Author's Note
As many of my contest entries go, I had to rush with this one because of the fact I'm swamped with commission work. But since I love the genre and trope, I wanted to at-least write something for the sake of the spirit of it!
Naturally this came out a little rushed - but treat it as a more fast-paced, kinda comic-book like fic! I hope it's enjoyable enough!
Prologue - SolarCorp
Managing Director Twilight Sparkle anxiously looked at her own hands. Sitting in her office outfit, the blouse and pencil skirt was a curious contrast indeed; against the metallic seams of her military-grade cybernetics. For the sake of professionalism the woman opted to install augmentations that blended as much as possible into something resembling an organic body, but even then the silver lines along her limbs and face were an unmistakable mark.
The large white alicorn that stood - facing her with her back - was not so subtle. Though her face consisted of an organic equine muzzle, the rest of her body consisted of chrome-like body parts; as if she was soaked in liquid silver. CEO Princess Celestia of SolarCorp would never settle for neither anything less, nor anything less efficient.
The tall woman looked at the video that played on her tablet. It was coming to its end, and crucial information had been displayed. Information that she had taken into account. With a mere twenty seconds left of runtime, she kept watching it until the end.
The video, taken straight from the eyes of the agent they sent in to act as a mole, was a few hours-old recording of the final moments of his life; as a towering figure clad in black shaped her hand into what appeared to be a glistening, slick-black claw...and sinking it right into the chest cavity; before twisting it. Instantly, his insides - both organic and mechanical - were severed, torn, and blended; leaving not a chance for life to linger in the spy. Thus, the video ended right at that moment.
"So..." The alicorn sighed as she put away the tablet. She lit a black-and-gold cigarette with the tip of her finger, and put it to her lips. She heard Twilight's words, and watched the video. Now, she needed time to regroup her thoughts. A slow drag of the cigarette came from Celestia. She gazed at the city below her. The myriads of lights and motion. The city was built from the top down.
Historically the city was built on the side of the massive mountain. But expansion was inevitable. The best places, the best buildings, stayed in the original city. The slums, industries, and the unwanted expansions were conveniently built below.
It was an inevitable recipe of violence, crime, and grief. The city was never quiet. Either on the top level of the core city you'd hear the debauchery of the rich and privileged, or below you'd hear nothing but constant gunfire and suffering. The city never slept. None would give you a wink of it.
Yet, in this cycle of violence - the samsara of crime, death, and futility...
There was a stable status quo. When so many fires raged against one another that in the end, no flame became too big.
CANTER-107; far from a perfect city. But the imperfection was its own system.
And Managing Director Twilight Sparkle brought proof of an implication that this could come to an end.
"HIVE LTD. is coming to our city, isn't it...?" Celestia squinted her eyes at the city. Her left eye shifted - zooming in by dozens of times into the city streets so far below. She saw gangsters exchange shots with one another. Bullets flying over and yonder. Yet, both sides had wounded - and relented. Leaving the streets empty.
De jure, these streets belonged to whatever gang could impose their will the fastest and hardest. But de facto, their ability to constantly weaken one another meant that at any point, SolarCorp could deploy its task forces. For it was indeed the most influential corporation of Equestria.
"Yes, ma'am..." Twilight sighed softly. "Our investigation has concluded as such. We've confirmed that recent bulk purchases within the black market have led to shell companies. Of the 257 detected, I have been able to trace 209 to CEO Chrysalis. What's more..." She sighed. "The data recovered by the mole is incomplete, but it has given us enough information. In less than twenty four hours, Chrysalis may unleash a cyberattack that will cripple our network."
"Not good." Celestia cursed - crushing the cigarette before she was able to smoke through half of it. "Damn. She's been waiting for us to soften up with recent events..." She sighed. "Or, maybe she's been pulling those strings all along. You've noticed how much less stable the city's become, yes?"
"...Yes ma'am." Twilight admitted - remembering that her beloved house was torched in an arson attack; and she was only able to escape with her drone dragon assistant, 3 terabytes of books, and just a handful of clothes, sans her best dresses and undergarments. The bachelorette cursed the fact. Her peers already dubbed her an overworked nerd. Now she didn't even have the means to woo anyone once she got to travel between second and fourth bases.
