Behold, the most powerful force in the Universe!!! and the poor guy who's still learning how to use it.
After being purged of Nightmare moon, Luna returns to the moon to purge herself of the lingering memories of being trapped there. However, what she does not expect to find is a strange building that wasn't there before, along with a strange being, who wants to be her friend.
Kamen Rider Fourze Displaced Rated Teen for mild language
Luna walked along the surface of the moon, sighing. Although she had been purged of the Nightmare, she was unable to lower the moon. Not because she still wanted eternal night, she actually wanted to see the sun again, and not because the elements left her too drained either. No, the reason that she could not lower the moon, was because she couldn't even look at it. After being trapped on the moon for a thousand years, she was having trouble looking upon it with anything other than pain.
Luckily, Celestia managed to notice her sister's plight, and had a simple suggestion, go back. Few ponies knew this, but the princesses were able to travel between Equestria and their respective celestial bodies at will, and often did when they needed to be alone. In fact, the Elements tapped into this ability when sealing Nightmare Moon. Now, Luna used it to attempt to purge the memories of her confinement.
After wandering the surface for a while, Luna entered the crater where she was imprisoned. At the bottom were six, black, crystalline chains, shattered when she escaped. Luna sighed, when she was first imprisoned, they were each a color of one of the elements, and rather beautiful in their own way. However, as Nightmare Moon struggled, the chains absorbed her power to keep her contained, turning black in the process.
Luna gazed at them, then unleashed a blast of energy, destroying all that remained to remind her of what she used to be. She exited the crater, looking upon the rest of her charge, and, for the first time in a long time, smiled.
As she got ready to leave, she noticed something strange. A light, but that was impossible. It was too low on the horizon to be one of the stars, and she was the only thing that could even get to the moon. Luna sighed as she contemplated the stars, contrary to popular belief, the stars had no shepherd, and were quite lonely despite Luna's best efforts. Now however, they seemed to to be as curious as her, and a few were even a bit giddy.
'Why would the stars be acting like that?' Luna thought to herself, 'the only reason the would act like this is...' Luna's eyes widened, and she shot off towards the light, the only reason the stars would take notice in anything is if it had stellar magic, which only Alicorns could wield.
'Could it be?' Luna thought, 'what do you think Noctia?'
'Possibly,' replied the moon, 'but this seems different.'
'Of course it would be,' Luna replied to her oldest, and possibly only, friend, 'Celestia's stellar magic is much different than mine since she commands the sun, why wouldn't the magic of the warden of the stars be different?'
Luna increased her speed, hopeful to meet somepony who could truly appreciate her night, even if she now had to share it with them. Inwardly, she hoped the new alicorn would be a stallion, sharing dominion of the night with somepony would be even better if she could share a life with them as well.
When she arrived at where she she saw the light, what she found was slightly unusual, but not totally unexpected. The light was caused by a building of some sort. It was nothing like anything Luna had seen before, it was the size of a decent sized house, but cylindrical and made of metal.
'This must be where they live,' Luna thought to herself, 'do you know when this got here Noctia?'
'I'm not sure,' Noctia replied, 'the only way this could of gotten here without me knowing about is if it happened when...'
'When I got loose,' Luna finished, 'can we not talk about that.'
'Sorry,' Noctia replied, 'think he's cute?'
'Noctia!'
''Oh please,' Noctia retorted, 'I could tell you were thinking about it.'
Luna responded with all the grace a princess could muster.
'Shut up.'
Noctia merely laughed as Luna searched for the Alicorn with her magic. It was easy, as she could sense stellar magic, and every living being had a magical signature that could be detected if you knew how. All Luna had to do was search for anything that generated a stellar magical signature, and determine which one was the new alicorn by process of elimination. First there was some background signal from Noctia that she filtered out. Next was the numerous, yet relatively weak, signals coming from the stars, those were ignored for the moment. Two large signals came from off the moons surface, but those were just Celestia and Solana, the sun. There were several signals coming from within the building, but none of them were large enough to be a unicorn, let alone an alicorn. Before Luna could wonder what they were, she detected another signal, larger than any pony she'd ever sensed that wasn't an alicorn, though not quite as strong as her's or her sisters. In Luna's mind, it could only be the new alicorn, and it was just on top of a nearby hill.
Luna squeed, although if anyone asked she would deny it wholeheartedly, and ascended the hill. When she got to the top, she saw a figure behind a rock, partially obscured, but she could make out a white coat. "Hello, I am Princess Luna, who might I be addressing."
"Huh," the figure said, "I'm not one hundred percent sure anymore, but I suppose you could call me Fourze." Luna smiled, while the name Fourze was strange, along with what he said, the voice was clearly that of a stallion. Before she could reply, he continued, "If you don't mind, I've been having a shit day so far, and I could use a friend right about now."
Luna's smile grew as she rounded the stone, "But of course, we would be happy to befriend Equestira's latest ali...corn." The figure she saw was defiantly male, but other than that, she had no idea what he was. At first glance, he appeared to be a minotaur, but he was clearly lacking horn, and his legs appeared to be different. Although it was hard to tell, what Luna assumed to be a white coat, was a strange suit that covered him completely. On each of his limbs was a colored shape, his right foreleg, or rather arm to use the minotaur term, had an orange circle, while his left had a black square, and his left and right legs had a yellow triangle and blue cross respectively. His head was encased in a cone shaped helmet with large orange eyes, and on his waist was a strange blue device. Luna had no idea what he was, or where he came from, but he was certainly no alicorn.
"Um," Fourze asked hesitantly, "I don't suppose the planet down there is Earth by any chance?"
Luna shook her head, still to stunned and embarresed to speak.
After Luna managed to calm down, with no small amount of help from Noctia, she began asking Fourze some questions, "So, I take it that this Earth you spoke of is your home?"
"Well, planet-wise yeah," Fourze replied, "if you want to get specific, I live, well used to live, in Houston Texas, USA."
"So," Luna replied, "how did you come to appear on my moon?"
"Hey, it's not like I asked to come here," Fourze replied indignantly, "I was basically kidnapped!"
'Poor thing,' Noctia said, 'no wonder he needs a friend. Perhaps the Element of laughter could help?'
'Perhaps,' Luna replied before addressing Fourze, "I assume that you would like to go down to the planet, it can be quite lonely up here, I should know." Luna whispered the last part to herself.
"Don't see why not," Fourze replied, standing up, "however, mind if I grab something before we go?"
"I don't see why not," Luna replied, "what do you need?"
"Nothing much," Fourze replied, "just a few tools I'll need if I want to get myself settled."
Before Luna could ask what he meant, Fourze hopped towards the structure that Luna assumed he called home, gesturing for her to follow. When they arrived, Fourzed opened the door to reveal an empty room the size of a lesser noble's walk in closet.
"What is it you're gathering from this room?" Luna asked.
"Nothing," Fourze replied as he shut the door and pressed a button next to it, "this is just the airlock."
Before Luna could ask what he meant, she heard a hiss from semi concealed vents as air entered the room.
'It appears that he prefers to live in air, even though though he can survive without it, like me and my sister huh Noctia?' Luna theorized.
'Maybe,' Noctia replied, 'or maybe he can't live without air without that suit?'
'Oh,' Luna blushed, 'I can't believe I didn't think of that.'
'And I thought you were the smarter one between you and your sister?'
Before Luna could retort, the hissing stopped, and another door that Luna didn't see before opened. On the other side was what appeared to be a common room, although it was a bit spartan. An actual closet held several suits that were similar to the one Fourze wore, while another room which appeared to be a lab of some sort was the source of those small signals she sensed earlier. On the table was a case of some sort and what appeared to be a metal hayburger.
Fourze picked them up, "All right, I'm ready to go."
Luna wondered what he'd need the hayburger for, the case obviously contained something useful, but lit her horn and teleported them to Ponyville, and into a group of ponies who immediately started bowing.
"Well," Fourze said as he looked around, "guess you weren't kidding when you said you were a princess."
Before they could continue, they were interrupted by a growl. It appeared to come from a barrel, which Fourze looked into to reveal a purple unicorn, who was apparently hiding. Before Fourze could wonder what she was hiding from, that particular question answered itself.
"There she is!"
Fourze turned to see every single pony gathered charge at him, causing him to react in the only way appropriate.
"Nope."
Fourze pressed a button on his belt that Luna didn't notice before, causing an artificial sounding voice to speak from it.
Rocket On
With that, a large orange firework shaped object appeared on Fourzes arm, which then ignited causing him to escape the horde of ponies converging on the barrel.
'What have I just witnessed?' Luna wondered.
'You're asking me?' Noctia replied.
'Man,' Fourze thought to himself, 'I don't know what that girl did to make herself so popular, but I'm glad I didn't get caught up in it.' However, he noticed a few things were off. There was a noticeable tug on his leg, and he could swear he could hear a feminine scream over the sound of the rocket. 'Don't tell me,' looking down, he could see the purple unicorn holding his leg in a death grip, eyes shut and screaming her lungs out. Looking around for a place to set down, Fourze noticed a house, that appeared to be made out of a tree. More importantly, there was an observation platform with a telescope that looked like the perfect landing platform.
Upon landing, Fourze deactivated the Rocket Switch, causing it to disappear, and allowing the unicorn's screams to be heard unhindered. After a few seconds, the unicorn realized that she was no longer flying, stopped screaming, and peeked out with one eye. Upon seeing that she was no longer in midair, she released his leg and grinned sheepishly, "Heh, sorry about that."
"No problem," Fourze replied, "can't say I'd do any differently if I were in your shoes... er, hooves. Why were they chasing you anyway?"
The unicorn frowned and lit her horn, grabbing two golden tickets from, somewhere, "Well, Princess Celestia sent me two tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala, and all my friends want to come with me. They've been driving me crazy trying to get on my good side so I would pick them, and suddenly the whole town found out about the ticket and wants to come. And on top of that, I haven't had a bite to eat all day." That last statement was accompanied by a loud growl, followed by a sheepish grin. "Speaking of, are you gonna eat that?" she asked, pointing a hoof at the burger in Fourze's hand.
Fourze chuckled as he set it and his case on the ground, "Nothing personal, but I don't think you'd want to eat this miss..."
"Oh, my name's Twilight Sparkle," Twilight said, blushing slightly "so why wouldn't I want to eat that?"
"Because," Fourze replied as he opened the case and removed a small black device, "this only looks like a burger." Before Twilight could ask what he meant, he opened up a flap on the burger, causing Twilight to facehoof. Fourze chuckled as he inserted the device and pressed the button on it, causing it to unfold into a mechanical critter. "See if you can find a good place for a gate," Fourze said to it, causing it to salute and roll off.
Twilight's eyes sparkled, "What is that?"
"Depends," Fourze replied, "if you're talking about the burger that just wandered off, it's called a Burgermeal. The thing I put into it is an Astroswitch."
"Ooh," Twilight said, "is that the thing you used to fly."
"Yep," Fourze replied, "the Rocket Switch to be exact. Oh, where are my manners, call me Fourze."
"Well Mr Fourze," Twilight said as she picked him up in her magic, "we are going to see exactly what makes those things tick."
"Put me down!!!"
"You obviously are a stallion of impressive scientific know-how to create those," Twilight continued, deaf to Fourze's protests, "and, since you happened to land on the roof of my house, we can go straight to my lab without having to worry about running into anypony."
"What about lunch?" Fourze asked hopefully.
"Lunch can wait," Twilight replied, "there is discovery to be done."
Rocket On
"None of that," Twilight said, using her magic to turn the switch off, "I know you're eager, but you simply must wait until we get to the lab."
"What we doing in the lab?"
