Equestria Girls: Go, Rainbooms and CMCs, Go!

Chapters

Chapter 1: Cosmic Intentions
Chapter 2: Freedom and a Plan
Chapter 3: Splintered Paths
Chapter 4: Sci-Twi and Spike’s trial (The Corridor of Light and Shadows)
Chapter 5: Rainbow Dash’s trail (The Pattern of Memory)
Chapter 6: Fluttershy’s trial (Extreme Duck Hunting)
Chapter 7: Pinkie Pie’s trial (The Wheel of Food)
Chapter 8: Applejack and Apple Bloom’s trial (The Haunted House of Panic)
Chapter 9: Rarity and Sweetie Belle’s trial (The Battle of the Brains)
Chapter 10: Scootaloo’s trial (The Military School of Doom)
Chapter 11: The Invasion Begins…
Chapter 12: The Battle for Earth (Part 1)

Chapter 1: Cosmic Intentions

Far above Earth's orbit, a sleek, metallic UFO loomed, its surface shimmering with a faint iridescent glow. Inside, a dimly lit chamber buzzed with alien activity. Shadows flitted across walls lined with blinking consoles and glowing screens. The inhabitants of this strange vessel, their forms hidden in the dark, focused on one particular monitor displaying Earth. A magnified image revealed Sunset Shimmer and her friends, the Rainbooms, locked in combat against a snarling, otherworldly beast.

The aliens’ leader, a tall figure with long wavy fingers and red eyes leaned forward, watching intently as Sunset Shimmer unleashed her fiery power. The golden aura around her was dazzling, her transformation into her magical form radiant with raw energy.

One of the aliens clicked in its strange tongue. “She is the key. That energy could be harnessed to bring Earth under our control.”

Another nodded in agreement. “We must acquire her and the others she is connected to. Their combined abilities will secure our dominance.”

The leader raised a clawed hand, silencing the chatter. “Prepare the retrieval beams. Begin with the most vulnerable targets. It will draw the rest into our grasp.”

On Earth, Sunset and the Rainbooms faced the final moments of their battle. The Equestrian Magic-fueled monster—a grotesque hybrid of a dragon and a wolf—let out a guttural roar before Sunset's energy-infused strike reduced it to shimmering dust. Sunset collapsed to one knee, her breathing labored.

“Phew! That was one tough critter,” Applejack said, wiping sweat from her brow.

“You said it,” Rainbow Dash added, stretching her arms. “But we totally nailed it! Another victory for the Rainbooms.”

Fluttershy gently brushed dust from her clothes. “I just want to go home and see my animals. I hope they’re not too worried.”

Rarity adjusted her headband, her face drawn with exhaustion. “I couldn’t agree more. Sweetie Belle must be wondering where I am.”

“Home sounds good,” Sunset muttered, still catching her breath. “We’ll regroup tomorrow.”

The group exchanged nods of agreement, and one by one, they headed their separate ways.

At Rarity’s home, Sweetie Belle greeted her sister with a tight hug.

“Oh, Rarity, you’re back! I was starting to get worried.”

“I’m here now, darling,” Rarity reassured her. “And utterly exhausted. Fighting magical monstrosities takes quite the toll.”

Sweetie Belle yawned. “I had a long day myself. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and I were busy setting up everything for the next Canterlot Movie Club screening . I’m ready to crash.”

At Sweet Apple Acres, Apple Bloom watched her sister approach the farmhouse.

“Applejack!” she called, running to meet her. “You okay?”

Applejack patted her on the head. “I’m fine, sugarcube. Just tired.”

“Well, at least you’re safe,” Apple Bloom said with relief. “That’s what matters.”

Meanwhile, Scootaloo was eagerly talking to Rainbow Dash as they approached their home. “That was so awesome, Rainbow! The way you took down that monster—it was epic!”

“Yeah, it was pretty cool, wasn’t it?” Rainbow replied, grinning. “But hey, every win counts.”

“It sure is great to be home, Spike.” Sci-Twi yawned as Spike hugged his dog paws around her ankles.

“It sure is. Welcome back.” Spike replied as he let go, let Sci-Twi go into her room to rest.

“I hope I didn’t worry you all.” Fluttershy whispered as she entered her home.

Pinkie was finishing her last piece of cake before she went to sleep, letting the sugar crash overtake her.

Sunset was back in her condo, ready for another video game break.

Just as everyone settled into their homes, a blinding pillar of light engulfed them one by one. Sweetie Belle froze mid-yawn, her body dissolving into glittering sparkles that spiraled upward. “Rarity!” she cried, panic in her voice.

Rarity, already halfway upstairs, spun around.

“Sweetie Belle?! What—” But before she could act, the same light engulfed her, and she too began to dissolve, her voice echoing faintly, “Fascinating… sparkles…”

At Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack and Apple Bloom stared at each other as the light consumed them. “What in tarnation is this?” Applejack demanded, shielding her eyes.

“I don’t know!” Apple Bloom shouted back, her voice trembling.

At Rainbow Dash’s place, Scootaloo whooped as she dissolved. “This is awesome!”

Rainbow grinned. “Finally, some action!”

Elsewhere, Sunset stood in her kitchen, her face twisted in irritation.

“Ugh, not again,” she groaned, seeing the beam of light pour through her ceiling.

Sci-Twi and Spike watched the phenomenon from her lab, scanning with a handheld device.

“This is incredible,” Sci-Twi murmured, her eyes wide. “What kind of energy is this?”

Spike whimpered. “I don’t think it’s the good kind…”

Fluttershy let out a high-pitched scream as the light engulfed her. “Oh no! Oh no, oh no, oh no!”

Pinkie Pie giggled, rolling on the floor as she transformed. “It tickles! This is so much fun!”

As each of them dissolved into sparkles, their forms were whisked upward into the night sky, pulled toward the source of the light. One by one, the Rainbooms and their closest companions vanished, leaving no trace behind.

The Rainbooms, Spike, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders stood in the center of a vast, metallic chamber, blinking against the harsh fluorescent lights overhead. The floor beneath them hummed faintly, and the walls were adorned with intricate glowing patterns that seemed to pulse with life.

Fluttershy clung tightly to Rainbow Dash, her wide eyes darting around the unfamiliar environment. “This place… it’s so… alien,” she whispered, trembling.

“No kidding,” Rainbow muttered, trying to hide her own unease. “Don’t worry, Fluttershy. I’ve got your back.”

Applejack adjusted her hat, the only familiar thing in this strange place. “Y’all reckon this is one of them outer space ships? Sure don’t look like somethin’ from Earth.”

Sci-Twi’s analytical mind was in overdrive as she scanned the room. “The technology here is light-years ahead of anything I’ve ever studied. Look at those walls—they’re some kind of bio-tech fusion. It’s incredible!”

“Awesome?” Scootaloo chimed in, her curiosity barely masking her nerves. “This is terrifying! Where even are we?”

Before anyone could answer, a series of faint clicking and buzzing sounds began to echo through the chamber.

“What’s that noise?” Sweetie Belle asked, clutching Rarity’s arm.

The group turned just in time to see figures emerging from the shadows. The insect-like creatures were sleek, with shimmering lanky bodies that reflected the room’s glow and mechanical masks over their mouths. Their movements were unnervingly smooth as they crept closer, wavy antennae twitching.

Fluttershy shrieked and ducked further behind Rainbow Dash. “Bugs! Giant… bugs!”

The group barely had time to react before the creatures surrounded them. Suddenly, the largest of the aliens stepped forward. It towered over the others, its crimson eyes fixed on Sunset Shimmer. This alien was clearly the leader, exuding an air of menace and authority.

“Well, well,” the overlord hissed, his voice a mix of clicks and guttural tones, “after all this time, the elusive Sunset Shimmer is finally in my grasp.”

“What do you want with me?” Sunset demanded, her voice shaking but defiant.

The overlord didn’t answer. Instead, with a swift motion, one of his clawed hands shot forward and seized her arm. Sunset struggled, but his grip was unyielding.

“Sunset!” Rarity cried out, holding Sweetie Belle protectively.

“Let her go!” Rainbow yelled, activating her geode—or at least, she tried to. Nothing happened. She pressed a hand to her pendant, her frustration mounting. “What the…?”

