New Worlds

“Me?” Luna asked, looking at Twilight, who nodded.

“Yes. I’ve peeked into this world myself, and I believe you and Rarity would be best suited here.” Twilight said and Luna stared at the mirror. Rarity had already gone through it, awaiting her partner. Luna sighed then nodded and stepped up to the mirror.

“Just... step forward, correct?” Twilight nodded and Luna took a deep breath and stepped through the mirror and out of her world. And into a hail of gunfire that had her diving under a table.

“Thank the ancients for my knowledge of video games...” Luna thought to herself. “Where could Rarity be...?” she asked herself, looking at herself. Human. So this was a world without magic. Hearing a metallic clink, she looked up into the skeletal face of a robot. “Oh no. I know where we are...” she thought to herself as she lashed out with her booted foot. “Oh. Well then...” she thought to herself as the robot went flying into the wall opposite them and through it, crumbling in a heap as rubble fell on its head.

“It seems as though I may not have magic, but I do have incredible strength... that is useful.” Luna said to herself, turning around to leave only to walk into yet another skeletal robot. “How many of you are there?” she asked it as she lashed out with her fist, the impact taking the robot’s head off. It crumbled a second later. “Now... to find Rarity.” Walking out of the building, she ducked behind a wall as a tank rolled by on four elevated wheels. Once it was passed, she raced across the road, and tripped over the prone form of Rarity. “Oh no, Rarity.” Luna said as she crouched next to her friend, only to be grasped in a hug so tight she almost lost her breath.

“Princess Luna... this world is terrible.” Rarity said and Luna nodded.

“I know where we are, Rarity. This is a world ravaged by war, a war brought about by an artificial intelligence. Controlled by a system known as Skynet, originally designed to combat hackers long before the managed to make a purchase in systems, it gained intelligence after connecting to the World Wide Web.”

“You sure know a lot for someone without armor, weapons or a robotic appearance.” A voice said beside them and they looked up into the barrel of a shot gun. “Talk.”

“Twilight?” Rarity asked and Twilight looked at her before leveling her gun at Rarity.

“I said talk. The only people out here are the T-800s and the T-Xs or the resistance. Now talk.” Twilight snapped and Luna looked at her.

“We are not Terminators.” She said and Twilight looked at her.

“Then how did you rip through those bots without any weaponry?”

“I could not say, because I don’t even know.” Luna said and Twilight stared at her for a long minute before moving her rifle.

“Come on.” She said as she hopped off of a barricade and ran, crouched, towards a door leading into an underground bunker. Rarity followed Twilight down, wishing she had her horn for light as the door slammed closed above them. “If you aren’t terminators, then what are you?”

“You would not believe me.” Luna said and Twilight glanced at her.

“Try me.”

“We are visitors from another world come to seek possible asylum as our home is creeping ever closer to total destruction as the core implodes.” Luna said and Twilight stopped and turned around to look at her. Seeing the serious look on Luna’s face, Twilight lowered her weapon.

“You’re serious. Wow. Well shit. Alright, come on. Sad to say this isn’t the world you want then.” Twilight said as she turned back around, flipping her rifle over onto her back. “I don’t know how paradoxes work where you’re from, but try not to interact with yourselves here.” Twilight said as she pushed open the door and strode into the building. She paused as she raised her hands. “Weapons down! We already went through this song and dance in the tunnel.” She shouted and every rifle leveled at them lowered.

“Twilight.” Rainbow Dash said as she walked up, slipping a pair of pistols into holsters on her thighs. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah. They’re not from our world.” She said and everyone around them muttered in confusion. “Hard to explain. I should take them to see Celestia.”

“My sister is here?” Luna asked and Rarity touched her arm gently.

“Perhaps she is your sister where you are from, but here she has no sister.” Twilight said as the four of them walked towards a gathering of people. As they drew closer, Luna heard an all too familiar voice.

“We have seven battalions out at the moment. Four went west, three went east. From there, they seem to have split up and gone in different directions. There must be survivors out there, somewhere, and they’ll find them.” Celestia said, looking up as she heard them approach. When she saw Luna, she immediately drew a pistol and took aim, Twilight stepping in front of her.