"Well Pinkie, we are going to... Pinkie!?!"
Fourze looked to see that they had arrived in some sort of library, and were not alone.
"Don't let me keep you Twilight," said a pink pony that Fourze assumed was Pinkie, "the faster you finish, the faster you can take me to the Gala!"
"You?" said a white, rather prim looking unicorn, "if Twilight's going to take anypony to the Gala, it will shall be me."
"Fat chance Rares," said a blue pegasus with a rainbow mane, "if anypony's going to the Gala, it's gonna be the coolest pony in Equestria, me."
"If it's not too much trouble," Fourze said, "could the coolest pony in Equestria GET ME DOWN!!!!!!"
Everypony exept Twilight turned to see her... passenger.
"Hold on there pal," said an orange pony in a stetson, "I'll get ya down." Before anyone could wonder how, she pulled a lariat from under her hat, and lassoed Fourze, pulling him out.
"Thank you," Fourze said as he lay upside-down in a pile of books, his tone causing everypony to picture his eyes spinning.
"So," said the blue peagsus, "who's this guy."
"Oh, this is Fourze," said Twilight, before pointing to each of her friends in turn, "Fourze meet Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Fluttershy."
"Good to meet ya," Fourze said as he righted himself, "so you're the ones driving Twilight battier than a broken belfry."
"Whatever do you mean darling," Rarity asked.
"This whole 'I wanna go to the Grand Galloping Gala' thing is getting out of control," Fourze said, "or do I have to remind you that you didn't notice that Twilight was kidnapping me until after I said something."
"I noticed," Fluttershy said quietly, while the others' expressions ranged from indignant to embarrassed.
"Twilight," Fourze asked, "you said you got you tickets from Celestia right." Twilight nodded. "Can't you just ask if she can send you a few more?"
Twilight facehooved.
Fourze sighed, "Good, as for studying my Astroswitches, give me a second." Fourze flipped up the four switches on his belt, causing his suit to disappear. In it's place was a relatively young man blonde hair, wearing jeans and a checked shirt. Removing the belt from his waist, he opened his case, which he had managed to keep a hold of, and removed a gold switch, "would you like to know more."
Twilight salavated, then rolled her eyes and fainted.
After Luna arrived, and Twilight was woken up with a bucket of water provided by Pinkie Pie, Fourze was able to continue. "Well, before we begin, I should say something. Fourze is just what I'm called when I'm in that suit, call me Jack outside of it."
"So Jack," Twilight interjected, stars still in her eyes, "You were saying something about learning more."
"Yes," Luna said, "I would like to know how you have magic similar to that of my sister and I."
"Well, I don't know about magic," Jack responded, "but I can explain my powers back at the Rabbit Hutch. Speaking of which..."
With a cheerful beep, Burgermeal rolled up, only for Fluttershy to scoop him up and nuzzle him, "Ah, aren't you a cutie. What's your name?"
"He's called Burgermeal," Jack said grinning, "mind putting him down."
As Fluttershy blushed and set Burgermeal down, Twilight couldn't help but comment, "Um, why are you calling it a he? You said it was a machine."
"True, but it looks like a he to me," Jack replied before turning to Burgermeal, "find a good spot?"
Burgermeal nodded and rolled off, causing everyone to follow. "Um, a good spot for what?" Twilight asked.
"You'll see," Jack replied as Burger meal stopped in front of an out of the way cupboard, "you using this for anything?" After Twilight shook her head, Jack opened it. After removing the few empty boxes in it, Jack switch on the gold switch he pulled out earlier and tossed it in, closing the door behind it. A golden glow seeped out from inside the cupboard as it emanated a voice similar to that of Jack's belt.
Gate On!
"What did that do?" Twilight asked.
"Take a look," Jack said, opening the cupboard. Where there used to be a black slat of wood, now there was a tunnel of multicolored light. Jack walked down the tunnel, Burgermeal close behind, and the rest of them followed. After a quick walk the arrived at another door, this one white and metallic. Jack opened the door to reveal a good sized common room, "Welcome to the Rabbit Hutch".
"Oooh," Twilight exclaimed, "is this where you're going to teach me about those switches?"
"Forget that," Rainbow interrupted, her nose to a window, "take a look at this!"
Everypony, except for Luna, joined her at the window and gasped. Instead of the rolling hills and blue sky they were used to, there was a wasteland of white stone and the most brilliant starscape any of them had ever seen, complete with a certain planet peeking out from the horizon.
"Are we?" Twilight asked breathlessly.
"The moon?" Jack replied, "yep."
Their reactions were, varied. Fluttershy meeped and ducked down so she couldn't see out the window. Rarity looked closer, obviously gathering all sorts of inspiration from the vista. Rainbow was looking over it as well, although her intentions were a little more along the lines of how awesome it was to be up there. Applejack was looking at what she thought was Ponyville, wondering if her family would be worried. Twilight's eyes were darting everywhere, trying to make sense of her new location. And Pinkie Pie was, well, being Pinkie Pie.
"Wowee, we're on the moon, isn't this the most coolerific thing ever? We're the first ponies on the moon. Well, other than Luna but that was when she was all mean and stuff although I suppose she might have been up here before I mean she met Jack and he's got a cool clubhouse on the moon oh I wonder if I could get a souvenir I bet my sister Maud would love a moon rock."
"Finally," Jack said, removing his fingers from his ears, "she stopped."
"Verily," Luna replied as she removed her hooves from her's, "I don't believe I saw her inhale once."
Just then however, Pinkie sucked in a large breath. Before she could resume her rant, Jack interjected.
"Hey, anyone want to go outside?"
With the exception of Fluttershy, everypony agreed. Jack opened up a closet and removed five spacesuits, not everyone was thrilled with wearing them.
"Darling, why do we have to wear these tacky things?" Rarity asked/complained/whined.
"Because," Twilight said as she put on her's, "it's common knowledge that only an alicorn can survive in space, even if nopony knows exactly why."
"There are a lot of reasons," Jack said as he helped Rainbow Dash with her suit, "hard vacuum, temperature extremes, micro-meteors, why don't you design a new spacesuit when you get home?"
"Tempting, but I'm not sure I know enough to design one that is both functional and fashionable," Rarity replied as she put on her helmet, "uh, this is going to ruin my mane."
"Uh, sugarcube," Applejack said as she put on her own helmet, "I don't see a suit that'll fit ya in that there closet, how are ya gonna come outside with us?"
"Simple," Jack said as he pulled out the device he wore as Fourze and slapped it on his waist. One it connected, a belt of energy circled his waist, before it condensed into a solid belt. Jack then flipped the toggle switches on the belt down, causing it to power up with a series of tones. After he flipped the last switch, he held his left arm across his chest, and gripped a lever on the side of the device with his right as a voice counted down.
3!
2!
1!
After the countdown finished, Jack shouted "Henshin!" and pumped the lever. After he pumped it, he shot his right arm upwards and let his left fall to his side as a mechanical looking ring manifested around him. A column of light engulfed him for a few seconds as a techno sounding beat played. When the column and ring vanished, it revealed Jack in his Fourze suit. Once it dissipated completely, Fourze clenched his fists to his chest then shot them up while shouting, "Uchu Kita!!!"
With a bleat, Fluttershy fainted as Fourze held his head, "Why do ponies faint when I transform?"
After waking Fluttershy, and giving her a headset so she could stay in contact, the rest of them exited the Rabbit Hutch. Upon exiting, they all explored the lunar surface in their own ways. Pinkie Pie was enjoying the lower gravity by bouncing around, able to get much higher than she could back home. Twilight was studying everything, making use of the reduced gravity to go from one site to another quickly. Rainbow Dash was trying to figure out how to fly without air, and failing miserably, settling on making long jumps instead. Rarity was sketching everything, pleased, as was Twilight, that her helmet didn't interfere with her magic. And Applejack was kicking at the dust, probably trying to see if she could grow anything with it.
Luna chuckled at their antics, remembering the first time she came to the moon, before wondering where Fourze was. Looking around, she saw him sitting behind the same rock from last time. "What are you doing up here by yourself?" she asked approaching him.
"A few reasons," Fourze replied, "first off, this is my thinking rock." Luna chucked as he continued, "Second, I don't want to get in the way of their first time on the moon, I'll help if they get in trouble, but I'll let them wander on their own for a bit." Fourze rubbed his head, "Last but not least, their's been this weird buzzing in my head ever since I got here."
"How did you get here?" Luna asked.
Fourze sighed, "Better get comfy, this might take a while."
San Diego Comicon
"Come on bro, this'll be fun!"
"Yeah yeah," Jack replied, "you know I hate crowds, Meteor."
Meteor just chuckled, "Come on, you know you love them, you're just scared of all the girls~"
Jack sighed, "And people wonder why I wanted to become an astronaut, it's to get away from you Bobby."
Bobby chuckled again, "You know you love me. Hey, take a look."
Jack turned around, "Aw geeze, another Fourze?"
Bobby grinned behind his mask, "Behold, it is the Renaissance of the stars, must have something to do with that space thing you're all exited about."
"It's not just 'some space thing'," Jack humphed indignantly, "it's the first manned mission to Mars, period."
"Yeah yeah," Bobby said, "unlike you, I've got friends I want to see, see ya at the food court for lunch?"
"Sure," Jack replied, "try not to spend all your money on junk, I am not springing for your burger."
Bobby just chuckled and walked off as Jack perused the vendors. Eventually, he saw something that caught his eye, a small model of the Rabbit Hutch.
"Ah, I see my wares have caught your eye," the vendor said, "that tends to happen, I have something for everyone."
He wasn't kidding, in addition to the Rabbit Hutch was a plethora of objects, including but not limited to Link's Master Sword, a 1up mushroom plush, a collection of Pikmin figurines and an original style Duel Disk, just to name a few.
"I have to admit," Jack said, "that Rabbit Hutch is tempting, but not quite what I'm looking for."
"Ah," said the vendor, "but it comes with an extra." Reaching towards it, he pulled the top off to reveal...
"A Gate Switch!?" Jack exclamed, "I thought you couldn't get these anymore."
"I take it you've been looking for this little beauty?"
"Looking for it, it's the only one I'm missing," Jack replied, "well except for the Shin-chan switch, but that one is..."
"Agreed," the merchant replied, "what were they thinking with that?"
Jack mock-gagged before continuing, "How much?"
"The Rabbit Hutch plus switch I would normally sell for no less than $200," the merchant said, "but since you are a connoisseur, I cannot bare to charge you more than $150."
"Please," Jack replied, "the switches cost $20 bucks on their own, and that model doesn't look like it cost that much more to create, $75"
"Ah, but you forget the rarity of the Gate Switch, that bumps the price up substantially, $125"
"How do I know that's an official Gate Switch? It could be a fan production, $100."
The merchant laughed, "It has been a long time since someone haggled with me, so I will allow you to buy it for $100, and dine on Kraft Dinner for the foreseeable future."
Jack chuckled in return as he removed his wallet from a cleverly concealed pocket on his costume, "Pleasure doing business with ya." Jack placed the lid on the Rabbit Hutch and flipped the switch.
Gate On!
"Next thing I know," Fourze finished, "I'm on your moon."
"Oh you poor, poor thing," Fluttershy's voice sounded from Fourze's radio.
"Oops," Fourze said sheepishly, "forgot this was an open channel, anyone else hear that?"
"I did sugarcube"
"I did!"
"Yup"
"Apologies darling"
"Was I not supposed to listen? It was interesting."
Fourze sighed, "No problem, you'd all have learned sooner or later. Anyway, we better get back. It's been long enough for your first moonwalk, and didn't somebody want to learn about my switches?"
