The Darkened Past: Alex’s Past History in Ponyville

Chapters

Chapter 1: The Shadow Army
Chapter 2: New Day, New Objectives, New Enemies, and a New Power
Chapter 3: A Welcoming Morning
Chapter 4: He Returns with an Army
Chapter 5: The Battle Against the Precursor
Chapter 6: The Rescue
Chapter 7: Sacrifice
Chapter 8: The Date And The Mare That Truly Cared For Me

Chapter 1: The Shadow Army

So there I was in line with my troops waiting for our orders, nothing much going on to say the least. We had sent out one of our scouts and are now waiting for him to return. I then look out into the distance and see him on the speeder bike coming back to report in. I decide to get out of line and go check what's going on.

"So, did you see anything out their." I ask.

The scout looks at me a little terrified and answers, "We have a big problem. The Shadow Army is forming and are preparing for an attack on the frontal group. We need to warn Celestia!"

"Whoa! Slow down, don't worry I'll come with you, and is their even a plan as what to do?" I ask.

"N-no nothing, we have nothing!"

"Hm." I think, "Well I'm only a troop but, I am thinking that Celestia should set up the mortars aimed for the bridge that connects Ponyville to the Everfree forest. That way when the Shadow Army tries to advance, we rain shells on top of them."

"I like that plan." He agrees. "However, what about our forward advance base over by the bridge that keeps things under check. Will they get affected?" Scout asks me.

“Well, after we tell Celestia what you have seen and I tell her my plan, I could use your scout bike to get over to the forward base and warn them about the enemies advance. Also the mortar shells shouldn't do anything to them as long as they don't get into the fire.” I explain. “Now common lets go!” As I see the enemy getting closer from a distance.

So, the scout and I trot over to Celestia and explain what is happening. “Hm, I see.” She answers. “Alright, Ill tell our defense to get set up, and scout you can go and get in sniper position, in case the Shadows try to run at us.”

“Will do Celestia.” Then he leaves me and her for my orders.

“Alex you go and warn the front about what is about to happen.”
“Solid copy ma’am.” Then I trot out of the Briefing room and head over for the scout bike. I get on and ride it to a concealed area to use the leaves and bushes to conceal my position as I travel.

In my traveling about a quarter of the way, I notice the bushes rustle, so I stop the speeder and carefully listen. “Hello?” I ask. But get no response. “Hm, something ain't right here.” So I get off the speeder and slowly trot over to see what’s their.

Then as I’m close, I hear a buzzing sound, like one that Changelings make when they are about to fly away. “Who’s there?!” I demand. The unknown pops out of the bushes about ready to fly off. “Hold!” I order. “Identify yourself.”

-Sigh- “I'm just a Changeling in the bushes. I mean what gives?” The Changeling snips.

“Not sure if you noticed but there's a war going on and you hiding in the bushes like that tells a lot, for example you could be scouting for the enemy. The Shadows.” I tell it.

“So what if I am!” The Changeling flies into my face giving me an attitude.

“Alright, I see how you want to play it.” I then slowly pull out a pistol and put it towards it's chest. The Changeling notices and in fear it's eyes get wide and the Changeling slowly flies a little back giving me room.

“Please, please don’t.” The Changeling begs. “I didn't mean to put up an attitude like that. Please, you have to believe me.”

Hearing it's plea, I take the pistol off its chest and slide it back into my holster “Consider yourself lucky, next time I might not be so forgiving. Remember that.” I tell the Changeling.

The Changeling looks down with teary eyes, “Y-yes I will.”

But just before I’m about to get on the speeder, the unexpected happens. Another Changeling, seeing that I threatened and totally took it the wrong way, tackles me to the ground. “Hey, what the?” I say in surprise.

“Hey get off him it's alright brother. No need to fight.” The first Changeling tries to explain.

But the brother ignores and pulls out a hidden blade and lowers it towards my forehead. I struggle to keep it way. Then by luck, I grab his hoof and twist it the opposite way and put him down. I then get up shaking my head.

“Honestly why?” I ask myself. I then look up at the other Changeling, “Sorry about that.”

“I understand, Razor has been hiding a lot of secrets from half of the hive lately and the rest are following his command.” The Changeling tells me.

“Well I’m only a troop so i don't know much, but i could say he might be with…” I get cut because Razor had just tried to shoot me.

The Changeling then flies up to Razor, “What are you doing, you want to get killed?”

With a smirk Razor answers, “Pfft, I don’t give a sh*t about what he says. Now back off Echo!” Razor then gets up, grabs the Changeling and throws her against a tree, knocking her out.

As Razor turns to do the same to me I whip out my weapon and shoot him in the chest, get on my speeder and leave the attack.

While I close in to the forward attack base I was ordered to, I think to myself, “Hm, I get the feeling Shadow isn't the only problem anymore, Changelings are starting to get involved as well. Why, I don’t know?”

I slow the Speeder down and come to a halt. Two guards approach me and ask, "Identification please."

I answer, "Alex of the Second Squadron, reporting in."

"What's the news?" One asks.

"I've learned that the Changelings are beginning to get involved with the Shadow Army and also the Shadow Army approaches as we speak. Don't worry Celestia is setting up the mortars aimed for the bridge. She said our job is to keep them at bay, until the Wonderbolt units arrive. That's all I've got." I explain.

The two guards look at each other, "Alright, let's arm up." The other then radios the sniper team and I see that the snipers get ready in their sniper nests. "Alex come with us, we'll get you weapons and supplies."

"Alright." I agree. Then the guards and I enter the base and trot into the armory. "Choose what you'd like." They tell me. "Thanks." I say. As I look around I think to myself, "What would be the most effective way to hold the Shadows back? I mean it depends, all I'll be doing is sitting behind cover and holding the line. No heroics."

So I trot over to the gun holder and pick up an assault rifle and clip it to my side next to my wing. I then take an extra pistol and slide that into a second holster. I also pick up a few detonators and some ammo clips and put those into their slots. Finally, I take a knife and slide that into it's holster and am ready. As I'm about to trot out, the lights go red and the alarms go loud.

"What's going on!?" I yell.

The two guards that are still with me answer, "We believe that the Shadow Army had just fired at the base."

Then an electronic voice turns on, "All units prepare for battle, all units prepare for battle, this is not a drill."

"Common Alex let's move. You'll be joining Sev and his squad for now." One of them tell me.

"Copy that." I understand.

Me and the two guards then gallop through the hallway and meet up with Commander Sev. "Who's the newbie?" Sev questions. The guards with me then step in, "Oh, he is no newbie. He also has info on the situation." "Aye, my apologies, um... What's your name?" Sev asks. "Alex, sir." I answer. "Good to have you." Sev begins. "Alright our objective is to hold the Shadow Army and Alex you'll support as backup."

"Understood." I answer.

So the units move forward and the base doors open. We all then run to our designated positions, losing some troops in the run. "Tanks!" I shout. Under cover, I pull out my rifle and take aim and begin to fire. As I fire it's just not much use, seeing that my shots are ricocheting off some of the Shadows. But I continue anyway, seeing it's slowing them down.

However the Shadows had enough and begin to take positions and fire at us. They even get their heavy sniper tanks on us. Unfortunately we can't see them due their camouflage on the tanks.

"Sev!" I call him. "What is it Alex." He responds. "We need to do something about those tanks." I tell him.

Then another troop gallops over next to me and takes aim. "You call for backup?" The trooper says. "Hehe, just on time." I tell him. Then he fires his rocket launcher at the bridge making it collapse and destroying a good number of tanks that were on the bridge. "Nice!" I tell him. "Loading next round." He tells me. Then takes aim and fires, destroying yet another tank.

"Damn, they are killing us. Sombra what should we do?" A Shadow trooper asks.

Sombra grins as though he has an evil idea. Then from behind the bushes on his side, a massive army of Changelings appear and begin to attack. To make matters worse, the Changelings have dual Gatling guns strapped to their sides making them look like fighter jets.

"Are you kidding me." I cry. "No matter, take aim and fire." So me and the Demolitionist begin to fire and take out a few of them but the Changelings are pushing through our defense. Sev gallops to my cover to help. "Their are so many." The Demolitionist says. "No sh*t!" Sev replies back. Then the Demolitionist loads his weapon, breaks from cover and begins to unload his clip on the enemy killing a bunch, but a TD (Tank Destroyer) sees him, takes aim and fires. I sift behind cover only to see the trooper collapse as the HE (High Explosive) bullet hits right in front of him.

The Shadows then get a mobile bridge and begin to extend it, reconnecting the Everfree to Ponyville. "Alex, where is that mortar fire!?" Sev asks commandingly. "Sir, it's been raining down mortars on the enemy already, if you didn't notice." I reply back. "Well why isn't it doing anything to the enemy?" He asks. I get into his face to answer, "Maybe because oh I don't know, the Shadow Army has GOOD ARMOR!" I yell at him. He raises an eyebrow shocked at my actions to my superior. "Well, you and me are gonna have a long talk after this, soldier." Sev says. My ears drop, "Yes sir..."

I then look back at the enemy and continue to fire back. I get my grenade launcher that's attached to my rifle, take aim and fire a detonator. It lands and explodes on the bridge machine but that doesn't do much. The bridge finally connects and the Shadow Army tanks and soldiers begin their advance, easily killing anypony in the way. Their tanks even begin to destroy cover revealing some of our troops, only to simply take them out.

The Changelings patrol the sky over us, shooting down anypony they see. "Permission to speak sir?" I ask. He lightens, "Permission granted." "Sir, this is becoming a blood bath, how are the snipers doing?" Sev looks up and sees the snipers are dropping the Shadows but then tanks see the muzzle flashes and fire at the sniper nests blowing them apart. Sev then turns to me, "Sniper support has just been, uh, taken out." He tells me.

I then look around us to see, we could be the only ones left. I then order in, "Squadron four and five, where are you guys?" I ask. A squadron leader then answers, "Alex, oh thank goodness you're still there, it's a blood bath. Wish we could help but we have our own problems. The Shadows have found another way and are attacking. We are trying to hold them off but..........."

"Squad leader do you copy. Squad leader!" I call, but no response. I look at Sev and it's basically me and him with some stragglers. "Sev what now?" I ask. "I don't know Alex." Sev responds. "Alex here, I'll go at Sombra and his men, you get the hell out of here." Sev orders. "Solid copy. Good luck it was nice serving with you." I tell him. "You too, Alex, you too." Sev responds. Then he jumps over the cover and gallops straight at the enemy firing away.

I gallop away and go hide behind some bushes and sit there watching. They kill Sev and then when coast is clear, two more leaders meet up with Sombra. "No way, what's he doing here!?" I whisper to myself as I recognize one of them.

"Sombra, nice work. We cleaned right through them without that much difficulty." The first leader speaks.

"Thank you Count Veger." Sombra responds.

"And thanks to Crystalis's Changelings to fly down, that was perfect planning." Sombra tells them.

"Hahaha, with pleasure." Crystalis laughs.

"What are our orders now Veger?" Crystalis asks.

He grins, "Keep advancing forward, until the castle. Once we take that down, we can start our search for the precursor artifacts."

"Copy that." Both Sombra and Crystalis agree. So Veger and Crystalis advance forward but Sombra senses my presence.

"I'll meet you guys up ahead, have to check something first." Sombra mentions.

"Anything you'd like to share?" Veger asks curious.

"No, no that's ok. Not sure if it's true, just sensed something and wanted to check it out." Sombra tells them.

