Chapters Star Trot: These Are The Voyages Of The Starship Everfree...
"Princess!" gasped Twilight as she sprinted into the enormous throne room, "We came as fast as we could!"
Outside, one could hear the voices of Ponyville. However, it wasn't peaceful and serene, as one may expect, but rather confused and worried. Everypony was spreading rumors like Luna had been kidnapped or the planet itself was on the verge of destruction.
As the remaining Elements of Harmony burst in through the doorway, sloppily bowing as they did so, Twilight continued, "Is Dischord loose again? Please tell me it's not parasprites! Oh princess, what in Equestria could be so important, that you need all of Ponyville to be here?"
"Ironically enough, my faithful student, it's not what IN Equestria, it's what's NOT in Equestria." The princess explained. Everypony became silent.
Everypony spoke out at once, "What?"
"In fact, it has nothing to do with this planet..."
"Aliens..." murmured Rainbow Dash
"In a sense, yes." The look on the ponies' faces turned from worry, to terror. Everypony started to panic but the princess spoke up again, "But do not worry! For years, our top scientists have been looking into space travel and extraequestrial life-"
"AH! THE EXCITEMENT HAS BEEN DOUBLED! ONE MONTH UNTIL WE LAUNCH!" Luna burst in ecstatically, "-ahem- sorry. My dearest sister, we are overjoyed to announce that construction is nearly complete! Within a month we will be able to achieve warp five!"
"Oh! That's wonderful!" Celestia exclaimed! The ponies' terrified looks changed to utter confusion. Celestia continued, "We have been working on warp travel for some time now. And we've hit a new milestone! Warp five!"
"Princess what's going on?" twilight interrupted, "Why haven't I heard of this 'warp travel'?"
"I'm sorry Twilight, but this is extremely confidential. And dangerous."
"But- I- best- student-Hrmph!" Twilight grunted
"There is one more thing I need from everypony. Gather this list of ponies and bring them to me one at a time."
"Will ya at least tell us wha's goin on?" asked Applejack as she glanced out the window. "Ya might wanna tell somepony soon. The crowd is getting really nervous out there!"
"Later Applejack. Pinkie, let me see you first."
"Okie dokie loki!" The others left as Pinkie bounced over. "Whaddya need princess?"
"Pinkie, hold out your hoof," she placed a sleek silver blaster in Pinkie's hoof.
"What's this?"
"Its a phaser. Pinkie, I'm assigning you the position of tactical officer on the ship." said Celestia.
"OOH! Tactical! So it's kind of like chess? Chess is a tactical game! Is this my chess piece?" Pinkie started waving the phaser in the air.
"Umm, yes! *AAH!* Well, *WOAH* not really... *EEK* STOP WAVING THAT THING AROUND!!!" shrieked Celestia.
Of course, no sooner had the princess said this, Pinkie accidentally hit the trigger button and shot a window out. The ponies outside saw this and started to panic even more.
"Pinkie, you will be in charge of security on the ship. You need to pick a security team." Celestia vacantly said, examining the raging crowd outside. "Now could you get me Fluttershy?"
"OOH! There's a ship? Is it like a pirate ship? Or a-"
"Pinkie..."
"OH! Yes! Away I go! And i know just the fillies for my security team!" Pinkie, still wondering about the ship, bounced out of the room. Outside the door, three faint voices were heard shouting, "Cutie Mark Crusaders Security Team! YAY!!!"
Fluttershy entered next. "Yes my princess?" she said meekly.
"Fluttershy, I need you to be the doctor on the ship." exclaimed Celestia.
"I don't really know if I- What I mean is-I don't even-doctor... *sigh* I don't know..." Fluttershy stuttered.
"Fluttershy, please? Do it for your friends. Do it for all of Ponyville!"
"Well, If you say so... But I have to ask, that is, if it's ok for me to do so, what ship are we talking about?"
"Fluttershy, be a dear and send in Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity. Ok?"
"Ok..." the yellow pegasus left as the next three entered.
"What can we do ya fer, princess?" asked Applejack.
"Well ponies, you three are perhaps the most important on the ship."
"Now wait just a moment! What ship?" interrupted Rainbow Dash.
"Time will tell, you three, just wait. Anyway, Applejack will be the chief engineer and Rainbow Dash will be at the helm. Rarity will run the translator and be in charge of communications."
"Why do we need a translator?" asked Rarity.
"You don't know what you might find out there!" the princess said with a wink, "Now send in Twilight." The three ponies exited wondering out loud about what was "out there."
Twilight walked in with a concerned look still on her face. "Princess, why didn't you let me study warp travel?"
