The battle for Cloudsdale (Part I)

Rainbow Dash was navigating through the darkness, towards that one distant source of light.

The pegasus was finally pushing through. She was like a tiny insect entering a structure the size of a stadium.

Picture a place like the inside of an abandoned cathedral, a cathedral big enough to contain an entire city. Picture columns, giant digital screens instead of windows, mysterious mechanisms protruding from every surface like some sort of alien ornaments, lit by silver emergency lights. Picture countless metal platforms, hanging high up in the air.

It was the place they used to call Cloudsdale. Rainbow Dash was home.

-

She returned to the others to tell them about her discovery.

"What did it look like?"

"Different. But it's not just because the illusions are gone. The place is deserted. Mostly dark. It's as if They had shut it down."

"So you're saying They deactivated Cloudsdale Themselves before we could even get there? Something like an orderly retreat?"

"Something like that."

"Maybe it's a trap."

"A trap of an epic scale."

"Well, we are rather epic..."

Twilight frowned.

"The question is, should we still go? So far it is the only way we have found that is leading out of the ruins of Ponyville. And we can't just stay here. We have not much food left, no water... oh, and we need this drug that keeps our bodies from melting like butter."

"If they have shut it down, they're expecting our arrival. So we are not likely to get anything over there."

Applejack was shaking her head.

"Spike, Twilight... what are you two even talking about?"

"We had a plan. Tell 'em, Twilight."

"I was preparing an invasion. Rarity has developed a few powerful weapon systems..."

"Twilight, dear, you should mention that these projects are all still in Beta..."

"...So were my plans. I was all still very theoretical. But now things have changed again."

-

"Wow."

"You can say that again."

"Wow."

Rainbow Dash had lead them to the dome, and this time, they all went inside together. They had told the other survivors of Ponyville to stand behind and let them do some reconnaissance first, though Twilight was pretty sure many of them, especially among the pegasi, had already split from the group to explore Cloudsdale on their own.

"I mean, Cloudsdale was already impressive when they made it look like a magical rainbow-land... But this is mind-boggling... How long does it take to build a place like this?"

Spike shrugged.

"Sometimes I wonder if even They themselves fully understand this facility... Much of it is handled by the computers. Sometimes entire sectors seem to appear or disappear overnight..."

They had some difficulties walking on the floor deep beneath the suspended platforms, for it was covered by a metal grille. Underneath, there was absolute darkness. Pinkie Pie spat down and listened for the impact, but she didn't hear anything.

"Spooky."

"Would you please not do that? It is positively gross."

"How do we get into town? Those of us who can't fly, that is."

"We can all fly! Did you already forget about our balloon, Applejack?"

"Yeah, but where..."

Pinkie Pie was shaking her back, and the bundle she had been carrying fell to the ground. It made a loud clicking noise, and it unfolded into a large basket. The balloon cover was folded inside.

"How do we get this fella into shape?"

"No worries. I know someone who is FULL with hot air. Oh Spiiiiikey... ?"

-

The first thing they saw after they had landed on one of the platforms was a pegasus stallion walking towards a far away structure.

"A survivor! Hello! Hello there! Where are you going?"

The young colt turned around.

"I'm going into the light. That's where the others are. That's where Princess Celestia herself told us to go. I was too scared to go at first... But there is nothing left here. It's the only way."

He pointed to a dot of light, a few hundred meters away.

"Why don't you come with me?"

When they had come closer, the light turned out to be an open door. But the light coming from the other side was too bright to look inside.

Other pegasi were gathered around the door, some of them forming a line, others just standing around, undecided.

"And no one knows what happens to you when you walk through that door?"

"There are stories... They say it's salvation. The rapture. The portal to a better world."

"Don't you think... it might be a trap?"

"Who knows? But I'm going. I have no reason to stay here."

And they watched him disappear in the light.

"It's definitely a trap."

"Yep. No doubt about that."

"So what do we do?"

"We go explore the city. Investigate. And start to make plans."

"Let's go then... Pinkie? Aren't you coming?"

"No way! He said there was a RAPTOR on the other side! I wanna see him!"

"Oh Pinkie..."

-

They arrived on an especially big, round platform somewhere near the centre of the structure.

