Celestroid Fusion

Rainbow ride down the elevator was turn in a surprise as she felt the whole thing shake. She look up and ask herself. "What was that?"

Before notices she reach the end. As soon as it stop, a whirr nose was heard and Rainbow watch as it grow darker.

"Well that odd." she said before turn to see numbers on the wall and the number one was growing.

"Guess that means it this way." Rainbow said and fire open the buster doors and rode the next elevator down. She reach the Navigation Room and contact Luna.

"Luna, Some strange is going on here." She said.

"Yes I agree.", Luna said, "The Main Elevator in the access shaft has been severely damaged. It will be totally unusable for some time, unfortunately. Some unknown agent is at work. Something very powerful... Certainly not a Pony of any kind."

"Yeah I think we already know about that." Rainbow said.

"I'll report when I know more. Now, listen closely, the X in Sector 1 have invaded the atmospheric stabilizers. They must want to alter the environment to suit their needs. They are already reproducing. Clear all 5 atmospheric stabilizers to stop them." Luna said giving her a new mission.

"Right, I get them working again. You can count on me." Rainbow said.

"Rainbow, the next time you use a Navigation Room, I may not answer. I may be your CO but I still have to take care of Equestria. Plus I have let your Friends know where you been. They are getting worry." Luna said again.

"Ok, thanks Princess Luna." Rainbow said and the contact was turn off.

Rainbow left the room and started to head to the first room that had a few Zombie-like-ponies and pair of lock hatches. Knowing she couldn't open them she move on to the next room and saw the X using a new form, But Rainbow took them out pretty quick and move on.

Walking through the hatch, the room Rainbow entered definitely simulated the surface of SR388, save for the strange clouds floating around and a red, blaring alarm in the distance. Working her way around some rocks, Rainbow found the atmospheric stabilizer, which was covered by a green, gelatinous kind of X. Three missiles were enough to break it down into a smaller green X, which Rainbow quickly absorb to pick up a few missiles. The alarm stopped blaring as the strange clouds disappeared, the area returning to normal.

"Well one down four to go." Rainbow said and left the room.

Rainbow enter a room that was fill with Hornoads and started to fire and absorb the Parasites that was left behind. During her shooting, she discover a small passage and use the Morph Ball to go under it. Inside was another E-Tank, that made her suit shields stronger. She travel thought two more rooms and saw two Parasites fusion together to make a Changeling!

"WHAT? Who stores Changelings DNA here? When I talk to Luna again, I ask her." Rainbow said as she took care of the Changelings-X. Unlike the real Changelings the were only able to copy magic spells that was useless against her Hoof Cannon. After dealing with them, she walk though two more rooms and enter a room that was like the last one.

She found the second atmospheric stabilizer, and destroy it. Once more the room return to normal and Rainbow smile. Rainbow travel through another room before entering one that was like the last one. She climb up the walls and fond the third atmospheric stabilizer. She took care of it and the room return to normal. Rainbow started to move back the way she came and saw a door she miss went looking for the atmospheric stabilizer. She went up to it and open it. After taking out a few X-Parasites, She pick up a missile pack that made her hold even more missiles.

Rainbow travel thought a few more rooms and soon came to the Eye she seen last time. After three missiles, it was destroy and she enter the door, picking up the red X on the way. Once inside Rainbow notices that this room was in a ok position and a statue sat in the counter. It look like some kind of bird and in it claws was a ball that look like it was offering to her.

"What is that?" Rainbow said as she walk near it.

Her visor scan it and she got something, "Chozo Statue - The ancient bird people of Zebes are immortalized in the form of these partially sentient statues. By firing on the balls held by many of these statues, you'll reveal special items." it said.

"They just give them to me? Well that nice." Rainbow said and fire at the ball. It turn into a blur shear then turn into Core-X!

Rainbow quickly fire her missiles but watch as they boucle off it, not even damaging the outer shell at all! It counter by shooting a Red beam at her. Rainbow was knock away and hit a wall. Her suit energy drop but she still had lots lefts. Rainbow stood up and saw that it had an eye. She dodge the red beam and fire a missile. It did the trick, the Core-X record from the hit and Rainbow smile.

"Oh yeah! Now we're talking!" Rainbow said and waited for the eye to show it again.

After dodging the red beams and counter with her missiles, three times, the outer shell broke and Rainbow absorb the X and heard her suit give her an update.

