The Somber Onesby MellowSoulChaptersOld MacDonaldHaymakerCountry RoadsPhase (Canon)Phase (What If...?)Burning Man (Canon)Old MacDonaldAuthor's Note If I were to liken depression to anything, I would say it's a cancer of the soul. There are few defenses that can prevent it from taking over you heart and mind. It enters your life through pain, loss, grief, strife, and a number of other factors which are inherently unavoidable. The strain becomes worse when you realize how few people actually care, and you're left alone to wonder why you were even born at all, but you gotta keep fighting. You gotta keep living out of spite, because the only person whose opinion of you matters is yourself, and once you learn to take solace in your own company, any obstacle, no matter how overwhelming or disheartening, can be overcome. Live for yourself, be kind to others, and remember there are billions of people all over the world. Statistically, one of them has to love you, no matter how far you think you've fallen. Even if it's just your family, that small amount makes all the difference. Anyone who doesn't like it can get bent. Old MacDonald Against the walls of her and Spike's room, Twilight concealed her face under the cover of her hood. Using the processor equipped on her laptop, she entered her personal thoughts, detailing her emotions in a manner most would never see. The light was all that stood between them and total darkness. "May 25th, 2042. No signs of activity above the base. The somber-lain's numbers have been stable for some time, but defenses for civilians are limited. Should they somehow develop resistance to our weapons, I fear what may become of humanity. Most of the magic-users have been gathered, but their powers pale in comparison to ours. The strain of repeated use and limited energy have long since taken their toll. I know we're strong, but we can't beat them on our own. There has to be a way - something we can do to turn the tide in our favor. The darkness is closing in on me. I don't know how much longer I can tolerate being stuck down here. I want to breathe fresh air. I want to touch the leaves of the trees. I want to see blue skies. Until our next assignment, it looks like we're stuck. What a sad and lonely existence. How have we made it for so long...?" Spike opened his eyes, pushing himself off the mattress and yawning. He stretched his muscles, easing the tension from his previous night's rest. "Morning, Twilight." "Morning..." "Feeling cooped up again I take it?" "Seems to be the case these days." "Don't worry. There's still plenty of people on the surface. I'm sure we'll be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in no time." "Ever the optimist I see." "You're not the only one bored with this dump. I know it's hard to think positively right now, but this is our home. We should try to make the most of it. We were born here after all." "I know. You're right. It's just...Sometimes it's hard, ya know...? Mom and dad have been stuck here since they were kids. They deserve better than that, don't you think?" "I do, but we have to complete our mission first. As long as those monsters are out there, it's not safe to live - not even here." "Then we have to exterminate them - as quickly as possible." "All we need's the word." Shining trudged through the halls of the base, turning his attention towards his siblings' room. They resided at the structure's lowest level, their power kept secret from civilian residents. Like any military unit, they couldn't afford their secrets getting out. If they did, the whole operation would be for naught. "Twily? You awake?" On the other side, the young duo gazed through the door. "Right on cue." Spike jested. "Yeah," Twilight replied, "Come in." Shining opened the door. His presence meant something urgent had come up. "You doin' okay?" "As well as can be expected. You?" "Same old, same old." "Any word?" "Yeah. We're receiving reports of several families down south. They've managed to hold off the lain for some time now, but cracks are beginning to show. It's not safe there anymore." "How far?" "Fifteen hundred miles. It'll take about a day to get there. I'd send my men, but if activity's ramping up, you're our best option." "Too bad I can't disagree." "From the day you were born, we knew you were special. Your talent for magic is something none of us have ever seen before. If only we knew why..." "We'll figure it out eventually. If I have it, you do too. This would be a lot easier if you came with us." "Wish I could, but you know my duty. Can't leave everyone to fend for themselves." "I know. Was worth a try, though." "I'll leave it to you, then. Grab what you need and head to the coordinates. I've already programmed the car." "Keep everyone safe while we're gone." "Yes, ma'am!" Shining saluted, turning around to head back to his post. "I'm gonna grab a shower," Spike stated, "You get everything ready." "I'm on it." Twilight strolled toward the opposite wall, entering a passcode revealing a hidden passage. Inside was a small armory containing basic gear. Weapons, tactical armor, and medical supplies lined the walls. Plenty of room remained to expand their arsenal as necessary. Twilight lifted a hulking mechanical sword, fitted to change shape at the drop of a hat. In addition, she packed away two first-aid kits, complete with sutures, antibiotic cream, and antiseptic wipes. Finally, she tucked the armor under her clothes, grabbing two molecular dispersion pistols - one for her and one for her brother. Spike emerged fully clothed and ready to rumble. "Don't forget your armor." "Thanks." Spike and Twilight headed for the elevator. The ride up was silent, dimly lit by the cool teal shade which pervaded the facility. "We haven't trained for a while," Spike pointed out, "Hopefully we're not too rusty." "How strong do we need to be?" "If we wanna finish these guys? As strong as humanly possible." "I guess you have a point, but it's okay to slack off every once in a while." "Never thought I'd hear that from you." "We're stuck down here most of the time anyway. May as well have a little fun." "You mean staying up late eating potato chips, playing outdated emulators on a machine powerful enough to run modern aircraft?" "It's better than sitting in the dark all day." "Can't argue there." The exit opened, leading to the top of the northern mountains. Twilight had almost forgotten how deep the base went. Even in the summer, it was unusually cold. "There's the car. Come on. Let's hurry." The vehicle was composed of tungsten carbide - the strongest material for vehicles on the road. The double-layered bulletproof glass provided extra protection in the event of an ambush. Luckily, what the somber-lain possessed in raw power, they seemed to lack in cognitive function. "You wanna drive?" "Don't have my license yet. Still need to complete both the driver's ed and class five operation courses." "No one's gonna know." "Quit screwin' around. In case you forgot, this is a life-or-death situation. We can't afford to be wasting time." "Killjoy." The siblings entered the vehicle, retrieving a folder containing information regarding the family in question. "Subject one's named Applejack. She's a produce farmer living in the south with her sister and grandmother. They're tougher than your average breed." Spike scrolled through the playlist on the car's terminal. Most of the records were comprised of metal tracks released before they were born. The styles ranged from deathcore to metalcore and melodic death metal. "Now who's getting distracted?" "Gotta do somethin' on the road." "Looks like they own a dog named Winona. Considering the travel time, it's best to deal with the lain before we evacuate. I packed a few snacks in case we got hungry." "Guess you planned for everything as usual." "Well, we better get going. Something tells me this won't be a picnic." "Punny." Twilight ignited the engine, beginning their trek down the mountain and into the unknown... HaymakerAuthor's Note "AS THE DARK DESCENDING, I AM THE SOMBERLAIN! DOWN TO MY EVIL, DIVINE DOMAIN! FOR I AM ETERNAL NIGHT: I AM THE SOMBERLAIN! PROCEED TO MY EVIL, DIVINE DOMAIN!" Haymaker Twilight shielded her eyes behind her bangs, preventing the light from blinding her vision. Spike continued scrolling, settling on Dissection's debut album, The Somberlain. It was where the creatures' names had been taken. "I hate these long rides. I always feel carsick." "Wouldn't be a problem if you drove." "I'd rather not piss off the guards. Court-martialing's still a thing, ya know. Shining couldn't defend me if I dinged this thing up." "The odds of an accident are so small they're negligible. There's no one here." "In case you haven't noticed, we live in a world overrun by creatures of the night. Counting on luck wouldn't exactly be wise." "Just try to chill out. We're on our way to do the job. That's the important thing." "Yeah. I guess so." "Everything'll be fine. Trust me. This'll be a snap." "If you say so." During the night, Twilight pulled over to sleep. Spike guarded the car, making sure no somber-lain attacked while her guard was dropped. The following morning, they resumed their journey. Spike caught up on his own rest, awakening only upon reaching Jürinschtick. Based on the name, he assumed it was German. "We're here." "Not very often we're sent out to the sticks, but I suppose it's inevitable in our line of work." "Try to be kind. Southern folk are very hospitable once you get to know 'em." "Yeah, yeah. I got it." The pair approached the Apple family farmhouse. Yards away, a barn stood in the distance. The color red carried a far more sinister connotation these days... "Is anyone home," Twilight questioned, "We were sent by the military! We're here to