Chapter 2
The Rising Part 2
Atlantis
"Please tell me this is not my fault," Fluttershy said once they were back in the control room.
"No," Nova said.
"Thank goodness."
"From what we've been able to ascertain, the city is powered by three Altium Power Cores or APCs. Two are entirely depleted, and the third is reaching maximum entropy. When it does, it will die too, and nothing can reverse that."
"Just tell me the bottom line," Summer said.
Nova sighed. "The force field holding back the ocean has collapsed to its minimum sustainable levels. Look, as you can see here and here," She said, pointing at one of the computer screens, "where the shield's already failed and the city's flooded. It could've happened years ago, but this section seems to be more protected for some reason."
"What if it fails completely?" Rainbow asked.
"It's a matter of 'when', not 'if'."
"Colonel Summer, you need to order your security teams to stop searching the city immediately." Cadance said.
Summer nodded. "All security teams fall back to my position."
"That's not going to be good enough." Nova said.
"Alright, well, how much time do we have?" Cadance asked.
"It's hard to say. Hours, maybe days, if we minimise power expenditure."
"What about our own power generators?" Fluttershy asked.
"We're working on that, but even with our most advanced, Astrium-powered generators, the equations are coming up far short."
"So we need to find more APCs," Cadance said.
"How do we do that if we can't search the city?" Summer asked.
"If there were more here, we'd be able to detect them." Nova said.
"Can we use the IDT we brought with us?" Summer asked.
"There's nowhere near enough power to connect back to Equestria. We would need three fully charged APCs."
"Well, we did find coordinates to other planets in this galaxy on one of the consoles here," Sweetie Belle said. "Maybe we could rig the IDT to teleport us to one of them. Colonel Rainbow's team has done it before."
"That could work," Nova said.
"Colonel, assemble a team." Cadance said. "We need safe harbour, or better still, another power source."
The Colonel nodded. "Lieutenant Scootaloo, gather security teams one and two. Everyone gear up."
"Rainbow, I'd like you to go along," Cadance said.
"Yes, ma'am."
About thirty minutes later the IDT had been set up and the teams assembled. Sweetie Belle walked into the control room. "Okay, so, from what we can tell, the Alicorns already have a transport network set up. They placed devices they called Mirrors on habitable planets. They work the same way as our IDTs, but on a much more advance level. We've managed to tap into that network and are ready to activate."
"Good, proceed." Cadance said.
"There something else. After we discovered the Mirror network, I did a scan for radio waves and found something," Sweetie Belle said handing Cadance a data pad. "Triax Defence Site 34. Built thirteen years ago and last used ten years ago. It's in a nearby galaxy and as you can see from the report, the generator is almost completely drained. According to the last report, the site was hit by a huge sandstorm and had to be abandoned. They didn't even have time to shut it down, which is why it is still broadcasting."
"So, Triax Defence has already been to this dimension. The Rownola Dimension. Can't we use the Palnerovian Uplink on the IDT at Site 34 to jump back to Equestria?" Cadance asked.
"Wait, if Triax Defence has already been here, then why didn't we just go through Site 34's IDT?" Rainbow asked.
"Because the coordinates we used to get here were numerical, while the coordinate system for the IDTs is Alphabetical. Because we had no way to translate it, there was no way in knowing that this dimension was the same one as Site 34." Sweetie Belle explained.
"Yes, this is great news," Nova said looking over Cadance's shoulder at the data pad. "According to this, the generator isn't so much drained as it is out of alignment. It's an Astrium Accelerator, it accelerates two Astrium particles towards each other at high speeds. The particles collide three hundred times per minute, which generates the energy needed to power the site. Currently however, it is only colliding one hundred and fifty times per minute."
"I’m sorry, I thought you said this was good news," Summer said.
"It is, it mean we no longer need three APCs to return to Equestria, we only need one," Nova said. "You see, we don't have enough power to connect to an IDT in another galaxy. That's not to mention the fact that the IDT on Site 34 doesn't even have enough power to activate, BUT if we could get an APC and connect it to our IDT, it would give our Transporter enough power to make the jump AND supply enough power to Site 34 to power its IDT."
"A forced jump," Sweetie Belle said. "Colonel Rainbow and her team did that once. I read that report."
"Long story short, we find an APC, connect to Site 34, realign the accelerator, and use Site 34's IDT to return to Equestria," Nova said.
"That's fantastic, but the shield is still failing." Rainbow said.
"Dash is right, we need to focus on the here and now. Colonel Summer, proceed when ready." Cadance said.
The IDT hummed to life and the matter-stream spread until it touch the base. A few seconds later Colonel Summer and his team approached the Transporter.
"We also found these." Sweetie Belle said holding up a small ball shaped object. Throwing it the ball started float. "It some sort of camera, it works like our probe. I call it a Kino." She flew the Kino into the matter-stream. "The Kino reads full viability and no immediate signs of activity around the Mirror, but it's pitch black." She explained. "This Mirror network works the same way the IDT network works in Equestria, but instead of sending you to another dimension, it will take you to another planet. This means now that our IDT is online, anyone with these coordinates can jump here. That being said we installed a shield much like the one used on the IDT at Site 56, to keep out any unwanted guests. For now, we're going to use the tried and true system for identification of inbound travelers."
"Let's move out!" Colonel Summer said walking into the matter-stream the rest of the team following behind him.
Arriving on the other side Rainbow turn and looked at the Mirror. It was as large mirror set in stone and they just walked out of it. "Wow," she said.
"This is the device Sweetie Belle told me about," Scootaloo said, walking up to a stone tablet half the size of the Mirror. "She said we just enter the coordinates here and the Mirror will activate. Then, we send our ID codes and walk through it."
"Right, spread out and search the area around the Mirror stay in radio contact." Colonel Summer said.
Rainbow was following a nearby tree line when she saw movement. She motioned Scootaloo to stop then the two start moving forward. Suddenly, a figure ran out of the tree line and stopped upon seeing them. Then another figure came out tackling the first. Scootaloo aimed her gun at the two of them.
"No, please, don't hurt us." The kid said.
Another figure ran out, this one being an adult. "Please! They're just playing." He said throwing himself between the kids and Scootaloo's gun.
"Is everything okay here, Dash?" Summer asked.
"Yes, sir. Just a couple of kids." She said lowering her gun, motioning to Scootaloo to do the same.
The man got up and turned to Rainbow. "Halling."
"I don't know what that means," Rainbow replied back.
"It's his NAME!" Summer said.
"Oh. Halling, it's nice to meet you," Rainbow said.
"Are you here to trade?" Halling asked.
"Trade. Yes. We're...traders." Rainbow said, looking back at Scootaloo.
"Now, how many times have I told you not to play in the forest after dark?" Halling said to the kids. "I'm just glad you're safe." Standing up he turned back to Rainbow. "Tyrone will wish to meet with you. Come."
"Tom, Blue, guard the Mirror." Summer said. "Connect to Atlantis base and let Cadance know we've made contact with the indigenous people."
"Sir, if you don't mind my asking..." Scootaloo said to Colonel Summer as they followed Halling. "I noticed you've got a problem with my mom."
"My problem, Lieutenant, is with her record. I don't like anybody who doesn't follow the proper chain of command."
"Yes, sir."
"What was that mask you had on?" One of the kids asked Rainbow.
"It helps you see in the dark. Check it out." She said handing the kid her night vision goggles.
The kid put them on. "Whoa. Can I have it?"
"No. What's your name, kid?"
"Jinto."
"And what's the mask you got on, Jinto?"
"This? Changeling."
Rainbow looked at the mask. "What's a Changeling?"
"You don't know? What world do you come from? Can we go there?"
"I'm afraid not. I come from a galaxy far, far away."
"It's Halling," Halling said approaching one of the tents in the village. "I bring people from away."
"Enter," A male voice said.
Halling, Summer, Dash, and Scootaloo entered the tent.
"These folk wish to trade," Halling said.
"Oh, it's...it's nice to meet you," Rainbow said.
"I am Tyrone Emmagan, son of Tagan." The man said.
"Colonel Summer, Captain Rainbow Dash, Lieutenant Scootaloo," Summer said, pointing at each as he said their names. "We have very few specific needs."
"We do not trade with strangers." Tyrone said.
"Is that a fact?" Summer said.
"Well, then, we'll just, uh...we'll have to get to know each other," Rainbow said. "Me, um, I like playing guitar and soccer, anything that goes more than two hundred miles per hour."
Scootaloo leaned over to her. "Mom, that's not going to mean anything to them."
"Feel free to speak up, kiddo. I'm just trying to break the ice here."
"These people can't help us," Summer whispered. "I'd rather not waste our time."
"Each morning before dawn, our people drink a stout tea to brace us for the coming day. Will you join us?" Tyrone asked.
Rainbow smiled and stepped forward. "I love a good cup of tea. Now, there's another thing you know about me. We're practically friends already."
Summer walked up to Kathlyn, who was looking through a pair of binoculars. As he approached she handed the binoculars to him. Looking through them he saw a ruined city.
"We didn't even know it was there until the sun came up," Kathlyn said.
"Looks more promising than anything else these folks have to offer. Plenty of shelter, nice little valley. Location, location, location, " Summer said hand the binoculars back to her.
"The city of the ancestors is not safe," Tyrone said to Summer.
"We can handle ourselves."
"The Changelings will come."
"Changelings?" Summer asked. Fifteen years ago, Queen Chrysalis fled after aiding in the return of Sombra in Equestria, she and her Changeling army had not been heard from since. Colonel Summer, along with almost everyone else on the expedition team have had almost no encounter with the Changelings and since most of the team were humans from Earth, most haven't even heard of them.
Tyrone looked shocked. "We have never met anyone who did not know."
"Well, you have now," Summer said.
"If the Changelings have never touched your world, you should go back there."
