Ground Control to Major Twi

by KorenCZ11

Rating: everyone
Tags: Science Fiction, Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Sad
Length: 6127

The first expedition into space has finally come around for the ponies of equestria. The very first equine Astronaut, Twilight Sparkle, finds herself finally fufilling her dream of going into space.

A young Twilight Sparkle dreams of going into space one day after reoccurring dreams of a strange pony telling her to do so. Years have passed, and today is finally the day that technology has progressed enough to do so.

Published 2016-05-10 07:30:01 UTC
Last updated 2016-05-10 07:30:01 UTC

T-minus two minutes to launch

Today is the day! Years of study have finally paid off! Study of science and magic have finally culminated in Equestria's greatest technological feat to date, and it couldn't have happened without me.

Canterlot was unusually busy today. However, “There is always a reason for everything,” as her mentor would say. The reason for today's special occasion would be the final advent of earth based in Equestria. Years, upon decades, upon centuries of study in the field of astrology, meteorology, and physics have finally reached the point where most anything is possible. Magic based propulsion combined with controlled explosions resulted in one of the greatest technological booms in Equestrian history. Of course, none of this would have been possible if it weren't for the accidental, er... intentional discovery that the violet unicorn made during her entrance exam into Celestia's school for gifted unicorns. The filly went by the name of Twilight Sparkle, but now she was more widely known as Major Twi. The lone princess had an odd habit of giving her favorites nicknames, and this just happened to be one that was made public when the 'Dreams of Grandeur' expedition was announced. Over the next 20 years, plans were made to colonize the moon with pony kind.

D.O.G., as it would be come to be known, was originally incepted by the filly in question when she was very young, long before her entrance into school. In interviews, Major Twi would always tell the news that she always looked to the moon and thought it looked lonely up in the sky at night. She vowed to one day visit, even if she had to figure out how to do it herself. Fifteen years later, the little filly has grown into doing exactly just that.

The sky was bright, the sun was hot, and this suit couldn't make her sweat any harder than it already was. Twilight was sitting next to the Princess, and her nerves were starting to get the best of her. Look at all these ponies... Sweet Celestia, there must be hundreds, maybe even thousands! She shook her head. It's alright. Cool it Twilight. Today is your day. They're just as excited about this as you are. Just calm down. Wait a minute, why are they all looking at me?

“Um... Major Twi?” Said Celestia. Oh crap, she must have said something! “Oh, um, yes Princess?” Twilight responded. Celestia frowned.

“The press ponies just asked you a question.” Oh geez, they really did say something.

“Oh! Right! Uh... could you repeat that sir?” Twilight said, sheepishly.

Standing in the front of the crowd were several ponies of all ages, colors, genders, and races. Nearly all of them had some kind of camera, whether it be one of the new 'Teddy Mane' company cameras that started showing up a few years back or even worse, a video camera. Oh goodness, everything is say is going to be televised! Even my brother in the north is going to see this! A brown Stallion wearing a tie and a fedora stepped up to the front row of the crowd.

“As I said earlier, the ponies want to know: Who made that suit you're wearing?” The suit? The Suit! Oh for the love of... Why the suit? Who cares? He might as well ask where I buy my shirts. Oh well, I might as well answer. This thing costs thousands of bits to make to begin with, I might as well give that mare some credit for her work.

“Oh, yes, the suit. Right. Uh, this came out of the handy work of a mare in a small town to the south. I believe her name was Rarity? Yes, that's it. Rarity from Ponyville.” At least I didn't forget. The stallion spoke up again after writing down her every word.

“Ponyville, eh? Do you have a comment about this town?” The reporter asked. Twilight blinked.

“Oh, I've never been. As far as I know it's just a small village. But the quality of this suit is unparalleled.” And it better be! We paid a fortune for this thing!

“I see, I see. Do you have anything you'd like to say before your launch on the D.O.G. ship?” Oh no. I'm not ready for this yet! I wrote a whole paper for this question! Where is it, where is it? Before Major Twi could answer, The princess took the conversation away.