"Charge Beam Recovered. Charge your cannon to fire stronger shots and if you jump when charging, you can use a Pseudo-Spin Attack." She read.

"Well, this might come in handy." Rainbow said and walk out of the room.

Rainbow went through a few rooms before coming to another are that was the same as the last two, She saw the atmospheric stabilizer and use her new Charge Beam to deal with it. She ran though some more rooms and arrive at the last room and look for the atmospheric stabilizer. Once she found it, she destroy it and sign.

"That was the last of them. Better head back to the Navigation Room." Rainbow said.

Rainbow ran back thought the rooms and stop at the Recharge Room, to refill her shields and Missiles. She enter the Navigation Room and contact Equestria.

"This is Rainbow Dash calling Equestria. Does any pony read?" She said.

"Ah! Rainbow Dash, it nice to hear you. My name is Scanner. Princess Luna has be call to a meeting with her sister and she may not be back for a while." Said a male voice.

"Well, I clear the Sector, What next?" Rainbow ask.

"From Luna orders, The atmospheric stabilizers are online. But many X have already made it to other sectors, it seems. In particular... Sector 2 (TRO), the tropical habitat, shows abnormalities. I suspect the X entered this sector with the help of our unseen saboteur. He, she, or it may be in TRO now. Rainbow, get over there. We need to put a stop to this. Start moving. I'll brief you at the TRO Navigation Room." He said repeating her orders.

"Right! Thanks Scanner." Rainbow said and the contact was turn off.

Rainbow rode the elevator up and began to think,

As I listen to this new pony voice, My mind turn to Luna. She felt like that she made a mistake by sending me to space. I'm sure Celestia has already help her get over it. But she was more kind to me after my near-death back at SR388. I trust her, but can I trust this Scanner pony...?

At the top, she jump off and headed for Sector 2 elevator and rode down.

Back at the castle, Luna walk into the throne room and saw her sister as well as the rest of the Mane 6. Luna walk up and waited for Celestia to speak.

"Luna, The others have grow worry about Rainbow Dash after you call her here. They would like to know what you're doing." She said.

"Very well sister, I have send Rainbow Dash on a mission to the station know as PRL Station. Some thing was wrong and I need somepony to check it, and Rainbow agree to go." Luna said.

"What kind of Mission are ya taking about?" Applejack ask.

"At first it was just to investigate what happen, but Rainbow reports that the X-Parasites are on board as well." Luna said.

"WHAT?!" Pinkie shouted in surprise.

"But didn't those parasites nearly kill Rainbow Dash?!" Applejack ask in surprise as well.

"Yes, but the vaccine didn't just change Rainbow Dash, it made her unaffected to them." Luna explain.

"WHAT?!" Pinkie shouted again.

"Now when even Rainbow Dash is touch by a X-Parasite, they heal her instead of kill her." Luna said again.

"WHA-?!" Pinkie was going to shout again, but Applejack cover her mouth with her hoof.

"Let me get this straight, Rainbow Dash is unaffected by them?" Applejack said.

"Rainbow agree to do a mission?" Rarity ask next.

"And there are X-Parasites on board?" Twilight ask third.

Luna nods and Celestia spoke up.

"How is she doing?" She ask.

"She should be done with Sector 1 by now. I left Scanner in charge of the CO until I can help her again." Luna said.

"Scanner? Luna you do know that he the only one that wants to study the Parasites that almost kill Rainbow Dash." Celestia said.

"Yes, I will let him study them, but I believe it best if they were destroy so no pony would be hurt by them and I'm sure Rainbow Dash would agree." Luna said.

Then a knock was heard on the doors. That surprise everypony, barely any pony knocks on the doors in the castle.

"Come in." Luna said and the door open to see Work Tool step in.

"Ah! Work Tool, what can I help you with?" Luna ask.

"I just learn that Rainbow Dash got a new upgrade. It a charge shot." He said.

"A Charge shot? Hm...I heard about those. What else?" Luna said then ask.

"Well, I also been looking in to these Metroids creatures but so far noting yet, but I know there something about them." Work Tool said thinking.

Luna nods and waited for more.

"Just one more thing, I don't really trust my brother." He said.

"Why?" Twilight ask.

"He up to something but I don't know what.", Work Tool said, "that all I have other then the next upgrade is ready for her."

"Very well, I well be down there soon." Luna said.

