In a darkened room, there sat a throne. On this throne, sat what once was a man. He had long since given up his humanity, to bring back a race even older than man. To that end, he was no longer even alive, but a mix of organic and technology. To his left was another being, although there was nothing organic about this one.

The silence was broken by a door opening, as a person entered the room.

“Scout Hermes has reported something. It seems as though he has discovered the Seed.” A feminine voice spoke up in the darkness.

“The one that was lost a year ago?” A masculine voice replied. “Where did he report it from?”

“The energy signature leads to a planet in one of the Far Galaxies.” A hologram lit up in the center of the room, casting a few shadows but lacking the necessary light to define the occupants. “The local life forms refer to it as Equis. We can’t figure out the exact location, as it seems the ones who discovered it have either buried it deep underground or are specifically blocking the signal, but we know it is on this continent.” The hologram zoomed in. It was a tumultuous land, overtaken by forest in the south, and mountainous in the north. “Within a country Hermes reports as Equestria.”

“So the only thing we know of its exact location is somewhere in Equestria, either buried deep underground or in a holding facility especially created to prevent its tracking.”

The hologram switched to a picture of a white humanoid with flowing rainbow hair. It had wings and a horn growing from its forehead.

“What am I looking at?”

“The current leader of the major power on this world. She is referred to as Celestia. They claim that she moves the sun, while her younger sister, Luna, moves the moon.” The hologram changed to a shorter humanoid, with a similar body structure, dark blue skin, and hair that looked like a night sky. “Together they are the diarchy of the country we believe to hold the Seed. The reports from Hermes have listed them as being friendly but very protective of their subjects, who refer to themselves as ponies.”

“Any evidence of their claims? Can they move the sun and moon around their world?”

“The reports mention strange energy wavelengths emanating from the two objects at certain times of the day. As of this moment, we are listing that as positive.” A chart overlaid itself on the hologram, showing two different wavelengths.

“How likely are they to return our Seed peacefully?” A third voice spoke up, coming from the man sitting on the throne.

“There is insufficient data present in order to provide an accurate estimation, Prophet. I am sorry.”

“Do not be sorry, child. I did not expect you to have an answer to that question. Have we made contact with them?” Prophet asked, standing up and walking over to the hologram. As he moved closer, details became easier to make out. He stopped directly in front of the light of the hologram, revealing gray eyes and silver hair. Beneath his eyes were two blue lines that connected under his chin and disappeared beneath his shirt.

“No sir. We have held back from interaction with the locals. They are just in the beginning throes of an industrial age. There is also a single major religion, casting their diarchs as godlike beings and worshipping them. As such, we have calculated the likelihood of a dark age occurring to be near zero percent. They live in a pseudo-paradise, protected by their ruling powers from external threats.”

“So they are innocent of the sins of war. Are they weakened by this?” Prophet asked. The hologram switched to a group of six humanoids.

“No sir. They are protected by a dual military force, a group under each of the diarchs, and a group of six individuals that act as a special task group referred to as the Elements of Harmony. They are comprised of two humanoids with horns, two with wings, and two without either.”

“Are the horns and wings significant?” Prophet asked, singling out two of the individuals in the group: A purple one with a horn and a blue one with wings.

“It appears as though the ones with horns can manipulate energy fields, and refer to it as magic, while the ones with wings are capable of flight and manipulating weather patterns. Those without either one are capable of amazing feats of strength.” A few videos flashed across the hologram. The purple one lifting a massive bear that appeared to be made of stars, the blue one breaking the sound barrier in free fall, and the orange one from the group knocking over trees and fighting wolves made of wood without weapons.

“So we are looking at a species of mages, angels, and herculeans?” Prophet asked, bringing up the orange one from the group.

“Yes sir. These six in the task group apparently each embody one of the primary ideals that their leaders wish to see from their citizens: Honesty, Loyalty, Kindness, Generosity, Laughter, and Magic, somehow. Together, they have overcome very powerful beings in the name of their princesses.” Pictures flashed. A very darkly colored being, similar in appearance to the one called Luna, getting hit by a rainbow. A draconic being with many different body parts, turned to stone. A black, bug like creature with dragonfly wings and various holes in her body.

