Equestria: The Trotting Dead

“Date; April 15, 2042. Location; Equestrian Resistance Headquarters, Palomino Desert. Time; 0900 hours. Name; Braveheart. Log Number 450. My daughter, Velvet Remedy, has led a great many battles against Starnet’s forces. The battles she’s fought in have all been victories, and Starnet has been pushed back, all the way to their main defense grid in Canterlot. Remedy is commanding the final strike against the machines at 1200 hours. A small reconnaissance team has reported back from their scouting mission, and Starnet is on the full defensive. Going in will not be easy, nor will getting out. But Remedy’s plan isn’t to get out. Her plan is to destroy each and every machine in Starnet’s base. I can only hope and pray to Celestia that we all survive this final attack. May Celestia and Luna guide us.” I pressed the STOP button on my recorder and put it away. I stepped outside my quarters and walked into the main hangar. Pony soldiers were loading ammunition and ordinance into helicopters and jet planes, as well as rifles and other firearms. As I walked through the hangar, soldiers saluted me, for I was second in command to Velvet.

Velvet Remedy was helping Littlepip with her aim in the training room. I walked into the room and stood behind Remedy. Velvet’s wounds from the T-800 factory had healed, leaving scars running down her face. She had matured into a strong leader, and I was always there for her. Pip fired off a few shots in quick succession, blowing away the wooden targets.

“Nice shot, kid,” I said. Pip turned around and saw me.

“Thanks,” she smiled. “General Remedy says that I’ve really improved.”

“She certainly has,” Velvet said. “I say that she’s ready for the final test. Would you like to do the honors of judging the test?”

“Of course,” I agreed. “I’d love to.” Remedy walked Pip into a small room, and I walked into the judge’s booth. Remedy walked out of the room and lit up her horn. A large training course spawned in, complete with broken environment, rigged Terminators, and a final capture point in the center. A hidden camera rigged to each Terminator showed that there was a night sky illusion. Pip and three other trainees rose up from a platform underground.

“The final test consists of three sections,” Velvet announced. “Infiltrate, capture, and maintain. You must infiltrate the Starnet base, capture the specified point, and finally maintain that point for a certain amount of time. The Terminators are set to full Starnet programming level, and their weapons are illegitimate. The weapons will injure, but they will not kill, because we cannot risk death in something as simple as a test. If even one of you is hit in a fatal area, you fail the test. You will be given three chances to pass the test, with each chance being scored by Captain Braveheart. The scores will be averaged, and your final score will determine your promoted rank.” Remedy looked up at me in the booth, and I gave her a nod, signaling that I was ready. The training stage lit up, and the test began.

Pip and the other trainees snuck through the Starnet camp, staying as quiet as possible. I watched intently and carefully, judging each trainee’s score. One of the trainee’s was noticed by a Terminator, but the trainee quickly shut down the machine. The noise of the trainee’s weapon alerted the other Terminators in the area, opening up the path for Pip and the others. The compromised trainee slipped around the incoming Terminators, and joined back up with the group. The small team dashed over to the capture point, as specified with a red glow. The glow slowly morphed to a blue, and a bell sounded when the glow changed completely. Terminators started coming in from all directions, and they fired on Pip and the other trainees. The trainees pulled out their shields and planted them around the point. Many, many plasma rounds were fired off for 5 long minutes before a long, loud buzz sounded, signaling the end of the first section of the test. The test dissipated, and Pip and the other trainees returned to the start, while I scored them on a sheet of paper. I noticed Remedy check the time on a sundial nearby. I glanced at the sundial as well, and saw that it read 1000 hours. 2 hours left until the final attack on Starnet. Remedy looked up at me, and saw the same concern and anxiousness in my face. She nodded and created the next section of the test.

After the last two tests, the trainees were awaiting their scores. There were 30 minutes left until the attack, but Velvet kept her cool. I finished up with the scores, and flew down to Remedy and the waiting trainees. I whispered my calculations into Remedy’s ear, and she nodded. She turned to the trainees.

“Congratulations,” she said. “You have all been promoted to the rank of Corporal. You are all being moved to the front lines. And not a moment too soon. The attack will begin in 30 minutes. Prepare yourselves as necessary. Dismissed.” The newly promoted Corporals hurried out of the room, but I had to speak with Pip for a moment.

