THE STORY SO FAR…

The year is 2530 ARL (After the Return of Princess Luna*). The Planet Equestria still exists, ponies are the prominent race, Celestia and Luna remain as rulers controlling the sun and moon, but overpopulation has forced many of their subjects and other creatures to colonize other worlds. Faster-than-light travel is now a reality, and a new unified system, the UNSOCE or United Nations Space Command of Equestria (Consisting of various native races) and PONI (Parliament Of Naval Intelligence), has put its full weight behind the colonization effort; millions of the native equestrians now live on habitable planets in other solar systems. A keystone of ponykind's colonization efforts is the planet Bronze Harvest, an interstellar 'hub-world' that grow plenty of food, and builds many ships for civilians and warships for the UNSCOE's armed forces and civilian workers.

Eventually, a faction was formed in an outer colony against the rule of Princess Celestia, believing they had no need for Alicorn rulers (AKA the royal family) and that non-pony races were a disgrace to the Milky Way. Overtime, more outer colonies proudly fell into the defector's group, turning what started as a political party into a rivaling army. Dubbed as the insurrections, they have been responsible for thousands of attacks on military and civilians loyal to Celestia, Luna, and the UNSCOE. To make matters worse, this led to more breaking away. The Minotaur and Dog races sold themselves as independent pirates and gangsters. Most of Tribes of Cows and Buffalo, the primary labor force, felt oppressed and found planets of their own to independently inhabit, leaving the UNSCOE-Insurrectionist conflict. So far, only the Pony, Griffons, Dragoons, Changelings, Donkeys, and Zebra races stay loyal.

In the middle of a devastating insurrectionist-plot on the UNSCOE Colony of New Manebassa that killed half its inhabitants, and enslaving the rest, a member of PONI launches a project to stop the chaos (by any means necessary) by finding the Elements of Hope**, a title bestowed upon ponies representing traits of Magic, Honesty, Loyalty, Laughter, Generosity, and Kindness. But after of passing of her ancestor, Twilight Sparkle, and her friends, the elements have been sealed away permanently for they beckoned no new bearers. This mare refuses to believe the elements and magic are dormant due to the incredible progress in technology and vows that among the fillies and colts of Equestria, and new bearer can be found – if not 'trained'.

*(Season 1 episode 2 of MLP) After Luna's 1000-year imprisonment in the moon, she returns as nightmare moon. After her redemption, a new era led by two princesses rather one is officially created

**Renamed by order of the council of UNSCOE; this is because the new name is broader in subject and elements rather grant ponies the ability to do act that can bring harmony (For example; can weaken enemies and turn them into stone) yet are peaceful themselves. Because they were used in times of crisis, many thought that calling them the elements of Hope would be better. Controversy has been sparked on this name change. Today no pony really cares much about the name change, yet some harbor hate or pride in it. A neutral stand in this argument is referring to them just as 'The Elements'.

CHAPTER 1
"Metaphase"

I scanned the silver bookshelves of the treehouse-library frantically. My sister would kill me soon if I couldn't find that book. So after trying my best to look for it, I just gave up and head to the elevator up to entrance level.

The Ponyville library used to be just one level imbedded into a tree when it was first built, having the inside style of an ideal classic community library. Slowly, renovations changed it forever. There were the elevator and underground levels housing tons of books and those holographic data pads that hurt my eyes. What was once a small wooden door now has become two glass doors leading into a very fancy style lobby, holding leather chairs, a help desk, a fireplace, and stature of the library's most famous caretakers, Twilight Sparkle with her dragon assistant, in the center, and at least a dozen computers.

I look back at the pictures of what this library once was. It was so simpler than what we have today. The mare (Sparkle) that took care of it just slept on a bed right beside the window. Not much electricity in those times so magic or physical power was the primary tool. It saddens me just thinking about it; there is not much use for magic or myths these days. Why machines and science had to kill the fun, I will never know.

By the way, I run this library with my sister. Well, she runs it and I'm running around doing chores. She's the only family I've got left after my brother joined the military and my parents died in an air-wagon accident. We all share the same coat and hair color, and we share two bedrooms on the lowest level of library.

When I walk up to her standing at the front desk, I can't tell which mood she is in. She appears somewhat angrier with her reading glasses. I then realize she was in the middle of playing a game on her computer, due to the fact the library is closed to today.

