Sky Trek: Over Still Waters

Chapters

Undue Accolades
Trepidation
Wind and Fire
Into the Storm
One With The Storm
Stone and Light

Undue Accolades

Captain's Log, SFD 54.1932

After our unexpected crisis at Farpoint, the Enterprise has begun the relatively easy exercise of charting the Arcturian Sea. While this area is fairly close to Federation waters, it has often been avoided due to unpredictable weather patterns. However, with the Enterprise's doppler radar, we believe this risk can now be mitigated. I look forward to seeing what's been hiding right under our noses for centuries

On a side note, due to the nature of the mission, it has allotted quite a bit of free time to the majority of the crew, including myself. And with that in mind, I can no longer hold off the inevitable. It is time to make things… official.

"...Thus, it is by the request of Vice Admiral Preston Cole that Captain Jean-Luc Picard take command of the FSS Enterprise-C," Commander Riker read, standing in front of a podium in the Enterprise's surprisingly large auditorium.

In it were over 500 members of the skyship's crew, practically the entire complement. So many different personalities, species, and cultures, yet Jean-Luc, who sat crossed-arm at the back of the stage, couldn't help but think they shared one thing in common...

They were all as bored as he was.

"... Congratulations, captain," Riker finished.

"Jean-Luc, that's your cue," Deanna said, sitting next to him on stage, and adding in a cheery tone: "And remember, ‘a smile is a universal welcome.’"

"Hm? Oh yes," Jean-Luc coughed. "Incredibly so." With that, he slowly stood up and walked towards the podium.

Behind his back, he could have sworn he heard Leia whisper to Deanna, "You know he didn't hear a thing you said, right?"

Deanna merely chuckled. "It's the encouragement that counts."

Jean-Luc resisted giving her a sarcastic smirk. Instead, he merely shook Riker’s hand, taking the podium. "Thank you, commander," he said, half towards him and half towards the microphone.

"No problem, sir," he said, smiling slightly. "I tried to keep it brief like you asked."

"Number One, you have no idea how grateful I am for that," Picard said, making sure to speak away from the microphone this time. "Now then…"

As Riker took his seat on the stage, Picard cleared his throat. His voice bounced around the auditorium as he began his deliberately brief speech. "As you'll all soon find out, if you haven't already, I'm not one for undue ceremony, especially when it hasn't been earned." He surveyed the audience, noting a few curious glances. "While I have been appointed to captain this vessel, I am but one piece of the machine needed for it to function. Thus, its story should not be tied to myself, but all of us, collectively. All of you.

From cooks to cleaners to gunners to navigators, we together are the drivers of our mission, and its success is contingent upon how well we work together. Whatever awaits us in the unknown waters of present and future, we owe it to each other to meet it with our best selves." He then smiled ever so slightly. "And seeing you all together like this, I truly believe we shall make it so."

Naturally, whether out of politeness or genuine admiration for the speech (including its brevity), the audience erupted into applause. Whatever the reason, Picard was just happy to have gotten it over with.

An hour later, a celebration erupted in the Enterprise’s cafeteria. Federation and nation-state flags adorned the walls, and foods and drinks from every culture nearly over-flowed from the center-most table. This meant everything from Vulcan Wellness Tea to Gallean Ratatouille to Equestrian Leaf Burgers. It served as a lure for almost everyone in the crew, even the most introverted among them.

“Ah yes, a most joyous of occasions!” Luna beamed, sitting at the officer’s table and scarfing down another plate of moon pies. “My compliments to Chef Muriel. I haven’t had any this good in cycles!”

“Moon pies, huh?” Leia said, raising an eyebrow with a smirk. “Really playing up the whole ‘night princess’ thing, aren’t you?”

Luna blinked, gazing at her in confusion. “Huh?”

“Nevermind,” Leia chuckled, gazing about the crowd. Currently, the two of them were the only ones sitting down. Practically everyone else was up and about, mingling. “I just wonder…”

“Mmm?” Luna asked, her mouth full.

“Just looking for my son, Ben,” Leia said, slumping in her chair slightly. To Luna, she seemed uncharacteristically sorrowful. “Thought he’d actually make a public appearance for once.”

“Oh, Padawan Solo?” Luna said, her interest piqued. “He’s your son?”

“Did the last name give it away?” Leia snarked, gaining a somewhat dejected glance from Luna. “Sorry, guess he could have been a nephew or something, right?”

Luna gave her a forgiving smile. “It’s fine.” She then gave Leia a sympathetic look. “Is everything okay?”

Leia sighed heavily, glancing away from her. “Do you have children yourself, Luna?”

Luna shook her head. “No. My royal duties were… too taxing for that.”

Leia raised her eyebrows. “I’m surprised.”

“Is this due to my age?” Luna said, giving her a playful grin.

“No,” Leia shook her head. “It’s because I think you’d be a good mother. I’ve heard stories about how much Equestrian kids adore you.”

Luna’s grin grew into a warm smile. “The children of the Equestria were some of the first to welcome my return.” She took a deep breath. “I suppose my role squelching their nightmares helped with that.”

Leia raised her eyebrows. “Do you still do that sort of thing?”

Luna bobbed her head back and forth. “It’s not my official duty anymore, and it takes quite a bit more energy than it used to, but if it is needed...”

“Think you could help me with one?” Leia asked suddenly.

“Oh?” Luna said, surprised that someone like Leia was actually asking for help with such a thing. After a second of thought, however, the reason became clear. “Does it have to do with your son?”

Leia slowly nodded. “I keep having the same nightmare over and over.”

“What sort?” Luna asked.

Leia took a deep breath. “I’m in a dark forest. Like something on the island of Dagobah. Ben is walking ahead of me through the brush, faster than I can keep up with. Then, he slips and falls into the bog.” Leia shivered slightly. “He doesn’t cry for help, doesn’t say anything. Just stays sitting in the muck as these… things - like black, shadowy tendrils - reach out from it, grabbing him…” Leia winced, shaking her head. “You can see where this is going.”

“Mmm,” Luna said with a ponderous expression. “Honestly, though, Counselor Troi may be better than I at interpreting such a dream.”

“But what would you do if you, er, entered it?” Leia ask.

Luna thought for a moment. “If you were a child, I’d probably just blast away the tendrils, create a safe setting, and try to talk with you. To find the underlying problem, that is, usually something simple.”

“Sounds like Deanna’s work…” Leia said. “Well, without the blasting part.”

“Yes, but an adult's dream is very much different than a child’s,” Luna said. “The meanings behind them are often a multitude more complex. I’m afraid I never got around to mastering those.” Luna paused slightly. “And if what I know about Force Sensitive dreams are correct, that complicates things further …”

“About how they can be premonitions?” Leia said.

Luna nodded.

“Still, go ahead and give me your best shot,” Leia said.

“Well,” Luna said, the gears in her head turning rapidly. “It’s probably nothing more than what you’ve already figured out, but it sounds like you’re worried that Ben might be moving too far away from your grasp, both physically and in terms of influence. And you’re worried that without your support, something terrible might happen to him.”

“Sounds about the gist of it,” Leia said. “But what if I’m just overreacting? This could just be a normal teenager thing he’s going through. The dreaded rebellious phase.”

Luna furrowed her brow in thought. “Like I said, this is more of Counselor Troi’s line of work, especially when we’re talking teenagers, but I do know a mother’s job is a stressful one. It wouldn’t be out of line to talk to him. Alleviate your own fears.”

Leia smiled at that. “Maybe you’re right. It could be time I took the initiative.”

Luna opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, a familiar voice called out from the crowd. “Oi! Princess Luna!”

“Speaking of teenagers,” Luna chuckled, gazing at the person running up to her: a young, eager Earthen. “Hello, Pip! It’s good to see you once again.”

“Likewise, princess,” he said, smiling widely as he approached her table. “Honestly still can’t believe you’re on this tug. Two legends on one ship? Bloomin’ miracle if I’d ever heard of one.” He then coughed, noting Leia was staring at the whole thing with a grin. “Er, make that three legends.”

“It’s alright,” she laughed. “You’re Equestrian, right?”

“Last time I checked,” he said, his smile not subsiding. “Cadet Pip Pinto Squeak at your service, Miss Organna.”

“Pip here’s a rising star in logistics,” Luna said. “Wouldn’t have my Earl Gray Tea stash without his help.”

Pip blushed slightly. “It was nothin’, princess, really. Anything for the one who made the best Nightmare Night ever!”

“You still remember that?” Luna beamed.

“Like it was yesterday,” Pip said fondly.

Leia blinked, gazing at Luna. “Nightmare Night?”

“It’s like that one holiday on the Terran Continent,” Luna said, trying to think of the word. “All Hallow’s Eve?”

Leia’s held her confused look. “All Hallow’s What?”

“If you don’t mind me saying, princess, she’s from the New Republic,” Pip said. “Don’t really have a holiday like that there.”

Leia shook her head. “The Galactan Continent is a bit more...“ She seemed to search for the right word. “Localized? Than the Terran Continent. There aren’t many big holidays celebrated everywhere.” She then chuckled. “I see you paid good attention in cultural studies, though, cadet.”

“Had to, miss,” Pip said. “Can’t supply a multi-cultural ship without knowing who wants what and how much.”

“Speaking of culture,” Luna said whimsically. “Have you… seen many other Equestrians onboard?”

“There’s a few,” Pip said. “Not too many thanks to us only joining the Federation a few years back, though. Give it a year or two, though, when the next Skyfleet class graduates...”

Luna glanced away from him, trying her best to hide the look of disappointment.

“Feeling homesick?” Leia asked.

“A little,” Luna said, before smiling brightly Pip’s way. “However, your presence is more than enough to help with that.”

Pipsqueak nodded sympathetically. “Can’t say I’m not a little bit meself. Equestria’s changed since I was a lad, but it’s still nothing but beautiful.” He must have noticed Luna’s smile turning mournful, because he quickly added: “But you know, I think there might be someone you’d be interested in meetin’.”

“Oh?” Luna asked, her curiosity piqued.

“Mhm,” Pip said. “Former student of… well, Princess Celestia. One of the first to do the Federation Cultural Exchange Program, in fact. ”

Luna’s eyes widened. “You don’t mean…?”

Pipsqueak grinned. “Sunset Shimmer herself.”

“Come on, Raven, it’s a party!” Victor grinned at his gothic, blue-cloaked comrade. “You can dance if you want to. Just don’t leave your friends behind!”

The two former Titans stood at the food table, gazing as a jazz band, led by Riker on trombone, played a swinging, up-beat version of When The Saints Go Barging In. A group of crew members, including Victor’s fellow bridge officer, Charlie, and her one-eyed, grey-skinned partner were busy dancing the night away in front of them.

“Those aren’t the words,” Raven mumbled.

“Wait, I thought you hated Dance Safely,” Victor said, raising his single human eyebrow. “How do you know the words?”

“Because it gets stuck in my head,” Raven sighed. “Just like it has now.”

“Oh yeah, now I remember.” He gave a nostalgia-filled chuckle. “Didn’t Beast Boy used to drive you crazy with it?”

The dark sorceress smirked. “One of the few memories of the Titans I’d be happy to forget.”

The half-stone golem couldn’t help but laugh, and was about to carry on when he noticed Raven turning to stare at the dancers again.

“Alright, I don’t get it. If you don’t wanna dance, why do you keep looking at em’?” he asked.

“That girl,” she said, gazing suspiciously at Charlie. “Her and her friend? Girlfriend?”

“Who? Charlie? Vaggie?” Victor asked. “Girlfriends. What about em’?”

“There’s something familiar about them,” Raven said, a hint of suspicion in her tone. “Especially, um… Charlie, was it? Though I’m sure I’ve never met them.”

Victor shrugged as he sipped on his rootbeer float. “Deja Vu is one hell of a drug.”

“One hell of a drug, indeed,” Raven said, her eyes narrowing.

Victor blinked, unsure as to what she was getting at. “Don’t tell me that’s what dragged you out of the infirmary. You wanting to spy on my bridge mate.” He then laughed. “I’m sure if you got to know her you’d like her. She’s like Starfire’s long lost not-evil sister.”

Raven shook her head, apparently trying to throw off her suspicions. “No, that wasn’t the reason.” She then gave him a sly smile. “Can’t believe I’m saying it, but I do miss her, by the way.”

“Yeah, same here,” Victor sighed, pausing a moment. “Hope her and Dick are okay.”

“Unless they’ve actually managed to track down Slade,” Raven said. “I doubt Robin will ever be.”

Victor winced. “True.” He then smiled encouragingly. “But hey, they were heading off the grid last we checked, and so are we. Who knows? Maybe we’ll run into them.”

“I think that’s very unlikely,” Raven said.

“Unlikely but not impossible,” Victor said, smirking. “That glass is still half full!”

“More like 99% empty,” she replied, rolling her eyes. She then glanced towards the door to the cafeteria. “Anyway, Victor, it truly was great to hang out again, but…”

“Meditation calls?” Victor said, trying to hide his disappointment with a chuckle. “Don’t worry, I understand.”

“Had to mend quite a few broken bones today,” she said. “The crew is still getting their footing.”

“Literally, I suppose,” Victor joked.

Raven stared at him blankly.

“Like if they’ve been falling off catwalks or something,” Victor explained.

“I got the joke,” Raven said, smirking sarcastically. “Truly a pun worthy of Robin, though darker than I’d expect.”

“Booya to that, then,” Victor said triumphantly. “Guess you’ve been rubbing off on me again. Just like old times.” He then locked gaze with her’s. “Really, it’s cool, though. Just try not to be a stranger now, okay?”

“You have my word,” Raven said, giving him a genuine smile. She then turned to leave the cafeteria, Victor watching solemnly as she exited.

He then sighed deeply, gazing at the wooden deck between his cold, stone legs. With a small movement, he then held his rocky, golem hand in front of his single human eye, a look of longing in it. “Yep,” he sighed heavily. “Old times …”

At that, he became so lost in thought that he didn’t even realize someone had come up to him.

“Victor Stone?” the person asked, snapping the half-golem out of his thoughts. Victor glanced up - in front of him was someone he didn’t recognize. He could tell that he was probably Amestrian, however, with his long blonde hair and brilliant blue eyes.

“Oh, hey,” Victor said, trying to put on a polite tone. “Sorry, don’t think we’ve met before.”

“Oh, where’s my manners? I’m Alphonse Elric,” he said, holding out a hand. Victor took it with his human hand, glancing into Alphonse’s curious eyes as he shook. “Most people call me Al, though. Pleased to meet you.”

“You too,” Victor said. “Al, though? Think I’ve heard that name before.”

“I’m surprised. It isn’t too well known outside Amestris,” he admitted. “Unlike yourself.”

Victor raised his single human eyebrow. “Myself?”

“Yeah, you’re kind of famous,” Alphonse said.

Victor narrowed his eyes. He was starting to understand why Alphonse was talking to him, and he didn’t like the reason behind it.

‘Another alchemist here to study me, I bet,’ he thought to himself. “Al, if you don’t mind me asking, what is it you do?”

Al blinked in confusion. “I’m an alchemist. Why?”

“I see,” Victor sighed. ‘Guess maybe the glass is half-empty after all.’

Al’s eyes widened in realization. “B-But that’s not why I’m talking to you. I’m actually-”

“Right,” Victor said, cutting him off. Agitation was clearly in his tone. “Sorry, but I just remembered I have, uh, somewhere I need to be.” He quickly turned about, making his way to the door and not even bothering to look at Al as he went. “Enjoy the party.”

Before Al could say another word, the half-golem was gone.