“Pip!” I called. Pip stopped and turned around. I waved her over, and she jogged to me.

“Captain?” she asked, standing straight.

“At ease, soldier,” I said. Pip relaxed her form. “Listen, Pip,” I said. “I’m not sure if I’ve said this before, but you have no idea how important you are in this war, and how important you will become. Pip, I’ve seen things not meant to be seen by pony eyes. Things that only Tartarus could come up with. This war before it even began, a truly evil side to one of my closest friends, who is now no longer with us, and a factory as black as the hearts of most changelings.”

“I don’t understand, Braveheart,” Pip said.

“Well, none of that matters now,” I said. “Pip, will you promise me something? Promise me something that would mean the world to me?” Pip nodded, clearly convinced that this promise must be important.

“I will,” Pip agreed.

“Pip,” I said. “If anything should happen to me, whether it be death, capture by the machines, or even if I go MIA. Promise me that you’ll take care of my daughter? Keep her safe?”

“I promise,” Pip nodded. I put a hoof on Pip’s shoulder.

“Thank you,” I said. “Now go get ready for the attack.”

“Sir, yes, sir!” Pip cried. She ran off to get ready, and so did I. Before I did, I took a glance at the sundial. 20 minutes until the attack.

I put on a suit of body armor, a bandolier of plasma grenades, and a plasma pistol in my belt. I loaded my plasma rifle and stretched out my mechanical wings. This was the final battle, and we couldn’t lose. I walked out with the rest of the soldiers and flew up next to Remedy, who was preparing to give one last speech. When everypony was present, Velvet began.

“We have been fighting since Braveheart led us into the fallout shelters,” she said. “Fighting for survival, and preparing ourselves for this day. From the first attack on a small Starnet outpost to the strike on the T-800 factory, we have all come a long way. We have all gained something, but we have all lost just as much, if not more. Loved ones, comrades, and even the Resistance Council. But these losses will not stand in our way of victory against these wretched machines!” The crowd cheered loudly, and Remedy continued.

“This battle will mark the end of this war!” she cried. “The war against the machines will finally come to a close, and we can start life anew in Equestria! Fillies and gentlecolts, I pray that you will stand with me when I say, down with Starnet, and down with the machines!” The Resistance gave a loud roar, ready to fight.

“Then let us fight!” Remedy shouted. “Right down to the bitter end!” The crowd cheered and ran over to their designated vehicles. I flew into the lead helicopter and strapped myself down. Remedy climbed into the chopper as well and sat across from me, rifle in hoof. She strapped in as the vehicles took off for Starnet.

“Great speech, Velvet,” I said to her. “The troops seem motivated.”

“I tried,” Remedy simply said.

“No, you didn’t,” I said. “You achieved. I have no doubt we’ll win this war.” Velvet smiled at me, and I smiled back.

After about 15 minutes, the red lights came on in the hull of the helicopter. The loudspeaker rang and the pilot came online.

“Prepare for skydive jump,” the pilot said. “Approaching destination, 500 meters.” Remedy and I stood up and attached our suits. Mine was a negatively charged electromagnet, and Velvet’s was positively charged. We felt the helicopter come to a stop and hover in the air. The copilot stepped into the cargo bay and open up the door. The air was flashing with laser fire and explosions.

“This is your stop, General!” the copilot yelled over the war noise. “Good luck! You too, Captain!”

“We’ll see you back at the base!” I yelled.

“INCOMING!!!” the pilot cried. A large Hunter Killer flew in from the sky, and fired a blast of plasma. I tackled Remedy, immediately linking our suits. The helicopter exploded as we fell, and the HK flew through the fire. I spread my wings and rocketed down, Remedy in tow. My golden rainboom blasted us downward, closer to the battle. Lasers flew past us as we fell, and Remedy took out any HK drones in sight. As we neared the ground, I flapped hard to slow our decent, and disengaged the magnets. Remedy dropped onto her hooves and ducked for cover behind a tipped truck. I landed and dove behind the truck as well.

“Lieutenant Rainbow Dash, do you copy?” I called on my earpiece. “I repeat, do you copy? Over.”

“I copy,” Rainbow Dash responded. “Identify yourself. Over.”

