Chapter 1: An Old and New Friend

It is a bright sunny day in Ponyville, Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, AppleJack and Pinkie Pie were all headed to the park to meet Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.

"So what do you girls think it is that Rainbow and Fluttershy want to show us?" asked Twilight.

"Ah don't know "Twi" all ah know is that ah could be back at the farm bucking apples right now cider season is just ah-round the corner" said Applejack

"I for one agree with Applejack" said Rarity "I'm in the middle of a huge order and if I don't complete it on time it would be t-"

"the... worst...possible...thing...ever!" interrupted Applejack in the best impression of Rarity she could do.
While Rarity had an annoyed look, Pinkie Pie was laughing even Twilight found it a little funny.

Twilight knew she had to say something before things could get worst. so while Pinkie Pie was jumping around asking Applejack to do an impression of her next Twilight spoke

" You guys please, I know you're all busy, I myself could go home right now rearranging the library but Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy asked all of us to come and that it was important and as their friends we have to be there".

Rarity and Applejack stood there for a brief moment "Ah reck'n your right Twilight" said Applejack with a smile

"I agree also, I know Fluttershy and Rainbow wouldn't be interrupting our work unless it was important" said Rarity.

Twilight smiled she felt pride that she prevented a fight between her friends and they continued on their way. All the while Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Rarity were grinning, little did Twilight know was that there was never going to be a fight but the three decided to let their friend keep her victory anyway.

When the they arrived at the park they began searching for the two pegasi. Almost an hour has passed and Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were nowhere to be found. Also Pinkie Pie's constant talking about the possibility that Rainbow and Fluttershy are planning a surprise party for them didn't help and along with some wrong directions from a grey Pegasus with a blond mane and cross-eyes caused Rarity to get agitated

"I swear when I get my hooves on Rainbow I am going to--",

"Look!" Pinkie Pie interrupted jumping with excitement with her leg extended in front of her. From a distance the four can see a yellow Pegasus with a long pink mane "Fluttershy!" they all yelled running towards her.

Fluttershy was hovering a few feet off the ground looking up with a smile until she heard her name being yelled. The volume was loud enough to scare her that she fell to the ground flat on her stomach, Fluttershy had her eyes covered with her forelegs shaking in fear.

"Fluttershy you don't need to be scared it just us" said a familiar voice.

"Twilight?" said Fluttershy softly uncovering one of her eyes.

"Oh I'm so sorry it's just... you guys were so loud" has Fluttershy was speaking Pinkie Pie interrupted with a bombardment of questions

"SO WHATS THE SURPRISE?! HUH, HUH IS IT A SURPRISE PARTY?! HOW BIG IS THE CAKE? OH IS IT A CHOCOLATE CAKE? OR A BANANA CAKE? GASP! IS IT BOTH? WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME I COULD OF--" Applejack wrap her foreleg around Pinkie Pie's mouth when she saw the look of fear and confusion on Fluttershy's face "Sorry bout that" she said.

With Pinkie Pie momentarily silenced Twilight saw the opportunity to speak

"So Fluttershy what is it that you and Rainbow Dash wanted us to see?".

After a few seconds Fluttershy snapped out of her stunned state "oh...yes, um where is?"

see looked around at the sky until she found what she was looking for. She pointed at the direction of Rainbow Dash's location to the other four. "There she is I'll call her now" said Fluttershy, as she inhaled a big breath the others were expecting a rare shout from her. Expectations were high and when the moment came Fluttershy said

"Rainbow Dash! there all here!"

after a painful moment of awkward silence an oblivious Fluttershy said in her normal voice "huh? I can't believe she didn't hear me?".

"Yeah it's a real mystery" Applejack said quietly to Rarity nodding in agreement.

"Let me give it a try?" Twilight said walking in front of Fluttershy to get a better look at where Rainbow Dash was flying "Hey Rainbow Dash! we're here!".

As far as she was it was clear she heard Twilight's call and was flying towards them. As Rainbow Dash was flying closer Twilight could see she was not alone. Rainbow Dash landed in front of them but the other Pegasus stayed in the air.

"Hay what kept all of you?" said Rainbow excitedly,

"What kept us?" said Rarity with an annoyed tone "we got lost trying to find you".

Pinkie Pie out of nowhere appeared in front of Rarity "Where's the surprise party Rainbow Dash?" she said confusing Rainbow so Twilight intervened

"What Pinkie Pie means is what is it you wanted to show us?". At that moment Rainbow Dash gave a mischievous grin she turned around and looked up at the sky where the other Pegasus was and waved her foreleg. Suddenly the other Pegasus disappeared from where it was and then with the exception to Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy all of them one by one were engulfed by a greenish blur spinning around them. After each of them recovered from dizziness Pinkie Pie was cheering "Again Again! that was so awesome!"

While Rarity's eye twitched in shock when she saw the mess her mane was in the mirror. Rainbow Dash was laughing hard even Fluttershy hiding her giggling, Twilight after fixing up her mane walked up to Rainbow Dash

"So Rainbow Dash whose is this pony? I've never seen her around here in Ponyville before?" she asked curiously.

"Right right" Rainbow dash said turning around to introduced the four to this new Pegasus. The Pegasus was a green mare with long purple mane and tail, and on her flank were three gold rings as her cutie mark.

"Everypony, she is an old friend of mine and Fluttershy since growing up in Cloudsdale I want all of you to meet Wind Burst".

Chapter 2: It Started With a Race

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(Author's note: I apologize for any grammar errors, comments are appreciated)

Chapter 2: It Started With a Race

"OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! an old friend Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy this is amazing" said Pinkie Pie.

She then surprised Wind Burst by zooming right up to her face "What's your favorite kind of cake? is it chocolate, vanilla, strawberry wait don't tell me". Pinkie Pie started to run away from the group but before she could get too far she fell on her stomach. Wrapped around Pinkie Pie's waist was the lasso Applejack used to catch her.

"Hold on there sugar cube that can wait till later" said Applejack.

After Pinkie Pie was settled they all looked back to Wind Burst, Twilight walk up to the green Pegasus. "Well Wind Burst, it's nice to meet you I'm Twilight Sparkle".

"Right Rainbow Dash told me all about you" said Wind Burst.

"Really?" Twilight asked.

"Yup she says you're the biggest egghead she knows" Wind Burst replied.

Twilight's ears lowered she looked right at Rainbow Dash who was chuckling nervously.

"She also said you're the personal student of Princess Celestia, that's really cool you must know some awesome spells right?" said Wind Burst.

Twilight's face turn red "well I don't know about that but I guess I do know some pretty impressive spells" Twilight said with a grin and her hoof behind her head.

"Careful there Twilight your starting to brag there" said Rarity humorously.

Twilight snapped out of it "ah any ways this is Rarity".

"Charmed" said Rarity.

"This is Pinkie Pie" continued Twilight.

"Hi!" said Pinkie Pie.

"And this here is Applejack" finished Twilight.

"Howdy there partner it's not every day we meet an old friend of Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash" said Applejack.

"Well there was that griffon Gilda that one time" said Pinkie Pie.

The memory of that day gave a sour look on Rainbow Dash's face.

"Huh I think I've heard of her" said Wind Burst.

"That's the past Wind Burst here is nothing like Gilda and I know all of you are gonna like her, right Fluttershy" said Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy nodded in agreement.

"So Wind Burst how long have you known Rainbow and Fluttershy?" asked Twilight.

"Well like Rainbow said we go way back, we meet as fillies in Cloudsdale and we've been friends ever since, but even though they both moved to Ponyville we've stayed in touched" said Wind Burst.

"So how exactly did you meet Fluttershy And Rainbow Dash?" asked Rarity curiously.

Rainbow Dash and Wind Burst looked at each other and smiled.

" well... it all started with a race" said Wind Burst. "like I said we were fillies back then in Cloudsdale, I meet both of them for the first time when I overheard Rainbow here going on about how she's going to be the greatest flyer of all time; even becoming a Wonderbolt" said Wind Burst.

"Really now" Rarity said sarcastically.

"yeah anyways I was thinking, who does she think she was saying she's going to be the greatest flyer of all of Equestria? nopony is a greater flyer than me. So I went up to her and said There's no way you're gonna be the greatest flyer there is unless you can beat me in a race, then she said you're on!"continued Wind Bust.

"WOW, that sounds so amazing what happens next" asked Pinkie Pie.

"Hush now Pinkie Pie she's getting there" whispered Applejack.

"Please continue Wind Burst" said Twilight.

"Sure" said Wind Burst "So after I challenged her we agreed on ten laps and we'd use the clouds as obstacles that we have to go around of. The obstacles were no problem because while Rainbow Dash was going on about her speed, I knew that going fast was only part of racing and that maneuverability was just as important. So with Fluttershy holding the starting flag me and Rainbow Dash were ready to go".

Wind Burst And Rainbow Dash were both eager to prove who the greater flyer was, all they were waiting for was for Fluttershy to wave the flag for the race to start. As soon as Fluttershy waved the flag both pegasi zoomed past her with enough force to leave her spinning on the cloud she was standing on. At first both Wind Burst and Rainbow Dash were moving at the same speed but then Rainbow Dash slowly began to gain the lead. Before she knew it Wind Burst was behind in the first lap but that didn't worry her, she was just pacing herself for the last few laps and then they reached the clouds, Rainbow Dash was just about to make the first turn. However at the speed she was going and combined with the sudden turn caused her to spin out of control and Rainbow Dash crashed into the other cloud.

By the time Rainbow Dash stuck her head out of the cloud she can see Wind Burst smoothly maneuvering around the same cloud she just missed and now she was passing her by and continued on. Rainbow was getting annoyed and got out of the cloud to continue the race. But Rainbow Dash didn't consider how tight together some of the clouds were and because she spent most of her time working on her speed her maneuvering skills were sloppy and she had trouble flying around each of the clouds. By the time Rainbow Dash got out of the obstacle course she saw that Wind Burst had gain the lead. So she pushed forward trying to close the gap between the two but before she could reach her opponent Wind Burst had just completed the first lap.

As the race went on both pegasi continued on; each one taking the lead for a short time before passing the other. Rainbow Dash was improving on her maneuverability as she passed around the clouds, while Wind Burst started to push her speed. By the beginning of ninth lap Wind Burst was done pacing herself and was going at full speed however she was now getting worried. She was correct that Rainbow Dash would have trouble maneuvering the clouds but she did not think Rainbow Dash would adapt so quickly. But to her surprise Rainbow Dash zoomed past her, Rainbow unleashed her full speed the force of which caused Wind Burst to spin momentarily out of control. When she regained control see saw Rainbow Dash pass the starting line into the final lap. But what Wind Burst also saw was that the force in which Rainbow was moving knocked Fluttershy off of the cloud she was standing on. At first she thought it was not a problem but when Wind Burst noticed that Fluttershy was not flying back up she got scared.