Still - this, and the fact that the streets have become louder than normal...concerned her.
"..." Celestia's eye kept studying the streets. She enjoyed this activity. Perhaps it was sick voyeurism? Or a megalomaniac desire to have the entire city under her sight?
Whatever she saw from this angle, she used as inspiration.
"...Managing Director Twilight Sparkle." Celestia smiled softly. "You're my most trusted, most faithful employee." She said, turning around to look at the unicorn. "I would like to give you an assignment that may as well determine the future of SolarCorp. Of our state. Of our future."
"Yes ma'am! What must I do?" The unicorn swiftly stood to attention, like a soldier. Perhaps in a corporate environment it was not the most appropriate gesture; but Celestia wasn't stupid. Corporate life was no different from being in an army or being a politician. There was just a layer of ass-kissing and neutrality one had to wade through.
"As you know, this city has five primary gangs." She turned her head to the window. "The Steelhearts, the Niji-Bōsōzoku - NBs for short - the Joy Junkies, the Fuyant, and the Beastmasters." She reminded her. Twilight nodded - she was familiar enough with them all as she compiled much research on their operations.
"Yes ma'am?" Twilight smiled. "Shall I order some of our squads to take over their operations and take their resources? The NBs have a great matter of vehicles we may use, and if we had the Beastmaster's drone army, then--"
Celestia chuckled softly. "Oh dear - I suppose my sister has been a bit of a bad influence on you. Serves me right for letting her deal with our less "formal" activities..." She shook her head, and took a breath after her laughter. "No, my faithful employee. I need you to get them together, and launch an assassination on Chrysalis."
"Get them together!?...W-What!?"
"The five gangs possess boons that we'll need." Celestia explained. "Strength, speed, cybernetics, espionage, and hacking. Our company knows many trades - but these gangs bank on specialists. Their leaders will do nicely. Get them together - one way or another. You can imprison them and coerce them, bribe them - if they want you to sleep with them, then by all means take some STD blockers before you go. But I need those five, and you. Otherwise, we won't have the resources to take on this..." She sighed, looking at the put-away tablet. "...This thing."
"...I understand, ma'am." Twilight Sparkle gently bowed her head.
"Then please, go with haste. We have less than a day." She sighed, looking at the sun as it rose. She wondered - in ancient religions there was a belief that the sun and moon were both raised. If she could pretend to raise the sun, could she too have had the status of a goddess? It was a silly, passing thought.
Twilight Sparkle bowed her head once more - and walked out.
She cursed. How was she going to get the city’s most violent, most psychotic, and most powerful to play ball on the same team…?
The young security guard sighed as he finally had his break. He leaned against the back door of the building. Sure, the back door was not the best place to hang around when you're near the headquarters of a decently influential and upcoming company, but they had security measures to work with. A camera and proximity sensor system made sure that all significant heat and electrical signatures were marked and swiftly relayed to the main security office. So if someone tried to even enter the alleyway, they would not make it far.
He pulled out the cigarette, and put it into his mouth. Just about to light it - he stopped himself. An anomaly appeared.
Much to his surprise...a gorgeous, blue butterfly landed right on the tip of the cigarette. He blinked at it, forcing him to go slightly cross eyed.
...But weren't butterflies extinct in this part of the world?
It took for a very small and controlled pulse of magnetic waves. The guard did not feel it - but what he did feel was darkness overtaking his body. No pain was felt. No suffering.
He merely dropped to the ground - his brain rapidly shutting down; the vulnerability of standard HIVE brain augmentations was his doom. The butterfly flew back to its owner - Fluttershy stood around the corner, and her left eye glowed pink as she commanded it. Finally - she stepped into the alleyway.
What should have been a nearly instant trigger of the alarm turned into nothingness. Rarity sat in the opposite building and hungrily looked at the highrise. The ports in her head were connected to wires that connected to her deep network connection terminal - one that allowed her to enter cyberspace. Her efforts would have been impossible - the firewall of HIVE was indeed a terrifying force.
If not for the fact that an hour prior, an IT specialist of HIVE was nearly beaten to death for his answers by Rainbow Dash - who after dumping his lifeless body in a dumpster on the other side of the city made a mad dash for HIVE's headquarters on her bike - relaying some of the vulnerabilities to Rarity. Though first, she had a stop to make.