“Captain Braveheart,” I said. “General Remedy and I are on the ground.” I ducked to avoid a laser blast. “We require assistance. Now!”

“Copy,” Rainbow Dash said. “Mark your position, over.”

“West Starnet Perimeter,” I replied. “We’re pinned down behind one of our fallen armored trucks.”

“Copy,” Rainbow Dash said. “Pegasi squad coming in for a bombing run. Over.” I heard the blast of the Pegasi squad flying overhead, and I hit the dirt as the bombs fell. The explosions destroyed the Hunter Killer Tanks, Terminators, and the western wall of the Starnet base that stood in our way.

“Bombing run successful,” Rainbow Dash stated. “Returning to designated position now. Over.”

“Copy that,” I nodded. “Much appreciated, Lieutenant.” Remedy and I advanced inside Starnet. Terminators were falling left and right, but HK Tanks were pinning down our troops. I flew into the air and made a radio call.

“Napalm strike inbound,” I said. “Stand clear of the tanks. Over.”

“Copy that,” I heard multiple of. I spawned in a napalm bomb and let it drop. The bomb erupted in a glorious flash of flame, incinerating the HK Tanks and the main Starnet entrance. I heard a roar, and I turned to see an Aerial HK approaching fast. I snapped my wings shut and fell as the HK fired a blast. The plasma attack just barely missed the top of my head as I plummeted. I opened my wings back up and glided back down to Remedy.

“What’s the status?!” I cried over the noise.

“Demolitions team just breached the main server room,” Remedy replied. “Accompanied by one of the Unicorn squads, they’re placing charges now.”

“Captain!” I heard a voice cry over my radio.

“Identify!” I cried.

“Spitfire, sir!” Spitfire cried. “We need a medic at the East Starnet wall, stat! Lieutenant Rainbow Dash has been hit! I repeat, Rainbow Dash has been hit! We need a medic here immediately!”

“Copy that!” I yelled. I turned to Remedy. “Call for a medical team to the east wall!” I cried. Remedy nodded and radioed in a medical team.

“Medical Unicorn Team inbound to your location!” I called to Spitfire. “Tell Rainbow Dash to hang in there, help is on the way!”

“Yes, sir!” Spitfire cried.

“Demo team just set the last charge!” Remedy cried.

“Tell them to get the hell out of there!” I ordered. “Get a Pegasi Squad to pick them up at the main entrance!” Remedy relayed the orders to the Demo team, and returned to the fighting. A laser blast shot through my left wing, putting a clean hole through the endoskeleton. I pulled out my laser pistol and downed the Terminator that shot me. A Hunter Killer Tank rolled into view, and I loaded my last plasma grenade into the rifle mounted grenade launcher. I took aim and fired. The grenade struck the HK Tank in the pivotal section of the turret head, and the top of the tank blew off.

“Demo team has escaped!” Remedy cried, smiling.

“Blow it!” I yelled. Remedy ducked behind a fallen Aerial HK and pulled out her detonator. She pressed the button, and the central Starnet Spire exploded. Fire and rubble flew through the air, striking several of our choppers and planes. Terminators and HKs alike all shut down, falling to the ground in a crash. When everything was silent, the Resistance gave out a loud cheer. We had done it. It was finally over. The war against the machines had finally ended.

“We did it,” Remedy gasped. “We finally did it.” She ran up to me, and we embraced, glad that this war was over.”

“Captain,” I heard on my radio. “This is Major Spitfire. Lieutenant Rainbow Dash is recovering. The shot entered through her chest, but luckily missed her heart. None of her vital organs sustained damage.”

“Thank Celestia,” I breathed. “Tell her I’ll be at the medical station soon.” As I signed off, Littlepip ran up to Velvet Remedy.