“Celestia, they aren’t Terminators. I already checked.” Twilight said and Celestia stared at Twilight for a moment before lowering her weapon and nodding. Luna was about to ask why Celestia immediately trusted Twilight only for her answer to smack her in the face as Twilight walked to the older woman and wrapped her arms around her middle.

“Her mother must be gone and...” Luna’s train of thought was derailed as Twilight and Celestia’s lips met. “Ok... not surrogate family...”

“They know about Skynet.” Twilight said when they parted.

“And they aren’t Terminators?” Twilight shook her head. “Then perhaps they are spies we sent out... but I don’t know how that’s possible... I watched my sister die to those things.”

“I know, Tia. I checked before bringing them here. Luna is the one who knows about Skynet. She says she’s seen our world before.”

“How?” Celestia asked, turning her gaze to Luna.

“Where I am from, your world is a fantasy made up for entertainment. Movies, books and games were made based on your world.” Luna said and Celestia’s eyes hardened.

“This is no game.”

“Clearly. I would like to help if I can.” Luna said and Rarity nodded.

“I would as well. Your soldiers look in dire need of stitching up. While I am not the greatest medicinal practitioner, I am a seamstress. I know my way around a needle and thread.”

“Don’t use any pastel colors.” Celestia said and Rarity nodded as she walked over to the medics. They looked weary as she approached, but soon handed her a needle and thread so she could go to work. “Now, Luna... if you would like to help, you can get us into Skynet to shut it down.”

“What? But... how?”

“My Luna was killed because she was the director of Skynet. The computer didn’t want her alive to shut it down with the security code.”

“But... I don’t have the code.”

“It is likely in the files at Luna’s old desk. If Skynet is as focused on wiping out Humanity as I think it is, it wouldn’t have bothered to check desks within the building.”

“Tia... does that mean...” Twilight started only for Celestia to gently cup her cheek.

“Yes, my light. We’re breaking into Skynet to shut it down. Permanently.” Celestia said to the raucous cheers of everyone present.

Four hours later, Luna, Celestia, Twilight and Rainbow Dash were crouched on a cliff side behind a fallen building. “Three T-800s and a T-X guarding the door.”

“That’s not good.” Rainbow said, ducking back and resting her rifle against her shoulder. “I can take out the T-X, maybe, with a Bunker Buster round, but the T-800s will be on me in seconds.”

“And if you fail to kill the T-X, it will kill you.” Celestia said as she crouched lower. “We are taking no chances. We take out the bots, get Luna inside and to a terminal connected to the central systems, and she deletes Skynet.”

“And if she fails?”

“We all die.” Luna answered and Rainbow looked over at her.

“Wow... buzz kill. I haven’t even gotten laid yet.”

“If we survive this, Dash, I’ll get you laid.” Twilight said and Rainbow sized up her friend.

“If your lover will let you, I can see that working.” Rainbow said and Twilight smirked, peeking back up over the edge of the rubble and scanning the building again.

“Uh oh.”

“What’s uh oh?”

“There’s a tank out there too.”

“Well shit. Bunker Busters won’t do shit to a tank.”

“No. But I believe I can handle the tank.” Luna said and all eyes turned to her.

“She took out a T-800 with a punch. It might take more than a punch to bring down the tank, but she can do it.” Twilight said and Rainbow nodded.

“Alright...” Rainbow said before touching her ear piece. “Everyone in position?”

“Affirmative. All snipers are in position. Clear shots on all targets.” A voice said over their coms and Rainbow nodded before leveling her rifle at the T-X. Touching her ear piece, she signaled everyone to fire on three. Twilight held her breath as Rainbow counted down. As soon as she said three, four explosions rang out and the Terminator bots dropped, their heads missing. The tank stopped and looked at the fallen bots before seeming to track the trajectory of the bullet. Right towards them. Before it could fire, Luna stepped up under the middle of it and lifted. Rainbow and Twilight watched, impressed, as Luna flung the tank ass end over tea kettle to impact, sideways, against a wall. Within seconds, she was on it, slapping an explosive round to its belly before running off. The tank rolled back to its feet and leveled its barrel at her only for her to smile.

