponies care about Harmony, everypony takes care of everypony else."

"And that way, everypony can have great parties instead of having to be sad!"

"When you're loyal to everypony, you don't let anypony go without."

"Friends wouldn't keep the blessings of Harmony to themselves."

"So you see, my dears, you don't have to struggle anymore. We're here to help."

"And we really do want what's best for you, even if you can't see it yet." AJ finished for the group.

Twilight Sparkle slapped a hoof to her forehead and dragged it down her face. "I can see we're not gonna get through to you. This was a waste of time."

Twilight growled a bared her teeth. "Something we agree on. It's quite obvious humanity has contaminated you and your Equestria as well. It seems we have no choice but to head back and make our report." She shook her head. "A shame we didn't bring any potion with us."

Dash flew up and kicked the air right in front of Twilight's force field. "Oh, I don't think we need any potion to beat the humans."

Rainbow Dash snarled and jabbed a hoof at her. "Oh, yeah? Why don't you come over here and try that, you cheap knockoff? I'll kick you so hard you'll fly past Pluto!"

Clayton threw an arm up in front of Rainbow Dash. “Don't bother, Miss Dash. As for you six, since this time you haven't broken the flag of truce you're under, I am going to let you retreat. This time.”

Twilight chuckled. “Oh, like you could even stop us? My force field is–”She suddenly groaned and stumbled forward. Her horn sputtered and the shiny hemisphere surrounding her and her friends vanished.

Flutters swallowed and her cheeks paled. “Oh, my...”

Rares and AJ caught Twilight before she fell face-first into the grass. AJ slid her hat off and waved it frantically in front of Twilight.

Clayton crossed his arms. “Overexert yourself, Miss Sparkle?” He turned to Agent Smith. “Mister Smith, could you let–”

Agent Smith pushed Clayton back and held his laser pistol up. He aimed it at Dash as she flew forward. The lenses of his glasses lit up as he aimed, calmly squeezed the trigger, and fired a thin, blue beam at the charging pegasus. It sliced through part of her left wing, burning through feathers and skin and leaving a long, nasty slice along the appendage.

Dash cried out in pain and corkscrewed to her left. She crashed into the ground, managing to tuck her wings in close to her body before impacting and rolling along. She stumbled to her hooves, her wing close to her body. “Ow, ow! That hurt! Gyah, bucking horse apples!”

Rares' eyes widened. “Rainbow Dash, you ruffian!” She gasped as she noticed red dots appearing on her white coat. “Oh, my stars!”

Members of the Park Police and Secret Service rushed out, sidearms drawn and aimed at the Neo-Equestrians. Twilight's eyes gained focus and she looked around. She sucked in a breath and closed her eyes. Her horn sparked and sputtered, finally igniting. Her group and Dash were surrounded by a violet light as she drew upon her last bits of energy to teleport them away.

Clayton clenched his fists as they escaped. “Well, forget flag of truce. From now on, shoot on sight.” He turned to Agent Smith. “Good eye.”

Agent Smith slowly nodded as he holstered his pistol once more. “Thank you, Mister President. Although from now on, I must insist on you refraining from meeting with the enemy. For your own safety, of course.”

Clayton held up a hand, but waved Agent Smith off. “Just put out an APB on them, and contact the command post at the barrier. Let them know about this.” He dropped down to one knee besides a shaky Twilight Sparkle. “Are you all right?”

Twilight Sparkle slowly shook her head. “I... I don't think so, Sir. Talking to them was like butting my head against a concrete wall.” She locked eyes with him. “They kept on insisting they were right, despite evidence to the contrary or any questions we raised. I don't get it. Even with the Pinkie Sense, I acknowledged it existing.”

Clayton sighed. He slowly reached out and patted Twilight Sparkle on the shoulder. “Those who truly believe in the cause are those hardest to convince otherwise, despite evidence to the contrary. I've seen it before. If it makes you feel any better, they probably think the same about us.”

Rainbow Dash shook a hoof and let out a strangled grunt. “Wait until next time, you diamond dog! I'll wreck you so bad!”

Applejack looked up at her. “Easy there, sugarcube. Save that energy for next time.”

Rainbow Dash bared her teeth. “This time should've been 'next time', Applejack. Next time, she's not getting away. None of them are.”

The sun rose over Canterlot, but Danielle paid it no mind. She was curled up on a couch, a blanket over her. Muffled snores could be heard as she occasionally kicked and turned in her sleep.

In front, Trixie and the Doctor stood facing each other, Danielle's smartphone hovering between the pair. The back panel was off and the Doctor waved his sonic screwdriver over the internal circuitry. “There we go.” He flipped the screwdriver off and motioned to Trixie. “All set, my dear. Now Danielle should be able to call home, even through the barrier.”

Trixie floated the back cover over and reattached it to the phone. “Let's hope you're right, Doctor. Not that I don't trust you, but phones are complicated pieces of work. It took me four tries to successfully use my theater's phone the first time, and that's an old-style wall unit!”

The Doctor grinned. “Well, that's a bit humble from you, Trixie.”

“You could stand to learn a thing or three about humility, my dear Doctor.”

Any rejoinder was cut off when the main doors opened and Megan and Celestia walked in, an ornately-decorated chest floating behind them. Both looked far less haggard than even a few hours ago. Megan walked over to Danielle and leaned over her. She held up a foreleg and looked it over, then looked to Danielle. “I can't stay like this.”

Trixie slowly turned and walked over to Megan's side. She swallowed before speaking. “B-begging your pardon, Mag–I mean Megan, but is being a pony really all that bad?” She stepped back as Megan swung her head around to look at her. “N-not that I-I'm saying you're wrong, mind you! If you want to become human again, I meant there's n-n-no reason why not!”

Megan sighed. “That's one reason right there, Trixie. Just walking from the throne room to get the Elements and back here, I had just about everyone bowing to me and scraping. Even Shiny and Fancy Pants were trying their best to not look like they were doing it while their horns were scrapping the tiling.”

Trixie shook her head. “Even I, Trixie, would find such adulation and treatment overwhelming. For you, almost the Element of Humbleness?”

Megan half-smiled, her eyes somewhat dull. “Even without all the bowing, this wasn't some accident or benevolent change.” Her eyes narrowed, her mane and tail whipped out and the gossamer sections of her wings began to glow. “If it was something like that, then fine! But oh, no! Some messed-up version of Celestia accused me and my entire species of being beyond help and forced me to guzzle down an entire vial of that damned potion. I've got her in my head chattering away like the next-door neighbors at the best of times, and at the worst she's in almost total control of me. And the worst thing is? I can't even control my MAGIC!”

The last word thundered in the room, shaking the furniture and sending more than one picture frame to the floor. Danielle shot to a sitting position, blinking rapidly. “I'm awake, I'm awake!” She looked up at Megan. “Oh, damn. I was still hoping it was all a bad dream.” She reached up and patted Megan's face. “Morning, Mom.”

Megan hung her head. “Good morning, Danielle. Sorry for waking you.”

Celestia walked up to Megan's side. “Well, it's not all bad, Megan. Sure, your magic is a bit powerful, but you can be trained.” She motioned to the window and the sunny day outside. “I have first-hoof experience with that.” She winked.

Megan grimaced. “I don't care if they can or not, Celestia. This isn't me. I'm a human being, not an alicorn or pony. I can't stay like this. What about Michelle, or Mike? How would they handle it if I can't be changed back?”

Danielle shrugged. “Knowing Dad, he'll adjust. Knowing Michelle, she'll grab a dozen brushes and rollers and do your mane and tail up all pretty and fancy.” She held up a hand as Megan started speaking. “Mom, Mom! Come on, we'll get through this. You know it's not gonna matter to Dad if you remain an alicorn or not.”

Megan sighed. “I don't know, Danielle. I mean there are some... things that–”

Danielle placed her hands over her ears and shot to her feet. “Lalala, not listening to that line of conversation!” She ran away from Megan and Celestia, quickly crossing to the other side of the room. She looked over. “Is it dropped? It's dropped, right? Right.”

Celestia bit her lip, but her cheeks still bulged out. Megan shot her a look, but finally nodded. “Okay, sorry about that. It's dropped.” She looked to Celestia. “Do you have any idea about some magic that can turn me back into a human?”

Celestia glanced away, eyebrows furrowed. “Off the top of my horn, possibly. We have transmutation magic, certainly, but we're not entirely sure how you've been changed. Without proper study, it would be exceedingly dangerous.”

The Doctor and Trixie walked over. “Well, I do have some good news.” He stepped aside as Trixie floated Danielle's phone up. “If my work is right, and it usually is, this phone can now call up Earth, barrier or no. The only question is, who should we–”

Danielle dashed over and plucked the phone from midair. “Thanks, Doc!” she said as her fingers danced across the screen. After a few seconds, she held it out as a dial-tone could be heard. “Come on, come on...”

The other end picked up and a somewhat groggy Mike could be heard over the speaker. “Hello? Danielle, is that you? Danielle!”

Danielle swallowed, and she began crying. “I-I'm here, Dad. I'm all right.” She looked up as Megan slowly walked over. “And there's someone else here who wants to talk to you.”

“Megan?”

Megan shuddered. “Hi, Mike. I am so glad to hear you. I just...” She wiped her eyes with a wing. “I'm just glad to hear you.”

There was silence for nearly a minute before Mike spoke again, his voice gruffer than usual. “I'm glad to hear you, too, honey. I was just so worried and scared. Wait, Michelle's right here!”

There was a slight shuffling sound before, “Mommy? Are you there?”

Megan gasped. “I'm right here, Michelle! Danielle and I are right here. We're okay!” She looked to the Doctor and Trixie. “Thank you so much. I just... thank you.”

Trixie bowed her head and swept her hat off her head. The Doctor merely grinned.

Megan turned back to the phone. “Mike, how are Danny and Molly? Have you heard from them? And where are you and Michelle?”

“Well, big sis, we're right here in Autobot City,” Danny said. “They picked up Molly and I yesterday, and it's been one damned thing after another.” There was a pause. “So are you really an alicorn? And is it really you? Quick, what was the name of my freshman year crush?”

Megan's head drooped. “Shelby Smith, Danny. Although how on Earth you fell for that psycho is still beyond me. And yeah, Danny. I really am, at least for the moment.”

“Okay, it's you.”

There was the sound of shuffling and rustling over the connection before Molly's voice came over. “There's about a thousand jokes I could say right now,but I'll save them for after we get you back, save Earth and possibly Equestria at the same time. Wait, is she here? Okay. Megan? There's someone from the Earth Defense Command here. Mike called her up.” She paused. “I didn't mean it like that, I swear!”

Another voice came over. “Missus Richards? My name is Lieutenant Commander Marie Hernandez of the Earth Defense Command. What is your current situation? Is there anyone from the government or military nearby?”

Celestia spoke up, her voice harder than normal. “Commander, this is Princess Celestia. What is Earth's current situation?”

Marie filled them in on the barrier, Queen Celestia's stated plans, the pegasus raids, the Autobot assistance, and the alternate Bearers showing up at the White House, among other things. “Miss Sparkle and the others should be here in a few hours. She and Rainbow Dash will attempt to sonic teleboom back to your Equestria, but not before studying those captured samples of potion. After that, though, we're not sure. We need to get that barrier down, and right now the only thing we can think of to use are the Elements of Harmony.”

Megan spoke up. “Queen... nutjob is in control of the barrier and powering it by mainlining her version of the Heart of Ponyland. Take her out, and it should fall.” She sucked in a breath. “I can teleport between realities, but if I go there, there's no way in hell I'll be able to resist her.” She waved Celestia off. “It's not a question of willpower, Celestia! I go there, I'm her meat puppet. I barely snapped out of it, and it took threatening my family to do that!”

Celestia stared at Megan before bowing her head. “I'm sorry, Megan.” Her head rose. “Is there any chance you could show Luna or I how to do that?”

Megan slowly smiled. “Yeah, I can do that just fine, Celestia.”

Celestia's horn glowed and a quill and parchment floated over from her desk. She wrote rather quickly on the parchment before rolling it up and floating it over to Trixie. “Trixie, please teleport down to Luna's bedroom. This will get you past the guards.”

Trixie took hold of the rolled-up parchment with her magic. “I'll be back quicker than a sonic rainboom!” Her horn glowed and her face scrunched up. With a flash of light, she was gone.

Danielle spoke up. “Okay, if that... genocide-lestia or whatever the hell we're gonna call her is channeling the damned Heart of Ponyland itself, are the Elements really gonna be enough to stop her? That thing's got almost infinite power!”

Celestia's eyes shifted back and forth in thought. “Commander... you said Optimus Prime was flying in, correct?” At Marie's confirmation, she smiled. “I think we've got our trump card, then.”

Silence reigned for a moment before Danielle snapped her fingers. “The Matrix of Leadership! That thing blew Unicron up in 2005, lord knows what it would do with the Elements!”

Celestia nodded to her. “Excellent thinking, Danielle. Commander, what about it?”

“I... think it might be a good idea for me to get General Lennox or General Hollingsworth in on this end, Princess. They can make these decisions a little better than I can. Although I will say your plan has merit. Right now, it's all we've got.”

Trixie reappeared and bowed to Celestia and Megan. “Princess Luna shall be along shortly. She said she had to go and collect–” Luna suddenly teleported in, with Spanish Steel, Fancy Pants and Shining Armor lined up right beside her. “Well, never mind.”

Fancy Pants blinked and his monocle swiveled about. “Hmm, perhaps we should begin holding Senate meetings here, your majesty?”

Luna walked forward and swung around to face the three stallions. “General, ready the Steel Hooves at Fort Bulwark, along with the American tank crew.” She looked to Megan. “As you strike Celestia, we shall also strike their military.”

Shining Armor slowly approached Celestia. “Your highness, any word on Princess Cadance?”

Celestia's eyes lifted. “Why don't you ask her yourself, Captain?”

Everyone turned as Princess Cadance flew down from the sky towards the room's balcony. She touched down and trotted inside. Her coat was dirty, and her legs wobbly, but her eyes were sharp. She dropped to one knee and bowed her head. “Everyone, may I present the leader of the Eastern Dragon Clan, Mei Long the Wise!”

A shadow fell across the window as Mei Long hovered close in, her serpentine body scrunched up as much as possible. Her eyes narrowed, then shot wide. “By Draco himself! Megan, what has happened to you?”

Everyone slowly looked to Megan, who swallowed and blushed. “Well...” She quickly filled Mei Long in on the events that had transpired.

With every word, Mei Long's expression and posture changed. Her eyes narrowed. Smoke streamed from her nostrils. Her claws clenched tightly, and her tail thrashed in the air, sending gale-force winds about. “Megan, please come here. There is a test I must perform on you.”

Megan trotted to the balcony. She flapped her wings and was airborne. She drifted close to Mei Long's face. Mei Long inhaled, then exhaled smoke. A large gray cloud gathered around Megan. Two pencil-thin beams of red light appeared in the cloud's haze, one emanating from Megan's head and the other from her torso.

Danielle pointed at the beams of light. “Mei Long, what the hell are those?”

Megan twisted about in the air, eyes finally landing on the beams. She gasped and her wings flapped, dispelling the cloud. She spun around to face Mei Long. “Well?”

Mei Long shook her head. “They represent the strings this false Celestia is using to control you, Megan. Here in Equestria, her influence is minimal. On Earth or, Draco forbid, her own Neo-Equestria, those strings would be the thickness of tree trunks. But even here, she exerts influence. We must change you back to human, the sooner the better.”

Megan swallowed. “Okay, so what do we do about them?” She turned to face the balcony and those gathered below. “Any ideas down there?”

Celestia bit her lip and furrowed her brow. “The Elements are useless without their Bearers.” She looked to the cell phone. “Commander Hernandez, how long before Twilight and the others arrive?”

“Probably three hours, Princess, and I doubt they'd be able to teleboom over immediately.”

Celestia nickered. “Drat!”

Luna spoke up. “Sister, if the Elements cannot be used, perhaps something else that is just as powerful as the Elements, if not more? Perhaps the Heart of Ponyland can help?”

Celestia turned and abruptly hugged Luna. “You're a genius!” She looked up to Mei Long and Megan. “What do you think?”

Megan shrugged. “Well, I can't think of anything else off the top of my head, or horn. Or something.” She swiveled around, eyes narrowing. “Then again, I haven't been to Crystal Castle in about twenty-one years.”

Mei Long chuckled. “I would be honored to escort you there, Megan. Shall we depart now?”

Megan turned back to her and shook her head, mane swishing about. “Can it wait an hour? I got some stuff to teach Celestia and Luna concerning dimensional teleporting without a Rainbow Bridge and how to trace the nutjob's magic.”

Mei Long frowned, but nodded.

Danielle clapped her hands and grinned. “Okay, we got something of a plan together! Let's just hope we can pull it off in time.”

Luna turned and bent her head down to look into Spanish Steel's eyes. “General, get to Fort Bulwark and inform General Romper-Stomper of the situation. Tell him to prepare the Steel Hooves for war!”

Chapter Twelve

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Neo-Equestria

Queen Celestia sat on the Solar Throne as Shining Armor finished his report about the disastrous conversion attempts by the pegasi. With every word he spoke, every report about those killed or missing, the temperature inside the room rose. Even her bodyguards shifted as the heat increased. Twilight's coat was matted down with sweat, but Nemesis Prime seemed undisturbed.

“And with the final tally, less than one hundred of the pegasi managed to return,” Shining Armor reported, weariness laced through his voice. “They were unable to convert any humans into ponies, either. According to reports, the humans suffered no casualties.”

Queen Celestia slammed both fore hooves down, cratering the stone floor in front of the Solar Throne. Her coat shimmered and brightened as her mane and tail crackled, snapped and popped. “We are trying to help them! Their soldiers, their politicians and President, all are blind to our purpose! Our words are twisted, our help seen as hate and hurt. If the population at large only knew! We must reach them!”

Twilight spoke up. “But how, Queen Celestia? They've got the barrier surrounded. And they won't listen to reason, either.” She straightened up. “Are you recovered enough to begin expanding it again?”

Queen Celestia glanced down at the floor for a moment, then slowly shook her head. “I could expand it a few meters, Twilight, as well as the gateway between Equestria and this new Earth, but not much more than that. I need to fully open myself up to the power from the Heart of Ponyland once more, and I haven't had any time for that.” She looked down at Shining Armor and Nemesis Prime. “And I need that blockade taken down, so mankind will be able to come forth and be converted into ponykind.”

Nemesis Prime smashed his fists together, sending out sparks. “Consider it done!”

Shining Armor's eyes went wide. He looked up at Nemesis Prime. “You and what army? There's only twenty-two of you metal minotaurs against an entire planet's worth of humans and their own mechanical allies.”

Nemesis Prime tossed his head back and laughed, then looked down and pointed at Shining Armor. “I like you, Shiny! You're funny. I'll kill you last.” He turned and his optic sensors lit up. Three thirty-foot tall holograms, each of a different style of robot, appeared in front of the Solar Throne. “The Ark has one hundred-fifty sentinel drones. We were originally going to use them to conquer this mudball, but unleashing them upon that other Earth will do.”

Queen Celestia's eyes narrowed, but she eventually nodded. “Very well, Nemesis. Prepare your sentinels. Captain Armor, ready the Royal Guard for support.”

Shining Armor straightened up and saluted before turning and trotting off.

A silver Datsun 280 ZX Turbo and pink Cybertronian open-top sports car wound their way down the abandoned streets of the small Kentucky town, passing by buildings not yet destroyed by the barrier. The Datsun spun about, leaving tire tracks on the asphalt. It quickly transformed into Bluestreak, Autobot gunner. The sports car rolled to a halt, transforming into Arcee, Autobot warrior.

Bluestreak's shoulder-mounted missile launchers swiveled about. He turned and looked down the street at the great dome of the barrier, rising above the buildings on the horizon. “Okay, yesterday they launched an air raid. What do you think, unicorns this time? Maybe both at once?” A light-blue visor slid down over his optic sensors. “Primus, I thought we were done with this sort of dross, at least on Earth. No more invasions, no more big fights.”

Arcee reached behind her head as shoulder-mounted pods opened up, allowing her to extract two rather large laser pistols. “I was getting used to it too, 'Streak. Being part of Hot Rod's staff was pretty fun.”

Their comm systems crackled to life. “Hello, this is your eye in the sky, Powerglide! Get your skidplates in gear, folks. Major activity inside the dome! Looks like, sweet Cybertron, those ponies aren't playing around this time!”

Arcee touched the side of her head. “Powerglide, what's going on?”

“One second, pretty lady, going down for a closer look. That barrier's still scrambling sensors. Holy Primus, I was right! It looks like they're sending out Decepticon-style sentinel drones!”

Bluestreak and Arcee exchanged a look of bafflement. “Come again?” they both asked.

Hot Rod's voice came over the signal. “All available Autobots, transform and roll for the barrier. They're bringing out some– Oh, that's how you wanna play? Fine, you tin-plated toy soldiers!”

“Hot Rod, get back here! Okay, 'Bots, Jazz here as our fearless leader zooms off. Like he said, get to the barrier and stop whatever Neo-Equestria's doing cold. Artillery's gonna bring the rain while tanks and human soldiers move in for support. Now transform and roll out!”

Arcee holstered her pistols and ran forward. “You heard him!” She hopped up, transformed and landed on all four tires, bouncing a bit before speeding off down the street. Bluestreak followed suit, and the pair sped down the street. A building to their left shook itself apart and collapsed forward. They sped up just as the debris slid into the street, blocking any path of retreat.

Arcee and Bluestreak quickly transformed back to robot mode and readied their weapons. Bluestreak held his electron rifle up high and Arcee aimed her laser pistols as eleven robots approached. Ten were sentinel drones, boxy and basic humanoid machines with exposed joints, small laser rifles for weapons and clear domes for heads. Bringing up the rear was what appeared to be Hot Rod, if Hot Rod had a black-and-purple color scheme and a goatee bolted onto his face. “Well, the big cheese told us there'd be Autobots on this side of the barrier,” Rodimus said, spreading his arms wide and smiling. “I guess he and sunbutt know what they're talking about.” He dropped his arms and the grin vanished. “Scrap them!”

Before the words had finished leaving Rodimus' mouth, Bluestreak and Arcee were in motion. Bluestreak dove to the side, his electron rifle spitting azure bolts at the sentinels and striking two of them. Electricity crackled and flashed around their limbs. Their servos and circuits shorted out, sending them tumbling to the ground as their limbs spasmed and jerked about.

Arcee, meanwhile, spun about and dodged back and forth as several other sentinels targeted her and shot at her, missing by several meters. She raised her pistols and fired, striking them. With each shot, chunks of armor or even limbs were blown off. One sentinel's legs were shot out from under it. It toppled over, laser rifle firing and blowing the head off the sentinel next to it.

Bluestreak's missile launchers swiveled and locked onto the closest sentinels. They shot at him, one managing to score a glancing hit on his chest armor. Bits of metal flew off and Bluestreak staggered back a few steps. He squelched a cry of pain as he launched two incendiary missiles at his foes. They crossed the gap between within a second, blowing apart two of the sentinels and sending shrapnel flying in all directions.

Rodimus' optic sensors brightened as his force was reduced to less than half-strength in less than two minutes. He backed up, raising his right arm and readying his thruster-cannon. “Come on, you empties!” He fired a few sporadic shots, all of them going wide, but still managing to send Bluestreak and Arcee scrambling for what little cover was available.

Bluestreak dove behind a comparatively-small mound of rubble as Rodimus' shots tracked him. He looked over and spotted Arcee inside of an alley, her head ducking out at intervals. “I think we got him mad!”

Arcee's optics dimmed for a moment as the remaining sentinels added their own firepower. “You think so, 'Streak?” She leaned out of the alley and fired several shots, damaging a sentinel but not destroying it. “If you have any ideas, I'm all audio receptors!”

Bluestreak's neural processors kicked into overdrive, but before he could say anything, his own audio receptors picked up the faint thumping of rotors. Two seconds later, the wind kicked up and a green helicopter with black armor plating flew over. The helicopter, the Autobot Springer, had a large double-barreled laser cannon slung underneath his yellow cockpit, and various weapons attached to hardpoints on his wings. The sentinels barely had time to register Springer's appearance before he rained missiles and laser bolts on them, blowing them to a fine metal mist.

Rodimus' optics widened. “Springer? What the slag?” he raised his thruster cannon, but a stray shot struck his weapon, blowing it apart and the hand holding it. His vocal synthesizer screeched as he reared back, the twisted stump spewing out sparks and smoke. Rodimus turned and, with some effort, transformed into a Cybertronian-style roadster and sped off down the street.

Bluestreak and Arcee emerged from their cover as Springer hovered over them. “Thanks for the assist!” Arcee shouted, waving at him.

Springer's voice boomed out. “Well, I was in the neighborhood. Figured I'd drop in. Who the slag was the Hot Rod knockoff?”

Bluestreak shrugged. “Not a clue. Hey, maybe if there's evil Equestrian ponies, there's evil Autobots over there, too? Oh, maybe the Decepticons are the good guys over there!”

Arcee patted him on the shoulder. “Maybe we can save the speculation until after the fighting's done, okay?” She looked up at her old friend. “Care to give us a lift?”

Springer hovered closer to them and two rails extended from his wings. “Gladly. There's some psycho version of Optimus tearing scrap up. Hot Rod and Jazz are trying to stop him, but that's clear on the other side of the barrier. I'll get you to the closest fighting.”

Both Bluestreak and Arcee grabbed onto the rails. Clamps extended and locked around their forearms, and poles tipped with steps extended for them to step on. As soon as Bluestreak and Arcee were secure, Springer flew off towards the barrier, even as explosions blossomed around the dome. Ponies clad in armor and war machines emerged as shells and lasers homed in on them and the barrier.

Springer flew around, finally flying towards a quartet of French-built AMX Leclerc main battle tanks and two supply trucks. They were strung out in a long stretch of relatively clear street in the downtown area of the city, rubble hemming them in and forming a winding path. American and French soldiers dug into the debris as best they could for cover, even pushing automobiles around. They set up machine gun emplacements, two man-portable laser cannons, and other weapons and readied themselves as best they could.

Springer hovered close to the lead tank. Bluestreak and Arcee hopped off and landed next to it with mild thuds, while Springer transformed into robot mode.

The tank's hatch popped open and an officer of the French Army emerged. He looked the Autobots over and flashed a rakish smile at them. “Bonjour, Autobots. It is good to see you. I am Lieutenant Phillipe Lafayette.” He turned and looked to several soldiers near the far end of the rubble pile. “Henri, set up the heavy weaponry for intersecting fields of fire! Our best chance is to blunt their advance at the bend, then and there! We cannot give a millimeter!”

Springer reached behind his back and unclipped his rotor blade from his back. It folded up into a sword as he brought it forward. “You the ranking officer, Lieutenant?”

Phillipe nodded, the smile falling away. He rubbed his eyes with a gloved hand. “We rushed to the blockade as quickly as possible upon arrival. The LeClerc, it is the best for rapid deployment, but that does not leave much time for rest on the flight over. We'll let those at the command post hash things out while we hold the line.” He clenched his hand into a fist and thumped his chest. “And we will hold the line against these false Equestrians and fake Autobots.”

Bluestreak straightened to attention and saluted. “We're with you!”

Phillipe returned the salute. “Together, we cannot fail.”

Several bolts of magic shot past the rubble, followed by laser beams. Phillipe leaned to his side and peered into the tank's interior. “Let's go!” He turned to the three Autobots and the smile returned, along with fire in his eyes. “Today, humanity stands with you in defense of our home.” He turned and jabbed his arm out, but glanced to the side and winked. “Roll out!” With that, he slid down into the tank, closed, and locked the hatch.

Phillipe's tank surged forward, followed by the three behind. They spread out as much as possible in the narrow street as Bluestreak, Arcee and Springer followed along.

Ten sentinel drones emerged from the bend in the rubble. In contrast to the ones encountered earlier, these were little more than boxes on tank treads, their arms tipped with various weapons. Their 'heads' were squat rectangles with sensors jutting out from all sides. Ponies in plate armor galloped along, unicorns in front with shields up. Even before they fully cleared the mountains of rubble, the tank cannons roared and launched hypersonic darts of face-hardened tungsten at the drones. The air rang as they impacted, carving huge gashes in their armor plating and obliterating arms or sensor heads. The next salvo managed to blow holes clean through the two lead sentinels. Internal fuel stores and power cells ignited and they exploded, sending shrapnel and debris flying.

Bluestreak dropped down and rolled, narrowly avoiding several plasma bolts aimed at his head. He rose to one knee and his missile launchers returned fire. The incendiary missiles struck the nearest sentinel, and it quickly became a rolling conflagration.

Springer and Arcee stood side by side, laser cannon and laser pistols firing in support of the tanks' right flank. One of the sentinels managed to score a glancing hit on Springer, scorching his armor but doing little, if any, damage. Arcee knelt and managed to blow the tank treads off of two of the closest sentinels, sending them them toppling to the asphalt and blocking the path of the remaining five sentinels. They turned on their axis, providing broad targets for targeting systems.

The American and French soldiers, meanwhile, concentrated on the ponies. They hunkered down near any available cover, weapons firing at the ponies. Several unicorns had their heads down and shields extended, overlapping for as much coverage as possible. Other unicorns farther back began firing bolts of magic from their horns, while some earth ponies used crossbows. More than one human was struck by a blast of magic, although most all of the crossbow arrows fell short or even misfired. Bullets and lasers raked the unicorns' shields. At first they managed to hold, but they eventually turned from a brilliant-white to a sickly-yellow. The unicorns collapsed from the stress and their shields quickly failed.

The human soldiers started moving forward in small groups, each one providing cover fire for the others. The ponies huddled together, the unicorns firing back, but they were quickly cut down, their plate armor providing neither adequate coverage over their bodies, nor able to prevent penetration when struck. Very quickly they broke ranks, turned and galloped as fast as they could, jumping over flaming debris or managing to thread their way around the remaining sentinels. Most were cut down as they fled, but some managed to slip away, fleeing back to the barrier as fast as they could gallop.

The five sentinel drones left fired every laser and missile launcher they had. One of the tanks had its cupola blown off, and all of them had their armor scored, scorched and pitted. Springer suddenly jumped up towards one of the more intact buildings. He hit the wall and rebounded, jets in his legs adding momentum. One of the sentinels managed to train its weapons on him as he landed amongst them. He swung his sword in a tight arc, slicing deep into the armored body of one of the sentinels, while his laser cannon blew apart another. Two of them crowded around him, but he pulled his sword free and stabbed it deep into the body of the one on his right. Springer dropped his laser cannon, grabbed the hilt with both hands, and sliced up, bisecting the sentinel. He then turned to his left and brought the sword down onto the sensor dome of the other sentinel. The trilithium-steel sword met little resistance as it sliced the boxy body in two. Both halves shuddered, then slowly pulled apart and toppled over.

The remaining sentinels were quickly reduced to so much scrap by concentrated firepower from Bluestreak, Arcee, the tanks and the closest soldiers. As the last of them blew apart, Phillipe emerged from his tank, an almost feral grin on his face. “As I said, my friends! The line was held!” The grin fell away and he touched a headset attached to his helmet. “Get the wounded sorted and brought back behind the lines. Shore up the defenses. We'll need resupply as well.” He looked up as Springer rejoined Arcee and Bluestreak, and the three walked up to his tank. “Thank you. We have held, and shall do so again, no matter what!”

Springer tossed him a quick salute. “Happy to oblige, Lieutenant.”

Nemesis Prime sped forward in semi truck mode, casually ignoring the lasers and other puny small arms fire from the humans. A pair of tanks loomed ahead, their turrets swiveling towards him and firing hypersonic darts made of depleted uranium at him. A half-second before the turrets fired, small thrusters in his undercarriage fired, sending him into the air and causing the shells to shoot under him. He transformed in midair, spinning about as he sailed over the tanks. His right hand retracted and an energon-powered ax emerged from his wrist socket. With a single swing, he sliced one of the barrels clean off the turret.

He landed behind the tanks and spun about, even as their secondary weapons began spinning around. He howled and brought a trilithium-steel fist down on the laser turret, smashing it in. Nemesis Prime's ax retracted back in and his hand reappeared. He reached back, pulled out a double-barreled laser rifle from his subspace storage pocket and fired, spraying the two tanks with concentrated bursts of plasma. His optics gleamed with an inner fire and he howled inarticulately.

The plasma blasts first bounced off energy shields surrounding the tanks, but they quickly overloaded and failed. The armor plating lasted a little longer, but the hulls were soon penetrated from back to front. Smoke poured from the rear engines and the holes as the crews were quickly and mercifully killed. Nemesis Prime continued firing, stepping back and spraying the hulks until they started smoldering.

Shining Armor and a contingent of unicorns trotted up. Shining Armor's cheeks turned green at the wanton destruction. His horn glowed and Nemesis Prime's laser was shoved up by his magic. “That's enough!” He looked back at the swath of destruction carved through the human's defenses, then up at the sky and a group of sentinels flying off in a southeasterly direction, towards some target called 'Autobot City'.

Nemesis Prime turned his optics on Shining Armor and the other ponies. “Weaklings.” He spun about and raised his laser rifle once more. He fired at a nearby artillery emplacement, blowing apart the sandbags around it. He walked forward, firing short bursts that destroyed the howitzer itself and sent any surviving crew scattering.

One soldier tripped on a piece of debris and fell to the ground. Nemesis Prime chortled as he approached the human. “Oh, look! One of the squishies who like to play with toys.” He loomed over the soldier and laughed as he pulled out a pistol and fired it, the bullets bouncing off his armor and not even marring his finish.

Two cars raced towards Nemesis Prime at full speed. He barely had time to look up before Hot Rod barreled into him, knocking him off his feet and to the ground. Jazz swung about, leaving tire tracks as he opened his door and let the soldier inside before speeding away.

Hot Rod transformed and raised a pair of laser pistols. He pointed them at Nemesis Prime, his arms barely shaking. “Optimus?”

Nemesis Prime rose to his feet and laughed. “Nemesis Prime, nowadays. My future bride likes the name a bit better.” He rushed forward, brushing past Hot Rod's arms and landing a solid punch right to the jaw.

Hot Rod flew back and landed on the street, gouging out a two-meter trough in the asphalt. He shook his head and spat a bit of oil from his mouth. “Not Optimus,” he muttered, before raising his right arm and firing two quick shots. Both struck Nemesis Prime, sending him back a few steps and damaging his armor slightly.

Nemesis Prime tossed his laser rifle away and charged, his ion ax flashing into view. Hot Rod sprang to his feet and backed off, firing at Nemesis Prime with every step, but quickly dropped his pistols. His right hand retracted and a circular buzzsaw extended. He swiped it, slicing a shallow groove in his opponent's right arm. He ducked a wild swing and fell back, too busy evading Nemesis Prime's wild swings to be able to mount any sort of comeback.

Meanwhile, Shining Armor and his contingent marched forward. Shining Armor's horn blazed as he projected a shield around the group. They slowed to a halt as Jazz drove up them and transformed into robot mode. “Stop!” he shouted, holding his arms out in front. “Hit the trails back to your own Equestria, or else there's gonna be trouble!”

Shining Armor pawed the ground and snorted. “What trouble? There's no way you'll be able to penetrate my barrier.” He raised a hoof and jabbed it at Jazz. “Fire at will!”

The unicorns lowered their heads and began firing blasts of magical energy at Jazz. He raised his arms as several of them struck, pinging off his armor but doing little damage otherwise. “Hey, cut that out! Okay, two can play!” He leaned forward and transformed into his Porsche alternate mode. His doors swung open and large speakers and spotlights extended. Loud, loud music began playing and dazzlingly-bright lights lit up, two feet from Shining Armor and his group.

Shining Armor cried out. He screwed his eyes shut, covered his ears and hunched down into the fetal position, his shield disappearing. The other unicorns followed suit, with one exception. He held his hooves up high and rocked his head back and forth. “Rocking tunes! All right!”

Soldiers from the Earth Defense Command, clad in deep-blue powered armor, descended upon the unicorns. Some had their arms held high and lasers extended from their bulky gauntlets, while others held laser rifles and even a rocket launcher. They jumped in and quickly surrounded the unicorns. “Quick, while they're distracted!” Half of them ran in, the others covering them. Even with Jazz's distraction, it took some delicate work, but they managed to slap thick metallic rings around everyone's horns. As soon as the rings clamped shut, lights along them lit up and a low thrumming could be heard.

Jazz retracted his speakers and lights and transformed back to robot mode. As he did, Shining Armor blinked rapidly and shook his head. His head darted back and forth at the soldiers surrounding his group. His eyes narrowed and his horn glowed, but he cried out in pain and dropped to the ground. “W-what the hay?” he asked, pawing at the ring around his horn.

One of the soldiers spoke up. “Thaumic-disruptor rings.” At their blank stares, he groaned and rolled his eyes behind his faceplate. “You can't use magic with them on.”

The unicorns all crowded together, flank to flank. Several of the unicorns reared back and kicked the air in fright, but Shining Armor's voice rose above their panicking nickering and whinnying. “Calm down, calm down!” He turned his head and glared at the soldiers through the eye slits in his helmet. “Act like the ponies you are, not like foals.” He leaned back and pulled a bottle of potion out of an armored saddlebag. With a sharp jerk, he tossed the fragile container at one of the soldiers.

The container shattered against the hermetically-sealed body armor and dribbled down. The soldier assaulted looked down at it, then at Shining Armor. “Full NBC-protection. And no, you don't get an explanation this time.” She raised her arms and two bolts of blueish-white stun blasts fired from her gauntlets. They struck Shining Armor and exploded, sending electricity crackling around his body. He spasmed and cried out, dropping to the ground in a drooling heap. The soldier's gauntlets rotated and the barrels extended. “Next shots are lethal. Drop to the ground and place your hooves behind your head, or else.”

The unicorns all knelt down and complied. Several soldiers moved in amongst them and undid the buckles holding their saddlebags in place. With care, they stepped back, holding the saddlebags and potion as far away as they dared.

The soldier tapped a panel on the side of her helmet. “Command, this is Lieutenant Mizuno. We have prisoners, including what appears to be their version of Captain Armor. We are bringing him, eleven other unicorn soldiers and more potion for study in. Over.”

Any response was lost as Hot Rod suddenly sailed overhead. He landed, rolled and soon came to a stop in a three-point stance, his buzzsaw held up high. Bluish fluid leaked from his mouth and a few other wounds, but he still managed to be smiling.

Nemesis Prime stalked forward, energy ax twitching. Like Hot Rod, he had several leaking wounds and dented armor. The EDC soldiers all looked up as he loomed over them. As one, they raised their arms and started firing, peppering him with blood-red laser bolts. He snarled and looked down at them, optic sensors narrowing. “Puny blobs of flesh! I'll crush you under my feet, then scrape you off on the ground! I'll burn you to cinders and–”

Jazz tackled Nemesis Prime, wrapping his arms around his midsection and pushing with all his might. Hot Rod leaped over the soldiers and unicorns, buzzsaw whirling as he brought it up and over his head.

Nemesis Prime brought his ax up just in time to block the blow, while his other arm swung at Jazz. “Stupid piles of scrap! I'll rip you into tinfoil!”

Jazz grunted as Nemesis managed to strike him a few times. He let go with one arm and struck Nemesis Prime in his midsection with short, sharp jabs. He let go with his other arm, knelt down and shot up, striking Nemesis Prime in the head with a vicious uppercut. Even as he reared back, Hot Rod snuck in and swung his buzzsaw at Nemesis Prime's chest armor, slicing a shallow gash in it and exposing circuitry.

Nemesis Prime howled in pain and anger as he stumbled back. He spotted his laser rifle, scooped it back up and brought it around. He managed to fire two short bursts at Jazz and Hot Rod, damaging both and sending them reeling. He pressed the trigger again, but the barrel started glowing cherry-red and smoke poured from it. With a scream, he tossed the useless weapon away and advanced upon the injured Autobots. His ax twitched from side to side. “Which one gets turned into metal shavings first?”

Lieutenant Mizuno looked around at the other soldiers before raising her arm and waving motioning to the battle. “Masterson, Roberts, get the prisoners out of here. The rest of you, come on! Hot Rod and Jazz need our help!”

One of the soldiers suddenly looked up and pointed to the sky. “Lieutenant, I think help is on the way.”

Mizuno looked up and spotted a tan-colored MiG-25 fighter jet in a steep dive, nose aimed at the battle. She nodded as her throat went dry. “Nice catch, Roberts. Okay, everyone. Get the prisoners and ourselves out of the area. Let's go!” She and the other soldiers herded the unicorns together and moved them off as quickly as they could, one of them scooping Shining Armor's still-unconscious form up in a fireman's carry.

The fighter jet swung around one hundred-eighty degrees. Its wings folded forward, revealing tank treads, while the cockpit and nosecone folded into its body. A pod on what was once the bottom rose up and a long barrel extended.

Nemesis Prime looked up just as the tank crashed to the ground a half-dozen meters away. His neural processors barely had time to register what was going on before the tank's turret rotated and the barrel raised. The tank shuddered as it fired an explosive shell at Nemesis Prime. The shell hit him in the chest, exploding and sending him flying back.

The tank split apart as it transformed into robot mode. The treads folded out from the main body into legs, while arms emerged from the wings. The cockpit of the jet mode ended up on the robot's chest, and the tank turret was on his back. The Decepticon Blitzwing straightened up, gyro-blaster in hand and aimed right at Nemesis Prime. “Okay, this wasn't in the slaggin' mission briefing.” He grinned. “I like it!”

Hot Rod barked a laugh. “I thought you weren't due here for another eighteen hours or so!” He held up a hand and waved Blitzwing off. “Not that I'm complaining.”