Work Tool bow and took his leave.

"What do you think, Luna? Should you really trust Scanner?" Celestia ask.

"I don't trust him, but as long as he doesn't disobey my orders, I let him stay...for now." Luna said before turning back to them

"I must return to helping Rainbow Dash, call me if anything happens or it time to rise the moon." Luna said and took her leave.

After she left Apple Jack remove her hoof from Pinkie's mouth and Pinkie spoke up.

"So Rainbow can now use the Parasites to heal her?" She ask.

The other just shook their heads at Pinkie question, while Celestia watch her sister walk away.

"I do hope your doing the right thing Luna." She said quietly.

Rainbow arrive at the Sector 2 Navigation Room and was contact as she as she got in. Scanner voice come in, telling Rainbow that Luna was still not back.

"I have learned the identity of our mystery saboteur…" He said.

"Really? Who is it?" Rainbow ask.

"Rainbow, it's an X mimicking you. I have named it the RD-X." He said

An image taken from a security camera appeared on the screen, Rainbow Dash was struck speechless as she stared at the figure in the image. It looked exactly like her, except its eyes had no pupils or irises.

"I believe the RD-X came from the capsule containing the samples that were removed from you during your surgery. It used a Sonic RainBoom Attack to escape from its holding in the Quarantine Bay. That uncontrolled attack impacted and breached the capsules containing all the X that started this disaster." He said again.

"GRR! How dare they use my move! Were is it?! I going to show it a thing or two!" Rainbow shouted.

"No, you will not. The RD-X is definitely our biggest worry right now. It is mimicking you at almost the same power as when you and your friends use the Elements of Harmony. You can't face it as you are. If you see the RD-X, you must try to escape. Don't even think about fighting…" Scanner voice told her.

"Grah! What do you mean is should run?!" Rainbow ask.

"You are very vulnerable to cold, an unexpected side-effect of the Metroid vaccine. Like Metroids, you can be frozen by an Ice Beam. The horn that the RD-X has happens to be an Ice Beam spell. Stay away. If you see it, run." Scanner said.

"Wait! I'm vulnerable to cold? When was this found?" Rainbow ask.

"Just a few minutes ago by my Brother Work Tool. He will be send you upgrades as you go though." He said.

Rainbow was quiet for while. She has notices that when she got near some snow clouds, she felt very cold, even on a hot day. After that, until they could figure out why, they kept Snow clouds away from her.

"My brother says he have Bomb data ready in the Data Room. Bombs will help you find a way out if you get trapped. The Data Room is here, but… It's sealed by a Level 1 hatch. You'll have to find the Security Room and release the Level 1 locks. But per safety protocols, it's not marked on the map. You'll have to find it on your own, Rainbow. So first locate the Security Room and release the locks, then go to the Data Room to get that Bomb data. And keep an eye out for the RD-X." Scanner said bring her out of her thoughts.

"Yeah, yeah, Let Princess Luna know when she get back." Rainbow said and the contraction was turn off.

Rainbow went thought some rooms picking up more E-Tanks and Missile packs as she fond them. The X had even new forms but a few missiles took them out. Rainbow reach a blue door and guess it was one of the security doors. She look up to see some vines growing and fire a missile. There was another door.

"Well, found my way in." Rainbow said and climb to the door and open it.

She walk though the door and drop into the Security Room. Rainbow uncurl and walk up to the blue screen and place her Hoof Cannon in the slot. She grow a bit before hearing, "SECURITY LEVEL 1 UNLOCKED. BLUE HATCHES NOW ACTIVE." Rainbow left the room and check her map. The Data Room was a bit far, but she knew she could make it. She ran back thought the rooms taking out X-Parasites as she did. She reach another room fill with vines everywhere and check her map. She saw that the Data Room was above her.

Rainbow climb up and saw a blue door ahead. She ran up to it and open it. She step inside and went to the Data machine. She grow once more and heard, "Bombs Data downloaded. To use Bombs, go to Morph Ball and place bombs on cracks that Missiles can't destroy.

"Cool, I guess." Rainbow said, though she like to use her missiles, but knew Bombs will help her.

As soon as Rainbow left the room, a explosion was hear from the floor below. Rainbow wasn't sure, but it sound like hoof steps was heard below. After they fade away, Rainbow ran back to the hatch below and saw that it was beyond repair. Signing, she had to find another way. She come to wall that block her off. She use a few Missiles but noting broke off.