“General Remedy,” Pip gasped, nearly out of breath. “I regret to inform you that before Starnet was destroyed, they managed to send a Terminator through a small time displacement field.” Remedy and I exchanged troubled glances. We followed Pip to the time displacement equipment.

~~~

Inside a small, underground chamber, a Tech team had set up lights around a large time displacement machine. Remedy, Littlepip and I were standing at the foot of the machine.

“The Terminator was sent back to 2023,” Pip said. That was the exact year the Terminator attacked me.

“Braveheart?” Remedy asked. I looked at her. “I’m going through.”

“You can’t,” I said. “You’re needed here.”

“Dad,” Remedy stopped me. “The war is over. We shut down Starnet and restored peace to Equestria. There’s no use for Velvet Remedy anymore. My time here has passed, and now I have to protect you in the past.” Velvet seemed serious that she was going to do this, so I nodded.

“Then do it,” I said. “Protect Equestria’s future.”

“You can’t go through with anything on,” Pip explained. “The displacement field won’t accept non-living organisms. We’ll be sending you back about a day earlier than the Terminator, so you can get prepared.” Remedy nodded and removed her armor and clothing. She stepped onto the platform of the displacement machine, and Pip turned it on. The time displacement equipment lit up, and a ball of energy started to surround Remedy. She started to rise into the air, and she looked down at me.

“Take care of me!” I called to her.

“I will!” Velvet cried back. A blinding flash erupted from the time displacement field, and Velvet Remedy was gone. I only hoped that she could stop the Terminator and prevent this whole ordeal.

~~~

May 20, 2023. Canterlot. 4:17 AM. I woke up around dawn and felt like taking a walk. I tried not to wake anypony up as I left the apartment. I walked throughout the darkness of Canterlot, stretching out my broken leg. It felt much better. As I neared a lookout area, I noticed some punk stallions over by the telescope. I ignored them and walked on. I leaned on a lamppost to rest. All of a sudden, the lamppost flickered and buzzed out. I looked up at it and pounded a hoof on the pole. The light didn't come back on.

“Blasted piece of shit,” I mumbled. I looked over at the punks. Their light was still on. In fact, my lamppost was the only one knocked out. I was confused.

“Must be a frayed wire or something,” I said to myself. Just then, electricity started to surge through the air. I looked around in confusion. Remembering basic safety on electricity, I ran to a nearby car. I dove inside and watched the light show unfold. The electricity got stronger and stronger, then a large ball of energy formed at the heart of it. A brief flash temporarily blinded me. When I recovered, the lighting was starting to subside. I looked where the energy ball was and found that the heat from the energy had melted away some of the concrete, leaving a rounded indention. I saw a pony crouched in the indention through the smoke. The smoke started to dissipate as the lightning stopped. The pony stood upright and looked around. I hid myself in the vehicle. The pony was a Unicorn mare that looked exactly like Twilight, only it had a white fur color and a bright pink mane. In fact, I nearly mistook the mare for Twilight's mother, because the mare looked exactly like her. The mare walked over to the punks and started to talk to them. I quietly teleported closer, but not too close, so I could hear the conversation.

“Your clothes,” I heard the mare say. “Give them to me. Now.” The punk leader pulled out a knife.

“Fuck you, asshole!” he said. The other two stallions pulled out knives as well.

“You won’t be needing any clothes,” I heard a voice say. We all turned to see another mare in a cloak walking toward us. She removed her hood, revealing her white, messy mane with streaks of red and orange. She was holding a shotgun with a suppressor on it.

“I’ve been waiting for you,” the unicorn mare growled. The mare that looked like Twilight’s mother charged at the cloaked mare, who raised her shotgun and squeezed off a shot. The silent blast struck the charging mare in the face, and she was sent sprawling back. The punk stallions ran off, terrified. I looked at the fallen mare, and saw a robotic skull underneath the destroyed flesh. The machine got right back up and charged again. The cloaked mare fired off another blast, which struck the machine in the chest, exposing more robot skeleton. One side of me wanted to run, but another side convinced me to stay. This was fascinating. The cloaked mare threw down her shotgun and jumped on top of the charging machine. She pulled something out of cloak with her magic, and stabbed it into the machine’s skull. The red eyes of the machine went out, and it fell to the concrete with a crash. The unicorn mare stepped off the wreckage and tore the head off the machine. I stepped out of the shadows, slowly approaching the cloaked mare. She walked over to her shotgun and picked it up. She slid it into her cloak and turned around, noticing me.

“Braveheart?” she asked.

“Yes,” I said, confused. “How do you know my name?”

“I’ll explain in a bit,” the mare said. “I’m Velvet Remedy.” Remedy extended a hoof, and I shook it. I walked over to the fallen machine.

