Author's Note

I want to make sure that the credit i given to what inspired this particular track.

The song Pegasus Device by SylphStorm, was a inspired by Rainbow Factory by Wooden Toaster, which all came from the stories by https://www.fimfiction.net/user/6949/AuroraDawn

My original thoughts for this chapter was solely based on what I imagined in the SlyphStorm song, but when I sat to write the chapter, I found out about the source, and read the stories. This Track pulled inspiration from all those sources. I wanted to feature some characters from the Aurora stories, such as Dr. Hide Atmosphere, Contrail, and Pipewrench, as well as the theme of the Pegasus Device.

If you haven't, check out these songs and especially those stories.

Track 12 - Pegasus Device

Intro

Deep in the pages of history, lies a story steeped in mystery.

A late night tale buried far away, unlit it once again sees the light of day.

-SylphStorm

Track 12: Pegasus Device

A group of Pegasi march across the collected clouds that form Cloudsdale, dressed in the dark uniforms of the organization known as The Third Flock

“Below us is a land corrupted by the weak and feeble, those who cannot even save themselves from the simple villainy of Discord, King Sombra or Queen Chrysalis. So weak, that their own Princesses have both abandoned them!”

Breaking into some of the homes, the soldiers of the Flock drag out different ponies, carrying them off in chains.

“The new princesses are just as inferior and incompetent! Allowing more evils to run rampant, further threatening our very existence! That is why I have called to every Pegasus to return to Cloudsdale and our other glorious cities in the sky, to strengthen the Flock, and abandon those lowly ponies who trot not fly!”

Taking the imprisoned, the grim soldiers cart off their prey to the imposing gates of some secrete facility in the dark, forgotten part of the skies.

“Every Pegasus must unite or be fated to suffer along with the Earth and Unicorns, and those bleeding heart Alicorns who do not even deserve the wings they bare! We are the greatest race, born from the blood of warriors and champions! The Pegasi have the drive! Pegasi have the endurance! Pegasi have the ambition! We are glorious, we are powerful, and you all share in that greatness and promise of being legends! Raise up, be the best, and make the world cower to our beating wings. We are the hurricane! We are the storm! We are Pegasus! WE ARE THE FLOCK!!!”

Struggling in vain, the first of this batch of victims is placed into restraints and delivered to a machine that towers high above. A figure steps out of the shadows, looming just outside the pony’s sight.

“I ask nothing of you that I am not willing to do myself, what I HAVE done! I have pushed myself to my limits, broken barriers and bones. I have risen to the rank of your president, and unified the Pegasus Nation. Now I ask you all to push yourselves, to break limitations and prove to all others just what a flock of Pegasus are, and what it means to be apart of a unified force. These are not unreachable goals, these are born in all of us. It is up to each of us to live to our fullest and to bring glory to our cause and people. Anything less is to be weak, like those below”

With a silent nod, the hidden pony instructed another at the controls to begin the process. A loud “thud” of the main switch echoed in the room, lacing with the screams and cries of others unwillingly awaiting their destiny to be fed to the monstrosity. The demon was awake, and the gathered were substance for its hunger. They all look away to escape into some delusion of not being here, the commanding pony was not so fearful as they watched like a proud parent. In the brief glimmers of light, a pair of wings spread in excitement, as she did not spare a moment to blink and miss the sight of the machine taking its victim.

“Let no failures remain, let no inferior go unpunished. We are the greatest race, and must embody that. For ourselves, for our children, for our history and future. Do your best, be the best, earn your place in society, and reclaim Equestria from those below! Commander Hurricane found this land first, a Pegasus, and it was the trickery of those lesser beings that made her think the Wendigo had returned. Their lies forced us to work for them, and divide what is rightfully ours! The time is approaching that we right that wrong, but we all must reach our highest levels, and be ready to give everything to achieve mastery of all races! The Flock needs every one of you, for each and every Pegasus is important. The Flock will lift you up, and make you greater, but it is up to you to go even higher and be even better. I believe in every one of you, because I believe in the Flock, and the Flock is all of us!”

******

-Many Moons ago-

In the great hall in the foremost capital of the Pegasus nation, Cloudsdale, a large gathering of Pegasi had collected for an important meeting called by their president.