Rainbow entered the tent. "Oh, we'd like to, but we can't. See, here's the thing, sir. We've got ourselves into a bit of a bind, and we may need a safe place to stay for a while," She said.
"Our people have long believed that the Changelings will come if we venture into the old city, but it is a belief we've not tested in some time."
"Excuse us," Summer said leaving the tent, Rainbow and Scootaloo following him.
"Look, I don't care what they say. That city is worth a look, not to mention the possibility there could be APCs there that they don't know or care about," Summer said
"What if the Changelings are the enemy the holographic Alicorn lady is talking about?" Rainbow asked.
"All the more reason for us to have a defensible position should we have to abandon Atlantis. Stay here and find out what you can. Scootaloo, you head back to the Mirror and report in to Cadance. Tell her we'll have answers for her in a few hours." Summer said walking away.
"Yes, sir." Scootaloo said.
Rainbow headed back into Tyrone's tent. "Well, I guess it's just you and me..." The man sitting behind Tyrone stood up. "And him."
"Your leader looks through me as if I were not there." Tyrone said.
"Do I?"
"No...You truly cannot return to your world?"
"No."
"Then there is something you should see."
"How much further is this place?" Rainbow asked after about five minutes of walking through nothing but forest.
"Not far." Tyrone said.
"Tell me some good news, Nova," Cadance said as Nova and Sweetie Belle walked into the room she had claimed as her office.
"I can't do that." Nova said.
"The shield has held back the ocean for centuries," Cadance said.
"And probably would've kept going for years more, but our arrival changed that. Now it's nothing more than a thin shell between the buildings and the water," Nova said.
"We stopped exploring."
"The damage was already done. I mean, another section of the city, on the far side, was flooded an hour or so ago."
"Even occupying this room is draining power," Sweetie Belle said.
"We need to evacuate the moment Colonel Summer reports back it's safe," Nova said.
"You're saying we have to abandon the city?" Cadance asked.
The entire complex suddenly shook, stopping just as fast.
"The sooner we leave, the longer that shield holds," Nova said.
Captain Rainbow Dash and Tyrone entered a small cave.
"I used to play here as a child. I believe this is where the survivors hid from the Changelings during the last great attack." Tyrone said lighting a torch he had taken off the cave wall.
Rainbow turned her P90's flashlight on and started looking around the cave. Suddenly she saw something shiny lying in the dirt. She bent down and picked it up. It appeared to be a necklace. "What's this?"
Tyrone looked at it for a second before suddenly recognising it. "I lost this years ago. How did you..."
"It was just lying right over there. It was reflecting off the light."
Tyrone put the necklace on.
"Someone's been busy, huh?" Rainbow said, looking at the drawings on the cave wall.
"The drawings in the caves are extensive. Many must date back thousands of years or more."
Rainbow pointed to one drawing depicting a large ship over what looked to be a city. "Does this represent the destruction of your city?"
"This drawing far predates that."
"So, what? Someone knew it was going to happen?"
"I believe it happens...again and again. The Changelings allow our kind to grow in numbers, and when that number reaches a certain point, they return to cull their human herd. Sometimes, a few hundred years will pass before they awaken again. We've visited many, many worlds. I know of none untouched by the Changelings. The last great holocaust was five generations ago, but still, they return in smaller numbers to remind us of their power."
"That's a hell of a way to live."
"We move our hunting camps around. We try to teach our children not to live in fear,but it is hard. Some of us can sense the Changelings coming. That gives us warning....We should go. It will be dark soon."
Scootaloo was at the Mirror preparing to head back to the village. "Man, days are short here." She said to Tom.
"Captain Dash, this is Colonel Summer. Come in," Summer said over the radio.
"Colonel, this is Lieutenant Scootaloo."
"Where the hell's your mother?"
"She's out of radio range at the moment. I think Tyrone wanted her to see something." Suddenly the Mirror started glowing, indicating that someone was connecting to it. "Get back to positions," Scootaloo yelled to Tom and Blue. "Colonel, the Mirror just activated." Three small dart shaped ships came out of the Mirror and flew in the direction of the village. "Colonel, three bandits headed your way."
Rainbow and Tyrone were headed back to the village, when Tyrone stopped.
"What is it?" Rainbow asked.
"The Changelings." He said.
Back at the village, people were starting to panic. "Take cover!" Summer yelled as the ships flew overhead. He watched as a beam of light shot down from one of the ships and swept up Halling and three others. "Fire on that target!" He yelled. His men started firing at the ships. Suddenly he saw something to his right. He turned and fired, but hit nothing. Then he sensed something behind him. He turned to see a wisp of darkness, but once again it vanished.
"Tyrone!" Rainbow yelled, running after him.
"Colonel,they're on the ground." Someone said over the radio. "They're all around us."
Rainbow senses something behind her, but turned to see nothing. "Tyrone?" She repeated. She felt the presence behind her again, this time turning and firing. Once again, it was gone. She turned to see another one to her right and was about to fire when Tyrone walked straight through it.
"They're not really there," He said. Rainbow lowered her weapon. "Do not trust your eyes. The Changelings can use their magic to make you see things that are not there. We must hurry."
One of the ship fired at the village, blowing up a couple of the tents.
"Colonel, this is Dash. What you see on the ground is just an illusion. Concentrate your fire on the ships."
Summer turned toward his men. "Fire at the ships! Fire at the ships!" He then walked over to Kathlyn. "Sergeant, snap out of it!" He yelled.
"They're everywhere, sir."
Summer pointed at one of the ships. "Forget about them, just take that thing down!"
Kathlyn aimed her rocket launcher at the ship, and fired. The rocket struck the ship causing it to crash near the lake. Just then another ship flew by and beamed up Summer and Kathlyn.
The other ship was following Rainbow and Tyrone. Suddenly a beam of light shot down. Tyrone pushed Rainbow out of the way just before the beam was on top of them. He was swept up and the ship flew away. Rainbow got back up. "Tyrone. Tyrone?"
"Ma'am, the Colonel's been taken." Someone said over the radio.
Scootaloo noticed the Mirror activate again. This time from their end. "The Mirror's coming on again." She said over the radio. "Two enemy ships approaching."
"Let them go," Rainbow responded back. "There are friendlies on board. Look at the Tablet. Burn those coordinates into your mind."
Scootaloo ran over to the Tablet and memorised the coordinates. The ships flew back through the Mirror and it stopped glowing.
"Got it." She said.
Rainbow ran over to the crashed ship. Seeing something moving she aimed her gun at it. Crawling across the sand was a disembodied arm. "Son of a..." She fired at it and it stopped moving.
"Help, help me." Jinto yelled, running up the Rainbow. "I can't find my father."
Rainbow placed her hand on his shoulder.
Cadance walked up to Sweetie Belle, who was standing near one of the windows. "What is it you wanted me to see?" She asked.
"Here it comes." Sweetie Belle said pointing out the window.
"What am I looking for?"
"There." Sweetie Belle said. Just then a column of bubbles rose out of the city. "Another part of the force field just failed. I don't think we have much time."
"How are we doing?" Cadance asked Nova upon entering the control room. "Look, if we can just buy ourselves another day, maybe we could..."
"The city is sacrificing parts of itself in order to maintain these main areas, but catastrophic failure is inevitable."
Cadance sighed. "Never in my wildest dreams did I hope to find the lost city of the Alicorns so completely untouched, so pristine, and we have no choice but to walk away from this?"
"In order to save it," Nova said.
"To save it for whom? We don't have enough power to send a message. As far as Equestria is concerned, we're just going to be missing and presumed lost."
"We'll be back. We'll find a power source somewhere."
"We have yet to hear from Colonel Summer. We've got no idea what's out there."
"We can't wait. It is time to go, now."
Sighing Cadance turn on her radio. "Attention, all personnel. This is Cadance." Suddenly the complex started shaking violently. "Stand by for immediate evacuation." She turned to Nova. "Activate the IDT!"
The IDT activated on its own. "We've got an incoming connection," Nova said activating the Shield on the IDT.
"I'm reading Lieutenant Scootaloo's identification code," Sweetie Belle said.
"Let them in." Cadance yelled.
Nova lowered the shield and Rainbow stepped out of the matter-stream. "Step in, folks." She said to the villagers who were following her. "Move away from the orb."
"Captain Dash...Rainbow, who are all these people?" Cadance asked, watching as the last person step out of the matter-stream and it shut down.
"Survivors from the settlement. We were attacked. Summer and some of our men were taken. What's going on?"
Cadance grabbed Rainbow's arm and pulled her aside. "We are in no position to help anyone right now."
"What the hell's going on here?"
"We were about to abandon the city."
"Going back there is a really, really bad idea."
"Rainbow, the shield is about to fail, and the ocean is about to come crashing in on us. Do you have a better place for us to go?"
"Jinto, you know another planet we can jump to?" Rainbow asked.
"Yes, many," Jinto said.
"He's just a boy." Cadance said.
"I am Jinto."
"She's pleased to meet you," Rainbow said pulling him up to the control room.
Nova ran over to the railing overlooking the IDT room and shouted down to them. "IT'S TOO LATE! THE SHIELD IS COLLAPSING!"
There was a massive explosion causing everyone to fall to the ground.
Sweetie Belle got up. "I'm activating the IDT."
"No, wait," Cadance yelled.
"She's right," Nova said.
Rainbow Dash looked around. "We're moving!"
Atlantis rose out of the water leaving a great wave in its wake. Then everything went silent and the lights came back on. People got up and started looking around.
"We're on the surface," Scootaloo said placing her hand on Rainbow's shoulder.
"I was hoping for another day," Cadance said, looking at them then back out the window. "It looks like we just got a whole lot more than that. Let's not waste it."
Scootaloo walked down the stairs from the control room to the IDT room. "People, listen up," She said to the crowd of people. "No one gets to sit down until they clear two piece of equipment off this deck. Now, let's go."
