As J'ula begins her campaign of destruction, Littlepip and her friends must once again stand as heroes in order to stop a multiversal war.
"It's time for us to stand and fight again, not just as heroes, but as friends."
After the attack on Taloraan, J'ula has decided to start her assault on several different universes, intent on expanding her own empire and destroying the Alliance. She has gathered members of other powers in order to conquer her targets, her first being an alternate, war-torn version of Equus.
Meanwhile, Littlepip and the crew of the starship Harmony are in pursuit, intent on stopping the Klingon warlord and saving the lives of all who are within her crosshairs. However, in order to stop her, Littlepip will need to call on the support and skill of her friends as they chase J'ula and attempt to stop her from causing chaos across the multiverse.
{Welp, here it is, my last hurrah for this series. With the end of the show comes the end of this little series of stories I started almost three years ago. Anything else I make won't be related to this after this story is done. I may consider short stories involving this series, but for the most part, the large ones are over at this point. It won't be the best thing ever typed, I'm sure, but I hope to bring a good ending to the series with this story. Once again, I hope you all enjoy this sequel and I hope you all have a wonderful day.}
Star Trek is the property of CBS Studios/Paramount Pictures Corp. STO is owned by Cryptic Studios. My Little Pony is owned by Hasbro. Fallout Equestria was written by KKat.
"It's time ta grab yer gear, everyone, we're goin' on another adventure!"
Unity.
When we're alone, we're weak, but when we have friends, we're strong. Sometimes, you need allies to face your struggles, without them, you'll fail.
I would've been dead if Calamity didn't have my back in the abandoned Stable 24, the inhabitants of Fillydelphia would've played with my corpse if Xenith and I hadn't helped each other. I would've failed to save the captured unicorns Red Eye was going to sacrifice in his cathedral if Calamity and Regina hadn't followed and assisted me, and we all wouldn't have been able to stop the Enclave if we hadn't decided to team up.
The Wasteland and many other worlds and universes were in danger of being destroyed by J'ula and her band of minions, and if my friends and I were going to win, we had to work together again...
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The swirling vortex that was the wormhole ended in a bright flash of white, the E.A.S. Harmony and it's escorts arriving into orbit of the war-torn planet Equus. The planet had several similarities to the Equus Twilight was from, save for the fact that the continents all over were of the color of dirt, and the water was a bit more green than blue. The clouds were split into several pieces, unlike the original cloud cover that was present over ten years ago.
As I sat at my console, Steelhooves at my side, Rainbow Dash spoke up first. "We've arrived at Equus, or, Littlepip's Equus."
"What's the status of the planet?" Twilight asked as Applejack answered her friend.
"The planet's been through one hell of a war, alright. Some of the major cities are gone, not as much population, but Ah'm detecting several settlements on the planet, especially this one group here."
"Let me see." I said as I stood and walked over to Applejack's console, examining the map as I noticed several familiar locations displayed on it. "That center one's Junction Town. My friends live in that place."
"Pinkie, scan for enemy vessels." Pinkie Pie did so and tapped her console, which beeped rapidly as it detected something.
"J'ula's here, I've got the Lukara on sensors, three Sech battlecruisers, fifteen M'chla Birds of Prey, two Veqlargh dreadnoughts, and four DaSpu transports. Their warp signatures are fresh on our scans, they just arrived."
"Visual." Twilight said as the viewscreen changed to the sight of the Klingon fleet, sitting over the planet. Each of the four transports had two Birds of Prey guarding them, ensuring that their troops would beam down without losses.
"Any sign of troops on the surface?" Twilight asked the pink pony at the Sensors station.
"Nope!" Pinkie said with a smile as Twilight spoke up again.
"Good, all ships, focus our efforts on those troop transports, we can't let them get to the surface!" Rainbow Dash tapped her console as several voices spoke through Twilight's chair speakers, the Harmony turning and speeding towards the transport closest to the planet.
"Stratus moving in." Na'Zev said as his ship sped towards the closest transport.
"Sebrova targeting second transport!" The captain of the Sebrova asked as his ship turned to the right and sped away towards one of the other transports, the Klingons firing back at the two unwelcome visitors.
"Ticonderoga will assist with destroying the defending frigates!" The large Nimitz class ship turned and sped away at full impulse, firing its weapons at one of the dreadnoughts, it was probably the closest Klingon-looking ship I'd seen, it had a bridge section with a long neck holding it to a large secondary hull with two long nacelles.
The Harmony opened fire on the transport, the Birds of Prey taking evasive maneuvers and firing their disruptors at us. I tapped my console as I generated an unstable warp bubble. "Have a warp bubble, J'ula, I made it just for you." I said with a grin as I set the bubble off, the Klingon transport being knocked off course as the Harmony continued it's assault.
"The Birds of Prey are closing in on us!" Rarity said as Twilight gave her an order.
"Photonic fleet, they'll deal with the escorts!" Rarity nodded as she tapped her console, the deflector dish glowing a few seconds later. As the glowing ceased, three Starfleet battleships of various classes appeared out of nowhere. They were of 25th Century designs, one had a curved, pointy saucer and a big secondary hull, two pylons were coming off of it, with a pair of nacelles on each of them. A Presidio class.
Another ship was of a larger design, it was a humongous saucer section, with hanger bays on the sides and the front of the ship, the back sported four pylons, each of them carrying a large nacelle. A Jupiter class (albeit the more advanced version).
The third ship had a large saucer, carried by a smooth neck that held a bulky secondary hull as well as three pylons, each boasting a nacelle. A Yamato class.
The three ships turned as they fired at the two Klingon frigates, the two ships breaking away as the Harmony fired two torpedoes at the weakened transport. It seems that that was all the vessel could take as it broke into two, fire bursting out of the torn sections of the ship.
"One enemy transport destroyed!" Rainbow Dash said with a grin as the ship veered hard to the right, facing another one of the transports.
"Shield drain, now!" Twilight commanded as Rarity tapped her console, the bright blue beam shooting out from the deflector dish a second later. As the shields flickered away Rainbow tapped her console again, the Harmony firing three more torpedoes at the transport, blowing it to pieces.
"That's two down!" Na'Zev said over the comms panel in Twilight's chair as the Stratus came into view, firing on one of the Sech cruisers. The vessel fired back at its attacker as it moved away, fire bursting from its hull.
The Harmony turned again as it used repulsor beams on the fleet, pushing at least seven of the Klingon ships away from the planet. Rarity tapped a few buttons on her console as the Harmony caught a Bird of Prey in a tractor beam, pulling it towards one of the dreadnoughts.
"Firing shield drain." The white unicorn said as the ship was hit by the blue beam, the shields flickering out just as it collided with the dreadnought. As the Bird of Prey broke into pieces, the dreadnought drifted away, blazing fires and explosions coming from all over the upper hull.
"Yeah! That's how we do it!" Rainbow Dash cheered as the Harmony turned to the left, facing the third transport. The pegasus tapped her console again as the ship fired a spread of torpedoes, all of them hitting the transport as it turned away, fire bleeding from it's cracks. The ship was brought to a stop as the Sebrova caught it in a tractor beam, a spray of Phaser bolts destroying the transport as its hull whined from the stress.
It was the Klingon's turn to hit us now, one of the Sech cruisers hit us with a shield drain of their own, firing two torpedoes at the saucer. As they hit us, the ship shook violently, one of the consoles on the other side of the bridge exploding, knocking the officer back.
"Sending repair teams, reversing shield polarity!" I said loudly as I tapped my console, the Harmony veering off from the Klingon fleet as they started firing at us. One of the M'chla frigates came at us from our right, firing several more disruptor shots before exploding, the Ticonderoga flying in its place.
"Thanks for the assist, Ticonderoga!" Twilight said as the Harmony turned left again, facing another Sech cruiser. As the Harmony fired another shield drain, the warships shields flickered, allowing two torpedoes to hit it's hull. The ship screeched as it's port side erupted in fire, the ship drifting away from the battle as it burned.
"Venting warp plasma!" I said as I tapped my console, the Harmony flying over the burning wreck as a bluish-green cloud settled around the warship. A few seconds later the vessel exploded one final time as the plasma cloud did its job.
Pinkie Pie's console beeped as she turned, eyes wide as she spoke. "Guys, one of the transports is within transporter range of the planet!"
"Onscreen!" Twilight ordered as the screen changed to show the last transport close to the planet, holding position. As it started to turn and retreat, the vessel was hit by a flurry of phasers and torpedoes before exploding, the Stratus flying into view as it sped past the wreckage.
As the Stratus sped back towards the Klingon fleet, Captain Na'Zev spoke through the comms. "We couldn't stop them in time, they managed to get about three-fourths of their troops to the surface!"
"We'll send an away team down to the surface!" Twilight said as she turned to me and Steelhooves, both of us nodding as we stood and trotted towards the turbolift. "I'll have some more security meet you in Transporter room 1!" Twilight said as we both entered the turbolift, nodding as the doors shut.
As the turbolift made its way down, I looked to Steelhooves as I spoke. "Let's hope we can reach the town before they do." My friend nodded as we waited, the doors opening as we raced for the transporter room.
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The field of blue dissipated as we arrived on the surface of the Equestrian Wasteland, our guns at the ready. As we looked around, we were thankful we didn't beam right to where the troops were, but we were a good walk from where we needed to go. As I turned to my right, I saw it, the blossoming settlement of Junction Town, the old boxcars from before the end of the Enclave were still here, but there were some new buildings as well, including a school, an armory, and a medical center! They were all small, though, and probably would need a line should too many people require help.
I tapped Steelhooves as we both looked at the town. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"
"Yeah, they've done so well thanks to your efforts, Littlepip." The Applejack's Ranger said as we looked to our team, the officers standing ready as we told our plan.
"Alright, we're heading to that place," I said as I pointed to Junction Town. "Many residents, including my friends, are at that place. If we don't stop the Klingon troops from reaching it, they'll be killed. Our mission is to take out any and all Klingon ground units, both ahead and at the town, assuming any reach it. Clear?" The officers all saluted as I concluded the briefing with, "Good, now let's move out!"
We then started our trek through the wasteland, making it halfway down the path to the town when disruptor fire started flying at us. We took cover behind a small group of large rocks, the Klingons setting up their own shields as we hid.
When the shooting ceased a little, I slid into SATS, broke cover and fired two magic bolts at the Klingon troops with my newly upgraded Little Macintosh, both shots hitting their mark as the two were disintegrated, turning into piles of pink goop. I took cover again as the Klingons retaliated, firing away as one of the officers threw a photon grenade, which exploded as one of the Klingons let out a scream. Two of our officers got up and fired several Phaser shots before taking cover again, disruptor fire chasing after them.
As I broke cover again and fired three magic bolts at the enemy troops, a large speeder sped onto the field, firing laser bolts as I ducked again. I'd managed to hit two of the three Klingons I shot at, but that still left at least ten more attacking us. Pulling out a photon grenade, I broke cover and threw it, the small bomb landing right inside the speeder. I got a good look at the speeder before ducking for cover again, it was a small vehicle with a trapezoid shape for the main section, big enough to carry two troops and several crates, even a turret! The speeder also had two circular engines on the bottom sections of its hull, definitely not a Klingon design.
I heard a loud boom as the grenade exploded, along with the speeder. Steelhooves broke cover as his missile cannon opened up, the gun shifting as it fired several Phaser bolts at the Klingons. Out of the ten we were fighting, four of them were killed by the shots. Steelhooves took cover again as the enemy fired back, a flurry of disruptor fire flying above us.
I heard the sound of a transporter beam as I hid behind the rock, the sound of a gatling gun firing a few seconds later. After a moment, I broke cover to see that the remaining Klingons were all shot down by a familiar purple alicorn, her friends running to us a moment later. "Thought you could use another hoof." Blackjack said as she and her team stood next to mine, Lacunae trotting over to us as I responded.
"Yeah, thanks." I then looked to the town, the Klingons had already arrived and were firing at the buildings, several ponies and griffons with weapons charging towards them.
I looked back to Blackjack as I asked, "Can you hit those Klingons from the back while we head to the town?"
"You got it, they'll remember the name "Queen Whiskey" when today's over!" The unicorn said with a grin as she and her team started to make their way towards the Klingons in the back of the army.
I looked to three of our security guards as I ordered, "Go with them, make sure they get back alive." They all nodded and followed my group of friends, who started to fire their weapons at the Klingons as they came near another set of rocks.
The rest of us raced to the town, some of the Klingons firing shots at us. Steelhooves retaliated by deploying his missile launcher, which shifted before firing three missiles at the Klingons, all of them taking out a good twenty-something of them.
As we started to continue to Junction Town, we heard a roar above us. Looking up, we saw a Bird of Prey swooping down at us, charging it's disruptor cannons before stopping in midair. Before it could fire, however, a familiar black shadow sped towards the ship's bridge, the vessel floating in the sky as it was ravaged by Lionheart and his companion, Mouse.
"Don't shoot." I said to my allies as we watched. As the duo from Canterlot flew out of the ship, it flew haphazardly to the right of us, hitting a barren patch of land as it exploded, the ship releasing a shockwave of wind as it blew apart in flames.
Recovering from the shock of the blast, we all let out a cheer of victory as Lionheart sped towards the next incoming Klingon frigate, its disruptors firing as the two entered it. "Who are those two?" Steelhooves said as I turned to him.
"They're the survivors from the Canterlot attack! They helped us defeat Red Eye ten years ago!" I said excitedly as he nodded, the two of us watching the second Bird of Prey fall to the surface as Lion and Mouse flew out again, watching the skies.
"As much as I'd like to watch, we've got a town to save." Steelhooves said as I nodded before the two of us turned and continued onward towards Junction Town, our escorts following suite.
As we entered the town, I saw several of the townsponies running for the nearest homesteads as the Klingons fired at them, one of them getting hit in the leg and hitting the ground hard as he screamed in pain. I pointed Little Macintosh at the attacking Klingons, firing four bullets as we ran over to the injured stallion.
Steelhooves opened his cannons again as he fired a volley of phaser bolts at the incoming group, taking out fourteen of them. I crouched down to the injured pony as I told him, "My two friends here will help you. We'll take care of the rest." The stallion nodded with a faint smile as I looked to two of my remaining officers and ordered, "You two, help him out, Steelhooves and I will hold off the remaining attackers!" They nodded as they pulled out a medkit, grabbing their tools as Steelhooves and I faced the remaining seven Klingon attackers, Blackjack's group galloping our way. I fired Little Macintosh's four remaining bullets as Steelhooves fired his phaser cannons again, the remaining Klingons all being struck down in seconds.
I looked around as I took a breather, all of the other ponies were inside the buildings, save for two more injured ponies, a mother and her colt. Steelhooves and I raced over to cover them, Blackjack and her team meeting up with me a second later. "Can you help them?" I said as I looked to Blackjack, who nodded as she and P-21 trotted over and pulled out their medical supplies, the pair of injured ponies thanking us for their help.
As Steelhooves and I began trotting back towards the other side of the town, I heard a familiar voice nearby. "Git yer claws off mah wife!"
Steelhooves and I stopped as we saw where the voice was coming from, it was Calamity and Velvet Remedy, surrounded by six Klingon troops. They all had their guns pointed at my two friends, Calamity in a battle stance while Velvet was crouching back in fear.
"No!" I yelled as I pointed Little Macintosh at the closest Klingon, firing a pink bolt of magic. As he was hit, the Klingon disintegrated as Steelhooves aimed his phaser cannons and fired, gunning each and every remaining Klingon down. As we put our weapons away, Steelhooves and I raced towards Velvet and Calamity, the married couple looking at us in shock.
"L-Littlepip?! Steelhooves?!" Velvet shrieked in surprise as we stopped in front of our two friends, their eyes wide.
"Yeah, it's us." I said as we both stood between our friends, trying to explain. "Look, I know this all seems crazy, but-" I was cut off as my two first friends grabbed me and Steelhooves, hugging us tightly. As we embraced, I could hear both of them crying, more so Velvet.
"Y-Ya don't know how long it's been since we seen ya in the flesh, 'Pip." I heard Calamity say through tears as I hugged them back. I felt myself start to tear up as well.
After a minute or two, we released from the embrace, my friends wiping their faces as Velvet asked, "What a-are you doing here, Littlepip?
"An' how did Steelhooves come back t' us?" Calamity asked me as he looked to Steelhooves
As they bombarded us with questions about me and Steelhooves, I yelled, "GUYS!" They silenced themselves not a second after I said that, to which I took a deep breath before continuing. "Do you guys have a place we could sit and chat at? There's a lot we need to discuss."
My friends nodded as Calamity said, "Of course we do, just follow us!" With that, we all made our way to a nearby bar within the town, several ponies hiding inside as I heard a chirp on my communicator. Tapping it, I heard Na'Zev's voice.
"Stratus to Littlepip, the Klingons are retreating from the sector, we're keeping a defensive perimeter around the planet. Is everything all right down there?"
"Yep, the town's safe and the troops defeated, thanks to a little help." I said as I turned to face the other side of Junction Town, the defending ponies and griffons heading back to us.
"Is that one o' yer new friends, Lil'Pip?" Calamity asked as I turned to face him.
"Yeah, they'll make sure no more of those attackers can get down here." I replied as we entered the bar, Calamity raising a hoof as he spoke.
"All clear, everypony. Y'all can come out now." The townsponies and griffons of Junction Town got out of their hiding spots as they noticed us, many of them having wide eyes upon seeing me and Steelhooves.
"Hey y'all! Littlepip's back!" I saw the familiar amber mare that was a part of the Wasteland Crusaders team say aloud. The bar was filled with cheers as they greeted us, one of them raising an eyebrow as they noticed Steelhooves by my side.
"Yep, and she's got a story t' tell, y'all!" Calamity said as the crowd of ponies looked at us, the door behind us opened to reveal a griffon I'd met ten years ago.
"Well lookie here, Littlepip's back with us!" Gawdyna Grimfeathers said has she smiled. "Where ya been, old friend?"
"I've been through... let's just say quite a lot." The whole bar looked at me with confusion, waiting for what I'd say next. "Well, if we're going to have story time, you all better get something to eat, cause I've got a long one this time."
"This station is now the ultimate power in the universe! I suggest we use it."
Fear. Fear is something we all experience at least once in our lives, whether it'd be from someone who's just trying to screw with you or from something that genuinely terrifies you.
I was afraid when I saw the depravity of the raiders at Twilight's library, I was scared of the power the alicorns had when we fought our first one back in Old Appleloosa, I feared the fate of my friends and I if we hadn't escaped the hellhounds in Old Olneigh, and I was fearful of the fate of the Equestrian Wasteland if we'd lost to the Enclave.
But nothing had made me more afraid in my life than the thing I would see sometime after my reunion....
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"So let me git this straight: y'all we're asked by an elite group o' people callin' themselves the "Universal Alliance" t' help protect other universes, "
"And have been pursuing a dangerous entity named J'ula across these many different universes,"
"Who has gathered enough strength to threaten not just us, but the entire multiverse as a whole?" Calamity, Velvet Remedy and Xenith (in that order) asked me as I nodded, replying to the group listening to my story.
"Yep, that's about what's happened." My friends, along with the rest of my audience, gasped in shock as they took in the news. After getting reacquainted with my friends and family (my mother seems to have taken a rehabilitation program ever since Velvet literally smacked some sense into her), along with the arrival of my precious Homage, Xenith, Twilight's crew, the Applejack's Rangers' elites and Fluttershy (our Fluttershy), everyone sat in the bar as I explained my story, hearing about the shocking attack on the Laurentian Starbase, my exciting mission to the Lukara and the rescue of several ponies, and my explanation of how Steelhooves returned to us, especially when he showed off his suits upgrades and his 'fresh' appearance. I had also shown recordings of my journey, my audience sharing my excitement and fear as I shared the story in a visual manner, straight from my memories. (Yeah, I forgot to mention that being able to record my memories was another one of the upgrades.)
