> Gurren Lagann: Equestria's Last Hope
>  by Chaos Seeker
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Bust Through The Heavens With Your Drill!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Begin Monologue
Digging tunnels. The more we dig the more our village can expand, and the more out village expands, the happier our chief is. When she's happy she feeds us manticore steaks. Not everypony digs in the village. Most everypony that does dig only does it for the extra food, but sometimes when I’m digging, I find stuff. When we find stuff, we're supposed to tell the chief, but I like to keep what I find.
End Monologue
As the young pegasus digs, she is stopped by a clank in the ground. She digs around a little and finds a small golden ornament, shaped like the tool she used to dig it up, a drill. It pulses a dim green color a couple of times when she picks it up. She puts it in her pocket and tunnels her way back up to the village.
The village is dark and the walls are made of rock. As the filly exits the hole an older gray maned gray mare is keeping the other diggers working. She walks away and puts her new found treasure on a string after some hard work. The sounds of the chief yelling can be heard throughout the village and the dim glow of the center of the village gets brighter as one proceeds closer to it. The young filly pegasus finds herself at the central chamber, where the light is the brightest. It comes from the ground, as if it were a lake of light.
“Ew, look. It's Scootaloo, the digger.” she looked and saw two other fillies standing in front of her. A pink one with light purple mane and white streaks in it, and a gray one with a mane of a lighter gray. “Geez what's the point is getting all dirty every day?”
“Yeah, and she, like smells too!” pointed out the gray one.
“And she's totally weird. Look. She's got something strange right there.”
“Maybe we should go, we might catch whatever she's got that makes her so weird and strange.”
“Totally.” the two fillies walked off, laughing as they did.
Scootaloo hung her head, walking away. No one likes being laughed at especially in their face. She kept walking blindly until she bumped into something and stopped.
“Walk with your head up Scoots.” Scootaloo looked up and saw a cyan pegasus with a rainbow mane. Wore pants and pointy sunglasses.
“Rainbow Dash.”
“Don't call me Rainbow Dash, call me Sis.”
“B-But I don't have any sisters...”
“Eh, it's not about blood or anything like that. We're sisters of the spirit or soul. Now don't let those stupid ugly fillies get you down.” she grabbed the small drill from Scootaloo and looked at it. “Hm. This looks pretty nice on you, kid.” she gave it back. “Remember, drills are your soul. Now let's go.” Rainbow Dash led young Scootaloo to the manticore cages, where three young colts were waiting. They had broken the rope that held the cage shut, not that the manticores were terribly dangerous. They were relatively quiet. “Gentlecolts, sorry to keep ya waiting! Are you ready?”
“Yeah, just about.” answered one of them.
“W-What are we doing?” Scootaloo asked.
“Listen up Scootaloo. That drill you have isn't the village chief's. That drill is who you are, like I just told you. It's your soul, and with your drill you're going to break through the heavens themselves! No doubt!”
“Um, why would you say that?” the young pegasus asked.
“I've got it figured out. No worries. Don't ask questions.” Dash assured her.
“Which means you can't explain it?” Scootaloo's question went ignored.
“All right. Bozos! It's time! We're done with being stuck underground and forced to do the chief's bidding! We're the super invincible Team Gurren, and no one can stop us now!” Rainbow Dash rallied her troops. The three colts gave a pathetic, half hearted “Yay.” and put their hooves in the air. “Hehe. Yeah. No more being stuck where there's no room! We're going up to the surface and right out of this dumpy little place!”
The village central chamber was quiet and peaceful. The villagers were going about their every day lives, as boring as they may be. They were content with the way things were more or less because they were alive and fed. The peace and quiet was abruptly shattered by a hoard of stampeding manticores. The villagers shrieked and ran in their panic. To those that were paying attention, Rainbow Dash and her little gang were riding them. 
“Hey, outta the way! The awesome Team Gurren is coming through!” the manticores kept running around and gaining speed.
“What now, sis? This is gonna get us hurt!” Scootaloo was on the same manticore as Rainbow Dash. She was scared for her life and holding on desperately.
“We're going to have the manticores smash the hard ceiling after climbing the walls with their claws! If that doesn't work then you can use that drill there!” she pointed to the one given to Scootaloo to use for digging tunnels. The manticores were climbing up the walls successfully, but they saw the village chief come out of one of the nearby holes. She had that sword she always carries around.
“Rainbow Dash you featherbrain! You're always causing trouble!” 
“Outta the way you old hag! We're coming through” Dash yelled at the chief.
“You moron!” she took the sword in both hooves and whacked the manticore down, and thus every manticore behind it lost momentum and fell as well. 
The strongest villagers were recruited to gather and lock up the manticores. While they were doing that the village chief took Rainbow Dash and her Team Gurren into custody, putting, primitive but effective, restraints on them. The five of them were marched out into the bright central chamber, onto the central platform over the light source for all to see. The entire village was staring at them.
“Don't you ponies listen at all? Time and again, I’ve told you that this so called 'surface world' doesn't exist! It's nothing but a lie! A fairy tale! Nothing more!” declared the village chief.
“No! It does exist! On the surface there aren't any walls or ceilings! I’ve seen it! All there is is a big blue sky that goes on forever!” Rainbow Dash retorted defiantly.
“You're a liar, just like you're father! He was the biggest one of them all!” the chief got right in her face. “Like father, like daughter I guess, spouting nothing but crap, and now he's dead under some rocks some place.”
“You're wrong! He got to the surface! I know it because I was there!”
“Yeah? So how come you're here with us then? Huh, smartypants?”
“Well...um...I...” Rainbow Dash had no words.
“Okay, now listen up everypony! This village? It's all we have! Since long before my time we've been told to never unseal that ceiling up there, for it's said to keep us safe from danger! Ponies who don't understand and obey that rule don't get to eat.” she said.
“We're sorry ma'am! Please forgive us! Please!” the three colts said in unison as they groveled on their knees. The chief just chuckled and gave Rainbow a sideways glance.
“You little cowards! You betrayed me, for food!” she yelled.
They got released. “Sorry, sis.”
“Yeah, but no dinner is just too high a price.”
“So swallow your pride and apologize so you can eat with us, sis.”
Rainbow got in their faces now. “Don't you dare call me 'sis'. I wouldn't want to be called that by disloyal backstabbing losers like you! Get out of my sight before I puke!” they looked shaken.
“Looks like loyalty is in short supply these days, especially in your little team.” remarked the chief as she released Scootaloo. “Come along Scootaloo. You shouldn't get mixed up with this featherbrain. I’d bet you got dragged along, and your job is too important here. Come on now.”
“But...” Scootaloo started.
“It's fine. Get going, I’ll be fine.” Dash stood there. Scootaloo looked up at Rainbow Dash, and just at that moment the entire village started to shake uncontrollably. Villagers panicked and screamed. 
“It's an earthquake! Run for cover!” the chief called out to everypony. They did, except for Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo, who tried to get Rainbow to run.
“Come on! We've got to run! It's an earthquake!”
“No.” she said.
“But-”
“I'm not running away.” she said defiantly. The younger pegasus looked at her with shock, awe, and a little confusion mixed in with the current fear.
Scootaloo began to panic and have flashbacks of her parents and the rocks falling. Earthquakes make rocks fall and falling rocks kill innocent ponies. 
“We have to move or we will die!” she shouted at Rainbow Dash as she pulled on her tail. She looked at the younger pony.
“Oh yeah. I forgot for a second.” she wrapped her wing around Scootaloo. “It's almost over.” soon after she said the words, it was indeed over. The villagers peeked out of their homes, which were holes, cautiously. Rainbow sighed. “Are you ponies gonna be afraid of earthquakes forever?! On the surface there isn't a ceiling to worry about and earthquakes are nothing!”
“Oh will you stuff it for once? You little foals were all alone and depended on me, but I didn't raise you out of the kindness of my heart! If you can't listen to me then you don't belong here!” the village chief shouted. After that outburst the chief took Rainbow Dash to a room and locked the door. The village recovered from the fear and terror of the earthquake. 
Begin Monologue
My parents. When I was younger they died in an earthquake like today. Even though we dig to expand the village, no matter how many tunnels I dig, the ceiling will eventually fall, killing me, the chief, and everypony I know in the village. I don't like thinking about it, but I know it's a fact, a given. There's nothing I can do abou-
End Monologue
Scootaloo's drill had hit something hard again. Uncommon for twice in one day. What she saw was a metal thing with a pulsing green slit. Her drill necklace was doing the same thing in sync with the thing. The pony began to dig with fervor around the object.
Rainbow Dash was sitting in her confinement. The chief had just called for lights out in the village. She was snoozing while her front hooves were chained above her head. Dirt was disturbed between her legs and then a large drill appeared, waking her up. The drill was moved and there was Scootaloo. The light from her goggles was enough to see well in the room.
“Scootaloo?” she asked.
“Rainbow Dash.”
“What's up, Scoots?”
“I found something you've gotta see. You won't believe it!” she said.
“Yeah? I would, but that would be a jail break, and that's bad.” as Rainbow said that she pulled her hooves apart and the ropes binding them broke. Scootaloo's eyes betrayed her surprise. They left the room and Scootaloo led the older pegasus to her find.
“You do know if the geezer finds out there'll be hell to pay for both of us, right?”
“I-I wasn't thinking about that at the moment. I just wanted to show it to you.” she told Rainbow Dash.
“Eh it's fine so long as we're back by morning. She'll be clueless as a newborn foal.” Rainbow said. They kept walking and walking. “Um, can you tell me what's so important to show me that I had to break out of jail just to see it?”
“Yeah! It's a giant red face! It's awesome!” she exclaimed with the vigor of youth.
Bright spot lights came on in their direction and they looked, seeing the chief before being blinded momentarily. “You've got some nerve breaking out of jail on my watch!”
“Is this the that giant face Scootaloo, because it sure isn't awesome at all.” Dash said. The younger pegasus was shaking her head furiously.
“Don't mock me! I’m the village chief so I’m always watching! Don't think I’m not! That goes for you too Scootaloo! Don't think I don't know about the things you keep!” the chief shouted.
“Leave her alone! I broke out, so I’m guilty. She's done nothing.”
“Yeah, you're right. You are guilty!” the chief grabbed that sword in her hoof and hit Rainbow Dash three times, one on each side and once on the head. She merely stood there unwavering and unflinching. The chief grew angry at this and went for one giant swing, but was interrupted by the ground shaking again, and then something crashed through the ceiling. It was giant. A light came shining through the hole in the ceiling. It was sunlight. The villagers were scared stiff and looked at the light and thing in fear.
“So Scootaloo. Is this it? The thing you were going to show me?” Dash asked while grinning and donning her pointy shades. She shook her head again. She turned to the villagers and pointed to the sky. “There it is everypony! There's your proof! That's the surface and sky! This thing fell from it, right Mrs Egghead Chief?” the thing behind her began to move, and with that the villagers started to run when it attacked one of the walls with an arm. Rainbow Dash went to the Chief, who was now on the ground. “So Chief. Go protect us from the big bad surface. Isn't it your job or something, or were you the liar all along?” she asked. Rainbow snatched up the chief's sword and hovered above the ground a few inches with her wings.