The princess smiled, "Because friendship is something that requires much more studying! I couldn't have you stop something that important!"
"Yea, you're right... But, what about this ship I keep hearing about?"
"Twilight, I'm glad you asked. I'm talking about a starship. I'm appointing you as captain."
"A starship? But, that's, err, impossible! Or, rather improbable..." stuttered Twilight.
"Oh, Twilight... You make me laugh sometimes. But this is true! You are the captain of the E.S.S. Everfree, and the citizens of Ponyville are your crew."
"I still don't believe it..." said Twilight.
"Well you better start believing! You launch in a month! Your job is to make sure everyone is ready by then! I will call people in for specialty training. Good luck Captain Sparkle!"
"Please don't call me that..."
Twilight left the room. It was going to be a strange month
*at the end of the month*
There she was, the great silver beacon of modern pony technology. She was a beautiful ship, with triple warp engines capable of warp 5. The shining ship sat idly in space dock as the final preparations were made.
"This is Twilight to engineering, are we ready?"
"Ah think so Twilight! Warp engines are standin by!"
"Good! Twilight to Starfleet Command, are we clear for undocking?"
"Ready when you are Captain Sparkle!"
Everypony on the bridge snickered as Twilight flushed red. "Princess please, I asked you not to call me that... Erm, release the docking clamps..."
The ship shook as all the clamps were released. Twilight took a big breath in and said, "Rainbow, give me full impulse until we clear orbit. Then take us to the nearest star system, maximum warp!"
"You're the boss! Gosh if only the Wonderbolts could see me now!"
"Good luck my little ponies!" Celestia said to nopony in particular.
Pinkie piped up, "Wow! All six of us on the bridge! I guess this is a true FRIENDSHIP!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Everybody glared at pinkie, then the bridge was silent, full of fear, and anticipation. The only sound was that of the warp engines. Nopony knew what was out there. Nopony knew what to expect.
Twilight quietly spoke out, “Space: the final frontier. This is the beginning of the starship Everfree. Its mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no pony has gone before.” Rainbow Dash entered the coordinates and they jumped to warp.
Star Trot: These Are The Voyages Of The Starship Everfree...
The gleaming starship hurtled through space. Twilight had just finished dinner and entered the bridge.
"Mmmm...." Twilight sighed contently, "The Cakes sure can cook! Rainbow, where are we?"
"We're about three minutes out of Alpha Equine, Captain Sparkle! Bahahahah!" Everypony burst out laughing.
"EVERYPONY QUIT CALLING ME THAT!" shouted Twilight.
A few minutes later they arrived at Alpha Equine. The sun only had one orbiting planet. A small blue planet only about the size of mars. In a more calm tone she asked "Does the planet have warp capabilities?"
"Yes it does Twilight!" said Rarity, ducking as Pinkie spun in her chair, waving a phaser around.
"Are there any ships nearby?" Twilight asked.
Her question was answered as a phaser blast hit the ship. "We're being hailed," grumbled Rarity. "Oh they have some nerve!"
"Put them on screen" said Twilight nervously.
A figure shrouded in shadow came up on screen. Nopony could tell what it was. It spoke in a strange language unknown to ponykind. A strange symbol hung on a flag behind him.
"Rarity, could you translate that?"
"Yes captain, err, lets see... It roughly says, 'you have invaded our space, what is your purpose here?' Also, the translator is up and running, we should be able to understand him, er, her. Oh whatever..."
"We come in peace," said Twilight, "we're explorers from Equestria, and we-"
Twilight was cut off, "Oh! Come to pick up your spy huh? Tell me why I shouldn't destroy your ship now! Spying is an act of war!"
Twilight quickly responded, "Please! We don't know this spy, but maybe we could help you locate it! We would gladly help!"
"I would like to come aboard and talk with your superior." said the figure, "As long as I need to talk, we'll spare you. Be prepared for my arrival in fifteen minutes."
The screen went blank. "Well, we aren't dead..." Twilight said, not very reassuringly. "Lets get ready to contact Celestia..."
Fifteen minutes later, the alien came aboard. It was a strange sight. It had the head, torso, and arms of a human, and the body of a horse. It came alone. Everypony was frightened, but they said nothing about it.
Twilight also came alone. She quivered as she said, "Welcome aboard. Now how can we help?"
"I would like to talk with your superior." said the figure.
"Can I at least have your name"
"Let me talk with your superior." the figure repeated.
Twilight reluctantly agreed As they made their way to the briefing room. The figure sat down at the table as Twilight activated the console and sent a message to Starfleet.
Celestia quickly opened a channel back to Everfree. "What is it Twilight?"