I even heard our Fluttershy say something about Steelhooves' new body, I think it was along the lines of, "Oh my, you look much better than how you did ten years ago."
After I confirmed my story to everyone, the amber mare that led the Wasteland Crusaders spoke up. "Well, that's one hell of a story!"
I let out a chuckle as I replied. "Yep, but that's not all we have to talk about." The crowd listening to my story gave looks of concern, some either tilting heads or raising eyebrows as I continued. "After my mission on the Lukara, Steelhooves and I have uncovered some new information about J'ula's plan."
"Like what, Littlepip?" Velvet Remedy asked as Steelhooves stood.
"Like what they've added to their arsenal." Steelhooves said as he tapped his helmet, his visor glowing green as it displayed a large structure. It consisted of a sphere with four large pylons that extended far beyond the sphere in the center. There were also several windows along certain areas of it's hull.
The crowd gasped in unison as they witnessed the massive structure, Steelhooves speaking as they quieted down. "I don't know of its origins, but J'ula's assets have called it the "Star Forge". I've heard it's a massive structure that can create an infinite army of warships by harnessing the energy of a star. Fortunately, I've heard that J'ula is still trying to figure out how to use it. But if she succeeds and creates her new fleet in time, then all hope will be lost."
The crowd gasped again as Homage spoke up. "Can we stop it?"
"I believe so, my friends aboard the Harmony and I are planning an assault on the station, if we can find a way to access the stations main controls, then we can destroy the Star Forge, and J'ula will have lost her best chance at stopping us."
The crowd gave several smiles and cheers as I finished, Calamity, Velvet and Xenith looking to each other with smirks and calmed expressions as I spoke up again. "But... that's not the only concern we have to worry about." My friends and the crowd looked at me curiously. I hadn't told the whole story involving my escape from Taloraan, fearing the response from my friends. But, it would be best if I did.
"I'd been hesitant to tell you all this, but I feel I should." I said as I stood, the crowd looking perplexed as I spoke. "Guys... Red Eye is back."
"WHAT?!" The crowd, along with my friends, all said in a chorus, some spitting out their drinks and staring with wide eyes as I announced the second worst bit of news.
"Now hold on a minute, Ah thought ya took 'im out at the cathedral!" Calamity said as the crowd gave surprised expressions, some angry that one of our greatest enemies was still alive.
"That's what I thought as well, but it seems he was recovered by J'ula before the bomb I'd set under the cathedral went off." I said as some of the crowd murmured in dismay.
"How did you find out about this?" Velvet asked me as I sat back down, getting ready to tell another part of my story.
"You remember when I said I escaped J'ula's clutches during my time over Taloraan?" Everyone in the crowd nodded as I explained. "Well, there's more to it." I tapped my Pipbuck to display a recording of my adventure to Taloraan.
"You see, after stealing back Wedge's starfighter, J'ula was clever enough to place a transport inhibitor on the ship, ensuring I couldn't beam out. So, I retreated to the surface, but I wasn't done yet. As I flew to the planet, I was attacked by an enemy ship that'd destroyed a vessel asking for my identification. Fortunately, as I was being chased, I'd found an auto turret button that helped me destroy the attacker."
The crowd let out several whoops and cheers as they watched the sight of my ship firing on the small fighter, destroying it in one shot. "After that, I landed at the city on the surface. But I wasn't done yet. J'ula sent one of her elites to pursue me through the city, but if it weren't for a guard that escorted me to the deepest part of the city, I would've been so screwed." The crowd watched as Tavin and I made our way to the elevator outside the city, both marveling at the sight of the city and shaking as we entered the elevator.
As the memory showed us down in the air-processing vane, I spoke up again. "I thought I was safe, but..." I stopped as I let the recording speak for me. The crowd gasped in horror as they saw Tavin get impaled by the elite, myself pulling my disruptor pistol out and shooting at the elite. Velvet cried out in terror as she saw me get struck down, Calamity cringing as well as he held his wife. I also cringed along with them, remembering the pain of not only having my hoof cut off, but having nearly lost my two best pieces of equipment that, in a way, were also some of my closest friends.
As the recording showed me backing up to the beacon, I continued. "As I was cornered by the elite, he came around, offering me the safety of you all if I agreed." I heard scowls and saw hateful expressions from the crowd as Red Eye appeared onscreen, his voice sounding through my Pipbuck as I continued. "Of course, I refused, and dropped myself through one of the vents. Fortunately, if it wasn't for these three lovely ladies," I pointed a hoof to the three alicorns I'd rescued from the Lukara, who all smiled as the crowd gave cheers and happy murmurs to the trio. They'd beamed down to rejoin the people of the Wasteland and hear my story. "I would've been dead. As Wedge picked me up in his ship, I saw the city being destroyed by the Klingon fleet." I said as the scene appeared above us, the crowd letting out squeals of terror before letting out cheers as the evacuation ships appeared onscreen.
"We then arrived back on the Harmony, which escaped the system thanks to the wits of her crew." As the crowd saw the Harmony fire its repulsor beams and go to warp with its escorts, the crowd was filled with smiles and yelps of excitement as the holoscreen shut off.
"After I healed up, we heard about the attack that was going to occur here, so we came and fought off the enemy fleet... and that's where we stop at." My audience gave several cheers and smiles as Calamity, Velvet and Xenith stood and trotted up to me, smiles on their faces as my best friend spoke.
"Well, we're all happy that y'all are back, Lil'Pip. We would've been dead if ya didn't help out." I smiled as I looked to my friends, their faces beaming with happiness.
"Yeah, but I didn't just come here to save you all." My friends' expressions turned to puzzlement as I said that. "I need your help again." My friends, including Steelhooves, all stood with shock, the crowd gasping with surprise. "I understand that I'm asking a great amount of assistance from you, but I can't do this all alone. Trillions upon trillions of lives are at stake, and I can't save them all on my own." My friends looked to me as I walked in between them, Steelhooves trotting over to join us as I finished my speech. "It's time for us to stand and fight again. Not just as heroes, but as friends." I said as the crowd looked to us, Homage standing as she spoke.
"Littlepip, I think I speak for everyone here when I say that you and your friends are our only hope. We're all counting on you." She said with a smile as the crowd stood, cheers and woots from all around the room as they looked at us.
As the crowd quieted, I could hear my mother say, "Well, since we have time, why don't you show us some of your little gadgets? I'd love to see what my daughter has come up with while she's been gone!" The crowd murmured happily as I smirked, feeling pleased that I could share some of my achievements in technology.
"I'd be happy to! How about we start with my old friend back from Stable 2?" I said as I lifted my upgraded Pipbuck to the crowd, receiving nods all over as I got started on my showing-off.
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My friends and I trotted out of the bar as my audience went back to their stations, Xenith smiling as she spoke to me. "I'm very impressed with your improved fighting prowess, Littlepip. I haven't seen you fight like that." I smiled as I thought back to that moment. I hadn't just shown off my upgraded equipment, but I thought I'd share my skill in physical combat as well. After showing off Little Macintosh Mark II to the crowd, I aimed my Pipbuck to deploy two holographic officers, wearing outfits that resembled 21st century wrestlers from Earth. After kicking one in the air, I let the other swing at me before ducking and grabbing him by the leg, using him as a meaty bat as I smacked the first one into a nearby wall, the audience cheering in surprise and amusement. I'll never forget the look on Xenith's face when she saw my performance.
"Yeah, and I wanted to ask. During the clip of my shuttle flying over New Khitomer… what did you think?" I replied as she looked confused for a moment, but she smiled as she got at what I was getting at.
"Oh, the stars, yes. I was... amazed by its beauty. Perhaps the stars aren't so malevolent after all." My zebra friend said as we walked over to the school, Xephyr standing at its door.
"Hello mother, are you giving a tour of the school?" The daughter of Xenith asked as her mother replied.
"Yes, I believe we should show off the new improvements to the town in person." She looked at me as I responded to her.
"Yeah, the views from the S.P.P. just don't feel real enough for me." I said with a smile as Xephyr opened the door to the inside of the school, the cold and mother I'd saved during the attack standing inside. They both waved as they saw me enter, the colt trotting up with a drawing that reminded me of the one Silver Bell gave me. It was a picture of me bucking some of J'ula's Klingon warriors, a crude but cool little picture.
"I drew this for you!" The colt said as I took the picture in my magic, lowering my head as I thanked the colt for the picture, then lifting my head back up to look at Xephyr.
"If you'll follow me ple-" She stopped as we all heard a low boom outside. I grew worried as we walked outside, looking for where that noise had come from. I heard a beep from my communicator and tapped it, Na'Zev's voice sounding through it.
"Bad news, Littlepip. Two Birds of Prey have arrived out of another anomaly, along with this moon-sized structure. We don't know what it is." As he said that, I looked up to see a large, ball shaped structure with a circular dish on the upper section. I also saw a trench going along its equator.
"SWEET MOTHER OF CELESTIA AND LUNA!" I swore in shock as my friends and I saw the large station, the residents of Junction Town looking up a few seconds later.
My friends looked down to my communicator as we heard Snowdrops let out a yelp of fear before saying, "I'm getting a large energy signature from the dish, it's charging up a laser!"
I heard my friends gasp as we saw a faint green glow pointing down at us, it was bright enough to illuminate the sky. I heard another voice sound on my communicator, looking down as I listened. "Not on our watch. Computer, enact emergency order 1174, beam all officers excluding the bridge crew to the surface. Ensign, take us in front of that stations crosshairs, maximum speed!"
I grew a fearful expression on my face as I heard Na'Zev speak through my badge. "Ticonderoga, what are you doing?!" The townsponies gathered closer to us as we listened in.
"Saving lives... It's been an honor, Captain." As she said that, the green light darkened as the beam fired.
"NO!" I screamed as my friends and I closed our eyes, waiting for our doom until the green glow faded completely. We looked up to see a faint orange glow above. "Oh... Oh Goddesses!" I said as I grew frantic, Snowdrop confirming my fears as we heard her voice.
"The Ticonderoga... She's gone!" Snowdrop cried out as we all watched the orange glow fade away, the ember that was the Ticonderoga disappearing a few seconds later.
"We don't have time to grieve right now, Snowdrop. Get a scan of that station, we must not let the Ticonderoga's sacrifice be in vain!" Na'Zev said as my friend on the Stratus replied.
"...Aye Sir." We waited as Snowdrop did her work, getting an answer a few seconds later. "I've found a weakness, Sir. There's an exhaust port within this trench. If we can get a torpedo or two into it, we could blow it out of the stars in no time!" I smirked as this presumably devastating weapon had a very exploitable weakness.
"We'll send the Aquarius down to take care of that!" I heard Flash say as I looked up, seeing the giant station looking down on us.
"My friends and I'll keep an eye out for the fireworks, Littlepip out." I said as I looked to my friends, frowning as I said only one thing before we went near the school's playground to sit and relax. "I've got a bad feeling about this."
You have a chance of failure when you have a weakness, it could be losing your friends or a valuable device that could do a load of good, but nonetheless such a hole could provide a weakness.
My initial weakness was being reluctant to kill raiders when I first stepped hoof out into the Wasteland, I would've strained myself if I'd given in completely to Party Time Mintals, I would've died in Fillydeplhia if I hadn't used my telekinetic skills to get Xenith and I out of the city, my plan against the Goddess would have failed if I hadn't removed my memories, and I couldn't have went into the S.P.P. if we didn't have Spike with us to burn me and send me inside.
And now I had a weakness while fighting against J'ula and her band of minions... the loss of my friends.
---------
As my friends and I stared at the large superweapon up in the sky, I looked down to my Pipbuck and tapped it, attempting to access the cameras of the Aquarius. My friends looked at my small device as I tapped one of the ship's frequencies, the view of the Aquarius' bridge appearing on the small screen.
I could see Rainbow Dash and the six students entering view and hopping into their stations as Calamity spoke up. "So, that's the Aquarius yer friends are flyin'?" I nodded before he asked another question. "Is that the ship's name or somethin'?"
I shook my head as I answered my friend. "No, that's its class of ship, the Aquarius class ships usually don't have names."
Calamity frowned as he spoke up. "Well, I tell ya, that ship deserves a name of its own, at least. If Princess Twilight'll allow it, what do ya think we should call it?"
I thought back to our previous rides in the Wasteland, back when we first entered Manehattan, we came across an old, surprisingly functional transport we named the Sky Bandit. She served us well in our ventures across the land, well, at least until she was destroyed by the Wonderbolts (our Wonderbolts), who were apart of the Enclave until we showed them Calamity's memories thanks to our old friend from the Twilight Society, Life Bloom. Of course, we'd replaced the old transport with an Enclave transport called the Tortoise, as far as I knew, she was somewhere in a shack here, but I didn't ask.
I looked to Calamity as I asked him, "How about Sky Bandit Mk II? You know, to remember our old ride?" Calamity gave a smile as he approved of the name, the two of us looking back at the screen as I tapped it again. "Here, I'll set it to where we have a larger view."
The Pipbuck's screen glowed as it shot out an expanding ray of light, the view of the Aquarius' bridge appearing in front of the town a second later. Several townsponies gathered around, some being my mother, Homage, Fluttershy, Ditzy Doo and her daughter Silver Bell, all of us watching as the ship separated from the docking station in the aft section of the Harmony. The crowd let out oohs and aahs as they watched the small escort turn to the right, making its way towards the battle station.
I heard a voice on my Pipbuck as Snowdrop spoke through the Aquarius' comms. "Remember, at least one good shot should do it! The hole's only about two meters long, but the ship's targeting should guide them in!" My friends and I gasped as we heard Snowdrop's news, Velvet turning to me.
"Two meters?! I know I'm not an expert on Alliance weaponry, but how can they make a shot that small?!" My friend said with worry as we continued watching, Rainbow Dash tapping her console as she spoke up.
"I'm picking up another warp signature, it's an ally!" As the rainbow-maned pegasus said that, I could see another anomaly appear outside the window as a large ship appeared out of it, it had a familiar appearance to the other bulbous ships I saw back at Taloraan in orbit.
"This is Nom Carver of the Alliance starship Freedom's Dawn, we're here to help!" I heard a male voice say through the Aquarius' comms as the ship turned towards the battle station, several small objects launching from the hangar bay on the side. They must've been fighters.
"This is Wedge Antillies of Rogue Squadron, we'll cover the Aquarius as they make their run. Lock S-foils into attack position." I heard a familiar voice say as the fighters flew towards the Aquarius, the ships flying in formation a minute later.
I tapped a button on my Pipbuck as I enabled communications, speaking through my small device. "Littlepip to Freedom's Dawn, can you give us more intel on that station?"
"Yes, I believe so. My people have faced this weapon before, it's called the Death Star, it can fire a superlaser with enough power to destroy a planet. Fortunately, as I'm sure you've discovered, there's a weakness on the station, but to get to it, we must take out the deflection towers near the trench!" Captain Nom said as we watched the Aquarius fly closer to the station's trench, firing Phasers at its surface.
"The two escorting frigates are heading towards the Freedom's Dawn, we'll distract them!" The captain of the Alliance carrier said as the two Birds of Prey fired on the large ship.
Rainbow Dash turned to Gallus as she said, "Let's see if we can't make that job easier. Gallus, fire a torpedo at all the towers we can hit!" The griffon nodded as he tapped the console, five torpedoes shooting out of the small escort and flying towards five of the towers, each torpedo destroying them with one hit.
"Good shot, Gallus!" Rainbow said as she neared the trench, firing phasers down into it, devastating the turrets below.
"We'll take care of the last three!" I heard the voice of the armored soldier I saved back on the Lukara say as the Aquarius flew over the long trench, there were several more turrets ahead of the trench, not to mention several bulky sections within it.
"I'm hitting full impulse, the exhaust port's only about 200 meters away!" The cyan pegasus said as the ship sped up, nearing the far away end of the trench.
I heard Wedge's voice through the Pipbuck as the Aquarius was only about 100 meters from the exhaust port. "All towers destroyed! You're in the clear, Dash!"
"Great, Gallus, get me two torpedoes at the ready, high-yield!" As the Aquarius slowed down, Gallus wasted no time in tapping his console before replying.
"They're ready on your word!" The griffon said as the ship neared the edge of the trench, I think I could see the two meter hole that was the exhaust port.
"Now!" As soon as Rainbow Dash said that, Gallus tapped the console as the torpedoes fired, the Aquarius flying up as the torpedoes flew into the hole. "They went in!" The crowd behind me and my friends let out cheers as we watched the small escort and the fighters of Rogue Squadron flying away from the Death Star, all of us looking up towards the sky to see the large battle station.
A moment later, the sky glowed a bright orange as the Death Star exploded, a loud boom reaching our ears a few seconds after the light show. My friends and I joined in the cheers and cries of joy of the crowd as we watched the explosion, Wedge letting out a cry of excitement before speaking. "Yeehaw! Just like the battle over Yavin, one in a million!"
Our celebration was short lived as Rainbow Dash's console beeped, all of us turning to face the screen showing the Aquarius. "Those two Birds of Prey are changing course to our location! They're closing in!" I looked to the ship's window to see the two Klingon ships, both emitting smoke and fire from their fight with the Freedom's Dawn.
"We'll beam you out of there, Apple Bloom, get a transporter lock on 'em!" Applejack said as her younger sister did her work, Rainbow's team disappearing in fields of blue a few seconds later.
As I tapped the Pipbuck again, the screen changed to show the Harmony's bridge, the Aquarius visible on the viewscreen. The two Birds of Prey showed no mercy as they pummeled the little escort, blowing it to nothing but flaming pieces of metal in seconds.
As we all gasped in shock, Apple Bloom brought relief to our ears as she spoke. "I've got 'em all!" As we watched the two Klingon ships break off, they fired blue beams of energy, another portal opening before them. As the Stratus sped towards them, the two ships sped inside, a pair of tiny objects launching from the ship on the right before the portal closed behind them.
As we watched the two tiny objects fly towards the planet, I heard Twilight speak up. "We'll we may have lost the Aquarius, but it's good that Equus is safe from harm for the most part." As the crowd let out low cheers and breaths of relief, my friends looked up to see the two small objects from orbit flying towards us. They looked like miniaturized versions of the Klingon raider ships that were used by House Mo'kai, they each had several fins coming off of the middle of the ship, along with a small cockpit. The cockpit, however, was instead a blue colored glowing light that faced the front of the ship.
Calamity flapped his wings as he started to take to the air, but I put a hoof on him as he hovered in midair. "Wait, they don't look like they're going to hurt us." My friend reluctantly nodded as he landed, watching the two drone ships stop in front of the crowd. As they backed up to the edges of the crowd, the lights on them glowed brighter as a wall of energy was deployed in front of us. The wall started to shift as it built an image, which looked faintly like a pony until it focused some more, revealing the image of Red Eye, who gave a smug expression as he looked at us all.
The crowd gave various expressions as they saw the villainous stallion, some angry or scared as he spoke to us. "Well, it seems the people of the Equestrian Wasteland have proven far more impressive than I expected."
My friends and I all glared at him as Velvet spoke angrily. "How dare you show yourself in this place?! You aren't welcome here, Red Eye!"
"Why have you returned to us?" Xenith spat at the cyberpony as he replied.
"I have come to lead the Equestrian Wasteland back to it's former glory, of course!" He said with a smile, none of us being phased by his words.
"With an armada of Klingon warships behind you?!" I said back angrily as he responded to me.
"I believe some of your people would still welcome me, Littlepip... surely you remember my followers who'd escaped your clutches."
Calamity flew up to his holographic image as he yelled, "Even if they're still out there somewhere in t' Wastes, they're few an' scattered! The rest o' us would rather die than side with t' likes of you!" The crowd let out cries of anger and agreement as they glared at our old enemy, the pony who'd made thousands suffer under his rule.