"Rainbow Dash wait your friend Flutter-something is falling" yelled Wind Burst before she went down to catch her.

"That's a cheap trick there Wind Burst" Yelled Rainbow Dash turning around now flying back wards.

But when she saw both Wind Burst diving down and Fluttershy falling, she knew Wind Burst was telling the truth and she dive down also. Wind Burst was trying to reach Fluttershy but she could not catch up, Fluttershy was falling too fast. She pushed herself harder than she ever had and was able to close the distance between them. But Fluttershy was flailing around too much for Wind Burst to get a good hold of her. Wind Burst was finally able to catch Fluttershy, but she was moving too much causing Wind Burst to lose control and she began to fall with her.

Rainbow Dash pushed her speed to the limit and she was able to catch both Fluttershy and Wind Burst, then she flew up to the nearest cloud and set them both down. Wind Burst was too exhausted to continue the race and so was Rainbow Dash then Wind Burst said "that... was...awesome".

"DID YOU FINISH THE RACE , WHO WON" asked Pinkie Pie.

"Weren't you listening Pinkie Pie" said Rainbow Dash "we were too exhausted to keep going".

"So you three have been friends ever since right?" asked Twilight.

"That's right" said Wind Burst "and we've been racing each other every once in awhile since then, right Fluttershy?.

"That's right" Fluttershy said.

"So did the two of you ever find out who's the best flyer?" ask Applejack.

"Yeah me" said Rainbow Dash with pride.

"What?!" said Wind Burst "if we're going in a straight line maybe, but you seem to forgot that I won some those races not only that I'm a lot faster now than I was then".

"Yeah well you seem to forgot how awesome my maneuvering skills have gotten" said Rainbow Dash "plus three words Sonic...Rain...Boom".

Wait, isn't that two words? thought Twilight.

At those words Wind Burst looked angry, Twilight did not like where this was going.

"Hey now does it really matter who the better flyer is" Twilight said.

Both Rainbow Dash and Wind Burst glared at her when she said that and after a moment's pause she continued "I mean arguing about it isn't going to solve anything".

Both pegasi looked at each other and smiled "your right Twilight" said Rainbow Dash.

"I am?" asked Twilight "I mean a course I am".

"Yeah arguing about it won't solve our problem" said Wind Burst.

"So what do you say we settle it like old times" said Rainbow Dash.

"Your on" Wind Burst said with a smile.

"girls its you're lucky day we're going to have our self a race" said Rainbow Dash.

The two had decided that they would go one big lap around Ponyville. To have the best view of the race Twilight, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Rarity rode on a hot air balloon. Before the race started Applejack noticed Twilight was working on a contraption she rigged up onto the hot air balloon.

"hey Twilight whatcha doing back there" asked Applejack.

"Oh, I'm just working on this propeller so we can keep up with Rainbow Dash and Wind Burst. I read about it in a book and although it won't be as fast as them, we should still have a good view of the race" said Twilight.

"Hey Applejack don't you and Rarity have some important thing to do?" asked Pinkie Pie.

"Big Macintosh said he has the farm covered and besides how often do we see a race between Rainbow Dash and an ol' friend of hers from Cloudsdale" said Applejack.

"what about you Rarity, you said you had a big order to finished?" Asked Fluttershy.

"Oh please darling, I've pulled over night miracles before and besides this is something I cannot miss" said Rarity.

When Twilight was done setting up the propeller she then signaled Rainbow Dash that they were ready. "it's about time, ready Wind Burst?" said Rainbow Dash.

"Oh yeah" said Wind Burst.

The two pegasi were ready and when Fluttershy waved the starting flag the two flew out at high speed starting the race. The moment the race started Twilight activated the balloon's propeller and with their binoculars ready they followed the two racers. Elsewhere outside of Ponyville, in an area where there are no trees or grass only rocks and dirt were three creatures digging through the side of a mountain. They were a species of dogs that could talk and their oversized arms which they used to dig made them look gorilla like. These three called themselves "The Diamond Dogs", and they have been digging the same tunnel now for days looking for jewels.

"Rover how long do we need to keep digging" asked the largest.

"When do you think you idiot?, till we find more jewels" said The middle sized one.

"but we've been digging for days, when will we find the jewels" said the smallest.

"Quit complaining Spot and keep digging, you to Fido!, we dig till we find the jewels" yelled Rover.

The three dogs kept digging until the wall caved in revealing a huge cavern. When they walked in they were shocked at what they saw inside. They were mesmerized, drooling from the mouth at the sight of jewels everywhere laying in massive piles that almost reached the ceiling. Rover the leader was so excited that he jumped into a pile of jewels. Fido and Spot joined in and they cheered throwing hands full of jewels into the air.

"JEWELS! PRECIOUS JEWELS!" cheered Rover.

"ITS OURS, ALL OURS" said Fido.

"GGGGGGGGAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRHHHHHHHHHHGGGGG"

"What... was that?" said Spot.

The Diamond Dog searched the cavern for the sound that they had heard. But as the sound continued they also began to smell smoke, it did not take long for them to find the source of that noise. To their horror they see a massive creature with yellow scales, spines that ran down from head to tail and large wings. At that moment the dogs realized that they had accidentally borrowed into a dragon's hoard.

"Its a...a...DRAG-" Spot almost screamed until Rover quickly covered the small dog's mouth.

"Shut up you idiot" Rover whispered "you're going to wake it up".

"What are we gonna do?" whispered Fido hiding behind the other two shaking in fear.

Rover let go of Spot to think, he looked at the sleeping dragon, then he looked at the mound of jewels, then back at the dragon and again at the jewels. They had dug for days to get these jewels, they can't just leave empty handed. However the risk of awaking the dragon was too high. Rover tried to think but the light from the shining jewels was too much for him, and so he gave in to his greed.

"Fido, Spot take as many jewels as you can carry, we're leaving" whispered Rover.

"But the dragon? " whispered Fido.

"It might awake up" whispered Spot.

"Not if we are quiet, now grab what you can and lets go" whispered Rover.

While the dragon slept peacefully, the three dogs stuffed as many jewels into their vest pockets as they can. When it was time for them to leave, they snuck out with jewels in their hands. Rover and Fido were already at the entrance of the tunnel they had dug. Spot had not caught up with the other two yet. He stopped when he saw something from the corner of his eye. It was a large diamond, the size of his head laying in a pile of gems.That was the one he wanted, so he abandoned the smaller jewels he was carrying and went for the diamond. Spot struggled but he was able to pull the diamond out. As Spot hurried to the exit tunnel, the pile that he pulled the diamond from collapsed. Soon other piles started falling over causing multiple loud crashing sounds that echoed inside the cavern, then the dragon woke up.

The Dragon did not like waking up in the middle of his nap. Nor did he like the mess his treasure was in, he had spent hours arranging the piles of gems just the way he liked it. Then he noticed that there was scent he did not recognize multiple ones, Intruders Had Been In His Cave!. The dragon frantically searched his horde for anything that might be missing. Just as he feared some of his treasure was stolen, the dragon was enraged. He searched the cave to see if the thieves were still there. But all he found was a small hole that was not there before, this must be where they escaped thought the dragon. Angry the dragon rushed out of his cave and found the other end of the tunnel The Diamond Dogs had made. He searched again but the there was no one around, the intruders had escaped. He was furious that the thieves had gotten away with some of his jewels. Especially his diamond, he was saving that delicious treat for a special occasion and now its gone. Then the dragon saw something in the distance, he took a good look at it and realized it was floating in the sky. It was a hot air balloon and it was floating away from the dragon's cave.

"The robbers!" said the dragon "who else could it be?", then he took off into the air and went after them.

Rainbow Dash and Wind Burst are now half way into their race. they had already went though White Tail Woods and they just exited the Ghastly Gorge, both of them avoiding the thorns and Quarry eels easily. Although Wind Burst was able to catch the lead, Rainbow Dash boasted her speed allowing to get ahead of her.

"WHOA! THIS IS SO AMAZING!" yelled Pinkie Pie.

"Ah know Pinkie Pie" said Applejack.

"Twilight darling, can you please slow this hot air balloon down?, the wind is ruining my mane" said Rarity.

"BUT WE WON'T BE ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH RAINBOW DASH AND WIND BURST" yelled Pinkie Pie.

"well we do still have our binoculars" Twilight said " maybe I can slow it down a litt--"

"RRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRR"

"What was that?" asked Applejack.

The four ponies looked behind them and are shocked when they see a dragon flying right at them.

"DR... DR...DRAGON!!!" screamed Rarity.

Wind Burst was pushing her speed trying to catch up to Rainbow Dash until she heard a loud roar fallowed by five screams. At that moment she stop to look back to see what was going on. Even Rainbow Dash stop to look, both pegasi dropped their jaws at the sight of the dragon attacking the hot air balloon where the other five ponies were. Rainbow Dash flew towards her friends with Wind Burst following not far behind.

The other five ponies were screaming as the dragon got closer to them. Twilight was trying to get the propeller to go faster.

"COME ON... YOU PIECE OF JUNK!" screamed Twilight.

When Twilight saw the dragon open its mouth, she froze, she couldn't do anything no spells, she couldn't think. All she could do was sit there biting her lip, tears running down her cheeks.

The dragon was about to shot fire at the balloon until he felt something hit his head hard causing him to miss his target. He searched for what hit him but just then he felt another hit to the back of his head. The dragon saw two blurs flying around him, one was multicolored, like a rainbow and the other purple. He tried to swat at them with his claws but he kept missing. Rainbow Dash and Wind Burst continued attacking the dragon giving the others time to escape. Wind Burst dodged another claw swipe and head budded the dragon in the stomach. Rainbow Dash avoided the flames that the dragon shot at her, then attacked him on the snout.

Twilight had snapped out of it, and when she saw Wind Burst and Rainbow Dash fighting the dragon she came up with a plan. She turned off the propeller and called out to Rainbow Dash.

"RAINBOW!... CAN YOU HEAR ME?!" yelled Twilight.

"TWILIGHT?! ... WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! YOU NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE!" yelled Rainbow Dash.

"She's Right Twilight we need to get out of here!" said Rarity.

"We won't make it the balloon is not fast enough!" said Twilight.

"I HAVE A PLAN BUT I NEED YOU AND WIND BURST TO KEEP THE DRAGON BUSY, THEN WHEN I MAKE MY MOVE YOU AND WIND BURST FLY OVER TO THE BALLOON!" yelled Twilight.