‘Wonder what that was all about,’ Tasha thought to herself, watching the scene. Before she could investigate further, however, she noticed the music had stopped. Riker stepped towards the microphone on the small stage his impromptu band played on, and applause filled the room.

“Not bad, commander!” Geordi called.

“It was great!” Charlie beamed.

“Pretty good, pretty good,” Rodney complimented, surprising many.

“PLAY BIRD OF FREEDOM !” another figure called, one of the Astral (Monsters as they called themselves) crew members who took the form of a human skeleton. Tasha assumed it wasn’t his decision. “THAT IS A HUMAN EXPRESSION, YES?”

“totes, Paps,” another, shorter skeleton Astral said.

“Thank you, thank you,” Riker said, soaking up the attention. “We’ll be back for more a bit later, but for now, how about someone to tickle your funny bone?”

“OH NO!” ‘Paps’ said, his eye-holes widening in terror. “SANS, PLEASE DON’T TELL ME-”

It was too late, the smaller skeleton had already moved to take the stage.

“how’s it hanging, everyone?” Sans said, speaking into the microphone. “if anyone’s wondering; yeah, I told Commander Riker to say that. that was entirely my fault, not his.”

“KILL ME.”

“sorry, bro, can’t be done,” Sans said, winking.

“Let me guess, because he’s already a skeleton,” Rodney moaned, obviously having little patience for the act. “Hardy har har.”

Sans, however, was not deterred. “no, because I’d get… bonely. ”

Tasha along with half the room couldn’t help but burst out laughing at that. The joke was cheesy as all hell, but for some reason, hearing it from him just worked.

Well, sort of.

“Boooooo,” Rodney chided.

Tasha gave him an annoyed look, before a lightbulb practically popped above her head. Time to get rid of the heckler before he could heckle once more. “Boo?” she said, smirking his way. “He’s a skeleton, not a ghost, Dr. McKay.”

“What? Seriously?” McKay said, giving her a sideways glance. “You too, Lieutenant?”

“OH GOD, IT’S INFECTIOUS!” Papyrus cried. “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, BROTHER?!”

Rodney rolled his eyes. “Yeah, that’s it, I’m out,” he groaned, walking away from the stage to mingle with LaForge.

Sans, in the meantime, couldn’t help but laugh. If he had a hat, Tasha imagined him tipping it her way. “not bad, not bad.”

And so the show continued, with Sans offering a mix of cheesy puns and and actually pretty well-constructed jokes, occasionally gaining roaring laughter from the crowd. Tasha took a seat nearby, enjoying the show on her own. It wasn’t long before she found herself sitting next to another Astral, however. With fin-like protrusions sprouting from the sides of her head, there was no mistaking the former captain of their Royal Guard, Undyne.

“Hey,” the aquatic warrior said casually, giving Tasha friendly smile.

“Hi?” Tasha said awkwardly.

“Um, how’s it going?”

Tasha raised her eyebrows. “Good?”

“Sorry,” Undyne finally chuckled. “Never good with the whole ‘hello’ thing. Not unless there’s spear-pointing involved.”

“It’s no problem,” Tasha said, returning the smile. “Can I… help you with something?”

“Eh, you already did,” Undyne said, scratching the back of her head. “Just wanted to say... thanks.”

“Huh?” Tasha said, genuinely confused.

“Getting rid of that heckler,” Undyne said. “Never, ever, ever tell anyone I said this, but Sans can actually be kind of self-conscious about doing comedy around new faces.”

“Oh, well it was no problem,” Tasha said. “I don’t see why he’s self-conscious though. He’s pretty good! Like a really weird mix of corny and deadpan jokes, yet he just owns it.”

“He’s had a bit of practice,” Undyne said. “Used to do stand-up back when we Monsters were still underground. Probably the only stand-up down there.”

“That was over ten years ago,” Tasha blinked. “How far do you two go back?”

“Oh, Sans and I?” she said. “Shoot, as far back as I’ve known his brother, Papyrus. He was dead set on joining the Royal Guard, Papyrus that is, and where he goes, Sans isn’t far behind. Why Sans decided to hop on the Enterprise, I bet.” She then shrugged. “Not that I have room to talk. I followed my girlfriend, Alphys, here. She’s working down in engineering. Not for that, I’d still be doing pure MACO stuff.”

Tasha glanced at her curiously. “You’re still in MACO though, right?”

She nodded. “Yeah, though all of us on this ship are attached to Skyfleet now. Shepard’s my immediate officer, but she ultimately reports to the captain. When he says jump, she says, ‘How high?’”

“How do you like it?” Tasha asked.

“MACO or working with Skyfleet?” Unydyne said.

“Both,” Tasha clarified.

Undyne thought for a second. “Truth be told, I miss being in the Monster Royal Guard. Don’t get me wrong, I understand why King Asgore got rid of it. He wanted us to start, er, ‘bonding’ with other races, as he put it. Just taking a lot of time to get used to.” She chuckled slightly. “Still haven’t figured out those firearm things completely. I prefer to just use magic.”

To emphasize, she held out her palm. In an instant, a small flame erupted from it, which she quickly extinguished.

Tasha’s eyes widened at the sight. “What the-- How did you-- You make it look so easy.”

“Huh?” Undyne blinked.

“I’m no expert on magic,” Tasha said. “But from what I know, usually mages need to do some sort of chant, use a tome, all kinds of stuff to make anything happen. Doing it the way you did… it’s pretty rare.”

“Oh, I thought you knew?” Undyne said, still a little confused. “We Monsters, Astrals, whatever you wanna call us, we’re pretty much made completely of magical… stuff. Energy? Eh, forgot the name for it. You’ll have to talk with someone who knows more than me.” She then gave her a curious glance. “But wait, you’re saying you don’t know much about magic?”

“Why would I?” Tasha asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Cus you’re part Vila, aren’t you?” Undyne said. “Vila are kind of like living storm clouds. Can do Sky Magic like it’s nothing. A flick of the wrist and BAM! Lightning bolt!”

“Well, I’m only 1/8th Vila,” Tasha said, a little disconcerted. “But how did you--”

“Hard to explain,” Undyne said. “Maybe later. I’ve been talkin’ about myself too much, anyway.” She then grinned, snapping her webbed fingers. “But hey, you’re Chief of Security, right?”

“Yeah, why?” Tasha asked.

“Do you know how to use those stupid new stun rifles?” Undyne asked.

Tasha smiled slightly, starting to pick up what she was putting down. “Yeah. Starting to be a decent shot.”

“Maybe we could help each other out, then?” Undyne said. “Because at the moment, I ‘can’t hit the side of a barn 10 yards away,’ as Shepard says.” She then blushed slightly. “It’s… kind of embarrassing when it comes from a commanding officer.”

“So you… want ‘outside’ help?” Tasha said.

Undyne, to her surprise, nodded shyly. “I won’t ask you to do it for free, though. Like I said, it’ll be a trade. You teach me to shoot stun rifles, I’ll teach you to shoot lightning out of your fingers like one of those Sith Lord guys. To unlock your Sky Magic potential.”

“Not sure if I want to be compared to a Sith Lord,” Tasha laughed.

Undyne gave her a sarcastic look. “You get what I mean. How’s about it, though?”

“Oh, I don’t know…” Tasha said, glancing away from her. She held a hint of shame in her voice when she continued with: “My grandmother tried to teach me magic once. I… wasn’t cut out for it.”

“Pfffft,” Undyne laughed. “No offense to your grandmother, but she wasn’t a Monster. Trust me, with my help it’ll be easy.”

Tasha glanced at her with uncertainty. “It’s still not much of a fair trade, you know.”

“Oh come on,” Undyne pressured. “If you feel guilty, maybe you can give Alphys a tour of the bridge to make it up to me. She’s been dying to get up there.”

“I don’t think that’d be a problem, but...”

“No buts,” Undyne said. “How’s about 0600 at the CTR? Can you believe they’ve got automatic moving targets? Perfect for practice.”

Tasha finally sighed in defeat. “Well, I have been looking for a good training partner.”

“You won’t find a better one,” Undyne said, giving another toothy grin. “Let’s do it! Super Tasha-Undyne Go-Team Go!”

Tasha blinked. “Huh?”

“Means we’re now battle besties!” Undyne beamed, gripping a surprised Tasha in a bear hug.

Tasha couldn’t help but laugh, her competitive side urging her to try to out-hug her new, fishy companion.

“Battle besties it is.”

Trepidation

Chapter Image

What was formerly yet another cargo bay in the Enterprise’s lower section was now converted into what many of the crew were calling a ‘mini Jedi Temple’. With due reason, too, as its wide open space, pleasing tan and wooden brown colors, and vibrant lighting certainly seemed to encourage one to connect with the Light Side of the Force.

This was all despite the fact it was only actively being used by a Jedi and a half at the moment. The ‘half’ part being readily apparent as a large, formerly levitating crate came crashing to the ground, splintering into many pieces.

“Agh, damnit, not again!” the young Padawan, Ben Solo, growled, standing up from his formerly cross-legged stance. Wincing, he gazed apologetically at the white-robed Togrutan Dryad supervising him. “Guess we’re going to need another crate. Unless…”

“Oh, unless what?” she said, raising an eyebrow.

“Can’t you just Force it back together?” Ben asked.

Ahsoka chuckled at that. “The Force is many things, but that’s the first time I’ve heard it be used as a verb.”

“I’m making it a thing,” he grinned. “Come on, you know you want to, too.”

“No to both questions,” Ahsoka smirked. “The Force isn’t exactly an adhesive, either.”

“You’re no fun,” Ben sighed.

“Your grandfather said the exact opposite,” Ahsoka teased. “That I was ‘too much fun.’”

“Isn’t that usually considered a good thing?” Ben asked.

“Noooot when you’re in the middle of a battle with Separatist Steam Clankers,” she admitted.

“Yeah right,” Ben said skeptically. “You guys used to cut those things down like butter.”

“And that only contributed to their danger,” Ahsoka explained. “You got so used to underestimating them individually that you forgot how dangerous they could be in large numbers.”

Ben thought for a moment, before snapping his fingers. “So you’re saying my problem is that I’ve gotten so used to lifting smaller things that it’s made me too cocky for the bigger things? Or something?”

Ahsoka blinked. “Huh? Oh no, I was just making small talk.”

Ben went deadpan. “By the Light you’re a weird Jedi, Ahsoka.”

“Part time Jedi,” she winked.

Ben rolled his eyes, glancing away from her with a sigh.

Ahsoka smiled sympathetically in turn, walking up to him and setting a hand on his shoulder. “Ben, wise little tidbits are all well and good, but ultimately, learning the Force is something you can’t just think your way through. For a Jedi, mastery comes from inner balance. As younglings say these days, ‘you gotta have 100% chill.’”

Ben gazed at her sarcastically. “Are you saying I’m only at like, 95% chill?”

“Eh, more like 75%,” Ahsoka pointed out, earning another eye-roll from Ben. “Look, I’m only saying this because I’ve seen you lift bigger things before with no problem. However, ever since we boarded the Enterprise…”

“Oh…” Ben sighed.

Ahsoka’s tone grew ever softer. “A coin for your thoughts?”

“It’s just…” Ben looked away from her again. “Can I ask you a personal question, Ahsoka?”

“Shoot, padawan,” she offered.

He took a deep breath. "Did you… did you know your parents?"

The Jedi Master raised her eyebrows. "That is an… unexpected one."

Ben gulped. "I-I'm sorry, that was a little too--"

"No, no it's fine," Ahsoka said, giving him a smile. "Truth be told, I… never got to know my birth parents. Jedi training was simply too taxing and they lived too far away. I hoped to reach out to them after I had more free time, but then the Stone Wars happened and… well, things only got more complicated from there." She gazed out a nearby window, watching as the clouds passed by. "I envy you in a way, having your parents so close at hand during your training."

Ben gazed at her sorrowfully. "I'm… not so sure you need to."

"Oh?"

"They weren’t exactly… close at hand,” Ben explained. “Even before I was sent to Uncle Luke’s school, dad was always too busy either smuggling goods or trying to figure out how to smuggle goods.”

“Hey, it may not seem like the most noble of things,” Ahsoka said. “But your father was actually doing the New Republic quite the service. Who knows how many lives he saved getting so much through the Imperial blockades?”

“It wasn’t that it wasn’t noble,” Ben said. “Him being a smuggler was actually kind of cool. But like you said, it was kind of ‘vital’. No time for kids in that equation...”

“Was your mother similar?” Ahsoka asked.

Ben nodded. “Even worse than dad.”

“I see,” Ahsoka said, studying his expressions and, most likely, trying to sense his feelings through the Force. “I can’t really judge considering, well, I’m no parent, but I will say this: your mother is a good person. I’m sure she will try to make it up to you-” There was a sudden twinkle in her eye. “-Sooner rather than later.”

Ben cocked an eyebrow. “What do you--” He paused, sensing that a third presence had entered the room. 'Oh. Speak of the devil and she will appear.'

"Hi, kiddo," his mother called.

"Alright, time for the fun part,” Tasha proclaimed.

The Enterprise's Combat Training Center (CTC). This massive facility had everything to accommodate the hundreds of the ship’s more martial crewmembers. To live practice golems and automatons to training dummies to sparring arenas to large tanks of healing and stamina potions, it could accommodate and sustain anyone’s development.

Nothing, however, was more important than the large shooting range on its far side, where numerous crewmembers tried their hand at hitting a wide array of targets. It was here Tasha and Undyne held stun rifles, one more firmly than the other.

“Fun, huh?” Undyne said, raising an eyebrow as a nearby crewmember cursed at a missed shot.

“Hey, don’t knock it yet,” Tasha said. “It can really be relaxing once you get the hang of it.”

“I’ll have to take your word on it,” Undyne said.

“Won’t need to for long,” Tasha smiled. “So, how much do you know about regular rifles?"

"Not much, actually," Undyne said. "The bullets come out of the front end, right?"

Tasha laughed. "Well, that's more than some people know. Actually kind of a good thing, since stun rifles are fairly different from them. Might actually help you out a little."

"I don't gotta unlearn what I've learned?" Undyne said.

"You've got it," Tasha said, holding the weapon out in front of her. "The rifle has three settings: kill, max stun, and light stun. The former has a lot more recoil than the latter - just something to keep in mind. Though they’ve probably covered this already, right?”

“Yuh huh,” Undyne nodded, before raising an eyebrow. “Though now that I think of it, isn’t it kind of weird a stun rifle has a kill setting?”

“Technically, I think the name for it is ‘mana rifle’,” Tasha said. “‘Stun rifle’ is just a nickname.”

“Technically ? Now you sound like Alphys,” Undyne chuckled. “Don’t worry, that’s a compliment.”

Tasha smiled. “I’ll say. She was the lead scientist in the Underground, wasn’t she?”

“You got it,” Undyne said. “My boo is one smart cookie. I just wish everyone could appreciate that.”

“Oh?”

“Eh, long story,” Undyne sighed. “Maybe later?”

“I understand,” Tasha said. “So, how about we take down a few targets?”

Undyne grinned at that, about to pull a lever before her marked: Moving.

“Wait, wait,” Tasha said. “We should probably start slow. Stationary targets first.”

“Er, right,” Undyne coughed. “Yeah, that would make more sense. So... me first?”

Tasha nodded. “Just so I can see how your stance is.”

“Here goes, then,” Undyne said.

Twenty meters ahead of her, a thick sheet of paper with a bullseye hung from the ceiling. She raised her rifle, took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled as she aimed down the sights towards it. Then, with a tight pull of the trigger, a blue orb ripped from the front of it, making a new hole in the paper but completely missing the target painted on it.

“Damn,” Undyne groaned. “Now that’s just embarrassing.”

“Actually, you’re not as bad as I thought,” Tasha said.

