The 6th Elementby WeAreBorgChaptersEvery 5000 YearsThe Stars Will Aid in its EscapeThere is only one thing that can stop itEvery 5000 YearsA/N This is my first attempt at writing so please comment and tell me what you do or don't like. I can't hope to get better with out you guys. Special thanks to my prereader fl4pj4ck for loving and tolerating the crap out of this story even though he doesn't like ponies. The 6th Element Chapter 1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ a My Little Pony fanfic crossover with The 5th Element by WeAreBorg ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ She was hot and tired; even the trees looked like they were sweating. Despite the fact that she was in the shade, the young filly was miserable in the heat of the dense forest. Dark trees kept reaching for her, scraping their branches across her coat. She had already started panting halfway back to the site, yet a cold shiver ran down her spine as she pressed on. The path she walked was well worn, but traveling through Everfree Forest was not just difficult; it was dangerous. Dangerous and hot! The young unicorn kept her eyes fixed on the path before her for fear of losing it, but her equine instincts kept her safe using her sharp hearing. Each ear would flick about of their own accord attempting to filter the jungle noise from the predatory murmurings her imagination was supplying. The saddle bags she wore kept rubbing at her sides, and she continuously had to readjust them as they slipped on her sweaty fur. It was probably just a trick anyway, who ever heard of a water carrying cutie mark? ‘Maybe you got to do it a few times’ they said, Hah! Well it just wasn’t worth it. She continued to grumble to herself until the path cut loose from the trees. She breathed a deep sigh of relief as her destination came into view. Sweetie Belle shifted her heavy saddle bags once more and started across the fog shrouded bridge that led to the old ruins. On the other side lay a large clearing, pock marked with broken bricks and crumbling ruins, most of which were scarcely more than anything anypony would call a ‘pile.’ Dominating the space in the center was a tall temple. Old runes shown between the vines that clung to every wall. While, out of context, the temple by itself wasn’t very impressive, to a small filly this ancient structure in the middle of this Celestia-forsaken place was something out of her nightmares. She gave a shudder and entered the base camp near the entrance to the temple. The camp was deserted except for some foals by the temple steps. The adults weren't needed for the heavy digging and sifting anymore, not while the Doctor studied. When the other foals caught sight of her they began to cheer and flock to her, hoping to quench their thirst. As Sweetie Belle met them, she pulled two water skins from her saddle bags, hoofed one off to her friend Applebloom, along with a look of malice, and then trotted inside the temple with the other. The unicorn filly made her way uneasily down a long, pillared corridor. Littering the sides were broken artifacts, baskets for hauling debris and bronze mirrors for redirecting the sunlight into the deeper reaches of the structure. Off to the left lay a few rooms and antechambers for Celestia knows what, and to her right was a vast room, shrouded in darkness, filled with columns and the finest architecture from its time. Hieroglyphics covered every surface, and dust and dirt even more so. An old professor stood on a small wooden box, up on his hind legs, in front of the wall across the room, muttering to himself. Dr Hooves was a not-so-well-known archaeologist who’d seen better days. Hoping his discoveries here would reignite his career after his fiasco at his last dig looking for Cyberponies, he had become obsessed with the temple. Joining him on his mission was one of his more promising students, a young mare named Carrot Top. She was reclined on her back, propped between a wall and a pile of gear, a large sketchpad in her hoof and pencil in mouth. A blank stare graced her yellow face as her drawing attempted to drown out the boredom. Behind them sat a young pegasus whose job was to hold one of the bronze mirrors to illuminate the expansive room. Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes, noticing her friend dozing off. In her heightened state of mental awareness, the sleepy pegasus let the mirror slide, shadowing the doctor’s work. Sighing, he brought a forehoof to his face and half turned. “Scootaloo! Light!” Jolted awake, Scootaloo re-aimed the mirror. Also brought from her reverie, Carrot inhaled deeply and muttered, “Scootaloo, light,” under her breath before marking down on a chart entitled “Scootaloo! Light!”: another of many tallies. She left Hoofington for this? Wiping sweat off his muzzle with a foreleg, the Doctor once again lost himself in the hieroglyphics. "When the four stars are in alignment." His hoof traced across the wall, feeling each marking as he interpreted them. "They aid in the escape of... Evil... from a... distant moon... Evil comes... sowing disharmony and darkness... See? The stars, Carrot. They unleash Ultimate Evil and Supreme Darkness... make sure you get the stars!” The Doctor pointed emphatically to the hieroglyph of the stars in their alignment, coming together towards a moon. Sighing, Carrot shifted the pencil to the side of her mouth, “Yes, yes I have your stars.” Barely paying any attention she continued sketching a picture of vegetables, until a thought struck her. “And when are these stars supposed to release this evil moon?” The Doctor’s fingers touched the symbols. “If this is the five and this the ten...” Trailing off he closed his eyes and muttered his calculations. “Every five thousand years.” “So I have time for lunch then,” she said and went back to her sketch. Throughout this exchange, Sweetie Belle stood and listened out of sight near the entrance to the chamber. Still with water bag in mouth she contemplated what would earn her a better cutie mark, being able to read squiggles or fending off evil moons. A thin old hoof fell on her withers causing her to gasp and jump. Turning, she found herself face to face with an ancient priestess in a roughly made brown cloak. Her pale green fur was graying around her muzzle, and her movements were slow and jerky. “Ah, the water,” the old priestess croaked. “Ah will take it to ‘em young un.” Startled but obedient, Sweetie Belle wordlessly gave the water bag to the Priestess. “Go with Celestia,” said the old nag to the filly, shooing her off. “Be safe from Evil.” As soon as she was gone, the priestess took young unicorn’s place near the chamber’s entrance and cast a worried eye to the Doctor, fearful for what they might discover. "Then arrange the Elements of Harmony against the Darkness just so," the Doctor mumbled on, his hoof tracing the lines and pictograms. "Kindness... Laughter... Honesty... Loyalty... Generosity. These elements around the sixth." His hoof fell on the one element that has a pony shape, surrounded by all the others. Panicking, the Priestess opened the water skin and poured a vial of powder into it . “Oh Celestia forgive me... they already know too much,” she whispered to herself. Announcing herself with a cough, the old mare entered the chamber. Carrot dropped her pencil and rose to her hooves as the doctor turned to face the newcomer. Delighted to see her, Carrot clasped the priestess's offered hoof. “Mother Smith, so good to see you.” “Ah, Carrot mah girl.” Ever the visage of old age and trust, Priestess Smith smiled and shook Carrot’s hoof. “Be a dearie and fetch some mugs.” “Mother, I’m so glad to see you, it is the most extraordinary thing: the greatest find in pony history!” exclaimed the Doctor, returning his gaze to the carvings on the wall. “Can you imagine the implications?” “Only too well,” Smith replied, cringing just a touch. She changed the subject. “Here, yall must have a powerful thirst aboutcha.” Feigning a smile, Smith poured the water into mugs that Carrot brought, each of them taking one by the handle. Genuinely thirsty, the Doctor lifted the mug to his lips, but was once again distracted by his soon-to-be-famous discovery. “I mean look,” he said, going back to the wall. “This section, it is like a battle plan.” In his excitement, the mug was forgotten, much to the priestess's chagrin. “Here the Light... Here the Evil... and here-” He pointed to the Six Elements. ”-a weapon against Evil. Amazing! I am going to be famous.” “Then let us toast to yer fame!” brightened Smith, seizing the opportunity. “To fame!” agreed Carrot, hoisting her mug. “To fame! Huzzah!" The Doctor raised his cup once more to his lips but paused, peering into the liquid with a frown. “We cannot toast with water. Carrot! In my sack... the aged cider!” The Priestess watched, disconsolate, as the Doctor tossed away his water. Carrot downed her water first then hurried to find the bottle, taking her sketchpad with her. A deep rumbled passed through the walls of the temple; too low to hear but it could be felt. The Doctor, once again engrossed in the hieroglyphics didn’t notice, but the Priestess, who stared with dissatisfaction into her cup, saw the ripples in the tainted water. Outside, a monstrous sight disturbed the foals’ game, frightening them into a stupor. An ovoid spaceship several times larger than the temple itself descended onto the ruins. The world stopped outside save for the powerful rumbling and blinding flaring from the thrusters. Metallic tendrils peeled away from the ship and caressed the structure of the temple. Its descent came to an end. Had it landed, those watching probably could have fired up their brains to react, but instead it only paused, several yards from the ground. Its alien presence jutted from the canopy of Everfree and made the forest seem tame. The whole forest held its breath; no snakes moved, no birds flew. There was no fight or flight response for this. After what seemed like two eternities, a long protrusion extended itself from the ship, like the tail of a dragonfly that intended to mate with the temple entrance. Waiting for Carrot Top, the Professor continued to scan over the most recent inscription. “This perfect pony... this perfect being... Wielder of the element of...” Doctor Hooves squinted his eyes, unable to recognize the symbol. “Blast! I can’t make it out.” Smith removed herself from the stallion’s side, drawn to the noise. Taking a few steps she stopped as she noticed a shadow crawl across the wall of the corridor. A chill ran through her. “Sweet Celestia. They’re here.” Carrot Top had been looking intently for the cider in the Doctor's bag, going through it several times, running over his maps, books, tools and automatic pistol, but unbeknownst to her, the priestess’ poison was making it hard to concentrate. As she victoriously drew the bottle from the bags, she finally noticed the noise. The mare shook her head, thinking the sound was in her mind. Bag and bottle in hoof, she spun around on her haunches towards the entrance just in time to see the alien craft dock with the temple entrance. Startled, she dropped the bottle, which shattered across the floor, and fell back on her rump, the Doctor’s bag falling in her lap. Carrot’s brain shut down, one hoof in the bag and the other resting on the sketchpad beside her. The dark metal of the ship was old and worn on the part of the ship Carrot could see; she subconsciously picked up her pad and, pencil in mouth, began to sketch. Six dark rings the size of a pony’s head, portholes into the ship’s airlock, formed a five point star on its structure, the sixth being the center. Steam leaked from hidden releases and condensation built up and ran down its surface. With a grinding screech, the docking mechanism crept forward a final time, completely filling the entrance and blocking out the rest of the light. Shadows once again fell across the Doctors work. Closing his eyes, he sucked in air between his teeth. “Scootaloo! Light!” The temple suddenly flooded with light, scattering the darkness, as it poured from the craft’s portholes. “Ah that’s much better, thank you, Scoots.” The young filly stared at her mirror in confusion, no words coming to her as her mind ground gears. Shielding her eyes, the priestess moved forward and looked down the hall. “Mah lords.” She watched as a door disengaged itself in a burst of steam and began to lower like a ramp. Liquid from the steam pooled in the interior of the airlock and ran down the ramp in tiny trickles only to be lapped up by the thirsty, dry stone of the temple. Creatures, deeply silhouetted against the blinding light, lumbered slowly down the ramp, the sound of metal on metal clanking with each of their steps. Carrot pressed herself against the wall, in the shadow of a pillar, crouched, terrified, but sketching away like crazy as the armor clad aliens emerged from the spacecraft. The equines wore huge metal suits that made their movements cumbersome, and each step was slow and deliberate. Their armor was a dark bronze, old and worn much like the metal of the ship. Stripes of a darker grey covered the creatures, creating a sort of camouflage from head to hoof. Small blue lights graced each of their legs and cast strange illusions on the floor as they walked. Carrot sketched the multiple antennas protruding from their withers, but stopped when she got her first good look at their heads. Vents and tubes ran from muzzle to jaw, and ornate ridges framed the giant blue domes that covered their eyes. Paused in her sketching, Carrot wiped her forehead and began to blink rapidly, feeling