"It would seem so, though it seems you've also forgotten who has the higher power here, have you not?" He said before chuckling, the rest of us looking on in frustrated confusion as he continued. "Allow me to demonstrate the power of our greatest weapon..." As he finished, the screen shifted to show the Star Forge, or at least a section of it, a portal opening to what looked like a star on the other side. The four lower pylons of the structure generated a ball of energy before striking at the star, it's light flickering as its energy was drained away. A minute or so passed until the beam stopped, the portal closing as a door on the side of the Star Forge opened, a large ship exiting out of it. The ship was a bit similar to the star destroyers I saw over Taloraan, except for the fact that the bridge was much smaller, a large set of dark grey armor and structures being present on its surface.
We all stared in shock and awe as we witnessed the gargantuan ship leave its birthplace, the doors behind it closing as the screen shifted back to Red Eye, who was smirking as if he'd already won the battle.
"Oh, that was only a fraction of what this place can make. We built that Death Star you all saw a short while ago with it as well." As he looked at our stunned faces, he aimed his eyes at me. "I'd highly suggest you surrender while you still can, Littlepip. It won't be long until our great armada is ready to depart," He looked up to the sky for a moment before he continued. "...And not even your mighty Alliance will be able to stop us."
"We'll see about that, Red Eye." I spat once more as he let out a laugh, the screen flickering as the signal faded with Red Eye's laugh. As the two drones rejoined they fired a pair of blue beams, a small portal opening as they both flew in, the portal closing as they entered.
After the drones disappeared, I looked to my friends, their faces stern as they listened to me. "Well, I think we now have a good glimpse of what we're up against." They all nodded as I heard a chirp from my communicator, I tapped it and heard a male voice on the other end.
"This is Captain Walker of the U.S.S. Pastak, we've come to inform you that we request you and the Harmony's presence at New Khitomer, we're needed for a briefing." My friends and the crowd listened as I replied back.
"Got it, we'll be up there in a moment, though I need to check something real quick, should'nt take longer than half an hour."
"Understood, we'll hold position in orbit until you're ready. Pastak out." As the Pastak cut communications, I heard the voice of the Sebrova's captain.
"The Sebrova will take the survivors from the Ticonderoga back to New Khitomer and stop for repairs. I hate to say it, but we probably won't be there for the good fight."
"Don't worry, you've done all you can. Thank you, captain." I said as he replied back.
"You're welcome. Sebrova out." As the signal cut out, I looked to my friends, Calamity raising an eyebrow as he spoke.
"So whatch'a need to look fer, Lil'Pip?" I looked at him with a smile as I replied.
"I wonder, do you guys still have the Tortoise around someplace?"
---------
My friends and I made our way to our boxcar home, it was a comfortable looking home, with some lights affixed over the door and within the house. There were also colors painted all over the boxcar, all done my Silver Bell when she and Ditzy Doo came to stay at the town.
As we trotted up to the other side of the house, Calamity spoke up. "There she is." He said with a smile as we saw it, the old Enclave transport that we used during our final assault on Red Eye and during the defeat of the Enclave ten years ago, it was a large sky-tank that had several turrets along it's hull, two fins on the side of the ship.
"She's old, but she c'n still fly. We've used 'er plenty o' times in the past decade since 'Pip stayed in the S.P.P., and she'll keep on goin' as long as we keep 'er all fixed up!" Calamity said as he smacked the old sky-tank lightly with a hoof, myself growing a smile as I spoke up.
"That's incredible, mind if I get a scan?" Calamity nodded as I tapped my Pipbuck, getting the details on the ship's layout as well as checking the ship for damage and worn out parts. When the scan was done, I looked to my pegasus friend, who smiled as I asked, "I'm glad she's still with us, Calamity, because I think I have an idea for this ship." He raised an eyebrow as I continued. "How would you guys feel if I had her upgraded to a combat shuttle?"
My friends eyes were wide with surprise, especially Calamity's. "Uh, Lil'Pip, are ya sure yer up for somethin' like that?"
"Of course, I built that irradiated warp core, so I'm sure I could do something like that." My friends gave curious looks as Velvet spoke.
"What kind of upgrades were you thinking of, Littlepip?" I smiled as I started pointing to various areas of the Tortoise, explaining my idea.
"I think we could add sturdier armor, especially some neutronium alloy, we could add some warp engines to this thing, shields, and a micro photon torpedo launcher. She'd be unstoppable if we did that!"
My friends nodded and murmured positive comments as they liked my idea, Calamity walked up to me and asked, "Ah think that's a great idea, we'll still keep the name, right?"
"Definitely, though I was thinking of adding a little prefix like "S.S." or-" I stopped as we all heard a noise, it sounded like a crack of thunder, but there were no storm clouds hovering over us. As we looked up to the sky I could see five columns of black smoke flying towards us, each crackling with lightning. After probing my thoughts for an answer, I recognized them instantly.
"The Wonderbolts?" I said with surprise as they all landed around us, one of them trotting over to us, opening her helmet to reveal her face. She had a flaming orange mane with a cloud white coat, I remembered her name being Skydive.
"Hello, Littlepip, I see you've gotten out of the S.P.P. recently." Skydive said to me as I replied, a little surprised at the Wonderbolts' sudden arrival.
"Ah, Skydive, it's good to see you." I said as I raised an eyebrow. "What are you all doing here?"
"I told you we'd look you all up after the dust settled, and, well, here we are." She said as she let out a chuckle, the other elite flyers standing sternly as she continued. "We all heard about the attack by that lady you call J'ula, along with the news about Red Eye, and we want to help."
My mouth opened, shocked by their request to assist us as Calamity spoke up. "Now wait a minute, y'all want t' help us fight against a foe that has an entire space armada waitin' fer us t' attack?"
"Indeed." The ebony colored mare with a violet mane and tail named Jet said before continuing. "We may have stayed out of the fighting during the end of the Enclave, but we feel it's time to do something right, something that will save lives and keep Equestria safe from harm."
"And we're not taking no for an answer." Skydive said as they all stood around us, Calamity opening his mouth to speak until we heard another group of voices.
"And neither are we." A chorus of female voices said as three alicorns appeared, these weren't the same ones from the Lukara, but rather the ones that helped Velvet Remedy break into the Enclave fortress over Neighvarro ten years ago. The Wonderbolts readied themselves for a fight, but Velvet put a hoof up to stop them, signaling that they were friendly.
I stood, surprised by the additional support I was getting for my mission. The blue alicorn leading her sisters spoke up. "As far as we know, the Star Forge may have weapons and defenses we don't know of, so we'll accompany you aboard so you can succeed in your mission."
"I hope you've got space for us in the hangar bay," Skydive said as she pointed to the sky above us. "because we're planning on blasting some Klingons out of the stars!"
I looked to all my new companions, who awaited my response. "We'd be glad to have you with us during the mission, and I'm sure the Alliance will want you all there." The Wonderbolts saluted as one of them walked over to Calamity, his appearance being familiar as he opened his helmet. It was Gutshot.
"Hey Calamity," The gunmetal grey stallion with an electric sea green mane said as he talked to his old rival. "I'm very sorry about what happened back at Everfree, and when we head up there to fight against those Klingon friends of yours, I hope I can make you proud."
"It ain't no big deal," Calamity said as he wrapped a forearm around his former rival. "and Ah'm sure y'all will be rackin' the most kills up there. I'm countin' on it."
The two smiled at the thought as I tapped my combadge, the little device chirping twice as I spoke into it. "Littlepip to Harmony, we're ready to beam up, and we're bringing some additional guests aboard to help out in our mission, including a small vehicle."
Twilight sounded pleased when she heard the news. "Great, we've got some space for the shuttle, and our transporter room's all set for you all."
I looked to my companions as I asked, "You all ready to head out?" My friends and the alicorns nodded in agreement, the Wonderbolts all saluting as I spoke into my combadge again. "We're ready when you are."
"All right, stand by." As the signal shut off, Velvet looked to me as she asked me a question.
"Um, Littlepip? This transporter thing isn't going to hurt, is it?"
"Oh, no. At most, you'll feel a little weird, that's all." As I replied to my friend, we were all surrounded by blue fields of energy, including the Tortoise. Our vision blurred as we vanished from the Wasteland, beaming to the Harmony a moment later. When we left, we'd all head to New Khitomer to set our battle plan, and after that, we'd be taking part in what was probably the biggest battle the Alliance would ever face.
In order to defeat your enemy, to win the day and secure peace, you need tactics. They could be simple ones, like setting certain formations on the field, or they could be complex, such as setting a specific group of soldiers back for the perfect moment.
I needed to distract the alicorn in Old Appleloosa if I was going to defeat her, I needed to gain the trust of both Gawd's and Deadeyes' forces if I was going to give the former her chance of rebuilding, I needed to remove my memories in order to ensure the Goddess couldn't discover my plan to kill her. And I needed to split my army of friends up in order to wipe the slate of the Wasteland clean of evil.
And we'd need to set everything up right for this battle, otherwise, we wouldn't have a chance of stopping J'ula and her armada.
---------
Before we left, Blackjack contacted us to tell us she and all of her friends would stay to protect Equus while we were gone, both of us saying our goodbyes before heading out.
We arrived in the New Khitomer system within seconds, the Pastak, Sebrova, and Stratus all following us through. The sector was filled with hundreds of ships, most of them being Federation, Klingon (the good ones, not J'ula's,) and Romulan designs. The Freedom's Dawn and one of the star destroyers were here, too. There were some ships that caught my eyes though, one was a large starship with a bridge connected to a short neck, which was held by a large secondary hull boasting four wings and a large fin on the top, which had text under a fox shaped logo that read, "StarFox".
Another ship I saw was a little smaller than the first, it had a long main hull with two curved wings and several fins. I saw a word on the hull which read, "Tempest".
A third ship I saw had the appearance of a World War II Japanese battleship from Earth, except it had several fins and wings coming off of it, not to mention a large engine on its aft side.
The fourth one I saw was a small ship, it consisted of a saucer-like section with two mandibles on the front side, its left side boasting the ships cockpit and on the dorsal side a dish and a turret.
I also saw a large vessel that bore the symbols of the Sun and Moon, it looked like a large boat-shaped hull that held a tower with a small hangar bay. Around the hull were four wings, boasting several engines glowing within them. Was that the Royal Sisters' flagship? Twilight had told me she had her own starship, but I'd never seen in with my own eyes!
My friends and I gasped as we marveled at the sight of the fleet for several seconds, Calamity breaking the silence with, "That's a lot of ships."
"We'll need everyone we can get to win this battle." Twilight said as Pinkie Pie's console beeped, the pink mare turning her head as she spoke.
"We're being hailed by the Pax Celestial."
"Onscreen." Twilight said as the screen changed to show the Royal Sisters, sitting in their command chairs as Princess Celestia spoke first.
"Hello again, Twilight, it's good you and your friends are here." My friends, the alicorns, the Wonderbolts and I all bowed in respect, the Princess of the Sun looking surprised but pleased. "Thank you all, please rise, my little ponies." We all did so as Velvet wiped her eyes, Princess Luna raising an eyebrow as my friend answered her confusion.
"I'm sorry, it's just.. in our universe, your fates are worse than any of us could imagine." The two princesses gave looks of surprise as she finished. "No time to worry about that now, though, we can talk about that subject later.
"Indeed." Princess Luna said as she nodded, looking to Twilight before continuing. "The briefing is about to start in fifteen minutes, you all should gather your things and meet us in the lobby aboard the station." We all nodded as Twilight spoke for us.
"Understood, we'll be there shortly." As she finished, the screen changed back to the view of New Khitomer as Twilight and her crew trotted to the turbolift, my friends and I heading to the other one as we made our way to the transporter room.
---------
We made our way to the lobby after beaming down two minutes ago, there were loads of people here, I could see the Royal Sisters sitting in the back of the room, Twilight's crew, Na'Zev's crew, my friends and I joining her as we entered. As I looked around us, I noticed there were several seats next to my team that were empty, I assumed it was for the Sebrova's crew. We waited for a few more minutes before a chime sounded, a voice speaking through the room. "Attention, the briefing is about to start, all officers, please take your seats."
As everyone in the room sat, I saw a beautiful human lady in a white regal dress walking up to the table in the center of the room, two guards standing at her side. We all listened as she began. "Good evening everyone, I am Princess Leia Organa. I'm sure you all know why we're here, the rogue Klingon warrior J'ula has gathered a very powerful force that could turn the tide of the war against her in her favor, and we all have to stop it." As Princess Leia tapped a button on the console, a large hologram of the battlefield appeared above us. In front of a large sphere were several starships, including the Star Forge. It and J'ula's fleet was dwarfed by the size of the sphere.
"J'ula has managed to gain control of one of the gateway spheres within the Multiversial network, and with her new weapon, the Star Forge, she could create an unstoppable army of ships to take many more universes, effectively allowing her to create her own empire. We, however, won't allow her to succeed." She tapped another button as another fleet of ships appeared within the field, it was our fleet. "We're going to make an assault on the fleet and attempt to get aboard the Star Forge. However, the station has an effective shield generator, which will prevent us from getting a team within the station. Fortunately, we have our own secret weapon."
Leia tapped the console again to zoom towards a single ship in the Alliance fleet. it was larger than any of the other ships around it, it had a large saucer with a short secondary hull, which held two thin pylons holding two nacelles. From the way it looked, the pylons should be able to hold the nacelles without additional assistance.
"The Enterprise-J has been outfitted with a special device courtesy of the Tholians, the device will be able to create a hole in the shield of the Star Forge. Once the shield is opened, the Harmony will make it's way to it and transport Agent Littlepip and her team aboard. Once they've brought the shields down and set the Star Forge to self destruct, Littlepip and company will be beamed out by the Harmony and get to a safe distance." Several people in the room looked to me and my friends as Leia said that. My friends and I stood up as I spoke.
"We won't fail, your Highness." We all bowed before sitting down, the princess continuing as we did.
"J'ula will have several defenses around the Star Forge, however, including fighter squadrons. While the main fleet clears a path, the Star Fox team, Rogue Squadron, and both of the Wonderbolt teams will provide cover for the Enterprise and the Harmony."
As our Wonderbolts team stood, I saw three ponies stand up on the other side of our group, Twilight's Wonderbolts standing as Spitfire spoke. "The enemy pilots will be screaming for their mothers once we enter the playing field!" Some of the crowd cheered as they sat down, Princess Leia continuing as they stopped.
"Excellent, this battle will determine the fate of not only the Alliance and its people, but the fate of the entire multiverse as a whole. We can't afford to lose this battle. Go to your ships and ready for departure." As she said that, we all stood, several people heading for the doors as Spitfire and her teammates Soarin' and Fleetfoot hovered in front of Skydive's team.
"So, you guys ready for the biggest dogfight of your life?" She said with a smirk as Skydive replied.
"Definitely. Also, our most sincere apologies about us twisting the good name of the Wonderbolts up. I'd say we don't deserve the title."
"Nonsense, you've proven you're all quite fitting as far as I could tell! Trust me, if it weren't for Crash here," She pointed a hoof to Rainbow Dash, who smiled as her flight captain continued. "we wouldn't be fitting of the name either."
Soarin, the light blue pegasus who had a similar appearance to P-21 spoke up to the rainbow-maned pegasus. "We'd love to have you fly with us, Dash, but your ship needs it's pilot for this one."
"Just promise me one thing: come back alive." Rainbow Dash said as her fellow flyer nodded, the two hugging before Fleetfoot interrupted the moment.
"I hate to break up a pair of lovebirds, but we need to get going." Soarin and Rainbow nodded before the two separated, the former rejoining his squad as Spitfire and Skydive called out to us simultaneously.
"See you all on the field!" As the two flight squadrons left, we all went out the left door, talking about our plans as we made our way to the transporter room.
---------
We arrived onto the bridge shortly after beaming back to the Harmony, the large ship that was the Enterprise-J taking formation among the Harmony, the Pax Celestial, and the Wonderbolts' star carrier, the Firefly. After we beamed back to the Harmony, my friends and I went to the weapons room to gather anything and everything we'd need for the mission, Velvet heading to sickbay to gather medical supplies. Afterwards, we went back to the bridge, myself sitting at my station as the crew readied the ship for battle.
"So, are you all geared up and ready for this?" I asked as I looked to my friends, each of them nodding as I continued. "Good, this will be the most difficult mission we've ever had to face, and I hope we all make it out alive."
"I wish Pyrelight was here, I had Fluttershy watch over her while we were dealing with J'ula and Red Eye." Velvet said with sadness in her voice, myself also wishing the beautiful phoenix was here to fight at our side.
"Well, maybe this little guy will help!' Pinkie Pie said before pulling out a small furball and tossing it to Velvet, who caught it in her magic as it purred. We all looked at it in surprise until Velvet squeed, looking to the pink party pony.
"What is this adorable little thing?!" Velvet said excitedly, the rest of us now looking at the small furball with smiles as Pinkie Pie answered.
"It's a tribble! They're one of the most adorable little things in the universe! You can keep him, just don't feed him too much and keep him away from Klingons, most of them don't like them."
"Most of 'em?" Calamity asked as Rarity answered him.
"Some Klingons have adapted to their issues with tribbles, I know one Klingon named Kapor who doesn't mind them one bit."
"Oh, and also keep an eye on him when he's with other tribbles, they breed as fast as parasprites!"
We all ceased our conversation as we heard a sound that escalated in pitch before lowering and shutting off. The fleet was preparing for departure, the crew all stood at their stations as the fleet broadcast continued, my friends and I sitting at my station as we listened in.
"This is Captain Dax of the U.S.S. Enterprise, transmitting through the fleet network. All ships, check in!"
"Great Fox is ready for launch." I heard a robotic voice say as the next ship's captain spoke.
"Yamato standing by!"
"This is the Tempest, standing at the ready!"
"This is Captain Solo of the Millennium Falcon, we're all set." I heard a low roar through the comms after Captain Solo spoke.
"Firefly is ready for departure!" Spitfire said through the fleet channel.
After about three minutes of captains confirming their attendance Captain Dax spoke up once more. "Excellent, prepare to jump to warp on my mark!" As she said that a large blue portal opened in front of us, big enough to allow all of our ships in at once! "Three, two, one, engage!"
At that word, all of the ships zoomed into the wormhole, speeding through a large blue vortex a second later. When we came out at the other end, the battle would begin, and at that point, the fate of the multiverse will be determined by the victor of the battle: Us or J'ula.
We all have surprises in our lives, both good and bad. Surprises can be something great like the start of a birthday party, or horrible news such as a loved one passing on.
I've had several surprises myself, like finding out Velvet Remedy used me to get herself out of Stable 2, or discovering Watcher's true identity was Spike, the dragon that lived for over two-hundred years to protect Twilight Sparkle's greatest creation. The arrival of the Enclave during my mission to destroy the Goddess was a shock I hadn't seen coming, neither was the Sonic Rad-boom Ditzy Doo performed over the town of New Appleloosa during their attack.
And while I had a good idea of what was to come during this conflict against J'ula, there would be so many more things I'd see that I wasn't expecting to see here...
--------
The fleet exited the wormhole and entered a large area of space a few moments after it's departure from New Khitomer, the space around the area had no stars, just a dark purple field of energy. Within the area along with our fleet was the gateway sphere, the Star Forge and J'ula's fleet nearby. I couldn't see the Lukara from where we were, though I was sure it was somewhere in that fleet.
My friends and I looked at the viewscreen, aweing at the large structure that led to so many places I couldn't fathom. "And that was built by our makers?" Velvet Remedy asked as we observed the sight.
"Yep, we don't know where they went, though, other than the Preserver Archive in the Alpha Quadrant." I answered my friend as I got back to my station.
I heard Twilight speak up as the fleet dispersed into several groups, the Enterprise, the Great Fox, the Firefly and the Harmony being one of them. "All squadrons, check in!"
