Jet Force Twilight

Only for you

The light ahead seemed to illuminate the entire night sky. Rainbow Dash squinted her eyes against it.

“Fluttershy?”

Only for you

Rainbow Dash used her wings to hoover midair. The yellow pegasus in front of her offered the only light. Sadness fell over the obvious dream. Rainbow Dash decided to make use of her only chance.

“I’m sorry, Fluttershy.”

The yellow pegasus looked at Rainbow Dash with innocent eyes. Her beautiful ivory mane hanged flat in the windless air.

Dashie suddenly felt herself falter in flight. She looked down. Her detached blue wing sailed limply down toward the ground. Dashie felt her stomach squirm as she plummeted. She tried to take one more look at Fluttershy but the world was spinning to fast. She saw her left wing still attached to her body. Her right human hand had no feathers.

Rainbow Dash gasped. She felt the cold prison floor greet her back to reality. She hoped that it wasn’t real, because in reality Fluttershy wasn’t flying anymore. She wasn’t speaking to her with her cute little voice anymore.

Never was she going to laugh again, smile again, not even show those disappointed eyes when Rainbow Dash told her that she didn’t love her. Dashie could feel herself gallop and hug that disappointed pegasus now, squeeze hard and never let go. She imagined taking her to Vela’s ship, fly them both home and take her on the longest cloud cruise above Equestria ever.

But none of that would ever come to pass. Rainbow Dash looked at her right wing, the one she felt she didn’t deserve. What was she going to tell Twilight, Rarity, Apple Jack and Pinkie Pie? Was she going to tell them that her stubbornness got Fluttershy killed? Was she going to tell them that she panicked when Mizar asked her to recall what happened after Twilight found him in Equestria? Was Rainbow Dash going to look Rarity straight into her teary eyes and tell her how she treated Fluttershy before they got captured?

No. Dashie’s words would never come out. It would all boil down to one phrase.

“I killed her.”

Rainbow Dash growled after hearing her own words. She galloped across the prison cell and slammed her hoof against the soft wall in a rage. Despite it being soundproof there was a small metallic vibration inside it.

The rage was silenced, but not the memories. There was a black hole inside Rainbow Dash. She felt her stomach squirm again. Dashie leaned against the wall and crumbled. Her rainbow mane bounced while her tears hit the floor.

Fernando thought he heard a sound somewhere inside the walls. What was it? The mole reached into his pockets and lit a cigar.

“Probably one of Mizar’s toys.”

Part of Fernando hoped that Mizar wouldn’t kill Rainbow Dash. From what his spies had told him she did put up a decent fight against that sad robot. Luckily Fernando’s plan had worked. He put the cigar in his mouth and sucked in a long, poisonous breath. The smoke whirled around him as he took one more glance at the yellow patch in the middle his private Sekhmet suite.

The pony coughed. She took a minute to gain her bearings before studying her location. She used her front hoof to bring herself up.

“Where am I?” The yellow pony caught sight of the smoking, fat mole. “Who are you?”

“Welcome to military cruiser Sekhmet Fluttershy. My name is Fernando. You and I have a lot to discuss.”

“We have a lot to discuss. But first, let me introduce Magnus.” King Jeff motioned the frog like fellow beside him. “He is going to fill you in on some politics.”

All the ponies and Gemini warriors had gathered inside the Kings Hut, which was the largest building in the Tribal village. The fireplace kept the heat rising and the cold shill of the Goldwood jungle outside. Magnus coughed before beginning his speech.

“Good evening ponies, tribals and humans.” Magnus had a queasy voice. He had a habit of cutting his ending consonants. “As my old friend Jeff here just informed, my name is Magnus and I am the ambassador here. Recently, my work here has been doubled thanks to some community relations setbacks in the forest planet off Rith Essa.”

Twilight blushed. Magnus looked in her direction for a brief moment before continuing.

“But all this has passed. For now, we must focus on what to do next. You ponies may not be fully aware how things are here right now. Long story short, it’s not the most pleasant endeavor right now. Due to diplomatic complications within the Tribal community, a rift have been created among the people."

Twilight looked around. She saw the few gathered Tribals look dead into the air with frustration swimming in their eyes. Magnus continued.

“Once we were united against Mizar, and we still are in a way, but differing ideas how to go about it has left us fragmented. Hunting grounds are disputed between Barry’s and Jeff’s followers. Bullying have become a problem, both between adults and children. If we do not do something about Mizar now we might never be united as one bear race ever again.”

King Jeff kept looking at Twilight throughout Magnus entire speech. The unicorn could feel his eyeballs pierce her. Magnus continued.

“I have recently been informed that you ponies’ have managed to get hold of Diamond Geezers hard drive. But, well, Juno?”

Magnus looked at the leader of the Jet Force Gemini. Juno took a step forward and spoke with a clear, manly voice.