Blitzwing shrugged as he kept his weapon trained on Nemesis Prime. “I know a shortcut and backdoor through transwarp or two. Plus, the traffic controller at Tranquility Base owes me a couple favors. Of course, if you'd like, Astrotrain and I could go back into lunar orbit and fill out about fifty pages of paperwork, then come back down and help out with whatever the hell is going on here.” He tilted his head. “Is that some knockoff version of Optimus Prime?”

Jazz held up a hand. “We'll take the help, thanks. As for him, well, if there's evil ponies, maybe evil Autobots?”

Blitzwing grinned. “Works for me. Probably works even better for the others.”

Nemesis Prime groaned and rolled onto his stomach. His chest armor was rent, with an even larger crack than before running diagonally down it. Circuitry sparked and sizzled through the gap, along with fluids that leaked out all along it. He slowly rose to his feet, stumbling a bit. “This... isn't over,” he wheezed out, his words laced with static. He slowly transformed into semi-cab mode and drove off, shaking and shuddering with every bump.

Blitzwing held his hand out and help Hot Rod, then Jazz, to their feet. He pointed to the sky and a heavily-modified gray space shuttle orbiter flying through the air. “We spotted a large group of what looks like old-style Decepticon sentinel drones headed to Autobot City. That's odd enough. What's odder is they're being led by a gray Grimlock with neon highlights.” He leaned in close. “I've heard of April Fool's Day, but is there another prank-based holiday the humans celebrate?”

Hot Rod shook his head. “Primus knows we wish it was that.” He pointed up at Astrotrain. “I can't believe I'm about to say this, but send Astrotrain and his group over to help defend Autobot City. We can handle things here, at least for the moment.”

Blitzwing touched the side of his head. “You get that, old buddy?”

Astrotrain's somewhat high-pitched voice came over their comm systems. “Loud and clear, Blitzwing. Just tell them not to shoot us down!” With that, the shuttle swung about and flew off in a southwesterly direction, quickly dwindling in size until he disappeared over the horizon.

Chapter Thirteen

View Online

Deep below Autobot City, several rooms had been built, partially isolated from the rest of the city. They were 'clean rooms', used for the study of contagious diseases and other harmful substances that could be devastating if unleashed upon the world. They lay behind airlocks, force fields, and fire doors that could seal shut with a moment's notice.

Wheeljack, Perceptor, Twilight Sparkle, Albert, and Chip were in one of the rooms. Wheeljack and Perceptor stood in front of an observation window that spanned nearly one entire wall, while the other three stood on a large table in the center of the room near a pair of human-sized workstations. A large holographic projector dominated the center of the table.

On the other side of the observation window was a remote-operated laboratory. All the vials of potion in their possession were in there. Five were mounted on a rack, while the sixth was held by a manipulator arm. Sensor wands extended from the wall and surrounded the vial, each one designed for a specific function.

The holographic projector flared to life as the sensor wands sprang to life and swept over the vial of potion. A shimmering light show formed, briefly reminding Twilight Sparkle of Trixie's performances or Celestia's mane. She shook off the thought as the light coalesced into a greenish swirl, bright bands of iridescent light laced through it. Charts, graphs and scrolling paragraphs of text appeared alongside the image. She raised a hoof to her chin, but stopped, remembering the form-fitting quarantine suit she, Chip and Albert wore.

Chip paced about the hologram. “Okay, looks like there's nothing here but a fluid and those strands of energy. Twilight, Albert, what are we seeing?”

Albert walked around the hologram. “Those strands, I'd bet anything each one has a specific part of the overall transmutation spell. No way something this insanely complex and invasive can be one spell.”

There was a brief period of silence as everyone turned to Twilight Sparkle. She eventually noticed the stares and let out a soft yelp of surprise. “Okay, okay, he's right! Sweet Herd, I figured my not correcting him was enough of a confirmation!”

Chip stifled a laugh. “Okay, so we know it's transmutation. Very complex transmutation. Anything else?”

Twilight Sparkle turned to the observation window. “Wheeljack, could you give me a lift over there? There's no ledge to teleport onto.” She waited for Wheeljack to place the palm of his hand on the table, then trotted onto it. Wheeljack slowly stepped over to the window and held her in front of it. Twilight Sparkle's horn lit up and a glow enveloped the vial. Her eyes half-closed as magic wavered around her horn. She suddenly gasped. “That is definitely magic like Princess Celestia's!” Her brow furrowed. “And... mind-control spells, too. Subtle, but they're there.”

Perceptor rubbed his chin and paced back and forth. “There must be some way to be able to reverse the transmutation spells and mind-control, so we can convert a newfoal back into a human and undo Celestia's control over them.”

Twilight Sparkle swallowed. “I think I can figure out a way, but I need to be closer.” She turned and looked up to Wheeljack. “As in I have to be inside the remote lab.”

Wheeljack's vocal receptors lit up. “Whoa, whoa, whoa! No can do, little lady! There's a reason we're on this side of a triple-paned window and we're using remote manipulator arms on that side of the window! We've got sensors that can tell us plenty.”

Twilight Sparkle shook her head. “There's something about handling it with my own magic that tells me what sensors can't, Wheeljack. I wish I could explain it, but it's instinctual. I can look at the data and readings all I want to, but there's nothing that can substitute holding it my own aura. Come on, guys. You all know what I'm talking about!”

Perceptor finally spoke up. “I am afraid I must concur with Twilight, Wheeljack. We can observe the potion and take all the readings we wish, but there is no true substitute for direct experimentation.”

Wheeljack's vocoder let out a brief burst of static. “All right, all right.” He looked down at Twilight, still in the palm of his hand. “But you be careful in there!”

Chip shook his head. “I never thought I'd see the day when Wheeljack is the voice of reason.”

Twilight Sparkle paid him no mind. “Okay, going in.” She vanished from Wheeljack's hand and reappeared on the table inside the remote lab. The top half of her helmet glowed and the stopper on the vial of potion uncorked itself. The lightly-iridescent liquid floated out. “Okay, guys,” she said, her voice coming through the room's intercom. “Please tell me what the sensors are saying as I work. I wanna make sure this is right.”

Chip, Albert, and Perceptor huddled around the hologram projector, while Wheeljack stood by the observation window. Albert gasped as one of the strands subtly shifted color. He glanced at a graph. “Twilight, if I'm reading this right, you just successfully reversed the process on one of the spells.”

Perceptor's optic sensors brightened. “You read correctly, young Albert. The atomic restructuring process has been successfully altered to produce the opposite effect intended.”

A grin crossed Twilight Sparkle's muzzle. She concentrated once more on the potion. Another strand slowly changed color. One by one, the strands of spells in the potion changed. Each one, though, was slightly slower than the last. After nearly thirty minutes, a panting, sweating, and drooping Twilight Sparkle finally dropped her head and extinguished her horn. “O-okay. T-that single vial i-is done. And pardon the use of human swear words, but that took a hell of a lot out of me!” The potion flowed back into the vial. Twilight Sparkle then teleported out of the remote lab and back onto the table, collapsing to the steel as she materialized.

Chip and Albert were by her side in an instant, while Perceptor and Wheeljack hovered close by. Chip glanced to the remote lab, then back to the panting unicorn. “I'm gonna risk it!” He undid the seal around her helmet and pulled it off. “Twilight, Twilight? Can you hear me?”

Twilight Sparkle sucked in several breaths and blinked rapidly. She raised her head and looked to the window. “Too much... power,” she finally said. “That false Celestia, she dumped so much magical energy into it. It's like trying to swim up Neighagara Falls!”

Perceptor's right hand retracted and a sensor wand extended from his wrist socket. He ran it over Twilight Sparkle and his optics flashed. “Physically, you're perfectly functional. However, your thaumic energy reserves have been depleted.”

Wheeljack looked to Twilight Sparkle, then around at various pieces of equipment in the room. “So you need more power, right?” He picked up an energy emitter from one desk and brought it over to the table. “I think I can hook this up to Autobot City's main generators and then mainline it right through you. You'll have all the power you'll need!”

Albert stared at him, open-mouthed. “You're... you're kidding, right? Do you have any idea how dangerous that could be? You could burn out her entire nervous system!”

Wheeljack shook his head. “I'll be monitoring her throughout the operation and I'll have my finger over the cutoff switch. Besides, it's not like I haven't done this before!”

Chip slapped his forehead. “Wheeljack, it's a little harder to attach one of Twilight's limbs if it gets blown off than you.”

Perceptor grabbed Wheeljack by the shoulder and pushed him away from the table. “I am afraid their concerns and rebuttals are valid, my friend. This plan is far too risky.”

Twilight Sparkle cleared her throat, gaining everyone's attention. “I appreciate the concern, but I really don't think we've got time to take the safe route. Not that we even know what the 'safe' route is.” She pointed to the observation window. “I'm going back in there, and I'm going to alter those vials of potion. And I'd appreciate all the help I can get!”

The other occupants of the room were silent for a few moments, the sounds of the machines in there almost too loud. Finally, Chip and Albert turned to the projector in the middle of the table. Chip flipped a few switches. “All right, we'll continue to monitor the changes to the potion. Wheeljack, you good to install that thing?”

Wheeljack walked over to an airlock embedded in the wall next to the observation window, emitter in hand. He entered the clean room, pulled down a ceiling-mounted arm, and spent several minutes hooking the emitter into the arm, double-checking the connections, and testing it. He exited the clean room, flashing a thumbs-up. “All set, Twilight.”

Twilight Sparkle nodded. Her horn flared as she teleported back inside the room. The intercom squealed as she spoke. “Okay, Wheeljack. Hit it!”

Wheeljack pulled a lever down. The emitter's tip brightened for a moment before a dazzlingly bright beam of violet energy shot from it, striking Twilight Sparkle and enveloping her. Her mane, tail, and every hair on her coat shot out straight. Her horn sputtered and her eyes glowed purple. She opened her mouth and a bit of smoke came out. “I'm... fine!” she finally said. “I think.”

Perceptor bent over a console mounted on a wall. An image of Twilight Sparkle's body appeared on a screen, along with several readings. “Her vital signs are stable. For now, at least. I strenuously suggest doing this as rapidly as possible with the least margin for error!”

Another of the vials floated up from the rack and uncorked itself. The iridescent potion floated out. Twilight Sparkle ground her teeth together. “Much better!” she said.

Chip let out a whistle as the holographic readout of the potion changed much more rapidly than before. “Twilight, you're doing it!” he half-shouted.

Wheeljack studied the energy output of the emitter. “Hey, wait a second. There's something wrong.” He pointed at a graph. “There's a drain somewhere. I–”

“Don't worry, Wheeljack! I'm siphoning some of the energy into my own magic reserves!” Twilight Sparkle shouted, her voice audible even through the glass.

Wheeljack's optics brightened. “Now that's a mare after my own laser core!”

The potion flowed back into the vial, fully altered. Twilight Sparkle uncorked the next vial, working her magic just as quickly over it. “Now that I know what I'm doing, this is almost easy.”

Albert snorted. “Don't jinx yourself.” He turned to the window, started to turn back, but stopped and adjusted his glasses. “Hey, Chip?”

Chip glanced up. “Yeah, Albert?”

Albert pointed to the energy crackling around Twilight Sparkle's body. Some of it flared off her in waves, flapping about in a nonexistent breeze. “Is it just me, or does that look like... well, like wings?”

Chip leaned back. He rubbed his chin. “Well...” He tilted his head slightly. “Maybe?”

Within a few minutes, the final vial of potion had been altered. Wheeljack cut the power and the beam disappeared. Twilight Sparkle's hair remained standing for a few moments before it slowly started to settle back down. Her horn flared and she teleported back to the table. “That was fun!” She glanced at the hologram, eyes narrowing. “And... holy Herd, it worked!”

Wheeljack and Perceptor walked over to the table. Albert slowly smiled. “Most impressive, Twilight! You have indeed altered all five vials of potion, reversing the spells. We can use this to change newfoals back to human begins and cut that Celestia's mind-control.”

Boom...

Everyone's head shot up. “What was that?” Twilight Sparkle asked, ears drooping slightly.

The intercom buzzed and crackled as it activated. “Yo, this is City Commander Blaster blasting out to you! We got some really nasty knockoffs incoming from the barrier, along with a lot of those evil pony doppelgängers. All civilians are to head to your closest shelter. All military personnel, report to your duty stations. And everyone, get ready. This city's about to shake and quake as it converts to battle-station mode! And maybe the big M will make his appearance, too! Stay tuned for further announcements. Over and out!”

Twilight Sparkle's head darted back and forth, ears swiveling about. “Ho, ho boy! Ah... what do we do? I wasn't briefed on what happens if we get attacked.”

Wheeljack and Perceptor exchanged a glance. “Well, we've both got duty stations to report to,” Wheeljack said, his voice hitching slightly.

Perceptor crossed the distance between him and Wheeljack. He reached out and patted him on the shoulder. “Will you be all right to attend to your station?”

Wheeljack stood there for a moment. His hands clenched. “Scrap it, I will.” He looked up and locked eyes with Perceptor. “Thanks, buddy.”

Twilight Sparkle turned to Chip, a questioning look on her face. Chip swallowed. “Bad datatrax for Wheeljack. About seven years ago Autobot City was attacked. He and Windcharger got hurt pretty badly, nearly went permanently offline.”

Wheeljack nodded to him. “Yeah, but I'll be scrapped to the Pit if I don't do my part, here.”

Twilight Sparkle glanced to Chip and Albert. “What about you two?”

Chip waved a hand at the door. “I've got a station at the command center when I'm here. Albert on the other hand...”

Albert shrugged. “I'll be kind of useless in battle.” He dug his hands into his coat pockets and turned them inside out. “I don't have my magic hat with me, so I'm heading to the closest shelter.”

Twilight Sparkle's brow furrowed slightly. “Wheeljack, if it's all right... I'd like to accompany you to your duty station.”

Wheeljack leaned back slightly. He scratched his head. “Are... you sure about that, Twilight? Could get a bit dangerous. And you're a bit squishier than I am.”

Twilight Sparkle smirked, and her eyes narrowed. The tip of her horn flared. A translucent sphere formed around her. It evaporated as she teleported onto Wheeljack's shoulder. “I can take care of myself in a pinch.” Her expression softened. “And I'd feel bad if you got hurt again and I wasn't there to help. Friends try and help each other out.”

Although he had no mouth, Wheeljack seemed to smile. “Okay, Twilight. Welcome aboard.” He looked to the others. “No time to be idling our motors, everyone. As Optimus would say, 'Roll out!'”

Chapter Fourteen

View Online

Mike, Michelle, Danny, and Molly all sat or stood in one of Autobot City's numerous guest suites. A wall-mounted viewscreen was on, tuned to one of the local TV stations. Danny rolled over. “Computer, turn the television off.” He looked around as the screen went dark. “No one was watching that, were they?”

Molly walked over to a small table where Michelle sat, hunched over. She pulled a chair over and sat down next to her niece. She reached out and gently patted her on the back. “I won't insult your intelligence by asking if you're 'okay'. But are you at least holding up?”

Michelle shifted in her chair. “I guess, Aunt Molly. I'm glad Mom and Danielle are all right. I just want them to kick the bad guys’ butts so we can all go...” Her expression fell even more. “Oh, right. That stupid fake Celestia destroyed our home.”

Mike walked over and knelt by Michelle's side. “Hey, now the house may have gotten wrecked, but that's not the home.” He tapped his chest. “It's in here, and it's when you're with your family.”

Michelle looked to him. “Dad, that was so corny,” she said, her mouth turning up slightly.

Molly nodded. “Yeah, the kid's right. That was bad.” She reached over and swatted at him.

Mike shrugged. “I'm a dad. I have the right to be corny on occasion.”

Boom

Danny's head shot around. “Hey, anyone else hear that?”

Mike looked over, confusion on his brow. “Hear what?”

The monitor turned on once more. Instead of the program that was on before, the words 'Red Alert' flashed on the screen. A computerized voice came over. “Autobot City is under attack. This is not a drill. I repeat; this is not a drill. All EDC personnel and Autobots are to report to duty stations. All civilians are to report to their nearest shelter. Autobot City is under attack. This is...”

The door slid open and Marie Hernandez stood there, her expression grim. “Mister Richards, as you're probably already aware of, Autobot City is currently under attack.” She walked in, glancing at the monitor.

Mike stood up, a hand on Michelle's shoulder. “Those fake Equestrians?”

Marie pursed her lips. “Them, and some reinforcements. There seem to be... Autobot knockoffs aiding them.” She stepped aside and motioned to the door. “I'll fill you in on what I know as I get you to a shelter.”

The group stepped out into an already-crowded hallway. Mike and Molly flanked Michelle, while Danny rolled along behind, the three keeping tabs on her. Marie moved quickly, leading them through the crowd of others seeking shelter. She and the others quickly approached a pair of heavily-armored double-doors, with two EDC soldiers in full armor standing guard. She flashed her ID at one of them, and he inputted a code into a keypad next to the door. “We've got a few others in this one already.”

The doors slid into the wall, revealing a somewhat small and sparsely-furnished room where Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Spike, and Applejack all stood or sat. Pinkie Pie’s mane and tail were flat, but when she looked up at the newest arrivals, she let out a large gasp and her hair gained back some of its bounce. “You're all right!”

Michelle rushed in, dropped to a knee, and hugged Pinkie Pie. Pinkie Pie returned the embrace and the two hugged for a minute.

Marie waved a hand about the shelter's interior. “It's not luxurious, but there's food, water, and bathroom facilities.” She suddenly held her hand to her an earbud. “Yes, understood.” She looked to Mike. “Duty calls.”

Mike bowed his head. “Thank you, Commander.” He glanced to her as she ran off before entering the shelter, along with Molly and Danny. The doors closed behind them with a thunk. He sat down next to Applejack. “How are things going?”

Applejack slowly shook her head. “Not the best, Mike, but probably a might better than you.” She looked in Michelle and Pinkie Pie's direction. “How's the little darling doing?”

Michelle looked over. “I can hear you. You know that, right?”

Applejack nodded to her. “Sorry ‘bout that, sugar cube.”

Danny rolled over and parked himself at the side of the couch. “Well, our sister's been turned into an alicorn by an insane version of her adoptive daughter. Michelle's sister is trapped on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge, and that insane version wants to convert everyone on Earth into a smiling zombie pony for her to control.” He raised his arm and checked his wrist. “So right about now, Megan's coming up with a daring plan to stop the bad guys and girls. Celestia and Luna are undoubtedly either contributing or making their own plans that oh-so coincidentally manage to complement and enhance Megan's plan.”

Mike slowly blinked. “I'd almost forgotten how much experience you actually have in this, Danny.”

Danny shrugged. “Sometimes I wish I didn't, Mike.”

Molly looked around. “Say, wait a second.” She pointed at each one of the ponies in the room. “Okay, five ponies and one dragon. We're missing a mare, here. Spike, you know where Twilight is?”

All eyes turned to the baby dragon. Spike shrank slightly under their stares. “Last I heard, she was in some lab with Wheeljack, Perceptor, Chip, and Albert Preston, working on that potion they've gotten from those evil versions of you.”

Mike pulled out his cell phone and tapped it. Within seconds, Twilight Sparkle's voice came over the speakers. “Hello? Mike, sorry, but I can't talk right now. I'm a little busy!”

Spike ran over to the phone. “Twilight, where the heck are you?”

Nervous laughter came over the speakers. “Hehe, well, Spike... it's a bit of a long story. The good news is, we've got a method for reversing the effects of the potion. The not-so-good news is... I'm with Wheeljack and helping him to transform Autobot City into battle-station mode.”

Silence permeated the room for a moment before Rainbow Dash spoke up. “Wait, why does she get to do the cool stuff?”

Spike climbed up onto the couch next to Mike and leaned in close to the phone. “Twilight, are you crazy? You could get hurt or... or worse!”

Twilight's voice came over again, this time much softer. “Spike...I'm sorry to worry you or the others, but if I've got the ability to help out, then I'm gonna use it.” There was a pause. “Besides, I think the shelter would be a bit too crowded with me inside.”

Despite the tension, Spike managed to crack a grin. “Yeah, a-and you'd go crazy being in here with everyone else.”

“Exactly. I-okay, sorry, but we'll be arriving at Wheeljack's station soon. I have to go. I promise I'll do my best to stay safe. See you after this craziness is over.”

Everyone shouted their well-wishes at the phone. There was an audible click, and the screen showed the connection cut. Applejack wrapped a foreleg around Spike's neck. “Don't worry, Spike. Twilight knows how to take care of herself.”

Spike leaned into the hug. “I know. That's what worries me sometimes about her.”

Twilight Sparkle turned her phone off and sent it floating back into her saddlebags. She was inside Wheeljack's interior as he drove along. She looked out the window at the streets; empty except for other Autobots and EDC soldiers. “Where is everyone?”

Wheeljack's voice came through speakers all around the interior, surrounding her but not overwhelming. “We've had a lot of practice getting the civilians into shelters. It's been about five years since an actual attack on Autobot City, but we haven't forgotten.”

Wheeljack came to the an intersection at the end of the street. Without even slowing down, he raced around the corner. Twilight Sparkle let out a scream as he burnt rubber and continued on, finally arriving at a small bunker at the end of the street. His doors opened, allowing his passenger to disembark before transforming into robot mode. He walked up to the bunker and the door slid open. “It's a lot safer than how it used to be. Once we're inside–”

An absolutely enormous drone dropped from the sky, landing behind Wheeljack and Twilight Sparkle. Towering over Wheeljack by nearly a head, it was covered in thick, golden-colored armor plating, with nary an exposed surface. A dozen laser emitters encircled each forearm, while its right hand gripped a rather large battle ax. Blood-red optic sensors peered out from a domed head, quickly locking onto Wheeljack and Twilight Sparkle.

Wheeljack's shoulders slumped. “Ah, son of a glitch!” He scooped Twilight Sparkle up in his arms and dove to the right, mere moments before the drone's wrist-mounted laser cannons fired, blowing a hole in the street he was standing in mere moments before.

Twilight Sparkle let out a short shout. “What the Tartarus is that thing?” She hopped out of Wheeljack's arms as he landed and rolled. Her eyes narrowed. “Wait... that looks like a Mark V Guardian Drone, modified to have hands. I–Whoa!” She teleported out of the way of another barrage of laser fire, reappearing behind it. “Wheeljack, if that thing's anything like the ones in this reality, it's susceptible to–”

“Strong magnetic fields!” Wheeljack finished. He rose to his feet and backpedaled, the missile launcher mounted on his right shoulder swiveling up and down. “Gimme a second or so to get the right shells ready! I had this thing loaded with high-explosive rounds!”

There was another flash of light, and Twilight Sparkle reappeared in front of Wheeljack. Her horn blazed for a moment, and her eyes glowed as a violet-tinged barrier formed in front of the two. “Make it snappy!” she shouted. “I'm not as good at these as Shiny is!” Her horn glowed again and she fired several-dozen burst of magic at the drone, peppering its armor with scorch marks.

A bark of laughter came from Wheeljack. “Nice job, Twilight. Now it's my turn!” His launcher fired two shells, one to the left, and one to the right of the drone. Each one landed and stuck to the street with a loud clang.

The drone paid the shells little mind at first. It stopped as both let out a high-pitched whine. Its head swiveled to its left as the shells started glowing. The drone's body started jerking from side to side, its arms swinging almost comically back and forth.

Wheeljack's optics flashed. “Those shells don't have enough power to stop it permanently.” He pointed at the bulbous head. “There's an access port on the back of the neck. If we can shoot a laser or something through it, it'll overload its cerebral circuits and shut it down.”

Twilight Sparkle's eyes darted back and forth. She cantered to her left, stopped, and fired a continuous stream of magic at the bunker. It struck an angled plate of armor, reflecting it down to the street, then back up into the air–where it struck the drone right in the back of the neck.

The drone's entire body seized up. Its speakers let out an ear-splitting squeal, and its optic sensors exploded, smoke billowing from the holes. The magnetic shells shut off and the drone toppled over to the street. It landed and lay there, unmoving.

Wheeljack rubbed his 'chin' and nodded. “Nice aim, Twilight. That'd make Sureshot jealous.” He ran towards the bunker, Twilight Sparkle following. As soon as they were both inside, he slapped a panel next to the doorway and it sealed shut. “Okay, this thing is five feet of trilithium steel all around, reinforced by force fields. It's a lot more secure and safer than how we used to transform Autobot City.”

All around the pair, lights switched on, revealing one large computer console and a few smaller stations. Even as Wheeljack walked up to the main console, it lit up, the large screen showing several diagrams and schematics. He leaned over the main control panel and began pressing buttons and flipping switches.

Twilight Sparkle teleported from the floor to a spot on the main console bereft of any buttons, knobs, or switches. “Okay, you need help with this?”

Wheeljack haphazardly motioned to one of the smaller stations lining the walls. “Just check on the sequencing and make sure no alarms are going off.” he leaned in close to a microphone. “This is Station Forty-Seven. Transformation sequence engaged. Everything showing green.”

Twilight Sparkle's eyes scanned the readouts and graphs. “Wheeljack, any other Autobot have magnetic abilities? I'd bet a copy of Star Swirl's diary more of those drones are incoming. Oh, and so far everything is in the green. Armor plating sliding into place and anti-air missile launchers deploying.”

Wheeljack let out a small chuckle. “Well, there's Windcharger, but last I heard he had moved to Velocitron, built a nice house there. He sends me pictures every other week.”

“Gonna guess that's a bit too far to help us out?”

“Afraid so.”

Deep in the heart of Autobot City, the Command Tower sat. A large, square building with a red-tinted observation window stretching across the uppermost level, it was the nerve center of Autobot City in times of war and of peace. Right now, City Commander Blaster stood in that uppermost level, the entire area a hive of activity and jumbled shouting. His hyper-developed audio sensors kept track of every shout, every whisper, every command given and taken, sorting them by importance and urgency.

“Stations One through Forty-Seven report successful transformations. Reports from Stations Forty-Eight through Fifty now coming in.”

“All civilians in shelters.”

“We have one hundred-thirty drones inbound from the barrier. Profile is a ninety-nine percent match with Mark Five guardian drones.”

“There's a large group of Equestrians headed straight for Commodore Faireborn's command post. Mix of air and ground units.”

Blaster's head shot up. “Contact Marissa and tell her things are about to get heavier than a Black Sabbath concert.” He glanced back as Trailbreaker walked up to his side. “A detachment of Kodiak tanks from the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps are inbound from training at Fort Campbell, but ETA is still an hour.”

“Kodiaks?” Trailbreaker asked, curious.

“Hovertanks. First ones with Cybertronian anti-grav,” Blaster replied. “ They may not hit as hard as the newest Abrams, but they’re fast and can go almost anywhere. And they’re available. The Americans are still focused on slowing down raiders; keeping them away from evacuees.”

Before Trailbreaker could ask more questions, a voice cut off that line of thought with a new concern. “Astrotrain is entering airspace above Autobot City.” The comm officer paused, hand to her ear and brow furrowed slightly. “He's asking for instructions.”

Trailbreaker spoke up at that report. “Open up a channel to him.” He waited for her confirmation before continuing. “Okay, Astrotrain. We see you there.” Trailbreaker rubbed his chin as his tactical subroutines kicked in. Information scrolled across his field of vision. “Besides Blitzwing, who's with you?”

Astrotrain's rather high-pitched voice came through the intercom. “Well, Soundwave, Ravage, Rumble, Frenzy, Laserbeak, Shockwave, and Ruckus are on hot standby to launch. And... help you Autobots defend freedom?”

Trailbreaker barked a laugh. “No need to get mushy, Astrotrain. Still, we appreciate the help. Send them out when ready.” He raised his voice. “Okay, send out the word to everyone that all Decepticons are to be regarded as 'friendlies'. Have all IFF transponders set to ID them properly.” He looked to Blaster. “Think we'll need the big guy?”

Blaster rubbed his chin. “Well, we'd better–”

A shout from the Cliffjumper caught his attention. “Hey, there's something big coming out of the barrier, Blaster!” He swiveled around in his chair, optics bright. “And I mean big!”

Blaster and Trailbreaker's attention focused on a large holo-projector mounted in the floor near the observation window. It had been showing the track of the inbound drones, but the image switched to an overhead shot of part of the barrier. An absolutely huge automaton stomped out of it. Humanoid-shaped, it was covered with deep-blue armor, and had rust-colored joints. It sported a large drill for a left hand, with an energy emitter sticking out of the nose. Its right hand was a pincer, also with a drill. Various weapons were sticking out of its chassis, almost haphazardly.

Blaster let out a low whistle as measurements started scrolling down the side of the image. He glanced up. “Big M, I think we're gonna need your help.”

A loud, deep voice sounded out from... everywhere. “I have no problem with transforming to combat that thing and aid humanity,” Metroplex, the living core of Autobot City, said. “They have given me a home, a place to rest my chassis, and energy. For all they have done for us, we must do what we can to assist. Optimus Prime has called for us to help them...”

Trailbreaker raised a fist and clenched it. “Send out the call. Metroplex is engaging transformation to robot mode. This is not a drill!”

“And Metroplex heeds the call of the Last Prime!”

Chapter Fifteen

View Online

The water was clear, endless, with only the occasional crest breaking up the boundless blue. The sky stretched out, not a wisp of a cloud in the sky.

The calm was broken when a midnight-blue sphere of energy appeared a dozen meters above the water. It popped, leaving behind Luna floating in midair. She craned her neck around to look at her passenger. “Did it work?”

The Doctor sat on her withers, sonic screwdriver high in the air and whirring. He looked at it, eyes narrow. “Come on, come on...” The emitter tip brightened slightly. A wide grin blossomed on his muzzle. “Quantum signature, check! Temporal... matched!” He thrust both forelegs into the air. “We're on the proper Earth at the proper time and–WHOA!” He toppled back off of Luna, falling to the sea.

Luna rolled her eyes. Her horn glowed, and the Doctor floated up and back onto her withers. “Calm yourself, Doctor. We have important work. I take it from your enthusiasm that the spell worked?”

The Doctor nodded. “This is Megan's Earth, and we simply traveled distance, not time. You did it perfectly, Princess.”

Another sphere of light appeared, this one a bright-white. It disappeared, leaving Celestia behind. She looked to Luna and the Doctor. “It worked?”

The Doctor waved his sonic screwdriver in Celestia's direction. “Hmm... and you're our Celestia, and not some quantum-duplicate from another reality. Yes, total success!” He looked around. “Mind... not sure where we are at the moment. Lots of water.”

Celestia's head craned around. “No land anywhere in sight. Could be the middle of the Pacific, the Atlantic, or anywhere else. We'd better get back to Canterlot. Or, Equestria at least.” Her horn glowed, and she disappeared once more in another ball of light.”

Luna's eyes went askance. “Ready, Doctor?”

The Doctor hunkered down. “Ready, Luna. Allon-sy!”

Luna rolled her eyes, but she teleported herself and the Doctor away.

Celestia appeared once more in the skies above Canterlot, Luna and the Doctor following soon after. She looked around, quickly spotting Megan and Mei Long as they floated near the top of one of the tallest towers in the city. “It worked!” Celestia shouted, smiling.

Megan smiled back. “Just like how Wind Whistler and I taught you.”

Mei Long nodded. “An excellent job. However, time is still short. We must head to Crystal Castle and the Princess Ponies.”

Celestia's expression turned grim. “I've contacted them, and they're ready. They mentioned something about calling in an 'expert'.” She shrugged as everyone looked to her. “I'm as mystified as you are. They didn't provide any more details beyond that.”

Megan nickered. “So that's where you got your 'mysterious mentor' thing from.” Her eyes slid to her left, her head soon following. “Danielle and Trixie are on the balcony of Canterlot Castle, and Danielle's waving to me.” She blinked and shook her head, mane flapping about. “And I hope I get changed back soon so I don't get used to telescopic vision.” She glance to Mei Long. “Five minutes?”

Mei Long grumbled, a deep bass that vibrated the air. “Any longer, and I shall fly down, pluck you from where you stand, and fly off with you!” She waved a talon at Megan. “And don't think I won't, young lady!”

Megan nodded, eyes wide. “Yes, ma'am!” She threw a foreleg up in salute before turning and flying down to the balcony below. She touched down in front of Danielle and Trixie. “Gotta make this quick,” she said, glancing over her shoulder at the serpentine dragon above.

Danielle smirked. “We heard.” She leaned over to a chair, reached behind it, and pulled out a lever-action rifle. She held it up, the intricate carvings on the barrel gleaming. “I just had a feeling you might need this.”

Megan's eyes half-closed. Her horn glowed, and the rifle was enveloped in her magic. She grunted, and the rifle half-flew out of Danielle's hands. It shot over to Megan's side, but stayed in place. “Thanks.”

Danielle held her hand up and waved. “I'll see you when you're you again, okay?”

Trixie spoke up. “Make sure to come back so you can tell me all about it for my next show, Megan. My ticket sales are riding on it!” she said, winking.

Megan nickered. “Sure thing, you two.” She sucked in a breath, spun about, and flew over to Mei Long. “Okay, how we doing this?”

Mei Long's head bobbed down and she motioned to it. “Ride on my head, Megan. It will be much faster that way. My furnace is firing at full capacity, and to be honest, you're still not really in control of your alicorn powers.”

Megan nickered. “No wonder you're 'the Wise'.” She looked over her shoulder as Celestia and Luna flew up to the pair. “I'll be back.”

Celestia hesitated before speaking. “I know. May Granny Bonnie guide and protect you, Megan.”

Luna looked to Mei Long, then to Megan. “Be careful, both of you. And Mei Long, thank you.”

Mei Long rolled her eyes. “You can thank me by cutting the farewells short! Time is of the essence!”

Megan's brow broke out in a cold sweat. She turned, and flew up to the top of Mei Long's head, the rifle following close behind. She gingerly planted all four hooves on her scales, magic gripping them to Mei Long. “All set, Mei Long. Let 'er rip!”

Celestia spoke once more. “I'll make sure to ask the Princess Ponies to let you snack on any crystals outside the castle, Mei Long!”

Mei Long spun about and flew off, tossing a wave at Celestia as she corkscrewed through the air, shrinking and quickly disappearing over the horizon.

Celestia and Luna both dove towards Canterlot Castle, landing on the balcony. “I shall go to Fort Bulwark and see how the Steel Hooves are doing,” Luna said. Her horn flared as she teleported away.

Celestia's head drooped as she sighed. Her mouth turned up slightly as Danielle and Trixie approached. “Let me guess. Wondering what my next idea is?”

The pair simply nodded.

Celestia's horn flared. The three disappeared, reappearing in the throne room. Celestia walked over to a door right behind the Solar Throne itself–the vault with the Elements of Harmony. She unlocked it and floated out the box containing them. “I think after this, I'm simply going to give each Element to their respective bearer so I don't have to go through this each time.”

Danielle shrugged. “Yeah, truth be told, I've been kinda wondering that myself. So, going to my Earth with them?”

Celestia nodded. “First a meeting with Cadance, but after that, I'll teleport over. I think I can be more accurate next time. I find Twilight and the others, wait for Optimus Prime to arrive, then I teleport all of us to that other Equestria.” Her eyes hardened. “We end it there.”

Trixie snorted. “You make it sound almost easy, Princess.”

Celestia fixed her with a withering glare, but it quickly passed. “A good point, Trixie. No plan survives the enemy and all that. Still, it's the best and most straight-forward plan I can come up with.”

Danielle nodded. “Best to keep it simple, this time around.”

Celestia bowed her head to the pair. “Thank you both for your help. I must be off, now. Time is of the essence, as Mei Long would remind us.” She half-closed her eyes. There was a flash of light, and Celestia vanished.

Trixie scraped a hoof across the floor. “So... I think Trixie's role in this tale is at an end, Danielle. I can't think of anything even my prodigious talents can help with.”

Danielle snorted. “Such modesty, Trixie.” She knelt down by her friend's side and gently ruffled her mane. “Thank you for what you did do. It's appreciated.” She glanced around. “And truth be told, I don't think there's anything more I can do, either.”

Trixie's head shifted a bit under Danielle's touch, but she kept her head mostly level. “You're welcome, Danielle. Back to Ponyville? I can teleport us both there in a flash!”

Danielle bit her lip. “Or... sky chariot? Just a thought.”

Trixie's eyes widened. “Oh, oh! Can we, can we? The last time was so much fun. When the Doctor and I weren't keeping you from falling out due to sheer exhaustion, that is.”

Danielle opened her mouth and held up her hand, but stopped short of speaking. “Fair cop,” she finally said. She looked about the room. “Taxi!”

Luna stood in the main office of Major General Romper Stomper. Sergeant Jack Robins stood off to the side, at ease and slightly confused as to his purpose at the meeting.

A hazy field of magic was floating besides Luna. The interior cleared, showing an image of Canterlot. “With the technique Megan taught me, I can open a portal to this other Equestria. I want you to lead the Steel Hooves through for a direct attack against them.”

Romper Stomper, sitting at his desk, leaned forward, eyes squinting. “Air support?”

Luna nodded. “Any units in Canterlot Province will be at your disposal, General.” She looked to her right. “Sergeant Robins?”

Jack snapped to attention. “Your majesty?”

Luna glanced to him. “Sergeant, can you and your crew have your tank ready to lead the charge into this so-called 'Neo-Equestria'?”

Jack's hands clenched slightly, and his eyes shone with inner determination. “Princess, it would be our genuine pleasure.”

Luna nodded to him. “Thank you, Sergeant. General, how soon can the Tank Corps be ready for deployment?”

Romper Stomper glanced at a clipboard on his desk. “We should be ready in about... two hours, your majesty.”

Luna gave him a short, sharp nod. “Thank you. I leave you to your plans and will meet you out in the field in one hundred-thirty minutes.” With that, she turned and left the office.

Romper Stomper slid out of his chair, trotted around his desk and up to Jack. “Sergeant, your tank and crew will be ready?”

Jack snapped to attention. “Yes, General!”

The stallion nodded. “Good. Dismissed, Sergeant. Good luck out there.”

Jack made his way through the Steel Hooves' main hangar as fast as he could. He quickly spotted his tank, right where it was supposed to be. Even better, his crew and mechanics were there as well. "We got orders!” he shouted. “We're moving out!”

Janet Kowalski snapped to attention as he approached. She exchanged a salute with Jack. “Thank you, Sergeant. Moving out to where?” Her eyes lit up. “Earth?”

Jack shook his head. He glanced up, making sure to look each person in the eye as he spoke. “We're the spear tip of an invasion of the false Equestria that's trying to take over Earth. We're leading the Steel Hooves and the air wing in.” He stepped around Janet and walked over to Rizzo and Zale.

“Like you said, Sergeant, at a moment’s notice.” Rizzo stated proudly from behind smudges of grease. “Power pack’s in the green, capacitors are purring, and the fuel’s been topped off.”

“We even had time after all that hard work to leave a mint on your dainty little pillow, sergeant,” Zale added.

“Yeah, yeah.” Jack smiled. It was good that they could still be relaxed at this moment. “Get your tracks ready. Once we punch through, we’ll need support, and that means you.” As they rushed off to ready their recovery vehicles for war, dozens of ponies moved around the vehicle bay, doing the same for their tanks. Ammo was loaded, engines were fired up, and orders were shouted over the growing noise.

“This is really it, Sergeant, isn’t it?” Racno said, a touch of hesitation in his voice.

“Looks that way.” He smiled and took on a teasing tone. “Not backing out on us now, are you?”

“No, Sergeant!”

“Because I can probably get that one mailmare to take your spot. Push comes to shove, I bet she’s got the right stuff.”

Racno laughed at that. “I just- I don’t know if I’m ready. Invading another world through a hole in space, time, and reality wasn’t covered in basic. I don’t want to let you guys down.”

Jack’s voice was firm but warm. “You trained to make a difference, right? So your world would never again be helpless against something like the Decepticons?”

“Yes, Sergeant.”

“That’s what we’re going to do. Make a difference. For your people, mine, and theirs.”

“Roger that, Sergeant!”

One hundred and one tanks were gathered in a field just outside of Fort Bulwark. One hundred of them were from the Equestrian Tank Corps, looking as if they had emerged from Earth's First World War. The final tank, in the fore of the group, its engine idling, was an M1A3 Abrams. Forty-eight pegasi, armed and armored, hovered over the tanks. At the rear were supply transports, repair vehicles, and ambulances.

Jack's upper body poked out of the Abrams' turret hatch. He looked around at the group, letting out a slow whistle. “Damn,” he said. Movement below caught his eye. He looked down and saw Blossomforth trotting over. “Sergeant,” he said, nodding to her.

Blossomforth returned the nod. “I just wanted to say good luck, Sergeant. The Steel Hooves have your flanks.”

Jack straightened up and saluted. “Thank you, Sergeant.”

Blossomforth returned the salute. “It appears you'll see first-hoof how our tanks operate.”

Jack smiled. “True. Not exactly how I planned to see it, but it should be a ... good demonstration of your technology.” The smile fell away. “See you on the other side.”

Blossomforth nodded to him. She then turned and galloped off to her own Mark XXIX tank.

Jack turned as Luna flew over the assembled group and touched down in front of them. She sucked in a large breath before speaking, using the Royal Canterlot Voice to maximum effect. “Soldiers of theSteel Hooves, of the Air Wing, and of the United States Army!” Her voice lowered slightly, but still carried over everyone. “Your mission is to strike at this alternate-Equestria, to help our human brothers and sisters. This false Equestria seeks to destroy their home, and we must help them in their time of need.”

Luna cantered around. She spread her wings to their fullest extent. Her horn glowed, and her eyes turned white. Her ethereal mane billowed out. A thin beam of magic shot from her horn, striking the air and boring a hole through the very fabric of reality. Luna grunted and hunched down as the hole expanded, showing a field of grass eerily similar to the one that lay before them.

