The sky quickly faded to black as the Sonic Rainboom soared away from the scorched sands of Tolfetooine. Rainbow Dash slowly, as if reluctantly, eased off on the throttle as Twilight finally managed to recover her voice.

"Would you mind taking it easy?" she berated Dash, "Some of us aren't used to the high-speed maneuvers that you're used to."

"Oh, sure, we'll take it easy alright," replied Rainbow Dash, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "In fact, why don't we take a nice, slow flight all the way to-" She was interrupted by a burst of light outside the window as the ship shook from a short burst of laser fire. Rainbow quickly turned to the rear scanner to see an eagle-shaped starfighter rocketing up from the planet to meet them.

"Wow G," she muttered appreciatively, "that was quick." She quickly snapped back into focus as Big Mac tried to boost the rear deflector fields. "Looks like our griffon friend caught up," she called to her passengers behind her, "Don't worry; I know a few maneuvers that'll lose her." Rainbow slowly tilted her control yoke to the left, her ship slowly tilting along with the motion.

Twilight couldn't believe it; here they were getting shot at and the pilot was simply drifting to the left. "What are you doing?" she cried, "All you're doing is turning slowly! Can't this thing go any faster?"

"Well, it can," easily replied Rainbow Dash, grinning back at her, "but you wanted me to take it easy, remember?"

"Forget I said anything," Twilight shrieked as another blast of energy caused their only means of survival to shudder and groan, "Just GO!"

"Aw yeah!" exclaimed Dash, "Hey, Big Mac, we're doing the Lightspeed Loop!"

"Eeyup," was the simple reply as Rainbow Dash twisted the Sonic Rainboom into a dive that pointed directly at the planet's surface and slammed the throttle back to full power.

The Sonic Rainboom screamed past its pursuer as Rainbow Dash started angling towards the horizon of Tolfetooine. Gilda turned her craft as hard as she could, cursing as she realized Dash's low speed meant that she could turn faster; by the time she turned around, her target would be flying by the planet. No problem, she thought, my ship is still lighter and more agile. I'll catch her in no time.

Just before passing by Tolfetooine, Rainbow Dash rolled over and pulled hard on her control yoke. The Sonic Rainboom started to orbit the planet in an ever tightening spiral as Gilda tried in vain to bring her weapons to bear. Twilight was getting nauseous, but she couldn't help but marvel at the skill of her pegasus pilot: by tightening their turning radius, both angular momentum and gravity were giving the Sonic Rainboom a massive speed boost, held in check only by Rainbow's deft manipulation of the throttle. At the same time, the planet itself was giving them cover from their pursuer. She probably was planning this when she first slowed down, thought Twilight as she felt her stomach twisting into several knots.

As they were rounding back to their original flight path, Rainbow Dash opened the throttle all the way and slingshot her ship away from the Tolfetooine's gravity well. Gilda howled in frustration as the Sonic Rainboom swiftly exited the usable range of her weapons out into space. Seconds later, they were long gone.

"That was so awesome!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash as she slapped hooves with Big Mac. "So," she said, turning around to grin at Twilight, "how was that for your first space flight?"

Twilight continued to stare unblinkingly ahead, her mind trying to catch up to the rest of her body. Everypony noticed then that she had turned a faint shade of green.

"Twilight Sparkle, are you all right?" asked Celly with concern.

Twilight slowly turned her head to face her mentor. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came. Instead the contents of her stomach were unceremoniously regurgitated into Celly's lap. Rainbow Dash immediately burst into uncontrollable laughter, her seatbelt straining to keep her in her seat. With everypony staring at her, Twilight couldn't help but start tearing up from embarrassment as the shock of throwing up all over another pony wore off.

"That's quite alright, my dear," Celly soothed Twilight after a few moments, "We'll clean this right up, and then get something to eat. How does that sound?" Twilight just nodded as Celly used her magic to undo their restraints. Big Mac vacated the cockpit with them, leaving Rainbow Dash still rolling with laughter in her seat.

---

Blueblood entered the command center, his face illuminated by a giant viewscreen where Aldermare was peacefully orbiting its star. His gaze went to where Governess Octavia was pacing impatiently, and made a small gesture of respect. "We have reached the Aldermare system," he formally announced.

"I can see that," Octavia glared at Blueblood's intrusion; the sheer amount of sycophantism he could put out had been grating on her nerves. She perked up as Nightmare Moon marched into the room, leading Rarity in behind her.

"I am Octavia, governess of-" she began.

"Yes yes, I know who you are," spat Rarity, "Governess Octavia, I should have expected to find you here. These drab grey interiors just scream you."

Octavia's eye twitched. "Charming to the end," she declared in a manner of one who clearly wasn't charmed. "You have no idea how hard it was for me to sign off on your…termination."

"I'm flattered you felt the need to take the responsibility yourself," Rarity retorted.

"Ahem," Octavia cleared her throat before continuing, "Before you leave us, I would like you to attend a special ceremony; one that will not only certify this station's operational status, but also usher in a new era of supremacy for the Empire. This station is the final link in a chain which will bind her millions of citizens together once and for all. Your insignificant rebellion can't help to stand up to us; after today's demonstration, nopony will dare oppose the Empress's decrees, not even you."

"I hardly think that's the case; that kind of thinking led to the rebellion in the first place," Rarity countered.

"Unfortunately," Octavia continued unfazed, "I was hoping to hold this ceremony above the rebellion's secret base. However, since you have been so uncooperative, that base is still secret." Rarity smirked as Octavia paused. "This has forced me to consider alternatives, and I have finally decided on your home planet of Aldermare."

"But you caaannnnnnnn'ttttt," Rarity cried, her voice getting dangerously high-pitched. "Aldermare doesn't have any way of defending itself. Hooowww cooouuullldd you?"

"You would prefer another target? A military target?" Octavia's eyes were gleaming in anticipation as she bore down on Rarity, "I grow tired of your antics. For the last time: where is the main rebel base?"

A voice sounded over a hidden speaker that Aldermare had been targeted and the Great Sphere was ready to fire. That was enough to accomplish what the previous few days of enhanced interrogation by Nightmare Moon had failed to do.

"Dantawleed," Rarity finally whispered, staring at the deck in defeat. "They're on Dantawleed."

Octavia turned to the black alicorn nearby. "You see, Nightmare? All we needed was the proper motivation. After concluding our little test here we shall make haste to Dantawleed and run a second test." She turned to the other bridge officers, "You may continue with the operation, gentlecolts."

It took a few seconds for Octavia's words to register with Rarity. "Whhhaaaaa?" she finally gasped.

"Dantawleed," Octavia explained, turning back to the viewscreen, "is too far from the center of galactic civilization to serve as an effective demonstration. We'll be dealing with your rebel friends soon enough."

"But, you said-"

"The only words with any meaning are the last ones spoken," Octavia declared cuttingly. She gestured to Nightmare Moon. "Take her to the observation deck," she smiled, "I'll join you once I've retrieved my instrument. Make sure our view is…unobstructed." Octavia lightly trotted out of the room, humming to herself.

---

Author's Notes:

All characters from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic are all owned by Hasbro, Inc.

Original story Star Wars: A New Hope by George Lucas

You know what's more epic than Nero playing a fiddle while Rome burns? Octavia playing a cello while a planet explodes (someone should draw that).

Also, before anypony points out how horribly I butchered the laws of physics during the "Lightspeed Loop", may I point out that you're reading a story about magical talking ponies flying spaceships. So there. :P