Chapters PRELUDE
The sound of the clopping of hooves reverberates on the metal floor, a hoof pushes the door open and the pony walks in.
“Thanks for coming on such short notice Scribbler. Said Blueshadow
“Oh it was no problem captain, after all we've been through it would be awful if I just brushed you off.” Replied Scribbler
“Yes actually that why I wanted you here today. I don't want anypony to forget about what we did, and since you are the only scribe in the fleet it would seem proper to tell it to you and not some computer.” He takes a drink after saying this
“Oh I understand that perfectly captain” Scribbler lays the saddlebags he was carrying on the floor and takes out a pen and a large notepad with his magic. “Since we're doing this, I'm guessing that the plan you suggested went through with the council”
“.....”
“I'll take that as a yes, a pity it is to loose her after all we've been through.”
“A pity indeed, she has been a fine ship, but to get her back this is what we must do, I told her a while back that I would never leave her and I plan to keep that promise.”
“MmHm” Hesets up his writing equipment on the desk. “There we are. So, where do you want this story to start?”
Chapter 1
Faded Loyalties
(6 years ago)
With this the Solar Empire aggressively started expanding throughout known space, with nearly everything under her sister's control the younger sister Luna tried putting a stop to it. She organized a new faction named the New Lunar Republic that focused on peace over else. This enraged Celestia, and through hosting a fake peace accord she rounded up all the members of the NLR and exiled from known space. From there the Solar Empress became power mad and started putting down any protests within her Empire by force. The story starts with a Captain who is about to change the course of history.
“Good day captain, as you can see I have acquired the map.” The mare said.
“That's good sandy, this is the final piece that we needed before take off, did anypony suspect anything when you took it?” The stallion replies, looking over the map.
“No Captain, I believe not. Though the reason why I called you here was not this. There was a explosion.” The stallion looks up in alarm.
“An explosion!?! Where!?!”
“In loading tube 1-B, Casualties were sustained, The navigational officer died sir”
The stallion visibly winces and sighs deeply.
“Luckily I have found replacements to both, they show the similar signs of realization so I suggest we get them before they get out of hoof and get snagged by the royal guard.” Said Sandy.
The stallion thinks and nods. “I agree, I will do that while you oversee preparation. If all goes according to plan then we should be able to lift off next week and give celestia one hell of a surprise.”
“I agree, I am now assuming this is where we bid goodbye?”
The stallion nods. “Yes, I will alert you if your candidates accept your proposal. Good bye.”
“Goodbye captain.”says sandy, she salutes and walks out of the building. The stallion follows behind and stops at the doorway, he takes a deep breath and heads towards the academy.
At the Celestial Academy of Ship Services
“Yes I have, I've done some research on it and it may be true.” Replied Emerald.
“Faust, I can't believe it. All those ponies dead and for what, Speaking up for themselves.
“Yeah, I-” A stallion comes around the corner and heads towards the picnic table, recognizing his rank, both of them stand and salute.
“At ease ponies, you two were hard to find you know.” Said the stallion.
“We were not trying to hide sir, we were just eating lunch.” Stated Emerald.
The stallion replies “I was not talking about where you've been, I'm talking about the rumors you've been spreading around the academy about the Solar Empire.” The two ponies shift nervously where they are standing.
He turns around and starts trotting towards the administrative hall, the two look at each other and follow. Both of them start to speak to each other softly.
“Where would we go after that?” Replied Emerald.”Besides we were very careful about not leaving behind any evidence, they can't know that we did anything.”
“I mean they have to know something, or else he wouldn't have said anything.”
They quickly stop talking as they enter the building. The stallion goes up to the desk and asks for a private office to use, the pony at the desk compiles and hoof’s him a key to the room. He trots down to the room and motions for Crimson and Emerald to go inside, they do as they're told and sit down behind the desk as the stallion takes his place behind the desk.
The stallion begins talking. “So….You think you could hide from the eyes of the empire did you?”
“No sir...I mean we have nothing to hide sir.” Replies crimson. The stallion gets a amused gleam in his eye and starts chuckling, the two ponies get worried.
“Don't worry, I know what you've been doing and I'm on your side. You two are just lucky that a member of interrogation didn't get to you two before I did.” The two ponies suddenly release a breath they were unintentionally holding in.
“Wait sir, so you're telling me that we're not in trouble right now?” Says Emerald.
“No, though you will be if you don't accept my offer.” Replies the stallion.
“And what offer would that be sir.” Says crimson.