The mare at the podium was violet in colour, with a fading gray mane. “My beloved citizens” She began, forgoing the usual pomp that most officials did at the start of their speeches or meetings. There was muttering in the crowd, but not enough to overlap the talker. “A great evil is on the rise, throughout our beloved Equestria, and it plagues our brothers and sisters who dwell below. They cannot escape as we can, but we should not flee and ignore their cries. We need to support them in this strife, and help put a stop to it before it grows too great to be stopped. With the loss of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, now more than ever the Pegasus, Unicorn, and Earth ponies need to be united”

The entrance doors were pushed open with a great force, causing all eyes to be drawn toward the source. Within the outside light stood four figures, three being Pegasus, the third a Unicorn, and of the three was Rainbow Dash. She slowly looked toward the president, with something dark in her eyes.

“Explain this intrusion!” The president snapped. “There is no need to be so disruptive at an open meeting, so I demand an answer for such rudeness!”

Rainbow Dash started forward, still silent, keeping her wicked eyes upon the other mare. Sensing the danger, two guards moved from the president to block the advancing mare. Rainbow made her own move, in one swift move. With wings spread wide, she made a gust greater than what one Pegasus should be able to produce. The wind flung the two guards to crash into opposite walls, and broke the podium, spilling the president to the floor.

“WEAK!!!” Rainbow Dash shouted loud enough for everypony there to hear. “Your weakness, and cowardice! These are but a couple of the reasons I have come to their mockery of a gathering” She continued closer to the center of the room. “Every Pegasus is born apart of a great legacy, and it is our duty to live up to that, to push it and surpass it! But you reach the highest office, and sit in a plush chair, signing the works of better Pegasus. To further shame our heritage, you throw us into a war that is not ours to fight? Sending good Pegasi to die for those who could not aid us if we needed it, and even if they had wings, would likely just ignore our problems. You should be thinking of how to save our kind, not those of the betrayers that forced us into their servitude as cloud chasers and wind bringers”

The gathered audience was now muttering about the things Rainbow was saying, as the president regained her composure and countered. “You believe us weak then, for compassion? Calling us cowards for not hiding away, when danger looms before those who have been our friends and allies for so many ages?”

“We are weak!” Rainbow shot back. “We do not push ourselves as our ancestors did, and the only ones who even come close to bring out the true potential of the Pegasus ponies, is the Wonderbolts, and they even fall short of true glory! If we were strong, and breaking our boundaries all these years, and not cuddling to those who hold us back for their own benefits, we could face the problems below without any fear. Plump, pencil pushing, windbags like you are why we need to fear the dangers on the ground. You cry over a fallen princess, who used her influence to brainwash our kind into being slaves, because she knew the power we hold inside each and every Pegasus heart! Now she’s gone, and WE endure, finally free to spread OUR wings fully, unclipped by those who do not truly know what it is to be Pegasus!”

“You speak so much of oppression, and yet Princess Celestia did nothing but encourage US to be who WE wished to be!” The president responded, not knowing the reason her opponent was using pronouns so hard.

Rainbow shook her head, amused by her ignorance. She stomped her forehoof, and several members of the gathering stood, with the rest looking around in confusion. The standing all wore black armbands with a cloud emblem, like Rainbow’s cutie mark, with wings. “No, you foal, I speak of WE, as in the Flock! We still survive, even as she attempted to crush us when we wanted to bring the Pegasus Nation to rightful glory. WE live on in every colt and filly, stallion and mare who dares to be their best. Against her, we remain, and will take back our rightful place in glory and greatness!” Fear was growing with the confusion, for those not baring her mark. “We have risen to bring Pegasi to greatness, and twice the Flock was stopped by those who feared what our kind could be as a free race! The Third Flock will not be stopped, not by those who should hold no power on Pegasus destiny.

“In these hard times, we need leadership who will stand for the betterment of all Pegasus, the good of our people, and survival! I demand that we hold an election to let the ponies decide who will be best to do that!” She looked around the room, making it appear that she was looking at each pony there. “You all should decide if we will live on past the horrors of below, or give up our future to protect those ungrateful, and jealous ponies who will never understand us”

“That is out of the question!” The president moved closer to the troublesome mare.

“One month!” Rainbow defied. “We will see after all the Pegasi get a chance to see what the Flock can bring and offer. After one month to look at everything and think over our future, we will either take the reigns, or leave to form our own nation”

Now right before Rainbow, the president was spitting mad. “This is absurd, and unorthodox! Barging in here, placing your pawns in the crowd to instill fear, and then pretend to offer choice to us when assuredly you will use the next month to spread more fear and force more to vote you in! Your clever ruse and tyranny will not settle here, under the guise of hope and glory. The wickedness below now creeps into our homes, and I will not stand by for it to poison our minds!”