“What are your recommendations?” Prophet asked turning to her.

“There are several actions we can take. We can make contact and request they return the Seed if they have it, or to help us locate it if they don’t. We can also deploy a retrieval squad to infiltrate, locate, and recover the Seed.” The female voice said.

“Or we can deploy Project Cerberus. It will recover the Seed at all costs, and it will be a perfect test run.” The masculine voice from earlier spoke up. Schematics appeared on the hologram, listing countless weapons and defense systems.

“Project Cerberus will only be deployed if no other path is open. Is there another option?” Prophet asked, waving away the schematics.

“We can detonate the planet. It will kill everything, but the Seed will survive and will be easy to recover.” The feminine voice listed off the last option. The hologram turned back to a deep space view of the planet. A flash of light went off in the upper atmosphere of the planet, that quickly turned to darkness and spread over the planet. Within seconds, the planet collapsed on itself, and exploded outwards.

“We will be diplomatic about this first then, but have the retrieval squad on standby in case that goes south.”

“And who should lead the diplomatic group?” The feminine voice asked.

“Operative Aphrodite. Send Operatives Hades and Ares for security detail.” Prophet said, walking back to his throne.

“As you wish, Prophet.” The female voice replied.

“And Hera. Make sure that Ares is on his best behavior. The last thing we need is an accident with the locals preventing us from recovering what is ours.”

“I understand sir. I will make sure to get your point across before he leaves.” Hera replied, as she walked out of the room. The hologram was still active, showing the ‘Elements of Harmony’ that they had been discussing.

“Let us see how they will take first contact.” Prophet said, bringing up all six of the elements and the two diarchs on the hologram.

“What did you have to show me that’s this far underground, Princess?” Twilight asked, her curious nature overcoming her nervousness. Celestia had taken her deeper than even the Crystal Caverns to a single obsidian lined cave. This deep underground, and with how many shields they had walked through, it must be something of absolute importance to protect. As she walked, she noticed countless runes flow across the surface of the obsidian. As she tried to focus on one of the runes, it would fade away and be replaced by another one. After just a few minutes of doing this, she gave up trying to read any of them and turned her attention back to her Princess, who was walking a few steps ahead of her.

“Something that might change the very future of ponykind.” Celestia responded. They turned another corner into a massive cavern. At the far end was a massive set of doors. These ones dwarfed the doors in the hall that held the Elements of Harmony. In front of the massive gate stood at least a hundred soldiers, equal numbers of both the Day and Night Guard.

“Princess, what exactly is down here?” Twilight asked, worry beginning to creep into her voice.

“Guards, attention!” Celestia shouted out. All of the guards snapped to attention, and the highest ranking ones of each guard stepped forward.

“We are entering. If we do not return within an hour, you are to seal the gates with us inside and inform Luna of what has happened. It will be her choice whether or not to release us.” Celestia said.

“Yes Ma’am.” Both guards responded, snapping a salute.

“Twilight, once we enter I have no control over what will happen. What you see and feel will not be real, no matter how much it may seem so.” Celestia said, turning to Twilight. She placed her hand onto Twilight’s shoulder, trying to calm her.

“Princess, you’re scaring me. What is in there?” Twilight asked, visibly shaking.

“You will see.” Was all that Celestia replied with, before turning around and walking up to the gates. She placed her palms onto a raised point connecting the gates, in the center of a massive copy of her cutie mark. A light flowed out from where she touched, filling in the entirety of the carving upon the door with her golden magic. As soon as she removed her hands, the door started creaking open.

Twilight was instantly assaulted by moans, whispers, and screams. There was a multitude of voices, each saying something different. Many screamed to be let go, to find peace, while others threatened to commit horrible acts to her. But over them all, a single voice stood out. A deep, rumbling voice. When she heard it, her blood turned to ice.

Welcome to my parlor, said the spider to the fly.

Author's Note

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If you don't, please don't just down vote it. I want to know what I did wrong, even if it's just "I don't like this kind of story".

Thanks for your time.