(Inside the Alpha Plane)

The temple was pack with ponies from all over the country. Some were wearing holy robes while other were in plain garb. The whispers in the room was quite but they were there. Talk about how they lost their portals and how the rebels were now stronger. There was fear in these voice and they hope that the Compassion One would provide hope. The crowd suddenly went quiet when five robed ponies walked on the stage.

The five ponies all look alike expect for one major different, they wore different masks. Each mask was to represent one of the five holy emotion. The holy emotions were Reality, Liberality, Allegiance, Enjoyment, and Empathy. The five hold the highest rank for each temple of said emotion, allowing them to be the leaders. The highest rank was the leader of the temple of Empathy, the Compassion One.

The Compassion One clear her throat and step to the podium of the temple.

“Greeting my holy followers and welcome to our sacred home. I know of talk about rebels have grown since we lost the pathways to our neighbors. But my brothers and sisters, I have wonderful news. The pathways have been reopen!” The Compassion One cry to the crowd. The temple erupted with cheer and joyful shouts. The Compassion One raised a hoof and the group fell silent once more as she continued.

“But there is still work to be done.” She pointed out. “The rebels weren’t sitting around, waiting for the pathway to open like us, no. They were plotting, they were lying, they were taking what we value holy and dragging it through the dirt!” She was pacing the stage and all eyes were on her in utter silent. “They bring darkness into our worlds and destroy our sacred homes. But they will be destroy and washed from our society. Then we will be stronger than ever before!”

The whole temple roar with approval and started to sing holy songs. The Compassion One smiled under her mask and allowed the head priest to continue the session of worship. She walked into the sacred hallways, followed by the other four. Inside the hallway was The Compassion One led adverse, Script Follower, waiting for the speech to be done.

“Your holiness.” Script said, bowing to her. “I’ve come with reports about what might have cause the Pathways to close. Also got reports about the rebels from both Mechanic Planes and Music Planes.”

“You may speak, Script.” Compassion One answered. She had expected as much since the Pathways have open. She started to walk down the hall with Script trailing behind. One of the Silenced one were behind him but he didn’t notice.

“The mages have seem to find a force was moving all over the sacred paths without regarded. It cause the Pathways to close in an attempt to protect us. We believe we found the last place it visited and we are focusing on opening their Pathway now.” Script said as they turn a corner. The Compassion One nodded and wave for the Silent one to come closer.

The Silent One was dress in a single robe with a mask of a pony that looked asleep, eyes shut and mouth closed. The Compassion One whisper something into its ear and it walked away. Script had a confused look but The Compassion One motion for him to follow.

“I sent it to collect Fruit Flower. She and a couple other are going to be going on that Pathway and are going to act as our ambassador. Silent One will watch Fruit Flower, in case we have another incident. Now what do the other reports talk about.” Compassion continue to walk, while Script pull out pile of paper from his pack.

“Both of the planes have reports that the rebels went silent the same time the Pathways were closed. Maybe they have decided to give up and join our cause.” Script said. Compassion One paused and turn to him. The mask hided any emotion but the voice was really clear on her stance.

“Dear Script, Have you ever per take on a fall run?” She asked, a bit annoyed. Script nodded his head no and Compassion continue. “Have you pay attention to the reptiles? The snakes for example. They slither and slide all over the place during the summer but by winter they are gone. Do you think they just die or disappear? No, they are back every spring, ready to hunt again and poison our young. Believe me when I say, those who plan to hurts us are not gone but are just hibernating.”

(In the Machine Plane. Around Midnight.)

Silver Back was waiting by crates of garbage behind one of the weapons shops. As soon as the Pathways open, she went to her contacts and set up a meeting. She needed to get some supplies to her friends and leader. She was second commander of the Soul Rebellion and on a supply run when she lost her ride home. Now that it was open, she was getting the best weapons she can get her hooves on. She turn to see a group of ponies walking up the alley, holding some wooden boxes, bags and dragging a wagon full of supplies with one pony on top.

“Silver, I thought you would have jump back by now. The wanted posters already have your bounty to 20 thousand bits.” The first pony said as he lower the first box form the wagon. He was a dark fur and blood red mane pony with a slight scar on his upper lip.

“You know I won’t let my brothers down. Especially after we already paid for the supplies, Blood Bullet.” Silver said. She examined the box and pop it open. “Wait, this isn’t what we ask for.” She pull out a long barrel like weapon with small triggers.

“No, you paid for the best we can offer and that has change. We don’t do single shot anymore or copper armor. We’ve been stuck with nothing to do for the last three months and now we get to sell our toys.” Blood Bullet jump down from the cart and walk over to her. “What you are holding now is a new and improve version of the blast barrel. It fires thirty pellets a seconds and can pierce through copper armor like paper. Speaking of which.”

Blood pull out from the opposite crate a suit of armor that was a deep black color. It shine like midnight and was as light as a feather. He put it on Silver and inspected it to make sure it fit right.

“This is Night Armor. Twenty times stronger then copper and is able to be enhance with a magic. I mean, really enhance. If you want to fly, no problem. Advance healing, say no more.” Blood said, fitting the helmet onto her. “Or if you want to be invisible.”

Suddenly, there was a cool feeling washing over Silver and she look down to see that she wasn’t there anymore or at least visible.

“You can control it by just thinking. If you want to be seen, think about being seen and vice versa. You should have fun with…” Blood stop and turn around suddenly. “We been followed.”

“So you finally figure it out.” A voice called out and a flood of lights suddenly hit the group. Five Stallions deck out in royal guard, armed with single blast barrel as a pony dress in holy garb step in front of them.

“Fire Star, you are beginning to become a pain in my backside.” Blood Bullet said, slipping a hoof slowly into the crates. The other ones had a pull out there blast barrel and were aiming true. He just needed to get to his six shot.

“Let’s get this over with. We are looking for Silver Back and we have information that you were making a deal with her. Give up where she is hiding and I’ll just take the cargo that you’re prepare for the rebels.” Fire Star said, pulling out a six-shot and aim it at Blood’s head.

“Sorry Gentle Colts, business is close!” Blood shouted and pull out the six-shot. He fired two shots before the guards could fire back. Three guards struck the ground as the rest fall back. The other three started to fire back but due to lack of tech they quickly fell to the ground, dead. Blood look over and notice that Fire Star was not among. He turn to where Silver was standing and shouted out loud.

“You better get your gear and go!” He shouted to the air, not knowing if she was still there. “The war is soon going to begin and I’d like to be on the winning side!”

Author's Note

This story is going to be a little longer then the last one. Criticize is, of course, always welcome. I feel this one is going to be a little more intense.