"Oh, alright I see. Well we'll see you upfront." Crystalis pitches in. Then both Veger and Crystalis trot off.

"Ugh, finally they are gone." Sombra says as though I can hear him. He then looks towards my direction with a grin. "Hehehe, I know you're there, I can sense it." He says towards my direction.

I then pick up a weapon on the ground, at first it's only a hilt but I press a button and an energy saber comes out. Then I jump out of the bushes with the blade in front of me, and look up. "You're going to pay for this!" I shout at him.

"Y-you're challenging ME!?" Sombra sarcastically says.

"Yes I am." I speak confidently.

I then bring the sword back and charge at him, full speed and hit downward with the blade, cutting part of his armor. Sombra then backs up, pulls out two blades and charges at me. We then clash into a sword battle. Knowing my other hoof is free, I punch him in the stomach, throwing his balance off then slicing and destroying one of his blades. He throws the broken hilt away and raises his hoof rising a pillar in front of me. I dodge to the side but he raises another and it strikes my wing.

Injured I try to stay up. He trots slowly towards me and thrusts the sword down towards me, but with quick reflexes, I put my sword up and stop his attack, but struggle to keep it up. He lowers it more and more. With the last of my energy, I grab my gun from my holster and fire at his chest. The hits throw him back and he lays on the ground. I see he dropped his weapon in the process and pick it up. I then trot up to him and put the two swords to his neck.

"I win, any last words?" I look at him with a grin knowing I'm victories.

"Yes!" A mysterious voice shouts from behind me.

I begin to turn around to look back, but the enemy shoots me in the back and I begin to collapse, but before I do, Sombra thrusts up with his horn stabbing me through my chest. I look down and see that my chest is turning darker and darker. I try to get out of his grasp but can't. He then shoots his horn and I'm thrown, but I throw my sword while in mid air, at him, killing Sombra. But I hit a tree and land on top of the one that had shot me. I look down to see that it's Razor.

He tries to stab me for the finish but I'm faster and stab him, killing him. I then lay motionless slowly dying. My heart weak to whatever Sombra did. I look up at Sombra and he turns to dark mist and disappears. "Well that's it. I'm done." I tell myself. I begin to close my eyes but am awoken from somepony speaking.

"He's here, he's here!" Somepony shouts.

"Hurry, we are losing him. Get him to the chopper!" Another shouts.

I look up to see that it's a Wonderbolt. "Don't worry Alex, we are here." He says.

I moan in pain, "T-took you long enough. W-where were you g-guys?"

"We had to get rid of the Changelings first. They had control of the air." He tells me.

"I-I see..." I struggle to speak.

"Don't worry. You'll be alright." The Wonderbolt tells me.

All I see then is darkness cover my eyes and I pass out.

Chapter 2: New Day, New Objectives, New Enemies, and a New Power

Hours pass by and finally I begin to regain consciousness. Weak at first I open my eyes and look around. Then a pony in armor and a green holographic scope on her right eye approaches. "You alright bud?" She asks.

"Yeah, I'm feeling better. By the way, who are you?" I ask.

She smiles, "Just call me" -Swings head to the side really fast- "Light Bringer."

"Light Bringer, Light Bringer, sounds familiar for some reason." I start to think.

"Really, how so?" She asks.

"An earlier war before this one." I respond.

Light then sees that I know. "Well yes their was that but, don't over think, your still weak."

"Yeah, say, what are you doing here anyway?" I ask.

"To come and check on you. Heard what happened. Also" -She trots to the door and locks it. Then, she puts up a sound shield- "Also, to tell you what's going on." She tells me as she trots back to me.

"All ears and also guessing that it's secret, being for the locking of the door and all that." I tell her.

"Precisely. Alright so first things first, give me your hoof." She tells me.

"Ok?" I question but do as told.

She then slides a device onto my hoof and it locks forming armor around it, in the process. "Don't worry you can take it off, but I recommend leaving it on for now."

"Ok. Let me guess, Fallout armor." I guess but know I'm right seeing and understanding the design.

She glares at me and gets close. "How the hell do you know?"

Trying to defend myself, "Uh, uh, l-lucky guess."

"Hm, watch what you say, and that topic is nothing to take lightly, understand." She says in a more serious voice.

"Ok I understand..." I tell her in a frightened voice.

"Good." She tells me. She then backs up a little giving me room. "Also this device I gave you is no joke. Also that's not your full form. See that green holograph. Hitting that button gives you your full form. But only use it when you really need it."

"Got it." I show that I understood.

"Now to explain what's going on. So Veger has been declared as a Count and now has control. How this happened is that he saw that Crystalis was about to quit seeing that you killed Sombra and the shadow army fell. Crystalis was like screw this and was gonna quit, so Veger took Crystalis in and said, I have captured her. Celestia, not knowing that Veger was part of the enemy, said thank you and then everypony cheered for him. Now he is called Count Veger and has almost all control. You and I are the only survivors that know about this. But I don't know how to throw him out and believe me, I know exactly what he is looking for. He doesn't care about anypony, only to find the Precursor relics and release their power." She explains.

"I see. I do know that Changelings know about him and his doings as well." I tell her.

"Yeah, I know but what pony is gonna listen to them." She says.

"Good point." I agree.

Light Bringer then checks her device on her hoof, "Hey I need to leave now, hope I informed you enough. Sorry, but we'll be out of contact to where I'm going for a while. Good luck my friend and stay safe."

"You too, Light." I tell her. She then unlocks the door and trots out. I then get up and out of bed. Still feeling a little weak, I trot out of the infirmary and look around. "Gee, things really changed." I tell myself. I then trot over to a blue holographic looking thing and look at it. "Hm, what's this?" I ask myself.

I then put me hoof through it and it feels weird but it does nothing to my hoof. Then I pull out one of my pistols and take a shot at it. The bullet hits it but disintegrates. "A shield, now why would they make a shield?" I look out and see a Changeling with it's head down. So knowing the type of pony I am, I trot out of the shield and sit down next to him.

"Hello there." I begin.

"Huh, oh, it's just one of you. Yeah you can shoot me if you want." He tells me.

I choke at what he says, "Say what...? Now why would I ever do that?"

"Because us Changelings are bad and you hate us." He tells me.

"I think your confused with somepony else, I would never harm you." I tell him.

"Then why did Count Veger add a shield to Ponyville blocking us out?" He questions.

"Look, I don't have enough info to answer that. I just awoke from my sleep in the infirmary." I tell him.

"Oh, I see." He says, continuing to look into his reflection in the water.

I put my hoof around the Changeling to comfort him. "Don't worry, I'll see how to get a much more fair rule than this. What Veger is doing is blasphemy!"

The Changeling looks up at me with a small smile and hugs me. So I hug him back. "Y-you'd really do that?" He questions.

"Well I can't guarantee, but I'll try." I tell him.

“T-thank you.” The Changeling says, as he smiles back at me hugging me tighter.

“Alright, you know what, I’m gonna do it right now!” Tell him confidently. “By the way, you want to come along with me?” I ask.

“R-really!” He jumps up happily.

“Well of course.” I tell him.

“Ok!” He agrees. So we get up and I look at the shield. A light bulb then appears in my head and what I do is take the new device I was given and aim at the shield. The shield sparks and a small opening is created. The Changeling and I trot through and begin to head towards the castle.

Halfway there, I have the Changeling get on my back and I fly us the rest of the way. I then land and the Changeling lays on my back, which I’m ok with. I trot through the doors and enter the castle. “Celestia, you here, we need to talk!” I demand. Celestia then puts her hoof on my mouth to shut me up.

“Shh, or you'll get caught.” She whispers.

“What from who?” I ask quietly.

“From Count Veger. He owns the throne now. I’m but only a elite guard is what he made me.” She answers.

“What?!” I'm surprised. “Now why in the name of… like why the hell would he do that. Who the F**k does he think he is?” I get mad.

“Well we cant do anything now.” Celestia tries to calm me.

“NO! NO! I’m not gonna have an enemy take over your throne just like that. Oh man does he have something coming. He was the leader of the Shadow Army!” I explain.

Celestia gets mad, “What!? So I was lied to?”

“Pretty much.” Me and the Changeling answer.

“Look, why the Changeling and I are here is because I request a rule change affecting the Changelings.” I tell her as I get my piece of paper and hand it to Celestia.

“Ahh, you're not the only one. Had another pony stop by with similar rules.” Celestia explains.

“Well?” I question.

“Well what, I don't own the throne anymore, Veger does. I can't do much.” Celestia reminds.

My hooves turn dark and a darkening glow surrounds me, as my wings turn sharp, my eyes change color, I grow bigger and my tail forms a spiked ball on the end.“Oh we are going to see about that!” So the Changeling jumps off and is by my side. Celestia stays back behind the doors watching at what I’m about to do, as i stomp across the carpet up to the throne.

"Hey! You better explain yourself before I let my punches do the talking!" I yell at Veger.

"Muhahaha, so it's true. It's really true, you did turn dark. Now I'm able to banish you." He grins evilly.

"What!?" I gasp in shock.

"Not without a fight you bully." The little Changeling next to me says.

"KGs now." Veger orders. Then out nowhere, robotic droids roll in and begin to fire. I dodge the shots and even destroy one, but then a Magnaguard gets behind me and shocks me to the point where I pass out.

Hours pass and then I finally awaken. I look around and see I'm back to normal. "Ugh, what happened?" I ask myself. "No matter I can just pass through the shield cause I'm no Changeling." So I trot up to the shield, put my hoof on it to pass through but instead get electrocuted backwards. "Hey! What gives?!" I then take the Fallout device and try using that, but the shield EMPs it and the device becomes deactivated. "Great, just great!"

Then a note drops from above. "What's this?" -I pick it up- "Oh it's one of Celestia's letters. It reads, ‘Dear Alex, you might have awoken to find that you have been banished to the Everfree Forest.’ -I pause reading- "BANISHED?! What else does this say." -I begin reading again- ‘What you told me about Veger is true, he is an enemy and those were enemy units he was using. I pretended to play part of his little act just to stay and investigate. The Changeling that was with you was also thrown back into Everfree but on a different side so you two can't team up again. Veger claims that your banished for 2 years because of your dark power. And to help, here are my words, try to control and reduce the dark inside you to 0% that way, the shield won't be able to detect the darkness thus letting you back in. Also I'll do my best to defend and get rid of him, but I have no idea if we will be able to do it without you. To end my letter, I wish you best of luck.’

I put the letter down. "So they banished me for my power huh, hm. Well, should find a tree to lay under. It's getting late." So I trot over to a tree, lay down and fall asleep.

Chapter 3: A Welcoming Morning

The night passes by and I wake up, not under a tree though, but in a warm bed. I slowly open my eyes to look around and the first thing I see is a Changeling Mare buzzing above me to make sure I'm ok. "Morning." She smiles warmly.

Confused at first I roll with it, knowing I'll find answers later. "Good morning?"

"Sleep well?" She asks.

"Yes, thanks to you." I tell her. "Um, question where might I be?"

"You are in the Changeling Hive Village." She answers.

"Um, ok. Uh Crystalis was ok with it?" I ask shocked.

"Well of course, you did stop Veger from taking her throne." She tells me.

My ears drop, "I guess, but now he took Celestia's and had me get kicked out."

"Aww, don't feel bad, you did what you could. Don't worry, we'll help you. Also I have the feeling he kicked you out because of your dark power, right?” She asks.

I nod my head to answer her question. “Say how do you know?” I look up at her.

“Hm maybe telling ours names might help out with this. So my name is Echo, what's yours?” Echo asks.

