The Guide to the Collective.
"This is Log One of, well I guess my new life in the collective." The calm and slightly sad voice of Twilight says as she lays back on the comfy and soft cloud bed, with her wife Rainbow fast asleep beside her. Twilight feels uneasy, as on the day of her Coronation, and the day of her three greatest foes trying to take over but luckily were stopped by three groups of heroes, Pinkie accidentally attracted an alien race's attention with her becoming a chaos being. The Collective is what they are called, and instead of seeking control, asked for them to join their alliance, as they seemed scared of their magic and of the Alicorns, but in need of their magical methods and abilities.
Twilight sighs as she thinks over it all, the days of diplomacy, worry, and fear in everypony. Having to keep the peace and run a nation was difficult, especially so with the Collective being so odd. Their weirdest part wasn't the anthro animal machines or Drones as they call them, but the dark-skinned bipedal creatures, Humans she thinks those some have more limbs, different eyes, and seem more, muscular and hardened. They all looked the same too, or most of them, some higher-ranking officers and leaders were unique, with different colored skin, eyes, or faces. "I wonder why they all look alike." She mumbles to herself, as she snaps out of her thought. "Right the log. So, it has been eight years since the Collective arrived on Equestria, and now I accepted being a part of their Government, as a Planetary Leader, well more of my usual Job as Princess of Equestria, but also their go-to mare for diplomatic talks with all of the nations of Equis."
She pauses and wonders why they didn't assign someone else or take over her world, from their large mechanical vessels in the sky and the sheer number of soldiers, Guardsmen, and Drone warriors, they could have easily defeated almost all the nations on Equis. Yet, they wanted the peaceful option. They even kept everyone ruling in charge of their nations, though they did begin to help modernize but keep their world's magic system alive. "And tomorrow is my first day of being the Leader of the planet, which means having the other national leaders arrive in Canterlot to discuss if we want any changes or need any information." She says as Dash stirs behind her, and she realizes she is being too loud.
She giggles, as she looks at Dash, snoring a bit as she has a wing out of the bed, her mane is a mess and she looks so silly but so peaceful. She looks over her barrel, then to the scar. The Collective wasn't the only one attracted to their world she recalls.
'I can't believe I let it happen.' Twilight thinks as she moves, ending her log as she puts it away with her magic, and leans in to listen. Her ears sit over Dash's heart, and she takes a deep breath, listening to the new noise. Instead of the strong steady beat of a Pegasus heart, she hears the whirring and strong pumping of a mechanical heart, a temporary replacement as Dash's new heart is being grown from her stem cells in a laboratory in the Castle's Laboratory by their Collective and Pony Scientists, plus Doctor Whooves, who has become a Collective Member too.
"Twi? Listening to it again?" Twilight blushes crimson as her wife's voice whispers in her ear. "I know it is weird right? But hey next month I get an organic one back, so I will be able to do my old tricks again." She says with confidence.
"If you heal properly Dashie, do recall the Collective said this is their first Pegasus heart transplant," Twilight states, as she pulls Dash close to herself. "and I am worried about it still."
Dash chuckles. "Twilight, I am gonna be fine, you just have to trust them and me." She beams, as she hides her own worry well. "Besides, even if I die, they can bring me back as one of those "Androids" right? I mean they did it for Octavia."
Twilight sighs, as a shiver runs down her spine. "Yes, though I rather have you remain you, and I may ask Celestia about something I have in mind. But for now, we both need sleep." Dash nods, as she pulls Twilight close.
"Sweet Dreams love, and don't worry, I'll be right here with you." Twilight shivers, as she nods, and closes her eyes, drifting to sleep. She finds it easier to drift to sleep with Dash humming and holding her.