help!" Moments of silence passed, and then, the locks began to loosen. A young woman with long blonde hair and a felt cowboy hat peeked through the crack. "Y'all with the army?" "Not exactly. We're kind of a top secret special forces unit. It's hard to explain. Here's our ID." "Y'all still use paper?" "It's a way to preserve our credentials in case of a system failure. Moving our infrastructure fully online would be too risky." "Forgive me for bein' skeptical, but I need more proof." "Thought you might say that. You can inspect our guns if you want. They're government-issued molecular dispersion pistols, or MDPs for short." "Those little pea-shooters won't do ya much good out here. Come in. If you're the real deal, I've got somethin' a bit better." "Thank you." The woman stepped back, allowing the siblings inside. "Close the door behind ya. Don't want any of those things gettin' in here." Twilight obliged, relocking the bolts and chains for security. "What are your names?" "I'm Twilight, This is my brother, Spike." "'Sup?" "Look kinda young to be huntin' demons." "I assure you," Twilight affirmed, "We're more than qualified. We were trained by general Shining Armor." "Now I really don't buy it." "I wouldn't either, but you'll have to take my word for it. Right now, you're all in danger. I'd imagine any help's better than none." "Good point." Twilight looked around. The décor was quaint and homey. She expected nothing less. "You're Applejack, right? We studied your file before we came." "Least you know something." "Quite a bit, actually. If you'd be so kind as to gather your family, I'll tell you everything we know." "Finally - some useful intel. I'll be back in a minute." "Thanks." In the kitchen, Twilight told the Apples everything they knew. "The creatures are called the somber-lain. They're made up of a plethora of different entities - monsters we learned about during childhood. They mostly consist of ghosts, zombies, vampires, werewolves, mutated humans, and other creatures who pose malicious intent. As I'm sure Ms. Smith is aware, they've always existed, but in the fall of '99, something changed. They began acting aggressively - even more so than usual. They attacked towns, villages, and cities across the globe. Their numbers rapidly increased, and they've been haunting the world ever since." "Do you know why?" Applejack asked. "No. That's the strange part. We never found out why or how they invaded. It just kind of...Happened...One day, and it's been like this ever since. The military was overwhelmed, so they had to retreat underground and find ways to fight them off." "Why didn't you nuke 'em?" "The radiation would've made repopulation impossible, and the civilian costs would be too high. We're trying to preserve civilization - not destroy it. You mentioned demons earlier, but ironically, those are one of the few entities that don't seem to exist. This conflict is purely ethereal in nature." "Would dyin' really be so bad, though...?" "Only if you're okay with killing others in your stead." Applejack clenched her fists, gritting her teeth. Tears began streaming down her face. "Damn! I can't take it! Those things took our ma, our pa, and even my brother! He fought to the end to keep us safe! I can't give up now!" "And you don't have to. Let us handle this so we can take you back to HQ. You'll be far safer there. We've secured enough supplies to keep humanity going for at least the next century." Applejack inhaled, releasing a breath to calm herself down. "There's a shotgun above the fireplace. It ain't much, but it's the best we got. Take it when you're out on patrol." "I promise, we won't let you down." As night fell over the world, Spike and Twilight prepared to stand guard. Spike took the shotgun for extra protection. While able to use magic to a limited degree, he was nowhere near Twilight, though he did possess a specialty in healing spells. "I'll take the outside," Twilight declared, "You stay here: keep 'em safe if anything happens." "Roger that, Major Carl." Apple Bloom giggled, eliciting a smile from the jokester. It was the first time she'd laughed in years. "Be on guard. The lain are stronger at night. They feed off the dark. Luckily for us, they're not the only ones." The others nodded. With that, she was off. The first of many battles was about to begin... Country RoadsAuthor's Note You guys wanted badass fights, and I'm here to deliver. Country Roads Twilight focused, invoking a perception spell. Harnessing her third eye, she peered into the darkness. It would be long before the lain began to stir. Not one would escape her vengeance. "You've taken everything from us - our world, our home. It's time to reclaim what's rightfully ours." She held out her sword, combining her knowledge of kenjutsu with traditional martial arts. An aura began to form resembling the hue of her jacket. Lightning sparked and crackled, like a fire raising toward the night sky. Inside, Spike scratched Winona's fur, feeling traces of age along her skin. She was around the same age as Granny, though arguably had less time. He wished they could've spent their years under better circumstances. "Least they survived. Twilight wasn't kidding." "How long have you guys been huntin' these things?" Apple Bloom inquired. They had to think of some way to pass the time. "Both of us started training when were twelve. Twilight's a few years older, so she has more experience. I'm sixteen now. She's twenty-one." "You guys look pretty tough, though not as tough as us country folk." "Your motor muscles are a bit more fine-tuned from the workload. We're probably even in raw strength, but you might have us beat in endurance. Technique's also a big factor. I know for a fact we're ahead in that department." "Fair enough." "Where'd you guys come from, anyway," Applejack cut in, "How'd you find us all the way out here?" "Recon. One of our drones picked you up on camera. An intel unit was sent to confirm your location." "Military ain't no joke. Still, why didn't ya just level the area? Would've taken way less time and effort." "Our heavy artillery's reserved for defense. Our base is heavily fortified against lain attacks. The more civilians we rescue, the better our chances. It's more than sheer force, too. Anyone can register for resistance efforts if they so choose. Twilight and I are both certified instructors. We can train you for combat and medical roles along with the others." "It's gonna be hard leaving this place behind. It's been in the family for generations." "We were born in the base. Most people assume Twilight's my stepsister, but we're actually blood relatives. Shining's our older brother." "The general's your brother!? No wonder you're rarin' to go. Probably learned all kinds of tricks from his wing." "You don't know the half of it, but I suspect you're about to find out." "Where's the base, anyway?" Apple Bloom continued. "It's a day's drive from here, way up in the mountains. The lain never go there, especially these days. We're reserving the big guns in case that changes." "Twilight said demons don't exist," Applejack interjected, "Probably means God don't either. To think we spent so much time prayin' every day. Damn if I don't feel sleighted." "I wouldn't be so sure. Exorcism spells beg to differ. They work exceptionally well, too." "Holy magic!? It's real!?" "If Twilight's anything to go by. She's the one who mastered it. I'm still just an apprentice." "Well, I'll be..." Granny Smith chuckled. Maybe she wasn't a crazy old coot after all. With the swipe of her blade, Twilight felled scores of somber-lain scavengers. A sea of red coated the trees, still wet when more yet approached. Drawing her pistol, she progressed forward, calling forth a binding spell to freeze her enemies in place. She picked up the pace, jumping skyward. Sketching the symbol for for bounty, she aimed down, infusing her gun with mystical energy. The rays scattered in an ocean of blue light, piercing everything in their wake. In a last-ditch effort to keep the lain at bay, she morphed her blade, transforming it into a bloated boomerang. What wasn't cut down soon would be. The living room began to shake, shivering violently as a monstrous force rose from within. "Speak of the devil." Using his finger, Spike carved a litany of holy hieroglyphs into the air. Reciting the lord's prayer, he began the work of driving out whatever force pined for their souls. "Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the power, the kingdom, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen." The specter revealed itself, followed by an army of its brethren. "Get down!" The others complied, covering their ears and prompting a blast from the shotgun's barrel. Thinking fast, Spike whipped out his pistol, twisting in a circle as he took aim at the apparitions spawning around them. As quickly as they came, they vanished, forced to earth from whence they came. He breathed a sigh of relief. "Hoo! That was a close one." "Mind helpin' me up, young fella," Granny requested, "My old bones ain't what they used to be." "Sure thing." Applejack and Apple Bloom raised themselves off the floor. Unfortunately, a number of objects had been shattered by shells, so of which were antiques that couldn't be replaced. If not for the circumstances, Applejack would've been livid - downright irate even. "You did that?" "Yeah. Sorry about your stuff." "Well, I'll be. Looks like you're tougher than we gave ya credit for." "Told ya. Still, there's no guarantee that's all of 'em. You got any more ammo?" "Upstairs." "Hurry up and come right back. We should stick together as closely as possible until sunrise." "Roger that, Cappy Black." "The hell kinda rhyme was that?" "Cut me some slack. I ain't so good at this