Applejack and Pinkie knew they were the toughest ones here. But this little operation wasn't meant to go loud. Not just yet. Instead, they loaded the guns they were provided in the unmarked van.
"Pretty darin' plan. Pretty darn' stupid, too." Applejack checked her automatic shotgun loaded with HE shells - the receiver heavy enough to snap off an organic finger if one didn’t treat it carefully.
"But it's a fun plan - that's why it matters!" Grinned Pinkie - loading the belt-fed, high caliber machine gun.
"It's the best we have." Twilight loaded her dual machine pistols. "Our only concern is if she tries to escape by helicopter. I hope your contingency plan is ready, AJ?"
"Sure is." The cowboy-hat wearing mare chuckled. "Ah' planted a few AA missile systems 'round the rooftops. Advanced Needle K2 systems with high maneuverability."
"...How many?"
"Four."
"..." Twilight squinted her eyes at the cowgirl. "That's the same number of NK2s we lost half a year ago on a shipment of ours that was raided."
Applejack could only laugh, not too bothered about that. "Well sugarplum, finder's keepers. A'hm an honest mare - so I ain't gonna sugarcoat it either."
"All that sugar." Pinkie laughed. "Jeez, makes me wish I didn't replace my digestive system. Taste replicator systems just ain't the same as the real stuff."
"So why'd ya do it then?" Applejack rose a brow at her.
"No chrome - go home. That's my motto." Pinkie snorted.
"Girls." The voice of Fluttershy came through their receivers. "Back door is mine. I'm cloaking and entering. My friends are coming in one minute. Are you ready?"
"Ready." Twilight nodded. "Okay - we go in once the signal comes." She said.
The mares spent some time finalizing their preparations...Only then did Applejack ask - "Uh, so what's the signal anyw--"
The terrible sound of crashing shook the entire street. From the back of a truck, a gigantic elephant had erupted from it - though it was far from the real deal. It was merely a drone - but modeled to replicate the beast in its entirety. It rammed right through the doors of the lobby - and instantly began to wreak havoc. Screams came as employees and visitors scattered - allowing the elephant drone to focus solely on the armed security guards.
Following this - a flock of large drones began to storm the building, rockets and bullets wildly firing into the tall and imposing skyscraper.
"...I guess that's it." Twilight said, nodding. "Get in there!"
With that, Pinkie Pie kicked the door of the van open, and the gunmares ran into the lobby.
***
Rarity looked at the systems laid before her on the screen. She needed complete focus - turning the minor vulnerability into a full-blown ambush as the system opened further and further. She gained access, and gained more of it with each push of a button. She busted out the best software the Fuyant had - the heavy duty kind that would completely burn computers made even just five years prior.
However, Rarity had to pause. She kicked her chair back, and swiftly launched herself right underneath her window, before crawling backwards to be against it. Just in time for the sniper to miss her. She calculated this. The computer was out of sight for the shooter, and she herself was in cover. She could continue using the computer - cables were attached to her head that gave her access from her internal cybernetics...
But she loaded her revolver. She did not enjoy having her face seen.
***
The obnoxious roar of the motorcycle made windows rattle as the speed beast zipped through the streets. Rainbow Dash was on a time limit - and so was the potent explosive device in her backpack. After all, it was the safer way to ensure detonation, in-between issues such as signal jamming or someone knowing how to defuse it.
Rainbow Dash was unsure however what intrusive thought caused her to set and activate the twenty minute timer before she was closer.
It was unfortunate that the roadblock before her however, had to make her swerve off. How did they know she was coming? Then again, not like it was hard to track her with the loud sounds her bike made. She had to find another way around.
Though the only way she knew would definitely make her journey a lot more difficult than she anticipated. But thankfully, she knew the narrow slums like the back of her hand. The only question was - could she make it in fifteen minutes?
***
The trio - Twilight, Applejack, and Pinkie, ran through the hallways. The security detail was unable to do much to them. Both Applejack and Pinkie had intense armor on their cybernetics, making bullets merely ricochet. Twilight used her reflexes - knowing how to merely just move her limbs an inch to avoid the projectiles, before firing back.