"Density, Did you get lost in your own home again?" She snapped, still starring at her screen. The only difference between me and my sis is that she is older than me and has a raisin as her cutie mark, for making such awesome raisin bread. Her name is Raysin.

"No…I…I…just can't find the book on the waiting list." I try my best not to complain or act innocently. I may be a filly but that doesn't mean I'm a girly girl. Unlike my sister who was one.

Raysin turns her chair to face me "I told you it's on-"

I shout out loud, stomping my hoof. "I looked in there five times! I'm telling you, there is no book called The Illusive-"

"Elusive, not illusive. Why do you and Raggs call it illusive?" My sister interrupts. I hear small sisterly giggle in her voice, yet it's a fake one. Oh, and Raggs is her coltfriend – A fashion designer.

Yes, she is truly a disappointment to a family of eggheads-LOL. Those thoughts were of my sister, no my own. I could read others minds, and the ability itself which was a 'curse' from old unicorn grandfather; he used that difficult mind-reading magic trick so much that now it's a gene in the family. I could now deceive all the kind white lies and seek out the truth. And worst of all, I had no control of when it happened. So far I'm the only living family member who has it.

"Whaaaat? It was under E this entire time?" I asked dumbfounded. Now I felt so stupid, if I didn't feel that already.

I'm about to turn around and stomp back into the elevator when Raysin makes an alternative to my daily chores. "Actually, I'll take care of it. I have another job for you, Lil'des'"

Lil'Des'. I hate that nickname; my darn grandpa called me that on Family Appreciation Day at school. Since then, I was the laughingstock for the rest of school year and victim to bullies or fights. It's the only thing that is worse than "blank flank"; but that title is gone once you get your cutie mark on your flank (Mine is paint brush for creativity). But Lil'Des? Why did my parents have to name me after my aunt's last name so they could call me that? At least my sister uses that when we speak in private

"You feel comfortable going outside all by yourself doing something for me?" my sis asks.

I nod eagerly, hunger for fresh air.

"I just need you to pick up a bucket of Apples for me. I'm making pie this afternoon…." What Raysin was saying drifted off in my head, which was trying to absorb what she had just said.

"APPLE PIIIIIIIIIE?!" I shirked so loudly that Raysin's computer screen cracks and the lens her reading glasses fragment. THAT was my favorite dish. I then jump to Raysin's legs hugging them tightly "Thankyouthankyouthnkyou-"

"Alright, Alight, Alight!" Raysin grips my back with her hoof, slightly irritated…but APPLE PIE!? YES!

"This is a library yah know? Keep quiet and have fun." She informs me.

I'm still happy "Also, can we see if my big brother best buddy for eternity is on Skipe?" 'Skipe' was the video-chat system that we used between family members. It was rumored to have been invented by a small dragoon who could deliver messages though his fiery breath. But others say that the dragoon's owner was the real inventor of 'Skipe' and created it from an anagram of 'Spike'.

Raysin nods "No promises, Des' but I can see if Cogento is online tonight."

My telepathy picks up the words in her mind If he's not MIA in his own base.

Cogneto, my brother who used to be a talented musician, joined the UNSCOE marines a year ago. Over Skipe, he told us that on the first day he was in there, he got lost three times in his own base three times. It was so funny.

PONYVILLE OUTSKITS/ SWEET APPLE ACRES

The gale tugs my hair as I race across Ponyville's streets, now paved and holding more lamplights and few 'air-wagons'. I pass by the original founder of Ponyville of 'The Granny Smith', who's image and memory is now encased in a bronze idol surrounding the garden, with her ashes underneath. She sounded by various trotters at ground level, and air-wagons holding passengers carried by ponies*)
*in simpler terms its ponies pulling on wagons that carry pony passengers. Pegasus ponies as drivers an fly these vehicles

It was nice meting you, too…
Lilda, please I'm very busy….
HARE CREAM IS THE BEST….
Will you be available at 3:00?
Dude, I lost my copy…
New Manebassa isn't as safe as Sigma Clopodia….

"Ahhh…" I moan silently "I've got to get out of here!" My wings flap and then I'm off racing past crowds until I am finally out of the town of ponyville. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice place to stay.

