Sky Trek: Over Still Waters

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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."