“My offer is salvation from the empire, my name is Blueshadow and I can guarantee you salvation aboard my ship, though I can't tell you anything more than that in case you two get caught.” Blueshadow heads for the door. “I can save you two from this place, though it requires a little faith on your part. If you want to leave the empire then say goodbye to your loved ones and meet me at the old Lunar worship store in the main square in one week, if you don't show then I will assume that you have decided not to join me. Understand.” The two ponies nod. “Good, you two are dismissed ” He opens the door and trots out. The two stay there a bit more before trotting out. They reach outside and crimson is the first one to speak.
“Umm...did that really happen?”
“You mean passage to get out of the empire, yes I think so” replies Emerald. “Though I don't know if I'll take it, i have a brother to take care of and I don't think my “mother” would do a good job.”
“Really you thinking of not taking it? Isn't this what we hoped for?”
“Yes it is but I never thought it would happen this early or like this, I'm going to have to think about it”
Crimson replies “I know what you mean by that, well lol see you there if you go, see ya around Em.”
“See you later Crim.” Replies emerald.
The two ponies leave the complex and tanker there separate paths. Will both of them follow what they think is right and go with Blueshadow? Will there friendship come to a crashing halt as one of them decided to stay with there family? The only thing that is known is that a great darkness is coming that will soon blanket across the land till there is no hope.
In the halls of the Canterlot Fortress a pony is galloping to the throne room, he goes through the doors and bows to figure on the throne.
“So...has our source given us the position of his ship hmm?”
“N-no your greatness, he was not able to get the location off their computers.”
She replies “tsk tsk tsk, give him half of his usual payment, and say that he will get quadruple his amount if he gets us the location. Now go”
The pony stumbles over himself as he exits the throne room. After he leaves the room the Empress of the Sun gets up from out of her chair and walks over to a table, on the table is a chess set.
“You have made you move my little pony.” She moves a pawn on the board forward and grins.
Chapter 2
Breakaway
1 week has past since the meeting in the academy. Crimson Ace has said goodbye to his family, telling them that the empire has sent him on a assignment into deep space. He took only important belongings with him and started to head to the meeting point. He trots into the square and heads for the old building, knocking at the door.
“Uhh….hello? Anypony there?”
“Ahh crimson, tell me did anypony follow you.” The captain asks.
“I do not believe so sir.”
“You don't BELIEVE so? I need a better answer than that ensign.”
Crimson looks around him on the street for any royal guards. “No sir, I was no
“Good” The sound of multiple locks can be heard being unlocked and the door is opened. “Come on in.”
Crimson Ace trots in and the door is closed, in the main room Emerald Shores is already there. “Good to see you Crim.” Says Emerald
“Good to see you, I didn't know if you would come.” Replies Crimson as he hoof bumps Emerald.
“It was a tough choice but this is for the better.”
Blueshadow comes into the room where the two ponies were. “Alright enough chat, with you two being here you have accepted to be apart of this crew and under no circumstance will you ever abandon it,understood.”
“Yes Sir.” Replied both Emerald and Crimson
“Alright, follow me.” He heads for the basement and the two ponies follow, when they enter the basement there is a magcart guarded by two ponies in tactical gear. Blueshadow enters the cart and the two follow suit, the cart races off as soon as they sit down.
“ Alright, it's about time I fill you two in on some much needed info.” Says Blueshadow.” About 2 years ago high command received word that explorers in the deep regions found magic that had the same resonance as the magic of Luna, more ships were sent but they found no other traces of the magic except what was on the planet that they found it on. My ship was one of ships in the search and unbeknownst to command I found a message from who we believe to be Luna, the message was vague but we think we have found the location of Luna and the ponies that were sent with her. After that I ordered a ship to be built in secret using experimental technology that was “borrowed” from celestial intelligence. I have assembled a crew that believe that we can find Luna, you two are here because the ponies that were in your departments died so count yourself lucky.”
Both of them have stunned looks on their faces, Crimson is the first to speak up. “Wait wait wait, you're telling us that THE princess Luna has been found and we're going going to meet her?”
“No not exactly.” Replied Blueshadow. “We think we know the rough location but we're not sure exactly where.”
“So we're going to just launch into space and hope we find something?” Flatly stated Emerald.
Blueshadow chuckles. “Jeez you put it like that and it does seem bad, but a bad plan is better than no plan at all.” Before the two ponies have time to reply the cart enters a large hangar and jolts to a stop.
Where are we?” Questions Emerald
“We are currently inside the StarSwirl mountain range in a old abandoned construction facility, I had the facility done up to specs and stripped from all records.” He gets up out of the cart and the two follow, the gaze up and notice a ship hanging above their heads.