But I hate it here; it's because I can't control my mind-reading powers and they do their worst here; everypony has something on their mind. In fact I fainted the first time I was taken outside. Now I've kind of embrace it yet it drives me out of the city. I wiz pass ponies and metal buildings alike. Few of the old buildings of 2530 ALR remains.

Even though the name of the Village would make one think that it held only one race, various others, such as changelings, griffons, donkeys, and zebras have entered and made homes Ponyville over the past 2000 years. The buildings have been renovated from top to bottom; it looked like town now without any wooden houses. For example, the Boutique now has two levels and Raggs, the who is also the manager, works with three AI assistants. (I still don't know what an AI is… I thought they were literally called "Al" like a name)

I speed up on my scooter, while my wings beat to make it go, acting like both the motor and accelerator. Because I am now finally out in the country, I don't have worry about getting told for going too fast. The lick of sweat that enters my mouth comes as I past trees and bushes that have been there, old as Equestria. One day I might build a cottage here – it's nice and quiet away from everyone else. Where I could be truly who I am: Destiny the pegasus. Plus no pony was out here so I had the freedom of not listing to anyone's speeches.

My happy thoughts were broken by the sound of hooves violently striking the ground and coming closer. As I'm speeding, I see two lines of ponies (I couldn't tell if they were mares or stallions; they were all bald) in black shirts with bald – no, shaved…no, bald – trotted in the opposite direction beside me. They seemed to be chanting a song…but none like the ones my sister Raysin sang to me. The first in line of the horses would say a line and then the others would repeat it.

"Hellprancer, Hellprancer, Where have you been?
Hellprancer, Hellprancer, Where have you been?!
Be first into hell and back again!
Be first into hell and back again!
If die please bury me deep!
If die please bury me deep!
Place my gun down by my feet!
Place my gun down by my feet!"

That was all I could hear in the amount of time I passed them. They didn't even seem to care I was there. But I remember Raysin and Cogneto talking about him joining Hellprancers, once. If this is what Hellprancer look like, I assumed that shirt must really be bullet-proof, water-proof, and meanie-proof. Yet Cogneto doesn't want to have his head shaved again (What's the difference between shaved and bald?)

I wave good bye as they pass. But none of them smile. It was because of what they were thinking; they were too busy with their jogging. One to three, one two three, one - a filly - one two three, one two three…

SWEET APPLE ACRES MARKET

Sweet Apple Acres hasn't changed one a lot form those old photos from the 'Encyclopedia to the History of Ponyville Collector's Edition'. The apple field still covered the country side, the barn was still made out of wood painted red and white, and fence was…oddly a crooked fence that needed some fixing.

If there was any change, it was the huge market that was built beside the barn, using the same wooden style on the outside. It houses all sorts of goods that could be smelled from miles. And it was never vacant. Right as park my shooter beside the door I look out to the organized parking lot. But the numbers of wagons in the parking lot tell me it is a very today isn't busy.

Inside the wooden and classy secrecy, ponies gathered to collect supplies and some stayed for the cider bar. That or some wished to get away from the technical world and see some of the old Equestria style, despite the market being built last year. The only thing that kept them for truly going back in time was the flat screen Television that hung in a central pillar in the middle of allies of food.

I hopped inside, just so happy! "This best day ever, This the best day ever! This the best day ever!" This afternoon it would me, Raysin, Apple pie, brother Cognate over skipe, and BEST OF ALL: APPLE PIE!

A Hoof clutches my back, and very weak southern accent of strong pony says "Whoa, whoa…hey, yer Raysin's kid! And that sis of dat soldier-boy, Cogneto!"

I spun sharply at the sound of the manger of the market. The stallion had side burns and a beard yet no moustache. A strong breath of cider breath in between his half-yellow teeth. However, he doesn't take the kind of cider my older sis says are 'intoxicating'. That's why he is still so smart while he carries a bottle of cider with him all day long!

"Mister Minnie-Apple-Loss!" I cheered. Or 'Mal' as he preferred, oddly he didn't care that his name sounded like girl or that sometime he acted like one. But when Mal was speaking to grown-ups, he was one serious stallion.

"That's me scooter-mare!" Mal appalled. The redneck stallion was like something of a colt's clown; and he always gave his customers nicknames. "You said it yer best day ever?"