"'Ah pray Chrysalis is there! And 'ah pray that she hasn't already left!"
"You nicked some decent AA systems from us, her bird shouldn't be able to get close!" Twilight exclaimed. For a moment, a heavily armored unit blocked their way in the hallway; using heavy bulletproof shields as they appeared like some sort of Roman legion. The wall of shields moved down towards them - but Twilight had aces up her sleeve. Her eyes glowed blue - and she instantly connected herself to the neural augmentations of their grenadier.
The armored stallion did not know what came over him as he began to pull the pins from the many grenades that adorned his chest. As the canisters fell on the floor and rolled over, the men scattered and dropped their shields. The explosion resulted in a rain of guts and metal, allowing the three to press on forward.
***
The office was locked down. Not a single soul could enter. It was like a steel coffin - impenetrable and shut tight. None could enter, none could leave. Chrysalis would only have the best for herself as she sat at the office chair, with her shapely black-chrome legs crossed over one another. She was doing nothing. Merely sitting still in silence.
Henceforth, Fluttershy did not like this one bit as she skulked in the shadows - having been able to break into the once-virgin room.
Yet despite her silent steps - which made absolutely not a decibel of noise, despite her masking which completely removed her visibility and heat-electric signature...
The tall sitting mare licked her lips, tongue running across razor sharp teeth.
"...I know you're thinking to yourself..." She said - her voice quiet, yet full of malice and wicked toxicity. "I'm in the room with Chrysalis herself. What am I going to do next? What can I do next...?"
It didn't help that she turned her head a perfect 180 degrees to look right at the hidden figure with her glowing, green eyes.
"What you can do next..." Chrysalis grinned wide, and stood up while making direct eye contact. "Is die."
***
Rarity cussed. Perhaps taking on a shooter with her augmented eye and a revolver wasn't the best thing she could do, but it's not like she considered packing any other iron. She did not have the luck of coaxing a glare from his scope - when the city was a plethora of colors, it was hard to tell which glare came from the buildings, and which came from her shooter.
Still, she had another job to multitask with. Her interface allowed her to keep hacking into the building, and finally the fruits of her labor came.
"Come to momma..." She whispered, and closed her eyes shut as she focused on the final bits needed to accomplish the task...
And finally, all lights in the skyscraper had disappeared. Exposing not only the sniper's glare, but disabling all security measures in the building. The doors were now open.
"Heh." Rarity pulled the hammer of her revolver. "...Better luck next time, darling."
She drew the gun faster than the sniper could squeeze the trigger - and with a naked eye, thanks to her perception - and a little magic of eye augmentation...she fired a clean shot right into the sniper's forehead.
And the glare stopped. She smiled at her work. She was done here - and it was time to wrap up. She began to pack her things - after all, she wasn't going to go anywhere with her baby. Even if she'd need a bit of time to lug it all around. But that's what the lackeys were for.
***
The doors were slid open by Applejack, with Twilight and Pinkie entering with their guns drawn. They entered the dark room - only green lights powered by backup emergency generators lit the room.
In the middle, stood Fluttershy - who painted for air as she was covered in blood. She turned to the door, looking at the three as they came in.
"Where's Chrysalis!?" Twilight called out.
"Ran off..." Fluttershy sighed softly. "I didn't see her - she just...vanished..."
"...You're wounded..." Applejack frowned.
"No worries!" Pinkie grinned, walking towards Fluttershy. "I got some regenerative nanomachines." She said, her hand reached out forward as a small spray-hole emerged from the tip; and a blue spray splashed against Fluttershy. Her scars began to regenerate, practically sewing themselves. The yellow pegasus let out a soft sigh of relief, shivering and gasping as pain subsided.
"Thanks..." Fluttershy smiled softly at Pinkie.
"Hehe, don't menti--"
Fluttershy's hand shifted into an emerald-green claw, before swiping right across Pinkie's neck - severing her head immediately.
"No!" Applejack cried out - and quickly began to unload her shotgun into "Fluttershy". The yellow pegasus would begin to swiftly change her shape in the slightest way - almost like liquid. Green flashing came with it, and as such she avoided every single pellet. Finally, her green claw extended to a length of several meters, and pierced right into Applejack's thigh - who gasped and fell on one knee.