Rainbow Dash grinned at her, with a darker smile than before. “If we are that same wickedness, then you’ve just proven how much of a failure you are in protecting the Pegasus from it. If we do succeed in winning the election, then it only shows how completely weak you are as a leader. You can think us bad, but the Flock only wishes to make our kind the best it can be, and that we survive. If you can’t stop as small gathering of radicals, what is to stop another villain from moving in, that does not care if Pegasus live or die?”

The four left the hall, leaving the seeds of their movement behind.

“Wow, you really put it to President Violet Dart” Scootaloo remarked, as the group gathered back in their apartment, secured by those who have already joined the growing cause. “She thought she could stop you, but nothing can stop Rainbow Dash!”

Not being as convinced in her victory, Dash was knew that she had not achieved a pure triumph, and in fact felt that she had displayed a weakness that would need to be removed. “She spoke better than me,” She said in annoyance, as she dropped into a chair. “Maybe I out thought her, and turned her words back at her, but she had better words to use. If I was smarter, had more bookish words, I would have claimed the election in that moment. So long as she has her smarts, she has an edge and a chance”

“How true” Dr. Atmosphere said as he entered the room, catching part of what had been said. “You are the physical best of what Pegasi are, yet in the mental acuity aspect, you are lacking. You will need to sharpen this, and make it your weapon against the skirmish with that misguided sympathizer. If you truly wish to gain this, I can help you achieve this. I will vastly improve your mind, and soon nopony will be a challenge to you in flight or thought”

After a brief moment, Rainbow was in agreement. “Do it! As Dr. Gruber works the factory and Scootaloo spread the good word of the Flock, I’ll take on whatever you’ve got planned to make me smarter. I must become what is the very best of our kind in order to lead and rally our people. My failure today will become a strength. In a mere month, I will return and show that I can become better by pushing my limits. It will show those with any doubt that greatness is never out of reach for those willing to reach for it!”

“We are already of the same mind, you and I. A two pronged attack, with displays of greatness in skill of the body, and then another show of mental force as you outshine the president. The Flock will be undeniable as the future for all Pegasus kind! To the Flock!”

“To The Flock!” Dash echoed, and Scootaloo soon after. “Then,” Rainbow went on. “She’ll be the first to be fed to the Pegasus Device”

******

The propaganda machine went fast to work, as the Flock members posted banners and bills to spread the message of what it was to be in the Flock, and what they went for the future of all Pegasus and the realm of the sky. There were messages that spoke of ending the threat to the Glory of Pegasus kind, and vastly improving the lives of the members of the Flock. Posters depicted images of Pegasus at the peak of physical health, and the prominent displays of Rainbow Dash doing her famed Sonic Rainboom over the emblem of The Third Flock and reading “Unity, Glory, Greatness” under that.

With the poster teams putting up their task, they also stripped down anything that challenged or mocked the Flock. There was another group that had gone to parts of Equestria to draw back any lingering Pegasus, and announce the coming of Rainbow Dash as the future for their people. They were met with challengers, but they were better at speaking louder and prouder. Their conviction was drawing more attention, and as they did not speak directly of the discrimination they were truly about, they spoke to the strength in all Pegasus joining together in the clouds. This was giving some a sense of hope in all the horrors.

Far from Equestria’s eye, in the Dark Skies Region, Dr. Gruber was fast at work in constructing the first Rainbow Factory, enlisting the genius designer Contrail. Together they had the plans laid out and the skeleton was erected soon after. While Contrail was leading the building teams, Dr. Gruber worked on what would be housed in it. The first Pegasus Device, dubbed Mark 1. Leaving a team to work on her baby, the Doctor left to take care of another matter.

“Hello, Cat Walk” She said to a Pegasus strapped to an operation table, deep in the bowels of the growing factory. “Such a shame today, with the destruction of the generator pushing back our E.T.A. to be after the election” Her calm and focused tone, did little to hide the fury that demanded release. Dr. Gruber circled the table, as the captive struggled. “Miss Dash will not be pleased, as she was very adamant about the device being ready by the time she wins” Slamming her hoof in the first show of her true anger, she looked at him dead in the terror filled eyes. “You are a failure! Had we the machine, you would be upon the seat, to have your spectra harvested, only, well you know”

“Is this what being apart of the Flock means?! Punishment for a minor accident?!” He argued.