I nod, explaining it all to him. "Well, Let's see if we can pass that level of best to bester. Try some of my latest, top secret, cider. It so secret that even PONI would have my flank cut up and fed to dragons," he joked. Almost immediately, he wedges the mug he was carrying right into my mouth. Gushing glorious liquid too grand to describe came into my throat. It is sooooooo good that I almost pass out.

"Eeeyup! I store the whole lot of them in the back. Wait till they hit the market!" Mal chuckled swinging his mug. Cider spills on the floor.

I twirl the ponytail in my mane with my hoof "In the back? Why are they-"

"They're prototypes! But I need to make sure they aren't too strong. Otherwise that could upset balance of combat between competitors in my favor!" That didn't make sense to me

I couldn't understand why he would give one to me if he had just started swinging and shouting it around the market. Maybe he was a little drunk. "But It tastes just right." I respond

I then hear Mal's regretful thoughts: No dear…it ain't….I need to make it better or I'll regret it when I'm old...like I do about so many things

"Maybe…but if the Celestia and Luna wanted things to be perfect at first without any sort of negative feedback, then we wouldn't have a court and police officers." Mal whispers in my ear. "Say, maybe I'll give yer family a yearly discount if you can get them all here!"

I snapped back "Sure, okay! But first can you spare me a basket of apple? My sis says that she'll pay you tomorrow." If I had to get something I could always say that my sis would be around tomorrow to pay the grown-ups. One time I used it so much my sis had to end up paying 100 credits at a toy store.

"Deal!" Mal swung the hoof with his Mug, spilling cider everywhere "Now let's find a big basket for-"

Then the market TV phased out loudly enmity static. Then it lettering appeared in red font and voice repeating, "WE INTERUPT THIS PORGRAM TO BRING AN ALERT TO ALL OF YOU." The screen flicker out to static after twenty seconds. The few customers who had seen the words on the TV screen resumed their grocery shopping.

"Aw hell….Cider Sam! What in the hay is wrong mah TV?" Mal yelled. The Assistant manager, Cider Sam is a mule…and by reading his thoughts, he's little depressed. Sometimes the community made fun of him and called him horrible names to him because of his buck teeth and crossed eyes. But I think he's nice; he looks almost like Mal since both have beards. And he is a super smart TV mechanic.

Sam scratches the back of his head "Golly, I don't know, Mister Apple-Loss. I was fixin' it just five minutes ago and it worked fine." I then hear the worry in Sam's head that he could have done something wrong and he was also worried about putting his job at risk. Ah...hope I didn't upset boss…I couldn't find another job in years!

And I forgot to mention this; I can never mention my mind reading power to anyone. Anyone. So far, only my family and the doctor we always go to know of it.

Mal frowns at his friend "Look, I'll pay you extra if you can-"

The screen flicker back to life, yet the blinding static now reveals something that will be the beginning of something that haunts me for the rest of my life. Others gather around shocked at the scene; from what I could read from their minds it was a razed city with helmeted UNSOCE marines taken prisoner by Ponies in red and black uniforms. A flag of a red printed skull was on a piece of debris. Meanwhile, a red-eyed mare trotted up to camera

*"Greeting fellow ponies oppressed by the UNCSEO…" The black mare, with red eyes and fiery hair welcomed her audience, with an evil grin.

"It UNSCOE ma'am" brought up by a solider red-black in red black. I always thought it was spelled 'oo-n-sc-coe' literally.

The mare continued "Yeah whatever…I'm going to make this message clear and brief to all of you. Join us…the United Rebel Front and we'll give you freedom."*

Celestia-Damned innies – that why I left their colonies; propaganda speeches and low pay. Cider Sam thinks. I'm right beside him and I never heard of him say anything like this to me. He told me he was from Golden Harvest and he just wanted to come 'back home' to Equestria. But if he did tell us he was from an innie colony, he could get in trouble.

*"But…" the black mare continues " If we think you oppose us in any way…" And nodded her head to the red-black soldiers.

The soldiers in red and black take out their pistols with their right fore-hooves. Then they rip off the helmets of the marines, tossing them into the air, revealing their faces to their audience.

I gasped silently, seeing the revealed face of one of the marines, covered in blood and dirt "….Cogneto...". My brother was one of those marines. Captured, on his knees, scared….

BLAM!

