...-student...

The computerized voice echoed aboard the starship, it's voice heard among the 800 mile long machine.

It's time to get up for tea...

Deep within its corridors lay sleeping its only inhabitant. Unfortunately space travel didn't have the luxury of beds, so as a solution the ship was outfitted with cryopods- enough for the entire population of Ponyville and Canterlot, numbering in the small hundreds. It wasn't much, but it was enough.

THIS MESSAGE WILL REPEAT... Good morning, my faithful student, it's time to get up for tea!

Like an annoying alarm clock, the AI aboard the Starship Harmony roused the lone pilot awake. Hissing out steam, the cryopod depressurized, re-awakening one Twilight Sparkle. "Nnnh, what time is it?" She groggily spoke, clasping the sides of the pod to prop herself up.

It is 8 AM Equestrian time on day 1,375 aboard the Starship Harmony. We have wandered approximately 8,500 light years away from Equestria, my faithful student! the onboard AI chirped.

Though she knew the answer, it was habit at this point. She asked regardless, and regretfully the reply was always the same:

"...And survivors?"

...Approximately 1 organic survivor. However, cultures still run strong and the onboard gardens are thriving!

She sighed. "Well, better get back to work!" Twilight exclaimed. Hopping out of the pod, she grabbed her orange jumpsuit thrown haphazardly over her vital monitor, quickly putting it on to insulate her body from the slightly cold room. Flicking on a light she grabbed from her toolbelt, the young girl began her journey down the desolate starship. She began to make her way to the cafeteria, crossing down the many empty corridors and rooms, long since shut down to save energy. Glancing around the white doors and hallways, she finally spotted the sign she was looking for.

One of the few facilities left online, she entered the room, triggering its proximity sensor and powering it on. "What's on the menu today?" She spoke aloud, holstering her flashlight back to her hip.

Porridge with some lovely Chamomile tea, my faithful student! the AI chirped.

SHE HAS A NAME YOU KNOW...

"THANK you, Celes-Computer." It has been over a year since she stopped thinking of it as her old teacher.

"it's just code, nothing more..."

Setting down her porridge, Twilight took a sip of tea then went straight back to work. Tapping on the surface of the crystalline table, a display asking for login appeared. Pressing her thumb to the screen, the display flashed green then all of a sudden, several display ports, menus, and statistics appeared.

Swiping away the minor submenus and displays, Twilight focused on the status screens. "Seems to me everything is on the green this time." She mumbled, taking a sip of tea. "Computer, everything seems nominal. Why was I taken out of cryosleep?"

ERROR- NO DATA AVAILABLE; You worry too much, my faithful student!

"Run internal diagnostics."

ERROR

"Check power levels."

ERROR

"Great, now even the onboard computer doesn't know what's wrong!" She sighed, feeling a long headache coming on. "Computer, generate emergency lighting towards the Maintenance Bay. I need to check something."

With a small whir and a few clicks, the cafeteria lights dimmed, and red pathway lights appeared on the floor. Leaving the remaining porridge and tea behind, she began the hours long journey towards Maintenance. Passing through the halls was like going through a graveyard to her. Each and every section that was currently powered down would have been made to have the Harmony become a fully functioning city. It even had a financial district built, and the currency was ration tickets for meals at the cafeteria to make everything fair. MREs lasted forever, but that didn't make them any less disgusting.

There was one ward that always made her tear up every time she had to pass by: the Spike the Dragon Memorial Ward. It was Fluttershy's idea to include it in the plans they hid, but regardless she missed him. His people were the first to leave, after all...

Shaking her head, Twilight continued on, following the emergency lighting towards the Maintenance Bay. She approached the door, and...nothing happened.

"Computer, Maintenance is locked. Can you override?"

ERROR-SCANS SHOW AN ANOMALY OF A CHAOTIC NATURE; Twilight, beyond that door is something dangerous, I cannot advise-

"Accept override command: Starswirl. Now open the door!"

"There's no way! No way in Tartarus he found us!"

COMMAND ACCEPTED; I believe you're up to the challenge, my faithful student, but please be careful...

Preparing herself for anything, the young girl lit her magic and got ready. With a resounding thud, the bay doors unlocked and drew open slowly, an ominous fog rolling out. "W-whoever, WHATever you are, I have several spells ready to go, many meant to maim or brutally harm. C-come out!"

Another thud resounded, this time from inside the room. Then another, and another, each getting louder as the mysterious entity approached. "I-I'm warning y-you!" Her hands glowed brighter, switching from defensive spells to offensive. Suddenly, the thudding stopped. Beginning to think it was just the ambience of the starship, she lowered her guard.

That's when she heard the low, guttural growling. Firing every spell she had, she bombarded the room with explosions, lasers, and every known element. Not stopping for a moment, she got weaker and weaker, still firing off spells that would've destroyed mountains and tore this ship asunder if not for it's defensive warding. Gasping weakly, her horn finally fizzled out. "H-had e-enough y-yet, Discord?" She looked up, her vision going dark.

Just before she lost consciousness, Twilight saw what she thought was the blurred silhouette of someone she thought died a very, very, very long time ago. Then everything went black.

CRITICAL ALERT! CRITICAL ALERT! LIFE SUPPORT FAILING!

Twilight awoke with a gasp, her heart beating in her chest. Frantically looking around for any signs of Him, all she found was the charred remains of Maintenance. Her spells did a wonderful job of destroying the interior, but also tore apart the only thing still keeping her alive. "No! Nonononono!" Rushing towards the mangled reactor, she went quick to work using her magic to gather the scarred tissue of her lifeline. Or tried to, anyways; grunting and heaving with every exertion of her magic, Twilight came to a grim conclusion- her magic reserves were empty. She would have to do this by hand.

"Ugh, fine! You win, already. Celestia?"

There was no response. That was strange...

"...Celestia?"

Again, no reply.

"Celestia! Are you there?!" Now fully panicking, she ran every simulation she could in her head for why the computer wasn't responding, when it hit her:

She's gone, Twilight...

"...Computer?"

The alarms stopped, and the disembodied voice of her mentor echoed once again through the ghost ship. ERROR, LIFE SUPPORT FAILING! My little pony, it seems we are in trouble! I would advise we make repairs, should I send some faithful assistants out?

The girl sighed, cursing herself for falling back into a habit she had crushed before construction even began on this ship. "Yes, and have them bring a plasma torch, ion cutters, and chamomile tea. I am very stressed and need some refreshments."

Author's Note

this has been a side project of mine for a bit, just something I thought of when reading some other stories, and wanted to try it out.

If you like it, please let me know. I'm putting all my free time and days off perfecting this story, and need to know,if it was worth it.

Other stories will be updated, and I now have a schedule for myself. You can read it in my blog. Fair warning Though, I don't update the blog often, and only when necessary.