rhymin' stuff." "Get goin', crazy." With the gap closed, Twilight went all out, hacking and shooting away. She impaled a zombie on the blade of her sword, frying its insides and swinging its body against the others. "Come on! Can't you do better than that!?" Fueled by bloodlust, she cut each lain down to size, blasting through a zombie who'd emerged from the barn. "Really could use some stealth classes." She sprang for the interior, lighting the inside and drawing her foes' attention. She jumped to the second story, taking out the stragglers and steering clear from the others' reach. "Too easy, scumbags. I'd be bored if you weren't so hideous." The fighting continued until each and every lain drowned in their own fluids. By dawn, blood stained every corner of the property. The stench of death was overwhelming to say the least. Twilight fell to the wood, exhausted and drained. Het nose dripped, offended by the stench. "Why's this job so gross? Geez..." Spike led the Apple family down the steps of their once precious home. The sense of grief was palpable. A whole night of fighting left them physically and emotionally destitute. In the car, Apple Bloom sandwiched herself between her family, passing out as soon as her head hit the leather. Upon seeing his sister, Spike teased her to lighten the mood. "You look like crap." "One more word and I'll slap you." "Testy, are we?" "Let's get outta here." "You don't gotta tell me twice." As the party drove away, Applejack asked about the chamber. If she was gonna move to some random place in the middle of nowhere, she had to learn about it first. "What's this base of yours all about, anyway?" "We call it the somber-lain chamber. That was my ironic sense of humor more than anything. I'm the one who named them." "Somehow I should've guessed." "I took the name from an album released in '93. Considering how they function, I thought it fitting." "You're messed up, ya know that?" "You have no idea." "Don't be too hard on her, youngin'. Anybody'd be off in this world y'all grew up in." "I guess." "You guys get some rest. We'll be there before you know." "Thanks for savin' us. We owe you one." "All in a days work." "Somehow I doubt we're just a job to you." Twilight smiled. Even through the turmoil, someone knew that she cared. "Guess I've been found out." Phase (Canon)Author's Note I'm gonna try something different. You guys might remember how in old RPGs, the story remained the same regardless of how strong your party was in-game. You could be max level with the best stats and gear, and your party would still get beat to hell in the cutscenes. What I'll be doing from here is branching the story in two separate directions. The canon chapters will follow conventional storytelling where the characters are strong, but not completely OP. The what if chapters are basically side-quests and alternate scenes where they actively pursue power-ups to be as stupidly broken as possible. Essentially, the canon story will be a normal RPG storyline, and the what if chapters will completely flip the script and make Twilight's crew as powerful as possible within the confines of the story. The what ifs are pretty much pure madness and fun, so I'll be uploading each variant between other projects I'm working on. This is gonna be cool. Phase (Canon) Twilight found Shining waiting for her by the entrance. He was carrying a folder under his arm. "Looks like you made it. Good job, soldier." "Thanks." Shining gazed past her, locking eyes with the Apples. "Glad you could join us. Please. This way." Applejack, Apple Bloom, and Granny examined the structure as they descended down the elevator. It was darker than the surface, but they felt safer surrounded by professionals. At least they had a strong line of defense in the event of an attack. "Some of the neighbors are waiting down below. They offered to show you around. My wife is there too, along with our daughter." "You're married?" Applejack inquired, surprised Twilight hadn't brought it up. "Yes. My wife is princess Mi Amore Candenza. Our daughter's name is Flurry." "You mean your wife is...?" "Princess Cadance." "Well, I'll be..." "You sure say that a lot." Spike cracked. "She's been a big help keeping everyone sane," Shining continued, "I don't know what I'd do without her..." "Where are Celestia and Luna," Applejack asked, "Shouldn't they be here, too?" "They're patrolling the area for signs of lain activity. They'll be back soon." "By themselves?" "Not at all. While our numbers are depleted, they're far from exhausted. My men may not be on the same level as Twilight, but they can hold their own." "Speakin' of which, how'd she get like this? Is she really that strong? I know she trained and everything, but that kinda power's outta this world." "I don't know. We've been trying to unlock the secret of her power since she was little. It was pretty much always like that." "Did she even get a choice whether she wanted to fight?" "Of course. She volunteered for the same enlistment program my men did. The only difference is, she took it seriously. By the time she graduated, she'd far surpassed everyone, including me." "She's got a rare gift, all right. Not a lotta people would've lasted this long." "Lil sis is the best. What else can I say?" The elevator stopped on the first layer. "We're constantly improving and expanding the base. If you ever get lost, just ask my men. They'll show you the way." As Shining said, several of the neighbors stood waiting for the Apples' arrival. They introduced themselves one at a time so as not to overwhelm their new companions. "Howdy," greeted a man with fiery red hair and glasses, "My name's Sunburst. I live on floor two next to Trixie and Starlight. We're all pretty close, so if you ever need anything, feel free to ask. We're always happy to help." "Thank you kindly, youngin'," Granny reciprocated, "It's been a long road since my heyday. I'm ready for some peace and quiet around here." "Then I suppose we'll have to learn to keep it down during the night from now on." Trixie joked. Sunburst blushed. "A-anyway. It's nice to meet you." Applejack noted the others off to the side: in particular, a young woman with grape-tinted locks. She seemed so familiar somehow, yet distant, as if from another time or place... "Hey," she questioned, "who's that young lady over there?" "That's Sugar Belle," Shining revealed, "We don't know much about her except she was in a long-distance relationship. We found her wandering along the west coast. No word on her lover yet." "Sugar Belle...I feel like I know her from somewhere..." "Our family's over here." "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Cadance encouraged, "I hope you find the transition down here relatively comfortable. It's not much, but we're grateful to be here." Apple Bloom kneeled down, dropping to Flurry's level. "You must be Ms. Flurry. Ain't you just the cutest little thang?" Flurry beamed, smile at the farm girl's good nature. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all. Twilight and Spike wrapped their parents in a loving embrace. They were always so scared their children wouldn't return, but each time, their fears proved unfounded. Shining's assessment of his sister's abilities appeared to be spot-on. "You should shower," Velvet advised, "We'll wash your clothes." "Sorry." Twilight apologized. She hated it - forcing her parents to witness such obscene grotesquery. The blood...The tears...Some days it all felt like too much...Velvet caressed her daughter's cheek, reassuring her in an act of maternal comfort. "It's okay. You're doing what you have to for us. We know how hard it must be for you." "Someday, this all will end, then we can finally go home." "Yeah. Just gotta try to stay positive. Nothing lasts forever - not even a zombie apocalypse." Twilight smiled, but behind her eyes, she was broken. They deserved better than this. Everyone did. Twilight cleansed her mission's filth, drying the streaks before changing into a set of pajamas. She wanted to sleep but her mind was too anxious - too paranoid. "I feel awful, Spike. I mean, I really feel bad." "I know what you're thinking. Don't go down that road, Twi. You're not a psychopath. Those things aren't human anymore. We're killing them to protect the ones who are." "We have a cure, but it's not enough. The quantity required to decontaminate Earth will take years to produce, and that's if we're lucky. The ones we kill can't be saved, but if we don't kill them, even more people will die. How can I live with the guilt? The same way we lost everything, so did they..." "The ability to empathize and reflect is what separates good from evil. Compassion is why we do what we do. It's the least bad of all bad options." "What'll happen if I lose my will to fight? If I grow numb, what then? Our technology's advanced, but in the face of a pandemic, it's cold comfort at best. If something happens and we end up dead or crippled, humanity's chances of survival go down in flames. We can't allow any mistakes. One miscalculation and it's over for all of us." "So we have to train. The stronger we are, the better our odds. It's simple math." "But will it be enough?" "Won't know unless we try." "Yeah...I know..." "We didn't start this, but we have to finish it. Giving up's a luxury we can't afford. Until this is over, we have to keep pushing forward, no matter how hard or brutal it may feel. It's the only way the world can be free. There's no alternative. It's us against everything, and it's gotta stay that way until the job is done - if not for us, then for the people who count on us. We can't let them down." "Okay, Spike...Okay..." Phase (What If...?)Author's Note It's not just the power scale I'll be breaking in these what if chapters. Twilight's