…and shot….

blood and guts splashed everywhere on the screen. The gunshot echoes in my heart and everyone's mind is silent.

..or you shall end up like these poor souls…I bid you good day, for now" the black mare grinned evilly"*

The demonstration was fished transforming into a black background the red words scrolling on the screen:

'NEW MANEBASSA IS ARE, ALL OF YOU, CORRUPTED. COWERING IN THE DIRT, THINKING WHAT, I WONDER? THAT YOU MIGHT ESCAPE THE COMING FIRE? No. YOU WORLDS SHALL FALL BEOFRE THE MIGHT THE TURE PONY LIBERATORS. AN NOT EVEN CELESTIA OR LUNA WILL BE ENOUGH TO SAVE YOU. AND WE? WE ARE YOUR LEADERING FUTURE!'

"Sam m'boy…you better turn of the TV, now. The crowd has seen enough those cocky bastards' business." Mal whispered. Without another word, Cider Sam trotted off to door mark 'Employee's only'. I always wanted to go there but now wasn't the time.

The thoughts of customers started to slide into my head.

Oh Princess Celestia save us….
No…no…Hell no!
Oh, Celestia my daughter is on that colony…
WHAT WILL DO WHAT WILL DO?
Dude, you're saying the broadcasting this all over the internet?
How the hell did they get this our network?
…And my wife called saying she saw the same thing from home….

Without noting Mal, I trotted away from the crowd and flew out of the store. Then I leapt onto my shooter and flapped my wings as fast as could to the next. Driving to quietist place I could think off.

I need to get away from everyone. Too much thinking, too much pressure…too much blood everywhere on TV…..

For that black mare ordered the death of my own brother. I witnessed the gory scene with my own eyes…and now I lost him forever.

As I drove along the country side, I couldn't hold my tears or cries back.

-

At Sky Mirror lake started at my own reflection.

I recalled that before my brother left I heard him says I love you so much. Now his love was gone with his body. All because of…..those…those innies! What was an innie anyway? At school, a colt next to me whose name I forgot talked about an 'ensuwercsion' for his international article of the week….but we couldn't understand it.

Despite the peaceful environment around me I just felt so angry. I flew up into the clouds a and stopped when I surrounded by several grey clouds. Interested, I buck one with my leg and it sends lighting out. I fling myself away before I'm electrocuted.

Then I recall my sis warning me never to go near dark thunder clouds while I'm flying. Now I see why; but I'm too angry to bother heed to her warning now

Pretty soon, I get in the habit of taking out my anger by punching and bucking the surrounding dark clouds with all four of my hooves. Every crash of lighting is almost like a satisfying scream of a monster. I wanted to kill all those monsters.

I then do a roundhouse kick at another dark cloud. Only to have no lighting crack out, but Instead a curtain of rain descended from it. The raindrops started to form a puddle on the ground, but no thunder or lightning. That's when I came out of my rage, checked to make sure nopony saw an angry pegasus filly kicking dangerous rainclouds.

The pouring rain reminded me of my own tears for my brother. And here I was taking my anger out on things that didn't deserve my rage. And that why I couldn't do anything to those meanies; I had too much of a heart.

"No!" I shout, kicked the raincloud away. I continued punching more clouds. I refuse to be so heartwarming and kind! I'll show those innies that I'm thought and strong can kick their flanks! "No, No, NO! N-GAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

That's when I go way too far; I punch a thundercloud right behind me. And I then I'm electrocuted. It stings though my body, and then I start to feel very hot inside. Even as I close my eyes pain still comes. I smell my coat and hair burning and every internal organ vibrating.

After being suspended by the crooked wave of lightning I feel myself falling. Then I slam into ground so hard, I barely heard a pop. I curl up into a ball and try to not to sob. I can't feel either of my wings. Steam comes of my charred body.

But I am thankful that my breathing shows I'm alive.

As I'm slipping out I hear Raysin and Mal call out my name repeatedly. Right before I go completely unconscious, I feel wrapmy sister hooves around me, crying loudly. I try to probe her mind though to see if she knows what happened to Cogneto.

Instead, all I get is blankness. Just silence.

-

Later that day at the doctors, I learned that now my uncontrollable ability to read minds was damaged due to lighting. My wings took a worse hit yet they would recover – they were just sprained. I lucky to be alive said the doctor. I waited for the lecture or the punishment but none of that came.