Stepping back, she looked surprised, however it was all a ruse. “Dear boy, you are not being punished for a simple mistake, you are being punished for being a failure! A crime that is unforgivable in the Flock. Yes, that is what it means to be in our glorious organization. The Flock is made up of best of the greatest race in the world, so how can we tolerate the setbacks made by one not their best? Your ‘accident’ not only reflects a weakness, but has directly hindered our efforts to be greater! Our leader will not suffer any that threaten what is dear to her, and this date was most dear indeed”

“You preach of the ‘greatness’ of being Pegasus, yet you’re not one. You are an ‘inferior race” His attempt to strike her back, only amused the Unicorn.

“Not a Pegasus, yet” She grinned a dark grin, and loomed closer. “I suppose I will become an Alicorn, but it is better to be partly a Pegasus, than not to be one at all. That is where you come in, where you will earn a redemption”

“W-what do you mean?” He was growing more aware of his mortality, and then the rumors of what Dr. Gruber had done to restore Rainbow Dash’s flight, and give Scootaloo her’s. As her horn illuminated, he asked. “What are you going to do?”

She did not answer at first, instead she removed the bindings, but kept him bound in her magick. She turned him over to get at his back before drawing another table close. “Why, I plan to do as any Pegasus, part or whole would, SHOULD do… I’m gonna do the best I can” She positioned herself on the table, and added. “You should feel proud, that you will get this last chance to do right for the Flock. Failure”

“You mean do something for you? Which I still don’t even know what you want!” He could imagine, but what seemed her goal did not seem possible for her to do to herself.

“A disappointment to the very end, I almost wish to reevaluate my choice in using you, yet your glorious wings should not share the fate the failure they had no choice in being apart of. Soon, glorious appendages, you will have a host that will bring your glory. I will bare you proudly, and without fault!”

******

-One Week Before the Election-

The wildfire that was the Flock had spread to every corner of Equestria, igniting a much needed passion and pride in the Pegasus ponies, at least at some level. Even the Pegasus in the ranks of the royal guard were moved by the words of the Flock, causing a great number to abandon their posts to join the rest of their kind in the sky. Not a single pony in Equestria did not know of the Flock and Rainbow Dash, with nearly every Pegasus in the sky and the election drawing closer, the event was looking to be one of the biggest in Equestria.

Dr. Atmosphere had kept to his word, and worked with Rainbow Dash to make her a greater threat in the mental sense, and he took the role of council as the mare worked to form her speech that would make or break their cause. Rainbow was never one to shrink from a challenge, especially when the stakes were so high and her reputation was on the line. This would be a true test of her ability to lead the Flock.

Although the true intentions of the Flock was masked, they were clear to any who could read through the words of the mare. She had become a master in manipulation, getting her people to take her words as reconstructing an empire, not the genocide that would come with it.

No longer stored away in a little room, Rainbow Dash and her top ponies were in a suite that was suited for the president herself. With the election dangerously close, they gathered for one last meeting before the big moment. Dr. Gruber was due to join at any moment with her news on the Rainbow Factory. It would be the first time either had seen one another since the beginning of the countdown to the election, and Rainbow was in for a surprise when the Dr. strolled in with arrogance and a new pair of wings.

Taking the chance to jab at his rival as Rainbow Dash’s top pony, Dr. Atmosphere remarked. “Look at you, I see you had time to experiment again, are we to assume this means the Pegasus Device has been completed?” Dash sat back to observe her two master minds bicker.

Spreading her wings to full splendor, with an attitude that befits the most self-proud Pegasus. “Experiment? This is a success, dear doctor, I have achieved the impossible! A full and complete grafting of wings to a non-Pegasus pony. Scootaloo and Madam Dash were rousing, and informational masterpieces, but now I have achieved a step above reconstruction or replacement. This is full hybridization!”

“Am I to take this that our, Scootaloo and my, wing work has now been reduced to a hoofnote in your own legacy as a body modifier?” Rainbow asked with a dangerous elegance in real time practice of her newly acquired skills, as well as bring down the doctor “Were we nothing but test subjects, to the achievement of a lifetime?”