“My magic’s not workin’!” Applejack exclaimed, tugging at her own geode.

“It’s the ship,” Sci-Twi deduced, fear lacing her voice. “Something on board is neutralizing our magic!”

Before they could react further, more aliens emerged from hidden doors, their numbers overwhelming. They moved quickly, capturing the Rainbooms, Spike, and the Crusaders with precision.

“Hey! What’s the big idea?” Scootaloo protested as the otherworldly arms restrained her.

The girls were led to a row of high-tech tubes lining the wall. They were forced inside and strapped by their wrists against the wall with sparkling diamond-patterned chains.

“Ooh,” Sweetie Belle said despite herself, eyeing the glittering restraints. “These are… kind of pretty.”

“Not the time to admire accessories!” Rarity chided, though she couldn’t help but notice the elegance of the design.

Spike growled as a glowing collar latched onto his neck and secured him to the wall. “This is humiliating,” he muttered.

Pinkie Pie, as always, found a way to make light of the situation. She giggled uncontrollably as the aliens strapped her in, their insectoid appendages accidentally tickling her sides. “Stop it! Heehee! That tickles!”

Once everyone was secured, the aliens activated the tubes. A shimmering field of energy enveloped each prisoner, and their clothes transformed into white jumpsuits with red hoods. Their hair was also sealed inside tight coverings. Spike also has the jumpsuit as well. The jumpsuits only has their faces visible!

“Oh no!” Rarity wailed. “My hair! My beautiful hair!”

“Well, this is kinda cool!" Apple Bloom said, amused.

Fluttershy whimpered, her wide eyes darting around. “What are they going to do to us?”

“Calm down, y’all!” Applejack urged, though her own voice was strained. “We’ve been in tough spots before. We’ll figure a way out.”

“This is an interesting outfit. I wonder what the material is and if it has any scientific applications. It kind of reminds me of a lab suit." Sci-Twi said, curious.

As the girls struggled to come to terms with their predicament, Sunset was grabbed by a swarm of tiny bugs that fly her toward a door at the far end of the chamber.

“Sunset!” Sci-Twi called, her voice echoing in the sterile room.

The alien overlord paused, turning back to face the group. “You are irrelevant. She is the key to my plans.” He let out a chilling laugh and disappeared with Sunset, the door sealing behind them.

To be continued…

Chapter 2: Freedom and a Plan

The cold metallic hum of the room was punctuated by the soft whir of machinery and the occasional frustrated grunt from Rainbow Dash as she thrashed against her restraints. "Ugh! This is ridiculous! We can't just sit here while Sunset's out there somewhere screaming for help!"

"I’m trying, darling!" Rarity wailed, tugging futilely at the tight white jumpsuit that clung to her like a second skin. The bright red hood framing her face and sealing her hair inside it only deepened her despair. "This horrid jumpsuit is going to leave wrinkles! Permanent wrinkles!"

"I’m sure we’ll find a way out soon, Rarity. Try to think about something pleasant. Like... um... kittens?" Fluttershy said, her voice loud but soothing since it’s one prisoner per tube and she has to find some way for Rarity to hear her.

Rarity sniffled, only partially mollified. "Even kittens can’t save this disaster."

Meanwhile, Pinkie Pie giggled as she bounced as much as her restraints allowed. "I don’t know what you’re all whining about! These outfits are so cool! We look like movie astronauts!”

Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo—trapped in smaller, child-sized tubes—perked up at the mention of astronauts. "Astronauts!" Scootaloo exclaimed, her voice tinged with excitement. "This is perfect for our next Canterlot Movie Club screening! We can do a sci-fi theme!"

"Yeah!" Sweetie Belle agreed. "As soon as we get out of here, we can watch Space Explorers 4: The Cosmic Quest!"

Applejack sighed, her voice laced with irritation as she flexed her muscles against the unyielding metal restraints. "Y'all can dream about space movies later. Right now, we gotta figure out how to bust outta here. These restraints are tougher than steel!"

Sci-Twi, meanwhile, furrowed her brow, her mind racing as she analyzed the machinery keeping them trapped. "The restraints are powered by that panel," she muttered, adjusting her glasses. "If we can disrupt its power source, we might be able to escape."

Spike, who had been listening intently, perked up. "That’s great, but how are we supposed to reach it? We’re all stuck, remember?"

Sci-Twi’s eyes lit up as an idea struck her. "Not necessarily." She closed her eyes, concentrating deeply, and when she opened them again, her pupils glowed faintly with magenta energy. With a burst of effort, twin beams of telekinetic energy shot from her eyes, striking the control panel on the far wall.

It seems that the Rainbooms still have some of their geode powers stored just in case of emergencies.

The panel sparked and hissed before exploding in a shower of sparks. One by one, the restraints holding Sci-Twi, Spike, and the rest of the Rainbooms hissed open, releasing them from their metallic prisons.

"We’re free!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, pumping her fists in the air. "Alright, let’s go get Sunset!"

"Hold on there, sugarcube," Applejack said, glancing over at the still-restrained CMCs. "We ain’t leavin’ until we get the young’uns out too."

The girls hurried over to the smaller tubes housing Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. Each tube had its own control panel, smaller but equally complex. Rarity, her earlier distress momentarily forgotten, studied the panels. "Hmm… This is delicate work. Twilight, darling, any ideas?"

Sci-Twi examined the panels carefully. "The restraints are locked by a secondary power source. I can try to short-circuit it, but it might take a few minutes."

"Do it," Applejack said firmly. "We’ll keep an eye out for any trouble."

As Sci-Twi got to work, Spike’s ears perked up. "Wait! I think I hear something!"

The group froze, their gazes darting to the far side of the room. From a distant corridor, faint but unmistakable, came a desperate scream. "HELP ME!"

"Sunset!" Sci-Twi gasped, her hands trembling. She redoubled her efforts, her glowing eye beams focusing on the panel keeping the CMCs locked up.

"Go on!" Sweetie Belle urged. "We’ll be fine. Just save Sunset!"

Applejack placed a comforting hand on Apple Bloom’s tube. "We ain’t leavin’ you, sugarcube. Sunset wouldn’t want us splittin’ up."

"I’ve almost got it!" Sci-Twi said, sparks flying as the last of the CMCs’ restraints hissed open.

The second the girls were free, Rainbow Dash heads toward the corridor, the others hot on her heels. "Hang on, Sunset! We’re coming!"

To be continued…

Chapter 3: Splintered Paths

Sunset Shimmer (also clad in the white jumpsuit and red hood) struggled against the restraints holding her to the cold, metallic table. The straps cut into her wrists and ankles, preventing any movement as the alien overlord loomed above her, his compound eyes glinting with malice. Beside him, one of the insectoid workers carried a helmet bristling with wiry appendages and glowing nodes that pulsed ominously.

“You’ll never get away with this!” Sunset yelled, defiance burning in her voice despite the fear coiling in her chest.

The overlord chittered a laugh, a sickening sound that reverberated through the sterile laboratory. “Oh, but I already am. This device will drain you of your energy and essence, little interloper. Soon, you’ll be as powerless as the creatures you sought to protect.”

With deliberate malice, the overlord lowered the helmet onto her head. Sunset squirmed, but the restraints held firm. The device latched into place, whirring to life with an eerie hum. She winced as a sharp jolt rippled through her, sapping a fragment of her strength.

Suddenly, one of the insectoids skittered into the room, clicking rapidly. “Overlord, her companions have escaped their cells and are attempting to locate her.”

The overlord turned, his mandibles clicking in irritation. “Fools! Sound the alarm. Let the corridors become their labyrinth of despair.”

The Rainbooms, Spike, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders sprinted through the labyrinthine halls of the alien ship. Metallic plating lined the walls, intersected with glowing circuits and flickering displays that seemed to mock their efforts to navigate the endless maze of identical doors.

“We’re never gonna find her at this rate!” Rainbow Dash groaned, skidding to a halt and planting her hands on her knees. “There’s too many doors, and they all look the same!”