Up in the control room, Nova, Rainbow, and Cadance were talking.
"The last Altium Power Core is depleted," Nova said, "but limited power has returned now that our generators aren't going to hold back an ocean. Life support systems are working, but the planet's atmosphere is breathable, notwithstanding the inevitable allergens."
"So now can we use our Astrium generators to supply enough power to the shield for defensive purposes?" Cadance asked.
"Not even close." Nova said.
"On the surface without a shield?" Rainbow said. "We're target practice."
"I'm acutely aware of that, Captain, but thank you for reinforcing it." Nova shot back.
Rainbow moved closer to Nova. "I want you to put the coordinates Scootaloo provided into the IDT and when you get a connection send a Kino."
Nova looked like she was going to say something, but instead shut her mouth and walked away.
"Rainbow? A word." Cadance said walking out onto a balcony overlooking the city.
"Let me guess," Rainbow said. "You're not going to let me rescue my people."
"Rainbow, you don't even know if they're alive."
"You don't leave people in the hands of the enemy," Rainbow yelled, "and the fact that we are having this conversation in private let's me know you know damn well that it's wrong and it would totally undermine your leadership, so as ranking military officer..."
"All right, just shut up and listen to me for a moment, all right?" Cadance said putting her hand up to stop Rainbow. "Come on, what do we know about the Changelings? One of the few things we do know is that they are the enemy that defeated the Alicorns. When they first began to use the IDT back in Equestria, they got themselves into trouble. Why?"
"I don't need a history lesson."
"Because the other Rainbow Dash didn't consider the ramifications before she reacted."
"THEY TOOK OUR PEOPLE. How am I supposed to react?"
"And we're defenceless. You said so yourself. How do you know going off on some half-assed rescue mission isn't going to bring them all right back here to our doorstep?" Cadance said raising her voice.
"Maybe it will...but it's the right thing to do. WHY? BECAUSE IT IS."
"Rainbow..."
"If we're not going to do this, and I mean right now, let's just turn tail and pack up, because they're coming."
"You don't know that."
"Our people are in the hands of the enemy, Cadance. Do you know what that means? It is just a matter of time before the Changelings figure out that this is the base of our operation."
"I just need more information. I mean, who knows? Maybe we could negotiate a peaceful..."
"PEACEFUL? ARE YOU KIDDING? We weren't there for more than a few hours before they showed up."
"Is it possible they came because of you? And that one of these people you brought back here with you tipped them off?"
"It's possible."
"See, the is exactly the kind of snap decision I'm referring to." Cadance yelled.
"They're not all bad people...and you know, if we're going to stick around here, we need friends."
"Okay, I see your point," Cadance said calming down. "Now, you see mine. I will not authorise a rescue mission unless I'm sure there's at least a remote chance of success. I'm not sending more good people, including you, to their deaths."
"Okay," Rainbow said walking back inside the control room.
Cadance turn and looked out at the ocean.
Tyrone woke up and found himself in a jail cell.
"Are you alright?" Halling asked helping him up.
"Where are we?" Tyrone asked.
"Any idea what to expect?" Summer asked.
Tyrone shook his head. "No."
"You said the Changelings would come if we went down into the ruins," Summer said.
Halling stepped forward. "Perhaps you should have heeded his warning," He said.
"How do I know he's not the one who told them?"
They could hear the sound of footsteps.
"Someone comes." Halling said.
A male Changeling approached the cell. He was tall with black skin, and long greenish blue hair. As he walked up to the cell Summer took a few steps back. The cell door opened and the Changeling walked in.
"I'm Colonel Summ..."
The Changeling punched Summer in the chest sending him flying across the room. He then growled softly while looking at one of the other villagers that had been taken. One of the smaller Changelings next to him walked up and grabbed the man.
"No, please..." The man said.
They turned and started to leave.
"Take me in his place." Tyrone said.
"No, take me," Summer said getting back up. "We're the ones you're after, right?" The Changeling just stared at him. "I'm their leader." The Changeling turned and walked away, the cell door closing behind him. Summer watched as they walked down the hall.
"They have no need to explain themselves," Tyrone said.
"Yeah, I got that."
"We're receiving visual telemetry," Sweetie Belle said putting the Kinos video feed up on one of the display screens.
"I can't see anything," Cadance said looking at the black screen.
"No atmospheric readings at all," Nova said.
A glowing object appeared on the screen for a second before moving off screen.
"Hey, what was that?" Rainbow asked.
"Rotate the Kino," Nova said.
The Kino moved showing the Mirror floating above a planet.
"Huh, well, there goes that Kino," Nova said.
"It's in space," Rainbow said.
"It's in high orbit around a planet on the far side of the galaxy."
"Are you sure this is the right Mirror?" Cadance asked.
"It's the one Scootaloo gave us, yes,"
"Very well. Shut it down," Cadance said walking over to Rainbow. "I'm sorry."
Nova suddenly remembered something. "Come with me, Captain."
They went up one floor and entered a large room containing several small ships. Rainbow touched the controls on one of them and it activated.
"You think you can fly it?" Nova asked.
"What do you say we find out?" Rainbow said sitting down at the controls.
"Fluttershy, what was it you wanted me to see?" Cadance said walking into the infirmary.
Fluttershy picked up the arm that Rainbow had shot and showed it to Cadance. "These cells have none of the normal inhibiting proteins whatsoever. That gives them an incredible ability to regenerate. I've only ever seen this in one other person and that's Colonel Rainbow back in Equestria."
"What about the movement Rainbow Dash saw?"
"As far as independent behaviour, I'd say that anything she saw was caused by a residual command language in the severed nerve endings. Now, the DNA I got from this arm has a similar structure to the DNA of the Changeling I studied back at Site 10. It seems these Changeling were first, the ones in Equestria coming years later."
"Are you saying that the Changelings in Equestria came from here?"
"I think so. Although, the Equestrian Changelings developed in Equestria, which would explain why they look like ponies and these ones look human. I found something else interesting. These ones don't have the ability to shapeshift. Well, I mean, they do, but they can't use it. It seems the ability is blocked by something in their genetics."
"So they can't shape shift, that's good. Anything else?"
"The being this arm belonged to... I'd say it was old, very, very old."
"How old?"
"As long as the cells are properly nourished, I don't see a life form like this ever dying of natural aging the way we do...and they'd be really hard to kill."
"I don't like the sound of that."
"I don't blame you."
Nova and Cadance entered the room of ships. There was a light humming noise.
"What is that noise?" Cadance asked.
"I... I don't... She was right here," Nova said. "Captain!"
Suddenly the ship appeared in front of them.
"Cloaking tech. You said you wanted a tactical advantage?" Rainbow said over the radio.
"All right, so you can fly that thing. It doesn't mean you can pull off a rescue," Cadance said.
"Cadance... This is why you brought me here."
"Ready?" Cadance asked upon entering the control room.
"I have no idea," Nova said. "This technology is so far beyond us, I mean, we haven't a clue what we're dealing with. I mean, for all I know, we could..." Cadance looked at Nova. "Yeah. Ready."
"Alright, guys, get ready to go." Scootaloo said to the team on the ship. She entered the cockpit and sat down in the chair next to Rainbow. "Transport Ship One ready to go." She said over the radio.
Rainbow looked over at her. "Transport Ship One? A little jumper like this?"
"It's a ship that goes through the Transporter...Transport Ship One." Scootaloo explained.
"Oh, no, no, no, that's all wrong."
"Nova thought it was cool."
"Oh, okay, well, it's official. You don't get to name anything...EVER." Rainbow switched on her radio. "Flight, this is... Jumper One," She said looking at Scootaloo. "We're go to launch."
"This is Flight," Nova said. "I thought we were going with Transport Ship."
"Negative, Flight."
"Stand by." Nova said turning to Cadance. "It's a ship that goes through the Transporter. Uh... Fine." She turned the radio back on. "Jumper One, you are clear for launch."
"Enter the coordinates, kid." Rainbow said the Scootaloo.
The IDT activated and the ship came down through a hole in the ceiling. The ship stopped right in front of the matter-stream, then proceeded through it.
"Be safe," Cadance said.
The ship emerged on the the other side and cloaked.
"Wow," Rainbow said. "This is cool."
"It looks like you've got the hang of it," Scootaloo said.
"I tell you what, Scoots. I know a lot of fighter pilots who'd kill to fly this thing. It's like it reads your mind."
A holographic screen appeared on the window in front of them.
"Did you do that?" Scootaloo asked.
"I was just wondering where we go from here."
"I'll take that as a yes. So how do we find them once we land?"
"Well, I've been thinking about that too."
Suddenly, there was a beep and a small device appeared in a compartment next to Rainbow. Grabbing it she looked it over, before putting it in her bag. "Now I'm thinking about a nice turkey sandwich." She said.
The two of them looked around, but nothing happened.
"Worth a try," Scootaloo said.
Rainbow landed the Jumper a short distance from the Changeling base.
"Here we go," She said to Scootaloo.
Scootaloo got up and headed to the rear compartment where the rest of the team was. "Lock and load."
The rear hatch opened and the team ran out to secure the area.
"All right, teams of two," Rainbow said. "Learn what you can and lay down defences as you see fit. I want to be able to light this place up if we have to." She walked up the Lieutenant Apple Bloom. "Two click, you're clear to talk."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Do not engage the enemy," Rainbow said raising her voice again. "You're with me." She said placing her hand on Scootaloo's shoulder. The two of them headed off to the Changeling base.
Rainbow and Scootaloo watch a Changeling guard walk by.
"I thought getting in was going to be the hard part," Scootaloo said, placing some c4 on a nearby pillar. "That's the first one we've seen."
Rainbow looked at the device they had taken from the Jumper. "The moving dot should be him," She said pointing at the screen. "Go over there." Scootaloo moved farther down the hallway. One of the dots on the screen moved too. "Yeah, that's you."