“What is this thing?” I asked.

“It’s a Terminator,” Remedy explained. “Cybernetic Organism, Crystal Systems Model 101.”

“Crystal Systems?” I asked. “As in the Crystal Empire?”

“Former Crystal Empire,” Remedy corrected. “8 years from now, the Crystal Empire finishes development on a worldwide security software, and it becomes self-aware. It fires off nuclear warheads on Equestria with the goal to wipe out the Equestrian race.”

“Who’s the one that starts the software?” I asked.

“You are,” Remedy said. I couldn’t believe this. I looked back down at the Terminator.

“What are we going to do with this?” I asked.

“Present it to the Princesses,” Remedy said. “Tell them what happens in the future.”

“They’ve never met you,” I said. “They won’t believe you.”

“Maybe not,” Remedy said. “But they’ll believe you. You have a connection with Princess Luna, right?”

“Yeah,” I said. “She saved me from the streets at a young age.”

“Then let’s go,” Remedy said. She picked up the Termiinator and walked to Canterlot Castle. When we reached the castle, two of the alicorn guards stopped us.

“Who goes there?” one of them asked.

“I’m here to speak with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna,” I told them.

“Do you have an appointment?” the other guard asked.

“No,” I said.

“Then you’re not permitted here,” the first guard said, Luna suddenly came flying down.

“What in Equestria is going on here?” she inquired. She turned and saw me. “Ah, Braveheart,” she said. “What an unexpected surprise. Who is this with you?”

“Her name is Velvet Remedy,” I said.

“A pleasure to meet you, Miss Remedy,” Luna said. “Perhaps we should speak inside with my sister.” The three of us walked inside the throne room, where Celestia was waiting.

“Hello Braveheart,” she said. “So good to see you again.” I bowed for a moment.

“And you as well,” I responded. “May I ask you something in private?”

“Of course,” Celestia agreed. The royal guards left the throne room. “What’s your concern?” Celestia asked.

“I was anxious to know if the Rainbow Factory was dealt with,” I told Celestia.

“Ah,” Celestia nodded. “I meant to speak to you about that as well. To shut down the factory completely, we had to take…” Celstia paused. “…extreme measures.”

“What measures?” I asked.

“Murder,” Celestia said. I saw Luna shiver for a moment. I winced myself. That seemed a bit drastic.

“When the workers would not quit, we had to start killing them off,” Luna explained. “The only escapee was a mare in a black cloak, and she has been placed at the very top of the wanted list.”

“Good,” I nodded. “There was something else, though. Remedy and I need to show you something.” I motioned to Velvet, and she laid down the remains of the Terminator on the floor. Luna didn’t see the machinery right away, and she lit up her horn in a fury.

“What is this?!” she cried, ready to attack.

“Calm down, sister,” Celestia said. “Surely this is not Twilight’s mother.”

“It’s not,” Remedy assured. “It’s a cyborg. A cybernetic organism from the year 2042. Crystal Systems Model 101.”

“Wait a minute,” Luna said, calmed. “Crystal Systems from the year 2042? As in the future?”

“Correct,” Remedy said. “8 years from now, the Crystal Empire develops a defense network of supercomputers, and those computers become self-aware. They nearly wipe out the entire Equestrian race, but Braveheart saves everyone by getting them into underground fallout shelters.”

“How do these computers become self-aware?” Luna asked.

“Nopony knew,” Remedy shrugged. “21 years from now, the system sent this Terminator back to this year, with the goal of killing Braveheart. I was sent back to stop it.” Luna gave me a look that said, “Is this mare crazy?” so I shrugged, giving a look that said, “I have no idea.”

“We will go speak to Princess Cadence and Shining Armor immediately,” Celestia said.

“If you’ll excuse me, Princess,” I stopped her. “I’m not sure that they’ll believe you. Let me and Remedy tell them ourselves. They’ll most likely believe a primary source.”

“Very well,” Celestia agreed. “Do you need an escort?”

“I’ll escort her myself, but she’ll need a chariot to get there,” I said. “And don’t ask me to pull it, because I can’t do that.” Celestia nodded and motioned for Luna to go get two of her guards.

“Thank you for bringing this to my attention,” Celestia said.