Scootaloo staggered to a stop, her small legs trembling from the effort of keeping up. “I-I can’t keep running like this…”

“We can’t give up!” Sci-Twi said firmly, her glasses askew from the frantic dash. “Sunset is counting on us.”

Before anyone could reply, a blaring alarm shrieked to life, causing everyone to flinch and cover their ears. The noise was deafening, rattling the walls and sending tremors through the floor. Fluttershy whimpered, pressing her hands tightly against her ears. “W-What’s happening?”

The alarm’s cacophony was joined by a mechanical whirring as speakers unfolded from their jumpsuits, amplifying the noise and causing the group to cry out in pain. Just as quickly as it began, the alarm abruptly ceased, leaving their ears ringing in the sudden silence.

“That was awful,” Sweetie Belle muttered, rubbing her ears.

The relief was short-lived as several of the unmarked doors slid open. Massive vacuum tubes shot out from the openings, snaking toward the group.

“Look out!” Applejack shouted, but it was too late. The tubes latched onto them with a powerful suction, yanking them off their feet one by one.

Sci-Twi adjusted her glasses as the two of them soared through the transparent tube, neon lights streaking past them in a blur. Despite the bizarre situation, curiosity flickered in her eyes. “Spike, this system is fascinating! It’s like an automated transportation network.”

“Uh, yeah, fascinating,” Spike replied, his tail whipping in the wind. “But where’s it taking us?”

Rainbow Dash folded her arms in frustration as she zoomed along in her own tube. “This is so not cool! I should be running, not… flying through an alien hamster tube!”

Fluttershy curled into herself, trembling as her tube carried her away. “Oh no, oh no, oh no…” she whispered.

Pinkie Pie whooped with glee in her tube, throwing her arms up as if on a roller coaster. “This is amazing! Wheeee! I wonder if there’s snacks at the end?”

Applejack gritted her teeth, gripping her tube’s sides as she glared into the distance. “This just keeps gettin’ worse and worse!”

“Don’t worry, big sis,” Apple Bloom said, her voice steady. “We’ll get through this together.”

Rarity held onto Sweetie Belle tightly, her face pale. “This is absolutely dreadful! Why must everything be so undignified?”

Sweetie Belle patted her arm. “We’ll be okay, Rarity. Just… think of it as an adventure.”

Scootaloo’s heart raced as she hurtled through her tube, completely alone. She clenched her fists, her determination overriding her fear. “Wherever this dumps me, I’ll figure it out. I have to.”

As the tubes carried the separated groups deeper into the alien ship, Sunset gritted her teeth against the draining sensation from the helmet. “Come on, guys,” she muttered, her voice hoarse. “Hurry…”

To be continued…

Chapter 4: Sci-Twi and Spike’s trial (The Corridor of Light and Shadows)

Sci-Twi and Spike tumbled out of their tube, landing with a thud in a dimly lit hallway. The faint glow of flickering lights reflected off the metallic walls, casting strange patterns on the floor. The air was thick with a foreboding silence that made Spike’s fur stand on end.

“This place gives me the creeps,” Spike murmured, his ears swiveling as if expecting something to leap out of the shadows.

“Oh, relax, Spike,” Sci-Twi said with a small chuckle, dusting herself off. “We’ve handled worse. Let’s just find a way out.”

No sooner had she taken a step forward than beams of red light erupted from the walls ahead of them, crisscrossing the hallway. The first half of the hallway has the lasers moving at a slow speed, almost sluggish. However, the farther they get, the chances of making it out decreases. The lasers in the middle area moved at an average speed. The last half of the hallway where the exit is has the lasers becoming a rapid blur of light as they movie really fast.

“Well, that’s... new,” Sci-Twi muttered, adjusting her glasses to get a better look.

Before she could analyze the lasers, something strange happened. Their jumpsuits began to shimmer, forming giant glowing orbs that embedded themselves onto their chests. Numbers—bold and clear—lit up on each orb: “5”.

“What the...?” Sci-Twi stared at her orb in curiosity as she knocked her hand on it. “It seems to be made of metal.”

Spike pawed at his orb, sniffing it. “What’s this for? And why do I feel like it’s bad news?”

Sci-Twi’s analytical mind raced. Then, a chilling thought struck her. “Spike, I think these are... our lives. Each time we touch a laser, we lose one. And if we lose all five... we might disappear for good.”

Spike’s eyes widened. “Disappear?! As in... gone? Forever?”

Sci-Twi nodded grimly, but she quickly put on a brave face. “Don’t worry, Spike. It’s just like a video game. We can figure this out.”

Spike didn’t seem convinced, but before she could explain further, he bolted forward.

“Spike, wait!”

The little dragon darted through the slow-moving lasers with ease, his size making it easier to navigate the gaps. But as he reached the medium-speed section, his overconfidence got the better of him. A laser grazed his tail.

There was no pain—just a bright flash of light.

Suddenly, Spike was back at the start of the hallway, his orb now showing “4”.

“That’s what I was trying to tell you,” Sci-Twi said, catching up to him. “We need to focus and think this through.”

Spike looked at his orb nervously. “I don’t want to disappear, Twi.”

“You won’t. Watch me, and take notes.”

Sci-Twi adjusted her glasses and stepped into the lasers. Her movements were deliberate: fast through the slow-moving section, measured and cautious through the medium section, and incredibly slow and precise for the fast-moving lasers at the end. She paused, calculated, and timed each step perfectly.

When she reached the other side, her orb vanished.

“See? Simple,” she called back, a triumphant smile on her face.

Spike gulped and took a deep breath. “Okay... I can do this.”

He followed her example, darting through the slow lasers, moving carefully through the medium section, and inching forward past the blurring fast lasers.

At the very end, a fast-moving laser nearly clipped his tail. He yelped, jumping just in time.

Finally, he stumbled out of the lasers and onto the safe side. His orb dissolved into nothingness.

“We did it!” Sci-Twi cheered, pulling Spike into a quick hug.

Spike wagged his tail, relief washing over him. “That was way too close.”

Ahead, a door hissed open, revealing a corridor bathed in soft light. It seemed safer—inviting, even—but they knew better than to let their guard down.

“This must be where we wait for the others,” Sci-Twi said, stepping inside.

Spike glanced back at the hallway of lasers and shuddered. “I really hope their trials aren’t this crazy.”

Sci-Twi offered him a reassuring smile. “They’ll be okay. We’ll get through this... together.”

The door closed behind them, sealing away the treacherous lasers as they waited for the rest of their friends to face their own trials.

To be continued…

Chapter 5: Rainbow Dash’s trail (The Pattern of Memory)

Rainbow Dash groaned as she picked herself up from the smooth, glowing multi-colored floor. The strange blinking colors surrounding her felt almost alive, pulsating in time with her growing anxiety. She glanced down at the huge glowing metallic orb that had appeared in a flash of light and embedded itself in her chest, its harsh light displaying a bold “5”. Her attempt to pull it off was met with sharp, stinging pain, and she winced.

"What even is this place?" she mutters as her body twitches involuntarily against the confines of her suit.

Suddenly, the large screen on the far wall flickered to life. Relief washed over Rainbow as she saw Sci-Twi and Spike's familiar faces.

"Rainbow!" Sci-Twi called out, her voice crackling with static. "You're—thank goodness—okay! Listen, we don’t have much—"

The screen cut off abruptly, leaving only static. Rainbow cursed under her breath and kicked at the floor. Before she could dwell on it, a new message scrolled across the screen:

“Follow the path correctly, and you’ll pass your trial. Misstep, and the panel will fall—taking you with it. Each mistake costs a life. Lose all 5 lives, and you will disappear forever.”

“Disappear forever? Oh, great. No pressure.” Rainbow said as the floor beneath her dimmed, leaving only a narrow path of brightly lit panels that blinked in a rhythmic sequence. Rainbow swallowed hard, mentally recording the pattern as best as she could before the pattern disappears. It’s the test of memory and precision. Her heart hammered in her chest as she stepped forward.

Her first four steps were steady and precise. On the fifth, her confidence got the better of her, and she stepped on the wrong panel. Instantly, the ground beneath her vanished. She yelped, plummeting into the darkness below. A jarring sensation overtook her and she reappeared at the start, the glowing orb on her chest now displaying a grim 4.