“Actually, we'll be holding that section of this event later. Major Twi will be giving her statement from the Dreams of Grandeur shuttle just before the launch. With that being said, It's almost eighteen hundred hours. The time to launch is at nineteen hundred, and we simply cannot be late. Even the slightest margin of error could result in catastrophic failure. To the ponies of my Equestria, the future is upon us! The era of this land is about to move ahead into the future! However, none of this would be possible, if it weren't for the bravery and genius of my most faithful student, subject, and friend, Major Twilight Sparkle!”

The crowd erupted in the sounds of cheering, clapping, and screams of joy. Twilight couldn't help but feel her nerves start to melt away. Not just the Princess and her parents, but the entire country was rooting for her. If only the moon could see her now. She'd come so far since that odd encounter so long ago. Celestia stood, and on queue, so did Twilight. The Princess, her Major, and all the Ponies in Canterlot made their way to the launch pad. The sun was beginning it's escape beyond the horizon, and the moon was in view. The Princess and the Major entered the Ground Control facility. The steel built building was the only one of it's kind. With the advancements in computer technologies, the building it self was really just a giant housing for processing units with monitors in rows like church pews. There was a tech pony in every seat, filled with Equestria's top mathematicians. As they entered, one of the mares stepped out of her chair to approach them.

“Oh, good god, I thought the two of you would never get out of there! Major Twi, we need to get you in the ship immediately! Time to launch is T minus forty minutes!” Realizing the imminence of the launch, Twilight levitated her helmet from her desk just to her right in the Ground Control facility and shot off running toward the launch pad. She had about thirty flights of stairs to climb in twenty minutes, which was no easy feat. Before she could bolt out the door, she was stopped by the Princess.

“Wait! Major Twi, before you go...” The princess took the unicorn by her wing and embraced her. It only lasted for a moment, but at the time, it felt like time itself had stopped. Most ponies viewed the princess as cold and stern based on her sole ownership of the country for so long, but those that knew her could only see her as a mother. But this... this felt like a parting. Like one last hug before you're never to be seen again. The princess leaned in and whispered into Twilight's ear. “Please, come back to me.” Twilight was stunned for a moment. Did she really just say that? What... what does that mean? You don't have time for this! Let's go!

“Y-yes ma'am!” The Major saluted her princess and made her way to the long staircase that wound up the rocket, putting on her giant bowl of a helmet on as she did. The clock is ticking, Twilight! Run faster! For every step she jumped over she felt like she was saving a precious second. Faster, faster! She skipped one step, then two, finally three, practically galloping up the staircase, her boots letting out a loud clang with each landing. Finally at the top, she felt like she was about to pass out from exhaustion. Running as fast as I could was probably not the smartest idea before I give a speech... The violet mare dragged her white suited body into the ship. Two more ladders and she'd be at the cockpit. She closed the second stage door and started to climb again, in a much more vertical fashion. Already tired, ladders were not a welcome new challenge. Hooves and vertical travel were not meant to be together... she sighed. I might as well get this over with. She started her climb, and as she reached the final stage of the rocket before the cockpit, she heard the noises of a timer counting down, and machinery beginning to work. When she finally reached the cockpit, she took her seat at the controls. Her communicator started to beep, and the sound of the Princess' voice followed.

“This is Ground Control to Major Twi, do you read me?” Celestia said. Good, the communicators are working. Let's just hope they last through the trip.

“This is Major Twi to Ground control. I read you.” Twilight said, out of breath from her run up the staircases.

“Good. Launch is in T-minus thirty minutes. Did you run all the way up there?” There was a hint of a giggle in the Princess' voice.

“Uh, y-yes ma'am, I did.” The laughter continued after her response.

“Very well, Major Twi, I appreciate your enthusiasm. You bought yourself some time to rest before you give your speech in ten minutes. Do you know what you want to say to the ponies of Equestria? Every word you utter is going to be held onto for generations to come. The very thing that you made possible today will benefit the future forever.”