"WHEN WILL THAT BE?!" asked Rainbow Dash.

"TRUST ME YOU'LL KNOW" Twilight replied.

"You hear that Wind Burst?!" said Rainbow Dash.

"Pretty much!" said Wind Burst.

While the two continued to distract the dragon, Twilight charged up her horn and waited for the right moment. the others were scared and were holding each other for dear life.

"Twilight, Ah sure hope ya know what you're doing" said Applejack.

So do I Twilight thought.

With her horn glowing, Twilight waited for her chance to act. Then when Rainbow Dash and Wind Burst were away from the dragon's face Twilight saw her opening and fired a huge bolt of magic at the dragon's face. The dragon was hit by something bright that blinded him, angry he swiped at anything within arm's reach trying to hit what attacked him. After Rainbow Dash saw the bolt hit the dragon she knew what Twilight meant.

"WIND BURST, WE GOT TO GO!" yelled Rainbow Dash.

Wind Burst was stunned, she had never seen a bolt of magic that big before. Then out of nowhere she felt a force hit her on her right side, the dragon though blind was able to hit Wind Burst with his claw. Wind Burst tried to fly but she could not move her wing, all she felt was pain. Rainbow saw what had happened and flew at high speed to save her. The others could only look in horror as they watch Rainbow Dash try to catch the other Pegasus. Rainbow Dash caught up to Wind Burst and grabbed her.

"Are you alright Wind Burst?!" cried Rainbow Dash.

"It... Hurts... so bad" said Wind Burst with tears in her eyes.

"It going to be alright! we're getting out of here!" said Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash reached the hot air balloon and at that moment Twilight used her teleportation spell. In seconds all of them along with the hot air balloon were gone in a flash of light, by the time the dragon regained his vision they were all gone.

In a flash of light the hot air balloon reappeared on the ground in the middle of Ponyville.

"WE MADE IT! cheered Pinkie Pie.

"We need to get to the hospital! yelled Rainbow Dash.

Twilight took a look at Wind Burst's wing and turned pale, she was bleeding so much from the lacerations. They hurried to the hospital as fast as they could, When they got there Wind Burst was put into the E.R.. All the Mane 6 could do was wait, Fluttershy was crying with Twilight trying to console her. Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie sat next to them with sad faces. Pinkie Pie's mane was no longer curly, it was straight and Rainbow Dash was sitting alone at a corner, she still had some of Wind Burst's blood on her. They waited and then a tan unicorn with a brown mane wearing glasses and a lab coat entered the waiting room. All six of them turned to him, Rainbow Dash got up and walked up to him.

"How's Wind Burst?! is she going to be okay?" said Rainbow Dash.

"Wind Burst was just released from the E.R. she is stable and she will recover" said the tan unicorn.

They all looked relived, Pinkie Pie's mane returned to its curly state.

"That's so great!" said Rainbow Dash "when will Wind Burst get better?, we still have a race to finish".

"I'm sorry Rainbow Dash but that not going to happen" said the tan unicorn.

There was a pause, then Twilight walked up to Rainbow Dash and the doctor."What is it Doctor?" asked Twilight, the doctor then responded

"Wind Burst's wing sustained major tissue and nerve damage. We have done that we can... but I'm afraid she may never fly again".

TAKEN pt. 1

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Chapter 3

Twilight woke up late the next morning, she hardly got any sleep after what had happened yesterday. Wind Burst was still in the hospital recovering from her injuries. She has refused to see anypony since she was released from the E.R.. When it got late Twilight and the others left the hospital and went home to get some rest. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were the only ones to stay behind. Twilight got out of bed and was getting ready to go back to the hospital when she saw Spike was still sleeping. She was about to wake him up, but then decided not to bother and left for the hospital.

Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were sitting in the hallway outside of Wind Burst's room when Pinkie Pie, Applejack and Rarity returned to the hospital.

"Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash have you heard any news from the doctor?" asked Rarity.

"*sniff* oh, Rarity no we haven't but we're glad you all made it back, right Rainbow Dash?" said Fluttershy.

Rainbow Dash did not respond to Fluttershy's question, she just sat there quietly.

"Well ah know it's an't much but I thought... this might lighten da mood" said Applejack.

Applejack reached into the saddlebag she was wearing and pulled out six containers. She then pass four of them to each one of her friends who were present at the moment.

"Its a new cider recipe ah been secretly work'n on, ah thought maybe ya'll might like some, ah even brought some for Wind Burst" said Applejack.

"Oh Applejack that's so kind of you" said Fluttershy excepting the container from Applejack.

Just then Twilight entered the hospital and found her friends in the hallway. She trotted up to them and noticed that Applejack was handing the others a container.

"Hey Applejack what is that you have there?" asked Twilight.

"Oh hey there Twilight, its just some new cider, like some?" replied Applejack.

Twilight excepted the drink and took a sip, This is delicious, its even better than the previous version she thought. She looked at her friends to see what they thought of it. She can tell Rarity and Fluttershy were enjoying it, even though they didn't say anything and to Twilight's surprise, even Pinkie Pie was moved beyond words at the taste of the new recipe. Twilight was also surprised that Rainbow Dash was the only one who did not try the new cider. She just sat there quietly, she didn't even touch it. Pinkie Pie appeared right next to Rainbow Dash after she finished her cider.

"Rainbow Dash you haven't touch your cider" Pinkie Pie said "don't you want it?...If you don't want it can I have it?."

Rainbow Dash didn't say anything and pushed the cider away.

"Yay!" cheered Pinkie Pie "This is sooo good."

"Pinkie Pie!" said Twilight.

"Oh...sorry I'll just save this for later" said Pinkie Pie putting the container of cider away.

"So any news on Wind Burst yet" asked Twilight.

"No not yet Twilight, but thank you for asking" replied Fluttershy.

"Oh... so she's still refusing to see anypony then" said Twilight.

Fluttershy's eyes began to tear up as she nodded.

"...Hey Rarity did you ever finish that order you were working on?" Asked Twilight, attempting to lighten up the mood.

"Well... I could not get any sleep last night after everything that happen to us yesterday. So instead I worked all night and I was able to finish it all on time" said Rarity with a hint of pride.

"That's great" said Twilight.

"Yes that wonderful" said Fluttershy softly.

"Yeah that's great Rarity" said Rainbow Dash breaking her silence.

They all turned their heads to her, Rainbow Dash had not said a single word since they got the news about Wind Burst condition.

"That just real great, Good for you!, I mean sure Wind Burst is in the hospital and she may never fly again, but that's o.k. CAUSE AT LEAST YOU WERE ABLE TO MAKE YOUR STUPID DRESSES!."

Out of nowhere Rainbow Dash felt something striking her cheek. After being dazed for a second she looked at who had just smacked her. To all of their surprise it was Fluttershy who had just smacked Rainbow Dash across the face. Fluttershy just stood there with anger in her eyes looking at Rainbow Dash.

"Rarity didn't Do Anything Wrong, So Don't You Yell At Her!" snapped Fluttershy.

Rainbow Dash and the others were stunned, this was one of those few times Fluttershy has lost her temper. Rainbow Dash hung her head down in shame.

"I'm so sorry Rarity" said Rainbow Dash.

"Its... o.k. Rainbow Dash" said Rarity "its my fault, we're supposed to be here for Wind Burst not talking about my dresses."

"No Rarity, its not your fault" said Rainbow Dash "Its mine."

They were all confused when she said that, they just looked at her. Tears were running down Rainbow Dash's face.

"Its my fault Wind Burst is in this hospital, I challenge her to that race, Its... *Sob* its my fault she won't fly again!."

Fluttershy wrapped her forelegs around Rainbow Dash, she too was crying.

"Its not your fault Rainbow Dash" said Fluttershy.

"She's right Rainbow Dash its not your fault" said Twilight "Wind Burst wanted to race just as much as you did, there was no way anypony could of known we'd get attacked by that dragon. You both saved all our lives."

" No pony's to blame here sugar cube." said Applejack.

"Except the dragon's" said Pinkie Pie.

"That right, Wind Burst needs you the most right now and Blaming yourself won't help her" said Rarity.

Rainbow Dash didn't say anything, she just sat there with Fluttershy still hugging her. Then the nurse approached them.

"Is everything alright here?" asked the nurse.

some of them just nodded.

"That's good, well if you excuse me I need to check up on Wind Burst" said the nurse.

She walked past the six and entered the room Wind Burst was being kept. after a few seconds the nurse rushed out of the room.

"DOCTOR! PLEASE HURRY! DOCTOR!" shouted the nurse.

The Mane Six were scared and as soon as the nurse ran past them to get the doctor they rushed into the room. It was empty, no one inside just an empty bed and a plate of breakfast that was untouched.

"WHERE DID SHE GO!" asked Rainbow Dash.

"I don't know" said Twilight "wait look the window, she must have sneaked out though here."

"We're on da first floor so she can't have gone far" said Applejack.

"THEN WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR LETS GO THEN!" said Rainbow Dash.

Else where in the Everfree forest Wind Burst was alone laying on a patch of grass face buried in her forelegs. Her right wing was bandaged and although it still hurts, but it was nothing compared to how she felt. She couldn't get those words the doctor told her out of her mind, You may never fly again. She had been laying there sobbing for more than an hour now. Flying and racing was her passion and now it was all over. The real reason why she didn't want any visitors was not because she didn't want see them. It was because she didn't want them to see her, especially Rainbow Dash. She didn't want Rainbow Dash to see her as a shell of her former self, that was why she ran away from the hospital. she remembered Fluttershy telling her that hardly anypony ever goes into the Everfree Forest she never did say why, but she figured since she wanted to be alone it was the perfect place to hid out for awhile. Wind Burst just laid there unaware that she was not alone.

The creature hovered quietly towards her, Wind Burst's body began to flash in its red vision as it is locking on to her. The text SPECIMEN TARGETED appeared over her and the sphere was ready to make its move. Wind Burst suddenly got the feeling that she was not alone, so she quickly turned around to face what it was. Wind Burst didn't know what she was looking at, it looked like a large ball made of metal with a single red eye in the center of it.

"Um...*sniff* hello?" said Wind Burst.

The sphere just floated there, Wind Burst did not know what to make of this thing that was looking at her. Then suddenly the sphere opened up and before she knew it Wind Burst had a metallic arm wrapped around her.

"WHAT ARE YOU... LET GO OF ME!" Yelled Wind Burst.

Wind Burst could feel herself being pulled into the sphere's opening.

"Oh no you are NOT eating me!" said Wind Burst.