“Mine is Alex. Wait a minute Echo!” I think for a second. “Your ok?”

“Why wouldn't I be? Wait, you said Alex so that was you that was driving the speeder wasn't it?” Echo sees the past.

“That's correct. So you know I’m full of dark magic because you saw what Sombra did. Correct?” I ask.

“That and the one that put flares near your position after seeing the Wonderbolts searching for you.” She tells me. “Don't worry Alex I'll help you get control of your powers and drop that dark magic bar down to 0. You'll still be able to use your powers, but you'll be free of the dark that will try and take you over making you evil.” She adds.

Surprised and shocked I grab and hug the Changeling making her stop flying and fall into my hug. “After what I've been through, that's the kindest thing a Changeling could say to me. Knowing that its hard for Changeling and Pegasi to be friends.” I tell Echo.

I then smell something good being cooked. “Hey what's that smell, its smells good.”

“Oh, just a little something for you to eat. Knowing your not a Changeling you need to physically eat something. Us Changelings feed off of feelings.” Echo tells me as she gets out of my hug and buzzes to the kitchen.

So I get up and follow her into the kitchen. She has some water and a sandwich waiting on a plate for me. I smile brightly as I see the food, cause man am I starving. “Wow! T-thank you.” I tell Echo as I sit down and prepare to eat.

I then take a bite and I have to say, it was a good bite. I had nothing to eat, in for like a long time. The war food is ok but this, this was incredible.

“So, what do you think? Is it good?” Echo asks.

“Yes!” I smile happily taking another bite. “First best thing I've ever tasted in a long time.” I add.

Echo smiles cheerfully, “I’m glad you like it. I can make you another if you want.”

“No, one is enough.” I answer.

“Alright, and after you're done, want to start your training?” She Echo asks.

“Sure.” I answer.

So I finish up the sandwich and drink, then Echo leads me to a Changeling Training Facility. Or as the sign I look at states the CTF. The doors open and I enter only to be amazed at the work and different tools and weapons you can use. Some of the Changelings pause their training to look at me. I wouldn't blame them, its not everyday that you see a Wonderbolt trot through those doors and ready to train with Changelings.

“So where do we train?” I ask Echo.

Echo opens another room. “Right in here. This is where Changelings go to 1 Vs. 1 against each other.”

“Wait, I don't want to fight you.” I tell her.

She smiles, “You're not gonna fight anypony. We just need this room to test your powers is all, and learn how to summon and d-summon it.”

“Oh, I see.” I show that i understand.

“So lets first summon it.” Echo orders.

So I try but nothing happens. “Um its not working.” I tell Echo. “Well of course not. Here trying becoming angry.” So I gather all my anger and focus it then all of a sudden, my body turns dark and my wings get sharp. I begin to grow and dark fire burns from the side of my eyes as they glow. The other changes that are small is my tail gets a spiked ball at the end of it and my mane becomes electrified.

“Whoa! This is different.” I immediately notice.

“Of course, we concentrated all of your anger into one point giving off the new aesthetics, like burning eyes and electric mane.” Echo explains.

“Ah, I see.” -I look around- “So um, how do I go back to normal?” I ask.

“Just take a deep breath and let it all out. That will calm your strength and the dark should dissipate .” Echo explains.

So I do as I’m told and she was right. My mane stops to spark and I slowly begin to shrink back to normal size. After a few seconds, I’m back to normal. “That was trippy.” I tell Echo the experience.

“Nah, your fine. Just not used to it yet, but we’ll work on it.” She tells me.

“Anything else i need to know?” I ask.

“There are dark moves like shooting a dark blast and a shout blast. But that’s about it.” Echo says.

“A dark shout?” I ask.

“Well if you're mad enough at somepony and you need to raise your voice, you can shout a few select words like ‘force’ for example and you'll cause the sound barrier to break making a shock-wave. You don't even need to be in your dark form.” She explains.

“Oh cool. But I’m not ready to test that yet.” I let Echo know.

“Also, too early.” She tells me.

“Say, is their a tool that measures how much darkness i have in percent?” I ask.

“Right over their.” She points to a tool rack.

So I trot over and pick up the pistol looking device with a digital percent scale on it. I aim and hit the trigger as the tool is aimed at me then look back and it begins to calculate. It then gives me my percentage and it reads, “20%”

“Hm, not bad. We should be able to knock that down to 0% in a jiffy.” I talk in excitement.

“Yeah, looks easy, but in reality its harder than it looks.” Echo bursts my happy bubble.

“Aww, why is that?” I ask with a frown.

“Because the dark that’s trying to take you over slowly by time builds up, meaning you'll be up to 30% pretty quickly. Not to worry, training everyday should keep it low by about 1 or 2 percent. Also keep this in mind, if we train with complicated things right off the bat, you'll drop the darkness down fast, but when its time to train again and you know the difficult moves. The easy moves will barely do anything to the number, thus having it continuously rise.” Echo takes the time to explain.

“So in other words, we start as easy as possible and progress over time.” I tell her.

“Exactly, also I’m sorry to say, but if two years hits you will instantly turn evil…” She looks down.

“What why?” I question.

“B-because 2 years means that even if you have only 0.00000001% of darkness, it was in your body long enough that it slowly take control of you.” She says looking up at me with ears down.

“But if I hit 0% and exactly 0 without a percent, I’ll be fine.” I tell her.

“Yes but it has to be before 2 years pass.” Echo says back.

“No problem, we should be fine.” I try to brighten the mood.

“Oh and Alex, here's a tip. Always stay kind and in a good mood. Depression, anger and meanness will raise the number drastically. Staying in a good mood slows it down.” Echo tells me.

“Um, I’ll try.” I say unsure of myself.

“Not saying all the time. Yes your mood will change but, have it change under control. Know what I’m saying now?” Echo tells me a little more clearly.

“Yes that makes a lot more sense.” I tell her. “Hey can i go meet Queen Chrysalis?” I ask.

“Well, um, I mean, if you want to, I guess, but?” Echo is unsure.

“Quit your worrying, I’ll be fine.” I tell her. Then I trot over and the door opens and I gallop out of the training room. The moment the door closes behind me, I sigh in relief. Then I slowly trot through the hall looking for Chrysalis’s quarters. “Finally I’m out. Also this is not happening, I’m not in the Changeling Hive Village.” I talk to myself. I then stop and rub my eyes with my hooves and look again.

“Nope, its really happening.”

“Well, I have no choice though. Anyway back to what i was trying to do.” I look around. “Hm, I know Chrysalis’s Headquarters are here somewhere, but where?” I ask myself.

“Hey how was your run today?” A Changeling asks his buddy as they trot down the hallway.

I hear them getting closer, “Shoot.” -Whispers to myself- “I don't know if the rest of the Hive knows I’m here.” I then look around. “Gotta hide, gotta hide.” I then find a shadowed passage way and hide using the darkness. The two Changelings pass by, unaware of my presence.

“Few, that was a close one.” I whisper to myself. I then peek and see that they've passed. “Time to continue trotting.” I then get out a continue looking. “Ah, here we are.” I press the door button and it slides open. I then trot in and cautiously trot. “FREEZE!” Two Changelings tell me as they put their staffs in front of my face.

“Whoa!” I jump surprised and frightened.

“Identify, you Pegasus.” One tells me.

“Sorry, sorry...” I look down in fear. “N-names Alex of the 2nd Squadron from the Wonderbolts.” I tell them.

“And what are you doing here then.” The other tries to talk in a more calm voice.

“I-I was b-banished sir.” I tell them as my ears drop.

“Hm, and why might this reason be?” They talk kindly now.

“Veger is the reason. He saw the dark power Sombra forced into me and that gave him the reason too. Veger also controls Celestia’s Castle.” I tell them.

I look at them and their eyes both widen as they look at each other then back at me. “He was the reason we almost lost our Hive. We didn't notice at first but his plan was to team up with Sombra and gain power. Then when parts of the Hive joined, he was close at capturing and taking control over us. You foiled his plan after killing Sombra and and letting us keep the Hive which we thank you kindly.” They explain.

“What I wanted to do was make a fair rule for Changelings to be able to pass the shield and enter Ponyville, but now, now I’m stuck.” I explain.

“So i see we are on the same side.” One raises his hoof.

I raise mine and we shake on it. “Yes we are same side. Question, are their Changelings still with the Shadow Army or on Veger’s side?” I ask.

“Um, as far as we know, all Changelings are the same team and part of the Hive. The good side to be exact. Me and my buddy here have scouted and looked around but found no rogue Changelings. Meaning we are in the clear.” He informs me.

“That’s good. Permission to pass now?” I ask.

The Changelings raise their staffs, “Permission granted. But question, why exactly do you want to see our Queen?”

“To inform her why I’m here and the rule i tried passing.” I answer.

“Ah, I see. So Chrysalis informs the Hive so no Changeling assumes you're a spy or sketchie type, right?”

“Precisely.” I answer.

I then trot passed the guards and head towards the throne. The room gets bigger and scarier looking, since I've never actually visited Changelings before, I’m kinda scared at how the place looks and don't know what to expect. I get closer and the throne gets into view. I take the time and hide behind a corner to look and listen.

"Changelings, did you pack your things?" The Queen asks her subjects.

"Yup, food, a map and more are all prepared for the trot to the northern mountains." The one she asked responds.

"Hm, sounds like the Changelings might be going on a trip." I whisper to myself.

"Hey, are my fruits ready yet?" She asks another.

"Will be right out." Another responds.

"Hm, should wait for the perfect timing to show." I plan. So I sit and listen, almost like eavesdropping, but I swear I wasn't. Then the moment boredom shoots in, I jump out of the cover saying hello in a nervous voice.

-Gulps- "H-hello." I hardly speak.

All the Changelings, including the Queen, look at me in a weird way. "Um, what's a Pegasus doing in the Changeling Hive?" She asks.

I trot up closer so I can be heard. "I was banished by Veger your highness."

Chrysalis then takes an educated guess knowing Veger, "Let me guess, he banished you because when Sombra forced dark magic, you turned dark and he had that reason to banish you. Am I right?"

"Pretty much. He also owns Celestia's Castle and is the ruler." I add.

"Hm, I'm sorry for that. Though I thank you for killing Sombra. Some of my own scouts saw they were gonna betray us anyway so thank you again." Chrysalis tells me.

I just kinda bop my head down and my ears fall. "Yeah, n-no p-problem..."

Chrysalis looks at me as like I'm one of her subjects, and looks at me sadly. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, just nothing... May I ask a favor so at least the Hive knows I'm here, so I don't get looked down upon?" I sadly ask.

"Yes, what is it?" She asks.

"Can you send some kind of message to most Changelings so that they know I'm here?" I ask nicely.

"Why of course." She acknowledges.

"Thank you. I'll be on my way now..." I turn around and begin to leave.

"Sigh... Thought that would be better than it was. It was nice at the beginning though but not towards the end..." I sadly talk to myself, thinking the talk over.

As I trot, I get closer to the guards that are by the door. "So how did it go?" One of them ask.

"It was ok, I guess." I answer. Then before the Changeling give their thought, we here a electronic beep.

I, puzzled, ask, "Hey, what was that beeping noise that happened a few seconds ago?"

"That's, oh, um, it's our communicator. When the Queen sends us info or something like that, every Changeling with a communicator will receive it." The other explains.

"May I see what it says, please?" I ask nicely.

"Why not, take a look." The first one tells me as he puts his hoof up so I can see the communicator.