"I think this is the market place... Sure looks different without all the fluffy clouds... Say, what's this?"

Two big pegasus stallions were heading for a tiny pegasus pulling a cart. Even from this distance, their demeanor seemed all but friendly.

"Hey! leave her alone!"

But before Twilight and her friends could get any closer, a monster appeared. It dropped right out of the sky, and the impact made the platform tremble. It was an iron beast with blue, glowing eyes. In one swift movement, it grabbed the attacking colts with its giant claws and threw them away. Then there was the sound of breaking glass, somewhere in the distance.

The ponies from Ponyville started walking towards the pony girl again, but more slowly and careful this time. The monster was still standing right next to her, like a bodyguard.

"You saw what happened to the others! Don't you touch my food!"

The petite pegasus girl was of a very pale color, with black, curly hair, glasses and freckles. Her cutie mark was a chandelier.

"I can't believe it. This must be a nightmare. Is this... a YOGISH PONY?"

"Applejack!"

The little pegasus snorted.

"Stupid prejudices! ...Well, this time, by PURE COINCIDENCE, it happens to be true. So there. Don't follow me, or my friend will crush you, just like the others."

The giant metal monster jumped on the roof of a nearby building. Then it was out of sight.

"M-my threat still stands! He's still watching, you know? He's always watching!"

"We don't want to steal your food. My name is Twilight Sparkle, and these are my friends... We have a few questions."

"I'm not saying anything! And I'm not curious what non-pegasi are doing all the way up here! Uh-uh! I'm not! Leave me alone, or I will send him after you!"

"Him...? What is he, anyhow?"

It was Rainbow Dash who answered that.

"His name is Sam. He's the Golem of Cloudsdale. You'd call him a robot. A Yogish unicorn pony found him a long time ago, and he changed the numbers in his head so he would protect the community whenever they were in danger."

The tiny pegasus girl gasped.

"How do you know that?"

But Rainbow Dash just said:

"You are working for Ibbar Blue Stern, aren't you? Please take us to him. We need to talk."

"The Ibbar has gathered the entire community in the temple. He said the others were stupid to walk into the light like this, that it was a trick and that the community should stay in Cloudsdale and gather provisions. He's our leader."

"I can imagine that. Please take us to him."

"He said one shouldn't trust a wej in these dark hours... Not after what they've done..."

"Just bring us there. You'll see."

-

Twilight offered the young pegasus to have someone of their group pull the cart.

"...Applejack, for instance. She's the strong one. Would you like to pull her cart, Applejack? To demonstrate our friendly intentions?"

"I'd sooner die."

"Applejack!"

"It's okay. I wouldn't have trusted a WEJ with our provisions anyway."

"Cute. Now tell me, why were these other pegasi attacking you?"

"They don't want us to have any food. The Ibbar said we must gather as much food and medicine as we can for ourselves. Otherwise they would let us starve..."

"And now you're letting THEM starve. I bet they were just trying to get some food for their fillies..."

"APPLEJACK! You're not helping. Can't you just keep it down for a while?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I forgot. We're just wejs. We are not supposed to make... remarks."

"Seriously, you're acting weird."

"Pfff."

-

"We're here."

The Ponies of Ponyville gasped. The structure in front of them looked more like a fortress than a place of worship now. Armor plates and makeshift barricades had been put all around it.

"Halt! Who goes there?"

"It is Voglesinger... And some strangers. This pegasus here says she needs to talk to the Ibbar."

"He'll never talk to them! I'll count to three, and then..."

"Thanks, young Bloomtail, this won't be necessary."

A big, long bearded pony appeared on the platform above the barricade. He was dressed in black with a matching hat. The few parts of him that were visible- since not covered by cloth or beard - were of a dark blue color. His voice was deep and majestic.

"Who thinks that he is worthy of our time?"

"It's me."

Rainbow stepped forward.

"Rainbow Dash. Shame of my life."

"Hi, Dad."

Applejack's jaw dropped almost to ground level.

-

The other ponies of Ponyville were stepping aside while Rainbow Dash and her father were having a little... discussion. For some reason, Vogelsinger stayed with them even after her food cart had been pulled inside.