With that, they all returned to the Rabbit Hutch, Twilight taking up the rear, bouncing and chanting 'Yes' in a cheerful tone.
After returning to the Rabbit Hutch and removing their suits, Jack led them towards a laboratory off to the side. "Welcome to the Switch Lab, foremost facility anywhere on Cosmic Energy."
"What's that?" Twiligh asked, levitating a notebook and quill in preparation to take notes.
Jack shrugged, "To be honest, I'm not entirely sure of the specifics, I only know two things for certain. First it's the power of the universe itself, whether it's a byproduct of the natural phenomena of the cosmos or aids in it, I cannot say." Jack paused to allow Twilight to write it down before continuing, "Second, it is incredibly versatile, depending on how you harness it it can do almost anything, both good, and bad."
"Pardon me," Luna asked, "but what do you mean by that?"
Jack pointed at a rack that held multiple switches, most of them black, "Each switch has it's own unique ability. The most powerful one can be activated only one of two ways, friendship, or ruthlessness."
Everypony gathered gasped, even Luna. "Why would anypony create something powered by, ruthlessness?" Fluttershy asked.
"To be honest," Jack replied, "the ruthlessness is more of a theoretical secondary activation method, but you do bring up a good point. I'm not entirely sure, but when Cosmic Energy is channeled through a Switch, or theoretically any method, it can become one of two types depending on it's intended usage. My Switches are designed to protect people, or I guess ponies now, so they use Positive Cosmic Energy. However, if it's used for selfish reasons, it becomes Negative Cosmic Energy, and always extracts some form of price."
"So it's kinda like magic," said Twilight, "there's your basic magic, then Holy magic that's used in a lot of healing spells, and dark magic."
Jack shrugged, "I don't know, I don't know a lot about magic or Cosmic Energy, but that sounds like a reasonable analogy."
"Pardon me darling," Rarity interjected, "but why are most of those switches black? The Switches you had before were so much more vibrant."
"Simple," Jack replied, "those ones aren't working right now. I need someone to calibrate them and get them operational."
"Ooh, I could do that!" Twilight said hopefully.
Jack chuckled, "I don't see why not, just not today. It's been a long day for both of us, what with me finding out I've been sent to another planet and you getting chased around town all day."
After a round of chuckles, punctuated by another growl from Twilight's stomach, all the ponies left, most via the Gate while Luna telaported. Jack shut the door behind them and went off to a bedroom he found in the Hutch, bringing along the Rocket Switch. "Quite an eventful day," he asked to nobody in particular.
"No kidding," a voice said from the Switch, "glad that we could finally talk boss, I've been trying since ya got here."
This time, it was Jack's turn to faint, luckily he was already lying on the bed.
Luna wandered the dreamscape, looking for anypony who needed her aid when a figure approached her. It was a pure white unicorn as tall as she was, with a cutie mark identical to her's except black. Luna smiled, she knew who this was, even though they could never meet in the waking world.
"Noctia, a pleasure to see you."
Noctia smiled, "It is good to see you as well mistress, it has to long since we've spoken face to face, so to speak."
Luna pouted, "You know I hate it when you call me that."
Noctia grinned, "Why do you think I call you that?"
After a few tense seconds, both of them laughed. "So," Luna asked, "what brings you here, other than to make fun of me of course."
"I found something I think you should see," Noctia said as they walked towards a door. On it was a cartoon image of Fourze's helmet.
"So," Luna asked, "what is your newest resident dreaming about that you find so interesting?"
"See for yourself," Noctia said, gesturing at the door.
Whatever Luna expected when she opened the door, it wasn't what she found. Instead was what looked like a cross between a courtroom and large theater. They entered at the top of a tiered set of seats, each with a desk carved of a dark hardwood. In front of this was another, larger desk with a throne-like chair behind it. The ceiling was painted with a stylized rendition of the night sky, albeit one without her moon. Luna had never seen anything quite like it, but she knew exactly what it was, "The Stellar Forum."
"Looks like it to me," Noctia replied, "the place where the Shepherd of the Stars holds court, and the spirits of the constellations gather."
"Does that mean?" Luna asked. Before Noctia could reply, they were interrupted.
"Hey, could one of you explain what's going on."
Luna and Noctia turned to see Jack walking up the stairs towards them. "Jack," Luna said, "apologies for intruding on your dream, but my friend thought it might be prudent."
Jack waved her off, "Not that, I know this is a dream of some sort, we can discuss what you're doing here later, I was asking about them." Jack pointed towards the front row. Luna followed his finger to see five other ponies were sitting there.
First was a silver pegasus mare with a darker orange mane, her cutie mark was a 1 superimposed on a rocket. Second was a dark blue earth pony stallion with a black mane. His cutie mark was strange, a black rectangle with two small triangles on one side, with the number 2. The third was a yellow earth pony stallion with a scruffy black mane, with a cutie mark of a drill with the number 3. The fourth was a black unicorn mare with a silver mane and glasses. Her cutie mark was stranger than 2's, two triangles and a semicircle with the number 4. The last was a tan unicorn filly with a darker brown mane with a red and green stripe, her cutie mark was a camera similar to the one she clung to herself protectively and the number 6.
"I believe I know who they are," Luna said, "even if their cutie marks are strange."
"Oy," said the orange pegasus, "are you saying that we're weird?"
"Calm yourself," said the unicorn with the glasses, "it's not her fault that she's ignorant of their meaning, even if she's already seen what they represent."
"I have?" Luna asked.
"Yeah," Jack replied, "their, cutie marks I think you said, are the same as the images on some of my Switches, specifically my Rocket, Launcher, Drill, Radar, and Camera Switches." As he explained, he pointed to each of the ponies in turn.
"What Luna meant to say," Noctia interjected, "is that she was expecting cutie marks based on their constellations."
"Two questions," said Jack, "first, what do you mean constellations, second, who are you?"
"My apologies," Noctia replied, "I am Noctia, spirit of the moon, and unless Luna and I are very much mistaken, those are five of the many spirits of Equestria's constellations."
Jack looked dumbfounded as the orange pegasus spoke, "You betcha, I'm the spirit of the Flyer, based on the first Wonderbolt."
The blue earth pony continued, "Spirit of the Guardian, based on General Stonewall, hero of the Siege of Trottingham."
The yellow earth pony was next, "Spirit of the Rock Breaker, based on the pony who invented rock farming."
The black unicorn continued, adjusting her glasses, "Spirit of the Scholar, based on Delilah Decimal, mother of modern libraries."
The unicorn filly peeked out from behind her camera, "Spirit of the Image, based on one of the two ponies who founded the first newspaper."
Jack shook his head, "Man, this is... damn."
"Quite," replied Noctia.
"Yeah yeah, can you give us our names already," said the Rocket pegasus.
"Come again?" Jack asked somewhat incredulously.
"One of our duties," Luna said, "is to name the spirits of our charges. Since it appears that the stars have chosen to serve you, it is your responsibility to give them names."
"Yeah, so make with the names already," said the Rocket pony, "I'm sick of being called 'The Flyer'."
Jack sighed, then got a contemplative look on his face, "How about Apollo? after the first manned mission to the moon, on my planet anyway."
"Not bad," Apollo said, "I'll take it."
Jack turned to the Launcher pony, "Let's see, don't know much about the battle of Trottingham, but how does Broadside sound?"
"It will serve," Broadside said simply.
Jack turned towards the Drill Pony, "Well, I don't want you all to have names based off your switches, so how about Geode?"
Geode thought for a minute before nodding, "Sounds pretty good to me."
Jack thought long and hard before deciding what to call the Radar pony, but eventually he came to a decision, "What do you think of Decima, after the Dewey Decimal system?"
Decima grinned warmly, "Sounds like a lovely name."
Jack turned to the little Camera filly, "Now, how do you like the name Shutter little one?"
Shutter smiled and nodded, before taking a picture, "Memory!"
"That it is," Jack chuckled before turning back to Luna, "now what was it you said about me watching over the stars?"
"To be honest, they could just be latching on to your Cosmic Energy," Luna replied, "I'll talk to my sister about it, but I'd get used to having them around."
"Figured as much," Jack sighed, "why can't anything be simple?"
"Because then it wouldn't be fun?" Shutter asked inquisitvly.
Noctia giggled, "Aren't you clever little one?"
"Well," Jack sighed, "as long as we're here, think we can get a group photo?"
Shutter nodded, "I can print it out when I'm back in Mr. Burger."
"Sounds good to me," Jack said as she set up her camera, "everypony say Fourze."
Jack woke up to the sound of an alarm clock, mainly because he couldn't really use the sun while on the moon. Looking down, he saw that he still had the Rocket Switch. "So, how much of last night actually happened?"
"All of it."
"Great," Jack sighed, "so, I'm some sorta master of the stars above huh?"
"I dunno," Apollo said, "All I know is that these Switch thingies are tied to us, sorta."
Jack shook his head, "If I say I'm gonna ask Decima about this, will you be offended?"
"Nope."
"Good, I'm gonna get dressed now."
Walking over to the drawers to get some clothes, Jack opened one to reveal something that was decidedly not underwear. Instead was a collection of folded flags. Jack took one out and unfolded it. Noting the design, one thing became clear, something just got penciled in on his to do list.
"Hello," Twilight said as she entered the Hutch, "I'm hear for the woah..." Without warning, she found herself floating in midair.
"Sorry about that," Jack said from the ceiling, "forgot you were coming."
"That's okay," Twilight said, "but could tell me what the hay is going on."
"Found the gravity controls," Jack said as he kicked off the ceiling towards a switch on the wall, "and I had a job to do that was easier to do in zero-gees." Jack moved the switch to its lowest position, causing him, Twilight, and a few random object to gently set down as gravity was returned to what they were used to.
"Fascinating," Twilight said as she smoothed down her mane, "an application of Cosmic Energy I assume?"
Jack nodded, "That it is, although I wonder why there was never a Gravity States?"
"Gravity States?" Twilight asked.
"You'll see as soon as Switch 10 is operational," Jack replied, "by the way what do you think?"
Before Twilight could ask what he meant, he pointed towards where he was when she arrived. Turning to look, she saw that a flag had been mounted on the sloped section of the ceiling. It was simple, but nice, a stylized image of Fourze's helmet over big block letters spelling 'KRC', below that was written 'Ponyville'.
"What's it mean?" Twilight asked.
Jack grinned, "That is the emblem of the Kamen Rider Club, slightly modified. The original club was formed to protect Amanogawa High School from monsters, and was founded by the original Kamen Rider Fourze."
"Ooh, facinating," Twilight said, "so, what's the new one for."
"I don't know yet," Jack replied shrugging, "I only got the idea to reform it when I found the flag this morning, I don't even have any other members."
"Well, I wouldn't mind," Twilight said.
"Sounds good," Jack said, "but let's see if we can get a few more before we make things official."
Twilight giggled, "Okay, so, shall we get started."
"Get started, on wha..." Jack snapped his fingers, "now I remember, you were going to help calibrate my inactive Switches." Jack opened up the lab, "By the way, there's something you should know that I just found out."
"Really, what?" Twilight asked.
Jack placed the Rocket Switch in the lab's charging rack and removed the Radar one, "Let's just say they're more than just simple tools in this reality."
"Glad to see that you understand that sir," Decima's voice said from the Switch, "by the way, pleasure to meet you ma'am."
*whump*
"I blame you for this," Jack said as Apollo just laughed.
*poke*
"Five more minutes"
*poke poke*
"Spike, I let you sleep in all the time, leave me alone."
*rapid fire poke*
"FINE!!!" Twilight yelled waking up to, "this is not my room."
"Nope," Jack said. In his hand was Burgermeal, looking rather nervious, "Now, what do you say?"