Luna's legs tensed for a moment before she leaped into the air. “Go, now!” she shouted, the strain evident in her voice.

Jack grabbed the hatch cover. “Gun it, Kowalski!” he shouted as he slid down, pulling it close above him.

The Abrams shot forward, the front rising slightly. The one hundred tanks of the Steel Hooves followed behind, the non-combat vehicles trailing. The pegasi dove down low, flying through. Within a few minutes, the field was empty of all, save Luna.

Luna herself floated down to the ground, the beam still firing from her horn as she kept the portal open. “Until you return, I shall stand guard.”

Chapter Sixteen

View Online

Even as the guardian drones flew to Autobot City, the high-tech metropolis shifted, changed, transformed. Along the outer edge of the city, buildings shrank into their foundation. Some had armor plating slide over them, while others split apart, revealing laser cannons or missile batteries. The drones' tactical programming decided that flying in one large group towards such concentrated fire would be akin to mass suicide, so they broke up into smaller groups, surrounding the city's perimeter.

Even as they split up, the city defenses tracked them and opened fire. Laser cannons spat out bright-blue bolts of coherent light, while missiles shot into the sky, tracking their targets. The drones did their best to either dodge the incoming fire or minimize the damage taken when caught in a crossfire. Their hyper-tough armor was able to shrug off most of the initial salvos, but more than one had limbs or heads blown off.

Almost as one, the drones still able to return fire did so from their arm-mounted laser cannons. The energy shields protecting the defenses absorbed their first attacks, glowing a bright-white. As the two sides exchanged fire, the shields over several of the batteries weakened, then finally failed. Armor plate held up somewhat longer before being shot through.

Far from the battle over Autobot City, a gray-plated robot with neon-green highlights floated, sword in hand. “Hah, yes! I, Grimlock, have forged the perfect battle plan! With Autobot City under fire, those ponies can go forth, unimpeded by the largest source of resistance. It is finished–Over!” Grimlock jabbed his sword at the distant battle. “They shall rue the day they engaged I, Grimlock, in battle!”

Grimlock's sensors alerted him to movement in the sky. He spun about, his optic sensors brightening as he spotted a modified space shuttle approaching from the direction of the barrier. “Wot, now? Are these reinforcements Nemesis Prime failed to tell me about? I, Grimlock, am very–” He stopped speaking as he saw a purple emblem on the wings. “Is that a... a Decepticon?”

Astrotrain flew along, his scanners taking in every bit of information. His voice boomed out over internal speakers in his shuttle-mode's main cabin. “Looks like a little over a hundred Mark V guardian drones. Haven't seen those in a while. Be ready for a firefight!”

In the cabin, Shockwave looked to the other members of his team. His single, golden optic sensor bore into every one of them. “This mission is vital for our continued survival. Not only of the New Decepticon Empire, but of the Decepticons themselves. I know each one of you have had your datatrax updated with the current situation.” He raised his left arm, the laser emitter in place of a hand glowing slightly. “Take... care not to make a mistake out there.” He glanced up. “Astrotrain, we are ready. Provide air support for us as best as possible.”

A hatch in the bulkhead slid open. Wind whipped into the cabin, but none of the Decepticons were affected by it. Shockwave jumped out into the sky. Soundwave and his minions soon followed, with Ruckus being the last to go.

Even as Shockwave flew out and away from Astrotrain, his tactical subroutines kicked into high-gear. He quickly located the nearest group of drones as they swarmed around a cluster of laser cannons. He leaned forward, his arms folding over his retracting head, while his legs slid up and into his body. As soon as he finished his transformation to space-gun mode, he fired a long, thin, powerful laser beam at the closest one. If his calculations were correct–and they always were–it would be just powerful enough to pierce its torso armor and detonate the internal power core.

The beam struck true, hitting the torso. Even as the drone turned, Shockwave adjusted his body, keeping the beam on the same spot. It bore through. The drone had barely any time to react do anything before it abruptly exploded in a large fireball and plume of smoke. What little remained of it pelted its compatriots, barely registering on their own sensors.

The five remaining drones all turned from their now-former target, optic sensors blazing. They flew up towards Shockwave, leaving Autobot City at least temporarily alone. They raised what operational weapons that still functioned and trained them on the floating space-gun.

Rumble, Frenzy, and Laserbeak flew at the drones. Rumble and Frenzy each grabbed onto a limb of one of them, while Laserbeak flew around its head. Rumble's arms transformed into piledrivers, and he slammed them into the drone's midsection. “Hey, Frenzy!” he shouted.

Frenzy, his small body wrapped around the drone's left arm, looked up. “What is it?”

By now, the air reverberated with the clang of Rumble's hits as he dented the drone's armor. “So, these are weird Autobots from another reality, right? And they're the bad guys, right?”

Frenzy reached behind his back and detached one of the laser pistols hanging from his back. “Yeah, so what?” He shot several blasts at the drone's head, most of them missing.

The armor began buckling in places, small rents appearing as Rumble continued pounding. “So... does this mean we're the good guys?”

Frenzy paused in his shooting. “Say... I guess it does!” He grinned as he resumed firing. “This is just like... like...” His vocalizer spat out some static. “Scrap it, anyone know any human holidays?”

Laserbeak flew around the drone's head, the condor firing continuous streams of blood-red lasers at the back of the neck. “Squawk!” After several shots, Laserbeak's aim proved true as he struck the drone's cerebral access port, blowing through it.

Rumble and Frenzy let go of the drone as its entire body seized up. They flew off as it slowly tumbled to the ground. “Yeah, you're right!” Rumble said. “It's just like Arbor Day!”

Soundwave flew over, Ravage 'running' through the air beside him. “Rumble, Frenzy, Laserbeak, form up. Operation: Counterattack!” He pointed at the three remaining drones. “Destroy with extreme prejudice.”

Rumble grinned. “You don't have to tell us twice, Soundwave!”

Frenzy detached the other laser pistol from his back. “Yeah! Let's kick tailgate!”

While Soundwave and his minions attacked, Shockwave transformed back to robot mode. He swung about in midair to face the final member of his team. “Ruckus, head to the barrier. Your primary mission is information-gathering, but if there are any humans or Autobots that require assistance, you are to render them aid immediately.”

Ruckus tossed him a salute. “NO PROBLEM, SHOCKWAVE! YOU CAN COUNT ON ME!” He flew off, over-the-shoulder missile launchers snapping into place.

Shockwave paid Ruckus little mind as he flew off. He turned his attention back to Soundwave and his team. He quickly noted a bunker with a quartet of laser cannon turrets mounted on the roof. They were swiveling around in their mounts, but had ceased firing at the drones. He tapped the side of his head. “Shockwave to laser battery. Why have you ceased firing at the enemy drones? Over.”

A very familiar voice came over his internal intercom. “Your team's a bit too close to the drones, Shockers. I don't want to risk friendly fire.”

Shockwave glanced down at the laser battery. “I was not aware you had such... concern for Decepticons, Deadlock.”

There was a pause, long enough for Shockwave to wonder if the connection had been cut, before the speaker on the other end continued. “First off, it's 'Drift', Shockwave. Second off, the Autobots do things differently. And third, I don't want to cause an incident.”

Shockwave raised his laser arm and shot a spotter beam at the nearest drone. As he fired, he looked down at the laser battery, quickly locating one of the main targeting sensors. “Drift, I am going to transmit targeting information to your main computer. Using that will increase your accuracy and provide you a cover, should any Decepticons get damaged.” His optic sensor changed from yellow to green. “Transmission commencing. Soundwave, danger-close. Scatter!”

The four turrets swung around, their barrels elevating. As they fired, Soundwave and his team broke off their attack, scattering in all directions. A half-second later, the bright-blue lasers struck true, hitting weak spots in the drones' armor and ripping right through. Each one was blown apart, debris flying out in all directions.

Drift's voice came over Shockwave's comm system once more. “Well... thanks, Shockwave.” There was a pause. “I think we're all set for the moment. Be careful, though. The big guy is gonna be making his appearance within ten minutes.”

Shockwave looked to the sky. “Optimus Prime will be arriving sooner than I anticipated.”

“Look down, Shockers. I mean the big guy as in Metroplex.”

Shockwave's head shot up. His optic sensor focused on several shifting buildings, streets folding in on themselves, the entire immediate area seeming to contract in upon itself. “Thank you for the warning... Drift.” He flew up over to his teammates. “Decepticons, form up. The core of Autobot City is transforming into Metroplex. We shall head to the outskirts and–” A laser blast passed through the space between Shockwave and Soundwave. He glanced in the direction it came from, spotting six drones approaching. “Change of plans.” He turned, raised his laser cannon arm, and fired. “Scramble!”

Marissa Faireborn slid on a pair of gloves, locking them to her jacket's sleeves. She picked up her helmet from a desk. “All right!” she shouted to everyone inside the primary monitoring room, “we have incoming hostiles, air and ground units. Ready your weapons and button up. We have to remain at our posts for as long as possible.” She looked to Bat. “I have snipers and four man-portable laser cannons on the roof.”

Bat nodded. “Last I checked, all entrances barring the main one are sealed up. And that one is sandbagged, barricaded, and under heavy guard. We've also got guards stationed at the windows.” He looked to a wall. “Although that won't protect us against teleportation.”

Marissa pulled out a small remote control from a pocket and pressed a button on it. All along the walls, two-meter tall silver cylinders started humming, lights along them turning on. “Thaumic disruptors,” she said. “They're large-scale versions of the ones designed for unicorns. Unfortunately, their range is somewhat limited, and it mostly just blocks teleportation.”

Bat shrugged. “Not having to worry about ponies teleporting right into our midst is a rather large load off my mind, Commodore.”

A sensor technician spoke up. “Commodore, we have an incoming Cybertronian from the direction of Autobot City. IFF indicates it's the Decepticon Ruckus.” Even as she spoke, the main wall-mounted screen zoomed in on the their general position. A thin purple line was stretching from Autobot City to the command post. “ETA is about thirty-five minutes, maybe less. He's booking it!”

Bat made his way over to the main viewscreen. “Ruckus?” He looked over his shoulder at Marissa. “Not familiar with him, sorry.”

The sensor technician spoke up once more. “Commodore, may I?” At Marissa's nod, she continued. “He's loud, makes no pretense at stealth, but is incredibly strong, resilient to damage, and a lot more intelligent than he seems to be. He defected to Starscream's faction after a failed raid on one of our mining colonies, along with several other 'Cons.”

Marissa's head shot up. She raised a hand to her earpiece. “Yes, yes. Thank you, Sergeant. You and the others are free to engage.” She raised her voice. “General, the units on the roof have begun engaging the incoming pegasi units.”

Bat's eyebrows furrowed. He looked once more to the main screen. “They're within effective range?”

Marissa glanced at the ceiling, hand still to her earpiece. “Well, they're within effective range of at least one person up there. She's one of the members of my command staff.”

Chief Master Sergeant Zoe Wiedler strode forth, the heavy boots of her power armor stomping as she walked across the roof of the police station. She stopped at the edge of the roof and dropped to a kneeling position in front of a parapet.

Movement in the skies caught Zoe's attention. Her cybernetically-enhanced eyes locked onto a flock of pegasi emerging from the barrier. They zoomed in on them, measuring speed, distance, numbers, and various other data points. She raised her laser rifle. Targeting reticules appeared on the lead pegasus of the closest squadron.

Several other EDC soldiers lined up along the parapet, their own weapons at the ready. Zoe held up a fist, first two fingers extended. She motioned to her left, then right. “Spread out to the other sides. They're breaking off to encircle us.”

The others made their way to the three other sides of the roof, hunkering down. There was a high-pitched whine as the laser cannons powered up.

Zoe turned her attention once more to the pegasus leader. She stopped breathing as the the reticule changed from a flashing red to steady green. She slowly squeezed the trigger.

The pegasus' head jerked slightly, a hole appearing in the center of his forehead. His body dropped. The others in his formation stopped in midair, some of them flying down after him.

Zoe aimed at the ones still in midair and resumed firing. With every squeeze of the trigger, she managed to hit one of the pegasi. She managed five hits before one of them looked up in her direction. “Okay, they're onto us,” she said.

One soldier pointed down at the ground, and at a veritable swarm of armored ponies galloping at the command post full-tilt. “Sergeant, we have incoming!”

Zoe stifled a sigh. “Yes, Private. Thank you.” She glanced down, then up, quickly tallying the numbers. Her eyes went to the barrier itself before she spoke. “All right, looks like for the moment, they aren't sending any more our way other than what's already coming. Concentrate on the fliers.”

Another soldier looked out at the pegasi as they approached. “Looks like some of them are pushing storm clouds in, Sergeant!” She craned her head around. “And some chariots, too!”

Zoe nodded grimly as she resumed firing. “Thank you, Romanov. All right, the cloud-pushers are high priority. Laser cannons, target and fire for effect. The rest of you, aim for the chariots and single fliers!”

The soldiers all along the rooftop followed her orders, blue bolts of magnetically-contained laser light shooting forth from their rifles. The incoming pegasi did their best to dodge, swooping, diving, and sliding through the sky. More than one laser managed to find its mark, however. Pegasi dropped, either straight down, or in a slow, barely-controlled spiral.

Even as their numbers were whittled down, the pegasi kept advancing. By now, some of the fliers towing storm clouds had managed to move relatively close to the building. The laser cannons spat bursts of withering fire at them... but the bolts bounced off translucent shields of magic.

Zoe stopped firing and slowly straightened up, mouth agape. She focused her eyes on the chariots. A bar graph appeared in her vision next to the chariot's passengers. “Bloody hell! They've got unicorns aboard those damned things!”

The pegasi, protected for the moment, reared back and kicked the clouds with their hind legs, sending out jagged bolts of lightning. They struck the building at random spots, blowing out chunks of concrete, brick, some of them striking the roof itself. Explosions blossomed with each strike, sending any soldier unlucky enough to be close enough to be blown back.

Zoe aimed at the chariot closest to her and fired. Her first shot barely missed the pegasus towing it. Alerted, he dove down, away from the building, his passenger barely able to remain in the chariot. She tracked him, eyes and internal computers calculating speed, possible direction of flight, and other variables. “No, you don't,” she whispered, as she fired again.

This time, her aim was true. The pegasus barely twitched as he died; he, the chariot, and his passenger now locked onto his downward trajectory. The unicorn stood in the chariot realizing all too late what had happened as the pegasus slammed into the ground, his broken body digging out a small, shallow trench. The unicorn fared little better, bouncing out of the crumpled chariot and rolling along, finally landing in a broken heap some feet away.

Zoe moved onto her next target even while her previous one was dropping. This time, her target was unaware of the danger, and was quickly eliminated. She noted several other chariots being dispatched. Good to see them taking the initiative.

Within a few minutes, most of the chariots circling the command post and their unicorn passengers had been blasted from the sky. Zoe moved from soldier to soldier, shouting encouragement and instructions as she went along. “Laser cannons, target those clouds! Show them we can bring the thunder, too!”

The gunners shouted as they raked the clouds–and the pegasi still kicking them. Most of them were cut down, but a few managed to flee.

Romanov held her fist high and shook it at the retreating pegasi. “They didn't even get close enough to try and throw their potion at us!” she shouted, grinning under her helmet.

Zoe looked down at the swarm of ponies surrounding the command post. “No, but those might be able to.” She leaned over the edge of the building and started shooting. “Come on, you tin cans! Unless you wanna become a smiling zompony, I suggest you get the lead out and the safeties off!”

The soldiers followed her lead, leaning over and firing en masse at the earth ponies and unicorns swarming around the command post. More than a dozen ponies were killed in the first volley. Shields began springing up over them, protecting them from above and the side. Earth ponies in heavy armor moved in close under cover of their unicorn comrades, lasers and bullets deflecting off said shields.

At the entrance, heavy laser cannons and machine guns kept up a constant stream of fire from sandbagged positions along the stairs and doorway. The shields of the unicorns held for a time, allowing them to get in rather close. Some unicorns fired off blasts of magic from their horns, blowing apart sandbags and whittling down their protection.

Even as the forward-most shields failed, vials of potion were lobbed at the soldiers. Most of the glass bottles were shot and blown to shards mid-flight. The few that reached the soldiers shattered on the concrete, splashing potion harmlessly against their power armor. Those in the front were cut down, their actions ultimately in vain.

Even as they fell, others surged forward, galloping and leaping over their dead and dying comrades. They pressed in towards the main entrance, their eyes lit with fanaticism and fervor. More than one shouted, “For Queen Celestia!” before being cut down where they stood. Several unicorns stood off a few meters away and formed shields, reinforcing each other and forming barriers nearly impenetrable to what the EDC soldiers had on-hand. Several of them hunkered down behind the shield, lowered their heads, and began firing blasts of magic from their horns.

Marissa made her way to the barricade, laser pistol in hand. She dropped to a crouch just outside the door, next to a soldier with lieutenant's bars on his shoulders. “Report!”

Lieutenant Malthe Jensen looked to her. “Commodore, they've got shields that our heaviest weapons available are having the devil's time penetrating.”

Marissa touched her helmet. “Sergeant Wiedler, I need your eyes. How are their shields holding up? Over.”

Zoe's voice came over the headset embedded in Marissa's helmet. “Scanning... They've got about a dozen unicorns in each group, six forming the shields, the others held in reserve. They're rotating in and out to preserve their strength. Over.”

Marissa ducked down as two blasts of magic spanged off the door jamb near her and Malthe. “Thank you, Sergeant. Bring the rain. Over.”

“Understood. We'll reposition the laser cannons. Stand by.”

A few minutes later, a veritable sheet of laser fire struck the shields covering the pony's heads. They glowed a bright-white as every unicorn in each group lent their powers to reinforcing their protection. Even from their vantage point, and through the translucent shields in front, Marissa and Malthe could see the strain on the unicorns' faces. They saw the exact moment the upper shields failed, and the utter despair on their faces.

Three of the groups were cut down within seconds. The rest broke ranks and quickly scattered, stampeding about. Many of the ponies were cut down, caught in a crossfire from the side and above that was impossible to dodge. One unicorn mare cantered to her left, head raised and horn almost on fire as she shot blast after blast of high-powered magic at the roof.

Marissa tracked the unicorn. She raised her laser pistol and sighted her, lining up a shot. She held her breath as she squeezed the trigger...

Three blasts of magic hit right below the laser cannons on the roof. The first two blew away the concrete parapet being used to support them. The third one detonated one of the cannon's power supply. The cannon exploded, flinging its operators back like rag dolls and blowing a large chunk of the roof apart.

The unicorn let out a cheer. One second later, Marissa's shot hit her in her right temple, blowing clean through to the back of her skull. She crumpled to the ground, the smile frozen on her face.

The soldiers at the doorway ducked down and tried to dodge the falling debris as best they could. Curses and shouts rang out as chunks of concrete, asphalt, and rebar crashed among them. Several barricades and weapons emplacements were nearly obliterated by the rain of debris.

One pony raised a foreleg and waved it at the entrance. “Rally to me!” he shouted. “Their defenses are broken! Let the conversion begin!”

The surviving ponies started making their way towards the stallion. Some of the unicorns floated bottles of potion out of their saddlebags. They formed up behind him and began advancing.

Right inside the doorway, Marissa snarled as she looked over the debris blocking her and Malthe's way. She looked to the Dutchman. “No time to waste, Lieutenant. Let's get this cleared and get back out there!”

Malthe nodded. The two of them grabbed at the rubble, the servos of their power armor helping them to make short work of their task. Marissa stepped through, laser pistol held high.

Outside, a few of the soldiers were firing at the ponies, but most were trying to help comrades pinned down or knocked unconscious by the fallen debris. Almost all heavy weapons had been damaged, destroyed, or otherwise rendered inoperable. The ponies, meanwhile, had begun closing ranks around the entrance. The few unicorns alive were grouped together in the center, their horns ablaze as they shielded them and their comrades from incoming fire.

Marissa snapped off several shots at the group, even as bottles of potion flew at her and the others. “Sergeant Wiedler!” she shouted into her comlink, “we need cover fire! General Masterson, we need backup at the main entrance!”

Wiedler's voice came over her earpiece, somewhat ragged and out of breath. “Organizing one now, Commodore, but there's wounded up here, some serious. And all four laser cannons are so much junk. Over.”

Marissa nodded. “Are there medics up there?”

“Yes, Commodore. Stand by for cover fire.”

Laser blasts started striking the unicorn's shields from above, not nearly as numerous as before. The shields managed to hold this time, though. The ponies closed to within a dozen or so feet from the closest EDC soldier. Masterson's voice finally came over the radio. “Sending some now, but some of the ponies are starting to kick the damned walls down. We've got them covered... for now.”

Even as he spoke, the whole building started to shudder. Marissa's head bowed for a moment. “Thank you, General. Keep me posted.” She looked back up and bit back a swear. She clenched her laser pistol and brought it up. She walked forward and started firing off shots. “Don't give an inch!” she shouted. “You are Earth's finest!”

The unicorn stallion, Lieutenant Brass Ring, jabbed his foreleg at the entrance. “Give up, humans! Accept conversion and salvation! You shall–”

His words were cut out by the roar of an engine. Brass Ring's ears folded against his skull as the dune buggy alternate mode of Ruckus raced towards him from his left, almost flying over the pockmarked ground. Panels along Ruckus' side opened up, missile launchers springing out, launching magnesium-tipped missiles. No pony had any time for actions, words, or even thoughts before the missiles impacted, exploding and reducing them all to a red mist.

Ruckus sped through the cloud, rear end fishtailing around as he turned and started driving around the building. All the while, his missile launchers spat out an almost-endless stream of missiles, incinerating any and all ponies still alive. Two minutes later, he was back at the command post's entrance. His chassis suddenly bounced up on anti-gravity boosters, transforming in midair and landing in a crouch right in front of the main entrance. He straightened up, red optic sensors looking down at the EDC soldiers.

An almost unnatural silence reigned over the area for a few moments. Finally, Marissa walked forward, holstering her laser pistol. “Ruckus, I presume. Thank you for the assistance. I think you saved us from a fate worse than death.”

Ruckus looked down at her as she approached. “I DIDN'T DO IT FOR YOU,” he finally said. “BUT... YOU'RE WELCOME.” With that he turned, transforming back into dune buggy mode and driving off.

Marissa let out a breath. She turned and marched back to the main entrance. “All right, I want our wounded tended to, if it's not already being done. Let's get any holes plugged up as best as possible.” She looked to her fellow soldiers and half-smiled. “I wish I could say the worst is over, or give some rousing speech, but I don't like lying, and I'm bad with improvisation. I can say, however, excellent job, all of you.” She looked to each one of them. “You all know what's at stake if we fail. No time for anything else. Let's get to work.”

The heart of Autobot City shifted, changed, came together. To an outside observer, the buildings were stacking on top of one another, folding together and growing. They built upon one another, not only height-wise, but width and depth. It took humanoid shape, arms, legs, hands, feet growing from the buildings and streets.

A head emerged from the chest, white-faced, with a black helmet-like structure around it and red antennae. Optic sensors the size of small buildings lit up as Metroplex finished transforming. His hands clenched, and he strode forward. Each step he took was along a carefully-plotted path, stepping on heavily-reinforced sections. He avoided shelters, buildings, and other parts of Autobot City. The attacking drones scattered in his wake as he cleared Autobot City.

His optics focused on Omega Doom. He calculated distance, rate of advancement, and the height of his opponent. He's only about half a head shorter than I am. Armor is thick, especially around his forearms. Allied soldiers are too close for me to risk using my most powerful weaponry, except as a last resort. Doesn't mean I can't get in some licks before we close distance, though!

Laser cannons mounted on Metroplex's shoulders swiveled up and fired bright-blue lasers large enough to bore holes through a mountain. Omega Doom raised its arms in an X pattern in front of its chest. A force field formed in front of it, blocking the lasers.

After a few minutes, Metroplex ceased firing. He raised a clenched left fist and slammed it into the palm of his right hand. “This planet's not big enough for the two of us!” he shouted.

Omega Doom raised its left arm and waved it back in an obvious 'come here!' gesture. Its drill hands spun about as it crouched slightly, shifting titanic feet about that dug five-meter deep furrows in the ground.

Metroplex started walking forward again, his speed increasing. The ground shook and quaked each time his feet hit the ground. “All right, you asked for it!”

Omega Doom's drill hands spun about, while the claws on its right arm snapped open and shut. After a few moments, Omega Doom too ran forward towards its opponent.

All around, combatants paused. Humans, ponies, Transformers all stopped as the titans raced at each other. Some gawked, some cheered their champion, while others simply tried their best to remain vertical as the ground rocked beneath their feet, hooves, or wheels.

Metroplex raised his left arm and pulled it back, fist clenched. Omega Doom raised its left arm, drill spinning. The two stopped a few hundred feet from one another, seeming to freeze. The briefest of calms broke as their arms rocketed forward, Metroplex's fist connecting with Omega Doom's head, and Omega Doom's drill hitting Metroplex's shoulder. Omega Doom's head shot back, a loud squeal coming from it. Its drill scored a deep gash in Metroplex's shoulder, sparks flying. Omega Doom stepped back, shaking its head. It suddenly jumped forward, wrapping its arms around Metroplex's waist and sending him hurtling back. Metroplex clasped his hands together, raised them high and brought them down onto Omega Doom's back. The two titans struggled for a few minutes, neither one giving ground. Finally, Metroplex grabbed Omega Doom's right arm, knelt down and and used the leverage to launch Omega Doom.

Omega Doom sailed through the air, landing in a heap. It rose to one knee, shaking its head. After a moment, it charged at Metroplex again, arms swinging wildly.

Metroplex raised his arms. “Okay, let's end this!” He charged Omega Doom. The two met once more, and the battle was joined.

Chapter Seventeen

View Online

Megan walked through the lower-most catacombs of Crystal Castle, head bowed somewhat. Princesses Sparkle and Tiffany flanked her on her left and right, respectively. Flickering torches lit their way. If any of them looked at them, they'd notice there nothing actually burning. A simple flame danced inside the bronze braziers, giving off ample light and chasing away the shadows.

Tiffany extended a wing and gently ran her primaries along Megan's folded wing. “How are you doing?” she asked, concern laced through her voice.

Megan kicked at the stone floor as she walked along, digging a furrow through the gray rock. “The voice isn't any louder, but she's still there.” She smiled. “Thanks for helping me out.”

Sparkle shook her head. “As much as we'd like to claim credit for anything here, it's really not us who will be helping you out.” She turned, lowered her head slightly, and pointed her horn at a door the three were approaching. “It will be him.”

Megan nickered. Her eyes narrowed. “I think I've got something of an idea who this mystery mentor is, Sparkle. I'll wait until I see him, though.”

Sparkle's horn glowed and the door opened. “Would you like us to wait for you?”

Megan lowered her head in thought for a moment. “No,” she finally said. “I don't know how long we'll be, and I don't want you two waiting for hours.” She motioned to the ceiling. “Might as well go up there and see how the others are doing with Mei Long or something.”

Tiffany and Sparkle followed her gaze. “Are you sure?” Tiffany finally asked.

Megan nodded. “I'm sure, you two. I could be hours here, or minutes. Or this might not work at all. I don't want you two staying down here, getting hungry or tired or whatever. Go up, get some food. Talk to Mei Long and figure out what she'd like to do with all the crystals in the Crystal Desert.”

Tiffany nickered. “I think we'll leave the haggling to Royal Blue.” She stomped a hoof. “We'll take shifts if we have to, but we're not leaving until we know you're alright, Megan.” She unfurled a wing and jabbed it at the door, her expression set in stone.

Megan looked to Sparkle, who had the same look on her face. Megan smiled at them, turned, and trotted up to the door. It opened as she approached, hinges silent, as if they had been recently oiled.

Inside. There was a faint glow, illuminating an empty cave. Megan walked inside. “Hello?” she called out, head turning from side to side. As soon as she cleared the door, it closed. She cantered about, looking it over. “Figures.”

She turned back. Her eyes crossed slightly as she concentrated. The tip of her horn lit up, brightening the room even more. “Hello? I'm here. I... really don't have much time.” She walked around, looking all about. The cave itself wasn't very large, with only a large boulder and some smaller rocks scattered about inside. “Anyone here?”

Megan walked up to the boulder. She tilted her head from side to side, craned her neck about, but she saw nothing out of the ordinary about it. She even tapped a hoof against it, but it proved solid through and through. Megan shook her head. “This is ridiculous.”

The boulder's surface suddenly wrinkled, seeming to tug down on itself. Megan whinnied, jumped to all fours, and scrambled away. The boulder seemed to roll in on itself, revealing a hollow interior. A rather short man peeked his head out. He wore a green pair of pants with a wide, brown belt, a matching green shirt, and a dark green jacket. Most of his face was covered by a thick, white beard and mustache. He looked up at Megan with inquisitive eyes that bore a twinkle of mischief in them. “Oh, my. Terribly sorry about that. I fell asleep.” He stepped out and folded the boulder back down, patting it before turning back to Megan. He smiled. “It's so good to see you again, my dear! Although have you grown since last we met?”

Megan's jaw worked for a bit before she finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. “Mister Moochick?”

The Moochick nodded. “The one and only, Megan!” He bowed, sweeping his hat off his head before straightening out. He walked forward, all around Megan, eyes taking in every inch of her. The smile fell away with each step. “Oh, my. Oh my, indeed.”

Megan waited until the Moochick was once more in front of her before speaking. “I have... some questions for you,” she finally said. “May I ask them?”

A bark of laughter escaped the Moochick. “But of course, Megan! But of course.” He leaned in. “I've always loved your inquisitive nature, you know. A true sign of intelligence!”

A small smile graced Megan's muzzle. “Thank you. Now the first one is, and not to be too blunt about it, but how are you still alive? And where have you been?”

The Moochick chuckled. A jump rope appeared in his hand and he started skipping rope. “Oh, you know, exercise, diet,” the rope disappeared and a glass of juice replaced it. He downed the juice in one gulp, then tossed the glass over his shoulder, where it vanished through a hole in midair. “And mastery over arcane arts that allow me control over time and space.”

Despite the situation, Megan giggled. “Good answer. Now, if you're still alive... what about Scorpan? Or Alonzo?”

The Moochick's grin fell away. He bowed his head, swept his hat off and held it in front of his chest. “I am sorry to say, time passes at the same rate in the Realm they settled as it does here in the Equus System. I'm sorry, Megan, but he and all those you knew passed to the Holy Lands of Key'Tuck, as the Scriptures of the Mag'ne call it, a very long time ago.”

Megan's eyes glistened. She wiped them with a wing, but the action did little to dry them, or stop some tears from trailing down. “Okay, thanks. Stupid question, I guess.”

The Moochick shook his head. “Not at all, Megan. Now, if I may guess, your next question is if I'll be able to change you back to being a human?” He waited for her to nod before continuing. “I can... but the extreme level of your transformation, and the sheer power put into it, means it would not be easy or quick. And I fear Queen Celestia would be fighting me every step of the way.”

Megan's jaw worked for a bit. “So... what? You can't do anything? You won't do anything?” The tip of her horn started brightening as she snorted.

The Moochick held up a hand. “Wait, wait! Calm down, Megan! I can gather how stressful this must be for you. No need to jump to any conclusions, my dear.” He turned and walked to a smooth patch of the rock wall. “I can't do anything within an acceptable time frame. However, there is something that can.” He ran his fingers along the wall. “Let me see... ah! Here it is.”

He slid the portion of the rock wall aside, revealing a dark hole. “The magic from the Heart of Ponyland does not travel through one tunnel. There are many, many tunnels it travels through. Think of it like branches from a tree. This tunnel will lead you to one such branch, Megan. There, you should be able to get yourself changed back to human form and break the spell that warped Celestia has over you.”

Megan slowly walked up to the hole. She leaned forward, eyes narrowing. “Okay, so what's the catch?”

The Moochick slowly nodded and waggled a finger at her. “A very savvy question, Megan. The catch is, the Heart is not exactly... sapient. I think.” his brow furrowed. “There is a will behind it. I'm not sure if it's being directed, maybe by Granny Bonnie, or it's some collective will.” His expression changed to one of deadly seriousness. “I cannot predict what you will encounter in there, Megan. I also cannot guarantee your safety.”

Megan nodded. “Okay, thanks for the warning.” She let out a small sigh. “And... thanks.” She floated the Moochick up and gently nuzzled him. “It's really good to see you again.”

The Moochick gently patted her muzzle. “I'm glad to be able to see you again, although Bonnie knows I wish it was under different circumstances.” He shook his head as Megan lowered him back to the ground. “I'd give up all my magic and knowledge if it meant you could be changed back right now, Megan. I'm sorry I can't help more.”

Megan shrugged. “Thanks, but at least you showed me one way to do it.” She looked to the hole, eyes narrowing. She pawed at the ground before trotting through the hole in the rock face. She was quickly swallowed by the darkness, disappearing entirely.

The Moochick stared at the hole as it was resealed. “Be careful, my friend.”

Megan walked along, not entirely sure if she was in a large room, a tunnel, or something else. She could see her immediate surroundings, but only a few feet away, the light bled away into darkness. No matter how hard she squinted or how bright she dared to make her horn, she just couldn't drive away the darkness. “Hello?” she called out. “Is there anyone here? Anything? I'm here!” She shook her head. “I don't even know what I'm supposed to do, here.”

Her head shot up. She looked to her right and spotted a hazy outline, a bit of dark gray against the blackness. Almost as soon as she saw it, it moved away from her, vanishing back into the darkness.

Megan gasped. “Hey, come back!” she shouted, galloping forward. Whatever it was, it kept just barely ahead of Megan, no matter how hard she galloped. So intent was Megan on following, she failed to notice the surrounding area brightening, changing from pitch-black to dark-blue.

The thing Megan was chasing suddenly vanished. Megan slowed to a trot, finally stopping and noticing the change in her surroundings. She looked up, ears twitching. The surrounding area was light-blue, the floor almost indistinguishable from the rest of the area.

For a long minute, Megan stood stock-still. She glanced back and forth, taking in the changes. She turned –and stopped short as a tall mirror appeared, hanging in midair with no visible means of support. Megan walked around the tall, thin slab of reflective material. “Where did you come from?”

Megan continued walking, her reflection distorting itself. She suddenly stopped as another mirror appeared in her path. She backed up a few steps. “What the...” She looked around. Mirrors of various shapes and sizes were now hanging all around the area, about twenty in all. She looked around at them all.

Megan slowly walked around, staring at the mirrors and her reflection. Some of them simply showed her, while others distorted her image, like mirrors found in a funhouse. She allowed a small smile to drift across her face. She stopped in front of one mirror, her alicorn reflection distorted to look like a chubby little filly.

“Who are you?”

Megan's head whipped around, her mane flowing about. “Who's there?” she shouted. She walked about, head turning this way and that. “Come out!” she shouted, putting as much magical projection as she dared behind her voice.

She walked past one mirror, but stopped and backed up as the reflection caught her eye. It was her, but not of her alicorn form. Instead, thirteen-year old Megan Williams stared back at her, wearing the same orange shirt, brown vest, and blue jeans she wore on that fateful day in 1982. The image locked eyes with Megan. “Who are you?” she asked once more.

Megan stared at the reflection for a few moments, blinking. “I... I...” She leaned in close. “Is this some sort of metaphor? Like-like for my lost childhood?” She rubbed the side of her head with a wing. “Well, I'm Megan. Wait, you should–”

“Who are you?”

Megan's eyes widened, dilating slightly. She slowly turned in the direction of the voice. Another mirror floated to her immediate right. This one reflected back another image of Megan, this one much older, close to her current age. She wore simple pants, a shirt, hair in a ponytail, and for some reason a pair of glasses. A laptop was balanced on one hand, cell phone in the other. “Who are you?”

No questions came from Megan this time. She simply stared at the image. “I... don't wear glasses,” she finally said.

“Who are you?”

This time, Megan rolled her eyes. She looked and, sure enough, to the immediate right of the previous mirror floated another one. This reflection of her wore a pair of jeans, cowboy boots, a plaid shirt, and fingerless gloves; her usual outfit while working at the ranch. “Okay, I think–”

“Who are you?”

Megan let out a whinny, She tossed her head about as another mirror appeared. Her anger faded as she beheld herself wearing a cloak, holding a spear with a fiery tip. The cloak's hood fell back, revealing a Megan with a hard stare and scar down the right side of her face, going over her eye. The image loosened the clasps, letting the cloak fall off. Beneath it, she wore full plate armor, steel polished and gleaming. On her breastplate was a rainbow.

“Who are you?”

Megan's ears folded against her head. She looked to the floor, but slowly, slowly turned to her right. She looked up, eyes widening as she took in this final reflection. In this one, she was in her current alicorn form. Her mane and tail flowed back in an ethereal wind. She was covered in regalia and armor, gleaming and polished to a high shine. She stared at Megan, eyes narrow.

The other reflections began speaking, all asking the same question as before. Their voices started out discordant, but they quickly synchronized.

“Who are you?”

Who are you?”

Megan hunkered down, seeming to shrink into herself. She folded her wings over her head and closed her eyes as she questions drilled into her ears, into her head. “Stop it,” she whispered. Her own eyes reopened. “Stop it!” She ground her teeth together. Megan straightened up. Her wings flared out and her horn glowed, tossing all the mirrors away from her. “STOP IT!”

She looked around. The mirrors were all lying on the floor, but still intact. She trotted up to the nearest one, the one of her as a child. “Okay, yeah. I get it. You're all me. You're all part of me.” She glanced to her right. The mirror with the reflection of her as an alicorn floated up and over to her side. “Yes, even you, now. You're all part of the whole, but you're not all me. And even combined, you don't make up all of me.”

A very familiar voice from behind sent shivers up and down Megan's spine. “I am a part of you too, child.”

Megan's head looked over her shoulder. She slowly turned as a spectral image of Queen Celestia appeared, twice her height and staring down at her. She sucked in a breath. “M-maybe, but it's a really small part of me.” She took a shaky step forward, then another, then one more. “And even being a part of me, no matter how much you yell and shout, I don't have to listen to you. So shut up, you hear me?”

Queen Celestia curled her upper lip back in a sneer. “I hear you, and ignore you. You are mine, Megan. And there is nothing anyone or anything can do about it.” Her form solidified. Her own horn glowed.

The mirrors all floated up and surrounded Megan. Megan's horn flared as she used her magic to toss the five away from her. She craned her neck up, eyes blazing. “Like hell there's nothing I can do about it!” She extended her wings, flapping them as she trotted forward and stepped up into the air. “I won't stop fighting you, no matter what! Humanity won't, either. And our friends will be with us every step of the way. You're nothing but a pale, pathetic shadow of the real Celestia, and your warped little Equestria is nothing but a funhouse-version of the place I know and love!” She snorted, steam billowing forth. “And we're gonna take you down, you... you... impostor!”

Queen Celestia's eyes narrowed. “Strong words from a weak human.” She fired a beam of magic at Megan. It expanded, splitting and weaving itself into a net. She chuckled slightly as Megan fired her own magic at her construct. “Useless. You cannot hope to defeat me. You are far too inexperienced, and you hold back far too much. Give in, Megan. It would be far easier to.”

Megan's breath came in hitches as she kept on firing bolts of magic at the net. They either glanced off it, or were absorbed into it. She flapped her wings and tried to turn, but the net encircled and closed up around her. She whinnied, kicked, and thrashed about, but to no avail. She steadily dropped back down to the floor. “No, dammit no!”

Queen Celestia walked forward. “Yes. It is useless to resist, Megan. Give in. It would be so much easier.” Her brow furrowed as Megan continued struggling in the net. “Why do you continue to resist? You can see my power is greater than yours. It would be far easier for you to surrender.”

Megan ground her teeth together as she fired shot after shot from her horn and flapped her wings as best she could. “I will never give up! Don't you get that, yet? Good lord, you're dense!” She focused on Queen Celestia as best she could through the holes on the net. “No matter what you do, no matter how bad it gets, I won't stop fighting against you. You'll have to kill me to stop me!”

A voice from behind caught their attention. “She means it, too. Her will is almost-unbreakable, certainly more than a match for anything you could throw at her.”

Queen Celestia's brow furrowed as she looked up and over. A third alicorn had entered, white-coated, with her blond mane tied in a bun. “Who are you?”

The alicorn lowered her head, allowing her to stare at Queen Celestia over the glasses perched at the end of her muzzle. “My name is Granny Bonnie. And I am very disappointed in you, young lady.” She walked up to Megan and bowed her head. “Good to see you again, although I do wish the circumstances were different.”

Megan blinked twice. “Granny Bonnie? Is it-is it really you?”

Granny Bonnie turned her head slightly towards Megan. “It is. This might be a battle in your mind, but that doesn't make it any less real.” She waved a hoof at Queen Celestia. “That is a representation of the mental control she has over you, as is this net. You must fight it. I can aid you, and I will, but you must fight as hard as you can, Megan.”

Queen Celestia stamped a hoof and snorted. “It does not matter what pathetic help you give her. I am Queen Celestia! I channel the Heart of Ponyland! My cause is righteous! Who are you to interfere with my helping of humanity?” Her eyes glowed white. “You are nothing compared to me!”

Granny Bonnie slowly turned her head in Queen Celestia's general direction. “Normally I like to think of myself as rather humble, not one to put on airs or brag. In your case, however?” She started walking forward. “I held council with the One when he created Primus and Unicron. I shook my head in sadness as Unicron fell to corruption, and helped prepare Primus' children to stop him. When the Chronarcitect needed to correct the flow of time, he consulted my watch. I molded planets, stars, and galaxies and sent them spinning into the void. I started the Heart of Ponyland pumping, breathed the fire of life onto Equus.”