"So... We've got ourselves a life signs detector."
"We can name it later."
"Captain?" Tyrone said.
"Are you guys alright?" Rainbow asked.
"Is my son alive?" Halling asked.
"He's well and waiting for you," Rainbow said looking around the cell. "Where's Colonel Summer?"
"He was taken by the Changelings," Kathlyn said.
"We don't know where," Tyrone said.
"Well, how about when?" Rainbow asked.
"Not long."
"I knew something had to go wrong," Rainbow said clicking her radio twice.
"This is Apple Bloom. Go ahead, ma'am."
"How about a diversion in a little bit? You're going to need to make some noise out there."
"Yes, ma'am."
Rainbow looked over to Scootaloo. "Rig up some C4 to blow a hole and get these people out of here on my signal, all right? I can find the Colonel with this," She said holding up the detecting device. "There aren't that many Changelings around. I should be able to do this. If I'm not back in twenty minutes, blow the cells and get out."
"You're the only one who can fly these people out of here."
"Yeah, I'm going to fly us all out of here, including the Colonel."
"I'm saying I should be the one to go."
"Twenty minutes, I'll find him," Rainbow said walking off down the hall.
Summer entered what looked like a dining room. There was a table in the centre loaded with food. Sitting at one of the chairs was a skeleton. Looking closer Summer found that it was the man they had taken earlier. A female Changeling came out of one of the darker corners of the room. "You must feel hunger by now. What do you call yourself?" The female Changeling asked Summer.
"Colonel Summer, Triax Defence Earth Marine Division."
"So little fear. Is it valour...or ignorance?"
"We traveled here as peaceful explorers."
"You must eat, yet you resist your hunger. Why?"
"Why have you taken my people prisoner?"
"You trespassed upon our feeding ground."
Summer turned and looked at her shocked at what he had just heard. "Feeding ground?"
"All living things must eat. In this, I am sure we are similar. You feel hunger even now. I can sense it. Yet you resist. Why?"
"Why do you care?"
"Hunger...is distasteful," She said walking over to the skeleton.
"It looks to me like the food didn't agree with him."
"There, we are quite dissimilar, Colonel Summer. We don't require our food to...agree with us. What do you call your world?"
Summer stared at her refusing to speak.
"What do you call your world?" She asked again though this time in Summer's head. She was using her magic. "What...do you call...your world?"
"Equestria," Summer said despite trying not to.
"It is not in this dimension."
"No."
"Tell me of Equestria. How many more live there? Thousands? Millions? More," She said smiling. "Our feeding ground has not been so rich in ten thousand years. Your will is strong. This one..." She said waving at the skeleton. "Begged for its life."
"Is that the kind of treatment I can expect for myself and my people?"
"As I have said, all living things must eat."
"Then we're done talking."
"I think not. Kneel."
Summer stood there.
"Kneel.." She said again, using her magic.
Summer fell to the floor.
"I have not tasted such strength in so long."
"Go to hell."
"Equestria first." She said. She then grabbed Summer by the throat and began using her magic to suck the life out of him. Summer screamed.
"How many years must I take from you before you tell us what I wish to know? Or shall I take them all? Where is this new feeding ground?"
"I...won't." Summer said through the pain.
Rainbow was one floor up watching though a small window. Aiming, she fired at the female, then took out one of the guards. The female returned to feeding on Summer. Rainbow looked at the Colonel. He now looked like he was forty years older and looked like he was in great pain. He looked at her and mouthed something. 'Kill me.' Rainbow shook her head. He mouthed something else. 'Please.' Hesitating for a moment Rainbow fired a shot right at the female's hand and right through Summer's throat. The female scream in pain and Summer fell over dead. Suddenly, Rainbow was hit from behind by a stun blast.
"Bring her." The female said.
The male Changeling from before grabbed Rainbow and slammed her onto the table in the centre of the room. Rainbow turned and looked at the female.
"How's the hand feeling?"
"Much better." She said, showing Rainbow her hand, which had already begun healing.
"I'm sorry to hear that."
The female then saw the detecting device sticking out of Rainbow's vest. She pulled it out. "How did this come to you?"
"I don't remember."
Just then Scootaloo came into the room killing two of the guards.
"Light it up." Rainbow yelled over the radio. Explosions shook the compound.
The female screamed in anger. Rainbow picked up one of the Changeling stun weapons and stabbed it through her before she could react.
"That has to kill you." Rainbow said pulling the weapon back out, causing the female to fall to the floor. "How did you find me?" She asked Scootaloo.
"Tread marks. Standard issue. Let's go."
"You don't know what you have done." The female said. "We are merely the caretakers for those that sleep. When I die, the others will awaken." Suddenly her voice changed sounding deeper and more demonic. "ALL OF THEM."
"What's she talking about?" Scootaloo asked. "How many are left?"
Rainbow looked at the detecting device and saw new life sign popping up all over the base.
"Mom, we need to leave."
"Kathlyn, we're on the go." Rainbow said over the radio.
"So are we. Colonel Summer?"
"Negative."
"Cadance," Nova said walking into the IDT room. "We're getting reports in from all over the city. Some pretty interesting stuff. We've only been able to provide power to certain sections, but, uh, even then, the things that are coming up are just..." She stopped when she saw Cadance staring at the IDT.
"I should never have let them go," She said.
"For what it's worth...you made the right decision. Give them time."
"Captain, the Jumper's secure for the moment," Apple Bloom said over the radio. "But we have a bit of a problem here."
"Scoots, take our six." Rainbow yelled, the group of them running through the woods. "I'm going to take them back to the Jumper."
"I'll be right behind you," Scootaloo said running to the back of the group.
Rainbow and the rest of the group made it to the Jumper.
"Get in," Rainbow yelled. Grabbing a light machine gun from Sergeant Cheer, she headed back for Scootaloo.
Seeing something out of the corner of her eye, she turned and fired. Tyrone grabbed the P90 out of her hands.
"There's nothing there," He said handing back the gun.
"I'm sure I saw something."
"Only what the Changelings wish you to see. Firing your weapon will reveal our position. Come on."
A Dart flew over Scootaloo and Tyrone attempting to beam them up. Tyrone tackled Scootaloo, knocking the two of them out of the way of the beam. The Dart circled around and started firing at them, pinning them down. Rainbow fired the LMG at the ship as it passed over them again, blowing up one of the darts engines and causing it to crash.
"Thanks," Scootaloo said.
"Let's try not to make a habit of this." Rainbow said, helping her up.
Once everyone was in the Jumper, Rainbow sat down at the controls. "Okay...now what am I thinking?" The Jumper took off then proceeded to cloak. Before long they were back in orbit. "Everyone okay back there?" She asked.
"We are well enough." Tyrone said.
"I hope that was the hard part," Scootaloo said sitting down next to Rainbow.
As they approached the Mirror they saw thirteen Darts protecting it.
"Crap. I don't think we've gotten to the hard part yet," Rainbow said.
"What can we do?" Tyrone asked.
"We're safe as long as they can't see us," Scootaloo said.
"They don't have to," Rainbow said. "There's only one way for us to go. The moment we activate the Mirror, they can start shooting blind and blow us away on our approach."
"Then how can we get through?" Scootaloo asked.
"We'll have to draw them away from the Mirror and double back." Rainbow said, uncloaking the Jumper. Four of the Dart broke off to follow them. "Be prepared to activate the Mirror on my mark." One of the Darts fired on the Jumper. "Do you see anything like a weapons console over there?" Suddenly, the Jumper fired a drone at one of the darts, blowing it up. "Well, that works."
The Jumper took another hit. "Try cloaking again," Scootaloo said.
"I tried. It must be damaged. Activate the Mirror and be ready to punch in your code on the next pass," Rainbow said, firing at one of the Darts guarding the Mirror.
"What's the range on these things?" Scootaloo asked.
"Enter your code. Everyone hang on," Rainbow said, dodging a shot from one of the Darts, and then firing at the last ship guarding the Mirror.
"We're going to fast." Scootaloo said as they approached the Mirror.
"I know."
They passed through the Mirror, two of the Darts following them.
"Off world activation." Sweetie Belle said.
"Raise the shield." Cadance said.
"Do we have an identification code?" Cadance asked.
"Nothing yet." Nova said. "Wait. I'm reading Lieutenant Scootaloo's IDC," Nova said.
"Let them in," Cadance said.
Sweetie Belle lowered the IDT's shield.
One of the Darts energy blast came through, almost hitting one of the defence teams. It was followed by another shot.
"Give them a few more seconds!" Cadance yelled.
Suddenly, the Jumper came out of the IDT and stopped rapidly.
"Re-activate the shield," Cadance yelled.
Sweetie Belle did and there were two loud bangs, before the IDT shut down.
"Ladies and gentleman, welcome to Atlantis. Please remain seated till the Jumper comes to a full and complete stop," Rainbow said.
Everyone gathered on one of the balconies overlooking the city to celebrate.
"I guess this is home now," Scootaloo said.
"I guess so," Rainbow said.
"I'm thinking of a little place with an ocean view...out of the way."
"Rainbow, Scootaloo, I thought the occasion merited opening this..." Cadance said handing them each a glass of wine. "Compliments of Major Storm Chaser."
"That's what was in that case? I ponied up, dodged explosions, and nearly died, for wine." Rainbow said, taking the glass. "You know what? I don't care, cheers," Rainbow said, before reaching over and take the wine from Scootaloo before she could drink it.
"Hey!" Scootaloo complained. She was going to say something else, but she saw the look on Rainbow's face and just walked off.
"You did good, Dash." Cadance said.
"I don't know about that."
"Hey...there was no way you could have saved Colonel Summer."
"I have to live with it. I'm beginning to think you were right. I have made things much worse. I haven't made us many more friends out there."
"No? Look around you."
"I agree, Captain Dash." Tyrone said, walking up to them. "You have earned both my friendship and that of my people. With our help, you will make many more friends."