Just as she was almost inside it, she was able to buck it hard enough to make the sphere lose its grip on her. As soon as Wind Burst hit the ground she got up and started to trot away as far as she could, ignoring the pain from her wing. The metal sphere went after her, it retracted its tentacle and in its place came out what looked like a cylinder. I'm gonna make it Wind Burst thought as she was getting closer to getting out of the forest. The sphere was gaining up on her, and with its cylinder charging, it shot a bolt of energy at Wind Burst.

Wind Burst felt something hit her causing her to collapse onto the ground, it almost felt like she was hit by lighting. She couldn't move, all she could do was watch the metal sphere opened up and grab her.

"SPECIMEN ACQUIRED, RETURNING TO BASE" said the droid in a electronic voice.

In seconds the droid was gone taking Wind Burst with it as it went deeper into the forest. What the droid did not noticed was that Wind Burst was not the only pony in the area. Not far from where it had taken Wind Burst were three fillies hiding in a bush. They had witnessed the entire thing and were scared.

"That thing is gone" whispered Scootaloo.

"Please can we go home?" whispered Sweetie Belle.

Apple bloom and Scootaloo both nodded.

"Lets get go" whispered Apple Bloom.

TAKEN pt.2

View Online

The Main Six have been searching for Wind Burst all over Ponyville for hours now. To cover more ground they each split up into pairs, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy searched from above, Pinkie Pie and Rarity would search one part of town, and Twilight and Applejack searched the other. They asked many of the residents if they have seen the missing Pegasus, but they were not able to get any results. They had arranged to meet back at the center of town after each pair had finished their search. After finding no leads, Twilight and Applejack headed towards the center of town. When the two arrived they found the other four waiting for them.

"Any news!" asked Rainbow Dash.

Twilight and Applejack lowered their heads.

"YOU TOO?! WE LOOKED ALL OVER PONVILLE HOW COULD WE NOT FIND HER!" panicked Rainbow Dash.

"Calm down Rainbow Dash we'll find her we just need to keep looking" said Twilight.

"HOW CAN I CALM DOWN WHEN WIND BURST IS STILL MISSING!" yelled Rainbow Dash.

"Rainbow Dash is right we looked all over town, where could she possibly have gone?" asked Rarity.

"I don't know, she must have gone somewhere nopony would look for her" said Twilight.

"But she got here just yesterday, how in tarnation could she find ah place so soon?" asked Applejack.

Just then Fluttershy lowered her head and started shaking. Pinkie Pie was the first to notice this.

"Fluttershy what's wrong?" asked Pinkie Pie.

"I...I think I know where Wind Burst might have gone to" said Fluttershy weakly.

They all turned their heads towards her, causing her to sink back a bit.

"YOU DO?! Why didn't you say so earlier?!" snapped Rainbow Dash.

"I... I didn't think of it before" said Fluttershy.

"Fluttershy please, where do you think she could have went?" asked Twilight.

"...The...Everfree Forest" said Fluttershy.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders were galloping as fast as they could through the Everfree Forest. Scared of what they saw, getting out of the forest was the only thing the three fillies could think of.

"What was that thing!" said Scootaloo.

"Ah don't know why don't you go ask it?" replied Apple Bloom.

"Are you kidding?!" said Scootaloo.

"Stop it! Let’s just get out of here" said Sweetie Bell.

"Don't worry Sweetie Bell we're almost there" said Apple Bloom.

The Main Six had just arrived outside of Fluttershy's cottage, they were standing at the entrance into the Everfree Forest.

"Well what are we waiting for let's go!" said Rainbow Dash.

"Wait! Fluttershy are you sure Wind Burst could have gone in there?" asked Twilight.

"Yes" said Fluttershy "I remember when Wind Burst came over she asked about it, I told her nopony goes in there. Other than the park she doesn't know anything else about Ponyville."

"Looks like we an't got no choice then" said Applejack.

Just before they entered the forest, they noticed something was coming their way.

"What's that?" said Pinkie Pie.

When the Cutie Mark Crusaders rushed out of the forest they saw six mares in front of them. To avoid crashing into them they stopped as fast as they could which caused the dirt to rise up as they skidded in front of the six. When the dust settled Apple Bloom looked up to see her sister in front of them.

"Applejack!" said Apple Bloom excitedly.

*cough cough* “…Apple Bloom! What we’re ya doing in the forest?! How many times have ah told ya not ta go in there without ah grown up?!" said Applejack angrily.

"What were you thinking Sweetie Bell? You know how dangerous the Everfree Forest is," said Rarity brushing off dirt out of her coat.

"We were just tryin to get our cutie marks Applejack," said Apple Bloom.

"We thought we gave up being creature catchers to soon, so we tried it again" said Scootaloo.

"That was until we saw a pony get swallowed up by some monster!" said Sweetie Bell.

"WHAT?!" said the six mares in unison.

"It looked like a big metal ball with one red eye, then it opened up and grabbed some pegasus with its weird arms and swallow her up!" said Scootaloo.

"Then it just floated away" said Apple Bloom.

The Mane Six were stunned at what the three fillies had just told them.

"Wait! You said that thing swallowed a pegasus, was it a mare? Did she have a bandaged wing?!" asked Rainbow Dash.

The three fillies paused for a moment trying to remember.

"I… I think she did" said Sweetie Bell.

All six felt a sinking feeling in their stomachs as soon as they heard Sweetie Bell's answer. Tears were beginning to well up under Fluttershy's eyes.

"NO! IT CAN BE!" panicked Rainbow Dash.

"Wait! This doesn't make sense," said Twilight "How would something metal digest food? Girls are you sure it ate her? Is there anything else you can remember?"

"It opened up and placed her inside" said Apple Bloom.

"Was that it? Are you sure?" asked Twilight.

"Wait! It said something after she was inside it" said Sweetie Bell.

"WHAT?!" shouted the Main Six in unison.

"It said Speci...something acqiered and it was returning to its base" said Sweetie Bell.

"It said specimen" said Apple Bloom.

"Specimen?" said Twilight "Than that means Wind Burst wasn't eaten!."

"What do you mean Twilight?!" said Rainbow Dash with a hint of confusion.

"If the thing that took Wind Burst called her a specimen, as in something to study, then it means that it wanted her alive. It also said it was going back to some base. If Wind Burst is a specimen then that must mean that she was taken to some kind of lab. Girls you need to lead us to where you saw that thing take Wind Burst."

"Back into the forest?" said Sweetie Bell with a hint of fear.

"Please only you three can help us save a friend" said Twilight.

The three scared fillies looked at each other and after a moment of silence, they then agreed to show them the way.

"But Twilight how do you even know if she's still alive?" said Fluttershy.

"I don't," replied Twilight in a worried tone. "But it's all we got to go by."

"Than what are we waiting for?!" said Rainbow Dash with a hopeful tone.

With that the Main Six and the Cutie Mark Crusaders went into the Everfree Forest.

When Wind Burst woke up she was blinded by a bright light, her first thought was Am I dead? That was until she heard a beeping sound nearby, when her eyes adjusted she found herself in a large room.

"hmmm it appears the patient has awaken" said a strange almost electronic voice.

Wind Bust turned her head towards the direction where she heard the voice. What she saw was a strange being looking at a large monitor screen. She could hear a rapid tapping sound as if someone was using a keyboard. With its back turn towards her she noticed some kind of harness attached to its back that reached high on to the ceiling causing this being to be suspended a few feet into the air. It was also wearing some kind of blue robe which made it appear as if it had no feet.

"WHO... WHAT ARE YOU? WHERE AM I?" she shouted as she tried to get up.

However as hard as she tried to stand she couldn't, her legs felt weak all she could do was sit up on what she thought was an examining table.

"What did you do to me?" said Wind Burst.

"Please there's no need to be alarmed, I assure you that you're in good hands” said the being without turn around.

From what she could tell the voice sounded masculine and although those words were intended to be calming, Wind Burst could not help but feel unsettled by the artificial tone of this being's voice.

"Log-5798: the patient has awakened and as expected is still under the mild effects of the anesthesia, which I believe will fade shortly. It appears the operation was a success and I hope to begin testing of the prosthesis as soon as possible."

"OPERATION?! What operation?."

Wind Burst started examining her body franticly and gasped at the sight of her right wing, the damage limb was gone and instead of having feathers the new wing was shiny and made of metal.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME?!" shouted Wind Burst.

"Isn't it obvious?" said the strange being "I have healed you."

"Healed... me?" repeated Wind Burst. "But...but you took my wing! And you put this... WHAT IS THIS THING?!"

"That would be your new wing of course, when you were brought here by one of my droids I noticed it was seriously damaged. At first I feared my droid had injured you. However after closer examination I was able determine that wasn't the case. Fortunately for you I took it upon myself to replace it otherwise the likelihood of you ever flying again were how should I put it?... unlikely."

"Wait! Are you saying with this thing I'll be able to fly again?" said Wind Burst.

"If the neural graft is successful than yes, which reminds me I believe by now the effects of the anesthesia should have worn off completely, I hope you don't mind a few tests."

Wind Burst became nerves when she saw another metal ball hover towards her. However this one was different, it was a lot smaller than the one that abducted her in the forest and instead of a red eye it was blue. Suddenly she was blinded by the blue light that shined from its eye. After a second she realized it was shining its light all over her body.

"Other than a slightly elevated heart rate, scans indicate that all biological systems are normal and cellular acceleration around the prosthetic is complete" said the alien still looking at the monitor. "Now I would like to test the neural connection, if you would be so kind and move "both" your wings for me?"

Wind Burst was still nervous, but decided it was best to do what she was told for now. She began to spread her wings and was surprised to find that she felt no pain. The cybernetic wing although was made of metal was very light. She continued to flex her new wing and watched with amazement at how natural the prosthetic moved, it was as if she still had her original wing.

"So far so good."

Wind Burst flinched at how close the voice sounded, and when she turned her head to look at the alien she was stunned to find it was staring right at her. Its head was slightly egg shaped and made of metal, all it had for a face was a black visor with two large red eyes inside that looked almost insect like. With both arms behind its back it just hung there staring at her.

"I must say, I'm impressed with how quickly your species recovers even with the aid of the cellular acceleration process, now I believe we may move onto the flight test."

Wind Burst closed her eyes and spread both of her wings and began to flap. When she no longer felt the table beneath her, she opened her eyes to find herself in the air.

"I'm... I'm FLYING!" cheered Wind Burst.

"Yes I can see that" said the alien in an amused tone. "Now let's test your coordination, without exerting yourself too much, would you please fly a few laps around the lab?"