Queen Celestia leaned forward and fired a beam of magic at Granny Bonnie, but it broke apart and turned into butterflies before reaching her.

Granny Bonnie shook her head. “Metlar and his ilk are squabbling children to me. Discord and Tirac are annoying at the worst of times. Celestia, Luna, Cadance, the real ones are growing and maturing quite nicely, though they still have much to learn. As for you?” Granny Bonnie slowly shook her head. “I feel sorrow for you, that you've strayed so far from the path. I wish circumstances could have been different, yet here we are.”

Queen Celestia let out an inarticulate, almost primal scream of rage. She reared back, kicking the air. “How DARE you judge me! You have no idea what I have been through, what I have had to do! I have given all to my Equestria, all for my little ponies! And then I saw a people suffering, dying! I took them in!”

Granny Bonnie shook her head. “Their bodies starve. Their souls are drained. You had good intentions, but we both know where that road leads.” She let out a small sigh. “Celestia, I give you this chance. Turn back from this path of madness. Please, for all those in danger. It–”

Celestia fired another beam of magic at Granny Bonnie, this one twice as bright as before. It turned translucent, breaking apart into a cool spring breeze and gently ruffling Granny Bonnie's feathers. There was the slightest of pauses, then Granny Bonnie reached out and tapped the net around Megan. “Megan, it's time,” she said.

The net sparked and wavered, the strands losing form. Megan reared her head back, eyes blazing. She leaned forward, firing a long, continuous stream of magic at the net. It strobed over the net for a few moments before tearing through, dissolving it and leaving Megan free.

Granny Bonnie looked up at Queen Celestia. “I gave you a chance,” she said, face impassive. “Remember that, if nothing else. I gave you a chance.” She motioned at Queen Celestia, who was suddenly thrown back, tumbling about in midair like a rag doll.

Queen Celestia's wings extended, flapping. She eventually managed to regain control. She spun about and dove at Granny Bonnie and Megan. “I will kill you!” she shouted, manic rage etched on her face. Energy wreathed her horn before she fired one more blast from it at the pair.

Megan shook her head. She wordlessly fired another beam at Queen Celestia. It collided with Queen Celestia's own magic. The two beams struggled for a bit, neither alicorn giving an inch. Sweat formed on Megan's brow. She dug her heels into the floor and gritted her teeth, but gained no advantage over her foe.

Granny Bonnie looked Megan over, smiling. “You've more than proven your resolve, your determination. Now, it's time for you to get some help.” She fired her own beam of magic at Queen Celestia. This one, unlike theirs, was pencil-thin, almost invisible.

The beam struck Queen Celestia's own, quickly overpowering and dispersing it. The alicorn had barely any time to do anything before it struck her in the chest. She sucked in a short breath, face a rictus of horror and pain as a bright-white light expanded from the point of impact, vaporizing her. The light continued on, the sphere covering everything.

Megan stared at the light, eyes not in pain despite the brightness. She smiled slightly as it flowed over her. “Ah, I see,” she said as it faded, her along with it...

“Megan?”

Megan floated in the void, an infinite nothingness of white. She sighed. “Not again,” she muttered. She turned her head from left to right. “Can't we at least have a painting? Maybe a bowl of fruit?”

Granny Bonnie appeared. The image of the Mona Lisa appeared on her left. “I do apologize for the blandness,” she said, bowing her head. “Most of the time those who meet here just don't pay it much attention.” She rocked back and forth on her hooves. “I presume you have questions?”

Megan hesitated. “I do. And before I forget, thank you for helping me back there... wherever that was.”

Granny Bonnie half-smiled. “You're more than welcome, my dear. Now ask your questions. Time is meaningless here. We can take a bit of time.”

A sigh of relief escaped Megan. “Thank god. Well, okay. What just happened back there? Was that really Queen Celestia? Did we just kill her or something? And am I human again?”

Granny Bonnie glanced upward. “Well, in order... The Heart of Ponyland showed you the conflict within, between how different people see you, and how you see yourself. Then you and I fought and defeated the aspect of Queen Celestia that was trying to control you. It was a part of Queen Celestia, and it's now gone. The good news is, her power is now permanently diminished, even if only slightly. The bad news is, her attention is no longer divided.” She tilted her head. “As for the final question?” A mirror flashed into existence next to her. “Why not look for yourself?”

Megan rotated ninety degrees, to what her body was telling her was a vertical position. She gasped as she beheld her own human face once more. She gently reached up with a hand and stroked fingers across her cheek. “Thank you,” she whispered.

The mirror disappeared. Granny Bonnie walked up to Megan and gently poked her in the chest with a wing. “I don't want to say you're 'more than human' or anything like that, but, well... you sort of are. All the power of your alicorn form is locked inside. I apologize if this sounds speciest, but the human body cannot properly conduct an alicorn's magical power, except under specific circumstances.”

Megan shook her head. “No apology needed, Granny.” She reached out and wrapped her arms around her neck in a hug. “Thank you!”

Granny Bonnie leaned into it, gently nuzzling Megan. “You're welcome. Do you need anything else?”

Megan broke the hug. She rubbed her chin. “Well, when you send me back, where were you planning on sending me back to?”

Granny Bonnie glanced down in thought. “Well, I think the best place to send you would be Autobot City. Forces are gathering, there. Your family is there, as well. And it would be best for them to know you're all right.” She glanced to her left. A door appeared. “This will take you to the shelter your family is in.”

Megan turned to it. She took a step forward, but stopped. “Wait, 'shelter'? Why are they in a shelter?”

Granny Bonnie glanced to her right. A picture frame appeared, showing Autobot City–and the battle being waged over it. “Queen Celestia has sent forces out to attack Autobot City and the surrounding area. It is dangerous.”

Megan nodded. “Thanks for the warning.” She turned and, without hesitation, walked up to the door, opened it, and walked through.

Queen Celestia's eyes snapped open, a gasp escaping from her lips. She nearly tumbled from the Solar Throne, barely catching herself with her magic. She righted herself, glad that only her bodyguards were there.

Her shoulders slumped, and her wings folded around her body. “Oh, Megan. Why did you reject me?” Her eyes shone with unshed tears. “All I wanted to do is help! Why couldn't you see that?” Her eyes narrowed, and her mouth formed a thin line. “That Granny Bonnie, whoever she is, poisoned you against me. Well, no more Miss Nice Queen!”

She stepped off her throne. Just then, a guardspony galloped in. “Ah, excellent. Perfect timing!” Her expression brightened slightly. “Lieutenant, I need Captain Armor brought back from the front. We have much to discuss.”

The guardspony seemed to shrink into her armor. “Begging your pardon, your majesty, but I was coming to give you a report about him.” She swallowed and wiped some sweat from her brow. “C-Captain Armor and his squad have been captured by the humans during our attack. We have no idea on their condition.” She paused. “There are also reports of strange vehicles near Hoofington and the newfoal settlements. There have been reports-unsubstantiated reports-of humans being spotted among them.”

Celestia stood stock-still for a moment. Her mane and tail suddenly burst into flame. The temperature in the throne room spiked. She ground her teeth together. “Very well.” She began walking forward, the stone underneath her hooves bubbling and melting with each step. “Bring me Nemesis Prime. It's time to end this.”

Chapter Eighteen

View Online

A twinkle of light appeared above Earth, quickly growing and expanding into a whirling blue maelstrom of energy. Eight ships emerged from the transwarp wormhole. In the center of the formation was a small orange arrowhead of a ship, an Autobot light-cruiser named Iacon-One. In the lead was an almost retro-looking gray rocket, with an orange engine and maneuvering vanes in its aft section. Surrounding Iacon-One were six small vehicles. Four of them resembled old Earth fighter jets. The fifth looked more to be a small starship than fighter, while the sixth looked like a helicopter, albeit one with its rotors folded up and retracted. They flew down towards Earth, communications system crackling to life.

“Starbase One, this is Iacon-One. Requesting permission for orbital insertion and atmospheric entry into American airspace.”

“Iacon-One, this is Starbase One. Permission granted, and damned good to see you!”

“Thank you, Starbase One. We took some shortcuts Blitzwing sent us. Cut some time off our ETA. Iacon-One over and out.”

The ships leveled out slightly, passing dozens of ships in orbit, drydocks with half-constructed EDC warships, and the ESS Enterprise, Repulse, and Yokohama in orbit above Kentucky. The three battleships flashed their running lights at the small fleet, while the small escorts waggled their wings in return.

Aboard Iacon-One's bridge, Over-Run sent the cruiser into a shallow dive, the servos in his hands and arms straining as he wrestled with the controls. “Get strapped in if you haven't already!” he shouted.

In the command chair, Prowl leaned forward, optic sensors dimming slightly. “We've all been prepared for orbital reentry since emergence from hyperspace, Over-Run. No need to get dramatic about it.” He flipped a switch on his chair's armrest and leaned in close to a speaker. “Prowl to Optimus and Elita. We're entering Earth's–” The ship rocked, Prowl barely moving in his chair. “We're entering Earth's atmosphere.” He looked up at the main viewscreen. “And we're coming up over Autobot City and the battle. We're taking some fire, but nothing serious. Shields are holding.”

Optimus Prime's voice came over ship-wide intercom. “Thank you, Prowl. Autobots, our mission is to drive back these invaders from Earth and assist humanity in defending their world. We owe them a debt, one long overdue to be repaid.” The intercom went silent after. The ship nearly followed suit with the rocking and whistling of the ship slamming into the upper atmosphere providing the only sound.

Prowl pressed a few buttons on his chair. The main viewscreen changed from an image directly ahead of Iacon-One's nosecone to an overhead view of the battle around and over Autobot City. Tactical subroutines kicked in as his battle computer analyzed every sensor reading available. He finally turned around slightly and looked over his shoulder at one of the aft stations. “Put me through to the Aerialbots, Skyfire, and Omega Supreme.” He waited for acknowledgment before speaking. “All right. Omega, I need you to transform to robot mode and assist Metroplex in taking out that Omega Doom thing. Aerialbots, Skyfire, for now, break off and contain any and all pony raiders still in the area. Keep them bottled up as best as possible.” He paused. “And also, remember. The Decepticons on the battlefield are not hostiles. Make sure your IFF transponders are updated with that information.”

Omega Supreme's voice came over, deep and rumbling like a tractor-trailer passing two inches over your head. “Orders; acknowledged. Course; set. Omega Supreme; going in!”

The voice of Autobot Air Commander Skyfire came through next. “Understood, Prowl. We'll keep those bizarro ponies away from the civilians. Air Raid and Fireflight, Skydive and Slingshot, pair off and stick together. Alpha Bravo, you're with me. Let's go!”

Prowl cut the comm and looked ahead. “Over-Run, bring us right over Autobot City. Sky High, keep the shields at maximum and weapons hot in case any of these knockoff guardian drones tries anything with us. Just be prepared to drop shields around the ventral hangar bay when Optimus is ready to launch. Any questions?”

Over-Run barked a laugh. “No, but I am wondering how you'll react when the scrap hits the ventilation unit.” His lips curled up in a sneer. “I believe this is your first major action since being brought back from the Allspark.”

Prowl half-smiled. “We'll find out together, Over-Run. Just fly the ship.”

In Iacon-One's ventral hangar bay, Optimus Prime shrugged on a jetpack. He double-checked his ion rifle's power pack. “Last stop!” he shouted to the others standing there. “We don't have to go home, but we can't stay here! Let's get ready to roll out!”

Next to him, Elita One patted him on the forearm. “Terribly sorry, Optimus, but I'm afraid I won't be able to 'roll' out.” The wings mounted to her back wiggled back and forth.

Optimus nodded to her. “I think I can excuse you from that, Elita.”

Near the hangar doors, Grimlock, leader of the Dinobots, hefted his energon sword with one hand while waving his double-barreled missile launcher about with the other. “Me Grimlock no roll out! Me Grimlock kick skidplate!” He looked to the other four Dinobots, and thrust his sword into the air, the blade thrumming. “Dinobots, move out!”

The Dinobots Slag, Snarl, Sludge, and Swoop all tossed their heads back and roared, waving their own weapons in the air.

An alarm sounded in the hangar, klaxons flashing. “Now over Autobot City. Ventral hangar bay doors opening in five seconds!”

The Autobots inside all readied themselves, turning as one to a set of double-doors. A seam appeared down the middle as they retracted. Outside of them, Autobot City and the fight above and within it could be seen.

Optimus and Elita surged forward, past Grimlock and the other Dinobots and through the doors. The two let gravity carry them away from Iacon-One for a few seconds. Optimus' jetpack ignited, allowing him to level off. Elita, meanwhile, began transforming. A nosecone swung up from her back and over her head, lengthening. Her arms and legs tucked into her body, hard points bristling with missiles and laser turrets extending from her wings and fuselage as she completed her transformation into a hypersonic Cybertronian-style starfighter.

The pair flew through the sky for a few hundred feet. Optimus's head looked left and right. “We have to cut the head off of this invasion.”

Elita juked her fuselage up and down slightly. “Yeah, and I think I know where said head is.” She stopped in midair and transformed back into robot mode. She spun around and pointed towards the barrier, about a half-mile outside Autobot City proper. “See that knockoff Grimlock and the way he's waving that sword around?”

Optimus nodded, his optic sensors brightening. “Good catch, Elita. I–” A sudden explosion and shockwave right below them grabbed his attention. Optimus looked down, spotting four Kodiak hovertanks clustered around a squat bunker, the gauntlet-and-crown insignia of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps prominent on their armor. Several other hovertanks could be seen, little more than piles of smoky debris. The entire area was surrounded by six guardian drones. They marched forward, hemming in the hovertanks and letting loose with withering fire from their arm-mounted laser cannons.

The remaining tanks returned fire, hypersonic railgun darts launching from their main barrels, while laser cannons on the cupola and main gun coaxial mount rake the drones with lasers. Several of the darts impacted some of the drones, knocking them back several dozen meters from sheer kinetic energy transfer. The drones struck the ground, leaving a fairly-deep trough in the ground.

Elita's optic sensors flared green for a moment. “If my datatrax are right, that bunker sits right over a shelter with five hundred sapient beings inside.” She looked back up at Optimus. “I think we have to make a short pit stop, first.”

Optimus' right hand retracted into his forearm. The empty socket glowed a for a moment before a glowing energy ax emerged. “You read my hard drive, Elita.” He leaned forward, twisting around in midair. “Let's go!

Sergeant Leslie Fraser looked hard at what his screen was projecting: a group of drones had broken through the perimeter and were making a bee-line for a civilian shelter. Other forces were already closing off the hole in the lines, but if they turned to deal with the drones already inside, they would be opening their rear to the main enemy force. His company’s CO had already ordered them in to intercept the drones, but the map was screaming what their commander had left to silence. Help wasn’t coming.

His gunner, Master Corporal LaCroix, looked over at him in the few seconds their rapid advance left before they would enter firing range. “We’re really seeing it now, aren’t we?” He asked, a bit ruefully. “Come to the States, they said. We’ll have a great time on- and off-duty, they said.”

While listening to LaCroix with one ear, Leslie had already set up how his platoon would deploy, simply drawing it on the map on his screen a mere instant before it appeared on his subordinates’. As the formation shifted, he keyed his mic for the entire platoon. “Remember, there’s hundreds of civilians here. No falling back. This is where we stand. This is where they fall!”

As the drones closed, the battle-link systems allowed the entire company’s first shots to all lance out simultaneously at the right time to hit the hardest. A mere fraction of a second later, the tungsten alloy penetrators struck home, stumbling and damaging most of the front line of drones, with one pair of lucky shots even striking a drone in the same spot in the same moment, causing it to go up in a fireball. From there, it quickly devolved into a maelstrom of lasers, railgun fire, and swiftly maneuvering drones and tanks that looked as much like a dogfight as a tank battle.

After a minute of the fight, Leslie noticed that while they weren’t losing, they weren’t winning either. And while every tank in the unit was taking out a couple drones down before their own turn came due, it wasn’t going to be enough. Too many had broken through, and the losses were making it ever harder to actually keep a perimeter around the shelter. Soon enough, they would be too surrounded and stretched too thin to keep from being picked off before they could even resist. His thoughts were interrupted by a massive explosion to the right of his tank. The captain had been one of the first to die, and now the company warrant officer was gone as well, leaving Leslie in charge of what remained.

“Pull back! Start circling the building. Don’t let them close or behind you.” Leslie called out, hoping that somehow, by some miracle, they would at least leave the drones unable to break through and slaughter those they were protecting. As they closed in, he breathlessly whispered “If there’s anyone up there, now would be a perfect time.”

Two metal behemoths suddenly dropped out of the air, Leslie quickly recognizing them as Elita One and Optimus Prime. Elita crashed feet-first into the drone closest to Leslie's tank, thrusters in her feet firing and sending out white-hot jets of flame directly into the drone's face. “Offsides!” she shouted as she brought her laser rifle around and fired it point-blank at the drone. Cerulean bolts peppered the drone, blowing off the smoking stump of its head, its limbs, and eventually blowing through the armor itself.

Before the drone had even crashed to the ground, Elita was in motion. She wheeled around, bringing her laser rifle up. Her wings flexed as she hopped about, dodging incoming fire from two other drones. She wordlessly shot back at them.

Meanwhile, close to the bunker, Optimus slashed at a drone with his ion-ax, slicing off both limbs with quick, clean cuts. He raised his right foot and kicked the drone square in the torso, sending it tottering back, before raising his laser rifle and drilling two shots right into its optic sensors. He backpedaled as two shots from another drone struck his jetpack, perforating it.

Leslie looked around the tank interior. “What the hell are we doing sitting on our asses? Let's go!”

The hovertanks' engines revved as their turrets turned, locking onto the remaining drones. They resumed fire, peppering the drones. Between them, Optimus, and Elita, the three drones still standing did not stand for much longer.

Leslie let out a breath as the final drone exploded, sending out shrapnel. He quickly popped the top hatch open and stood out as Optimus and Elita holstered their weapons and walked over. “Sergeant Leslie Fraser, Royal Canadian Armored Corps,” he said, saluting.

Optimus returned the salute, then dropped to one knee. “Optimus Prime, Autobot Commander,” he replied. He held out his right hand, clenched in a fist. “Excellent work, Sergeant. The people in those shelters owe you their lives.”

Leslie blinked at the fist. He slowly raised is own clenched fist and bumped it against Optimus'. “Our duty and honor to perform, sir. Thank you for helping us out.”

Elita turned and looked over the destroyed hovertanks. Her optics turned green for a moment as she scanned them. “I am not detecting any life signs. Sergeant.” She bowed her head, optics dimming. “I am sorry we did not arrive sooner.”

Leslie let out a breath. He dropped his fist and slammed it against the hatch's rim. “Thank you,” he finally said. “Unfortunately, remembrances must come later. We still have a duty to those in the shelters.”

Optimus stood up. “And we have our own duties as well, Sergeant.” He stepped back and saluted. “We shall leave this shelter in your more than capable hands.”

Leslie straightened up and returned the salute. “Thank you, Optimus Prime. We won't let you or them down!”

Elita suddenly turned around, optics narrowing slightly. “That Grimlock knockoff still needs to be dealt with.” She leaned to her right and looked Optimus' now-smoking and sparking jetpack over. “And I doubt you'll be able to follow me there in a timely fashion.” She held up a hand. “And you are needed elsewhere, anyway. The false Celestia must be dealt with, the sooner the better.”

Optimus sighed and shrugged the jetpack off. “You're right. Be careful, Elita.”

Elita held her right hand up, Optimus placing his against hers. The two interlaced their fingers together. “You know you'll be the one in more danger.” She smiled at him, turned and saluted Leslie, then spun about. She ran a short distance before hopping into the air, transforming into her starfighter alternate mode and flying off.

Both Optimus and Leslie watched as she flew away. Leslie slowly craned his head up slightly at the Autobot Commander standing before him. “Sir, if I may ask, what is your next move? We should be able to defend this bunker with what we've got here. At least for the moment. There aren't any drones nearby.”

Optimus glanced down. “If you're sure, Sergeant, then there's more drones to take out. If you'll excuse me, it's time to roll.” With that, he stepped forward, collapsing into himself as he transformed into a short-nose tractor trailer cab. Optimus' trailer materialized behind him as he drove off, seeking more wrongs to right.

Grimlock waved his sword around in rage as a large starship broke through the upper clouds, descending over Autobot City and disgorging enemies. “Wot, now? How dare they disrupt my carefully-laid battle plans!”

His proximity sensors detected an incoming bogie, IFF transponder tagging it as 'hostile'. He swung around in midair as a starfighter with a white nosecone and dark-pink wings bore down on him. “Well, well, well! You dare challenge I, Grimlock? You shall–”

Elita plowed into Grimlock, her nosecone impacting his torso and denting his armor plating. Her thrusters angled up, sending her and her unwilling passenger down to the ground. Air brakes flapped open, slowing her down enough so she managed to miss the ground. Momentum, however, took hold of Grimlock, sending him skidding along the ground and digging a deep furrow in the ground.

Elita flipped around, transforming and landing in a three-point stance, laser rifle in her right hand. She aimed it at the alternate-universe version of her ally. “I give you a chance to surrender,” she said, standing up straight. “I would advise–”

Grimlock let out a howl of animalistic rage. He leaned back, legs snapping together and feet closing shut to form a head and snapping jaws. His upper body rotated around, hands sliding into his forearms and claws folding out. Within seconds, he was now a Tyrannosaurus Rex, snorting fire. He pawed at the ground before charging forward, right at Elita.

For a moment, Elita stood still. She let out a sigh. “Very well. The hard way, then.” She dropped her laser rifle and reached out. She lunged forward, grabbing Grimlock's jaws. The two struggled for several minutes, neither giving ground. Servos whined, and energon dripped from cuts in Elita's fingers. Elita peeled her lips plates back. “So, the hard way! Fine. I gave you a chance to surrender, you miscolored knockoff!” The thrusters on her calves ignited. She hopped up, letting go of his jaws and sidestepping out of the way. Grimlock surged forward, stumbling and planting himself snout-first into the ground. Elita looked around, quickly spotting her laser rifle.

With a short burst from her leg thrusters, Elita quickly made her way back to her laser rifle. She knelt down, scooped it up, and straightened back up in one fluid motion. She brought it up, waiting for Grimlock to pull his snout from the dirt and turn to face her. She sighted his right knee joint, and pulled the trigger.

A half-dozen laser blasts shot out, each one striking the joint. It blew apart, sending out shrapnel and a spray of energon from a severed fuel line. Grimlock's front bent down as he transformed back to robot mode, right arm now a dangling, useless mess. He held up his left arm and a rather wicked-looking laser rifle with a bayonet attachment on the barrel. “I'll rip your fuel pump out and show it to you before your optics go dark!” he howled, optic band blazing crimson.

Elita fired several more times, backpedaling all the while. She blew the laser rifle out of Grimlock's hand with a carefully-aimed shot, then peppered his chest with several more, blowing holes through his armor. Groans and ominous creaking came from him, but he pressed on. Elita shook her head. “If that's the way you want to play this, fine.” She slid a dial on her rifle, increasing the power for the next blast. She waited a handful of moments before firing one final blast.

The laser rifle barked as a rather large beam shot from it, rocking Elita's chassis from the sheer power behind the energy emission. It struck Grimlock right in the head, blowing it clean off. Smoke and sparks billowed from the cavity upon impact. His now-headless body continued on a few more steps out of sheer momentum before toppling over onto the ground. It jerked once, twice, then lay still.

Elita kept her laser rifle trained on the body as she walked over, sensors scanning for any sign of life. When she was satisfied Grimlock was dead, she lowered her weapon and shook her head. “Such a waste,” she finally said. Elita sent her rifle back into her subspace storage pocket, then turned, hopped into the air, and transformed back into starfighter mode, flying off to her next battle.

Metroplex staggered back as Omega Doom pounded him with repeated blows to his upper body and arms. Both titans bore the scars of their battle. Omega Doom had a nasty gash across his upper torso, and one optic sensor had gone dim. His arms were scarred up, with armor plating shredded down to the mechanics underneath. Metroplex, meanwhile, had the laser lance on his right shoulder torn clean off, as well as a hundred gashes, buckled plating, and fuel leaks all over his body.

Omega Doom's right arm shot out. Its pincers closed around Metroplex's left forearm, claws digging into already-damaged plating. Its functional optic sensor brightened as it tightened its grip, slowly digging into Metroplex's armor.

The laser lance on Metroplex's left shoulder rotated, the barrel retracting slightly as it aimed at Omega Doom's claw. It fired a long, comparatively-thin blue beam at the base joint of one of the claws. Omega Doom let out a screech as the internal mechanism exploded, sending one of the claws flying up and away. Cannons mounted on Omega Doom's chest flipped up, the emitters glowing for a moment before firing heavy bursts of plasma right at Metroplex's abdomen. They struck Metroplex's once-white armor, denting it and managing to blow small chunks off.

Metroplex grunted. He stomped his feet and dug his heels in, shaking the ground and piling a small hill behind his heels. “It's gonna take more than that to put me down!”

Omega Doom's optic sensor narrowed slightly, and a burst of static came from it.

Metroplex leaned forward. “Same to you, pal!”

Omega's squat head suddenly shot up. A half-second later, Metroplex's head turned around. He grinned as he spotted the rocket-mode of Omega Supreme flying towards the two. He tensed for a moment before pushing Omega Doom, shoving him away. A half-second later, a bright-orange laser beam shot from Omega Supreme's nosecone, striking Omega Doom square in the chest and carving a long, deep gash in its chest.

Omega Supreme flew down. The front and back halves of the rocket separated, parts appearing in flashes of light and assembling into a bulky, heavily-armored titan. The nosecone ended up as his left forearm, and the engine and maneuvering thrusters as the right forearm. “Reinforcements; arrived. Fight; engaged. Omega Supreme; primed for action!”

Omega Supreme strode forward. Although 'only' about two-thirds the height of the combatants, he was fresh and undamaged. He raised his left arm, pointed the laser cannon right at the wound he had just inflicted on Omega Doom, and fired.

The beam sliced deep into the drone's chassis, sending him stumbling back. Orange smoke poured out, and the inside was glowing. Omega Doom clutched at its midsection, doubled over in what appeared to be pain.

Metroplex patted Omega Supreme on the shoulder. “Thanks for the save, pal. I'll finish this, now.” He stepped back up to Omega Doom. “You fought well, I'll give you your due there. But you're threatening my friends, and our world. You've got to be stopped, and Omega and I are the ones to do it.”

Omega Doom's head tilted up. It dropped its arms to the side, single optic sensor blazing crimson.

Metroplex twisted back, bringing his right arm up and cocking his fist. He redirected all available power to his right arm before launching it forward, right at Omega Doom's head. It impacted with the force of a large bomb, shearing the cranium off in a shower of sparks, smoke, and flame.

Omega Doom tottered back and forth on its treaded feet, swaying a bit before leaning back. Metroplex surged forward, grabbing it by the shoulders. “Omega, can you give me some help? I don't want him crushing half the county!”

Omega Supreme grabbed Omega Doom. The two half-carried it away from the main area of battle and almost gently placed him down on a wide, flat area of land due east of Autobot City. The fighting died down as their heavy steps shook the earth, forcing everyone around to simply try and not fall over. Omega Supreme looked Metroplex over. “Damage; non-insignificant. Repair; needed?”

Metroplex shook his head and motioned back to the main battlefield. The combatants had started back up almost as soon as the shaking had stopped. “I don't have time to leak, Omega. We've got a planet to defend. Let's go kick some tailgate!”

A squadron of pegasi, one of several flew off from the barrier, their speed hampered by the vials of potion weighing them down. Below them, the battle being waged by their forces had taken a decided turn against them. Sergeant Heavy Wind paid it little mind as he flew on, his mind focused like a lightning bolt on his mission. He had to get through the human's blockade and into their population centers.

Heavy Wind's head darted back and forth, eyes scanning the area. For now, none of the human contraptions or their mechanical allies were anywhere near his squadron. “All right! Just a few more minutes and we'll be home-free. I want–”

A pair of human flying machines suddenly flew up, flanking Heavy Wind and his squadron. They appeared at first glance to be like the others used by the humans, but upon closer examination, they had unique colors and different frames. The one to their left was black with red trim, with wings attached to the top of the fuselage. The one on their right was red, with white wings attached to the bottom. A voice boomed out from the black machine. “All right! This is Air Raid of the Autobots! Start a descent to the ground immediately. We don't want to, but we will open fire if you don't comply!”

The red plane suddenly spoke. “Ah, do we really have to, Air Raid? I think we can force them down without having to resort to lethal measures!”

Air Raid's chassis shuddered. “Fireflight, our weapons do have a stun setting, you know. Or at the very least proximity detonation.”

Several of the pegasi in the squadron exchanged nervous looks. One of them spoke up. “Sergeant, perhaps–”

Heavy Wind's head whipped around as he stared daggers behind his shoulder. “Don't you even think about finishing that sentence! We are pressing on!” He leaned forward and pulled his wings back, narrowing his profile as much as possible. “Split into flights! They can't track us all!”

Air Raid and Fireflight sped up, closing in close to each other and transforming into robot mode. They spun about in midair, weapons appearing in their hands. Air Raid held up a comparatively-small pistol in a two-handed grip. “Okay, any of you try anything funny and you'll be sorry!”

Fireflight looked to him. “Not exactly the biggest threat I've heard.”

Air Raid's optics blinked off, then on. “And you could've done better?” he asked, keeping his gun trained on the rapidly-approaching pegasi. “I warned you!” He fired his pistol at the pegasi, his finger squeezing against the trigger as rapidly as possible.

Many of his shots went wide, but several struck a half-dozen of the pegasi dead-on. The energy bolts expanded, encircling the pegasi in thick bands of energy. They squeezed them tightly, binding their wings to their bodies. They kicked, thrashed, and tossed their heads about, but the energy bands held tight. They slowly began to tumble to the ground.

Heavy Wind and the other five pegasi split up, each one going in a wildly-different direction. “Don't stop!” Heavy Wind shouted, wings flapping as hard as they had ever flapped before.

Air Raid's and Fireflight's sensors tracked their flight paths. “Son of a glitch,” Air Raid snarled out. “Fireflight... ah, which ones do you think you can reach fastest?” He waited a few seconds before speaking again. “Fireflight?” He spun about, grabbed Fireflight by the shoulder, and shook him. “Fireflight, boot up, for Primus' sake!”

Fireflight's optics blinked on and off. “Huh? Oh, sorry. I was just going over some old files Skydive had sent me about the Last Push.” He leaned forward a bit. “What were you talking about?”

Air Raid groaned. “I had to get stuck with the loopy one.” He scanned the surrounding area, then spun around, fuel pump speeding up slightly as he calculated the fleeing pegasus' speed and trajectory. “Oh, slag.” He transformed into his jet mode and flew off towards the closest one. “Come on!” He barely acknowledged Fireflight's own transformation as he opened a communications channel. “Skyfire, this is Air Raid. Fireflight and I are in pursuit of raiders. We managed to take down a half-dozen from one squadron, but the others have split up. We're chasing them down best we can, but they're a lot faster than we thought they'd be. Any chance for an assist? Over.”

Skyfire's exasperated voice came over. “Alpha Bravo and I are dealing with our own raiders, Air Raid. I'll send word to the humans and see if they can spare anyone. In the meantime, get into high gear, you two!”

Air Raid's chassis shuddered as he located the first pegasus and started tailing her. “Sure thing, fearless leader. Air Raid over and out.” He shut the channel off and increased power to his engines. “Okay, little pony. Please go down nice and easy so I can get to the two heading east right after!”

General Lennox walked into the Oval Office, up to President Abernathy's desk, and snapped to attention. He waited for the aides surrounding the President to quiet down, and for Clayton to acknowledge him. “Mister President, Iacon-One has arrived and is engaged in battle over Autobot City.” He motioned to a wall-mounted viewscreen. “May I?”

Clayton held a hand up. “Wait just a moment, Will. Let's get Hollingsworth in here first, so you don't have to repeat yourself.”

One of the aides turned and left. A few minutes later, she reentered with Tim Hollingsworth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, in tow. Hollingsworth adjusted his tie as he walked. “Sorry, Mister President,” he said, cheeks reddening slightly. “I was taking a catnap.”

Clayton waved him off as he sat. “Don't worry about it, General. Lord knows I've had my fair share of that happening.” He glanced to his right. “Will?”

Lennox tapped the screen. He slid a small datacard into a slot below it. An overhead map of the barrier, and the battle raging around Autobot City appeared. “Well, I don't have all the details, but the tide of the battle's turned pretty rapidly in our favor. That big Omega Doom drone's been taken out by Metroplex with an assist from Omega Supreme.” He paused and rubbed his chin. “I wonder if the Autobots would let us have it after this whole shindig is over.”

Hollingsworth spoke up. “Let's not get too ahead of ourselves, General Lennox. We've still got a long way to go before this is over.”

Lennox nodded to Hollingsworth. “Right, right. Sorry, General. Well, anyway. The Aerialbots, Skyfire, and Army have managed to contain almost all the pegasi raiders, too. There's a few stragglers here and there, They shouldn't be any real problem to track down.”

A small rumble reverberated through the room. Lightning flashed outside in the clear, sunny day. Agent Smith, standing behind Clayton's left shoulder, turned and looked out the window. The inner lenses of his sunglasses flashed several times. “Mister President, please stand and step away from the window,” he said, pulling his laser pistol from its holster and thumbing the power supply on.

Clayton was on his feet within seconds, his personal laser pistol in his hands. He craned his head up and around even as other Secret Service agents moved between him and the window. “Smith, what's going on?”

Smith touched his earpiece. “My apologies, Mister President. It seems we have intruders. Two pegasi, from the reports from the sentries on the roof. They're–”

Several bolts of lightning hit the Oval office's window, blowing it open. Shards of glass flew into the room, showering the room. Several agents were hurled back from the force of the explosion, bleeding from cuts on their faces and hands. The agents not incapacitated formed a circle around the President and began moving him back towards the door, their sidearms out. Agent Smith, still standing, brought his laser pistol up. Before he could pull the trigger, though, a pegasus stallion in plate-armor flew through the window, barreling into him and knocking him aside. A second pegasus followed, this one also a stallion.

The first pony looked around. “I am Sergeant Heavy Wind, of Neo-Equestria! And we are here to save you from yourself!” He spread his wings out, showing off saddlebags filled with vials of potion. “Who is the first to–”

Clayton held his laser pistol out. He spread his feet slightly, squared his shoulders, and aimed at Heavy Wind's head. He held his breath as he squeezed the trigger. Two seconds later, the Secret Service agents surrounding him opened fire, laser beams shooting at him and through him. Heavy Wind's body shuddered slightly, his eyes turning glassy. After nearly a minute they ceased fire. Heavy Wind stood there for a moment before toppling over, almost in slow-motion. He landed with a heavy thud, the vials of potion sliding out of his saddlebags.

The other pony stared at Heavy Wind's corpse for a long, long minute. He raised his wings and started rearing back, but was cut down by a similarly-intense volley of fire.

Clayton thumbed off the power supply of his laser pistol and holstered it. He looked around, quickly focusing on the injured. “Get some medics here on the double!” he barked out. “Get the wounded attended to, now!” He approached as close as he dared to Heavy Wind's corpse. “Dammit, what a waste.” He let out a sigh. “Not to be too indelicate, but let's get this cleaned up. And be careful with those vials. Last thing we need is someone to be turned into a newfoal.”

Smith touched his earpiece and began speaking in low tones. Aides and other staff began scrambling in and out.

Clayton and Hollingsworth walked up to Lennox, their mouths set in a grim line. “General Lennox,” Clayton began, “as per Earth Defense Command regulations, we are hereby formally requesting... that the battleships Enterprise, Repulse, and Yokohama prepare to implement General Plan Twenty-Four.”

The Oval Office suddenly became a bit more quiet and subdued than a few seconds ago. Lennox straightened up. “By regulations, Mister President, I must ask you to reaffirm your request.”

Clayton nodded. “I reaffirm my request for a General Plan Twenty-Four, General Lennox. I recognize the severity of the request, and am prepared for the consequences.”

Hollingsworth spoke up. “In the absence of Vice-President Thi Dang, I second the President's request, General Lennox.”

Lennox glanced from Clayton to Hollingsworth. “Very well. I'll make preparations to contact the ships in orbit.” With that, he stepped back, about-faced and left the Oval Office.

Hollingsworth turned to Clayton. “For the record, while I do agree with the necessity... I hope to hell it doesn't come to going through with it.”

Clayton slowly nodded. “I wish to God we don't, old friend, but as they say, prepare for the worst. And the worst might still be coming.”

Three drones ran down the streets of Autobot City, their arms raised as they fired bursts from the laser cannons mounted to their arms. They turned a corner–and ran right into the Dinobots stomping down the street.

Grimlock roared. He leaned forward and spat a long gout of flame from his mouth. It struck the lead drone, melting its right arm and searing its torso.

Slag charged forward, in his triceratops alternate mode, firing lasers from his horns. The lasers sliced holes in the drone's armor, sending it staggering back. Slag continued forward, quickly closing the distance and stabbing it deep with his horns. “Stupid drone!” he shouted. “You make Slag angry!” He fired his horns again, the lasers slicing through the drone's internal machinery. It spasmed, smoke and sparks pouring out of every hole in it. Slag jerked his head around, pulling his horns free. He turned and slammed his tail into the drone, sending it tumbling down.

Sludge leaned to his right, lifted his left legs up, and then brought them down, shaking the immediate area and sending the final drone stumbling about. It fired, the laser blasts firing wildly into the air.

Snarl strode up to it and almost lazily swung his spiked tail at it, knocking it down. Swoop flew overhead in his Pteranodon alternate mode, firing off a seemingly-endless succession of missiles from his wing-mounted launchers. Within minutes, all three drones had been blown apart, their remains little more than tiny shrapnel that flew out from the explosions that ripped their chassis apart.

Grimlock transformed into robot mode and thrust his energon sword into the air. “Bring on more tin men! We Dinobots rip them apart just like these ones!”

All across Autobot City and the area around the barrier, almost identical scenes were playing out as the invading drones were encircled, cut off from each other, and destroyed. Any Neo-Equestrian ponies inside the city were rounded up, stunned when possible, dealt with lethally if they left the defenders no choice.

Optimus Prime shot off the head of one of the last remaining drones still inside Autobot City. He glanced up as Shockwave flew towards him and touched down a few meters away. He walked forward, sending his ion rifle back into his subspace storage pocket before stopping and bowing slightly. “Shockwave, thank you for coming and helping out. You and the others have saved a lot of lives today, and brought the galaxy one step closer to peace.”

Shockwave stood there for a moment before returning the bow. “Your thanks are welcome, but ultimately not necessary. We aided you because it was the logical thing to do. The odds of the New Decepticon Empire surviving have increased dramatically with these actions.”

Optimus straightened up. “I know Starscream's in it for his survival, but it will still end needless fuelshed. I'll take that, Shockwave. Peace–”

Shockwave raised his left arm and fired a long, thin laser beam from the cannon that had long ago replaced his hand. It shot past Optimus' head, striking a Cybertronian with a gray chassis and rust-colored highlights and slicing right through his chest. He stumbled forward, orange smoke pouring from his mouth as he collapsed to the ground, his optic sensors going dark.

Shockwave walked forward. “You did not flinch.”

Optimus kept his gaze level on Shockwave. “Shooting me would be... illogical in this location, Shockwave.” He turned and looked down at the permanently-offlined mech. He shook his head. “I wonder who he was.”

Shockwave stepped up to Optimus' side. “An enemy, before. Scrap metal, now.” He looked up at the Autobot leader. “Optimus, I request that after the battle is over, Astrotrain be allowed to refuel for the journey back to New Vos.”

Optimus looked up at Shockwave. “No... no. You'll all be allowed to refuel, and to have any damage incurred repaired. You did us a good turn, We owe you on that.”

Shockwave's optic sensor brightened slightly. “Thank you. I will admit, being trusted and compensated like this is going to be... difficult to get used to.”

Optimus slowly nodded. “I think, Shockwave, there's a lot of things both sides are going to have to get used to.”

The wall-mounted viewscreen in the shelter turned on. “Attention, all citizens. The attack against Autobot City has been driven off. I say again; the attack against Autobot City has been driven off. Please remain at your current location until Earth Defense Command reach you. Attention, all citizens...”

Danny spun about in a circle. “Thank god,” he said, finally stopping and facing Mike and Molly as they sat on the couch, along with Michelle. “So, odds on them forgetting about us?”

Applejack snorted. “I'm not laying one bit down on that, Danny.”

Rainbow Dash hopped up and punched the air. “Ah, this is ridiculous! I should've been out there doing something!”

Rarity, from her spot at a table, snorted. “Doing what, perchance?”

Rainbow Dash looked to her and shrugged. “I dunno. Being so awesome those weirdos leave?”

Michelle spoke up. “I think you're cool, Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow Dash looked to her and grinned. “Thanks, Michelle.” She tilted her head back and forth. “Although... you're pretty cool, too.”

A bright light suddenly shone from a door near the back of the room, catching everyone's attention. Danny, Mike, Molly, Rainbow Dash and Applejack moved forward, Mike standing in front of his daughter. Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie clustered together. Suddenly, Pinkie Pie ran off, disappearing behind the couch.

Applejack glanced over her shoulder. “Consarnit, Pinkie! What the tartarus are you doing?”

Pinkie Pie emerged, pushing a small blue cannon. At everyone's stares, she shrugged. “I've got party cannons stashed all over, in case of emergencies.!”

Danny slowly nodded. “We'll take it.”

The light dimmed, and the silhouette of a figure emerged. It-she stepped forward, quickly resolving itself into Megan. She looked around, slowly smiling. “Hey, all!” she shouted, waving. “I'm back.”