Geez princess, way to lay it on thick. Oh, god, I hope I don't stutter again. What am I going to say? I can't find my script anywhere. This is fine. Maybe just be simple and thank my family for getting me this far? Thank the Princess for helping me? For the next nine minutes, the violet unicorn sat in silence thinking of what she had to say. The speech she spent all day last Monday writing had all but evaporated from her memory, and she was in such a rush this morning that she forgot to bring it with her. She began to tap at her horn like she always did when she was nervous and realized she was still wearing her helmet. This thing muffled her voice already, so she thought she might as well take it off until launch finally happened.

“Ground control to Major Twi, Come in.” There's the princess. Must be time to speak.

“This is Major Twi, is it time to give my speech?” Twilight's anxiety was starting to wash over her.

“Affirmative Major Twi. The com I ready as soon as I give the signal. Good luck.” From the com started to come static. I guess 'Good luck' was the signal. Well... here goes nothing.

“This is Major Twi to the ponies of Equestria. Today is the day that Pony kind will set hoof on the moon for the very first time. This is an achievement, not just for me, but for everypony. To all of those who helped contribute to science over the last thousand years, all of those who helped us reach this point, all of you here supporting me, I thank you. To my family, I love them very much, they know. And for everyone else, I'll wave to you from the surface of the heavens. This is Major Twi, signing off.” The static cut out, and Twilight sighed in relief. Thank goodness. I can't believe I had that in me.

“Ground Control to Major Twi.” Celestia said.

“This is Major Twi to Ground Control.” I wonder what she thought? I never even sent her a copy of the one I was going to read in the first place.

“You did well! Short sweet and concise. So rare. Did you forget the one you wrote?” A hint of laughter in the Princess' voice again.

“… Yes...” It's not like she's wrong…

“Ha! I figured as much. Knowing you, I though you were going to take the whole twenty minutes to talk.” Ugh, why am I so compulsive?

“Ha ha... right...” Twilight said, weakly.

“In any case, I think you did wonderful. We have T-minus fifteen minutes to launch. Are you ready?” It's about that time isn't it?

“As ready as I'll ever be.” Twilight sighed.

“Good, good.” Celestia repeated over the com. Is that… the sound of a nervous Princess? Silence struck the com as neither party could think of anything to say. But really, what is there to say? Oh Princess, I'm terrified that something might go wrong? I really hope this doesn't end up with me promoted two ranks because I don't make it back? I feel like there's just something bound to go wrong as I launch and the whole rocket explodes? I can't say any of that! I don't want to worry anypony… “Major Twi?” Celestia again? She sounds... concerned…

“Yes, Princess?” I wonder... just what is going through her head?

“I just want you to know that... even if things do go awry, you have always been my best student. My favorite student. And I don't think that anypony will ever replace you. The time Is T-minus 5 minutes to launch. Take your protein pills, and put your helmet on.” I.. I think I get it now…

“Thank you princess… that means a lot to me. This is Major Twi, Ready for launch.” The minutes seemed like hours with all the anticipation behind them. The timer reached the two minute mark, and it was time to start the engines.

“This is Major Twi to Ground Control. Firing engines now.” The sound of growing rumbling started to come from the lower part of the rocket below. How she loved the humming of working machinery.

“Ground Control to Major Twi. Time synchronized. Begin countdown.” 2:00, 1:59 1:58 1:57... The seconds ticked by. If she hadn't sweat enough today, Twilight was really sweating now. 1:10 1:09 1:08... The one minute mark had passed. The rocket began to vibrate. There were no windows in side unit at the top of the rocket, so she had no way of knowing whether or not anything had or would go wrong until the second stage thrusters fell off during the launch. Did I really design this? Why didn't I think to put any windows in this thing! Because there's a chance that a window would break you dummy! That's a hazard until we reach the vacuum of space! Realizing she was right after arguing with herself, she slowed her breathing and let her nerves ease themselves.

“Ground Control to Major Twi. It will all be fine, Major Twi. We've spent years calculating this trip. We've checked, double checked, triple checked and so on for weeks now. You've prepared months for this. This is your moment. Don't be afraid, Major Twi.” Celestia said, almost sensing her thoughts through the com. She's right Major Twi. You've got this. This is your moment. This is my moment. This is what I've dedicated my whole life to ever since that dream so long ago. Fifteen years of hard work brought me to this moment. Everything will be fine “Ground Control to Major Twi. Check ignition, and may god's love be with you. Countdown in T-minus; 30, 29, 28...” It's finally time. One more breath on the ground before I go. Then finally, I can look on the Earth from up above.

