Mighty Morphin' Pony Rangers

Oceanview State University

It was a beautiful, picturesque day, and the college campus was bustling with life. Although the official start of the new year was still two days away, there was still much to do. All of the various clubs and societies were lined up table after table in attempts to gain new members. Various coeds of both genders taisped across the main Quad, soaking in the rays of the sun that they would still be able to take advantage of for at least another two months. Yes, everything was just about as perfect as one would expect.

But then, the scene was shattered completely. It started off as just a low rumbling, but it soon increased in magnitude. Most of the students dropped to the ground in response. This wasn't the first time the area had been on the receiving end of a small earthquake, and it certainly wasn't going to be the last. Some of the students, far away from home and not used to such phenomenon, screamed and ran about all over the place. Others were doing their best at keeping everyone calm, just waiting for the shaking to cease.

"Hey, look at that!" A male student yelled, pointing into the sky.

Everyone who could hear him looked and saw what he was pointing at. A large beam of light split through the sky and hurtled toward the Earth, eventually crashing with a resounding bang in the middle of the Quad. Interestingly, as soon as the beam landed, the shaking of the mini-earthquake stopped, allowing everyone to recover and pick themselves up off the dirt.

Although there had been a definitive crashing sound, there was no crater where the beam of light landed. Instead, a single being stood where the light had been. It was definately not human, in fact, none of the students witnessing this had any idea what it was. It was clad in black-and-gold armor, from head to toe. Its helmet did a good job of covering its face, allowing only a slit where its eyes, which were a shiny red color, could peer out. Even though its face was hidden, judging by the fact that it was probably about seven feet tall, and almost as broad at the shoulder, it was safe to say it wasn't from this world. For a time, it seemed content to just stand there and take in its new surroundings, before lifting his right arm, gloved index finger raised to the sky where he had seemingly come from, and began to speak.

"Greetings, Earthlings," the definitively masculine voice bellowed from behind the helmet, "my name is Barbarus, soldier of Lord Constellarous. I am here to make sure that my lord's takeover of your world goes smoothly. So, with that in mind, bow before me!"

With this last yell, he flung both his arms out to his sides, which seemed to summon an entire regiment of new strange creatures. They were all much smaller than Barbarus, and actually pretty scrawny, wearing black attire which covered their entire bodies. The only break in the monochrome color scheme was a silver star-shape symbol which seemed to sit in front of their faces. Though they were much more human in general appearance, they moved about in odd patterns more reminiscient of less intelligent primates.

"Not so fast!"

Everybody on the Quad, including Barbarus and his minions, turned toward the new, feminine, voice. What they saw shocked them all. Six figures stood on the far side of the Quad, forming a perfectly straight line like soldiers in the infantry. Each one wore a full-body suit of a different color, standing blue, yellow, orange, white, red, and purple from left to right. The suits featured a golden double sash running diagonally from their right shoulder to their left hip. Each wore a plain white belt, white gloves, and whit boots topped with golden bands, with a dark shade of purple taking the place of white on the one who was primarily white. The other difference in the suits was that the helmets each bore a different-shaped visor-like shield which took up the majority of the front, leaving no place for a mouth.

"What is this!?" Barbarus seemed both shocked and aggravated that anybody would get in his way.

"We have come to stop you," the white one, the same one who had interrupted Barbarus in the first place, said, pointing her gloved hand straight at her foe.

"Bring it!"

*--*--*--*--*

Earlier that day, Canterlot Castle, Canterlot, Equestria

Princess Celestia paced nervously in the throne room, her four hooves making a quite rythmic tapping sound on the white marble floor. She was trying her best to be patient, but today was not the day for patience. If her calculations were correct, he would be trying to land later today, and she still needed to brief the others.

"Here we are, princess," a voice cried out as the doors to the throne room burst open, allowing six ponies and a baby dragon to enter.

"Ah, Twilight Sparkle, I am glad you and your friends are here."

The seven visitors quickly bowed before looking back up at their princess expectantly.

"What did you need us for, princess," Twilight asked, impatient herself.

"There is a major threat on the way, like a combination of Nightmare Moon and Discord himself."

The names of their two most difficult enemies gave the seven pause. If Celestia was this worried, then the threat must be very real.

"Well, what can we do?"

"Twilight, do you remember when I sent you into another dimension to retrieve your Element of Harmony?

Twilight did indeed remember her sojourn at Canterlot High and her battles with Sunset Shimmer, though she still wasn't sure what this had to do with anything.

"It seems like another dimension is under attack from a new threat, and I would like you all to bring it to a halt."

"No problem," Rainbow Dash said, flying right up to Celestia's eye level, "We save the world for a living. Whatever it is, we can handle it."

