My Little Zoids: Friendship is Cybernetic

It had been several days since Rainbow Dash had bonded with the Liger Zero and the attack on Ponyville. The group has tried to figure out what the five Zabre Zoid pilots attacked the town. But as they tried to figure it out, they began to prepare their Zoids for the Summer Sun Zoid Tournament which was the next morning. But as Rainbow Dash turtle waxed the Liger’s window, she thought of something over and over again.

Who was that piloting that Red Blade Liger? She thought as she wiped the window. But then she heard a growl of worry coming from the Liger Zero.

“It’s nothing big guy. Just thinking of something.” She said to her Zoid.

“HEY DASH!” A voice screamed. She turned her head and saw Applejack who was covered in oil.

“What’s up Applejack?” She asked.

“Ah’m orderin’ a pizza and Ah wanted to know what ya' wanted on it.” Applejack replied.

“Mushrooms. And black olives.” Rainbow said. Applejack nodded and walked back talking into her earpiece to the stallion at the other end of it. Rainbow went back to work on her Zoid but her thoughts kept returning to that mysterious Red Blade Liger. As she tried again to shake it from her mind Liger Zero nudged her again in true worry for it’s new pilot. “Seriously Zero I’m fine okay?” Rainbow said with a begrudging smile. It never bothered her again as she turtle waxed it. After she was done, she flew down and placed the wax away.

“Well Liger, now you look and will move amazingly at the tournament. I know we’ll win this year.” Rainbow said with a smile as she wiped her hands. The Liger released a growl of happiness as it leaned towards her.

“Now you get some rest big guy. We’ve got a tournament to win.” Rainbow said as she hugged the Liger’s nose. The Liger did as she said and turned off. Rainbow Dash then went into the main room of Rarity’s shop.

“Hey Dash. Pizza just got here.” Applejack said as she walked back from the door and placed a pizza box on the table. Rainbow’s stomach growled in anticipation for the food. She lunged at it and took a few slices for herself. “Whoa there sugarcube! The pizza will still be there when the others arrive.” Applejack told her. Rainbow stopped midway through her third slice with a look of embarrassment.

“Oops. Sorry. I...guess I was kind of hungry.” Rainbow said as she swallowed the pizza in her mouth.

“I understand that-” Applejack started as she grabbed a slice of pizza. “We both got empty stomachs after workin’ on our Zoids. Especially me. I need all the food I can take after reactivating mah Zoid’s combat system.”

“Yeah. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy are probably starving from fixing their Zoid’s systems.” Rainbow said as she poured a glass of soda. “I have to say those Zabre idiots are really stubborn about who hired them.” She said which earned a pained look from Applejack. “What? What’s wrong?”

“The pilots died last night Rainbow.” Applejack said. Rainbow Dash commenced with a short spit take narrowly avoiding her Zoid and Applejack’s hat.

“WHAT?!” Rainbow screamed.

“They were found in the hospital dead. A poison was found in their systems.” Applejack explained.

“But who’d poison them? Sure they deserve something but not that!” Rainbow said as she paced in a trail.

“Ah know what you’re going through Dash. Ah did the same thing when Ah found out.” Applejack said trying to calm her down.

“B-but they never deserved to die.” Rainbow said a little bit panicky. She soon started to slow her  pacing down a little and then heard Rarity call out to them.

“Yo Hoo! Rainbow!” Rarity called out as she ran towards the two ponies. She had a look of mischief in her eyes and Rainbow knew immediately why she came over.

“Oh no! I am not trying on a new dress Rarity!” Rainbow said a little too loudly.

“Oh come on Rainbow Dash! You need a new wardrobe for the tournament tomorrow morning!” Rarity said at Dash’s pitch.

“No! No way! I’d rather pilot a pink Zoid than wear a dress!” Rainbow said back.

“Give it up Rarity. Ya’ know ya’ won’t win.” Applejack said. Rarity then moaned. But then she gave off a smile.

“Oh Applejack!” She said.

“Oh no Rarity! Ah ain’t fallin’ for that!” Applejack said as she jumped out of her seat.

“Oh alright. But anyway, how’s the Zoid repair coming along?” Rarity asked as she grabbed a glass of water.

“It’s comin’ along real nice like. Ah ain’t never had a fight like those Zabre colts before.” Applejack said. Rarity had a sour expression that said that she heard about them as well.

Meanwhile a short distance away from the shop, a pair of eyes was watching the three mares.

“Rainbow Dash, I’ll get my chance to finally see who’s the best Zoid pilot after all these years.” A raspy voice said. Back at the shop, the front door of the shop opened and in came Twilight, Spike, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy.

“Bout’ time ya’ll made it.” Applejack said.

“Sorry. I needed to fix the aiming module on my Konig Wolf.” Twilight said back. She remembered when she placed the fixed module on the Konig Wolf who barked it’s thanks, with a sound that could break a glass window. “I think he liked it.” Twilight said jokingly.

“Well any Zoid likes it when their pilots tune them up.” Fluttershy said with a smile.

“Yeah! My Berserk Fury loves it when I tune his party cannon!” Pinkie said with a smile on her face.