the effects of the priestess's potion. Giving the glyphs a final tap with his hoof, the Doctor dropped back down to all fours, saying, “This is the most unbelievable thing I have ever seen.” Turning, the Doctor was stunned speechless to find himself face to face with three of the striped alien equines. Their strange heads moved mechanically, taking in the pony before them. A few others slowly filled in behind them, their massive suits making them walk at a grueling pace. “Uh, um? Are you cyberponies?” mumbled the Doctor, barely able to keep his mind firing on all cylinders. The thing before him gave him a confused look, which is quite a feat inside a suit, before shaking its head. “Zebra Master,” Priestess Smith cried, seizing the opportunity to explain, “he was fixin’ ta discover ever’thin’, but Ah had the situation under control. Ah was gonna wipe their memories!” Her worried eyes scanned his non existent features hoping for a sign she had not failed. The Zebra’s commander shuffled to face Smith. “Priestess mare, you’ve done your work well, And those before you, you’ve all been swell. But war is coming, soon, to this place, And here the elements are not safe.” Turning back to the wall, the commander took a moment to scan its features. Finding what he sought, he raised a forehoof to the the wall and a key extended from it, on the end of which stood five intricate flanges, forming a star. Slowly he placed it into a crack that fit the key’s shape, and no sooner had it entered then the wall split along the keyhole. Doors several hooves thick slid and scraped along sand covered mechanisms. As their loud, grinding progress revealed a long, hidden hallway, the Doctor stared dumbfounded. “This-” He gestured with a hoof, “-is really amazing.” Remembering the professor, the commander nodded to one of his ponies. Understanding the command, the Zebra took a step towards the Doctor and blasted out a small cloud of sparkling green gas. The Zebra continued to watch the professor as he fell to the ground, and then the group proceeded past his limp form into hallway and the chamber beyond. Filled with shock herself, Priestess Smith stuck close to the commander and followed him inside. As a group they entered the vast chamber, the priestess gasped at beholding the room she’d only heard stories about. Hundreds of pictograms and hieroglyphics decorated the walls, telling a story long forgotten. The vast domed ceiling seemed to emit a bright, unnatural light, and no shadows could be seen upon the ground. Five pillars sat around the edge of the room, aligned as the corners of a pentagon. Atop each was an eight inch stone sphere: the first five Elements of Harmony. In the center of the pillars, a platform rested where a strange, smooth and gray statue stood in the shape of a rearing pony, head and face screaming towards the sky. Not a statue, but a sarcophagus. “The sixth element,” the priestess realized. After taking in the moment, the commander gestured with a sweeping hoof. “Take the stones.” Five Zebras retrieved the five stones, and a sixth presented a case into which they snugly fit. One of the Zebras brushed a hoof against the sarcophagus which glowed briefly with a shimmering iridescence before it lowered to its side and followed the him back to the ship, floating several hooves off the ground. The Commander’s ponies proceeded back to the ship, escorting the stones, their mission nearly complete. They moved past the alcove that hid Carrot Top, who by now, thanks to the priestess's poison, was going out of her mind. Long done caring about their appearance, Carrot was rife with fear and armed with the Doctor’s pistol. The Commander lingered and surveyed the chamber before his departure, while a new fear gripped the old mare. “The elements? How will we do without their magic? How will we protect Equestria?” “We will come back, but not so soon With the elements, to fight the Dark Moon In 300 years, when evil returns here You shall find that we will reappear” Carrot tumbled out of the alcove, a mess of tangled legs, before whirling and pointing the pistol at the bright and empty entrance to the ship. Her eyes dilated painfully in the ship’s bright light. Not seeing any of striped creatures, she got to her hooves and walked uneasily down the corridor towards the main hall. Pointing the pistol around the corner, she shakily entered the chamber and quickly noticed the Doctor. Upon seeing his prone form, Carrot stumbled over to the professor and shook his leg. “Doctor Hooves!” Shaking the professor, she received no response. She spotted one of the creatures out of the corner of her eye, and then rose up on her hind legs to aim her pistol, blinking her eyes to focus. “Stop...uh...don’t move!” Surprised, Smith moved to shield the Commander. How could she have forgotten about the orange maned mare? “I... uh... have a gun!” The aforementioned orange maned mare dropped back down to four legs, clearly unstable. With great difficulty, she got back up on her hind hooves and steadied the weapon, looking wildly to each side for more attackers. Slowly the priestess began to approach the crazed mare. “Carrot, young un’! Please understand! They are our friends!” Carrot wiped her face, so very delirious. “Our friends?” She waved the gun wildly. “They... they’ve killed the doctor... they’re mo - monsters!” The priestess walked closer to Carrot. “No Carrot, he’s just asleep,” she pleaded. “Ah can explain this. Look at me!” Carrot began to back up, unsteady on just two hooves. “No... oh no, not you too mother. I -” “Look at me!” Smith gestured emphatically, “Carrot, look at me! Please! Ah am your friend.” She dropped her hooves and began to carefully approach the mare. “Carrot, sweetie, jus’ put... the gun... down. Down. Jus’ let me explain!” “No, I...” Losing her balance, Carrot stumbled backwards and tripped on the gear behind her, causing the gun to go off in her hooves. “No!” Smith yelled as she threw herself to take the bullets, but her old bones could not move fast enough and she succeeded only in crashing to the ground. Bullets flew everywhere, somehow missing the stumbling priestess, but several rounds danced across the armor clad Commander. With an alien cry he dropped to his front knees, shaking his head wildly. Before he recovered, Smith watched in horror as the doors began to close. “Hurry master! The wall is closin!” she cried as she recovered and hurried past the doors. Encumbered by his heavy suit, he could only move so fast, but there was time enough for one last thing. “Listen to me closely, for here is your mission now. Pass the knowledge on, to this you must vow.” “Yes, yes! I will,” Smith begged. “There is still time! You must hurry!” The Commander was just a pony’s length away. “Time is of no importance, this you must see. Our mission is to protect life and harmony.” He raised a hoof forward, and again the key came forth. The priestess cringed and looked away as the Commander’s hoof was crushed in the door, trapping him on the other side. The key hung from the barely visible tip crushed hoof; the final unsaid request of the Commander was that it should be taken and guarded. Following unknown orders, the ship’s engines hummed back to life, the docking platform closing and receding quickly as one. The tendrils hugging the temple withdrew and the deep thumping became an audible roar. Shielding her eyes from the blinding thrusters, the priestess emerged from the ruins, key in mouth. “Ah will fulfill my mission!” she shouted over the din as she raised the key with her hoof. “You can count on me! Ah will pass the knowledge on until your return!” With a final blinding flash, the ship shot back into the sky and far out of sight. The whole of the Everfree hung in a state of awe as its own wonder and mystery was dwarfed by the brief visitation. Sitting on her rump, Priestess Smith watched as the craft disappeared through the clouds. An orange-coated pegasus filly came and sat by her side. “That was so cool!” said the filly. *~~~~~~~* 300 Years later... The Stars Will Aid in its EscapeThe 6th Element Chapter 2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ a My Little Pony fanfic crossover with The 5th Element by WeAreBorg ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Sir, the star has joined the others in orbit around a central point, but sensors detect nothing there. Shall we continue to follow it?” “How far away is the center, captain?” The proud general overlooked the starship’s bridge. Helmsmen and technicians lined the room; consoles reported a never ending flow of data. The captain checked the read out and listened to a confirmation in his earpiece. “Roughly 150 million kilometers.” “Take us in.” The massive battle cruiser, property of the Federation, adjusted its course and flew towards the center of the freak astronomical phenomenon at sub-light speed. The ship was the size of a small city, and it looked like one with its lights glowing in the dead of space. The starship was an older build, not as sleek as its newer cousins, but intimidating in its function-over-form design and sharp angles. She was battle hardened; light from the rogue stars revealed many scorch marks and shiny new metal, the result of past battles and subsequent repairs. The ship’s commanding general fit it perfectly: blunt, thorough, and battle hardened. The vessel was a sizable reminder of the might of the Federated Territories. As it hurried toward its objective, sensors and screens outputted data on the four orbiting stars. “The scientists are losing their heads over this, sir. It defies everything we know.” General Stardare stood, unfazed. The image of three gold planets that graced his flank reflected the odd light the multiple stars cast through the viewport. “I know a great deal, captain.” Dozens of technicians, helmsmen, officers and other crew sat scattered across the ship’s bridge. Again with form-over-function, the bridge was divided into easily recognizable sections. Here ponies of all types were one with the ship and operated at a practiced state of efficiency. Battle hardened they were. In no time at all the cruiser reached its objective. “General, we’re stopping just within full combat range.” “Readings?” “None yet, sir.” “Don't you have anything? Even a temperature?” “The thermo-analyzers have jammed. One reads over a million degrees, another's at absolute zero." “Is it a black hole?” The captain put a hoof to his earpiece. “Negative sir. The gravity analyzers are having trouble with four stars in such close proximity, but no mass has been detected at the center.” “Then how come what ever is not there is blocking out the stars behind it?” said general, turning his head towards his subordinate. Sure enough, a void scarred the otherwise pristine star field visible on the screens. One of the many ponies at the consoles spoke up, “Something is taking shape.” The void, blacker than space itself, suddenly exploded outward. A rolling dark cloud billowed forth from nothing, filled with lightning and odd glows. The cloud continued to boil and rotate as the four stars dimmed, no longer bright enough to cast shadows on the ship’s bridge and compete with its internal lighting. Another technician spoke, “Total radiated energy from the stars has decreased to twenty percent.” “What’s the light-time to target?” “Light from the stars is at a 6 min delay,” answered the technician. Without warning each star erupted in light as four beams emanated from the stars and struck the dark cloud. A blinding flash swept across the strange solar system and radiation raked across the ship’s shields. The deck’s screens went offline. Barely shaken from the blast, Stardare followed his training. “Damage report.” “Forward secondary sensor arrays are offline. No other reports. Shields at eighty nine percent,” repeated the captian from his earpiece. “Status of the object?” “The clouds have condensed to a volcanic planetoid.” “Stars have resumed previous energy outputs,” announced one of the crew. “Shield replenishment at phase 2.” The captain faced the general knowing another order was incoming. “Get that screen back online and aim the sub-space telescopes at those stars. I want a warning next time.” On the general’s word the main screen came back online to show that indeed the clouds were gone, revealing a moon. Large volcanic ejections called attention to its angry, writhing surface Rock islands the size of cities floated its magma oceans, and remnants of the black clouds twisted around its poles. “Sir, the planetoid has started to increase in diameter,” said the captain, not believing what he was hearing in his earpiece. General Stardare remained calm. “Send out a probe.” *~~~~~~~~* President Mare, a middle aged, latte colored earth pony with a mother-of-pearl mane and tail, strode into the Situation room. She wasn’t the President of the United Federation for nothing; she could smell the the tension in the air. There was a crisis ahoof. Her bodyguards and aids took their places around her, and her closest military advisors conferred a pony’s length away, the griffon among them hovering closest. As she seated herself at the elevated desk, she took stock of the transformed room. Where normally the chamber was a quiet, unsprung trap of military leaders and alien delegates, today it was alive with scientists and analysts giving voice to the strange happenings trillions of miles away. One of the many analysts gave her an update, “Sub-space transceiver connected; full signal in 30 seconds.” The President’s eyes glanced briefly at the opposite end of the hall then moved on. Seated there were experts of ‘a different sort.’ While they rarely served as members of the council and never as part of a president's cabinet, their unique perspective outside of politics and science on occasion, rare occasions, was useful. President Mare however, hadn’t needed such advice yet. To her things were cut and dry, even if the means to the end were not. Unfortunately the building situation was unprecedented, and campaigning season was just around the corner. Among these experts sat a small yellow pegasus with a pink mane and tail. She glanced around nervously at all the strange ponies, desperately wanting to be somewhere else. Her wings twitched nervously at her side as she hid behind her mane, trying to look as small as possible. She gave a startled ‘eep’ and shied away when somepony touched her side. Casting a wary glance over to her shoulder, Fluttershy relaxed just a bit upon recognizing a familiar face. “Oh uh... I - I saved this seat for you, mother,” she mumbled as she vacated the seat. “That is, if you want it.” Drawing her cloak closer about her, a priestess wordlessly took the proffered seat. Millions of miles away, through a subspace wormhole, a connection was made. “We get signal,” said the ship’s communications officer. The captain once again put a hoof to his earpiece. “President on line sir.” “Stardare, do you read me?” The connection from Equestria was tainted with a hint of static. “I can hear you, Mrs. President.” “General, I need to know why the sun of one of our mining colonies just up and left. Stars just don’t leave their solar systems, especially of their own accord. I have to address the Supreme Council in 15 minutes. Tell me as much as you can.” “We found no trace of intelligent intervention or any outside forces propelling the star. We also detected no one following it to its destination.” President Mare raised an eyebrow. “Destination?” “Yes ma’am. The star has fallen into orbit along with three others in close proximity. They appeared to be orbiting nothing until extreme solar activity catalyzed the formation of a small planetoid.” “Anything special about it?” “There are no results from the chemical and molecular analysis as of yet, all the calibers are overshot. We're hoping thermonucleic imaging-” “So what you're trying to say,” she said, rubbing her forehead with a hoof, “is you don't know what this thing is.” Consternation flooded the Situation Room. “Not yet,” said the general as he glared at the volcanic moon. “The only thing we know is that it just keeps getting bigger.” Already sensing the answer, the cream coated mare asked anyway. “Recommendation?” “My philosophy, Mrs. President, is shoot first, ask questions later. I don't like star-stealing uninvited guests.” President Mare put a hoof to her lips in thought and glanced to her military advisors, who each nodded vigorously. “All right, then. Stardare?” “Mrs. President?” A raised hoof caught the President’s eye as its owner rose to her hooves. The room’s attention turned towards the small group of special experts. An automated voice announced the advisor, “Priestess Applejack. Expert in astro phenomenon.” “Yes?” The chestnut colored mare once again drew her cloak about her, a serious tone set in her features. “Ah hav’a different theory to offer ya.” Leaning forward, an aid reminded the President of her time frame, who, nodding in understanding, focused back on the priestess. “You have twenty seconds.” Applejack glanced behind her to see if her acolyte would back her up, but the shy pegasus was too busy hiding behind a very confused looking stallion sitting next to her. Rolling her eyes, the priestess continued, “Imagine if ya will that this... thing is not anythin’ that can be iden’ified ‘cause it prefers not ta be. Wherever there is light it brings night eternal. Wherever there is harmony, it brings discord. Wherever there is life... it brings death,” she swallowed, “because it evil. The darkest evil.” “One more reason to shoot first, I think.” “Evil begets evil, Mrs. President.” Applejack’s expression softened just a bit. It reflected in her tone, “Shootin’ will only make it stronger.” Back on the ship, a technician reported on the probe, “Probe will attain its objective in five seconds.” As the probe splashed into a lava field, the edges of the planetoid darkened and seem to blur into the stars around it. “Receiving probe data,” a voice called out. “We have a bad signal; data is unreadable.” The voice’s owner slammed a hoof on a console a few times. “Probe connection lost.” The President locked eyes with the priestess who in turn raised her eyebrows. A scientist in the situation room sounded an alert. “The moon’s growth rate is 23% a minute.” “Your theory is interesting, Mother, but we don’t have time to get into that now.” “Time is of no importance, Mrs. President," she said as she moved closer. “Only life and harmony.” Exasperation found hold in the President. “You’re correct, and that's exactly what we are going to do: protect the lives of some 200 billion of our fellow ponies! General? You may fire when ready.” Stardare turned to the captain and barked, “Give me an up front loading trifecta of 130 ZRF missiles. Marker lights on the objective. Forward shield diversion.” Shouting across the deck, the captain relayed the orders, “Give me tubes 1, 4 and 5. Board the front door!” A cacophony of voices flew about the deck as crewponies confirmed and reported on their orders. “Three tubes hot!” “Objective painted.” “Forward shields at 130%, phase 1. Cold and ready.” Outside, the moon’s volcanic surface cooled and solidified to a black obsidian sheen. It would have appeared invisible, with its eerie reflection of the starry sky, if it weren't for the perfect mirror image of the starship now present upon its surface. A scientist close to the president read the ship’s sensor data. “The planetoid’s surface has just solidified. Growth rate at 0%.” He continued in dawning realization, “It appears to be anticipating the attack. Anticipation denotes... intelligence.” Applejack closed the distance to the President’s desk, saying, “Tha’ most terrible intelligence imaginable, Mrs. President.” Without looking at the priestess, the president contemplated the military advisors in the room and began to rub her forehooves together. She noted the resolved looks on their faces, especially that of the griffon. “The missiles are loaded, Mrs. President,” reported Stardare. “Finger on the trigger.” “Stardare,” President Mare locked eyes with Applejack, uneasiness in her voice, “I have a doubt.” “I don't, Mrs. President.” Three missiles let loose from the ship, their paths tracing a perfect line for a precision hit. The projectiles slammed into the dark planet, shattering its black mirror facade. A huge spiderweb of cracks traveled across the planet’s surface, revealing the molten core within. Gases and lava erupted from the faults. The ponies on the bridge watched in surprise when the cracks widened and the planet grew in size then solidified over, becoming once more a haunting cosmic mirror. “Um...” A rare feeling of fear filled the General. “Load a series of 740s. All forward batteries.” “Yes, sir.” The captain called across the deck, “740s. Light every candle.” “Stardare?” called President Mare across the connection, “What's going on? Did you destroy it?” “I'm about to, Mrs. President.” A massive second barrage was let loose from the ship. As soon as the missiles hit, the planetoid’s surface shattered like tempered glass. Hundreds of thousands of shards flew into space then dissolved into shadow. The moon, its molten interior now exposed, grew larger still, obsidian melting and reforming in erratic patterns. Back in the Situation Room, alarms indicated a new problem. “The planet's diameter has increased by 200%, and it has started moving toward the ship.” Panicked, President Mare stood, placed her forehooves on the desk, and started to shout, “Stardare! Get out of there! We need to rethink this. Retreat! Stardare, do you hear me?! I don’t want an incident.” “Wha... what do we have tha... that's bigger than 740s?” The general’s voice trembled as he watched the planet approach. Not taking his eyes from his doom, the captain muttered a reply, “Nothing.” This ship was a destroyer of worlds and galactic armadas, but this moon... The occupants of the Situation Room, shocked into silence, could only watch the president as she yelled, “Stardare! Get out of there! That's an order!” Fluttershy hid under her wing, tears streaming down face. Applejack sat down, the color drained from under her coat. Sweat began to show through the general’s fur. He moved his jaw as if to speak but he could only stare, hypnotized, into the shifting black mirrors. The ship’s deck went dark but the screen still played. The crew stared wide eyed, unable to react, pupils tiny pin pricks. Thick trails of blood seeped from under their manes and soaked into their fur as it crawled down their faces. A blackness glazed over Stardare’s eyes. “Sweet... Celestia.” A sickly green inferno erupted from the moon and flew towards the ship. The face of a hellish pony materialized in the flames and opened its mouth to reveal a terrible, fanged maw. It laughed once before devouring the ship. *~~~~~~* Rainbow Dash awoke with a start... There is only one thing that can stop itThe 6th Element Chapter 3 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ a My Little Pony fanfic crossover with The 5th Element by WeAreBorg ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rainbow Dash awoke with a start. The adrenaline from her nightmare pumped through her veins as she breathed heavily. A welcoming, starry sky and serene cloud tops clashed fiercely with the fading memories of her nightmare. Sitting up and glancing to her side, she stared at an over sized digital clock that floated in the night sky next to her: ‘12:59 PM.’ As the minute rolled over the projection began to pulse and bass heavy music began to play. Ripples appeared in sky as the illusion was broken and the stars and clouds vanished into the blank tiled walls of her sleeping enclosure. Her synthetic cloud, her only true luxury, lowered gently to let her out of her cramped sleeping space. She gave a wince as a pang in her wing informed her she had slept on it wrong, which she thought of as weird since she slept on water vapor, or well...something like it anyway. Rubbing her eyes vigorously against the blinding light, she stumbled out of her tiny bed space and into her small, low income apartment. She hated having the lights so bright, but it was the only way to stave off the claustrophobia that most pegasi would get staying in a cramped apartment like hers. Just as she was getting to her hooves and began to pop a few joints in a good stretch, a banging started on her door and her phone began to ring. “Gah! It’s too early in the afternoon for this! I’m awake! I’m awake! I’m off the cloud!” Tripping over some trash and clothes that littered the floor of her messy apartment, Rainbow managed to slam the console to answer the phone. The music dropped a few decibels as the speaker came on. “What?” said the perturbed pegasus shaking her jarred hoof. “Yo Dash, it’s Soarin.” Dash’s wings subconsciously rearranged themselves at recognition of the familiar voice. Ignoring the banging at her door, she replied, “What’s going on Big Blue?” On the other side of the line, Soarin smiled at the use of the call sign. “Well Dash I need you to bring in your runner for a six month overhaul.” Dash folded back her ears; that was not what she wanted to hear. Suddenly wanting to take her frustration out on something, she found that the constant knocking instantly got on her nerves. “Stop banging already!” Jabbing a second panel, again with more force than needed, Rainbow activated a small hatch at the bottom of her door, letting a none too sorry tortoise meander in. “Stop banging who, Dash?” A spark of amusement played in Soarin’s voice. “I see a lot of mares. I know you’re the jealous type but...” “Can it Soarin. I was talking to the reptile,” she said as she shook feeling back into her hoof, “You know I am not into colts.” “And here I thought I had a chance.” A chuckle filtered through the speaker. “You know you’re denying stallions doubly: once for not being available yourself and second for stealing another mare from our pickings. It’s not good for pony kind. I’m tellin’ you, you should even the odds, there’s a billion stallions out there. “ “Uhg,” Exasperated she bent down to retrieve some papers her tortoise, Tank, was crawling on, “I don’t want a billion stallions, I just want one MARE. A perfect one.” “I’ve been called perfect.” “In your dreams.” Dash rolled her eyes and glanced at one of the papers she had just recovered. “I just found a picture of you.” “How do I look?” A wide grin spread on Dash’s face. “It’s when Spitfire shaved your tail.” “Oh...” Setting the photo down, the pegasus grabbed the coffee pot Tank had sitting on his shell, and placed it into her brewer. Soarin pick up where he left off, “Look you need to bring in that bucket ASAP.” “It doesn’t need any work.” “Hah! Did you forget who sat next to you for a thousand missions?” “I’m a taxi driver now, not a fighter pilot.” Dash’s wings rose slightly as she got defensive. “You’re as wild behind a stick as you are on your own wings. I know how you fly both ways. Speaking of that and being wild...” he trailed off. “Not going back there Soarin,” she warned. The stallion chuckled, “You’re too easy, Dashie. But answer me this: how many points do ya got your license?” Rainbow paused, caught off guard, a now full coffee pot gripped in one hoof. “Rainbow Dash. How. Many. Points?” “At