Without replying she started flying around the lab and with each lap she slowly picked up speed. With the air blowing at her face, every second in the air filled her with great joy. It was as if a piece of her that was missing was now restored. Minutes passed before she finally landed on the floor to catch her breath.

"Impressive... I think we can call that a successful test don't you think?" said the metal creature.

Wind Burst just sat there trembling, and then a few drops of liquid hit the floor. The strange being took notice and approached her. But before it got any closer, Wind Burst raised her head towards the metallic creature. With a huge smile and tears in her eyes she flew up and wrapped her forelegs around the alien.

"THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU SO MUCH!" cried Wind Burst.

"Now, now, there's no need to be so emotional" said the being as it pried itself out of her hug. Then with its long clawed cybernetic hands it placed her back on the table before going back towards the monitor screen.

"But you've done so much for me...if it wasn't for you I'd never be able to fly again, you gave me my life back," said Wind Burst.

She hoped off the table she was sitting on and headed towards the exit she saw earlier when she was testing out her cybernetic wing.

"Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash are gonna freak when they see me flying again. I can't wait to show them this new wing."

Just as she was about to leave the room, the alien with its metallic finger pressed a button on the keyboard resulting with the doors sliding shut with a loud hiss locking her in. Wind Burst stepped back in surprise, she looked backed at the metallic creature with confusion.

"I'm afraid I cannot let you leave yet" said the alien as it turned around to face Wind Burst, suddenly two metallic tentacles with claws on the ends began to emerge from its back. "Your operation is not yet complete."

The Main Six had arrived at the spot where the Crusaders witnessed Wind Burst being taken by the droid.

"Are you sure this is where it happened?" said Rainbow Dash.

"Yeah this is where we saw your friend get taken by that monster, right Apple Bloom?" said Scootaloo.

"That's right, she was stand'n right here then that metal monster grabbed her and took her that a'way" pointed Apple Bloom.

"Great that's all we need to know!" said Rainbow Dash.

"Wait you should know that it can use magic!" shouted Sweetie Bell.

"What?" said the Main Six in unison.

"The monster it can use magic, that mare Wind Burst, she tried fighting back but before she could escape it shot a bolt of magic at her and she fell," explained Sweetie Bell.

All six mares looked at each other in silence pondering on what Sweetie Bell just said.

"That changes nothing, we're still going in to save Wind Burst!" said Rainbow Dash.

"Wait!" said Twilight "First you fillies need to go back to Sweet Apple Acres we can handle it from here, it's not safe for you three. Applejack can you take them back?."

"Sure thing" replied Applejack as she took the three fillies back to the farm.

The five mares waited until Applejack return, when she did all six continued on their rescue mission. They had traveled for who knows how long and still they haven't seen any sign of Wind Burst or the droid that took her. They had gone deeper into the Everfree Forest then they ever had before. Suddenly Fluttershy heard the sound of something rustling in a bush causing her whelp as she jumped into the air. The other five mares stopped in their tracks and looked at Fluttershy's direction.

"Fluttershy what's wrong?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"I...I... heard something moving over there" said Fluttershy as she pointed at the direction of the rustling bush.

All six of them braced themselves for what was coming, but instead of the floating Cyclops the crusaders described, what came out of the bushes was a robotic rabbit.

"What is that?! said Rainbow Dash.

"I think that's a bunny what do you think Fluttershy?" replied Twilight.

"I never seen a bunny like this before" said Fluttershy.

"How the hay is that a'h bunny? it doesn't even look real it's all metal like" said Applejack.

The rabbit just stood there looking at the six mares with its artificial eyes as they continued talking between themselves, suddenly it found itself lifted off the ground.

"LOOK IT REALLY IS MADE OF METAL!" cheered Pinkie Pie as she lifted the rabbit up to her friends.

"PINKIE PIE! You should be careful, that thing could of be dangerous" said Twilight.

“It’s like the thing that ponynaped Wind Burst!" asked Rainbow Dash.

"How can it? It’s just a robot bunny" said Pinkie Pie.

"I have to agree with Pinkie Pie" said Rarity "just look at it, the craftsman ship, the slick shine, how can something so marvelous be dangerous."

"Yeah you’re just being sill- ZAAP-OUCH!" cried Pinkie Pie as the robotic bunny shocked her with the antenna sticking out of its head causing her to let go.

As soon as the rabbit hit the ground the antenna disappeared into its head and all four of its legs turned into wheels. With its wheels spinning it took off deeper into the forest leaving the six mares in its dust.

"Meanie!" said Pinkie Pie as she was coughing from the dust.

"Quick after it!" shouted Twilight "it's probably heading back to where the other metal thing took Wind Burst."

All six of them ran after the cyber bunny, following its track until they could see their target at a distance. They continued after the rabbit until it went down a huge crater, what they saw inside was something that nopony has ever seen before. It was a massive structure, its shape was almost triangular and made of metal. Almost half of it was covered in vines and other vegetation and it had two massive wings one of which was broken in half. The six mares just stood at the edge of the crater with eyes wide open and jaws dropped, they stared in awe at sight of the massive object that could fit more than half of Ponyville's residents inside.

Inside Twilight's head were many questions, What is that thing? Where did it come from? How long has it been here? And does Princess Celestia know about this? They were all firing all at once.

"LOOK! There it goes!" shouted Rainbow Dash causing Twilight to finally snap out of her train of thought.

They all ran down the crater continuing to chase after the robotic rabbit. It then drove into a large hole in the side of the structure's haul. The mares stopped in their tracks, they were hesitant to go inside except for Rainbow Dash who flew right in.

"Rainbow!" shouted Applejack.

The five mares looked at each other wondering what their next move will be.

"We don't have a choice" said Twilight before they all entered the giant craft.

To their surprise they found themselves walking inside a dark hallway, Twilight and Rarity cast a lumination spell to light their way. With the light on they could see that the walls were white and the floors were made of large tiles. The ceiling had what looked like light fixtures that had long stopped working.

"Wow who do you think made this place?" asked Pinkie Pie.

"And what is it do'n this deep in the Everfree Forest?" added Applejack.

"I don't know, but after we rescue Wind Burst I would really like to write a letter about this place to the Princess," said Twilight.

"What this place really needs is a good cleaning" said Rarity.

With both unicorns using their lit up horns the mares continued on and after a few minutes of walking they heard a voice at the end of the hallway.

"Hello! Is anypony here?!"

"Rainbow Dash!" said the five mares as they ran towards the sound of their friend's voice.

When they reached further down the hallway they found Rainbow Dash who was happy to see them.

"Thank Celestia you girls found me that rabbit thing gave me the slip, it so dark in here and I have no idea where I was" said Rainbow Dash.

"Well then maybe we can try stick'n together this time?" asked Applejack sternly.

Now reunited they went on exploring the inside of the structure searching for Wind Burst. When they reached the end of the hallway they found a large metal door, Twilight walk up to it to examine it.

"What do you think is behind it?" asked Fluttershy.

"I don't think it’s locked, Applejack, Rainbow Dash help me open this door" said Twilight.

"On it!" replied Rainbow Dash.

It was a large double door and although it was unlocked it was still heavy. The three mares struggled at first but they were able to slide the doors apart. When they forced it open it caused the lights inside the room to activate. The six mares were amazed at what they found. The bridge was large with multiple seats and monitors placed in a upside down U- shape before a large window that was covered from the outside by a metal shield. In the very front of the room was a large monitor screen and in the middle of the deck was a large chair.

"What is all this?" gasped Applejack.

"I... I don't know" replied Twilight "I've never seen anything like it."

The six mares explored the large room, Twilight was examining the large chair at the center of the room. To her it looked as if the chair belonged to someone of authority. Although the seat was tall for her size she was able to climb up and sit on it. She then noticed some buttons on the right arm rest, after she blew off the dust she press the largest button. All six mares were startled when the large monitor in the front of the room came to life. From the monitor they heard a strange language speaking to them.

"It’s speaking!" yelled Pinkie Pie.

"But what is it saying?" asked Fluttershy weakly.

"I don't know. I've never heard this language before" answered Twilight.

After they had spoken the monitor went silent for a moment.

"Language found, Translation complete message replay---

“Whom so ever finds this ship *cough* I leave this message to you. I am the captain of this vessel called *cough* *cough* *gasp*... The Liberator", If you are listening to this message then I have failed to save my kind and that I have very little time left. I only pray now that the knowledge and wisdom of our race that is within this ship survives the crash into your world *gasp*. So that we may live on if not in body,*cough* *cough* *gasp* *gasp*... but in memory.” *ssssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhh*

"End of message."

The Main Six were speechless, it was after a moment of silence when Twilight finally spoke.

"They were aliens and this was the ship they came in."

"And they're gone" said Fluttershy wiping a tear from her eye.

"Wait what about Wind Burst if all the aliens in this ship are died then who took her?" ask Rainbow Dash.

"And where are the bodies for that matter?" said Twilight.

"Bodies?" said the other five mares.

"Yes, Think about it if they all died their bones should be all over this place that means that one of them must have survived to clear the bodies out" Twilight explained.

"But this place looks like it's been here a long time how do we know if whatever it is, is still around?" ask Applejack.

"Well somepony or someone must be here or-"

"Something's coming" Rarity interrupted who was at the door.

All six mares hastily searched for a place to hid, most hid behind the many smaller monitors that were in the room. Except for Twilight, who was only able to get underneath the captain's chair. They waited for what was coming and in seconds a shadow appeared across the floor. What had entered the room was a hovering metal ball with a single eye. Using its red eye it quickly scanned the bridge, after finding nothing the droid hovered away. Waiting to see if it came back the Main Six stayed in their hiding places a bit longer before they came back out.

"That was a close one" said Applejack.

"That thing looked just like what the crusaders described!" said Rainbow Dash, "we need to go after it."

Rainbow Dash was about to race after the droid until Applejack cut in front of her.

"Applejack! What are you doing?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Did y'ah forget what the crusaders said it did to Wind Burst? And how it can use magic? y'ah are not going after that thing alone it's too dangerous" said Applejack.

"Applejack's right" said Twilight, "what we should do is follow it at a safe distance and then it might lead us to where Wind Burst is."

"And if it doesn't, what then?" Rainbow Dash demanded.

*sigh* “then we make it" replied Twilight.