"Rogue Squadron standing by." Wedge said as his squad of twenty or so fighters appeared above our ships.
"Team Star Fox, ready for duty." A male voice said as four fighters formed up in front of the Harmony, they had a large fuselage with four small blue engines around it. Connected to those were two wings.
"Wonderbolts on station!" Skydive said as her fighters flew in formation, they consisted of a large set of pegasus-shaped wings attached to a main fuselage, a small windowed cockpit attached to the front.
Calamity whistled as he saw the graceful starfighters. "I've got t' get me one o' those sometime." He said with a smirk as the ships flew in formation, Captain Dax speaking through the ship's intercoms.
"Alright, remember your orders, cover the Enterprise until she fires the weapon, then escort the Harmony in so they can beam Littlepip down to the Star Forge! Charge!" As Dax said that, our fleet sped away towards the Klingon fleet, the other allied ships firing on them ahead of us.
As we approached a trio of Klingon ships, we opened fire on the Sech battle cruiser that led the small group, its hull ablaze as we tore the ship apart with Phaser beams. A Bird of Prey swooped over us before turning around, firing disruptors at our shields. The Star Fox Team all performed barrel rolls in front of the shots, deflecting them back towards the small frigate and disabling its shields.
"Eat plasma, ridgeheads!" I said with a smirk as I vented plasma out of the nacelles while the Harmony flew forward, spilling the lethal gas all around the frigate, which exploded a few seconds later. Calamity whooped with excitement as he watched the Klingon ship burn to pieces.
The last Bird of Prey was hit by a large green beam by the Enterprise, the one shot that hit it was apparently all it could take as it exploded, pieces of debris hitting our shields as we sped towards the Star Forge.
Another group of Klingon ships approached us, a large dreadnought distracted by the Pax Celestial. The Harmony grabbed one of the Birds of Prey in a tractor beam, the Wonderbolts firing magic shots at it's shields until they dropped. Rainbow Dash tapped her console as a torpedo flew out from under the Harmony, hitting the small enemy ship as it exploded.
"Shield drain on the other Bird of Prey!" Twilight said as the second frigate sped around at us, the ship getting caught in a tractor beam from the Enterprise as the Harmony fired a blue beam of energy at the ship, its shields flickering out a moment later.
"One high-yield torpedo coming up!" Rainbow Dash said as she tapped her console, another torpedo flying out from the Harmony. The Bird of Prey's hull screeched as it was hit, the vessel exploding shortly after being hit.
I heard Princess Celestia's voice speak up through Twilight's comms panel as we turned back to the Star Forge. "We'll take care of the dreadnought, you head for the Star Forge!"
"Understood." Twilight said as the fleet continued on towards another group of ships, this one consisting of three Venomian frigates and one star destroyer, the one that we saw at Laurentia. Squadrons of fighters flew out of the ship's sides as it fired, hitting the Enterprise's shields.
"TIEs coming in! We'll hold them off!" Wedge said as his ships attacked the small starfighters, some exploding as they were hit.
"I've got a lock on the bridge's shield generators!" Rainbow Dash said as she tapped her console, two Phaser beams hitting two small spherical structures on the top of the bridge. The two generators exploded as the star destroyer turned, more laser fire hitting the underbelly of the Harmony until the hull was hit.
"They've breached the ventral shields! I'm taking evasive maneuvers!" As the Harmony sped around the star destroyer, I tapped my Pipbuck to access the enemy comms, Captain Dax's voice speaking a second later.
"Don't worry, I've got this!" I heard a deeper voice say as one of Star Fox's fighters went directly towards the star destroyer's bridge, barrel rolling as it collided into it.
"No!" I yelled as my friends and I watched in shock, the star destroyer's bridge burning in flames from the impact as the fighter rolled out of the other side, completely unscathed. We all let out cheers and cries of relief as the Star Fox team's leader spoke.
"Good going, Falco!" He said as the deep voice that belonged to Falco spoke again.
"What did I tell ya, Fox? It's a piece o' cake!" The star destroyer flew downwards as it lost control, colliding with two of the enemy frigates around it. As the three ships exploded in a brilliant ball of light, one of the frigates sped away towards the next group, the Enclave thunderhead taking the lead around more Venomian frigates.
"Uh oh." Calamity said as the large ship fired it's beams, hitting the Harmony's shields as I tapped my console. A warp bubble struck the small fleet of ships as the thunderhead fired again, hitting the Harmony's port shield as it passed.
"Can we disable her?" I heard Skydive say as her squadron flew over the thunderhead, which fired beams after them as they evaded.
"Perhaps, why?" Captain Dax said as Jet joined in the conversation.
"We could make it the Wasteland's first warp vessel, as well as learn what J'ula's done to get it flying again."
Dax seemed to debate the idea until she spoke up a moment later. "All right, we'll send some teams to assist you in taking her captive."
"Half of my squad and Skydives, take the thunderhead, the rest stick with the fleet!" Spitfire said as the Enterprise fired a blue beam and hit the ship's engine with a single Phaser beam, disabling it. Seven fighters shot at the thunderhead's turrets as they flew inside, assaulting what was once the ship's hangar bay. One of the defending frigates flew by and attempted to shoot the Enterprise as it transported away teams, but was stopped by the Stratus, which fired several Phaser bolts as she passed. The frigate sped away from the Federation flagship as the Stratus clashed with the remainder of the enemy fleet.
"We'll help take the thunderhead with the Wonderbolts! You all keep going!" Snowdrop said through the comms as our fleet continued onward to the Star Forge.
As the Harmony fired repulsor beams at another group of incoming frigates, I tapped my Pipbuck, putting my earbloom in as I accessed the enemy comms.
"Defense Group 1, report!" I heard J'ula say as one of the frigates was hit with the Enterprises green beam, being obliterated in seconds.
"They've gunned us down, we're falling back to Defense Group 2 to hold off the Alliance fleet!" I heard J'ula grunt angrily as she replied back.
"PetaQ! Ensure the Enterprise does not reach the Star Forge!" J'ula said as another ship passed by the Harmony and fired, I think it was a Sech class.
"Understood, my Lady! General Red Eye has departed his flagship for the Star Forge, he says he's going to protect it should the Alliance's team get through!"
"Good, he must not fail us or this campaign is forfeit!" I pulled out the earbloom as I tapped my console, ejecting another cloud of warp plasma around the now damaged Klingon cruiser, which exploded a moment later.
As we continued towards the Star Forge, another ship came at us, a small ship with a large section of hull with a beam sticking out the front. Two pylons held dishes at the ship's sides, a third one at the front of it's hull.
I heard Captain Dax speak up as the ship arrived. "All ships, break away from the Enterprise, all hands, brace for impact!" As all of our ships got a good distance from the Enterprise, the ship rolled swiftly, hitting the small cruiser hard as it exploded, the starboard side of the Enterprise's shields flickering from the damage.
We all gasped as one of the Enterprise's crew members spoke aloud. "The Arrestor cruiser's been destroyed! Major damage to starboard shields! Minor to hull!"
"We'll be fine, just keep flying towards the Star Forge!" The captain spoke up again as she addressed the issue with the cruiser. "Those Arrestor cruisers could've caught us all with a tractor beam if they had a chance! If we see another one in our path, destroy it as quick as possible!" As Dax finished the fleet rejoined formation, speeding towards the Star Forge!"
I put my earbloom in as the ship got closer to the large structure. "They've breached the third Defense Group!" One of the Klingons said as we saw the large super star destroyer standing guard in front of the station.
"Damn, those Alliance scum are pretty good! Alert the Vengeance, she'll be in for a hell of a fight!" A gruff voice replied before we saw the large star destroyer turn towards us, our fleet closing in as the large ship fired lasers at us.
Two large green beams fired from the Vengeance as the Enterprise was hit, it's shields flickering out of existence as Captain Dax spoke up. "They've taken our shields down! We need cover!"
As our fleet sped in front of the Enterprise, the Vengeance fired again, two of Wedge's squadron getting hit by the laser fire.
"I'M HIT!" One of the pilots cried out as the two ships exploded, the Rogues breaking off for cover behind us.
"We can't hold off this much firepower!" Applejack cried out as the ship was hit, myself tapping the console as I reversed the Harmony's shield polarity.
"Guys, I'm picking up another ship!" Pinkie Pie said with glee as I looked to the viewscreen. Another ship warped in through another wormhole as it fired several Phaser beams at the Vengeance's bridge shield generators, another smaller ship flying out from under it as it fired a wave of energy across the ship's hull, the turrets on the large star destroyer ceasing fire as the pair of allied ships sped at us.
"It's the Chestnut!" Twilight said excitedly as Rarity spoke up.
"And she's brought some friends!" As the small cruiser pulled up in front of us, I got a good look, it was a small Excalibur class vessel, with yellow and brown markings adorning it's hull.
"We're being hailed." Pinkie Pie said as she tapped the console, not taking an answer from Twilight as the screen changed to show the Chestnut's captain. He was a human with a yellow and blue Starfleet Sierra uniform, along with brown hair and mutton chops on his face.
"Hello again, Twilight, it's good to see you." The captain said as Twilight replied.
"And to you too, Admiral! Where have you been?! I thought you were busy with simulations!"
"Oh, I wouldn't miss out on a good battle when I see it!" The admiral said as he tapped his comms panel on his chair before continuing. "And about the former, I was gathering some friends to help out."
I heard a metallic, accented voice through the screen as the screen split to show a robotic face with red eyes. "Rogue Decepticon Ramjet at your service! I've disabled the enemy ship's weapons with an EMP burst, so you should take it out while you have time!"
"We'll take care of that, Admiral." Princess Luna said through Twilight's comms as the Pax Celestial closed in on the Vengeance, firing along with it's escorts as Captain Dax replied.
"It's a miracle you've all arrived, we'll continue on to open a door for the Harmony at the Star Forge, can you help the others?"
"You've got it, Captain. All of you, be careful, especially you, Littlepip." I looked at him with shock as I said my name, a smile appearing on his face as he continued. "I've heard of your record from Admiral Quinn, your work on the Lukara has given us an opening to stop J'ula and her allies. We can't afford to lose you all on this mission."
I stood up as I replied to the admiral. "My friends and I won't let you down, once we open a hole in the Star Forge's shields, we'll blow that place up in now time, you can count on that!" He smiled as I sat, looking to Twilight one more time before speaking.
"Indeed. Once again, we'll help out the others, you all be careful." Twilight nodded as the screen cut back to the Vengeance, the Chestnut and Ramjet flying to assist the Royal flagship and it's escorts.
As the Enterprise stopped near the Star Forge, I heard Captain Dax speak up. "Firing shield breaker... now!" As she said that, a yellow beam fired at the Star Forge, the beam expanding out as a circular hole was made in the Star Forge's shields, our entrance.
Twilight looked to me and my friends as we stood, our cue signaled as the princess spoke to us. "Now's your chance, get to Transporter room 1, quickly!" We all nodded as we entered the turbolift, myself tapping my Pipbuck in my ear as I listened in on the Harmony's communication frequency, the Pipbuck's speakers active so my friends could hear with me.
As the turbolift sped down to the next deck, I heard another deep, menacing voice speak through my Pipbuck's speakers. "That's as far as you go, Star Fox!"
"J'ula wishes to see you eliminated." Another higher pitched voice said as I tapped my Pipbuck again, a light flickering before a holoscreen displayed our new enemies. Three of them we're of the same ship, a black fuselage with red engines and four wings, two large, two small.
The rest of them were different ships, it was like the one TIE Fighter I saw at Taloraan, but it's wings were curved and pointing forward. There we're eight of these things backing up the three leading ships.
"Oh, how it pains me to do this, dear Krystal." Another deeper voice said as the four ships clashed with Star Fox, green and red lasers exchanged as a female voice spoke.
"You're not getting through that gate on our watch!" My friends and I watched as the battle ensued, Falco's voice speaking up a second later.
"Crud! It's Star Wolf!"
"We'll hold off Star Wolf, you all get to the Star Forge!" Fox said as his ship did a loop around one of Star Wolf's ships, hitting it hard with green laser fire as Skydive spoke.
"The Wonderbolts are here to assist!" The three Wonderbolt starfighters flew over the Harmony as they engaged the TIEs, one of the Rogue fighters heading into the fray.
"I'm joining the fight! This one's mine!" An accented female voice said as she engaged one of the TIEs, which bore red markings on it's hull.
"Kasen, you traitor! I'll be damned if I don't blow you out of the sky today!" The female TIE pilot said angrily as her pursuer fired, keeping pace.
"Not if I have anything to say about it!" Kasen said back as the skirmish ensued, the turbolift doors opening as we raced to the transporter room.
"You guys have five minutes to beam down before the shield regenerates, hurry!" Dax said as we passed through the doors of Transporter room 1, all of us standing on the pads as we nodded to the officer.
As my friends and I watched, Jet's fighter shot down one of the TIE fighters, the burning ship hitting the hull hard. The room shook as our section of the ship was hit, the transporter console bursting with static.
"Dammit! That hit damaged the transporters, I'll need to fix it!" The officer said as we all gasped, worried the delay might cost us our mission.
"Get it fixed, we don't have time to waste!" Dax said as I raised a hoof, trotting over as I spoke.
"Let me help, I can get it up and running in a jiffy." The officer nodded as his assistant pulled out a kit and set it down for me, myself floating my Pipbuck to Velvet as she held it for everyone to watch. I opened the kit and pulled out the tools.
I heard a burst of flame from the transmission as I opened the tray covering the consoles insides. "This can't be happening!" The high pitched voice yelped out as I took a peek and saw one of the fighters of Star Wolf fleeing, a trail of fire bleeding from it's hull as Falco spoke back.
"Stick to the desert, lizard!" As his fighter broke off from the fleeing enemy ship, Falco pursued one of the TIEs as another voice spoke up.
"Fox, Panther's on my tail!" The female pilot cried out as another high pitched voice spoke up.
"I'll help!" As another fighter of Star Fox closed in on Panther's ship, he did a loop, the pursued now becoming the pursuer.
"Not today, toad!" Panther said as he fired, his target performing barrel rolls as it's pilot spoke.
"Oh, not this again!" I looked back at the console as I saw the issue, it was a miracle, there were only a few wires that needed repairs! As I grabbed a cutter and began my work on the first of three wires, I heard another shout and burst of flame from the screen.
"Why, Krystal, WHY?!" Panther cried out as Krystal came around, hitting the damaged Star Wolf fighter with several green bolts of energy as she joined her comrade in formation.
"You already know who I've chosen." Krystal said as she flew with the other fighter, the two chasing after a trio of TIEs as I finished on the first wire.
"You're good, Fox... but I'm better!" The first deep voice boasted as I started work on the second wire.
"Three minutes to shield regeneration!" Dax said as I worked, my work on the second wire nearing completion as I heard a scream, myself taking a peek to see one of the TIEs flying in a ball of fire before exploding into a group of four other ones, destroying them all as Skydive flew past the explosion.
"That's how we do it in the Wonderbolts!" She said victoriously as she pursued another TIE fighter.
As I finished on the second wire, I heard Twilight's voice over the ship's intercom. "Bridge to Transporter room 1, you got that thing fixed yet?"
"Almost!" I said aloud as I started work on the third wire.
"We've entered the shield grid, get it fixed and then beam down! We've only got two minutes left!"
"Aye!" I said as I started to finish on the third wire, myself taking another peek to see the last fighter of Star Wolf flee, a red flame burning off of it's hull as Fox's ship pursued it.
"Curses!" The ship's pilot said as he rejoined his squadron, my friends and I letting out a cheer as Fox broke off and rejoined his team.
"Panther, Leon, let's go! We're done here!" The lead Star Wolf pilot said as his ship's main engines glowed. "Good luck with your fool's errand, J'ula, you'll need it!" As he finished, the three ships of Star Wolf sped away, myself focusing back on the last wire.
As I finished up on the last wire, I heard another burst of flame from the screen. After putting the tray back on, I looked to see the leading TIE fighter burning up in a fireball, Kasen chasing as it flew erratically.
"No, NO!!!" The ship's pilot screamed as the ship exploded, my friends and I cheering as I stepped back on the transporter pad.
"That's all of them!" Skydive said as she returned to formation with the Harmony, the ship holding position right inside the shield for cover.
"Good timing too, we've only got thirty seconds, get Littlepip's team down there, now!" Dax said as we looked to the transporter officer, who nodded as he tapped the console. We we're all surrounded by blue fields of energy before disappearing from the Harmony.
||||||
As the fields of blue faded, we were standing in a large room, it was surprisingly clear of enemies as we looked around, plain grey walls splitting into three different paths, one left, one forward, and one right.
As we took in our surroundings, we all looked back to the Pipbuck's screen, the Harmony speeding through the shields with the fighters. We all gasped in fear as the shield sealed, the aft tip of the Harmony's starboard nacelle being sliced off by it.
I heard Applejack cry out through my Pipbuck's speakers. "We're out! Our starboard nacelle has been damaged, we're leaking plasma!"
"Seal off all plasma conduits on the starboard nacelle!" Twilight said back to her friend as my combadge beeped. I tapped it as she spoke to us. "Harmony to Littlepip! Are you through?!"
"Yeah! We're all fine here!" I replied as my friends stood around me, all of them listening in.
"Excellent, we're heading back to the fleet to assist with the enemy." She stopped as she took a breath, all of us looking at each other until she spoke again. "You all should use your supplies wisely, we can't beam anything through with the shield back up. From this moment, you're all on your own. Understood?"
"Understood, Twilight." I said as my captain replied one last time before the transmission cut.
"Good luck."
As I looked around the room again, I tapped my Pipbuck as Steelhooves and I scanned the place. "So... where d' we start walkin' t'?" Calamity asked as I finished my scan, my Pipbuck laying out the map as I looked to the middle path.
"I can't get a full layout from here, but the map says we should go this way." I said as my friends, Velvet's three alicorns and I began our trek through the interior of the Star Forge. If the rest of the place was like this, then our mission to destroy this place should be easier than any of us could've hoped.
Perfection is something many of us desire, we want to be the best at anything, we want to be better than anyone else, to be the very best.
But if there's one thing I learned about perfection, it is dangerous, and in some cases, it is evil.
I've seen what some would call perfection in the form of Red Eye's fortress in Fillydelphia, everyone worked with no pay or care, as well as being beaten for working too slow, insane slaves beat each other to the death in the Pit, and disobedience was met with a shot from a laser that would disintegrate you and turn you into nothing but goop.
And what my friends and I were about to see would be so horrifying, I'd be glad I wasn't "perfect"...
---------->
We trotted about slowly through the halls of the Star Forge, our weapons at the ready and our alicorn escorts keeping watch for patrols. We'd strangely found no resistance within the massive structure yet, either this whole place was left unguarded save for wherever Red Eye was, or we were in a not-so-secure area of the station. I didn't know which, but we'd made it through about six hallways with no trouble so far, and I hoped it would stay that way.
Oh, how I hoped...
As we turned a corner to a hallway on our left, we saw a door, a bar that read in a strange text I couldn't translate. As Steelhooves took a scan of the writing, he took a moment before he spoke up.
"It says "Research"." My friend said as Velvet spoke up curiously.
"What do you think they're researching in there?" I looked to her as my own curiosity grabbed hold of me.
"I don't know, but the Alliance might need to know." I said as I stopped in front of the research room, taking a look through the transparent doors as I saw no enemies. I looked to my friends as I warned them. "Keep your guard up, we don't know who or what we'll find in here." They all nodded as we walked in, several roars and screeches sounding from our left. We all turned to look at the different cells, each sealed by a force field that held a strange lifeform.
As I looked to the first one, I stood frozen as it screeched at me, digging it's legs at the force field in a failed attempt to attack. It was a large bug-like creature with a large jaw and four legs, yellow marks of some kind bore all over its body.