Dr. Gruber was not shaken, prepared, it seemed, for such a response. “Of course you both remain crowning achievements, in another field of surgery. Your wing and part of your spine was beyond saving, Scootaloo was born with crippled wings. You both are successes at reconstructing from the worst of affiliations, I can now save any Pegasus from such a fate. With my newest achievement, I have made a new science of taking the incompatible and making them work! I can help those like myself, who were born of the wrong breed, but have the Pegasus heart and drive. Both of these stand alone, and together, as great feats that will carry through history. If anything, the fact you were brought back from so low, and that was able to be applied to strengthen the Flock, will only make your name even more prominent”

Getting up from her seat, Dash replied. “Good” Then she started toward the mare, while looking at Dr. Atmosphere. “I wonder though, should I have had her to coach me in dealing with the public? She met my words with equal determination, and readily defended herself to satisfy her and my own ego” She did enjoy toying with the two of them, and their rivalry. “So, doctor… or should I say Princess Gruber, seeing how those with horn and wing seem to be given that title like an undeserved badge? What does this now mean for the Flock? You were let in, because you have that special spark that is so Pegasus despite your.. affliction, yet now you are of a breed that is often viewed as a superior one. Are you a greater being, or simply a freak?”

Dr. Atmosphere hid it, but he was enjoying this dressing down. She was getting the wind taking from her undeserved wings. “Had I, or the Flock, no need for my horn, I would remove it to with pride!” Gruber responded quickly. “I would become a true Pegasus, if you so wished it. I am no superior being, only the display of hope for all those like me who dream of being Pegasus, but born the wrong pony”

Rainbow made a thoughtful sound, then asked. “Putting aside further linguistic posturing, you have so far eluded the question from earlier, in regards to the factory and my machine. Some wonder remains to just how you found a donor for those wings, but the more important inquiry remains”

“I can address both, as there is a common thread. During the construction of the main generator, a key system in the Pegasus Device was damaged. One of the workers failed to rig the supports and destroyed the generator in the process; pushing our competition date back” Dash did not like this, and made a sound of growing anger. “Contrail and Pipewrench have taken great efforts to fix this, and divided that time it would have taken. We are now looking at a completion by the day after the election. For the failure who cost us a prompt finish in time with your victory, I personally punished it” She finished, flexing the wings to emphasis just what she meant.

“I see,” Rainbow’s rage was mostly cooled, but it was settled into annoyance. “Next time a failure is to be dealt with, I will be informed and consulted before any actions are taken” She snapped a stern look at the Doctors. “Understood?!” Though he was wondering how he was included, Dr. Atmosphere joined Gruber in agreement.

Rainbow trotted back to the lavish desk that had been moved to the room, thinking over something else. “This poses an opportunity for growth, however, it will change our direction a little bit” Both the doctors glanced at one another in mutual confusion and concern.

******

-Election-

Standing before her adoring subjects-to-be, Rainbow Dash made her last speech before the election, announcing her boldest plan yet. “My Flock!” She called out, sending the crowd into a frenzy. “We are near a very beginning of a new era, one of glory, promise and survival. Below us, the ground bound scurry about in their chaos, as we above the clouds gather and unite to be a stronger force against the wickedness of the world. Flying together under the banner that has fought through the ages to make us great! It speaks of of unity for the great winged ones, and until recently I believed this to mean something else. I have analyzed the words and visions of our ancestors, and come to the understanding that it was not meant solely for those born Pegasus. As my very close adviser, and the one who has given me back my flight has shown me, other ponies can carry the fire that in the Pegasus spirit. She was born a Unicorn, but through the same perseverance and determination that the Flock holds as its core values. She has achieved the ability to not only save us who lost our flight to being bold enough to dare, she has also gifted my sister with that which nature cruel kept from a Pegasus daughter! Now, she has pushed it further, and granted flight to herself and soon any other not born in Pegasus body, but with Pegasus soul!” A light moved to show off Dr. Gruber’s wings, as the crowd quickly ate up this news without any doubt of it being what was meant to be. “Some may doubt this course, but she has stood as one of the Flock’s greatest allies and champions. The Flock is about being the best, and pushing harder than any other pony. She has broken boundaries and used herself to prove that she could become what she was denied as a sister of the Flock, as a daughter of the Aerial Nation!” She stamped a hoof, to keep attention on herself. “That being said, it is still that the Pegasus are the pure race, but as we welcome what is a science born Alicorn, we also need to recognize the other winged members of the Aerial Nation, ones even outside ponykind”

This was where the crowd was starting to turn, not sure of what this new direction was meaning. Many seem to question the move, but none spoke out in fear that loyalists in the group might turn on them. The question was hanging in the air, silently, and it was up to Rainbow Dash to answer it regardless. When a new figure joined the group on the stage, many gasped, others muttered, and still others shifted silently in discomfort. The new members of the Flock were ones known for the danger they posed to ponies of all kinds, especially the Pegasus. Standing defiantly against the sea of ponies, the white feather capped, brown bodied, stern, yellow eyed Gryphon sneered, as she scanned the room.