They exited the bridge quietly and were back in the hallway. Pinkie Pie had seen which direction the droid went, and then they went on to follow the floating ball. They eventually caught up with the droid and kept their distance. The droid hadn't noticed them yet, to make sure it didn't Twilight used her magic to levitate herself and Pinkie Pie. While Fluttershy carried Rarity and Rainbow Dash carried Applejack. With all of them floating in the air they didn't make a sound so that they won't grab the droid's attention. Pinkie Pie held in the urge to giggle in amusement at being levitated while Twilight was struggling to maintain the spell for so long. Then suddenly the droid stopped and so did the Main Six. Rainbow Dash looked towards Twilight nudging her head towards the droid. Twilight took a moment to observe the situation and decided that it was now or never. Fluttershy and Rainbow set their friends down gently and Twilight slowly lowered herself and Pinkie Pie on the ground. But what Twilight didn't know was that there was a laser motion sensor beneath her and the moment she touched the ground, she tripped the laser.

"INTRUDER!!" screamed the droid as it spun around to face the six mares.

The droid opened up to reveal a metal cylinder that was beginning to glow. In seconds it was blasting energy bolts at the mares. The Main Six were desperately trying to dodge the bolts of energy that were being shot at them. What the mares didn't expect was that more droids had appeared, they were coming from the other hallway and from the vents in the ceiling. To their horror they were surrounded by several one eyed spheres all aiming their ray guns at them.

(Earlier back at the lab)

It had happen so fast, before she knew it the Alien had used it tentacles to grab her and as soon as it placed her back on the table the restraints automatically wrapped around her securing her in place. With the harness carrying it the Alien then made its way back towards the monitor and began typing on the keyboard.

"Log- 5799: The first test which was to replace the patient's damaged limb is a complete success. With these results and the successful testing of the neural compatibility of the cybernetics, I am now certain that this is the perfect time to move forward with the patient's "Full Conversion". Truth be told I cannot help but feel excited that all the hardships, the centuries of research, the experimentations, and the severe lack of test subjects have not been in vain. I believe now I can finally achieve by design that which was done to me by accident."

As the Alien was speaking Wind Burst was struggling to get out of the restraints that kept her on the operation table.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING? LET ME GO!" yelled Wind Burst.

When she turned her head towards the monitor she saw an image of herself on the screen. Then with a few clicks of the keyboard another image appeared next to it. It was a blueprint of a pony with the same cybernetic wings as the one she has now. But it wasn't just the wing, the whole body looked like it was made of metal.

"WHAT IS THAT!?" she shouted.

"Why that is the new you" said the Alien "You loved your new wing, all I'm doing is applying it to the rest of your body."

"WHAT!? BUT... BUT I DON'T WANT THIS! THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH MY BODY, PLEASE DON'T DO THIS!" pleaded Wind Burst.

"Nothing wrong?" asked the Alien in surprise "Do you not remember how damaged your wing was? That is proof enough of how frail your biological body is. There's no need to be scared, I was once like you frail, weak, because of it I became last of my kind until this lab accidently made me into what I am now."

The end one of the Alien's clawed tentacles had shifted, it was no longer a claw but instead it was a syringe with a long needle. While the other grabbed Wind Burst's head with its claw to hold it still as it brought the syringe closer to her neck.

"What I am giving you is a cure" said metallic being.

"NO! PLEASE! DON'T DO THIS!" Wind Burst screamed as the needle came closer.

Suddenly before the needle could pierce her skin an alarm had sounded in the lab. The Alien's attention was on the monitor, then it let go of the mare's head as it moved closer to see the image on the screen.

"Interesting" said the Alien in an amused tone "It appears we have intruders."

Wind Burst turned to see what the Alien was talking about. That's when she saw a video on the screen of six ponies fighting a large group of droid, like the one she encountered back in the forest. When she took a closer look at the ponies in the video she suddenly knew who they were.

"That's Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy and their friends!" she blurted out without thinking.

"You know these creatures?" asked the Alien. "Intriguing, no doubt they’re here for you. Fate must be smiling upon me today, Test subjects like yourself are extremely rare. Either I will have seven new masterpieces or if by chance your operation fails at least I will have six more chances to succeed. How do you like that for a win/win situation?"

"WHAT? BUT YOU CAN'T!" yelled Wind Burst.

Ignoring her, the Alien pressed a button on the keyboard.

"All droids are to use stun rays only, I want the intruders unharmed"

(meanwhile)

The Main Six have been battling the one eyed droids avoiding every bolt of energy that was shot at them. They didn't even notice that the energy bolts had change from red to yellow.

Pinkie Pie as was able to disable some of the droids by disappearing and reappearing on them causing them to shot each other.

"I'm over here! nope now I'm here! tag your it!, wee this is fun!" cheered the pink mare.

Twilight and Rarity were shooting bolts of magic at the orbs while at the same time dodging enemy fire. Fluttershy was trying her best to avoid the droids, while Rainbow Dash and Applejack bucked any droid that got near them smashing some of them to pieces. Finally the battle was over all the droids were ether disabled or smashed to pieces. The six mares took a moment to catch their breath.

"Well *gasp* that... was easy" said Rainbow Dash with a smirk.

Suddenly Rainbow Dash was grabbed from behind by a single droid using its metallic tentacle.

"LET GO OF ME YOU PIECE OF JUNK!" yelled Rainbow Dash.

Then Rainbow Dash fell back on the floor and there was a loud smash. It was so fast it took a moment for the other five mares to realize that it was Fluttershy who took out that last droid. She was still standing on top of it with an angry look and out of breath.

"Fluttershy are you o.k.?" asked Rarity.

"Nopony hurts my friends" replied the yellow Pegasus in a serious tone.

"Hey girls take a look at this!" Twilight yelled.

All the other mares gathered around her to see what she was talking about.

"What is it Twilight?" asked Applejack.

"Its inside this ball where the eye is, take look, doesn't it look kind of like a camera lens?" asked the lavender unicorn.

"A camera?" asked Fluttershy. "How could it be a camera if there's nopony to use it?"

"This entire place has been the most technologically advance thing I have ever seen. It's as if we walked in a science fiction novel. I'm positive that this "camera" can be used from far away" explained Twilight.

"So your say’n that somepony is watch'n us right now with this doohickey?" asked Applejack.

"It's the only one that looks intacted," replied Twilight.

"Give me that thing then" said Rainbow Dash as she took the broken droid.

The cyan Pegasus looked into the lens and began to speak.

"If you can hear this then listen up, I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you want bits, I can tell you right now we don't have any. But what we do have is a particular set of skills, skills we've acquired over the last few years. Skills that make us a nightmare for bad guys like you. If you let our friend go now, then that's it. We won't come looking for you, you'll never hear from us again. But if you don't, I will come after you. I will find you... and I will kill you."

After an intense moment of silence the droid replied but not in the voice the six mares heard earlier. It still had an electronic tone, however this voice had an eerie feel to it and all it said was.

"Good Luck"

Then before the Mane Six another door opened up by itself revealing another hallway, as if it was inviting them to come in.

Back in the lab the metallic alien had just used its long clawed metal finger to press a button on the keyboard to open the doors that will guide the six ponies to him. It was still watching the screen looking at the rainbow mane pegaus.

"You'll need it."

Steel Heart

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The Main Six stood in silence before the doorway that had just opened by itself. Rainbow Dash began to make her way into the door way until Applejack rushed in to cut her off.

"What da ya think you're doing it could be a trap" said Applejack.

"Oh like it could be anything else" Rainbow Dash said sarcastically.

"Rainbow is right" said Twilight "whoever's controlling this place now knows we're here and that we're here to rescue Wind Burst".

"That's exactly what I mean" said Applejack "it's gonna get more dangerous here on out we can't just rush in there".

"Fine" conceded Rainbow Dash "I'll be cautious, but whatever this creep has planned it's not gonna stop us from saving Wind Burst".

"Agreed" said the other five mares.

"It'll be alright Rainbow Dash" said Pinkie Pie "After all, you can go all Liam Neeson on that guy."

Together they all entered the doorway and then lights came to life lighting the way down the hallway for them to follow. As soon as the last mare passed the doorway the doors suddenly sled shut and with a loud click and hiss they were locked in.

"Oh no we're trapped" squeaked Fluttershy.

"It o.k. Fluttershy we'll just find another way out" said Rainbow Dash.

"Yeah so don't you worry a bit" said Pinkie Pie.

All six mares continued down the hallway following wherever the lights would take them. As they walked further down the hallway they noticed that there was no sign of any more of the round droids that had attacked them earlier.

"Look over there" said Rarity as she pointed at the end of the hallway.

It was the same robotic rabbit they had encountered earlier in the forest. It was just sitting there as if it was waiting for them. The Main Six cautiously approached the rabbit thinking it might be another trap, but before they could reach it the rabbit spun its wheels and dashed to the right.

"It's getting away!" shouted Applejack.

They all ran after the robotic rabbit but when they reached the corner they saw the same rabbit just sitting there in the middle of another hallway. It stood there staring at them with its artificial eyes as if it was waiting for them.

"I... I think it wants us to follow it" said Fluttershy.

As soon as she said that the rabbit reacted by rolling farther down the hallway only to stop and turn back around to face them again.

"I think you may be right Fluttershy" said Twilight.

They followed the metal rabbit down the hallway then another and after few minutes of walking they stopped in front of a metal door. Before anyone was able to say anything the door slid open and the robotic rabbit went inside. The six mares just stood there not sure what to do.

"Well what are we waiting for?" asked Rainbow Dash.

They all walked through the door together and as soon as they entered the room the door slid shut behind them. They all turned their heads towards the door except for Twilight who was in awe of the huge laboratory. The scientist in her was amazed at what she was seeing, this lab had the most advanced equipment she had ever seen. There was no telling what experiments could be done here this place made the lab under the library look like a joke. It wasn't until Pinkie Pie finally spoke up when she snapped out of it.

"Hey look what do you think is over there?!" pointed the pink mare.

She was pointing at a large computer monitor and nearby was a row of large tables seven in total, six of which were on an incline. That's when they noticed that something was on the only tables that was leveled flat and it appeared to be moving. The mares walked closer to see what it was, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy flew up to get a better look at it and where surprised at what it was on it.

"Wind Burst!" shouted the two pegasi.

"Wind Burst?!" asked the other mares.

"I'm so glad we found you!" said Rainbow Dash "Don't worry we're getting you out of he-."

Rainbow Dash had just noticed a glare, when she got a good look she saw that one of Wind Burt's wings was made of metal.

"WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR WING!"

Wind Burst was struggling to get out of her restraints, it looked like she was trying to say something but with her mouth muzzled all she could make were muffled sounds.

"Fluttershy help me get her out of this!" shouted Rainbow Dash.

"Right" replied Fluttershy.

Wind Burst was shaking her head desperately trying to say something. The other two pegasi were unable to remove the restraints that kept their friend bound onto the table.