"How come I never make friends like that?" Fluttershy asked Nova.
"You need to get out more." Nova said.
"We're in another dimension. How much more out can you get?"
"One more thing, Captain," Cadance said. "Something I'd like you to sleep on. I have a few thoughts on it myself."
"Thoughts about what?"
"Who the members of your team might be."
"My team?"
"Well, you are the ranking military officer now...or do you need to be reminded of that? We need to get back out there, do what we came to do."
"You realise that could get us into all sorts of...trouble, right?"
To be continued.
Chapter 1
The Rising Part 1
Antarctica - Earth
Cadance stepped off the elevator that lead down to the recently discovered ancient outpost. "Major Storm Chaser is inbound, twenty minutes out." Someone said over the intercom. She walked by and checked on a few people before heading to the centre of the outpost.
"You see? Nothing." Fluttershy said standing up and walking past Cadance.
Nova turned and started following her. "Fluttershy, get back here."
"I could sit in the chair all day, and nothing will happen. It's a waste of time. Excuse me, Cadance," Fluttershy said walking out of the room.
"She's not even trying." Nova said turning to Cadance.
"She's the one who discovered the gene this technology responds to," Cadance said.
"Yeah, well, she said she wish she never had it." Nova said.
"Really?" Cadance said.
"I know. Can you believe that?" Nova said.
"We could always test you a third time, Nova," Cadance said smiling.
"That's very funny." Nova said.
"We have only found a handful of people who are genetically compatible with the alicorn technology," Cadance said walking towards the center of the room. "And despite your heroic efforts to interface ours with theirs, we need every one of them to sit in this chair," she placed her hand on the ancient device. "Including Fluttershy."
"What am I supposed to do? She's afraid of the thing." Nova said throwing her arms out.
"This chair controls the most powerful weapons known to human and ponykind" Cadance laughed. "I'm afraid of the thing, but every time someone sits in it, we learn something new about the alicorns who built this outpost. Fluttershy should be proud she's genetically advanced."
"It's not more advanced. It is a random characteristic." Nova said.
Cadance smiled. "This really bothers you, this whole gene thing, huh?"
"Oh, clearly, I am overcome with envy." Nova said sarcastically.
Just then Daring Do walked into the room. "Ah, just the people I need to see." She said, before turning and leaving again. A few seconds later she returned. "Come with me." She pointed down the hall. Cadance and Nova moved to follow. "We've got closer and closer to finding the location of the lost city, but it turns out we've been looking in the wrong place all along," She said entering her lab and walking up to a whiteboard. "Now, we thought we had the coordinates of where to find the city that the Alicorns went to when they left Antarctica."
"But, we went to those coordinates and there was nothing there," Cadance said.
"Because it's not there," Daring Do said.
Nova looked at Daring Do. "Duh." She said.
"What are you saying, Ms.Do?"
Daring Do continued. "It's not there, because it's not in this dimension. It's in another dimension."
"Atlantis," Nova said shocked.
"Atlantis," Daring Do confirmed.
"Apache, Blackhawk, Cobra, Osprey, 03DNF..." Rainbow Dash said flying her helicopter over Antarctica.
"It's a lot of training for the Antarctic." Storm Chaser said looking out his side window.
"It was the one continent I never set foot on." Rainbow said.
"It's one of my least favourite continents." Storm said.
Dash smiled. "I kind of like it here." She said.
"You like it here?" Storm said with a look of surprise.
"Yes, sir. We'll be there in about ten minutes," Rainbow said.
"Look, we've been through this. I'm not the one," Fluttershy said, trying to get away from Nova.
"Keep moving," Nova said pushing her forward.
"I'm a doctor. A medical doctor." Fluttershy said managing to break free.
"There's nothing to be afraid of." Nova said grabbing the back of Fluttershy's shirt.
"You don't understand. I break things like this." Fluttershy said.
"This device has survived for millions of years intact. It WILL survive you. Now, sit down, close your eyes, and concentrate." Nova said pointing at the chair.
Fluttershy sighed and sat down. "Again, nothing," she said, starting to get up.
Nova pushed her back down. "Okay, this time, just try to imagine an image of where we are in the solar system." She said.
Fluttershy sat back and closed her eyes. This time the chair lit up and leaned back. One of the drones on the far side of the room lit and started flying around. After nearly hitting a few people it made its way up the elevator shaft. "What did I do?" She said.
Cadance, who was in the elevator at the time, saw the drone fly by. "Get us back down there!" She yelled at the elevator operator.
"All inbound craft, we have a rogue drone that can seek a target on its own." Rainbow heard over the radio, "Land immediately and shut down your engines. This is not a drill. I repeat..."
"It's too late. Hang on," She told Storm. Pulling the helicopter up and causing the drone to go under them. It then turned and started following them.
"Break right," Storm said, gripping hard on the handle next to him. Rainbow turned. "I said, RIGHT." He said
"I'm getting to that, sir." Rainbow said.
Cadance ran up to Nova and Fluttershy. "I told you I was the wrong person," Fluttershy said.
"It doesn't matter now. Just do something," Nova yelled.
"Like what?" Fluttershy asked on the verge of tears.
Cadance bent down and looked Fluttershy in the eyes. "Okay, Fluttershy, concentrate on shutting that weapon down before it hurts someone."
Fluttershy closed her eyes and tried to shut it down.
Rainbow and Storm had lost track of the drone.
"I can't see it," Rainbow said.
"Pull up, pull up." Storm yelled. The drone flew past and started following them again. "What about now?" He asked.
"Now's good," Rainbow said, pulling the helicopter up just a few feet from the ground. The drone couldn't pull up fast enough and crashed into the snow. Rainbow landed the helicopter and shut down the engines. "Sir. What the hell was that?" She asked.
"Wait for it." Storm said holding up his hand. Suddenly, the drone flew out of the ground and started at them again.
"GET OUT!" Rainbow yelled, unbuckling herself and diving out of the helicopter. Storm doing the same on his side. The drone suddenly shut down and skidded to a stop in front of Storm Chaser.
Rainbow and Storm got back in the helicopter. "That was...different," Rainbow said, breathing heavily.
Storm leaned back in his chair. "For me...not so much."
"I think I did it." Fluttershy said, opening her eyes.
Scootaloo ran up to Cadance. "Captain Dash is reporting the drone appears to have been incapacitated. Major Chaser's helicopter is unharmed, and on its way again. Seven minutes out."
Cadence sighed. "Thank god,"
"Frank," Daring Do said as Storm walked off the elevator.
"Daring, the names Storm Chaser now, remember? Warm welcome." Storm said.
"It wasn't me. How did you manage to..." Daring asked.
"Keep my ass from getting blown out of the sky? The exceptional flying of Captain Rainbow Dash. She likes it here." Storm said.
"Exceptional? You like it here?" Daring Do said turning to Rainbow, who just shrugged back.
"What say we cut to the part where you start talking real fast," Storm said.
"Ah. Cadance's in here," Daring said, leading the way.
"Hey, don't touch anything." Storm threw over his shoulder at Rainbow.
"Yes, sir."
"I figure the Alicorns packed up their entire city and left somewhere between five and ten million years ago." Daring Do said.
"In their...flying city?" Storm questioned.
"Yes." Daring confirmed. Storm just looked at her. "What?"
"Flying city?" He asked.
"Well, keep in mind this is the race that could raise and lower the sun and moon at will. They did everything big." Daring said.
"So why did they leave?" Storm asked.
"Why did they leave? Who knows? We know the Alicorns in Equestria were under attack. Maybe some of them were trying to start over, seeding life in a new dimension. Maybe that's what Alicorns do. The point is, we know where they went." Daring said.
"After all that time, is there any hope of actually meeting them?" Nova asked.
"Well, who knows, but isn't that enough reason to go?" Daring said.
"Well, I've been choosing members for this expedition for months, Miss Do. I'm not the one who needs convincing." Cadance said smiling and looking at Storm Chaser.
"Well, I'm convinced. Have fun." Storm said.
"It's a little more complicated than that." Daring said.
"We need Site 15 to get there." Nova interrupted, "The outpost you and the other Rainbow Dash used to get to your home dimension and is now sitting in the middle of nowhere gathering dust. I've since determined that it generates it's enormous power from magical energy deep beneath Equestria." Nova said.
"That was a waste of a perfectly good explanation. The answer's no." Storm said.
"The second I shut my eyes, I could see." Rainbow heard Fluttershy say. She walked toward her voice. "I just felt this power I've never had before. I had it dancing all across the sky. It was magical, it really was. I mean...well, they are lucky. I don't know where it came from. I just tried to concentrate, and the drone shut itself down." Fluttershy said.
"Fluttershy? So, your were the one." Rainbow said.
"Rainbow?" Fluttershy jumped upon hearing her voice.
"You're the one who fired that thing at me." Rainbow said.
Fluttershy started backing away "Look, we're doing research. Working with technology that's light-years beyond us, and we make mistakes. I'm really, really sorry." Fluttershy said.
Rainbow calmed down. "Well, next time, just be a little more careful, okay? What the heck was that thing anyway?" She asked, hugging Fluttershy.
"You mean the drone?" Fluttershy asked. Rainbow nodded. "The weapon the Alicorns built to defend this outpost. You do have security clearance to be here?"
"Yeah, yeah, Major Chaser just gave it to me." Rainbow said.
"Then you don't even know about the IDTs?" Fluttershy asked.
"The what?"
"Frank, you know jumping directly to a dimension requires an enormous amount of power," Daring said.
"Yes, I do. Find another way."
"There IS no other way."
"There is a reason we shut Site 15 down. It doesn't use the Palnerovian Cycle. Meaning you'll need the same amount of power to jump back here. My sister and I were lucky we managed to find a power source large enough to get us back to Equestria. You would have to set up an Interdimensional Transporter and find enough energy to jump you back here. Would you be able to do that?"