“Pffft, now you’re just being nice.”

Tasha shook her head. “No, seriously, the way you described it it sounded like you didn’t even know the basics.”

“So, what am I doing wrong, then?” Undyne asked.

“You’re probably not going to believe it,” Tasha said. “But it’s the way you pull the trigger.”

Undyne gave her a sarcastic look. “You’re screwing with me.”

“No!” Tasha laughed. “It’s a common mistake, but one that can throw you off a klick. Tugging it too hard can really mess with your aim.”

“Are you saying I need to be more gentle with it?” Undyne said.

Tasha nodded. “Treat it like you would a puppy dog.”

“A puppy dog, huh?” Undyne said, smirking widely. “Half the dogs in the Underground served in the Royal Guard, you know.”

Tasha did a double take. “Wait, wait, wait, what?”

“Well, Monsters that looked like puppers,” Undyne said. “Though they acted like them, too.”

Tasha gazed at her blankly, not knowing what to say.

“It’s a Monster thing,” Undyne shrugged. “Kind of hard to explain, but we sort of… act like the forms we take when we’re born.” She then shook her head. “Eh, no, ‘act’ is a bad word. Um, we…”

“Are given the personality of?” Tasha suggested.

“Bingo,” Undyne said, snapping her webbed fingers.

“So wait a minute,” Tasha said, her eyes starting to sparkle slightly. “If these Monster dogs were in the guard… does that mean they wore dog-sized suits of armor?”

“Sure, everyone in the guard did,” Undyne said.

“That’s so…” Tasha said, her eyes starting to glisten. “That’s so adorable!”

“Hey!” Undyne protested, half-annoyed, though half jocular. “For one thing, they were badass and adorable. For two, we’re soldiers. Saying the word ‘adorable’ is against military code!”

“Fine, how about cute?”

“No!”

“Precious?”

“Hell no!”

“Scrumptious?”

Undyne paused, before furrowing her brow. “That’s… that’s a weird word for it.”

Tasha thought for a second, then suggested: “Endearing?”

Undyne nodded in approval. “Alright, that one’s okay, but I’m still kicking your ass for everything else later!”

Tasha grinned. “Sparring practice?”

“Maybe,” Undyne smirked. “After magic training.”

“Damn, almost got out of it,” Tasha chuckled, before giving Undyne another sly grin. “But remember, you still need to pass my course first.”

The aquatic warrior narrowed her eyes in determination. “By the time I’m done, the Enterprise is going to be out of targets.”

She raised her rifle, aiming down the sights once more with her one good eye. Then, with a powerful war cry - “NYAAAAAAH!” - she... lightly tapped the trigger.

This time, the shot hit the target, though not the bullseye. Still, Tasha couldn't hide her impressed look. ‘Only a matter of time now,’ she thought, a hint of apprehension filling her for when that time would be up.

"I mean, I don't mind the attention; who could help it, really?" Victor sighed, hanging out with Charlie on the bridge. "I'm not exactly subtle. No golem is. And if I got pissed at everyone who couldn't help but stare at me for a second, I'd have nobody to talk to."

"I'd still talk to you!" Charlie beamed.

"That's cus you're too nice for your own good," Victor chuckled. "But yeah, I don't mind that. What grinds my gears is when people treat me like… like some sort of science experiment. Like all they care about is how my body works, what kind of alchemy made me, that sort of thing." He took a deep breath. "I dunno, am I being overly-sensitive?"

"If it bothers you, then it bothers you," Charlie said. "You can't just turn feelings off and on."

"True," Victor admitted. "There are other golems aboard, though. Hell, Rex was born one: him and the other Stone Troopers made for that crazy-ass Galactan war.”

“Oh, yeah, I heard about that,” Charlie winced. “By the fires, so many hellish wars here in the last century. Glad I never had to see them up close. Just the… after-effects.”

Victor gazed at her curiously. “What do you mean?”

“Well, I’m not exactly from around the block,” Charlie said.

Victor nodded in understanding. “Heh, guess that explains a few things.”

“Hey, what is that supposed to mean?” Charlie teased.

“Sorry, sorry, didn’t mean it like that,” Victor laughed. “Just uh, and again, I don’t mean to sound like an asshole, but your species: it’s different than any I’ve seen in the Federation. If you don’t mind me asking, where are you from?”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” she said. “Let’s just say it’s so far away I’m not sure I could go back even if I wanted to.”

Now this piqued Victor’s curiosity.

However, before he could ask more, she drew a devious grin and put her hands on her hips. “Wait a minute, though, what’s wrong with being different?”

Victor blinked in surprise. “Nothing!”

“Annnnnd bingo!” Charlie cheered.

“Oh, I see what you did there,” Victor said, a hint of a smirk on him. “Still, it’s just… I dunno. I wonder what Rex thinks about all this? Maybe I should talk to him about it one of these days.”

"It doesn't matter how he feels about it," Deanna said, butting into the conversation. "It's how he acts on those feelings."

Victor turned towards her, a slightly annoyed look on his face. "Counselor, I appreciate the input and all, but I kind of wanted to keep this on the down-low, ya' know?"

"I'm not going to tell anyone," she said, and probably sensing his continued uncomfort, she added: "And no, I'm not going to try to dig around your brain too much. I just want to let you know your feelings are perfectly natural. You have a right to want to be treated as a person and not a curiosity."

"Seconded," Charlie nodded. And for the first time since Victor had met her, her voice took on a sorrowful tone. “Didn’t want to bring it up earlier, but believe it or not, I’ve… been down that road before.”

“Huh?” Victor asked.

Charlie glanced away from him, as if looking for the right words to say. “Let’s just say that I was a… curiosity too, at one time. Back home, that is. Part of the reason why I left.”

“And so was Alphonse at one point,” Deanna noted.

Cyborg’s human eye widened. “Say what?! How did you-”

“I saw you two talking last night,” Deanna said.

“And put two and two together?” Charlie said.

“It’s part of the job,” Deanna said.

“So wait a minute, what do you mean by that?” Victor asked. “You’re saying he was a former golem or something?”

“Sort of,” Deanna nodded. “Though like you, not by choice.”

“How?” Victor asked.

Deanna merely smiled warmly. “You might want to talk to him about that. I think you’ll find that you have more in common than you realize.”

“Sorry, Dr. T’Soni,” Sunset Shimmer apologized, her previously illuminated palms dying from their glow. “If this thing is magitek, it isn’t responding to, well, magic.”

“Damn,” the hybrid water/forest nymph grumbled. “There has to be something more to it than meets the eye. Dr. Jones was certain of it when he sent it to me.”

In one of the many laboratories in the Enterprise’s science wing, the two researchers puzzled over a strange device sitting on one of the counters. It resembled a gyroscope with a diamond-shaped crystal in the center.

Sunset shook her head in bafflement. “I’m sorry, I’ve tried hitting it with every mana type magitek usually uses: solar, sky, flame…”

“I know,” Liara sighed. “Honestly, I just hope I’m not wasting your time. I’m making a big assumption that it’s even magitek to begin with.”

“Hmm,” The Antlered Elf hm’d, hovering a tri-meter over it. While it did emit a slow beep, none of its lights were shining. “I don’t blame you for bringing it to me. That rock in the middle does look like a mana crystal. It’s not like any I’m familiar with, though.”

“Dr. McKay did say you were the go-to person for Magitek studies,” Dr. T’soni complimented.

Sunset raised her eyebrows. “Dr. McKay said that? Did you threaten him?”

The Asari Nymph laughed. “Not quite. It did take a bit of prying, though.”

Sunset smirked. “In that case, I can’t let you down, Doctor--”

“Please, Liara is fine.”

Her smirk morphed into a smile. “Liara.” She then paused, thinking to herself. “Did Dr. Jones give you any details on its origin?”

Liara nodded. “He found it in a Gallifreyan ruin, and it certainly resembles similar devices of theirs.” She then put on a puzzled look. “It is strange, though.”

“Huh?”

Liara glanced away from her. “Dr. Jones usually has anything he finds put in a museum - most often the Axis Mundi Museum of Natural History. Recently, however, he’s been more… independent. He’s sent me numerous items for what he calls ‘safe keeping’. This is just the latest.”

“Did he mention why they’d need safekeeping?” Sunset asked.

“Not in his recent letters,” Liara said. “Though the last time we met in person, he mentioned something about artifacts being ‘replaced’.”

“Replaced?” Sunset said, squinting. “Like… with fakes or something?”

“That was my assumption,” Liara said. She then shook her head, chuckling to herself. “Maybe I’m just suffering from Aphonia.”

“Hey, I wouldn’t discount your gut,” Sunset shrugged. “I know it’s not a very scientist-like thing to say, but sometimes if something feels weird, it is.”

“Though sometimes it really is just a feeling,” Liara pointed out. “Then again… you wouldn’t happen to know what a ‘Torchwood’ is, would you?”

“It certainly sounds ominous, whatever it is,” Princess Luna suddenly chimed in, smiling at the two as she unexpectedly entered the room. “Erm… hello.”

‘Oh no,’ Sunset winced.

Liara, however, held the opposite reaction, her eyes widened in excitement.“Princess Luna!?”

“Greetings,” she said. “I um, heard you talking about the Gallifreyans and I couldn’t help but to-”

“I’m so happy to finally meet you!” Liara squeed, rushing over to shake the Night Princess’s hand. “I wanted to talk before but you, well, always seemed busy. I have so many questions to ask you - if you don’t mind - about ancient Equestrian history. And um, world history, too. You didn’t happen to meet any Protheans did you? They’re sort of a lifelong passion and--” She would have kept speaking if she had not run out of breath. She quickly took a deep one, filling her lungs and apparently calming herself slightly. “Sorry, sorry, sorry, it’s just… well, it’s a pleasure to meet someone who has seen so much history first-hand!”

Luna blinked. “I, um, would be happy to answer whatever questions I can.”

Liara coughed, wincing. “By the goddess… I really do apologize. I didn’t mean to make this so awkward.”

“It is no large matter,” Luna said, giving her a forgiving smile. “You’d think that after over a decade of adjusting to the modern world, I’d be used to those interested in the one I’ve left behind.”

“Yeah... “ Sunset said, glancing away from the night princess. ‘Whelp, I suppose it was only a matter of time until I ran into her.’

Liara seemed to catch this, giving Sunset a concerned look. “Is all well?”

“Er, yeah…” Sunset coughed.

Luna put on a slightly worried look. “My apologies if I’m imposing, Sunset Shimmer. I would be happy to come back at a later time.”

She shook her head. “No, you’re... fine, it’s just--” She suddenly furrowed her brow. “Wait, you know who I am?”

“Indeed. My sister often spoke of you,” Luna said. “Of the student she had before my return.”

Sunset looked sorrowful. “Did she mention I wasn’t the… best student?”

“Nonsense,” Luna laughed. “Corruption via magical artifacts is common in your line of work. She said you handled the incident quite well.”

Sunset raised an eyebrow. ‘Yeah, after mind controlling half the students at Hogwarts.’

“You certainly seem capable to me,” Liara said.

“You’re giving me too much credit,” Sunset said. “I haven’t even cracked your artifact yet.”

“Perhaps I can help,” Luna offered. “You stated it was Gallifreyan, yes?”

“Indeed!” Liara said, excitement once again filling her tone. “Wait, did you… did you ever visit them? Back when they were still around?”

Luna took a deep breath. “I’m sorry if it disappoints you, but no, I never saw their civilization, if that’s what you mean.”

“Oh,” Liara sighed.

“You must understand that at the time, we didn’t even know there was a world outside the home continent,” Luna explained, though she quickly put on a whimsical smile. “Though that world often found its way to us.”

“W-What do you mean?” Liara said.

Luna took a deep breath. “Though I didn’t know his species at the time, long ago, I’m certain I met a Gallifreyan...”

Liara’s eyes widened in glee. Even Sunset, despite her trepidation at Luna’s presence, couldn’t help but be curious as Luna continued.

“He was a traveller who wore many faces…”

Liara leaned forward in anticipation.

“Known for his many good deeds…”

Then she looked like she was about to start bouncing.

“... But that story can wait for another time.”

The Asari practically deflated. “Oh come on!”

Luna chuckled. “It is too long for one sitting. However, I will say that there was a device aboard his vessel resembling the one on your counter.”

Sunset raised her eyebrows. “Do you remember any details?”

“It was attached to one of the many control panels aboard it,” Luna explained. “I remember it twirling spontaneously at times.”

“That’s… actually pretty helpful, princess, thanks,” Sunset said. “It means this was likely part of a machine, not a machine in and of itself.”

“Perhaps we should continue to ‘put our heads together’, as they say?” Luna said, a hint of excitement in her tone.

“Oh, I don’t know,” Sunset said, giving a yawn that she hoped didn’t come across as fake. “I’d like to, but… I am getting kind of tired. Think I might sleep on this for a bit.”

Liara raised her eyebrows. “Are you alright? It’s only 1800.”

“You don’t seem tired,” Luna said suspiciously.

“I uh…”

Luna folded her arms. “As I said before, if I am imposing, I would be happy to depart.”

“No, it’s just…”

“Just?”

Finally, feeling almost defeated, she turned to Liara. “Alright. Alright, let’s do this. Dr. T’Soni - whoops, Liara - I’m definitely down to hang out later, but the princess and I…”

“Say no more. I need a bite to eat, anyway,” Liara nodded, making her way to the lab’s exit. Before she left, she turned and gave Sunset a polite smile. "Thank you again, Dr. Shimmer."

“Hopefully I’ll be able to earn that thanks,” Sunset joked. “See you later.”

And so, Sunset and Luna were left alone , leaving the former to wonder if what she was about to do was the smartest thing ever.

‘Will she believe I had nothing to do with it?’

Wind and Fire

Chapter Image

Five Years Earlier...

For someone teaching part time the integration of technology and magic, one would think the Federation's premiere school of magic would be fairly conducive. Unfortunately, Hogwarts took learning magic quite seriously - and medievally - to the point where all technology was bewitched to simply not work on its grounds, experimental efforts be damned.

That was save for one specific place: a small area of the dungeon where Sunset Shimmer and a few of her students, as well as a special guest, sat tinkering away at various devices.

"Right, I think that should do it," Sunset grinned. "Well, fingers crossed, of course."

Holding a still-hot soldering iron, she inspected her work. What was once an ordinary clock now held several foreign objects in its interior, including a glowing blue crystal.

"Wait, wait, I'm still a little confused about what you just did," Sunset's curious overseer from the Ministry said, her Lyonessian accent heavily contrasting with Sunset's more 'common'.

"Just connected the mana converter to the main circuit," Sunset explained.

"And that converts magical energies into regular electricity, right?"

Sunset smiled. "Like usual, you catch on quick, Hermione."

"Thanks," she beamed. "Honestly, I wish I could have studied these things sooner. I just can’t believe it took so long for Professor McGonagall to sanction this place. Magitek is simply too fascinating to be brushed aside. It's like… like seeing two worlds come together at long last."

The antlered elf raised her eyebrows. "Magic users really did live in another world here, didn’t they?"

Hermione nodded. "In some places more than others. Here in Lyonesse, there was and still is an entire underground community. The Federation is certainly breaking down that barrier, but…"

"Canterlot wasn't built in a day," Sunset finished for her.

"Exactly," Hermione said. "Still, a bloody waste if you ask me. Imagine what progress muggles and magic users could have made years ago if we simply learned to trust each other. Not to mention, what could have been avoided. Voldemort wouldn't have been able to fear monger or spread his bigoted nonsense if every mage, witch, wizard, what have you interacted with muggles on a day to day basis."

"You sound like you've given this a lot of thought," Sunset pointed out.