“Hey, sis! Come on! Over here!” Scootaloo said, but Rainbow didn't listen. She flew over closer to the thing.
“Hey you! Yeah you! You've got some real guts to come waltzing into my village and just start breaking stuff all willy nilly like, but I’m ending that right now, buddy!” she told the thing. It was now fully in view. It was a giant face with horns and a giant mouth, and teeth that would rip through anypony easily. There were also arms and legs.
“Who the hell are you?” it asked her.
“It can talk?” asked the surprised Scootaloo.
“Look, I’ve got to tell ya something so listen up!” she took the sword out of it's sheath. “The reputation of Team Gurren echoes far and wide! When ponies talk about it's bad ass leader, a mare of unbreakable spirit, a pegasus of total awesomeness, they're talking about me, the mighty Rainbow Dash!” she held the sword toward the large thing.
“Ugh, she's such a featherbrain.”
“A complete dumb ass if you ask me.”
“Just... wow...”
“I’m not going to let you do any more damage to this village!” she declared.
“Ha ha ha! So what's a lone miniscule little pony going to do to stop me?” as the large face spoke those words, blue shots of light hit it accompanied by loud noises. A pony swung down and shot the thing while doing so, landing in front of the two pegasi.
“Hey, you two! Y'all hafta run!” this was an earth pony, crème in color with a vibrant red mane in a ponytail. She wore a pair of short shorts and long pink stockings, with shoes of course. Her most prominent feature was the long barreled gun she carried. It was longer than any pony. In fact, the mysterious pony was carrying it via two sets of straps. One around her neck, and one around her back, where saddlebags would normally be placed.
The two pegasi were staring. “Something else from the surface?” Dash asked.
“Mmhmm, and it's a filly this time...” Scootaloo said.
The filly pulled the jutting lever on the gun and fired a couple of times, pushing the face back, then ran. The other two took her lead, and Rainbow got right next to her.
“So you're from the surface, I mean you've got to be! What's it like up there? Eh, never mind, tell me later. I’ll help you out with this first.” Rainbow said. The two of them ran behind a wall and took cover. “So that's a surface weapon? What is it?” she looked the pony up and down. “Actually you're pretty cute yourself. Must be a surface thing.”
“Are ya an idiot or are ya just tryin' to get killed?” she shouted. A large foreboding shadow loomed over the two of them for a moment before the face smashed it's large arm down upon them... but they found themselves fallen into a small pit dug out from under them, saving them in the nick of time.
“Scoots! Quick thinking!” Rainbow said.
“Come on!” Scootaloo began to lead them down a tunnel she had made.
“So, um, where exactly am I?” asked the stranger.
“This dump? It's Ponyville. A complete backwater pit.” Rainbow said.
“Oh, the place next door.” she said.
“Next door?” Rainbow questioned.
“Yeah. I’m from Appleloosa, the village next to this one.”
“Seriously? What the buck? You said you were from the surface, but you came from a pit!” Rainbow Dash was obviously angry.
“I was raised underground, but I came from the surface just now.”
“Whatever. Move you're fat flank.” she told her, pushing the stranger out of the way.
“Gee, you sure change you're attitude real fast.” she got out of the tunnel. “Where are we going anywho?”
“To the awesome giant face.” Scootaloo said.
“Do y'all mean a gunman?” she asked.
“What's a gunman?” Rainbow asked.
“That!” the filly pointed to the giant horned face attacking the village when they came to a window. “Give me a second. I think I can hit it good.” she aimed out the window and used the scope this time, but Rainbow went over as well.
“Hey you! You're going down you ugly bastard!” the gunman moved away, and the earth pony missed her shot.
“What'd ya go an' do that for?” she yelled.
“Only cowards attack an opponent from behind! True warriors look their opponent in the eye when they strike!” Dash told her.
“If they don't want to live long you featherbrain!”
“Hey, over here.” Scootaloo led them down another tunnel, and shortly after they came to a place where they could gather around. She turned on the lights in her goggles and they suddenly saw a giant face. It was red and gray, and it's eyes were closed.
“Woah. Looks like you've dug up two cool things today, kid.” Dash said.
“Do y'all think it's with the other gunman above us? You know, friends?” asked the sharp shooter.
“It's smaller that that ugly thing, and I like the looks of it's face, like a good vibe.” Rainbow Dash said.
“And look at this!” Scootaloo climbed over and got into what looked like a cockpit.
“No way. Ponies can ride in it?” asked the earth pony.
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking, sis?”
“You bet!” Dash said.
“With this you can definitely take the giant thing up there out!” Scootaloo's drill necklace began to pulse simultaneously with the small gunman's closed eyes. “Is it on?”
“I dunno? I don't think so.” said the gun toting filly.
“Go on. You can do it!” urged Scootaloo to Rainbow Dash. Rainbow, however seemed deep in thought for a moment.
“Nah. You're gonna do it, Scoots.”
“What?!?!” was the reaction of the other two fillies in unison.
“But I...” Scootaloo started.
“You dug it up, so it's yours. You think I would steal from my own sister? Just who the hell do you think I am?” she told the young pegasus.
“B-But I can't do it!”
“Don't be a dumb ass! Just remember. Kick out logic and do the impossible because that's just how Team Gurren rolls!” Dash said.
The ground shook a bit more. “I'm not sure... I’m scared...”
“Look here. Don't believe in yourself. Believe in me. Believe in the Rainbow Dash who believes in you.”
“Was that supposed to mean somethin'? I don't get it.” asked the earth pony.
“I'll try I guess.” The two other ponies got in with her and Scootaloo put her fore hooves at the controls. The center panel was glowing like her necklace, and there was a hole there. She took it and put it in, turning it like a key. The gunman's eyes opened, and it transformed a bit. It got arms and legs. The central panel now had a spiral like pattern on it. All three of them began flying up in the small gunman. They flew up the tunnels and right into the village. Under the white horned gunman, and then positioned in front of it.
“Yeah! You did it Scoots! Let's get this party started!” Rainbow said.
“What's the plan?” asked the stranger, shaken from the abrupt entry.
“Hey! We're not gonna tolerate your shenanigans any longer, especially now that we've got Lagann here!” Rainbow Dash declared.
“Just what the hell is a Lagann?” the red maned filly asked Dash.
“It's this thing Scoots found. I named it just now.” the gunman slammed it's arm down, but Lagann jumped upward and out of the way. “Hey! Stop running! We're fighting that thing!” then the gunman's other arm made a direct hit with Lagann, sending both Rainbow Dash and the red maned earth pony flying onto it's large head. Scootaloo ended up against the rock wall, above the arm. From high up she saw that it was more distracted with trying to hit the two ponies a top it's head. Now was the time to do something amazing, but fear set in.
“I can't do this! I can't even fly a little bit!” she was shaking. She watched the two of them dodge the large arm and fight it off. “I've got to do this! Kick out logic... and do the impossible!” she had Lagann start running down the arm. “Because that's how Team Gurren rolls!” she kept running and jumped, ramming into the arm, knocking it out of the way. She and Lagann fell on the head, but got back upright. 
“Nice work, Scootaloo! Let's get off this thing!” they both got in and a giant shadow formed over them.
“Get away! Go and move this thing now!” shouted the gun toting pony. it was too late to move as the arm crashed down, but Scootaloo seemed to have activated a sort of protective dome or canopy, keeping them safe from the impact. This meant, of course, that they were squeezed in tight together.
“May be a tight fit, but good thinking.” Dash said. The large gunman picked up Lagann and started crushing it with both hands. “Uh oh.”
“This is more than an 'uh oh' you moron! We're gonna die 'cause you're a couple of hotheaded featherbrains!” the crème colored pony seemed distraught.
“Dammit!” Scootaloo was upset too. “We just can't lose! We had a chance!” her head was up against the central panel of Lagann, and she noticed the spiral pattern around her key necklace drill. It was blinking a bit, but she had no clue what that meant. She turned the key again and the gauge filled to the maximum. A drill then came out of Lagann's head and broke apart one of the gunman's hands, freeing them.
“Woah! How'd you do that, Scoots?” Dash asked.
“I dunno. I thought turning the key would work like it did the first time, and that happened.” she explained, not really knowing herself.
“Great, because that's your type of weapon! I told you didn't I? Now show this thing your power! Bust through the heavens with your drill!”
Lagann glowed with a mighty green aura as it's arms produced two drills as well. The cockpit of Lagann was glowing as well. Scootaloo gripped the controls tightly and Lagann took off as both she and Rainbow Dash let out mighty screams. The gunman threw a punch at them with it's undamaged arm, but Lagann broke through it with ease. They connected with the body and a whirlwind was created, the force of the drills was great enough for the villagers below to feel the wind made by the machinery. They then forced the gunman up through the hole it made and began drilling upward into the ground above.
“Ha ha! See ya Ponyville! We're going to the surface, the one I saw as a filly with my dad!” Dash said.
Lagann continued drilling until they busted through the surface and then they pierced the gunman, shooting up into the air, where they saw both the sun and the moon at once. It was a glorious sight, and they were amazed by it.
“Oh, by the way. My name's Applebloom. I never told ya my name, did I?” she said.
“Well I’m Rainbow Dash, and this is Scootaloo. Nice to meet you”
“Same here, but somethin' ain't right...” Applebloom said.
“Yeah... Wait! We're falling! Scoot's! Make Lagann fly again!” Rainbow said.
“I don't know how!” she instead opted for the canopy and they fell to the ground, tumbling out of Lagann. Scootaloo ended up on top of Applebloom. She looked up. “Sorry!” Applebloom didn't seem too upset, but then her face changed from warm and smiling to scared and worried. She threw Scootaloo to her side and readied her gun.
“Just perfect! Take one down, two more pop up!” two giant shadows loomed over them, the shadows of two gunmen.
> I Said I'm Gonna Pilot That Thing!!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	A green gunman grunts loudly as it pulls back it's giant arm for a punch. The thrown punch breaks the ground and sends Lagann, with Scootaloo and her friends, in the other direction, running with new momentum from the two towering behemoths. The gunmen gave chase after them.
“That's just not fair at all!” Rainbow Dash shouted.
“Sorry 'bout that. I should have told y'all. The surface is crawlin' with them, and I think they may have been friends with the one from before.” Applebloom informed the group.
“So there are more of those guys?” Rainbow asked.
“Yeah. Everywhere!” Applebloom answered.
“The surface is gonna be fun!” Rainbow said.
“It's horrible!” Scootaloo shrieked. She had Lagann stop and start digging with it's hands in the dirt.
“Just what do you think you're doing?” Dash asked her.
“Going home! This place is scary!the worst this back in the village were earthquakes! There weren't any monsters!” one of the gunmen kicked the ground out from under Lagann, tossing them all a few yards away.
“Now isn't the time to be scared and run away!” Dash told her.
“You can do it. You did it before.” Applebloom said.
“B-But I was guessing! It was all luck! I can't!” Scootaloo screamed.