I looked to Steelhooves after recovering, the Applejack's Ranger nodding as he tapped the cell's outer console before scanning it, myself and the others trotting over to the next cell. This next creature was airborne, it had a green, transparent shell with organs inside, four tooth-like mandibles protruding out from under it.
As it floated around it's cell, I watched Steelhooves trot back over to us, stopping by me as he spoke. "That first one was called an Arachnid. They're from a planet in another universe called Klendathu, and they tore human soldiers apart during a war between the two sides." I looked back at the large bug in the first cell, shivering at the thought of having to fight that thing.
"Let's make sure we blow this area to ashes when we get out of here." I said to my friend in armor, the two of us turning to the second creature as it spotted us. It hovered in the air for a moment, making low screeches for a moment before hissing and launching itself towards us. If it weren't for the force field, Celestia knows what it could've done to us. Steelhooves and I jumped a little as the small creature hit the force field, ceasing its attack as it knew it couldn't reach us.
"Let me see what the console has to offer, then we'll download it." I said to Steelhooves as I tapped the console, pulling up the data logs regarding the creature. I saw a single file and tapped it, a text log appearing as we all read it.
"Specimen Log #104: Our operatives have recovered a strange creature from a planet the dominant powers of it's universe have documented as SR388, they call the creature a "Metroid". From our research, the creature is hostile to all other life forms, and sucks the life force of anything it grabs onto. It is also impervious to almost all attacks, except one: cold temperatures and ice weapons. My team are looking into how we can perfect this fault in the creature's genes and use them against Alliance ground forces and starship crews. Once we've finished, we shall breed more until they are ready for true combat!"
As we finished reading the log, we heard a hatch open, letting out a small Dewan Epohh onto the ground. It was a cute little creature with four legs and two antennae.
Our expressions grew with horror as the Metroid sped towards the Epohh, latching onto the cute little animal and sucking it's life away, letting out screeches of pain as we watched.
"NO! I CAN'T WATCH!" Velvet cried out in fear as she held Calamity, crying as the Epohh ceased its resistance. As the Metroid let go and lifted into the air again, the Epohh was still as stone, falling apart into nothing but dust a few seconds later.
I stood, frozen by the horrifying sight of the Metroid feasting on the Epohh. I wanted to kill that fucking thing so much, but I knew we had no ice weapons of any kind, except....
I tapped the console, lowering the room temperature as the Metroid froze, turning into an ice sculpture of itself. I watched it fall from the ceiling, hitting the ground and breaking into several pieces before taking a breath, looking to my friend.
"It's okay, Velvet, I killed it." Velvet nodded in approval as I looked to Steelhooves, who was scanning the console to download the logs. As his visor stopped glowing, we walked over to the third and final cell, a single creature inside. It was black with a overly long cranium, no eyes, and a long, sharp tail protruding from it's back.
The thing sped towards us, slowing as it was right next to the force field. Xenith stood face to face with the creature, which drooled and hissed as it opened it's mouth, a second mouth revealed inside. We all jumped as the second mouth shot out, hitting the force field as it jumped back, going back to its initial resting spot.
As I walked up to the console, I heard Xenith say something. "I fear no pony, but that creature.... it scares me." Her face was deprived of color as she observed the creature, sitting as it watched us. If Xenith was afraid of this creature, then we'd best not fight one of them anytime soon.
I looked back to the console, tapping it as I pulled up another data log. As the log popped up, I heard the monster hiss again, but it did not move from its spot.
"Specimen Log #105: Our operatives have found a new life form from another universe on a planet commonly called LV426. From what our intel has revealed, the creature is known as a Xenomorph, it is a ferocious creature that has acidic blood and has shown a high degree of intelligence despite its inability to speak. I have heard many of my researchers call it "The Perfect Organism", though I have yet to witness it become fitting of the title. We have a few prisoners from our recent missions and battles before the creatures acquisition, we'll split them all into two groups, one for breeding more of them and one for testing the Xenomorph against living prey. If this works out, we'll have the chance to take the Alliance down with just these little animals in no time!"
As we stopped reading the log, Calamity spoke up. "Acid fer blood? Well that rules out usin' bullets."
"Also, a group of prisoners for breeding purposes? Don't tell me they actually had people mate with that thing!" Velvet said as our green alicorn responded to the comment.
"That is the last thing I'd want to have offspring with." As we looked at the thing one last time, it hissed again, staying at its spot as we turned away. After Steelhooves downloaded the logs on the third cell, we saw a door on the right wall aligned with the third cell. We looked at each other with worry before entering it, the doors opening to reveal several unconscious people lying on tables in one side of the room, and in the other several eggs. They looked slimy.
As we all stood inside the room, I scanned the people on the tables, they we're all alive, but for some of them, I saw something wrong.
"What is this?" I asked as Steelhooves trotted over, looking at the small embryo inside one of the people I scanned.
"I don't know. Perhaps it's some kind of egg?" My armored friend said as we saw Velvet trot up to one of the people, observing the unconscious human female. We all jumped in surprise as the human woke up, fear in her eyes as she spoke.
"Wh-who are you? What a-are you doing here?" She said as we steadied ourselves, Velvet answering her.
"We're here to destroy this place, but first we have to get you to safety."
"No." She said, our faces frozen with surprise, then with fear as she begged, "Please... kill me."
"What?!" Velvet shrieked as she heard the woman, who pleaded once more.
"Please, I don't have much lo-" She grunted loudly as we heard a sickening crunch, all of us gasping as she started screaming. "Oh-oh my fucking God, it's coming ou-AAGGHH!! PLEASE! KILL ME!!!" She screamed and thrashed as her chest started to burst open, all of us screaming in horror as blood splattered all over the room, a good bit of it on Velvet.
The woman's screaming ceased as her body went limp, a small creature moving around her punctured chest. We all sat on our flanks, frozen with fear as the small creature looked at us, taking in its surroundings.
The silence was broken when Calamity shrieked, "KILL THAT FUCKIN' THING!!" I snapped out of my stupor as the thing jumped, speeding around the floor until I caught it with my magic, one magic bolt from Little Macintosh disintegrating the little bastard.
After steadying myself, I walked over to Velvet, who sat on the floor unmoving. We would all be having nightmares after today, not to mention Velvet, who must've been traumatized by the sight of what we just saw. As I put a hoof on her, she grabbed me and held me tight, crying into my shoulder as she wailed. "WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD CREATE SUCH A HORRIBLE MONSTER?!" My friend sobbed for a few minutes, Calamity trotting over to help her calm down as he spoke.
"Yer right, Lil'Pip, we need t' blow t'is Goddess-damned place t' hell the moment we set hoof outta here!" I nodded as we looked at the other people on the tables, looking to Steelhooves before speaking to him.
"Steelhooves, sc-scan the people and see if there's anyone we can save." My friend nodded as he stood in front of the other people, his visor glowing as a field of energy passed over them all. After a moment, Steelhooves spoke.
"There are four of them who are not impregnated, Littlepip. The question is, how do we get them out?" I sunk my head down as I thought, we couldn't beam out thanks to the shield outside the Star Forge, so how would we get them out to safety?
As I thought back to the Lukara, I remembered something. "Yes! I know what we can do!" I said with glee as I pulled out the four emergency transport units I still had from my mission to the Lukara. "When Blackjack decided to help me with my mission, she saved me four of these, just enough for the survivors!"
My friends all gave hopeful smiles as I put the ETUs on each of the survivors, Xenith raising an eyebrow as she asked, "But Littlepip, we can't use transporters, remember?"
"These ones are specially modified." I said as I put the last ETU on another human female, she had a name tag of some kind that read, "E. Ripley."
As they started to beam away to the Harmony, I tapped my communicator before speaking. "Littlepip to Harmony, I hope you don't mind, but we've sent survivors to your ship, I still had some of the ETUs from my trip to J'ula's ship, so I've sent them to your ship to help them out!"
"Nice thinking there, 'Pip. We'll take them to sickbay to help them out." Twilight said as I replied.
"Good, we'll be on our way to the core now, Littlepip out." As my combadge's signal died out, I looked to my friends as I said, "Well, with that out of the way, how do we blow this place up?"
"Ah, I'd forgotten to tell you all," Steelhooves said as one of his missile launchers opened, a small bomb with a ring around it popping out of it.
"I hadn't shown you all of the upgrades yet. This here's a power bomb, it'll vaporize anything and everything within a good fifteen meters. This one will go off remotely, just set it down, get a good distance away and then blow everything to hell." I smirked as he said that, now we could get rid of those things and continue on our way towards the Star Forge's computer core.
"Good, let's get out of this room, set the bomb down and head further into the station!" We all nodded in agreement as we trotted out of the room, the Xenomorph hissing at us again as we set the power bomb down in the middle of the room. Before we left, I tapped the console as my friends started to trot out, rigging a timed release on each of the force fields. I was going to ensure that we burned these fuckers to death one way or another.
We raced out the door a second later, heading through the long hallway to our left and stopping a good twenty-something meters before Steelhooves triggered the bomb. We felt a rumble and heard a loud boom as the power bomb went off, a burst of light coming from the research room. When we snuck by to check the room, I could see no Xenomorph or Arachnid in sight, the two having been vaporized by the blast.
After taking a deep breath, we all continued down the path we were heading when we heard several footsteps, voices muttering in Klingon as they came closer. I looked to my alicorn companions, who nodded as they produced a shield around us. When the Klingons came around, they all jumped in surprise before firing their weapons, all shots hitting the shield as we stood unscathed. After they ceased their assault, the trio of sisters sent their shield outward, the Klingons being vaporized by the dissipating shield as we looked on in shock, Velvet looking slightly impressed by the spell. The purple one gave a shrug as she answered our confusion.
"While you we're away, Littlepip, we've had some... practice with our shield spell." I nodded as I took a peek between the two other hallways, no Klingons or patrols of any kind in sight. I looked at my map and pointed left, my friends and I going down the hallway as we kept our ears and weapons high.
"Hmph, I think I'm starting to like you ladies." Steelhooves said as we walked, continuing on our path to the center of the Star Forge.
“I know y’all just heard Stern’s big spiel ‘bout how Fillydelphia is her town, well the Bumper-Plow Pit is our domain!”
Bullies.
They pick on you, they try to break you until you can't and won't fight anymore, until you're nothing but an object to toy around with. They're the cruelest kind of people you could ever face.
I'd had to deal with angry looks and remarks when the ponies of Stable 2 thought I'd helped Velvet Remedy escape, I'd been insulted and dehumanized by the alicorn in Old Appleloosa, I'd been beaten senseless by the raiders at Fillydelphia, and I, along with my friends, were harassed by the plants and monsters of the Everfree Forest.
So far, I'd been used to getting hurt and beaten by bullies on the block, and this time, I'd be ready for the ones I would see on the Star Forge.
--------->
We had continued onwards through the large station that was the Star Forge, miraculously, no one crossed our path as we ran. After a moment, we decided to slow down and watch the battle in space as we trotted on, even when on a mission, we needed something to kill time.
As I tapped my Pipbuck to activate the holoscreen, I was tapped on the shoulder by Velvet Remedy as we walked. "Um, Littlepip? Do you think that Red Eye will be waiting for us up there? Ready for a fight?"
I nodded slightly as I spoke. "Yes, I heard he beamed over here from his flagship, he said he was going to ensure it's safety."
"Red Eye has a flagship, now?" Calamity asked in surprise as I nodded in response. We then stopped as we watched the two fleets battle from the Chestnut's viewscreen, her and the Harmony being at the center of it all.
"Status?" I heard the Chestnut's captain say as one of the ship's officers replied.
"Shields at 47%, hull integrity is good. The enemy fleet has been diminished to only a third of its former strength." A female voice said as we heard a gruff male voice speak up.
"Captain, I'm detecting another vessel on sensors."
"Bring it onscreen, Kapor." The ship's viewscreen changed to show another Sech class arriving on the field, along with something large behind it. The large object was long, it had a blue shell and a maw of fire so big it could swallow over a dozen starships! The inside of the maw looked like I was staring into hell itself.
"It's a planet killer!" Kapor said as the large weapon's maw glowed brightly, it was getting ready to fire!
"Evasive maneuvers! Now!" The admiral said as the Harmony turned to the right, speeding away from the large weapon. I heard a loud pulse of energy from my Pipbuck as the planet killer fired, destroying several ships around it, the Harmony and its fighter escorts getting clear of the blast.
I heard Twilight speak up through the small Pipbuck. "Harmony to Chestnut, do you read?!"
"Yeah, we're badly hurt here! Our engines are offline, hull is down to 20%!" The admiral said as the princess replied.
"We're coming around with a tractor beam, we'll pull you out!"
"No, we'll overload the warp core, it'll take the planet killer with the explosion. Beam the crew off once I give the signal." Twilight's close friend said as she replied sternly.
"Understood, Admiral, and don't think I won't be beaming you off as well, you and your crew are too important to lose." Twilight said as the Chestnut's captain replied once more.
"Alright, we've almost got it, just wait until we're ready, Stone out."
As the transmission cut out Twilight sat in her chair, looking to Rainbow Dash before speaking. "Rainbow, take us around and tell all our transporter rooms to wait for the signal." Rainbow Dash nodded as she tapped her console, the Harmony flying to the left as the burning hulk of the Chestnut came into view.
"Transporter rooms, prepare for emergency beam-out of U.S.S. Chestnut's crew." The rainbow-maned pegasus said as the ship sat near its allied ship.
"The core's ready to blow, we're ready for transport!" Another female voice on the Chestnut said as the doomsday machine came closer, the giant maw only mere seconds away.
"Now!" Twilight said as the planet killer started to glow again.
"We've got 'em!" Rainbow Dash said as the Harmony sped away at full impulse, leaving the Chestnut and cornucopia of destruction behind.
"Aft viewer." The princess said as the screen changed to show the small hulk of the Chestnut drift into the maw of the planet killer before exploding, the energy of both the explosion and the planet killer spraying out into the battlefield. As the spraying ceased, the planet killer was left as nothing but a dead, grey shell. The Chestnut, of course, was gone, destroyed by the warp core detonation.
We all gasped in shock as the Alliance fleet lost one of its best ships, Calamity wincing as we heard Twilight speak up again.
"It... was a hard thing to watch, but she didn't go down without a fight." She said sadly before shaking her head, remembering the mission. "No time to worry about that now, we've got a battle to win. Rarity, how's the fleet?
"We... lost a third of our fleet in the blast, Twilight. But we should be able to hold them off for the moment." Rarity said as the Harmony turned around, rejoining the fleet as the two continued clashing again.
I turned off the screen as we approached another division in the hallway, a left path and a right between us. I looked at my Pipbuck again as it said to go right. I pointed to our next destination as we kept going further, the short hallway ending in a door. As we walked through the door, we saw a bluish-grey room, the walls adorning six glass cases with several metal sticks inside, one of them containing a strange pistol within it, the amount varied in each one, but the average amount in them was three.
In the middle of the room were two ponies, one in reddish-black armor and the other in goldish-black armor, both wearing helmets matching their armor's color. Between them were two humanoids in similar armor, however their armor was just black. As they saw us, the two humanoid warriors pulled out sticks similar in design to the ones in the cases, the devices turning on as red beams of energy shot out from them.
"Well lookie here, our guests have finally arrived! You two, sic 'em all except the grey unicorn and the zebra! They're ours!" The red one said as the two raced towards us, the two jumping high in the air as I heard glass breaking. I heard the blue alicorn speak to her sister as the green one stood by Velvet, Calamity and Steelhooves, a shield forming around the group.
"You, assist me in fighting the warriors, you, protect our friends!" The green one nodded as the two other alicorns activated the energy swords they grabbed from the cases, their blades clashing with the two warriors' own swords as Xenith and I raced towards the two pony warriors.
I went for the red one while Xenith struck at the gold one, I jumped over the armored mare as she made a kick, myself landing as I bucked her into the air. Her helmet flew off upon hitting the floor, her face lifting as I recognized her. She had a red coat with green, frazzled hair and orange pupils. "Blood? What the hell are you doing here?! I though you were killed in the Pit!"
"Oh please, pipsqueak, Red Eye was brought back just as easily as we were!" She said as she charged at me, myself spinning to perform a flying hoof-kick before she jumped and bucked, myself being knocked into a wall. "When you have the power to go through time, you can do anything!"
As she sped towards me, I could get a better look at her face. It was mostly the same, though her eyes weren't yellow anymore, she must've been fixed up or cloned or something before today. I jumped as she came at me, trying to kick before I ducked, bucking her into the wall behind me as I saw Xenith standing over who I assumed was Daff, he kicked the zebra into the air as he flipped and bucked, knocking her into the left wall.
I turned around again as Blood got herself out of the wall, grabbing her with my magic and throwing her over me, hitting Daff as the two collapsed to the ground. I looked up to see the two warriors jumping and striking as they tried to hit the alicorns, who were striking back with their own blades as they flew to the air. One of the warriors ceased his strikes and lifted a hand to the air, the purple alicorn gasping for a moment as she fell to the ground, the warrior striking her horn. She hissed in pain as her broken horn fell, the warrior raising his blade to strike. I grabbed the blade of the downed alicorn, turned it on and swung at the warrior, his torso splitting as I cut him in half.
I was knocked back against the wall again as Blood pinned me, looking me dead in the eyes. "Well, it was nice knowin' ya, old friend." Before she could strike at me, I mustered all my strength and smacked my head hard against hers, dazing the armored mare as she stumbled back. I took the advantage and spun my legs around, smacking her to the wall to my left. I sped towards her as I pulled the energy sword to me, impaling Blood in the chest as she gasped for air. I looked to Xenith again to see her punching Daff several times as he grunted with each hit, the zebra ending the fight by bucking Daff in the chin, his body flying into the air before hitting the ground, unmoving.
I looked up to see the blue alicorn striking the last warrior's blade with her own for a few more seconds until she brought up her shield, spinning the single blade as fast as a motorized fan. Her energy sword struck the warrior's several more times until it struck the hilt, the weapon shutting off as it split in two. The blue alicorn took the advantage and struck the now disarmed warrior, his body falling as he died.
I pulled the laser sword out of Blood's chest as she coughed, myself turning to face her as Xenith trotted up to us. "Ack-... Ju-just like at Fillydelphia...Ack! Except.... e-even better..." The former slave of Red Eye's Fillydelphia said as the light in her eyes went out, her body going limp as she passed. Out of respect for the dead, I shut her eyes, Xenith and I trotting over to the injured alicorn as the blue one spoke to her.
"Sister, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, but... my horn." The purple one said as her sister replied.
"We'll get you all fixed up when we return to the Harmony." As the green alicorn lowered her shield, she and my friends all trotted over to help our friend.
After Velvet put her alicorn friend's broken horn in her medical boxes, she looked at Blood and then to Daff for a moment before speaking to me. "You know those two?"
"Yes." Xenith said as she explained our story with them. "They were slaves in Fillydelphia, Littlepip encountered them during her mission there. Blood was killed in the first round of the Pit while I fought and defeated Daff with ease." Velvet nodded as she understood our relations to the two former slaves.
Steelhooves spoke up as I grabbed Daff in my magic and placed his body next to his fellow slave and friend. "Well, it's good that we've cleared the path, I believe now's our chance to reach the core. Littlepip, how far are we?"
I looked to my Pipbuck as I checked the map, we were only a few more minutes away from the center of the station! I smiled as I looked to my friends before speaking. "We're almost there! Just a little further, and we'll be stopping Red Eye in no time!"
"Awesome! But, one little thing Ah'd like t' ask." I nodded as Calamity pointed to the six cases of energy swords. "Can we take those with us?" I nodded as I grabbed all 15 hilts with my magic, the sound of glass breaking as I removed them from their slots and put them into my saddlebags. My Pipbuck revealed them to be "Lightsabers" as I looked at the one with the gun inside, my friends and I walking over to it was we examined it. It was a small pistol with a handle and a cylindrical section with glowing blue lines around it.