I read most of what it says to myself because what it actually says is what I asked Chrysalis to do, which is tell the Hive I'm staying. My eyes light up after seeing that Chrysalis actually did this for me. It was kind of her.

"Satisfied with what you read?" The Changeling guard says as he moves his hoof away.

"Yes!" I tell him happily. "Well I'll be on my way." I add.

"Take care buddy and nice meeting you." They tell me.

"Hey, it was a pleasure meeting you guys as well, take care." I tell them, then trot out and trot into the hallway headed back to Echo.

"Hm, wonder what Echo has planned for me to do today." I talk to myself. I then find the room and trot in. "Hello, Echo I'm back." But no response. "Echo, you their?" Still nothing. "Hm, maybe she stayed in the training room or went somewhere else." I think.

Then when I least expect it, my eyes get covered by some ponies hooves. Echo giggles a little, "Guess who?"

"Hm, i gonna guess, it's Echo?" I guess.

She giggles a bit more, "Yes!"

“Heheh, you really got me their Echo.” I tell her.

“Sure did. Sorry, just wanted to do that for fun. I saw what Chrysalis sent and was happy, so yeah.” Echo says.

Chapter 4: He Returns with an Army

So few months pass, as I have been taken into the Hive. Nothing much really happens. It's basically training, having something to eat and a nice place to sleep. That's all. However, today something big is about to happen.

So the morning was the same, wake up and eat.

"Morning Alex!" Echo wakes me happily.

-Ywan- "Morning Echo." I awaken.

"Sleep well?" She asks.

"Yes, like always." I answer.

"Yay, that's good." She says excitingly.

"Gee, why so exited?" I ask.

"I don't know just am. Could be that training has been going great." She tries to answer.

"Hey can I check the percentage please?" I ask.

"Why sure." Echo says as she hands me the reader.

"Thanks, now let's see." I measure. Finally the result is made and it reads, "9%"

"Woohoo! It's a small number. Not that small but it shows progress." Echo adds.

"So what are we gonna do today?" I ask.

"Probably train a little later." Echo answers.

"Alright." I agree.

But then before we are able to do anything else, the lights go out, and things go dark. All that you can see glow is that tactical wrist device I was given by Light Bringer and Echos Changeling eyes.

"What that?!" I shout out.

"What's going on?" Echo asks in surprise.

"Beats me." I answer.

I slowly trot through the room using the glow from the device looking for a Flashlight. I finally spot one, pick it up and turn it on.

"Well at least we can see now." I say.

"I still want to know what's going on." Echo says unhappily.

"Let's try to find out." I tell her. I also find a gun because I was wiped clean before being banished. With the gun I take point and Echo follows from behind me. I slowly open the door to the hallway to take a peak. "Hm, something's not right." I tell Echo noticing the darkness.

I trot into the hallway checking my corners and moving slowly about. "Is there anything their?" Echo asks.

"Nothing yet." I tell her.

Then a dark object moves swiftly about and seeing me, pulls out a sword cutting the flashlight and using telekinesis, pushes me and Echo backward.

"What the?!" Echo and I shout out.
The power flickers and the lights turn on for a second, enough for me and Echo to be able to see who that pony was. And you'll never believe it. It's Razor. Echo and my eyes shrink as we see him. Then in a flash he disappears.

"Did you just..." I begin.

"It's him..." Echo says. "Wasn't he killed?" She adds.

"Yes, I believe he was." I tell her.

Then we see lights and it's two Changelings galloping over to help us up. "You two ok?" One asks.

"Yes we are fine." I tell them, as I get up.

"Did you see who that pony was?" The other asks.

"It's, it's Razor." Echo answers.

"What?!" They get shocked.

"Echos telling the truth. I just don't know how he is alive. I swear I killed him." I explain.

"This can't be good. He's one of the corrupted Changelings. He needs to be captured." The Changelings order.

"Yes sir." I salute.

Echo and I are then dismissed and move down the hallway holding pistols and are on high alert. Then I hear a crackling sound and look up. "LOOK OUT!" I then dive and move Echo out of the way as a rock falls and crashes.

"This place is booby trapped." I tell her. "Best be extra careful."

"Right, um, thanks." She blushes a little for saving her.

I help her up. "Let's keep going."

We are on our hooves and moving through the hallway again, but we are not alone. All of a sudden, two KG units roll from a doorway, see us and stop. They on roll and get up, aim their lasers at us and open fire. I grab Echo's hoof and pull her behind cover with me. I peek out and take a few shots but go back behind cover on time because a few shots ricochet of the wall just missing me.

"Now what?" Echo asks.

"Give me a moment to think please." I let her know. I then look at the device on my wrist, hit a button and a small shield pops out. I then jump out of cover and start deflecting bullets back.
With my other hoof, I use the pistol to fire back at the KG units. "Just die you stupid droids." I say. Finally their armor falls off and the next shot kills them.

"Finally." I say annoyed. "Echo let's keep moving." I tell her.

"Right." She agrees.

I look to where the droids entered but nothing is their. I guess they were just breaching, but don't worry that much and continue moving. Echo and I then approach a door, so I press a button and it opens. All Echo and I see is a floating cubed ship, that is readying to dispense more of those KG units. I gallop into the room, find some C4s, clip them to the four thrusters, gallop out and shut the door. When door is shut, I hit the button.

BOOOOOM!

The thrusts explode and the ship falls burning. "Alex, what was that?" Echo asks.

"A droid dispenser. Meaning every few seconds it'll send out another KG." I explain.

"Ah, ok." Echo understands.

Then when Echo and I least expect it, a bunch of KG units fall from the sky and surround us. Razor then appears from the shadows, but he looks different. The place I shot him from the past now has metal armor and one of his eyes have a red optical eye. Meaning it's a mechanical eye that has enhancements.

"Hehehe, you two were easy to trap." Razor smirks.

"Razor what do you want?!" Echo snaps a little.

"I want revenge. Didn't know you'd ‘care’ so much for him." He mocks. "Also you're wondering how I'm alive. Well I'll tell you. After the Wonderbolts airlifted Alex, I crawled through the Everfree until finally being found by the KGs. I thought Jak had killed all of them but apparently not. So the KGs took me in and made me into what I am now." He then points his hoof at me and it transforms into a cannon.

The moment I see what his hoof does I shout, "He's a Mech!?"

"Heheh, your correct, then when you're dead, I can go join Count Veger and we'll be able to find the Precursors and obtain the ultimate weapon." Razor laughs. "Now prepare to be obliterated." He grins.

"Razor, please don't. Please don't. This, this is blasphemy to the Hive. A betrayal." Echo begs.

"Ha, you think I'm gonna fall for this pity, besides, never really cared for the Hive anyway. It was a waste of my time!" Razor laughs.

He charges the cannon aimed at me and Echo. Few seconds later it's fully charged. "See you never!" He says darkly. Then fires the weapon. I put up the little shield, and the shot hits it. I struggle to hold it.

"What?! Pfft, whatever, you're wasting your time." He growls. "KGs shoot him. He can't protect every side." Razor then gallops somewhere else.

The KGs lower their weapons aimed for me. The KGs then slowly shoot at me taking turns. The bullets continuously hit me from every side and my energy depletes quickly. One more shoots and the lava bullet hits my wing. My hoof falls then the energy bullet hits the ground and explodes.

BOOM!

That area of the Changeling Hive is nothing but ash. Razor looks back and smiles, as he sees only smoke.

When the situation looks like the end for Echo and I, you're wrong. I open one eye to see that Echo is holding my hoof, and with her other hoof stabilizing a round force field. I open my other eye and slowly get up. "Echo, how did you do that?"

She looks at me with a smile. "I know how that device is used, because I'm one of the Fallout Elites." Echo then shows me her hoof and I see she also has the same device. "When two ponies combine the devices, they create a force field, like this one."

"I see." I understand.

"But be aware, you can't always use it. Use this move only when you really need to." She adds.

"Right, but now what?" I ask her.

Echo turns my head to look out. "Oh, that's a problem. Two more dispensers."

"What are we gonna..." Echo gets cut off by another Changeling shouting.

"Hey, you two alright?!" The Changeling asks as he gallops over.

"Yes, we're fine." Echo answers.

"You guys need help, I have a few Changeling Warriors with me and are ready for orders." The Changeling tells us.

"Alright, see those dispensers, take them out. No survivors. Then set up a holding position. We also need scouts to go after Razor." Echo orders.

"Echo last place he was seen was by the CTF. So we have a hot pursuit on him." Another tells her.

"Good, when we capture him, I want info. What is it that made him corrupt? And why is he working for Veger?"

"Copy." The Changeling Sargent says. Then he motions to his troops who goes where.

Then, the area we are standing in gets breached by, KG units. I get my pistol out and Echo does the same. The Changeling troops get their rifles and are mowing down the KGs as the units fire back at us. "Guys, go for the thrusters on the dispenser ships." I tell them.

"Got it!" One says. Then two Changelings get a rocket launcher and aim for the weak points. They fire and it's a hit. I notice the electricity that is powering the thrusters go weak. "Hit it again!" I order.

The Changelings fire and the first thruster on ship two is destroyed. Then the two dispensers land and begin dispensing more KG units. "Here they come. Get ready." Echo orders. I do something crazy. I break from cover, fly past the KGs as they get their attention towards me. The Changelings open fire at the backs of the KGs and I land on one of the dispenser. I climb down near the thruster, put my hoof in the opening and grab the electric wire and begin to pull.

"Alex what are you doing?!" Echo yells, shocked.

"I’m -bzzz- fine. -bzzz-" I try to talk but am being electrocuted. "Hey, KGs -bzzz- come and shoot me."

So the KGs open fire at me, and I raise the wire and it gets cut, stopping the electricity and destroying the thruster. For some reason, the dispenser explodes after the thruster get destroyed. I get thrown off, then open my wings and land on my hooves. "That was fun. Kinda."

Echo tries to hold from laughing, "Oh Alex, wasn't expecting you to do that..."

But let's get back to being serious. The final dispenser moves in and gets some weapons out. On the roof of the machine, rocket pods are displayed and a beam gun underneath. The dispenser rises and fires the beam and begins to spin. "Get behind something and you won't get zapped!" I shout. So then I see the Changelings jump behind a rock. I then think for a second. "Crap." I look around noticing I have no cover. The beam almost hits me, but I jump over and fire a shot at the beam launcher.

It gets jammed and turns off. The dispenser then lands and starts deploying more KG units. But in addition, they send flying ones also. "Oh common!?" I shout. I then take a few shots and destroy a few flying units.

Click, Click!

I look at my gun. "Yeah it's empty."

But I was distracting the KGs long enough that the Changelings move in. They fire their rockets over and over. Finally the dispenser blows up and Echo helps me up. “That was um, scarey…” Echos tells me.
“Well, I know what i was doing. Anyway, where are these things coming from?” I ask.

“No word yet.” Echo answers.

“What about Razor, are they still on him?” I ask.

One of the other Changelings approaches me and answers, “T-they lost him…”

“Damn, he could be anywhere.” I tell them.

“Wait, if Razor was last seen near the CTF; that’s near here.” Echo realizes.

I look at the Changeling that’s speaking to me closely and notice his eyes are red. He sees I’m alerted and quickly grabs my hoof and spins me around and has my hoof behind my back and is holding me down. “Very perspective Alex. Heheheh.”

“Its, ahh, its h-him.” I struggle.

“Don't any of you try anything!” He warns as a blade appears from his hoof.

“What, what do you want with m-me?” I ask.