"Of course," Twilight said, still puzzling, "but why bring up Canterlot High?"

"Because," Celestia patiently explained, "the place I am sending you is very much like that world. It is not the same world, mind, but still very similar. Allow me to explain further...

Celestia's horn glowed with a golden light, bringing up a sort of projection which showed a university campus. It was bustling with people, even though it was still pretty early in the day.

"This is Oceanview State University. You see, a new being who goes by the name Constellarous is on the rise. He has vast magical powers, including the ability to leap across dimensions, and he has his sights set on Equestria," this elicited a collective gasp from her audience, "However, before he comes to this dimension, it seems he has decided to use this other dimension as a warm-up. And, if my celestial calculations are correct, and they are, his forces will first land here."

"OK," Rainbow spoke up again, "so just beam us there, we'll take care of this Constellation fellow, and then we'll come home."

"I wish it was that simple," Celestia sighed, her head dropping slightly, "but there are certain problems with sending you there. For one, as Twilight well knows, you all would be reverted to a form like the inhabitants of this realm, known as humans. You will lose your horns, your wings, and your magic. And I am afraid it will be impossible to defeat Constellarous without some sort of special equipment."

"We can do it, princess," Twilight said, "whatever we need to do, we are up to the challenge."

"I know, Twilight, which is why I have prepared such a thing."

Celestia moved to the side of the throne room, and with a bit of magic, opened up a previously unknown of side-room, which the others quickly followed her into.

"What is this place, princess," Twilight asked, thoroughly intrigued.

"What it is is unimportant," Celestia said, "what is important is what this room holds, a way for me to transfer some of my magic with you."

On a table in the middle of the room sat six watches, yes watches. The bodies and links were made of a silver metal, while the faces were each inlaid with a gem which resembled very familiar marks.

"Hoofwatches," Rarity asked, tilting her head the side, "forgive me princess, but how much magic could you possibly pack into such a small space?"

"Quite a bit, actually," the princess answered, "there is one for each of you."

Each of the six smaller ponies took a hold of their personal watch, Twilight and Rarity levitating them in their magic. Spike seemed a little downtrodden at this sudden train of events.

"So," he said, looking down at the floor with a glum expression, "you all will be going on without me, then?"

The ponies all noticed Spike's expression, and wanted to say something, but Celestia beat them to it.

"But Spike, I need your assistance here," the drake's head shot up at this, "You see, these watches do two things. The first, and what I will need Spike's help with, is as a communication device. They can project holographic images across dimensions and to each other. Spike, you are in charge of relaying all my correspondance to the six while they are away." Spike nodded once in understanding. "The second thing they do is the real magic. You see, these watches will allow you the ability to transform, or metamorphise, into a state of being which is beyond the normal human form. It won't give you your magic or wings back, but it will allow you to fight off Constellarous' forces as if you could."

"How do they work," Twilight asked, giddy at the idea of magical transformation.

"When the time is right, you will know. And speaking of, I believe it is time for you to leave, Constellarous' forces will be making their presence felt soon."

"OK, princess," Twilight said, giving a glance over to her friends, who all gave various non-verbal responses to her silent question, "we're ready."

"Good luck, my little ponies. I will be in touch soon.

Celestia's horn glowed once again, it safely enveloped the six ponies, and in a flash, teleported them to another dimension.

"Come, Spike," Celestia motioned the drake back to the throne room, "we can keep an eye on them from here."

*--*--*--*--*

Outside Oceanview State University

A golden light flashed, and six bodies fell out. Fortunately, Celestia had aimed her magic where nobody would see the event, lest it cause a spectacle.

"Oh, my head," Rainbow groaned, holding her head in her hands, the presence of which was not lost on Rainbow, "Holy Luna, what are these things!?"

The others quickly gave themselves the once-over as well. They found that, like when Twilight jumped dimensions, they were outfitted in new clothing, ranging from Rainbow's t-shirt and shorts to Rarity and Fluttershy's summer dresses.

"Looks like we all made it in one piece," Twilight concluded.

"Yeah," Applejack said, trying to find the perfect way to sit her hat on her head, "but where --"

The farmer was cut off as the ground began to shake beneath them. Fluttershy quickly dove for the safe haven of the ground, while Rainbow tried to fly off, unsuccessful of course without her wings.

"Twilight," Pinkie exclaimed, looking off into the distant sky somewhere, "what is that?"

All of them, with the exception of Fluttershy, looked to what Pinkie was referring to. They saw a bright beam of light not unlike Celestia's magic rain down from the sky, followed by a loud crashing sound.