least 50.” “In your dreams. I’ll see you later.” A beep signaled the end of the call and the music turned back up automatically. Rainbow sighed and sat at her table and tapped a hoof to the dubtrot. The tortoise in front of her bumped a saucer with his shell causing it to clang. Brought from her reverie, she poured herself a cup of coffee. “I think it’s gonna be a long day.” She then filled the tortoise’s dish. “Tank, I swear you’re the only guy I think I can stand” She smiled at the tortoise. Responding with the kind of blank stare that only a reptile can deliver, Tank plunged his head into the black liquid and drank. *~~~~~~* Having a personal audience with the president was beginning to make Fluttershy shake nervously. Luckily she wouldn’t have to do any of the talking, but she still wanted to hide behind her mane anyway. She stepped forward and deposited a large tome onto the President’s desk then stepped aside to let Applejack take the lead. “We’all have 56 hours. That’s how long it needs ta grow an’ travel to Equestria.” The advisers in the room shuffled uncomfortably at the news of the time frame. President Mare pressed on, “Then what?” “An’ then it’ll be too dog gone late.” Applejack placed her forehooves on the desk. “This thing ain’t after no power or money. It only wants ta destroy light and ever’thing that lives, breathes or grows in it: the final settin’ of the Sun.” “So what you're telling me, is there’s no way to stop this thing.” “T’ere is only one thing.” Opening the book to a page displaying a landed ship she explained, “The Zebras have in their care the only weapon that can destroy Darkness. Five Elements of Harmony gathered around a 6th, the ultimate pony, the Element of Magic. Created to protect light an’ harmony. Together the elements form what the ancients called the Light a’ Creation. Its rainbow power could spread light to the furthest reaches of the universe, sowin’ life and growth. But if Darkness stands there,” she indicated the platform in the picture with the 6th element, “light turns ta dark, life ta death. Fooorrreeeevvverrrr.” The mare leaned in, stressing the last word while staring at the President hard with one eye. “So where are these Zebras now?” The griffon general among them touched a wing to her ear piece, “Madam President, a Zebra spacecraft has just requested permission to enter our territory, destination Equestria.” “Ma’am,” another of the advisers spoke up, a brown unicorn with three lightning bolts for a cutie mark, “I’m not entirely sure we should...” “What?” the earth pony turned to stare at the stallion. “We don’t have a lot of options. That moon just ate a starship like it was a piece of candy! Give them permission and offer them our warmest greetings.” Applejack let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding, and hope glittered in her eyes. “Thank you,” she said. *~~~~~~* “Alright, Tank, I’m out.” Rainbow Dash gathered her things as she spoke to the reptile who was watching a small screen embedded into a wall, “Don’t watch that thing all day, your face’ll get stuck like that.” She watched the unblinking, unmoving head of her tortoise and caught the start of a commercial: “Catch the winner the Equis Cupcake contest today, live at five with...” Seeing that is was already a moot point, Dash shook her head, “Yeah... have fun with that.” Dash checked the peephole screen and, seeing no one in the hall, turned to say goodbye to her pet as she opened the door. “Later big guy.” Turning back, she’d only taken half a step before having her mouth rudely filled with the barrel of a gun. “Give me the cash!” demanded a nervous high strung voice. The voices owner, a grey pegasus with a blonde mane and tail and bubble cutie mark, was sitting on her haunches hefting a heavy weapon that was violating Dash’s mouth. Crossing her eyes, Rainbow Dash traced the length of the weapon to its wall-eyed owner. She blinked a few times trying to straighten out the other mares eyes. “Come on, gimme the cash!” The other mare demanded again, her wings spread to appear more intimidating. Dash then noticed the funny hat the other mare was wearing. It was a cap on top of which was a large, level square of cardboard with a picture printed on it. A picture of the hallway as seen from Rainbow’s peephole. Rainbow gave the gun an experimental taste before responding, “Mmmphpm mmphm.” “Huh?” the grey mare gave Dash an even odder look, which was quite the feat. With a small realization, the armed pegasus pulled out her gun with a little pop. A bit of drool clung to its rim. Dash smirked at the crazy pegasus coming to the realization that this mare was obviously on something. “Been here long?” “Oh... um yeah,” she blinked twice which straightened her eyes and gave a little smile and nodded her head which made her picture hat rattle. “Well I asked if that was a TF350 sub-assault model with magnetic zero-grav double load and airless tri-chamber for rapid decompression. Tastes like it has zero degree anti frost coating too.” “Oh,” one of her eyes fell back down to look at the gun. “Yep, sure is!” she gave another toothy grin. “Yep, good thing for me it’s not in gravity mode.” “What?” the grey mare looked confused, both eyes now on the gun. Rainbow explained, “Well, its a space gun. It only works in space unless you turn on gravity mode. You gotta hit the little orange button on the side,” she vaguely pointed with a hoof, “to put it in gravity mode.” The blond maned pegasus blushed in embarrassment and chuckled a bit nervously. Eyeballing the gun, with her good eye, she struggled to rearrange her hold on the weapon to bring a hoof around and press the button. Rainbow made to help her, “Do you want me to...” The other mare quickly shoved her gun back into Rainbow’s mouth, which helped to steady it, then slowly brought a wing around to gingerly press the button with a feather. The gun gave a few little clicking noises and the wanna-be mugger withdrew the gun from Rainbow’s mouth and squee’d. The gun emitted a little grinding noise before its two clips fell and clattered to the floor. The derpy-eyed mare chuckled nervously. With lightning reflexes, Rainbow Dash used a wing and drew her own pistol that had been hidden beneath her feathers and aimed it at the other mare. “That’s a dangerous gun you got there, someone’s gonna think you're a bad pony.” She grabbed the TF350 with a hoof. “Maybe you should let me hold onto that.” Offering no resistance, the grey mare released the gun, following it mournfully with one eye while staring into Dash’s with the other. Dash backed up a ways into her apartment and opened a closet door with a hoof. “You don’t want anypony thinking you're a bad pony do you?” she asked with a raised eyebrow. Suddenly thinking that was the worst thing in the world, the other pegasus shook her head and murmured a little, “No.” Dash hoofed the gun into the closet filled with similar weapons of harm. She looked back at the other mare and a smile once again spread across Rainbow’s muzzle. “That’s a nice hat.” The grey pegasus brightened back up, “Ooo do you like it?” *~~~~~~* Finally able to climb into her taxi cab and start her work day, Rainbow Dash was already tired and ready for a nap. The sturdy but grungy cab shifted a bit as she settled herself. A familiar female voice greeted Dash in her usual fashion “Please enter your license.” “Would it kill you to give me fifteen seconds?” Dash grumbled as she slid her multi-pass into the vehicle. “Welcome on board, Ms. Dash.” “How are this you afternoon?” she spoke absently to the electronic voice as she ran through the vehicle’s startup procedure. “Fuel level 85%. Auto ride height enabled.” “Did you sleep alright? I didn’t...” Rainbow stuck out her tongue a little as she reached behind her to rearrange her wings in her pegasus designed seat before strapping up her harness. “Undocking. Propulsion set to 3X4.” “I had the worst Celestia damned nightmare.” Rainbow squinted at the sunlight pouring through the garage door windows. “You have seven points left on your license.” “Yeah, thanks for reminding me.” Sighing, she opened the garage door to reveal the massive metropolis outside. Thousands of vehicles flew through the skies, weaving between the mammoth skyscrapers. “Have a nice day.” “Good thing it’s half over.” Easing the accelerator, Dash edged out of her garage and flipped on the cab’s service light. Another car changing vertical lanes cut Dash off as she continued to pull out. With a honk of her horn Dash sped after the offender, intent on showing them a thing or two. *~~~~~~* Near the edge of the Federated territories, the Zebra starship sped towards Equestria having only been granted permission a scant few minutes ago. The ceremonial starship designed for this journey was slow, and it strained under the pushing its crew was giving it. To the Zebras, using this ship held both symbolism and irony. The ships they made in this eon were masterpieces and beyond comparison to their current vehicle, but these chosen few used the transport of their forefathers. This ancient mission of their kind was the heart and soul of what it meant to be a Zebra: protectors of the universe. The Zebras called each 5000 years a Syklus, the constant battle of light and harmony against evil and darkness. Already it had been a hard Syklus. Evil worked against them at every turn. History told of Evil’s challenges each Chosen generation faced during the Darkness’s equinox, challenges such as this ship. It was not the plan to use it, but sabotage and disaster twisted the fate of their intended craft. The ship they used now was always held in reverence by their kind and always maintained and had been prepared for the journey regardless as a tradition. How lucky they had been to make their escape in it, but its age showed in its speed, and they were running out of time. The light speed engines had to cool and charge after coming to a stop at the Federation’s borders. They would have to wait nearly an hour before making another jump. But a new challenge was this young Equestria and its ponies. Already super powers in their corner of the galaxy, they were an unknown force in the struggle of light versus dark. No longer could these Equestrians be thought of as just spectators when their world was used as the ultimate battle ground. As the starship prepared to re-enter hyperspace, two smaller crafts revealed themselves from their hiding spot behind a small nearby planet that marked the outer region of the Federated Territories. The ship’s sensors registered the pair as they approached from behind. To the crew it looked like a Federation escort but they were soon proved wrong as the two ships opened fire on the Zebra starship. Panic reigned as shields reported a critical failure and round after round tore away at the haul. The two fighters, with their four swept wings flew sharp arcs about the ancient craft like hornets. Through planned strategy or terrible luck most of the weapon systems were hit first. Light speed engines went offline and a quick escape was cut off. The attackers came back for a second pass and unloaded across the sides of the ship. A few batteries returned fire but were quick to be taken out by the team of fighters. The helm stopped responding and the sub-light engines were locked on full output. Damage to the thrusters produced a drift and the ship’s course now fell in line with the nearby planet. Gases burned into space and the life support environment vented into the vacuum. The ship barreled on, and its crew no longer questioned their fate. Their history told of those who died honorably in the fight against Darkness during the equinox of the Syklus. In the end the speed of their ship and their haste mattered little. Time is of no importance, only Life and Harmony. A thin atmosphere danced in fire as it was ripped around the ship, which hurried to meet its doom on the lonely surface of the planet. As it fell, flames, now fueled by the planet’s oxygen, began to tear at the craft, causing pieces of the haul to break apart. It cratered hard into the rocky ground, and an ungodly inferno exploded upward to consume the wreckage. *~~~~~~* Applejack sank to her knees. “We are lost.” She felt like she’d been kicked in the gut. A dull throbbing ran through her head but no thoughts. Fluttershy rushed to her side. Already emotionally drained, the butter colored pegasus had no tears left herself and could only comfort the other mare. She laid down next to her and extended a wing over her back. Her bloodshot eyes stared at the floor and she quietly shook, afraid for everypony. Applejack turned to look at the mare beside her. They had been through so much together. Father Bright Aura had passed on so suddenly leaving her to fulfill the greatest destiny in pony history, and it was all for naught. The President’s griffon adviser held a claw to her earpiece briefly to hear a report. “Mrs. President?” President Mare tore her eyes away from the pair of defeated ponies before her. “Yes General Gilda?” “The attack was totally made by two unidentified fighters.” “300 hundred years of waiting... for nothing,” Applejack mumbled as she stared at her hooves. Her eyes glazed over, unfocused. *~~~~~~* The two fighters set a course for the crash site. The Diamond Dog commander was pleased with a job well done. His pack did well. “Get me a secure connection to Equestria,” he ordered to one of his two officers. One of them grunted in response and tapped out the commands on the console. “We are connected.” “Good. Now make the call.” The commander smiled knowing rewards would soon be had. Back on Equestria a pretty secretary answered her boss’s personal line, “Ms. Pie’s office...”