“I want you gone!” He speaks darkly. “If I let you escape and hold off my attack, their is no way I can get you to turn dark. But if i lock you up in a cell and keep you there for a while more, you'll turn evil. Then you'll never be able to stop us from obtaining the Precursor’s power.”

The Changeling guards that are with us try to gallop over, but are punched back by KG units. Echo pulls out a pistol and aims, but i shake my head trying to show its to risky. Echo obeys and puts it away.

Razor hoof-cuffs me and throws me into a ship. I sit in the dark as the ship flies off. I look at my device but, its unusable. Its been paralyzed. “Sigh, just great…”

“Yes, Yes! Its all going as planned.” Veger raises his staff as he watches Celestia and everypony else get tied up and taken away. He then hits the ground with the staff and says a few words. “By the power of the Precursors, I summon the ancient Precursor guard!” The red gem on the top of his staff lights up and the ground starts to shake.

Veger trots outside to look and what comes out of the ground is a Precursor Guard that’s got thick bronze and steel armor combined. The size of the Precursor is huge. “What is your biting?” It talks in a mechanical voice.

“Meet Razor at his underground station. Their, he will give you a task.” Veger tells it.

The machine jumps up and flies towards the direction of the objective. Celestia senses that I’m in danger and asks, “No, your not gonna have it kill him are you?”

Veger trots over, puts his staff under Celestia’s chin and raises it. “Don't worry Princess, why would I ever have any harm done to him.” He mocks. “Of course I’m gonna have it kill Alex!” He growls.

Veger then puts her chin down and trots over to a KG unit. “Has the digging begun yet?” He asks.

“Yes, just like you requested. We have almost reached the Precursor weapon and anything else that’s valuable.” It answers.

“Good. Prepare for my visit. I'll be checking on the progress soon.” He tells it.

“Copy.” It answers.

Veger then has Celestia get thrown into the cell with her other guards. Veger trots back into the castle to prepare for what's next. The KG unit walks back to his ship and flies to the mining site.

Chapter 5: The Battle Against the Precursor

In the darkness I lay tearing at what has been done. My friends, the Wonderbolts, everyone I care about is soon going to be no more and I'm stuck here not being able to do anything.

-Sniff- "Your not the only one that's crying." A mysterious voice speaks out.

"Huh... W-who’s that-their?" I ask.

"Um, c-can you help me out of this bag please?" It kindly asks.

"Uh, sure I'll try." I tell it. Then I slide myself near the bag and put my hooves on it. I'm hoof cuffed so this will be tough but like I told it, I'll try.

I find the rope and pull. It gets loose so I pull again and the bag is open. I hear buzzing and it flies out. It opens his eyes and gives a small light so we can see.

"Hey, your a Changeling." I notice.

"Mhm. Wait, your voice is familiar." He tells me.

"Names Alex, if that matters." I tell him.

"Yes it does. Remember me. I'm the one that you came to talk to when I was by the bridge." He tries reminding me.

"Oh now I remember. Um, never really got your name little one. Mind telling me?" I ask.
"Names Changeling 560, or 560 for short." 560 tells me.

"Aww, I still want to give you a nickname. Here, I'll call you Star Dust. How's that sound?"

The little Changeling smiles brightly, "Yes, Yes! I love that new name. Nopony has ever called me something nice before."

"Now that we have that out of the way, we need a way out of here. Any ideas? Oh and can you untie me please."

"Yes of course." Star Dust unties me. "For an escape idea, well that wall over their." -he points- "Is where the driver sits. If you can break it down, we could take over the ship."

"Hm, sounds like a good idea, but I've been cleaned of my weapons." I tell him.

"Really? Then what's that near your hoof?" He points.

I look down to see a mini energy blade. I then look at him as I pick it up. "You hid this from them, didn't you?"

"Correction, they never expect me to be armed." Star Dust corrects.

"Nice job kiddo." I then turn the blade on and stab the wall. The heat weakens the wall and I begin to cut through.

"What the hell!" Razor looks at me cutting. He then sharply turns the ship and I lose my balance falling and hitting my head. I slowly get up holding it, then charge and bust the wall down. I thrust the blade towards him but he grabs my hoof, and squeezes it having me drop the blade.

He then pushes me away and slides out a gun. Just as I thought I was dead, Star Dust jumps on Razors face and begins to beat him. Razor let's go of the ship controls and starts to fight back. I get up grab his gun, put Razors hoof down and take a few shots at it, trying to wound and not kill.

He growls in pain and throws Star Dust at me. Dust and I fall laying flat. Razor holds his injured hoof and pulls another gun with his good one and takes aim. "Any last words?" He smirks.

"Yes, the controls you dumb ass." I point.

So he puts the gun away and sits back down to the controls. "Fine I'll give you that one for free." He groans. But he hits a button and that ties me and Star Dust up then we get thrown into that back.

"Damn, should have seen that coming." I tell Dust.

"Ahh, it's no big deal." Star Dust says, trying to stop my worrying.

Veger finally lands the ship and opens the door, pulling us out and carrying Dust and I onto a field. When I look at the enemy we have to beat, my mouth drops.
"We're screwed!" I tell Star Dust.

"Why, what is that thing?" Dust asks.

"A Precursor Guardian." I tell him.

"Oh." -looks down- "Oh..." Dust sees the end might be near.

Razor, with his blade, trots up and lifts Dust's head with it. "Oh, it certainly is your end." He then looks up at the Precursor. "Finish them." Razor tells it. Razor then drops Dust's head and trots out but stops. "Oh and Alex, this time the Precursors will not have mercy on you." He then darkly trots out.

I look up at the Robot as it's hand turns to a gun and his other hand reaching for a Laser-saber. I feel something and look down and see my device boot up. "Psst, hey Dust." I whisper.

"What's up Alex?" He whispers back.

"See my, eh... d-device." I struggle to put my hoof in view. "Hit the red button on it. It'll begin to heat up and hopefully burn the rope weakening it and setting us free."

"Got it." For a moment Star Dust struggles then finally hits the button and I feel the device heat up.

"Nice Dust." I tell him.

The rope slowly starts snapping. The Precursors notices us trying to escape, so he aims his gun and shoots. But it's no bullet, it's 3 KGs. The KGs take aim and fire at us. I purposely take shots to break the rope, and SNAP!

The rope breaks and Star Dust and I split up. I take out the KGs as Dust distracts. The Precursor gets mad then lowers his arm at us. A mini energy gun points and he takes fire, at the same time firing lasers from his back to distract Dust and my path.

As Star Dust is galloping, trying to dodge, he sees a bomb cart on the ceiling. "Alex, look up their!" He points at it yelling to get my attention.

I look up and see three of them. "Alright, lead him near one."

"Got it." The Changeling then starts galloping towards one. "Ok Alex, he’s coming closer." Star. Dust gets a little nervous. "Um, hurry."

"Right, right. On my way." I acknowledge.

I see a weapon laying on the ground, so I dive for it and grab it. I aim then get the Precursors attention. "Hey, tin can over here." I grin.

Though, I went to far. The robot gets the Laser-saber and hits the ground, making an energy shock wave. I jump over dodging it, so he swings and I duck, him missing me. I then fire the weapon and it shoots an energy ball. The shot flies through the air and strikes the bomb cart.

It falls and hits the Precursors on the head and explodes, also making a crater in the ground. The Changeling flies back to my side as I look at the weapon. "Cool."

"No, that was awesome." Star Dust adds.

"That was kinda..." I get cut off, because the Precursors flies out and rapid fires his energy ball.

Dust and I dodge but I get hit by one and it burns. The Changeling buzzes up and pushes another Bomb cart having it fall, repeating the process of damaging the Precursor.

The robot though flies out of the crater again. "What the hell!" I shout, looking like this is pointless.

The Precursor whips around and strikes Dust with the saber and the Changeling falls motionless. "Star Dust, NOOOOOO!" I gasp. I aim and fire another shot, destroying the energy gun the Precursor was using.

The Precursor, ferrous with me, charges and hits me with a fist. I fly through the air and hit the wall, cracking as i collapse. The Precursor, slowly walks closer to finish the job. With weak hooves, the Changeling slowly gets up and flies onto the Precursor's face punching and hitting it, trying to damage the eyes of the robot.

Star Dust manages to break one of them, weakening the robots ability to see. But sadly the Precursor robot manages to grab Star Dust by the wing and throws him across the arena, Dust crashing into the wall, breaking it and it collapsing on top of him.

I slowly open my eyes to look and all I see is a collapsed wall with Star Dust missing. My eyes water and I begin to tear. Seeing the horror. I feel the darkness rising but I force it down controlling it. "No." -sniff- "No darkness..." I tell myself.

I then slowly start getting up. The Robot, half blind, sees me and puts his foot on my back slowly weakening as he pushes me back down. I feel my hooves weakening and giving in, as they slowly bend back down because of the force.

With the strength I have left, I slide my wing and grab the gun that was next to me, aim and fire wishing for the best. The energy shot soars through the air and strikes the bomb cart. Unfortunately, the cart slips but gets stuck. Me knowing that's all I could do and have no hope left, I close my eyes about to get crushed.

But, when all hope is lost, the biggest miracle happens. Somepony using magic, moves the bomb cart and it gets unstuck and hurdles towards the Precursor Robot. The Robot looks up and gets hit. It then falls back and explodes, with a high pitched "ting" sound.

I open my eyes, laying flat on my stomach seeing that he's gone. "Star Dust!" I call out. No answer. "Star Dust..." My eyes water and my tears fall on the ground in front of me. "Star...Dust..." I call one more time, almost begging he's ok.

I then slowly get up and limp towards where I last saw him. I look around at the debris. Grab parts and start digging calling Star Dusts name. When I brush a piece of wood off, his wing appears and I dig faster.

Finally I pull him out, but his eyes are closed. "Star Dust!" I call. I then check for a pulse. It's, it's weak. Scary weak... I look around and find a small Speeder Bike, one that scouts use. With the last of my strength, I pick him up and carry him to it. I strap him down and I strap myself down. Then I turn on the engine and slowly drive out of the arena.

As I drive, I stop in front of a hatch. It senses the Speeder and opens revealing sunlight and fresh air. I drive out and look around. "Hm, this place looks different." I examine. I hear drilling so I drive the Speeder Bike behind a bush and shut it down. I get off and peak my head through the bush only to find Veger and Razor with their KG units. My ear twitches as I listen to their conversation.

"Are they dead Razor?" Veger asks.

"Like you wished, hehehe." Razor answers back. "So what have we got here?" Razor asks.

"You are looking at the Precursor Tunnels to the Precursor weapon." Veger tells him.

"Ah, nice. However, what will this weapon do?" Razor asks.

"Well it's a gun that concentrates both, dark and light energy into a powerful beam that can cut and rip right through, really, anything." Veger explains.

"Sorry for so many questions, but I think this is my last one. What are we even gonna use this weapon for?" Razor asks.

"Well anything to be precise. My main goal is to fire it and that town you all know as Ponyville. Then strike terror on Cloudsdale. And finally, take out Canterlot. How's that sound Razor?" Veger tells him.

"Ohh, I could never agree more with such a devious plan. It's perfect and I like it, plus no Alex means no stopping us. Hehehe, this is our day!" Razor laughs.

"Damn, I want to attack but one, it's too risky, and two, Star Dust is weak and dying." I talk to myself. I then look at my wrist attachment and mark the location of the drilling site. "Perfect, when I get back to Cloudsdale I can show them and they will plan something out."