“Screw this! Open it up and let me out!” Rainbow Dash demanded. Lagann's hatch opened and Rainbow flew over, drawing her sword. “Hey you two with the faces! Yeah you! The flawlessly awesome Rainbow Dash, having finally left the underground isn't gonna get pushed around by two losers like you! Especially not when the pride of Team Gurren is on the line!” as Rainbow finished the gunman on the right punched the spot she was hovering above. Scotaloo had actually saved her with Lagann and was carrying her while running away.
“What's wrong with you? You were gonna die!” Scootaloo yelled.
Rainbow Dash sat and stared at her. “How long will you continue to run?”
“What?” she was caught off guard. A gunman punched behind Lagann and they began to fly out of their reach.
“Look. We made it to the surface. Now's your time to throw away the little filly you were and move forward. Come on. Now or never, Scootaloo.” Rainbow Dash told her. Applebloom adjusted herself and was partially standing on Lagann. She was aiming her rifle.
“Okay. Keep it still.” Applebloom fired four shots at the gunman, but it still wasn't going down. Scootaloo was shaken by the noise of the rifle, and then Lagann began it's descent. “Um... we're falling again!” Luckily for the trio, Lagann landed gently on it's feet this time and didn't crash, spilling them out of it's hatch.
“Scootaloo, get us in the air again!” Rainbow said.
Scootaloo tried over and over. “I can't! It's not working!” she yelled.
“What? Why?” Rainbow asked.
“I-I just can't do this any more! I’m scared. Why don't you do it, sis?” Scootaloo pleaded, giving up hope.
“Scootaloo!” Dash shouted.
“You two need to quit your fighting! I’m tryin' to concentrate!” Applebloom turned back, took aim, and fired, but her rifle made a click. “Uh oh!”
“What's uh oh? That can't be good!” Rainbow asked.
“I'm out of ammo.” she told them.
“We're gonna die!” Scootaloo screamed. 
One of the gunmen pulled back a fist for a punch, and then out of nowhere a shot hit it's head, knocking it back a little, and then there was a hail of bullets. They heard the voice of their savior and turned.
“Hey Applebloom! You okay?” asked a blonde maned, wall eyed, gray pegasus.
“Derpy! You're here!” she yelled.
“They with you?” Rainbow asked. Applebloom simply nodded in response she was so relieved.
“Okay everypony! Keep shooting at the one in the front! Don't let it get away now!” the pegasus took up an assault rifle and fired like the others with her. The gunman that was about to crush Lagann was smoking and it's mouth opened up. A black thing with wings and holes flew out and hid behind a rock.
“Hey! Something came out!” Rainbow Dash pointed out.
“No! No no no no! That's my gunman!” it yelled with a faint hiss. The other gunman picked it up.
“We're leaving. We lost a unit and it's nearly sunset.” said the gunman.
“This isn't over!” said the creature. It was now fully in view. It had insect wings and holes in it's legs and arms, but it had claws. It had sharp teeth and a curved horn. It's ears were webbed like things and it had a reptilian like frill on it's neck. It's tail had holes as well. On top of that it's eyes were completely blue. The gunman ran off carrying the creature.
“Don't let up on them everypony! Keep firing! No mercy!” Derpy shouted. They kept firing until they were out of sight.
“So. That's what's inside those behemoths.” Rainbow Dash said.
“Oh. Those are changelings. They pilot the gunmen. They come every morning at dawn and leave every night at dusk.” Applebloom said.
“Why?” she asked her.
“I dunno. No one really knows.” she told Rainbow.
“So you've been fighting them all your life?” Rainbow asked her.
“Yeah, but I’ll tell ya 'bout that later.” Applebloom walked off.
Scootaloo was sitting in Lagann, staring at the central panel. It was dark by now and she had the key around her neck, not in the hole. Her reflection could be seen in the blank shiny interface. It reflected doubt. Rainbow Dash came along to cast that away.
“Heya Scoots. You were pretty good today. Pretty cool.” she said.
“What do you mean? I can't do this.” Scootaloo said.
“Nah. You saved my flank more times than I can count. So, ya know... thanks for that. I mean it.” Rainbow told her. Scootaloo looked up at Dash surprised at the words, but was then caught of guard by incoming hoof steps.
“Hello there little guy. How're doin'? You look pretty neat don't ya?” said a very large red earth pony with a blonde mane. He wore overalls. And had a piece of hay in his mouth.
“Huh?” Rainbow Dash looked confused.
“Oh. Sorry. I wasn't talkin' to any of you. I was talkin' to this nice little robot y'all got here.” he said.
“Robot, huh?” Rainbow asked.
“Yeah. This one's not something I see every day. Pretty interesting if ya ask me.” said the large earth pony.
“Hey Big Mac! Get over here! We've got to strip this down and get it back quickly!” Derpy yelled over.
“Okay. Well see ya around.” Big Mac trotted off.
“Whoa. Never seen a pony that big before.” Rainbow said.
“Yeah. He's huge.” Scootaloo said.
Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo relaxed and stared at the sky as the ponies they hardly knew worked on doing something they didn't quite understand. Rainbow stretched her fore limbs and wings.
“I made it to the surface. How about that dad.” she said aloud.
“Huh?” Scootaloo heard this.
“Nothing. How about this sky? I mean seriously. Screw underground! We've got this big round light and it's got a bunch of little lights around it. It looks so awesome and it almost like it's never really dark.” she said.
“Yeah. It really is wonderful.” Scootaloo said.
“Ya know, the big one is called the moon. The little ones are called stars.” Applebloom said, coming out of nowhere.
“Huh. The moon and stars.” Dash repeated.
“Yeah. Some ponies say that a long time ago there were ponies who would raise the sun and moon with magic.” she went on. They might have been princesses, but some ponies tell it differently.
“That's gotta be a crock. It's in the sky, so it's gotta be huge. Too big to move.” Rainbow said.
“Yeah, but sometimes I wonder what a world like that would be like to live in.” Applebloom said.
“Excuse me.” Big Mac had come up to the group unnoticed and had a square device in his hooves. “Sorry to interrupt this conversation of yours, but your little guy right here has quite a lot to him.” Big Mac showed them the tablet.
“Um... what are those lines?” Scootaloo asked.
“Oh. You don't know how to read.” he said.
“Read? Hey, sis? Do you know how to do that?” she asked Dash.
“Nope.” she simply said.
“Really?” Applebloom laughed. “Y'all are a bunch of bumpkins, aren't ya?”
“Now now. Ya aren't the most literary inclined pony yourself.” Big Mac said.
“Hey! I can read just fine.” Apple bloom retorted. She tried to reach for the tablet, but Big Mac pulled it away.
“I believe ya. Don't go messin' with my equipment.” he said.
“So we haven't exactly met. Who are you?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“The names Big Macintosh. Most ponies just call me Big Mac for short. Whichever is fine by me.” he said.
“Big mac here is the pony who works on our weapons and knows, well lots of things. He's smart.” Applebloom said. “Now I’ve got a favor I want to ask. Could ya carry this stuff back for me?” she asked Scootaloo. She pointed out their salvage. It was a lot of salvage, but packed onto a sled to be dragged.
“But, um...” she looked down at the drill. It had stopped working before.
“What's that? It's nice.” Applebloom said. Scootaloo looked at her for a moment and then back to the drill, and then it began to glow. She took it off, which she was getting good at, and put it in the hold, turning it. Lagann turned on and stood straight up.
“So it does work still. So follow me I guess.” Applebloom led Scootaloo away from Big Mac and Rainbow Dash.
“Confidence, spirit, something along those lines. That's how that thing works I think.” Rainbow said.
“Maybe. I’m not so sure, not yet at least.” Big Mac said.
On the way back, Rainbow Dash rode in Lagann with Scootaloo while Applebloom and the other ponies rode on the salvage train. Lagann was moving at a decent, but somewhat slow pace. Crickets were chirping.
“Sorry about this. If it weren't for us you would be safe in your village and it wouldn't be ruined, and to make it worse we're making you carry this stuff back with us.” Derpy said. 
“Well we do need everything we can find.” Applebloom said.
“Don't sweat it. Our village was boring and we wanted out anyway.” Rainbow Dash said. After another minute of travel they stopped suddenly.
“Hey! What's goin' on  you to?” Applebloom asked.
Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo were staring at something. “What in the hell is that thing?” Dash asked.
Applebloom looked upon the skull. “That's somepony who was killed by gunmen a long time ago. It happens a lot on the surface...” Applebloom told them.
Derpy, Applebloom, and the rest of the ponys that Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo worked together to dig up a hole to bury the bones in. when they finished they stood and took a break after the hard work.
“That should be good.” Derpy said.
“We couldn't just leave him laying there.” Applebloom said.
“It's a waste of time.” Rainbow interrupted. “Why dig graves for the dead who get killed out here when you could do something more useful.”
“Hey! You never know when you'll be the pony laying there!” Applebloom told her.
“That will never happen. Our adventure won't stop until we've pierced the very heavens themselves, and then we'll keep on going!” Dash pointed to the sky.
Applebloom sighed. As they approached the village she was talking to Rainbow Dash. “You think it's great and wonderful up on the surface, but it's not. Appleloosa was an underground village once too, but there was somekind of accident and no pony could live there anymore, so we had to come to the surface. The first thing we saw were the gunmen, waiting to kill us. We can't go back home, so we gotta fight.” Applebloom explained.
“Sounds great! I’m definitely interested in that kind of place!” Rainbow told her.
Inside the village, which was a cave, the walls were a mix of rock and metal. There were tables and the place was well lit. the villagers were ogling Lagann while Derpy and some other ponies were eating. Applebloom brought a tray of food to Rainbow and Scootaloo's room, but found them both passed out on the floor after their first day on the surface. She smiled and left them.
“Look at that, kid. The surface.” she looked toward the sunset. The sky was red, making everything else seem red.
“There's nothing here...” she told him.
“Nah. Not a damn thing. No walls, no ceilings, and that's why I like it. A true pony's world, a world for a pegasus. So, you coming?” he asked her. She looked at the ground for a moment, and then backed away a little. “I see.” he tussled her mane a bit. Rainbow remembered everything about him. His trinkets, his face, and his clothes. “Well come see me when you're ready then.” he backed up and smiled. “Until then, Rainbow Dash, good bye!” he turned and his cape fluttered in the wind.
The sound of a large crash woke both Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo from their slumber. They jolted up and out of the room in a hurry while everypony else was calm, cool, and collected. Applebloom was nonchalantly cleaning her gun while the two pegasi panicked. She glanced over.
“Good morning. Sleep well?” she asked them.
“Hey! What the hell was that noise?!” Rainbow Dash asked.
“Oh. Every morning tends to start off with a gunman. It's something we've grown used too I guess.” Big Mac happened to be passing through. There was a loud banging sound. “Seems like another. Y'all might want to brace yourselves.” they waited for a moment and then the crash came again and both Scootaloo and Rainbow fell backward on their flanks.
“Two days in a row is a bit unusual.” Derpy said. She had a gun ready.
“Maybe they're mad about yesterday?” Applebloom suggested.
Rainbow was up by now. “Well whatever the reason is we have to fight them!” Rainbow was excited now.
“Well if you're gonna fight then you'll need this.” she gave Dash a pistol. “Know how to use one of these?” Dash took it.
“Of course! Just who the hell do you think I am?” she trotted over to Scootaloo after placing it in her pants. “Scoota, you've got my back in Lagann.”