Crimson speaks up. “Captain, is that the ship? Seems a bit small compared to other celestial ships.”
“Don't worry crimson, what she lacks in size she makes up for in firepower.”
“May I ask her name Captain?” Says Emerald
“Her name comes from the Japony language, a name that will soon ring out as a name for hope. Her name is Yamato.
After Blueshadow gave the two ponies a brief look around the ship, he takes them up to the bridge. “Alright here's our final stop, go in and get yourself familiarized with the controls.”
“Yes sir.” They both say at the same time. The captain leaves them and they both enter the bridge.
“Now isn't this a ship.” He goes and sits in his station. “Shock cannons, stack missiles, I can't wait to use them.”
“Mmhm” replied emerald, to caught up in her manual.
“What's the matter?”
“Nothing nothing….it's just I've never operated a ship with these controls before, or any ship even close. I meant it says here that if I mess up the warp point by a little I could create a black hole and destroy the ship.”
“Then don't mess up.”
Emerald groans. “That's not the point crim, it's just..” The door to the bridge opens and Sandy Dream walks in, she gives a nod to the two ponies already here.
Crimson speaks up. “Hello and you are..”
She trots over too them. “I am Sandy Dream the first officer.”
The two ponies stand and salute.
“As you were, so you must be lieutenant Crimson Ace and lieutenant Emerald Shores. Nice to meet you two” She holds out a hoof for the, to shake and they do so awkwardly.
“Umm ma'am...do we know you?” Questions a perplexed Emerald.
“No you don't, I was the one who looked up your personel files.” She answers.
“ ahh ok that explains it. So I guess we owe you our thanks.”
“Your thanks has been notified, now if you would excuse me I need to report to the captain.” She starts trotting away. “After your done here I would advise you to go to the mess hall, our pilots are there right now it would be good for you two to become acquainted with them.” She leaves the bridge.
“Well then I guess after this we go and get some grub.” Says Crimson
“I guess so” Emerald replies. They both sit at their posts and start to familiarize them with the controls. Outside the bridge Sandy is making her way to the Captain's cabin. She gets up there and knocks on the door.
“Captain, it's me Sandy.”
“Come on in Sandy, doors unlocked.” She pushes the door open and trots in, inside the place is an organized mess as the captain unpacks his belongings. “So what can I help you with Sandy?”
“Were in trouble captain.”
His ears perk up in alarm. “How so.”
She hoofs the captain a report on a pad. “We just found out that one of the main computer terminals was accessed and data was taken out of it. The data that was taken was the entire Ships complement and our location. We looked through the video records and found out that one of the chief construction workers that goes by Chief Benedict stole the info and walked out about an hour ago.”
“What! We're gonna have to take off ahead of schedule but we aren't ready, most of the supplies aren't onboard. Inform the senior staff but not anypony else, we don't want a riot on our hooves.”
“Yes sir.” She trots out of the cabin and closes the door.
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In the halls of the Canterlot Fortress a pony is seen being escorted by 2 guards to the throne room. The guards escort him in.
“This better be good Benedict.” States the Solar Empress. The two guards deposit him at the foot of the throne. He loves gently brushes his coat off.
“Yes it is your majesty” He takes out a pad from under his wing. “A detailed report showing the manifest and the location of his ship your greatness.” He bows and places it at the foot of the throne, she uses her magic to levitate it up to her and reads it over.
“Hmph, I would never think of him so bold as to build his ship right under our muzzles. This information is...adequate.” She levitates four bags of bits to him.
“W-wha?!?” The guards grab him and pull him up. “B-but why! I did what you told me to do. Y-you gave me the money!”
Celestia smiles. “Yes you did, but you also committed treason against the empire which is punishable by death, but since you helped us out you will only get life in prison, and yes I did give you the bits, you can do whatever you want in them in your cell.”
“N-no! You can't do this!” He starts kicking and screaming as the guards drag him across the throne room. They take him out the door and his screams are shut out as they close the doors.
Author's Note
Hey guys Blueshadow here, later chapters aren't gonna come out this frequently since I already had these done, but I hope you can bear with me. Hope y'all like it.
An hour after Sandy has made her rounds, all the senior officers meet in the operations room.
“Everypony here…. good, An hour ago I was just hoofed a report that stated that a chief engineer of this project has defected and most likely has given our location and names to the sun goddess herself. Breakaway hour has moved to 2 hours from now, so make all final preparations now and make them snappy. Any questions?” States
Blueshadow. The chief engineer, Solar Frost, speaks up.