I turn around to trot back to my Speeder when I bump right into a KG unit. He grabs my hoof by the device and crushing it to the point of it falling off. He then walks me over and throws me to my knees in front of Razor and Veger. Both surprised look at each-other then back at me. Razor trots over and lifts my head up. "Hm, your luck to survive that Precursor guard." Veger pitches in.

"Honest, I knew you're a fighter but you, you were just lucky." Razor tells me, then leaves my head alone.

Veger looks at the KG and tells him, "Tie him up, and this time, use electric hoof cuffs."

"Roger." Then the KG does what he's told.

"You know what, we could use the weapon on him." Razor looks at Veger thinking about what they could do with me.

They both look at me and smile evilly. "Good idea Razor." Veger agrees. They then pick me up and throw me into the light-speed car and take me down the Precursor Tunnel into the weapon room.

Chapter 6: The Rescue

As I'm getting tossed around, Star Dust barely opens his eyes and looks around. What catches his eyes is my wrist device that Light Bringer gave me. Dust slowly gets up and limps over to take a closer look. He picks it up and sees it was crushed but still has the location of the dig site. "Oh no! This is Alex's. Something must have happened to him. Nopony simply crushes his hoof. Something must have surprised captured him. Grr, in my condition at the moment I can't do anything. I have to go warn somepony." Dust gasps and tells himself.

So Dust limps back to the Speeder Bike and gets on. He turns it on and speeds through the forest heading to the shield that splits the Everfree from Ponyville. At his arrival, he looks and sees the KG units attacking Ponyville. The Wonderbolts are trying to fight back but only time will tell who survives this one. The Changeling touches the shield but it shocks him. "Damn, no way in."

Then a Wonderbolt sees the Changeling and trots up to him. "What do u want?"

"Um, do you know Alex?" Star Dust asks him.

"Yes and we could certainly use the help right about now!" The Wonderbolt tells Dust as he continues fighting.

"That's what I'm here for. See, Alex has been captured and Veger is gonna test the new weapon on him first. The Precursor weapon they have dug up." Dust explains.

"Whoa, what?!?!" The Wonderbolt yells in shock.

"Please I beg to set our differences aside and let me in. I have the location and everything." Dust begs.

The Wonderbolt grabs a KG unit that's charging at him and punches a hole through the chest area shutting him down. He then hits a button on the force-field and it generates a small opening for Dust to trot in through.

“Thank you so much.” Dust happily speaks as he trots in.

“No problem, but we must hurry to save Alex in time.” The Wonderbolt speaks back.

“Alright, but who do i give this info too?” Dust asks.

“Hm, Spitfire or another Commanding Officer in Cloudsdale.” The Wonderbolt answers. “Also, I must escort you over their just in-case.” He adds.

“Alright now lets go.” Dust jumps inpatient.

“Oh, and one more thing. Take this.” The guard hands a pistol to Dust. “As you can see, Ponyville is being overrun by KG’s so you must have something to defend yourself.

“Got it.” Dust takes it and flies ahead of the Wonderbolt.

“H-hey wait up!” The Wonderbolt catches up.

As the two ponies fly, the KG units notice and send flying KG drones after them. The drones take a few shots but miss. When the first shot passes Dust, he aims backwards and shoots back, destroying one.

“Nice one Dust.”

“Hey thanks.”

But more close in and take frenzy shots. The Wonderbolt gets hit, but takes no damage. “Sucker! I've got armor on.” He mocks. He then loads a machine gun and fires away, taking out a few of the drones. However, more chase after them. To make matters worse, some KG units on the ground begin to set up AA guns.

They throw shots into the air and explode near Dust’s and the Wonderbolt’s path. They take maneuvers to dodge, but one explodes to close and Dust is effected and begins to lose altitude. The Wonderbolt flies after him, catches Dust and lands him safely.

“Dust, you alright buddy?” He worryingly asks.

Dust then gets out of the Wonderbolts hooves ready. “Yeah, I’m good.”

“Good. Um, i think we have to trot till safe territory. Because this whole area isn’t under our control and has been captured, including the sky.” The Wonderbolt explains.

“I see.” Dust looks around.

So the Wonderbolt and the Changeling quietly trot through the shadows. As they move along, a KG-tank spots their position and takes warning shots before chasing them. Dust hears the shots and warns the Wonderbolt. They then begin to gallop the path they were going, however the Tank cuts them off, so they turn around and gallop another way.

“Is their anyway to destroy this thing!?” Dust shouts.

“With us running like this and only having pistols and an assault rifle, um lets just say no!”

Then a Wonderbolt air raid led by Lighting fires there cannons, that are strapped to their backs, and the bullets penetrate destroying the heavily armed vehicle.

“Thanks! We needed that!” Both Dust and the Wonderbolt thank for the air raid.

“No problem.” Lightning acknowledges as she flies by with her squad.

Then the two ponies get back to their path and continue trotting. As the action gets less and less, they decide to take flight thinking it is safe. Luckily it is, so they are able to fly the rest of the way. Dust and the Wonderbolt land and locate Spitfire.

“Spitfire.” The Wonderbolt calls out.

“What is it this time, Thunder?” Spitfire asks.

“This Changeling right here knows what the hell is going on around here and most importantly where Alex is.” Thunder answers as he points at Dust.

“You do. Well what are we waiting for, show me.” Spitfire commands.

“Yes ma'am.” Dust salutes.

The Changeling unfolds the wrist device and shows the location and everything they need to know. Including the area, who is behind all this and what the weapon is gonna be used for.

“This is gold given right into my hooves.” Spitfire excites a little. “Anyways, Light Bringer come in this is Spitfire do you read, over.” She radios.

“This is Light reporting, what is it?” Light Bringer responds.

“Are you finished with your personal mission you had a while back, first?” Spitfire asks.

“Yes… Why?” Light asks, interestingly.

“Well, you know how we are against the KGs?”

“Yes I do, but what about them?”

“Well, they have captured Alex, luckily a Changeling that was platooning with him, was able to save the wrist device Alex had on him and it has told us everything. The location of the weapon, who is behind all this and much more. Do you care to go with the Changeling and rescue Alex for our main attack I’m gonna start planning?” Spitfire answers.

“Sure, I’m in.” Then Light Bringer appears right behind all of them, from a teleportation method.
“Alright lets go.”

All surprised, Dust and Light Bringer arm up and board a scout-craft. Light Bringer gets driver seat as Dust sits shotgun and they take off.

As they fly to rescue me, I look around to only find us, Veger, Razor and I, in a golden tube traveling at light speeds. The car finally comes to a complete stop and i look around. Nothing much is seen. All i see is a huge weapon, Dark energy on one side and Light energy on the other.

“Well, knowing I’m gonna die here, you two can at least explain how this weapon is gonna work.” I state, hoping the explanation will be long enough to serve as a stalling on my execution.

Veger and Razor look at each other then back at me. Finally they show they do have a heart, in saying, “You know what, why not. Also it’ll refresh our brains on how to operate it again.”

The two power hungry leaders trot next to the weapon and have me face it. Veger begins the explanation. “So, how this weapon works is that we feed it with Light and Dark energy. The energy is then taken and concentrated in this chamber,” -he points- “then all that energy is combined and it travels down the barrel and travels to the muzzle. The X looking muzzle strengthens the bond of Light and Dark.”

Razor concludes, “Now you may be thinking, why does it have such a high cutting power? Well let me answer that. The combination of the Light and Dark hitting an object at the same time not only cut, but the hole that is created slowly disintegrates due to the Dark matter inside the Dark energy. The Light energy just makes the Dark matter stronger due to the Light matter the Light energy has.”

“Question, will it kill me instantly, or will i see my body slowly disappear due to the Dark matter?” I ask trying to keep the conversation going.

“Upon impact, if you're strong enough, you will live, but you will also feel the pain and see that your body is disappearing to the Dark matter. If you're not strong enough, you could die due to the power. So it depends on you and not on the weapon when survival is spoken of." Razor answers.

Veger then adds, "We will be kind enough to let you keep your armor on as we test the weapon on you. We just want to see exactly how and what the power is and what it would do to a strong material."

"So now that we have the questions out of the way," -Veger and Razor look at each other, grinning- "Now on too the plan." They then pick me up and trot me to a platform then strap me down. Razor and Veger then go to the controls and take aim.

"Hehe, you're lucky the weapon needs two minutes to cool down. We were testing to see if it worked after all these years, which surprisingly it works nicely." Razor tells me.

"Oh? So then what are we gonna do to pass the time?" I speak but have my hooves crossed for otherwise to happen.

"Well it was impressive as how you destroyed the Precursors Robot." Veger congratulates.

"I saw bomb carts over his head so I simply dropped them on his head slowly peeling away on his armor till the third one fractured and destroyed his energy core. Then he just went boom." I answer the method I used.

"Interesting." Razor then checks the weapon and it has a minute till ready. Razor then looks at me and I'm just holding my head up hardly smiling knowing this could be the end. "30 seconds left." He announces as time moves on.

"Sigh, looks like you two finally get what you wanted..." I say trying to unleash pain into their hearts on purpose.

After me saying that, Razor's memories of fighting me in the past when I was with Echo appear. I notice as he changes to the feeling of those memories and I whisper to myself, "Gotcha."

Razor starts to blurt out, "Hey w-what if Alex joined us!?"

Veger, surprised and suspicious, asks, "Wait what? Did your feelings for him finally get to you?"

Razor embarrassed trots to the weapon and says, "Never mind, let's test this on him." As he wipes a tear.

Veger tries to hold in a laugh as he sees I made Razor tear. "You're pathetic and you know that Razor. He, an enemy that you deeply hate, has made you cry and have feelings for him. That's an embarrassment."

Razor agitated yells, "Shut the hell up or I'll point this at you!" He threatens.

"Whoa! Not a wise decision. Now let's fire the damn thing so we don't have to listen to his kindness or we'll all fall under his spell." Veger jumps.

My ears twitch as I hear a ship land near by and the Light tunnels activate. I also see Veger and Razor look around in interest. "What and why are the tunnels activated? And who is using the Light car?" Veger questions.

Then in a flash, two ponies jump out of the vehicle as it flies out of control and crashes near Razor and explodes. "Back away from the weapon, NOW!" Light Bringer orders.
"Pfft, or what? Razor laughs, as he aims towards Light Bringer.

Light Bringer then eye-signals Star Dust to sneakily trot over and free me. So, he does trot over and gets to work as Light Bringer distracts.

Tired of waiting, Razor turns the weapon on and it begins to charge the beam aimed at Light. "Light move!" I yell.

Razor looks at me as I shout and then aims towards me. "F**k not what I meant!"

The weapon charges a little more and it fires. The beam travels towards me, but luckily i feel the rope loosen. I dive just dodging the beam as it hits the wall i was strapped to. Star Dust also does the same in ducking and barely getting hit. I then crawl away from the beam, get up and gallop after Razor.

Razor calm, he turns the weapon for me and now i find myself galloping away from the beam. Light Bringer sees this so she gets a Thermal Detonator and throws it at Razor. It explodes damaging the weapon and shutting it down, also making Razor jump back as he gets injured from the explosion.

Veger calls in heavy KG units to fight us as he looks for an escape plan. The three of us, Light Bringer, Star Dust and I, duke it out with the KGs and break through the enemy defense. I then grab a pistol off the ground and point at Veger. “Hold, you mongrel. You aren't going anywhere!”

“Funny you think that.” Veger grins revealing a red button.

“You wouldn't dare!” Dust pitches in.

“Try me!” Veger pressures.