"Oh," Twilight grinned sheepishly, "sorry about that."
"That's okay," Shutter said from the Burgermeal, "You just startled me."
"Wha..." Twilight said incredulously, "am I going crazy?"
"Nope," Jack said, "meet Shutter, Spirit of the constellation of the Image. Apparently I'm in charge of the stars, and their spirits like hanging out in my Switches."
"Indeed," said Decima, "although I wouldn't exactly use the term 'hang out'."
Twilight gasped, "Oh my gosh, incredible! I've only heard stories about the Celestial Spirits, but to actually talk to one!?"
Decima's voice turned a bit smug, "Well, it appears that someone appreciates how impressive we are."
"Yeah yeah," Jack said, "why don't you walk her through the calibration process, Shutter and I'll finish find out what all these rooms are."
"Okay," they said as Jack left.
"So," Twilight asked, "where do we start?"
(1 hour later)
"I still can't get over how big this place is," Jack said, "what is this, a TARDIS?"
"I made a map," Shutter said, "looks like this place is mostly underground."
"Good," said Jack, "I'm still getting over the fact that I have a swimming pool, I can only take so much weird per day."
"Jack!" Twilight called out, "I finished one!" In her magical grip was a pink Switch.
"Magic Hand, wasn't it?" Jack said, "welcome to the team."
The Switch stayed silent.
"It'll take a while before a spirit will be able to synchronize with it," Decima said, "not to mention the arguing about who it'll be."
"Alright," Jack said, "maybe we'll see him later, unless it's a she of course." Jack grinned, "Today's been pretty good so far."
(Back on the surface)
A large bipedal figure walked out of the shadows towards a pony, in it's hand was a strange, sinister looking device, which it offered to the pony.
Big Macintosh whistled happily as he hauled an empty cart back to Sweet Apple Acres. That morning he had used it to bring a load of apples to market to sell, but he managed to sell every last one, even if Applejack was better at it. Their reserves were getting low, but tomorrow was the start of Applebuck season, so that wasn't a concern.
As he was going along, he ran into somepony, "Can I help you?"
The pony held up a sinister looking switch, "yes, yes you can."
Jack walked happily along the streets of Ponyville. Shutter and Twilight were back at the library, while he was going to Sugarcube Corner to get some dessert. All of a sudden however, he felt a strange sense of foreboding coming from up ahead. "I'm going to go check that out aren't I?"
"Don't be a chicken," said Broadside, "that feeling is no coincidence, get moving."
"Fine," Jack replied as he ran off towards where the feeling led him. Upon arrival, he had to duck, Big Mac came hurtling out of an ally and missed him by mere inches. "Woah, I didn't think he could move that fast," Jack commented, "although I highly doubt he reached that speed unassisted."
Out of the alley walked a strange figure. Like Jack it was bipedal, but that was where the similarities ended. It was much taller, and built like a fortress, with red rock-like skin to match. On him were a series of blue circles, with lines connecting them.
"Well, looks like someone decided to make a very selfish wish," Jack said, "didn't you, Mr Orion Zodiart?"
"You know what this thing is?"
"I'll explain later."
"I don't know who you are, or how you know what I am," Orion said, "but if you know what's good for ya, you'll stay out of my way."
"Slight problem with that," Jack said as he held up his driver, "smacking down Zodiart bastards like you is my job, and hobby."
"You will regret that decision."
"I highly doubt that," Jack said as he slapped the driver to his waist and activated it.
3!
2!
1!
"Henshin! Uchu Kita!!!!"
"Who are you?"
"Kamen Rider Fourze," Fourze said as he pounded his chest with his fist, then pointed it at Orion, "let's settle this 1 on 1."
"Very well, facing me alone will be the last mistake you ever make!" With that, Orion charged.
Fourze fired up his jetpack and leapfrogged over him, "Gotta be a lot faster than that big guy."
"You can't win just by dodging."
"Too true, let's see how you handle this."
Launcher On!
A large blue device appeared on Fourze's right leg. "Take this," Fourze said as it launched a swarm of missiles, only one of which hit Orion. Fourze facepalmed, "I'm a stupe."
"Ha, serves you right for using a weapon you can't control."
"Only because I forgot to use this."
Radar On!
A radar dish with an attached screen appeared on Fourze's left arm, which he pointed at Orion. "Locked on, Launcher Module, take 2," with that, Fourze sent another swarm of missiles at Orion, this time all of them hit their mark. Suddenly, the Radar Module chimed, and Twilight's face appeared on the screen.
"Jack," Twilight said, "what's going on? I heard explosions."
"Monster attack, Bic Mac's hurt, send paramedics and AJ," Jack said as he switched off the Launcher Switch off, "I'm about to end the problem." Before Twilight could ask what he meant, he shut the Radar Switch off as well.
"So, how are you going to handle me?" Orion asked, panting heavily.
"Like this."
Rocket On! Drill On!
Fourze's trusty Rocket Module appeared, as well as a large drill that enveloped his entire left leg below the knee. Igniting the Rocket Module, Fourzed charged Orion, clotheslining him and knocking him in the air. Fourze flew even higher, then used his free hand to pump the lever on his Driver again.
Rocket, Drill, Limit Break!
The flames from the Rocket Module flared as the Drill Module revved up to incredible speeds. "Rider Rocket Drill Kick!" Jack cried as he used the momentum from the rocket to preform a spectacular jump kick at Orion, Drill Module first. The force was so extreme that Orion exploded, causing Fourze to plow right through him and the Drill module to implant itself slightly into the ground. Unfortunately, it was still going, causing Fourze to spin like a top. After about a dozen spins, he was able to shut both modules down, releasing him and causing him to stagger for a few steps like he was drunk.
Once he recovered, he looked back at where he had hit Orion. Seeing nothing there, he cursed under his breath and went to check on Bic Mac. "You okay big guy?"
"Eyup," Big Mac groaned.
"Take it easy," Fourze said, "help's en-route." True to his word, about a minute later a group of medical ponies arrived along with a distraught looking Applejack.
"I can't thank you enough," Applejack said.
"Don't thank me yet," Jack replied, powering down.
"What do you mean," AJ asked, a concerned look on her face, "you beat whatever did this to him."
Big Mac stirred in his hospital bed. Waking up, he saw his sister, and a another figure.
"Easy pal," Jack said, "one does not get shot-put through a wall and walk away, even if it's you."
"You... you're that Jack feller AJ told me about, aren't ya?" Big Mac asked.
"And the one who saved your rear," Jack said, "speaking of which, you remember anything?"
"Not much," Big Mac admitted, "there was this pony, it was too dark to tell who, then he turned into this smoke thing with lights in it. Next thing I know, I'm doing my pegasus impression." Mac chuckled, then groaned.
"Rest up there now brother," AJ said, "doc says you'll be outta here tomorrah."
"What about Applebuck Season?" Mac asked somewhat worriedly, "I might be able to leave tomorrow, but I don't think I'll be able to buck."
"Let me worry about that," AJ said, "you just worry about gettin' better."
Big Mac frowned but nodded, "Alright, but you'd better get, can't buck without any sleep."
AJ chuckled and left, Jack close behind. As the door closed behind him, Big Mac couldn't help but wonder, why was he attacked?
"You know something about what attacked him, don't ya partner?" AJ asked Jack.
"Yes," Jack replied, "but can this wait until we get to the others? I'd rather only say this once."
"Fair enough," Applejack said as they approached the waiting room. Arriving, they met up with the rest of AJ's friends.
"How is he?" Twilight inquired.
"He'll pull through," AJ replied, "no thanks to whatever did this to him. Speaking of which?"
"I got the hint," Jack said, "remember what I said about Dark Cosmic Energy the other day?" Everypony nodded, "Well, the thing that attacked Big Mac is a product of it."
"How is that possible?" Twilight asked.
"I'll get to it in a second. First things first, the original Astroswitch, known as the Core Switch, was sent by an alien race known as the Presenters. Their intent was to find other intelligent races that would be able to use the Core Switch to develop a way to reach them. The Core Switch was found by two scientists. The first, Rokuro Utahoshi, used the Core Switch to create the Fourze System, which was meant to be a stepping stone to allow future generations to develop a way for humans to travel to the Presenters' world safely. The other, Mitsuaki Gamou, used it to create the Zodiarts Switches, which would forcibly evolve a human, or I guess a pony, to a state where they would be able to withstand transwarp travel. They disagreed, and Gamou's ambition and fanatical desire to meet the Presenters led to him killing Utahoshi, stealing the Zodiarts Switches, and granting them to various people with the intent of creating the 12 Horoscope Zodiarts Switches, which would allow him to meet the Presenters at the cost of destroying the entire planet. The original Fourze, with the aid of the Kamen Rider Club, was able to stop him, but I think you can see why I'm a little nervious about Zodiarts appearing here."
"Oh dear," Fluttershy muttered, "what an awful awful person."
"Quite," Jack replied.
"How exactly did this Ganma guy turn people into these Zodia thingies?" Dash asked.
"Gamou gave potential subjects Zodiarts Switches," Jack replied. "Activating them triggered the evolution, turning them into a Zodiarts. While at first it's reversible, if the Switcher gets so upset that they lose the desire to remain human, it triggers the Last One function, which increases the Zodiart's power in exchange for the ability to change back on their own. I can forcibly change them back with a Limit Break, unless they've been a Zodiart for too long. After that, not even I can change them back."
"What happens then?" Fluttershy asked.
Jack turned somber, "Pray you never have to find out."
Fluttershy whimpered as AJ spoke up, "So why did this Zodiart feller go after Big Macintosh?"
"The Zodiarts Switches were granted with to people with grudges and the like," Jack replied, "negative Cosmic Energy requires negative emotions remember. Attacking the target of their grudge would cause them to turn into Last Ones, and potentially Horoscopes."
"Well I for one think that it's a good thing this Gamou person isn't here," Rarity said.
"Someone's distributing Zodiarts Switches," Jack interjected, "Earth wasn't the only place the Presenters sent a Core Switch to."
"Celestia needs to know about this," Twilight said.
"I agree," Jack replied before turning to Applejack, "as for you, keep an eye out. The Orion Switcher is still out there, and Big Mac might not be the only pony he's got a bone to pick with."
"I'll do what I can," AJ replied, "but I'm gonna be hard pressed keepin' an eye on my sister, Applebuck Season starts tomorrah, and I can't buck apples and watch Apple Bloom at the same time, not while she's at school at least."
"I'll keep an eye out," Jack replied, "let's just hope that he has a shred of humanity left and won't hurt a kid." Jack looked out the window, "We need to find this guy, and fast."
On a bluff overlooking Sweet Apple Acres, a pony stood looking over it, Zodiarts Switch in hoof and an evil grin on his face.
Applejack paused from her work to wipe the sweat off her brow. She had already managed to buck over 40 trees so far, and she needed to do at least 60 by days end if she was to ever get them all done in time. Unfortunately, it wasn't the bucking that was the problem. To be perfectly honest, most of the Apple Clan thought that her Cutie Mark was slightly off. Applejack had turned the Apple Clan's signature harvesting method into an art form, so much so that everypony thought that it should be an apple tree that marked her flank. No, Applejack's problem was getting the apples to the barn. While she'd didn't like saying it aloud, AJ knew that her carrying capacity was nothing compared to her brother's. To bring in the same amount of apples, AJ needed to make at least twice as many trips. While bucking the apples off the trees was no problem, without Big Mac to help cart them in, she wasn't doing nearly as well as she normally did. That business with the cows hadn't helped, stopping them from destroying Ponyville cost her at least an hour's worth of work. If they had least ran in the general direction of the orchards like they did normally, Applejack wouldn't have need to take as long to catch up with them and get back, and they might of caused a few apples to fall.