Every 5000 YearsA/N This is my first attempt at writing so please comment and tell me what you do or don't like. I can't hope to get better with out you guys. Special thanks to my prereader fl4pj4ck for loving and tolerating the crap out of this story even though he doesn't like ponies. The 6th Element Chapter 1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ a My Little Pony fanfic crossover with The 5th Element by WeAreBorg ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ She was hot and tired; even the trees looked like they were sweating. Despite the fact that she was in the shade, the young filly was miserable in the heat of the dense forest. Dark trees kept reaching for her, scraping their branches across her coat. She had already started panting halfway back to the site, yet a cold shiver ran down her spine as she pressed on. The path she walked was well worn, but traveling through Everfree Forest was not just difficult; it was dangerous. Dangerous and hot! The young unicorn kept her eyes fixed on the path before her for fear of losing it, but her equine instincts kept her safe using her sharp hearing. Each ear would flick about of their own accord attempting to filter the jungle noise from the predatory murmurings her imagination was supplying. The saddle bags she wore kept rubbing at her sides, and she continuously had to readjust them as they slipped on her sweaty fur. It was probably just a trick anyway, who ever heard of a water carrying cutie mark? ‘Maybe you got to do it a few times’ they said, Hah! Well it just wasn’t worth it. She continued to grumble to herself until the path cut loose from the trees. She breathed a deep sigh of relief as her destination came into view. Sweetie Belle shifted her heavy saddle bags once more and started across the fog shrouded bridge that led to the old ruins. On the other side lay a large clearing, pock marked with broken bricks and crumbling ruins, most of which were scarcely more than anything anypony would call a ‘pile.’ Dominating the space in the center was a tall temple. Old runes shown between the vines that clung to every wall. While, out of context, the temple by itself wasn’t very impressive, to a small filly this ancient structure in the middle of this Celestia-forsaken place was something out of her nightmares. She gave a shudder and entered the base camp near the entrance to the temple. The camp was deserted except for some foals by the temple steps. The adults weren't needed for the heavy digging and sifting anymore, not while the Doctor studied. When the other foals caught sight of her they began to cheer and flock to her, hoping to quench their thirst. As Sweetie Belle met them, she pulled two water skins from her saddle bags, hoofed one off to her friend Applebloom, along with a look of malice, and then trotted inside the temple with the other. The unicorn filly made her way uneasily down a long, pillared corridor. Littering the sides were broken artifacts, baskets for hauling debris and bronze mirrors for redirecting the sunlight into the deeper reaches of the structure. Off to the left lay a few rooms and antechambers for Celestia knows what, and to her right was a vast room, shrouded in darkness, filled with columns and the finest architecture from its time. Hieroglyphics covered every surface, and dust and dirt even more so. An old professor stood on a small wooden box, up on his hind legs, in front of the wall across the room, muttering to himself. Dr Hooves was a not-so-well-known archaeologist who’d seen better days. Hoping his discoveries here would reignite his career after his fiasco at his last dig looking for Cyberponies, he had become obsessed with the temple. Joining him on his mission was one of his more promising students, a young mare named Carrot Top. She was reclined on her back, propped between a wall and a pile of gear, a large sketchpad in her hoof and pencil in mouth. A blank stare graced her yellow face as her drawing attempted to drown out the boredom. Behind them sat a young pegasus whose job was to hold one of the bronze mirrors to illuminate the expansive room. Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes, noticing her friend dozing off. In her heightened state of mental awareness, the sleepy pegasus let the mirror slide, shadowing the doctor’s work. Sighing, he brought a forehoof to his face and half turned. “Scootaloo! Light!” Jolted awake, Scootaloo re-aimed the mirror. Also brought from her reverie, Carrot inhaled deeply and muttered, “Scootaloo, light,” under her breath before marking down on a chart entitled “Scootaloo! Light!”: another of many tallies. She left Hoofington for this? Wiping sweat off his muzzle with a foreleg, the Doctor once again lost himself in the hieroglyphics. "When the four stars are in alignment." His hoof traced across the wall, feeling each marking as he interpreted them. "They aid in the escape of... Evil... from a... distant moon... Evil comes... sowing disharmony and darkness... See? The stars, Carrot. They unleash Ultimate Evil and Supreme Darkness... make sure you get the stars!” The Doctor pointed emphatically to the hieroglyph of the stars in their alignment, coming together towards a moon. Sighing, Carrot shifted the pencil to the side of her mouth, “Yes, yes I have your stars.” Barely paying any attention she continued sketching a picture of vegetables, until a thought struck her. “And when are these stars supposed to release this evil moon?” The Doctor’s fingers touched the symbols. “If this is the five and this the ten...” Trailing off he closed his eyes and muttered his calculations. “Every five thousand years.” “So I have time for lunch then,” she said and went back to her sketch. Throughout this exchange, Sweetie Belle stood and listened out of sight near the entrance to the chamber. Still with water bag in mouth she contemplated what would earn her a better cutie mark, being able to read squiggles or fending off evil moons. A thin old hoof fell on her withers causing her to gasp and jump. Turning, she found herself face to face with an ancient priestess in a roughly made brown cloak. Her pale green fur was graying around her muzzle, and her movements were slow and jerky. “Ah, the water,” the old priestess croaked. “Ah will take it to ‘em young un.” Startled but obedient, Sweetie Belle wordlessly gave the water bag to the Priestess. “Go with Celestia,” said the old nag to the filly, shooing her off. “Be safe from Evil.” As soon as she was gone, the priestess took young unicorn’s place near the chamber’s entrance and cast a worried eye to the Doctor, fearful for what they might discover. "Then arrange the Elements of Harmony against the Darkness just so," the Doctor mumbled on, his hoof tracing the lines and pictograms. "Kindness... Laughter... Honesty... Loyalty... Generosity. These elements around the sixth." His hoof fell on the one element that has a pony shape, surrounded by all the others. Panicking, the Priestess opened the water skin and poured a vial of powder into it . “Oh Celestia forgive me... they already know too much,” she whispered to herself. Announcing herself with a cough, the old mare entered the chamber. Carrot dropped her pencil and rose to her hooves as the doctor turned to face the newcomer. Delighted to see her, Carrot clasped the priestess's offered hoof. “Mother Smith, so good to see you.” “Ah, Carrot mah girl.” Ever the visage of old age and trust, Priestess Smith smiled and shook Carrot’s hoof. “Be a dearie and fetch some mugs.” “Mother, I’m so glad to see you, it is the most extraordinary thing: the greatest find in pony history!” exclaimed the Doctor, returning his gaze to the carvings on the wall. “Can you imagine the implications?” “Only too well,” Smith replied, cringing just a touch. She changed the subject. “Here, yall must have a powerful thirst aboutcha.” Feigning a smile, Smith poured the water into mugs that Carrot brought, each of them taking one by the handle. Genuinely thirsty, the Doctor lifted the mug to his lips, but was once again distracted by his soon-to-be-famous discovery. “I mean look,” he said, going back to the wall. “This section, it is like a battle plan.” In his excitement, the mug was forgotten, much to the priestess's chagrin. “Here the Light... Here the Evil... and here-” He pointed to the Six Elements. ”-a weapon against Evil. Amazing! I am going to be famous.” “Then let us toast to yer fame!” brightened Smith, seizing the opportunity. “To fame!” agreed Carrot, hoisting her mug. “To fame! Huzzah!" The Doctor raised his cup once more to his lips but paused, peering into the liquid with a frown. “We cannot toast with water. Carrot! In my sack... the aged cider!” The Priestess watched, disconsolate, as the Doctor tossed away his water. Carrot downed her water first then hurried to find the bottle, taking her sketchpad with her. A deep rumbled passed through the walls of the temple; too low to hear but it could be felt. The Doctor, once again engrossed in the hieroglyphics didn’t notice, but the Priestess, who stared with dissatisfaction into her cup, saw the ripples in the tainted water. Outside, a monstrous sight disturbed the foals’ game, frightening them into a stupor. An ovoid spaceship several times larger than the temple itself descended onto the ruins. The world stopped outside save for the powerful rumbling and blinding flaring from the thrusters. Metallic tendrils peeled away from the ship and caressed the structure of the temple. Its descent came to an end. Had it landed, those watching probably could have fired up their brains to react, but instead it only paused, several yards from the ground. Its alien presence jutted from the canopy of Everfree and made the forest seem tame. The whole forest held its breath; no snakes moved, no birds flew. There was no fight or flight response for this. After what seemed like two eternities, a long protrusion extended itself from the ship, like the tail of a dragonfly that intended to mate with the temple entrance. Waiting for Carrot Top, the Professor continued to scan over the most recent inscription. “This perfect pony... this perfect being... Wielder of the element of...” Doctor Hooves squinted his eyes, unable to recognize the symbol. “Blast! I can’t make it out.” Smith removed herself from the stallion’s side, drawn to the noise. Taking a few steps she stopped as she noticed a shadow crawl across the wall of the corridor. A chill ran through her. “Sweet Celestia. They’re here.” Carrot Top had been looking intently for the cider in the Doctor's bag, going through it several times, running over his maps, books, tools and automatic pistol, but unbeknownst to her, the priestess’ poison was making it hard to concentrate. As she victoriously drew the bottle from the bags, she finally noticed the noise. The mare shook her head, thinking the sound was in her mind. Bag and bottle in hoof, she spun around on her haunches towards the entrance just in time to see the alien craft dock with the temple entrance. Startled, she dropped the bottle, which shattered across the floor, and fell back on her rump, the Doctor’s bag falling in her lap. Carrot’s brain shut down, one hoof in the bag and the other resting on the sketchpad beside her. The dark metal of the ship was old and worn on the part of the ship Carrot could see; she subconsciously picked up her pad and, pencil in mouth, began to sketch. Six dark rings the size of a pony’s head, portholes into the ship’s airlock, formed a five point star on its structure, the sixth being the center. Steam leaked from hidden releases and condensation built up and ran down its surface. With a grinding screech, the docking mechanism crept forward a final time, completely filling the entrance and blocking out the rest of the light. Shadows once again fell across the Doctors work. Closing his eyes, he sucked in air between his teeth. “Scootaloo! Light!” The temple suddenly flooded with light, scattering the darkness, as it poured from the craft’s portholes. “Ah that’s much better, thank you, Scoots.” The young filly stared at her mirror in confusion, no words coming to her as her mind ground gears. Shielding her eyes, the priestess moved forward and looked down the hall. “Mah lords.” She watched as a door disengaged itself in a burst of steam and began to lower like a ramp. Liquid from the steam pooled in the interior of the airlock and ran down the ramp in tiny trickles only to be lapped up by the thirsty, dry stone of the temple. Creatures, deeply silhouetted against the blinding light, lumbered slowly down the ramp, the sound of metal on metal clanking with each of their steps. Carrot pressed herself against the wall, in the shadow of a pillar, crouched, terrified, but sketching away like crazy as the armor clad aliens emerged from the spacecraft. The equines wore huge metal suits that made their movements cumbersome, and each step was slow and deliberate. Their armor was a dark bronze, old and worn much like the metal of the ship. Stripes of a darker grey covered the creatures, creating a sort of camouflage from head to hoof. Small blue lights graced each of their legs and cast strange illusions on the floor as they walked. Carrot sketched the multiple antennas protruding from their withers, but stopped when she got her first good look at their heads. Vents and tubes ran from muzzle to jaw, and ornate ridges framed the giant blue domes that covered their eyes. Paused in her sketching, Carrot wiped her forehead and began to blink rapidly, feeling the effects of the priestess's potion. Giving the glyphs a