“...10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, LIFT OFF!” Twilight took hold of the main thrusters beneath her front hooves and pulled back with all her might. She directed a beam of magic energy in the main port of the console and the entire rocket started to lift. The sound of fire shooting at high speed roared below. The sound of the stand detaching and crashing to the ground signaled the motion that would follow. Even though I'm past the hundred thousandth mile, I'm feeling very still... The pressure created from the launch and the magic protecting her from G-forces in her suit were fighting fervently against each other. A loud clack could be heard below. A Twilight felt a slight drop in speed for a moment as the second stage thruster started, then speed increased even more than it had been when the first thrusters kicked off. This is due to the lowered air pressure and gravitational pull that slows us down as we try to escape it. The facts in her head started to pour out to the front of her brain, telling her what and why things were happening. Suddenly, she began to feel lighter. With the magic protecting the landing unit, she was beginning to float in her seat. She was really in space. I'm in space! Gravity has stopped affecting me!

Another loud Clang sound shot through the rocket, and the windows to the landing unit started to receive light. She quickly unbuckled herself from her seat to look out the windows. The stars shined everywhere. There wasn't a single spot missing from her view. “Grou.. ontrol... Major T... read me?” The message wasn't being received properly. The thrusters being on was likely the cause. However, this would end as soon as the final stage was removed from the unit. “This is Major Twi, I read you, but the transmission is losing information. Unstable transmission should continue for another hour.” Right. We knew this was going to happen. Nothing to worry about. “Th... jor Twi... We r... nd clear...” The clipping transmission replied.

One more hour, and then I'll orbit the moon... Finally, I can meet with that pony in my dreams. She kept visiting me for that entire year, begging me to rescue her from her lunar prison. Don't worry... I'll be there soon. For the time being, Major Twi simply looked out her blast window, watching as the earth slowly but surely, grew smaller. Before she forgot, she grabbed the camera she had brought out of her saddle bag. Upon further inspection, she found that her speech had been tucked away in one of her zipped pockets. Well isn't that great. Way to actually check and see if you had the damn thing. Ugh. But I wonder, how long is this? She unraveled the scroll to watch as it unrolled across the floor. Wide eyed, she thought: Maybe it was a good thing that I didn't find it. I don't know that I would have finished this... She rolled the scroll back up and found her camera. Here we go. Now I can take that picture mom asked me for... She took the camera with her magic and pointed it at the ever shrinking earth. Click, click, click. The photographs slid out of the slot on the bottom, and she collected each one. The first one was perfect, as expected of the ever studious Twilight Sparkle. But as she looked through them, the last one had something other than the earth and the sun in it.

What is that? The bottom corner of her last picture, the one that had a small glimpse of the corner of the image that was empty space had a slight blue glow to it. Well that isn't right... What could that be? Twilight looked out the window with her own eyes this time. However, she spotted nothing. Huh. Must be some kind of trick in the light. Major Twi returned to her seat and watched as the moon started to come close into view. The third stage thrusters broke away, and now it was up to Twilight to steer the craft to it's landing point.

“Ground Control to Major Twi. Do you read me?” Clear transmission this time.

“Major Twi to Ground Control. I read you.” Good. I'm almost there! I'll be the first pony to set hoof on the moon!

“The third stage Thrusters have broken off. Have you entered lunar orbit?” Celestia asked.

“Affirmative. Lunar orbit has begun. Reverse air thrusters turning on, now.” Twilight flipped several switches in the cockpit and the sound of air being pulsed into the vacuum of space came from all around. The landing unit had started to slow. Eventually, Twilight had come to a stop, and was slowly pulled down on the moon by it's own gravity.

