Star Ocean: Their Only Hope

Aster and Gideon sat on the train going to the capitol city of Equestria, Canterlot... Both received a lot of glares from other ponies of the three different races: earth, pegasus and unicorn. To both officers it was something out of a fairy tale book. But for Twilight and her friends that accompanied the trio. It was reality. Aster looked over Twilight's friends. A composition of the three races of pony. Fluttershy, a shy and kind yellow pegasus with a pink mane and tail. Applejack an orange earth pony with blonde mane and tail. Rarity, the white unicorn fashionista with a purple-ish blue mane and tail. Pinkie Pie, a pink earth pony with a fluffy pink mane and tail. Finally there is Rainbow Dash, the cyan blue pegasus with a rainbow colored mane and tail.

All eight of them sat in Twilight's private train car as their journey to Canterlot, which is supposed to be taking at least half an hour trip to reach. All was silent as Twilight and Rainbow Dash were reading a different book than the other. Rainbow is reading a new Daring Do book, while Twilight is reading a book on extraterrestrials. Fluttershy was sleeping with her pet rabbit Angel, Rarity was going over some of her fashion designs for her next line, and Applejack is actually laying on her seat quietly. No one is talking. Aster and Gideon felt uncomfortable in this situation. Their minds screaming “Please say something!”

“FINAL STOP: CANTERLOT!” came the cry of the conductor. It was finally time to disembark the train and head over to the Royal Palace. For Twilight, the letter she received from Princess Celestia, concerns the Mane Six and the two aliens Twilight found in the Everfree Forest. A grave matter that required them to travel on such short notice.

“Well... Let's see what Princess Celestia wants.” Rainbow Dash said. Finally breaking the silence.

–-

“I called all of you here to explain what has been going on in Equestria for a while now.” Celestia said. Luna and Cadence stood next to Celestia as she cleared her throat. “It seems darkness is once again trying to take over this kingdom.”

“Isn't always?” Rainbow Dash grumbled under her breath.

“However this new threat has started in secret for some time. Ever since Tirek's defeat, wild animals from all over Equestria has become mysteriously violent against the ponies of this kingdom. Without even a simple reason for their strange behavior.”

“Could this have anything to do with the Ursa Major that attacked these two last night?” Twilight motioned at Aster and Gideon.

“It would seem so Twilight.” Celestia said grimly. “It seems something is causing these animals, magical or otherwise to become brave enough to leave their homes to attack ponies outright.”

“when we fought that Ursa Major last night Your Highness.” Gideon said. “A strange black crystal came out of it once it was knocked out by Aster. It only hovered in the air for a few seconds before shattering into very tiny pieces.”

“A black crystal...? The only pony we know of that would use black crystals with dark magic is King Sombra, but he has been slain by my niece Cadence.”

“What if Sombra somehow managed to reform and revive himself after his previous defeat?” Aster asked. “It could be possible that he has powerful dark magic to resurrect from the dead.”

“That isn't as far fetched sister.” Luna said. “It could be possible something else revived Sombra. However we would have to investigate the Crystal Empire to find out for sure.”

“But we can't leave Canterlot, Luna.” Celestia said. “We can't leave the ponies defenseless in our territory.”

“Nor can twilight leave her territory defenseless.” Cadence said.

“Your Highness...” Gideon said to Celestia. “Maybe it might be possible for Aster and I to go to the Crystal Empire with Princess Cadence to investigate?”

“That sounds like a better idea.” Cadence said. “I give you permission to return with me to investigate the possibility of Sombra's return.”

“You may go, but I think you shouldn't go alone.” Celestia said. “Maybe with one of Twilight's friends.”

“I'll go with them Princess!” Applejack said.

“No!” Twilight said. “We need you back in Ponyville to help your brother in defense of the town. I suggest Rainbow Dash should go.”

“Me!? Why Twilight?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Because the Wonderbolts will have sent some ponies to help us fend off an Ursa attack or an Manticore attack. Besides you can be a great help to them with your martial arts abilities. Remember you taught Apple Bloom Karate and Kung Fu?” Twilight added.

“That was to help Apple Bloom to get a cutie mark before she had to go to Diamond Tiara's cutecenara.”

“It doesn't matter! You're not only the best flier to come out of Cloudsdale, but you're also a damn good fighter when it comes to hoof and hoof combat.”

“You're right...” Rainbow Dash admits to being a good fighter.

“I am also sending a spell caster in Twilight's place to help as well.” Celestia said. “I've sent for her and she should have been here for this meeting...”

“Sorry Trixie is late Your Highness. But the Great and Powerful Trixie missed the train and had to wait over a half hour for another train to be going to Canterlot!” Cried the voice of the new arrival. The Mane Six all face hoofed when they recognized her voice.

“I take you know her?” Aster asked Rarity.

“You have no idea darling?” Rarity said.

It was none other than the “Great” and “Powerful” Trixie Lulamoon. Who wasn't seen since she used the Alicorn Amulet and took over Ponyville for a short time out of revenge for Twilight embarrassing her. It was in fact her two stupid underlings, Snips and Snails, who told the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Who in turn wrote about her in the Foal Free Press gossip column when Diamond Tiara was editor-in-chief. Now she is back and apparently going to come along with Rainbow, Aster and Gideon.

“She will go with you. Her magic is rivaled by only Twilight's. So she is the best I can offer in terms of magic.”

This may or may not end well...