"Hope these bombs actually do what they say." Rainbow said and went to Morph ball and place a Bomb.

Instead of part of the wall breaking off, the floor did instead. Rainbow drop down and uncurl. She check her map and saw that it was a unmapped territory. Rainbow smile.

"Guess I been exploring after all." She said and went back to the more ball.

After rolling a bit Rainbow travel though some more rooms and come to another eye. It after three missiles, it was turn back into a red X and rainbow grab it before entering the door.

Rainbow drop down into the room and saw once more X-Parasites flying around before reforming in a long purple creature with one eye. Rainbow fire at it but her shots boucle off. She switch to missile but, they too boucle off.

"What this thing made of? Really hard steel?" Rainbow ask.

It jump in the air and open it mouth. Rainbow try firing a few missile in it mouth and work, but she was unable to get out from underneath it. It land on and began to drain her energy away.

"HUH, GROSS! LET GO OF ME!" Rainbow shouted and went to morph ball mode and place a few bombs that made the creature spit her out.

Rainbow landed a bit far from it and look over herself. Luckily the Metroid DNA may the slime ran off her pretty quick, but Rainbow still mad.

"You sir have a really bad eating problem." Rainbow said and wait for it to jump again.

Sure enough it did and Rainbow fire missiles inside it. She even made sure she got out from under it. Rainbow notices that the more damage it takes, the shorter it gets, also the faster it gets. After giving it a few more Missiles it turn back to it Core-X shape and Rainbow attack that. She absorb the Parasites that come from it to refill her missiles, mostly. After deliver three missile to the Core-X, it broke and she absorb it. Then her suit gave another upgrade note.

"High Jump Boots ability recover. Allows you to jump higher and gives morph ball jumping ability." It said.

Rainbow turn and saw the ledge close by was too high to reach during the fight, but Rainbow knew she could make it now. Rainbow look at her lower hooves and saw that some of the fur open up as if they were grills. Rainbow shrugs and jump up the ledge. She climb up second ledge and began to look for away back to the Navigation Room.

Once she enter the room she saw frozen creature about everywhere. She saw more and follow the trail. Soon she came to another hatch that was also destroy. Laying a few bombs around, Rainbow found the hole and drop in the room she ben in before. She landed on the ground...and froze.

Rainbow could feel something inside her was warning her that they trouble ahead and she didn't want to be part of it. Rainbow creep to the hole she made earlier and peek down. That went she saw it, The X-Parasite that look just like her, The RD-X. She saw that it even a horn, making fall under a Alicorn instead of a Pegasus. Rainbow pull her head back up and stood there, breathless. Then a sound of the blast was heard and hoof-steps retreating. Rainbow waited for a few minutes until she was sure it was gone.

"I never thought I be so scare of...well, myself." Rainbow said as she stood up. She wasn't afraid anything, but the X-Parasite that took in her form did.

She drop down and ran back to the Navigation Room. Once there she contact Equestria and Luna answer this time.

"Rainbow Dash, Scanner has fill me up on what happen. Is it true? Did a X-Parasite take your form?" Luna said then ask.

"Yeah, I had a befit ran in with it, It look just like me, cutie mark and all! It could rival Changelings, which by the way, their DNA is store here too." Rainbow answer.

"I see. Rainbow stay away from the RD-X, and Changeling DNA? That not possible unless there was one on the station." Luna said.

"Scanner told me that the RD-X just as powerful as me and my friends when we use the Elements of Harmony and it has a horn so it more of an Alicorn then an Pegasus." Rainbow report next.

"Thank you, I must fill up Celestia about this, you in the mean time need to head to the next Sector. Releasing the security lock may have been a bad idea. The RD-X has invaded the water environment in Sector 4 (AQA) with several thousand X. With the blue hatches active, the RD-X slipped in easily. The creatures and systems in Sector 4 are already showing multiple irregularities. I'm currently investigating. I'll brief you at the Navigation Room when you arrive." Luna said and the link was cut.

Rainbow ran back to the elevator and rode up. Along the way she thought about the RD-X.

The RD-X. An enemy with my best abilities, possibly even the Elements abilities. But it probably doesn't have a reason. It's just some killing machine. As I am now, I can't face it. The RD-X is me, only heartless. I've got to stop it before it learns what it's capable of and threatens my home and this universe…