"What kinda gun is it?" Calamity asked as I pulled the gun out of its slot, six cylinders laying inside the case. I removed them and put them into my saddlebags as I replied to my friend.
"I have no idea, though I'm guessing we'll need it for what's coming next." I said as we made our way to the door at the end of the room, taking a look for patrols as we stood in front of it. Seeing no patrols, we made our way through the hallway, keeping our weapons at the ready. We we're going into the heart of the Star Forge now, and wherever that was at, that would be where Red Eye would confront us.
"You're a believer, and a fool! Just like my brother!"
Danger.
We face it many times, both in easy and difficult situations, they can cause a minuscule amount of harm, or in the worst cases, they can cause your demise.
I faced many of these perils in the Wasteland. I dealt with slavers and raiders who wanted to cut my tongue out if I didn't keep my mouth shut, I faced a group of alicorns who, if it weren't for Steelhooves, would've slaughtered me and my friends, I faced mutated parasprites that would eat you alive, I faced the terrifying force of the hellhounds that could slice me up at Old Olneigh, and I struggled to survive with my friends in the malicious Everfree Forest.
But as we all made our way deeper into the Star Forge's core, we'd be facing the most dangerous creatures and enemies we'd ever faced in our lives.
--------->
As we reached a large, circular door at the end of the hallway, we stopped again, myself turning around as I took a double check of our equipment. Velvet Remedy had been given a wide beam Phaser rifle during our gearing up on the Harmony. Calamity, with some tweaks and modifications and assistance from me, had made a hybrid battle saddle with one Phaser cannon and one of his old bullet-firing guns. Xenith had went for a more melee-based weapon and chose a Vulcan lirpa. It was a long staff with smooth but sharp blades and had a stump for knocking back enemies. We all knew what Steelhooves was capable of, for the most part at least. I was equipped with Little Macintosh Mk II and my upgraded Pipbuck, which had the broadcaster placed in it's slot. I also had some photon grenades, hyposprays, shield charges, and power packs, things all of my teammates had in their saddlebags as well.
As I finished overlooking our team's weapons, I spoke to my friends with determination. "All right, when we head through that door, there could be anything on the other side, so we should stand guard at all times. We must also keep an eye on our ammo, we'll be lucky if we get any spares during our trip. And lastly, stick close, no matter what, if one goes, we all do. We can't afford to lose anyone in our group this time." I looked to Steelhooves as I said that part of my speech, both of us remembering Maripony as he nodded. "Are we all clear?" I received nods of agreement before finishing. "Good, now let's do this."
We all walked through the door, and were instantly surprised by the change in the room. I don't know if they built this as a special part of the station, or if it was a modified section of it, but the room was different than the rest of the halls and rooms we've been in. The room's material had a chrome color and there were some black lines and markings along the walls. As I looked further into the hall, I saw a transparent floor that covered a pool of lava. At the end of the hall there was a different kind of door on the wall, it had a blue field of energy around it.
We slowly walked through the room, myself lifting Steelhooves over the glass floor as we heard a familiar screech behind us. I turned and saw a Metroid flying towards us, Velvet shrieking in fear as I grabbed the thing in my magic.
"Hey Lil'Pip, do ya think that new gun o' yers will hurt that vermin?" Calamity asked as I pulled the gun out, pulling it's trigger before a cloud of blue shot out, freezing the Metroid before I levitated it over the metal floor and let it go, the small thing shattering to pieces upon its impact with the ground. I let out a sigh of relief as I held the gun out, joining my friends at the strange door before speaking.
"Well, now we know what this baby does." I said with a smile as I looked at the door, wondering how we could open it. As I tapped the shield, it didn't shift, I would've grunted in frustration had Velvet not pulled out her Phaser rifle and shot at the door, the shield opening as we were allowed into the next hallway.
I looked to Velvet as she responded to our surprised expressions. "What? It's got to open somehow." I smiled wryly as I looked out into the next room, there was now a thin walkway over exposed pools of lava. I saw another Metroid fly at us it hissed, myself pulling out the freeze gun and firing, the thing turning to ice before dropping it. It broke into ice shards as we all walked across the walkway. As I lifted Steelhooves across the pool of lava, I heard an explosion from our left, a small ball launching out and bouncing before it shifted in shape, a new armored humanoid shaped being landing on the walkway. The majority of the suit was purple, with a little bit of red on the upper torso and yellow and black on the lower section. The suit also had a helmet with a glowing blue visor. I gasped as I saw one of her arms was a cylindrical cannon.
The being stood elegantly as it looked around, turning to her right to see us as a female voice spoke from it. "I take it you're all supposed to be the assault team?"
"Yeah, we are." I said to the mysterious being as I asked her, "Who are you?"
"The name's Samus, I'm a bounty hunter from one of the many universes the Alliance was tasked with defending."
I smiled as I asked Samus another question. "How'd you get here?"
She scoffed as she answered. "It seems the enemy has a price on my head every day, I was captured by J'ula and placed aboard the Enclave thunderhead Victorious in her brig. That is, until the ship was taken by the Alliance recently. As I was freed I asked to be beamed to the Star Forge to help destroy it, so when the shield was opened, one of your ships helped get me aboard... and that's how I got here."
I nodded as I spoke to our new friend. "Well, stick with us, we're on our way to deal with Red Eye and destroy the station, and your help would be greatly appreciated."
"Like we had a choice on that, kid." Samus replied with a chuckle as she took the lead, all of us following her as Velvet spoke to her.
"Well, if you could give some insight on what this place is, that would help."
Samus kept her eyes on the path as she spoke. "This place was modified to hold the other Metroids J'ula's forces captured. This is supposed to be a replica of Tourian, a base on the planet Zebes in my universe. We should all keep an eye out for more Metroids an-" Samus was interrupted when Calamity let out a yelp and jumped into the air, hovering as he rubbed his flank. As we looked, we could see a burn mark on his right flank as he spoke.
"What the hell just hit me?!" We all looked around as Samus answered him.
"Rinkas, they shoot out of those ring-shaped outlets on the walls and ceiling." We looked to our right as we saw one of the outlets, a black ring on a block of chrome colored metal.
As we walked up to another door, this one boasting a red color, Samus continued. "Also, there are four door colors, blue is universal, red takes missiles, green requires super missiles and yellow can only be opened with power bombs." We all gasped as Samus fired five small missiles at the red door, which opened as the final missile hit it. I gulped as I prayed we didn't come across a yellow door, we probably wouldn't have much space to use such a weapon.
As we passed through the door and into the room, three more Metroids flew at us. I levitated the freeze gun up and fired, freezing the ugly leeches in midair, falling and hitting the ground a second later.
As we continued on through the room, Samus asked, "Where did you get that?"
"We found it in a room a good walk from here, I'd say it was a good find." I said as the bounty huntress replied.
"Indeed it was. Fortunately, I have an ice beam on me, so if you run out, you'll have me to help." I smiled as we stopped in front of the next door, a green one. We all stood back as Samus fired a green-tipped missile, the door opening as the missile hit it.
"The doors are changing in color, we must be getting close." Steelhooves said as we saw several platforms above us, going up a few meters high. We grunted as we thought of a way to get up.
"I can lift you all up there, but by no more than two at a time." I offered before the blue alicorn responded.
"No, we'll lift you in our magic, sister, you will carry Samus up with us." The purple alicorn nodded as Samus mounted her, all of us lifted in the other two's magic as we floated up.
As we flew slowly around half of the platforms, we heard another cry above us and saw two strange creatures fly at us. They looked similar to the Metroids, but the organs of the thing were on the belly now, a shell on top with a head in front. The thing's head had three claws around a small mouth with teeth, two red eyes between them.
Samus fired her ice beam at the creatures, both of them turning to ice after at least eight shots. Her alicorn flew out of the way as they watched the two creatures fall, both shattering into little shards as they hit the floor below.
As we passed over the last platform, I saw a strange mound of flesh holding onto what I assumed was the door to Red Eye and the core. I shrieked in surprise as a part of the mound opened, an eyeball looking at us as Samus came up, pointing her gun at it. The creature exploded into fleshy bits and pieces as the bounty huntress shot it with a super missile, the blue door being revealed as we landed.
I tapped my Pipbuck as I checked my map, Red Eye, along with several other life signs, we're on the other side of this door. I took a breath as I looked to my team, Samus lowering her gun as she spoke. "It's as I feared, they're evolving."
"Evolving? You don't mean..." Velvet said as Samus answered her.
"Yes, they can change to different stages, ranging from the basic stage to Alpha, Gamma, Zeta, and Omega Metroids. The ones we just saw were Alphas." We all shivered at her words, myself taking another deep breath as I spoke up.
"Okay, he's just beyond this door, everyone ready?" My friends nodded as they held their weapons, Samus lifting her gun up again as I turned and spoke once more. "Let's kick some ass."
The door was blasted open by Samus' arm cannon, all of us charging into the room as the door shut behind us, a grey color bore on it's shield. We stopped as we saw the large room, it was an enormous room with a few ring-shaped platforms connected by four walkways. All of the platforms were surrounded by faint orange shields that rose from under the platforms all the way to the ceiling, the center platform being stood on by Red Eye, a strange pillar-shaped device providing a small brighter shield around his platform.
As we stopped on the large balcony, Red Eye looked at us, meeting our angry faces as he tapped one of his hooves on the ground whilst speaking. "Bravo, Littlepip, bravo! I had not expected to see you make it this far through our greatest weapon. Oh, and I see you've brought a friend, that just makes things even more exciting!"
"You'll be rotting in a cell when we get over there, Red Eye! You can't hold us off forever!" I said as we watched him, the cyberpony ceasing his hoof-tapping before laughing as he replied.
"Of course not, eventually, you could reach me by dealing with those consoles, and I would be finished." He said as he walked slowly over to the center console, a smile building on his muzzle before he continued. "But the question isn't if or when you'll reach me, rather, it is if my new associates can stop you." As he said that, he tapped the console before several more enemies beamed into the room, circling the rings around Red Eye as we took in our new guests.
There were several Klingons alongside several Enclave pegasi and soldiers in white armor, the armor was of a similar appearance to the armor worn by the Lukara soldier, but there were some subtle changes. For one thing, the helmet made it look like the soldiers were smiling.
Though I was surprised by the sudden reinforcements, my color faded as we all heard a growl behind us. We turned to see a large creature standing over us, it had a large, armored body with two legs and arms, the latter boasting two claws. The head was grotesque, it was long and had a mouth with several sharp fangs around it, five red eyes on each side of its face.
Velvet looked as if she had soiled herself as we all stared at the thing in fear, the creature roaring in our faces as I gulped, Samus standing in front of us as she whispered, "I'll deal with the Omega Metroid, you all take care of Red Eye."
We all nodded as we turned back around to face the enemy soldiers, all of them pointing their weapons at us as Red Eye spoke again. "You should count yourself lucky, Littlepip, I'm only holding them back by the tail. If you surrender now, I'll call off the backup, and we will spare your home and its people."
I shook my head as my friends stood together, the alicorns pulling out their lightsabers as I spoke to my old nemesis. "We'd rather have our graves soiled on than join you."
Red Eye frowned sadly as he replied. "Hmm, that is unfortunate, you and I could've been rulers of a much bigger, stronger empire than your Alliance... but I suppose I have no other option." He then pointed a hoof out, his soldiers facing us as he ordered them. "Deal with them."
As they began firing their weapons at us, we charged at them, the alicorns flying in front of us and deflecting the laser fire as we engaged our targets. I focused on one of the armored soldiers, firing Little Macintosh at his escort as I jumped over him, bucking him hard to the near-invisible wall that was the force field. As his body slumped, I turned to face a group of Klingons coming at me, I picked them all off with magic shots save for one, who was holding a bat'leth like the one I saw at Taloraan, I pulled out one of the lightsabers from my saddlebags, turning it on as our blades clashed. We dueled for a few seconds before I spun my saber around, trying to pull off the same move my alicorn friend did earlier. The attack worked and his blade broke in two, the warrior hitting the floor as I struck the blade into him.
I turned to see Velvet firing at one of the armored soldiers as another group of Klingons raced towards her. As she turned to see them she pulled out her tribble Pinkie Pie gave her and held it in front of the Klingon's faces.
"Feast your eyes on this beast, fiends!" My friend said as the tribble screeched, the Klingons staggering comically. Velvet's Phaser rifle then lifted and fired a shot wide enough to hit them all at once. As they fell to the ground, she chuckled as she spoke again. "Hmph, scared of a little furball." She then pet the little animal as she spoke to it. "Sorry if I didn't give you any attention during our trip." The tribble cooed as she pet it, then put it back in her saddlebags as she rejoined the fight.
I looked up to see Calamity flying around the room, four armored pegasi firing on him as he did a loop. The green alicorn grabbed one of the dead Klingons' pistols and bit down on the trigger, firing at one of the Enclave soldiers as they fell, their body falling to the ground a moment later. Using the new distraction, Calamity flipped around and fired both his weapons on his saddle, striking down the other three flyers in seconds.
I ducked as I saw a red laser bolt fly over my head, one of the armored soldiers running at me. I fired Little Macintosh as a bullet struck his armor, the soldier falling to the ground a second later. I then ran at the last armored soldier behind him and tackled him, firing a bullet into his head not a second after.
As I looked around again, I saw Xenith striking her lirpa against the metal blade of another Klingon's bat'leth, the two clashing for a moment until she smacked the butt of the weapon into the Klingon's head, knocking him to the side. As he tried to get up, Xenith swung the blade at his head, decapitating the warrior with one clean strike.
As I observed the room, I noticed that we'd taken care of the first wave, the other two platforms were barren and sealed by the force field around them. I looked around as my friends (excluding Samus) rejoined me, all of us seeing a console on the left side of the first platform. We ran to it as I tried to lower the first force field, Red Eye speaking to us as he tapped his console. "It's unfortunate that I have to use them, but they should make quick work of you." He said as he tapped his console again, the force field dropping as several new enemies beamed in. There were about seven Xenomorphs and two Arachnids in the area, they all had little triangular devices on them, as if they were being controlled by another force.
"Enjoy your meal, my pets!" Red Eye chanted as the creatures came at us, Steelhooves opening his two cannons as he fired a missile at the two giant bugs, which exploded in a gory mess as he was tackled by one of the Xenomorphs.
"Steelhooves!" I yelled in fear as I grabbed the little fucker in my magic and threw him off, another one charging at me as I pointed Little Macintosh at the second one and fired. As the second Xenomorph dissolved into a pile of goop, I saw Calamity firing at the Xenomorph I threw, its body parts and acid blood spilling out everywhere. A good splash of it hit the joint on Steelhooves' left cannon, the large weapon falling off of his suit as he turned to shoot another Xeno.
I yelped as I was tackled to the ground by another one of the creatures, its sharp tail pointing at me as I looked at it. I moved my head out of the way as the tail struck down, hitting the ground under me as it tried to strike again, my head moving a second time. As the second strike missed, the monster opened it's mouth, its second one slithering out as it tried to bite my face off.
As I moved my head away from the attacking mouth the creature was struck by a Phaser bolt, being vaporized over me as I looked to where the bolt had come from. Velvet had saved me, but had left herself exposed as another Xeno came running at her.
"Velvet! Get out of the way!" I screamed as I grabbed my friend in her magic and threw her out of the creature's way, myself still in the way. I grabbed the creature in my magic as I threw it across the room, the beast hitting the orange force field as it got up swiftly. I saw the creature's head snap the other way as another blue field of magic grabbed it's head and twisted it, breaking the thing's neck. The blue alicorn stood by me as I got up, pulled out a hypo and injected it into myself.
As I raced to Steelhooves, he scrubbed off some of the drying acid as he spoke. "I'll be fine, just one less gun to fight with." I nodded as we raced to the second console, tapping it as I heard Red Eye speak again.
"Oh, and Steelhooves, your services are no longer required of us. We've built our own drones in your image!" He said aloud, laughing as he tapped his console, eight more enemies appearing in the room as the second force field dropped.
There were two green alicorns in between six armored ponies, or at least, that's what the latter looked like. They had a similar look to Steelhooves, save that the armor was entirely green and the visors were a bright red color. These must've been the droids Red Eye spoke of.
The new drones were fast with their weapons, but Steelhooves was faster, his one gun firing missiles at four of the drones, each of them exploding into pieces as my friend dodged the incoming disruptor bolts. The two alicorns engaged in a magic battle with the two horned alicorns, the purple one fighting alongside Steelhooves as my friends and I took cover behind an orange, hexagonal shield I deployed in front of us.
As another one of the drones exploded from Steelhooves' weapon fire, I looked to Red Eye's shield as I tried to grab the console's controls. When nothing happened, he looked at me as he responded to my futile effort. "Oh, and don't try to use magic through my shield, Littlepip, this shield generator is foolproof!"
As he turned back to the console, I looked to Velvet, Calamity and Xenith, their faces filled with worry as I spoke. "His shield may be able to stop magic, but I have one thing he can't hold off." I lifted my Pipbuck as I pointed to the small device in the slot.
"The broadcaster?!" Velvet whispered as I nodded. "But that will hurt you and the rest of us if we use it!"
"I was able to save Steelhooves using this thing, so I'm sure it'll work on that shield generator." I said with hope in my voice as they looked to each other.
After a moment, they nodded as Calamity spoke for them. "Alright, but just don't git killed up there, ya hear?" I nodded as I got up and galloped over to the middle of the second platform, grinning as I heard Steelhooves blow up the last drone soldier.
As Red Eye turned to me, I gave a smug look on my face as I spoke up. "Hey Red Eye, I think you forgot to deal with one little problem."
The little pony in my head laughed as the stallion's face was wide with shock. "No, you wouldn't." I responded by turning on the broadcaster, the noise filling the room as I screamed, I could hear my friends and the Omega Metroid scream from the pain as well, Red Eye grunting as he fell to the floor. I forced a smile as the shield around Red Eye went down, Little Macintosh lifting in my magic as I fired.
Despite the blood in my eyes blocking my view, I could see the shot hit the generator, exploding as Red Eye covered himself with his robe. I turned off the broadcaster as I wiped the blood from my eyes, Red Eye doing the same as he got up. He pulled out a unique-looking pistol before I shot a magic bolt at him, his Pipbuck hoof and the gun melting away as he cried out in pain. I gave a slight smirk as I saw his injury mimicked my dismembered hoof at Taloraan. I hope he knows how I felt when that happened. The pony in my head said with satisfaction as I trotted over to him, my friends meeting with me after they recovered.
I looked to see Samus jump onto the Omega Metroid's head, blasting several icy laser blasts into its mouth until it screeched one final time, the monster's body falling to the ground as Samus jumped, somersaulting in a ball of energy until she landed near us. Nearby, I could see our alicorn friends standing over the two enemy alicorns, the blue one looking to us as she nodded, signaling me to deal with Red Eye while they take care of their evil sisters.
I looked down at Red Eye, the stallion grunting in pain as he looked back at me. "W-well, you all seem to have more skill a-and luck than I ever could have." We all glared at him as he spoke once more. "Why not end this torment? Shoot me.... and it'll all be over. The Wasteland will be safe, and I'll truly be out of your manes."
I stood over him as I replied. "As much as I'd like to splatter your brains across the floor, it's not my job and, honestly, that wouldn't be justice." I pulled out a small device, energy-based shackles generating from it's sides as I grabbed his hindlegs, the injured stallion upside down as I spoke again. "As a member of the Universal Alliance, I'm placing you under arrest." Then, standing him upright, I looked into his eyes as I said, "You've got a lot to answer for when we leave." My friends smiled as I held him up, looking to the purple alicorn as I spoke once more. "Can you watch him please?" The large mare nodded as she left her sisters to watch our captive.
As I trotted over to the console, Velvet spoke up. "So this is it.... This is where we end it all."