“We tried to access the encrypted parts with the help of our hackers but so far we have only managed to gather a small portion of it. The security is simply too tight. Since Mizar himself built the database and had Geezer download decades ago we need the help of whoever built and had control over him at the time. That someone is the only one that could have a clue to the passwords needed to get us access to the full hard drive.”

“And, let me guess. That someone is Barry?” Apple Jack asked.

“But both of you want Mizar gone. Why all this fuzz?” Rarity asked the obvious question. Magnus opened his mouth to answer, but hesitated. King Jeff laid a hand on Magnus shoulder.

“It’s alright old friend, I’ll take it from here.”

Jeff turned to the Tribals present in the room.

“I see no reason to keep this from you any longer. It’s about time that you know why my brother is being such a rotten egg.”

King Jeff used his staff as support as he walked up to the ponies. Twilight thought she saw Vela standing in a corner ahead. Jeff began his confession.

“Twilight Sparkle. I know my brother has been difficult and, trust me when I say, I do not have much hope that he will show a better side any time soon. So, before we head over to the Rainy Meadow where Barry and the other half of my people have taken hold you must understand.”

King Jeff looked around at the others. His old voice grew stronger.

“My brother is still ashamed about what he did all those years ago! He is still ashamed about building Mizar!”

He turned to Twilight again, his voice remaining strong. “Ever since Mizar’s return my brother has been terrified, terrified that my people will remember his crimes, terrified to be cast out again.”

Jeff closed his eyes and added. “...Terrified that his own brother will remember his old quest for vengenance and never speak to him again.”

Jeff looked straight into the purple eyes of the lavender unicorn. His catlike eye glittered like a wettened ball made out of glass. The rest of his speech he aimed directly to Twilight.

“So, you must understand, princess Twilight Sparkle, that when my brother heard that you were the one who helped Mizar all he could see was a chance to shift the focus onto a new enemy.”

“An enemy he did not need to take responsibility for.” Rarity put the words in Jeff’s mouth.

“An enemy like me.” Twilight ended. She used her hoof to streak the pointy edges of her facial scar.

The regret in Jeff’s eyes were apparent. “I am sorry Twilight. You have been dragged into far more messes than you deserve. On behalf of all the Tribals, I apologize about Barry and the part of my people that are still foolish enough to think that you are anything but the kind, loyal, honest, generous and cheerful princess of friendship.”

Twilight felt the gratitude lay at the tip of her tongue. She gave Jeff a slight smile that quickly faded. She felt that she should be happy that someone other than her closest friends actually had faith in her. Could it be that she was unsure about Jeff’s sincerity? - Or was something in what he just claimed sending doubts into her?

“Hold on furry. I understand you’re sorry and all but you just said that we should head over to that Rainy, whatever, place?”

“I’m afraid I must agree with Apple Jack sir. If Barry is your brother than why don’t you head there yourself?” Pinkie Pie asked.

Magnus made a small floor slam with his staff. “Out of the question! Barry already knows that Jeff is friends with Twilight. If our king heads there by himself it will only arouse more suspicion among his followers.”

“Magnus is right Twilight. I’m sorry about the way I treated you the first time we met, even though we now must face the music together.”

Twilight wanted desperately to be bold but she could still feel the vibrations of those angry Tribal chants inside her stomach. Jeff could see the fear in the eyes of the pony unicorn. He reached out his paw and put it around her mule.

“I know you’re thinking about what happened inside those mines. Those Tribals were only mimicking what my brother taught them. If things get out of hand like that again, I promise, I will handle it myself this time.”

The calm and manly voice of king Jeff had the composure of a ruler and yet the rusty core of a nice uncle. Twilight felt the vibrations inside her disappear. She smiled.

“Thank you, King Jeff.”

“Please, Twilight, just call me Jeff.”

“Where is Rainbow Dash?!” Fluttershy was suddenly angry. She had her wings raised in aggression.

Fernando blew out the smoke he had in his lounges. “Not here, and If I were you I would keep my voice down. Mizar doesn’t know you’re alive.”

Fluttershy looked questioning at the mole, who did not wait for her reply.

“Electric paralyzing gun, tases your artery and stopps the blood flow in all parts of your body except your brain. The effect makes it appear as if the victim is dead. Don’t ask me how I smuggled into Mizar’s arsenal, just thank me that you’re still alive.”

“In that case, if what you say is true, then I thank you sir.” Fluttershy lowered her wings, but her mind remained worried. If Mizar would have shot her in cold blood like that how long before he killed Rainbow Dash too, for real this time?

“Wo there, my little pony!” Fernando urged when he saw the pony move toward the door. Fluttershy froze in place. “You’re too young to die. Mizar has this place swarming with drones. You won’t make it down the corridor, trust me.”

“But then you must help me sir. Please, my friend is in grave danger!”