personality in particular will be more focused and optimistic compared to her canon counterpart. I plan to turn her into an omniversal level superhero - something we only dreamed of as children, but with the knowledge and maturity that comes with adulthood. We're taking action to the next level. Phase (What If...?) On the way down, Twilight noticed the folder under Shining's arm. "Next mission lined up already?" "We can handle this one. While you were gone, we received word four people were trapped in a hospital in Nova Star City. They're only a few hours away. We can head out and be back by dark." "Why don't you let us handle it? I've still got enough energy for one more round. If it's small fry, there's nothin' to worry about." "You sure? You're not at a hundred percent. Odds of an accident increase significantly under pressure. You should rest." "Well, we can't both leave. Wouldn't it be wiser to conserve the units we have? It's safer if more people are protecting the base." "If you rest now, you can protect it better than the privates. Trust me: we've got this under control." "How 'bout this, then? Grant me clearance to Provisions and Engineering and you can head out while we re-arm." "Provisions and Engineering? Why?" "Before we left, Spike told me we should focus on our training. Figured a good place to start would be mastering weapon types. From there, we can sharpen our other skills and techniques." "How many credits ya got?" "Enough." "Sure. What the hell. I'll register your ID." "You're the best." On the first layer, Twilight requested the shotgun from Spike. "I'm gonna ask Flim and Flam for a custom model. Mixing spread with molecular deconstruction tech will work wonders driving back the lain." "Smart," Spike praised, "I'm heading back to the room. My next driving class should be coming up soon. I'll check the calendar to be sure." "I shouldn't be long. We'll grab some grub after we clean up." "Sounds like a plan." Twilight. Shining, and Spike introduced the Apples to their neighbors, heading further down while the others showed them around. They were assigned the fourth room on layer two, right next to Sunburst, Starlight, and Trixie. Spike followed his sister to the end of layer four. Provisions and Engineering lay just past their quarters. "Try not to take too long. I'm starvin' here." "I'll be ten, fifteen minutes tops." "I'm holdin' you to that." Spike returned to the side, vanishing into their living space. Twilight continued on, sliding her card between the scanner. The door opened to a modest area stocked with food, medical supplies, and weapons. Flim and Flam stood at the ready, alerted to the warrior's approach. "Well, Ms. Sparkle," Flim greeted in a mischievous tone, "To what do we owe the pleasure?" "I need some new gear: one custom, two stock." "Branchin' out, I see. Must be heatin' up out there. What can we do ya for?" "I need a sawed-off shotgun similar to this model. It's an M-114 10-gauge variant. I also need a sniper rifle and an automatic machine pistol." Flam whistled. "That's a nice piece right there. How'd you get ahold of a beauty like this?" "That's classified." "Aw, come on now! Can't you be a little nicer? We're doin' ya a solid, after all." "I got it on my last assignment. New neighbors are upstairs. You can ask them. Now, can you boys handle it or what?" "For the right price." Twilight pulled out her phone, opening her government account. She transferred the funds for both brothers to see. "I believe we're in business now, correct?" "Well Ms. Sparkle, I do believe so. Come back in a few days. Everything'll be ready." "See? Now that wasn't so hard, was it? Partnerships can be quite lucrative when they're on the level." "All right, all right. We get your point. No need to keep bringin' it up. We'll play ball." "Well then, gentlemen. I'm off. Since you've been such hospitable hosts, I'll buy a snack as an extra bonus." "Pleasure doin' business with ya. Come back any time." Burning Man (Canon)Author's Note More of a Resident Evil 4 feel to both versions of this chapter. You're already seeing the power discrepancies take shape. They'll be way more prepared in the alternate timeline. Burning Man (Canon) Shining returned with four civilians in tow: Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Soarin, and Spitfire. Twilight was too exhausted to welcome them with the others, opting to stay in and update her journal. "May 28th, 2042. Shining's men rescued more civilians. It's a good thing we have enough funding to expand the base. At this rate, we could run out of room. Fluttershy was wounded before their arrival. Treatment's being applied. Lucky we understand how bites work now. I'm just so tired...How much longer will this battle continue...?" Spike and Twilight trained together for the next few days, with the latter's attempts being more half-hearted than her brother hoped. The strain of their lives had clearly taken its toll, but they managed well enough to get by. On the date of the 30th, they were assigned their next task. "Your next mission's a bit further out," Shining explained, "We detected numerous lifeforms hiding underground in Edenia Gardens. Given how far it is, we've been granted clearance by the air force to procure one of their jets. You should arrive around four to five hours from now." "Been a while since we last flew," Spike stated, "Least it's not as bad as cars." "Stock up on whatever supplies you need. The city's infested with lain activity. It'll be a miracle if anyone makes it back." "We don't plan on dyin' yet. We've got a job to finish." "I trust you'll see it through." Twilight examined the craft with the skill of a seasoned veteran. She'd flown before, but her experience was limited. Air travel was usually reserved for long-distance operations. The current situation constituted one of those times. "You nervous?" Spike asked, hoping to offer some form of consolation. "A little." "Just gotta keep moving. The quicker we get in, the quicker we can get out." "Stay on guard. If they're alerted, they'll swarm us all at once." "Copy that. Come on. Let's move." Spike jumped in, taking the seat in the back. Twilight preferred a more refined approach, stepping up to the cockpit in a calm, relaxed manner. Inside, she lowed the air shield, engaging her oxygen mask for safety. She ignited the thrusters, lifting the carrier off the ground. Turning in the direction of Edenia, she pushed forward, accelerating toward their designated coordinates. The pair arrived outside Edenia at the expected time. Leaping to the ground, they retrieved their weapons. Spike still had the shotgun from Applejack's farm. He'd purchased extra ammo before the trip. "The subjects are located in a shelter at the center of town," Twilight informed him, "Hopefully they're still alive..." "With how fast we got here, odds are pretty good. Reinforcements'll be here by the time we come back." "Good. We won't be alone too long, then. Slow and steady oughta do it." "Which formation? The shotgun's more powerful, but it doesn't have molecular disassembly." "You take the lead. It'll be safer if I stay out of the line of fire." Spike shrugged. "Your call." Spike inched forward, gawking ahead for enemy activity while Twilight guarded his flank. She kept an eye on the environment for any signs of an ambush. "All clear ahead." "A little faster. Just keep looking." "Roger." "I can't afford to be as reckless as I was at Applejack's. Until we reach our targets, we can't let our guard down." "Fair enough." "Well," an unfamiliar voice called out, "What do we have here?" Twilight honed her sense, quickly changing positions to find its source. She could by the sinister tone whoever it was meant trouble. "Who are you!? Show yourself!" The voice laughed, mocking her lack of awareness. Of course it did. That's always what villains did when they were overconfident. "So this is the best the almighty somber-lain chamber has to offer? It's almost too easy!" The taunt was enough to track its source. Twilight discovered two men atop a postal building. They were considerably older, between their thirties and forties. One was lean and agile with white hair and yellow eyes. The other was muscular, dressed in dark suit with long, flowing hair. Twilight instantly knew which was the ringleader. "You're disrupting an investigation! State your name and business!" "Poor naïve Twilight. You really have no idea, do you?" "How did you-" "We know more than you could possibly imagine. Until we meet again, I leave you a parting gift. Please, do not disappoint me." The man in black snapped his fingers, sending down a veil of smoke. It began to form into numerous shapes and sizes, each resembling a spectrum of the lain. "You!" "Twilight," Spike shouted, "We've gotta run!" The men disappeared, vanishing to the other side. Twilight glared, cursing them to the heavens. She followed Spike to a nearby structure, casting a spell to keep the lain at bay. "Hurry," Spike instructed, "We need to find a way underground!" "Let me check." Twilight closed her eyes, activating her third eye. "There's a manhole opener in the employee office. Guess they had it on-hand in case something ended up in the sewers. There's a cover on the backside of the building. We can get in that way." "Come on!" Out back, Spike opened the cover. It was heavier than expected, but thanks to their training, the load was manageable. "Ladies first." "Such a gentleman. With that attitude, I'm sure you'll find a date." "Ow! My pride!" Twilight climbed down, careful to avoid injury. Spike followed close behind. "You got a light?" "One sec." Twilight lifted her finger, forming a small fire to guide their way. "Hold on to me. If we're separated, it's over." "Right." Spike gripped his sister's hand. They began their descent into the corridors of destiny...