Twilight opens her eyes, to a deadly battle, as lizard-like beasts attack pony and human alike. She is with her Royal Guards and the Collective High Priestess Natasha. The tall, strawberry blond human has battle armor on her body, like a knight, with a long staff in one hand and a tablet in the other, as she shouts orders and gestures with her staff. Twilight realizes what this is, and then hears the words "Ma'ams the Wonderbolts been ambushed, three wounded-" The radio stallion goes quiet, as Twilight rushes off, her body moving on its own.
She flies over the battle, seeing Pony and Man fighting side by side, as Drones begin to swarm in, and the Space Marines and Droids are being dropped in, as the sky is alight with battle, as ships are captured and taken, aflame. One lizard man, whose name she can not recall, swings its strange whip-sword at her, only to be blocked by her magic and blasted by a magic beam, instantly killing it as if the magic fried through the advanced armor. Twilight soon flies right to the Wonderbolts, as she sees them fighting for their lives, just as Dash falls on, and an enemy jumps on top, and Dash screams out before going silent.
Twilight screams, and rushes at the enemy, soon kicking it across the field, before seeing more around them, as she charges a spell, one she knows well and releases her magic arrows, which fly and slice into the enemy, who has no counter to their magical attacks. Upon her display of rushing forward, and risking her life, her Guards and all the ponies begin to push back hard, unicorns begin blasting and using more complex spells until she hears the sounds of mighty roaring, and the Lizards begin to cheer, before screaming in terror as Spike flies overhead, with Ember and the dragon army beginning to smash and slam into the enemy, the largest dragons picking up drop ships and enemy armor, crushing and ripping it like tin cans.
Twilight's focus drifts, as she sees Dash lying still, hears Spike shouting for her to retreat, and her picking Dash up, crying as she teleports back to the forward base in the Badlands, as she begins to shake. "We were, married...only a year." Then, Natasha speaks something, and Dash is taken away, and the battle rages on but is soon over, as the enemy is retreating and they have won this battle, and unknowingly the war due to the sheer number of losses for the enemy.
The dream shifts to Twilight looking at Dash in a hospital bed, with Drone medics and Pony nurses around her. Natasha: "She will be fine, you can always trust us to care for our own Twilight."
"Indeed," says a new voice, as Twilight looks and Princess Luna walks over, as Luna calmly speaks, "I been watching to make sure they are on our side Twilight, do not fear or worry about Dash's recovery, she will be safe. I spoke to Natasha, and I trust them. So let us help you overcome your nightmares, and get you focused on your new duties." She beams, as Twilight wipes away a tear.
"Yes of course Luna, and thank you for being here for me." Luna nods, and sighs, as things have been tough for her as well. "No need Twilight, it is what friends do for each other," Luna says, as both soon sit down in Twilight's Dream home, and begin to talk about the future, and how to handle it.
Above the planet Equis, in her capital ship, Natasha is unable to sleep, as she worries for the plights and fears of the new race she has sworn to protect. "How could you do this, alone for so long?" She asks the elder, ancient being sitting beside her, as they share tea.
"It took decades of practice, and I was never the best. But you have our help, and even if you not connected with your family, you will find a new one here." The elder Goddess says, her ethereal mane blowing in a never-ending breeze, as she sips her tea. "But, I am sure you will be reunited with them, as magic does transcend the realms."
Natasha nods, as she looks upon her newfound friend, and current roommate, Celestia. "Of course Tia, and with your guidance, maybe I can do this right." Natasha states as she seems unsure of herself, but smiles. "If my little sister Akira can do this, so can I." Tia chuckles, as both relax, watching the moon slowly drift before them, as they enjoy the quiet and peaceful serenity of orbit far above the blue jewel in the new Collective Alliance. 'The first of many alliances I hope.' Natasha thinks to herself, as she smiles softly.
Author's Note
And this was but the first of possibly many, loosely connected stories of my fictional entity interacting with Equestria and its occupants. I hope you were not too thrown or confused by this, and more shall be done over time, with it being mainly for fun and inspiration to others to make and do their own things. Also, see if you can guess some of the sci-fi governments and organizations/technology the Collective have or are based on.
Do feel free to comment and review.