“Well…. we’d better get some rest. The tournament starts before sunrise and we need to get ready for it.” Rainbow said as she headed towards the room the Liger Zero was in. She then climbed into the Liger Zero and turned it on.

“See you girls in the morning!” Rainbow said as she and the Liger ran off back to her house.

“She’s right. I’d better get going.” Twilight said as she climbed into her Wolf Zoid.

“Welp Ah sure hope y’all can get some good sleep… Cause Ah’d hate to beat y’all when yer not up and ready.” Applejack said with a smirk.

“Oh it’s on. And I’ll make sure that D-Bison is turned into scrap metal!” Rarity said with boldness in her voice. It was gonna be fun tomorrow.

“I hope you win the tournament tomorrow Twilight. I’ll be routing from the stands.” Spike said as he walked next to the Konig Wolf.

“Thanks Spike. And I’ll need luck for tomorrow. There’ll be some tough competition tomorrow morning and I’ll need every bit of energy and ammo I’ll have.” Twilight said back.

“Don’t worry Twilight. With your new Zoid, you’ll win easily.” Spike said cheering her up. Twilight smiled as her Zoid marched forward from her dock and soon was out in public for all to see. Everypony not in a Zoid stared in awe at the huge Zoid. She marched through town and soon ran into Rainbow again.

“Hey Rainbow. What’s up?” Twilight asked.

“Well, did you hear about those stallions that attacked us?” Dash asked in replying.

“I did. I still don’t understand why somepony would poison them.” Twilight said.

“Besides that, I came by to tell you good luck in the tournament tomorrow. Anyway, I’d better to so I can get some sleep. Bye!” Dash then moved her Liger full throttle away from Twilight. When she was gone, Twilight made it to her destination, the Golden Oaks Library. She took it into the garage next to the library and powered it down. Twilight leaped from her pilot’s seat and landed with a loud thud on the hardwood floor and then walked to the nearest book she could find. Spike though quickly grabbed the book from her hands.

“HEY!” She screamed in anger.

“No heys Twilight. You need to sleep.” Spike said back.

“I...guess you’re right. Well, wake me up early Spike.” Twilight said to him as she headed to her bed. She then crawled under the sheets and fell asleep. As she slept, her mind began to create dreams. She saw her winning the tournament, wielding the trophy and  doing laps in her Koenig Wolf. But then she saw everything burn around her and a silhouette of a huge mare alicorn in the background laughing at her.

“You will never succeed Twilight Sparkle. You and the rest of your kind will fall before my new kingdom.” An echoing and demonic voice said to her.

“N-no. Who are you?” Twilight asked the voice.

“Your worst Nightmare.” The voice replied. But then Twilight heard the growling of a jungle cat. But as she turned around, a large katana slashed at her making her scream. Twilight woke up in cold sweat and her bed was soaking wet. She started to breathe heavily and noticed that her arm was cut a little bit. Twilight noticed that it was the same spot that the blade sliced her but shrugged it off as nothing more than a mere coincidence. She poured herself some cereal and wolfed them down fast and soon was at her Zoid. She turned to the clock and noticed it was 5:30.

“THE TOURNAMENT STARTS SOON!” She screamed as she ran for the garage door. She then climbed into her Wolf and hightailed it towards Ponyville Town Hall. Then among the other Zoids competitors, she found a spot among the crowd. She then watched as a brown pony with grey hair appear on stage.

“Ladies and gentlecolts, we are gathered here today for a special event. An event that we’ve celebrated for hundreds of years. And we’ve used our Zoids in those years greatly. And now I would like to announce that the Summer Sun Tournament has now officially started!” The pony said happily.  Twilight smiled as the first rounds began. After the latest one was finished, Rainbow Dash against some random pony, it was finally her turn. She walked forward and everypony was blown away by her Zoid but then something happened. The lights started to flicker until the light bulbs blew up. The Zoids then began to act strange as if they knew something was up.

“What’s going-” Twilight started. But then she heard a laugh. A laugh that is too familiar.

“LOOK!” A pony screamed. Twilight turned and saw shadows appear where Celestia was sitting. But then another Alicorn appeared. She had black fur, blue reptilian eyes, and a purple splotch with a moon for a cutie mark.

“No. It isn’t her.” Twilight said as she backed up her Zoid.

“WHO ARE YOU AND WHERE’S THE PRINCESS?!” Rainbow roared along with her Liger.

“Well haven’t you ever heard of me? Don’t you recall the legends?” The Alicorn asked. Twilight took a brave step forward as she proclaimed who the mystery mare was.

“I remember! You are the traitor to the throne! The Mare Of The Moon! Nightmare Moon!” Twilight yelled. The rest of the audience gasped but the Zoid pilots all readied their Zoids and charged her only to be intercepted by a black Murasame Liger with its Murasame Sword, Dual Sword Cannon, Triple-Barreled Shock Cannon, 4 Strike Laser Claws, and its Tail Blade. All of the Zoids were disabled by the Murasame Liger and were powerless before the two tyrants. Nightmare Moon laughed a despicable laugh.

“Remember this day my subjects! For it was your last! FROM THIS DAY FORTH THE NIGHT WILL LAST FOREVER!”