Although one would see it as peace and know that they could fly after a couple of months, I feared that now I have been changed forever.

When we got home, I stared in mirror for a long five minutes. I wasn't the cheerful pegasus filly looking for book in huge library as in the morning.

There was no Apple Pie. No skipe. No Cognate anymore. Just some milk and then I'm sleeping with Raysin in her bed. I was surprised that even she didn't scold me for kicking thunder clouds. Instead of saying anything or crying she remained silent. I couldn't sleep; that black mare kept coming back into my head laughing at me.

And image of Cogneto's exhausted face beside hers exploded into millions of pieces in front of me.

I woke up to make sure that his blood didn't come on my coat.

-
A week later on a Sunday….

I've been quieter lately and so has my sister. We're trying to get back into society as much as we can but it just feels so hard. At least now there is privacy when Raysin thinks of something. Ponies come by and say they are sorry for us….and sorries can't bring back the dead. But I just shut my mouth try not to cry out and yell at them; it wasn't going to change a thing

As I place the book she requested on the front, Raysin garbs her saddle bags. I noticed she had some lip gloss on. "Raggs invited me for a presentation, Destiny. I'm leaving you in charge."

"Sis, the library is closed on Sundays." I protest. Moaning

Even without her my mind-reading powers I know she actually going out on a date with her boyfriend.

All Raysin says is "Yeah, well yet we accept returns and donations any day of the week. I just want you to be here to keep an eye on things. Understand, Lil'Des?"

I nod. Because I'm frowning, she asks me if I want some apple pie tonight.

I just say no. After saying goodbye, she left. I'm not used to being mute to thoughts, even personal ones.

However, without my mind reading powers it might be easier to make friends. But it the weekend now and I'm still a Lone Timberwolf in school unfortunately.

-

Pretty soon it's just me looking though the book and holopads in the library lobby. I skim through the books until I stumble upon one about a royal wedding with the picture of pink alicorn with A captain of the royal guard. And the entire book cover was in pink adding to its girly-ness. This is the last book I would read.

Bored to death, I opened the flap just to somewhat satisfy myself with the plot.

Conegto's signature along with some words written in cursive is first things I see. It's almost like Congneto is talking to me from the grave, bring more depression and loneness to me yet I read on.

Dear Destiny,

I know it's hard for you to make friends with your power (It's not a curse; top calling it that). And I know things have been complicated over these last few days with me at my new post. And I'm sorry I couldn't come home on your birthday. But as gift to you, I want you to have this book. When I was your age, it was my among my favorite adventures of the last bearers of the elements .In my dreams I could only imagine what heroes they are. Yet they also inspired many heroes today, like firefighters, social workers, and us marines. The cover may be girly but that's for you to decide if it is.

I know this hard for you to realize but I can die tomorrow. So if I am missing or you are worried about me I'm going to have to ask you to keep going. Sometimes you can't see your future. But others can. It's pretty much like a book – you write with whatever elements you have and then you keep going. And the Author lets the readers determine what he did was right or wrong.

Your old stallion,

Cogneto

I open the flap to the first page beginng to read the words. If Cogneto read this book then so should I; it was the least I could to honor him.

But If I came across the word 'tea-party' then I was going to close it right away.

-

Strolling across the streets, Lieutenant Corncob Keyes shifted uncomfortably in his disguise composing of civilian clothing. He was the sole soldier chosen for this mission because he could keep a devious secret and somehow remain loyal to his superiors. But that the damn scientist he was with 'Escorting' was beginning to get on his nerves

"Just relax and act like we are tourists here, Lieutenant. We've been out for at least an hour and you didn't even take any photos with that camera I bought for you." The scientist, Dr. Halsey Sparkle, icily reminded him. She wore a sunhat and carried a saddle bag on her back.

"You bought me a camera, ma'am?" Keyes realized that he forgotten that a camera was dangling from his neck all this time. Then held it up took a quick picture of Sparkle.

"And you didn't even take a meal at sugar cube corner." The doctor added

Keyes narrowed his olive eyes "I need to watch my calorie count otherwise my superior-"

"You should be ashamed….sir" Halsey replied coldly. "You are not acting like a civilian therefore you are disobeying your superiors."