"This isn't just some other civilisation we're talking about. These are the Alicorns. I'm sure they have something that would work. I mean they had to have gotten there somehow. Besides, who knows what else we could find."
Cadance stepped forward. "The potential wealth of knowledge and technology, it outweigh anything we've come across since we found Triax Island."
"Well, if you go through with this trek of yours, odds are it'll be one-way."
"Yes, we know, but the benefit to Equestria and Earth is far greater than the risk, Major," Cadance said. "And it is a risk that every one of my expedition members is willing to take."
"We think the gene was used as a sort of genetic key, if you will, so that only their kind could operate certain dangerous or powerful technologies." Fluttershy said, tapping at one of the computer screens connected to the chair.
"So some people have the same genes as the Alicorns?" Rainbow asked.
"The specific gene is very rare, but on the whole, the look very much like we do. In fact, they were first. We're the second evolution of this form, the human form Alicorns having explored this world for millions of years..." Rainbow moved to sit in the chair. "Rainbow, please don't."
"Come on, Fluttershy, what are the odds of me having the same genes as these guys?" She said, sitting down. As she did the chair lit up and leaned back.
Fluttershy looked at Rainbow, her mouth open. "Quite slim, actually. Don't move." She said running out of the room and returning with Cadance, Nova, Storm, and Daring Do.
"What's going on here?" Cadance asked.
"I said don't touch anything." Storm said.
"I just sat down, sir."
"Captain," Nova said approaching the chair, "Think about where we are in the solar system."
Rainbow closed her eyes. Suddenly a holographic star map appeared above the chair. "Did I do that?"
"We could be on our way to discovering an entirely new ancient civilisation." Cadance said, as she and Storm Chaser walked down one of the many hallways in the outpost. "At the best case scenario, we meet actual Alicorns who are willing to help us, but if we don't...Major, we need her." Cadance said.
"Sorry, Cadance, I need Daring Do here." Storm said.
"I'm talking about Rainbow Dash." Cadance said.
"Oh. Don't you have a dozen or so people already who can use the Alicorn technology?" Storm asked.
"Yeah, with concentration and training, they can make it work, but Rainbow Dash, she does it naturally." Cadance said.
"You know, I've checked into her record." Storm said stopping in front of the elevator.
"I know about the whole supposed black mark in Saddle Arabia. She was trying to save the lives of three servicemen."
"Disobeying a direct order in the process."
"I have read your own file, Major. Please."
"Right. Okay, it's your expedition." He said stepping onto the elevator. "You want her, you ask her."
"Uh, that's the thing. I have."
"Really?"
"Also, I have another favour to ask." Cadance said handing Storm a folder.
He looked it over. "You do realise she quit, right?" He asked.
"Oh, she'll join. Trust me," Cadance said.
Rainbow was in the helicopter doing some preflight tests when Storm got in.
"This isn't a long trip, so I'll be as succinct as possible," He said.
There was a moment of silence before Rainbow spoke up. "Well, that's pretty succinct." She said.
"Thank you." Storm said.
"I told Cadance that, you know, I'd think about it." Rainbow said.
"And? So? Well? What?" Storm said.
"With all due respect, sir, we were just attacked by an alien missile, then I found out I have some mutant gene, then there's this IDT thing and these expeditions to other dimensions..." Rainbow said.
"You know, this isn't about you, Dash. It's a lot bigger than that." Storm said.
"Right now, at this very second, whether I decide to go on this mission or not seems to be about me." Rainbow started up the helicopter and put her headset on.
"Let me ask you something," Storm said reaching back and putting on his own headset. "Why did you become a pilot?" He asked.
"I think people who don't want to fly are crazy," Rainbow replied.
"And I think people who don't want to travel to other dimensions are equally as whacked. Now, if you can't give me a yes by the time we reach Mcmurdo, I don't even want you.
A grey car pull up to a house set back in the woods and a man in a uniform stepped out. He approached the front door and knocked. There was no response. "Sir, back here." Another uniformed man said, pointing to the back yard. They walked around the house where the found who they were searching for sitting in a chair, painting.
"Lieutenant Apple Bloom?" The man asked.
"Retired." Apple Bloom said, not turning from her painting.
"I'm Sergeant Fisher," The man said.
"Air Division?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Yes, sir." Fisher said.
"Want a little piece of advice, Sergeant? Get re-ass'ed to the IDE. That's where all the action's gonna be." Apple Bloom said. "Out there."
"I'm..uh...under orders to bring you to see Major Storm Chaser, sir." Fisher said.
"Never heard of him." Apple Bloom said.
"He used to go by Frank. He says it's important. They found Atlantis," Fisher said.
Apple Bloom stopped painting, put the brush down, and and turn to him.
"Shining Armor, if you're watching this, it means General Navic has been kind enough to grant you security clearance. I'm not going on a diplomatic mission to another country. I'm going to another planet in another dimension by means of a device called an IDT. Millions of years ago, there was a race of being we call the Alicorns. They came here from Equestria to learn more about our world. We don't know why, but they left for another dimension somewhere between five and ten million years ago, taking their entire city along with them. That city was called Atlantis."
"I have been assembling an expedition team in order to try to find Atlantis and hopefully, the Alicorns who left Earth all those years ago. I want to do this, Shining Armor, with all my heart. You know me well enough to know I could never turn down an opportunity like this, but I wanted the chance to tell you..."
Shining Armor stopped the video, got up, and walked to the phone. He dialed Cadance's number. "The cellular customer you are trying to reach is currently outside the coverage area." A computer voice said over the phone.
He hung up the phone and sighed. "No kidding."
Just then the front door opened. "Dad, I'm home." Flurry Heart said. She came into the room. "Where's mom?"
"She went on another business trip. She'll be gone for awhile." Shining Armor said.
"Oh, that's right. I forgot. Well, Red is having a sleepover and she invited me. So, I'll be heading over there." She said heading upstairs.
"Not before you finish your chores." Shining Armor said.
"I will." She yelled back.
Site 15 - Equestria
Apple Bloom and Fisher were on an elevator heading down to Site fifteen. The elevator stopped and they got off. They walked over to a desk where a man had them sign in.
"We have to take a second elevator the rest of the way." Fisher said. "It's a long way down."
"Yeah, I know. I've been here before." Apple Bloom said stepping into the other elevator.
"Uh, of course." Fisher said.
They rode the elevator for awhile before getting off.
"Right this way, sir" a man said waving Apple Bloom towards an office.
"Major Chaser. Lieutenant Apple Bloom." The man said entering the office.
"Retired." Apple Bloom corrected.
"I can see that." Storm Chaser said. "I've been thinking about retiring. You know, start getting my thoughts together. Maybe write a book. You ever think of writing a book about your exploits in the line of duty?"
"I've thought about it, but then I'd have to shoot anyone that actually read it." Apple Bloom said. Storm Chaser stared at her. "That's a joke, sir. Most of my work the past five years was classified."
"Yes, of course."
"Major Fisher mentioned Atlantis?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Down to business. I can do that." He turned to the man who had brought Apple Bloom in. "Bring Cadance in."
"Listen, I just need a couple of minutes to finish my work, and, not to be rude, but you're not helping by standing there." Fluttershy said to Sergeant Kathlyn, one of the few Rybakians within Triax Defence.
Colonel Summer walk up to Fluttershy. He was an older man with orange skin and greyish-yellow hair. "Everything in here has been double-checked and triple-checked and cleared for takeoff. Leave it alone." He said.
"Look, Colonel, no offence but I, uh, don't answer to you." Fluttershy said.
"She said the same to me, sir," Kathlyn said.
"That's what your sidearm's for," Summer said, walking away.
Rainbow walked down the hall to the transport room passing Colonel Summer on the way. "Colonel." She said as way of greeting.
Cadance walked into the room. "Can I have everyone's attention, please?" The crowd went quiet. "Alright, here we go. We're about to try to make a connection. We have been unable to predict exactly how much power this is going to take, and we may only get the one chance at this, so if we're able to achieve a stable connection, we're not going to risk shutting the IDT down. We'll send in the robot probe, check for viability, and go. Everything in one shot."
"Now, every one of you volunteered for this mission, and you represent over a dozen cities. You are the best and the brightest, and in light of the adventure we are about to embark on...you're also the bravest. I hope we all return one day having discovered a whole new realm for humanity and ponykind to explore, but as all of you know...we may never be able to return home. I'd like to offer you all one last chance to withdraw your participation." She looked around and saw nobody move. "Activate the Transporter."
The IDT hummed to life and arcs of electricity shot through it.
"Let me make myself clear, Captain. You are not here by my choice." Summer said to Rainbow.
"I'm sure you'll warm up to me once you get to know me, sir," She said back.
"As long as you remember who's giving the orders." Summer said.
Rainbow smiled. "That would be Cadance, right?"
He just stared at her and she smiled back.
Cadance walked into the control room.
"Nice speech," Storm said.
"Thank you." An orb of light appeared in the centre of the IDT. "This is it," She said smiling. Looking over at Nova who was watching the screen showing the IDT with a blank expression. "Seriously, Nova, calm down. You're embarrassing me."
"I've never been so excited in my entire life." Nova said sarcastically.
The orb grew until it touched the base of the IDT. "We have a connection," Tact said. The room cheered.
"Send the probe." Cadance said.
The probe moved forward into the large white orb. "We have telemetry," Tact said.
"What is it we're looking at?" Cadance asked looking at the screen.
"Switching to zero locks. The radar indicates...a large room."
"Structurally intact?" Daring Do said.
Nova looked at the screen. "Environmental sensors say there's oxygen, no measurable toxins. We have viable life support. Looks like we're not getting out of this."
Cadance looked at Storm Chaser. "Cadance, you have a go," He said.
"Thank you...sir."