Hermione nodded solemnly. "There isn't a day that goes by when I wish the Second Wizarding War didn't happen."

Sunset gave her a sympathetic look. "I know you personally had to go through Tartarus and back because of it. I'm surprised you decided to go back to your seventh year at Hogwarts after all of it."

"And miss my NEWTs?" Hermione laughed. "I can't blame Ron and Harry for skipping it, but me… no. I wouldn’t have the job I have if I didn’t." She then shook her head, looking back at the clock. "Anyway, want to give her a go?"

"Already going," Sunset grinned, gesturing to the gears rotating inside it. She then turned the clock around, examining the ticking hands for any discrepancies.

"Amazing," Hermione said. "Can you imagine what could happen if we improve mana conversion efficiency just a little more?"

"A magitek revolution if we're lucky," Sunset said. "With how many are working at it, I'm pretty sure it's just a matter of time.”

“Pun intended?” Hermione asked.

“In retrospect,” Sunset said.

"Well, I can't think of a lovelier note to end the night on," Hermione chirped.

"Gonna catch some shut-eye?"

Hermione nodded warily. "Work at five in the morning."

"Ouch," Sunset winced. "Well if that’s the case, I won't keep you from it."

"I really wish I could stay later," Hermione said. “But if I don’t get my six hours, I might not be not be as efficient, and if I--”

She stopped, apparently noticing Sunset’s baffled smile.

“Right, you get what I mean.”

"It’s fine, really, I'll be okay alone," Sunset chuckled. "Don't worry about me."

"It's not exactly you who I'm worried about," Hermione said, lifting a finger. "Remember, he’s more likely to listen to veteran teachers, so if Peeves gives you trouble again…"

"Call for Slughorn, I know," Sunset laughed. "And don't try to banish him."

"He really does like you, you know," Hermione said. "Slughorn, that is. I think he wants to add you to his ‘collection’. Quite unusual for someone who isn’t a student anymore."

"I wonder why?" the antlered elf said sarcastically.

"Not just because who your mentor was, silly," Hermione said. "For your talent."

"Even after what happened?" Sunset said, raising her eyebrows.

“You really should stop beating yourself up for that,” Hermione said. “That was cycles ago, and the fact you managed to even activate such an artifact was more impressive than anything.”

Sunset gave her an incredulous look. “If you say so.”

“I do say so,” Hermione said. “And so did Slughorn, thank you very much.” She then turned towards the door, before suddenly glancing back to Sunset over her shoulder. “Oh, I almost forgot: needless to say, I will be giving the Ministry a good word on your teaching. You’re doing wonderfully, in my opinion.” She then chuckled. “And with that good note, I’ll see you later.”

"See you!"

With that, Sunset was left alone with her class. And after she dismissed them an hour later, she was alone for real.

Or so she thought.

At an hour she couldn't recall, her eyes caught a flicker of light from the adjacent hallway. While at first she thought she'd need to explain to Filch yet again that she was staying late, it soon became apparent that the origin of the light was from no caretaker…

And from no candle.

"Hello, Miss Shimmer."

Sunset's eyes widened. Striding over to her table was a species she had rarely seen: a Tiefling, and one wearing a black suit with a Federation insignia pinned to it, no less. The small flames flicking off the tips of his horns illuminated a stern, studious face.

"What the--" Sunset gasped.

She quickly stood up from the table, then began to slowly back away from the intruder.

"Alright, you're definitely not supposed to be here,” Sunset said. “Who in the name of Tartarus are you and how do you know my name?"

"Relax, Ms. Shimmer," he said, chuckling darkly. "I'm not here to steal your soul or whatever it is you think my people do. I work for FIS."

"... Federation Intelligence?" Sunset said, her voice not decreasing in its wariness.

"That's right," he nodded. "I'm Special Agent Sloan, and I'm afraid I need to ask you a few questions."

Sunset furrowed her brow. "Is this some kind of joke? That's not how these things work."

"I'm afraid special circumstances require a readjustment of protocol," he said.

"Bullshit," Sunset spat. “I know my rights. They can’t just be walked all over because of ‘special circumstances.’”

Sloan sighed. "Do you really want to make this more difficult than it has to be?"

"If I'm under some sort of investigation, then yeah I want it to be difficult," Sunset growled. "Does this have to do with what happened last year?"

"No," the Tiefling said bluntly. "Though if you don't cooperate, it could be just as destructive towards your future career in Skyfleet."

Sunset gazed away from him. “Skyfleet?”

“Don’t try to hide it,” he chuckled. “We know you recently put in an application. You aspire to bigger things than just teaching.”

Sunset paused, reading the man's face for any signs of bluffing. If he was, it was impossible to tell. "...What do you want?"

The Tiefling narrowed his eyes. "Ambassador Spock, Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt, Admiral James T. Kirk, Director Saren Arterius, Chancellor Grumman. Tell me, what do all these people have in common?"

"..."

"Trying to figure out why I'm asking this in the first place, eh?" Sloan said. "I like that. Inquisitive minds are something the Federation always needs more of. If all checks out, you can continue to contribute. In fact, I’ll tell you what: give me an answer to my question and I'll give you an answer to yours. What do all those people have in common?"

"They're all famous, important," Sunset said slowly. "And they all…"

"Disappeared without a trace."

Sunset thought for a moment more, then to even her own surprise she threw a sardonic laugh in his face.

“You think this is funny?” Sloan asked, more curious than anything.

"I’m just wondering: did you run out of suspects or something?" Sunset chuckled. “How could I possibly have anything to do with all of that?”

"Not personally, no," Sloan said. "But as you rightfully pointed out, this sort of undertaking would require the resources of a vast number of people - a grand conspiracy.” He then raised a clawed finger. “That being said, I do wonder if you might know the circumstances around the latest victim…"

Sunset could feel the Tiefling's eyes reading every muscle of her face as she asked: "Who?"

Present...

"I think my shock alone must have convinced him I was innocent," Sunset said, shivering slightly. "I still have nightmares about that night, though."

Luna raised a finger. "Perhaps I could--"

Sunset shook her head. “Thanks, but they’re starting to die down. No need for it now.”

“Very well,” Luna said. “I will say, this ‘Sloan’ individual is unusual in many ways, especially for someone working for the Federation.”

“That’s exactly why I looked him up after our little chat,” Sunset said. “And what do you know? There’s nobody by the name of ‘Sloan’ working for the Federation Internal Security.”

Luna raised her eyebrows. “I am not surprised. However, are you certain ‘Sloan’ wasn’t merely an alias?”

Sunset nodded. “FIS Agents aren’t supposed to use aliases. From what I understand, they’re trying to be as transparent as an intelligence service can possibly be. Probably to avoid… well, you know.”

“When fighting in the shadows, it’s very easy to be taken by them,” Luna said knowingly. “Equestrian agencies operated similarly for that very reason. However, if he was not working for them, then who?”

“That’s the odd thing,” Sunset said. “While there wasn’t anyone named ‘Sloan’ working for FIS right now, ten years ago, they did have a Tiefling agent by the name of Dharcius working under them.”

“You think he’s the same one?” Luna asked.

“It’d be a heck of a coincidence if he wasn’t,” Sunset said. “As far as I know, he was the only Tiefling to serve under them."

“Very well, that would be strange,” Luna agreed. “Did the FIS ever look into the incident?”

“They said they would. Even said they’d get back to me,” Sunset said. “But they never did. Either they forgot or… I have no idea.”

“Curiouser and curiouser,” Luna said. “Well, no matter who this individual worked for, I am glad they didn’t further harass you, for I am 100% certain you had absolutely nothing to do with it.”

“Then who did?” Sunset asked. “Like I said, there’s no way she would have just run off. She was retired. What would she have to run from? The Equestrian Democracy Movement? They were never violent or anything.”

“I don’t believe she fled out of fear, nor do I think the EDM even had anything to do with it,” Luna said. “Given how long she ruled, she did gather many enemies, some accounted for, some not. However, the numerous investigations did not reveal any evidence that would link it to any of them.” She shook her head, and Sunset could almost see the gears turning in it. “There was evidence of magic or… some type of supernatural force involved, though we could not identify it.”

“A supernatural force?” Sunset said, confused. “What could be more supernatural than magic?”

“If it was magic, it used a mana source we could not identify,” Luna explained.

Slowly, a look of something that shouldn’t have been there grew across her face: fear.

“It was something even more mysterious. Something ethereal… and wrong,” she continued. “Whatever it was, I don’t believe it was from an enemy within, but an enemy unknown - one from afar.” Her eyes then narrowed. “But no matter how far that is, and no matter how long it takes, I will seek it out, and you shall help me, Sunset Shimmer.”

“With pleasure,” Sunset smiled. “I owe her that much.”

“CN Luna to the bridge, CN Luna to the bridge,” a loudspeaker suddenly called.

“Well, it was never going to be a ‘free ride’,” Luna said. “Pardon. Service beckons.”

Five Minutes Earlier...

“Mr. Stone, can you please explain how this storm managed to elude doppler radar?” Picard asked, a mix of annoyance and curiosity in his tone.

He gestured out the bridge window. Though still at a safe distance, the storm was closer than Victor had seen it last.

“I’m… I’m not sure, captain,” Victor said, checking the instruments at his station. “Everything looks fine equipment wise. It’s like it just came out of nowhere.”

“I’m no meteorologist, but there’s no way we could have missed the development of one,” Riker pointed out. “Even if we didn’t have doppler, we should have seen it. They just can’t form that quickly.”

“That we know of, Number One,” Picard mentioned, curiosity now completely overtaking his tone. “If there is some unknown phenomenon at work here, it could explain how so many ships have been taken by surprise in the Arcturian Sea.”

“Including some with experienced crew,” Riker nodded. “Even without doppler, at least some of them should have been able to avoid this kind of weather.”

“Indeed,” Picard said. “Perhaps it’s fortunate we’ve run into something similar to the stories.”

“An opportunity to study it?” Deanna suggested.

“A perfect one.”

“This ship is equipped to handle pretty wild storms,” Victor said. “Could probably fly through it without much of a problem.”

“Could use some more rain water to top off the supply,” Riker said. “Maybe catch some sky magic to refill our mana batteries while we’re at it.”

Worf folded his arms. “There is a chance this could be caused by some form of magic.”

“What do you mean, Mr. Worf?” Picard asked.

“Klingon legends often speak of ‘storms with minds of their own’ in this area of the sea,” he explained. “It usually did not end well for those who encountered them.”

“That’s a good point,” Riker said. “This ship’s equipped to handle regular storms, but something magical in nature?”

Picard pursed his lips, the look of utter contemplation Victor had seen so often washing over him again. Finally, he nodded, and in an almost disappointed tone continued with: “Very well. We’ll chart a route close to but around the storm. That should still allow our science and mystics teams to study it nearly as thoroughly.”

“What about the Normander?” Jane suggested shyly. “Could we send that in?”

“Joker would probably enjoy the thrill,” Deanna chuckled.

“I’m sure he would,” Picard said sardonically. “But while the Normander is good at many things, fighting against storms is not one of them. The last thing we want to do is lose our largest dropship and its crew.”

“Dropship, sir?” Riker said, raising an eyebrow.

“Not you too, Number One,” Picard groaned. “It’s just what the design team called it.”

“It’s a ship made for dropping out of the sky, after all,” Deanna chirped.

“That’s usually a bad thing,” Worf pointed out.

“It drops gracefully out of the sky, though,” Charlie said. “Falling with style!”

“Good lord, people,” Picard groaned. “Are we really doing this? Save your analyzing talents for the storm.”

The entire bridge practically deflated at that.

Picard glanced about, then sighed. "...Fine, we can debate the name later."

And just like that, morale was up again.

'Never thought my new crew would be as goofy as my old one,' Victor thought to himself, suppressing a chuckle.

“Now then,” Picard continued, turning to Charlie. “Ms. Magnotte, could you summon CN Luna to the bridge? We’re going to need her help plotting a route.”

“Yes, sir!” she said, perkily as usual, and began to work on her equipment. “Man, I wish teleportation magic wasn’t illegal so I could literally summon her with a spell or something.”

“Wait, you know how to do magic?” Victor asked.

“Er, no,” she coughed. “But I’d learn just so I could do it!” Then, as if wanting to end the topic before it began, she flipped one more switch and finally spoke into her microphone: “CN Luna to the bridge, CN Luna to the bridge.”

Tasha had closed her eyes. While they were still far from the storm, she figured she'd start practicing siphoning now. "One with the storm," she kept saying to herself, trying her best to picture the interior of a rain cloud.

Unfortunately, her concentration was soon interrupted by the crackle of the intercom.

"Attention all hands. By now, many of you have likely noticed the stormfront ahead," Charlie's voice echoed. "While the Enterprise is well equipped to handle this kind of weather, we have decided to err on the side of caution and navigate close to, but not through it. Nonetheless, expect higher than average windspeeds, humidity, and the possibility of rogue lightning. Caution is advised for anyone staying above deck."

"Huh, Ensign Magne’s really getting the hang of sounding professional," Tasha noted.

"This kind of sucks, though," Undyne grumbled. "It'll be harder for you to channel sky magic if we're not inside it."

"But I can still take some though, right?" Tasha asked.

Undyne sighed. "True. Just gonna be a little harder. Don't worry, you still got this. Just remember: one with the storm."

"Will saying that to myself really help?" Tasha asked.

"The words themselves don't mean much when you’re siphoning," Undyne said. "But the point is that your mind is on it."

"Magic is so weird," Tasha sighed.

"Of course it is," Undyne grinned. "But that's what makes it awesome."

As she spoke, the ship noticeably turned ever so slightly - putting it on a parallel path with the edge of the thunderclouds. There was also a slight increase in speed.

"Alright, here we go!" Undyne whooped. "Come on, Tasha. It's your moment to shine!"

Tasha raised her eyebrows, smirking slightly. "Hopefully not literally."

Ahsoka must have sensed Ben's mixed emotions as he entered the two Jedis' sanctuary, as she almost immediately broke meditation. Ben winced, nearly kicking himself for not controlling his feelings. Though he liked Ahsoka, even considered her a kindred spirit of sorts, he didn't feel like speaking his mind at the moment.

Fortunately, like any good mentor, Ahsoka seemed to know what topics to avoid.

"Padawan, please come and sit by me," she said casually, patting at the spot. "Have you felt the storm?"

Ben raised an eyebrow, but nonetheless complied, taking a position cross-legged next to the dryad. "I don't usually pay too much attention to the weather."

"Fair enough," she replied. "Though this is no ordinary weather."

"Is it a super strong storm?" Ben asked.

"Somewhat," Ahsoka said. "What's odd about it is how it came to being. As soon as I sensed it, I also sensed something familiar along with it..."

"Like what?"

She smiled warmly. "The emergence of life."

Ben gave her a confused look. "You're saying the storm is alive?"

"I'm not sure," Ahsoka said, shaking her head. "I can only say that it feels connected with the Living Force somehow. Come, reach out and tell me what you think."

Ben nodded, and despite the storm going on in his own mind, he closed his eyes and tried to reach out into the far distance with the Force. As Ahsoka had said, he did indeed feel a strong sense of birth. Then, something even stranger...

"I think those clouds were once some sort of… some sort of womb," Ben reported, his eyes still closed. "And now…"

His eyes widened, and that seemed to be all Ahsoka needed to see.

"We should speak with the captain," she said firmly.

At the same time, on the bridge, Deanna walked up to Jane, standing aside her pilot's chair.

"Jane…"

"I feel it, too," she said, turning to face Deanna. "There's something alive in that storm."

"And with strong emotions," Deanna said.