“Major Twi to Ground Control, beginning descent to surface.” Alright... here we go…

“Ground Control to Major Twi, proceed with caution.” Right. Be careful. This tin can is worth millions of bits... I'd like to be able to use it again…

“Yes ma'am.” Twilight couldn't help but smile. She's almost made it. Everything has gone according to plan without a hitch. Oh how she loves it when plans work the way they're intended to. The feet of the landing unit made soft contact with the surface of the moon. Twilight felt so happy, she thought she was going to bust out laughing. She tried to compose herself before contacting Ground Control again. “Major Twi to Ground Control. The Grandeur has landed.” She barely managed to say that before she finally let excitement take over. From her com, she heard the sounds of cheering and screams of joy. The words 'we did it' being chanted from various distances until Celestia took hold of the microphone.

“This is Ground Control to Major Twi, you really made the grade. I couldn't be more proud of the steps you take. Now time to leave the capsule, if you dare.” That's the signal phrase. I'm gonna go step on the moon!

“I'll dare to step outside, For here am I, sitting in my tin can. Far above the world.” Twilight turned several switches, and activated the oxygen supply to her suit. She had three hours of oxygen on her back. Plenty to take pictures, grab rocks and get home on that alone, even without the additional reserves in the Grandeur. It's finally time! Here goes nothing! The main door closed behind her, and the air lock started to open. At first, the wind shot past so fast that she was almost knocked over, but once the vacuum was settled, there was nothing but silence as she reached the edge of her ramp.

“This is Major Twi to Ground Control, I'm stepping through the door. And I'm floating in the most peculiar way, and the stars look very different today. As I step on the surface of the moon, I take one small step for Equestria... and one giant leap for Pony Kind!”

The first step was soft, like she was stepping on sand with no weight on her body. And when she went to leap, she flew for a few feet before landing, all four hooves on the ground. Her hoof prints would be the only ones here for years to come. Without a second thought, Twilight walked forward and started taking pictures of everything. Then she ran back the ship and took out several items waiting for her in the airlock. Specifically a bowling ball, one of Celestia's feathers, a tripod, a video camera, and finally, the equestrian flag. She began to set up the video camera, then she started to send magic through it to turn it on.

“Major Twi to Ground Control, do you read me?” Now to see if this camera works. Transmission has been fine so far…

“Ground Control to Major Twi. We see you Major Twi.” Great! Now we get to prove theoretical physics!

“Perfect, that means that the broadcast is working. I will now demonstrate Galileo Apple's theory of forces in a vacuum. On my left, I'm levitating a bowling ball. As you might could tell, this object weighs a significant amount more than the object on my right, which is one of Princess Celestia's feathers. Galileo posed that, if inside a vacuum, these objects would fall at the same rate of speed because gravity is the only force here. As such, we will prove that theory in the only perfect vacuum available; space.” The white feather and the ball were released from the violet magic of the Astrounicorn. As predicted, they dropped at the same rate and hit the ground at the same time. More cheers could be heard over Twilight's com.

“Well done Major Twi. Grab a few rocks to study and bring back, then begin your return home. You have one hour to explore.” Celestia Said.

“Yes ma'am. Timer is set.” And just like that, Twilight began to play on the moon. 720 degree back flip? Check. One minute cartwheel? Check. Pictures of me at every land mark I've made so far? Check. Now all that's left is to find my dream pony... The moment she started to look, Twilight heard a voice.

“Ah, the star to aid me has finally arrived!” What was that?

“Major Twi to Ground Control, did you say something?” Please say yes. I should be the only living thing out here.

“Ground Control to Major Twi, Negative. Did you hear something?” Oh... that's disconcerting.

“Negative, Ground Control. Never mind.” The com went silent again. What in the world? or... out of this world... Twilight looked around, and decided to stand in view of the camera. If she did hear something, maybe they would see it too. It wasn't long before she heard the voice again.

“Do you not remember me? From oh, so long ago?” Twilight turned to face the voice, which was much louder this time. What she saw stunned her. Not only was some pony else on the moon, but this one had wings and a horn.

“Who...!? What are you?” This pony was huge too. Almost the same size as Celestia if she had to guess.

“Why, I am the one who sought you out all those years ago. Do you not remember? Tis I, Ruler of the moon.” Wait a minute... the voice does sound similar to the one from my dreams... is this really her though? I remember her being more... blue.