Mike's jaw dropped. He slowly stepped forward. “Megan, is it...” He held his arms out. “Is it really you?”

Megan looked up at him, her eyes watering slightly. “It is, Mike. I got a little help from some friends, old and new, but I'm back”

Mike surged forward, wrapping his arms around Megan. Megan returned the embrace, the two kissing. For a brief moment, the two were the only things to exist in their universe.

The moment soon passed as Danny and Molly approached. “Really sorry to spoil the mood,” Molly said, “but how do we know... it's really you?”

Megan leaned to her left and stared down Molly. “Shall I tell everyone about the crush you had on that Riot guy from the Stingers and–”

Molly held her hands up. “Okay, it's her!” she blurted out. “That's all I need.”

Danny looked up at her. “Wait, I thought you hated the Stingers.”

Molly growled. “Not the time, Danny. Not the time!” She walked up to Megan and jabbed a finger at her. “Don't you ever do anything like this again!”

Megan broke the embrace and eyed her younger sister. “Okay, I'll make sure not to be attacked by an evil version of Celestia, changed into an alicorn, and have to go meet up with the Princess Ponies to get changed back. Fair enough?”

Molly nodded. “Fair enough,” she said, smiling even as her eyes watered.

Megan looked around. “Wait, where's-ah!” She knelt down as she spotted Michelle. She held her arms out. “Michelle, it's me. Mommy's back and-oof!”

The wind was knocked from Megan as her younger daughter surged forward, wrapping her arms around Megan. “Mommy, you're back!' she cried out, smiling while crying.

Megan smiled as she returned the hug, barely reacting as Mike knelt down and joined in. “I am, honey. I am.”

Rarity wiped her nose. “Oh, this is so... lovely!” She floated a handkerchief over and blew her muzzle into it. “To see a family reunited like this!”

Rainbow Dash opened her mouth, but stopped and half-smiled. “Yeah, it is. Mushy, but it is.”

Megan finally stood up. “Thanks for not totally spoiling the moment, Dash.” She looked around. “Where's Twilight? And has Celestia shown up, yet?”

Danny shook his head. “Last we heard, Twilight was helping with the battle. At least transforming Autobot City into fortress-mode.” He pulled out his phone. “I think with the battle winding down, we can call her up and get the straight scoop.” He jabbed a finger at Pinkie Pie. “And no ice cream puns!”

Pinkie Pie rolled her eyes. “Fine!”

Danny pulled out his phone. He dialed Twilight Sparkle up, then held the phone up to his head. After a moment, he spoke. “Twilight, hi! How's it going with Wheeljack? Uh, huh? That's great! Okay, listen. Megan just showed up in our shelter. Can you-wait, what?” He looked around, finally focusing on a sign. “Shelter 47-alpha, why?”

Another flash of light erupted in the room. It faded, leaving Twilight Sparkle there. She looked around. “Oh, good! I managed to avoid materializing inside the wall.”

Megan stared at her. “Well... that's a good thing.”

Twilight Sparkle looked up at Megan and gasped. “Megan, you're human again!” She trotted forward. “How did you do it? Or... who did it for you?”

Megan knelt down and hugged Twilight Sparkle. “It's a long story that I'll tell everyone after that Queen Celestia knockoff is taken care of and her 'Neo-Equestria' is defeated.” She stood back up. “Okay, so that's the bearers of the Elements.” She stood back up and rubbed her chin. “Let's see, has Optimus Prime landed, yet?”

Mike snapped his fingers. “He has! We heard a report on it a few minutes before you arrived from... wherever it is you were at.”

Rainbow Dash nickered. “Yeah, but we still need Princess Celestia to show up with the Elements of Harmony.”

A tear ripped open in the fabric of space, near the couch and startling everyone there. It widened, allowing what appeared to be Princess Celestia to walk through. An ornately-decorated box floated behind her. She turned, the glow around her horn brightened, and the tear resealed. “There we go.” She looked around. “It's me, Princess Celestia.” She floated the box in front of her and opened it. “And I brought the Elements of Harmony!”

Danny looked to the ceiling and waved his hand. “We still need Susanna Hoffs from the Bangles to show up and declare her undying love for me!” After a moment, he sighed. “Worth a try.”

Megan walked up to the alicorn. “Celestia-stop!” She held up a hand. “Before we continue, are you our Celestia?”

Celestia stared at her. “The Cure released 'Disintegration' in 1989. It was their eighth studio album. There are twelve songs on it, totaling seventy-one minutes, forty-seven seconds. The third song on it is 'Closedown'. You bought it for me for my birthday. It is currently in the Vault, with very heavy preservation spells on it.” She half-smiled. “Anything else?”

Megan shook her head. “That's more than enough.” She grinned widely as she walked quickly over to Celestia and threw her arms around her in a hug. “I am so glad to see you, and to be able to hug you like this again!”

Celestia leaned into the hug and nuzzled Megan. “I'm so glad you're human, again.” She sniffed Megan's hair, and her brow wrinkled. “Wait...”

Megan slowly shook her head. “Later, all right?”

Celestia sighed, but nodded. She broke from Megan's hug and looked around as Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy approached. She floated the box over, opened it, and gave them each their Element. “I'm very glad to see you, my little ponies. You've all made me very proud.”

Applejack looked down and blushed slightly. “Thank you, Princess. Truth be told, Twilight's done the most out of us.”

Twilight Sparkle swallowed and shrugged. “Only due to circumstances, Applejack.”

Megan cleared her throat. “Okay, before we got off-track, let's figure who's going where and doing what. All right?”

Celestia nodded. “Excellent idea.” She looked around. “Twilight, you and the other bearers of the Elements shall accompany Optimus Prime and I to Neo-Equestria. I can get us there.”

Megan spoke up. “I'm coming, too. I think I can help. And I have a... personal stake in this.”

Mike stepped up to Megan's side and gently took her hand in his. “Megan, I don't want to sound like I'm second-guessing you or anything like that, but are you sure about going there?”

Megan looked to him. She gently squeezed his hand. “You don't sound like that, and I'm sure, Mike.” She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you for worrying and caring. I love you, too.”

Michelle walked over to Megan's other side. She gently tugged on Megan's arm. “Mommy?” She waited for Megan to look down before continuing. “Kick her butt!”

The tension melted, if only a little. Megan hugged her younger daughter. “We'll kick it from here to the Outer Colonies, honey.” She stood back up, then patted herself down. “Ah, right. My phone was inside the house... which was disintegrated by the Queen.” She looked to Mike. “Honey, could you please call Danielle and let her know I'm all right?”

Mike nodded. “Sure thing, Megan.”

Danny spoke up. “All right. I don't think Mike, Molly, Michelle or I will be much good out there in Neo-Equestria.” He looked around at them. “Well, sorry, but it's true!”

Molly shrugged. “I'm not disagreeing with you, Danny.” She looked to Megan. “Doesn't mean I don't wish I could help in some way.”

Megan nodded to Molly. “Much obliged, sis.” She glanced at the ceiling. “All right. I guess all we need to do now is get in touch with someone outside, let them know Celestia and I are here and we need to get to Optimus Prime.”

A few seconds later, the shelter's hatch opened. Lieutenant Commander Marie Hernandez walked inside. “Apologies for interrupting anything.” She turned, looked around, then pointed up at a camera set in a corner. “But we've been monitoring the conversation.” She stopped in front of Celestia and bowed at the waist. “An honor to meet you, your highness.”

Danny glanced to the ceiling. “So I guess all we need to do now is get me five million dollars into my bank account!” He waited a handful of heartbeats before sighing. “Again, worth a try.”

Celestia returned the bow. “The honor is mine, Commander.”

Marie looked to Megan and extended a hand. “Missus Richards, it's nice to finally meet you in the flesh.”

Megan smiled and shook Marie's proffered hand. “Nice to meet you too, Commander. Thanks for taking care of my family.”

Marie took in a breath. “All right, to make this quick.” She jabbed a thumb towards the ceiling. “There's a car outside that can take those going to Neo-Equestria to Autobot City's Command Tower. Optimus Prime is heading there as we speak. It's the best place for a rendezvous.” She glanced to her right. “Mister Richards, unless you have any objections, we'll escort you and your family back to the room you were in before.”

Mike shook his head. “No objections, Commander. Thanks.”

Megan clapped her hands together. “Well, looks like one way or another, this entire thing's gonna be over sooner rather than later. I won't say we'll definitely win, but we will go down swinging.”

Chapter Nineteen

View Online

Sergeant Steady Hooves of Neo-Equestria's Royal Guard marched around, a cup of coffee floating up to his lips. He took a quick sip, letting the bitter liquid slide down and wake him up. He and his squadron had set up camp outside of Whitetail Woods, near one of the 'relocation centers' for the newfoals. He shuddered slightly at the memories of his first-and only-tour of that area, grateful that he was a true pony of Neo-Equestria, and not some jumped-up ape.

Rumble

Steady Hooves' ears pricked back as he heard and felt a distant rumbling. He looked around, noticing the other guardsponies coming to attention.

One pony trotted up to him. “Sergeant, what was that?”

Steady Hooves put on an air of confidence. “I'm sure it's nothing we can't handle, Private. We're the Royal Guard! We protect Neo-Equestria from–”

The rumbling grew in intensity and volume, becoming steady. A large group of machines suddenly appeared from behind a bend in the forest, streaming out in an almost-endless wave. Pegasi and some other creatures clad in heavy armor flew above them in tight formations. Most of the machines he could see looked similar, angular green boxes with cannons sticking out from the sides. One of the ones in the lead, however, was quite different, tan-colored, with a large turret on top. Steady Hooves nickered and reared back slightly as he recognized a human sticking out from a hatch on the turret. He looked to several of the other machines. Most were closed up, but some had... had... ponies poking out from hatches!

The human held up a hand and tapped a headset on his helmet. Within seconds, the machines slowed to a crawl, finally stopping a dozen or so feet from Steady Hooves' camp. The man held up his right arm and slowly waved it. “Hi, there!” he shouted, smiling. “I'm Sergeant Jack Robins, United States Army. We seem to be a bit lost.” He held up a hand to his forehead and looked around. “You know the direction to your Canterlot?”

Several of Steady Hooves' comrades formed up behind him, spears held either in their magic, or the crook of one of their forelegs. Steady Hooves noted none of them shaking or wavering. Good soldiers. “I don't quite know what your game is, human, but– ”

“Sergeant Jack Robins, United States Army,” Jack repeated, his eyes narrowing. He sucked in a breath. “All right, let me lay this out for you. Your nation has committed acts of unwarranted aggression against the people of Earth.” He motioned to the tanks besides his and behind, as well as the fliers above. “We're here to help put a stop to it.”

One of Steady Hooves' soldiers, Private Iron Flank, shook his spear. “Quiet, you stupid ape! You don't know enough to be grateful that Queen Celestia is helping you and your unworthy species!”

The pony in the tank next to the humans' vehicle, a green-coated unicorn mare, spoke up. “They are not 'unworthy', and they do not need any help. Especially not the help that will annihilate their species.”

Steady Hooves looked to her. “Who the tartarus are you?”

The mare straightened up. “Sergeant Blossomforth of the Royal Tank Corps' First Regiment, representing the Equestrian Alliance. We are here in aid of our allies and brothers in stopping your assault upon Earth.” She glanced up at the pegasi hovering above. “I would advise you and your small band to surrender. You're heavily outnumbered and outgunned.” Her eyes narrowed. “Wait... do you even have any firearms?”

Another of Steady Hooves' soldiers spoke up. “We have spears,” she said, raising hers up slightly.

Jack blinked. “It's a... nice spear.” He breathed in and out several times before holding his hands up, palms out, and continuing. “We're not gonna start anything. You want a rumble? Fine. Any blood spilled-and it will be spilled-will be on your hands. I mean, hooves. Now considering what Neo-Equestria's done already, I've got every right to start shooting and not stop. I would prefer, however, to take you and those under your command prisoner.”

Steady Hooves stared up at Jack. And... how will we be treated if we do surrender?” he finally asked.

Jack held his right hand up. “On my word of honor, you and your soldiers will be treated well.” He looked to Blossomforth.

Blossomforth blinked. She looked to Jack, then to Steady Hooves. “Yes! I too swear this...”

Steady Hooves snorted. “Sergeant Steady Hooves, of the Neo-Equestrian Royal Guard.” He slowly reached up, removed his helmet, and placed it on the grass. “And on behalf of my squad, I surrender.” He looked to his fellow soldiers, some with expressions of shock, others with quickly-mounting anger or determination. “If we fight, we die! And I won't spend your lives on something that won't matter one bit.”

There was a long, pregnant pause. Finally, the other guardsponies lowered their weapons and placed them on the ground.

Jack let out a breath. He looked to Blossomforth. “Sergeant, I think we need to have a little talk, figure out where the hell we are.”

Blossomforth nodded. “Agreed.” She tapped her headset. “Lieutenant Galbrix, could you please join us below for a meeting?”

Jack, Blossomforth, and a third being stood around a small table, set up near their tanks. Several maps of Equestria and Canterlot Province were laid out on them. The third one standing there was one Lieutenant Galbrix, a male griffin. He was tall, nearly Jack's height when standing fully upright. He had a long scar going down the right side of his face, and several chips in his beak. Galbrix jabbed a talon at the map of Canterlot Province. “All right. Can someone please tell me why we're not storming Canterlot Castle at this moment?”

Blossomforth nickered. “Because we're at Whitetail Woods, Lieutenant, nowhere near Canterlot Castle.” She paused. “But the area we drove into was almost identical to the flat field right outside Fort Bulwark.” She looked up, first to Jack, then to Galbrix. “So... why aren't we there, instead of the forest near Ponyville and Hoofington?”

Jack rubbed his chin. He paced back and forth in a small circle, lost in thought. “All right. Let's think about this. Neo-Equestria envelops another Earth. Now...” He glanced up. “Wait. They keep on saying 'Neo-Equestria'. Not...” He waved his right hand in the air. “Not the planet Neo-Equus or some shit like that. Like it was just Equestria that covered the first Earth they did this to.”

Galbrix stared at Jack for a moment, then tapped his earpiece. “Bring the prisoner Steady Hooves to our table.” His eyes narrowed. “I'm not even sure I want to follow this line of questioning, but I don't think I have a choice.”

A few minutes passed. Eventually, Steady Hooves was escorted to the table by a pair of burly pegasi. Steady Hooves' eyes widened as he spotted Galbrix. “A griffin?”

Galbrix growled, a deep, guttural scraping coming from his throat. “Yes, a griffin from Griffinstone Province. Why so surprised, Sergeant?” He stepped away from the table and towards Steady Hooves, a bright glint in his eyes. “When's the last time you saw a griffin, Sergeant?”

Steady Hooves swallowed as Galbrix approached. “W-well, it was m-maybe a week before we arrived on the old Earth. The last of them were converted into... newfoals...” Steady Hooves' face paled as he finished speaking the last word. “Oh, no.”

Galbrix stared at Steady Hooves, beak open. “You... converted the griffins of your world into newfoals?” He started forward, claws opening and closing. “You violated their minds, body, and souls and turned them into those zombie things? How dare you!”

Blossomforth and Jack exchanged a look. They both ran around the table and stood between Steady Hooves and Galbrix. “Stand down, Lieutenant,” Jack said, holding his hands up and out. “Don't fly off the handle, here.”

Galbrix's head shot up slightly. He locked eyes with Jack. Time seemed to pause for a moment before Galbrix grunted. “I... apologize, Sergeant. Griffins do have a bit of a temper.” He looked back to Steady Hooves. “How much of your planet did you transport to the first Earth you converted?”

Steady Hooves blinked. He glanced to the side in thought.“Well, just Equestria itself. Queen Celestia, as powerful as she is, had enough problems just transporting that.”

Jack looked to the sky. “So, if it's anything like our Equestria, Queen Celestia took something the size of the contiguous United States and the Canadian provinces and... stretched it over a planet?” At Steady Hooves' nod, he whistled, then looked to Blossomforth. “Forget about the maps. They're pretty much useless to us. The entire country's been stretched like taffy and spread all over a planet, I bet.”

Galbrix rubbed his chin. “I'll get patrols sent out to scout around.” He looked to Steady Hooves and his guards. “Escort the prisoner back to the holding area with the others.”

Steady Hooves' breath hitched in his throat. “We were just trying to help!” he blurted out. “Queen Celestia was trying to do her best for all creatures! We weren't being cruel or evil to them.”

Jack slowly closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose. A few moments passed before he spoke. “Steady Hooves, just shut up. All right?” He motioned at the guards. “Just... get him out of here.” He shook his head as Steady Hooves was escorted away. “Some people just wanna dig their own grave, it seems.”

Galbrix tapped the earpiece nestled in his right ear. “Squadron One, prepare flights for aerial recon. Report to our... command table in five minutes. Out.” He looked to Jack. “How do you do it?”

Jack tilted his head to the side. “Sorry, do what?”

Galbrix looked over his shoulder. “Stay so calm in the face of such a, such a dweeb. I was about a half-second away from sinking my claws into his throat before you sent him off.” He lifted his left paw. It was clenched so tightly, the claws were digging into the flesh. Tiny rivulets of blood dribbled down.

Blossomforth winced slightly. “Lieutenant, you might wish to... get that looked at. Infection isn't a pretty thing. Especially in a war zone.”

Galbrix shrugged. “I've had worse.”

Jack rolled his eyes. “Of course you have. Well, to answer your question, I know that if I lose my cool here and now, it's not gonna do anybody back home any good. I can blow steam off later on after this is over. Right now, though? I can't afford to do that. Humanity can't afford for me to do that. So I'm gonna keep it frosty for the moment.”

Galbrix stared at him for a moment before slowly speaking. “I've spent most of my career on the northern border with the Griffin Empire. My home there has been under siege for almost my entire life. To see that loser speak about wiping out the griffins back where he came from, like that? My mind went back to Griffinstone, to my family and friends there.”

Jack let out a sigh. “I'm from Louisville, Kentucky. My mom and dad and three brothers all still live there. God, what I wouldn't give to be there right now with my tank and crew.” He stared off into the distance. “But I can't, so no use dwelling on it. Just gotta do what I can here, and now.”

Blossomforth reached out and patted the small of Jack's back. “And we'll do what we can to help stop this madness, Sergeant.”

Jack looked down at her and smiled. “Thanks.” He looked up and to his right as twelve pegasi marched over. “Nice of you to join the party,” he said, flashing a toothy smile.

Galbrix marched over, his demeanor and poise much more professional than before. “Attention!” he barked out. He stopped in front of the line as they all straightened out, then started walking down the line, paws clasped behind his back. “You twelve shall be splitting into your component flights and doing recon sweeps in a standard search pattern. You shall report in every five minutes, or if you find something you believe warrants our attention.” He stopped in front of the last pegasi and spun about on his foot. “If you encounter enemy units, you are not to engage unless you have a definite advantage. You and any information you gather are worth nothing if you're dead. Understood?”

The pegasi all shouted as one. “Sergeant, yes Sergeant!”

Galbrix smiled, the expression almost reaching his eyes. “Then good hunting. Dismissed!”

Racno, Janet, and the fourth member of their crew, Jose Hernandez, sat in a loose semi-circle, facing two ponies and a zebra. Cards were arrayed in front of everyone, with a small pile of chips in the center. The zebra, a stallion named Torth, glanced down. “These chips which lay upon the earth. Tell me again, what are they worth?”

Janet looked up from her hand at Torth. “Well, if Earth is conquered by the Neo-Equestrians, then the red ones are worth five thousand dollars, the white ones are worth ten thousand dollars, and the blue twenty-five thousand. If we win and Earth is saved, then the red ones are worth five cents, the white ones ten cents, and the blue ones a whole quarter.”

Jose glanced up. “So, Torth, lemme guess. Shaman?”

Torth nodded. “I know spells both flashy and subdued. Many a foe's had their day rued.”

Janet snorted. “If rhyming is a requirement for being a Zebrican Shaman, I wouldn't make it past the first lesson.”

Torth flashed a toothy smile. “Rhyming such as we do isn't easy. One could compare it to flying for a breezie.”

One of the ponies, an earth pony mare in coveralls, raised her right foreleg and looked her cards over. “It can give me a headache,” Sergeant Turnkey said. She reached over and gently tapped Torth on the foreleg. “But I can't deny Torth's gotten us through more than one sticky situation.”

Torth blushed slightly, but he still grinned. “A few spells I would weave, and victory we all together would achieve.”

Turnkey looked to Janet. “So besides doing demonstrations, where have you been assigned?”

Janet leaned back and looked to the sky. “Well, we've been on the Frontier a few times, fighting off Tyroxian raids on our colonies. Also tangled with Galvatron's faction of Decepticons more than once.” She let out a slow whistle. “Not sure which was worse.”

Jose spoke up. “Gotta be the Tyroxians for me. The 'Cons not with Starscream are getting pretty beat up and desperate, and retreat more often than not. The Tyroxians, though, they're smart, skilled, and they got the devil inside of them. They hate humans, Cybertronians, Tlalakans and just about anyone who's allied with us.”

The ponies and zebra stared at them. “Why?” the second pony, a pegasus mare named Corporal Highlands, asked.

Janet glanced down. “That's the ten-million dollar question, Highlands. And I'll be damned to be able to answer. Far as I know we've asked Cybertron about it, and they don't know why Tyroxians hate them, and by extension, us.”

Racno's cheek-fins fluttered. “They've tried a few raids on Tlalak, but nothing recent.” He reached into his shirt and pulled out a small necklace. He held up a tiny vial filled with water and kissed it. “And I hope that's one thing that won't change.”

Highlands leaned forward. “Racno, what's that?”

Racno glanced down at the vial. He held it out, smiling. “This is water from the Well of Transformation. It is the most sacred site on Tlalak. All of Her children who leave bring a vial such as this with them, so that home is always close to our heart.” He slid the vial and necklace back in.

Torth looked to him. “To one so far from home, do you have any kin when you cease to roam?”

Racno nodded. “Mom and Dad, as well as two uncles, three aunts, and numerous cousins.” He smiled. “My parents and I came to Earth after Tlalak was freed from Decepticon control to learn of the high technology Earth and Cybertron have.” He stared off for a few moments. “I was barely five when we arrived. Most of my memories from before then are not exactly pleasant ones. Deceptitraan tried his best to grind us down and break our will.”

Turnkey, Highlands, and Torth all stared at Racno for a few moments. Highlands finally spoke. “But he didn't?”

Racno finally smiled. “No, he didn't. We never surrendered or stopped fighting against him or his drones.” He waggled his head back and forth. “Admittedly it took help from the Autobots to finally stop his reign of terror, but we never gave in!”

Highlands nickered. “Everything goes better when you've got help, Racno. As the old saying goes, friendship is magic.”

Janet nodded to her. “Thanks.” She looked down at her cards, half-forgotten. “Wait... what was the version of poker we were playing again?”

The others all looked to each other. Torth's brow wrinkled. “Something is amiss. I thought we were playing go-fish?”

Jose rolled his eyes and tossed his hand to the dirt. “I fold, and say we go get something to eat.”

The others all nodded and threw their own hands down.

“We fold, too!”

Jack paced back and forth in front of the table forming his, Blossomforth's, and Galbrix's impromptu command post. He occasionally stopped, took a sip of coffee, then resumed pacing. “We should've heard something from the scouts by now.”

Blossomforth's eyes went back and forth as she tracked Jack's movements. “It hasn't even been ten minutes, Sergeant. Their last reports didn't indicate anything amiss.”

Jack stopped mid-pace and turned to Blossomforth. “That's what worries me.”

Galbrix stared at Jack for a moment. “Sergeant, did you come up with that line off the cuff, or did you practice it in the mirror to get it just right?” He paused while both Jack and Blossomforth turned to Galbrix, directing withering glares at him. The griffin remained unperturbed, though. “What?” he asked, his expression one of innocence.

Any retort was cut off as their earpieces buzzed. “Squadron Two to command post, Squadron Two to command post. Come in. We just found... something. Over.”

Galbrix tapped his earpiece. “We hear you, Squadron Two. What exactly did you find? Over.”

“There's a compound below us, several-dozen buildings arranged in two rows. There's a large fence surrounding it, with guard towers at the corners. There also appears to be several fields of crops outside the compound. Or at least someone's poor attempt at crops. Over.”

Jack's body stiffened with each word spoken. “Squadron Two, please confirm if any adult occupants have cutie marks. Over,” he finally said.

There was a long pause. “Checking now, Sergeant. And... I am confirming one, two, three... I am confirming multiple adult ponies with no cutie marks. Over.”

Both Blossomforth and Galbrix looked to Jack. “Sergeant Robins, are you all right?” Blossomforth finally asked.

Jack snorted. He balled his hand into a fist and slammed it into the table, rattling everything on it and everyone looking at him. “Those fuckers did it. They actually did it.”

Galbrix's eyes narrowed. “Did what, Sergeant? What are you talking about?”

Jack looked from Galbrix to Blossomforth. He let out a breath. “Something really horrible. Hopefully, though, something we can mitigate.”

The column of tanks and support vehicles drove on, quickly approaching a tall chain-link fence and guardhouse. The ponies at the house stared at the tanks, mouths open and eyes wide. One of them turned and galloped into the compound, shouting at the top of her lungs.

Jack, upper body poking out of his tank's hatch, stared ahead with narrow eyes. He held up a clenched fist as the compound neared. The tanks slowed down. He waited for his Abrams to come to a stop before climbing out and sliding down to the ground. His boots hit the dirt with a solid thump. “My name is Sergeant Jack Robins, United States Army. As of this moment, we are occupying this camp and liberating those held inside.” He stepped forward, right hand trailing to the laser pistol in its holster and undoing the flap. “I would advise you to surrender.”

Blossomforth poked her own head out of her tank. “And I am Sergeant Blossomforth of the Equestrian Tank Corps. I would advise you to take his advice.”

The guardspony's head whipped from Jack to Blossomforth, then back. He craned his head to his left, looking at all the tanks on the ground, and pegasi and griffins in the air. “W-we surrender!” he shouted, throwing his forelegs into the air.

Jack nodded. “Good move.” He turned at the waist and looked over his shoulder. “Kowalski, you're with me! Hernandez, Racno, stay with the tank.”

Janet quickly emerged from the main turret hatch. She slid down the turret and hull, landing gingerly on her boots, before joining Jack by his side. Meanwhile, Blossomforth trotted up to the gate. A half-dozen stonebacks flanked her, curled up into balls as they rolled along. They stopped short of the fence and unfurled. “Fence... gone!” one snarled out. They raised their forelegs, unsheathed razor-sharp claws, and brought them down. The chain-links were sliced apart, and the fence soon crumbled. The stonebacks grabbed various parts and dragged them off, opening up the compound.

Even as they worked, over a dozen ponies from inside galloped towards the entrance. “Stop!” one mare, a unicorn, called out. She wore a white lab coat, had a stethoscope around her neck, and black saddlebags with various other medical implements sticking out of them. She slowed to a halt a few meters from the entrance. “Please, I beg of you. We've been doing our best with them!” Her eyes shone as she spoke, her breath hitching in her throat. “We-we've been t-trying our best with them. It's just, there's... there's too many of them!” By now tears had started streaming down her cheeks. “We can't care for all of them!”

By now, ponies had begun to slowly trickle out of the buildings. Jack, Janet, and Blossomforth gasped as they ambled out. Glassy eyes peeking out from hollow eye sockets bore into them. One stallion leaned forward, his ribs visible. “But I thought Queen Celestia had purified all of us,” he said through bleeding gums.

Blossomforth's head whipped around. “Get the ambulances and medics up here!” she shouted. She turned and walked off, her gait increasing with each step. “Send a vehicle back to the portal! We need food, medical supplies! On the quadruple, foals!”

Jack's head shot around. “Where's the nearest town?” He looked down, his eyes narrowing. “Doctor...”

The unicorn swallowed. “Redheart,” she finally said. “I'm Doctor Redheart. The nearest town is Hoofington, but it doesn't matter. There's barely enough food for the residents there, to say nothing of any for the newfoals here.”

Janet's eyes danced with an inner fire as she stared daggers at Redheart. “I dare say, Doctor, they can spare a little for the poor souls starving here!” She turned to Jack and straightened up. “Sergeant, permission to head to Hoofington to 'requisition' some supplies?”

Jack right-faced to Janet. “Permission granted, Corporal. Have fun shopping.”

Even as the two turned away, Redheart raised a hoof. “No, you can't! They barely have enough for themselves!”

Jack and Janet paused. They slowly turned back to Redheart. Jack stepped forward, right up to Redheart. He looked down at her, eyes blazing. “So would you please tell me why the fuck you thought it'd be wise to take in seven billion people, then?”

Redheart stared right back up at him. “Because the alternative would have been watching every single one of them die!” She barked a laugh, and one eye started twitching. “Their Earth was on the brink of nuclear annihilation. Two nations poised to use weapons I couldn't even conceive before I studied them, to wipe out their civilizations. Queen Celestia offered the people the chance to be reborn, to escape from the destruction that was coming.” Redheart sucked in a breath and paused to steady herself. “I am genuinely sorry it's come to this, but at the time, it seemed like the best option. I won't apologize for trying to help save those humans from annihilation.”

Silence had descended upon the area, save for Redheart. Jack stared at her, expression unreadable. After a long moment, he spoke. “I... I can't pretend to know what was happening on this other Earth. All right, so maybe it was like you said. Fine. I won't dispute that. It's above my pay grade. If they really went willingly... I won't even pretend to understand why they chose to, but all right. A lot of people do a lot of shit I don't understand.” He jabbed a thumb at his chest. “But when it comes to my Earth, and the people there? You can bet your cutie mark none of us would sign up for this.”

Janet looked to Jack. “Permission to speak, Sergeant?” At his node, she turned back to Redheart. “Doctor, I acknowledge your intentions were good, noble even. But they paved their way to this hell. And taking on seven billion more people will just accelerate the slide.”

Redheart slowly nodded. She smiled, even as tears streamed from her eyes. “I know,” she finally said, voice barely audible. “I know.”

Jack sighed. “Corporal, take from shops, take from restaurants or businesses. Stay out of homes. Understood?”

Janet nodded. “Understood, Sergeant.” She turned to him, stood at attention and saluted. “Permission to go foraging?”

Jack turned, stood at attention, and returned the salute. “Granted.”

Racno and Jose stood outside a tent set up outside the camp. A line of newfoals stretched out from inside the tent to well within the compound itself. Medics went along the line, doing preliminary checkups on the future patients and taking any aside that needed immediate attention.

Jose looked over at his friend. Racno was turned away from him, staring at the compound itself. He walked up to Racno’s side and leaned in. “Hey, you okay?”

Racno turned to him. “My apologies, Jose.” He waved a hand at the camp. “This just brings back... bad memories.” He sighed and looked down for a moment. “Before the Autobots liberated Tlalak, Deceptitraan had begun rounding up citizens and imprisoning them in camps.” He closed his eyes. “I was in one such camp for about three days, along with my mother and father. No one died, thank the Tide, but I still have nightmares about it.”

Jose's mouth opened for a moment. He closed it and slowly shook his head. Silence reigned between the two for a moment. He then reached out, grabbed Racno’s shoulder, and squeezed it.

Racno looked to him, smiling. “Thank you.” He waved at the line of newfoals. “Although they're the ones who need our empathy and help.”

Jose let go of Racno’s shoulder. He slowly shook his head. “Never thought I'd see Equestrians pulling this kinda shit.”

Racno glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. “Why? The capacity for cruelty is in everyone, every species. I could tell you tales about the Warlords of the Marshlands, during the Second Tlalakan Collapse, that would turn your stomach.”

A short chuckle escaped Jose. “Yeah.” He bobbed his head a bit. “I guess humans do have a tendency to see the worst in ourselves.”

Racno shook his head. “A shame not all species share such humility.”

Jose grinned. “I guess that's why humans are so awesome!” He held up his hands as Racno turned his head towards him. “Hey, hey, I'm joking! You know I'm joking!”

Any rejoinder was cut off as a half-dozen vehicles drove up. The lead vehicle, one of the Steel Hooves' supply trucks, pulled to a stop next to the tent. The passenger door opened and Janet jumped down to the ground. She quickly spotted Jose and Racno. “Hernandez, Racno!” she shouted, striding forward. “Get over here and help unload.” She waited for them to run over before continuing to speak. “Have you seen Sergeant Robins?”

Jose nodded to her. “Yeah, Corporal. He and Sergeant Blossomforth are inside the camp.”

Janet glanced to the camp. “Thank you.” She started towards it, picking up her pace as she walked. Inside, she quickly spotted the pair, standing with Redheart. “Sergeants!” she shouted, stopping short of them and exchanging salutes. “We've returned from Hoofington, with some... requisitioned supplies generously donated to us by the townsfolk.”

Jack nodded to her. “I see. What's the mood in town, Corporal?”

Janet hesitated for a moment. “Sergeant, there's an old saying. 'Civilization is three missed meals from collapse'.” She shook her head, expression falling. “I think Hoofington's missed two meals already, Sergeant. And from the scuttlebutt I managed to pick up, it's like that all over Equestria.”

Redheart slowly closed her eyes. “What have we done?”

Jack opened his mouth, but quickly clamped it shut. He placed his hands on his hips and shifted slightly before finally speaking. “Doctor, you can't change the past. Well, you can't change it easily. As for the future, though?” He waved his arm at the buildings all around them. “You want seven billion more future-dead newfoals? Because that's what you're gonna get, Doc. Now, there is a way you can help head things off.” He knelt down. “How do we get to Canterlot from here?”

Redheart stared at him. Her breath hitched in her throat. “May I be forgiven for this,” she half-whispered, before looking to one of the buildings near the front of the camp. “There's maps in the front office.” She started trotting in that direction. “I'm... surprised you haven't found them.”

Jack snorted as he, Blossomforth, and Janet started following her. “Been a little busy,” Jack remarked.

Jack laid out a large map onto a table outside the camp. Blossomforth and Galbrix flanked him as he looked it over. “We're here,” he said, pointing at one small square on the map. His finger traced a road around the forest, up the map, until landed on a stylized city hanging off a mountain. “And there's Canterlot.”

Blossomforth leaned over and squinted. “Fairly straight line, there.”

Jack nodded. “We won't pass through any towns or military outposts, it looks like.” He looked to Blossomforth, then Galbrix. “So which one of you will be staying behind to coordinate with whatever the real version of Canterlot sends through to help out, here?”

Galbrix and Blossomforth exchanged a look. “I'll head to this false Canterlot,” Galbrix said, “along with two squadrons. The rest will remain here and assist you, Sergeant Blossomforth. I think I'd get impatient and rather gnarly waiting here.”

Blossomforth nickered. “I wish I could back you up personally, Sergeant Robins.” Her gaze drifted to the door.”But someone has to remain here in charge of things, and keep an eye on Doctor Redheart.”

Jack followed her gaze. “You think she's gonna try anything funny?”

Blossomforth slowly shook her head. “No, but she needs someone to help her, to listen to her.” She held up a hoof. “I know it probably seems odd to you. It's just... I can't help but pity her. She wanted to do good, but now it's devolved into her own personal hell.”

Jack studied Blossomforth for a moment. He brought his hand up, curled it into a fist, and gently bumped it against her hoof. “Nah. I know where you're coming from.” He looked to Galbrix. “How soon can you have your fliers ready?”

Galbrix cracked his knuckles. “As soon as your tank's ready, Sergeant. If you'll excuse me?” With that, he turned and left the office.

Blossomforth slid her hooves off the table. She looked up to Jack. “And I'll make sure you have backup in your assault, Sergeant. You won't be alone.”

Jack glanced to the side. “I don't think we were ever really alone in this, but thanks.”

Queen Celestia strode out of Canterlot's main gate. Her mane was still ablaze, but she had managed to calm down enough so she didn't set fire to wherever she walked. Her bodyguards trailed behind her, unaffected by the heat she radiated.

Nemesis Prime stood outside the main gate. Most of his damage had been repaired, but he still had superficial rents and tears in his forearms. “About time you showed up,” he said. He waved his right arm over his torso. “Had enough time to get my internals repaired and refueled.”

Queen Celestia paid him little mind. “You shall bear witness to my glory, Nemesis Prime. Now I tap into the power of the Heart of Ponyland itself!” Her horn started glowing. Her mane whipped about even more. A bright white light shot from her horn, straight up into the sky. “The barrier shall move once more. The humans shall be saved and given superior pony bodies, whether they want them or not!”

Chapter Twenty

View Online

A long car raced through the streets of Autobot City, taking as direct of a route as possible to the city's Command Tower. Princess Celestia, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy kept pace with it, flying right above it. It took more than one detour around streets blocked by collapsed buildings or the still-burning chassis of guardian drones, but it eventually arrived at the heart of the city.

Optimus Prime, Elita One, Shockwave, and Soundwave stood in front of the Command Tower, conversing. Optimus' head shot around as the car slowed to a halt and walked over. He dropped to one knee and held out a hand. “Good to see you all. Excellent job getting them here, Commander Hernandez.”

Marie blushed slightly, but snapped to attention. “Thank you, sir,” she said.

Optimus' head turned as Celestia, the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony, and Megan approached him. “Good to see you eight. What's the plan, Princess?”

Celestia reached up with a foreleg and tapped her horn. “I slice a hole in reality that leads to Neo-Equestria.” She waved a wing at the other seven. “We all go in with you and fire a blast from the Elements of Harmony through the Matrix of Leadership at this doppelganger of me and hope to Tartarus it undoes the barrier and stops her dead in her tracks.”

Optimus rubbed his chin. “Simple and to the point. I like it!” His optics focused on Megan. “Missus Richards, you're ready?”

Megan forced herself to lock her eyes with Optimus' optics. “I am, sir.” She raised her rifle, the designs etched in the barrel faintly glowing. Movement to Megan's left caught her eyes. She looked over and watched as Elita waved her hands around in front of Shockwave and Soundwave, playing out one of the fights she had been in earlier that day. “Okay... that's new.”

Rainbow Dash looked to her. “What's new?”

Megan pointed at the three. “Autobots and Decepticons standing close together and not trying to blow each other up. It's weird.”

Rainbow Dash nickered. “Yeah, but it's preferable to the whole bang-bang thing, right?”

Megan slowly nodded. “Yeah, true.”

Optimus glanced over. “It's something new, and different, yes. Rainbow Dash is right, though. If there's to be lasting peace in the galaxy, we must put aside the past as best we can, or else it will consume us in a spiral of revenge from which we won't escape.” He stood back up. “Now, let's roll out!” With that, he leaned forward, transforming into his tractor-trailer alternate mode. An energy grid appeared behind him as his trailer was summoned from subspace.

Twilight Sparkle let out a slow whistle as Optimus transformed. “As long as I live, that will always be incredible.” She gasped and stomped her hooves as Optimus moved forward and opened his cab doors. “So cool!”

Applejack snorted. “Easy, darling. Last I checked he's got a, what do you call it, conjugated endurance or something?”

Twilight Sparkle rolled her eyes. “It's called 'conjunx endura', Applejack. It's their term for two Cybertronians in a committed relationship. There's also–”

Rainbow Dash flew over and stuck a hoof in Twilight Sparkle's mouth. “Less talking, more boarding!” she shouted, before flying up and into Optimus' open cab.

The rest, save Celestia, followed suit. Rarity settled into a seat in the back and shifted a bit. “I say, is it just me, or is Mister Prime's cab... bigger on the inside, as compared to the outside?” She kicked her hind legs. “Quite the leg space!”

Megan slid into the driver's seat and closed the door. “Don't ask me,” she said, holding up a hand and waving the ponies off. “Our best scientists still describe Transformer technology as beyond them.” She reached out toward the steering wheel, but stopped. “Sorry, Mister Prime. Force of habit, there.”

Optimus' voice sounded out in the cab, surrounding them, but not overwhelming them. “No need to apologize,Missus Richards. And just call me 'Optimus' if you want.”

Megan smiled. “Thanks, and you can just call me 'Megan'.”

Celestia flew up and about, gently landing on the top of Optimus' trailer. She waited for him to roll away from the Command Tower, angling towards an empty patch of land, before charging her horn. She spread her wings out as her mane and tail billowed in the wind. Her eyes turned bright-white as a pillar of energy shot from her horn. It struck a point a dozen meters in front of Optimus and expanded, tunneling through reality from Earth to Neo-Equestria.

Smoke billowed from Optimus' smokestacks as his engine revved. He waited until the tunnel was wide enough before driving forward through it, rolling from steel streets to a grassy field. As soon as his rear bumper passed through, the hole in reality closed up behind him, disappearing as if it never existed.

An aide in the White House's situation room picked up a ringing phone. “Yes, yes. He's right here.” She looked over, quickly spotting President Abernathy, conversing with General Hollingsworth at the head of the table. “Mister President, Commodore Faireborn is on line one. She's requesting a visual conference.”

Clayton glanced up. He rose from his chair and pointed at the wall-mounted monitor. “Tell her request granted.” He looked around, quickly locating his target. “General Lennox, if you could join General Hollingsworth and I, please?”

The three men quickly converged on the screen. It flickered, changing to Marissa's head and upper torso. The background was a scene of controlled chaos as people moved back and forth. “Mister President, Generals, I'll be succinct. The barrier has begun expanding again. It's a slow rate, about one foot per hour, but it's steady, and I don't think it's stopping this time.”

Lennox grabbed the back of a chair and leaned forward for a moment. He finally stood back up. “All right. Get everyone out of there, Commodore. And I mean everyone. Don't worry about the equipment. That can be replaced. You can't!”