"Anger, fear, happiness, curiosity," Jane said, confusion spreading across her. "Like the emotions of a crowd, but it feels like an individual."

Deanna nodded. "Most beings can have contradictory feelings, but this is something else."

"Have you sensed stranger things before?" Jane asked.

"I have," Deanna nodded. "Similar to this…"

‘... But different,’ Leia thought, quietly contemplating the storm out of the window of her quarters. ‘Definitely distinct from Sky Weirds. No, I don’t think I’ve ever felt this before.”

She then smiled whimsically to herself, looking at a nearby, framed photo of younger versions of her, Han, Luke, and Chewie. They were standing on the bridge of a recently captured Imperial Sky Destroyer. One they had ‘liberated’ during the battle of the Kashyyyk Rainforest.

Adrenaline was still ready on their faces - even Luke’s.

‘Heh. I know it seems like we’ve already seen it all, but what's out here might surprise even you.’

She then frowned slightly, and mustering her courage, cautiously rose from her chair.

‘I should get going, If I can sense something strange, Ben and Ahsoka certainly can, too.’

When Luna arrived on the bridge, she found there to be an unusual amount of commotion.

"Captain, something weird's going on with the storm again," Victor reported.

"Weirder than appearing out of nowhere?" Riker asked.

"That and it looks like its shifted direction," Victor said. "And not just a few degrees. Like a friggin’ bootleg turn with a horseless carriage.”

“A wah?” Jane blinked.

“A dangerous maneuver where you spin an automobile 180 degrees in a few seconds,” Deanna said. “Useful for rum runners escaping the police during the Colonial Union’s prohibition era.”

Picard gave her a look.

“What? I’ve never done it,” she said. “Though my human uncle…”

“Thank you, Deanna,” Picard said. “Mr. Stone, how badly will this affect our route?”

Victor gazed at him worriedly. “We keep this course and we're going to plow right into it now."

"Any indications as to what caused this?" Picard said.

Victor shook his head. "Sorry, captain, but doppler can't provide that much detail. All I can say I've never seen a storm shift so quickly.."

"’Storms with minds of their own,’" Riker mused.

"CN Luna, please assist Ensign Hopper in plotting a new course," Picard ordered. "Still close but not through the storm."

"Yes, captain," Luna nodded, moving to pick up the sextant (her primary means of navigating) at her station.

"Captain, I'm sensing something strange about it, too," Deanna said.

"Same with us," a new voice, Leia's, spoke as she entered the bridge, Ahsoka and Ben in tow.

Despite the fairly tense situation, Luna couldn’t help but smile at the sight. ‘At least Ben and her are together now.’

"CM, is that your son?" Picard said, eyeing the teenager warily.

"Ben’s with me," Leia said, a hint of annoyance in her tone. “Do you have a problem with that?”

"No," Picard said curtly, before turning to Ahsoka. “Greetings, Master Tano…”

“Captain,” she nodded politely.

As the two exchanged hellos, Luna made her way to Jane to give her instructions. The psychic pilot gave Luna a curious look, then glanced back towards Ben. “So that’s the Jedi apprentice?”

“Yes, why?” Luna asked.

“Oh, nothing,” she said, blushing slightly. “It’s just… he’s kind of cute--”

Her eyes widened - a worried look overtaking her as if she had said something she shouldn’t have.

“Er, um, I didn’t mean-- uh--” She closed her eyes, wincing heavily. “Please don’t tell Mike.”

“Your boyfriend?” Luna said, a slight grin on her. “Don’t worry, I shall make sure your back is secure.”

“Thanks,” she sighed in relief. “Do you have the new heading?”

“Adjust two degrees Starboard,” Luna stated.

Jane nodded and, with her usual supernatural precision, quickly adjusted her wheel. With her job done, Luna could go back to paying attention to the conversation on the other side of the bridge.

"...No problem, captain," Ahsoka said. "However, what Princess Leia said is correct. All three of us are sensing some form of life associated with it."

"Jane and myself as well," Deanna said. "And whatever it is, it's capable of feeling complex emotions - contradictory, even."

"Indeed? Possibly something sapient?" Picard asked.

"I can't say for certain, but it feels like it," Deanna said.

"I dunno about that," Ben contradicted. "Kind of sense that it's new to this world. If it's young…"

"It could still be capable of higher reasoning," Picard pointed out. "Many species develop much more quickly than you and I, Padawan."

"Er, right," Ben said, somewhat nervously. "Sorry, captain."

"There's no need to apologize," Leia told him. "You were just speaking your mind."

"Yeah, thanks," Ben grumbled.

"Wait, if the storm is, uh, 'alive', that could explain how it shifted direction so quickly," Victor pointed out.

"Yet everywhere it could have gone, it chose to block our path," Worf pointed out.

"That's true, captain," Riker said. "It's almost like it wants us to go into it."

"Let's not presume mal intent," Picard said calmly. "It may simply be curious."

"But sir, what about the stories?" Worf protested.

"All we really know from them is that various ships have encountered freak weather," Picard explained. "We don't know how many encountered a creature such as this, and if so, if they were damaged…”

"Or sunk," Riker interjected.

"…Intentionally," Picard finished, before shifting his gaze between his empaths and Force users. "Can any of you sense what its intent may be?"

"That's not how the Force works, captain," Leia said, giving him a blank look.

"What she means to say is that that sort of telepathy isn't easy to master using the Force," Ahsoka explained. "Counselor Troi would know more than us."

"I'm not so sure," Deanna said. "There are a number of emotions emanating from the… well, whatever it is. I'd almost say they're a storm in and of themselves. I can't pin what it may want."

Picard turned to Luna, an intrigued look on her face. "CN, have you ever encountered this type of… phenomenon?"

Luna thought for a moment, then shook her head. "The Windigo my people have… dealt with in times of strife could create snow clouds, though it sounds as though if there is a relation, it's a distant one.”

"Very well," Picard nodded. "We will proceed as planned. However, I'd like you all to stay on the bridge as we make our approach. If any of you sense even the faintest hint of danger from whatever it is we're dealing with, please don't be shy." Then, almost as if he had been holding it in, a tone of excitement quickly filled his voice. "Though all that being said, I didn't expect we'd be finding a new lifeform today. Let's see exactly what it is."

Into the Storm

Chapter Image

Twenty Years Prior...

On the rural outskirts of a war torn city, the door swung open to a rundown home, its chipped paint and broken fences making that more than apparent. Despite the distant sounds of gunfire, an older woman - one with a strange, ethereal white mist around her - slumbered peacefully on a rocking chair in it's living room.

That was, of course, until she heard the sound of her granddaughter approaching her: a young Tasha Yar.

“Gram gram?” Tasha said. “Grandmother, wake up.”

“Mmm…” she said, smacking her lips as her eyes fluttered open. “Ah! Tasha. Good. I was just about to make dinner when I must have--” She paused, perhaps noticing the anger in the young teenager’s eyes. “Oh dear. That look isn’t for me, I hope.”

“What?” Tasha said, before shaking her head. “No, no not at all. I just-- It’s them I’m angry at. I can’t believe what they’ve done!”

“Believe what who's done?” Her grandmother asked. “Your parents? Are they well?”

“No, they’re fine,” Tasha said quickly. “The militia’s barely keeping order, but they’ve managed to quiet about half the colony. Even started rebuilding in some places. I just don’t know how long that will last now that…” Her hands formed into fists. “The Colonial Union - those bastards, they’ve abandoned us!”

“What?” her grandmother said.

“We just heard it on the radio,” Tasha said, her tone a mix of disbelief and rage. “There aren’t going to be any supply ships coming. President Thomas just said, he actually said, ‘Turkana is on their own.’” She began to pace. “I can’t believe it. We fought for them! In their stupid 'Great' War. Even after they let us get shelled, we still sent people to die for them. And what do they do to repay us? Leave us to the vultures! Should have seen this coming after they abandoned Caledonia. They don’t give a damn about their colonies!”

Her grandmother took a deep breath. “Tasha, I understand your anger, I truly do, but everyone has suffered greatly during the war. Not a single Terran city has escaped its touch.”

“So you’re taking their side?!” Tasha growled.

“No,” she said sternly. “Of course not. I just want you to understand that their actions are out of desperation - nothing else.”

“And whose fault is that?” Tasha argued. “Their fault! They didn’t have to fight in the Easterners’ war, but they just couldn’t help themselves, could they? Now, the colony is in ruins and- and...”

“You don’t know what to do,” Grammy said, understandingly. “War… war has a way of making everyone feel powerless, dear. You’re not alone with those feelings.”

“I don’t have to be powerless, though,” Tasha said, a fierce look of determination overtaking her. “I’m part Vila! I have the power of the sky within me, I know it! If you can just try teaching me again - let me unlock it - I could at least help deal with some of the raiders.”

Her grandmother closed her eyes. “We’ve had this conversation before, Tasha. Your blood…”

“Is too diluted, I know,” Tasha grunted. “But humans can use magic, too! Maybe it could… maybe it could get me an edge. A head start!”

“That is true, but do you know how long it takes the average human to learn even the simplest magic?”

Tasha grew silent.

Her grandmother sighed. “You are a girl of many talents - I’ve seen it in you. You don’t need magic to make a difference. Your brain and your heart are more than enough.” She smiled warmly. “And right now, I could use both to help make dinner. Give an old woman a hand?”

“Sure,” Tasha grumbled, her tone slightly less sorrowful. She turned to walk towards the kitchen.

“I meant literally,” her grandmother said, holding out her hand. “I swear, half this damned body of mine is still asleep.” She then winked. “Must be the Vila part of me.”

With that, Tasha actually managed a small smile. She quickly helped her grandmother to her feet, and though she was still disappointed and angry, at the very least she could make it through the evening.

Many years later, on the bow of the Enterprise , Undyne’s voice snapped Tasha out of her memories.

"A living storm, huh?" Undyne said. "And people said Monsters were weird."

“Huh?” Tasha blinked. “Oh yeah, the storm. Listen, we should probably put this on hold for now. I really need to report for duty.”

"What? Seriously?" Undyne moaned. "We were just starting to get things done here!"

"I'm not shooting lightning from my hand yet," Tasha sighed. "I don't even feel any different. It's the same as last time. I tried, but I don't know if I've got this in me.” She closed her eyes. “Guess the Vila part of me is too far gone."

"You may think that, but your SOUL has other ideas," Undyne said. "I just checked it a second ago: totally opening up to magic."

Tasha gave her a sarcastic look. "You could just be saying that."

"Nah, I don't lie about stuff like that," Undyne said. "Trust me, you've got this."

Tasha glanced at the bridge, barely visible between two of the cannons above her. "I still feel like I need to do my job."

"..."

"Undyne?"

She turned about to see what had quieted her normally talkative companion. It didn't take long. The storm was now larger, much larger. For what had been fairly distant, almost a static object a moment ago was now visibly growing closer to them - too close. In under five minutes, it would be right on top of them.

"Woah, what the f--"

"--Heck?!" Victor blurted out. "Captain, the storm's shifted direction again. It’s on an intercept path. It’s also started accelerating... somehow.”

Luna gazed at him worriedly. 'This storm is beyond strange.'

“It really does want a closer look, huh?” Riker said.

“Or it wants to swallow us,” Worf said, busy having a staring contest with the distant clouds.

“Either way, we can’t risk drawing close with it behaving so erratically,” Picard said, somewhat reluctantly. “Ms. Hopper, turn us about and proceed to warp--”

“Captain, I don’t think that’s going to work,” Victor interrupted. “Storm’s still accelerating. It’ll be on top of us before we can hit max speed. I know the ship can handle that kind of weather pretty well, but if we hit warp while we’re inside it…”

“Very well, belay that order, helmswoman,” Picard said. “Instead, bring us to full stop and refurl braking sails as soon as it’s done.”

“Y-Yes, sir!”

“We’re going to try to weather it, sir?” Riker asked.

“It’s the only option we have now,” Picard said.

An instant afterwards, a series of massive poles extended from the sides of the enterprise. Each carried fin-like sails nearly as wide as the ship. They quickly unfurled, ballooning to near half-spheres as they caught the relative wind.

The ship creaked and groaned slightly as it slowed to a halt a kilometer above the waves. Then, as quickly as the sails had popped out, a series of mechanisms fired and refurled them. The poles retracted soon after.

“Holding position, captain,” Jane said, a small hint of satisfaction on her face.

Despite this, Luna couldn’t help but nervously stare out the windows. The storm was so close and so massive it blocked their forward vision entirely. Already, moisture was beginning to gather on the windows, though it was quickly evaporated by what she assumed was an advanced alchemical process.

‘The Federation’s skill with alchemy never ceases to amaze me,’ Luna thought.

Picard turned to Charlie. “Ensign, have all crew batten down the hatches. Initiate severe storm protocols.”

“Will do!” she said, still perky as ever.

As she picked up her intercom microphone and began to relay the orders, the moisture gathering on the windows was now joined by raindrops. Lightning ripped across the darkened skies followed by the crackle of thunder. The bridge began to darken as mists slowly obscured the formerly blue skies.

“Entering its outer layers now,” Victor said.

As they did, Luna began to notice something odd. The occasional flash of lightning illuminated more than just clouds. Floating about were person-sized oval-shaped objects. While they did have a peculier fluffy, cloud-like quality, they also had a distinct, almost organic look to them. In fact, she could have sworn they looked almost like eggs. A few of them were closer than others, and it didn’t take much examination to notice they appeared to have been cracked open.

‘Strange,’ Luna thought.

However, before she could give it more attention, Victor spoke up once more. “Alright, now that’s just weird.”

“What is it, Mr. Stone?” Riker asked.

He looked at Riker, baffled, then back at one of his monitors. “Not sure if this is some sort of… I dunno, unforeseen side effect of being inside a storm, but STSO Radar’s picking up small contacts. Three, six… ten… twenty? You’re not going to want specific bearings, are you? Cus they’re closing in on us from all sides."

“Yes, he’s right, I can feel them now,” Ahsoka said, looking like her mind was in a distant place.

“Same here,” Deanna said. “Captain, I believe whatever they are are the same thing we sensed earlier. I thought it was one mind, but no… it’s not that. It’s like multiple minds connected together in a… in a sort of chorus.”

“A hive mind?” Riker suggested.

“I’m not sure,” Deanna said. “All I can say is they have a connection to each other through… some sort of means.”

“I appreciate what you’ve all given me, but I’d still like to know exactly what it is we’re dealing with here,” Picard said pensively. “Is their intent still unknown?”

“Yes, I’m sorry, captain.”

“Wait, captain, look!” Worf suddenly barked, gesturing out the windows.

Luna and half the bridge gasped as what could only be described as a fever dream unfolded before their eyes. Strange, bony creatures were appearing from the mists, floating over the deck of the Enterprise and towards them. It was hard to make out the details at first, but as they drew closer to the bridge windows, it was clear they were not anything familiar.

They had strange webbed wings that extended from the lengths of their arms to their sides, though there was no way that alone was keeping them aloft. Their black holes for eyes sent a shiver up the Night Princess’s spine.

And here Luna usually adored creepy things. ‘Too spooky for even me,’ she gulped.

“Identification?” Picard asked, his tone cool and collected as usual, though still with a hint of agitation. He glanced about the bridge. Nobody had an answer. “Anyone?”

“Sorry, captain, but we are getting calls from all over the ship!” Charlie reported, holding a receiver up to her right ear. Like Picard, her tone showed little signs of panic. “We’ve got creatures peeking in windows - floating all over the upper deck!”

“Captain, I recommend we go to red alert,” Worf said. “Have everyone report to battle stations - just in case.”