Light Bringer looks at Dust and I and says, “We best do what he wants.”

“Sigh, you're probably right.” I agree.

So Light, Dust and I drop our weapons. Veger seeing this enlightens with power. “Good~ hehehe.”

A few more KGs walk over from behind us and they mercilessly grab our hooves and hold us down, in place. Veger pulls out a laser-beam pistol and looks at us grinning. “Looks like I win again. Now who to shoot first?”

I struggle to try and escape but I feel a cold barrel get aimed to my back so I stop. “No, d-don't do this V-Veger.” Razor struggles to speak finally, slowly, turning good.

Veger annoyed with Razor, whips around and shoots him in the hoof. Watching this, me and my platoon gasp in the betrayal we just saw.

“Nothing personal Razor.” Veger tells him, then turns around to face us. He then looks back at Razor slightly, “Oh yeah, and i got a replacement to take your place.” Veger then presses a button on his wrist and a huge red Mech hovers down and lands.

“Say WHAT?! How are you still alive?” Light Bringer explodes.

“Who is or i mean what is this Mech or who or you know what I’m asking.” I stutter in shock of the appearance of the robot.

“Its Errol He was a power hungry Krimzon like Veger.” Light tells me.

“Hehehe, but i live, thanks to the KGs I’m still alive. Also thanks to Veger for finding me to be able to take over with him.” Errol speaks in a mechanical voice.

As Veger and Errol get ready to kill me and my friends, Razor slowly pulls out a 20 mm scoped pistol and takes aim. “Nothing personal.” Razor mocks. He pulls the trigger and the bullet leaves the barrel.

Veger looks at me and aims. “We’ll start with y…” Then he collapses.

Errol hearing where the shot came from, goes after Razor. Dust, Light and I backwards headbutt the KGs and they let us go. I whip around punching the first one and knifing the second with my blade. Dust, goes for the third and breaks its head as Dust stabs the gun he found and destroys the first.

I then look over at Razor and Errol to find that they are brawling each other. Errol puts Razor into a fist lock and a weapon appears from his back. Errol then locks on and the weapon fires a hole right through Razors head killing him.

I gasp in shock of what I just saw. Seconds later, I grab a sniper rifle, take aim and fire at Errol The bullet hits but he is unaffected. I take another shot and it ricochets off. Errol laughs at our struggle, then he turns on a portal and jumps through it.

"Let's go after him." Dust yells.

Light Bringer puts her hoof on Dust's shoulder. "No, let's not."

"Well why not..." Dust begins but is cut off by the place shaking.

"We must leave, NOW!" Light orders.

So we are scrambling on our hooves and looking for an exit. We go to get on the light track but it collapses.

Light Bringer then grabs me and Dust by our hooves and teleports us out of their. We appear above the base near the bushes I first was before capture. When we look back towards the light tunnel, it collapses into itself and disappears. All we see now is nothing but broken ground and dirt everywhere.
"Thanks, that was, um close." I begin.

"Sure was." Dust agrees.

"Yeah, but this is not over yet. Alex, Spitfire would like to speak to you about the plan she has in mind. Our only target left is Errol When he gets killed, the construction and attack of the KG units will hopefully stop." Light tells us.

"Didn't we figure that their was a floating base making all these robots?" I ask.

"Yes and I have just confirmed it. Look up and you'll see it." Light tells me.

So I do and like Light Bringer told me, she is correct. There is a KG factory up their. "Alright let's get back to Cloudsdale." I tell them looking back at my team.

"Alright, climb aboard." Light tells us as she starts the scout-craft up. So Dust and I get inside and strap down. Light takes us into the air and heads for Cloudsdale.

Chapter 7: Sacrifice

After some time of flying, we enter Ponyville but the KGs see us and get their AA guns aimed and fire at us. One of them strike our wing and we start to lose altitude. Light Bringer teleports out of the craft.

Dust and I have no idea where but we eject the ship and are now flying using our wings. Dust and I fly past all the Anti-Air guns and are now landing to continue trotting. I look back and I see that no one is following, so Dust and I continue to trot.

In a different part of the sector, the one Dust and I are nearing, two mare ponies are confused a little about what is going on.

"Ahh, what a bright and shiny day." A mare with a cute pink mane and tail trots out of her house looking around.

"Hey Alice!" Another mare with a red and blue mane and tail tells her.

"Skies!" Alice runs up and hugs. "How are you doing today?"

"I'm doing well Alice, however I hear loud noises but can't see anything. Can you tell me what's going on?" Skies asks because she's blind.

"Sure thing." Alice says as she looks around. "Hm, all I see is red robots in the air fighting with Wonderbolts so maybe a training session."
"Oh, well alright I'll be careful not to get in the way. I have to go now, see you later Alice." Skies tells her as she begins to fly off, completely undetected by the KGs.

Alice then starts to trot down the street to have a relaxing trot when out of no where, a KG lands and aims at her. "Ha! That's a joke." Alice laughs as she charges dark magic and fires at it disintegrating the enemy.

Then a few more land. But Alice simply kills them. However the KGs have had enough, so they come in with an elite team. Alice begins to have trouble, however, she has a magical shield protecting her so she will be fine for a while but not for long. The KGs fire at her but the bullets simply ricochet and bounce off.

Alice uses her magic as much as she can, but slowly starts to fail. Her shield zapping on and off. As I trot, I see Alice and gallop towards her. I draw a sword jump up and slice through two of them. I whip around to face the KGs that are now around me. I put my wings up to protect Alice. She looks up at me and is stunned.

The KGs position themselves. I draw another sword and cross them in front of me trying to intimidate them. One charges at me but I put my blade into his path and the unit is destroyed. The others fire at me, but I turn on a small shield and hit the bullets back at them using my wings.

I then charge and spin myself cutting a bunch of them. One sneaks past me and gallops after Alice. Seeing he’s the only one left, I gallop, jump and land with my back towards him. With the power of sense, i strike downward with my sword and it goes through the robot killing it.
Alice’s shield turns off as she looks up at me. I look back down at her smiling warmly. “Are you alright?” I ask.

“Y-yes I’m fine. Thank you. I thought i had them but they overwhelmed me.” Alice answers.

Suddenly in pain, she looks down holding her horn. “Ahh, it, it burns.”

“Will you be alright?” I worry.

“I just need to lay down and i should be alright.” She tells me.

“I can fly you to safety if you would like.” I offer.

‘No, no. Its alright, i can handle it.” Alice tells me.

“You sure?” I question.

“Yes I’m sure.” She answers.

“Well alright I’ll be on my way. Take care.” I tell her.

“I will.” She tells me then trots off.

Dust then lands next to me and i turn to look at him. “Alex, w-what happened, you just flew off in another direction leaving me.”

“Sorry dude, saw trouble in this area and i needed to help.” I lie trying to hide the fact that i actually wanted to help Alice who I saw was in danger.

“Oh. And everything is alright now?” He asks.

“In this area yes. Hey lets keep going.” I order.

“Right!” He agrees. So, Dust and I jump up and take into the sky nearing Cloudsdale.

Alice looks around to make sure she isn't being followed. Then starts to think to herself. “I, I think I like him. He saved me and was the only one out of everyone that could’ve. Hm, I wonder where he went. One minute he’s there, the next he’s gone. Damn, I never even got his name. That’s ok, I’ll run into him again, i think. But still, I want to meet him again. I felt something strong between us when he came to help me. Its hard to explain in words what i feel. I've just never felt it before. Its just wow.”

Dust and I finally land in Cloudsdale and find Spitfire. We tell her everything that we know and that has happened. We then tell her about the floating station above us. “I see.” Spitfire begins.

Spitfire then hands me the keys to a vehicle. "Yes I did see your blueprints for it and yes I did make it." She tells me.

"You mean the Hellcat cruiser?" I question.

"Yup that's the one." Spitfire confirms.

"Where is it located?" Dust asks.

"Right over their." Spitfire points to a ship landed and idling on the landing platform.

Dust and I trot over to look at it. "Nice." Dust says.

"This puppy is a monster of a fighting ship. And when not in use for weapons, it makes an awesome ship to cruise in." I tell him as I climb into the driver seat.

Dust climbs into the back turrets and turns them on. I put the key in and turn. The ship turns on and I set it to slowly fly upwards. Thrusts come out from underneath lifting it like a helicopter taking off. I then turn off the bottom thrusts and turn on the back having the ship fly forward as I angle it upwards towards the location of the KG factory.

As we near the base, flying units, tanks and AA-guns open fire. I avoid the shots as I make maneuvers. Dust opens fire using the rear turrets taking out some of the tanks. I load a Torpedo, aim and fire at one of the supports. The propeller explodes and I notice a flicker as it's destroyed. “Their is a shield and destroying all four supports will bring the shield down.” I think to myself.

As i pilot the Hellcat, Dust takes aim and fires at another support destroying that one. “Haha! Yes!” We both chant.

Suddenly, an AA gun hits our side panel and the wing catches fire. I Quickly shut it down and we are now going at a slower speed. I load another Torpedo and fire at the third support. It hits and the support crashes on most of the defense turrets around the base. Dust turns the turret and is now aimed at the last one. He takes aim and fires. In a frenzy, the bullets shoot out and the support is destroyed.

I then see the shield go out, so i gun it to the landing platform, at the same time, being careful not to overheat the damaged wing. As i move in, Dust take the turret and aims forward shooting anything that’s in the way. After the LZ (Landing Zone) has been cleared, I land the ship and trot out. Dust gets up and climbs down and follows me into the base.

We quietly trot through the door looking at our corners making sure no one will sneak attack us. When we fully enter the base, we see KGs everywhere. I take aim and fire killing a unit. After all are alert, Dust and I gallop in fire at whatever moves. Metal pieces and robot parts fly everywhere.

One gets a shot into me and it burns, but i keep fighting. After the room is cleared, we have to cross a bridge that separates the base to another part of the base. Dust and I slowly trot across it being careful.

When getting to the other side, we look up to see turrets aimed at us. As the turrets fire at our position, I grab a Thermal Detonator and toss it over blowing a hole in the wall for me and Dust to gallop too. After entering, i whip my hoof into a guard standing there and knocking him out of balance. Dust fires his hidden blade into the guard on his side. When the guard i hit looks back up, i punch him upwards then punch him straight in the muzzle.

He slides across the ground having a bloody muzzle. He looks to his side and breaks a piece of glass and pulls out a flamethrower. He hits the trigger and fire spews everywhere. Dust and I fly up into the air and wait for a few seconds. The moment the flames die down, i fly fast and low with my hoof out. Moments later, i strike the enemy into the stomach knocking him off the base and he falls to his doom.

After that, Dust finds a vent and looks through it. He sees another part of the base. So i trot over and cut a hole for us to go through using a laser i had with me. Dust and I jump down and look around. Then i here jet-packs turn on right from behind us. I look back and see they are KG air units with Gauss Cannons strapped to their backs.

They take aim and fire. Dust and I jump backwards dodging the mini explosions. The KGs start to charge at us, but Dust and I jump up as they ram into a wall. While I’m in mid air, i pull out an Energy Sword and stab the KGs jet-pack as i land. Upon removing the sword, the jet-packs go crazy and raise two of the three, seeing that Dust copied my move, and sends them into the air into a fiery explosion. The last one then gets another and frenzy fires at us. Dust and I do our best at dodging but begin to get overwhelmed due to the floor getting cracks and falling apart because of the impacts of the Gauss Cannon.