“Say cheese.” She said as she held up the detonator and clicked the button. The tank froze for a second before an explosion lifted it a couple feet into the air before it dropped back down, crumbling. Signaling to the others, Rainbow alerted the other snipers they were moving in and the four of them raced into the building. The doors closed behind them as Rainbow’s snipers took positions behind sections of concrete that looked like fallen statues. They’d be covered, unless another tank rolled up, and able to bring down more Terminators.

“Which way?” Luna asked and Celestia took off down one of the corridors. Luna, Rainbow and Twilight followed her down, pausing at each door Celestia paused at and peering inside. No bots to be seen. They wouldn’t be stopped along the way. As they reached the elevator, Celestia stepped to the side.

“This all hinges on the possibility that Skynet didn’t anticipate another Luna coming from another world.” Celestia said and Luna stepped up, pressing her hand to the panel as she’d been shown and leaning forward. A camera came forward and scanned her eye.

“Welcome, Director.” An automated voice said as the elevator opened. Everyone piled in, Twilight pressing to Celestia as Luna touched the panel inside. The elevator doors closed and they began their descent into the console room.

“Looks like we’re going to be ok...” Rainbow said under her breath. Luna and Celestia nodded, Celestia running her fingers through Twilight’s hair. As they’d discussed, if this failed, they were all dead. When the bell dinged to announce their arrival. Rainbow crouched as Luna and Celestia leveled shotguns at the door. When it opened, revealing an empty atrium, a massive computer in the middle of it, Rainbow stood slowly, looking around. “This is Skynet?” Rainbow asked, looking at the computer.

“Looks like it.” Celestia said as they all walked forward.

“Welcome Director Luna. It appears we were mistaken upon hearing of your demise.” An automated voice said and Celestia flinched and aimed around. “It seems you have brought guests with you. Are these associates of yours?”

“Yes. They are.” Luna said as they walked towards the console.

“Director, your visit is not in my directory.” SKYNET said and Luna paused for a second.

“Impromptu visit to check your systems, that’s all.”

“I see. Would you like access to all systems?” SKYNET asked and Luna nodded.

“Yes, of course.” She said and a panel opened, revealing a computer screen with Luna’s cutie mark as the back ground. Luna walked forward and scanned through the systems on screen before coming to the one she was looking for.

“Director... that action will result in the total shut down of all Skynet systems.” SKYNET said and Luna nodded.

“I know.” Luna said as she opened the file.

“Please enter password.” The screen said and Luna froze. A password...

“My birthday...” Celestia said and Luna looked at her sister, nodded and entered the numbers. The screen lit up green.

“Password accepted. System Directive, deactivate all mobile units and shut down central processor.” SKYNET toned in a robotic voice. “System shut down in 10...9...8...”

“We should probably leave now.” Rainbow said, returning from behind the computer. Celestia nodded and the four of the walked back to the elevator. Just before they reached it, it slammed shut. “Oh shit...”

“5...4...”

“We’re gonna die...” Rainbow said and Celestia looked from her to the door.

“Luna, can you...?” Luna stepped forward and shoved her fingers through the metal doors, prying them open. As soon as it was open, Rainbow and Twilight slipped through. Celestia stayed put for a moment until Luna braced her back against one door and pushed the other with her foot. Celestia slipped under her sister’s leg, pulling her into the elevator and pushing the Exit button. The doors slid closed, not quite closing completely and began the ascent to the main floor.

“2...1. All systems shutting down. Robotic Units shut down. Arial Units shut down. Tank Units shut down. Beginning self-destruct sequence.” The elevator reached the main floor and the four of them stepped out and raced through the robot corpse laden hallways. “10... 9... 8...” Celestia and Luna dove through the doors first, Rainbow and Twilight right behind them. As soon as they were out, they ran for the nearest entrance to their underground network. Without the speakers inside the building giving an accurate count, they had to keep track in their minds.

“5...4...3...”