Clayton turned to Hollingsworth. “General, same order. Tell everyone to pull back. Keep the drones out there to monitor it, but everyone else pulls out.” His head whipped around. “Commodore, can you handle things there for the moment?”

Marissa nodded. “Yes, Mister President. I'll get the evacuation started.” She looked to her left. “Zoe!” she shouted, before the screen went blank.

Clayton cleared his throat. “Get me the Enterprise, Repulse, and Yokohama. It's... it's time.”

The situation room grew quiet once more at the President's words. Lennox nodded. “Understood, Mister President. They're on standby.” He walked over to the monitor, phone already in hand.

While Lennox worked, Clayton turned back to the room. He clapped his hands together. “All right. We knew that false Celestia would restart the barrier sooner or later. I was hoping for more 'later', but we work with what we've got. Now last I heard, the real Princess Celestia had arrived at Autobot City, and she and others were planning to cross over to Neo-Equestria to try and put a stop to this at the source. Can I get an update on that, please?”

The rest of the room sprang into action at his words. After a few minutes, one aide held up a phone. “Mister President, we have Ambassador Hot Rod of Cybertron on line one,” he said.

Clayton nodded. “Put him on speaker, Max.”

The room's intercom squelched to life. Hot Rod's voice came over, static laced through it. “This on? Okay. President Abernathy, this is Ambassador Hot Rod. What's up?”

Clayton smothered a smile. “Ambassador, what's the situation with the planned incursion into Neo-Equestria?”

Optimus Prime, Princess Celestia, and the others departed about five minutes ago. Also, I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but that slagging barrier's started moving again.”

Clayton's head dipped low for a moment. “We are aware, but thank you, Ambassador.”

There was the slightest of pauses. “You're welcome, and just in case the worst happens? For the official record, if–and it's a big if–Earth has to be evacuated, Cybertron stands ready to aid our brothers and sisters, no matter what.”

A smile graced Clayton's features for a moment. “Thank you, Ambassador. We'll leave you to your duties.” He slashed his fingers close to his throat, and the call was terminated.

Lennox, standing near the main monitor, spoke up. “Mister President, General Hollingsworth, got the captains of the Enterprise, Repulse, and Yokohama standing by.” He tapped the screen. “As the Junkions would say, operators are standing by.”

The screen flickered, splitting into three vertical windows. Lennox nodded to the screen. “Captains Jack Burns of the Enterprise, Makoto Tsushima of the Yokohama, and I believe you know Captain Mark Morgan Junior of the Repulse?”

Clayton nodded to each of them. “Captains, thank you.” He straightened up. “I know what's been asked of you is extraordinary, but this is an extraordinary situation. You've all been briefed on the situation groundside, correct?”

The three men nodded. “The Enterprise stands ready,” Captain Burns said, his square jaw grinding and his eyes burning.

Captain Makoto spoke up. The youngest of the three captains, his hair was short, and his eyes and general demeanor intense. “So does the Yokohama. We shall sacrifice all in defense of the homeworld!”

Finally, Captain Morgan spoke. “Repulse's main cannon status reads as all-green, Mister President.” He let out a small sigh. “Not exactly the best circumstances to see you again, sir.”

Clayton nodded to him. “I know, Captain Morgan. Still, it is good to see you.”

Lennox slid a small datapad out of a pocket on his pant leg. He started tapping at the screen. “All right, gentlemen. I'm transmitting the Code of the Day for authorization to perform General Plan Twenty-Four. Have your comm officers check and recheck.”

There was a pause as each man looked offscreen. After a few moments, they each looked forward once more, their expressions nigh-identical ones of utter seriousness. “Coordinates for the target... Kentucky, the Barrier,” Burns said. He looked to his left. “Tactical, begin prepping a firing solution.” He looked back. “Tsushima, Morgan, link your systems with the Enterprise's. We can transmit sensor data and time it so all three of our main cannons fire and hit simultaneously.”

Clayton held a hand up. “Whoa, Captain. We're not quite ready planetside. We've also just started evacuating the immediate area around the barrier.” He looked to Hollingsworth, then Lennox. “What do you gentlemen think, two hours?”

Lennox slowly nodded. “It looked like Commodore Faireborn was already pulling out when she contacted us. Two hours should be good.”

Hollingsworth rubbed his chin before nodding as well. “We can get the artillery crews and hardware out fairly easily. One problem might be one group of the international forces.” At Clayton's stare, he sighed. “One of the French tank groups are being led by someone who thinks he's the reincarnation of Joan of Arc or something. Guy's more gung-ho than Gung-Ho was!”

Clayton sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Of course he is.” He held his other hand up. “I'll leave that and the general evacuation to you, General. At least it'll be one less thing for me to worry about at the moment.”

Hollingsworth smiled. “Thank you for your confidence, Mister President.”

Clayton shrugged. “Born from experience and a long working relationship, General.”

Hollingsworth stepped back. The two old colleagues and friends exchanged salutes before Hollingsworth about-faced and marched off, barking orders with every step.

Clayton turned back to the screen. He held his right arm up, flashing his watch. “All right, gentlemen. Shall we synchronize?”

Burns tapped the side of his head. “Ready, Mister President!” he said, eyes flashing and dilating.

Clayton leaned forward slightly. “Optical implant?”

Burns waved a hand in front of his face. “Yes, Mister President. Next-generation tech. I can control certain functions of the Enterprise with the power of my mind.”

Makoto snorted and bowed his head. “Plenty of room in there for that,” he muttered.

Burns' head bobbed back and forth. “What was that, Tsushima? I can't seem to see you. Oh, there you are! My eyes aren't set to see dorks who collect toys!”

Morgan rubbed his forehead. “Do you two have to get into this how?”

A low growl started in Clayton's throat, building in intensity. He glanced to Lennox, waiting for a nod of consent, before turning to the monitor. “ATTEN-HUT!” he shouted.

All three captains jumped to their feet, snapping to attention. Everyone else in the situation room also snapped to attention, or at least their best approximation. Papers and folders went flying all over. Clayton slowly turned around and looked everyone over. “At ease,” he said, holding up a hand. He spun about, eyes narrowing as he faced the monitor once more. “Captain Tsushima, Captain Burns, normally I don't mind a... bit of banter. Lord knows the counter-terrorist team I was once head of had its fair share of... eccentrics in the ranks. Right now, though? Drop it. Understood?”

Both men nodded. “Sir, yes sir!” they barked out.

Clayton smiled. “Excellent. So, as we were doing, shall we synchronize our chronometers?”

Lennox walked up to the monitor and tapped the control panel below it a few times. A large display appeared, showing two hours. Similar displays appeared below the heads of each captain. Lennox tapped a green button, and all four displays began counting down. Lennox turned to Clayton. “Countdown has begun, Mister President. Unless the counter-order is given, all three battleships shall enact General Plan Twenty-four–orbital bombardment of the barrier using their primary energon cannons.”

Clayton sighed and seemed to shrink a bit. “Thank you, General, Captains. I'll leave you to your preparations.” His eyes lost a bit of their fire. “And thus, the die is cast,” he half-whispered.

Lennox walked over to Clayton's side, a look of confusion on his face. “Mister President, you had no choice but to enact General Plan Twenty-Four.” he waved a hand in the air. “I mean you gave them every opportunity to back off!”

Clayton shook his head. “I know, but as a predecessor once said, the buck stops here.” He jabbed a thumb at his chest. “My decision, Lennox. History will record that, for good or ill. I only pray it will turn out to be the right one.”

Optimus Prime barreled down a dirt road, as fast as he could. Celestia was planted to his trailer's roof, hooves glowing with a telekinetic grip. Her head was lowered and horn pointed straight ahead, glowing. Mount Eohippus and Canterlot itself loomed in the distance, growing closer with each second.

Twilight Sparkle glanced to the roof of the cab as Optimus drove through Neo-Equestria. “Say, did anyone else notice the necklace Princess Celestia was wearing? I don't think I've seen her wear anything like that before.”

Megan glanced to her. “Sorry, Twilight. I was a bit busy to notice. Maybe it's some sort of magic armor?”

Twilight Sparkle shook her head. “I don't know, Megan.” She paused. “Megan... can I ask you a question?”

Megan half-smiled. “Good thing Danny's not here. He'd say you just did.” She leaned in close to her friend. “Ask away. I can't promise I have the answers for everything, but I'll answer what I can.”

Twilight Sparkle bit her lip. “Megan, what happened to you? Are you human again? Do you still have magic?”

Megan leaned back, even as she felt five other sets of eyes turn her way. “I went to Crystal Castle with Mei Long the Wise to seek help from the Princess Ponies. There, I met the Moochik, alive and well and looking pretty good for someone who's probably some ageless immortal.”

Pinkie Pie gasped. “The Moochik? He's alive? I can't believe it!”

Applejack looked to her. “You have no idea who the Moochik is, do you?”

Pinkie Pie groaned and rolled her eyes. “Of course I know who he is, silly! He was one of Megan's friends from the Dream Valley days. He was, and apparently still is, a very powerful wizard with vast magical abilities and arcane knowledge.” She leaned in close to Applejack. “What do you know about him?”

Applejack shrugged. “Until you spoke, not a thing. I'll readily admit that.”

Rarity leaned in from the back. “As much as that little diversion is so fascinating, perhaps we should let Megan finish before we're engaged in pitched battle?”

Megan resumed speaking. “Thanks, Rarity. Anyway, he didn't directly help me, but rather helped me get in contact with the Heart of Ponyland, leading me to a battle inside my head, where Granny Bonnie showed up, helped me to kick the Queen out of my head and seal up my alicorn powers inside my body.”

Rainbow Dash gasped. “That sounds so cool! So you've still got magic? Can you use it? Can you still fly?”

Megan shook her head. “Afraid not, Dash. My human body's simply not built to channel all that power, unless it's under some specific circumstances.” She held up her hand and looked it over. “I can't even really feel it, not like when I was an alicorn.” She snorted. “I'm not minding it, to be honest. I could barely control it. Celestia and Luna's powers weren't too intense when they were born from the Heart. They grew with them. I got them full-force, all at once.”

Twilight Sparkle reached over and gently patted Megan on the forearm. She suddenly looked to the windshield, brow furrowing. “Wait, what's that?”

Celestia's voice sounded out, rattling everyone inside Optimus' cab. “Optimus, slow down! Incoming teleportation!”

Optimus' brakes squealed, pitching everyone in the cab forward. He slowed down, leaving deep tire-tracks in the dirt.

A violet sphere formed in front of him, popping out of existence and leaving behind the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony from Neo-Equestria.

Dash, floating above the other five, jabbed a wing at Optimus. “You were right, Twilight! Looks like they're going right for Canterlot!”

Twilight stepped forward, planting a hoof dramatically in front of her. “You're not stopping Queen Celestia from saving more humans from themselves! We're the Elements of Harmony, and your invasion stops now!”

Megan stared at the sextet, eyes narrow. “We need to end this.” She reached up and pulled down her rifle from a rack mounted to the cab. She opened the door and slid out, landing with a mild thud. The Bearers soon followed, all seven walking around the the front of Optimus' cab.

Twilight smirked. “You have no idea what you're in for. We're not gonna hold back on you, just because you look like us!”

Megan looked over her shoulder. “Celestia, Optimus, you two go on ahead. We'll take care of them.”

AJ snorted and stomped the ground. “You think for one minute we're gonna let your pretty princess and that big... thing slip by us? Why–”

Celestia's horn flashed. She and Optimus disappeared in a flash of light, only to reappear about two-dozen meters behind Neo-Equestria's Element Bearers. “Optimus, roll out!” Celestia shouted, grinning.

Smoke billowed from Optimus' smokestacks as he revved his engine and started forward once more.

Dash whirled around. “Hey, wait a minute! That is so not cool!” she shouted, starting towards them.

Twilight's horn glowed as she snagged the pegasus with her magic. “Leave them for now!” She focused on the ponies and human in front of her. “Queen Celestia and Nemesis Prime will be able to deal with their inferior counterparts. We have our own battle to fight, here.”

The two groups started spreading out, each one facing their counterpart. Twilight looked up at Megan. “An extra participant? Not very fair, don't you think?”

Twilight Sparkle dragged a hoof across the dirt, digging a trough in it. She snorted, smoke billowing from her nostrils. “Considering the horse crap Neo-Equestria is pulling? You're lucky I don't teleport in more help!”

Megan gripped her rifle until her the skin exposed around her fingerless gloves turned white. “You've threatened my world, my friends, my family. And you're talking about fairness?” She worked the lever on her rifle, building up the magic stored inside it. A high-pitched hum sounded out, while the barrel started glowing.

The two Twilight's locked eyes. “Time to end this!” they both shouted, before galloping forward, their friends following behind.

And the battle was on.

Chapter Twenty-One

View Online

Queen Celestia's eyes narrowed as her enemies approached. She looked over her shoulder. “Get inside the main gate,” she said to her bodyguards. “Stand ready, just in case I need you.”

The two bodyguards turned and trotted off towards Canterlot. They walked through the main gate, and it closed behind them.

Finally, Optimus Prime and Princess Celestia arrived just outside of Canterlot. The Princess jumped off of Optimus' trailer and floated to the ground, while Optimus transformed into robot mode. Princess Celestia's regalia glowed and expanded into golden armor over her body. Optimus reached behind his back with his left arm, pulling his ion rifle out of subspace. His right hand retracted into its wrist socket. It glowed for a moment, and an energon-axe shot out from it.

Nemesis Prime smashed his fists together, sparks shooting off with the impact. His optics blazed as he looked Optimus over. “So you're the knockoff? Bah! I'll enjoy watching your photoreceptors blink out when I offline you permanently!”

Optimus cocked his head to the side. “I wasn't the one given a new name, Nemesis Prime. So be careful who you call the 'knockoff'.”

The two Celestia's stared at each other, eyes narrow. Finally, Queen Celestia spoke. “So, you are my... counterpart. You profess to love humans, do you not?”

Princess Celestia faintly smiled. “I do. My adoptive mother is human.”

Queen Celestia snorted. “Then you should stand aside and help me to help them. They're a violent species, who have committed unimaginable atrocities. I'm only trying to save them from themselves, and others from them!”

Princess Celestia slowly shook her head. “One should not cast stones in glass stables. I don't know about your world, but mine has had its fair share of tyrants and warlords. We nearly tore ourselves apart after Queen Majesty's death, who was herself a sadistic and petty ruler.”

Optimus' optics dimmed as he spoke. “My own people nearly ripped an entire galaxy apart in warfare. It is wrong to single out humans for any wrongdoing on their part, Queen. They've done horrible things, but so have all peoples.”

Queen Celestia snorted, steam billowing from her nostrils. “So does that somehow mean absolve them of their sins? What have they ever done for you, or for anyone not of their species. They're greedy. They know not of the magic of friendship!”

Optimus Prime regarded her. When he finally spoke, it was deep from emotion, laden with wisdom borne from millions of years of experience. "We have been among the humans for over two of their decades, close to three. In that time, they have gladly given us a home among them and shared their resources with us. If not for these humans that you speak of with such hate and dismissal, we would have never been able to stop Megatron and his Decepticons. The entire galaxy would be under his tyrannical thumb. Freedom is the right of all sentient beings. And it will be over my extinguished laser core that you will take theirs."

Princess Celestia glanced to Optimus and smiled. She then looked to her counterpart and, with a voice of steel clad in velvet, spoke. "Without the love and sacrifices of three young humans, My Little Ponies would not be here today. Princess Luna and I would not be here. The peaceful Equestria that we enjoy would not exist. They forged unity between the herds of old and helped create a nation from the ground up. They raised my sister and I, and made us who we are today. Equestria owes humanity more than it can ever repay. But today, we may be able to pay just a little bit back. As my ever faithful student once said, 'Friendship may not always be easy, but there is no doubt it is worth fighting for.' Megan, Molly, and Danny fought and risked their lives for us when Equestria was in its infancy. Today a fully grown Equestria will fight for them."

Nemesis Prime's optics blinked off and on. Both of his hands retracted, energon-axes shooting out of both wrist sockets. “I've had it with all this slaggin'-stupid talking!” He charged right at Optimus Prime, roaring inarticulately and swinging his axes wildly.

Optimus took two steps back and leaned forward. He brought his own energon-axe up just as Nemesis reached him. He parried the first swing, knocking it away with a deft flick of his wrist. He brought his ax up, blocking an overhead swing from Nemesis. The two blades slid against each other, screeching and crackling. “You're crazier than Galvatron!” Optimus grunted out. He brought his left arm up and fired off two short blasts from his ion rifle. The first went wide, but the second struck Nemesis' chest armor, blowing small chunks of metal off and forcing him back.

Nemesis stumbled back, his axes swinging wildly through the air. Smoke rose from his wound. “I'll rip your fuel pump out and show it to you before your laser core is extinguished!” he bellowed, optics blazing.

Optimus aimed his ion rifle at Nemesis and fired another shot. “As Jazz would say; Bring it, don't sing it!”

With another roar, Nemesis charged forward once more. This time, Optimus waited until the last moment and sidestepped him. He reached out and pushed Nemesis, sending him stumbling down into the dirt.

Nemesis toppled over, digging out a small furrow in the dirt road. He rolled through, coming up into a kneel. He bashed his axes together before leaping to his feet and charging Optimus once more.

A sigh came from Optimus. “And I thought Megatron never learned.”

Nemesis stopped dead in his tracks. His optics brightened. “W-what did you say?”

Optimus' threat-assessment programs went into overdrive. “I talked about my former nemesis, Megatron. Why–”

Nemesis barked a laugh. “That stupid number-loving geek was never a match for me. I left him and those Decepticon losers behind on Cybertron to rust.” He sprang forward. “I'll do to you what I was gonna do to him!”

Even as he launched himself, Nemesis' axes retracted back into his wrist sockets, hands emerging once more. He brought them both up and clasped them over his head, ready to deliver a hammer blow.

Optimus brought his ion rifle up and fired off several short bursts, but Nemesis was too quick and on him in an instant. He brought both fists down, striking Optimus squarely in the shoulder and seriously denting his armor. Optimus let out a burst of static as he dropped his rifle, but he leaned into the blow, bringing up his energon-ax and swinging it at Nemesis' head.

Nemesis ducked and wrapped his arms around Optimus' waist. Metal groaned and creaked as he squeezed. “Why throw away your life so recklessly?” he grunted out.

Optimus' optics blazed a bright-blue. “I've heard that one before!” he shouted, bringing his energon-ax up and sending it crashing down at Nemesis' back.

At the last minute, Nemesis released his bear-hug and rolled to his right, evading the swing. He continued rolling, putting distance between Optimus and himself. He ended up in a three-point stance. “You've got spirit,” he said, straightening up. “I hate spirit. I'm going to enjoy beating it out of you.”

While the two Cybertronians fought, Queen Celestia and Princess Celestia cantered in opposite directions, circling each other. “You can't win,” Queen Celestia said, mane already starting to smolder and burn. “I channel the power of the Heart of Ponyland itself. My veins burn with its power in ways you could never hope to comprehend.”

Princess Celestia reared back, nickering. “What? How? The power of the Heart can't be controlled by one being! Discord, in all his cunning madness, never tried such a thing!” Her eyes narrowed. “Wait, what about–”

A sneer crossed Queen Celestia's muzzle. “I am more than you shall ever be. I am the True Queen of Neo-Equestria, Heir to the Heart, and Savior of Two Humanities!” She spread her wings out and flew into the air. “And now I shall show you TRUE POWER!”

The tip of Queen Celestia's horn glowed. She reared back, then rocked her entire body forward, firing a wide beam of magic from it.

Princess Celestia's horn glowed. She teleported away a split-second before the beam struck the ground, setting the grass on fire and scorching the dirt. She reappeared below Queen Celestia. “You need to lose some weight, starting with that big head!” she shouted, firing her own beam of magic right at Queen Celestia's underbelly.

Queen Celestia slipped to the side, but the beam struck a glancing blow along her barrel, leaving a shallow burn mark across her white coat. She growled and spun about. “FLIPPANT FOOL!” she shouted, snorting steam, then fire. She spread her wings out and flapped them in the direction of the ground, sending forth a blizzard of razor-sharp feathers aimed squarely at the ground–and the alicorn below.

Princess Celestia's eyes widened. “Oh, buck me,” she muttered. A shield sprang up around her, deflecting the feathers away. As soon as she dropped it, another beam of magic erupted from Queen Celestia's horn. The Princess teleported away once more, reappearing in the sky right behind Queen Celestia.

The Queen spun around, her horn firing a wide beam of white-hot magic at Princess Celestia. “Too predictable!” she screamed, a manic grin forming.

The beam washed over Princess Celestia, turning her into a silhouette. When it vanished, so did the Princess' body. Queen Celestia stared at the spot her counterpart occupied. She slowly nodded. “I warned you. I-”

Princess Celestia slammed into Queen Celestia, her shoulder striking the shallow burn mark across her counterpart's barrel. She extended her forelegs out and wrapped them around Queen Celestia's neck, her wings extending and slamming into her counterpart's head and body. “You were saying?”

The two alicorns spun around, falling through the air to the ground below. They crashed into the ground, cratering the ground. They struggled for a bit, disentangling their limbs from one another and separating.

Princess Celestia and Queen Celestia managed to rise to their hooves, panting heavily. “You are... better than I thought,” Queen Celestia admitted. “Still not good enough.”

Princess Celestia's eyes narrowed. “I wish this could end differently.”

Queen Celestia whinnied. “So do I,” she admitted. “But if you won't get out of my way, then I'll force you out of the way.”

“And for humanity, you can try,” Princess Celestia responded, “but I will not yield.”

Applejack stared at a nigh-identical version of herself. She wasn't entirely sure of the fine details of everything, but she knew if she wasn't stopped, Earth and her friends were doomed. She snorted and dug a trench in the dirt with a hoof. “Come on, let's get this over with.”

AJ stared at a nigh-identical version of herself. She wasn't entirely sure of the fine details of everything, but she knew if she wasn't stopped, Earth and her friends were doomed. She snorted and dug a trench in the dirt with a hoof. “Come on, darling. Let's be honest with each other, here.” She tapped her Element. “We both know what we're doing is best for the humans. They're a pretty wild bunch at the best of times. Look at all the wars and killing they've done.” She started forward. “They've been butchering each other since they started walking, even before then!”

Applejack kept her eyes locked onto AJ's. “Yeah, they have. All sorts of wars and trouble and horse apples. Doesn't change the fact, doesn't change the truth.”

AJ stopped in mid-stride. She cocked her head to the side. “Huh?”

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Sweet sassafras, this must be what Rarity feels like.” She cleared her throat. “Everything you just said about humans? It can apply to ponies. It can apply to griffins. It can apply to just about everyone under the dang-blasted sun!” She stomped forward, eyes glaring from under her hat. “I know I'm not exactly the smartest pony, but you ever hear of how the Ancient Kingdom of Ponyland was founded? Ma and Pa used to read Big Mac and me that story, then Granny Smith read it to us after they died.” She waved a hoof in the air. “'King Invincible I beat down his enemies, forcing them all to submit and kiss his hoof in supple-application, or something. But not all surrendered. Those who resisted fought to the death'.” She stared at AJ. “And do I even need to get into Queen Majesty?”

AJ's eyes darted back and forth. “Ah... but we're better!” She slowly nodded. “Yeah, yeah. We're better!”

Applejack shook her head. “Maybe, with Princesses Celestia and Luna watching out over us. Let's be honest with each other. It's a lot easier to play nice when you've got alicorns watching over you, isn't it?” She jabbed a hoof to her left. “Ever been to Earth? They don't really have magic there, not really. Almost everything's trying to kill them. They don't have pegasi to control the weather, either. And no earth pony magic to help grow crops. It's a worldwide Everfree Forest!”

AJ leaned forward, literally butting her forehead against Applejack's. She grunted. “Doesn’t... excuse... anything they've done!”

Applejack snorted and pawed at the dirt once more. She leaned back slightly before throwing her entire weight forward. Their Elements of Honesty clinked together, beginning to vibrate. “I KNOW that, varmint! They know that, too! Bonnie knows Danny's shown us books and films about their past! No, it's not pretty! We all know that, but they're trying to be better! It'd be a bald-faced LIE to say otherwise!”

By now, AJ's Element of Honesty was starting to glow. She stepped back, breaking physical contact with Applejack so she could look down at it. “What in tarnation? Twilight, there's–”

Applejack trotted forward, closing the distance between them once more. Her own Element of Honesty was also glowing, albeit not as brightly as AJ's. “Oh, no! You're not getting away from this! Come on, Me! Be honest with yourself! Why is it all right to turn humans into zombie ponies and pave over their planet, but not all right to do that with ponies? We can screw up just as badly as they can!”

AJ's Element of Honesty was bouncing around her neck. She tapped at it with her hoof, but a bolt of magic shot off from it, zapping her hoof and sending it arcing back.

Applejack looked down at AJ's Element. She cocked her head to the side. “Is that supposed to be bouncing around like Pinkie Pie on coffee?”

Red tendrils erupted from the gem in the Element's necklace. They wrapped around AJ, quickly enveloping her. AJ's voice hitched in her throat. She bucked her rear legs out, but the tendrils ensnared them. “What the–“

Applejack's eyes widened. “Hey, stop that!” She trotted up to her counterpart. “I don't like her all that much, but this is a might too far!” She reached out towards the tendrils, but another bolt of magic struck out, now sending her hoof snapping back.

The tendrils criss-crossed each other, completely covering AJ in a blood-red cocoon. A low voice boomed out, audible only to them. “Applejack Apple, in your heart, you have been dishonest. You have helped to propagate lies and deception. You are no longer worthy of being the Element of Honesty.”

The tendrils brightened, turning crimson. Applejack let out a shout and shielded her eyes. After about a minute, she dared a peek. She lowered her foreleg and stared at AJ, mouth open.

AJ sat on her haunches, staring off into space. Her coat had dulled, and was almost gray. The Element of Honesty had disappeared from around her neck, and a dull-gray crystal now rested in front of her. The brim of AJ's hat was almost gone, wisps of smoke curling up from black burn marks. “I see it,” she mumbled. “I see the truth.” She slowly looked to Applejack, eyes watering. “We should've done something different. We were wrong!”

Rainbow Dash and Dash circled around each other, each one trying–and failing–to gain the advantage in position. Finally, Rainbow Dash dove down to the ground and landed. She looked up and shook a hoof at Dash. “Come on down if you've got the guts!”

Dash dove down, landing a few feet away and galloping over. “Time to take out the trash!” she shouted, spreading her wings out in a display of dominance.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “You gotta be kidding me.” She curled her lips back, snarled, and stomped her hooves. “Come on, you second-rate reject Rainbow. You think you got what it takes to take out the most awesome pegasus in the multiverse?”

Dash nickered. “Think you got that backwards. I'm the most awesome pegasus in the multiverse.” She tapped her Element of Loyalty, any trace of mirth vanishing from her face. “It's time to show you what true loyalty means!”

There was a pause before Rainbow Dash spoke. “Okay... what does that even mean?”

Dash stopped walking forward. She scratched the back of her head and blushed slightly. “It sounded cooler in my head,” she admitted.” She straightened back up. “Doesn't matter! I am the Element of Loyalty, and I'll never leave Neo-Equestria hanging!”

Rainbow Dash stared at her. She slowly shook her head. “I hate to break it to you, but you kinda already did.”

That brought Dash up short. “Wait, what? What the Tartarus are you talking about? How did I... let Neo-Equestria down?”

Rainbow Dash shrugged. “Well, I mean, look at what Neo-Equestria's done. You took your old Equestria, paved over a planet, and turned every human on it into a zombie-newfoal thing. Doesn't any part of that seem kind of messed up to you? I mean, you said you could feed them all back at the White House, but that's a tale so tall Pinkie Pie would have trouble swallowing it.”

Dash's eyes shifted from left to right. “W-well, I mean okay. So maybe it's a teeny-tiny more difficult than we said, but it's still what Queen Celestia wanted. And–”

“So what if it's what she wanted?” Rainbow Dash cocked an eyebrow at her doppelganger. “I mean, what if she's wrong?”

A gasp escaped Dash. She hopped up, landing mere inches from Rainbow Dash. “Don't you EVER say that again! Queen Celestia is never wrong!”

Rainbow Dash snorted. She bit her lip, but her sides quivered. Finally, she started laughing. She clutched her barrel with her forelegs while jabbing a wing at Dash. “Oh, y-you have got to be k-kidding me!” She wiped tears from her eyes. “Everyone's wrong! Even I'm wrong, on occasion. No way Queen Celestia's right all the time.” She cleared her throat. “And if she is wrong? Then you have to tell her and help her do things right.”

Dash stared at her, an expression of horror and confusion on her face. “You're kidding me! C-correct Queen Celestia? I could never do that!”

Rainbow Dash slowly shook her head. “Then you're not really loyal to her. If someone makes a mistake or screws up or starts flying into the hurricane, you don't just wave and see them off. You tell them they're screwing up and help them fix it if you can.” She reached out and tapped Dash's Element. “That's what true Loyalty is!”

As soon as Rainbow Dash's hoof touched it, the necklace around Dash's neck started to vibrate.

Rainbow Dash continued speaking. “If you just stand by and let them screw up without even telling them they're screwing up, you might as well just push them off a cloud with their wings bound. It doesn't do them or you any good. You're not LOYAL if you don't help out!”

Dash's Element of Loyalty bounced up, smacking her square in the muzzle. “Ouch!” She pushed at it, but a spark of magic shot from it, smacking her hoof away. “Hey, what gives?”

Seven tendrils of magic, each one a different color, shot from the gem embedded in the necklace. They wrapped around Dash, encircling her from muzzle to tail in a rainbow-striped cocoon.

A low voice boomed out. “Rainbow Dash, you have been disloyal. You have followed the mob, doing nothing to stop what Neo-Equestria has done. You are no longer worthy of being the Element of Loyalty.”

The tendrils flared, forcing Rainbow Dash to look away. When she dared to turn back, she stared at her counterpart. “Ho, boy!”

Dash sat on the ground, staring down. Her coat was gray, and her mane and tail a dull-white. Most distressing of all, her wings had lost all their feathers, and were little more than skin stretched over bones. Her Element of Loyalty was gone, a dull-gray sphere in front of her. “I should have done something, anything,” Dash muttered. “But I didn't. And now it's too late.”

Pinkie Pie ducked low, emerging from beneath a pebble, and in back of Pinkie. She leapt into the air and tackled her counterpart. The two rolled along the ground, batting at each other with their forelegs. They finally came to a stop, Pinkie Pie on top. “All right! Time to find out who you really are!” She grabbed at Pinkie's head with her forelegs and pulled.

Pinkie twisted in Pinkie Pie's grip. “Hey, stop it! Let go!” She bit at Pinkie Pie's forelegs, finally managing to scramble away.

There was a pause before Pinkie Pie cocked her head to the side. “Hmm, I thought you might've been Old Man Jenkins trying to scare people off the amusement park.” She hopped from side to side. “Ooh, ooh! Do you have a goatee? I bet you have a goatee!”

Pinkie's mouth opened for a moment before she stopped and rubbed her chin. “Ah, no goatee?” She stared at Pinkie Pie. “What in the wide wide world of Neo-Equestria are you talking about?”

A groan escaped Pinkie Pie. “Ugh! The evil counterpart from the alternate-reality has a goatee! Haven't you watched any Star Trek?”

“Watched what?” Pinkie glanced up in thought. “I don't remember hearing about that on the old Earth. Although there was some super-popular television show called 'Lost in Space'. I almost wish we preserved some of that series.”

Pinkie Pie jumped into the air, hanging there for a few seconds and gasping. She finally dropped back to the ground, jaw still open. “Truly, you're living in the worst reality,” she finally said.

The two stared at each other for a few moments. “So, listen,” Pinkie Pie finally said, “could you please stop the whole 'invasion of Earth and converting all of humanity into newfoals' thing? It's kind of put a really big damper on everything and everyone. A lot of people have been hurt and killed, and no one's smiling right now.”

Pinkie shook her head. “No can do. It's a little rough right now, but soon all those nasty mean humans will be nice, smiling newfoals. Then we'll have the biggest party in all of Neo-Equestria!”

“It'll be the last party in Neo-Equestria,” Pinkie Pie replied. She shook her head. “Listen, I know you probably think it's a really good idea to convert a whole other planet of humans into newfoals and have them join the seven billion you've already got, but it... kinda really is the worst idea you could come up with. Short of, I don't know, inviting Grogar into your reality for tea.”

“I... don't know who that is?” Pinkie finally said, arching an eyebrow. She shook her head. “Doesn't matter! It's not a bad idea to make others happy, to take away their worries and sad feelings.” She tapped her Element of Laughter. “Isn't that what we're all about?”

Pinkie Pie stared at her counterpart, then looked down at her own Element of Laughter. “Not like this,” she finally said. “Not by forcing it away from them. Laughter and joy has to be able to come from within, not be piled on from without. I messed up with Cranky that way, nearly destroyed our friendship before it started.” She hopped over to Pinkie, landing mere inches from her. Her expression was as serious as she could make it. “None of your newfoals are happy, not where it counts.” She reached out and tapped Pinkie's barrel, her foreleg brushing against her Element of Laughter.

The Element, as the others, began vibrating. Almost immediately, both Pinkie's started trembling, their entire bodies shaking. “Oh, this is one Tartarus of a doozy!” both shouted, even as three tendrils of magic, two blue and one pink, shot from the gem and wound around Pinkie.

A voice boomed out. “Pinkamena Diane Pie, you have brought false happiness. You have brought tears and sorrow to billions. You are no longer worthy of being the Element of Laughter.”

The tendrils retracted, spinning Pinkie around like a top. She finally slowed down, stopping on all four hooves. Her coat was a dull-pink, and her mane and tail hung down like curtains. She turned large, sad eyes to Pinkie Pie. “Ha, ha?”

Fluttershy and Flutters stood a few feet away from each other, neither one looking directly at the other. Fluttershy kicked at the dirt. “So... I don't suppose you could just please please stop trying to pave over Earth with that nasty barrier and leave the humans lone, could you? Please?” She looked up and forced her mouth into a wide grin. “It'd be ever so... kind of you!”

Flutters sighed and shook her head. “I'm very sorry, but we can't. We're trying to help all those humans. They mean well, but they can be so cruel to each other, and other species.” She looked around, then walked up to Fluttershy and leaned in close. “Did you know they eat... meat?”

There was a bit of a pause. She stared at her inter-dimensional counterpart. “And...” she finally said.

A groan escaped Flutters. “And it's wrong!”

“It's... their biology,” Fluttershy said. “It's not wrong. Being a carnivore or omnivore isn't wrong in any way. Are you...” She chuckled. “Oh, you're having a funny with me, right? Well, you got me!” She reached out and lightly tapped Flutters on the shoulder. “Good joke!”

Flutters looked down where Fluttershy had tapped her. She looked back up and shook her head. “It's no joke! Killing and eating another animal? It's so... so horrible!” She closed her eyes and shuddered.

Fluttershy stared at her. She slapped her forehead with a wing and dragged it down her face. “Oh, for feathering's sake,” she muttered. She forced her face into as neutral an expression as possible. “Ah, pardon me for asking, but you do realize a lot of animals out there, including ones I–or possibly we–take care of, are obligate carnivores, right? They require meat in their diets to function properly.”

Flutters swallowed, and her eyes watered slightly. “I know that, and it's horrible! Such cruelty, such wanton death! It's–”

“It's a biological necessity of theirs!” Fluttershy's eyes flashed. “Same with humans! It's literally in their nature! What do you do, try and feed cats an all-plant diet? Even that wouldn't work, since plants are alive!”

Flutters brought her wings up, partially closing them around her head. “W-well...” She dropped her wings and leaned forward. “I've almost got their diets balanced properly! And it's better than killing other animals for food!”

Fluttershy's mouth curled into a snarl. She jabbed a foreleg at Flutters, striking her Element of Kindness. “How dare you, how dare you! That's not being kind! That's torturing animals and humans based on something they have no control over! You're forcing them to act against their basic biology! This isn't kindness, or some misguided act of kindness. It's mutilation!”

The Element of Kindness around Flutters' neck began jangling and bouncing. She paid it little mind, however, as Fluttershy continued yelling at her. Her ears folded against her skull, but she couldn't hope to stop hearing her own voice yelling at her.

“Nature is red tooth and claw! To try and force them or humans into a non-meat diet, either through physical coercion, or turning them into newfoals, is horrible! It goes against everything I or we or... whatever believe in! How could you... fall...” Fluttershy's eyes drifted down to her counterpart's Element of Kindness. “Umm, I'm sorry. Is it supposed to be doing that?”

Three pink tendrils emerged from the gem in Flutters' Element of Kindness. Flutters' face was frozen in a rictus of horror as they wrapped around her. Fluttershy stared, frozen in terror as her counterpart was completely covered.

“Fluttershy, you have wrought cruelty upon humans and animals alike. You have brought horrors upon their minds, bodies, and souls. You are no longer worthy of being the Element of Kindness.”

The tendrils disappeared, leaving Flutters on the ground. She sat on the dirt, staring off into space. She sniffed, then her body shuddered. Before a minute had passed, she began crying, tears streaming from her eyes.

Fluttershy walked over. She looked Flutters over, then wrapped her forelegs around her counterpart in a hug.

Two white-coated unicorns stared at each other, each one a mirror image of the other. Rarity raised a hoof to her chin and rubbed it, her Neo-Equestrian counterpart doing the exact same movement at the exact same time. She cantered to her right, Rares cantering to her left. “Oh please, darling. Doing the mirror routine from 'I Love Lucy' is so corny!” Rarity finally said, rolling her eyes.

Rares stared at her. “I'm sorry, what? I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about, dear.” She smiled and batted her eyes. “Now could you please surrender? I'd hate to have to muss up my mane giving you the thrashing you probably deserve.”

A titter of laughter escaped Rarity. She wiped her eyes and slowly breathed out before speaking. “Oh, ho! That's such a good joke! Nice to see you didn't lose your sense of humor along with common sense.” She rose to her hind legs and held her forelegs out. “I'm a former student of Master Iron Butterfly, a graduate of the Way of the Intercepting Hoof. In a pure fight, you wouldn't stand a chance!”

Rares rolled her eyes. “Of course you'd resort to violence. The humans influencing you, no doubt. A shame such barbarity took hold in your Equestria.”

Rarity groaned. “For your information, I took up the study of martial arts quite some time before the Rainbow Bridge opened. I've tried to follow the philosophy of Wind Whistler; the sound mind in the sound body.”

Rares slowly nodded. “I see. Well, in that case... not so bad,” she admitted. “I do apologize. The humans from the Earth we converted had such nasty and brutish ways of fighting. Fortunately, we were able to remove such violent impulses from them. It worked out quite nicely for all concerned.”

Rarity dropped back to all fours. She sputtered slightly. “Y-you what?”

Rares stared at her. “What? Do you really think we'd let the humans into Neo-Equestria without doing something about their violent ways? They nearly destroyed their own world. It was quite... generous of us to even help them, I'd say.”

Rarity snorted. “In a diamond dog's eye,” she muttered. She tensed her legs before galloping right up to Rares, slowing down to a stop right in front of her. She leaned in close, forcing Rares to lean back. “Your so-called 'generosity' is nothing of the kind. To demand that they change themselves so deeply, for help? What if they didn't change? Would you have refused to help them, then?”

Rares growled. “Those were the terms, my dear. Conversion to newfoals, or no help. Considering what they were about to do to their own planet? We had every right to demand some concessions.”

Rarity paused for a moment. “I don't know what might have been happening on the other Earth before your Neo-Equestria arrived,” she finally admitted, “but to strip them of everything that made them human, or you wouldn't help them? That's positively awful!” She jabbed a hoof at her counterpart's face, her foreleg brushing against Rares' Element of Generosity.

Rares opened her mouth, but Rarity spoke right over her. “No, darling! I'm not quite done yet! Your lack of generosity or even basic manners has raised my dander a lot! Now yes, sometimes there has to be an exchange, a trade, but in this case, what you took was far too much!”

As before, Rares' necklace began vibrating, bouncing about. Both mares noticed it almost immediately. Rares batted at it in an almost-comical attempt to stop it. “N-now what is going on?” She looked up at Rarity. “What did you do? Tell me tell me tell me!”

Rarity's mouth dropped in equal parts shock and indignation. “W-why, I didn't do anything!” She tapped her own Element. “Mine seems rather non-animate. Did you break yours?”

Three violet tendrils extended from Rares' Element, covering her from hoof to mane in a purple cocoon. Rares tried kicking at them, but each kick simply bounced off. Within seconds, she was completely enveloped. “Rarity Belle, you have encouraged greed. You have taken from humanity that which makes them human. You are no longer worthy of being the Element of Generosity.”

The tendrils vanished, leaving a disheveled, grayed-out Rares behind. Her mane and tail were both complete messes, with stray hairs sticking out everywhere. Wild eyes darted around. “Mine!” she shouted, digging her hooves into the ground. Rares scraped together a small pile of dirt in front of her. “Mine! This is my Empire of Dirt!”

Megan swung her rifle up towards Twilight. Even as she sighted, though, Twilight's horn glowed, and she vanished. Megan froze in place, waiting for the tell-tale pop of an incoming teleportation. Come on, come on...

Pop!

Megan spun around on a heel, bringing her rifle up, even as Twilight reappeared back on this plane of existence. Twilight gasped as Megan swung around to face her. Her horn lit up once more, and she teleported away again.

Once more, Megan paused, ears pricking for the sound, the pop she needed to hear...

Pop!

She turned to her right. This time, she squeezed the trigger on her rifle, firing off a short burst of magical energy. The violet bolt shot right over Twilight's head, missing the top of her horn by mere inches.