"Let's go people. We don't know how much power we've got left." Colonel Summer yelled. "Security teams one and two, you're up first. All other personnel will follow on our signal. Once on the other side, keep moving, clear the debarkation area. On my lead..."
"Hold on, Colonel," Cadance yelled. "We go through together."
"Fair enough." He said approaching the orb. Raising his gun he walked into the orb, Cadance following behind him.
"Frank, if it's not too late for me..." Daring started saying.
"No" Storm interrupted.
"I can just grab my..." Daring asked.
"No." He said again.
"Kit." She finished.
Rainbow and Scootaloo walked up to the orb.
"All clear. It looks good." Summer radioed back.
"Expedition team...move out." Storm said.
"I'm glad you changed your mind, mom," Scootaloo said to Rainbow.
"Yeah, it would be boring without you," Copper said.
"What? You think I'm gonna let you two go on an epic adventure to another dimension without me? I think not," Rainbow said.
Suddenly the ground shook violently. Rainbow grabbed the railing near the IDT to keep herself from falling.
"What was that?" Scootaloo asked.
"I don't know, but it can't be good." Rainbow said.
Lieutenant Panzer entered the control room and approached Storm Chaser. "Three ships just appeared on our sensors and are firing on the site. They're Greymark."
"Greymark, how? This place is supposed to be top secret," Storm said.
"Well, apparently it's not as 'top secret' as we thought," Daring Do said.
Another explosion shook the facility. "It doesn't matter how they found us. The core was already unstable because we were using it to connect to Atlantis. Now, it's gone critical," Tact said.
"Will shutting down the IDT stop it?" Storm asked.
"No, the core is too unstable. We can't stop it now."
"Right," Storm said, turning on the intercom in the IDT room. "All expedition team members, proceed through the Transporter immediately." He flipped a switch and activated the site wide intercom. "This is Major Storm Chaser, all personnel evacuate this facility immediately. I repeat, all personnel proceed to the main level immediately. We have a code three, this is not a drill, repeat this is not a drill."
People started leaving the control room, leaving only Storm Chaser, Tact, and Panzer.
"That means you two as well," Storm said.
Tact stood up. "No offence, sir, but we clones never leave a brother behind. You may not be a clone, but you are certainly a brother. If you're staying, so are we," Tact said, saluting Storm.
"Tact's right, sir. We been through hell and back together. We're stayin' here," Panzer said.
Storm smiled. "Right, let's see if we can buy ourselves some more time."
Rainbow looked out at the crowd of people in IDT room. The military personnel same fine but the civilians were starting to panic.
"Copper, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle," Rainbow said, waving the four over to her. "Copper, I want you to head through the IDT and tell Cadance and Summer what's going on. Take some of this equipment with you." Copper nodded and walked off. "Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, help get this equipment though the IDT. Mission critical equipment first. If it can be replaced on the other side then leave it. Sweetie Belle, you know what we need. Scootaloo, you're with me."
Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom walked off. "Alright everyone listen up," Rainbow yelled. "We're going to start sending people through. Two at a time, three seconds apart. No one goes through without carrying at least one piece of equipment. Let's go!"
"What's the situation?" Sunset Shimmer asked upon entering the control room, Dr. Wiseman following behind her.
"The core's gone critical, and once it goes, all the magic trapped beneath the site will be released, and you of all people should know what happens when you release a huge amount of magic at once." Tact said.
"Get up," Sunset said to Tact.
"What?"
"Get up!" She repeated. Tact got up and Sunset sat down at the computer. "When we built the site, I thought something like this might happen. So, Dasher, Neon, Twilight, and I, found a way to convert the magical energy under the site into explosive energy." Sunset said.
"How is making the explosion bigger going to help us?" Panzer asked.
"Magic can't be destroyed. It can be absorbed or turned into something useful. Since no pony can absorb this much magic, we'll have to convert it into a different form of energy. In this case a large explosion." Sunset said.
"Major Storm Chaser, this is Colonel Silver Wing, do you copy?" A voice called over the radio.
Storm headed over to the radio. "This is Major Storm Chaser, go ahead." He said.
"All but two of my shuttles are in the air. What's the hold up down there?" Silver Wing said.
"We're making sure the expedition team makes it through. Also, Princess Twilight ordered the archive hard drives to be pulled during a code three. There's still a team down there." Storm said.
"Colonel, this is Sunset Shimmer. How far from the site you?" Sunset asked.
"Not far, why?" Silver Wing replied.
"Do you think you could make it to Site 49 in twenty minutes." Sunset asked.
"Site 49? But, that's hundreds of miles from here." Silver Wing said.
"Can you do it or not?" Sunset asked.
"If we push the engines, maybe, but I wouldn't recommend it." Silver Wing said.
"I would, because in about twenty minutes anything within about a hundred miles of this place is going to be vaporised." Sunset said.
"But, what about that village of reindeer?" Silver Wing asked.
"We already talked to Site 49 and it seems they got the old tram running again. They're evacuating them as we speak," Storm said.
"Got it. Don't wait too long or you won't make it out in time."
"Don't worry about us we'll be fine. Now go!"
"Copy."
Storm collapsed back in his chair and laughed.
"What's so funny, sir?" Tact asked.
"Oh, it's just that if Rainbow hadn't switched assignments with me, I'd be sitting in a lecture hall right now and she'd be here. Wait till she hears what she missed out on."
"No offence to the Colonel, but I'm happy you're here. You are more capable of handling a situation like this."
"Ha ha, you're probably right. Knowing my sister, she'd probably fly right up there and take those ships on herself."
An alarm went off on one of the computers. "Three more ships just appeared on our sensors," Tact said.
"Greymark?" Storm asked.
"No, there was no hyperspace window. They just appeared. Wait, what?" Tact said.
"What?"
"They're ours. They're DNFs. Two class fives and...the class ten? IT doesn't make sense. Even if they heard about the attack the moment it started, Equestria is on the other side of the planet. It would take them a couple of days to get here."
"Besides, I thought the class ten was still under construction," Panzer said.
Just then one of the dots on the screen disappeared. "They just destroyed one of the Greymark ships. They are radioing us." Tact said.
"Hey boys, thought we'd drop in and see how things were going. Looks like you got a bit of a problem here." Rainbow Dash said over the radio. She sounded younger than the other Rainbow.
"Sis, it's good to hear your voice. How did you guys hear about the attack, and more importantly, how'd you get here so fast?" Storm asked.
"There's a Diamond Eye agent aboard one of those ships. He risked his life telling us about this attack. We have an extraction team heading out to get him as we speak. As for how we got here, you have dad to thank for that. He finally got those old Jump-Sats working again."
"Alright listen, the reactor has gone critical. You need to stop those ships. We still have people working down here and we need more time." Storm said.
"We blew the tens weapons systems with that surprise attack of ours. It also took out a few other systems as well, including shields. We're trying to get them back now. AJ and Trip are commanding the fives and Applejack is currently moving hers between me and the nearest Greymark ship to buy us more time to get our shields working, but she won't last long under that kind of fire. Drone teams nineteen through twenty-eight came with us and are in the air and I've recalled those shuttles you set out. We have a few human jets onboard, but no one to fly them and I was hoping that there might be some pilots aboard those shuttles who can."
"There are. Okay, send shuttles two and three to Applejack's ship. The men on those shuttles where on the surface when the attack began and some of them are badly hurt. The moment it becomes too dangerous for AJ to stay, have her jump. We need to get those men medical attention ASAP. You said you have an extraction team, mind if I ask who they are?"
"Uh, well...you see, the thing is, we didn't have time to get an actual team. So..."
"Are you sure about this, CJ," Silver Moon asked looking over the edge of one of the landing platforms on the ten.
"Relax, I do this all the time," Cloud Jumper said, pulling her goggles down over her eyes.
"In your pony form. Have you even tried this in your human form yet?" Redwood asked, putting on her own goggles.
"Well, no, but how much different could it be. Don't worry, just do what I do." CJ said.
"Why would I worry? We're only skydiving into the middle of a war zone. What could go wrong?" Silver said, pulling her goggles down.
With that CJ jumped off the platform, Silver behind her, and Red behind Silver. Shortly after jumping CJ pulled a surfboard like object off her back and attached it to her boots. Using the board she glided across a nearby cloud as if it was snow. They went from cloud to cloud as they fell, getting closer and closer to the Greymark ship.
"They don't call me Cloud Jumper for nothing!" CJ said.
"Girls, do you copy?" Storm asked, his face showing up on their HUDs.
"Go ahead, sir." Red said.
"Rainbow thinks you're ready for this. I, however, would not have started you on this mission. Anyway, you know what you need to do. Get in, get the agent, and get out. You have eighteen minutes till the reactor goes. We'll have a shuttle waiting to pick you up outside the main hanger. Good luck." Storm said.
"Thank you, sir," Silver said.
"We should be close enough," CJ said, placing her board back on her back. She switched to her Pegasus form and used her wings to slow herself down, landing on the Greymark ship gently. "Alright, that cloud under you should slow you down enough to land." She said, looking up. She watched as Silver emerged from the cloud and landed on the ship. Looking up again CJ notice that the cloud had broken apart. "No, I thought the cloud was thicker than that. Without that cloud Red won't be able to slow down enough. Silver can you slow her down with your magic?"
"I'm trying, but she's still falling too fast," Silver said. "Can't you fly up and get her?"
"The winds to strong up here." CJ said.
"We just saw you fly." Silver said.
"That wasn't flying, it was gliding, there's a difference." CJ yelled back.
Suddenly, a black and red drone flew by, caught Red, and set her down on the ship. The drone then emitted and holographic image of an earth pony with an eyepatch.
"Thanks, dad," Red said.
"Yeah, Lieutenant General Angry, that was awesome!" CJ said.