"Yep, just take down the shields, set the self destruct and we'll be out of here." I said as I looked at the console, mesmerized by it. For a single console, you could do a lot from here, you could build a ship, not to mention a whole fleet, activate shields and weapons, self-destruct, etc.
As I looked to the screen of the console I saw a large number of ships listed in the creation station, Red Eye was trying to launch the fleet as he distracted us. I tapped a few buttons on the console as I deleted the list, cancelling the launch.
"So, we just activate the self-destruct and-" I stopped as I thought for a moment, earlier in the battle, we lost Admiral Stone's cruiser, the U.S.S. Chestnut. And seeing that there was still juice in the creation booth for another ship...
"Wait! I've got an idea." I said as my friends looked to me with confusion. "There's still juice for another ship, if we can call the Harmony and tell them to send data for the ship, we could rebuild the admiral's ship! She could also work as our escape route!"
My friends looked at each other as they considered the idea, all of them looking at Velvet Remedy as she gave their answer. "Well, that sounds like it could work. It'd be nice to do good with this massive structure for once."
I smiled as I tapped my combadge, the device chirping as I spoke into it. "Littlepip to Harmony, do you read?"
Twilight's voice spoke through the small badge. "Affirmative, the battlefield is clear of enemy vessels, and the Lukara has escaped. What's the problem?"
"We've captured Red Eye, and we want to ask you something. Can you send us the schematics and details of the Chestnut? I believe we could kill two birds with one stone if we rebuild her using the Star Forge." I said as the princess replied with surprise.
"Well, if you can get yourself aboard before the station blows, then we'll do it. Otherwise, the plan's off."
"I can access many more functions and systems from this one console, Twilight. We'll be fine." I said as Twilight replied again.
"All right, we're sending the data now. Let us know when you get out of the Star Forge. Harmony out." As the signal cut out, I looked to the console to see the data show up on the screen. I tapped the schematic and set it up for construction. As I started to initiate the job, a message popped up.
"Excess energy remaining, use in construction of current plan or discard?" I wasn't sure what that meant exactly, but I tapped the confirm button as the work started. We heard several rumbles as the Star Forge performed its duty, myself tapping the console to view the construction bay. We watched as two large mechanical arms moved back and forth, a field of energy shifting as it took the shape of the familiar Excalibur class cruiser.
As the construction finished, Red Eye spoke up again. "Such power.... and it's about to go to waste, just like that."
"Hey, be thankful you won't be owing Starfleet for the loss of one of their ships." Velvet snarked back as she looked to me, the now fully constructed U.S.S. Chestnut sitting in the launch bay as she spoke. "So, are we ready to do this?"
"Yeah, let me get a map first." I then tapped the console as I pulled up a map of both the Star Forge and the Chestnut, the latter's bridge being zoomed onto as the green alicorn spoke to us.
"My sisters could teleport you there, it will strain us, but we'll all be on the ship once it's done." I nodded as I looked to the tall mare's sisters, the captive alicorns in cuffs as they stood behind them. As the two unharmed alicorns stood in front of us, I tapped the console as I deactivated the Star Forges shields.
"Alright, now we just set the self-destruct, and...." I said as I tapped the console, setting up the self-destruct before the room's klaxons started blaring. The noise sounded like a wail of some kind as I turned around, the alicorns generating a field around us as I spoke. "We've got five minutes, should be enough time for us to get out." My friends all nodded as we disappeared from the room, abandoning the large station as we headed for the Chestnut.
"And what you fail to realize is my ship is dragging mines!"
Victory.
I've never felt so good until the moment I had achieved victory in a situation, whether it'd be a minor or major one. And I'm sure you've probably felt that way as well, at least once.
I had won against the alicorn that helped out the slavers at Old Appleloosa thanks to my wits, I had helped Gawd and her allies fight off a dragon that was bent on controlling Shattered Hoof with no opposition, I'd fought against several Steel Rangers who'd attacked my home, I tricked and destroyed the Goddess by removing my memories, and I'd defeated the Enclave by controlling the S.P.P. and giving the Equestrian Wasteland a second chance to be what it once was.
And while there were downsides and problems left to deal with, the feeling of winning against a dangerous enemy was always satisfying. And that feeling would still remain as we escaped the Star Forge...
(---------)
As the magic bubble that was our group appeared on the bridge of the Chestnut, we looked around, the room was dark, save for some emergency lights and the viewscreen, which displayed the interior of the Star Forge's shipyard/drydock area.
"Well, Admiral Stone's got a nice lookin' seat!" Calamity said as I looked at it, it was a cool-looking chair, but I snapped my head as I looked to Steelhooves, the Applejack's Ranger returning my gaze as I spoke to him.
"Can you and her go to engineering and get the warp core up and running?" I pointed to the green alicorn as Steelhooves nodded as he replied to me.
"When I was on J'ula's ship, I learned how to handle certain systems on the ship. Engineering was one of the most explored parts in my case." As the green alicorn stood by Steelhooves' side, Velvet gave her friend a hypo, the small device being pressed onto the tall mare's body as Velvet pressed its button.
"We'll have it up shortly." Steelhooves said as he and the green alicorn teleported away to Engineering, the rest of us standing on the bridge as the blue alicorn spoke up.
"So, what do we do here?" I turned around as I gave an answer.
"We need to pick a station." I said as I waved my hoof around the room. My friends weren't certified Starfleet officers like I was, but at this point we'd have to earn that title along with our lives.
"I'll handle shields." Velvet said as she took one of the seats on the right of the bridge.
"Ah've got the helm!" Calamity said as he sat at the helmsman's station.
"I'll try to operate the weapons." Xenith said as she sat at the station opposite of Calamity.
"And I'll get main power online!" I said as I trotted over to a console at the left of the bridge, tapping it as I brought the console up and running. As the screen powered on I tapped the console as I accessed the ship's power settings. I tapped it a few more times before the ship's main lights came on, the viewscreen showing several windows lighting up.
"We've got three and a half minutes." Velvet warned as I trotted back to the center seat. I looked to the blue alicorn as she stood with Red Eye and Samus, who simply stood as she and her comrade kept their eyes on him.
I heard the command chair's comms panel beep as I sat in it, tapping it and hearing Steelhooves' voice. "We've got the core online, main power is back, I assume?"
"Yep, We'll get the weapons all set and then we're out of here." I said to my friend as Xenith spoke up.
"I have weapons online. Torpedoes are fully stocked." I smiled pleasantly as Calamity spoke next.
"Impulse engines are up and runnin'!"
"Take us out, Calamity." I replied as my friend tapped the console, the ship moving forward as Velvet spoke with a hint of worry in her voice.
"Two minutes to detonation, I suggest we get out of here as fast as we can!" I sat sternly as I spoke to my two friends in front of me.
"Xenith, ready the Phasers and photons, fire everything we have at the door! Calamity, get us going at full impulse!"
"Aye-aye, Cap'n." Calamity said with a chuckle as I smiled, thinking about how Twilight would think of this as the ship sped forward, the door of the Star Forge's shipyard coming closer.
"Shields are up! Diverting all power to our forward side!" Velvet said sternly as we sped through the shipyard.
"Weapons are ready." Xenith said with a smile.
"Fire!" I said as the Chestnut fired two orange beams of energy at a spot on the door, a wave of photon torpedoes hitting the door as we sped into the door. Calamity took the liberty of performing a barrel roll as the Phaser beams ceased, we smashed through the door, the heat helping in breaking through as the Chestnut sped out of the Star Forge, unscathed.
"We're through!" Calamity said with excitement as we sped away from the Star Forge, the Alliance fleet visible from far away.
"One minute!" Velvet said as we turned towards the allied armada.
We sped away for almost a minute before stopping, being at a safe distance, I asked, "Get me the aft viewer."
As Calamity tapped his console, we saw the large station that was the Star Forge, sitting still in space for ten more seconds until the large structure exploded, a brilliant light replacing the sight on the viewscreen. After about twenty more seconds the light dimmed, showing the fireball that was the Star Forge as tiny pieces of it burned away, the fireball fading after a minute or two.
We all stood as the station blew up, cheering as the large weapon of ultimate power was now gone, obliterated by it's self-destruct mechanism. After almost a minute of yelps of excitement and whistles we all sat, Steelhooves speaking through the comms panel as the noise died down. "Well, that was a hell of an explosion!"
"Ya darn tootin' it was!" Calamity said as Velvet spoke up.
"I hate to interrupt the fun, but I'm seeing some strange readings on our shields."
"What's the problem?" I said as Velvet replied to me.
"The ship's shields and hull took no damage from that crash. How is that possible?"
"Could be the heavily upgraded Neutronium hull plating." Steelhooves offered.
"Maybe for the hull, but that doesn't answer the shield issue."
"Yeah, do ya think this ship has the same armor that those Star Fox ships had?" I pondered my best friend's question as his console beeped, the Pegasus tapping the console before Princess Twilight appeared on the viewscreen.
"Looks like you guys aced that escape plan of yours!" Twilight said with a smile as I replied.
"Yeah, and with no damage too! I think that roll Calamity performed might have something to do with it."
"Yes it does." Admiral Stone said as he appeared onscreen, standing with Twilight as he continued. "When the U.A. was formed, I had my officers equip a new set of armor onto the ship, it would help prevent the ship from taking any damage when rolling."
"Well, she's seems to be quite the ship, Admiral." Velvet said as Twilight replied.
"Yep, she's been through quite a lot over the one year we've been together." The admiral said as he chuckled, Twilight standing up as Admiral Stone walked to help one of the Harmony's officers.
"We'll meet up with you in a moment, we're transporting medical teams to the other ships." She said with a smile before continuing. "You've all done amazing today, guys. If it weren't for you, trillions upon trillions of lives could've been lost. We're all in your debt."
We all stood and bowed to the Princess of Friendship before I replied to her. "It was our pleasure, Twilight." I could see Twilight blush a little as the screen shifted back to the view of the Alliance fleet, everyone returning to their stations as Velvet Remedy spoke up.
"It's finally over, isn't it?"
"Yep! And when we get back I'm having a night with Homage and spending a day at a spa!" I said as I relaxed in the command chair. I slowly sat up, however, as Red Eye started chuckling quietly. "What are you laughing about?"
"You really think my allies would give up on stopping you that easily?" He said as Calamity's console beeped, the pegasus examining it before looking at us with a worried expression.
"Uh, guys? There's somethin' comin' at us... somethin' very big." I sat up as I replied to my friend.
"Put it on the viewscreen." As my friend tapped his console the screen changed to show a large, red ship speeding towards us. The ship was massive, alright. It had a large pair of mandibles and two bulky wings with several turrets on it's hull. At the top of the ship was a thin bridge, two fins coming off of the sides.
I tapped my Pipbuck as I changed the frequency to the enemy ship's comms, hearing a maniacal mare's voice as I put my earbloom in.
"Well, looks like Red Eye's got himself in a little schtick, hasn't he?!" As the ship sped closer towards us, another, more calm mare's voice spoke.
"Get a tractor beam lock on that ship, we're taking Red Eye with us!" The ship fired a whitish-pink beam at us as it slowed down, our ship shaking as we were caught.
"Dammit, I can't get us away!" Calamity said as he glared at the large ship, the insane voice speaking again as the ship hailed us.
"You give Red Eye back to us! His ship needs him!" The voice spoke through my chair's comms panel as I replied angrily.
"You're never getting your captain back, the shackles I've put on him have a transport inhibitor built into them, Red Eye's not leaving this ship!"
"Fine then, we'll be taking your ship with us!" The calm voice snapped back at me as our ship started moving, the large ship pulling us with it.
"You're not taking my ship anywhere!" I heard Admiral Stone say through the comms as he joined the frequency.
I lifted my head as Velvet spoke up with a hopeful smile. "Littlepip, I'm picking up another ship coming into the battlefield, it's the Sebrova!" I looked to the screen as I saw several blue Phaser bolts hit the tractor generator on the right mandible, the beam fading as the generator exploded. As Calamity tapped his console the screen changed to show the Shepard class cruiser speeding around the large warship, continuing it's assault as I felt the Chestnut turn away.
I also heard an unexpected voice speak through my chair. "Need a hoof, 'Pip?"
"Homage?!" I said as I sat up in my chair. "What are you doing here?!"
"Saving your hides!" Blackjack said as the large warship fired a trio of beams at the Sebrova, two of them hitting as the ship sped around for another pass.
"We'd been attacked by a small group of J'ula's ships while you were away, but the Sebrova showed up and helped us out." Homage said as Lacunae spoke through the comms.
"And when we heard you were having trouble with the enemy fleet, we decided to help."
"Well you've come at the right time, guys!" I replied to my friends on the Sebrova as I looked to Velvet and asked, "Velvet, get a scan of that ship, see what you can get off of it." She nodded as I heard Red Eye speak again.
"You won't be able to hold off the Revenge, my ship has some of the best weaponry J'ula and her allies can provide." He smirked as I glared at him, then turning away to face Velvet as she spoke.
"I've found a weakness in the center of the ship, if we can get that hangar door open, we can fire a torpedo into the ship to finish the job!"
"That's if we don't get struck by the turrets!" Xenith said as the ship turned to the left, flying around the Revenge as it fired two Phaser beams at the dreadnought.
"Oh? Remember me Blackjack?! I know you have my daughter aboard that ship of yours!" I heard the crazy mare aboard the Revenge say angrily as the mare in question replied.
"Dawn? So that's where you went while we rotted in the brig!" Blackjack said angrily as Morning Glory spoke up.
"Mother? What are you doing on that damn ship?"
"Why, bringing glory to the Wasteland, honey! And I hope you decide to join us, I'd hate to have to kill my own daughter in all this!" Dawn replied as I spoke to the Sebrova through the comms.
"Alright, Sebrova, let's disable that ship's shields, then fire everything we have into it's hangar while we beam the bridge crew aboard!" I heard cheers of agreement as Homage replied.
"Got it, Pip. Just be careful." I looked to the viewscreen as Homage finished, the signal still broadcasting as I spoke to Calamity and Xenith.
"Calamity, fly us up and around to the front of the ship, Xenith, ready our torpedoes and fire a shield draining beam at the Revenge!" My two friends nodded as they tapped their consoles, the Chestnut accelerating and flying upwards.
As we flew to our left, I saw a blue beam fire at the Revenge, the ship's shields flickering but holding. I saw several laser bolts hit the shields of the Revenge as eight fighters flew past us, the small craft diving down towards the ship as they continued firing.
"The Wonderbolts!" I said with a smile as I heard Skydive's voice speak over the comms panel.
"How you guys doing? Thought we'd give you a hand!"
"Thanks, see if you can take out the turrets!" I said as they flew under the Revenge, coming back upwards to form up with the Sebrova as the dreadnought fired back large red beams.
The Sebrova then fired a shield drain of it's own, our ship following suite as the shields flickered away, the Wonderbolts firing a flurry of lasers that struck the left wing of turrets, all of them being destroyed as the Revenge pulled away. I gasped as I saw the large ship cloak, disappearing from sight.
"What the hell?! Where'd they go?!" Calamity said in anger as I answered my friend.
"Cloaking device, they're hiding from us by turning invisible." My friend scoffed at the act of the dreadnought full of cowards.
The ship then appeared in front of us as we came close to crashing, Calamity rolling us out of the way as we flew past the ship.
As we turned to chase the red ship, Dawn's more calm officer spoke. "Give it up, ladies. You can't win!"
"Oh really?" I heard Twilight say through the comms as the Harmony caught the Revenge in a tractor beam, the Chestnut speeding forward as Xenith tapped her console. I heard several torpedoes fire as our ship turned, explosions sounding behind us as I heard Twilight speak again.
"You've blown a hole in their hangar! Now's our chance!"
"Cloak us again!" The stern mare that was Dawn's co-commander ordered as the Revenge veered away again, cloaking as we heard a filly's voice.
"Scotch Tape here, I've got an idea! Xenith, look at your console, do you see an icon with an arrow on it?" My zebra friend examined her console for a moment until she saw the button.
"Yes, I see it, young one."
"Good, tap it and fire another torpedo on my mark!" Xenith tapped the button as the torpedo icon changed to a new blue one, a timer with the number "30" in front of it.
The Revenge de-cloaked again as it's right side fired more laser beams at us, the Chestnut and Sebrova taking hits. I grew worried as Homage cried out. "That hit struck our torpedo bay! Hull is down to 56%!"
"Our shields are down to 40%, hull damage is minor." I raised an eyebrow at Velvet's words, if the Sebrova took a huge amount of damage from that shot, we should be a burning wreck by now!
"Ha! You won't last much longer now, DJ." The stern mare said as the Revenge cloaked again. I stood up as I walked to Xenith's console, the torpedo counter reading "12" as I heard Scotch Tape's voice.
"Fire the torpedo now!" As soon as she said that, Xenith tapped the torpedo button on her console, the newly modified torpedo firing a second later. I noticed a slight difference as it moved, a light would flash occasionally during it's flight around the battlefield.
"Oh, please, what good will that thing do?" I heard Dawn say as the torpedo continued flying, going in a random direction. No....
It was going in the direction of the Revenge!
I smirked as I spoke back to the mare, looking to Velvet as I signaled her to begin transporting the crew a second after. "Well, you should be scared right now. After all, did you not know that this ship has a console that can fire torpedoes that detect cloaked ships?"
Her and Red Eye's reactions were priceless. "What?!"
As Dawn said that, I smiled as I saw the torpedo fly towards the Revenge's spot, Red Eye cringing as his beloved ship was about to be destroyed.
"NO! MOVE US AWAY! GET US OUT OF HERE!!!" The now not-so-stern mare screamed in rage as a part of the Revenge exploded, male screams of pain sounding through the comms as the ship started to blow apart. The Chestnut, the Sebrova and the Wonderbolts all formed up as we flew around the vessel, the aft viewer appearing to show the large dreadnought exploding a moment later.
"YEEHAW!" Calamity cried out in excitement as we cheered, watching the large ship explode as we celebrated our victory over Red Eye's starship.
As we ceased our celebrating, I looked to Velvet, my friend looking back at her console as she spoke. "I've got them all, Littlepip. They're sitting in the brig as we speak."
I smiled as I looked to the viewscreen, which shifted to show the Harmony, the Sebrova, the Stratus and the Firefly all in formation, our ship behind them as Steelhooves and the green alicorn arrived back on the bridge through the turbolift to my left.
"Calamity, hail Twilight, please." My friend nodded as he tapped his console, the screen changing to show Twilight sitting in her chair as she spoke to us.
"Well, that's over with." The princess said as I replied with a smile.
"Yeah, but there's good news, we've destroyed the Star Forge and captured Red Eye, not to mention got the Chestnut back."
"Yes, that was a smart move, Littlepip. Thanks for your help." Admiral Stone said as he came into view, frowning as he continued. "Though, as much as I hate to take the fun away, my crew and I will need our ship back."
I nodded as I replied. "Don't worry, we've got our own ship to head back to as well." The admiral smiled as Twilight spoke again.
"The rest of the Alliance fleet is heading back to New Khitomer, we've been tasked with dropping you guys off back at home." I nodded as the princess continued. "Once again, the fleet has told me to pass their thanks to you, they all owe you their lives for what you done to help us."
I stood up as I replied to Twilight, my friends looking at me as I spoke. "With all due respect, Twilight, I couldn't have done it without you.... you, the crews of the Stratus, the Sebrova..." I looked to each of my friends, all of them smiling as I finished. "..my friends, it was because of you that we all won, and I owe you for bringing you guys into this."
"Will a good ol' party aboard the Harmony cool the nerves, Lil'Pip?" Calamity asked as I smiled, approving the idea as I nodded. I then looked to Twilight as I spoke once more.
"We're ready for transport when you are."
"All right, we'll be waiting for you all on the bridge when you arrive." Twilight said as Pinkie Pie jumped in front of the screen.