Old MacDonaldAuthor's Note If I were to liken depression to anything, I would say it's a cancer of the soul. There are few defenses that can prevent it from taking over you heart and mind. It enters your life through pain, loss, grief, strife, and a number of other factors which are inherently unavoidable. The strain becomes worse when you realize how few people actually care, and you're left alone to wonder why you were even born at all, but you gotta keep fighting. You gotta keep living out of spite, because the only person whose opinion of you matters is yourself, and once you learn to take solace in your own company, any obstacle, no matter how overwhelming or disheartening, can be overcome. Live for yourself, be kind to others, and remember there are billions of people all over the world. Statistically, one of them has to love you, no matter how far you think you've fallen. Even if it's just your family, that small amount makes all the difference. Anyone who doesn't like it can get bent. Old MacDonald Against the walls of her and Spike's room, Twilight concealed her face under the cover of her hood. Using the processor equipped on her laptop, she entered her personal thoughts, detailing her emotions in a manner most would never see. The light was all that stood between them and total darkness. "May 25th, 2042. No signs of activity above the base. The somber-lain's numbers have been stable for some time, but defenses for civilians are limited. Should they somehow develop resistance to our weapons, I fear what may become of humanity. Most of the magic-users have been gathered, but their powers pale in comparison to ours. The strain of repeated use and limited energy have long since taken their toll. I know we're strong, but we can't beat them on our own. There has to be a way - something we can do to turn the tide in our favor. The darkness is closing in on me. I don't know how much longer I can tolerate being stuck down here. I want to breathe fresh air. I want to touch the leaves of the trees. I want to see blue skies. Until our next assignment, it looks like we're stuck. What a sad and lonely existence. How have we made it for so long...?" Spike opened his eyes, pushing himself off the mattress and yawning. He stretched his muscles, easing the tension from his previous night's rest. "Morning, Twilight." "Morning..." "Feeling cooped up again I take it?" "Seems to be the case these days." "Don't worry. There's still plenty of people on the surface. I'm sure we'll be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in no time." "Ever the optimist I see." "You're not the only one bored with this dump. I know it's hard to think positively right now, but this is our home. We should try to make the most of it. We were born here after all." "I know. You're right. It's just...Sometimes it's hard, ya know...? Mom and dad have been stuck here since they were kids. They deserve better than that, don't you think?" "I do, but we have to complete our mission first. As long as those monsters are out there, it's not safe to live - not even here." "Then we have to exterminate them - as quickly as possible." "All we need's the word." Shining trudged through the halls of the base, turning his attention towards his siblings' room. They resided at the structure's lowest level, their power kept secret from civilian residents. Like any military unit, they couldn't afford their secrets getting out. If they did, the whole operation would be for naught. "Twily? You awake?" On the other side, the young duo gazed through the door. "Right on cue." Spike jested. "Yeah," Twilight replied, "Come in." Shining opened the door. His presence meant something urgent had come up. "You doin' okay?" "As well as can be expected. You?" "Same old, same old." "Any word?" "Yeah. We're receiving reports of several families down south. They've managed to hold off the lain for some time now, but cracks are beginning to show. It's not safe there anymore." "How far?" "Fifteen hundred miles. It'll take about a day to get there. I'd send my men, but if activity's ramping up, you're our best option." "Too bad I can't disagree." "From the day you were born, we knew you were special. Your talent for magic is something none of us have ever seen before. If only we knew why..." "We'll figure it out eventually. If I have it, you do too. This would be a lot easier if you came with us." "Wish I could, but you know my duty. Can't leave everyone to fend for themselves." "I know. Was worth a try, though." "I'll leave it to you, then. Grab what you need and head to the coordinates. I've already programmed the car." "Keep everyone safe while we're gone." "Yes, ma'am!" Shining saluted, turning around to head back to his post. "I'm gonna grab a shower," Spike stated, "You get everything ready." "I'm on it." Twilight strolled toward the opposite wall, entering a passcode revealing a hidden passage. Inside was a small armory containing basic gear. Weapons, tactical armor, and medical supplies lined the walls. Plenty of room remained to expand their arsenal as necessary. Twilight lifted a hulking mechanical sword, fitted to change shape at the drop of a hat. In addition, she packed away two first-aid kits, complete with sutures, antibiotic cream, and antiseptic wipes. Finally, she tucked the armor under her clothes, grabbing two molecular dispersion pistols - one for her and one for her brother. Spike emerged fully clothed and ready to rumble. "Don't forget your armor." "Thanks." Spike and Twilight headed for the elevator. The ride up was silent, dimly lit by the cool teal shade which pervaded the facility. "We haven't trained for a while," Spike pointed out, "Hopefully we're not too rusty." "How strong do we need to be?" "If we wanna finish these guys? As strong as humanly possible." "I guess you have a point, but it's okay to slack off every once in a while." "Never thought I'd hear that from you." "We're stuck down here most of the time anyway. May as well have a little fun." "You mean staying up late eating potato chips, playing outdated emulators on a machine powerful enough to run modern aircraft?" "It's better than sitting in the dark all day." "Can't argue there." The exit opened, leading to the top of the northern mountains. Twilight had almost forgotten how deep the base went. Even in the summer, it was unusually cold. "There's the car. Come on. Let's hurry." The vehicle was composed of tungsten carbide - the strongest material for vehicles on the road. The double-layered bulletproof glass provided extra protection in the event of an ambush. Luckily, what the somber-lain possessed in raw power, they seemed to lack in cognitive function. "You wanna drive?" "Don't have my license yet. Still need to complete both the driver's ed and class five operation courses." "No one's gonna know." "Quit screwin' around. In case you forgot, this is a life-or-death situation. We can't afford to be wasting time." "Killjoy." The siblings entered the vehicle, retrieving a folder containing information regarding the family in question. "Subject one's named Applejack. She's a produce farmer living in the south with her sister and grandmother. They're tougher than your average breed." Spike scrolled through the playlist on the car's terminal. Most of the records were comprised of metal tracks released before they were born. The styles ranged from deathcore to metalcore and melodic death metal. "Now who's getting distracted?" "Gotta do somethin' on the road." "Looks like they own a dog named Winona. Considering the travel time, it's best to deal with the lain before we evacuate. I packed a few snacks in case we got hungry." "Guess you planned for everything as usual." "Well, we better get going. Something tells me this won't be a picnic." "Punny." Twilight ignited the engine, beginning their trek down the mountain and into the unknown...
HaymakerAuthor's Note "AS THE DARK DESCENDING, I AM THE SOMBERLAIN! DOWN TO MY EVIL, DIVINE DOMAIN! FOR I AM ETERNAL NIGHT: I AM THE SOMBERLAIN! PROCEED TO MY EVIL, DIVINE DOMAIN!" Haymaker Twilight shielded her eyes behind her bangs, preventing the light from blinding her vision. Spike continued scrolling, settling on Dissection's debut album, The Somberlain. It was where the creatures' names had been taken. "I hate these long rides. I always feel carsick." "Wouldn't be a problem if you drove." "I'd rather not piss off the guards. Court-martialing's still a thing, ya know. Shining couldn't defend me if I dinged this thing up." "The odds of an accident are so small they're negligible. There's no one here." "In case you haven't noticed, we live in a world overrun by creatures of the night. Counting on luck wouldn't exactly be wise." "Just try to chill out. We're on our way to do the job. That's the important thing." "Yeah. I guess so." "Everything'll be fine. Trust me. This'll be a snap." "If you say so." During the night, Twilight pulled over to sleep. Spike guarded the car, making sure no somber-lain attacked while her guard was dropped. The following morning, they resumed their journey. Spike caught up on his own rest, awakening only upon reaching Jürinschtick. Based on the name, he assumed it was German. "We're here." "Not very often we're sent out to the sticks, but I suppose it's inevitable in our line of work." "Try to be kind. Southern folk are very hospitable once you get to know 'em." "Yeah, yeah. I got it." The pair approached the Apple family farmhouse. Yards away, a barn stood in the distance. The color red carried a far more sinister connotation these days... "Is anyone home," Twilight questioned, "We were sent by the military! We're here to help!" Moments of silence passed, and then, the locks began to