Briefly, Applejack considered canceling the plans to help some of her friends, but dismissed it. If there was one thing Applejack would never do, other than lie, it would be to break a promise. She promised to help her friends, and she would. She could make the time to do both, the question was how. Applejack remembered seeing Pinkie eat while she was doing other things, perhaps she could ask how she did it when she saw her?
Deciding that she had enough of a break, she got back to it. After a few minutes, she noticed Jack coming up. "Howdy partner," she said, "what brings you here."
"Nothing too big," Jack said, "just wondered if I could ask you a favor."
"Not rightly sure if I can oblige ya," AJ replied, "I've got enough on my plate as it is."
"It's nothing too big, just wondering if I could use your barn for something," said Jack.
"Now what would you possibly need with my barn?" AJ asked.
Jack reached into his pocket and pulled out a silver colored Gate Switch, "Well, the thing is..."
(Rabbit Hutch, 1 hour ago)
"Are you sure you found something interesting Shutter?" Jack asked.
"Yep," Shutter said as she led the way, "it's really big, and kinda funny looking."
"My dear," Decima said, "everything looks really big to you."
"Actually," Jack said as they arrived, "I think she might be on to something."
It was a door, like many others they had passed on the way there. Above it was written one word in big block letters.
Garage
"So anyway," Jack said, "turns out that it has its own Gate Switch, and the door it connects to is so large that your barn is basically the only thing that I know can hold it."
"I dunno," AJ said, "I need that barn. All the apples I've been harvesting are in it for one thing, not ta mention that I need to harvest all the rest of them within the next to weeks, otherwise they'll start going bad."
"Not a problem," Jack replied, "unlike its golden brother, the Silver Gate Switch turns a wall into the Gate. If it makes you feel any better, I'll let you use one of the things in it."
"Well," AJ said somewhat hesitantly, "I suppose that's okay, those Gate Switch thingies are the only way for you to get home. Just let me grab a few baskets so that I'm not wasting any time."
"I can help with that," Jack said as he pulled his Driver out of a bag he was wearing over his shoulder.
"No need, I've got this," AJ said as she hefted a few baskets into a cart, "besides, isn't that thing for important stuff."
"And helping a friend isn't important?" Jack countered, causing AJ to blush. "Besides," he continued as he strapped it to his waist, "I need to practice with Jean anyway."
"Who's Jean?" AJ asked as she strapped herself into the cart.
Jack grinned as he flipped the toggles, "You'll see."
3!
2!
1!
"Hensin!"
AJ covered her eyes, no matter how many times she saw it, Jack's transformation was always impressive. Looking, AJ noticed that instead of his standard Rocket Switch, there was a pink one that she'd never seen before. Before she could ask what it was, Jack flipped it on.
Magic Hand On
In an instant, a large multi-jointed mechanical arm appeared on Jack's right wrist. "Let's get started, shall we Jean?"
"No problem," replied a female voice from the arm. With that, Jack picked up a basket of apples, and the arm placed a few more on top of it, then grabbed one for itself.
As they walked towards the barn, AJ couldn't help but comment, "So, I'm guessing you're Jean?"
"Yep," she replied, "Spirit of the constellation of the Aura, named in celebration of the invention of the telekinesis spell that all unicorns use today."
AJ whistled, "Guess you're pretty important then."
"Not really," Jean admitted, "I'm pretty low level as far as constellation spirits go, only unicorns pay any attention to me."
"And Princess Luna I'd imagine," AJ said.
"I guess, but we've never been that interested in her that much," Jean said, "she's more in charge of the moon."
After that, they were quiet for a while. Eventually, Jack grinned, "You know, this kinda reminds me of home."
"You grew up on an apple farm?" AJ asked.
"Corn actually," Jack replied, "although I have to admit, it wasn't quite for me. I was always more interested in fixing the family tractor than driving it. So I went to school, got a degree, and now fix engines for a living, or used to anyway."
"Huh," AJ said, "I don't rightly know what you mean by tractor or engine, but I did something similar myself. Back before I got my Cutie Mark, I went through a patch where I didn't think I belonged on the farm. I went to live with my Aunty Orange in the city for a spell, but it wasn't for me. Soon enough, and with the help of a rainbow that pointed me home, I came back. Haven't lived anywhere else since, though I have traveled out of town once or twice for business or reunions."
"Guess that's where you and I are different," Jack said, "I left to go towards something, you left to leave. Now, I'm not saying I didn't keep in touch with my folks, I actually was with my brother at that stupid convention, but you have to admit that you get a lot farther if you've got a destination in mind."
"True enough," AJ said as they arrived at the barn, "let me just unload before we do this Gate thing."
"Let me give you a hand," Jack said. With Jean's help, they unloaded the cart and stacked the baskets in record time. That done, Jack approached the back wall, Silver Gate Switch in hand. He pressed it into the wall, causing it to be partially absorbed into the wall, with only the switch visible, which he then flipped.
Gate On
Various boards slid away to reveal a massive hanger door, which opened as soon as it was completely clear. Inside were two machines, one of which rendered AJ nearly speechless.
"What the hay is that thing," she asked, pointing with her hoof.
"That?" Jack said, "it's designed for exploring rough terrain on alien planets and kicking Zodiart butt, but I think it'll make a very nice tractor."
Powerdizer
Up on the hill, the pony responsible for Big Mac's injury laughed quietly to himself. His plans were working perfectly, without Big Mac to bring in the apples, Applejack would work herself to the bone trying to do the work of two ponies. Throwing a snake into the cow pen was just insurance, although he did break the fence in just the right place so that they would head towards town. It was a pity she stopped them though, if the town was damaged she would have to dedicate time to help rebuild, costing her time and energy. Luckily for him, he wouldn't need to cause anything to distract her further, he so called friends had already seen to that. All he had to do now was sit back and watch Applejack destroy herself.
However, his musings were interrupted by a strange sound. Then, out of the barn came something he'd never seen before. It was a monstrous contraption, larger than even the princesses. It rolled along on 6 wheels, and hauled behind it the cart that Big Mac usually used for the Nightmare Night hay rides. In what could only be the cockpit sat Applejack, with that damned Fourze character alongside, obviously showing her how to operate it. The main reason that Big Mac didn't use that particular cart for Applebuck season was that not even he could haul it if it was fully loaded with apples, but that thing looked like it could haul 3 of them easy.
He snarled to himself and gripped his Zodiart Switch tightly, "Fine, if you're going to change the rules, I'll be more than happy to oblige."
Jack rode along on his bike, the Machine Massigler. It was a great bike, but Jack wasn't quite happy with it when he got it. After some tuning though, it ran incredibly well. He even made some adjustments to the Powerdizer, but it didn't need quite as much. Rainbow had helped with the speed trials, but it wasn't designed to do any offroading, unlike other Rider Machines.
Jack grinned, thinking of the new friends he was making. Rarity was a little fussy when it came to appearances, but rather sweet when you got to know her. Rainbow Dash, underneath all of her boasting, was as dependable as the day was long. Twilight was rather nice, when she wasn't bombarding him with questions. Fluttershy was extremely nice, if monumentally shy. Pinkie Pie was a hoot, as long as he remembered to take some Advil beforehand. And Applejack, and her family, just reminded him of home.
The new Celestial Spirits, as he had come to call them, were pretty fun as well. Apollo was always thinking of new stunts, which she almost immediately shared with Rainbow. Broadside was always making sure that the other spirits didn't pick on each other, aside from good natured teasing of course. Geode, for some reason, could always tell when something was off, a trait that Rarity appreciated when she helped her with her designs. Decima was a bit of an encyclopedia when it came to various subjects, but was easily flustered when she got a detail wrong. Jean, well, let's just say that pranking was her favorite hobby. Shutter was curious as a cat, and loved taking pictures. It was hard to keep track of her sometimes when she was exploring in Burgermeal, but Twilight loved accompanying her on her explorations, and explaining anything she didn't get. There were also 2 new spirits that Jack hadn't managed to get to know quite yet: Freefall, spirit of the Cloud Shaper and the Parachute Switch; and Earl, Spirit of the Forest and the Chainsaw Switch.
However, there was one other who gained a bit of a special place in his heart.
Apple Bloom was adorable, if a mite rough around the edges. Although the main reason Jack found her so cute was that she was barely 8, he had a soft spot for kids. In fact, right now he was on his way to pick her up, AJ might have been able to get back on schedule thanks to the Powerdizer, but her inexperience with it meant that she was still a hair behind. Plus, she didn't want Apple Bloom walking home unsupervised with the Zodiart still on the loose, to be fair none of the parents did, but AJ had slightly more reason than most.
However, upon his arrival at the schoolhouse, he instantly could tell that something was wrong. Half of one of the walls was missing, and the entire class was huddled in the playground.
Jack leaped off his bike and ran over to Miss Cheerilee, "What happened?"
"It was awful, Cheerilee replied, tears in her eyes, "that Zodiart thing you and Twilight told us to watch out for barged in and took Apple Bloom."
Jack's face turned to one of shock, then changed to one of cold concentration. "Gather the children and take them somewhere safe," he said as he mounted his bike, "I'll take care of this."
"How will you find him?" Cheerilee asked.
"If he's taken Apple Bloom, he can only be one place," Jack said before riding off. "This ends today."
Applejack was bucking the last trees in the section she was working on. She was making good good progress thanks to the Powerdizer, even though she wasn't keen on accepting it at first, she chuckled a bit at the memory.
"Thank ya kindly for offerin'," said Applejack, "but I said I'd do this on my own, and I meant it."
"You know," Jack replied, "we have a something back home we call those who don't accept help their friends offer."
"What's that?" AJ inquired.
"Just, plain, stupid," Jack replied.
"What did you say?" AJ asked indignantly.
"Let me finish," Jack said, "now, let me ask ya, would your friends and/or family think any less of ya if you asked them to lend a hand, er hoof, for something that you can't so on your own? Like say, bucking the entire orchard."
"I can do it on my own," AJ countered, "I said I'd do it, and I always do what I say I'll do."
"Ah, but did you say that you'll do it on your own?" Jack countered.
"Well, not exactly," AJ admitted.
"Look," said Jack, "needing help every once in a while doesn't make you weak. Like we used to say back home, you can't build a barn with only 1 wall."
AJ couldn't help but sigh as she looked back and saw how stubborn, and she had to admit stupid, she was being. She was so wrapped up in her own pride that she was just resistant to accepting other's help to an unhealthy degree. Even so, she wasn't willing to go beg her friends for help, she still had some pride after all. However, when Twilight came by about a week after the stampede, she was able to swallow her pride and admit that she needed a bit of help getting the apples to the barn. Luckily the Powerdizer could be operated remotely using that Astrocase thing that Jack gave Twilight to help her with the Astroswitch research, Twilight was able to figure out how to use it lickity-split.
After AJ had bucked her last tree for the day, she couldn't help but wonder where Apple Bloom was. School was out, and she had been enamored with the Powerdizer when she first saw it. Almost every waking moment, AB had either been pestering Jack about how it worked, or trying to figure it out on her own. Even if Jack had just dropped her off at the front gate, she would have made her way over here by now. Inwardly she hoped that she had made a new friend and lost track of time, but Jack would have let her know if that was the case. He didn't even have to leave Apple Bloom to do it, thanks to the fancy communicator thingy that connected the Powerdizer, Rabbit Hutch, Astrocase and Machine Massigler, and the Radar Switch if AJ remembered correctly.
All of a sudden she heard something that made her stop wondering where Bloom was in the worst way possible.
Apple Bloom, screaming.