"I can't believe it... she never told me she was y... Fluttershy, did you know about that?"

"...Why of course, Applejack. We grew up together, remember? She just doesn't like to talk about her family. Her mother died when she was still very young, and her father... well..."

"I didn't even know the Ibbar had a daughter", Vogelsinger added.

"Even if their relationship seems to be... difficult", Twilight said, "he's still her father. Maybe we can find a way to help one another. The ponies of the temple made the choice to resist Celestia's call. But all ponies who stayed behind in Cloudsdale are faced with a very limited food supply. On the other hoof, the supplies should be sufficient to get everypony through if we're only staying here for a short time, just long enough to come up with a battle plan. Then we can all move on together."

Applejack uttered another mean laugh.

"Are you listening to the kvetching back there? This Ibbar isn't going to help anypony outside his precious 'community'. They don't care about finding a way out, they just want to make sure they're the last to starve."

"Why do you keep saying horrible things like that?", Vogelsinger complained.

"Thanks again for your input, Applejack. I think we can let Rainbow handle this."

-

Rainbow Dash rejoined the group.

"So? What did he say?"

"He said no. He doesn't want to have anything to do with our plans..."

Behind Rainbow's back, Applejack was silently moving her lips to say 'told you so'. Twilight Sparkle was trying to ignore her, while Vogelsinger was sticking out her tongue.

Rainbow snorted.

"He said I was free to join the ponies in the temple any time, though."

"Oh Rainbow", Applejack said in the sweetest voice, "Never mind us. You can take your little friend here and go back to your little tribe. You know you want to."

Everypony was holding their breath. It was clear the blue pegasus was having an inner debate. But after a few seconds, she decided that enough was enough.

"What is WRONG with you?"

"Hey! It's not my fault you are both a PEGASUS and a YOG. I mean, what the HAY?"

"You're so full of horseapples, Applejack -Horseapple Jackass-, no wonder they start falling out your stupid throat!"

"I just work with what you're giving me."

"I... How... YOU..."

"That's enough, girls!", Twilight said, "Maybe we can all just calm down and talk about things that actually matter...?"

Now both mares were staring at her in quite a menacing way.

"What? Did I say something wrong?"

Twilight was shaking her head.

"Quit horsing around. We're making a plan. Now. Listen up, everypony."

But that's where the siren started, and hell was breaking loose once again.

-

Celestia's mechanic voice was roaring through the structure.

"TROOPERS, CLEANSE THE CITY! THIS IS THE END OF THE LINE, TWILIGHT SPARKLE, MY FAITHFUL STUDENT!"

-

Their ears were ringing with sound of thousands of closing metal doors.

"They are sealing the buildings so that we can't take cover!"

"What's with the ponies trapped inside?"

Spike was just shaking his head.

"What's with the temple?"

"The pegasi must have hacked into the system. That must be the only building that's not under Their control."

Dozens of the strange, bipedal creatures came pouring from holes in the ceiling.

There was the sound of shooting in the distance.

"So it was a trap after all."

-

More and more pegasus ponies were gathering in front of the temple.

Rainbow Dash was pleading with the Ibbar.

"You've got to let them in!"

"No, Rainbow Dash. There is not enough room. This is our fortress. We cannot allow outsiders into our midst. Steel on the outside, cohesion on the inside. This is how we will survive."

The shooting was coming closer.

"This is it", Twilight said, "Now they'll try to kill us. There is no way to run."

"So whatever shall we do?"

"I guess we'll have to fight. Follow my lead."

A group of the masked strangers came running around the corner, preparing to shoot.

Twilight Sparkle's horn was glowing, and a rifle was pulled out of the grip of a perplexed marksman. It was floating in the air, rotated into position, and then fired. The soldier's head exploded. The body sank to the ground.

Before his terrified companions could react, they received the same treatment.

The Rifle was pulled through the air until it was floating right in front of Twilight's horn. Then she just dropped it to the floor.

"Twilight...!"

"I... I think I killed them."

"Yeah, no kiddin'. That was some fancy shooting, though I reckon shootin' someone's ugly head just half a meter away... On the other hoof, the boomstick itself was far away from YOU... I'm confused."