“The only other race to match our glory, are the ones whose blood runs as deep into our ancient histories as our own kind. Though we have fought for nearly as long as we have flown, the Pegasus and Gryphons are the original masters of the skies, the very first in the Aerial Nation. Under the Flock, our long lost nation will again be reunited, and the more who fly that share our passion will only make our nation stronger. The weakest will be the weakness of our people, so it will be required that we all are stronger than the strongest of any other kind outside our nation. We will again dominate the skies, and soon the land itself. We will be the ruling power of the world! It is our way to rise up, and we will reach heights not reached before, and beyond!”

Rainbow Dash and the Gryphon spread their wings and launched into the air, rocketing past at speeds greater than any other could reach. With her words, and the show of their might, the crowd was whipped into a frenzy of chanting “To Rainbow Dash!” and “To The Flock!” The only ones not joining in the revelry were Scootaloo, and the two Doctors. Scootaloo was willing to do anything Rainbow Dash wanted, but she did not like the Gryphons, especially the one who came from nowhere, yet held a deep friendship with Dash. The Doctors were of another concern, though it was linked to the same topic.

“She could shit, and make it currency at this point” Dr, Atmosphere whispered to Dr. Gruber. “She has skillfully manipulated them into that story of ‘bloodlines’ and ancestry, and this does mark that we will sweep the election… however…”

“Hmm, yet,” Dr. Gruber picked up. “She has now pushed her own agenda, and will likely be unstoppable in whatever desire she will have after the election. She will bring the Flock glory, and do what has been halted until now, but will she continue on our course, or forge her own?”

“A danger in creating a dictatorship, the one on top will be uncontrollable, if so they choose. We can only hope that she will not stray too far from the vision, and we will need to be there to council and guide her so she does remain on the path” He turned to leave, as did Dr. Gruber. “We will play our little game, so when we agree on something, it will keep her from going astray”

“I will be watching both of you” Scootaloo said, having been there as they spoke. “Yes, she can be impulsive, but she will do a good job. So don’t try to mess with her” She took off, as the pair watched her with a dark intention.

When she was fully gone, Dr. Gruber started. “She is a risk, and will need to be dealt with”

“Agreed, Rainbow Dash has only two ears, and do not need a third voice cutting in between us. Her advisory council needs thinning”

******

Chaos erupts in the skies in the moments after Rainbow Dash is made president of the Pegasus Nation, and every part of it was affected. Every city, town, and any place that the Pegasus called home now displayed the colours of the Flock. The banners had been changed, from the Cloud with wings, to have the lightning bolt that now made it look more like President Rainbow Dash’s cutie mark. Just as fast as the celebrations started, so did the new president start her work. She declared that all Pegasus, Alicorns, and Gryphons were part of the Aerial Nation, and were to end any aid given to those parts of Equestria and neighboring lands that were not part of the nation. While these changes went into effect, any opposition to these changes were rounded up and imprisoned. They would be given a chance to swear themselves to the Flock, all save the former president.

Within the Dark Skies Region, a place once fear and avoided for the legends spoken of about it, sat the first Rainbow Factory of the Aerial Nation. It towered above the stormy clouds and wild lightning bolts, and it was these conditions that not only allowed it to be built in secret, but also helped fuel it. The gloom was now given another purpose, a display of hopelessness to any who were sent here.

A hum shook the walls and floors, as the machine slowly awakens for the first time. Its parts moaned and groaned to life, with President Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, the doctors Atmosphere and Gruber, and Vice President Gilda watched. As the first device takes its demonic breaths and made its first steps into life, each observed in a different way, as did the many assembled workers who were there to make sure it would not stall or fail. Some laughed, some cried, but most were silent. The highest ranks knew just what this moment meant, and Dash was transfixed upon the machine, taking in every move and function. She wanted to know the Pegasus Device as well as those her built it. As she observed the functions and movements, her eyes locked upon the empty vats and her excitement only grew.