loosen. A young woman with long blonde hair and a felt cowboy hat peeked through the crack. "Y'all with the army?" "Not exactly. We're kind of a top secret special forces unit. It's hard to explain. Here's our ID." "Y'all still use paper?" "It's a way to preserve our credentials in case of a system failure. Moving our infrastructure fully online would be too risky." "Forgive me for bein' skeptical, but I need more proof." "Thought you might say that. You can inspect our guns if you want. They're government-issued molecular dispersion pistols, or MDPs for short." "Those little pea-shooters won't do ya much good out here. Come in. If you're the real deal, I've got somethin' a bit better." "Thank you." The woman stepped back, allowing the siblings inside. "Close the door behind ya. Don't want any of those things gettin' in here." Twilight obliged, relocking the bolts and chains for security. "What are your names?" "I'm Twilight, This is my brother, Spike." "'Sup?" "Look kinda young to be huntin' demons." "I assure you," Twilight affirmed, "We're more than qualified. We were trained by general Shining Armor." "Now I really don't buy it." "I wouldn't either, but you'll have to take my word for it. Right now, you're all in danger. I'd imagine any help's better than none." "Good point." Twilight looked around. The décor was quaint and homey. She expected nothing less. "You're Applejack, right? We studied your file before we came." "Least you know something." "Quite a bit, actually. If you'd be so kind as to gather your family, I'll tell you everything we know." "Finally - some useful intel. I'll be back in a minute." "Thanks." In the kitchen, Twilight told the Apples everything they knew. "The creatures are called the somber-lain. They're made up of a plethora of different entities - monsters we learned about during childhood. They mostly consist of ghosts, zombies, vampires, werewolves, mutated humans, and other creatures who pose malicious intent. As I'm sure Ms. Smith is aware, they've always existed, but in the fall of '99, something changed. They began acting aggressively - even more so than usual. They attacked towns, villages, and cities across the globe. Their numbers rapidly increased, and they've been haunting the world ever since." "Do you know why?" Applejack asked. "No. That's the strange part. We never found out why or how they invaded. It just kind of...Happened...One day, and it's been like this ever since. The military was overwhelmed, so they had to retreat underground and find ways to fight them off." "Why didn't you nuke 'em?" "The radiation would've made repopulation impossible, and the civilian costs would be too high. We're trying to preserve civilization - not destroy it. You mentioned demons earlier, but ironically, those are one of the few entities that don't seem to exist. This conflict is purely ethereal in nature." "Would dyin' really be so bad, though...?" "Only if you're okay with killing others in your stead." Applejack clenched her fists, gritting her teeth. Tears began streaming down her face. "Damn! I can't take it! Those things took our ma, our pa, and even my brother! He fought to the end to keep us safe! I can't give up now!" "And you don't have to. Let us handle this so we can take you back to HQ. You'll be far safer there. We've secured enough supplies to keep humanity going for at least the next century." Applejack inhaled, releasing a breath to calm herself down. "There's a shotgun above the fireplace. It ain't much, but it's the best we got. Take it when you're out on patrol." "I promise, we won't let you down." As night fell over the world, Spike and Twilight prepared to stand guard. Spike took the shotgun for extra protection. While able to use magic to a limited degree, he was nowhere near Twilight, though he did possess a specialty in healing spells. "I'll take the outside," Twilight declared, "You stay here: keep 'em safe if anything happens." "Roger that, Major Carl." Apple Bloom giggled, eliciting a smile from the jokester. It was the first time she'd laughed in years. "Be on guard. The lain are stronger at night. They feed off the dark. Luckily for us, they're not the only ones." The others nodded. With that, she was off. The first of many battles was about to begin...
Country RoadsAuthor's Note You guys wanted badass fights, and I'm here to deliver. Country Roads Twilight focused, invoking a perception spell. Harnessing her third eye, she peered into the darkness. It would be long before the lain began to stir. Not one would escape her vengeance. "You've taken everything from us - our world, our home. It's time to reclaim what's rightfully ours." She held out her sword, combining her knowledge of kenjutsu with traditional martial arts. An aura began to form resembling the hue of her jacket. Lightning sparked and crackled, like a fire raising toward the night sky. Inside, Spike scratched Winona's fur, feeling traces of age along her skin. She was around the same age as Granny, though arguably had less time. He wished they could've spent their years under better circumstances. "Least they survived. Twilight wasn't kidding." "How long have you guys been huntin' these things?" Apple Bloom inquired. They had to think of some way to pass the time. "Both of us started training when were twelve. Twilight's a few years older, so she has more experience. I'm sixteen now. She's twenty-one." "You guys look pretty tough, though not as tough as us country folk." "Your motor muscles are a bit more fine-tuned from the workload. We're probably even in raw strength, but you might have us beat in endurance. Technique's also a big factor. I know for a fact we're ahead in that department." "Fair enough." "Where'd you guys come from, anyway," Applejack cut in, "How'd you find us all the way out here?" "Recon. One of our drones picked you up on camera. An intel unit was sent to confirm your location." "Military ain't no joke. Still, why didn't ya just level the area? Would've taken way less time and effort." "Our heavy artillery's reserved for defense. Our base is heavily fortified against lain attacks. The more civilians we rescue, the better our chances. It's more than sheer force, too. Anyone can register for resistance efforts if they so choose. Twilight and I are both certified instructors. We can train you for combat and medical roles along with the others." "It's gonna be hard leaving this place behind. It's been in the family for generations." "We were born in the base. Most people assume Twilight's my stepsister, but we're actually blood relatives. Shining's our older brother." "The general's your brother!? No wonder you're rarin' to go. Probably learned all kinds of tricks from his wing." "You don't know the half of it, but I suspect you're about to find out." "Where's the base, anyway?" Apple Bloom continued. "It's a day's drive from here, way up in the mountains. The lain never go there, especially these days. We're reserving the big guns in case that changes." "Twilight said demons don't exist," Applejack interjected, "Probably means God don't either. To think we spent so much time prayin' every day. Damn if I don't feel sleighted." "I wouldn't be so sure. Exorcism spells beg to differ. They work exceptionally well, too." "Holy magic!? It's real!?" "If Twilight's anything to go by. She's the one who mastered it. I'm still just an apprentice." "Well, I'll be..." Granny Smith chuckled. Maybe she wasn't a crazy old coot after all. With the swipe of her blade, Twilight felled scores of somber-lain scavengers. A sea of red coated the trees, still wet when more yet approached. Drawing her pistol, she progressed forward, calling forth a binding spell to freeze her enemies in place. She picked up the pace, jumping skyward. Sketching the symbol for for bounty, she aimed down, infusing her gun with mystical energy. The rays scattered in an ocean of blue light, piercing everything in their wake. In a last-ditch effort to keep the lain at bay, she morphed her blade, transforming it into a bloated boomerang. What wasn't cut down soon would be. The living room began to shake, shivering violently as a monstrous force rose from within. "Speak of the devil." Using his finger, Spike carved a litany of holy hieroglyphs into the air. Reciting the lord's prayer, he began the work of driving out whatever force pined for their souls. "Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the power, the kingdom, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen." The specter revealed itself, followed by an army of its brethren. "Get down!" The others complied, covering their ears and prompting a blast from the shotgun's barrel. Thinking fast, Spike whipped out his pistol, twisting in a circle as he took aim at the apparitions spawning around them. As quickly as they came, they vanished, forced to earth from whence they came. He breathed a sigh of relief. "Hoo! That was a close one." "Mind helpin' me up, young fella," Granny requested, "My old bones ain't what they used to be." "Sure thing." Applejack and Apple Bloom raised themselves off the floor. Unfortunately, a number of objects had been shattered by shells, so of which were antiques that couldn't be replaced. If not for the circumstances, Applejack would've been livid - downright irate even. "You did that?" "Yeah. Sorry about your stuff." "Well, I'll be. Looks like you're tougher than we gave ya credit for." "Told ya. Still, there's no guarantee that's all of 'em. You got any more ammo?" "Upstairs." "Hurry up and come right back. We should stick together as closely as possible until sunrise." "Roger that, Cappy Black." "The hell kinda rhyme was that?" "Cut me some slack. I ain't so good at this rhymin' stuff." "Get goin', crazy." With the gap closed, Twilight