"Okay, okay," she muttered, shaking out her limbs. "I got this. Just focus, Dash."

Attempt after attempt, she advanced further, only to falter again. Each misstep shaved away another precious life. By the time the orb on her chest displayed “1”. Rainbow’s hands trembled and sweat soaked her jumpsuit.

“You can do this,” she whispered to herself. “No way is this how Rainbow Dash goes out.”

Taking a deep breath, she replayed the pattern in her mind and began again. Step by careful step, she inched forward, her focus razor-sharp. Her heart threatened to burst as she reached the final glowing panel. She hesitated, then confidently stepped forward.

The path solidified beneath her feet, and the orb on her chest vanished in a brilliant flash of light. Before she could celebrate, the floor beneath her dropped away. She screamed as she fell. “Not again!” she yelled as she thought she was going to die anyway. That didn’t matter since she instead landed on a roaring-long water slide which slid her down to the light at the end at fast speed.

“Woo-hoo!” Rainbow cheered as she raised her arms in triumph and thrill as she slid right through the ride.

Rainbow Dash gasped as she splashed into the corridor, her heart still pounding from the trial and exhilarated from the ride. The vivid colors of the room she had escaped seemed dull compared to the cold, stark corridor she now found herself in. The smooth, metallic walls reflected her heaving breaths and the flickering light above her. Her jumpsuit clung to her skin, still damp from the slide, and the orb on her chest was mercifully gone.

"Rainbow!" Sci-Twi’s voice called out, pulling Rainbow's attention to her and Spike, who rushed to greet her. Relief flooded Sci-Twi’s face as she grabbed Rainbow's shoulders, her hands trembling. "You made it! I was so worried—"

Rainbow cut her off, her voice cracking from exhaustion. "That was awesome, but what... was that? What’s going on, Twi? Why did I almost die like, four times?"

Sci-Twi adjusted her glasses nervously, glancing at Spike, who sat quietly at her feet. "It’s a long story. Something... or someone brought us here. Each of us has been given a trial. We don’t know why, but if we fail..." She faltered, looking away.

Rainbow finished the thought. "We disappear forever, we’ll never save Sunset and it will be the end of Earth." Her stomach churned as she recalled the sensation of falling into nothingness.

Spike piped up, his voice filled with worry. "You’re not the first one to finish. We finished our own trial. We don’t even know if the others are okay."

Rainbow’s fists clenched. "Then what are we standing around for? We’ve got to help them!"

"I wish we could," Sci-Twi said, frustration evident in her voice. "The system only allows us to watch. I’ve been trying to hack it, but whatever designed this place is way ahead of me. Right now, all we can do is hope they’re as tough as you are."

Rainbow shook her head, her magenta eyes fierce. "No way. Sitting around isn’t my style. Show me where the others are.”

Reluctantly, Sci-Twi led Rainbow to a wall lined with monitors. Each screen shows that their friends and the CMCs still flying in their tubes.

"Good luck, you guys.” Rainbow whispered.

“Oh, and Sunset. Please be okay.” Sci-Twi said as Spike clung onto her ankles.

To be continued…

Chapter 6: Fluttershy’s trial (Extreme Duck Hunting)

Fluttershy landed with a face-plant on the soft padded floor, her tube spinning off into the void. The sudden shift left her disoriented, but as she sat up, her wide eyes took in her surroundings. She was in a dimly lit arcade simulation room, with glowing neon lights casting colorful patterns across the walls. The faint hum of machinery surrounded her, a sound that stirred a memory.

Sunset Shimmer and I played something like this before, Fluttershy thought. A small smile crept onto her lips. She could almost hear Sunset’s encouraging voice cheering her on.

But her nostalgic moment was interrupted by the appearance of her own huge metal orb that just so happened to be embedding itself into her chest. The sensation was warm and tingling, but the glowing "5" that appeared on the orb made her heart sink.

“Oh dear...” she whispered, clutching at the orb as if she could pry it off.

Suddenly, a platform rose from the floor, carrying a small box to her. Hesitantly, she opened it, revealing a folded note. She carefully read the words, her voice trembling as she whispered them aloud.

“Dear Fluttershy, you’re probably on your way to save Sunset. If you want to see your friends and save one of your own, you must beat 100 perfect shots in a row in a duck hunting VR game. You have one minute to do so and you get 5 tries. If you fail to reach the goal in the allotted time or lose grip of your controller sniper, you will lose a life. Lose all 5 lives, you’ll disappear forever, and Sunset and your friends who passed the trials will be imprisoned on this ship forever. The Overlord.”

Fluttershy’s hands shook as she read the ominous message. She clutched the note tightly, her chest rising and falling with shallow breaths with her orb moving along.

“This can’t be real,” she whimpered. But her glowing orb pulsed in response, sending a surge of energy through her body as if to confirm the stakes.

She closed her eyes, forcing herself to focus. “I have to save Sunset. I have to save my friends.”

Fluttershy grabbed the sniper controller from the platform. It was heavier than she expected, and its sleek, futuristic design made it feel alien in her hands. She swallowed hard, adjusting her grip as the room dimmed further, and a virtual landscape filled with flying ducks appeared around her.

A robotic voice echoed through the room: “Game start.”

The ducks took flight, their erratic movements challenging Fluttershy’s aim. She hesitated for a fraction of a second, but then she squeezed the trigger.

“Miss,” the robotic voice announced.

“No!” Fluttershy cried, panic flooding her as she scrambled to line up her shots. Her movements grew jerky, and though she hit a few targets, her score at the end of the minute was only 57.

“Life lost. Four remaining.”

Fluttershy’s heart sank as the game reset. Her grip tightened on the controller, but her hands were damp with sweat. The orb on her chest absorbed the moisture, glowing faintly brighter.

The second attempt was better, but she only managed 76 points before time ran out. The third attempt was even worse—her trembling hands betrayed her, and she dropped the controller for a split second, costing her another life.

“Life lost. Two remaining.”

The realization hit her like a ton of bricks. If I mess up again, I I’ll have one try left. My friends are counting on me.

Fluttershy took a deep breath, willing her racing heart to calm down. She imagined her friends cheering her on. Rainbow Dash would tell her to go all out, while Twilight would offer advice on steadying her aim. And Sunset...Sunset would simply smile, her eyes filled with trust.

“I can do this,” Fluttershy murmured, her voice firm.

The fourth attempt began. The ducks flew faster, darting in unpredictable patterns, but Fluttershy’s resolve didn’t waver. Her breathing steadied, and her fingers danced across the controls with precision. One by one, the ducks fell, her score climbing rapidly.

“90... 95... 99...”

The final duck appeared with a split second to spare. Fluttershy fired, her shot perfectly on target.

“100. Perfect score.”

The robotic voice declared her success as triumphant music filled the room. Fluttershy dropped the sniper controller, tears of relief streaming down her face.

“I did it,” she whispered as the orb on her chest had vanished. “I did it!”

But her celebration was cut short as the floor beneath her gave way. With a startled yelp, she fell, but was risen up as she’s sitting on a giant slingshot. The slingshot plummeted her into a chute that sent her sliding down a slippery shaft at dizzying speed. Her screams of surprise turned into laughter as the thrill of the ride took over.

She landed in a heap in a brightly lit corridor, where Sci-Twi, Spike, and Rainbow Dash were waiting for her.

“Fluttershy!” Twilight exclaimed, rushing to help her up.

“You made it!” Rainbow grinned. “Told you she’d pull through!”

Fluttershy smiled through her tears, hugging them both tightly as Spike has his dog instincts kick in, pounced Fluttershy down and licking her in the face repeatedly, showing that he was happy that Fluttershy survived as well.

“We’re getting Sunset back,” she said with newfound determination. “Together.”

To be continued…

Chapter 7: Pinkie Pie’s trial (The Wheel of Food)

Pinkie Pie has spat out of her tube and landed on the cold floor, her jumpsuit absorbing some of the impact. She groaned and blinked her bright blue eyes open, only to find herself in what looked like a kitchen, though something about it felt... wrong. The countertops gleamed, the appliances looked futuristic, and the air smelled of both freshly baked pastries and something far less pleasant.