The hologram turn toward CJ. "Since this was your plan, you were supposed to account for everything. That was in your training, right? Or, perhaps Frank is dumber than I thought. Anyway, you make a mistake like that again, and I don't care who you're related to, I'll shoot ya." Rick said. He then turned to the other. "Me and Major General Pinky Pie are the only ones watching your backs, so be careful and good luck."
"We've got incoming!" Pinkie Pie said in a singsong voice.
The hologram shut off and the drone flew off.
"Let's do this!" CJ said.
"Let's go people!" Rainbow yelled. "Let's move it!"
Apple Bloom approached Rainbow. "This is taking too long. We need to go faster." She said.
"You're right, go ahead through and tell them we're going to start sending them through four at a time. Take these with you." Rainbow said.
Taking the bags Rainbow had handed to her, she headed through the IDT.
There was another large explosion and some of the equipment fell over. A few people, including Fluttershy, stopped to pick it up.
Rainbow ran over and pulled her up. "There's no time. Leave it." She said.
"But, its medical equipment. We might need it." Fluttershy said.
Sighing Rainbow looked around. "Sarah, Satvei, over here." She called.
"Yes, ma'am?" Sarah said saluting. Satvei walking up beside her.
"I know you and Satvei were tasked with carrying the other IDT, but we need to move this medical equipment. Satvei do you think you can carry that and this?"
"I will do my best." The large wolf said, bowing his head.
"We've got a problem," Panzer said, coming into the control room with a group of people. A few of the had minor injuries.
"What happened?" Dr. Wiseman asked, hurrying over to them.
"That last explosion took out the stairwell. This group just avoided it, but we're stuck down here." Panzer explained.
"Communications are down, too." Tact said.
"Is there any other way to reach Rainbow?" Storm asked.
"There's me." Someone said.
"Screwball, what are you doing here?" Storm asked.
"Oh, you know me, always trying to help." The filly said.
"So how about you snap your fingers and fix this whole mess?" Panzer said.
"Can’t. For several reason. Popcorn?" Screwball said smiling and holding out a bucket of popcorn.
Panzer just stared at her.
"Hey, more for me. Anyway, I've been updating Rainbow this whole time. She's aware we're stuck down here and is wondering what you plan on doing." Screwball said.
“You could teleport everyone out.” Panzer said.
“Like i said i can’t. Believe me, if could could prevent this whole thing, I would, but I can’t. For one, the magic beneath us is interfering with my magic.” She said.
“That does make sense.” Sunset said.
“What about the popcorn?” Panzer asked.
“It was supposed to be ice cream.” Screwball said.
"Well, the only way out is through the IDT. Unless someone has a better idea." Storm said.
"AJ's ship just jumped, the Tens shields are still down, and Rainbow's taking fire. Bay is moving his Five to take AJ's spot, but we're running out of time. If we're going, we need to go now." Screwball said running out of the room.
"Sunset?" Storm asked.
"Done." Sunset said.
"Everyone, get moving. Let's go!" Storm yelled.
The group of them were running towards the IDT room, when another large explosion went off and the ceiling collapsed. Once the dust settled Sunset got up and looked around. The group that Panzer had found were with her. Storm, Panzer, Tact, and Dr. Wiseman were on the control room side.
"Wiseman! Doctor, can you hear me?" Sunset yelled.
"We're fine, Sunset. How are the others?" The elderly man asked.
"They're fine. Hang on, I'll get you out of there." Sunset said moving a few rocks.
She was pulled back by Rainbow. "There is no time, Sunset."
"Rainbow's right. You guys need to go now. I have another way out of here. Sunset, Wiseman will be fine, don't worry." Storm said.
"No. I won't leave him!" Sunset said moving a few more rocks.
Suddenly another explosion shook the site and more of the ceiling collapsed. Satvei ran over and used his large body to protect her for the falling debris.
"Go now!" He said.
"You saved me. Thank you," Sunset said hugging him. She notice him wince in pain. He had a large cut down his side. "You're hurt, I'm so sorry."
"He's fine," Sarah said pulling Sunset up.
"Scootaloo, get everyone out of here." Rainbow said.
"What about you?" Scootaloo asked.
"I'll be right behind you, go!" Rainbow said.
Everyone except Rainbow ran off down the hall.
"Are you sure you can get out of here?" Rainbow asked Storm.
"It's risky, but yeah. Listen, on the north wall of the IDT room there's a silver refrigerated briefcase with wood trim. Find it and take it with you. It's a gift, but don't stay too long, it's not worth your life." Storm said.
"Got it, good luck, sir." Rainbow said running down the hallway.
"This is your plan?" Tact said as they entered a large room with a starship in it. The name Meadow Brook stencilled across the side. "The Meadow Brook is nowhere near ready to fly."
"Who said anything about flying?" Storm said as they entered the bridge.
It took Tact a few seconds to realise what Storm was talking about. "No, no, no, no, no, no! Do you know how dangerous it is to open a hyperspace window under ground. Besides, the hyperdrive hasn't even been tested yet." He said.
"Can you do it?" Storm asked.
"There are still areas of the ship that are exposed. If we jump now there's a chance we'll be ripped apart. Maybe, if I put more power into the shields. I could shut off artificial gravity and dial back the inertial dampener. That might do it. It won't be a pleasant ride, but it should work." Tact said.
"Good, everyone strap yourselves in." Storm said.
"Shuttle four, report." Rainbow said.
"No sight of Wood's team yet, ma'am." The pilot said.
"Damn it, we can't wait anymore. Get back to the ten. Rick, recall all drones. All shuttles and jets report back to the ten immediately. We're jumping now!" Rainbow said.
"Hang on, there they are. We got them, heading back now." The pilot said.
"Good, make it quick." Rainbow said.
Scootaloo came through the matter-stream in Atlantis.
"Scoots, where's mom?" Copper asked.
"She's right behind me." Scootaloo said.
The matter-stream started flickering then Rainbow came flying out, apparently having ponied up at some point. The matter-stream shut down, Rainbow landed hard in the middle of the room, and she returned to normal.
"You okay, mom?" Scootaloo asked hugging her.
"I feel weak, just like when Twilight had drain the magic out of me, but other than that, I feel fine." Rainbow said.
"Magic may work differently in this dimension." Copper said.
"What happened over there, Captain?" Summer asked
"Three Greymark ship dropped in out of nowhere. Major Chaser ordered the base evacuated. Site fifteen is destroyed." Rainbow said.
"Do you know if Storm made it out?" Summer asked.
"No. I Barely made it out myself." Rainbow said.
"Well, I'm glad you did." Cadance said helping Rainbow back up.
Rainbow looked around the large room. Some lights started coming on their own.
"Alright, teams one and two, secure the immediate area." Summer yelled. "Everyone else, find a open space and park it until instructed otherwise."
More lights turned on. "Who's doing that?" Cadance asked, looking around.
"Security teams, any alien contact?"
"Negative, sir"
"Team four, negative, Colonel."
Rainbow and Nova walked up a flight of stairs and more lights came on.
"The lights are coming on by themselves," Rainbow said to Nova.
People started spreading out and searching the city. More lights and consoles coming to life with each room they entered.
"Cadance, you have to see this," one of the scientists said over the radio.
"I have a lot of things to see. Just be careful." She said approaching Nova.
Several consoles in the room activated. "I didn't touch anything." Rainbow said, holding her hands up.
"Relax, Rainbow. It's like the entire complex is sensing our presence and coming to life."
"This has got to be the control room," Nova said. "This area could be power control systems, possibly a computer interface..."
"Hey, hey. Why don't you find out?" Cadance said.
"Right."
"Cadance, Colonel Summer. Could you come down and meet me, please? We're three levels down from you."
"Right away."
"We've only been able to secure a fraction of the place. It's huge." Summer said to Cadance as the entered another room.
"So it might really be the lost city of Atlantis?"
"I'd say that's a good bet." He said walking up to a nearby window.
Cadance looked out the window. "Oh, my goodness. We're underwater."
"I'd say we're under several hundred feet of ocean. If we can't transport out this could be a problem."
Nova entered the room. "Colonel, Cadance..."
"We're underwater," Rainbow told Nova.
"Yes, I was just coming to tell you. Fortunately, there is some sort of force field holding back the wa..." She stop once got a look out the window. "Water. Oh, that is impressive, isn't it? Uh, Fluttershy has found something you should, uh, see."
"...in the hope of spreading new life in a dimension where there appeared to be none. Soon, the new life grew and prospered."
"It's a hologram," Fluttershy told them. "The recording loops. This is my second time through."
"What have we missed?" Summer asked.
"Not much."
"...exchange knowledge and friendship," The holographic human form Alicorn continued. "In time, a thousand worlds bore the fruit of life in human form. Then one day, our people set foot upon a dark world were a terrible enemy slept. Never before had we encountered beings with magic that rivalled our own. In our overconfidence, we were unprepared and outnumbered. The enemy fed upon the defenceless human worlds like a great scourge, until finally, only Atlantis remained. This city's great shield was powerful enough to withstand their terrible weapons, but here we were besieged for many years. In an effort to save the last of our kind, we submerged our great city into the ocean. The Atlantis Mirror was the one and only link back to Equestria from this dimension, and those who remained used it to return to the dimension that was once home. There, the last survivors of Atlantis lived out the remainder of their lives. This city was left to slumber, in the hope that our kind would one day return." The hologram faded away.
"Huh. So the story of Atlantis is true," Nova said, "a great city that sank in the ocean."
"It just didn't happen on Earth," Fluttershy added.
"Well, the Ancient Greeks must have heard it from one of the surviving Alicorns."
Sweetie Belle walked into the room and whispered something in Nova ear.
Fluttershy activated the hologram again. "Let's see it again from the beginning."
"STOP! TURN IT OFF!" Nova yelled. Fluttershy did. "Power levels throughout the city are dropping like a stone."
Colonel Summer turned and looked a Nova. "What does that mean?"
"That if we don't stop everything we're doing right now, we're dead."
To Be Continued