"I can answer that question." interrupted the alien, "I am a captain in the Centaurian Dominion. We own all of the planets within two light years of here. What I need to talk about is your spy, we captured him and we are ready to kill him if you do not comply."
Celestia was puzzled, "What spy?"
"Don't play dumb with me! Tell me why you are spying on us!" shouted the figure.
"Tell me your species." said Celestia.
"We are centuars, but what's it to you?" snapped the Centuar.
"My enemy Dischord spoke to me through magical connection, and he only said one thing to me. He said, look out for centuars."
"Well he was right! We will KILL your spy and then take over your planet! This is war!" the centuar shouted.
"But we aren't spying... We-" Celestia started to say.
"So am I supposed to believe that? Your enemy is spying on us? Do you have any idea how redicul-"
"What does the spy look like?" interrupted Celestia.
"Why don't YOU tell ME?" the centaur demanded!
"Because WE are NOT spying on you!" the alicorn shot back.
"Fine! The spy is a shape shifter, but his true form is a very mixed up creature. Sort of a long body, with lizard and eagle parts. He also-" the centaur was interrupted again.
"Enough, now I know it is Dischord." said the princess. "Twilight!"
"Yes princess?"
"To are to have your crew find this spy, and capture him. Bring him back to me so I can question him. I need him alive!" stated the princess.
"Sure thing princess!" Twilight walked over to the console and contacted the bridge. "Twilight to bridge. Pinkie, get you and your security team down here. And put the ship on tactical alert."
"Aye aye captain! This is gonna be so fun..." Twilight giggled as she heard pinkie still talking as she walked away from the communicator.
A short thirty minutes later, Twilight had briefed the security team of their mission.
"Let's go through it one more time." twilight said.
"We take a shuttle to the planet," said Sweetie Belle.
"Then we pick up Dischord and return to the ship." continued Scootaloo.
"Then we throw the meany pants in the brig!" stated Pinkie.
"And we switch shifts fir watching 'im till we get 'im to the princess!" Finished Applebloom.
"Alright my little ponies! You have two hours! Prepare yourselves!" said Twilight.
Then the time came. The security team boarded the shuttle and set off to the planet. As the team neared the surface, they set phasers to stun and listened to Pinkie ramble on about how excited she was.
"This is gonna be SO MUCH FUN!" Pinkie giggled, "I am SO throwing a party when we get back to the ship!
"Oh Pinkie..." the CMC sighed in unison.
They exited the shuttle in front of the prison. It was a nice day on the planet, the red sky had very few clouds and just outside the massive city, exotic trees could be seen dotting the rolling hills on the landscape. The prison itself was a fortress, obviously valued for intimidation. It has solid titanium walls and tiny windows. It was a small box amongst the tall skyscrapers and massive warehouses.
As the team entered the prison, they saw more flags with the symbols. They came to the conclusion that this was the flag of the Centaurian Dominion.
They didn't have much time to think, because the prisoner was brought out immediately. The centaurs obviously treated him roughly. Dischord was bloody and bruised, but he still had a sinister smile on his face. The four ponies realized they had a few rough days ahead of them, and they took the prisoner without a word.
"Captains Log: April 8 2012: The security team has returned to the ship, with Dischord in hand. These days will be nerve wrecking, but Celestia will get rid of him once and for all. Also, we need to figure out a way to track the date more efficiently.
Star Trot: These Are The Voyages Of The Starship Everfree...
Star Trot Chapter 3
Twilight clenched her teeth as a stinging sensation rushed through her leg.
"Thanks Fluttershy!" said Twilight through gritted teeth. "But there has to be a better way to immunize everypony. That really hurts..."
"I'm so sorry, Twilight... But we don't know any other way... I hope you aren't angry..."
Twilight looked around, dismissing Fluttershy's comment. "It sure is cozy in here." she mentioned, "It looks almost exactly like your cottage in here! Without all the animals that is!
"Actually Twilight..." Fluttershy said, "I was wondering if I could bring some pets aboard. That is, if it's ok with you. I don't want to take up too much room, just a few pets to keep me company while I'm in here."
Twilight hadn't thought about pets. Surely Spike and Zecora were growing tired of taking care of all the crews' animals.. She suppressed a small giggle when she saw a mental image of a Spike being chased by bunnies. 'It must be chaos' she thought.
That thought reminded her that a very dangerous individual sat in their brig. "I think it would be ok for a few pets to tag along, Fluttershy! I have to go for now, but I'll see you in the mess hall tonight!"
"I'll see you later Twilight!"