"C'mon girls," Twilight said, "we have to find out what that thing was."

They were about to get going, before realizing that running in their new forms wasn't exactly a piece of cake, even for Twilight.

"Tch," Rainbow groaned, "we should try that magic Celestia mentioned, we look ridiculous like this."

"I quite agree," Rarity concurred, "besides, we were going to have to try it out eventually."

"Yes," Twilight said, "but we don't know how the magic works."

"Um..." Fluttershy finally said something, having picked herself up, "I think I know."

The others looked to their friend in confusion, wondering how she could have already figured it out.

"Well then, show us Fluttershy."

Fluttershy straightened up, hooking her watch onto her right wrist. She looked at it for a moment to make sure it was straight before continuing.

"OK, here goes nothing. It's...um...morphing time!" She brought her right arm across her chest laying it on her left shoulder, "Ready," she threw her arms wide away from her body palms facing forward, "Power of Harmony," she brought her left hand to connect perpendicular to the watch near her right shoulder, then brought it back behind her, taking a slight step back, "Go! Kind Yellow!" She thrust her right arm forward with a step, popping her hand down slightly while keeping her arm straight. With a click, the gem in the watch, in her case a yellow butterfly, stood up straight out of the face and glowed. The others watched in awe as the butterfly shape seem to lay across her face, followed soon after by a soft yellow light. When the light subsided, they gasped in shock as Fluttershy stood before them, decked out in a yellow-and-white uniform, the butterfly forming the shape of a dark visor on the helmet.

"Well, what are we waiting for," Rainbow grew impatient, "let's do it."

The others all got in a line, standing opposite Fluttershy.

"It's morphin' time!" Twilight called.

"Ready," they all said together, going through the same motions Fluttershy had, "Power of Harmony...Go!"

"Loyal Red!"

"Honest Orange!"

"Laughing Blue!"

"Generous Violet!"

"Magical White!"

The five other ponies were bathed in their respective light for a moment, before coming out decked out in full uniform.

"Awesome," Rainbow breathed.

"Come on," Twilight said, beginning to move toward the impact sound, finding running a lot easier, "we have to get to whatever that crash was."

*--*--*--*--*

"Bring it!" Barbarus roared at the appearance of the strange beings. He certainly hadn't been expecting much resistance, especially not what seemed to be organized resistance. But that doesn't mean he was unprepared for it. "Well don't just stand there, you dolts," he yelled at the regiment at his command, "get them!"

The nameless beings started across the Quad toward the six, who for a time just stood stock-still and waited for them to get there.

"OK, girls," Twilight said, "let's get them."

Five of them immediately charged, with Fluttershy lagging behind. Rainbow and Applejack reached the enemy first, and began to make quick work of the slow, lumbering, beings, throwing all manner of punches and kicks, seemingly striking with each swing. Twilight and Rarity were holding their own quite nicely, assisting each other in the fight. Pinkie didn't seem to be fighting at all, content to let her attackers knock themselves out with well-placed dodges and blocks, throwing in a cartwheel every now and then for good measure.

Fluttershy, meanwhile, was trying her best to just get away, leading a group of them on a chase around the Quad. Eventually, she found herself running straight toward a building, and instead of stopping, she simply allowed herself to run up the wall some, causing her pursuers to crash and stumble. Planting a foot on the wall, she executed a perfect backflip and landed gracefully back on her feet. This shocked her somewhat, as she never could have done such a thing usually. However, she didn't have a lot of time to congratulate herself, as the attackers were simply stunned, not knocked out, and began to move toward her again.

"Um...bye bye," the timid former-pegasus said with a little wave, proceeding to perform a cartwheel followed by a series of back handsprings, getting herself far away from them.

This battle went on for a time, Rainbow even trying to get her hands of Barbarus. But he took this as a sign that he should retreat and report back to his lord, beaming off of the ground in a similar manner that he had reached it. Once Barbarus was gone, the minions decided to give up the fight, disappearing one by one into the ether.

The six regrouped in the middle of the Quad and checked themselves over, seeing nary a scratch on their new outfits. There were a few seconds of silence before there was an eruption of cheers and applause. Everybody who had witnessed the battle now came out of temporary hiding and gave the heroes a stirring round.

Rainbow could barely contain her excitement, always being one who loved being the center of attention. She began reaching up to the helmet to see if she could pry it off, but the hand of Applejack stopped her, followed by a solemn shake of the head from the cowgirl. Twilight, seeing this, reached for her wrist where her watch had been. After a few seconds of fidling with it, she figured the magical technology out and a golden light once again enveloped the six, causing them all to disappear from the Quad, much to the confusion of the masses.