“No way... Are you really her?” Twilight went in to touch the large pitch black alicorn, and sure enough, the body provided resistance. She was wearing a bright blue collar and helm, with coverings for all of her hooves, but on her collar was a chain that looked to go on forever. “Why are you here? More importantly, how did you get here? How are you even alive right now? All the gasses in your body should be trying to escape and kill you! And are you breathing? What in the world are you breathing? There isn't anything here for you to breathe! Have you-” Before she could continue questioning the rather stunning black alicorn with bright blue eyes, she was stopped by a dark leathery wing.

“Hush, my star. The time for questions is not now. You are running out of time yes? If you allow me passage on you magic vessel, I shall tell you all that I know.” Before Twilight headed to bring this 'Ruler of the Moon' inside her Grandeur, she made sure to get her to stand in front of the camera.

“Major Twi to Ground Control, are you seeing this!? There's somepony else here! I don't even know how this is possible, but this is ground breaking!” The com was quiet for longer than she expected.

“Ground control to... jor... Twi... Run.” Run? Is she for real?

“Excuse me?” Celestia sounded... afraid? Why would she be afraid?

“Leave everything that's not on the Grandeur there and Launch! Get away from her! Now!” Now she was getting frantic. Maybe I should listen? Nothing about this makes sense.

“Wait, what? Why? Who is-” Suddenly, the stars started to fade, and her vision was clouded by a covering of violet blue hair and darkness.

When Major Twi started to come to, all she could hear was the frantic voice of Princess Celestia, that is until it cut out. “Ground Control to Major Twi! Ground Control to Major Twi!! Ground Control-” The black alicorn smashed the speaker in the Grandure. “Enough of that! You will see us soon enough, Sister!” On the controls was the large black alicorn, piloting the Dreams of Grandeur, as if she'd done it all her life. When Twilight tried to get up, she realized that her legs had all been tied together, and there was some kind of restriction on her magic.

“Ah, so you wake, my star.” She's breaking my ship! Does she want to kill us!?

“My star? What does that mean? Who are you!? If you keep breaking things, you're going to get us killed!” The black alicorn laughed.

“It was a simple matter of silencing our sister, I shall not destroy this vessel. I suppose that I shall tell you our true name. I am Nightmare Moon. Rightful Heir to the Equestrian throne, and sister to Celestia, the betrayer.” Nightmare said through a smile made of knives.

“Betrayer? Nightmare... You... you're the one from the legend? The one who tried to engulf the world in darkness a thousand years ago?” Nightmare scoffed.

“Engulf in darkness, she says. That wench once again makes me out to be she who betrayed! She is the one who would have me out cast! She is the one who would drive me to such lengths to see the spotlight! She is the one who broke MY heart!” Nightmare had grown tense talking about who Twilight could only assume was Celestia. Was this really the pony from my dreams? She looks... similar but... she's so mean and bitter... the one from my dreams just seemed... lonely... Twilight thought that she wouldn't get anywhere as she was right now, so she thought she would try and talk this pony out of whatever she was about to do. Because, whatever it was, it wasn't going to be good.

“Um... if you don't mind me asking, what did she do? To make you so angry, that is… the legend only makes passing mention of you, and that’s about it…” Maybe I can talk her out of this? She doesn't seem too unreasonable...

“Ah, something else I assume she has erased from your records. Very well, my star. I shall tell you. She took ownership of the day when we were very young. Upon our ascension, it was she who ruled the country and led the ponies, even though she lied and claimed us equals. And when I asked for more control, she took no time in banishing me to my own celestial body! Locked away, Imprisoned for a thousand years, on that rock in the sky!” The tension from the words of the fanged alicorn's mouth could have shaken the landing unit. But when she referred to Twilight, she sounded much sweeter, using a more calm voice. “But you, my star, I trust to be loyal. For who but the star prophesied to free me would arrive on my moon the day of the thousandth year? And it was none other than I who helped you conceive your dream.” So... even my ambitions were all a part of her plans? How could she have even known to pick me? There's got to be more to this.

“Okay... but... what do you intend to do once you get to Earth again?” The black alicorn smiled with her sharp teeth again.