"Arrgg! we can't get her lose!" shouted Rainbow Dash.

"Wait I think she trying to say something" said Twilight.

With her magic she was quickly able to unlock the muzzle and remove it from Wind Burst's face.

"ITS A TRAP!" scream Wind Burst.

As soon as she said that Rarity was hit from behind by a bolt of energy causing her to collapse. Enraged Rainbow Dash charged at the direction the bolt came from and then came to a sudden stop as she hit something very hard. At the same time Rainbow Dash and a clanking sound could be heard hitting the floor across the room. Fluttershy and Twilight ran to help Rainbow Dash as Applejack and Pinkie Pie stayed with Rarity.

"Rainbow are you o.k?" asked Fluttershy.

"I'm fine" said Rainbow Dash " just my head hurts what about Rarity?."

"She's alright just unconscious" said Twilight.

"It's good to see you all made it here, welcome to my lab" said a robotic voice.

The mares turned their heads to the direction that they heard the voice, it was the same eerie voice they had heard from the broken droid Rainbow Dash had threatened earlier. When they saw who the voice belonged to the mares were shocked at what they saw. Composing itself was a figure wearing a blue robe, they could see the red insectoid eyes on its head which was metal. It was hanging by a harness that reached the ceiling making it appear to be floating in the air.

"I apologize for being late but I went to get my stun blaster which I seemed to have misplaced just now when your friend there hit me."

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO WIND BURST'S WING!" demanded Rainbow Dash as she got back up.

In the blink of an eye she charged at the robotic alien again only to be stopped by something hitting her chest. The Alien had caught the cyan pegasus in mid-air with one of its tentacles that suddenly sprouted from its back. The claws at the end held her tight keeping her from getting lose then out of nowhere she felt a sharp pain in her neck. The other four mares gasped at what had happened to their friend as she went limp and fell to the floor. It happened so fast and before any of them could react another tentacle had appeared and hit Rainbow Dash in the neck but instead of a claw at the end it was syringe.

"That takes care of you" said the Alien in a calm tone.

"RAINBOW DASH!"shouted the four mares.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?!" yelled Twilight.

"There's no need to be alarmed it was just a sedative" said the Alien as it started to make its way towards the other ponies "I can't have her causing trouble after all she did threaten me not too long ago."

"Please I'm begging you don't hurt them!" pleaded Wind Burst who was still bound to the operation table.

"You miss interpret my intentions" said the Alien. "Hurting anyone is the last thing I want to do".

"Well you have a funny way of showing it" yelled Applejack.

"What is it you want?" asked Twilight.

"What I want is simple" replied the Alien "it is only to do what is in all your best interes-".

Suddenly the Alien was knocked forward, still hanging on its harness it was struggling with what just attacked him from behind.

"WHAT ARE YOU ALL WAITING FOR?!" yelled Rainbow Dash "I CAN'T HOLD HIM FOREVER!"

"Fluttershy, stay with Rarity!" shouted Twilight.

The sedative that the alien injected her with was still effecting her, it was taking everything she had to not only stay awake but also to hold on to the alien. Rainbow Dash could feel her legs going numb but even still she used her willpower to start kicking the alien's back. Applejack ran up to the alien and jump, while in the air she brought her hind legs forward and with gravity adding to her power she dropped kicked the alien in the chest knocking it backwards. With its tentacles the Alien tried to grab the orange pony but was distracted by the one on its back kicking it. After Applejack was out of the way Twilight started shooting magic bolts at the alien. Twilight saw one of the tentacles coming her way and was quickly able to dodge it. Missing the lavender unicorn the alien only hit a nearby tray of equipment. While trying to grab the pony on its back the alien also made another swipe at Twilight missing again hitting another equipment tray. Twilight had just dodge another tentacle and then she continued firing bolts of magic at the robotic creature. With one pony on its back and the others attacking the front the Alien struggled to defend as it felt the impacts of each of the bolts of magic hitting its cybernetic armor. Then when the barrage of energy had stopped it heard one of them screaming something in a high pitch voice.

"SURPRISE!!!"

Out of nowhere the Alien was hit in the face by a mass of brightly colored mush. There was a momentary pauses in the battle the Alien appeared to be stunned.

"Pinkie... did you just throw a cake at him?" asked Twilight.

"I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!!!" shouted the Alien before Pinkie Pie could answer.

With one of its tentacles the alien grabbed Rainbow Dash off its back and slammed her against one of the unoccupied tables. The restraints instantly wrapped around her keeping her in place.

"RAINBOW!!!" shouted the other five mares as they turned their heads towards her direction.

While distracted both Applejack and Fluttershy were then suddenly lifted up into the air by the alien's tentacles and were quickly placed on the other two tables beside Rainbow Dash. With its quick reflexes the Alien was able to grab Pinkie Pie with its tentacle and was about to make another swipe at Twilight, but before it could reach the unicorn disappeared in a flash of light. Twilight then reappeared behind the robotic alien and was about to fire her magic at it but to her shock it was already facing her. Before Twilight could do anything the Alien was able to grab her with its other tentacle.

"Did you really think I would fall for that?" asked the Alien as if insulted.

Twilight gritted her teeth and was about to fire until the alien quickly placed something around her neck with its hand. She tried to shoot anyways but instead she felt a shock around her body.

"That will be enough from you" said the Alien who held the unicorn face to face.

"What did you do to me?" asked Twilight.

"Its a shock collar" said the Alien "as long as it's on you it will give you a little zap whenever you try to use that horn of yours".

Twilight saw Pinkie Pie in its other tentacle and in its hand was Rarity still unconscious, she too had a shock collar around her neck. Then the Alien approached the remaining tables and placed the three remaining mares on them. As soon as they were on the restraints bounded them in place. Rarity finally started to wake up and found herself and her friends strapped onto tables.

"Did I... miss something?"

"Rarity" said all the mares in unison.

"Are you o.k.?" asked Twilight who was right next to her.

"Yes... I am" she relied.

"I am glad to hear that myself" said the Alien.

"EEEEKKKK" screamed Rarity "WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU?, WHY ARE WE TIED TO THESE TABLES?,*GASP* AND WHAT IS THIS DREADFUL THING YOU PUT ON ME?! HOW DARE YOU PUT SOMETHING SO TACKY ON ME HAVE YOU NO SENSE OF STYLE?!"

As the white unicorn continued to whine the Alien went up to her and looked her in the eyes and pulled out a small remote from its robe and showed it to her.

"What is that?" asked Rarity in a whiny tone.

"This is the remote to your shock collar" it said with its thumb over the button.

After looking at the remote she then shut her mouth all the while Applejack was trying her hardest not grin. Gatta remember to get my hooves on one of those when we're done here she thought.

"Anyways, I must admit that you are all remarkable specimens especially you two with the horns. How is it that you can manipulate not only energy but also your environment and let's not forget you" pointing to Rainbow Dash.

"Me? what about me?!" answered Rainbow Dash.

"That sedative I gave should have put you out for hours " said the Alien.

"Maybe I'm just that tough" said Rainbow Dash with a smirk.

"You can stop pretending, I can tell you are succumbing to its effects after all I could tell by how much the strength of your kicks was diminishing".

Rainbow Dash didn't say anything, she just glared at the alien.

"Please let them go!" pleaded Wind Burst "you already have me you don't need them!".

"You already know I can't do that" replied the Alien.

"Can't or won't?" asked Applejack.

"mmmm both"

"What did you do to Wind Burst's wing?" asked Twilight trying to stay calm. "There was a mechanical one where it should be, did you do that?".

"I believe your friend here can answer that" said the Alien pointing to Wind Burst.

"Yeah about that he... replaced it" said Wind Burst nervously.

"REPLACED IT!" said the other mares at once.

"Well remember the doctor said I'll never fly again because of my wing? Well he fixed me up" she continued.

"Wait! so you came here on purpose?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"What no!, I was taken by a shiny ball and when I woke up he already did it" Wind Burst said.

"So does that mean you can fly again?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"Yeah I'm back" said Wind Burst giving her friend a smile.

"If you already fixed Wind Burst's wing then why are you still keeping her here" Applejack said to the Alien.

"And why did attack and bind us to these tables" added Twilight.

"Why?...because my goal has yet to be achieved" answered the Alien.

"And what would that be?" asked Fluttershy.

"He's planning to make us all into machines not just my wing!" said Wind Burst.

"WHAT!!" the others screamed.

"Is this true?" Twilight asked the alien.

"Please say that's not what you did to that bunny!?" begged Fluttershy.

The Alien was silent for a moment then it he answered.

"You say that as if it is a bad thing" Said the Alien.

Fluttershy was stunned into silence at the thought of the what was done to the rabbit.

"Of course it's bad!" said Twilight "Why would you want to force us into being machines!?".

"I assure you my intentions are noble" said the Alien turning his back to them "What I'm doing is for your own good".

"How the hay is that suppose to be good for us you psycho?" demanded Rainbow Dash. "Do you have any idea how messed up this is?!".

"Is it messed up to want to save you from your current state!?" said the Alien now facing Rainbow Dash "You cannot deny how frail your bodies are especially you".

He pointed at Wind Burst.

"The nerve damage to your wing was permanent you would never be able fly again and you know it. It is because of me your flight capabilities have been restored. It was not too long ago that you were so grateful you wept tears of joy, imagine the joy you will feel when I fix your whole body".

"Is that what happened to you?" asked Twilight.

The Alien turned his back to them and was silent.

"We heard the message in one of the rooms" said Twilight "before the captain passed he said there were no survivors after the this ...ship crashed. But he didn't know about you did he?, how your still here, is this how you survived? becoming a machine?".

"... It was not by choice" The Alien said grimly "It happen so long ago, something went wrong with the ship. I was alone in this lab, separated from the rest of my crew when the ship crashed landed on this planet. I was so close to dying but... the lab, the crash damaged the ship. There must have been a glitch in the system the lab must have mistaken me as part of the ship and it ...repaired me. When I awoke I found myself no longer flesh but as the machine you see now. Everything but my brain was replaced I was reborn. It was only later I found out that the rest of the crew, my friends, did not survive. I was all alone, the last of my kind".

The Mares could not help but feel sorry for this creature, especially the main six. After everything they've been through together they could not imagine what it would be like to lose just one of their own.

"I'm so sorry for what you've been through" said Wind Burst.

"Don't be" replied the Alien now facing her "for centuries I have cursed my existence believing I was a monster".

The Alien was now looking at all the mares.

"But in my isolation I had came to a realization that I was not the last of my kind but the first a new one. That this cybernetic body was not a curse but a gift, one I now plan to give to all of you".

