Invasion: Tales of a Roboticized Mare

Fluttershy groaned. Why did she feel so numb? She forced herself to open her eyes. The world around her seemed to grow even darker. Fluttershy pulled herself up.

The air was stuffy, and absolutely thick with pollution. Fluttershy gagged at the stench.

"Feeling comfortable?" Fluttershy stood rigid upon hearing that cruel, slimy voice. The voice she hadn’t heard in years.

"It's lovely to see you again, my dear."

Fluttershy curled up on the floor, trembling. No doubt she was in some sort of cell, as the voice slithered in from all directions.

"Still not much of a conversationalist, eh?" Dr. Robotnik tsked in disappointment. "I'll have to save my gloating for when your dearly beloved arrives. Oh, I know she can't talk, but her eyes do all the speaking. Or, eye, allow me to correct myself."

Fluttershy squeezed her eyes shut and clamped her hooves over her ears. She could still hear the Doctor cackling menacingly.

"Oh, you Equestrians are such fun. Nowhere near as challenging as Mobians, but you're still just as weak. Now, that weakness is you."

Fluttershy gritted her teeth, tears silently traveling down her cheeks.

"Sleep well, my little leverage."

~~~

Rainbow Dash scanned the scenery. The industrialized Canterlot looked just as uninviting as ever. Sewage spilled out of pipes into large piles, and factories puffed out black smoke while churning out SWATBOTS. Every surface was covered in a layer of dirt, oil, and grease.

Overall, it wasn't pleasant.

Rainbow Dash ducked behind a trash heap as a mechanical dragon flew overhead. Getting caught right off the bat was not an option. But Robotnik must have known that she was coming, because he had really stepped up security.

Patrol patterns were being switched randomly, and the electric hum of traps and stealth orbs was clearly audible. Not. Good.

Rainbow frowned. Surely Robotnik wouldn't kill Fluttershy. He would want to torture Rainbow Dash with her. Rainbow Dash may not have known much about Robotnik, but she knew two things for certain: One, that he had done this before, and two, he had enjoyed it.

Well, this was a game that Rainbow Dash wouldn't play by the rulebook. She needed to get Fluttershy out. And that meant action. If Rainbow had thought to bring Twilight along, she might have been able to plan a solid rescue mission.

No time to be picky. Rainbow Dash decided she would have to wing it. It's worked so far, after all.

~~~

Robotnik sat in his throne, contemplating. He didn't know how Rainbow Dash would choose to react. She was a wild card. He could not rely on her recklessness in recent years. Sometimes the pest completely outwitted him. She was almost as bad as the rodent.

"At least she doesn't have a smart mouth like the hedgehog."

In fact, she didn't have a mouth at all. Robotnik stroked his mustache thoughtfully. He at least hoped Rainbow Dash would come to retrieve the yellow one. He didn’t care how. As long as she arrives. Oh, what fun he would have then.

~~~

Rainbow Dash marched in line with the other robotic workers. So far, none of them had reacted to her presence. They must not have recognized Rainbow as alive, without a heartbeat. The stealth orbs must not have needed to survey this area, as it was filled with robots. Rainbow Dash prayed that she wouldn't see anypony she knew.

Rainbow scanned the streets, looking for a way to slip out and sneak into the castle. She had to find out where Fluttershy was, before Robotnik got impatient and Roboticized her. Rainbow wouldn't put it past the dictator to pull a fast one on her.

Once she was out of the nearest SWATBOT's sight, Rainbow broke into a gallop. She abandoned the line of robotic slaves, diving into an abandoned trash bin. Rainbow frowned, faint memories tickling the back of her mind about the last time she had ended up in the trash.

Peeking out, Rainbow Dash made a sweep of the area. So far, she was not finding a clean way in, or out. If Fluttershy was in the Canterlot Dungeons, then escape would be even harder. Rainbow decided to check it last, as it was the largest area she would be trapped in.

But she still had to get inside. Now that was a problem.

He'll find me eventually, anyway.

Mentally sighing, Rainbow Dash activated her broadcaster.

~~~

"Transmission detected, Dr. Robotnik."

Robotnik folded his hands, growling. "Play it."

A burst of static filled the room, before dying down. It was replaced by an angry voice rendered tinny from the speaker.

"If you touch her, I will kill you."

Doctor Robotnik raised his eyebrows. He hadn’t heard Rainbow Dash's voice in so long, he had forgotten the sound of it. He pressed a finger to the command console on the arm of his seat.

"All SWATBOTS in sub-Sector 3, converge on those coordinates. Capture that Freedom Fighter!"

Robotnik released the button, sighing in genuine disappointment. It would have been so much more fun if Rainbow had discovered the futility of her mission by herself. Oh well. Can't afford to be choosy.

~~~

Rainbow Dash seized the opportunity. It was a terrible plan, but it was all she had. Bracing herself, Rainbow Dash soared upwards, climbing to a desirable height. She cut through the air effortlessly. No telling if this would even work.

Rainbow Dash stopped in midair, allowing herself to float for a second. Then she came crashing back down. She assumed the position she used to memorize. She could see the SWATBOTS scrambling in the street she had just launched from. Rainbow Dash shut her eye.

Please work, please work, please work, please-

~~~

A two-legged figure trembled at the sight. It was horrifying. It was Robotropolis, all over again!

Feeling her knees weaken, the furry lass stumbled backwards, leaping into the tear in reality from which she entered. Just as she did, the world exploded with color. One cold shock later, and she was lying on fresh, green grass.

"Yo, Sal? What happened? The cord just snapped, Rot' and I thought you were lost!"

The chipmunk began to hyperventilate. "He's... not... gone!"

A pair of red sneakers walked up to her, and she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"What do you mean? What happened, Sally?"

Sally looked up at the blue hedgehog, who was gazing at her in concern. She still shook from the terrifying realization.

"He's not gone, Sonic. He was never gone."

Sonic's eyes darted, trying to process what Sally was saying.

"You mean..."

"Robotnik. Robotnik's alive."