"Wowie! A kitchen? My kinda place!" Pinkie exclaimed, springing to her feet and dusting herself off. She clapped her hands, ready to whip up some treats, when a metallic orb suddenly shot out of nowhere.

It collided with her chest, embedding itself right in the center.

"Whoa-ho-ho! What’s this thing?" Pinkie giggled nervously, poking at the orb. It tickled at first, but as she tried to pry it off, searing pain shot through her fingers. "Yeowch!" she yelped, pulling her hands away. The orb glowed ominously, displaying the number 5.

Before she could process it, an oven beeped. Out slid a perfectly baked cake, and Pinkie’s grin returned. "Well, don’t mind if I do—" she began, reaching for a knife, but the cake suddenly sprouted a spinning wheel, startling her so much she nearly fell over.

The wheel was split into segments. Some were adorned with delicious images—chocolate, pizza, cupcakes, etc. Others made her stomach churn—worms, burnt popcorn, blended worms, etc.

The wheel clicked and whirred as an audio speaker crackled to life.

"Welcome to your trail. You have 10 spins. Whatever the wheel lands on, you must eat. Refusal or failure will cost you a life. Lose all five lives, and you will vanish forever."

Pinkie’s head hung low upon hearing the instructions. "That’s... not very fun."

"Spin the wheel," the voice commanded.

With a nervous gulp, Pinkie grabbed the wheel and spun it. It spun faster and faster before slowing, the arrow landing on a cupcake.

"Yes!" she cheered, grabbing the cupcake and gobbling it down in one bite. It was heavenly. "Piece of cake—err, cupcake!"

The wheel shifted, reducing the proportion of good foods. Pinkie’s confidence wavered as the wheel spun again. It clicked to a stop on blended worms.

Her enthusiasm vanished. She grimaced as she brought the cup to her lips, taking a tentative sip. The taste was vile, and she gagged, dropping the cup. "Nope! Not doing that!" she yelled, wiping her tongue on her sleeve.

The orb on her chest glowed, and she felt a sharp jolt. "Owie! Okay, okay, I get it!" she cried, her life count dropping to 4.

This time, only 40% of the wheel showed edible options. She spun, holding her breath as it ticked past chocolate, pizza, and cupcakes before landing on burnt popcorn.

"Seriously?" Pinkie groaned. She stuffed a handful into her mouth but immediately spit it out. The bitterness coated her tongue. The orb jolted her again. 3 lives left.

Pinkie let out a sigh of relief when the wheel stopped on chocolate. She devoured the treat, savoring every bite. "Mmm! Back on track!"

The wheel slowed ominously, landing on a jar of grasshoppers. Pinkie winced but steeled herself. "It’s just a little... extra crunch, right?" She forced a few into her mouth and crunched down, the bitter taste making her gag. She couldn’t finish them, and the orb punished her again. 2 lives left.

Her relief turned to horror when the wheel stopped on sheep eyeballs. "Ew-ew-ew-ew-ew!" Pinkie cried, shoving the plate away. "Fluttershy would never forgive me!" The orb buzzed angrily, leaving her with 1 life.

Her spin landed on graham crackers, and she managed to scarf them down, buying herself some time.

The wheel spun slower now, as if savoring her dread. It landed on alien guts, a pulsating, slimy green mess that smelled like rotten eggs. Pinkie gagged at the sight of it but forced herself to try. She managed a bite before vomiting, tears streaming down her face.

The orb flared brightly, the final jolt coursing through her.

"No—wait!" Pinkie screamed as her body dissolved into glowing particles.

Sci-Twi, Spike, Fluttershy and Rainbow were watching from the monitors inside the corridor and were devastated to see that their friend has been erased!

“Pinkie!” Rainbow yelled in worry. She was about to do something to get whoever’s doing this a piece of her mind before Sci-Twi stopped her.

“There’s nothing we can do, Rainbow. She’s gone.” Sci-Twi whispered, her head down.

“What are we going to do?” Fluttershy whispered as she started to run to the corner of the corridor in fright.

“I don’t know, but I sure hope the others make it out of their trials alive.” Spike said, his tail wagging down slowly.

To be continued…

Chapter 8: Applejack and Apple Bloom’s trial (The Haunted House of Panic)

The dimly lit graveyard simulation felt eerily real as Applejack and Apple Bloom slid out of their shared tube, landing in a patch of fake, damp grass surrounded by tombstones. Fog curled ominously around their boots, and faint wails echoed in the distance. Apple Bloom shivered, clutching Applejack's arm.

"This ain't real, sugarcube," Applejack said with a soft smile, pulling her sister close. "It's just part of the game. We got this, together."

Before Apple Bloom could reply, two glowing orbs of light floated from the mist and embedded themselves into their chests. Apple Bloom giggled, surprised at the strange sensation.

"That tickles!" Apple Bloom exclaimed, poking the faintly glowing orb.

Applejack, however, frowned as the orb's presence made her chest feel heavy. Her nerves only worsened when glowing red numbers—5—appeared on the surface of each orb.

The uneasy silence was broken by a holographic ghost materializing before them with an earsplitting shriek.

"Yaaah!" Apple Bloom yelped, jumping behind Applejack.

Applejack stumbled back with a loud gasp. "What in tarnation—?!"

The ghost, a glowing specter with sunken eyes and a mischievous grin, floated closer. "Welcome, contestants, to the Haunted House of Mayhem!" it announced. "Your challenge: survive ten minutes inside the haunted house ahead! Complete challenges, overcome your fears, and don’t lose your lives! Each time you wuss out or fail to keep your composure, your orb will lose a life. Fail entirely, and—poof!—you're outta the game!"

As the ghost explained, the numbers on their orbs ticked down from 5 to 4.

"Hey, wait a minute!" Applejack snapped. "That jump-scare wasn't fair! How are we supposed to keep lives when y'all scare us before the dang challenge even starts?"

As she finished, her orb ticked down to 3.

"Complaining costs lives too," the ghost said smugly.

Applejack groaned, gritting her teeth in frustration, while Apple Bloom managed a nervous smile. "C'mon, sis, we can do this! We're Apples, ain't we? Tougher than a barrel of cider! Let's stick together."

Applejack straightened up, drawing strength from her sister's confidence. "You're right. Let's do this."

The ghost cackled. "Good luck!" A door to the haunted house creaked open, and the timer began to tick: 10:00.

Challenge 1: Maze of Electrical Wires

The first room was a dark labyrinth of buzzing, sparking wires suspended just above the ground. A sign on the wall read: Cross without getting shocked! Five zaps equals one lost life.

Applejack tested the path ahead, her keen farm-trained reflexes helping her dodge the sparking wires. She made it across unscathed.

"See, Apple Bloom? Just gotta take it slow and steady!"

Apple Bloom hesitated before stepping in, her hands trembling as sparks flew around her. Her confidence wavered, and she flinched, accidentally touching a wire.

"Zap!"

"Agh!" Apple Bloom yelped. She winced but pressed on. Another zap. And another. By the time she reached Applejack, she’d been shocked ten times, and her orb's number had dropped to 2.

Applejack looked at her worriedly. "You alright, sugarcube?"

Apple Bloom nodded, though tears pricked her eyes. "I'm okay, I can keep goin'."

Challenge 2: Bobbing for Rings

In the next room, a long coffin sat in the center, filled with writhing snakes. A sign above it read: Retrieve the ring inside with your mouths!

Applejack's face turned pale. "N-nope. Not doin' that. No way, no how."

The instant she backed away, her orb ticked down to 2.

Apple Bloom steeled herself and stepped forward. "I-I'll do it." She reached in, trembling as snakes slithered around her head. With a triumphant pose upon rising, she pulled out the ring.

"Got it!"

Applejack smiled. "That's my brave little sis!"

Challenge 3: The Flooding Room Escape

The next challenge pushed them both to their limits. The door slammed shut behind them, and water began pouring in through grates in the walls. Words etched into the far wall read: Find the hidden exit to escape!

As the water rose, sharks swam in, their fins slicing through the surface.

Apple Bloom’s breath quickened, her eyes darting frantically. "A-Applejack, I-I can't—!"