AJ blanched as she went in the direction of the scream. When she arrived, she skidded to a stop. Standing there was the Zodiart that hurt Big Mac, with Apple Bloom in one hand.
"I figured that would get your attention," said Orion.
"Why are you hurting my family?" asked Applejack, "what do you want?"
"Your farm," replied Orion, "although admittedly, I'm mainly interested in your Zap Apples."
"Just who are you?" demanded AJ.
"Forgive me," said Orion, "I forgot that you wouldn't recognize me like this." With that, he pulled put his Switch and turned it off. With a burst of red smoke, he turned into a green earth pony with a darker green mane, with a Cutie Mark of a pear.
AJ gasped then narrowed her eyes, recognizing him, "Concorde Pear."
"Well," Concorde replied, "I'm flattered you remembered me."
"Why do this?" AJ asked, "the Apples and Pears might not agree on everything, but our families have been nothing but neighborly for generations."
"Simple," Concorde said, "the Zap Apples. For years I've had to put up with all of Equestria say that the Apples grew the hooves down best fruit in existence, even my own family said it. Well, once I've gotten your farm I'll change that, after I get a unicorn to turn them into pears of course. By the way, Zap Pears doesn't have quite the same ring to it, what do you think of Power Pears?"
"But why hurt my family?" AJ asked.
"Simple," Concorde replied, "Applebuck Season is the most important time for you. All I had to do was make sure that you couldn't complete the harvest, and let your creditors do the rest. Big Mac is the only reason you could complete the harvest on your own, so I had to hospitalize him, hurting you might not have done the job. Your stubborn pride would ensure that you didn't accept any help, and even if you did, all I had to do was scare them away. Once you were forced to sell the farm, all I had to do was buy it before one of your relatives could. The Apples might have the best produce, but nopony can deny that the Pears have more land."
"But why foalnapp Apple Bloom?"
"You can thank your friend Fourze for forcing me to do this. Stopping me from breaking your brothers legs was one thing, I had already hurt him enough to keep him from being able to help. But giving you that, machine, and talking you out of your stubborn streak was too much, so I needed to escalate. Last chance, give me the deed to the farm," Concorde drew a knife, "or lose another member of your family."
Apple Bloom looked pleadingly at her sister, "Help me."
Applejack winced, if Apple Bloom wasn't at risk, she could take down Concorde without breaking a sweat. But there was no way to do so before he could hurt Apple Bloom, or worse. Before she could make a decision, she saw something in the distance. Recognizing it, she smirked, "Don't worry sis, everything's going to be all right."
Concorde laughed, "Well, wouldn't you know, the legendary Bearer of Honesty just told a fib. What's next, is your snout going to grow?"
"Now hold on just one cotton pickin' minute," AJ said, "you might be a Pear, but there's something you should know about us Apples."
"And what's that?" Concorde asked.
AJ adjusted her hat, "An Apple, never lies."
Before Concorde could ask what she meant, Jack raced by on his bike and snatched Apple Bloom from his grasp. Bringing the bike to a halt, he handed her to AJ, as they both started sobbing in relief.
"YOU!" Concorde shouted indignantly, "Why do you always get in my way."
"I said it before," Jack replied, cold glare on his face, "stopping Zodiarts is my job, and hobby. And you my friend, just made the biggest mistake of your life."
"No, I refuse to believe this," Concorde said, grabbing his Switch. As he ranted, the Zodiart Switch turned even more sinister looking, and an eerie voice called out.
Last One
Jack's eyes turned wide, "Don't do it, press that Switch and you won't be able to go back."
"If it means finally stopping your interference, so be it," Concorde said as he eyed the Switch. "If I can't have Sweet Apple Acres, then no one can." With that, he pressed the Switch. A familiar red smoke and series of lights enveloped him and turned him into Orion, but that was where things changed. First off, now he was wielding a massive sword and shield. Secondly, after the transformation, Concorde's body was ejected from him, lifeless and covered in cobwebs.
Jack pulled out his Driver as his gaze turned cold again, "Very well then, you've made you choice, now deal with the consequences."
3!
2!
1!
"Hensin! Uchu Kita!!"
"Why do you insist on getting in my way?" Orion asked.
"Simple, I'm Kamen Rider Fourze, now let's settle this one on one."
With that, Orion charged, sword swinging. Jack was able to deflect it, but was forced on the defensive. "Time to bring out my own blade." Reaching into one of the concealed pockets on his suit, he pulled out a new Switch, which he then placed into his Driver and activated.
Chainsaw On
A large blue chainsaw appeared on his right leg, which he then used to parry Orion's sword. After a few hits, the Chainsaw Module managed to cut through Orions sword.
During the combat, Twilight arrived. "Woah, is that Jack?"
"Eyup," AJ replied, "we've seen him in his special suit before."
"I know, but he seems different," Twilight replied.
Before AJ could ask what she meant, Jack cut through Orion's shield, stunning him in the process. "Twilight," he called, "call the Dizer, it's time to end this."
"Right," Twilight said, pulling out the Astrocase and pressing a few buttons on it. With a mighty rumble, the Powerdizer rolled in as Jack mounted his bike and pressed a button on it.
Tower Mode
With a series of whirs and clunks, the Powerdizer transformed into a structure with it's front wheel struts together. Jack rode his bike onto them, and a series of clamps locked it into place. "Time for your twisted dream to end," Jack said, as a swarm of rockets launched from the Dizer, hitting Orion and launching him high into the air. The wheel struts rotated, pointing Jack straight into the air, then the rockets on Jack's bike flared as the clamps released, rocketing it into the air and into Orion. Jack rode the motorcycle turned rocket ship until they exited the atmosphere, then dismounted it, letting it fall.
"This is impossible," Orion said, "she said that I'd be more powerful than the princesses."
"Do I look like a princess to you?"
Rocket On
Drill On
Rocket, Drill, Limit Break!
"Rider Rocket Drill Space Kick!!!" Jack plowed through Orion, causing him to explode, leaving nothing left but the Switch. Jack grabbed it and switched it off, causing it to dissolve into space dust. Jack sighed, "Well, that's done, time for the fun part." With that, he started falling. Enjoying the sensation of freefall for a few minutes, he pulled out another Switch and installed it, then switched it on when he was about a kilometer off the ground.
Parachute On
A turquoise box appeared on his left arm, which then opened to deploy a set of drag chutes slowing your decent. "Man," Jack said, "am I glad Twilight finished your Switch before I had to go orbital."
"As am I sir," replied Freefall, "but might I ask, was going into space completely necessary?"
"You saw how big the explosion was," Jack countered, "you really want that kind of boom happening on the surface?"
"I stand corrected," Freefall said.
After a few minutes, Jack landed. Waiting for him was Twilight, Applejack, Apple Bloom, and a trussed up and pissed off Concorde.
"How, how could you defeat me!?" Concorde ranted.
Jack released his transformation and got right in his face, "I'll tell ya, you see I have one rule, you don't hurt a kid in front of me, and come out unscathed anyway." As he finished, a group of guard ponies arrived, prisoner wagon in tow.
As they loaded Concorde, Twilight spoke up, "Jack, you seemed kind of, off, when you were fighting him. What could have possessed you to be so hard? You were having fun while you were fighting him last time."
Jack sighed, "Nothing personal Twilight, but we're not that good of friends for me to share that."
Twilight nodded as the Machine Massigler floated down on its own set of parachutes. However, she couldn't help but wonder, why did he get so mad?
In a darkened office, three ponies gathered.
"Looks like this latest subject was a bust," said the first.
"It's no matter," said the second, "I didn't expect much from him anyway, I used him to test this, Fourze."
"He is an obstacle," replied the first, "we should end him now."
"Patience," said the third, "our plans are proceeding apace, he won't be able to stop us, not at this late stage. Soon, Equestria will be ours."
Jack was using some down time to tune his bike a little more. It already vastly outperformed his old one from home, but it was nowhere near as good as he could get it. However, as he was focusing on the task at hand, he was unprepared to be tackled by a rather distraught looking Apple Bloom. "Hey Bloom, what's the matter?"
Apple Bloom took a deep breath before she started talking at a mile-a-minute "Tiara's cute-ceañera is today and everypony in my class will be there and they’ll all have their cutie marks and I wanna get my cutie mark, but I'm no good at selling apples or hang-gliding or making cupcakes but I wanna go to the party but how can I go to the party if I don't have my cutie mark, which Pinkie Pie says I can't just make appear but I need it to appear... right now!"
Jack chuckled as Apple Bloom just pouted, "Sorry, but why come to me? Humans don't exactly get cutie marks."
"Because you know a whole lot of stuff about that comic energy stuff that can be used for anything, you must know a way to make my cutie mark appear."
"Sorry, can't help ya, although..." Jack tapped his chin as he considered something, "you liked poking around the Powerdizer right?"
"Ya, why?"
"Well, maybe I can help you get a cutie mark in engines or something, it should only take a few days to teach you the basics."
"I don't have a few days, the party's this afternoon. Besides, how hard could it be?" With that, Apple Bloom picked up a hammer and started whacking on a piece that was sticking out. Before Jack could intervene, it exploded, knocking them back a few feet but leaving them otherwise unharmed.
"And that, is why lesson 1, is safety."
"Sorry," Apple Bloom said sheepishly before coughing up a small cloud of smoke.
"No harm done, but lets say we start of with something less likely to blow up when we start your lessons then huh?"
"You mean you're not mad?"
"Please, you should have seen the boom when my brother decided to 'help', at least this time I still have my eyebrows." Apple Bloom giggled as Jack dusted himself off. "Well, you'd better get ready if you're going to this party, it's not like your cutie mark will appear by magic."
Apple Bloom gasped, "Magic! That's it! Thanks Jack, I gotta find Twilight."
Jack just shook his head as Apple Bloom ran off, before sighing as he looked back at his bike, that was gonna take a while to fix.
Jack had just replaced the damaged part when he heard Apple Bloom laughing, it appeared that things had turned out relatively well. As he turned to look, he saw that she was accompanied by 2 other fillies. "Hey Bloom, looks like the party wasn't a total washout huh?"
"Nope, meet my new friends Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. And together we are..."
"THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!!!" they all shouted, loud enough to knock Jack back.
"Think he's okay?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"But mom... school's out for summer..." Jack mumbled slightly incoherently, eyes spinning.
"He's fine, he can beat up monsters," Apple Bloom said.
"This guy? He looks like he can't fight his way out of bed," Scootaloo said.
"He can too, he beat up a nasty thing that tried to take our farm and..." Apple Bloom trailed off as she remembered what almost happened to her.
Luckily for her, Jack chose that moment to sit up and shake the buzzing out of his head, "Man, you three have a set of lungs on ya, don't ya?"
The CMC chuckled as Apple Bloom suddenly remembered something, "Oh ya, AJ said that Granny Smith was asking if you could come over for dinner."
"No problem," Jack replied, "now if you don't mind, I need to finish up here." AS the CMC ran off, Jack turned back to his work, although he did wonder why exactly Granny Smith wanted to see him.
That evening, Jack put the Massigler away before he headed to the farmhouse. However, he couldn't help but think that there was more going on than a simple dinner.
As he entered the farmhouse, his suspicions, while not confirmed, at least gained some legs to stand on. Granny Smith was wearing something a bit more formal looking than usual, they all were, Big Mac had even traded his collar for a tie. The food, while excellent, wasn't laid out as fancily as one would expect from a dinner their clothes warranted. They swapped small talk during the meal, mostly asking Jack how life was back on the farm.
After the dinner, and a round of Apple Pie with ice cream, Granny Smith's face turned serious, "Now, I recon that you've figured out that we didn't just ask you here ta feed ya."