final tap with his hoof, the Doctor dropped back down to all fours, saying, “This is the most unbelievable thing I have ever seen.” Turning, the Doctor was stunned speechless to find himself face to face with three of the striped alien equines. Their strange heads moved mechanically, taking in the pony before them. A few others slowly filled in behind them, their massive suits making them walk at a grueling pace. “Uh, um? Are you cyberponies?” mumbled the Doctor, barely able to keep his mind firing on all cylinders. The thing before him gave him a confused look, which is quite a feat inside a suit, before shaking its head. “Zebra Master,” Priestess Smith cried, seizing the opportunity to explain, “he was fixin’ ta discover ever’thin’, but Ah had the situation under control. Ah was gonna wipe their memories!” Her worried eyes scanned his non existent features hoping for a sign she had not failed. The Zebra’s commander shuffled to face Smith. “Priestess mare, you’ve done your work well, And those before you, you’ve all been swell. But war is coming, soon, to this place, And here the elements are not safe.” Turning back to the wall, the commander took a moment to scan its features. Finding what he sought, he raised a forehoof to the the wall and a key extended from it, on the end of which stood five intricate flanges, forming a star. Slowly he placed it into a crack that fit the key’s shape, and no sooner had it entered then the wall split along the keyhole. Doors several hooves thick slid and scraped along sand covered mechanisms. As their loud, grinding progress revealed a long, hidden hallway, the Doctor stared dumbfounded. “This-” He gestured with a hoof, “-is really amazing.” Remembering the professor, the commander nodded to one of his ponies. Understanding the command, the Zebra took a step towards the Doctor and blasted out a small cloud of sparkling green gas. The Zebra continued to watch the professor as he fell to the ground, and then the group proceeded past his limp form into hallway and the chamber beyond. Filled with shock herself, Priestess Smith stuck close to the commander and followed him inside. As a group they entered the vast chamber, the priestess gasped at beholding the room she’d only heard stories about. Hundreds of pictograms and hieroglyphics decorated the walls, telling a story long forgotten. The vast domed ceiling seemed to emit a bright, unnatural light, and no shadows could be seen upon the ground. Five pillars sat around the edge of the room, aligned as the corners of a pentagon. Atop each was an eight inch stone sphere: the first five Elements of Harmony. In the center of the pillars, a platform rested where a strange, smooth and gray statue stood in the shape of a rearing pony, head and face screaming towards the sky. Not a statue, but a sarcophagus. “The sixth element,” the priestess realized. After taking in the moment, the commander gestured with a sweeping hoof. “Take the stones.” Five Zebras retrieved the five stones, and a sixth presented a case into which they snugly fit. One of the Zebras brushed a hoof against the sarcophagus which glowed briefly with a shimmering iridescence before it lowered to its side and followed the him back to the ship, floating several hooves off the ground. The Commander’s ponies proceeded back to the ship, escorting the stones, their mission nearly complete. They moved past the alcove that hid Carrot Top, who by now, thanks to the priestess's poison, was going out of her mind. Long done caring about their appearance, Carrot was rife with fear and armed with the Doctor’s pistol. The Commander lingered and surveyed the chamber before his departure, while a new fear gripped the old mare. “The elements? How will we do without their magic? How will we protect Equestria?” “We will come back, but not so soon With the elements, to fight the Dark Moon In 300 years, when evil returns here You shall find that we will reappear” Carrot tumbled out of the alcove, a mess of tangled legs, before whirling and pointing the pistol at the bright and empty entrance to the ship. Her eyes dilated painfully in the ship’s bright light. Not seeing any of striped creatures, she got to her hooves and walked uneasily down the corridor towards the main hall. Pointing the pistol around the corner, she shakily entered the chamber and quickly noticed the Doctor. Upon seeing his prone form, Carrot stumbled over to the professor and shook his leg. “Doctor Hooves!” Shaking the professor, she received no response. She spotted one of the creatures out of the corner of her eye, and then rose up on her hind legs to aim her pistol, blinking her eyes to focus. “Stop...uh...don’t move!” Surprised, Smith moved to shield the Commander. How could she have forgotten about the orange maned mare? “I... uh... have a gun!” The aforementioned orange maned mare dropped back down to four legs, clearly unstable. With great difficulty, she got back up on her hind hooves and steadied the weapon, looking wildly to each side for more attackers. Slowly the priestess began to approach the crazed mare. “Carrot, young un’! Please understand! They are our friends!” Carrot wiped her face, so very delirious. “Our friends?” She waved the gun wildly. “They... they’ve killed the doctor... they’re mo - monsters!” The priestess walked closer to Carrot. “No Carrot, he’s just asleep,” she pleaded. “Ah can explain this. Look at me!” Carrot began to back up, unsteady on just two hooves. “No... oh no, not you too mother. I -” “Look at me!” Smith gestured emphatically, “Carrot, look at me! Please! Ah am your friend.” She dropped her hooves and began to carefully approach the mare. “Carrot, sweetie, jus’ put... the gun... down. Down. Jus’ let me explain!” “No, I...” Losing her balance, Carrot stumbled backwards and tripped on the gear behind her, causing the gun to go off in her hooves. “No!” Smith yelled as she threw herself to take the bullets, but her old bones could not move fast enough and she succeeded only in crashing to the ground. Bullets flew everywhere, somehow missing the stumbling priestess, but several rounds danced across the armor clad Commander. With an alien cry he dropped to his front knees, shaking his head wildly. Before he recovered, Smith watched in horror as the doors began to close. “Hurry master! The wall is closin!” she cried as she recovered and hurried past the doors. Encumbered by his heavy suit, he could only move so fast, but there was time enough for one last thing. “Listen to me closely, for here is your mission now. Pass the knowledge on, to this you must vow.” “Yes, yes! I will,” Smith begged. “There is still time! You must hurry!” The Commander was just a pony’s length away. “Time is of no importance, this you must see. Our mission is to protect life and harmony.” He raised a hoof forward, and again the key came forth. The priestess cringed and looked away as the Commander’s hoof was crushed in the door, trapping him on the other side. The key hung from the barely visible tip crushed hoof; the final unsaid request of the Commander was that it should be taken and guarded. Following unknown orders, the ship’s engines hummed back to life, the docking platform closing and receding quickly as one. The tendrils hugging the temple withdrew and the deep thumping became an audible roar. Shielding her eyes from the blinding thrusters, the priestess emerged from the ruins, key in mouth. “Ah will fulfill my mission!” she shouted over the din as she raised the key with her hoof. “You can count on me! Ah will pass the knowledge on until your return!” With a final blinding flash, the ship shot back into the sky and far out of sight. The whole of the Everfree hung in a state of awe as its own wonder and mystery was dwarfed by the brief visitation. Sitting on her rump, Priestess Smith watched as the craft disappeared through the clouds. An orange-coated pegasus filly came and sat by her side. “That was so cool!” said the filly. *~~~~~~~* 300 Years later...
The Stars Will Aid in its EscapeThe 6th Element Chapter 2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ a My Little Pony fanfic crossover with The 5th Element by WeAreBorg ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Sir, the star has joined the others in orbit around a central point, but sensors detect nothing there. Shall we continue to follow it?” “How far away is the center, captain?” The proud general overlooked the starship’s bridge. Helmsmen and technicians lined the room; consoles reported a never ending flow of data. The captain checked the read out and listened to a confirmation in his earpiece. “Roughly 150 million kilometers.” “Take us in.” The massive battle cruiser, property of the Federation, adjusted its course and flew towards the center of the freak astronomical phenomenon at sub-light speed. The ship was the size of a small city, and it looked like one with its lights glowing in the dead of space. The starship was an older build, not as sleek as its newer cousins, but intimidating in its function-over-form design and sharp angles. She was battle hardened; light from the rogue stars revealed many scorch marks and shiny new metal, the result of past battles and subsequent repairs. The ship’s commanding general fit it perfectly: blunt, thorough, and battle hardened. The vessel was a sizable reminder of the might of the Federated Territories. As it hurried toward its objective, sensors and screens outputted data on the four orbiting stars. “The scientists are losing their heads over this, sir. It defies everything we know.” General Stardare stood, unfazed. The image of three gold planets that graced his flank reflected the odd light the multiple stars cast through the viewport. “I know a great deal, captain.” Dozens of technicians, helmsmen, officers and other crew sat scattered across the ship’s bridge. Again with form-over-function, the bridge was divided into easily recognizable sections. Here ponies of all types were one with the ship and operated at a practiced state of efficiency. Battle hardened they were. In no time at all the cruiser reached its objective. “General, we’re stopping just within full combat range.” “Readings?” “None yet, sir.” “Don't you have anything? Even a temperature?” “The thermo-analyzers have jammed. One reads over a million degrees, another's at absolute zero." “Is it a black hole?” The captain put a hoof to his earpiece. “Negative sir. The gravity analyzers are having trouble with four stars in such close proximity, but no mass has been detected at the center.” “Then how come what ever is not there is blocking out the stars behind it?” said general, turning his head towards his subordinate. Sure enough, a void scarred the otherwise pristine star field visible on the screens. One of the many ponies at the consoles spoke up, “Something is taking shape.” The void, blacker than space itself, suddenly exploded outward. A rolling dark cloud billowed forth from nothing, filled with lightning and odd glows. The cloud continued to boil and rotate as the four stars dimmed, no longer bright enough to cast shadows on the ship’s bridge and compete with its internal lighting. Another technician spoke, “Total radiated energy from the stars has decreased to twenty percent.” “What’s the light-time to target?” “Light from the stars is at a 6 min delay,” answered the technician. Without warning each star erupted in light as four beams emanated from the stars and struck the dark cloud. A blinding flash swept across the strange solar system and radiation raked across the ship’s shields. The deck’s screens went offline. Barely shaken from the blast, Stardare followed his training. “Damage report.” “Forward secondary sensor arrays are offline. No other reports. Shields at eighty nine percent,” repeated the captian from his earpiece. “Status of the object?” “The clouds have condensed to a volcanic planetoid.” “Stars have resumed previous energy outputs,” announced one of the crew. “Shield replenishment at phase 2.” The captain faced the general knowing another order was incoming. “Get that screen back online and aim the sub-space telescopes at those stars. I want a warning next time.” On the general’s word the main screen came back online to show that indeed the clouds were gone, revealing a moon. Large volcanic ejections called attention to its angry, writhing surface Rock islands the size of cities floated its magma oceans, and remnants of the black clouds twisted around its poles. “Sir, the planetoid has started to increase in diameter,” said the captain, not believing what he was hearing in his earpiece. General Stardare remained calm. “Send out a probe.” *~~~~~~~~* President Mare, a middle aged, latte colored earth pony with a mother-of-pearl mane and tail, strode into the Situation room. She wasn’t the President of the United Federation for nothing; she could smell the the tension in the air. There was a crisis ahoof. Her bodyguards and aids took their places around her, and her closest military advisors conferred a pony’s length away, the griffon among them hovering closest. As she seated herself at the elevated desk, she took stock of the transformed room. Where normally the chamber was a quiet, unsprung trap of military leaders and alien delegates, today it was alive with scientists and analysts giving voice to the strange happenings trillions of miles away. One of the many analysts gave her an update, “Sub-space transceiver connected; full signal in 30 seconds.” The President’s eyes glanced briefly at the opposite end of the hall then moved on. Seated there were experts of ‘a different sort.’ While they rarely served as members of the council and never as part of a president's cabinet, their unique perspective outside of politics and science on occasion, rare occasions, was useful. President Mare however, hadn’t needed such advice yet. To her things were cut and dry, even if the means to the end were not. Unfortunately the building situation was unprecedented, and campaigning season was just around the corner. Among these experts sat a small yellow pegasus with a pink mane and tail. She glanced around nervously at all the strange ponies, desperately wanting to be somewhere else. Her wings twitched nervously at her side as she hid behind her mane, trying to look as small as possible. She gave a startled ‘eep’ and shied away when somepony touched her side. Casting a wary glance over to her shoulder, Fluttershy relaxed just a bit upon recognizing a familiar face. “Oh uh... I - I saved this seat for you, mother,” she mumbled as she vacated the seat. “That is, if you want it.” Drawing her cloak closer about her, a priestess wordlessly took the proffered seat. Millions of miles away, through a subspace wormhole, a connection was made. “We get signal,” said the ship’s communications officer. The captain once again put a hoof to his earpiece. “President on line sir.” “Stardare, do you read me?” The connection from Equestria was tainted with a hint of static. “I can hear you, Mrs. President.” “General, I need to know why the sun of one of our mining colonies just up and left. Stars just don’t leave their solar systems, especially of their own accord. I have to address the Supreme Council in 15 minutes. Tell me as much as you can.” “We found no trace of intelligent intervention or any outside forces propelling the star. We also detected no one following it to its destination.” President Mare raised an eyebrow. “Destination?” “Yes ma’am. The star has fallen into orbit along with three others in close proximity. They appeared to be orbiting nothing until extreme solar activity catalyzed the formation of a small planetoid.” “Anything special about it?” “There are no results from the chemical and molecular analysis as of yet, all the calibers are overshot. We're hoping thermonucleic imaging-” “So what you're trying to say,” she said, rubbing her forehead with a hoof, “is you don't know what this thing is.” Consternation flooded the Situation Room. “Not yet,” said the general as he glared at the volcanic moon. “The only thing we know is that it just keeps getting bigger.” Already sensing the answer, the cream coated mare asked anyway. “Recommendation?” “My philosophy, Mrs. President, is shoot first, ask questions later. I don't like star-stealing uninvited guests.” President Mare put a hoof to her lips in thought and glanced to her military advisors, who each nodded vigorously. “All right, then. Stardare?” “Mrs. President?” A raised hoof caught the President’s eye as its owner rose to her hooves. The room’s attention turned towards the small group of special experts. An automated voice announced the advisor, “Priestess Applejack. Expert in astro phenomenon.” “Yes?” The chestnut colored mare once again drew her cloak about her, a serious tone set in her features. “Ah hav’a different theory to offer ya.” Leaning forward, an aid reminded the President of her time frame, who, nodding in understanding, focused back on the priestess. “You have twenty seconds.” Applejack glanced behind her to see if her acolyte would back her up, but the shy pegasus was too busy hiding behind a very confused looking stallion sitting next to her. Rolling her eyes, the priestess continued, “Imagine if ya will that this... thing is not anythin’ that can be iden’ified ‘cause it prefers not ta be. Wherever there is light it brings night eternal. Wherever there is harmony, it brings discord. Wherever there is life... it brings death,” she swallowed, “because it evil. The darkest evil.” “One more reason to shoot first, I think.” “Evil begets evil, Mrs. President.” Applejack’s expression softened just a bit. It reflected in her tone, “Shootin’ will only make it stronger.” Back on the ship, a technician reported on the probe, “Probe will attain its objective in five seconds.” As the probe splashed into a lava field, the edges of the planetoid darkened and seem to blur into the stars around it. “Receiving probe data,” a voice called out. “We have a bad signal; data is unreadable.” The voice’s owner slammed a hoof on a console a few times. “Probe connection lost.” The President locked eyes with the priestess who in turn raised her eyebrows. A scientist in the situation room sounded an alert. “The moon’s growth rate is 23% a minute.” “Your theory is interesting, Mother, but we don’t have time to get into that now.” “Time is of no importance, Mrs. President," she said as she moved closer. “Only life and harmony.” Exasperation found hold in the President. “You’re correct, and that's exactly what we are going to do: protect the lives of some 200 billion of our fellow ponies! General? You may fire when ready.” Stardare turned to the captain and barked, “Give me an up front loading trifecta of 130 ZRF missiles. Marker lights on the objective. Forward shield diversion.” Shouting across the deck, the captain relayed the orders, “Give me tubes 1, 4 and 5. Board the front door!” A cacophony of voices flew about the deck as crewponies confirmed and reported on their orders. “Three tubes hot!” “Objective painted.” “Forward shields at 130%, phase 1. Cold and ready.” Outside, the moon’s volcanic surface cooled and solidified to a black obsidian sheen. It would have appeared invisible, with its eerie reflection of the starry sky, if it weren't for the perfect mirror image of the starship now present upon its surface. A scientist close to the president read the ship’s sensor data. “The planetoid’s surface has just solidified. Growth rate at 0%.” He continued in dawning realization, “It appears to be anticipating the attack. Anticipation denotes... intelligence.” Applejack closed the distance to the President’s desk, saying, “Tha’ most terrible intelligence imaginable, Mrs. President.” Without looking at the priestess, the president contemplated the military advisors in the room and began to rub her forehooves together. She noted the resolved looks on their faces, especially that of the griffon. “The missiles are loaded, Mrs. President,” reported Stardare. “Finger on the trigger.” “Stardare,” President Mare locked eyes with Applejack, uneasiness in her voice, “I have a doubt.” “I don't, Mrs. President.” Three missiles let loose from the ship, their paths tracing a perfect line for a precision hit. The projectiles slammed into the dark planet, shattering its black mirror facade. A huge spiderweb of cracks traveled across the planet’s surface, revealing the molten core within. Gases and lava erupted from the faults. The ponies on the bridge watched in surprise when the cracks widened and the planet grew in size then solidified over, becoming once more a haunting cosmic mirror. “Um...” A rare feeling of fear filled the General. “Load a series of 740s. All forward batteries.” “Yes, sir.” The captain called across the deck, “740s. Light every candle.” “Stardare?” called President Mare across the connection, “What's going on? Did you destroy it?” “I'm about to, Mrs. President.” A massive second barrage was let loose from the ship. As soon as the missiles hit, the planetoid’s surface shattered like tempered glass. Hundreds of thousands of shards flew into space then dissolved into shadow. The moon, its molten interior now exposed, grew larger still, obsidian melting and reforming in erratic patterns. Back in the Situation Room, alarms indicated a new problem. “The planet's diameter has increased by 200%, and it has started moving toward the ship.” Panicked, President Mare stood, placed her forehooves on the desk, and started to shout, “Stardare! Get out of there! We need to rethink this. Retreat! Stardare, do you hear me?! I don’t want an incident.” “Wha... what do we have tha... that's bigger than 740s?” The general’s voice trembled as he watched the planet approach. Not taking his eyes from his doom, the captain muttered a reply, “Nothing.” This ship was a destroyer of worlds and galactic armadas, but this moon... The occupants of the Situation Room, shocked into silence, could only watch the president as she yelled, “Stardare! Get out of there! That's an order!” Fluttershy hid under her wing, tears streaming down face. Applejack sat down, the color drained from under her coat. Sweat began to show through the general’s fur. He moved his jaw as if to speak but he could only stare, hypnotized, into the shifting black mirrors. The ship’s deck went dark but the screen still played. The crew stared wide eyed, unable to react, pupils tiny pin pricks. Thick trails of blood seeped from under their manes and soaked into their fur as it crawled down their faces. A blackness glazed over Stardare’s eyes. “Sweet... Celestia.” A sickly green inferno erupted from the moon and flew towards the ship. The face of a hellish pony materialized in the flames and opened its mouth to reveal a terrible, fanged maw. It laughed once before devouring the ship. *~~~~~~* Rainbow Dash awoke with a start...
There is only one thing that can stop itThe 6th Element Chapter 3 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ a My Little Pony fanfic crossover with The 5th Element by WeAreBorg ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rainbow Dash awoke with a start. The adrenaline from her nightmare pumped through her veins as she breathed heavily. A welcoming, starry sky and serene cloud tops clashed fiercely with the fading memories of her nightmare. Sitting up and glancing to her side, she stared at an over sized digital clock that floated in the night sky next to her: ‘12:59 PM.’ As the minute rolled over the projection began to pulse and bass heavy music began to play. Ripples appeared in sky as the illusion was broken and the stars and clouds vanished into the blank tiled walls of her sleeping enclosure. Her synthetic cloud, her only true luxury, lowered gently to let her out of her cramped sleeping space. She gave a wince as a pang in her wing informed her she had slept on it wrong, which she thought of as weird since she slept on water vapor, or well...something like it anyway. Rubbing her eyes vigorously against the blinding light, she stumbled out of her tiny bed space and into her small, low income apartment. She hated having the lights so bright, but it was the only way to stave off the claustrophobia that most pegasi would get staying in a cramped apartment like hers. Just as she was getting to her hooves and began to pop a few joints in a good stretch, a banging started on her door and her phone began to ring. “Gah! It’s too early in the afternoon for this! I’m awake! I’m awake! I’m off the cloud!” Tripping over some trash and clothes that littered the floor of her messy apartment, Rainbow managed to slam the console to answer the phone. The music dropped a few decibels as the speaker came on. “What?” said the perturbed pegasus shaking her jarred hoof. “Yo Dash, it’s Soarin.” Dash’s wings subconsciously rearranged themselves at recognition of the familiar voice. Ignoring the banging at her door, she replied, “What’s going on Big Blue?” On the other side of the line, Soarin smiled at the use of the call sign. “Well Dash I need you to bring in your runner for a six month overhaul.” Dash folded back her ears; that was not what she wanted to hear. Suddenly wanting to take her frustration out on something, she found that the constant knocking instantly got on her nerves. “Stop banging already!” Jabbing a second panel, again with more force than needed, Rainbow activated a small hatch at the bottom of her door, letting a none too sorry tortoise meander in. “Stop banging who, Dash?” A spark of amusement played in Soarin’s voice. “I see a lot of mares. I know you’re the jealous type but...” “Can it Soarin. I was talking to the reptile,” she said as she shook feeling back into her hoof, “You know I am not into colts.” “And here I thought I had a chance.” A chuckle filtered through the speaker. “You know you’re denying stallions doubly: once for not being available yourself and second for stealing another mare from our pickings. It’s not good for pony kind. I’m tellin’ you, you should even the odds, there’s a billion stallions out there. “ “Uhg,” Exasperated she bent down to retrieve some papers her tortoise, Tank, was crawling on, “I don’t want a billion stallions, I just want one MARE. A perfect one.” “I’ve been called perfect.” “In your dreams.” Dash rolled her eyes and glanced at one of the papers she had just recovered. “I just found a picture of you.” “How do I look?” A wide grin spread on Dash’s face. “It’s when Spitfire shaved your tail.” “Oh...” Setting the photo down, the pegasus grabbed the coffee pot Tank had sitting on his shell, and placed it into her brewer. Soarin pick up where he left off, “Look you need to bring in that bucket ASAP.” “It doesn’t need any work.” “Hah! Did you forget who sat next to you for a thousand missions?” “I’m a taxi driver now, not a fighter pilot.” Dash’s wings rose slightly as she got defensive. “You’re as wild behind a stick as you are on your own wings. I know how you fly both ways. Speaking of that and being wild...” he trailed off. “Not going back there Soarin,” she warned. The stallion chuckled, “You’re too easy, Dashie. But answer me this: how many points do ya got your license?” Rainbow paused, caught off guard, a now full coffee pot gripped in one hoof. “Rainbow Dash. How. Many. Points?” “At least 50.” “In your dreams. I’ll see you later.” A