"Lecturing me on nanomachines..." She giggled, kicking Pinkie Pie's head away as she turned to Twilight. "...SolarCorp. You're on time." She grinned, licking her sharp teeth.
Twilight did not spend time for dialogue - unloading her pistol right at Chrysalis. With her reflexes, she was able to get a few bullets into the being. But yet, none of it worked. Every piece of Chrysalis that was shot off would magnetize back onto her, and rearranged into a whole form.
"What are you!?" Twilight shouted. Applejack had attempted to intervene, but would first need to load her shotgun. Ensuring that for the time being, Chrysalis didn't think much of her.
"Do you even know what a changeling is!?" Chrysalis laughed, taking steps towards Twilight. "Celestia may not have done her homework, and neither have you."
Twilight had to close the gap. She used her chemical injection system to give her the advantage of speed - slightly slower than what Rainbow Dash had, but fast enough. Yet, Chrysalis was faster. Her hand was quick to catch her by the throat and lift her up - her claws digging into Twilight's throat. She gasped - her legs kicking at Chrysalis. She attempted to land a foot into her face - and although she was able to knock her jaw off, it easily rearranged.
The changeling smiled wider. "I am what you fleshbags call a "rogue AI". Every part of me is an autonomous nanomachine." She boasted - a claw digging right into her throat, severing several wires that jammed her electronics; disabling her gland implants and rendering her hormone augments unusable. "And I've come to harvest you useless weaklings for everything you--"
"Coming through!" Screamed Pinkie Pie - who's head flew right into Chrysalis' neck and neck-break speeds. She jammed into her teeth first and began to chomp. Pinkie's teeth were also sharp and mechanical, allowing her to tear and chew through the nanobots.
"YOU!?" Chrysalis shrieked, dropping Twilight and barely being able to knock the disembodied head away from her.
Applejack looked up to see that the head was thrown by none other than Fluttershy - who gasped for air. "Where were you!?" Applejack asked - relieved to see her alive.
"...Feigned my death. Like a possum." Fluttershy blushed. "I was no match for her, s-so...I thought I could be useful later."
"Well..." Twilight took steps back and coughed. "You weren't wrong!"
Chrysalis - with many of her "cells" having been chewed apart, now stood with a half-gone neck. She redirected this injury, her cells moving from her neck and into a part of her ribs, which she considered less necessary to be "full".
"So what!?" Chrysalis roared. "I'm facing four injured excuses for fighters - one who's just a head! Do you really expect to--"
"Comin' thru!" Screamed a high-pitched and scratchy voice - and the sound of broken glass accompanied it as the high-pitched sound of a motorcycle. Rainbow Dash broke through - and Chrysalis was met with two spinning wheels. As they made contact with her, they split her into two - scattering her nanomachines all over the floor. As they spread all over, they began to slowly rearrange themselves.
"Rainbow!?" Applejack screamed in surprise. "H-How did ya...?! T-This is the top floor!"
"Long story short..." Rainbow Dash nervously stammered, picking herself up. "There's a few experimental features my bike's got." She said. "Now, we ought to get outta here!" She said, dropping the satchel right at the rearranging nanomachines.
"...You set the timer off early, didn't you?" Twilight sighed.
"Intrusive thoughts won." Rainbow sighed.
With the sounds of clicking and beeping, it was clear that they had little time.
"You...!" Chrysalis screamed - her voice distorted past the destruction she endured. Her face was barely forming through the pool of the jet-black nanobots. "This isn't the last you've seen on me - you damn waste of organic li--"
Rainbow Dash ran up to her - to deliver a swift kick to sweep some nanomachines away. Using her superior strength, she picked up her entire motorcycle, hugging it like her infant.
"Which way do we go!?" Fluttershy cried out, picking up Pinkie's head.
"Through the window!" Applejack shouted, approaching the glass pane and punching it open.
"What!?" Rainbow Dash cried out. "Are you crazy!?"
"Just trust me!" Applejack shouted back, her elbowing completely shattering the[ glass pane that blocked their way.
...
With a sigh, the five approached the window. With Fluttershy holding Pinkie's head, there were four mares on their feet.
Meaning Applejack had three passengers. She picked them up - and quickly hoisted them onto her own shoulders; with Rainbow Dash holding her motorcycle the whole time.