"Yes I did, although it was quite excellent."
"Thank ya kindly. Anyhoo, you've done so much for us, you saved the farm, and all 3 of my grandkids. We've talked it over, and would like to make you an honorary member of the Apple Clan."
Jack grinned and bowed his head slightly, "I'd be honored."
"Glad to hear it," Granny Smith said before turning her head towards Big Mac, "bring it out."
Big Mac nodded before opening the cupboard and pulling out some bread and a jar of rainbow colored jam.
"So, this must be the famous Zap Apple Jam I've heard so much about," Jack said as Apple Bloom spread some of it on a slice of bread.
"Darn tootin'" Granny Smith replied, "that stuff helped found Ponyville."
"Well, it must be good considering what Concorde was willing to do to get it," Jack said before taking a bite.
"So, how is it?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Don't talk to me, experiencing flavor Nirvana."
Concorde sat in his cell, waiting for something to happen. Apparently, Princess Luna herself would be interrogating him. While it could be considered an honor to be worthy of the personal attention of a princess, Concorde just sat, cursing the one who ruined everything he worked for.
"Damn that Fourze, if it wasn't for him Sweet Apple Acres would be mine."
"Indeed, he is an interesting one."
Concorde jumped at the voice that came out of nowhere, then grinned when he saw its owner step out of the shadows. "Lady Scorpio, a pleasure, am I right to assume that you are here to grant me a new Switch?"
"No, as far as Zodiarts go, you were rather weak, we have plenty more who are far more useful than you. I'm simply here to tie up a loose end."
Luna approached the door of Concorde's cell, steeling herself. What he had almost done was considered reprehensible even before Unification, and she had to admit that she was looking forward to this. However, when the guard opened the door, Concorde was in no condition to tell anyone anything, as one could clearly tell by the 2" hole in his forehead.
"Seal the castle, nothing gets in or out until we find the one responsible!" Luna bellowed.
As the guards rushed to carry out her orders, no one paid any attention to one of the Guards killing time in the barracks, smiling to herself after a job well done.
Jack was watching the clouds, there wasn’t anything else to do since there weren’t any Zodiarts, and Twilight was having trouble configuring Switch 10. He noticed that Dash was racing around with a griffon he didn’t recognize, and Pinkie was trying to follow, with surprising success. However, his gaze shifted as he noticed something glint in the air before landing beside him. Curious, he picked it up, noting it was a silver spider-shaped pendant with the letters DS. Then to his surprise, it started speaking.
My name is Dark. I'm a web-swinger with a blade and a lot of heart. If you need a companion to talk to, or an ally to help fight your enemies, just toss this medallion in the air and I'll be there. I'm always willing to meet new people. But know this, I will not allow anyone to harm innocents.
“Sounds like someone we should meet,” said Decima, “if only to find out what’s going on.”
“Was thinking something similar,” Jack said, standing up, “you want to meet new people Dark? Well come meet me!”
Jack tossed the pendant into the air. A little after it was tossed, it started glowing in a bright light before four figures fell from it and it dropped to the floor, dimming.
Jack chuckled, “Of all the things I expected, a pair of Kalos starters, Amy Rose, and Ninja Spider-man wasn’t it.”
“Did someone just mistake me for Deadpool?” Spider-Man asked, getting up from the floor, picking up the fallen medallion.
“Actually I was thinking more along the lines of Ghost Rider,” Jack said, “I’m guessing you’re Dark?”
He nodded. “Yup. Tito, aka the DarkSpider. And the hedgehog here is my younger sister, Cece.”
Cece was looking around. “Good. No giant bees this time.”
“Now this I have to hear,” said Decima.
“I don't think we have to worry about that sis,” Dark said. “Not like there are Pokemon here.” He looked to Jack. “Is there?”
“Pokemon, no,” Jack said, “Zodiarts on the other hand…”
“Zod what?” Cece asked. Then she turned to her brother. “You know what that is?”
Dark shrugged. “Never heard of it.”
“Ever watch Kamen Rider, or more likely Power Rangers?” Jack asked.
“Power Rangers? Yeah, definitely. Love Linkara’s videos. Kamen Rider though, I recall Sebaste mentioning it. Other than that, never heard of it.”
“Anyway, you know those Monsters of the Week? Zodiarts are a version of that,” Jack said.
“Huh?”
“Anyway… want to continue this somewhere a bit more comfortable?” Jack said.
Dark shrugged. “Sure. Mike?” The Froakie hopped onto his shoulder and Cece picked up the Fennekin. “Okay. Lead the way.”
“Try to keep up,” Jack said as he mounted the Massigler, before driving off in the direction of Twilight’s house, Cece running at top speed with Dark close behind.
“Have to admit, while I expected Amy to keep up, wasn’t sure if you could Dark,” Jack said after they arrived.
“Don't call me Amy,” Cece said.
“She only calls herself that as a cover,” Dark said. “Most off the time, when she's not trying to keep her identity secret, she prefers her real name.”
“Which is?”
“I told you. Cece.”
“Oh yeah,” Jack chuckled sheepishly as they entered, “sorry about that.”
“Where are we?” Cece asked.
“If I'm right, Golden Oaks Library,” Dark answered.
“What's that?”
“Twilight’s old home before...something bad happened. After that, she got the castle.”
Jack just looked at him with a confused expression before they arrived at the closet with the Gate, “Ah, here we are!”
“A closet?” Cece said. “What, are we going to Narnia or something?”
“Nope,” Jack said as he opened it, revealing the Gate, “just the moon.”
“Wait what?” The siblings said in unison, their Pokemon wide eyed.
Jack just chuckled as he started walking down the tunnel, “Are you coming or what?”
The siblings looked at each and Dark shrugged. “What the heck.” Then he started following Jack, Cece close behind.
“Don’t worry, this is my daily commute and I’ve never had any problems,” Jack said as they reached the end. Opening the door, Jack grinned, “Welcome to the Rabbit Hutch.”
Cece put her Fennekin down and looked out the window. “It's official. The life of a Displaced is CRAZY!”
Dark just sighed and turned to Jack. “You know, I just remembered. We never got your name.”
“Pardon my manners, name’s Jack. I also go by Kamen Rider Fourze.”
“Hmm. Quick question, what was the last event that happened to the ponies in Ponyville, not involving you?”
“Let’s see, last week Apple Bloom was bugging me about Cutie Marks and started a club with her friends to try and find them, and I saw Rainbow flying with a, I think it was a Griffon, I’ve never seen before just before you showed up.”
“Wow. We're in season 1 territory then.”
“What's this about a griffin?” Cece asked, walking up to them.
“An old friend of Rainbow’s from when she was a filly. If I were you, I'd stay out of this. She only became decent in season 5.”
“Fair enough, now what do you mean by season 1 and 5?”
“I'm guessing you don't know about the show.”
“Yeah no.”
“Ever heard of My Little Pony?”
“I think I might have heard some chatter about it back in Texas, but no, not really. Wait, are you telling me that…”
“You’re in the world where a little girl’s TV show takes place. As well as every other Displaced.”
“As if my life couldn’t get any weirder,” Jack muttered to himself, “wait, what’s this Displaced thing?”
“Wait, when did you get here exactly?”
“About two-three weeks ago.”
“And you never met anyone like me and Cece?”
“I think I’d notice if I met Knuckles, Sonic I might miss due to his speed.”
“Not what I meant, but now I wonder if there actually is a Sonic Displaced. Anyway, I meant if you met anyone who turned into a fictional character. Like me, Cece, and you.”
“Not unless you count the pony who was turned into the Orion Zodiarts.”
“I'll just take that as a no. Wait, so you're new to all this?”
“I guess so, this is the first time I’ve even heard of this Displaced thing.”
“Wow...didn't think I'd have to go through this so soon with another Displaced.”
“So we have to go over everything again?” Cece asked.
“I guess so.” Dark then turned to Jack. “Okay, I'll explain this, but it's rather long so I'll only do it once. Is there anypony you will also want to hear this?”
“Just give me a second, Shutter?”
“Coming,” Shutter said as she rolled up in Burgermeal, “hello.”
“Mind recording this? Our new friends have some important things to tell us, and they have to leave soon.”
“Okay,” Shutter said.
“Okay, what the heck is that?” Cece asked.
“Burgermeal, a Foodroid designed to explore and capture video data for review.”
Cece just looked between the robot and Jack before placing a hand on her head. “Like I said. Crazy…”
“Don't mind her,” Dark said. “She's still getting used to all this.”
“Anyway, since this is being recorded, you can start anytime,” Jack said. “If Twilight wants I can show it to her later.”
“Okay then. First, is there anywhere we can sit?”
Jack gestured to a table in the middle of the room. They all went to it and sat on the chairs, the Pokemon jumping onto the table.
“Okay. Now, do you remember what happened before you got to Equestria?”
“Yeah, I was at Comicon when I saw this cool looking model of the Rabbit Hutch that came with a Gate Switch. I bought it, gave the Switch a flick, and next thing I know, I’m here.”
“Wait,” Cece said, “here on the moon, or in Equestria?”
“On the moon, luckily Luna helped me down, don’t want to think what would have happened if I tried going there on my own without the Parachute Switch.”
“Okay…” Dark said. “Anyway, do you remember the guy you bought from?”
“Not really, I think he was wearing robes?”
“Did he seem likes a weird guy?” Cece asked.
“Kinda.”
“That was the Merchant,” Dark said. “He's the reason this happened to all of us.”
“Man,” Jack slumped in his chair, “if I had known.”
“None of us did at first. Whenever someone buys something from him, they get sent to Equestria as whoever they were dressed as. So far, I met a Halo Displaced, his sister who turned into Ivy Valentine from Soul Calibur, and a brother and sister who turned into Jessie and James from Team Rocket. Then there's Cece, who, as you can see, turned into Amy Rose.”
“Still mad about that,” she said.
“I know. As for me, I practically became my OC, DarkSpider. Basically, I have all of Spider-Man’s powers and abilities, but organic webbing, black instead of red, and a pretty cool sword.” He then unsheathed the sword on his back, revealing a pure black double edged blade with a blue hilt.
“Not bad, but I prefer Barizun Sword,” Jack said.
Dark sheathed his sword. “No idea what that is, but okay. What we brought from the Merchant was a Piko Piko hammer for Cece, and my mask and sword for me. Cece here is fast enough to keep up with Rainbow, seeing as how Amy can keep up with Sonic when he's not at his fastest, stronger than most earth ponies, and very agile. And she seems great at tracking me down.”
“What about turning invisible, I think she could do that in that one game I played.”
“Wait what?” Cece said.
“I know it’s not a good game, but I’m a farm boy, Sonic ‘06 was the only one I’ve ever played.”
“Sonic ‘06? What's that?”
“Known as the worst Sonic game ever, as well as the one to celebrate the 15th anniversary and introduced Silver the Hedgehog,” Dark answered. “I don't recall much though.” He turned to Jack. “You're really saying Amy was able to turn invisible?”
“For brief periods at a time, but yes.”
“How would I be able to?” Cece asked.
“Not sure, but when activating it, she put her hands together.”
Cece thought about it for a moment before closing her eyes and doing just that. A moment later, she completely disappeared.
“Well,” Dark said, “that answers that. Looks like you can now turn invisible, sis.”
Cece then reappeared with a mischievous smirk on her face. “Oh, I can't wait till next Hearth’s Warming now. This'll make it much better.”
Dark facepalmed. “Great. Well at least that's not for another year.”
“I’m thinking that’s a very good thing,” Jack said.
“What do you mean?”
“You have time to prep for what she’s planning,” Jack explained, “based on that look on her face, it’s nothing good.”