"And then, it's time to celebrate the biggest party of our lives involving our victory in the biggest battle of our lives!" We laughed as Pinkie Pie sprayed confetti all around the bridge, our laughter ceasing a moment later as I spoke up.
"Yeah, and also, one more thing. Could you contact Daniels when we get there? I need to talk to him about something... It involves my friends." I looked to my friends as they returned their gazes, their faces beaming as they saw what I was getting at. I know I had the crew of the Harmony as family, but for me, my family is all of the ponies that were standing in the room with me, and I couldn't bear to be without them after today, alive or not.
Twilight nodded as she spoke one final time. "We can get it set up. I'm sure he'll be willing to accept you all as a team when you get back." I nodded as the screen changed to the view of our fleet, the Wonderbolts flying up to their carrier as we waited for the transporters of the Harmony to beam us back.
"You guys are like my family, you know?" I said with a smile as my friends looked to me, smiling back as Velvet replied.
"Indeed, and like any family, I'm grateful we're all together again." As she finished, we were all surrounded by blue fields of energy, the bridge of the Chestnut fading as we were beamed away to the Harmony once again.
They are something we all want to have, something we love, and for some, they are bound to happen. Sometimes, they don't, but when they do, they're cherished highly.
I was happy that I had defeated the forces of Red Eye, that I had freed the Equestrian Wasteland of tyranny with the fall of the Enclave. I was satisfied that I had erased the land of taint and given the world a chance to heal. I was pleased to have removed the cloud cover and give back the sun to Equestria, and I was happy that the ponies of the land once again had a place to live in peace.
Though it wasn't the ending I'd wanted, I'd given up so much of myself to let my friends and others to have the lives they deserved. And with the second fall of Red Eye and J'ula's alliance crippled, I'd saved so many more lives and given them the chance to live in peace.
But the way I expected things to go was more satisfying than I could have ever imagined...
---------
I snacked on a brightly colored, delicious cupcake from a tray Pinkie Pie made as my friends and I enjoyed the party, music being played by the ship's holographic DJ.
After beaming back to the Harmony, I went to my quarters and contacted Daniels about our victory. He was proud of me for succeeding in my mission, of course, but he was disappointed to hear that J'ula escaped our grasp during the battle. After the mission debriefing, I asked if I could have my friends as fellow agents aboard the Harmony, showing him our efforts and records to help convince him. After a moment of examining my friends, he approved the idea, though suggested that I help train them in the holodeck for the initiation lessons, much like my own during my recruitment.
After our chat, my friends and I all returned to the bridge, having fun in Pinkie Pie's surprise party as we chatted at one of the tables in the room.
"That was an awesome fight we had back there!" Calamity said excitedly as Velvet replied.
"Well, it was dangerous, but I'll admit I couldn't help but enjoy it a little."
"We all did." Steelhooves said as he looked to me, his helmet off so he could join in eating the cupcakes. "And I must say, Littlepip, your command skills aboard the Chestnut we're impressive. I'm surprised Daniels hasn't given you a command of your own."
"I wouldn't blame him, honestly, it kinda felt awkward to order you guys around." I replied to the unmasked Applejack's Ranger as Xenith spoke to me.
"I would disagree. Twilight has her own ship and gives orders to her friends, but she doesn't feel shy or strange about it." I nodded as she was right, Twilight didn't hesitate to lead her friends and crew around the galaxy, but from her story, I think Starfleet Academy helped build that part of her.
"And hey, Ah don't feel offended, starship crews need t' work t'gether t' get the job done." Calamity added as Velvet spoke up.
"Indeed, and we're all still friends when we do it."
I nodded as Applejack came up to us, sitting with us as she spoke. "Enjoyin' the fun, everyone?" We all nodded as Steelhooves spoke up.
"Yes, and it's never been better since you came here." The orange mare raised an eyebrow at that, Steelhooves blushing as he continued. "Oh, I didn't tell you about what I was going to tell you earlier. You see, Applejack, in my universe, you were my wife."
I tried to stifle a laugh as Applejack blushed, eyes wide at the revelation. She brushed her mane with her hoof and replied after steadying herself. "Uh, well, that makes this meeting more interesting."
Steelhooves gave a somber expression as he spoke again. "I know, I'm from somewhere that has been torn by war, I lost my friends, my family... myself." His expression brightened as he continued. "But if it weren't for Littlepip and my friends, I wouldn't have done what I had to save our home. I probably would've been a corpse on the ground especially if it wasn't for her."
Applejack smiled as she looked at the green stallion, all of us smiling as she spoke. "Well, that sounds like a lot to go through after... what was it, 200 years?" We all nodded as she continued. "And I'm glad you've found a new place in the world after that."
My armored friend nodded as he replied. "Thank you, and it's also good to be with friends like these." He said as another pony called out, Applejack standing up as she had to leave.
"Sorry 'bout leaving, I gotta go help him out." As she started to walk, she stopped right next to Steelhooves as she whispered for a moment. I couldn't make out what she was saying, but I was certain of the answer as the orange mare trotted away after she was done, Steelhooves winking victoriously at me as he had just struck a date with the mare he loved.
I smiled at my friend before looking to Velvet Remedy, the charcoal mare smiling as she spoke. "Well, if this is time for some revelations, then I have one of my own to share, specifically with you." She looked to Calamity as she finished, her husband raising an eyebrow as he replied.
"What d' ya need t' say?" My friend asked as Velvet smiled, moving her head closer to the rust-colored Pegasus as she spoke.
"I was in my new quarters and I was fixing myself up when I decided to check, and it's a positive." She smirked playfully as she continued, our eyes widening as she revealed the news. "Calamity, when we have shore leaves, will you try not to do target practice when the baby is with us?"
Calamity sat shocked for a moment, his jaw wide before shifting into a smirk, my best friend hovering up as he spoke to Velvet, his voice loud enough for all to hear. "Yer pregnant?! Velvet, ya just made mah day even more excitin'!" He picked up his wife as the two hovered together, kissing as I heard a few cheers around us, myself joining in as my friends rejoiced in their moment. For a moment, I thought I could see Calamity's eyes well with tears as he set his wife back down, himself sitting after.
I smiled, my own eyes watering as I said, "I'm so happy for you guys! Where are you guys gonna go for your break?"
Xenith smiled as she recommended a location for the soon-to-be parents. "I believe a trip to a planet called Risa would be most fitting after all we've been through."
I thought about that as my friends nodded in agreement. Risa was considered one of the best vacation spots in the galaxy, how could we resist? Though, the couple would need a ride to get there... and I thought of the perfect one.
I smiled sheepishly as I spoke to my friends. "I think I know the perfect chariot for you two to get there, but it'll need some fixing up to do. Calamity, Steelhooves, will you help me upgrade the Tortoise once the party's over?"
The two looked at each other as Velvet looked at me with her mouth slightly open, the two stallions nodding as Calamity answered me. "We'd be happy t', just how much work d' we need t' d' t' get her fixed up and flyin'?"
"Oh, just the basic stuff for now, we can add all the other stuff later." My friends nodded as I continued. "And besides, I plan to make her our return craft when we head down to the surface."
"Great idea, Ah bet it'll be a hell of an entrance as we get Homage and her team back home." I nodded in agreement as I spoke again.
"Yep, but for now, let's enjoy ourselves. I could eat a whole cake after our mission today!" We all laughed as we sat at our table, eating more of our food as we spent the night having fun with our crew.
(_______)
A bright light flashed over Junction Town, our newly upgraded shuttle slowly descending as we started to land. The sky-tank was still similar in appearance to its previous look, but it's armor was mostly a light grey color, two yellow lines and a single green one in between them going along the sides of the ship. Under the lines was the text, "S.S. Tortoise, NX-23".
We saw the citizens of Junction Town all walked out to the edge of the town, looking at our small transport as it touched the ground. Gawd and her daughter Regina were holding pistols at the ready should the pilots try to attack the crowd. I turned away from the window as the back of the Tortoise opened, allowing us out. I led my friends and Daniels out of the ship as everyone in the crowd looked at us, their faces beaming with joy at our arrival.
Silver Bell grinned wildly as she spoke aloud. "Miss Littlepip! You and your friends are back!" I smiled at the filly as the crowd let out small cheers and cries of happiness at our appearance, my friends and Daniels joining me as Gawd spoke up.
"Hey Lil'Pip, who's your friend?"
"He's my boss." I said as Skydive spoke up from my group, hovering in the air.
"We've taken care of the Star Forge, everyone. We've won!" The Wonderbolt cheered as the crowd joined her, Blackjack trotting up to us as she spoke to the crowd.
"Yep, and we've got some newbies for the Arbu jail!" Red Eye, Dawn and her second in command trotted up behind her with scowls, the trio in shackles as the crowd scowled back at them.
I heard one member of the crowd cry out with glee as I looked to Red Eye. "They've got Red Eye here for us! He's so screwed now!" My nemesis only gave me one last look as Regina flew to us, two other griffons with weapons in their claws as the daughter of Gawd spoke.
"My boys and I will take them away to Arbu, if you're okay with that." I nodded as the trio of griffons landed around the prisoners as they all moved, one of the guards shoving Dawn with his gun as he ordered her to keep pace. Those three would be away for a long time, and wouldn't be getting out for as long as my friends and I lived.
As I looked to Gawd, Homage joined us as the griffon spoke. "Well, you've done quite the effort getting them all here! I take it you fought them on the Star Forge?"
"Red Eye only, the other two were on his ship, which is now gone." I replied as Gawd smirked, impressed at our efforts with stopping J'ula.
Daniels walked up next to me as he spoke to the crowd, all of them listening as he praised my friends and I. "Yes, thanks to the efforts of Littlepip and her friends, we've stopped what could've been the most devastating conflict the Alliance ever would've faced." His next words brought a moment of frowns from the crowd, but they rose back to smiles as he finished. "Unfortunately, J'ula has escaped, and is still out there planning her next move. But for the most part, her alliance has been shattered with the fall of the Star Forge, and you are all safe."
The crowd became silenced as my teacher I first met back at the S.P.P. looked to me, Twilight's crew walking out of the Tortoise as he spoke. "If it weren't for you, Littlepip, we all would've fallen to J'ula's army and this planet would've been destroyed. All of us, your friends and the people of Junction Town, as well as many other countless lives, are in your debt." The crowd cheered as Twilight walked up to me and my friends, each of us having a small charm with a pink crystal heart placed around our necks as the princess spoke.
"My friends felt we should also show our thanks, you all earned these." She then turned to the crowd as she continued. "As the Princess of Friendship, I present to our heroes a symbol of our gratitude, the Equestrian Pink Hearts of Courage!" The crowd cheered and applauded as my friends and I bowed to Twilight, Applejack trotting up to Steelhooves as we rose a moment later.
As we stood before the crowd, I smiled as I spoke to everyone. "Thanks, but I think my friends deserve the most appreciation here. I wouldn't have been able to destroy the Star Forge and arrest Red Eye if it weren't for you guys. In actually, I owe you all for your help, and I could've done it with out you."
My friends all smiled as Calamity replied. "That's the magic o' Friendship fer ya, old pal."
As the crowd applauded once more I heard Jet speak up as she and her team joined up with Skydive in the air. "Hey Daniels, are you going to tell them all about the news?"
The human nodded as he looked to us, the crowd silencing as he spoke to us. "Yes, about that. My buddies at HQ have finished the upgrades on the Victorious and have deployed her in orbit, and after witnessing your skills aboard the starship Chestnut, I believe I've found the perfect choices for her crew."
My friends and I all gasped as we heard the news, we were getting our own ship, not to mention the ship was a former enemy ship being used for good now! I beamed with excitement as the crowd gasped in surprise before cheering again, my friends and I hugging as Homage trotted over.
"Well, I guess this is it, then. I'd love to join in, but the Wasteland needs it's DJ." I nodded as we looked into each others eyes, the crowd's applauding added to the cheering as we kissed. I was going to be heading into space with my friends, but my lover had to take care of her own home. As we broke our kiss, I nodded to Homage as I replied to her.
"I understand. Can you get our frequency while we're gone? I'd love to show you all our vacation spot."
Homage smiled as she said, "No frequency can get out of this mare's grasp." We smiled again as Blackjack and her group of friends trotted up to us, all of them smiling as we faced them, the white unicorn speaking to us.
"The Wasteland will need someone to help protect it while you all go exploring. I'm no Littlepip, but I think this place can manage with us here."
Her group nodded in agreement as Skydive added, "This place will need a good flight squad as well, so we'll stay here and help too!"
"Thank you guys. You all stay safe down here." They nodded Daniels, Twilight's crew, my friends and I all made our way back to the Tortoise, but stopping as we heard the amber mare from the Wasteland Crusaders call out after us.
"Lil'Pip!" She said as she stopped in front of me, holding a box full of familiar looking items on her back as I levitated it all in my magic. "Yer clone over at the S.P.P. told us t' give these t' ya when ya got back."
I smiled as I looked into the box, they we're all the things I'd been given over the course of my adventure in the Wasteland, Calamity's old black, damaged hat, Orb #8, the Ministry Mare statuettes, the ashes of the deceased filly from Friendship City, the Fluttershy Orb Velvet Remedy gave me, and the drawing that Silver Bell gave me.
"Thanks." I said as I looked up to the amber mare once more. "You all take care of yourselves here."
"Will do!" The mare replied as Velvet Remedy's phoenix Pyrelight took advantage of the distraction and flew over to her friend, who squeed as the bird landed on her back.
"Pyrelight, you want to come with us?" My friend asked as the glowing phoenix nodded happily, the two joining us again as we continued inside the ship. The crowd started cheering "bye"s and "Good luck"s to us, our group entering the Tortoise as I waved one final time to the people of Junction Town before joining my friends.
As the door behind us closed, I sat with my friends as Calamity tapped the new helm console installed on the Tortoise, the ship lifting a moment later and flying up into the night sky.
As we watched the retrofitted sky-tank fly through the clouds, I heard Rainbow Dash speak up behind us with a smile. "Well, it was fun having you guys along with us, I can't believe you guys are going to fly your own ship!"
"Yeah, it's been an honor. I'm happy that we'll be seeing each other again, though." I replied as I heard Twilight speaking up as well.
"Definitely, and I hope you don't mind, but Admiral Stone, Captain Na'Zev and I will all be going with you to Risa as well, we could use a break ourselves."
"Cool! The fun will be quadrupled with you guys!" As I finished my reply to the Princess of Friendship, Daniels tapped my shoulder, myself turning to face him.
"I forgot to mention that during the upgrade process, we thought it would be best to change the name of the ship to something we thought would be fitting for you and your crew." I raised an eyebrow at him before Calamity cried out with excitement, my friends and I walking up to him as we saw the new ship.
"There she is!" The ship was mostly the same in shape, save for the addition of two unique nacelles in the shape of horseshoes being held on the two aft fins of the ship, green and pink lights sporting all over them. The hull's color was a light grey and had still had some black on the edges of the ship. There was also a symbol that consisted of a yellow crescent and red lines going along the hull, above the symbol read the ship's name:
"C.R.V. Lightbringer"
My friends and I grew wide smiles as we marveled at the ship, she was beautiful, and I couldn't wait to see what she looked like on the inside as we slowed down, the Lightbringer's shuttlebay doors opening as we entered our ship.
(||||||)
The turbolift doors opened to reveal a sweet looking bridge, the walls were light grey and had a large window for us to see out of. On the window were several green colored screens, each showing data regarding the status of the new ship. There were several consoles around the room, three on each side and four around the captain's chair. All of it was made of metal, of course.
"Warp engines online." The purple alicorn said as she sat at her station, her horn fixed as she moved a lever in her magic.
"Weapons and shields on standby." The green alicorn said as she stood at her new wall console.
"The Canterlot Republic Vessel Lightbringer is ready for departure on your order, Captain." The blue alicorn said as we entered the bridge, taking in the room as we went to our stations.
Calamity smirked as he looked at his new helm console. "Oh, Ah like how this baby looks!"
"This will be easy enough to operate." Velvet Remedy said as she examined her new console, Pyrelight squawking softly as she looked at the buttons. It was the one behind Calamity's.
"This weapons console is very impressive." Xenith said with a smile as she admired her console, which was placed to the forward left side of the chair.
"And this should help me in fixing the ship up, I can even send repair nanites to any part of the ship!" Steelhooves said as he examined his console behind my seat on the left side, removing his helmet to marvel at it with his own eyes.
As my friends started working on their new consoles, I sat in the command chair. It was very comfortable, I almost felt like I wouldn't get up for a while as I relaxed in it.
"How did you three get here?" Velvet asked her alicorn friends as the blue one responded to her.
"We were brought here by the one called Daniels to assist on this ship." The tall mare looked to me with a smile as she continued. "She needs a good crew after all."
I smiled back, looking to Velvet Remedy as she pulled out a new dress with her magic, Pyrelight jumping into the air as my friend put it on. It was similar in shape to the Stable uniform, but it was black and had two red and yellow lines going along the uniform. I raised an eyebrow as I asked her, "Where'd you get that? It looks nice."
"I had Xenith help me redesign the legionnaire uniform while you all worked on the Tortoise." Velvet said as she posed in the newly-made dress. "How do I look?"
Calamity whistled as he gave his answer. "Ya look perfect, honey."
I smiled as I turned to face the large window in front of us, the stars visible through it as Calamity turned to me and asked, "What's the order o' the day, Cap'n?"
I ignored my friend's question as I stared at the vastness of space, we were the first people in the Equestrian Wasteland to go into space, and we'd now be the first to lead the world of Equus back to its former glory, not to mention into a new era of peace and exploration... Just like the Alliance's first power, the United Federation of Planets, did in its youth.
I ceased my stare as Pyrelight squawked at me, myself shaking my head as I replied to Calamity. "Sorry, I was just looking... out there."
My friends all looked to the window as they saw the view. "Ayep, Ah don't blame ya, we're part of the start of somethin' bigger than us."
"And we're all on a new mission now." Velvet said as Xenith joined our monologue.
"To explore strange, new worlds..."
"To seek out new life and civilizations..." Steelhooves said as I finished us off.
"And to boldly go where no one has gone before." We all stared at the view for a moment, thinking of all the wonders we would discover out there as Calamity's console beeped, the rust-colored Pegasus tapping it as Twilight spoke.
"Our fleet is ready to depart, are you all ready over there?" My friends and I all spoke simultaneously as we replied.
"Yes, your Highness."
I heard Twilight chuckle as she spoke to us. "Guys, please, you can call me Twilight, remember?"
We all joined the chuckling as I replied for us. "Yeah, sorry. We're still getting used to it."
"Don't worry, I felt the same way when I became a princess." The Princess of Friendship said as we all faced the window, the Chestnut, Stratus, and the Harmony forming up with us as she finished. "We're ready on your word."
As I got comfortable in my chair, I looked to my friends, each of them looking to me with smiles as I smiled as well before facing the window. As I spoke, I pulled out the two drawings I had gotten from Silver Bell and the colt I had saved earlier, putting them on the two open spots in between the front and back wall consoles. "As friends, as family.... let's see what's out there. Engage."
As Calamity tapped his console, Velvet spoke up as she pulled out a small chip, inserting it into her console as Pyrelight re-balanced herself. "Oh, I almost forgot! I found this old 21st Century Earth song in the Harmony's library before we left, I think it will fit our moods as we depart."
As the song played through the ship's intercoms, the Lightbringer and it's escorts all fired a blue beam of energy at a single point in space as a wormhole opened. I smiled as I recognized the song from my history lessons.
It was "Faith of the Heart".
My friends, Calamity, Velvet Remedy, Pyrelight, Steelhooves, and Xenith all smiled along with me as the Lightbringer flew into the portal with it's escorting ships, the blue vortex surrounding us as we made our way to Risa. After all that I went through in this adventure, I was happy that I was once again with my friends, and that we were all working together as part of the great goal of exploring the stars. And we were once again a family, one that would stand strong as our faith in the magic of friendship held us all together.