"J-Just how strong are you!?" Twilight yelped in surprise.
"Boy she drinks her milk alright..." Pinkie mumbled.
With that, Applejack jumped off and right out of the window. They began to drop down the many floors - leaving all but Applejack screaming. And Pinkie was screaming in sheer excitement.
As they did, the building exploded - the top floor erupted into a flurry of shattered glass and flame - fire washing through that floor and several beneath.
"Here go 150,000 bits' worth of cybernetics!" Applejack shouted as she braced herself - the ground was close.
When her mechanical legs made contact with the ground, a terrible sound of hissing hydraulics came; and then did the sound of shattering, as the legs began to splinter and break. However, as her legs began to break to the thigh, it had given them the ability to break the fall.
Applejack screamed in pain - but with that, she was able to break the fall. The three mares and the mare's head fell off of her - sustaining minor fractures at worst. “DAMN COUSIN’-FUCKING TARNATION! A-’Ah didn’t think It’d hurt THIS BAD!” She said - veins glowing blue as her body auto-injected painkillers.
They now laid on the asphalt - as the sound of the burning building, smaller explosions, and sirens began to fill the streets of CANTER-107
"That..." Rainbow Dash gasped, laying on her back as she stared up at the night sky - which was now glowing as it reflected the fire of the skyscraper. "Was the worst thing I've ever experienced in my life!" She screamed, clutching her motorcycle like a teddy bear; as if she was a girl who experienced a nightmare.
Pinkie’s head happily rolled back and forth as she spoke. "It was fun, that's what it was! I haven't had my dopamine dispensers shoot up this much since I concentrated 100gs of 10 different drugs into a single tablet!"
"Ah, so stupidity can give you a dopamine rush, huh...?" Twilight gasped softly. "...What are you gonna do now that you don't have a body anymore?"
"Don't have a body?" Pinkie giggled. "That one was my casual everyday body! I've got plenty of spare ones! I just choose that one cause I felt it for the day.”
"...So uh..." Applejack coughed past the pain - the painkillers she administered into herself finally calming her. "T-Think I could get compensated for the fact I saved your life...?"
"I dunno..." Twilight blankly said, staring at the sky with the disbelief she survived. "Think you can give us that shipment of ours back...?"
"...Right. I'll switch to a civilian model for a few days." Applejack sighed, regarding the metal stubs she was left with.
The soft rumble of an engine was heard beside them - as a limousine pulled up beside the mares that laid on the ground. The driver's window rolled down as Rarity gently pulled down the glasses to get a better look at them.
"Truly a sorry bunch. I assume the deed is done?" Rarity asked - trying to hold back her smugness. The sight of Fluttershy - who was too shell shocked to speak however, was a little bit sad, so she contained it.
"As well as a bag full of plastic explosives could have done it..." Twilight said - finally standing up, dusting herself off before she looked at the other mares. She cleared her throat and adjusted her tie - which was already cut off halfway. "SolarCorp will wire your rewards tonight..." She said, and began to walk off - immediately hailing an automated taxi drone.
"Tsk..." Applejack sighed. "Most of that's going into new legs. Damn..."
"Need a ride, dear?" Rarity smiled - the door of the limousine automatically opening.
"...There a catch, sugarcube…?"
"...A small favor at most, darling." Rarity coughed. “Very small! I pwomise…!”
"..." Applejack sighed. "Beats walkin'." She said, crawling into the car.
"Hey..." Rainbow Dash looked at Fluttershy. "Need a lift?"
"...Is there a catch with you too?" Fluttershy softly asked, tensing up.
Rainbow Dash coughed. "Uh, well...Having a cute gal in the back is like, one of the main status symbols of my gang, sooooo, heh..."
"...Fine." Fluttershy seated herself on the back of the bike. “Just don’t go too faaaaaAAAAA--” - and with a mighty roar, they drove off at triple digit speeds.
"That was awesome!" Pinkie Pie kept saying, excitedly hype about what they did. "...So, uh...Anyone mind giving me a ride...?" The disembodied head asked - left completely by herself.
…
"Girls...Anyone?"
"..."
"Party poopers..." She groaned, and started to rock her head back and forth - rolling her own head down the street.