“I wouldn’t do that, captain,” Deanna said, her brow furrowed in concentration. “I… I feel like they’re trying to reach some sort of consensus. They don’t know what to make of us yet. Their minds are so alien, though...”

“But they are just curious at the moment?” Picard asked.

“It’s hard to say, but I think they are,” Deanna said.

“Curious and cautious,” Jane added, an equal look of concentration on her.

“They have a strong connection with the Force,” Ahsoka said. “Both the Living Force and Cosmic Force.”

“Ahsoka, I don’t think anyone knows what that means,” Leia pointed out.

“Oh,” Ahsoka said, thinking for a second. “What I mean is… I think that’s how they’re connected to the storm.”

“Are they in control of the storm, though?” Riker asked.

“They are as curious about us as the, well, storm was,” Leia said. “It’d make sense that they’d be in the driver’s seat.”

Victor shook his head, worried. “If that’s true, with the amount of energy those thunderclouds have, they could rip this ship to shreds if they wanted to.”

“It does not matter!” Worf protested. “We have to at least try to defend ourselves!”

“We’ll take the middle option,” Picard announced, turning to Charlie. “Go to red alert and have security and MACO teams move to key areas. However, tell them not to even draw their weapons unless absolutely necessary.”

“On it!” Charlie beamed.

She flipped a switch at one of her control pads. An instant later, klaxons began to blare red.

Picard then turned to Worf. “Have our AA gunners report to their positions, but tell them not to man them until the order is given.”

“Yes, sir,” Worf said, a hint of relief in his tone.

“Captain, I recommend we shut off all radar systems, too,” Riker added.

“Just in case we have a repeat of the Thestral situation?” Picard said. “Good call, Number One. Make it so, Mr. Stone.”

“Will do,” Victor nodded.

"Captain, I just got word back from Commander Shepard," Charlie said, a receiver to her ear once again. “She’s confirmed your orders and has MACO teams on the move. Still nothing from Tasha, though."

"She may very well be preoccupied," Picard said. "For now, it's time to figure out where we stand."

With that, he began to slowly walk over to the nearest window. The creatures behind it didn’t seem to react to him.

“Captain?” Riker said, perturbed.

“He wants to try to communicate,” Leia said, nodding to herself as she moved to join Picard’s side. “For once, we’re in complete agreement.”

“I’ll take that as a stroke of good luck,” Picard said.

“Uh huh.”

The two of them stopped right before one of the creatures, the alchemically-enhanced glass all that separated them. It hovered up and down ever so slightly, but otherwise didn’t make a move.

“Can you understand me?” Picard asked loudly.

“...”

“I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Skyship Enterprise, ” Picard continued. “We strive to seek out new life and civilizations. We mean you no harm.”

“...”

“Don’t think that’s going to work,” Leia grunted. “I doubt they speak Common - or any language we know, for that matter.”

“Worth a try,” Picard said. “What would you suggest?”

“We need something universal,” Leia said, a hand on her chin. “Something like…”

She thought for a moment more, before making a deliberately wide smile. She then gestured to herself, then back at the creature, and finally, she stretched out her arms in a semi-upward motion, almost as if she was looking for a hug.

The creature cocked its head slightly, but otherwise continued to stare at them.

She repeated the gesture, hoping for something , but nothing came. “Counselor Troi, any change in their emotions?” she asked hopefully.

She shook her head. “No, I’m sorry, but they’re still… jumbled.”

“Damn,” Leia sighed, glancing towards Ben slightly. “For a diplomat, I guess I’ve still got a lot to learn when it comes to communicating, huh?”

Surprisingly, instead of the cold indifference he showed earlier, he actually gave her a sympathetic look. “N-No, mom, I think you’re onto something there.”

“What do you have in mind, Padawan?” Ahsoka asked.

“We can’t talk to them with words, that’s for sure,” he said. “And they might be too alien to understand body language. Buuuut they’ve got a huge connection to the Force, right? Could we try talking to them through it?”

Ahsoka furrowed her brow. “I once knew a young Jedi, Ezra Bridger, who had such an ability, but as for myself…” She took a deep breath. “Well, I suppose there’s a first time for everything.”

With that, the Dryad Jedi joined Picard and Leia at the window. She gazed at the creatures, curious, before closing her eyes and outstretching her hand. She furrowed her brow, obviously in deep concentration, and then…

“ACK!” she cried, stumbling backwards and out of control. If it wasn’t for Riker quickly moving to catch her, she would have fallen to the deck.

“Ahsoka!” Ben said, rushing to her side. “Ahsoka, are you okay? Damnit, I’m so sorry, that was such a stupid idea!”

“N-Not your fault,” she groaned, a pained look on her face. “But I… I don’t think they liked that.”

“She’s right, captain!” Deanna said, alarmed. “It’s almost like they feel… like they feel violated! They’re becoming spooked… and enraged!”

“They’re spooked by us?” Riker said.

“Yes!” Deanna said, glancing towards Picard. “Captain, I think they might be preparing to attack. We may need to do something very soon!”

Adding to the weight of her words, the creatures began to move, circling the bridge like sharks. Though nothing in their posture changed, it was still a menacing sight.

“Captain, should I have our gunners open fire?!” Worf asked.

“No!” Picard shouted. “No. No rash actions. We need to--”

“Intruder!” Riker called, pointing behind Picard.

Luna’s eyes widened as the bridge crew turned to where he gestured. Phasing right through the bridge windows were two, no, three of the creatures. They floated over the carpet towards Ahsoka, droplets of water dripping off them and forming a trial. The sound of electricity crackled from them, and arcs of it ripped along their forms.

With only a few more feet between them and the Jedi Master, the bridge crew mobilized.

Luna was the first to act. Though she was no longer as strong as she was when she helped rule Equestria, she knew her magical skills were nothing to balk at. Though it was daylight outside of the storm, she still had a reserve of Lunar Magic within her, and she intended to use it.

“AMICUS MEIS!.!.!” she shouted, her voice echoing with supernatural strength, and pointed both her palms outward at the fallen Jedi and Riker. Blue energy shot forth from them, forming a shimmering shield around her companions.

The creatures halted in their tracks upon seeing this, but not for long. Within a split second, they seemed to figure out what was blocking their path and the source of it. In a snap, one turned towards Luna and opened its hollow mouth.

PHWOOOOOM!.!.!

A terrific gust of wind blew from it, knocking Luna off her feet and slamming her into her work station. Every tool on it clattered to the ground, followed quickly by herself. She was barely conscious as she saw the next bit of action unfold.

Ben and Worf barrelled into the path of the two creatures, Worf drawing one of the Bat’leths he kept stashed near his station and Ben igniting his Mana Saber.

The creatures, however, were undeterred at the sight. They stretched out their hands, electricity visibly crackling around them, and pointed them at the crewmembers.

“No, wait!” Victor suddenly shouted. And just as the two groups were about to make contact, he stepped between them. At that split-second, lightning barrelled from the creature’s hands. Where it once would have hit Ben and Worf, it hit Victor’s golem side, which he had turned towards them.

“AGGGGH!” he roared, electricity ripping into his rocky half.

“Victor!” Charlie cried.

Yet despite all that energy surging through him, he remained on his feet. Other than his rocky half smoldering slightly, he seemed completely unharmed.

Even more surprising was the creatures’ reactions. This time they did halt themselves, gazing at Victor as if they were trying to understand his actions. They weren’t the only ones who reacted, however: those outside the bridge windows stopped circling, once again growing static.

“B-Booya,” Victor said, grinning ever so slightly at the beings.

Taking advantage of the pause, Picard looked towards Charlie, sweat now dripping down both of their foreheads. “Ensign, have medical teams report to the bridge spire. Do not have them enter, however, and do not have them use the elevator or the main entrance.”

“Yes, sir,” she squeaked.

He then glanced at his First Officer, who seemed to be trying to figure out how to check the Dryad in his arms’ vital signs. “Number One?”

“Master Tano, are you with me?” he asked.

She made a pained nod.

Satisfied, Picard then rushed to Luna’s side, kneeling down before her. “Luna, are you alright?”

She blinked, dazed, before giving him a weak, appreciative smile. “N-Not the princess I used to be, I’m afraid.”

Picard returned the smile. “Could have fooled me.”

“I-I’m fine, too, thanks for asking,” Victor groaned, taking deep breaths. "Lucky Dr. Tekla fixed me up with igneous rock."

Picard gazed at him apologetically. “Sorry, Mr. Stone. Believe me, we’re all glad you’re still on your feet.”

“Y-You could say we’re all kind of… shocked at the moment,” Charlie stuttered out.

Picard gave her a blank look.

“Sorry, bad joke,” she squeaked.

“Hey, bad jokes are better than no jokes at the moment,” Victor said, chuckling slightly.

Picard shook his head, then turned to Counselor Troi. “Any change?”

Though her face still bore shock at the situation, she quickly seemed to summon her strength, and then replied: “I-I’m… I’m sensing some of what I was before. Jane?”

“S-Same,” she said.

“We’re still walking the edge of a knife though,” Deanna reported.

“Captain,” Worf said, still holding his Bat’leth in a defensive posture. ”This more than proves their hostile intent. We have to prepare to defend the Enterprise.”

“We can’t fight our way out of this, Mr. Worf,” Riker reasoned. “These creatures don’t even seem corporeal.”

“We could have our gunners and security forces switch to the experimental Ghost Buster Rounds,” Worf said. “Shepard made sure to procure a stock of them.”

Leia took a deep breath, glancing at Picard. “It might be the only shot we have at this point.”

Luna shook her head, weakly. “D-Don’t do it captain… they’re too powerful.”

“And don’t forget, they might still be able to use the storm itself,” Victor said. “No amount of lightning rods can handle that sort of energy.”

“Again, it doesn’t matter - at least we would go down fighting!” Worf growled. “An honorable end. One that would ensure we all would be welcome in Stovokor.”

Picard paused, glancing between the various members of his bridge crew. None of them seemed to have an answer for him. Whether or not he was about to order something, no one would ever find out what it was. For before he could, two newcomers entered the bridge.

It was Tasha and Undyne, the former’s eyes glowing a brilliant blue.

“Tasha?!” Picard gasped.

One With The Storm

Chapter Image

Ten Minutes Earlier…

As soon as Tasha heard the bridge announce severe storm protocols, she knew the situation was a lot more dangerous than she had thought. Drizzle was already beginning to fall as she turned to Undyne.

Even she looked a little worried.

"Yeah," Undyne grumbled. "There's definitely something weird going on. Hate to say it, but I guess we really should cut our training session short."

Tasha nodded. "There's no shame in it. Come on, we should get below deck."

Unfortunately, it wasn't an instant process. The closest exit from the top deck was a good few minutes away from where they were. It seemed like a further and further goal as drizzle turned into rain and rain turned into a downpour.

“Would it be weird if I said I wish I brought an umbrella?” Undyne asked as they dashed along.

Tasha gazed at her, bewildered. “You own an umbrella?”

“Don’t get me wrong, these gills aren’t for show,” Undyne said, gesturing to ones along her neck. “But swimming and getting pelted by cold friggin’ rain are two different things.”

“Hey, you wanted to get a taste of it,” Tasha playfully chided.

“True,” Undyne sighed. “Just didn’t expect the wind to be blowing this hard.”

Tasha laughed at that. “It’s alright - just maybe next time we should try with regular ole' rain then move up to storms.”

“Deal,” Undyne grinned. “Come on, we’re almost--”

Suddenly, they were forced to screech to a halt, their jaws nearly agape at the sight of the bony, strange creatures that had suddenly moved in front of them. More caught her eyes - swarming about the ship, a particular concentration moving towards the bridge.

“Okay,” Tasha gulped, remaining perfectly still. “No sudden moves.”

She gazed at Undyne. Unlike Tasha, she had a look of familiarity on her face instead of fear. "No way…"

"Undyne?" Tasha said warily. She resisted the urge to draw the stun rifle she always kept with her. Instead, she began to slowly back away.

"Sorry," Undyne said, holding her ground. "It's just-- I think I've seen these things before."

"Then you know more than me, then," Tasha said nervously. "And we studied literally every known creature at the academy."

"Wait, school!” Undyne said, snapping her fingers. “That's where I saw them - back when I was a kid. They were supposed to be a distant cousin to Monsters. Magic creatures that lived in storms. I think they were called Latawak-- no, Latawiec or something."

"Did your book mention if they were friendly?" Tasha asked, once again looking around her. Two more had now floated behind them, surrounding them. "Because uh, we might be in trouble if they aren’t."

"Can't remember," Undyne said, locking eyes with the nearest Latawiec. "Hey! Cloud demon thing! You just trying to creep us out or do you want to start explaining yourselves?”

"..."

"Creatures of few words, huh?" Tasha said, trying to lighten the mood.

“No kidding,” Undyne grunted.

Suddenly, there was a crackle from the intercom.

"Attention all security and MACO teams! We have been boarded by an unknown force. Report to assigned defense positions but do not draw your weapons. I repeat, do not draw your weapons unless absolutely necessary!”

‘So the bridge doesn’t know anything, either,’ Tasha thought.

A second later, there was another broadcast. The deep voice of Worf had replaced Charlie’s.

‘“All AA gunners report to stations. Do not man until given the order. Do not man until given the order.”

“Damn it,” Tasha cursed in frustration. “I need to be coordinating security, not stuck here! Undyne, you said you can tell a lot from something’s SOUL, right?”

She nodded briskly.

“What can you say about them?”

“I can’t say much,” Undyne said, almost embarrassed in tone. “They don't have any LV, but I think that's cus… cus their SOULs are all very young. Like still in the cradle young. They're crazy good with sky magic, too, but no surprise there."

"Don't sell yourself short," Tasha said. "That tells us a lot. And wait, you said they're related to Monsters, right? Could they read our SOULs?"

"I'm not sure," Undyne said. "Damn, I wish Alphys was with us. She's better at this stuff than me."

"Where is she now?" Tasha asked. "She might be able to help us with--"

"Woah, hold it there!"

Tasha's eyes widened. Undyne hadn't shouted at her, but at the creatures. They had begun drawing closer to the two of them from all sides. A second later, they were so near that Tasha could even smell them: something like electrically burned O2.

"Stay back!" Tasha ordered, reaching for her weapon, but reminding herself not to draw it.

Undyne looked like she had a similar idea. A green energy spear had just begun to form in her hands. However, before it could fully come into existence...

Everything went black.

…

Yet Tasha was not unconscious.

She gasped, glancing around her. She was an empty void of some sort, but she didn’t feel like she was dreaming. She moved to pinch herself, but as soon as she did, she noticed what had happened to her skin.

It was now a deep purple… and transparent.

“Oh no… no no no, not now!” she said, trying to keep herself from completely succumbing to panic. “Not during an emergency!"

She began to look around rapidly for any way out of the apparent purgatory she was in.

"Woah!" She almost jumped as Undyne suddenly appeared next to her. However, her alarm was quickly replaced by relief. "Oh, Undyne, thank the skies. I thought I was dead." A small bit of worry returned to her, however, as she noticed Undyne had changed as well: she was now a pure, transparent white. "Wait, we're not dead, right?"

"I don’t think so," Undyne said, a brief look of confusion on her followed quickly by a hint of clarity. "No hang on… this is really familiar. I think we might be…"

She then looked forward, Tasha following her gaze. Appearing a small distance away were several of the creatures. Like them, they had changed. While they were once mostly a dark blue, they were now a transparent grey.

"...in an Encounter!" Undyne exclaimed, a hint of excitement in her tone. "Hah! So they are like us! Er, and by us I mean Monsters, my bad."

"Wait, wait," Tasha said, baffled. "An Encounter? What's an Encounter?"