"Apple Bloom, listen to me!" Applejack said, gripping her sister's shoulders. "Breathe, sugarcube! We'll find a way out!"

But Apple Bloom couldn’t stop panicking. The water reached her waist, and her orb’s number dropped to 1.

"Apple Bloom, focus!" Applejack pleaded.

But when a shark swam closer, Apple Bloom screamed, and her orb hit 0. Her body shimmered with golden light before breaking apart into particles, leaving Applejack alone.

"Apple Bloom! No!" Applejack cried, sinking to her knees as the water drained away and her orb disappeared.

The trapdoor beneath her opened, dropping her into the corridor where Sci-Twi, Spike, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were waiting.

"Applejack!" Rainbow exclaimed, rushing to her side.

Applejack couldn’t hold back her tears. "She’s gone! Apple Bloom’s gone! She lost her five lives!"

Fluttershy gasped, her sad feelings getting even worse.

Rainbow put an arm around her as Sci-Twi and Spike exchanged grim looks.

"Pinkie Pie failed her trial too," Sci-Twi said quietly.

The corridor felt colder than ever as Applejack wiped her tears, steeling herself. The challenges weren’t over yet—and the stakes were higher than ever.

To be continued…

Chapter 9: Rarity and Sweetie Belle’s trial (The Battle of the Brains)

In the depths of an eerie, otherworldly chamber, Rarity and Sweetie Belle emerged, sliding through a translucent tube at alarming speed. The sisters tumbled out unceremoniously onto the smooth, metallic floor, landing with sharp thuds on their butts. Rarity winced as she got up while Sweetie Belle groaned and rubbed her head.

"What just happened?" Rarity exclaimed, standing up and dusting off her jumpsuit.

Sweetie Belle blinked, taking in their strange surroundings—a glowing, futuristic arena with two raised platforms. "I… I have no idea. What kind of place is this?"

Before they could speculate further, a booming, cheerful voice echoed.

"Welcome, contestants! You’ve been selected for our intergalactic game show, The Battle of the Brains! Step onto your designated platforms, please!"

Rarity frowned. "This is positively absurd! Sweetie Belle, stay close to me—"

But Sweetie Belle, though hesitant, climbed onto the smaller platform marked with her name. Rarity reluctantly stepped onto hers. Once they were in place, the floor below them shimmered. Suddenly, glowing orbs shot upward, embedding themselves directly into their chests.

"Ahhh!" Rarity screamed, flailing as she grabbed at the orb. "Get it off! This is barbaric!"

Sweetie Belle grimaced but stayed still, breathing deeply to calm herself. "I don't think it's going anywhere, sis."

The large screen before them lit up with a wall of text:

"You are the contestants on our intergalactic game show The Battle of the Smarts. Answer questions correctly to avoid punishment! Each of you has five lives, as displayed by the glowing numbers on your orbs. A wrong answer—or your opponent’s correct answer—will result in a shock and the loss of one life. Lose all five, and you will be disqualified… permanently."

"Permanently?" Rarity repeated, her voice trembling. "What does that mean?"

Before anyone could explain, their orbs glowed, emitting a pulse of electricity that made both sisters yelp. The number 5 appeared on their orbs.

"First question!" the voice boomed.

Question 1: Which animal possesses the largest brain relative to its body size?
a) Elephant
b) Sperm whale
c) Dolphin
d) Gorilla

Rarity, quick to act, slammed her buzzer. "It's obviously the elephant!" she declared.

BZZZT. Incorrect! “The answer is the Sperm Whale.”

Rarity shrieked as a shock coursed through her body, reducing her orb's life count to 4. Sweetie Belle gasped but kept quiet, her brow furrowing in thought.

Question 2: What city holds the record for the highest altitude among the world's capital cities?
a) La Paz
b) Kathmandu
c) Quito
d) Bogotá

Rarity buzzed in again, her confidence undeterred. "La Paz!" she cried.

Correct!

Sweetie Belle winced as her orb emitted a harsh jolt, her life count dropping to 4. "Ouch! Okay, maybe this isn't just a silly game…"

Question 3: In George Orwell's dystopian novel, what is the ruling entity that governs Oceania in 1984?
a) The Brotherhood
b) The Regime
c) The Council
d) The Party

Rarity buzzed before Sweetie could react. "The Party!" she announced with determination.

Correct!

Sweetie Belle let out another pained cry as her orb pulsed, reducing her to 3 lives.

The game dragged on, with shocks and correct answers exchanged, the sisters’ chances of surviving slowly dwindling until they were tied at 1 life each. The stakes had grown immeasurable, and the tension was palpable.

"Rarity," Sweetie Belle muttered, her voice trembling, "we have to finish this. For Sunset… for our friends."

Rarity nodded grimly, her elegant demeanor replaced by raw determination. "Right, darling. Let’s do this."

Final Question: What is the title of Aldous Huxley's dystopian novel that portrays a futuristic society where human beings are genetically engineered and classified into castes?
a) Fahrenheit 451
b) Brave New World
c) The Handmaid's Tale
d) Animal Farm

A timer appeared on the screen. 10… 9…

Both sisters were presented with writing boards. Sweetie Belle immediately scribbled her answer: Brave New World.

Rarity hesitated, the pressure of the moment paralyzing her thoughts. She had her pen over the board, but time was against her. The timer hit zero, and their answers were revealed.

Sweetie Belle: Brave New World. Correct!
Rarity: [Blank.]

The arena erupted with a cacophony of alarms. Sweetie Belle’s orb pulsed and disappeared off her suit, and a tube descended, sucking her upward. But Rarity’s orb began glowing ominously.

"Wait!" Sweetie Belle cried, reaching out. "Rarity!"

Rarity screamed as her orb discharged, her entire form exploding into a dazzling array of particles. Sweetie Belle was whisked away, tears in her eyes, as the voice proclaimed:

"Winner: Sweetie Belle!"

Sweetie Belle landed in a corridor where Sci-Twi, Spike, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack were waiting. They surrounded her, but Sweetie kept her head low.

"Sweetie Belle!" Sci-Twi exclaimed. "Where’s Rarity?"

Sweetie swallowed hard, her voice breaking. "She… she didn’t make it. She lost the trial."

The room fell silent, save for Sweetie Belle’s soft sobs, as the reality of their perilous situation sank in.

Fluttershy started sobbing, her tears getting absorbed by her jumpsuit. “What are they doing to us?!” she screamed in sorrow.

Sci-Twi adjusted her glasses, her expression grave. “The trials was rigged to divide us. Pitting you two against each other in a competition of wits was meant to tear at your bond. Did they explain what happens to the... ‘loser’?”

Sweetie shook her head. “No, but—” She hesitated, her voice faltering. “She… exploded into particles, like she just… disappeared.”

Spike whimpered. “You don’t think she’s... gone-gone, do you?”

“No way!” Rainbow Dash interjected, her flaring. “Rarity’s too stubborn to let some creepy intergalactic quiz show wipe her out. She’s probably… I don’t know… in some weird holding cell or something. We’ll find her.”

“I think you may be right, Rainbow! They’re only trying to mess with us when they told us that we would be erased forever. They may be placed back in those tubes by now!” Sci-Twi exclaimed as everyone understood what she meant. The aliens are trying to mess with them to stall us from saving Sunset!”

Applejack placed a firm hand on Sweetie’s shoulder. “You did what you could, darlin’. If anyone can figure out how to get Rarity back, it’s us. But we gotta stick together and stay sharp and save Sunset first.”

“Don’t forget about Pinkie and Apple Bloom.” Rainbow exclaimed as Fluttershy starts to feel better.

Sweetie nodded, though her stomach churned with guilt. “I just… I wish I could’ve done more.”

Sci-Twi took a deep breath. “Sweetie, don’t blame yourself. These trials are designed to exploit our weaknesses and make us doubt each other. What matters now is using what we’ve learned to save Rarity, Pinkie, Apple Bloom—and Sunset too.”

Sweetie looked up, finding strength in their resolve. “Right. We’ll save them all. No matter what it takes.”

“Wait! We have to find out if Scootaloo passed her own trial first.” Apple Bloom exclaimed as everyone gathered around the screen that showed the orange girl soaring through her tube on the way to her trial.