“Uh yeah, Captain, I’'m not sure we’ll be able to start-up the engine on that timescale, for one I don't see where we can get the power unless we shunt all the power of canterlot into this thing. That would've as sure as Tartarus that we’d be found out.” she says with an annoyed expression.
“Were already found out, I don't care if you have to shunt all the power of Equestria into it just get it done.” Replies Blueshado
“Aye, sir.”
“Good, you all know your jobs I expect you too ful..” *A pony gallops into the room*
“Captain!, Checkpoint Alpha just went dark, before communications were cut out they reported an entire contingent of royal guards advancing on our position.” The crewman reports.
“Get down there and tell the ponies to blow the tunnels, that should hold them off till we can get up.” Orders Blueshadow, The crewmate nods and gallops away. Blue then looks over all the ponies and griffon in the room. “Alright, I expect the best, go to your stations and get ready to take off.”
“Aye, sir.” They all reply. They all head out of the room, a muffled explosion is heard as the ponies outside were able to collapse the tunnel, trapping the royal guard on the other side. For the next half hour, the ship is buzzing with activity, from the engineering crews diverting all the power of canterlot to the engines to crew boarding the ship. Solar Flare contacts the bridge.
“Engineering to Bridge, I was able to reroute the main power plant in canterlot to give us a boost in energy, it's not as much as we want but it's enough for us to get to space to charge there.” Reports Solar
“Your a miracle worker Solar” He looks at Sandy. “Sandy is everypony aboard?”
She nods. “Aye captain, everyone is accounted for.”
“Good” He replies. “Emerald…take us up.”
“Aye sir” She flips a switch and the ceiling of the dock starts falling apart, the ship ascends on a mechanical lift as it makes its way skyward. The lift stops as we get to the top, revealing the top of the StarSwirl mountain range.
“Yamato….Launch!” Blueshadow orders
“Yamato, Launch” repeats Emerald, she pulls back on the lever and the ship thrusts forward, aerial wings pop out of the sides of the ship as it flies in the atmosphere. On the ground, ponies are yelling and breaking for cover as the guard rushes to their defenses on the fortress.
“Warning! We have lock on from the solar dissipater!” Yells Crimson.
“Evasive maneuvers!” Orders Blueshadow
Emerald pulls the ship to the right, as soon as it angles out of its original flight path a large beam of light shoots past them, leaving a shimmering effect in the air as it passes “Destroy that gun or else we’ll never break atmosphere.”
“Loading type 3 rounds in secondary turrets, turret 5 fire for effect.” Crimson orders into the speakerphone. The secondary gun on the aft of the ship takes aim and fires, two shots miss and hit the rock walls as one hits its mark and produces a glorious explosion. “Dissipater down sir.” Reports Crimson
“Break for high orbit, switch turrets to shock cannon mode asap.” Orders Blue
“ Aye Si… Contact, contact. We have four… no count five bogeys on intercept. Contacts signify as four light-wave Class destroyers and one radiance class Battleship. The radiance is firing.”
The ship rocks as an explosion is heard and 3 yellow beams shoot past the ship. Lights begin to throb as alarms ring out.
“We have 2 holes in starboard aft section, blast doors are in place. I recommend that we engage with type 3.” Reports Crimson as he turns and looks at the captain.”
“Nay,” says Blue. “Type 3’s are meant for short-range, they wouldn't work at those distances. Emerald focus on getting us into orbit quickly.”
“aye,” she says. The ship angles upward even more as they rocket space-ward. Luckily none of the other shots hit as the Yamato reaches high orbit. Engineering contacts the bridge.
“Wave motion engine is fully online, we have full power.” Solar reports and shuts off the link.
“Afirm, Crimson target the Battleship and two of the destroyers.” BlueShadow orders
“Aye, targeting now” says Crimson. The turrets turn to face their prospective targets, the imperial ships show no sign of slowing as the Battleship fires again, striking the middle of the ship and hits the wave motion shield, causing no damage. The turrets of the Yamato fire and arcs to their ships, the shots hit the Battleship, causing three holes to be puncture and go straight through the ship and explode.Shots hit the first Destroyer and split it in half, the third shot misses the second Destroyer and dissipates in the atmosphere.
“Two targets down, one still operational. Radar shows that one of the destroyers is leaving formation and breaking off. Torpedoes have been fired by the remaining two.” Reports Crimson.
“Target the remaining destroyers with Stack Missiles and intercept missiles with AAA.” Orders Blue.