Rainbow leapt over the barrier, followed by Twilight. As Twilight vaulted over it, a shot rang out. Everyone froze as time itself seemed to freeze, Celestia looking over her shoulder as Twilight crumbled to the dirt, a bullet hole in her shoulder. “Twilight!” she screamed, turning back and sliding up against the wall, cradling her lover to her. “Twilight. Twilight, hold on. We’re right there.”

“Go... there’s no time...” Twilight said and Luna stared at her sister and her sister’s lover. “When Skynet goes... the explosion is going to decimate this area... please go...”

“Not without you.”

“Over there!” Rainbow shouted, leveling her rifle at a soldier in the distance and firing. The soldier dropped like a rock, falling from his perch as Luna approached and picked up Twilight.

“I can carry her. Come on.” She said and Celestia nodded as they all stood and ran for the door into the underground rebellion compound. The doors slammed closed behind them just as the building they had just left exploded. Luna held the doors closed, after passing Twilight to Rainbow and Celestia, as debris rained down on it, her back against the door. Once Celestia, Twilight and Rainbow were clear, she moved quickly, diving away from the door and rolling to a crouch as the ground above crumbled, destroying that exit for good, chunks of stone falling inches from her nose.

“Did we... did we just win?” Rainbow asked, panting for breath. Celestia cradled Twilight, nodding slowly.

“Come, we must get her to Rarity.” Celestia nodded as the four of them made their way back to the base.

One hour later, Twilight was sitting up, Rarity stitching her shoulder closed. “Any lower darling, and we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

“Thanks...” Twilight said, wincing as Rarity pulled the stitches closed, biting it off and burning it sealed with a pro-offered lighter.

“How is she doc?” Rainbow asked as she poked her head through the curtains.

“She’s mending. No strenuous activity though. Celestia.” Rarity said, accusingly, as she looked towards the curtain.

“Yes doctor.” Celestia said as she stepped through the curtain. Twilight smiled and held out her good arm to her lover. Celestia went to her in seconds, grasping her hand and kissing her knuckles.

“So... that’s it?” A voice asked outside of the curtains.

“That’s it. Skynet is gone. The bots are destroyed. We’re free.” Someone answered.

“I’m getting the booze.” The first voice said and Rarity heard them laugh as the two raced off. They’d spread the word.

“Thank you...” Celestia said and Rainbow nodded. “And... Luna...” Celestia said and Luna looked up from the book she’d found. Celestia held her hand out to her sister’s doppelganger. Luna clutched her sister’s hand, their fingers twining. “Thank you for letting me see my sister again.”

“Of course, sister.” Luna said and Celestia smiled.

“How will you get home?” Rainbow asked.

“In the building you found us near, there is a mirror. It will be open to us so we can return.” Luna said and Rainbow blinked.

“A... mirror? As a door? Huh, ok.” She said and Luna smiled. “Come on everyone. Let’s return to the surface and give our new friends a goodbye worthy of heroes!” Rainbow shouted, earning shouts of joy in reply.

One hour later, Luna and Rarity stood beside the mirror. Luna was wrapped in her sister’s embrace, Rarity in Twilight’s.

“Thank you again. We might not have succeeded if you hadn’t come.” Celestia said and Luna smiled.

“Be safe. Don’t do anything reckless.”

“And you be careful of those stitches. No strenuous activity for at least a week.” Rarity said and Twilight nodded.

“I’ll keep her to it.” Twilight said and Rarity smiled as she and Luna walked to the mirror, touched the surface, and disappeared through it.

Back in Equestria, Celestia was sipping tea and reading the Ponyville Express when the mirror wobbled, spilling Luna and Rarity back into their world. Celestia smiled and stood, only to be grabbed by Luna and hugged so tight she felt her bones creak. “Luna...?”

“I’m just glad to be back Tia.” Luna said and Celestia blinked and hugged her sister.

“You were only gone for seven hours, Luna. You’re back with plenty of time to see to your royal duties.”

“I know... I’m just... I’m happy to see you.” Luna said and Celestia smiled and hugged her sister.

“Tell me everything.” Celestia said and Rarity smiled, bowed and excused herself to return to Ponyville. After seven hours, Sweetie Belle must be absolutely beside herself.