Twilight gasped and ducked low. She brought her forelegs up over the top of her head. “What are you trying to do, kill me?” she shouted.

Megan stared at her. “Well... I'd feel a little sorry if I did. Although I wasn't 'trying' to kill you.”

Twilight's brow furrowed. “What were you trying to do?”

A bolt of magic struck Twilight from the side, sending her flying. She landed a few feet away, rolling around on the ground. Grunts and muffled curses echoed through the air.

Twilight Sparkle walked over to Megan and cantered around to stand by her side. “She was distracting you” She looked up at Megan. “Excellent job, Megan.” She smirked slightly. “Then again you do have experience with this job.”

Megan rolled her eyes. “Thanks, Twilight. I think.” She looked back to Twilight Sparkle's doppelganger. “All right, now I don't want to hurt you. But if it comes to it?” She worked the lever-action on her rifle. The runes etched into the barrel brightened with each pump, a low humming filling the air.

Twilight slowly rose to her hooves. She lowered her head and pawed at the ground. “There's no way you're going to stop me from doing what's right!” She looked up, grinning as four ponies trotted and one flew over. “And it looks like I've got backup in the nick of time! Come on over, girls! Let's show this two-jangle poser and her human 'friend' the true power of friendship!”

Rainbow Dash glanced down at Applejack. “Ah, she does realize we're not the ones she thinks we are, right?”

Applejack shrugged. “Beats me, sugarcube. Seems like she and the others in this topsy-turvy Equestria have blinders on about a mile thick.”

Twilight gasped. She looked around, finally spotting her friends. “Oh, no! Applejack? Rainbow Dash? Pinkie Pie?” She focused on Megan and her friends. “What did you do to them?”

Rarity waved her off. “'We' did not do anything to them, darling. Their own Elements had a rather adverse reaction to being faced with the truth. I quite pity my counterpart.”

Fluttershy bowed her head, sniffing slightly. Pinkie Pie rubbed her back, and the two shared a brief, thin smile.

Twilight snorted, baring her teeth and grinding them together. “Even if you've somehow defeated my friends, I still won't stop!” Her horn started glowing, brightening with each word. As soon as she stopped speaking, she fired off a long, continuous beam of magic at the group standing before her.

A translucent shield sprang up in front of Twilight Sparkle, spreading out to protect her and her friends. She grunted slightly as Twilight's beam struck it, strobing over. Sparks crackled at the point of impact, shooting into the air. “This is... pointless!” she grunted out. “You can't win!”

Twilight leaned forward, eyes bulging. “I won't stop! I can't stop!”

Applejack slapped her forehead. “And they call me stubborn!” She leaned to her left and craned her head forward. “Give it up! Your five friends got rejected by their Elements already. I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but even I can see a certain pattern emerging!”

Fluttershy swallowed before speaking. “We really don't want to hurt you, or really anyone, but we have to get through, to save our human friends! Please, just... just stop firing that magic beam and let us pass, please?”

Pinkie Pie bounced up and down, her expression quite serious. “Yeah! You've taken away enough smiles and laughter. You're not taking any more away!”

“Indeed, darling! You've taken so much away already from so many. You've destroyed so much without rebuilding anything. It's positively barbaric and gauche!”

“You betrayed the humans from that one Earth already, and the ponies of your Equestria. You wanna keep that up? Not cool, Sparkle. Not. Cool.”

As the five ponies spoke, the gems in their Elements brightened. Their eyes glowed white, and their voices echoed.

Twilight's breathed hitched in her throat. “B-but why? Why are you doing all this for humans?”

Twilight Sparkle stared at her, head cocked to the side. She glanced up at Megan. “Because they're our friends.”

A beam of magic shot from each of the Elements of Harmony, striking the crown on Twilight Sparkle's head. The diadem flared for a moment before the Rainbow of Light emerged, washing away Twilight's attack. It whirled around her, covering her completely.

“Twilight Sparkle, you have lost your way. You are no longer worthy of being the Element of Magic, or of Friendship.”

The rainbow whirlwind flashed, forcing everyone to shield their vision from the blinding brightness. When it finally faded, they uncovered their eyes. Twilight Sparkle's jaw dropped as she beheld her counterpart. “Oh, wow,” she said, slowly walking forward.

Twilight sat, eyes unfocused as she stared off into the distance. Her coat was completely grayed-out, and the crown of the Element of Magic was gone, reverted back into the crystalline sphere in front of her. A small, almost-imperceptible crack ran up the length of her horn, tiny sparks shooting from it.

Megan covered her mouth. “Oh, god,” she said, paling slightly.

Twilight Sparkle walked up to her counterpart. “I'm sorry,” she finally said. “I... I wish it hadn't have come to this. I just... I'm sorry.”

Twilight's eyes focused on her. She barked a laugh. “Oh, don't make me laugh!” she finally said. Giggles escaped her. “You-you think you've won? Queen Celestia will deal with you seven!”

Rainbow Dash flew over. She circled around Twilight. “She's lost it,” she finally said, shrugging.

The others looked around. “Is there anything we can... do for them?” Fluttershy asked.

Rarity walked up to Rares, who had a mound of dirt under her almost as large as her torso. “I dare say they're beyond any help we could give them.” She skittered away as a clod of dirt landed in front of her.

Applejack let out a snort. “And even if there was... I hate to say it, but the clock's ticking.” She looked to Megan. “Time's ticking down.”

Megan hung her head. “Applejack's right. I would like to do something, but we don't have the time.” She spun around, finally orienting herself in the direction of Neo-Equestria's Canterlot. “And we've got a lot of ground to cover.”

Twilight Sparkle trotted over. “I can teleport us all there in short hops.” She waved her foreleg around at everyone else. “Gather around, everyone.” She waited for her friends to gather close and Megan to kneel down, then lit up her horn. A violet sphere enveloped them. When it vanished, they were gone.

Chapter Twenty-Two

View Online

Captain Jack Burns sat in his command chair on the bridge of the Enterprise. He drummed his fingers on the chair's armrest, taking care not to strike any buttons and accidentally trigger a red alert or something along those lines.

He glanced around the bridge, taking a moment to reflect. The layout was based heavily on that of the bridge sets used in the Star Trek television shows. He sat in a central command seat, navigation stations directly ahead, with a main viewscreen stretching from bulkhead to bulkhead right in front of the navigation stations. His first officer sat to his left, talking with another crew member. Duty stations and consoles encircled the outer perimeter of the bridge, reporting on everything from engineering to weapons to communications. Although there were some differences. For instance, Burns was currently strapped to his chair, a quick-release harness preventing him from being tossed from his chair. The bridge was also inside the hull, buried under several feet of thick armor and force fields.

Burns looked to his left, at his first officer Commander Susanna Peterson. “Colonial credit for your thoughts,” he said, half-smiling.

Susanna glanced at him. “Just thinking, Captain, about what we'll be doing in...” She looked to the main viewscreen, and the timer ticking down in the lower-left corner. “Ten minutes.” She sighed, her normally shining eyes somewhat dulled. “General Plan Twenty-Four... on Earth.”

Burns slowly nodded. “I know, Commander.” He looked to the viewscreen. The blue jewel of Earth hung there on the screen, Starbase One and the San Francisco Shipyards barely visible on the right side of the screen. “Remember, though. We're EDC. We defend humanity from threats within and without.” He motioned to the viewscreen. “And we've got a two-for-one deal on that down there.” He tapped the side of his head. A small chirp sounded out. He looked to his right. “Okay. Communications, contact the Repulse and Yokohama and make sure both their targeting systems are linked to ours.” He then looked over his shoulder at the duty station directly aft of his and Susanna's chairs. “Tactical, how's Vera doing?”

A woman slightly younger than Burns or Susanna looked up from her console. “Primary energon cannon is reading at one-hundred percent,” Lieutenant Commander Melissa Chang, chief tactical officer for the battleship, reported. She tapped her screen. “Sending you targeting data to your implant... now.”

Burns' eyes flashed. He blinked a few times. “Thank you, Commander. Looks like everything's locked and loaded.”

The communications officer spoke up, hand at his headset. “Captain, both Repulse and Yokohama report their targeting sensors are linked with ours. They're set on their end.”

Susanna looked over her shoulder. “Lieutenant Commander Chang?”

Melissa glanced down at her screen, nodding slowly. “Confirmed, Commander. Both of our sister ships will fire exactly when we fire, at exactly what we fire at.”

Burns and Susanna exchanged a look. Burns reached down his shirt and pulled out a small, red key. “Ready?”

Susanna pulled out an identical small key. “No, but I am... prepared, Captain.”

The two stood and walked around their chairs to the aft section of the bridge. Even as they approached, Melissa and two other crew members stood, stepped away from her chair, and sprang to attention. “The station is ready, sir,” Melissa announced.

Burns nodded to her. He and Susanna stood on opposite ends of the wide console, keys in hand. Burns leaned down and typed a code into a keypad in front of him. The console triple-beeped, and two small pedestals rose up, keyholes clearly visible in them.

The two officers looked to each other. “Ready?” Burns asked. At Susanna's nod, he continued. “All right, three, two, one... now!”

Both turned their keys inward. Deep red lights recessed into the upper parts of the bulkheads started flashing. Burns looked up at the main viewscreen. Sure enough, a large targeting reticule had appeared. He looked down. A small transparent hatch was now open, a large, red button now accessible. “Why is it a red button?” he asked, brow furrowing. He looked to Susanna. “I mean, really? Like out of a bad movie or something.”

Susanna slowly looked to him. “Captain, if I may be honest, a solid majority of the people in the Earth Defense Command are big fans of science-fiction, one franchise in particular.” She waved a hand at the bridge. “I would almost be shocked if it wasn't a big red button.”

Burns cracked a smile. “True, Commander, true.” He stared ahead at the main viewscreen. “Helm, I want us hanging perpendicular over the target area like the Sword of Damocles. A straight shot right down on the barrier with minimum atmospheric interference. Communications, tell the Repulse and Yokohama to form up on our flanks, Strike Pattern: Olympus.”

The communications officer, Lieutenant Barack Zane nodded. “Aye, Captain. Strike Pattern: Olympus confirmed.”

On the main viewscreen, Earth shifted from the lower-left corner to the exact center of the screen, the targeting reticule right over North America. The image expanded, until North America took up the entire screen. It zoomed in once more, finally stopping as the barrier appeared in the direct center of the screen. If one squinted and was patient enough, they could see the edges of the barrier creep along, expanding ever so slowly, but steadily.

Susanna rubbed her chin. “I wonder why it's so slow. A foot an hour? Is that even a literal snail's pace?”

Burns shook his head. “I am not complaining about it going so slow, Commander. That fake Celestia wants to be overconfident? Good for us, bad for her.” he held up his right hand, fingers close together. “Behold my tiny violin!”

Zane turned from his station, hand to an earpiece. “Captain, both Repulse and Yokohama affirm Strike Pattern: Olympus and are matching our maneuvers.”

Burns nodded to him. “Thank you, Lieutenant.” He sucked in a breath. “All right, Commander. T-minus five minutes and–”

A sensor technician spoke up. “Captain Burns? We have emerging transwarp apertures.” Lieutenant Hope Rogers looked at her screen, eyes darting back and forth. “Looks like five... no, six!”

Burns and Susanna exchanged a look. “Captain, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't all non-essential traffic to Earth currently suspended?” Susanna asked, eyes wide.

Burns nodded. “You are correct.” He straightened up and marched around the tactical console to the command area. He jabbed a finger to his right. “Lieutenant Zane, open a channel, all frequencies. Rogers, I need ID on those emerging ships and I need it now.” He waited for acknowledgment from his comms officer before speaking. “Unidentified vessels, this is Captain Jack Burns of the ESS Enterprise. This is somewhat a bad time for you to–”

A male voice, husky, with a Russian accent, cut Burns off. “This is Captain Mikhail Popov of the Georgi Zhukov, Burns! Apologies for not arriving sooner, but we and the Conrad Hauser came as soon as we could. Now, if you could please stop monologuing and let us help?”

Hope spoke up. “Confirming, sir. The first two are the Zhukov and Hauser. They're exiting the aperture closest to us.” She tapped her console. “Putting it on-screen, along with the others.”

Whirlpools of emerald energy appeared on the viewscreen around Earth, bright-green grids appearing next to each one. The interior of each grid showed a close-up of the activity around each transwarp aperture–a pair of Enterprise-class battleships emerging from every one.

A smile formed on Burns' face, his eyes lighting up even as a cacophony of voices sounded over the intercom.

“Enterprise, this is the Yi Sun Shin and von Richthofen, here to assist!”

“–Simon Bolivar and Liu Bei, standing by for orders.”

“This is the ESS Marquis de Lafayette and Haida. We are here!”

“This is the Excelsior and Pedron Frontin. That barrier is going down. Enough said!”

“The Grigory Potemkin and Guan Yu are ready, Captain Burns!”

Burns sucked in a breath. “They're all here. They all came to help.” He looked to his right. “Channels open with them all?” At his nod, he turned to face the viewscreen. “Captains, this is Jack Burns of the Enterprise. I am... honored and grateful you've all arrived to assist in the defense of Earth. Please link your tactical systems with ours for Strike Pattern: Olympus. We're gonna all hit that barrier with everything we've got and bring the damned roof down on their heads!”

Confirmations from the battleships were quickly given. With that, Burns walked back to the main tactical console and stood in front of the main trigger. He glanced down at the button, hand close to it, but not yet over it.

In the void of space, the twelve battleships flew along, their thrusters glowing white-hot as they moved around in complex maneuvers, forming a circle around the Enterprise, Repulse, and Yokohama. At the bow of each ship, the emitter for each of their primary energon cannons began glowing a bright-blue. All fifteen hung 'over' Earth, pointed towards the planet every single crew member had sworn to defend with their lives.

Hope spoke once more. “Captain, all fourteen ships are in formation for Strike Pattern: Olympus, and their primary energon cannons all read as green.”

Burns nodded to her. “Thank you.” He sucked in a breath. In the corner of his eye, the timer counting down to the implementation of General Plan Twenty-Four counted down, now at T-Minus ninety seconds and counting. He held his hand out, holding it over the button. “We are now at T-Minus sixty seconds,” he announced, his breathing quickening. “Thirty seconds... twenty seconds... ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one...” He slammed the palm of his hand onto the button. “Executing General Plan Twenty-Four!”

The lights on the bridge dimmed. A high-pitched whine sounded out. The image on the viewscreen zoomed in once more on Earth, once more on the barrier. The targeting reticule appeared once more, flashing a bright-red.

In space, the fifteen ships shuddered slightly. The emitters on their cannons glowed a blindingly-white light before a beam of hellfire shot forth from each simultaneously, crossing the void of space and entering Earth's atmosphere in an instant. The beams converged into a column of energy, striking the top of the dome with all the force of the fist of God. The column strobed over the barrier, energy bolts the thickness of sequoias shooting off.

Everyone on the bridge stared at the viewscreen as small windows popped up around the barrier, detailing information and showing graphs or charts. Burns growled. “Come on, come on. Do something!”

Hope spoke up, excitement creeping into her voice with each word. “Captain, if I'm reading this right...” She suddenly scowled. “Dammit, too much interference from our fire.” She stood up slightly and started tapping her console. “Clearing up and...” She sucked in a breath. “Captain, if I'm reading this right, the barrier's expansion has slowed to almost nothing!”

Gasps and small cheers sounded throughout the bridge. Burns held a hand up and waved them all off. “Stay frosty, everyone. The damned thing's still up!”

A lightly accented voice sounded out over the intercom. “Captain Burns, this is Commander Monty in Main Engineering. Power levels are falling all across the board. We have to power down soon.”

Burns' head shot back to his console. “Negative, Commander! That is not happening! We have to keep firing!”

“Captain, I don't have anywhere else to pull power from! I can't change the laws of physics!”

Burns glanced at the ceiling. “Commander Monty, we are in a starship built using technology given to us by a species that made the laws of physics their own personal bitch before humans walked upright.” He jabbed a finger at the main viewscreen. “If we let up for even one second, that barrier's gonna reinforce itself and this'll be for nothing. I don't care if we all gotta pedal bicycles hooked up to the main reactor. The main cannon has to continue firing!”

There was a pause. Time seemed to stand still on the bridge. Finally, Monty's voice came over again. “Captain, I think I can divert power from life-support and gravity generation. However, I–”

“Do it!” Burns shouted. He ran back to his command chair, sat down, and strapped himself in. He flipped a switch on the armrest and leaned in close to a speaker grille. “All hands, this is Captain Burns. Strap yourselves in and try and hold your breath. Power will soon be cut to life-support and gravity generation.” He looked over his shoulder at the tactical console. “Commander, might wanna join me here. It won't just be your hair rising in a few minutes.”

Susanna grunted as she quickly walked over and sat down next to Burns. She quickly strapped herself in, but paused for a moment. “Captain, I recommend we keep the ventilation system going. That will prevent pockets of carbon dioxide forming.”

Burns nodded. “All right, Commander.” He pressed a button on the armrest. “Engineering, can you keep the fans going while life-support and gravity are turned down?”

“Aye, Captain. Switching power from life-support, gravity generation and other systems... now!”

Background noise on the bridge dimmed. Several stations went dark, and everyone rocked slightly in their chairs, even while strapped in. Burns' arms flopped a bit. “Well, better than zero-G,” he said, scowling.

Monty's voice came over the intercom. “Captain, power levels for the main cannon are holding steady, but I can't promise anything. All available power has been rerouted to it.”

Burns nodded, the gesture more of a bob. “Thanks, Commander. Lieutenant Zane, contact the other ships, get me their status. Lieutenant Rogers, keep an eye on that barrier and give me status updates.”

Both officers acknowledged him before turning back to their duty stations. On the main viewscreen, the barrier wavered. Bluish veins of energy laced their way through it, emanating from where the energon beams were striking it.

Zane turned from his station. “Captain, all ships report they've cut power to their non-essential systems and will keep firing as long as possible.”

Hope spoke up next, somewhat breathless with excitement. “Captain, there's massive fluctuations through the barrier. It's completely stopped growing. If this thing was a solid material it would've shattered by–”

The viewscreen brightened, turning bright-white. Automatic filters activated, stopping the worst of the brightness. On the screen, the barrier fractured along the energy lines, seeming to blow apart at the seams. The pieces quickly evaporated, disappearing into the ether. The beams continued on, though, striking the ground–and blasting right through, carving a hole in the dirt and deepening it through meters of bedrock every second.

Silence descended upon the bridge as everyone stared at the viewscreen. Finally, Jack tapped a button on his armrest. “Main engineering, cut power to the main cannon. Restore gravity and life-support, but be prepared to switch it back at my command.” He waited for acknowledgment before looking to his right. “Zane, contact the other ships and tell them to stand down for now.” he unbuckled his harness and slowly stood up. “Sensors, I need to know my eyes aren't malfunctioning on me. Is the barrier... down?”

The only sounds for the next few seconds were beeps and small mutterings from Hope as she worked her controls. She let out a sigh. “Confirmed, Captain. Barrier has been destroyed!”

Gasps and small cheers went up among the bridge personnel. Burns held up his right hand and waved them off. “Hey, keep it frosty, everyone!” His eyes narrowed. “Wait a second. Zoom in on the upper-left quadrant.” He pointed at the viewscreen. “That gold thing. What is it?”

The image on the viewscreen zoomed in on the smoldering ground, focusing on a shimmering, golden web hanging in midair. A solidified rainbow trailed down from it, ending a couple of feet from the ground. A dozen feet away, a roiling whirlpool of energy swirled about, churning and wavering on its edges.

Hope spoke up. “The golden web, Captain, has to be the Rainbow Bridge connecting us with the real Equestria. That other thing appears to be an inter-dimensional gateway, similar, but very unstable. I'm getting energy fluctuations all across it.”

Burns slowly nodded. “I'll give you all three guesses where that one leads, and the first two don't count.” He turned and walked back to his chair. “Lieutenant Zane, get me the White House.”

President Abernathy, General Hollingsworth, and General Lennox stood in the situation room, a few feet in front of the main monitor. Captain Burns' head and shoulders dominated the screen. “All readings from all ships say the same thing, Mister President. The barrier's down and it's not coming back up.” He paused. “Unfortunately, there's something around the Rainbow Bridge blocking it. And there's a gateway next to it that I'd bet a year's pay leads to Neo-Equestria.”

Lennox nodded, letting out a small breath. “Captain Burns, excellent job,” he finally said, grinning and flashing a thumbs-up.

Clayton clapped his hands together. “Agreed, General. You and every crew member of the entire task force are to be commended for your work. You've saved Earth and potentially every person on this planet. We may not be out of the woods yet, but we're definitely more than halfway there.”

Burns smiled. “Thank you, Mister President. That means a lot.” He glanced to the president’s right. “General Lennox, orders?”

Lennox tapped his chin. “Keep the Enterprise and the other battleships in formation until further notice. We don't know if they'll try again. At least we know we what it'll take to bring the roof down. I'll contact you within twenty-four hours. Until then, stay frosty. Over and out.” The two exchanged salutes before Lennox cut the feed. “That must've been one big boom.”

Clayton allowed himself a small smile. “Almost can't wait to see the footage.” He cleared his throat. “All right, the barrier's down. However, there's still a gateway leading to Neo-Equestria, not to mention we're still blocked from directly interacting with the real version.”

Lennox clenched his right fist and smacked it into the palm of his left hand. “And both managed to survive getting roasted by the combined output of all fifteen of their energon cannons. I don't know of anything else we can throw at them that won't crack the crust.”

Hollingsworth pursed his lips. “It's out of our hands, and in Celestia's hooves.” He placed his hands on his hips and shook his head. “I hate feeling helpless like this.”

Clayton half-smiled and patted his friend on the shoulder. “I think that's a sentiment all three of us share, General.”

Lennox looked up, his gaze unfocused as he stared off past the wall. “I remember during the Last Push of 2007. I was on Pluto, and we came under heavy fire from the 'Cons. Octopunch and Stranglehold were leading a bunch of Genericons against our position. Then one of our starfighters crashes near our position. Pilot's alive, but his fighter's a wreck.” He shook his head and smiled. “And this crazy kid gets the idea to salvage one of the warheads from their torpedoes and insert it into a crack in Octopunch's outer shell.” He slid his hand forward. “So Private Zoe Weidler flies by on her jetpack, manages to sneak around to his side, and shove the warhead into that crack before booking it back like a bat outta hell and blowing that bastard into a million pieces. And all we could do was try and lay down cover fire for her.”

Clayton and Hollingsworth exchanged a look and smile. “I know that young lady quite well, General,” Clayton said. “She had a small army of Joe's as honorary aunts and uncles.”

A smile tugged at the corner of Lennox's mouth. “Including you, Mister President?” he asked, glancing at Clayton out of the corner of his eye.

Clayton jabbed a thumb to his right. “And General Hollingsworth.” He reached over and patted Lennox on his shoulder. “It’s a hard wait, but unavoidable. All we can do is trust in them, hope for the best and prepare for the worst.”

Author's Notes:

1. Thanks to Shubzilla for the editing, and those on Space Battles for their help.

2. Susana Peterson is named in honor/tribute to Susanna Hoffs, and the Peterson sisters, Vicki and Debbi.

3. About the battleships...

Enterprise-class battleships
The largest ship produced by the EDC Navy, and one of the most powerful ships in known space. The Enterprise-class battleships are vaguely based off of the Technobot Scattershot's alternate mode, with more weapons. Nearly one-kilometer long, it outclasses just about any other vessel in known space, barring the most powerful Transformer-built ships, such as the Vanguard-class interceptors, or the Revenge.
The first three, the Enterprise, Repulse, and Yokohama, were launched in mid-2007, just ahead of the Last Push, the last concerted effort by the Decepticons to attack Earth, and one of their most catastrophic defeats. They were responsible for destroying much of the enemy fleet's ships in actions near the edge of the Sol System.
There are fifteen ships of this class currently in service.
Enterprise
Repulse
Yokohama
Conrad Hauser
Yi Sun Shin
Georgi Zhukov
von Richthofen
Simón Bolívar
Liu Bei
Haida
Marquis de Lafayette
Pedron Frontin
Excelsior
Grigory Potemkin
Guan Yu

Chapter Twenty-Three

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Princess Celestia and Queen Celestia cantered around, circling each other. Their horns were wreathed in flames as they fired short blasts of magic from their horns. The blasts either missed as they dodged, or glanced off hastily-raised shields.

Meanwhile, Optimus Prime and Nemesis Prime stood off a few feet from one another, ion rifles discarded as they swung their energon-axes at each other, the blades clashing against each other and sending out bright orange electric bolts with each swing.

Nemesis brought his ax up high and sent it crashing down at Optimus' head, who was barely able to raise his own ax and block it. Nemesis' optics wavered as he sent all available energy to his right arm. His feet dug furrows into the ground as he leaned forward and raised his free arm, but Optimus grabbed his forearm and squeezed, digging into his armor. The two stood there, stalemating each other. Nemesis growled as he brought his hand as close to Optimus' head as possible. “GIVE ME YOUR FACE!” he shouted.

Optimus suddenly let go with his hand, while also retracting his energon-ax. He ducked low and to the side, catching his opponent off-guard and unbalancing him. “Fat chance, fathead!” He shoved Nemesis in the back, his energon-ax extending once more. He turned, brought up his ax and, with one powerful swing, sliced Nemesis' head clean off his body.

A geyser of sparks erupted from the now-smoking hole where Nemesis' head once sat. His body spasmed before toppling forward, landing in a heap. Color washed out of his plating, purple and neon-green turning a dull gray. His body jerked once more, then lay still.

Optimus turned and looked him over. “I regret having to terminate you, but you gave me no choice. Innocent people would have suffered under your tyranny, Nemesis Prime.” His energon-ax retracted once more into his wrist socket, a clenched hand emerging moments later.

Queen Celestia flew up and back, taking her out of her counterpart's field of fire for the moment. “A shame,” she coolly said. “I would have honored our agreement, had he lived.” She looked to Princess Celestia, eyes narrowing. “However, it does impress upon me the need to end this now.”

Princess Celestia trotted over to Optimus' side. “It's done the same thing to me.” She spread her wings. “Give up, Queen! There's no way for you to match me in the long run.” She waved a hoof at the necklace around her neck. “This is a special power-amplifier. With it, not even the Heart of Ponyland can hope to match my magical might!”

Queen Celestia snorted. “I can't believe you just gave that away.” She lowered her head and fired a pencil-thin beam of magic from the tip of her horn. “Let me remove that advantage from you!”

The beam struck Princess Celestia's necklace, specifically the pink jewel embedded in it. The jewel shattered, fragments flying everywhere. A pink mist wafted out from the destroyed centerpiece.

Princess Celestia looked up at Queen Celestia and cocked an eyebrow. “I... I can't believe you fell for that. Megan told me about your last encounter with Discord. It all makes sense, now.”

The pink mist grew, expanded, and solidified. Limbs emerged from the main mass, along with wings, a neck, and head. Within seconds, Princess Cadance floated in front of Princess Celestia. She touched all four hooves onto the ground. “Thanks.” She rotated her head around. “It was getting claustrophobic in there.” She stepped back and cantered to Princess Celestia's side. Her expression hardened with each step back. “I am the Princess of Love, and I don't like to fight, but I've learned recently that sometimes there's no choice in the matter!”

Optimus Prime walked over to Celestia's side, opposite of Cadance. “Celestia, you're outnumbered, and outgunned.” He raised both hands, grabbed the two halves of his chest, and started opening them. “I call on you to surrender. Now!”

Queen Celestia whinnied and pawed at the ground, digging out a smoldering trench in the dirt. “All right, clever. I'll give you that. I fell for that far too easily. Still, it's not insurmountable. I do have backup beyond the late Nemesis Prime.” She turned her head around, towards Canterlot. “Bodyguards, to me!”

Princess Celestia shook her head. “Why involve them? You're delaying your defeat by... by...” Her voice trailed off as Canterlot's front gate opened, and two alicorns stepped out. “What the... what the Tartarus?”

A Luna and a Cadance trotted over to Queen Celestia's side. Their movements were stiff, almost mechanical. Neither of them spoke or made any sound beyond the clip-clopping of their hooves on the ground. They stared straight ahead, neither one blinking.

Queen Celestia looked from Luna to Cadance. “You spoke earlier about the Heart of Ponyland, my inferior counterpart. Luna and Cadance–my Luna and Cadence–help me with any excess overflow of power. I've accounted for everything.”

Princess Celestia and Princess Cadance stared at the three alicorns, eyes wide and mouths agape. “Luna!” Princess Celestia shouted. “Cadance! You-can you hear me? Can you respond?” She took a few steps forward. “Please, speak to me! Say something!”

Queen Celestia stared at her counterpart, eyes narrowed. “Luna and Cadance opposed my actions to save humanity. Even after she was freed from Nightmare Moon, she still opposed me. I had to take... drastic actions. I'm not proud of the result, but I'd do it again if I had to.”

Optimus pointed a shaking finger at Queen Celestia. “You monster!” he shouted, optic sensors blazing.

Princess Celestia slowly closed her eyes, but tears still trailed down her cheeks. “I held out hope, even a small sliver, that we could reach an agreement, a truce, something to stop the fighting. I held it until now.” She slowly opened her eyes. Fires danced inside them as her expression hardened. “Now that small sliver is gone. Now I know you are beyond hope, beyond redemption.” She jabbed a wing at Queen Celestia. “I can't even think of you as 'Celestia'!”

Queen Celestia grinned. “How pathetic. Very well, Pathetic Princess. Think as ill of me as you want. Hate me for having the will to save others. It makes no difference.” She gestured to the three opposite her. “Kill them.”

Luna and Cadance trotted forward. Luna's legs tensed before she jumped into the air, her wings spreading wide. Her eyes glowed a bright-white, and a wide beam of magic shot from her horn.

Princess Cadance's horn lit up. A translucent-blue shield formed over her, Princess Celestia, and Optimus. Luna's attack washed over the shield, finally ceasing after a few minutes. “That wasn't a physical attack,” Cadance muttered. She looked over her shoulder. “I'll deal with Luna, Aunt Celestia. You take C-you take 'me' out.” With that, she jumped into the air and flew up towards Luna.

Princess Celestia looked to her left. “Optimus, if I may, I would suggest getting the Matrix out rather quickly. I don't think I can deal with that thing and that Cadance, too.” She looked over her shoulder, down the dirt road they had traveled. “Twilight and the others are coming!” she whispered.

Queen Celestia started walking forward. “Your tin man cannot help you, weakling. I shall enjoy melting him into a puddle of dross. As for you? I am going to–”

A loud boom echoed across the battlefield. Queen Celestia's ears waggled back and forth. Her eyes shrank slightly. “What was that?” Her head turned around as a small black plume of smoke started rising above Canterlot. “That's coming from the far side. I–”

Boom!

Queen Celestia shot into the air. “Take them out!” she shouted behind her, as she soared over Canterlot's towers. “That's coming from Fort Bulwark. What in the Tartarus are they...” Her voice trailed off as the far side of Canterlot came into view.

Fort Bulwark's main wall had almost entirely blown apart. Small mounds of debris were all that remained of it. Several dozen machines of various designs were advancing upon Fort Bulwark, while ponies and other creatures attacked the disorganized defenders. Ponies and-and griffins flew about in armor, weapons mounted to their barrels occasionally spitting out bullets.

One of the vehicles, a tan-colored, tracked vehicle with a turret on it, slowed. Its main gun suddenly elevated, aiming right at Celestia. The top hatch popped open and a dark-skinned human popped out of it, a pistol in a two-handed grip. He raised it, aimed it at Queen Celestia and fired a laser at her. The main gun also started launching hypersonic railgun darts at her.

The darts struck her shield, disintegrating from the sheer kinetic energy. Unlike last time, the darts pushed her back. Queen Celestia's shield flashed with each impact, the glow lingering with each hit. Celestia grunted as her shield started wavering, cracking. “I've spent too much energy in this conflict!” Her eyes lit up for a moment, and her mane started to smolder once more. “I will END YOU! I WILL–”

Queen Celestia's eyes suddenly crossed. Her legs kicked wildly in the air, and her entire body spasmed. “Ah, ah!” she panted, as she descended back to the ground. She looked around, eyes darting back and forth. “The barrier! They... how? How did they destroy it?” Her mane turned from flame to ethereal once more. Queen Celestia's legs wavered, but she managed to remain standing, if barely. “Luna! Cadance! To my side!”

Luna fired a beam of magic at Princess Cadance before spinning around in midair and flying back towards Queen Celestia. Cadance, meanwhile, cantered back, keeping herself facing Princess Celestia while backing up towards her Queen.

Princess Celestia's eyes followed Luna as she descended. “Luna, Luna! Please, you have to snap out of whatever that monster did to you! She has to be stopped.”

Queen Celestia stared ahead. Her eyes were glassy and unfocused, but her voice was strong as she spoke. “She cannot hear you. Only me. Cadance is the same. They opposed me, my plans to help humanity. Therefore I had to correct their ways of thinking.” Her head wavered back and forth. “Kill them. Incinerate their bodies and scatter their ashes to the wind.”

Luna and Cadance leaned forward. The tips of their horns glowed, and they fired twin beams of expanding magic at Princess Celestia, Cadance, and Optimus Prime.

Twin shields sprang up around the trio, right before the beams would have struck them. They washed over the shields, scorching the ground right in front of them. Princess Celestia ground her teeth together, and Cadance dug furrows into the dirt with her hooves, but their shields held.

A violet sphere popped into existence a few meters behind the battle. It disappeared, leaving behind Megan and the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony. Megan blinked, then gasped as she took everything in. “Holy crap!”

Optimus glanced over his shoulder at the seven. “Perfect timing!” He looked back and down at his torso. He pulled open the two panels on his upper chest and pulled out an orange metal sphere with off-white handles. There was a cutout in it, showing a shining blue crystal in the center. Optimus pulled the Matrix of Leadership from his chest and held it high. “Now, light humanity's Darkest Hour!” he said, as he raised it above his head. He slid his fingers into holes in the handles and pulled the two halves apart, leaving the crystal inside to float there.

Megan looked up. “Twilight, remember when I said that I couldn't use my power, except during certain circumstances?”

Twilight Sparkle followed her gaze. She and the others moved in as close as they dared to Megan. “I remember it quite well, Megan.” Her horn lit up, and the diadem in her Element of Magic also glowed. “Is this one of those circumstances?”

Megan's eyes turned white. A pair of ethereal wings sprouted from her back, and a long horn emerged from her forehead.

Rainbow Dash looked her over. “I'll take that for a 'yes'.”

The Elements of Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash all lit up. A beam of magic shot from each of them and struck Twilight's crown. Megan raised her right hand and fired her own beam of magic at the crown, enveloping Twilight Sparkle’s entire head. The entire area around them brightened as the Rainbow of Light emerged and shot up, into the sky. It curved towards Optimus, enveloping the Matrix of Leadership.

A large sphere of multi-colored light exploded from the Matrix, rapidly expanding over the battlefield and engulfing. Queen Celestia could only watch as it approached her. Time seemed to slow to a crawl...

A serpentine creature faded into partial existence in front of Queen Celestia. He twisted around and focused yellow eyes on her. “Why hello, Celestia!” Discord said, waving a lion's paw at her. “Sorry to interrupt. I thought I'd pop my spirit out of the statue for a second to say hi. See how things were going with that whole 'ponify seven billion humans' plan you had going.” He spun around. “Hmm, not as well as you thought it would, did it.”

Queen Celestia stared at him for a moment. “Discord? What... no. It doesn't matter. How did this happen? You warned me about the blond-haired human, about humans in general! I acted to stop your prophecy before Megan would destroy all that I built up!”

Discord nodded, grinning. “I know, I know! And you bought it! You bought my entire spiel hook, line, and sinker!” He tossed his head back and cackled.”I couldn't have written a better script for you to follow, Celly!” He looked back at her. “I almost feel sorry for you, but almost isn't actually being sorry. See you around!” He waved at her before vanishing.

Time sped up. The wave of energy slammed into Queen Celestia. Bolts of energy raced along her horn, cracking it and sending chunks of it to the ground. Queen Celestia's wings shriveled up, feathers catching fire before vanishing. Her regalia dulled and rusted, breaking apart. And finally, one voice echoed in her ears.

“Celestia! Celestia, my sister! What have you done?”

Queen Celestia screamed, and darkness claimed her.

The golden cage around the Rainbow Bridge wavered and cracked. It fell apart, each segment of it vanishing. Next to it, the portal to Neo-Equestria wavered and rippled. It turned in on itself, shrinking until vanishing altogether.

For a moment, on that blasted Kentucky plain, silence reigned. For a brief moment, there was peace.

Epilogue

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Megan, Mike, Michelle, and Danielle stood at the edge of the crater that their home and neighborhood once occupied. It had been two days since the barrier had been destroyed and Neo-Equestria's invasion stopped. Soldiers, engineers, scientists, and others moved about, some inside the crater itself, but most around it. They all kept their distance from the Richards family, letting them have some time.

Danielle slowly shook her head. She waved a hand at the crater. “This is still just... just unreal. I still can't believe our home's gone. I still can't believe the neighborhood's gone!” She dropped her arm back down to her side, as if she had no more energy.

Michelle craned her head around to look up at Megan, standing right behind her. “Mommy, Daddy, where are we gonna sleep tonight?”

Megan and Mike exchanged a look. “Uncle Danny and Aunt Molly offered their houses for us to stay until we get something a bit more... permanent. So we should be fine there, Michelle,” Megan said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Danielle rubbed her chin. “Although if worst comes to worst, you could come to Equestria. Mom and Dad can stay at Sweet Apple Acres, and Michelle can camp out at Sugarcube Corner with Pound and Pumpkin Cake. Pinkie would love to have a third kid to babysit.” She held up her hands even as Megan and Mike glared at her. “Kidding, kidding! Well, mostly. I mean if worst comes to worst, Cade's farmhouse survived all right. I talked with Tessa after getting back to Earth and she and her father wouldn't mind you staying there if you have to.”

Megan's brow furrowed. “You sure they're all right? Last I checked there's craters all over the fields.”

Mike snorted. “Honey, it's Cade Yeager. There's always craters all over his fields.”

Danielle cleared her throat. “So, how much stuff did you have removed from the house for the move? I think you said most of it?”

Mike nodded, letting out a breath. “We were going to start preparations for the moving of the house to its new location. So just about everything except some old sleeping bags was in a storage facility outside of town. By some miracle, just about everything we own survived.”

Megan's gaze drifted to the crater. “Yeah. We were lucky. Everyone else lost just about everything.”

Michelle craned her head around to look up at Megan and Mike. “Well, I... don't need my old toys! You can give them to anyone who wants them.”

Megan patted Michelle on the shoulder. “That's very sweet of you, honey. Are you sure?”

Michelle nodded. “Yeah.” She grinned. “I can give my dolls to Otis!”

Megan's jaw worked for a bit. “Well... I guess it's the thought that counts.” Movement caught her eyes. She turned as a motorcade approached her family, a limousine surrounded by motorcycles. “Ah, I think we've got company.”

The motorcade slowed, stopping a few feet from the Richards'. One of the motorcyclists dismounted and opened a door on the limousine, allowing President Abernathy and several Secret Service agents to step out. The agents flanked Clayton as he approached the family. “Mister Richards, Missus Richards,” he said, bowing his head to them. “May I speak with you, please?”

Megan and Mike exchanged a look, the two nodding to each other. Megan looked to Clayton. “Of course, Mister President. Thank you.” She flashed a small smile. “It's good to see you again.”

Clayton returned the smile. “Ah, yes. Your backyard, during our first official meeting with Celestia and Luna.” He waved a hand at the crater, the smile falling away. “I know it's cold comfort, but I wish to express my sorrow at the events that have transpired over these few days. You have my solemn word this area will be rebuilt, and those driven out by Neo-Equestria's invasion will have their homes restored as best we can, as soon as we can. That includes your house, too. Albeit it'll be in the new location, and expanded into the planned embassy.”

Mike half-smiled. “I think I might be able to help with that a bit. I got the blueprints for the place tucked away at the warehouse the rest of our stuff's at.”

Megan looked to Mike “That ought to keep you busy for a bit.” She then looked back to Clayton. “Thank you, Mister President.” She paused. “If I may ask, do you know what will happen to that Queen C-C-that invader?”

Clayton hesitated. “That's a bit up in the air at the moment. I'll be going with some others to Neo-Equestria to meet with their new heads of government. Until then, I can't say anything concrete.”

Megan nodded. “Well, that makes sense. Thank you, Mister President.”

Clayton nodded to her. “I can tell you, though, that I will be awarding you the Presidential Medal of Freedom, right before you receive the Congressional Gold Medal and the Medal for Valor.” He motioned to the surrounding area. “After all you've done, you've more than earned it.”

Megan's eyes widened slightly. “I... thank you, sir!” She swallowed and blushed slightly. “I was just glad to help out.”

Danielle grinned. “Way to go, Mom!”

Michelle leaned back and looked up at Megan. “Mommy's even more of a hero than before!”

Mike wrapped an arm around Megan in a hug and kissed her on the cheek. “My hero,” he said, grinning.

Megan lightly batted at him. “Oh, hush, you three.”

An agent walked up to Clayton, leaned in close, and whispered to the President in hushed tones. Clayton nodded to him, then looked to the Richards. “I do apologize, but I do have a meeting to attend. It was good to see you again.” He turned to the limo, but stopped and looked back. “You know, I found the whole 'Mag'ne' myths built up around you to be somewhat... interesting, if a bit befuddling. But now, I think I'm seeing why you were so venerated and mythologized.” With that, he turned and walked back to the limo.

Megan rocked slightly on her heels. “I'm not sure if that bodes well or poorly for me in the future.”

Danielle waggled her head back and forth. “A little bit of both?”