beep signaled the end of the call and the music turned back up automatically. Rainbow sighed and sat at her table and tapped a hoof to the dubtrot. The tortoise in front of her bumped a saucer with his shell causing it to clang. Brought from her reverie, she poured herself a cup of coffee. “I think it’s gonna be a long day.” She then filled the tortoise’s dish. “Tank, I swear you’re the only guy I think I can stand” She smiled at the tortoise. Responding with the kind of blank stare that only a reptile can deliver, Tank plunged his head into the black liquid and drank. *~~~~~~* Having a personal audience with the president was beginning to make Fluttershy shake nervously. Luckily she wouldn’t have to do any of the talking, but she still wanted to hide behind her mane anyway. She stepped forward and deposited a large tome onto the President’s desk then stepped aside to let Applejack take the lead. “We’all have 56 hours. That’s how long it needs ta grow an’ travel to Equestria.” The advisers in the room shuffled uncomfortably at the news of the time frame. President Mare pressed on, “Then what?” “An’ then it’ll be too dog gone late.” Applejack placed her forehooves on the desk. “This thing ain’t after no power or money. It only wants ta destroy light and ever’thing that lives, breathes or grows in it: the final settin’ of the Sun.” “So what you're telling me, is there’s no way to stop this thing.” “T’ere is only one thing.” Opening the book to a page displaying a landed ship she explained, “The Zebras have in their care the only weapon that can destroy Darkness. Five Elements of Harmony gathered around a 6th, the ultimate pony, the Element of Magic. Created to protect light an’ harmony. Together the elements form what the ancients called the Light a’ Creation. Its rainbow power could spread light to the furthest reaches of the universe, sowin’ life and growth. But if Darkness stands there,” she indicated the platform in the picture with the 6th element, “light turns ta dark, life ta death. Fooorrreeeevvverrrr.” The mare leaned in, stressing the last word while staring at the President hard with one eye. “So where are these Zebras now?” The griffon general among them touched a wing to her ear piece, “Madam President, a Zebra spacecraft has just requested permission to enter our territory, destination Equestria.” “Ma’am,” another of the advisers spoke up, a brown unicorn with three lightning bolts for a cutie mark, “I’m not entirely sure we should...” “What?” the earth pony turned to stare at the stallion. “We don’t have a lot of options. That moon just ate a starship like it was a piece of candy! Give them permission and offer them our warmest greetings.” Applejack let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding, and hope glittered in her eyes. “Thank you,” she said. *~~~~~~* “Alright, Tank, I’m out.” Rainbow Dash gathered her things as she spoke to the reptile who was watching a small screen embedded into a wall, “Don’t watch that thing all day, your face’ll get stuck like that.” She watched the unblinking, unmoving head of her tortoise and caught the start of a commercial: “Catch the winner the Equis Cupcake contest today, live at five with...” Seeing that is was already a moot point, Dash shook her head, “Yeah... have fun with that.” Dash checked the peephole screen and, seeing no one in the hall, turned to say goodbye to her pet as she opened the door. “Later big guy.” Turning back, she’d only taken half a step before having her mouth rudely filled with the barrel of a gun. “Give me the cash!” demanded a nervous high strung voice. The voices owner, a grey pegasus with a blonde mane and tail and bubble cutie mark, was sitting on her haunches hefting a heavy weapon that was violating Dash’s mouth. Crossing her eyes, Rainbow Dash traced the length of the weapon to its wall-eyed owner. She blinked a few times trying to straighten out the other mares eyes. “Come on, gimme the cash!” The other mare demanded again, her wings spread to appear more intimidating. Dash then noticed the funny hat the other mare was wearing. It was a cap on top of which was a large, level square of cardboard with a picture printed on it. A picture of the hallway as seen from Rainbow’s peephole. Rainbow gave the gun an experimental taste before responding, “Mmmphpm mmphm.” “Huh?” the grey mare gave Dash an even odder look, which was quite the feat. With a small realization, the armed pegasus pulled out her gun with a little pop. A bit of drool clung to its rim. Dash smirked at the crazy pegasus coming to the realization that this mare was obviously on something. “Been here long?” “Oh... um yeah,” she blinked twice which straightened her eyes and gave a little smile and nodded her head which made her picture hat rattle. “Well I asked if that was a TF350 sub-assault model with magnetic zero-grav double load and airless tri-chamber for rapid decompression. Tastes like it has zero degree anti frost coating too.” “Oh,” one of her eyes fell back down to look at the gun. “Yep, sure is!” she gave another toothy grin. “Yep, good thing for me it’s not in gravity mode.” “What?” the grey mare looked confused, both eyes now on the gun. Rainbow explained, “Well, its a space gun. It only works in space unless you turn on gravity mode. You gotta hit the little orange button on the side,” she vaguely pointed with a hoof, “to put it in gravity mode.” The blond maned pegasus blushed in embarrassment and chuckled a bit nervously. Eyeballing the gun, with her good eye, she struggled to rearrange her hold on the weapon to bring a hoof around and press the button. Rainbow made to help her, “Do you want me to...” The other mare quickly shoved her gun back into Rainbow’s mouth, which helped to steady it, then slowly brought a wing around to gingerly press the button with a feather. The gun gave a few little clicking noises and the wanna-be mugger withdrew the gun from Rainbow’s mouth and squee’d. The gun emitted a little grinding noise before its two clips fell and clattered to the floor. The derpy-eyed mare chuckled nervously. With lightning reflexes, Rainbow Dash used a wing and drew her own pistol that had been hidden beneath her feathers and aimed it at the other mare. “That’s a dangerous gun you got there, someone’s gonna think you're a bad pony.” She grabbed the TF350 with a hoof. “Maybe you should let me hold onto that.” Offering no resistance, the grey mare released the gun, following it mournfully with one eye while staring into Dash’s with the other. Dash backed up a ways into her apartment and opened a closet door with a hoof. “You don’t want anypony thinking you're a bad pony do you?” she asked with a raised eyebrow. Suddenly thinking that was the worst thing in the world, the other pegasus shook her head and murmured a little, “No.” Dash hoofed the gun into the closet filled with similar weapons of harm. She looked back at the other mare and a smile once again spread across Rainbow’s muzzle. “That’s a nice hat.” The grey pegasus brightened back up, “Ooo do you like it?” *~~~~~~* Finally able to climb into her taxi cab and start her work day, Rainbow Dash was already tired and ready for a nap. The sturdy but grungy cab shifted a bit as she settled herself. A familiar female voice greeted Dash in her usual fashion “Please enter your license.” “Would it kill you to give me fifteen seconds?” Dash grumbled as she slid her multi-pass into the vehicle. “Welcome on board, Ms. Dash.” “How are this you afternoon?” she spoke absently to the electronic voice as she ran through the vehicle’s startup procedure. “Fuel level 85%. Auto ride height enabled.” “Did you sleep alright? I didn’t...” Rainbow stuck out her tongue a little as she reached behind her to rearrange her wings in her pegasus designed seat before strapping up her harness. “Undocking. Propulsion set to 3X4.” “I had the worst Celestia damned nightmare.” Rainbow squinted at the sunlight pouring through the garage door windows. “You have seven points left on your license.” “Yeah, thanks for reminding me.” Sighing, she opened the garage door to reveal the massive metropolis outside. Thousands of vehicles flew through the skies, weaving between the mammoth skyscrapers. “Have a nice day.” “Good thing it’s half over.” Easing the accelerator, Dash edged out of her garage and flipped on the cab’s service light. Another car changing vertical lanes cut Dash off as she continued to pull out. With a honk of her horn Dash sped after the offender, intent on showing them a thing or two. *~~~~~~* Near the edge of the Federated territories, the Zebra starship sped towards Equestria having only been granted permission a scant few minutes ago. The ceremonial starship designed for this journey was slow, and it strained under the pushing its crew was giving it. To the Zebras, using this ship held both symbolism and irony. The ships they made in this eon were masterpieces and beyond comparison to their current vehicle, but these chosen few used the transport of their forefathers. This ancient mission of their kind was the heart and soul of what it meant to be a Zebra: protectors of the universe. The Zebras called each 5000 years a Syklus, the constant battle of light and harmony against evil and darkness. Already it had been a hard Syklus. Evil worked against them at every turn. History told of Evil’s challenges each Chosen generation faced during the Darkness’s equinox, challenges such as this ship. It was not the plan to use it, but sabotage and disaster twisted the fate of their intended craft. The ship they used now was always held in reverence by their kind and always maintained and had been prepared for the journey regardless as a tradition. How lucky they had been to make their escape in it, but its age showed in its speed, and they were running out of time. The light speed engines had to cool and charge after coming to a stop at the Federation’s borders. They would have to wait nearly an hour before making another jump. But a new challenge was this young Equestria and its ponies. Already super powers in their corner of the galaxy, they were an unknown force in the struggle of light versus dark. No longer could these Equestrians be thought of as just spectators when their world was used as the ultimate battle ground. As the starship prepared to re-enter hyperspace, two smaller crafts revealed themselves from their hiding spot behind a small nearby planet that marked the outer region of the Federated Territories. The ship’s sensors registered the pair as they approached from behind. To the crew it looked like a Federation escort but they were soon proved wrong as the two ships opened fire on the Zebra starship. Panic reigned as shields reported a critical failure and round after round tore away at the haul. The two fighters, with their four swept wings flew sharp arcs about the ancient craft like hornets. Through planned strategy or terrible luck most of the weapon systems were hit first. Light speed engines went offline and a quick escape was cut off. The attackers came back for a second pass and unloaded across the sides of the ship. A few batteries returned fire but were quick to be taken out by the team of fighters. The helm stopped responding and the sub-light engines were locked on full output. Damage to the thrusters produced a drift and the ship’s course now fell in line with the nearby planet. Gases burned into space and the life support environment vented into the vacuum. The ship barreled on, and its crew no longer questioned their fate. Their history told of those who died honorably in the fight against Darkness during the equinox of the Syklus. In the end the speed of their ship and their haste mattered little. Time is of no importance, only Life and Harmony. A thin atmosphere danced in fire as it was ripped around the ship, which hurried to meet its doom on the lonely surface of the planet. As it fell, flames, now fueled by the planet’s oxygen, began to tear at the craft, causing pieces of the haul to break apart. It cratered hard into the rocky ground, and an ungodly inferno exploded upward to consume the wreckage. *~~~~~~* Applejack sank to her knees. “We are lost.” She felt like she’d been kicked in the gut. A dull throbbing ran through her head but no thoughts. Fluttershy rushed to her side. Already emotionally drained, the butter colored pegasus had no tears left herself and could only comfort the other mare. She laid down next to her and extended a wing over her back. Her bloodshot eyes stared at the floor and she quietly shook, afraid for everypony. Applejack turned to look at the mare beside her. They had been through so much together. Father Bright Aura had passed on so suddenly leaving her to fulfill the greatest destiny in pony history, and it was all for naught. The President’s griffon adviser held a claw to her earpiece briefly to hear a report. “Mrs. President?” President Mare tore her eyes away from the pair of defeated ponies before her. “Yes General Gilda?” “The attack was totally made by two unidentified fighters.” “300 hundred years of waiting... for nothing,” Applejack mumbled as she stared at her hooves. Her eyes glazed over, unfocused. *~~~~~~* The two fighters set a course for the crash site. The Diamond Dog commander was pleased with a job well done. His pack did well. “Get me a secure connection to Equestria,” he ordered to one of his two officers. One of them grunted in response and tapped out the commands on the console. “We are connected.” “Good. Now make the call.” The commander smiled knowing rewards would soon be had. Back on Equestria a pretty secretary answered her boss’s personal line, “Ms. Pie’s office...”