“Of course,” Remedy said. She and I walked out of the throne room to the waiting chariot, pulled by 2 lunar guards. Remedy climbed into the chariot, and the guards and I took off.

Upon reaching the Crystal Empire, Velvet Remedy and I went straight to the Crystal Tower. Remedy teleported up to the throne room as I flew up. Shining Armor and Princess Cadence were waiting for us.

“Princess Celestia said you were coming,” Shining Armor said. “Who are you again?”

“My name is Braveheart,” I said. “This is Velvet Remedy. Celestia sent us here to discuss something with you. Do you have any intention to create a global protection network?” Cadence and Shining Armor gave each other surprised looks.

“We were thinking about starting something like that in the next few years,” Cadence said. “How did you know?”

“I’ll let Velvet Remedy explain,” I said. Remedy stepped up and told her story about the future. Cadence and Shining Armor listened, confused as they were. Remedy even showed them the Terminator as proof. When she finished, Cadence and Shining Armor looked sick.

“I’m in shock,” Cadence said. “You’re judging us on things we haven’t even done yet. How were we supposed to know?”

“You weren’t,” I said. “None of us were.”

“Well, thank you for telling us about this,” Shining Armor said. “Both you and Remedy have done Equestria a huge favor.”

“Of course,” Remedy nodded. We left the Crystal Empire and returned to Canterlot. When I reached the hotel, Rainbow Dash and the rest of the Mane 6 were waiting for us.

“Where have you been?” Rainbow Dash scolded. “We’ve been looking everywhere for you?”

“I had to go speak with Celestia, Luna, Cadence and Shining Armor,” I said. “My accomplice had some important things to say.”

“Like what?” Princess Twilight Sparkle asked.

“I’ll let Velvet Remedy explain,” I said. Remedy told the Mane 6 exactly what she told Cadence and Shining Armor. Rainbow Dash was in doubt the entire time.

“What a bunch of bullshit!” Rainbow Dash scoffed. “Terminators? Starnet? A computer program becoming self-aware? Show me some proof.” I grabbed the Terminator remains with my magic and laid it in front of my friends. Twilight gasped.

“My mom’s a machine!?” she gasped.

“No,” I said, facehoofing. “They only based the 101 model off of her.” I turned to Remedy. “Right?”

“That is correct,” Remedy nodded. “Starnet would choose a random pony for each model, then use that pony’s appearance to its advantage for the Terminators’ infiltrations. This is how much of the resistance was killed. From these very T-800 machines.” I opened up my wings and made a cut on the Terminator’s right hoof. The flesh peeled off with a squelch and squirts of blood. The flesh tore away, revealing a complex mechanical leg. The hydraulics were drenched with blood.

“They used real flesh and blood?” Twilight asked.

“Right,” Velvet said. “Starnet would capture living ponies and replicate their flesh and blood for the T-800s.”

“Please, Miss Remedy,” Rarity pleaded. “Could we cease with this nasty talk? I’m starting to get nauseous.”

“What are we going to do with this machine?” Fluttershy asked.

“Destroy it,” Remedy simply said. “We can’t risk anypony else replicating the work of Starnet. The only thing that can destroy the Terminator is a substance with an extremely high temperature.”

“I know that there’s a steel mill in Canterlot,” Twilight pointed out.

“That’ll do,” I said. “Could you point us there?”

“West side of Canterlot,” Twilight said, pointing west. “It’s got two tall smokestacks. You can’t miss it.”

“Thank you,” Remedy said. She picked up the Terminator remains and we started walking in the direction Twilight directed us.

When the deed was done, Remedy and I returned to Canterlot.

“So what now?” I asked her. “You going to go home?”

“I can’t,” Remedy said, with regret. “My dad said that once I went through, the Demo team was going to blow the place.”

“So you can’t get back?” I asked.

“No,” Remedy said. “Nopony goes home, nopony else goes through. Now, it’s just you and me.” Remedy blushed as she said that, and I caught the hint that she liked me. I smiled.

“Come on,” I said. “I live up with Rainbow Dash. I’m sure she can offer you a place for a while. Don’t worry. I’ve got a plan for you to walk on the clouds.” Remedy smiled back, and I flew her up to Rainbow Dash’s home. I would help Velvet Remedy until death to live a life better than that of a ruined future.