"I swear, I'm going to need to drag Alphys with me whenever I hang out with humans," Undyne grumbled. "She's so much better at--"

"Explaining, I know," Tasha said, giving her an annoyed look. "Give me your best try."

"Fine, fine," Undyne sighed. "An encounter is… well it's like… hrmmm… have you ever had a super deep conversation with someone? Like where you come out of it thinking you’ve just learned what makes someone tick? This is sort of like that. Only we’re not talking with our mouths here, we’re talking with our SOULs.”

Tasha squinted in thought. “So, like a Monster version of a Vulcan mind-meld.”

“I have no idea what that is, but sure,” Undyne shrugged.

“Vulcan… mind… meld?”

Tasha and Undyne paused, looked at each other, then looked towards the creatures, astonished.

“Did they just--?”

Undyne nodded. “I think we can understand each other now.”

The creatures floated over to them in unison. Not seeing any other option, Tasha held her ground, Undyne following suit. Together, with voices that sounded like different tones of a lonely wind, they continued with:

“What is… mind… meld?”

“It’s um,” Tasha said, blinking to herself. While she had kept herself composed even around the Thestrals, this was something else entirely. “It’s… a form of deep communication Vulcan Elves can do. I’ve never done it myself.”

“But you are… child of sky… not Vulcan,” they continued, their speech becoming less and less disjointed. “How do you… how do you know?”

“Well… I learned about it,” Tasha said slowly. “While at Skyfleet Academy.”

“Child of sky?” Undyne said, giving Tasha a smirk. “So much for your Vila part being buried. Told ya’, sucka!”

Tasha rolled her eyes in response.

“What is Skyfleet?” they asked. “Why teach about… Vulcans? You are not Vulcans.” They looked towards Undyne. “And you are not child of sky… you are Astral.”

“They are crazy curious, aren’t they?” Undyne said. “Should we uh… should we really be answering their questions?”

Tasha nodded. “I think so. They’re not asking about our weapon systems or anything like that. It’s almost like they’re… like they’re children. You know how kids are: they have a new question every few seconds. Not about anything in particular. They just want knowledge.”

“Well, the little punks learn more quickly than adults, don’t they?” Undyne said. “Why waste the chance?”

“Exactly,” Tasha said, a feeling of understanding washing over her as she turned back to the creatures. “Skyfleet is part of the Federation. It’s made up of a bunch of different species. Elves, Humans, ‘Astrals’, Averials, Tieflings, Nymphs…”

“Yet you are so different,” they said. “Why join as one?”

“Well, why do you join as one?” Tasha asked.

“...?”

“Yeah, seriously,” Undyne said. “You act like you’re all one, well, one thing. Heck, you’re even talking at the same time! Why do you do it? Why not do your own thing?”

“One with the storm. Storm one with us. Binds us together. Are you bound together?”

“Not exactly,” Tasha said. “We don’t really have anything binding each other. At least not most of us. It’s more just… well, it’s dangerous to go alone.”

“And it’s better than killing each other,” Undyne said.

“That, too.”

"How can bind with no… connection?"

"We forge a connection," Tasha explained. "With our actions and our words."

"Yep," Undyne said. "And I've learned the hard way what talking things through can get you," She smiled warmly. "Even friends you never thought you'd have."

The creatures paused, looked towards each other, then back towards Tasha. “Child of sky is wise… Astral is wise… safety in numbers, safety in peace.” Their voices then took on a slightly accusatory tone. “Yet if fighting is less safe, why fight us?”

Tasha furrowed her brow. “We haven’t fought you.”

“Child of green did atop your tower. Tried to grab connection. Dangerous for us.”

Tasha glanced at Undyne, who looked as confused as her. “We don’t know what you mean. ‘Tried to grab your connection?’”

“Connection binds us. Links us with storm - with home, to each other. Without it… we are alone.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t understand,” Tasha said. “All I can say is if we have done anything to hurt you, it must have been a mistake.”

“Did not hurt,” they said. “Kept from hurting. Protected.”

"How did you ‘protect’?" Undyne said, narrowing her eyes.

"Fed back overdose of connection. Would have killed, but you… confused us."

Tasha blinked. "We did?"

"Stood before us - guarded child of green."

"You saw our people protect each other?" Tasha asked.

"Yes,"they said. "Half of tower protected. Many of us saw - still trying to understand."

"Any one of us would do the same for our comrades," Undyne said. “It isn’t that surprising.”

“Protect another and they might just do the same for you,” Tasha said.

“Perhaps…” they continued.

A beat. They turned to each other, once again, then back to the duo.

"You are… so strange yet… so similar."

Tasha raised an eyebrow. "Right back at you... I think."

Another few seconds passed before finally, they announced: “We do not wish to destroy you. Others on tower may, Not listening to these three. Must dissuade.”

“These three?” Tasha asked. “By that, you mean the creatures I’m speaking with here, right? You three?” She blinked, confused. “But I thought you were bound together?”

“Bound together, yes, but still unique,” they explained.

“You still retain some of your individuality,” Tasha said.

“Yes.”

“That’s great and all,” Undyne said. “But how do we convince your friends to spare the stick?”

They looked specifically at Tasha. “They will not speak with you like this - must show them what you are: fellow child of sky. Combine with proving good intent. May not harm then.”

“Show them I’m part Vila?” Tasha said, slumping slightly. “I… I’m not sure I can.”

“Must give them proof. Do not harm, but let them feel. Astral can help.”

“Hah. Told you!” Undyne grinned.

“I still don’t--” Tasha stammered. “I’m not sure if I can--”

“Can. See it inside,” they said firmly. “Just need help. No shame. Nothing survives without help, yes? Safety together?”

Tasha slowly nodded.

“Then tread lightly.”

They began to slowly fade away, but before they did...

“And child of sky?”

Tasha glanced at them curiously. “Yes?”

“No matter what happens, you will persevere.”

There was a flash of light, and Tasha found herself back in the real world. She immediately gasped for breath, feeling like she had been holding it forever.

“Not bad for a first Encounter,” Undyne said, slapping her on the back. “Come on, let’s get to the bridge.”

“Wait!” Tasha said. “How am I supposed to--?”

“Remember when I said siphoning magic is the hard part?” Undyne smiled. “Leave that to me.”

“Tasha?!” Picard gasped, his eyes widening at the sight of his Chief of Security. A second ago, she had stormed onto the bridge, Sergeant Undyne in tow. Yet something was wrong: her eyes were glowing blue - like a mage who had siphoned a lot of magic. Yet she wasn’t a mage… was she?

He wasn’t the only one to take notice, however. The creatures were now staring at her intently.

Tasha didn’t respond - at least not with words. Instead, she held her hands outwards as if she was gripping a sphere, concentrating intently. It was then Picard noticed blue swirls of energy emanating from Undyne and into her.

“Alright, I’m giving you all the mana I can!” the aquatic warrior said. “Just remember what I told you. Think stormy thoughts!”

“Right, stormy thoughts!” Tasha nodded.

And to the surprise of all, it wasn’t long before a dark, blue miniature cloud began to form between her hands.

“You’re doin’ it!” Undyne cheered. "Keep going! Make it bigger!"

“Going for it!” she said excitedly. “You know, I always thought I’d just be using it to zap people, but this is much better!”

“Yeah, yeah, cut the philosophizing and concentrate!” Undyne barked.

“Right, gotcha.”

They now had the creatures on the bridge's full attention. Slowly but surely they approached Tasha. The cloud between her hands grew larger - so large she was having trouble moving her arms wide enough to contain it. One of the creatures seemed to realize this, and, almost as if mimicking what Leia did earlier, held out its own, bony hands.

"What's it doing?" Riker asked.

"I believe it wants to see Tasha's handiwork for itself," Picard said.

"Well, if they want it, they can have it!" Tasha gasped, as if at her limit.

So she passed the cloud to the Latawiec, and the bridge held its breath.

The creature studied it for a moment, then glanced at its kin. As if beckoned, they moved to examine it for themselves.

A moment later, the cloud dissipated in the first creature’s claws, becoming swirls of blue energy. The creatures opened their mouths. And almost as if they had divided it into equal portions, they slurped up three strands of it.

“What, so they wanted a snack this whole time!?” Victor said, exasperated.

“No,” Leia said. “I mean, I guess it was a snack, but I don’t think that’s how they view it.”

“A gift,” Picard nodded.

Seemingly satisfied, and almost as suddenly as they appeared, the three creatures left the bridge. Others began to follow them, and soon, every last creature had disappeared from sight - off to rejoin the storm.

"C-Captain," Deanna stammered, still exasperated by all that had just happened. "I think we sated their curiosity… and concerns."

"Should I bring the engines online?" Jane asked.

"Indeed," Picard said, smiling slightly. "And bring us out of the storm. I don't think they'll follow us again." He turned to an exhausted Tasha, his smile still standing. "I’m sure this will be an interesting debriefing later, Lieutenant Yar."

"Yes, sir," she grinned.

Captain's Log, SFD 57.1932

Two times now I’ve expected our missions to be uneventful, and two times I was wrong. I’m starting to see a pattern forming. Normally I’d be dreading such a realization, but as with the incident with the Thestrals, my crew has performed far above my expectations. It may be arrogant for me to presume, but with their unique skillsets and varied backgrounds, I’m starting to wonder if there’s any task they can’t handle.

All that aside, the Enterprise has cleared the storm and its Latawiec inhabitants, their name verified through texts given to us by King Asgore. While formal relations with them were not established, at least we now know the means by which the Arcturian Sea’s ‘intelligent storms’ operate. I am going to recommend to Skyfleet that any vessels entering the area have at least one Vila or part Vila crew member aboard, as well as an Astral, if possible. Hopefully this will help mitigate the risk.

Just like with the Thestrals, perhaps one day stronger relations will be possible. For now, however, our journey continues, once again over still waters. For my crew, the opportunity has come again for a well-earned chance to enjoy themselves…

Whether through games...

In Ten-Forward, late into the evening, Victor, Geordi, Alphonse and a few others sat around a large, round poker table. Everyone had folded save for Alphonse and Geordi. The latter had just put down straight, smirking Alphonse’s way. In return, the young alchemist nervously showed his own hand:

A Royal Flush.

The table erupted into cheers, Victor giving him a friendly pat on the back.

Through spending time with friends…

A good twenty or so crewmembers sat in the auditorium, now working as a makeshift theater. In the front row, Undyne, Alphys, Riker, and Tasha sat together, the latter hugging the former tightly as a vampiric character showed his fangs on screen. Tasha smiled warmly at the sight, earning an appreciative nod from Undyne.

Pursuing passions…

In Sunset Shimmer’s office, her and Princess Luna continued to ponder over the Gallifreyan artifact.

Or simply spending time with family…

In the ‘Jedi Temple’, Ahsoka, Ben, and Leia sat cross-legged, meditating to the pulse of the Force. All were unusually close to one another.

… It is good for them to do so now. For we cannot predict when we will be confronting the unknown once--

Picard winced. The two-way intercom phone at his desk had suddenly begun to ring, drawing his concentration away from his logbook.. Regaining his composure, he quickly picked it up.

“Yes?” he asked.

“Sorry to bother you, captain,” Charlie said. “But we’re being hailed by the Federation Cargo Ship Mustang.”

“A cargo ship?” Picard blinked. “What in the world are they doing out this far? Don’t they know how risky it is?”

“They say they were sent here by President Missy Who herself,” Charlie said. “And they’ve got important goodies for us!”

Picard sighed. “Thank you, ensign. I’ll be there shortly.”

He hung up the phone, a pensive look on him. ‘The president,’ he thought, thinking about the eccentric leader of the Federation. While Picard had no idea what specifically she may want, one thing was always certain with her:

’The waters are restless again.’

Stone and Light

Chapter Image

"I'm sorry for being so cold to you," Sunset said to Luna. "I thought you were here for… other reasons than a friendly visit."

Princess Luna furrowed her brow in concern. "I assure you that I have no other intentions." She then glanced away from Sunset. "The incident with the Thestrals brought back many old memories. Including of…"

"Your sister?" Sunset asked.

She winced, before gradually giving Sunset a sad smile. "Yes."

Sunset sighed. "I understand. Truth be told, I miss her, too."

"She really did speak highly of you," Luna said. "She once said you were a genius when it came to 'gears and mana'."

"I'm… still kind of surprised about that," Sunset admitted.

"Oh?"

Sunset closed her eyes, a look of regret washing over her. "We weren't on the best of terms when I left for the Terran Continent. We were barely even talking to each other. Honestly, me doing the exchange program was more out of spite than curiosity."

"Spite?" Luna said, more curiosity in her tone than anything. "But why?"

"Long story short, I… felt like she was holding me back when it came to magic," Sunset said. "I guess I can't blame her. I was kind of a hothead back then - still am, in fact - and I guess she thought I'd lose control if I learned the higher tiers."

To Sunset's surprise, Luna actually chuckled. "Hothead, hm? You understand who you're talking to, yes?"

Sunset blinked, then returned the chuckle. "You know, she talked a lot about you, too, before you came back. When Aura was high at night, she'd take me out on her balcony and tell story after story.”

Luna swallowed hard, then took a deep breath. "I know." She then closed her eyes. "And right when I was getting to know her again after all those years, we were parted yet again. I suppose fate would have us remain separated across time and space." There were almost tears in her eyes as she continued with: "But it isn't unusual, yes? Many siblings grow up together - their bond stronger than steel - only for life to find ways of moving them apart. Perhaps I should just be grateful for the time we had, but..."

Sunset hesitated for a second, before finally saying: "Can I ask you something about that?"

Luna paused for a second, then nodded.

"What happened?" Sunset asked. "And I mean what really happened? Not the BS the media is saying. There is no way she just 'disappeared' one night. I know they suspected foul play, too, because they accused me of having something to do with it."

"You?" Luna said, taken aback. "W-Why?"

"Because of that stupid article I submitted to the Londinium Times," Sunset said.

"Article?" Luna said. "What article?"

"Princess Celestia: Enlightened Monarch or Selfish Despot, " Sunset quoted bitterly. "I wrote it when I found out Celestia had taken another student. While - and no offense - I’ve become pretty pro-democracy, with that article… I just wasn't thinking straight… all I wanted was to lash out at her. So I took every bad thing I could think about her rule and put it on paper. Didn’t even give a thought to all the good she did over the years."

"She… never mentioned this," Luna said.

Sunset glanced downward. “Then she must have been furious.”

"I wouldn't be so certain," Luna countered. “When she did something like that, it usually meant she wanted to put it behind her. Perhaps it did affect her for a time, but I don't believe she held it against you."

"Doesn't matter," Sunset said. "I hold it against myself." She then shook her head, a flood of baffling memories coming to her. "And so did 'Skyfleet Intelligence'."

Luna blinked. "What do you mean by 'Skyfleet Intelligence'."

"That's what he called himself." Sunset narrowed her eyes. "But I'm not sure he was.”

Gears whirled and pistons spewed steam in the Enterprise's engineering bay. At the rear of it, a transparent cylinder twirled rapidly, a twister of blue energy streaming from one end to the other within it. The latter end was attached to the mana drive, and the other nothing at all. Instead, a massive blue crystal stood before it - the origin of the magical energy being funneled into the drive.

Next to it was a large command console. Among its many dials and levers was a small note:

‘DO NOT TOUCH THE CRYSTAL WHEN ACTIVE!’ - Dr. McKay

Despite the spectacular sight, Chief Engineer Geordi LaForge and Lead Alchemist Alphonse Elric were concentrating on a smaller matter: a gear-like object and a plain sheet of metal sitting next to it on the grated floor.

"Alright, Geordi," Alphonse said, taking a deep breath. "Here goes nothing."