“Um... Sis, maybe you should... You'd be better at it...” she told her.
“Nope. Nuh uh. It belongs to you, so you pilot it.” Dash said.
“Uh...okay...” Scootaloo caved in.
“Great. Everypony's counting on you.” she ran off.
“Heya there. Follow me.” Big Mac led Scootaloo to Lagann. He also gave her a blue jacket to wear.
“Um, thanks...” she said.
“Everypony should have a jacket. It can get cold.” he said. “So get in. put the core drill in and turn it.”
“O-okay” she got in Lagann and did as she was told, but to no avail. Lagann wouldn't start up. She tried multiple times, but it wouldn't work.
“Is it having problems again?” Big Mac asked.
Outside, two green gunmen were shouting taunts and making gestures with their arms at the ponies. They weren't attacking them, just taunting and being annoying. It was strange.
“They're morons.” Rainbow said.
“That may be, but we should use that to our advantage and get them while we can.” Derpy said. “So let's move o... Here's another one.”
“Really? Another one?” Dash asked.
“Y'all might wanna cover your ears for this one.” she took her own advice. There was a loud crash along with a blinding flash of light. The ground shook violently. The villagers could feel it and so could Scootaloo. She had flashbacks of being in the village, and then a realization.
“The earthquakes...” she said.
Back out side Rainbow Dash was looking at what had landed. It was a large red face with no arms or legs. It had blue around the mouth and the green gunmen were dancing around it. It's eyes opened and it's arms extended. They were yellow. It also extended it's legs and then roared.
“They did it!” Scootaloo yelled. “Those earthquakes were their fault! Every time! All those ponies! It's their fault my mom and dad are dead!” Lagann started up. Scootaloo screamed in her rage.
Back outside once more the trio of gunmen were approaching the village via walking slowly and menacingly. The villagers tried to fight them off, but the big red one got close and attacked the rock walls above them, making rocks fall.
“That big one is powerful.” Derpy said.
“I've never seen it before. Must be one of their bigger ones.” Applebloom said.
“Yeah, well I like the looks of that one. Especially it's face.” Dash said.
The all three gunmen were walking through the valley while a bunch of villagers waited in hiding. The wait ended when somepony gave an order and they opened fire, causing a giant rock slide.
“What'd you do?” Rainbow asked.
“We put explosives on top of the cliff.” Applebloom said. “And it worked great!” there was a roar. The red one threw the rocks off of it with a powerful energy burst and they went flying. It now had two black blades at the ends of it's arms. “That thing is tough!”
“That's good! Great even! I’m gonna take that gunman and make it mine ya hear? So cover my flank.” Rainbow Dash said.
“Wait, what? You're gonna do what with the gunman?” she asked.
“I said I’m gonna pilot that thing! If the changelings can do it I can do it too.” Rainbow Dash told her.
“Gee, your confidence know no bounds, does it?” Applebloom asked.
“Screw you!” Dash yelled.
Out of nowhere, Scootaloo in Lagann was running across the rocky landscape. “Sis!” she shouted.
“Haha! Just in time soul sister!” Rainbow Dash ran over and glided into Lagann.
“They did it! Every time those things land up here it becomes an earthquake underground!” she yelled.
“That explains all of them.” Dash said.
“These things, they killed my mom and dad!” Scootaloo  said.
“Okay, Scootaloo. It's great that you're motivated, but don't get hot headed. To win you need to be calm and cool. Listen. I’m gonna take the big red one.”
“What?” she asked.
“I'm sure I can get in by going through the mouth, like the thing did from yesterday. I’ll need you to get it to open up or something.” she said.
“Can you use it?” Scootaloo asked.
“How did know how to you use Lagann?” Dash asked.
“I don't know... I grabbed the controls and just went with the flow, like it was natural I guess.” Scootaloo answered.
“I'll do that then.” Dash said.
“What?” Scootaloo asked.
“You really just need fighting spirit. Seriously. It'll be fine, trust me.” Rainbow told her.
“I don't think that's how the world works...” Scootaloo said meekly.
“Whatever, let's just go!” she told Scootaloo.
“How is that not hot headed!” She shouted.
One of the green gunmen tried to grab them but they dodged and climbed up it's arm. It jerked to the side and Lagann was launched into the air, about to be punched by the gunman, but it was redirected at the last minute by a shot from Applebloom. The punch grazed then, Lagann rolled along the arm of the gunman, but the punch hit the big red one. Lagann's hatch opened up after it stopped spinning and Rainbow Dash jumped out and onto the red gunman's face.
“Ha! Soon you'll be mine!” she pulled out the gun and grinned. And held it upside down and slammed it against the mouth of the gunman over and over until it nearly shot her, surprising her. “Ah! What the hell?” she stared at it for a moment.
“Get off of him you filthy pony!” Yelled one of the green gunmen. The tried to grab Rainbow Dash, but Scootaloo intervened, holding it back with Lagann's hands.
“Hey! Scoots!” Dash was happy to see her.
“Don't you dare lay a hand on my sister!” Lagann produced a drill from it's head and destroyed the gunman's arm. Scootaloo them went on to force the red gunman's mouth open. “This should take a second or two.” she said. She got the mouth open and inside was a black creature like the day before, except this one had a bow around it's neck.
“Get out.” Rainbow Dash threatened it with the gun, which was upside down again, but this time it was pointed the right way. It looked scared. “This guy's under new management. Got that?” he was promptly tossed out of the mecha and it's mouth closed. “Heh, yeah! Now for some of that fighting spirit!” the interior flashed red and there was a beeping sound. The display gave her the impression she wasn't allowed to use it. The gunman shut down.
“Oh no! The commander has been killed! You ponies will pay for this! Pay I tell you!” Yelled one of the gunmen.
“No! I’m down here you idiots! Come get me! Help!” the changeling's pleas were ignored as they attacked Rainbow Dash in the red gunman. She was kicked twice and sent skyward. Lagann was then grabbed the moment Scootaloo thought to try and help Rainbow out. Lagann was thrown directly into the air and hit the red gunman, knocking it into the ground face first.
“God dammit Rainbow Dash! Why isn't this working? I just need more fighting spirit!” she slammed a hoof on one of the panels near her and the screen changed to the outside view, which was of a skull. She saw this and her heart beat faster. She could hear it beat. Her mind raced. Thoughts flowed and they all had one thing in common. The red gunman moved and stood up. As it did the display gave the okay and accepted Rainbow Dash as it's operator. “I'm not dying here, so don't screw with me! Just who the hell do you think I am?!?!” she shouted for all to hear. The two gunmen bared down on Lagann, but Rainbow had other plans. She came flying out of nowhere. “Just who the hell do you think I am, kick!” she kicked the first threat away into the other, but then she landed. “Hands of my beloved little sister punch!” she punched the first one, sending both flying into the small canyon, the punch broke the red gunman's arm into pieces. “Hey Scootaloo. Get up. It's time to finish this.”
“Hey, is that you, sis?” she asked her.
“Yeah. I got held up a bit. No big deal. Rainbow said. She picked Lagann up. “Okay, they're yours to get.” she squeezed Lagann a bit. 
“What?” Scootaloo was worried.
“Finishing move! Super ultra cannonball of victory!” she threw Lagann.
“I hope this works!” Scootaloo yelled. Lagann's legs turned into a large drill and flew through the air. The two gunmen avoided it and Lagann merely drilled into the rock behind them. The two began to laugh and taunt instantly.
“Oh really? You'd like to think that, wouldn't you?” Rainbow said, ginning madly. Meanwhile, Lagann was drilling in the ground.
“Rainbow Dash is counting on me. Gotta do this right.” Scootaloo brought Lagann out through a new hole, right next to the hole she made going in and flew through the taunting gunmen and into the red gunman's hand safely after they exploded.
“Whoa. That was over kill if you ask me.” Derpy said.
“Yeah, but is sure was cool.” Applebloom said.
“It's also kinda impressive. We never thought of takin' their gunmen before. Makes ya wonder at the new possibilities. Those two mares are innovative if anythin'” Big Mac said, staring at the victory pose of the red gunman holding up Lagann.
Sunset came and the two gunmen were still in that position. Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash were looking at it, like a trophy or prize.
“I've come to a decision.” Rainbow announced.
“Yeah?” Scootaloo said.
“I'm naming this thing Gurren. This place may get bad, but no matter how bad or nasty it ever gets, we'll fight our way through, me with my Gurren, and you with your Lagann. Sound like a plan?” Rainbow asked.
“Sounds good, sis.” she answered.
“Now all you have to do is wait for me you old man...” Rainbow looked up at the sky.
Rainbow led everypony back to the place where she saw the skull. They had shovels and it was now night time. The skeleton was in the giant crater left by Gurren. There were hand prints and foot prints of the battle earlier near by.
“So hey guy. Sorry to disturb you like that, but things got out of hand. I guess the least I can do is put you back where y-” Rainbow Dash saw something glint in the moonlight. It was a hooflet with a lightning bolt charm, one she recognized. “No!” she ran over and moved the dirt around with her hooves. She found a familiar red and orange cape along with the charm. Rainbow Dash's eyes were welling up. “Dad...” everypony gasped. “You died out here... You didn't wait... You said... No! Daaaaaaaaad!” Rainbow Dash shouted to the stars, moon, and heavens.
> You Two Faced Son of A Bitch!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


All was quiet. It was night time on the surface and there were no gunmen about, and thus no fighting or dying. The wind could be heard and the sky was so clear it was spotless. The only noise that could be heard other than the wind was coming from the village of Appleloosa, where Rainbow Dash was recounting her's and Scootaloo's epic battles to the villagers who had gathered around to listen.
“So the humongous gunman came at me with it's giant hand, just about to squash me like a bug, when all of the sudden, out of absolutely nowhere, my soul sister Scootaloo comes to save my sorry flank with Lagann. She took hold of it's arm and yelled 'Don't you dare hurt my sister!' And then Lagann drilled it's arm to pieces with ease, like it was nothing! It was awesome!” Rainbow told the circle of villagers who were listening intently.
While Rainbow Dash was continuing the story, Scootaloo was sitting in Lagann, looking at the newly repaired Gurren, which was about to be sporting black sunglasses, replicas of Dash's made out of the gunman's two arm blades. It was being hauled onto it at the moment. 
“So why're ya over here and not celebrating with everypony else, miss hero?” Applebloom asked.
“Huh? Me, a hero? I wouldn't go and say that...” Scootaloo said.
Applebloom shifted a little. “So, um... will Rainbow be all right?”
“Are you talking about sis?” she asked.
“Of course. I thought she wanted to come to the surface to meet back up with her dad again, but since she found out he's dead she's been acting like nothin's wrong at all.” Applebloom said.
“What should she feel?” Scootaloo asked.
“Shocked, sad, angry, somethin', but she's acting normal.” she pointed out. “I mean that's why she came to this horrible place.”
“I don't think she came here just to see him.” Scootaloo said. “She probably felt bad she couldn't go with him when she was a filly, so she wants to prove to him she could get up here and see him.”
Applebloom leaned against Lagann. “Isn't that the same as wanting to see her father?” she asked.