went all out, hacking and shooting away. She impaled a zombie on the blade of her sword, frying its insides and swinging its body against the others. "Come on! Can't you do better than that!?" Fueled by bloodlust, she cut each lain down to size, blasting through a zombie who'd emerged from the barn. "Really could use some stealth classes." She sprang for the interior, lighting the inside and drawing her foes' attention. She jumped to the second story, taking out the stragglers and steering clear from the others' reach. "Too easy, scumbags. I'd be bored if you weren't so hideous." The fighting continued until each and every lain drowned in their own fluids. By dawn, blood stained every corner of the property. The stench of death was overwhelming to say the least. Twilight fell to the wood, exhausted and drained. Het nose dripped, offended by the stench. "Why's this job so gross? Geez..." Spike led the Apple family down the steps of their once precious home. The sense of grief was palpable. A whole night of fighting left them physically and emotionally destitute. In the car, Apple Bloom sandwiched herself between her family, passing out as soon as her head hit the leather. Upon seeing his sister, Spike teased her to lighten the mood. "You look like crap." "One more word and I'll slap you." "Testy, are we?" "Let's get outta here." "You don't gotta tell me twice." As the party drove away, Applejack asked about the chamber. If she was gonna move to some random place in the middle of nowhere, she had to learn about it first. "What's this base of yours all about, anyway?" "We call it the somber-lain chamber. That was my ironic sense of humor more than anything. I'm the one who named them." "Somehow I should've guessed." "I took the name from an album released in '93. Considering how they function, I thought it fitting." "You're messed up, ya know that?" "You have no idea." "Don't be too hard on her, youngin'. Anybody'd be off in this world y'all grew up in." "I guess." "You guys get some rest. We'll be there before you know." "Thanks for savin' us. We owe you one." "All in a days work." "Somehow I doubt we're just a job to you." Twilight smiled. Even through the turmoil, someone knew that she cared. "Guess I've been found out."
Phase (Canon)Author's Note I'm gonna try something different. You guys might remember how in old RPGs, the story remained the same regardless of how strong your party was in-game. You could be max level with the best stats and gear, and your party would still get beat to hell in the cutscenes. What I'll be doing from here is branching the story in two separate directions. The canon chapters will follow conventional storytelling where the characters are strong, but not completely OP. The what if chapters are basically side-quests and alternate scenes where they actively pursue power-ups to be as stupidly broken as possible. Essentially, the canon story will be a normal RPG storyline, and the what if chapters will completely flip the script and make Twilight's crew as powerful as possible within the confines of the story. The what ifs are pretty much pure madness and fun, so I'll be uploading each variant between other projects I'm working on. This is gonna be cool. Phase (Canon) Twilight found Shining waiting for her by the entrance. He was carrying a folder under his arm. "Looks like you made it. Good job, soldier." "Thanks." Shining gazed past her, locking eyes with the Apples. "Glad you could join us. Please. This way." Applejack, Apple Bloom, and Granny examined the structure as they descended down the elevator. It was darker than the surface, but they felt safer surrounded by professionals. At least they had a strong line of defense in the event of an attack. "Some of the neighbors are waiting down below. They offered to show you around. My wife is there too, along with our daughter." "You're married?" Applejack inquired, surprised Twilight hadn't brought it up. "Yes. My wife is princess Mi Amore Candenza. Our daughter's name is Flurry." "You mean your wife is...?" "Princess Cadance." "Well, I'll be..." "You sure say that a lot." Spike cracked. "She's been a big help keeping everyone sane," Shining continued, "I don't know what I'd do without her..." "Where are Celestia and Luna," Applejack asked, "Shouldn't they be here, too?" "They're patrolling the area for signs of lain activity. They'll be back soon." "By themselves?" "Not at all. While our numbers are depleted, they're far from exhausted. My men may not be on the same level as Twilight, but they can hold their own." "Speakin' of which, how'd she get like this? Is she really that strong? I know she trained and everything, but that kinda power's outta this world." "I don't know. We've been trying to unlock the secret of her power since she was little. It was pretty much always like that." "Did she even get a choice whether she wanted to fight?" "Of course. She volunteered for the same enlistment program my men did. The only difference is, she took it seriously. By the time she graduated, she'd far surpassed everyone, including me." "She's got a rare gift, all right. Not a lotta people would've lasted this long." "Lil sis is the best. What else can I say?" The elevator stopped on the first layer. "We're constantly improving and expanding the base. If you ever get lost, just ask my men. They'll show you the way." As Shining said, several of the neighbors stood waiting for the Apples' arrival. They introduced themselves one at a time so as not to overwhelm their new companions. "Howdy," greeted a man with fiery red hair and glasses, "My name's Sunburst. I live on floor two next to Trixie and Starlight. We're all pretty close, so if you ever need anything, feel free to ask. We're always happy to help." "Thank you kindly, youngin'," Granny reciprocated, "It's been a long road since my heyday. I'm ready for some peace and quiet around here." "Then I suppose we'll have to learn to keep it down during the night from now on." Trixie joked. Sunburst blushed. "A-anyway. It's nice to meet you." Applejack noted the others off to the side: in particular, a young woman with grape-tinted locks. She seemed so familiar somehow, yet distant, as if from another time or place... "Hey," she questioned, "who's that young lady over there?" "That's Sugar Belle," Shining revealed, "We don't know much about her except she was in a long-distance relationship. We found her wandering along the west coast. No word on her lover yet." "Sugar Belle...I feel like I know her from somewhere..." "Our family's over here." "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Cadance encouraged, "I hope you find the transition down here relatively comfortable. It's not much, but we're grateful to be here." Apple Bloom kneeled down, dropping to Flurry's level. "You must be Ms. Flurry. Ain't you just the cutest little thang?" Flurry beamed, smile at the farm girl's good nature. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all. Twilight and Spike wrapped their parents in a loving embrace. They were always so scared their children wouldn't return, but each time, their fears proved unfounded. Shining's assessment of his sister's abilities appeared to be spot-on. "You should shower," Velvet advised, "We'll wash your clothes." "Sorry." Twilight apologized. She hated it - forcing her parents to witness such obscene grotesquery. The blood...The tears...Some days it all felt like too much...Velvet caressed her daughter's cheek, reassuring her in an act of maternal comfort. "It's okay. You're doing what you have to for us. We know how hard it must be for you." "Someday, this all will end, then we can finally go home." "Yeah. Just gotta try to stay positive. Nothing lasts forever - not even a zombie apocalypse." Twilight smiled, but behind her eyes, she was broken. They deserved better than this. Everyone did. Twilight cleansed her mission's filth, drying the streaks before changing into a set of pajamas. She wanted to sleep but her mind was too anxious - too paranoid. "I feel awful, Spike. I mean, I really feel bad." "I know what you're thinking. Don't go down that road, Twi. You're not a psychopath. Those things aren't human anymore. We're killing them to protect the ones who are." "We have a cure, but it's not enough. The quantity required to decontaminate Earth will take years to produce, and that's if we're lucky. The ones we kill can't be saved, but if we don't kill them, even more people will die. How can I live with the guilt? The same way we lost everything, so did they..." "The ability to empathize and reflect is what separates good from evil. Compassion is why we do what we do. It's the least bad of all bad options." "What'll happen if I lose my will to fight? If I grow numb, what then? Our technology's advanced, but in the face of a pandemic, it's cold comfort at best. If something happens and we end up dead or crippled, humanity's chances of survival go down in flames. We can't allow any mistakes. One miscalculation and it's over for all of us." "So we have to train. The stronger we are, the better our odds. It's simple math." "But will it be enough?" "Won't know unless we try." "Yeah...I know..." "We didn't start this, but we have to finish it. Giving up's a luxury we can't afford. Until this is over, we have to keep pushing forward, no matter how hard or brutal it may feel. It's the only way the world can be free. There's no alternative. It's us against everything, and it's gotta stay that way until the job is done - if not for us, then for the people who count on us. We can't let them down." "Okay, Spike...Okay..."