"YOU CALL THAT A GIFT!?" shouted Rarity.

"Look we get that you had it bad but that don't make it o.k. to turn us into ah bunch tin cans!" yelled Applejack.

"There is no way I'm gonna let you turn us into robots!" said Rainbow Dash.

"You're not in a position to stop anything" replied The Alien "I would think you of all would appreciate what I am offering".

"WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSE TO MEAN!" shouted Rainbow Dash.

"From what I have observed from you and your friend here your particular species posses remarkable flight speeds. Imagine the speeds you will be capable of when you are no longer bound by the limitations of your organic body".

Rainbow Dash was silent as if deep in thought.

"RAINBOW DASH!" yelled Twilight.

"Tell us you're not actually thinking about it!?" asked Rarity.

"NO!, I'd rather be the greatest flier there is on my own then cheat and become a machine" said Rainbow Dash.

"You tell'em R.D.!" said Applejack.

"What I am offering you is far more than just speed, you will all be stronger, you'll never go hungry or get sick, or grow old. What I am offering is immortality and although you have all been a pain to deal with, I understand that your reaction is only out of fear and ignorance and for that I can forgive" said The Alien as it began to move away from them and towards the large computer.

"And now that we are done talking it is time that I got started, now if you'll excuse me I have some brains to cut out."

"YOUR INSANE!" yelled Rainbow Dash.

The Alien ignored the ponies' pleas and continued to move away passing an empty table. He suddenly stop then he quickly moved back to where the empty table was.

"WHERE DID THE PINK ONE GO!!?" he shouted.

The other mares quickly looked to where the pink pony was and realized she was gone.

"Wa-- how long was she gone!?" asked Applejack.

"This is impossible!, how could she have escaped!?" said The Alien.

"HA! you don't know who you're dealing with after all this is Pinkie Pie you're talking about" said Rainbow Dash.

"That's enough out of you!" The Alien replied "don't think that you have won, the one you call Pinkie Pie will not have gone far it is only a matter of time before she is back on this table and--"

"PEEK A BOO!!"

cheered an upside down Pinkie Pie who was now standing on the alien's head looking him in the eyes.

"WHAT!!?"

"You know being up here is kinda fun!" said the Pinkie Pie.

The Alien tried to grab the pink mare but grasped only air as she disappeared.

"WHERE DID SHE GO!?" The Alien yelled.

"OOOUUU what does this do?"

"What" asked the Alien as he looked to direction of the voice.

Pinkie Pie was staring at the large monitor and started randomly pressing the buttons on the keyboard.

"NO! DON'T TOUCH THAT!" he shouted as he rushed to the computer.

Then he went to a complete stop just before he could grab the pink mare. The Alien was no long in control of the harness that suspended him in the air. As Pinkie Pie continued to type randomly the Alien had jerked backwards then forward.

"H- HOW ARE YOU-wwoohh"

Then the harness shifted and shot him several feet to the right and again to the left.

"Looks like that didn't do anything" said Pinkie Pie "hm maybe this will do something".

She was now repeatedly pressed several buttons all at once. But unbeknownst to her the Alien was now spinning at a full 360 degrees and was moving so fast it was as if he was in a centrifuge. As the Alien was spinning he suddenly came to a complete stop and was now back in control of his harness.

"That didn't do anything ether, it must be broken" said Pinkie pie.

Out of nowhere Pinkie Pie felt something grab her tail and lifted her up in the air. She was now hanging upside down again staring face to face with the Alien holding her by the tail.

"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!? DO I HAVE TO EXAMINE YOUR BRAIN BEFORE I PUT IN ANOTHER BODY!?" he shouted at her.

In his anger the Alien shook her causing a container to slip out of her mane.

"NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! MMYYY CCCIIIIIIDERRRRRRRR!!!" screamed Pinkie Pie in slow motion.

"What?" said the Alien.

The container hit the keyboard causing the lid to pop out letting the liquid spill onto the monitor. The screen began to flash and the keyboard started shooting sparks. The electricity became intense and surged from the monitor and followed all the cables through out the lab. The electrical surge finally reached the harness and followed it down to the bionic creator electrocuting him.

"WHATS HAPPENING!?" screamed Rarity.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

After an intense flash of blinding light the entire lab went dark. After a few seconds the lights flickered and then they were back online. The Harness had dropped low enough that the Alien was lying face down on floor with smoke emitting from him. Pinkie Pie was lying next to him, by how her mane was spiked instead of curly and the fact that she was also giving off smoke meant that she too was electrocuted by the surge.

"PINKIE PIE! ARE YOU O.K!?" yelled Rainbow Dash.

"DAMAGE ASSESSMENT: ...MINOR, SYSTEM REBOOT SUCCESSFUL" said the monitor.

The Alien's eyes were black then it flickered red on and off then they changed color. His eyes were no longer red instead they were now green. With his arms the Alien began to pushed himself up from the floor.

I... I can think clearly again he thought the reboot it must have-.

He looked at Pinkie Pie who was still laying on the ground moaning, then towards the tables where the other ponies were. He remembered what he had done and what he was about to do to these ponies. At that moment he did not feel the pride he had just moments ago, now all he felt was guilt.

"What am doing?" said the Alien.

With the harness now operational he pick himself up and moved towards the monitor.

Oh no he's getting back up! thought Twilight.

The Alien examined the monitor and indeed the damage was minor despite the light show. He typed a few keys which caused the ponies' restraints to open releasing them. Twilight, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Fluttershy all slid off the tables hitting the floor, except for Wind Burst whose table wasn't on an incline but she was finally able to stand up. Rainbow Dash on the other hand was having trouble standing up because of the injection. The Alien also reached inside his robe pulled out a controller, he pressed one of the buttons causing the shock collars on Twilight and Rarity to fall off.

"I don't understand, what's going on?" said Rarity.

"I'm... not sure" replied Twilight "Wait Pinkie Pie!"

They all rushed to Pinkie Pie's side to see if she was alright.

"Pinkie Pie! are you o.k.!?" asked Applejack.

Pinkie Pie didn't say a word she had a spaced out look then in less than a second her mane puffed back into its normal curly state.

"I'm tired can we go home now?" asked Pinkie Pie.

"Oh Pinkie Pie I'm so glad your alright" said Fluttershy.

"I'm sorry" said the Alien still facing the monitor.

The mares stared in confusion at the Alien who was now not only releasing them but was also apologizing to them.

"Wait, what?" said Rainbow Dash.

"Your free to go" replied the Alien in a sad tone.

"How do we know this isn't a trick?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"Because you were right. My mind was not well, I see that now. When the computer restarted itself it restored my... it doesn't matter I'm sorry for everything I've done to all of you" He said.

The door the main six used to enter the lab had opened at first they were hesitant to go, unsure if the Alien was telling the truth.

"Come on girls," said Twilight.

Pinkie Pie didn't need any help getting up and was good to go. Rainbow Dash on the other hand needed help which Fluttershy happily did. They slowly walked out of the lab leaving the Alien inside alone.

"Twilight are you sure this an't ah trick?" asked Applejack.

"He had us right where he wanted" she replied "what would be the point of tricking us now?"

"I don't maybe cause he's nuts" Rainbow Dash said sarcastically.

"I don't think so Dashie, the way that he was acting before he let us go, I think he really does feels guilty about what he did" said Fluttershy.

"So maybe what he said about the big machine restarting really did fix him" said Pinkie Pie.

"Maybe" said Twilight facing her friends.

Then she noticed that Wind Burst had stopped walking, she was looking at her cybernetic wing while deep in thought.

"Wind Burst?" called Twilight.

"What?" replied Wind Burst, her train of thought now broken.

"You o.k.?" ask Rainbow Dash.

"Yeah... I'm... good" said Wind Burst who was now looking back to the direction of the lab.

To everyone's surprise she bolted back towards the lab.

"WIND BURST!" the main six shouted as they ran after her.

"What is she doing?" asked Rarity.

"A'h have no idea" said Applejack.

Wind Burst continued to run down the hallway and when she saw the doorway to the lab she rushed in and stopped when she saw the Alien. He was still facing the monitor hands on the keyboard and his head hanging low.

"Wait -*gasp* gasp*- I can't leave yet" she said.

The Alien raised his head in surprise and looked at the green pegasus.

"What?" he asked.

She paused for a moment to catch her breath then she finally spoke. By then the main six had entered the lab and found Wind Burst talking to the alien.

"You said this machine was what made you crazy right? So that means it's not your fault then. But now that its fixed your o.k. now right?. I wanted to tell you I forgive you and also to thank you again. It's because of you I'll be able to fly again you have no idea how much that means to me. Also you shouldn't be here all by yourself surrounded by machines. You've been through so much, but I know it'll be so much easier if you have friends to help you through it".

The Alien was silent as he took in what she had just said.

"But all my friends are gone" said the Alien sadly.

"No there not" replied Wind Burst.

The Alien and also the main six looked at her in confusion. Then out of nowhere the robotic rabbit appeared and was sitting next to Wind Burst.

"See this guy is still here" she said "and I can be your friend also."

Everyone in the room was stunned even the Alien, all eyes were now on the cyborg.

"I... I'd like that" he finally said.

Wind Burst smiled and as she raised her hoof up to him she gave a small chuckle.

"You know it's funny this whole time we've been here and I never got your name, I'm Wind Burst" she said.

The Alien lowered himself down close enough to except her hoof into his cybernetic hand.

"I am Gear'on" he replied.

"Glad to meet you Gear'on" Wind Burst said as they shook hand/hoof.

LOG:5800

It has been a month since my encounter with these "ponies" and with a clear mind I have chosen to cease all experiments pertaining to cybernetic conversion. In that time I have successfully repaired and reactivated the droids, with their assistance I have been able to repair much of the ship. But despite my progress it is unlikely that this ship will ever fly again. This does not concern me for I have no home, no other place for that matter to go to. For so long I have been alone but not anymore because not only did the one named Wind Burst befriend me but so did her six other companions. They have even come out of their way to visit me from time to time. I have come to find their company comforting. I still find the natives of this world remarkable, not just their physiology but their willingness to forgive despite what I tried to do. Well most of them anyway, although we've made peace with each other the one called Rainbow Dash still doesn't trust me completely, I don't blame her. I cannot help but note the irony, in my madness I thought I was saving them but instead they saved me... I suppose my life has taken a new direction, where it takes me I guess I have to wait and see.

End

Requiem For The Flesh

by Astral Sketch

Prologue: Deep in the Woods

Chapter 1: An Old and New Friend

Chapter 2: It Started With a Race

TAKEN pt. 1

TAKEN pt.2

Steel Heart