“No, it's different... I think...” Scootaloo said.
The next day, in the afternoon, both Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash were admiring Gurren in the light. It's improved arms and legs were superior to the ones it had before and the sunglasses screamed of Rainbow Dash.
“Woah! It looks amazing!” Scootaloo was amazed.
“Yeah it does. They combined all three gunmen into one really cool gunman. Beautiful. Just beautiful.” Rainbow Dash said.
Applebloom walked over. “So what's that logo on your back?” she asked.
“Oh that? That's the logo of Team Gurren! Like it? Of course you do.” Rinbow said while Scootaloo tried to look. It was a red flaming skull with Rainbow's signature shades.
“Well I was headed out to go hunting. I was wonderin' if ya wanted to give me a lift.” Applebloom asked.
“Are you sure? What about the gunmen?” Dash asked.
“They only come in the morning. We'll be fine.” she assured Dash.
“Really? Why would they do that?” she asked.
“I dunno. Maybe the same reason they don't come at night. Rules maybe, but it doesn't matter, 'cause we need food and water. So, wanna come along?” she asked.
“Sure. Hey Scoots. Let's head out.” Dash said.
“Uh, are you sure you want me tagging along?” Scootaloo asked.
Applebloom gave a sideways glance and looked annoyed. “Sure...”
The trio of ponies were at lake surrounded by tall grass and plenty of wild life. There were cliffs surrounding the entire area and boulders littered the place as well. The animals ranged from rabbits, to deer, and all the way to bears and birds. Rainbow Dash was sitting while Applebloom was aiming at a rabbit.
“So are all those cool weapons from your village?” Rainbow asked.
“Yeah. Appleoosa was built above a storage place I guess, but one day it started leaking poison gas into the village, forcing us to the surface. Ya see the village was originally a storage area for weapons, for war I’m guessin'.” she explained.
“So that's why your on the surface.” Rainbow said.
“Yeah. The weapons made us leave and they're helpin' us survive now. It's pretty, oh what's that word Bic Mac said... Ironic. Yeah. Pretty ironic.” Applebloom told Rainbow as she took a shot at the large deer. “Nice. Got one.” she reloaded the gun with an arrow.
“I thought you needed bullets?” Rainbow asked.
“Well this one can use arrows too. It's neat like that, and saves ammo.” she shot and killed a bear that was drinking water from the pond. It was a head shot.
“You're not half bat at that.” Rainbow Dash said.
“Not half bad? I’ll tell you, I’m the best shot in the entire village thank you very much!” she bragged. “You wanna try? Let's see how good you do.”
“Sure.” Rainbow took the rifle.
Down below, Scootaloo was using Lagann to pump lake water into the barrels, whilst looking upon the fun that the two were having. She was nothing if not envious at the moment. Rainbow Dash took her first shot at a slow bird and hit it. It fell and she was excited.
“I hit it! Oh yeah! Look and be in awe!” Rainbow was boasting.
“Not bad I guess.” Applebloom commented.
After some looking, Rainbow Dash found her kill in the very tall grass. Time to claim her prize. She walked over to the fallen bird, which was much bigger up close, and picked it up. She smiled. 
“There you ar- wait...” she examined the bird, turning it around. She saw two of something when there should only be one. “Two arrows...?” she heard a rustle, glanced sideways, and instinctively dodged an arrow to the head. She began hovering and pulled out her gun, now holding it properly. Another rustle was heard and she fired in it's direction, but a bow was thrown into the air, no blood, no hit. Something came from behind her and tried to slash Dash, but she ducked. It slashed a second time, and she shot the blade and it recoiled. The two were a decent distance away from the other now.
The creature looked like a changeling, but was taller. It also had a mane and tail, a teal mane and tail, which matched it's eyes. It's wings were larger and it had a jagged horn. It's back matched it's mane and it's other changeling features were proportionate to it's size, but it's eyes were like a pony's.
“You're quite impressive for a pony.” it said in a feminine voice.
“Just who the hell are you?” Rainbow asked.
“Me? I’m Chrysalis, Commander Chrysalis from the east. Part of the Pony Eradication Squad.” Chrysalis said. It was now that Rainbow noticed that her opponent hovered like she did and the blade she had was where her hoof should be.
“What are you saying?” she asked.
“It's quite obvious, but I’ll tell you two things you should know, pony. The Pony Eradication Squad kills any pony who steps hoof on the surface.” Chrysalis said.
“Seems harsh, but what's the second thing?” Dash asked.
“That is my dinner and you will return it to me you thieving lower life form.” she demanded.
“Oh gee... I’m sooo sorry miss higher life form. Here's your dinner back.” Rainbow took the bird and went to fling it at her, but mid swing it began to squirm and freak out. “Ah!”
“It's still alive dammit!” Chrysalis shouted. Dash tried to shoot it, but she was out of bullets, so she did the only sensible thing and threw the gun at it. Chrysalis shoved it aside. “Where are you goi-” she stared as Rainbow Dash slowly unsheathed her sword.
“You think I’d run from my enemies? Just who the hell do you think I am? I’m Rainbow Dash of Team Gurren, and I never run from a fight!” she held her sword proudly.
“Your pathetic pony pride is going to get you killed.” Chrysalis said.
“Oh yeah!?” she dashed forward and swung horizontally, but her target had moved out of sight and all she had cut was a large segment of the tall grass. In the back of Rainbow's mind she thought it was pretty cool looking as it parted in the wind, but she was focused on the fight at hand.
Chrysalis had formed her hoof into a blade again and began to slash at Rainbow Dash, who was blocking every on coming attack with a little difficulty. Rainbow even got cut a couple of times during the scuffle. “You're just an amateur. You can't hold a candle to a trained soldier!” Chrysalis kept up the assault.
“Dumbass! Real ponies don't need training! We use instinct!” she dodged the next attack and used the window to grab something from her pants. She swiped it up at her attacker's face and it was cut, drawing blood, but she fluttered away. Rainbow was holding an arrow. “Damn. I missed ya, cheese legs.” she tossed the arrow away.
“What did you just call me?” Chrysalis looked angry as she held a hoof to her cheek. “Never mind. It doesn't matter, because I’m going to kill you for using a sneak attack and for that remark just now.” she told Rainbow. She turned her other hoof into a blade. “Now it's over!” she lunged. Lagann came out of nowhere.
“Rainbow Dash, Look out!” Lagann landed in the water, interrupting the charge by Chrysalis.
“Nice one, Scoots.” Rainbow was sheathing her sword. “Good save.”
“I heard shouting and and fighting, so I came over.” she said.
Chrysalis used her speed to get away to a high rock. “What's that? A small gunman?” she spotted something out of the corner of her eye and began to gallop away through the grass a second before a shot was fired.
“There ain't no way she saw me from down there.” Applebloom said.
Chrysalis was running through the grass swiftly. “So it's an entire gang. Looks like my lucky day. Dinner and some entertainment.” Shots were fired at her until she reached her destination, which was a white gunman.
“Uh oh. This is wasn't supposed to happen today!” Applebloom seemed worried. Lagann appeared with it's hatch open. “Scootaloo, Rainbow!” Rainbow snatched Applebloom up as they ran by. “Rainbow, you're hurt. Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Nothing but a scratch, but now I’ve got to get to Gurren so we can fight that bitch! She's got her own gunman! We're going to see who is better!” Lagann jumped down near Gurren and Rainbow jumped into it. Suddenly a screen popped up with Scootaloo on it in Gurren. This surprised Rainbow Dash when she spoke.
“Hey!” she said.
“What? How are you in here?” Rainbow asked.
“Big Mac made it so we could talk to each other during a fight.” Applebloom said.
“So what do we do now?” Scootaloo asked Dash.
“We'll kick her flank in till she can't sit! That's the plan!” Rainbow said with sheer confidence.
“But she looks tougher than everything else we've seen, and kind of taller.” Scootaloo said with no confidence, countering Dash's earlier confidence.
“Lister up. You have Lagann and you have your drill, right?” she asked.
“Yeah, but-” Scootaloo was interrupted.
“Then let's head out!” Gurren began to move. Scootaloo readied herself.
As Gurren moved in closer the white gunman began to speak. “I've heard rumors of ponies stealing gunmen. That's why I’m here, and it looks like I’ll get to go back home by night fall.” she said. Gurren's face slammed against the white gunman's face.
“I'll have you know that this guy's name is not gunman, it's Gurren! You'd better get it right cheese legs! And don't think I haven't noticed that you have two faces!” Rainbow Dash was partially right. The white gunman had a head on top of it's body, but no face.
“You mean that? It's traditional for a true warrior to have a crested helmet.” The helmet was white and had a gray ring crest on top. “You're just a pitiful pony! You shouldn't even be able to use a gunman!”
“Well what the hell are changelings anyway? They aren't ponies or griffons or even buffalo. They aren't even zebra!” Dash asked.
“Oh shut it will you!” the white gunman and Gurren locked hands and were having a test of strength, but Gurren was losing. “You talk big, but your skills are lacking far too much!”she pushed Gurren back, then the gunman brought it's hands above it's head together and smashed the top of Gurren. It then kicked it's opponent down.
“Rainbow! Scootaloo! Dash needs help! I’ll cover you!” Applebloom said.
Lagann ran and rolled down a hill to gain momentum, then off a jump. It produced a drill from it's legs and headed for the white gunman, but the gunman released a bunch of projectiles that hit Lagann and knocked it off course. Lagann landed near Gurren.
“You okay, Scoots?” Rainbow asked.
“Yeah... Just a bit dizzy.” she answered.
“Well we don't have time for that, because it's time to do the you know what.” she said. Gurren picked Lagann up. “Eat this! Super ultra cannonball of victory!” Gurren threw Lagann, and the gunman dodged slightly, but Lagann retracted the drill and landed on a rock, jumped off, and turned around, reproducing the drill heading fr the gunman. It turned around and kicked Lagann aside. Gurren when to find Lagann, but was tripped by the gunman.
“I thought you knew how I felt about sneak attacks.” Chrysalis said. Gurren was still in the air. “I really really HATE THEM!” she punched Gurren, who went flying into the same cliff that Lagann was stuck in. the cliff collapsed on them and it was covered in dust.
“Scootaloo and Rainbow are gonna die!” Applebloom couldn't do anything helpful at the moment but watch.
“You're done, little ponies. Time to die!” the gunman's crest began to build up lots of red energy and after a couple of seconds it fired a large beam at the area, creating a massive explosion. There was a crater left, but Chrysalis noticed something missing. “No. You're still alive.” she noticed that the sun was setting. “Know this, wherever you are, I’ll be back tomorrow.” Chrysalis walked off in her gunman.
Applebloom was sitting there dumbfounded until she saw Lagann drill a hole revealing both it and Gurren.
The moon was out and the sky was clear. Everypony else had gone to sleep and eaten. Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo were alone together, sitting outside with their backs together. Silence had been the norm for a while, but Rainbow broke it.
“Scootaloo. Why did you make a tunnel?” she asked.
“I-I was scared and wanted to run away. This is way too much and way too hard. Why can't we go home? To the village. It's safer there. I don't want to die, or see you die. You could have ended up like your dad today.”