“Hahaha!” The laughter of the fat mole rumbled the suite. “Give me a break. Mizar makes himself look hard and merciless. In truth, that pathetic fly has as much bone in his body as any robot.”

“How do you know that sir?” Fluttershy’s eyes sparkled with fear.

“I worked with him since before when Barry was his pilot. Was a coward then and is a coward now. Come to think of it, I think he’s gotten even worse since your princess rebuilt him. Maybe it’s that wheelchair magic of hers that is making him thin skinned?!”

Fluttershy did not know what to make of all this. Her hesitation didn’t go unnoticed.

“Well!? Don’t be shy, Fluttershy.” Fernando laughed at his own wit. “Come over here, sit down.”

Hesitantly, Fluttershy made her way toward three couches and coffee table. She almost felt sorry for the small couch that Fernando sat on. It appeared to be on the brink of breaking apart sideways. Fluttershy sat down on the couch that seemed to be furthest away from him.

Fernando glanced at the pony for a brief moment. He restrained his contentment. He knew that Fluttershy would have no choice to do whatever he asked from now on, all under Mizar’s nose. This was a dream scenario, a way for Fernando to finally become the savior of the universe and its ruler at the same time. If Mizar found out that Fluttershy was alive Fernando could just blame one of the drones for misplacing the paralyzer where Mizar stored his three other guns which he used.

“Care for some Essian vodka?!” Fernando boomed and grabbed a bottle.

“Oh no. Thank you sir, I don’t really drink.”

“No, I insist.”

“I really don’t drink sir. But thank you.”

Fernando put the empty glass and the bottle of vodka between himself and the yellow pegasus. He grabbed a glass that he had already filled and sipped it.

“Rainbow Dash is in no trouble, you have my word on that pony girl.”

“If you say so.”

“Mizar say so. He is out for your abdicated princess, not some hoofed rainbow broad. He is planning to use Rainbow Dash as bait to get to Twilight but for that to work he only needed one of you, you’re lucky to be alive Fluttershy.”

The ominous voice of Fernando was enough to release the existential feelings inside Fluttershy. Suddenly, she realized that all she now was could easily have been nothing if earlier events had turned out different. Her eyes gained a dark depth.

“You really did save my life.”

Fernando heard the soft voice of the yellow pony. - He usually liked creatures being thankful to him, that usually meaning easy favors, but this felt different. This felt to close. He grumped, opened a drawer and brought out a clef of Tawfret drapes. He quickly filled his mouth with three of these horrible things. Fluttershy looked at the creature whom she at first had disliked.

“Sir. I apologize for screaming at you. I owe you my life.”

“Urm.” Fernando swallowed before answering weakly. “Yes, you do.”

“I owe you my life.”

The blue pegasus closed her eyes.

“I owe you my life.”

The yellow face became clearer in her mind. The abandoned school house blurred behind it.

“I owe you my life.”

Rainbow Dash had been talking to herself for a good while now. Part of her thought it wasn’t that odd. She had been imprisoned in this cell with the same silvery fabric walls and rubber floor for Celestia knows how long.

“I owe you my life.”

“What do you mean?”

“You saved me. You saved my life.”

“I didn’t save you, I just did what any friend would do.”

“Why am I talking to myself? Am I going crazy?”

“No, you’re just alone.”

Rainbow Dash shook her head and rid it from creepy. One Pinkie Pie is enough. she thought to herself. Her simple brute mind may not be able to wipe Fluttershy’s memory away, but one thing she was smart enough to realize.

“This isn’t me.”

Dashie raised her wings and somehow managed to bring herself airborne inside her incarceration space. She made a violent thrust, rocketed into the prison door and slammed her hooves against it.

“Hey! Mizar! MIZAR! Is that all you got!? You pony murdering banana!? When are you going to come back and break me!? I’ve been waiting in here for days!”

The door suddenly opened inwards. Rainbow Dash was violently tossed backwards and hit the wall. The doorway was populated by an unwelcome sight. Mizar’s eyes flashed of red.

“Break you? Oh Dashie, when are you gonna learn to shut your mouth?”

Dashie didn’t care how many friends would die now because of her. All she knew was that she rather died herself before that happened. In a flash she rocketed toward the silvery banana drone. The blue ant behind Mizar raised his arm. Something flashed. Dashie quickly realized the hard way what it was.

Dashies entire pegasus body went into lockdown as she shook helplessly on the floor, the electricity flowing constantly from the taser. Her mouth she held shut. Despite the excruciating pain rushing through her wingtips, this flying dildo had heard her scream for the last time.

“Buckle up Rainbow Dash. Cruiser change awaits.”