“Good luck.” Sweetie whispered.

To be continued…

Chapter 10: Scootaloo’s trial (The Military School of Doom)

Scootaloo tumbled out of the glowing tube and landed hard on coarse sand, gasping for air as the simulation’s harsh sunlight beat down on her. Brushing sand from her jumpsuit, she squinted at the surroundings—a barren desert stretching to infinity, with no sign of escape. Her heart raced, the eerie silence pressing in.

Before she could gather her thoughts, the ground rumbled. Sand shifted, and a massive metallic orb rose from below, hovering ominously before shooting straight toward her. Scootaloo tried to dodge, but it slammed into her chest, embedding itself with a sharp clang. She screamed, clawing at the object, but every attempt to remove it sent waves of electric shocks through her body, forcing her to relent.

“Welcome, cadet!” barked a gruff voice. A hologram of a stern, scar-faced military sergeant flickered to life before her, towering over the young tween. “This is no vacation! Your trial begins now!”

Scootaloo’s gaze dropped to the orb. It emitted a faint hum, the number 5 glowing bright on its surface. The sergeant gestured to it. “That’s your life counter. Lose all five, and you’re done—permanently. Crying costs you a life. Got it?”

“But—” Scootaloo stammered.

“NO BUTS!” the sergeant roared. “START MOVING!”

Phase One: Endurance Training

The first challenge was brutal. The sergeant forced Scootaloo through an endless cycle of push-ups, jumping jacks, and sprints across the scorching desert. The orb on her chest felt like a lead weight, sapping her strength with every movement. Her arms ached, her legs trembled, and tears welled in her eyes.

“NO TEARS, MAGGOT!” the sergeant bellowed as the orb buzzed ominously.

A single tear slipped down her cheek as it absorbed itself in her jumpsuit, and the glowing 5 changed to 4. Scootaloo gasped, realizing the cost of her emotion. Gritting her teeth, she powered through the exercises, stumbling but never stopping, until she collapsed in the sand.

“Three lives left,” the sergeant sneered. “Better pace yourself!”

Phase Two: The Obstacle Course

With a crackle, the simulation shifted. Towers rose from the ground, ropes dangled, and murky water filled with snapping alligator simulations stretched out beneath narrow balance beams. Scootaloo gulped, the challenge ahead more daunting than ever.

The first obstacle was a rope climb. Gritting her teeth, she lifted her legs for support and scaled the rope with trembling hands. She reached the top and flopped over the edge, panting but relieved. “One down,” she muttered.

The balance beam was next. Scootaloo spread her arms for balance, stepping cautiously across the narrow plank. Halfway through, her foot slipped. She flailed, screamed, and fell into the water below, where snapping holographic jaws surged toward her—only for her to be teleported back to the start.

“Two lives left!” the sergeant barked, his laughter echoing in her ears.

Phase Three: Desperation

Her confidence waning, Scootaloo attempted the course again. This time, she made it through the rope climb and balance beam, only to misstep on a glowing panel in the minefield. A sharp flash of light disoriented her as she was teleported back, her orb now reading 1. She was down to her last chance.

Determined, she focused harder than ever, her tiny frame trembling under the weight of the orb. She cleared the rope climb, the balance beam, and the minefield, finally reaching the muddy crawl. Her arms, legs and jumpsuit were caked in grime as she inched forward, careful not to touch the wires overhead. The finish line loomed ahead.

Suddenly, her back brushed a wire. The orb glowed fiercely. “No!” Scootaloo cried as her final life ticked to 0. A blinding light enveloped her and her body dissolved into particles.

In another part of the UFO, Sci-Twi, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, Sweetie Belle, and Spike stared at a screen displaying Scootaloo’s failure. The group felt their hearts sink.

“Well, now we have a lot more to save along with Sunset,” Sci-Twi said, her voice trembling, “We also have to save all of them—Apple Bloom, Rarity, Pinkie, and Scootaloo too.”

Rainbow Dash clenched her fists. “We’re not giving up! We’ll get her back!”

The team steeled themselves, determination replacing despair as a metallic door creaked open, revealing another corridor. Without hesitation, they stepped forward, ready to face the next challenge and rescue their friends.

To be continued…

Chapter 11: The Invasion Begins…

The sterile, metallic halls of the UFO buzzed faintly with energy as Sunset Shimmer walked, her steps mechanical and deliberate. Her fiery hair was dull, her once-vibrant teal eyes glowing yellow with dull brown pupils. Clutched tightly in her hands were four identical boxes, humming faintly with a sinister energy. Behind her, the faint echo of the Overlord’s voice whispered its commands, reverberating in her mind like a drumbeat she could no longer resist.

“Deliver the cargo,” the voice instructed. “Their trials are over. Rarity, Apple Bloom, Pinkie Pie and Scootaloo have failed.”

“Yes, Master,” Sunset replied in a monotone, her voice devoid of warmth or defiance. She moved with purpose, her footsteps echoing as she entered the prison tube area.

The cells were dimly lit, separated by glowing energy bars. Inside them, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom each sat, their necks weighed down by sleek, alien shock collars that pulsed with a faint red glow. Each girl was confined with the glowing orb from their trials hovering beside them—an eerie, constant reminder of their failures.

Pinkie, ever curious and defiant in her own way, poked the forcefield yet again. Sparks erupted, sending a jolt through her body, and her hair frizzed out comically. Her orb pulsed so brightly from the interaction that the others groaned, shielding their eyes.

“Pinkie!” Rarity scolded from her cell. “Would you please stop? You’ll fry your brain before they even decide what to do with us!”

“I just wanted to see if it was still zappy,” Pinkie said with a small giggle, even as her body trembled from the aftershock. “Yup! Still zappy!”

Scootaloo and Apple Bloom exchanged tired looks, slumping against the walls of their cells.

“Ah just wish Sunset would come back an’ save us already,” Apple Bloom muttered, kicking at the floor. “She was our best hope.”

“Yeah,” Scootaloo agreed, though her voice was tinged with frustration. “But what if they got to her too? What if we’re all doomed?”

Before anyone could respond, the heavy door to the area hissed open, drawing all their attention.

Sunset stepped through, carrying the boxes.

The group’s faces lit up in relief at first—until they noticed something was wrong.

“Sunset!” Pinkie cried, her voice joyful despite the circumstances. “You’re okay!”

But as Sunset stepped closer, they noticed her rigid posture, the eerie glow of her eyes, and the emotionless tone in her voice.

“Your cargo,” Sunset said flatly, placing one box in front of each cell.

Rarity’s expression immediately shifted to suspicion. “Sunset, darling, are you... all right?”

Pinkie tilted her head, her usual enthusiasm undeterred. “Ooooh! Presents! What’s inside?”

“Don’t open it!” Rarity yelled, the hair on the back of her neck standing up. “Something feels wrong about this!”

The boxes, however, had a mind of their own. The lids snapped open simultaneously, revealing tiny green worms with three blinking eyes.

Rarity recoiled with a horrified shriek. “Ugh! Disgusting!”

Apple Bloom covered her face, trying not to gag. “That’s worse than the slugs in Granny’s garden!”

Scootaloo stared wide-eyed, her expression becoming confused. “Uh... what are those?”

Pinkie Pie, however, gasped with delight. “Aww! A wiggly little alien pet! I shall name you Wiggles!”

Her excitement was short-lived as the worms suddenly emitted a guttural roar, loud for creatures so small. In a flash, they leapt from their boxes and launched toward the girls.

“NO! Get it away from me!” Rarity shrieked, clawing at her face as the worm squirmed up her nose.

“Help!” Apple Bloom screamed, trying to yank hers out, but the slimy creature wriggled deeper with an unnatural strength.

Scootaloo gritted her teeth, attempting to remain calm, but her eyes betrayed her panic as the worm forced its way into her nose.

Pinkie, for her part, laughed uncontrollably. “It tickles! It tickles! Wiggles, stop it, I can’t—haha—breathe!”

The room filled with chaos as the worms burrowed into their new hosts. Each girl’s orb began to glow brighter, pulsating in rhythm with the worms’ movements. The shock collars buzzed, syncing with the invasive creatures.