Rainbow stood up and pointed to the sky. “Scootaloo. Your drill is not meant for running away or digging down! It's meant for piercing the heavens!” she told her.
“But...” Scootaloo tried to start.
“Tomorrow's the big showdown. You heard whats-her-face changeling bitch. Go get some rest.” Rainbow trotted off inside.
“Hey. Let me pilot Lagann tomorrow.” Applebloom said. Well almost every other pony was asleep. Rainbow glanced back. “I can pilot that thing instead, an' if I don't you'll die next time. Big Mac can make it so I can use it. Scootaloo isn't a fighter and I am. She ran!”
“Eh, Scoots will do it. I’m positive.” she said.
“How can you be so sure! Why do you put so much faith in one little filly?” Applebloom asked.
“You see, because I have faith in her because I have faith in me, and because I can believe in her, I can believe in myself. It's all the same really, at least as far as I’m concerned. We're partners, and that's just how we roll.” Rainbow told her. She walked off to get sleep. Applebloom was none too pleased.
At the crack of dawn, Rainbow Dash was sitting atop Gurren, wearing her glasses and a headset, waiting excitedly. All was quiet. Ponies with rifles were on stand by and ready to go in for the attack, just in case. 
“Don't worry. We're going to take this one. Just you see.” Dash assured them.
“Glad you're confident, but if she's not beaten we lose our home.” Derpy said. “Also, there's a pony I know who got some power by doing something completely crazy, so I want to see what she'll do next.”
“Well you  all seem tough and have spunk, so I’m going to let you be part of Team Gurren.” Rainbow said.
“What's that?” Derpy asked her.
“Oh nothing much, except a place for the absolutely best of the best. Only the most awesome and amazing ponies are offered entry.” Dash explained.
“Uh... well yeah. We're honored I guess.” she said.
Big Mac was looking over Lagann. Scootaloo was inside the cockpit. “That's a bit  strange. The key's in, but it still isn't startin' up.” he fiddled around with it as Applebloom passed by. “Nothin' seems to be wrong with it, mechanically speakin' that is.”
“Even if everypony else falls I’m not takin' one step from this spot, 'cause this is the only home we've got.” she said aloud, almost making a show of what she was saying. “'Cause we've got nowhere to run.” she continued.
“Sorry 'bout it not workin'” Big Mac said. He looked up. “Looks like it's time.”
A whistling sound could be heard as a spinning object approached the ground. When it hit it created a large dust cloud, which turned into a tornado of dust, and then broke apart to reveal the white gunman, who stopped spinning and stood up straight, turning toward Gurren.
“You seem to have some back bone after all, pony. After yesterday I wasn't sure what to expect.” Chrysalis said.
“Same to you for not running or going back on what you said yesterday, cheese legs!” Rainbow said.
“Open fire!” Derpy yelled. The villagers began to fire on the enemy, but she didn't seem affected. The gunman fired projectiles out it's arm at the ponies shooting it, but Gurren blocked with it's body and saved them. “Rainbow Dash!”
“You're part of Team Gurren now! This bitch isn't gonna take you out on my watch!” Gurren was tripped and knocked into the air. 
“Same old, same old. This is exactly like yesterday. Don't you learn from your mistakes!” she kicked Gurren away.
“Rainbow Dash!” Applebloom aimed for the crested helmet. She fired, but the gunman held out it's arm and a shield popped out of it's wrist, rendering the shot completely useless and ineffective. “What! No!” Gurren ran upwhile it looked vulnerable. The shield retracted quickly and the gunman raised it';s elbow high above and slammed it into Gurren. It then kicked Gurren onto it's feet. 
“That's better. Now I can give you a proper beating.” Chrysalis said. One of the gunman's shoulders popped open and a barrage of missiles hit Gurren. One of it's shoulder plates flew off and over to where Scootaloo was. Applebloom was now up against Lagann, scared.
“It's hopeless. She's far too strong for any of us... We should have gone home!” Scootaloo yelled.
Applebloom slammed her fore hooves against Lagann. “Look! She's getting up, again and again. She won't stop because she's stubborn like that. Not until you show up and help her out. Rainbow once said don't believe in yourself, believe in the me that believes in you. So what's it gonna be Scootaloo? Huh?”
“I... I believe...” Lagann's control panel began to glow. Applebloom noticed this. “I believe!” Lagann overflowed with green energy.
Gurren was damaged and smoking. “So, not giving up, huh?” Chrysalis asked. “It's an admirable trait, but you should know your limits!”
“There's no way I’m gonna be wiped out by the likes of you!” Dash told her.
“There's bravery,” Chrysalis started as Gurren went to punch her gunman. She grabbed Gurren and swung it around. “and then there's just recklessness!” she threw Gurren into some rocks. She then charged up her red laser in her crested helmet. “I'm going to finish you for real this time.” Gurren's shoulder plate was thrown at the gunman's head, but Chrysalis blocked it. “What was that?” Lagann came up from under the gunman and hit the helmet with it's drill, knocking it off target. The laser fired in the air. Lagann landed near Gurren.
“Hey Scoots. What's kept ya?” Dash asked.
“I was scared... I’m still scared sort of, but I’m not gonna let you get killed!” she told Rainbow.
“Glad to hear it little sister!” she grabbed Lagann. “It's time to do the you know what! Ready for this sheer awesomeness?”
“Wait! What? What are you talking about, sis?” Scootaloo asked.
“Don't be such a dumbass! What else could it be? We're gonna combine!” she had a crazy look on her face.
“We're gonna do what?” Scootaloo asked.
“They're gonna combine?” Chrysalis was perplexed.
“They're gonna combine?!?!?” Derpy and the villagers weren't sure if that was good or bad, but seemed relatively excited nonetheless. 
“Wait... Combine? Um...” Applebloom tried to imagine it, but failed.
“Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!” Big Macintosh was jumping up and down shouting excitedly like a little purple unicorn filly in another universe.
“We're gonna do it, trust me! It'll be perfect!” Gurren took Lagann and jammed it straight into the top of it's head, and then adjusted it so it was straight. “See! Ha! We've got too faces now too, cheese legs! We're at equal power now!” everypony seemed in awe at Rainbow Dash's sheer stupidity.
“You're such an idiot.” Chrysalis said. “It's skill that matters, not the number of faces. Now I’ll make you pay for every time you have called me that name!” she charged up the laser. Lagann's eyes glowed green. “Now perish you pony scum!” she fired, but a green swirling barrier was generated which blocked the laser. “No! That impossible! You should be dead now!”
Behind the two the village entrance was glowing green and wind was blowing behind them. The villagers were seeking protection behind the barrier. Applebloom tried to see through the bright light, but couldn't. “Rainbow Dash! Scootaloo!”
Lagann's Central panel gauge began to fill to the maximum. The inside of the canopy lit up green. “Wow! It's amazing!” Scootaloo said, looking around.
“What the hell is going on?” Rainbow was experiencing similar things with her monitors. Lagann righted itself on top of Gurren and began to drill into it. A monitor even showed it's progress. Gurren's arms and legs extended. Energy flowed through the two gunmen as if they were one.
“You were right, sis. We did combine. We did it! Yeah!” Scootaloo was excited at this turn of events.
“Yep. Of course I was. Now let's go show her what's what.”
From an outside perspective the two were encased in a massive amount of green light. It suddenly disappeared and smoke took it's place. The two walked out of the smoke as one, one that looked like it had no injuries or damage whatsoever.
“No! You can't combine! It's impossible!” Chrysalis shouted. Her gunman was face to face with theirs, both of them.
“Like that? We're just as tall as you now and you can't do a thing about it!” Rainbow taunted.
“Why don't you just go to hell?” Chrysalis shouted while throwing a punch.
“I'll see you there!” Rainbow also threw one, and they grazed the other's fist, hitting the face of their opponent.
“Woah! That's so cool!” Derpy looked on enjoying the new turn of events.
“Hey cheese legs! Remember! Combining is about one fighting spirit slamming into another!” she grabbed the gunman's helmet, shattered it's head, and the helmet went flying into the air. Rainbow grabbed it and put it on top of their head. “The combining of two powerful souls!” the helmet's color changed. The ring, now broken, was yellow, and the rest was red. “There's no way you can win now! From here on out the name of this mech is Gurren Lagann!” Rainbow Dash declared.
“Gurren...” Applebloom said.
“Lagann...” Derpy also said.
“Yes! They did it! Yes!” Big Mac was really happy now. He was let down before but now was just perfect.
The gunman pulled out two swords from it's hands. “I cannot believe this! You're forcing me to use my swords! I never have to use them! Now die pony!” Chrysalis yelled.
“Didn't I just say that the name is Gurren Lagann!?” Gurren Lagann's hand produced two small drills and they began to spin. The gunman slashed with the swords, but Rainbow deflected the strikes and then went on the offensive with a drill punch. Chrysalis blocked with her swords, but the drills broke them easily and it made contact, sending the gunman back.
“No! How'd they get so powerful! It's unheard of! All they did was attach the puny gunman!” Chrysalis yelled.
“You're never gonna understand you freaky bug pony!” Rainbow shouted.
“You pony trash!” she retorted. Her gunman opened up and a bunch of cannons were unleashed upon Gurren Lagann, shooting off missiles and bullets and everything it had.
“Hey! No cheap tricks you-” Gurren Lagann was hit with pretty much everything but the kitchen sink.
“Hey! Rainbow Dash! Scootaloo!” Applebloom yelled. Black smoke billowed from the explosion site into the village entrance. 
Everypony looked on in awe as the black smoke dissipated and they saw Gurren Lagann standing there, practically unharmed by the barrage of missiles from the gunman, who was now nowhere in sight.
“What? That's just down right unbelievable. Nothing could have survived that.” Derpy said as she looked up at it.
“Woah. They're tough.” Applebloom said.
“Maybe Gurren has himself some kind of protective barrier to keep them safe, or maybe it's Lagann that's the special one. Who knows?” Big Mac said, excited to run tests on both.
“Where are you, you coward!” Rainbow looked around.
“Hey, sis. Wait.” Scootaloo spoke up.
“What?” Rainbow asked.
“We shouldn't chase her right now.” she said. 
“Scoots?” 
“It's not smart. You two are hurt and we should fight her at full power.” Scootaloo said.
“You know what?” Rainbow said.
“What?” Scootaloo asked.
“You're right, and that's why you're the brains around here. Let's go back.” Rainbow said.
Night had fallen and Rainbow Dash was hanging out with the villagers while Scootaloo was looking at Gurren Lagann. She heard hoof steps and turned to see Applebloom behind her.
“I guess I was wrong.” she said.
“Wrong about what?” Scootaloo asked the red maned pony.
“You two being good partners. So, um... Sorry I said some mean things 'bout you earlier.” Abblebloom apologized. 
“Uh, sure.” Scootaloo said.
“Excuse me.” Big Mac said. “Hope I’m not interrupting nothin', but I found something interesting in here.” he said while in Gurren's cockpit.
“What is it?” Applebloom asked.
“I found some files on a recall point in Gurren's program.” he told them.
“What's a recall point?” Scootaloo asked.
“Well Gurren was originally an enemy, so to put it simply, it's a home base.” Big Mac told them.