The following minute Rainbow Dash was tied to a stretcher, which had small rockets holding it airborne. An entire armada of shield carrying ants escorted her through the cruiser toward, what Rainbow Dash guessed, the next boring prison. She had the ability to turn her head sideways. Most of the time an escorting ant blocked the view, but the glimpses she did get spoke of Sekhmet being a gigantic cruiser. Suddenly the space around her widened. She felt a nauseating feeling from all the time spent in a small room.

It seemed as if the roof would never appear above. The slightly tilting walls were red and towered. Huge metal platforms were guarded by countless blue drones. They all looked down on her with murderous black eyes, holding laser rifles. Dashie thought she heard the sound of flowing water beside her. She couldn’t see if Mizar was following her or not. Not that it mattered. She was as tied to this stretcher as Fluttershy was...

Fluttershy is Dead.

“Mizar.” Rainbow Dash said his name. “Mizar!” Her hooves started shaking. She imagined using them to turn the robot into scrap. “MIZAR!”

Her escorting torture buddy turned to the raging pony. Without thinking he brought out the taser again and fired.

Rainbow Dash felt her entire body burn with electricity again. The electricity caused her wings to turn in an odd angle. The blue pegasus didn’t feel when the bone inside her left wing broke, all she felt was the liberating freedom when it wiggled out of its bindings. The binding then moved sideways, causing her right wing to also free.

There was a rainbow blur when the pegasus pony rocketed toward the roof with stretcher and everything. She bumped the taser on the way, causing it to turn toward its user. The ant screamed and fell unconscious to the floor. There was a wave of ant screeches. Blue lasers came whooing. The stretcher rockets were still burning bravely but the wing power of Rainbow Dash was simply too great for it to have any effect.

Dashie approached one of the platform ants with blurring speed. He barely had time to raise his rifle before the Wonderbolt flier flew into him. The stretcher hit the ant in 30 miles per hour and killed him instantly. His rifle went sailing. Rainbow Dash grabbed it midair and fired at his shield wearing buddy. The first laser hit his shield but the second severed his foot. Green blood splattered the cruiser.

Rainbow Dash kept flying toward the end of the giant room. The drones ahead still seemed to be in progress of grasping what was happening. Dashie landed and killed two ants in front of her. One ant came up behind her, aimed and fired. The shooter saw his own reflection inside the metal stretcher before the ricocheting laser hit him in the chest.

Rainbow Dash did not know where her mind was. She had no idea if she was flying in the same direction as before or not. She didn’t know - She didn’t care. - All she felt was the adrenaline coursing through her blue body when ant after ant took turn trying to kill her before seeing them twist and crumble behind her iron sight.

The irritated screeches became fierce the longer the drones tried to hit the way to fast Wonderbolt flier. The stretcher suddenly came lose. It hit the floor below with an air cutting crash. Despite that fact that its owner hadn’t noticed it was broken yet the right wing of Rainbow Dash Suddenly decided it have had enough. It went numb.

Rainbow Dash gasped when she hit the floor. Within a second she was on her hooves again. She roared while firing at the five drones appearing behind the corner ahead. One of them dropped his shield. Dashie shot of his arm. She proceeded fire at the second, third, fourth, fifth and even sixth drone. Did her lasers hit their bodies or their shields? Dashie wasn’t sure. In fact, she wasn’t sure about anything anymore. She wasn’t sure if the rest of her friends would ever make it back to Equestria again. She wasn’t sure if they would ever find out about Fluttershy’s death. One thing Rainbow Dash was sure of though, and that was that she couldn’t feel the right side of her body anymore.

Mizar hovered effortlessly up to the lifeless pony with a rainbow mane. The rifle she had stolen earlier from one of his drones laid slightly inside the pool of pony blood that was forming under her. Mizar gave out a long sigh.

“Idiots.”

Mizar turned around and left the scene in a bizarre state of surprise and not at all so. The self tased drone regained consciousness. Mizar didn’t bother looking at him as he opened his chassis, brought out his gun and pulled the trigger.

This was the second time that day that a none lethal taser weapon had rendered the poor drone unconscious via shot to the face, but this was something that Mizar was unaware of at the moment.

“Are you sure we’re not in danger?” Fluttershy asked worried, still remembering the echoing laser fire. Fernando gave the yellow pony a Vegas smile.

“No need to worry. Trust me Fluttershy, this happens all the time. Mizar’s robots are idiots. They get into brawls as easy as a group of Tribal’s arguing over who has the largest garden stones.

Fernando’s booming laughter suddenly filled the suite like one of Trixie’s indoor fireworks. It was impossible for Fluttershy not to join in. On the outside her face giggled but on the inside she felt like something big had just been ripped out of her heart. She felt her joy turned to acid in her throat. As for Fernando, he did enjoy a good Tribal joke. At least that’s what he tried to tell himself as he watched Fluttershy’s giggle transform.

“Heh…” Fernando’s grumped. At least he tried, he thought to himself while ignoring the sobbing pegasus.