Phase (What If...?)Author's Note It's not just the power scale I'll be breaking in these what if chapters. Twilight's personality in particular will be more focused and optimistic compared to her canon counterpart. I plan to turn her into an omniversal level superhero - something we only dreamed of as children, but with the knowledge and maturity that comes with adulthood. We're taking action to the next level. Phase (What If...?) On the way down, Twilight noticed the folder under Shining's arm. "Next mission lined up already?" "We can handle this one. While you were gone, we received word four people were trapped in a hospital in Nova Star City. They're only a few hours away. We can head out and be back by dark." "Why don't you let us handle it? I've still got enough energy for one more round. If it's small fry, there's nothin' to worry about." "You sure? You're not at a hundred percent. Odds of an accident increase significantly under pressure. You should rest." "Well, we can't both leave. Wouldn't it be wiser to conserve the units we have? It's safer if more people are protecting the base." "If you rest now, you can protect it better than the privates. Trust me: we've got this under control." "How 'bout this, then? Grant me clearance to Provisions and Engineering and you can head out while we re-arm." "Provisions and Engineering? Why?" "Before we left, Spike told me we should focus on our training. Figured a good place to start would be mastering weapon types. From there, we can sharpen our other skills and techniques." "How many credits ya got?" "Enough." "Sure. What the hell. I'll register your ID." "You're the best." On the first layer, Twilight requested the shotgun from Spike. "I'm gonna ask Flim and Flam for a custom model. Mixing spread with molecular deconstruction tech will work wonders driving back the lain." "Smart," Spike praised, "I'm heading back to the room. My next driving class should be coming up soon. I'll check the calendar to be sure." "I shouldn't be long. We'll grab some grub after we clean up." "Sounds like a plan." Twilight. Shining, and Spike introduced the Apples to their neighbors, heading further down while the others showed them around. They were assigned the fourth room on layer two, right next to Sunburst, Starlight, and Trixie. Spike followed his sister to the end of layer four. Provisions and Engineering lay just past their quarters. "Try not to take too long. I'm starvin' here." "I'll be ten, fifteen minutes tops." "I'm holdin' you to that." Spike returned to the side, vanishing into their living space. Twilight continued on, sliding her card between the scanner. The door opened to a modest area stocked with food, medical supplies, and weapons. Flim and Flam stood at the ready, alerted to the warrior's approach. "Well, Ms. Sparkle," Flim greeted in a mischievous tone, "To what do we owe the pleasure?" "I need some new gear: one custom, two stock." "Branchin' out, I see. Must be heatin' up out there. What can we do ya for?" "I need a sawed-off shotgun similar to this model. It's an M-114 10-gauge variant. I also need a sniper rifle and an automatic machine pistol." Flam whistled. "That's a nice piece right there. How'd you get ahold of a beauty like this?" "That's classified." "Aw, come on now! Can't you be a little nicer? We're doin' ya a solid, after all." "I got it on my last assignment. New neighbors are upstairs. You can ask them. Now, can you boys handle it or what?" "For the right price." Twilight pulled out her phone, opening her government account. She transferred the funds for both brothers to see. "I believe we're in business now, correct?" "Well Ms. Sparkle, I do believe so. Come back in a few days. Everything'll be ready." "See? Now that wasn't so hard, was it? Partnerships can be quite lucrative when they're on the level." "All right, all right. We get your point. No need to keep bringin' it up. We'll play ball." "Well then, gentlemen. I'm off. Since you've been such hospitable hosts, I'll buy a snack as an extra bonus." "Pleasure doin' business with ya. Come back any time."
Burning Man (Canon)Author's Note More of a Resident Evil 4 feel to both versions of this chapter. You're already seeing the power discrepancies take shape. They'll be way more prepared in the alternate timeline. Burning Man (Canon) Shining returned with four civilians in tow: Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Soarin, and Spitfire. Twilight was too exhausted to welcome them with the others, opting to stay in and update her journal. "May 28th, 2042. Shining's men rescued more civilians. It's a good thing we have enough funding to expand the base. At this rate, we could run out of room. Fluttershy was wounded before their arrival. Treatment's being applied. Lucky we understand how bites work now. I'm just so tired...How much longer will this battle continue...?" Spike and Twilight trained together for the next few days, with the latter's attempts being more half-hearted than her brother hoped. The strain of their lives had clearly taken its toll, but they managed well enough to get by. On the date of the 30th, they were assigned their next task. "Your next mission's a bit further out," Shining explained, "We detected numerous lifeforms hiding underground in Edenia Gardens. Given how far it is, we've been granted clearance by the air force to procure one of their jets. You should arrive around four to five hours from now." "Been a while since we last flew," Spike stated, "Least it's not as bad as cars." "Stock up on whatever supplies you need. The city's infested with lain activity. It'll be a miracle if anyone makes it back." "We don't plan on dyin' yet. We've got a job to finish." "I trust you'll see it through." Twilight examined the craft with the skill of a seasoned veteran. She'd flown before, but her experience was limited. Air travel was usually reserved for long-distance operations. The current situation constituted one of those times. "You nervous?" Spike asked, hoping to offer some form of consolation. "A little." "Just gotta keep moving. The quicker we get in, the quicker we can get out." "Stay on guard. If they're alerted, they'll swarm us all at once." "Copy that. Come on. Let's move." Spike jumped in, taking the seat in the back. Twilight preferred a more refined approach, stepping up to the cockpit in a calm, relaxed manner. Inside, she lowed the air shield, engaging her oxygen mask for safety. She ignited the thrusters, lifting the carrier off the ground. Turning in the direction of Edenia, she pushed forward, accelerating toward their designated coordinates. The pair arrived outside Edenia at the expected time. Leaping to the ground, they retrieved their weapons. Spike still had the shotgun from Applejack's farm. He'd purchased extra ammo before the trip. "The subjects are located in a shelter at the center of town," Twilight informed him, "Hopefully they're still alive..." "With how fast we got here, odds are pretty good. Reinforcements'll be here by the time we come back." "Good. We won't be alone too long, then. Slow and steady oughta do it." "Which formation? The shotgun's more powerful, but it doesn't have molecular disassembly." "You take the lead. It'll be safer if I stay out of the line of fire." Spike shrugged. "Your call." Spike inched forward, gawking ahead for enemy activity while Twilight guarded his flank. She kept an eye on the environment for any signs of an ambush. "All clear ahead." "A little faster. Just keep looking." "Roger." "I can't afford to be as reckless as I was at Applejack's. Until we reach our targets, we can't let our guard down." "Fair enough." "Well," an unfamiliar voice called out, "What do we have here?" Twilight honed her sense, quickly changing positions to find its source. She could by the sinister tone whoever it was meant trouble. "Who are you!? Show yourself!" The voice laughed, mocking her lack of awareness. Of course it did. That's always what villains did when they were overconfident. "So this is the best the almighty somber-lain chamber has to offer? It's almost too easy!" The taunt was enough to track its source. Twilight discovered two men atop a postal building. They were considerably older, between their thirties and forties. One was lean and agile with white hair and yellow eyes. The other was muscular, dressed in dark suit with long, flowing hair. Twilight instantly knew which was the ringleader. "You're disrupting an investigation! State your name and business!" "Poor naïve Twilight. You really have no idea, do you?" "How did you-" "We know more than you could possibly imagine. Until we meet again, I leave you a parting gift. Please, do not disappoint me." The man in black snapped his fingers, sending down a veil of smoke. It began to form into numerous shapes and sizes, each resembling a spectrum of the lain. "You!" "Twilight," Spike shouted, "We've gotta run!" The men disappeared, vanishing to the other side. Twilight glared, cursing them to the heavens. She followed Spike to a nearby structure, casting a spell to keep the lain at bay. "Hurry," Spike instructed, "We need to find a way underground!" "Let me check." Twilight closed her eyes, activating her third eye. "There's a manhole opener in the employee office. Guess they had it on-hand in case something ended up in the sewers. There's a cover on the backside of the building. We can get in that way." "Come on!" Out back, Spike opened the cover. It was heavier than expected, but thanks to their training, the load was manageable. "Ladies first." "Such a gentleman. With that attitude, I'm sure you'll find a date." "Ow! My pride!" Twilight climbed down, careful to avoid injury. Spike followed close behind. "You got a light?" "One sec." Twilight lifted her finger, forming a small fire to guide their way. "Hold on to me. If we're separated, it's over." "Right." Spike gripped his sister's hand. They began their descent into the corridors of destiny...