As she walked to the brig, she still had no idea what to say to him. She had two questions on her mind. Questions she intended to get an answer for. Twilight was fairly worried, she could feel beads of sweat running across her brow.
Twilight noticed everypony looking happy. It was so nice that everypony was having a good time. She figured that pets would be much welcomed on the ship. She also liked the thought of Spike being aboard. 'He will want something to do..." she thought, "Maybe I'll put him in charge of morale, or maybe he could... Hmm...'
"Spikey could run the transporter!" said Pinkie Pie, popping out from behind a wall panel.
"GAH! PINKIE!!!!" screamed a very startled Twilight. "And what were you, I mean... My thoughts, you reading them... The wall panel... I don't even..."
"Silly Twilight! I can't read thoughts!" giggled Pinkie
"But... You... My question... Answer... What???" stuttered Twilight.
"I was giving you an idea for something Spike could do! It's not the same not having him aboard, not that I know what it would be the same to! I mean, Spike's never even been on the ship! So if he was on the ship and that was-"
"I get it. I get it. But, I still don't understand, why were you behind the wall panel?" asked a still confused Twilight.
"What?"
"Why were you in the wall?"
"I'm not in the wall!"
"You were..."
"Were what?"
"In the wall!"
"What about the wall?" asked an oblivious Pinkie.
"Oh nevermind..." muttered Twilight. "Pinkie, I need you to follow me to the brig. I'm going to check on Discord."
"Okie dokie loki, Captain! I was going that way anyway!" giggled Pinkie.
'How, through the wall?' wondered Twilight as they walked.
The two got to the brig with no further Pinkie Anomalies. Sweetie Belle greeted them as they arrived.
"Hi Twilight! Hi Pinkie! Discord is still locked away and safe!"
"Good to know. Are you sure he can't get out?" asked Twilight.
"I think he would have tried already..." said Sweetie Belle, "but he hasn't even made an attempt... It's strange...."
"Discord is a strange being. Let me speak to him." said Twilight. "Oh, and ready your phasers... In case he tries anything funny..."
As Sweetie Belle went to the intercom, Pinkie switched the safety off of her phaser.
As soon as Twilight saw the intercom was on, she asked her single question.
"Why? Why did you do it?"
Discord responded with an evil grin on his face. "Oh hello Twilight! It's so nice to see you again!"
"I'll ask again. Why did you do it?" said Twilight with an angry glare.
"It's so handy to know how to break out of a stone prison!"
'That answers one question...' "Ok, but why did you do it?" demanded Twilight
"I could have alot of fun on this ship... Maybe you could-"
"ANSWER THE QUESTION DISCORD!" Twilight stomped her hoof and Pinkie and Sweetie drew their weapons
"Well if you must know, I only wanted to do..."
"Do What..." asked the three ponies.
"THIS!" Discord shouted. As he did, Pinkie's and Sweetie's phasers turned into bananas and the cell door turned into tissue paper. Sweetie immediately called for reinforcements. Discord burst through the paper.
As Discord ran, Pinkie had an idea. She ate her phase banana and threw the peel.
Discord saw the peel land in front of him. He stopped, stepped over the peel, and turned around to confront the pink prank pulling pony.
"I hope you aren't serious. Not even I think that's funny. It's so overused. If you thought I would fall for that, you are sadly mis-"
Discord fell to the ground stunned after a phaser blast hit him. Twilight quickly looked around to see who fired the shot. Scootaloo and the rest of the security team smiled back. Twilight let out a sigh of relief.
But suddenly, a booming voice echoed throughout the ship. "I'm the GOD of chaos! Do you really think its that easy to stop me? *sigh* I'm bored, so I'll leave you alone for now, but I will be back! Until next time everypony!" as the voice left, Discord's body dematerialized and left.
"Oh dear, Celestia will not be happy about this..." grumbled Twilight.
*Captains Log* *Star Date, umm... 1 I guess? Oh well...* Celestia wasn't happy about Discords escape, but she knew it would probably happen. Discords exit left everyone shaking. Nopony will rest easy for the next few nights. Even though we have no legitimate reason to do so, we are returning to Equestria. Mainly so we can pick up Spike and everypony's pets. It should take the crews mind off of Discord for a while.
Authors note: I regret introducing Discord this way, and I apologize for the short choppy action sequence. After all, Discord is a god, so he can pretty much do what he wants and nopony can stop him. However, this isn't the last we see of Discord. Or the Centaurian Dominion. I've got plans for both. As always, any constructive criticism is highly encouraged! And if anyone wants to take a crack at drawing the ship, go right on ahead! Think NX-01 Enterprise with three nacelles in a triangle! Thanks for reading!