“Woah. That's a huge find.” Scootaloo said.
At the very crack of dawn Rainbow Dash was at her father's grave. It had her father's cape blowing in the wind. “Hey dad. I’m leaving now, you know. To see everything in the world. The real world for a true pegasus. I hope you don't mind if I borrow this. I figure you'd want it to flow in the wind across the land, not in one place.” Rainbow took the cape and put it on. A piece fell off and Scootaloo grabbed it. She struggled to get it around her fore leg, but did.
“So you're going, huh?” Applebloom asked.
“Yeah.” Scootaloo said.
“We found their base so it'll be easy to squash them.” Rainbow said confidently.
Derpy gave Rainbow a large bundle of food. “Here you go. Food for the trip. A lot of ponies wish we could go, but you know how it is, right?”
“Don't sweat it. Protecting the young is what you have to do.” Dash said.
“Yeah, but you two make it seem like we could do much more.” Derpy said.
“You can yo- woah!” Dash and Scootaloo were surprised by Big Mac's presence on their side of the farewell party. Also his quiet hoof steps didn't help. “What are you doing here?” she asked.
“Why are you coming?” Scootaloo asked.
“Oh, I just thought you might need a mechanic, and I want to see more gunmen along your journey.” he told them.
“I guess it can't hurt.” Rainbow said.
“Is that okay Derpy?” Applebloom asked.
“Yup. Big Mac begged to go, so I couldn't force him to stay. Wouldn't be right, and couldn't do it physically if we all tried.” she said.
“And we're off. See ya when we're done!” Rainbow shouted. They left them. Applebloom looked upon the group leaving. Derpy handed her her rifle and a bag of food.
“Here. Take them.” She said.
“What?” Applebloom asked.
“We'll look after the village, but I never thought you'd go for her type.” Derpy said. The villagers laughed.
“Oh shut it! It's so not like that!” she ran off. “Thanks, Derpy!” she caught up with the gang.
“Hey, don't go slowing us down, got it fat flank?” Rainbow Dash told her.
“Oh you wouldn't last a second without my help and y'all know it, featherbrain.” Applebloom retorted.
“Calm down, Team Gurren. We just started out. No need to start the in fighting yet.” Big Mac said. “It's better to save that energy for the enemy anyway.”
“Yeah. We'll kick those changelings outta their headquarters in no time flat!” Scootaloo said.
“Of course little sister! Now onwards team!” Rainbow Dash shouted.
> Does Having So Many Faces Make You Great
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Scootaloo relaxes as she rides along in Lagann. She yawns and looks upon the horizon. Out there is nothing. No grass, water, not even a flower. Just dirt and rocks. It was a wasteland. She groaned in frustration at the lack of something to do. She was promised adventure, and at first was nervous, but it was nothing but walking since they had left. Admittedly, she missed the bit of action. They stopped for a rest near a rocky formation. Rainbow Dash took her a side for a moment.
“Hey Scootaloo. We need to talk.” she started.
“Okay. What about?” Scootaloo asked .
“Remember the other day when we combined?” she asked her.
“Yeah. That was awesome.” Scootaloo said.
“No. No it wasn't. It was sloppy. It had no style at all and makes me embarrassed when I think about it. Combining should be awesome, and stylish, and just... oh I don't know all the words, but stunning is definitely one of them.” Rainbow tried to explain.
Scootaloo looked to the ground. “I don't know about all that, but maybe just combining is enough, right?” she looked up, but Rainbow was gone. “Where'd you go?” 
“Scootaloo!” she looked in the direction of the voice, which was Rainbow's coming from Gurren. It was holding a large boulder. “Let's combine!”
“How am I going to do that, sis? I’m not in my gunman.” she said.
“Combine!” Gurren threw the rock at Scootaloo and she narrowly dodged it. Rainbow kept chasing Scootaloo with rocks while shouting “combine”. Applebloom and Big Macintosh were relaxing in the shade that the rocks offered.
“Hm. Seems likt those two are up to some shenanigans. Looks fun.” he said.
Applebloom looked over at the two pegasi like they were stupid and shook her head. “So what were ya goin' to check on again?” she asked.
“Oh. Nothin' big.” Big Mac pulled out a small controller and opened a box. He began to use the controller and a bunch of small flying robots came out of the box. They flew around Lagann, weaving a net of sorts. It was made of light. Big Mac pulled out his tablet and looked at the screen that popped up.
“So what's it say? Anything good?” she asked.
“Well, from what I can tell, Lagann here is pretty special. It's qui-” suddenly a flying rock came out of nowhere and landed in front of them. nopony was hurt, and only a couple of Big Mac's robots were crushed due to them flying about. 
“Oh... Sorry about that guys! Must have slipped or something! My bad! Well, back to it Scoots! Now combine!” Rainbow ran off again.
“At least nopony was hurt.” Big Mac sighed. He collected his remaining robots and put them away.
“But your little gadget do hickeys. Some are broke.” Applebloom pointed out.
“Still. Could've been worse. Built 'em before an' I can do it again. Don't you worry none.” Big Mac walked away from Lagann and into the shade provided by the rock.
Gurren was still chasing Scootaloo. “Combine, Scootaloo! Come on!” she threw more rocks at the filly and she dodged them.
“You can't be serious, sis! You're just chasing me with rocks and throwing them at me! I need a break!” Scootaloo yelled.
“Stop being such a foal and combine already dammit!” Rainbow threw down another rock. “Why won't you combine damn you!”
“Please stop! I don't know what you're getting at! You're gonna get me killed at this rate. Just tell me what to do!” Scootaloo yelled in her exasperated state whist running away.
A hooded figure looked down upon them from on top of a cliff. Scootaloo had now gotten a hold of Lagann, but Rainbow was still chasing her with rocks and they hadn't combined. The hooded figure thought a loud. “What in tarnation are they doin' down there?”
“Combine!” Rainbow threw another rock at Lagann.
After that the hooded figure had three more hooded figures behind it. They were silent, but somewhat larger than the first one. “Okay. We're movin' in!” said the first one. They all left the cliff side.
Scootaloo was back to running from Gurren. Rainbow said it was better to work up to using Lagann. It made no sense to Scootaloo, but not everything about their adventure made sense, so she decided to go with it. She came to a halt in her galloping and nearly collapsed.
“We need to take a break, sis! I’m starving!” she said.
“Scootaloo! Real pegasi aren't pushovers like every other pony! We fight through hunger an-” Rainbow Dash's stomach audibly rumbled in her speech about hunger. She weighed her options for a second. “Ya know what? We'll go and get some grub to hurry this along. How's th-” she was interrupted once again, but not by her stomach. By an explosive.
“Rainbow Dash?” Scootaloo faced Gurren. Three more explosions hit it. 
“Yee Haw!” Four hooded figures were galloping toward the area. They looked equine in nature.
“What the hell? Who are those wack jobs?” Rainbow asked. Gurren fell on it's side as three of the hooded, presumably ponies, began to circle Scootaloo.
“Ooooh! A filly! It's been forever since we've seen one.” said a male voice.
“Yeah, and you never see a pegasus anymore.” said another.
“Yes. Both true. And she is quite cute if I might say.” said the last. They weren't circling menacingly, but as if they were examining.
“You were in a rough spot there, weren't ya? You're safe now though. No need to worry.” said the second male.
“Huh? What?” Scootaloo was confused.
Rainbow was still being assaulted by the fourth figure and was still down. She was in the cock pit and trying to get Gurren to move, but it wouldn't budge an inch.
“Oh come on! Get up, Gurren! We've gotta take this sucker down!” she tried the controls, but her stomach growled and a monitor came on screen showing that her stomach was empty, and thus shut it down. “Seriously?!?! Oh no!” she slammed the side a few times, but it did no good, so she climbed out of Gurren after a few more explosions. When she got out the hooded figure was waiting for her.
“Okay you changeling. “Ya'll are gonna... wait a second...” the female sounding figure looked Rainbow Dash over. “Yer not a changeling at all!” she said.
“Yeah, of course not! What about you?” Rainbow accused. She took off her hood and revealed her face. She was an orange pony with green eyes, freckles, and a yellow mane. “So who the hell are you?”
“Hey sis! I think there's a misunderstanding!” Scootaloo yelled.
The three others removed their hoods. One was a white unicorn with a blue mane streaked with electric blue. One was light brown and had a slicked back dark brown mane. The last one was a crème colored with a dirty blonde mane.
“So you weren't being chased a second ago?” asked the dirty blonde one.
“No.” Scootaloo answered.
“That would have been nice to know before running off into battle.” said the unicorn.
“It would have, but we just assumed that was the case. Sure it looked like it was a gunman attack, but it wasn't and dwelling on it won't do any good.” said the brown one.
“You know, even though you're a pony, doesn't mean I’m not gonna beat your ass!” Rainbow shouted. “Count yourself...” Rainbow kept talking.
“What in tarnation is a pony doin' piloting a gunman in the first place? Yer liable to git yourself jumped walkin' around in that. Everypony knows only changelings go around in those things.”
“Yeah, well who says?” Rainbow asked her.
“Says everypony, including me.” the mare got in Rainbow's face.
“Yeah, well here's the deal with that. I stole the thing and it's mine now! So there!” Rainbow shouted into the mare's face.
“You're a filthy liar!” she spat back.
“I'm this gunman's pilot you dumbass!” Rainbow retorted.
“An' I still say it's impossible!”	the mare held to her belief.
“Oh really now? Just who the hell do you think I am?” she backed up into the air. “After escaping Ponyville and defeating a slew of gunmen, Team Gurren's badass leader began to travel the wastes in search of more! Who is this leader you might ask? It's me of course, Rainbow Dash!” after her speech about her heroism, the bucks near Scootaloo noticed Rainbow Dash.
“Wowwee!”
“She's a hottie alright!”
“Words cannot express...” the three bucks abandoned Scootaloo in favor of Rainbow Dash.
“Well I guess it's only right we introduce ourselves. I’m Shining Armor, the oldest brother.” he said.
“I am Time Turner, the second youngest, or middle brother. A pleasure to meet you fine ladies.” he was very cordial.
“I guess I’m last. I’m Braeburn, the youngest brother.” he said. “And this is Applejack, our-” he was interrupted.
“Yeah, we've met. I’m Applejack, and I’m their elder sister. We're out here hunting changelings.” she said.
“So what were those explosions before?” Rainbow asked.
“Rocks.” Braeburn said.
“Bull!” Rainbow yelled.
“I assure you Braeburn is being truthful, but he left out the fact that Shining Armor enchants them first.” Time Turner explained.
“Oh... Neat.” Rainbow said.
“Yeah. It's a nifty spell. I can also have them make smoke and-” Shining was interrupted.
“All three of y'all! Get over here! We have to settle business from earlier. Ya mentioned something 'bout a beating.” Applejack said.
“I thought we were all getting along here, but if you wanna lose so badly then I’m down. Got spare minute to use up. Come at me. The clock's ticking.” a shot whizzed right in between them. they looked and saw Applebloom and Big Mac standing on a boulder.
“Hey. It's time to come back to the camp everypony.” Bic Macintosh called to them. with their fight interrupted they trudged back to camp.