“It's more annoying than anything.”
“I still don't get your problem,” Cece said with a shrug. “It's not THAT bad.”
“Shut up.”
“Anyway, what’s the deal with that necklace thing that spoke to me?” Jack asked.
“Oh, right. Almost lost track. I'll get to that. Anyway, when we'll sent Equestria, we become Displaced.” He then held up the medallion he picked up earlier. “This is my token. A token is a way for Displaced to call upon one another from across the Multiverse. Usually, it has something to do with the Displaced, whether it's close to them, like my medallion is to me, or it represents their character, like the Halo Displaced I mentioned having an assault rifle from the games as his token. The voice you heard, is my message. When a Displaced creates a token, they can leave a message giving one the basic info on them, then send it to the Void for others to find it.”
“Sounds like a good idea,” Jack said, “and I’ve got just the thing.” Jack ducked into the lab and came out with an all white Switch. “So, where to from here?”
“Well, according to Sebaste, you put part of your soul into it.”
“Well, here goes nothing,” Jack said before taking a breath, “If you need aid, call on the stars and Switch On!” Once he finished speaking, it glowed before transforming into a bronze coloured Gate Switch.
“Hmm. Not bad. After that, you just send it to the Void. Just toss it.”
“If you say so,” Jack said before switching it on and tossing it in the air, where it vanished in a burst of light.
“Now, any questions?”
Jack rubbed his chin for a second before shaking his head, “Nothing that I can think of off the top of my head.”
“What about that whole multiverse thing?” Cece said to him.
“Multiverse?” Jack asked.
“Yeah. Tito mentioned it while he was explaining. Do you know what that is?”
“I’ve heard of it, multiple worlds and all that, right?”
“Pretty much,” Dark said. “Basically, an infinite number of worlds, each with different possibilities. Such as Twilight never becoming Celestia’s pupil, Nightmare Moon winning when she came back, everypony being humans, or, like in the Equestria Cece and I now live in, everyone is anthropomorphic.”
“Huh, well then, should prove interesting,” Jack said.
“Yeah...or an Equestria where they're at war with a powerful being…”
“Yeah, gonna want to stay away from that.”
“It's...the Equestria a few of my friends now live in.” He shook his head. “Not important right now.” He then tossed the medallion to Jack. “I guess this is yours now. Use it whenever you need help or just wanna talk.”
“Thanks, same applies for mine,” Jack replied.
“Now, any questions? Not just about Displaced, but in general.”
“Nah, nothing.”
“Okay then. So now what?”
“Nothing I can think of, maybe you should go back,” Jack said, “so, how do we do that exactly?”
“You're probably right. Now to send a Displaced back, just say “Our contract is complete”. Though some more experienced Displaced may be able to open portals back on their own. Before we go though, I have one favor to ask.”
“Least I can do since you’re telling me all this stuff.”
Dark pulled on a phone from his pocket. “Mind if I take a picture of you?”
“Sure, but if you wait a bit, I can make it a bit more epic.”
He shrugged. “Okay.”
“You might want to stand back,” Jack said as he slapped his Driver to his waist.
3!
2!
1!
“Henshin! Uchu Kita!!!”
Dark, Cece, and their Pokemon stared at Jack for a second before Dark shook his head. “Okay… Didn't see that coming. Now, ready?” He asked, his phone facing the Rider.
“If you’re sure, but if you want a better background, I’ve got a bunch of space suits.”
“It's fine. Say cheese.” A flash went off on his phone before he put it back in his pocket. “Okay then. I believe that's everything.”
“All right then, our contract is complete, see ya guys later.”
A portal opened a few feet away. Cece picked up her Fennekin and went to it. “Nice meeting ya. And thanks for telling me about the whole invisible thing. See ya.” She then ran to through the portal.
Dark walked up to Jack and stuck his hand out. “It was nice meeting you Jack.”
“Same to you,” Jack said, shaking it.
“Mike.” The Froakie jumped onto Dark’s shoulder and Dark walked to the portal. Before going through, he looked back to Jack and gave a small salute. “Until next time, Fourze.” Then he ran through it, the portal closing behind him.
Jack whistled to himself as he walked towards Carousel Boutique. A few days ago, he received a letter from Luna containing his own ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala. Rarity had offered to make him something for the occasion, as she was already working on dresses for herself and her friends.
"Wonder how they'll turn out," he wondered aloud.
"Not sure," said Dot, Jack's newest Spirit, from the Hopping Switch, "but I bet they'll turn out incredible."
"Given her reputation, that sounds reasonable," Jack said as he opened the door. On the other side, he saw a very stressed out Rarity working on 5 hideous dresses.
"I'll be with you in just a second," Rarity said before turning around, "oh, good morning Jack. I assume you're here for your suit?"
"Yeah, how's it coming?"
"It's done," Rarity replied, taking a white suit out of a closet, "changing room's over there, go put it on so that you can tell me what's wrong with it." Before Jack could ask what she meant, Rarity turned back to her work, tuning him out completely. Jack just shrugged before entering the changing room. Upon exiting, he was garbed in a in a cream colored suit, with an orange tie and handkerchief in his breast pocket. Rarity's expression became a combination of professional pride and pained anticipation, "So... what's the problem."
"Nothing really," Jack said, stretching his arms, "A mite tight across the chest, but other than that it's perfect. Wonderful as usual Rarity, although I hope that those... other dresses are just the result of a bad day."
"Hardly," Rarity said as she slumped down as a combination of relief and exasperation, "those are a result of our friends' suggestions after they tried on, these." With a flourish, Rarity opened a curtain to reveal 5 other dresses that, while similar in theme to the 5 she was working on before, were as different in quality as Picasso and a preschooler. "Not to mention that I'm doing a fashion show with... these," she gestured towards the disasters, "tonight, and my own dress isn't ready."
Jack frowned, "When are they coming over?"
"2 hours."
"You go work on your dress, I'll take care of them when they arrive," Jack replied.
2 hours later
"So, where's Rarity," asked Rainbow as she and the others waited in the lobby of Carousel Boutique.
"She's working on her own dress," said Jack, "speaking of, we're going to play a little game."
"Oooh I love games, what're we playing?" Pinkie asked cheerfully.
"Just a little trivia game," Jack said as he pulled the covers off of 2 cloths racks that were beside him. One of them held Rarity's original designs, the other held the... results of her friends' suggestions. "Now then, I'm going to grab a dress from each of these racks, all you need to do is stand next to the rack that held the dress you like better. Now," Jack pulled out Twilight's two dresses, "which is better?"
Twilight stood next to the rack of her modified dress, as everyone else went to the other. "But this dress is much more accurate?"
"Maybe Twi, but that don't make it purdy," said Applejack.
"Don't go saying anything just yet," Jack said as he swaped Twilight's dresses for her's, "your turn."
As Jack moved from dress to dress, it became pretty apparent that the only ones who liked the modified versions are the ones they were made for.
"Now, two last questions," JAck said as he placed the last dresses, Pinkie Pie's, back on the rack, "raise your hoof if you're a professional dressmaker." To noones surprise, no one did. "Finally, who has a better understanding of what makes a good dress, a pro? Or an amateur?"
"A pro," they all said meekly.
"Good," Jack said, "let's just hope Rarity can salvage at least some of the material."
Just then a frazzled looking Rarity stepped out from her workshop.
"Um, Rarity, we just wanted to say," Twilight started, before Rarity interrupted her.
"I heard it all," said Rarity, "and I hope you'll keep this in mind the next time you have any, suggestions."
The girls chuckled meekly as Jack chuckled a bit more heartily, "Like I always say, trust the opinion of the guy doing it for a living, cause they know better."
"Quite," said Rarity, "as thanks for salvaging my reputation, I made this for you." Rarity's horn glowed as a bowler hat that matched the suit she made for him floated out of the workshop.
"Thanks," Jack said as he took it and put it on, "professional opinion, you think a cane would look good with this? Cause I think a stylish ornamental cane would work really well with this look."
Rarity tapped her chin, "Perhaps, a light colored wood like maple with a rounded handle I think."
"Glad you approve," said Jack.
"Now, chop chop, it's almost time for the fashion show," Rarity grinned, pleased that the show wouldn't be the disaster she originally feared.
Jack grinned as he watched from the sidelines, Rarity's work was being well received.
"Not too shabby," he heard Hoity Toity mutter to himself, "excellent concepts, but she clearly lacks the higher-end equipment and materials to bring out her full potential. Although those models are clearly amateurs."
Jack's grin grew, it looked like Rarity would have zero complaints when the reviews of her work came in the paper.
"And now, the mare behind the dresses," said Spike, who was acting as MC, "Rarity!"
Rarity stepped out, looking radiant in her dress. However, Jack was distracted, he was feeling the same sensation from when he first encountered Orion.
All of a sudden, Pinkie screamed, "Twitchy Tail!!!" Whether it caused it, or heralded it, as soon as the last syllable left her lips, a large light fixture parted from its supports and plunged straight towards Rarity. Jack yanked out his Driver and slapped it to his waist, although the 3 seconds it took for it to fully boot up would be long over before Rarity got crushed. Luckily, Twilight teleported to her side and then teleported the both of them away before he could flip one toggle.
"Another one?" he heard Hoity mutter, "this is the fifth designer who's been the victim of an accident at a fashion show I attended in a row. At least this time they escaped without injury."
"Are you okay Rarity?" asked Twilight.
Rarity nodded, but before she could speak, she suddenly started choking before rising into the air.
"So, you managed to avoid my little present," said a voice from thin air, "no matter, I suppose I can get my hooves dirty."
"Hang tight Rarity," said Jack as he flipped the switches.
3!
2!
1!
"Henshin! Uchuu Kita!!!!"
"And who the buck are you supposed to be? Some kind of mutant Diamond Dog with even less brain?"
"I'm Kamen Rider Fourze! Now put her down so we can settle this one on one."
"I suppose I might as well take the request of a client into client into consideration," the voice said before Rarity went flying into the stage, "although I don't see how you could possibly think you could beat something you can't even see."
"Maybe not with my eyes."
Radar On
Launcher On
"Of course," Twilight said as Jack started scanning, "even if he can't find this Zodiart with his eyes, the Radar Module can locate it."
Jack grinned as a wire graph version of the Zodiart appeared on the screen, "Found you, fire 1."
A salvo of missiles erupted from the Launcher Module to impact something that couldn't be seen. When the smoke cleared, it revealed a singed looking lizard themed Zodiart.
"Chameleon, figured as much," Jack said as he rubbed his head, "now why don't you just come quietly, you know you can't beat me without being able to hide, and that explosion had the added benefit of scaring away all your would-be hostages."
"I might not be able to beat you right now, but escaping on the other hand," Chameleon said before shooting out a tongue shaped whip which sent the remainder of the stage lights falling towards the crowd before vanishing, presumably to escape.
"You gotta be kidding me," Jack said as he pumped the lever and aimed the Radar Module towards the falling debris, "math the trajectories Decima."
"On it!"
Launcher, Radar, Limit Break!
"Rider Hunter Missile Storm!" Jack yelled as the Launcher Module expanded, revealing several more missile racks, before they all launched towards targets projected by the Radar Module. The missiles impacted the debris, causing it to either be deflected away from the crowd or disintegrate entirely.
Jack sighed in relief as he fell back first towards the ground. "Why'd it have to be a smart one?" he complained to nobody in particular before turning his head to Rarity, "sorry about the mess."
"Well I suppose I could let it slide since you save my life," Rarity chuckled, "but I do wonder what that was about."
"Not sure," Jack said as he levered himself into a sitting position and turned his head towards a very disheveled Hoity Toity, "but I have a hunch as to who might."