“Bring her” Rainbow said lustfully, and it turned more deranged. “Bring her!” with that, Gilda flew off, as Rainbow turned to the two lead engineers. “Contrail, Pipewrench, if this works to expectations, you will both enjoy my full favor” She grinned then turned back to her prized machine, but continued to address them. “If it fails, you will fix it and then be the next to feed it”

Contrail was first to respond, not with a hint of doubt. “This is a masterpiece, my crowning achievement as an engineer. I would fly straight into the collector, before allowing it to fail”

Still looking away, watching the operators work the controls, as she remarked. “I wonder if you will feel that way, when you make another machine that will likely outshine this one?” She was looking at Dr. Gruber with her eyes alone, by the time she finished.

“You only achieve greatness like this once, anything else either improves upon it, or owes credit to it. In either situation, they will pale to that original masterpiece’s achievement” The sky-blue stallion responded.

Still watching the Doctor, Rainbow smiled in satisfaction. “Well said, I truly hope you survive this day. I look forward to seeing what greatness you can bring to the Flock, however do not feel sheltered by this either, until we see how your machine works”

A commotion drew the attention of those waiting, it was coming from the adjoining hall. Without seeing who it was, nearly everyone there knew just what soul was being dragged to their death. The former president was flanked by two Gryphons, though really only one was needed. She was looking beaten, bloody, and broken, yet she still had a fight in her yet. She shouted out at the two dragging her, and as she found a new audience, she called for sense to the Pegasus in the room. The cries fell to deaf ears, and the display only served to amuse the new president and her Doctors.

Before the machine a fear grew within the mare, as she was forced into the chair upon a track. The conveyor would draw the seat into a large cylinder, the was suspended just enough to allow the chair in. “What is this?!” The former leader demanded answers. “Some kind of interrogation, for what purpose? You have complete access to any knowledge or records now that I would have”

Rainbow Dash moved closer to where the other was strapped in, clearing up the misunderstanding. “I want nothing that your feeble mind holds, Madam Dart. You serve no purpose anymore, even with your lineage, you are a worthless failure; save for this” She motioned to the machine, even though the former president could no longer see it. “This will be the last change you have to fly, to be productive to society as it is now. As you know, we Pegasi rely upon the magick of rainbows, and it infuses everything we do. Harnessing natural light is all well and good, but even refined it is a poor substitute for the true magick. You may not be aware of how each pony has a magick in them that is unlike anything else. The Earth ponies are blessed with strength and skill with nature, and we are aware of the range that Unicorns have, but the Pegasus hold a magick just as unique as they do. A power, that if we had the means to focus it, we could be greater than even the Unicorns. This machine is designed to collect and focus the magick in each of us, so we can! We have taken to calling it Spectra”

“Extract, you mean syphon! You are no better than Tirek, or vampires” The former president tried to be defiant, but the fear was growing stronger.

Laughing, Rainbow responded. “Tirek, and even vampires, drain but leave a body behind, sometimes even alive. Oh no, that is such a waste. This takes everything, collecting every bit of Spectra, and leaving no miserable husk of a failure to be left in the world” She gave a nod, and one of the others started the machine draw in the victim.

Following the seat as it moved down the track, Rainbow smirked at the mare as she fought in a panic. “To answer you directly: I want nothing from you, but to accept your fate and die in the Pegasus Device”

Scootaloo stood and watched, seeing the one she loved most become more deranged in her wickedness and cruelty. She feared what was to become of her sister, if she continued on this path. “Must trust in her” She thought. “It is for the good of all..” She deceived herself.

The sounds of the consumed was a choir to the glory of success, as the body was converted into a new substance. Tubes and vats began to fill with a rainbow of colours of the transformed pony’s remains. The bright, grim spectrum illuminated the face of Dr. Hufa Gruber, another success in the cruel works of the Third Flock. The twisted mare appeared ready to climax at the sight of her dirty work, wanting more be fed to her pet. Although Pipewrench and Contrail were given the credit for building the machine, the science was hers, and she felt that she was a master of the Rainbow Factory and Pegasus Device.