He clapped his hands, then reached down to the metal sheet. There was a flash of light, and the metal sheet was no more: in its place a duplicate of the gear next to it.

"Hot damn," Geordi laughed, clearly impressed as he inspected the work. "And that is why it's good to have an alchemist aboard." He gazed at him curiously. "Though don't you guys usually have to draw a - what are they called? - Transmutation Circle to do that?"

"Usually we do," Al said. "Though with me… that would take some explaining."

"No worries," Geordi said. "I was just curious, really. Either way, thanks for this."

"No need to thank me," the alchemist said politely. "It was nothing."

"Nothing?" Geordi said, smirking. "Do you know how hard it'll be to get spare parts when we're going to be so far from home all the time?"

"Hard?" Al answered, already knowing the answer.

"You better believe it," Geordi said. "Skyfleet's usually good about keeping us stocked, but in this case… well, even the wildest captains would have second thoughts about running a supply ship to the edge of the known world."

"I'd be happy to help any time you need me," Al said.

Geordi gave him a wide smile. "You're going to make plenty of friends back here with that attitude."

Alphonse nearly blushed at that. Alchemists were certainly respected in his home nation of Amestris, but given their commonality, they didn't strike wonder into people the way they did elsewhere. "Do you need anything else made?"

"No, I've seen enough to know you've got us covered. Don't want to waste your time," Geordi said. "I've got some PM to do for now, but hey, a bunch of us are playing poker later if you want in."

"Poker?" Al blinked.

"Colonial Union card game," Geordi said. "Catching on like wildfire through the Federation. Don't worry, we always get a few newbies. You won't be walking into it blind."

"Oh, I don't know," Al said. "Never been too good at that sort of thing."

"Hey, no worries," Geordi said casually. "Buuuut we'll be in Ten-Forward at 2000 hours if you change your mind."

"Maybe if I feel brave enough," Al joked, earning a chuckle from Geordi. "I'll see you later!"

"Take care, Al, and thanks again."

At that, Al made his way up a series of lifts, over high hanging catwalks, and through a final corridor, before finally finding himself out of the engineering section …

… And face to face with Victor Stone.

While he was wary of the half-golem for a split-second, the apologetic look on his human half quickly made his intentions apparent.

“Oh hey!” Victor said, sheepishly putting a hand behind his head. “Your brother said you might be here.”

“You were looking for me?” Alphonse blinked.

“Yup,” Victor nodded. “You up for some grub?”

Alphonse paused for another second, before smiling wide.

While the Enterprise’s cafeteria was the main place to go for a quick bite, Ten Forward was where the crew dined in style. It was composed of homely, rustic wood and located near the front of the vessel. This allowed its various table-adorned alcoves hanging off it offered beautiful views of the sky and sea ahead.

And It was in one of these that Victor and Alphonse now sat, Alphonse downing a cup of tea and Victor 'golem juice': a glowing blue, mineral rich magical elixir.

“So wait, you thought I wanted to study you?” Alphonse chuckled.

“Yeah,” Victor admitted. “Like a new science project or something like that.”

“Can’t say I blame you,” Alphonse said. “A lot of alchemists are more curious than for their own good.” He took a deep breath. “Believe me, I’ve seen a lot of that. Could tell you a few horror stories, even. It's given me a lot of mixed feelings about the practice over the years."

“Your brother told me about your condition,” Victor said.

Al raised his eyebrows. "Really? I mean, I don't mind that much, but he's usually so protective."

"He was at first," Victor said. "But once I told him why I wanted to find you…"

"Ah, now that sounds more like him." Al closed his eyes. “Yeah. It was a pretty strange childhood to say the least. Don’t get me wrong - I don’t blame my brother for it at all. If I wasn’t put in that suit of armor, I wouldn’t be here right now. Still…”

“I feel you there,” Victor said.

“That’s kind of why I wanted to reach out to you,” Al said. “I saw the way you were looking at your hand. Let’s just say I knew it all too well.”

“Been like this for nearly fifteen years now,” Victor said. “You’d think I’d have gotten used to it…”

“You never will… not completely,” Al said. “But as time goes on…”

“Doesn't heal scars, but it can heal wounds?”

“Something like that,” Al smiled.

“You think I’ll ever be able to cure the biggest one?” Victor asked.

Al sat back in his chair, a slightly remorseful look on him. “I’m… not sure.”

“You got your body back, though,” Victor pointed out.

“My body was taken from me as punishment, I suppose you could say,” Alphonse said. “And only given back when my brother gave penance.”

“While mine… mine was taken by accident,” Victor sighed. “Pretty much ripped to pieces.”

“I wouldn’t say it’s completely out of the question,” Al admitted. “Nothing really is, these days. But I don’t want to get your hopes up.”

“Nikolai said pretty much the same thing,” Victor said.

“Nikolai… Tekla, right?” Al asked.

“The Colonial Union's… well, probably the Federation now’s top alchemist, scientist… hell, top everything,” Victor said. “Only thing he could never learn was how to play soccer.”

“Wait, what?” Al said, blinking rapidly. “When did he play soccer?”

Victor chuckled. “It was like trying to coax a scared turtle out of its shell, but I got him to try one time.”

“And?”

“ Let's just say he never wanted to try again,” Victor smirked.

“That’s one for the biography,” Al laughed. “So did you play a lot of it?”

“It’s what got me the scholarship to UAE,” Victor smiled. “Originally I was on the road to play professionally, but Dr. Tekla… well, guess he coaxed a different side out of me. Went into electronics instead." His voice turned slightly bitter. "Sure made my dad happy..”

Al paused for a second, as if debating with himself over something. “My apologies if I’m prying too much, but… do you blame him at all for what happened?”

"Nikolai? No,” Victor said immediately. “No, it wasn’t his fault. That was... “ He winced. “Well, I’d like to say it was the ghosts of the Great War, but…”

“That’s alright,” Al said. “You don’t have to--”

“It’s good, man,” Victor said. “But no. Despite the rumors about Dr. Tekla being a mad scientist and all that BS, the only person he usually put at risk was himself. Can’t say the same for my father. He’s pretty much the reason why the Federation banned teleportation, portal, all those types of experiments. He would have gone to jail if not for...”

The half-golem drew silent, glancing away from Al, who seemed to not know what to say.

“But hey, at least I got to be part of the Titans cus of all that jazz,” Victor continued. “Was it worth it? Dunno. But it was a hell of a ride.”

“And now here you are on the Enterprise for a second one,” Al said, giving a light smile.

“Heh, so far, it hasn’t been too crazy,” Victor said. “But--”

“Ensign Stone to the Bridge. Ensign Stone to the Bridge, ” the intercom suddenly blurted.

“Damn,” Victor grumbled. “There I go jinxing myself. Wonder what they want?”

Al gestured towards one of the windows. “Maybe something to do with that?”

Victor’s human eye widened. In the distance, an unnaturally large rolling mass of black storm clouds inched towards the Enterprise, flashes of lightning blaring from them. “Hooo boy. I’m in trouble.”

A few tables nearby, Leia noted Victor's sudden departure with a raised eyebrow. "Wonder where he's off to in such a hurry?"

"The bridge is a busy place from what I hear," Ben noted, unenthusiastically taking another bite of his specially made Jogan Fruit Tart.

"It can be," Leia said. "Luckily, I'm not needed at the moment. Diplomats aren't much help when you're just charting the waves."

"Still, I'm sure you have paperwork and stuff to catch up on, don't you?" Ben said, his tone indicative of a suggestion rather than a question.

"I do, but it can wait," Leia said patiently. "So, how are you liking the Enterprise so far?"

"It's fine," Ben said nonchalantly.

"No sky sickness or anything?" Leia asked. "I know skyships aren't as bad as airships, but it can still creep up on you."

"Nope, I'm good."

Leia resisted sighing, trying to think of something else to talk about. To say the following bout of silence was awkward would be an understatement.

Finally, it was Ben that broke it.

“Mom, this is nice and all, but I know how into your work you are,” Ben said, annoyance now clearly in his voice. “We don’t have to spend time together if you don’t want to.”

Leia frowned. “Who said I didn’t want to? We could all use a break from time to time.”

Ben eyed him suspiciously. “Is that what this is about? Did Ahsoka tell you I’m not at ‘100% chill’?”

“What do you mean?" Leia asked. “I haven't talked with Ahsoka recently. Just thought we’d make up for a little lost time.”

“Uh huh,” Ben said.

Leia paused, debating for a second whether or not she should press the topic. “Though… is everything going okay with Jedi training?"

With that, Ben angrily stood up, a look of spite on his face. “I knew it.”

“Knew what?”

“That this was what this is about,” Ben grumbled. “It’s all you and dad want, after all. That I become a great jedi knight." With that, he turned and began to make his way out of Ten-Forward. "Whelp, better get back to it, then."

"Ben, wait!" Leia called, following him into the nearby corridor. “That’s not true and you know it.”

“Oh yeah?” Ben snapped, twirling about. “If it’s not, how come you didn't even bat an eye when Uncle Like came knocking? 'Hey, your kid has the Force. Want me to take him off your hands-- I MEAN send him to my school? I promise it’s not gonna be a creepy cult this time!’ 'Of course! we already packed his bags.'" He paused a tick. "Don’t get me wrong, I think Uncle Luke is doing the best he can, but it's like you had everything planned for me. Did you even once think I might want to do something else with my life?”

She sat a hand on his shoulder, putting on the softest tone she could muster. “Ben, I’m sure Luke has explained how important it is for you to learn to control your powers.”

“Right, like you did?” Ben said snidely, ripping the hand off it.

“By the time I learned what I was, it was too late for me to start training,” Leia said.

“Uncle Luke learned,” Ben shot back. “What was he? Like, late 20s when he trained with Master Yoda?”

“And he's very fortunate he did,” Leia said softly. “Just like you will be.”

“Uh huh,” Ben growled, turning away from her completely now. “Must have been convenient for you and paps - a free spirit and a busy diplomat - to find out you could just shoot me off to the middle of nowhere.”

“Ben…” Leia said, a hint of tears forming in her eyes. “Is… that why you’ve been avoiding me? Because you think I didn’t want you?”

“I’m sure you did want me,” Ben said. “Til you found out that it wasn’t all fun and games. Then, when you realized just how much time a kid takes from you, you did everything you could to get back to basics. Hell, even now, you probably did all you could to keep me off this ship!"

“No, not at all!” Leia said, feeling as if she had just taken a stun blast. “The opposite!”

“Yeah, that’s what I--” He paused, twirling about. His eyes searched his mother for lies. “Wait… wait what?”

“I don’t regret sending you off for training,” Leia gulped, her voice calming. “Your father fought against it even harder than he fought against the Empire, but I knew that if you didn’t, you would regret it down the line.” She then raised a finger. “However, if there’s one thing I do regret… it’s not being able to be there more for you.”

“Then why didn’t you visit more often?” Ben asked, folding his arms.

“I should have,” Leia said. “But with the New Republic joining the Federation…”

“Always with the excuses,” Ben grumbled.

“You’re right, and they’re bad ones,” Leia said. “Which is why I wanted to make it up to you. Luke told me how much you wanted to go out and explore the world. So I thought… maybe we could do it together. I might not be able to go to the Jedi Academy too often, but maybe I could bring a piece of it to me. So I pulled a few strings, asked Ahsoka nicely, and here we are - together, like it should be.”

“I…” Ben said, glancing about for some reason. “I don't know what to say. I think I just… maybe I need some time alone.”

“Take all the time you need,” Leia said.

“Doesn’t mean I forgive you,” Ben said, lifting a finger. “Just that I’ll have to… think about forgiving you.”

With that, he turned and walked silently away, leaving a reeling Leia staring at his back.

“Yes!” Undyne shouted triumphantly. “This is perfect! Soon we will be ONE WITH THE STORM!”

As if to punctuate her pronouncement, a brilliant bolt of lightning ripped from the rolling clouds in the distance.

“One with the storm! One with the storm!” Undyne chanted, giving a toothy grin.

Tasha glanced ahead worriedly. The two of them stood at the bow of the ship, In particular, under her primary tri-cannon turret, their massive forms casting a shadow over them. With the wind blowing through their uniforms, it would have looked quite dramatic if anyone was around to see it.

“As Chief of Security, I really should be escorting myself out of here, you know,” Tasha said. “It isn’t exactly safe to be here even at cruise speed.”

“Pffft, we’ll be fine. And remember, you’re a part Vila Chief of Security,” Undyne corrected. “Trust me, there’s no better place to unlock your magic than in the middle of a storm."

“Well, I s’pose the Enterprise has lightning rods and all that,” Tasha sighed. “You said I’d be in the source of my magic, though? What does that mean?”

“Alphys explained this to me one time,” Undyne said. “All magical energies - mana, that is - come from somewhere. We Monsters can draw it directly from our SOULs. Some humans like my little punk friend Frisk can draw it from there, too. However, there's a lot of other places to draw from, depending on the type of magic. Am I… am I making any sense?”

“I think so,” Tasha said.

“Nice,” Undyne smiled. “So for someone who can wield elemental magic, where do you think they get their power from?”

“The elements?”

“Friggin’ A Plus,” Undyne cheered. “Alphys says that it’s often the channelling part of it that’s the hardest. The uh, drawing of energy. So the closer and elementalist is to the source, the easier it should be.”

“I still don’t get how you’re so sure I can do this,” Tasha said.

Undyne coughed. “Weeeell…”

“Well what?”

She scratched the back of her head. “I didn’t want to say it earlier cus’ humans can get a little weirded out by it sometimes, but Monsters can sort of… read SOULs.”

Tasha blinked in confusion. “What?”

Undyne chuckled. “Don’t ask me how it works cus I couldn’t tell you, but we can tell a lot about people by doing it. Their magical potential, their LV - level of violence, which usually means how cruel someone is - et cetera.”

“Sounds like reading minds,” Tasha said.

“Sort of,” Undyne said. “Though it goes a little deeper than that.” She then glanced at Tasha hesitantly. “You sound surprisingly cool with this. Are you?”

“Well, it is a little invasive…”

Undyne winced. “I’m sorry. Monsters read each other all the time, but I really do try to keep from peaking around humans too much. Guess I couldn't resist looking at yours to see… Well, let's just say I still sort of have trust issues with humans."

“Honestly?” Tasha said. “With my line of work, I’m not sure if I’d hold back that much. Being able to just… tell whether someone’s a violent psychopath or not would make my job a lot easier. Anyway, my point is I can’t really be that hypocritical about it.” She then smiled slightly. “Besides, I’m not someone who keeps their cards against their chest.”

“Huh?”

“Means I don’t hide who I am too often,” Tasha explained. “For better or worse, what you see is what you get.”

Undyne laughed. “Girl, you’re right about that.”

“Oh?”

“Means I think you have a good SOUL,” Undyne said. “Don’t get me wrong, as much as I hate to admit it, most humans deep down are pretty decent. It’s partially why Alphys and I have been trying to make more non-monster friends. Few are brave enough to show it, though.”

Tasha couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows. “Wish you were there when we were talking to those Thestrals.”

“Hah!” Undyne cackled. “Me? Get captured? Yeah right.”

Tasha rolled her eyes, chuckling. “Okay, Ms. Modesty.”

“If you got it, flaunt it,” Undyne smirked, before gesturing towards the storm once more. “But don’t worry, if you learn sky magic you’ll be able to take down something like a Thestral in no time.”

Tasha smiled slightly. “Well, I guess we should get to it, then.”

“That’s the spirit!” Undyne said, giving her a friendly (though still slightly painful) slap on the back. “Just remember: ONE WITH THE STORM!”