Applebloom, Shining Armor, Time Turner, and Braeburn were sent to find food. They were trotting up a steep hill whilst the three bucks were talking the entire time. Then they involved Applebloom.
“So Applebloom. What's it like? Traveling with such a cool filly like Rainbow Dash?” Shining Armor asked.
“Huh? It's okay I guess.” she replied.
“It's got to be more than okay. I bet there's all sorts of cool adventures and stuff going on when she's around.” Braeburn said.
“Not really. I mean sure things got interesting when those two showed up, but it isn't all adventure and action.” Applebloom said.
“And besides, there's more to Rainbow Dash than that.” Time Turner said.
“We're comin' up on a watering hole.” Applebloom said.
“And where there's water, there are surely animals.” Time Turner told the group. 
Applebloom looked through her scope and poked around for a target. She got a moose in her cross hairs and carefully fired a shot. It dropped. “Hey guys. I got something.” she slung her rifle around her back and they all went to retrieve the rather large moose, which took them all to carry.
“Wow! What a tale that is right there! You're going to the headquarters of the changelings? What are a couple of idiot like you and a kid gonna do about those things?” Applejack asked.
“So you're chicken, huh? Well Scootaloo here ain't no chicken, so don't be sharing anything with here and giving her any of your chicken germs.” Rainbow said.
“Do you even think about what y'all say before you say things?” Applejack asked.
“You know what I mean.” she retorted.
“Well I’m not scared. I’m just saying that the changelings are strong, and there's lots of them things.” Applejack said. At that moment, for once not interrupting anything, Applejack's, Rainbow's, and Scootaloo's stomachs growled.
“I'm starving.” Scootaloo said.
“Me too.” Applejack said.
“You too. Well there's something we can agree on them.” Rainbow told her.
“We haven't eaten today. We were following this gunman with sixteen faces.” Applejack said.
“Sixteen? Are you sure it wasn't two and you weren't hallucinating of something like that? Those don't exist.” Rainbow said
“Yeah they do, an' I’m surprised you haven't seen one yet.” Applejack said. Their stomachs growled again and they fell onto their backs and sighed.
“Food! We need food now dammit!” Rainbow shouted to the heavens.
“So hungry...” Scootaloo was sprawled out on the ground.
“Oh come on already!” Rainbow began again.
“Ya know we're back.” Applebloom said. Rainbow sat up. Behind Applebloom was a moose being prepared to be cooked. When it was finally cooked and ready everypony was relieved. They sat down at the large rock and set out plates with utensils. They sat down and were about to dig it, when a changeling came out from hiding behind a rock and stole Applejack's food right off her plate, running off with it.
“Hey!” she shouted. “That damn changeling!”
“Calm down, we've got more.” Applebloom said.
“You don't suppose that is one of the ones we-” Time Turner started.
“Yeah, I don't care. It's not getting away!” Applejack got up and gave chase after it. “Come on fellas! We're headed into action!” the three bucks followed her. The changeling made it back to it's gunman and fifteen others sprang to life and began to roll around, trying to squash anypony it could.
“Scootaloo! We're headed in the fight too! Gurren Lagann will finish them in a second!” Rainbow Dash trot/glided over to Gurren while Applebloom covered her back, keeping the gunmen away. She got in Gurren and Scootaloo got in Lagann without hassle. “Okay! Now it's time to combine!”
“Got it!” Lagann ran over and tried to climb up Gurren.
“Nope! Don't be a dumbass!” Rainbow said as Gurren swatted Lagann away. The lead gunman rolled into Gurren and knocked it away.
“Hey! What are you doing?” Scootaloo yelled at Rainbow.
“Don't you remember what we did all day? Your training? Now let's do it right and quit whining!” Rainbow said.
“We're gonna die if we don't fight back!” Scootaloo said.
“Ha! It's cute that you're using only two gunmen to combine! I’ll show you what real combining looks like you losers!” said the lead gunman. The other fifteen began to circle around it in the air. They combined to make the larger one's arms and legs longer.
“Wow! That's neat!” Big Mac said.
“Not really. It's arms and legs just got a bit longer. I actually expected more with sixteen gunmen.” Applebloom said.
“I meant the sixteen part. I didn't think it was possible. Unfortunately whoever made this design had no creativity at all. Just think of the possibilities...” he said.
“I'd say we're lucky 'bout that.”
“Woah! They combined!” Scootaloo yelled.
“Bah! You think that's combining? You must be real dumbasses then! Real combining is-' Rainbow's sentence was interrupted by one of the gunmen being shot off at Gurren.
“Sis!” Lagann ran for Gurren quickly. “Come on! We've got to combine!” Scootaloo shouted. Lagann climbed on top of Gurren, but was knocked off again by Rainbow. Scootaloo screamed as she was sent flying. 
“Seriously Scootaloo! True combining is about two souls merging together into a blazing glorious inferno!” Dash told her.
“Rainbow needs to shut up and just combine already.” Applebloom said.
“But she's right 'bout combining. It's somethin' special, and it's got to be special or what you get is just lackluster, kinda like this gunman we're fightin'.” Big Macintosh explained.
After rubbing her head Scootaloo thought for a moment. “Why is she knocking me away? It doesn't make any sense...” after somethought she remembered the training, the throwing of the rocks, and the words Rainbow Dash would yell at her. “I've got it!” she began running toward Gurren now, who was being circled by the numerous parts of the gunman. Applejack and her brothers were also fighting.
“Scootaloo! Where are you?” Rainbow Dash yelled.
“I'm right here! Don't you worry!” the gunman formed right in front of her. “Oh... Maybe worry just a little...” the gunman shot a piece at Lagann and it was knocked into the dirt. It reformed and began to walk over.
“Looks like the kid's in trouble...” Applejack sighed. “Amateurs...” she was about to go in when Applebloom came up behind her.
“We're moving in.” she said.
“I was just abou-”
“Don't care, go, now.” they began galloping in pace with one another. “Scootaloo! Start running!” Scootaloo heard and got up, fleeing. “Throw those bombs at the gunman.”
“It's just gonna dodge them.” Applajack told her.
“Throw 'em now!” Applejack launched three bombs, Applebloom stopped dead in her tracks, and as they got into range she shot them, making them explode in the gunman's face, knocking it over.
“I see what y'all did there. Clever.” as it fell the gunman separated ad began to roll around. “Uh oh!” in the smoke and confusion Applejack's brothers were hit by a rolling gunman as they galloped together in battle. She saw this.
“Come on!” Rainbow Dash yelled.
“I'm here!” Scootaloo ducked and weaved through the rolling gunmen, getting to Gurren. There, Lagann leaped into the air with Gurren to combine.
“Oh yeah! Combining is about soaring through the air, just like a pegasus.” They finished combining, more fluidly than last time, and landed with a slide.
“Sisterly combining! Gurren Lagann!” they shouted in unison.
“Woah! They did that?” Applejack asked to herself.
“Hey boss. That was pretty epically awesome. Can I switch sides?” asked one of the gunmen. The biggest one merely hit it.
“You won't be better than me at combining little pony!” yelled the leader. They all combined.
“Hey, sis. They're still bigger than us.” Scootaloo said.
“Whatever. You know what they say, the bigger they are, the harder they fall. This one will be easy.” Rainbow said.
“Don't you dare underestimate me!” yelled the leader again.
The gunman engaged in a test of sheer strength with Gurren Lagann. They locked hands, and after a few seconds had passed Gurren Lagann began to push the sixteen faces gunman back. Off the battlefield, applejack was mourning the loss of her brothers. Back on the battlefield, both of the pegasi were getting hungry and losing the test of strength, no matter how hard they tried to fight back.
“Ugh! Sooo hungry! I can't build up any energy to kick this guy's ass!” Rainbow said.
“Me too... If only we had some of tha-” Scootaloo stopped in her tracks.
“Scootaloo?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“Hey.” Scootaloo was smiling.
“What?” 
“Guess what I grabbed for later on before leaving for the fight?” Scootaloo asked.
“Wait. You didn't! You crafty filly! Send some down here!” Rainbow demanded.
“It's been in my pockets.” she said.
“We've had worse. We grew up in Ponyville.” Rainbow said.
“Okay then.” Scootaloo took out some of the moose from the meal earlier and opened a hatch to drop it down. It got to Rrainbow, who promptly ate it, and Scootaloo then ate her portion. “So tasty!”
“Oh yeah! Jackpot baby!” Rainbow said. They regained their energy and pushed the gunman right off and into a rock. “Hey you! Just because you have lots of little gunmen that combine doesn't mean you're great! The way you combine lacks a few necessary things to make greatness!”
“What's she going on about now?” Applebloom asked. “It's always something...”
“To truly combine you need spirit and heart!” she finished.
“Hey sis! Drills are coming out of our arm! Look!” Scootaloo pointed out.
“Well would you look at that. Time to teach these clowns what true combining can do for you.” she said. They began to pierce each gunman, counting off for each one until the leader came.
“I'm not going down without a fight!” it tried to roll, but before it could curl up, Gurren Lagann got it. “Nooo!” soon after the sixteen gunmen exploded.
“That's quite the impressive gunman they've got there.” Time Turner said.
“Yeah. I knew they'd pull through. They're too awesome to do otherwise.” Shining Armor said.
“True. It was a fine day to fight Changelings.” Braeburn said.
Applejack had a surprised look on her face. “Oh, so y'all are alive after all. That's good. Thought we lost ya in that battle.” Big Mac said.
Applejack turned, with tears in her eyes. “You three...”
“Don't worry. We almost died, but we're fine.” Shining said.
“If by fine you mean almost buried alive, then yes, but thankfully we're thougher than Applejack seems to think.” Time Turner said.
“You're alive!” she said.
“Hey, let's go see Rainbow and Scootaloo!” Braeburn said. They all ran off to check on the heroes of the day.
“Hey! Y'all get back here right now! I’m yer elder an' I order ya!” Applejack yelled as she chased them.
“So, all's well that ends well.” Big Mac said.
“Hey, you're not bad, but you're still an amateur.” Applejack said.
“Are you just looking for a fight?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“I was just saying you're not bad. If ya ever want to, I dunno, join up and hunt changelings with us, then I’d let ya. You'd be the annoying youngest in the family though.” she said as she began to walk off.
“Sure, and if you want to join Team Gurren, home of all things awesome and badass, then let me know and I just might let you in.” Rainbow said.
“Yeah, see ya.” Applejack trotted off. 
“See ya around, Rainbow.” Shining Armor said as he followed Applejack.
“Good bye, Rainbow Dash. It was a pleasure.” Time Turner said ans followed as well.
“I'll be headed off as well, but we'll probably see you guys around eventually.” Braeburn said as he caught up to his family.
“Goodbye guys!” Scootaloo yelled. “Well they left.”
“Yeah, they did all right. You know, I’ve gotta ask now. You hiding anything else in those pockets, like more food?” Dash asked.
“Nope. I’m starved though. Maybe Applebloom has something back at the camp.” Scootaloo said.
“Yeah, hopefully. You might want to get that cleaned though so it doesn't smell. It's not cool to be the smelly filly Scootaloo.” Rainbow Dash said.
“I know. I’ll get it cleaned.”