“I'll take it!”

General Lennox, Commodore Faireborn, and Chief Master Sergeant Wiedler stood in front of Omega Doom's inert chassis. Construction vehicles and workers swarmed around the behemoth, appearing as little more than ants compared to it. Lennox rocked back and forth on his heels and waved a hand at it. “So, Commodore, what did Ambassador Hot Rod say about this thing?”

Marissa looked to Zoe. “Sergeant, please relay Hot Rod's exact words to us as he stood here.”

Zoe nodded. “Yes, Ma'am.” She cleared her throat, then turned and held out both arms towards Omega Doom. “Oh, holy scrap, this thing's huge!” she said, her voice somehow taking on the mechanical echo of a Cybertronian's. “Oh, yeah. We'll help you rebuild it, get it back on its feet. Yes, tracks. Oh, you know what I mean, Marissa. Yeah, it'll be fun!”

Lennox blinked as Zoe finished speaking. “Thank you, Sergeant.” He looked to Omega Doom, then leaned forward, focusing on Zoe. “Sergeant, how did you do the flange?”

Zoe paused. “Practice, General. And a lot of throat lozenges.”

Lennox barked a laugh. “Well, okay.” He shook his head as he once more regarded the machine before the three. “Oh, this is gonna be fun. And it might mollify giant-robot enthusiasts for a bit.”

Marissa smothered a smirk. “Now, General. You know that's never going to happen.”

Lennox groaned. “Yeah, I know. I swear, I hear one more question about when we're gonna start building Valkyries like in Macross I think I'll chuck the microphone stand at whoever asked it!”

Marissa slowly nodded. “Duly noted, General.” She pointed at Omega Doom's midsection. “One lucky break we have is there's an actual control room in the chest. It's scaled for mid-sized Cybertronians, but we should be able to downsize it for our use.”

Lennox grinned. “I can't wait to take a ride in it.” He paused. “Wait, what goes into the gas tank? Energon? Fusion? The souls of the damned?”

Marissa glanced to Zoe. “Sergeant?”

Zoe slid a datapad out of a pocket on her right thigh. She tapped at the screen a few times. “Standard energon, with backup fusion reactors. I hesitate to say this, but we shouldn't have any real problem with that.”

Lennox leaned forward and looked to her. “I'll hold you on that, Sergeant.” he glanced to Marissa. “Well, keep me informed on the repairs and refitting, Commodore.” He exchanged salutes with her before about-facing and walking off.

Marissa looked to Zoe. “Let's hope you didn't taunt Murphy there, Sergeant. I'm looking forward to taking a ride in this thing, too.”

Zoe half-smiled. “Murphy and I are old friends, Commodore. I think he knows enough to stay away this time.”

A large hole in space opened on the plains of Neo-Equestria, at the front gates of Canterlot. A small convoy of vehicles drove out of it, consisting of a red-and-silver tractor trailer, a limo surrounded by motorcycles, and a few other vehicles. It barreled towards Princesses Luna and Cadance, the current and newest rulers.

The convoy slowed to a halt. The tractor trailer-cab detached itself from the trailer and transformed into Optimus Prime, while the limo doors were opened and President Abernathy, Chip Chase, and Doctor Whooves stepped out. Finally, the trailer's back door opened, allowing Princess Celestia and Perceptor to exit and join the others. Secret Service agents surrounded Clayton and Chip, weapons in their holsters, but their hands near their grips.

Both Luna and Cadance bowed their heads. “We thank you for coming here,” Luna said, glancing up. “We have been briefed on who would be coming here, and time is of the essence, so may we skip formal introductions?”

Clayton nodded. “I like the way you think, Luna.” He hefted a briefcase in his left hand, opened it up, and pulled out a folder with a sheaf of papers inside its folds. “This is a list of everyone who was converted into a newfoal and brought here. They are to be located and retrieved as soon as possible for return to Earth. We have the means of turning them back to humans and breaking the mind-control your false Celestia had over them.”

Luna's horn glowed. The folder floated up and over to her, opening up in front of her muzzle. “We have already sent out guardsponies to track them down, President Abernathy.” She looked over her shoulder. “Open the gates!”

Canterlot's main gates opened. A large group of ponies walked out, flanked by two lines of guardsponies. Most of them looked physically healthy, but their expressions were haunted, and their gaze low on the grass beneath their hooves.

Clayton paled at the sight. “My god.” He turned around towards the convoy. “Get them to the ambulances!” he shouted, jabbing a finger at the group. “I want a full head-count, you hear? I want them taken care of!” He spun around on a heel and walked towards the ponies, the Secret Service surrounding him.

One of the ponies, an earth pony mare, stopped mid-gait. She straightened to attention and brought her right foreleg up in a salute. “Mister President,” she said with a shaky voice. “Sergeant Rebecca Winchester.”

Most of the other ponies snapped to attention, saluting the President as best they could.

Clayton instinctively straightened to attention and returned the salute. “At ease, Sergeant. At ease all of you. We're going to get you help. We've got an antidote to the potion. We can make you human again and block any lingering mind-control.”

One stallion approached Agent Smith. “Smith, good to see you again. I'm afraid I'll be taking a leave of absence for a bit.”

Smith looked down. His eyes widened behind his glasses, and his face contorted into a mixture of shock and horror. “Roger?” he breathed out.

Roger Jefferson nodded. “It's me, Smith. My head is... mostly in the right place again. I guess whatever the Matrix and Elements of Harmony did severed the hold that damned doppelganger had on us.”

Clayton walked over to the pair. “Roger, have you encountered other newfoals, ones not from our Earth?”

Roger glanced down at the grass. His brow furrowed. “Not in Canterlot, no. Before that I'm not sure. Sorry, Mister President. The memory's slightly muddled.”

A pair of nurses ran up to the group. One stopped in front of Clayton, bowing his head. “Mister President, I apologize, but we have to get Mister Jefferson back in order to do a full checkup and accurate head-count.”

Clayton sharply nodded and patted the younger man on the shoulder. “Of course, of course.” His eyes followed Roger as he was led off by the other nurse. “They'll take good care of you, Roger! They'll take good care of all of you!”

Luna and Cadance both bowed their heads. “I know they are fairly empty, but I still do offer my apologies on what has happened,” Luna finally said.

Celestia nodded to her. “As long as they're sincere apologies, then it's a good start, Princess.”

Clayton slid a datapad out of his pocket. He tapped the screen. “We have seventy-two ponies from your reality, as well as three of the 'Autobots', in custody. We'll make arrangements for them to be returned to you within two days.”

Cadance leaned back slightly. “Some of the mechanical men survived? Are they dangerous?”

Optimus spoke up. “They surrendered, and I do not condone summary execution of prisoners-of-war. They've agreed to have all but the most basic of self-defense systems removed, in exchange for safe passage to your Neo-Equestria.”

Luna cocked her head to the side. “Thank you, Mister President. Thank you, Mister Prime. We'll take them back under those conditions.” She nickered. “I swear, Celestia. What you did here, it will be decades before you earn any measure of forgiveness.”

Clayton stared at her. “Princess, I hate to break it to you, but your Celestia will not be returned to you. Nor will Captain Armor, or your versions of the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony. They're to be brought to trial and made to answer for their crimes.”

Cadance's eyes widened. “Are you... you're serious.”

Celestia spoke up. “What she did was beyond the pale, Luna. She and the others must answer for their crimes. You and Celestia froze Discord in stone for his atrocities, did you not?”

Luna slowly spoke. “We... did, yes. And as he was frozen, he gave Celestia that tartarus-damned warning that led us down this path.”

Clayton's mouth set into a grim line. “And she swallowed whatever he said like a fish about to be reeled in.” He held up a hand. “This isn't negotiable, Princess. They will not be released back into your Equestria. They shall stand trial for their transgressions, and serve whatever sentence passed upon them.”

Luna's eyes darkened. She finally closed them and hung her head. Small rivers of tears dripped down from beneath her eyelids, and her ears folded flat against her skull.

Cadance reached over and gently stroked a wing down Luna's back. She looked to Clayton, expression as neutral as possible. “We understand, Mister President. It will be... difficult for Luna to accept this, even after everything that's happened.”

Luna sucked in a breath and opened her eyes. She looked down at Clayton, finally speaking. “I... understand, President Abernathy. We shall not object or attempt to hinder you in-in any way.” She swallowed. “Would it be... possible for me to see her, at least once?”

Clayton grimaced. “Actually, we have to talk about that.” He stepped to his right and waved Perceptor, Chip, and the Doctor forward. “Gentlebeings?”

The Doctor cleared his throat. “Quite simply, within two months, all travel and contact between your reality and ours must permanently cease and desist. If not, then there will be catastrophic consequences for all three realities!”

Luna and Cadance stared at him. “Are you serious?” Luna finally asked.

Chip nodded. “He is, Princess. What your Celestia did was outrageously insane and damaged the dimensional barriers. They have to heal and reinforce themselves.”

The Doctor nickered. “She basically took a chainsaw to tissue paper. If we don't break contact with you, the dimensional barriers will collapse and that'll be a fine kettle of fish. Except there won't be any kettle or fish, because their constituent particles will have been scattered to the wind!”

Luna's eyes widened. “Oh, no. This is a disaster!” She shook her head. “No, no! You cannot break contact with us! You'll be condemning millions, probably billions, to death!”

Cadance spoke up. “She's not being hyperbolic, either. Our entire agricultural system is either on the verge of collapse, or has collapsed. We've had reports of widespread food shortages all throughout Equestria. We haven't had any riots. Yet.”

Clayton slowly nodded. “'Yet', as you said.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I had a feeling this was happening.”

Celestia cantered around to face the three scientists. “Are you completely sure? Is there no way to keep contact going so we can help them?”

Perceptor spoke up. “We are completely sure, Princess. Continued travel between this reality and our two will weaken and destroy their dimensional stability.”

Cadance looked to him. “What about travel between your two realities? Has that been unaffected?”

Perceptor shook his head. “No, your highness. Travel between our realities will not be affected.”

Cadance's ears folded down onto her head. “Well, small miracle there,” she deadpanned.

Celestia glanced down at the ground. She dug a furrow into the dirt. “Two months you said, Doctor? There must be some help we can give you before then. You said your agricultural system is collapsing? We can provide fertilizer, maybe some food shipments?”

Clayton looked to Celestia, then to Luna and Cadance. “I'll see what Earth can do to help as well. We should be able to get some relief shipments to you before contact has to be broken. I don't know how much, but we'll do what we can.”

Optimus rubbed his face plate. “Cybertron should be able to supply you with self-repairing farming equipment to help, along with other low-maintenance, high-endurance devices. In the meantime, we've also got these.” He turned around and pointed at his trailer. Internal machinery groaned and whined as it split along a seam and opened up, revealing racks upon racks of vials containing an iridescent liquid. “Princesses, here are five thousand vials of an antidote to the newfoal potion. When consumed, it will revert a newfoal back into their human form, and mitigate some of the physical damage that's occurred to them through malnutrition and starvation. It's not perfect, but it can hopefully help.”

Luna leaned forward. Her horn lit up, and she floated a vial out of one of the racks and over to her. It bobbed up and down in her telekinesis. “How did you produce this? All the vials of potion are locked in our vaults, and we plan on destroying them.”

Perceptor spoke up. “Our forces managed to capture numerous vials of the potion. After a thorough analysis, we were able to discover the chemical compounds and thaumic spells used in the original potion and create an antidote. It's easier to produce than reverse-engineer the potion itself.”

Celestia walked up to Luna. “My faithful student Twilight Sparkle and one hundred ninety-nine other unicorns are at Autobot City as we speak, producing the antidote and getting it ready for transport here. As Optimus said, it's not a cure-all, but it should help.”

Luna floated the vial back to the rack and carefully slid it back into its hole. “We will take all the help we can get. And we do thank you for it.” She looked to Cadance. “Get Fancy Pants and the other bureaucrats. And coffee. Lots of coffee.”

While the others talked, the nurse walked up to Clayton. “Mister President, we did a head-count,” he said, holding up a datapad. “We triple-checked it. Everyone's accounted for.”

Clayton let out a breath he didn't even know he was holding. “Oh, thank you.” He reached out and patted the nurse on the shoulders. “Thank you.”

The nurse nodded. “You're welcome, Mister President. We'll be moving them back to Earth so they can be cured.”

Clayton nodded. “Good, good. Get them the best care, you hear me?” At the nurse's nod, he turned to Optimus' trailer and the group gathered around it. “If you'll excuse me?”

The nurse stepped back and made his way back to the small herd of newfoals near the other vehicles. Clayton, meanwhile, walked up to Optimus' side. He clapped his hands together. “All right. We've got a lot to do and little time to do it. Can you fill me in on what you've discussed, please?”

Onslaught glanced around the hallway he, Blast Off, Vortex, and Brawl were being led down. The quartet were on New Vos, Starscream's main base of operations and the heart of his so-called 'New Decepticon Empire'. Three solar-cycles ago, he and the Combaticons, along with the Stunticons, had been ambushed on some nameless moon by a large force of Autobots. While the Stunticons fought and died, the Combaticons surrendered and remained functional. Their laser cores had been removed from their old bodies and placed into stasis lock at Garrus IX, where they would remain for ten-thousand years.

Or at least until Starscream aided their human pets in repelling some invasion from another reality, Onslaught mused as their guide, Ruckus, led them to a set of double-doors. All four had their laser cores implanted into new chassis, albeit ones not designed for warfare. “Thank you for taking us here, Ruckus,” Onslaught said, sketching a bow.

Ruckus glanced at him over his shoulder. “HEY, NO PROBLEM! ALL PART OF THE JOB!” He raised a hand to a control panel, but paused. “OKAY, THIS IS GONNA SOUND NUTS, BUT STARSCREAM ACTUALLY SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT HE'S DOING WITH THIS WHOLE 'LEADER' THING HE'S GOT GOING ON.”

Brawl banged the side of his head. “Ruckus, can you lower the volume? We've got civilian-grade audio receptors in these tin cans the Autobots so graciously stuck our laser cores in!”

Vortex grunted. “Could be worse. We could still be stuck at Garrus IX in limbo for another nine thousand, ninety-seven solar-cycles.”

Ruckus ignored them as he opened the door and led them inside.

Onslaught's optic sensors took in the room. It was large, some decorations here and there, the Deceptibrand stamped on several walls and banners hanging from the ceiling, but overall it tended more towards function. Three of the four walls were nothing more than gigantic viewscreens, while the fourth was a window that looked over the city proper. Several freestanding recharging stations were scattered about, along with racks of laser rifles and other assorted weapons. In the center, and taking up most of the floorspace, was a large circular table surrounded by chairs. A holographic projector was embedded in the center, currently lit up and showing off the local solar systems surrounding New Vos.

And standing next to the table, hands clasped behind his back, was Starscream. Shockwave, Swindle, and Soundwave stood by him as he pointed at the hologram. “What about System 25-Alpha?” Starscream asked.

Shockwave's head tilted up. His single optic flashed. “That system has already been claimed by Nebulos,” he reported.

Onslaught leaned forward, fingers working. He waited for the explosion. He waited for the screeching, for the temper tantrum that was sure to erupt...

Starscream chuckled lightly. “Ah, yes. You're right. How silly of me not to notice its proximity to Nebulos.” He looked over at Onslaught and held his arms out wide. “Ah, the Combaticons return!” He walked over, extending his hand. “Onslaught, good to see you with a body again.”

Onslaught looked down at Starscream's hand. He looked back up, head craning as Starscream was now about a head taller than him. “Well... it seems this is the second time I owe you for rescuing us from stasis lock in a mind prison.” He clasped Starscream's hand and pumped it twice. “Thank you.”

Starscream nodded to him. “You're welcome.” He leaned to his right and looked to Vortex, Blast Off, and Brawl. “Good to see you three. I welcome you all to the New Decepticon Empire, the last hope for Decepticons galaxy-wide!”

Brawl raised a hand. “So what is this, exactly? I'm guessing we're not doing some long-term planning for going against the Autobots or humans? Is this a... a legitimate government?”

Starscream nodded to him, the pomp and circumstance from a few seconds earlier gone. “You are correct, Brawl.” He vented some gas. “I was a scientist before the War, before Megatron started his little uprising against the Functionalist-infested Senate. I know how to look at the raw numbers and data and come to conclusions, although Primus knows it's been too long since I've really done that.” He turned around and walked up to the table's edge. He tapped a control panel and the star map changed to an image of Cybertron. “The Autobots have won. Cybertron is fully-energized, orbiting a star, which means they won't run out of energy any time soon. Vector Sigma is active again. Hot spots have ignited all across the planet. Every refugee colony they've contacted have all flocked to Optimus Prime's banner. And finally, Wheeljack and Perceptor developed that method for channeling the energy from two or more laser cores into a new core, jump-starting a new 'spark' of life.” He chuckled. “And should I even get into their allies across the galaxy? Human, Nebulons, Tlalakans, Titans, and Primus knows how many others I could list off.”

Brawl chuckled. “And meanwhile we Decepticons don't really have potential allies or any way to increase our population.”

Shockwave spoke up. “I am afraid you are incorrect on both counts, Brawl. Although to be fair, your conclusions are based on datatrax that were relevant when your laser core was removed in 2009. In two standard weeks, we shall be sending a delegation to Cybertron to sign what is being called the 'Treaty of Iacon'. There, we shall sign a formal peace treaty with Cybertron, Earth, Nebulos, and their allies. We shall be recognized as a sovereign nation-state, allowed to claim nine solar systems as our own territory, and given amnesty for any past... transgressions against them.”

Starscream smirked. “As for repopulating our depleted ranks? I've managed to place a deep-cover spy in Autobot Intelligence. Between the information he's passed to us, and with our own ingenuity, we've been able to replicate the process.”

Brawl leaned forward, optics brightening. “You've 'been able' to replicate the process. Past tense, Starscream. You've created new life?”

Starscream nodded, his expression now serious. “We have, Brawl. We started out small, simply due to a shortage of resources. They're human-sized, about the size of the inhabitants of Devisiun, one of the Autobot refugee colonies we discussed earlier. Each one transforms into half a vehicle, either the front or back. The Constructicons supplied the laser core energy.” the ghost of a smirk returned. “You'll be meeting them soon enough.”

Onslaught chuckled. “I look forward to it.” He stepped to his right and walked past Starscream. “And now to the Omega Guardian in the room,” he said, as he approached Swindle. Vortex, Brawl, and Blast Off trailed behind him.

Swindle held his hands up and took a few steps back as his teammates approached. “Whoa, whoa! Slow down, guys! Okay, I am very sorry about what happened and you getting placed into stasis lock on Garrus IX. But there's– ”

Brawl spoke up. “We're not angry at you, Swindle. You were right. We should've gone with you when you left Galvatron's faction.”

Blast Off spread his arms out. “Indeed. If we had, we wouldn't have had our laser cores shoved into these rejects from a human used car lot. I mean seriously, I can't even break orbit in this thing!”

Vortex looked to him. “You think you've got it bad? I don't even have an airborne alternate mode! At least you can fly!”

Onslaught turned around. “Combaticons, attention!” He waited for them to snap to before looking back to Swindle. “Brawl is right. None of us hold any animosity to you, Swindle. We're more angry with ourselves for not going with you than anything.”

Swindle grinned. “Well, all right then! That's really mature of you guys! I'm glad to hear this, really!”

Brawl shook his head. “Don't make us regret being all soft like this, Swindle!”

Starscream walked over and interjected himself between Onslaught and Swindle. “As amusing as this would be to watch, we have business. If you'll follow me, I have a surprise for you!” With that, he turned and walked to the door, the Combaticons following him out of the room, and eventually the building itself. He led them across to another building, this one much more utilitarian-looking and larger than the previous one.

They walked into a large room, taking up almost the entire interior of the building itself. Workstations lined the walls, while machinery hung from girders mounted to the ceiling. Other pieces of equipment were seemingly scattered all over the floor. Six human-sized Decepticons could be seen working around a set of CR chambers near the back of the building.

Starscream clapped his hands together as he led the Combaticons over. “All right, I believe introductions are in order. Constructor Squad, line up!” He waited for the six to put down their tools and form a loose line before continuing. “May I introduce Stonecruncher, Excavator, Grit, Knockout, Sledge, and Hammer.”

Brawl looked down at them. He waved. “Hi, there. Cute little guys!”

Sledge raised a fist and shook it at Brawl. “Cute? Cute? I'll disassemble your drive train and strip your gears, you call me cute!”

Brawl tossed his head back and laughed. “Ah, that's so adorable! Onslaught, can I keep him?”

Starscream raised his arm and shot off a low-powered blast from his arm cannon. “Cut the static,” he said. He pointed to the alcoves. “Hammer, open up the CR chambers and show the Combaticons the surprise I've got for them.”

Hammer tossed him a salute. “You got it.” He walked over to a small pedestal next to the chambers and pressed two buttons, then pulled down a lever. The front of the CR chambers split along a seam and swung open. Internal lights switched on, illuminating four inert forms inside.

The Combaticons stared at them. Onslaught walked forward and looked up into the lifeless optic sensors of the largest one there. “Impressive,” he finally said. He looked to Starscream. “For us?”

Starscream grinned. “Of course! Although I do appreciate your tactical subroutines, I think you'll agree it being better if you can actually fight, too.” He looked to his right. “And don't worry, Blast Off. Not only can your new body achieve orbit, it even has a transwarp module for interstellar flight!”

Blast Off rubbed his hands together. “Oh, thank Primus!”

Onslaught looked to the other three CR chambers. “So, I presume from that they can transform. What about combining?”

Starscream nodded and waved a hand at them. “But of course! We already had Swindle get upgraded. All we have to do is a simple laser core transplant on you four and some tests. By this time tomorrow, the Combaticons will be reborn and Bruticus will live again!”

Sergeant Jack Robins, Corporal Janet Kowalski, Private Jose Hernandez, and Private Racnos stood at attention in the White House's main press room.

At a podium in front of members of the press corps and their family and friends was President Abernathy. “When word came to Fort Bulwark about the barrier, Sergeant Robins and his tank crew were cut off from the United States, from Earth itself. It would have been... easy for them to do nothing. Instead, when given the chance, they jumped at the opportunity to lead a strike force of our Equestrian allies deep into the heart of Neo-Equestria itself. Their actions proved vital in their ultimate defeat. All Americans and all of humanity owe them our thanks and gratitude. They've lived up to the highest ideals of the motto of the United States Army, 'This We'll Defend'.”

With that, he stepped away from the podium and walked over to stand by the four. A pair of officers walked over to the table holding the medals. The first one held each one up, presenting them to the press, before handing it to President Abernathy. The other walked up to a smaller podium in the back and leaned in close to a microphone. “The President of the United States, in the name of the Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Jack Robins, Corporal Janet Kowalski, Private Jose Hernandez, and Private Racnos of the United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry...”

Jack barely kept track of the speech. At the end, he felt the medal being placed around his neck by the President. He caught a glimpse of his family, his mother and father and siblings in the crowd. Then the President was there, extending his hand towards him. His brain fired, and he remembered to shake his hand before firing off the snappiest salute of his career, past or future.

Clayton moved down the line, shaking the hand of each of Jack's teammates and returning their salutes. He eventually made his way back to the podium. “We have drinks and refreshments in the adjoining room.” He smiled. “I heard the food's pretty good. Might hit three stars on Yelp.”

Jack and his tank crew stood in a loose circle near one of the back walls. Three of them held up glasses of champagne, while Racnos held up one filled with fruit punch. “To absent friends,” Jack said, holding his glass out.

The others clinked their glasses with his. “To absent friends,” they repeated, before taking a sip.

Janet looked down and gently touched the Medal of Honor hanging from her neck. “I can't lie. I'm still waiting to wake up at Fort Bulwark and realize this entire thing was some insane dream brought on by too much of that rainbow-colored cider they had there.” Her eyes crossed. “I'm still trying to figure out how they got the colors to separate like that.”

Jose opened his mouth, but stopped short of speaking and merely shook his head.

Racnos grinned. “I believe it's some sort of earth pony magic, but don't quote me on that. The cider's compatible with my biology, so I did imbibe some of it.” His cheek fins bristled. “How do you humans do it?”

Jose grinned and lightly punched him in the arm. “Ah, my friend! It's a shame your Tlalakan biology prevents you from sampling most of our fine alcohol. A fine whiskey is one of life's pleasures.”

Janet looked to Jack. “You know, it's a shame GI Joe was disbanded, Sergeant. After what we pulled, I wouldn't have been surprised if you got a call from them to join up.”

Jack leaned back slightly. He looked up at the ceiling, eyes losing focus for a moment. “You... you think so, Corporal?” His mouth slowly stretched in a smile. “A Joe? You think so?”

Janet nodded. “I do indeed, Sergeant.”

Jose leaned forward. “Only problem would be picking a code name.”

Jack sighed. “Yeah, true. Coming up with something original and badass-sounding isn't easy. Some of those code names got downright silly near the end. I mean, 'Captain Grid-Iron'?” He snorted and shook his head. “I mean, what would you choose as your code name, Hernandez?”

Jose's brow furrowed. “Me?” His head darted back and forth. “W-what about me?”

Jack shrugged. “Well, I'd need my tank crew there. I can't drive a tank and fire the main gun by myself!”

Janet shook her head. “Well, we'd probably be... what did they call the assistants again?” She snapped her finger. “Greenshirts! We'd probably be greenshirts.”

Racnos' cheek fins rippled. “Better than redshirts. They died by the drove in the old Star Trek series.”

While Janet and Jose started talking, Jack simply looked to the ceiling, lost a bit in thought. Me, a GI Joe. Maybe? He quickly shook his head. Nah...

Clayton sat at his desk in the Oval Office. Things had calmed down considerably compared to a few weeks ago, but it was still a hive of activity. Right now, General Hollingsworth sat on the other side of his desk, while Vice-President Alexis Thi Dang sat to Hollingsworth's left. Right behind him stood his chief aide Philip Provost, datapad in hand and an inscrutable expression on his face.

The main viewscreen was active, the image that of the area around the Rainbow Bridge. In the foreground stood two men. The one standing on the left was a man in his mid-forties, wearing a United States Army uniform. The square red-and-white castle insignia of the Army Corps of Engineers was visible on his shoulder. The one on the right was older, with black hair giving way to gray and dark, wrinkled skin. He wore civilian clothes, a lab coat, and carried a datapad in hand.

The younger man, Colonel Bryce Mackenzie, gestured to the area behind him. Construction vehicles rolled along. Dump trucks drove up to the edge of the crater beneath the Rainbow Bridge and unloaded tons of dirt in a nonstop convoy. “Well, Mister President, the good news is the crater dug out by General Plan 24 wasn't nearly as deep as we thought it would be. Maybe eight meters at the deepest spot. We're working to rebuild basic utilities in the underground first, before moving onto homes and businesses.”

Clayton slowly nodded. “That jibes with what I observed during my first visit there, Colonel. Thank you. Is there any... change to the timetable of rebuilding?”

Bryce shook his head. “At the moment, no.”

Alexis spoke up. “Professor Jones, what's the condition of the Rainbow Bridge and, well, space-time in general around there?”

Professor Maxwell Jones glanced at the datapad in his hand. “Well, Madam Vice-President, the Rainbow Bridge is fine. The energon cannon bombardment didn't affect it at all.” He turned and waved a hand in the air. “According to our scanners, space-time itself seems to be knitting itself together after Neo-Equestria's incursion, but I'm not entirely sure on that. Doctor Whooves from Equestria should be stopping by tomorrow to give my team and I a hand, or rather hoof, with that.”

Clayton nodded. “Well thank you, gentlemen. We'll be in touch.” he tapped a control panel on his desk and the image changed to the Great Seal of the United States. He looked to Hollingsworth and Alexis as they turned to him. “Well, it seems to be going about as well as it can.”

Alexis hissed out a breath. “Considering everything that happened? Yeah. You two sure as hell pulled it out of the fire.”

Hollingsworth looked to her. “We all did our part, Madam Vice-President. You were in NORAD, coordinating Operation: Exodus, I believe?”

Alexis shrugged. “Yeah, a shame the news media's trying to spin it as 'Do-Nothing Thi Dang' or some shit like that.”

Clayton's eyes narrowed. “Let me guess. Coyote News Network?” At Alexis' nod, he looked back. “Phil, that interview I had with them two days from now? Cancel it.”

Phil smiled as he tapped his datapad. “Consider it canceled, Mister President.” He glanced up. “Oh, you have an appointment with Secretary of Defense Keller in about five minutes.”

Hollingsworth's expression brightened. He turned and looked up at Phil. “Oh, John's coming in? Good. At least it's not Galloway.”

Alexis chuckled. “Oh come on, General. Galloway mellowed out a lot after that trip to Equestria he took back in... what was it, October of ‘11?”

The Oval Office's door opened. Agent Smith stepped in, followed by an older man with short, white hair and a perpetually-intense expression on his face. “Mister President, Secretary of Defense Keller is here to see you,” Agent Smith announced.

Clayton, Hollingsworth, and Alexis all stood. Clayton extended his hand. “John, good to see you,” he said, smiling.

Keller took the hand and shook it. “Mister President, Madam Vice-President, General Hollingsworth,” he said, nodding to each in turn. “I'll get right to it. We just suffered a Class-Seven Incursion, possibly the worst danger Earth's been in since the Last Push of 2007, five years ago. Now we managed to beat off those alternate-reality Equestrians.”

“With help,” Alexis said.

Keller nodded to her. “Yes, with help. And I'm damned grateful for what we got. This might even turn out to be a minor blessing in disguise. It's highlighted one area the United States and Earth Defense Command overall's neglected.”

Hollingsworth rubbed his chin. “Magic?”

Keller sighed. “Exactly, General. We have an expert in magic, we've done some research on that Dragon Mound in England, there's some magic weapons Preston and his friends brought back from the Realm. But overall, our understanding of magic or thaumic-based energy or... whatever the hell you wanna call it is pretty damned limited. It nearly cost us big-time, here.”

Clayton leaned forward. “So what are you suggesting, John?”

Keller looked at the window behind Clayton, then motioned to the west. “I am suggesting we ask our Equestrian allies for any and all possible help they can offer us concerning magic. How to research it, how to develop our own magic, and how to counter magical incursions like this in the future.”

Clayton slowly nodded. “That's a pretty good idea, John. A damned good idea. General, what do you think?”

Hollingsworth shook his head. “I think I'm more than a little embarrassed we didn't start on something like this sooner.”

Alexis waved him off. “We both know how hard it is to get the bureaucracy moving, General. At the very least we are doing something about it.”

Clayton stood up. “John, I want you to get in touch with Albert Preston and run this by him. Ask the Equestrians for their help. Get in touch with Twilight Sparkle if you can. Coordinate with the EDC on this. Whatever it takes. I don't want to be caught flat-footed if we can help it.”

Alexis spoke up. “Asking for anything from Twilight Sparkle might be... problematic at the moment.” She tapped her wristwatch. “There's about two days before we have to permanently cut contact with Neo-Equestria. I had a phone call with her assistant Spike, and he said she'd be working all the way up until the end to help them out.”

It was barely-controlled chaos at the portal connecting Neo-Equestria on this, the last day of contact between the two realities. Cadance stood inside Neo-Equestria, Luna inside Equestria, the two alicorns facing each other. Each was firing a wide beam of magic from their horns, doing their best to keep the portal open as long as possible and make it as large as possible. The outer edges of the hole contracted and expanded, bolts of yellowish-white energy racing along the perimeter.

A line of newfoals moved into Equestria, slowly but steadily. A few were on hoof, but most were in wagons or carriages. Doctors and nurses moved among them, while soldiers did their level best to maintain order and keep the line moving along. A procession of carriages and wagons, meanwhile, moved into Neo-Equestria, laden with crops, farming equipment, fertilizer, potion antidote, and other assorted goods.

Twilight Sparkle stood with Doctor Redheart near a wagon laden with potion antidote. A clipboard floated in front of her. “All right. This is the last batch of antidote we were able to create.” She swallowed. “I'm sorry we couldn't do more to help, Doctor.”

Redheart smiled wanly. “You've done all you can to help. I thank you for that.” Her eyes went to the line of refugees leaving Neo-Equestria. “And for taking in as many as you can before the end.”

Twilight's ears folded against her skull and her head drooped. “It's still not enough.”

Redheart sighed. “We didn't do enough, or think enough when we converted this Earth and its populace. Now we must do what we can. And hope someday we're forgiven for our act of kindness.”

A purple-coated earth pony stallion with a bright-green mane trotted up the pair. “Doctor, we've got the antidote wagons all lined up and ready for your inspection.”

Redheart nodded to him. “Thank you, Spike.”

Twilight's ears twitched. Her head slowly rose. “Wait, 'Spike'?” She leaned forward, eyes widening as she took him in. “Oh, oh sweet Herd she didn't.”

Spike glanced in Twilight's general direction, his eyes pointedly not meeting hers. “If you're referring to this Equestria's version of Twilight Sparkle, yes. She did turn me into a newfoal.” He stepped back and looked himself over. “I thanked her for it, once. Once.”

Twilight's jaw worked for a bit. She finally reached out with a hoof. “I... I know how incredibly stupid this question is, but I have to ask. Are you all right? How... how are you holding up?”

Spike looked at his forelegs. “I miss my claws,” he finally said. “I being able to hold stuff and not have to use my mouth.” He turned and looked at his tail. “I don't know how to use this. I miss my fire breath, too.”

Twilight swallowed. “I don't know if the antidote will turn you back into a dragon,” she quietly admitted. Her brow furrowed. “Although if I double-check the transmutation sub-spells with a draconic template, probably my version of Spike, I should be able to–”

A soldier galloped up to Twilight's side. “Miss Sparkle, I have news from Princess Luna. The portal is destabilizing. We're pulling everyone back. Now.”

Twilight's eyes widened. A small strand of her mane shot up. “W-what? No no! I can't leave, now! Spike needs my help! I-I have to fix this!”

The soldier shook her head. “I'm truly sorry, Miss Sparkle, but this isn't open for negotiation. I have a direct order from Princess Luna herself. If I have to get my squadmates over here and drag your flank back to our Equestria, I will.”

Twilight stared at the soldier. “You are bucking kidding me. You're not? Well, let me tell you something... Sergeant. I'm not going anywhere until I fix it so Spike turns back into a dragon!”

Spike watched as Twilight and the soldier started arguing. Finally, he spoke. “Twilight. TWILIGHT SPARKLE!” He waited for her to turn and face him. “Go. I don't want to be responsible for you being stranded here.” He forced a smile. “I'll be all right. Redheart's here, after all.”

Twilight stared at him. “B-but I have to fix this.”

Spike shook his head. “No. You have to deliver a message for me. To the Twilight Sparkle I knew.” He sucked in a breath. “Tell her... tell her I forgive her. Tell her I forgive her and it's all right. Can you please do that for me?”

Redheart spoke up. “Twilight, it's all right. Our Luna and Cadance have a plan. It's a long shot, but it just might work.” She pointed to the portal, which had begun to bend and flap in a nonexistent breeze. “You have to go.”

Twilight stared at Spike, then looked to Redheart. She finally crossed herself. “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye,” she chanted out. She looked to the soldier. “I'm sorry for my outburst, Sergeant.” She spared one last look at Spike and Redheart before following the soldier out of Neo-Equestria and back to her home country.

Cadance eventually made her way back across the portal to Equestria proper. She and Luna stared across time and space, their eyes never wavering as they slowly closed the portal. “I'm sorry we couldn't do more,” Cadance said, before the portal was sealed shut.

Redheart let out a breath. “It's up to us, now.”

Luna swallowed at the unfamiliar and, quite frankly, alien surroundings she and Cadance found herself in. It was the bridge of the Ark, the starship that had brought Nemesis Prime and his army of Autobots to what was Earth, and now Neo-Equestria. Now the three remaining Autobots under Nemesis' command worked around the bridge, opening up panels, working on controls, and various other tasks.

Cadance spoke up. “How much longer?”

One of the Autobots, Sideswipe, stomped over and jabbed a finger at Cadance. “We're doing the best we glitching can!” he snarled out. “There's only three of us, and we're not even sure if Cybertron still exists.”

Luna nodded. “We understand. Still, if you try to trick us, the consequences will be most unpleasant for you three.”

Sideswipe glanced at her. “We know.” He tapped his chest. “And we owe you at least for taking us in and getting rid of those bombs in our chest.”

One of the other Autobots, Wheeljack, stood up from kneeling right below the main viewscreen. “Okay. We're set to transmit,” he said, closing a panel.

Sideswipe walked over to the command chair and pressed a few buttons on the armrest. A low humming sounded out, and the lights dimmed slightly. He leaned in close to a speaker grille embedded in the armrest. “This is Sideswipe calling Cybertron, come in. This is Sideswipe calling Cybertron. Come in, please. Optimus Prime is dead, as are almost all the other Autobots. We're calling on a mission of mercy. Come in, please.”

Silence was their only answer.

Luna flew up and over to Sideswipe's side. She floated down close to the speaker grille. “Attention, Cybertron. My name is Princess Luna. Everything Sideswipe said is true. We are in dire need of any assistance that you may be able to provide. I beg of you for help, if you're out there.”

A low burst of static came over the speakers. The main viewscreen flickered and brightened. The rough silhouette of a humanoid's upper body formed. “Hello, this is Air Commander Starscream of the Decepticon Defense Fleet,” the image said, finally clearing up and showing the white head and silvery face of Starscream. His optic sensors glanced to his left. “And I presume the equine to be Princess Luna? Fascinating!”

Luna flew over to the viewscreen, stopping and hovering a few feet in front of it. She bowed her head. “I am, Air Commander. And as I said, I beg for your help.” She launched into a brief description of the events concerning the conversion of the previous Earth, of her sister's descent into madness, and the situation with the newfoals. “Our intentions were noble, but our methods misguided at best. Please, if there's anything you can do I will–”

The image on the viewscreen widened. Another Decepticon stepped into view, this one slightly larger than Starscream. He carried a noble bearing, and a large fusion cannon on his right arm. “Princess Luna, I am Megatron, Decepticon Commander.” He thumped his light-gray chest. “I hear your plea, and pledge to do everything in my power to help.” He looked to his left. “Starscream, ready a squadron of ships to fly to Neo-Equestria's coordinates. Take whatever you deem necessary. Just help them out!”

Starscream snapped to attention. “At once, Lord Megatron! Help is on the way!” With that, he turned and ran out of the room.

Megatron leaned in close. “Ah, Sideswipe, Wheeljack and... Windcharger, I see. I am willing to grant you three a pardon in exchange for aid in helping out in this crisis.”

Sideswipe held his arms up. “Hey, no problem! We'll take it. Right, guys?”

Wheeljack nodded. “Pit, yeah. I'm crazy, not stupid.”

Near the back, the pink-colored Windcharger stepped forward. “We'll do whatever you want, Megatron!”

Megatron focused once more on Luna. “Starscream will be there as soon as possible, Princess. My only regret is that we cannot be there now to aid you.”

Luna bowed her head. “It is still more than we could have hoped for, Megatron. Thank you.”

It was a solemn and mostly-silent procession through the dungeons below Canterlot Castle. Four guardsponies escorted the former Queen Celestia down the narrow, torch-lit halls, through checkpoints, and finally, down a corridor lined with jail cells.

Through it all, Queen Celestia had remained silent. Her head hung low, her eyes locked onto the floor in front of her chipped hooves. Her mane drooped down, messy, untidy, and solid. Tiny nubs at her flank were all that was left of once-majestic wings, and the barest hint of a stump on her forehead was the only indication of a horn once being there. Worst of all, her cutie mark was little more than a smudge on her flank, a dark-yellow patch of fur that, if one squinted, might be able to discern was a sun.

The guardponies led her past cells occupied by the former Elements of Harmony. AJ, Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Dash all sat in their cells, barely moving. Rarity was on her cot, every loose piece of material piled in front of her. Shining Armor snapped to attention as she passed. And finally, there was Twilight.

Twilight ran to the bars of her cell, forelegs reaching out. “Queen Celestia!” she cried out. “I have a plan to get us out, and enact our plan! I just need two spoons and a bowl of oatmeal. I'm sure we can win this time!”

Queen Celestia paid her no mind as she was led to the last cell in the hall. The door was opened, and she walked inside. She turned to face the guards, who regarded her with expressions of pity, scorn, or plain sadness.

The cell door closed, but as the bars slid past, a being formed in front of Queen Celestia's muzzle. It-he-had a long, serpentine body, four mismatched limbs, a long face, a single horn jutting from his head, and piercing yellow eyes.

Discord slithered through the air. “OH, Celestia!” He sketched a bow. “How the mighty have fallen!”

Queen Celestia's right eye started twitching. Her breath hitched in her throat. “No...” she whispered.

Discord grinned. He floated over to her left ear and leaned in close. “Don't bother shouting. No one can hear or see or even sense me. No one but you, that is.” He flew back and shook his head. “Oh, if only I could've met my counterpart. I would've shook his paw and bought him a drink or something!”

Queen Celestia slowly shook her head. “H-how?'

Discord shrugged. “I broke free about a week ago, replaced the statue, kept low, scouted things out.” He held his vulture's paw and looked around. “I may have been aware while petrified, but there's surprisingly little you can see from the Canterlot Royal Garden.”

Celestia's eyes widened. “No, no, no...”

He rubbed his front limbs together and smirked. “And now, I'm free. Thank you so much for the entertainment, Celly, but I think it's time for me to make my own fun.” He held up his lion's paw. “Try not to miss me too much.” He snapped his fingers, and vanished.

Queen Celestia's cries echoed through the dungeon for the rest of the night.

The Conversion Bureau: United We Stand

by RK_Striker_JK_5

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Epilogue