Missile doors open from the “smokestack” of the ship and launch out towards the Destroyer, Pulse AAA begins to fire and eventually hits the two torpedoes. The Missiles race to their targets and hit, causing internal explosions on one and severely damaging the other.
“Direct hits sir, ones breaking off and spiraling towards the planet” reports Crimson
“Captain I'm receiving imperial transmissions….they are gathering a fleet to strike at us.” Reports Toxic Peach.
“Captain, I recommend jumping now to escape further hostility.” Suggests Emerald.
“Agreed, ensign go to warp at your discretion.” Says Blueshadow.
“Captain we're being hailed….it's from the capital.” Reports Toxic
Blueshaodw breathes deeply and nods.
“On Screen”
Everypony looks up as the screen up above them flickers and turns on, revealing a picture of the Solar Empress.
“Why hello captain, it's nice to finally see that you've shown your true colors.” Says Celestia.
Blueshadow stands up and glares, but shows no malice in his voice.
“Hello Empress, and yes I have shown my colors. I just haven't shown them sooner because I was blind to the atrocities the Empire was committing.”
“What you see as atrocities I see as control, with an Empire this large you must take some measure to keep control.” She retorts. “ Now let's cut to the chase shall we, you have committed treason against the empire, if you surrender now I will be so generous as to offer your crew 5 years in prison whereof I would pardon them and they shall be free to remain in the Empire. I will only make this offer once captain.”
”Are you offering us that because of what we stand for? Or is it because you're afraid of what we’all find in the darkness?” He grins as he sees her face contort.
“I offer it because, unlike what you believe, I am oh so generous in my mercy.” She replies.
“Well princess as I speak on behalf of my crew, you may take back your pardon for once I get ahold of it I would feed it to a dog for how much it is worth to me.”
The Empress visibly grimaces then regains her composer and smiles.
“Very well captain, be known that you have just condemned you and your crew to death, now repent for today you die.”
The view screen turns off and as if the gods had sense for timing a ship of immense scale comes out of hyperspace in front of the Yamato.
“Captain unknown ship on a collision course, By Faust it's huge!” Reports Crimson as he gazes at its immense scale
“Emerald get us out of here now!” Orders Blue.
The ship turns away from the monstrosity and jumps a fraction of a second before the other ship fires a shot the size of a mountain, it flies by where the Yamato was and dissipates in the void. The Yamato reappears at the edge of the solar system and powers down weapons. Crimson Ace gets up out of his seat and walks up to the Captain's chair.
“Sir, may I ask what in Tartarus was that.” He asks
“I honestly have no clue.” He says. “I never heard tell of the Empire constructing a ship as big as that. Emerald set course out of the system.” He orders
“Aye sir” she replies
The Yamato angles away from the home Star and slips into the void.
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In the Canterlot Fortress, Celestia is waiting in her throne room, pacing to and fro as she waits for her captains. The captains come in and stand at attention, holding back worried faces. Celestia trots up and stands in front of the head captain.
“Captain...What were your orders?” She says with a voice full of malice. The head captain swallows a lump in his throat and speaks up.
“T-to capture the crew and the s-ship your highness.” He replies in a shaky voice.
“Now tell me, when that ship flew past my window, was it under imperial control?”
“N-no ma’am, it was not.” He shakes his head and stands straighter, he firms his voice. “I take full responsibility for the mishap ma’am. I promise it won't happen aga-”
He stops as golden magic wraps around his throat and squeezes. Celestia lifts him up and moves him to in front of her as he struggles to get a breath. Celestia smile
“I thank you, captain, for showing some guts at the end, but you failed me and “defeat” is not in the equestrian dictionary.” She squeezes harder and an audible snap is heard as the captain's neck snaps in two, she drops him onto the floor. The remaining captains start quivering.
“The rest of you are lucky, due to him taking full responsibility you all are only getting demoted two ranks, now get out of my sight and take your head captain with you.”
The guards scramble away and one puts the body of the head captain on his back. In a few moments the room in quiet. Celestia chuckles and turns to her personal servant.
“Increase the ex-head captains rank by two ranks and make sure his family is taken care of, also bring me cadence, I need to find a new Head Captain.”
The servant nods and scampers off, Celestia turns to her table and a holographic map of the Galaxy pops up. “Now Captain, where have you gone.”
Author's Note
Sorry that it's been a while since I posted this chapter, but I couldn't think of how I would like to start this chapter and right now I have no Wi fi, but I thank all my readers that they held on and waited.