******

-A few days after the Demon awoke-

With the success of the Pegasus Device, the Rainbow Factory was in full swing. When production was taken from the old factories, Rainbow Dash celebrated it with a sonic rainboom. As she tore through the sky, it was changed by the colours made of ponies and the world look more vibrant but wet like blood. Nopony could deny that something was changing in the clouds, and President Rainbow Dash made another announcement to the Aerial Nation. She praised Contrail, and spoke openly about the factory. She told of how the failures would be collected, and given the honour of making the world better by working in the Rainbow Factory. Soon, the factory was running hard, and producing more Spectra than either Contrail or Gruber expected.

As all eyes were focused on the president and her factory, Dr. Gruber orchestrated a situation between Gilda and Scootaloo. She hoped the filly would be mangled, but she survived and was again being cared for. This did not stop the doctor from pushing her agenda to remove the annoyance and threat, going so far as to address Rainbow Dash on the subject.

“She was born useless, and even now fails to live up to the glory of her wings” Dr. Gruber started as she trotted with the president. “Family or not, failures must pay their toll”

“I agree” Rainbow responded, surprising the other mare. “Any who serve no purpose should be dealt with” They entered a room, and two Gryphons seized the doctor. “And I intend to dull out those punishments this time”

Dr. Gruber looked across the room to see Dr. Atmosphere grinning in foreknowledge. “What do you mean by this? I’m the means by which you can create more Pegasus, and the reason why you have wings! I thought up the means to extract Spectra!”

“All past tense, dear doctor, all but the creation of Pegasus” Rainbow turned hard, and locked eyes with the doctor. “I have re-evaluated the course of the Flock, and who are meant to be in it. Alicorns are pretenders, made into greatness by magick or scientific intervention, and you are the architect of those delusions. If ponies were meant to be Aerial, they would be born Pegasus or Gryphon!” She turned again, moving closer to the stallion. “I commend you on your desire to be one of us, and your achievements in the name of the Flock, however you are no longer of any service to us, and in fact remain a reminder of disgusting idea that inferior beings can be made to appear like us. You are also a self-serving traitor!” Rainbow stamped her hoof in anger. “Dealing with one of mine without speaking to me, turning yourself into an Alicorn abomination without any permission, plotting to manipulate me and keep me from doing what I choose to do! All of this I could find forgiveness in, even admire, but you moved against my sister. You dare use my old friend in your plot, and then have the audacity to openly try to speak against her to remove the witness to your plotting?!”

“Hide! You underhooved traitor! You were plotting with me, and spoke against her as well! You are just as guilty as I!” Dr. Gruber attempted to drag the other in with her.

Rainbow went to her desk, and dressed in a new uniform. It was dark in colour, and looked just as the Captains of the aerial forces from long ago. “The doctor has done well to explain his duplicity. He was the right choice, after all, in teaching me in the art of language. He also has many qualities that yet serve me.”

“One being the there to inform our leader of traitors working against her” Dr. Atmosphere started. “I made no moves against her, as you did. I did not act without her consent, as you did. Perhaps I was worried over sharing the ear of our leader, but I did not make a move against her sister! You bare our wings, but you act like a manipulative Unicorn. Your kind is known for being self-subservient and arrogant, and even with all your ambition, you are clearly an example of why only Pegasus and Gryphons can be trusted and be in the Aerial Nation as true members of the master breed”

Regaining the conversation, President Dash said. “I reward those who achieve greatness, and you had done so in a number of occasions” Rainbow praised. “That is why I will show some mercy” She looked to one of the Gryphons holding the doctor and he knew what to do. Gripping at the alicorn of the so named breed, he broke off Dr. Gruber’s horn in one swift motion. She cried out in intense pain of such a violent move, and with the break not being a clean one. It fractured her skull and tore flesh, letting blood gush out and cover her and the Gryphons who seemed to enjoy the display.

When the loss of blood claimed her, she came back as she was being dragged into the room she knew too well. She looked at Rainbow Dash, still in agony of what seemed only moments ago. “I-I thought… you said mercy?” She knew her fate now, and struggled to keep awake.

As the doctor was being strapped in, the president responded coldly. “Yes, I did. I gave you mercy by allowing you to die a Pegasus, and I do so hope you enjoy your final moments as one of the true breed of the Aerial Nation”

Weakly, Dr, Hufa Gruber smiled. “I have given the Flock all I can, and I have no regrets” She closed her eyes, as the machine made the sounds she knew meant that she was going to be pulled in. “For the Flock”