“Why, I will kill the Princess and take what is rightfully mine. When I'm through with her, the sun will no longer shine on this world. My glorious night shall reign supreme, and since she will no longer be connected to the strongest magic this world has to offer... she will not survive our encounter.” No! You can't just... She's like a mother to me... and the sun will never shine? Don't you realize that that will kill everything? Nothing can survive in darkness like that! What will you rule but an empty planet!? I have to stop her... Thinking quickly, Twilight tried to appeal to nightmare moon. If she was uninhibited... there was a way she could stop all of this…

“Um... Then might I help you... uh, my liege?” Twilight asked.

“Surely you must know that I am entwined with thy mind. For how else, would I have knowledge of this foreign craft? You may pledge loyalty to me, but your mind pledges loyalty to her. But worry not, my star. Time will heal that.” So that's not going to work. Well, if an appeal fails, then a threat might do it. That's how Celestia always said she wins her arguments.

“Oh really? Then what does that lever do?” Twilight pointed her horn at a lever on the ceiling of the unit. One that she knew would change the course of the unit... effectively burning them in the atmosphere…

“This... it... hmm... very well. I do not know. Tell me, my star, what does this do?” Nightmare said as she tilted her head.

“Well, I don't necessarily know just how immortal you are just based on your living on the moon for thousands of years, but I don't think you could survive being burned alive in what amounts to flesh ripping speed of wind and fire could you?”

The black alicorn frowned. “You have my attention, youth.” Ha! I can't believe that worked! Connected to my mind. What a liar.

“Well, if you don't pull that lever, that's what's going to happen. And if you managed to survive reentry, then I doubt you'd survive the impact with the ground at, oh, I don't know, three, four hundred thousand miles per hour? Heck, if you did, you deserve to rule.” Nightmare Moon narrowed her eyes at Twilight and leaned in close.

“Very well. I shall relinquish control of this vessel to you. Our connection has faded since your childhood, it seems. However, if I sense that you might betray me, even you will be subject to my wrath.” Twilight swallowed. That... won't matter in a few minutes anyways... She looked out the window as the Grandeur started to pick up speed. So this is how I die. I wonder... what will my parents think? That I threw my life away? I'll never marry, I'll never have foals. This is it. But if I don't stop this maniac now, then no one will do any of those things. It will be the end of the world. They'll all die in a new ice age. My parents. My brother and his new wife. Everyone at the Ground Control Facility... including Princess Celestia... I'm the only one who can stop this. “Gr...trol... to Major T... Do you.. d me? Ground Control... ajor Twi, D... me? Ground control to Major Twi! Do you read me!?”

The com in her helmet was starting to work again after Nightmare hit it on the moon. Whatever she did didn't break it completely. Twilight's mouth was dry. She felt tears beginning to run down her face. “Major Twi to Ground Control... Good bye... everyone... This is Major Twilight Sparkle... and this... is my final transmission.” Nightmare stood up immediately. “Your what!?” Twilight pulled the lever. A fin shot up, and the Grandeur started to spin in the middle of it's reentry, just as the shields began to catch fire. “No, no, NO!!! You were supposed to free me!” Nightmare was tossed all around the Grandeur, banging against every wall trying to catch Twilight. When she finally did, she noticed that the violet unicorn had taken a blow to the head.

“Major Twi!? What do you mean!? You're going off course! Don't be a hero! Major Twi!? Can you hear me Major Twi!? Can you hear me Major Twi!?” From the ground Control Facility, Celestia shot out of the building door to look back up at the sky. A ball of fire and blue magic was shooting across the dark sky. “Twilight!”

Princess Celestia shot off the ground in desperation to save the Grandeur, making speeds faster than anypony believed possible for a pony, breaking the sound barrier visibly in an explosion of the colors of dawn. However, the Grandeur was shooting far too fast for even her speed to catch. It wasn't long before the entire vessel was aflame, pieces of blast shielding falling off from every side, and finally, it exploded. Princess Celestia nearly dropped mid air. Burning pieces of metal were shooting everywhere, and that was all that remained.

Here, am I floating round my tin can... far below the moon... Planet earth is blue... and there's nothing I can do...