Sunset watched it all unfold, her expression unchanging, her glowing eyes unblinking.

“Delivery complete,” she said in her monotone voice, turning to leave as the Overlord’s voice whispered in her mind.

“Good work, my puppet. The invasion begins.”

The UFO hovered ominously above Canterlot High, its sleek, metallic hull glinting under the sunlight. A deep, resonant hum filled the air as the ship’s ramp descended, releasing a flood of smoke and shadows. From the dense mist emerged the Overlord—an impossibly tall, spindly creature with glistening, black skin. Its long, wavy fingers twitched with a sinister rhythm, flanked by its insectoid minions with glowing red eyes, masks and wavy limbs.

Behind them, four familiar figures emerged: Sunset Shimmer, Rarity, Apple Bloom, and Pinkie Pie. Their eyes glowed a sickly yellow-brown, and green, writhing parasites dangled grotesquely from their noses, pulsating with alien life. They walked with unnerving synchronicity, their monotone voices echoing strange, alien commands as they clutched ray guns that hissed ominously with green energy.

Diamond Tiara took one look at the parasites hanging from their noses and let out a piercing scream. "Ew! Gross! What is that?!" She clung to Silver Spoon, who looked equally horrified, her face contorted in disgust.

Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna stood frozen in fear, dread sinking into their chests. Luna whispered, “This is it. We’re doomed.”

Among the crowd, Juniper Montage, who was visiting the school for one day, scribbled furiously into her notebook, her hands shaking. “This… this could be the perfect concept for my next sci-fi blockbuster,” she muttered, her voice tinged with nervous excitement.

The Overlord raised one of its wavy fingers and snapped. The sound was like the crack of thunder, sending a chilling command to its minions. Without hesitation, the four controlled girls raised their ray guns and fired. Glowing green beams erupted, releasing a swarm of worm-like parasprites that darted toward the crowd.

Screams erupted as students and teachers scrambled to escape, but the parasprites were relentless. They tackled their targets, slithering up their faces and forcing their way into their noses. Flash Sentry was among the first to fall, clutching his face as the worm wriggled into him. His eyes turned the same yellow-brown as the others, and a white jumpsuit materialized over his body, complete with a red hood (the same exact outfit the Rainbooms, Spike and the CMCs were wearing aboard the ship) and a glowing orb embedded on his chest.

“Whoa…” Flash muttered in a dazed voice. “This is… actually kinda cool.”

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon weren’t as enthralled. “No! No! Keep them away from me!” Diamond shrieked, swatting at the air as parasprites closed in on them. “I am not wearing that jumpsuit, and definitely not that tacky hood!” She yelled as the jumpsuits, hoods and orbs form on them. They try to pull their outfits off, but it clung to them like second skin and they can’t move their hoods one tiny inch! They even try to pull their orbs off their chests, but it gives them electric shocks that force them to lose grip.

Juniper Montage stumbled backward, her notebook falling to the ground as a worm launched itself at her. She tried to pull it away, but it was too strong. The parasite burrowed into her nose, and her body froze. The white jumpsuit formed around her, and her hood slid into place as it sealed her hair in tightly. “I…” she murmured, her voice flat. “This… will make a great… plot point…”

One by one, the crowd succumbed. The worms latched on, controlling their minds and bodies. Soon, the schoolyard was filled with rows of enslaved students and teachers, their glowing eyes reflecting the Overlord's triumph. The four original girls stood at the forefront, leading their newly-formed hive back into the ship as it began to ascend.

Principal Celestia, Vice Principal Luna, Wallflower Blush, the Dazzlings, Lily Pad and Lyra managed to escape, retreating to a nearby storage shed. Celestia locked the door and turned to the group. “We’re all that’s left,” she said, her voice heavy with despair. “We have to find a way to stop this.”

Wallflower clutched a crowbar, her hands trembling. “How? They’re everywhere. And those worms…”

Adagio Dazzle smirked, her confidence unshaken. “They may have numbers, but we have brains. We’ll figure something out.” She said as Aria and Sonata nodded in agreement.

Back outside, the Overlord’s ship ascended into the sky, its engines roaring as it vanished beyond the clouds. Those who had fallen under its control followed in orderly lines, marching into smaller, insectoid crafts that spread out across the planet. The Hive had begun its mission to conquer Earth, and the survivors knew that time was running out.

Inside the storage shed, Celestia turned to Luna. “We’ll need to rally every survivor we can find,” she said firmly. “If we don’t fight back now, there won’t be anything left to save.”

To be continued…

Chapter 12: The Battle for Earth (Part 1)

The hum of the spaceship’s engine was drowned out by the blaring alarm that suddenly erupted from the speakers embedded in their jumpsuits. The group winced, clamping their hands over their ears as the deafening noise threatened to overwhelm them. Sweetie Belle screamed, and Spike barked sharply, his small frame trembling.

And then, as abruptly as it started, the alarm ceased. The silence that followed was thick and heavy.

Sci-Twi adjusted her glasses, her expression grim. "If the ship’s systems triggered an alarm like that, it means something is terribly wrong. We need to figure out what."

"Ah’m with ya, sugarcube," Applejack said, steadying her hood to no avail as she glanced around the dimly lit corridor. "But what’re we up against this time?"

"Only one way to find out," Sci-Twi replied, determination flashing in her eyes. "The control room. It’s our best chance to get answers."

The group crept through the ship’s corridors, their footsteps muffled against the metallic floors. It felt as if the vessel was holding its breath, its usual ambient noises replaced by an unnerving stillness. When they reached the control room, they found it unguarded—an oddity that only made Sci-Twi’s stomach churn with unease.

"Stay close," she whispered, stepping into the room. Spike trotted at her heels, his tail low.

The room was illuminated by the eerie glow of monitors displaying alien text and images. Sci-Twi immediately began typing at the console, her fingers flying over the unfamiliar keyboard. A few moments later, the main screen flickered to life.

The image that appeared stole the air from the room.

The Hive’s invasion had begun. Enslaved humans piloted alien ships, their glowing eyes and slack-jawed expressions evidence of their subjugation. The parasitic worms controlling them squirmed visibly from their nostrils, grotesque and unnatural.

"Sweet Celestia," Applejack whispered, her face pale. "It’s worse than Ah thought."

Then the screen shifted, showing familiar faces. Sunset Shimmer. Rarity. Pinkie Pie. Apple Bloom. Scootaloo. All of them had been taken. The sight of the worms writhing as they protruded from Rarity, Pinkie, Scootaloo, Sunset and Apple Bloom’s noses sent a jolt of horror through the group.

"R-Rarity..." Sweetie Belle whimpered, her voice breaking as she took a step back, trembling. "I... I can’t... that thing is in her nose! It’s moving!" She gagged, covering her mouth.

Applejack placed a hand on Sweetie’s shoulder, though her own hands were shaking. "Apple Bloom… my baby sister..." Her voice cracked, and tears welled in her eyes, the tears absorbing into her suit. "What’ve they done to you?"

Fluttershy clutched Rainbow Dash’s arm, tears streaming down her face. Her breathing came in rapid, shallow gasps. "This… this is too much…"

"Fluttershy, hey, breathe," Rainbow said, wrapping an arm around her friend. "We’re gonna fix this. We always do."

"How?!" Fluttershy sobbed. "Look at them! They’re... they’re gone!"

"No, they’re not," Sci-Twi said firmly, turning away from the screen. "They’re still in there. We’ve faced worse. We can save them, but we have to be smart about it." She looked back at the controls, a plan forming. "If we can bring this ship back to Earth, we can help the survivors fight back. Maybe even find a way to free everyone."

"You sure that’s gonna work?" Rainbow asked, though her tone lacked its usual bravado.

"It’s our best shot," Sci-Twi said. "But there’s one problem. We have to—"

Before she could finish, a low growl echoed through the room. The group spun around to see the massive alien creature stepping into the control room. Its body is that of a huge insect, and its glowing red eyes locked onto them with predatory intent.

"The overlord..." Sci-Twi breathed, backing up as Spike growled defensively.

"Looks like it found us," Rainbow said, cracking her knuckles. "Guess we’re doing this the hard way."

The overlord roared, and the battle began.

To be continued…