"Twilight, dear? Is everything alright?"

"No."

Twilight was shaking. She wasn't crying yet, but that was probably because she was too tense for that right now.

"I-it's sure different when you just read about it in a book..."

"There, there..."

"These were just three. There are hundreds of them out there... And maybe I'll have to shoot them all."

She was looking at her friends, incredibly pale.

"I don't think I can do that."

"You better find out quick. Here's the next wave."

This time, the ponies had to retreat into the ally. This group seemed to have learned from the failures of the predecessors and didn't waste any time to open fire.

"I can't... Not again..."

"It's alright, dear...", Rarity said, and in the general confusion hardly anyone noticed how sad she was, "Let Rarity take it from here."

Rarity levitated the gun and sent it around the corner while she was sticking her head out. She proved at least as "talented" as Twilight.

She was advancing now, while the corpses of fallen enemies piled up around her. Her hooves and her stylish mane were sprinkled in blood, but she didn't even blink.

-

After just a few minutes, the situation had calmed down.

"Look!"

The corpses of the first troopers who had been shot had started to evaporate, as well as the puddles of blood.

"Do you see that? Maybe... Maybe that means they're not real... Maybe we didn't really kill anyone..."

Rarity granted Twilight a little, sad smile. If Twilight managed to believe that sort of thing, good for her. But Rarity was a murderer. She knew death when she saw it.

"You guys? You're doing... great, but we won't be able to hold the city like this. Even if all our unicorn ponies do what you do. Twilight mentioned weapons earlier on... Pony weapons."

"Rarity?"

Rarity's eyes were staring into the distance. She was still levitating her gun.

"Rarity, what..."

"Oh, right..."

She seemed to regain conscience.

"The... projects I've been working on. Well then, I guess it's time to put them to the test."

She dropped the gun, which had also started dissolving, just like its former owner.

-

While Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie, Applejack and Rainbow Dash stayed in the city, the other ponies met up with the rest of the ponyville-ponies at the tunnel entrance.

"What is going on up there? We're hearing the noises all the way down here."

"Urban warfare. I'd advise you to barricade the tunnel entry once we're gone. We have come to gather the things I asked you to carry for us, Big Macintosh."

"No problem. Is Applejack doing alright?"

"Oh, yes. Last time I checked..."

"Is there something we can do to help?"

"Our balloon can only transport a few ponies at a time, pegasi not included. obviously. And it is very dangerous. Twilight Sparkle said she would be glad about any unicorn pony capable of telekinesis, though. If we have any volunteers..."

A few unicorn ponies stepped forward. This time, though, Snips and Snails were rejected, and Sweetie Bell didn't even dare to do as much as look her older sister into the eyes.

They took as many ponies on board as they could while Rarity was levitating the equipment so that it would follow the balloon. She was gnashing her teeth, and her body was covered in sweat from the considerable exploit. She wasn't sure her brain would be able to take it much longer.

In the end, though, it was good they had taken so many volunteers at once, as a well-aimed shot from one of the dark troopers in the city forced them into a crash landing and made the balloon useless.

-

"Now that's what I call fancy galoshes", Applejack said.

Rainbow Dash was explictely NOT looking at her.

Rarity had fitted the earth pony with the prototype of the armour she had designed for her. Applejack's body was almost completely covered in shiny metal plates, and on her back, Rarity had mounted a "saddle" with a gun turret on it. The turret was operated through "reins" Applejack would hold in her mouth. She did, in fact, look like a tank.

"Now I know it is heavy..."

"No sweat. I can handle it."

"That's what I thought."

The other ponies were equipped with suits and armor as well.

Twilight was clearing her throat.

"Alright, everypony..."

"WAIT FOR US!"

The ground was shaking as Sam, the metal golem, was storming towards their camp, with Vogelsinger in his right claw, where she was sitting like a bird in a cage- though her demeanor was more like that of a pilot.

"Me an Sam, we want to help, too!"

"Thanks, Vogelsinger. We're glad to have you on board."

Applejack wanted to say something too, but Rainbow Dash gave her a glance so devastating that for once, she kept her mouth shut.

Twilight gulped.

"Now then... Battleplan..."