When i see the time is right, i pull out my Energy Sword and deflect one back at the KG unit. It hits him and sends him off balance. I then take my sword and throw it at him. The throw is successful and it was able to puncture the jet-pack He flies up out of control and explodes. I check and see that the coast is clear, so Dust and I keep moving forward. We run into some more enemy and even KG dispensers but by luck we get through. Finally, I find the control room and quietly enter.

"Strange, rooms empty." Dust tells me.

"Yeah your right. Kinda odd of the enemy to leave the most important area unguarded." I reply back.

"You were saying." A mysterious robot voice speaks out as I hear it hovering over us.

I look up to find that's it's Errol "You!" I call him out in despise.

"That's right it's me and this whole factory is mine. It will make and send KG units forever. Hehehe." He laughs.

"Not if Dust and I can help it!" I shout at him.

"Oh, and how are you gonna do that?" He questions.

I then fly up and punch him right across the face and then fly to his other side and punch him again right in the back of the head. Then I fly, grab him and throw him into the controls. He gets mad.

"Alright, you asked for this." He hits a button and dark creatures come from one of the tunnels and attack me and Dust.

I fight them but they are strong. One grabs me by the wing and throws me at Dust. I look up and shoot my gun at them. They dodge then come flying right at me and Dust. Quickly, I turn around and buck it right in the head. The force throws it into an electric gate killing it.

I grab Dusts hoof and help him up. We are then back in our fighting poses fighting off the others, which we do and win. Errol then runs to another control panel and hits another button sending a mix of the creatures and KGs to fight us.

Dust and I fight off the KGs first then begin to fight the dark creatures. As I struggle to fight, I wonder what the heck are these dark things. Eventually, Dust and I do fight them off but are severely hurt. "Give up, I win!" Errol laughs at our weakry.

After he laughs, my eyes turn red and my mane starts to flow with electricity. "You want to go! I'll beat you right NOW!"

Then Dust jumps at me and pins me down to the ground. "Alex snap out of it. He's doing this on purpose. Remember, when someone turns dark, it hurts their good and they stay evil for a long time."
I blink my eyes a few times then they go back to normal. "Ugh, s-sorry Dust."

"It's ok, just remember he is manipulating with you. Well, trying to. Just use your anger into your strength for good not bad."

"Got it." I tell him, as he gets off me.

I get up and look at Errol as he is just about to punch Dust and I. Quickly, I grab my Energy Sword and slice upwards cutting his chest and sending him back. He lands on a control unit and it explodes. After the first one goes, a chain reaction happens and all of them go off. I look to my right seeing a portal that leads outside. "Dust go save yourself, he's mine."

"Alex, don't do this." Dust cries back.

Out of nowhere a huge chunk of metal falls and crashes between us breaking the glassy ground and sending Dust backward closer to the portal. I get up and go after Errol Dust begins to jump towards me, but I push him away and he lands right in front of the portal. I grab a Detonator and throw it at the other side blowing up the rest of the ground.

Dust, thinking it was gonna hit him, jumps backward and enters the portal getting sent to where I parked the Hellcat. As things explode around him, he has no choice and gets in and flies away. I pin Errol to the wall and punch him. Punch after punch over and over. He then punches me in the stomach and uses his small cannon on his robotic hand to fire and shoot me. I get hit and fly across the ground. Just before falling through the crack, I grab the edge and hold on.

Errol walks over and steps on one of my hooves. The pain makes me let go so I hold on with my other. "Errol please don't."

"To bad." He smirks then steps on my last one. I let go and begin to fall, but quickly shoot a grappling hook to the top. I then climb back up and jump kick him in the back. He flies forward and I pick him up and throw him at the portal’s mainframe. The portal shuts off and Errol gets zapped heavily with electricity. He gets up and jumps to hit me, but I punch in a downward motion on to his back making him crash onto the ground.

He closes his fists together and punches me in an upward motion as he jumps up sending me backwards. I land and look to the left of me to find a pipe. I pick it up and uses it as a staff. I gallop and thrust it forward hitting Errol then hit him up and back down. Then I take the staff and whip it across his face knocking him down. I then kick him up and bat him as he's in the air. He flies and hits the wall cracking it.

He gets up and fires a shot at me but I bat it away, gallop, jump up and smash the pipe on him bending it. He quickly then punches me a few times in the face then grabs my body and knees me in the back injuring me severely. He then throws me across the ground. He sees the pipe and kicks it up to him and takes it. "Not bad fighting, I must say you are good, however the ties have turned." As he walks towards me, I use my dark power to strengthen my body then turn my tail into a mace as my mane flows with electricity. Meaning I'm not full dark, I'm just controlling what powers I use.

I purposely stay still and weak then when Errol gets close enough, I jump-spin and smash his chest with the spike ball at the end of my tail which sends him flying right into the power core. Him landing their damages it and the power goes berserk. Me seeing that, I turn back into normal and run for an eject pod but then BOOM! The factory explodes.

Star Dust looks behind him and sees a bright flash as the KG factory falls apart. “Alex, NOOOO!!!!” He cries. Dust slowly turns his head back to watch where he is flying. After sometime, he lands the ship in the hanger and slowly trots out.

Other ponies look up at the flash and watch the factory come down and crash near the mountains. The Wonderbolts finish off the rest of the KGs and begin to rebuild. The Changelings finish off what's left at their village and also begin to rebuild. Dust trots through Ponyville with his head down and all he does is trot over and sits down by the river and does nothing but look at it as small tears run down his face.

One pony in particular sees him and trots over shyly. She knows however that Dust is my friend after seeing him with me, so she sits down and talks to Dust. “Hey, are you ok?” She kindly asks.

Dust slowly turns to see who it is then back at the water shaking his head sadly. “What's wrong?” She asks. “Oh, and my name is Alice by the way.”

“W-well, I lost a great friend that sacrificed himself for everyone…” Dust tells her.
“Oh… I’m sorry to hear that.” Alice hugs him. “Um, what was his name? If that’s ok to ask.”

“Alex was his name. He went down as a war hero.” Dust sadly answers.

“The one that saved me when i was attacked?” Alice jumps.

“Y-yes…” Dust tears up again.

Alice then grabs Dust and hugs him tightly also crying. “I was hoping to see him again. B-but…” Dust wipes her tears away. “I know…”

As the two ponies shed tears for me, I fall from the sky and land right into the water in front of them, making a big splash. Alice and Dust quickly jump and look in as they see me sink. Alice quickly jumps in and pulls me out, as my eyes are closed. “Alex!” They both call my name but get no response. Alice checks my pulse and sees that its pulsing and my heart is working, however I’m unconscious.

“What do we do?” Dust asks.

“Help me carry him to my place. I’ll treat him.” Alice tells him.

“Alright.” Dust agrees.

Chapter 8: The Date And The Mare That Truly Cared For Me

A while later, Alice opens the door to her home and Dust trots in and lays me down on a bed. Alice checks my wings for other causes of injury and checks if my hooves are alright which they are. She then checks my head and sees there is a scar there, so she bandages it up and finally tucks me in with a blanket.

Dust leaves the house shortly after because its getting late. Alice gives a small kiss on my forehead and trots upstairs to her bedroom and falls asleep. After the night passes by, i slowly get up holding my head in pain. I look around and question, “Where am i?” Then i see a pink maned mare trot over to check on me. “Are you alright?” Alice asks.

“Kinda.” I respond. “Wait, you're Alice, right?”

“Yes i am.” Alice smiles warmly and gently bops my muzzle.

I blush a little but try to hide it. “I’m guessing this is your home. But first, i must thank you for treating me.”

She giggles a little as i blush. “Yes it is and you're welcome. Also quit trying to hide your blush, it makes you look just that much cuter.” She smiles warmly.

My blush reddens as she says that. Alice then kisses me on the cheek. “I’m glad your alright. I was really worried when Dust came back but you weren’t with him.”

What i hear just warms my heart and i hug her deeply, as my eyes slightly water. “Thank you Alice, for helping me and treating me.” The hug doesn't just warm my heart, it also brings it to light and i feel the dark powers i had, set me free. I can still use them, but they are under my control. After, the hug and Alice giving me something to nom on, I trot out the door and fly back to Cloudsdale where a welcome home party exists.

After that, things continued on the same. No attacks, i just worked at my Headquarters building new toys for myself to use. Upgrading my armor, learning Telekinesis and learning anything else that i must know about my dark powers. It felt kinda boring to be honest. After a few years pass, which leads the story to the present, I was quite hurt after one of my SSPs that i thought i could trust turned dark and betrayed me. Mist just left me, so i tried to move on and did, but the good memories kept coming back.

Autumn Heart, a close friend of mine, trots over and puts her wing around me. “Alex, I’m sorry for what happened, however i know somepony that would love to be with you.”

“R-really?” i sadly reply.

“Yes. Would you like to meet her?” She asks.

“Yes, I would love to.” I happily reply.

So Autumn trots me over to the mares house and she opens the door. Next to that mare, Blaze another friend of mine, is standing next to her. “He’s the one I was talking to you about sweetie.” Blaze begins.

Autumn trots over to Blaze and watches as Alice and I get to know each-other.

She looks up at me. “Hello, whats your name?”

“My name is Alex. Whats yours?”

“My name is Alice. Nice to meet you Alex. Hold on, that name is familiar. Have we meet before?” Alice tries to remember.

“As in you saving me, yes we have.” I tell her.

She then tackle hugs me. “It really is you!”

I blush as i hold her in my hooves. “How have we not seen each-other after that?” I ask.

“I don’t know. We meet and talked once. Ever since that, we never saw each-other again.” Alice answers.

“To me, it looks like a mystery. So, any reason for the long face?” I ask.

“Maybe the same reason for yours.” Alice responds.

“We’ll just leave you two to be together now.” Blaze and Autumn tell us as they begin to trot off.

“So Alice, want to go anywhere?” I ask.

“Surprise me.” Alice replies.

“Ok.” So i call in my newly made Hellcat cruiser and we trot in and sit down.

“Whoa! You made this?”

“Yes i have. You like it?”

“I love it. Its so awesome.”

I then fly her to Sugarcube Corner. Their, i land and we trot out. I open the door for her and she gives me a kiss on the cheek as she trots in. I smile and blush as i follow her in. Inside i find us a spot. After sitting down and finding out what she would like, i go up and order. Trotting back, i show Alice some of my powers as i set the Sundaes down.

After taking my seat next to her, i put my wing around her, pick up my spoon and she picks hers up. I take a small scoop of mine as Alice takes a small scoop of hers and we feed each other, cutely. After finishing Alice begins, “Alex, this was perfect. Thank you.”

“Your welcome Alice.” I smile and nuzzle her. As Alice blushes, she kisses my cheek and says,
“Alex, will you like to be my SSP?”

I pick Alice’s hoof up and look into her eyes. “I would love to.”

Alice then wraps her hooves around me and kisses me deeply. I hold the kiss as our eyes slowly close. Moments after, i slowly break the kiss and open my eyes. “I love you Alice, so much. You are more special than any mare I’ve ever meet.”

“And you are the sweetest colt I’ve ever meet. Honestly, you've taken my heart and healed it.” She replies.

“I was thinking the exact same thing Alice. Never have i felt this feeling before.”

“Neither have I. There is such a strong bond between us.”

“I couldn't agree more.” I hug her deeply.

After our first date, Alice and I knew that our love was true. And to this day we still are together and fight on to keep each-other going, even if there is a bump in the way. Like my friend Sketchie Pallet says, “True friends are never apart. Maybe in distance but not in the heart.”