"How many officers are ready to gut your throat when you do something wrong?"

"How many lives will be at stake if I don't find out if subject 117 is fit for duty? She already lost her ability of telepathy. All I want to do is just to check on her."

"That's it?" Keyes wondered. "Just her?"

"Well. I was planning on going to the spa…if it weren't for the blockhead next to me."

That made Keyes silent. Halsey could see they were coming close to library yet felt like she wanted to continue to twist the by-the-book-soldier. Keyes was going to fail at being civilian big time without a smile.

"Can you at least pretend that we're here to pick up…oh I don't know, a book for our little girl from the library." Halsey rolled her brown eyes

Keyes grunted "I don't pretend or have a girl, ma'am."

"And could you at least avoid calling me, ma'am? How many colts call their special someponies ma'am. Gosh, you are horrible at this!" Halsey replied, giving up.

Lieutenant Keyes had a brown mane in a crew cut fashion and a dark grey coat with a cutie mark of two keys facing in opposite directions on a ring. Sparkle's mane and tail were purple and both ended in buns. Her mark appeared to be a ten pronged magenta star enclosing a heptagon, with both being surrounded by twenty different polygons too small for keys to get a look at. (If he came any closer….it would look like he was analyzing at her flank). While Keyes was an earth pony, Halsey was a unicorn.

Keyes whispered in partial amazement "Do you even realize where you are?" pointing his hoof to the treehouse. From outside looked as if they hadn't changed one bit, apart from the metal frames and deck. The 2500 year old lantern was still there on the one-month old scrubbed deck.

Sparkle nodded her head. "Yes, I'm at my great-great-great-great grandmother's library." She said nothing more as she walked up the stairs. There wasn't really much to say about the building; even with all the new addition she preferred a quiet lab over something like this.

Keyes stayed where he was. "I'm afraid I'm going to ask you to come with me." Sparkle informed just as she touched the glass door.

Keyes raised a hoof to protest "With all due-"

"When I said 'we' were going on this mission, lieutenant, I said WE. I am clear?"

Not giving him time to answer, Sparkle clutched Keyes by the shirt collar and started to drag the stallion into the Library. (Yes…she is that strong.)

As Keyes tried to stand straighter, Sparkle caught him blushing in embarrassment. She opened the door and entered the marble library.

Finding subject 117, a yellow pegasus filly with a brown mane, deep in book.

CHAPTER 2
"Sunspot"

( watch?v=TRFNPsH0ZT4 This is the beginning part If you don't want to read it or don't get it.)

Changeling – N - a creature that has blue eyes, black skin, a twisted horn, and holed wings in its original insect-like form. Can shape shift into any form it desires. Responsible for invasion on Canterlot in 2 ARL.

The six ponies collided into each other as they ran up the stairs to castle upper deck …finding themselves in front of changeling army. Their wings, legs, and horns were filled with holed and crooked.

"Looks like we're gonna have to do this the hard way!" Rainbow Dash shouted and charged at the first changeling in her sight.

Instantly, the changeling morphed itself into a copy of Dash. Dash paused in her run, surprised that now she was facing an exact copy of herself. This gave the copy and chance to strike out at Dash, Sending her skidding back to her friends. Dash raised her head weakly to get a glimpse at her foe "How did..?"

Pretty soon, the other changeling took on forms of the mane six, becoming copies of the six only with angered eyes and the smirks yearning for a skirmish.

"They're changelings, remember?" Twilight alerted quickly to Rainbow Dash.

"They're changelings, remember?" Repeated five Twilight-copy Changelings, grinning evilly.

"Don't let them distract you; we have to get to the Elements of Harmony; they are our only hope!" Twilight Sparkle order to her team of six.

Then chaos broke lose; Coats were bruised, teeth punched out, and several changeling who were knocked out returned into their insect-like forms, unconscious.

Fluttershy was paralyzed by all the fighting. Then she filched when she saw three other Fluttershy-copies converging towards her. In hasty attempt to fool them, she threw on an angered face and started swing punches randomly.

Luckily, The three disguised changelings walked right by Fluttershy. After they left, Fluttershy sped off in one direction only to be surrounded by four copies of growling Rainbow Dashes.

However, one of them was proven to be the real Rainbow Dash after she punched other three copies.

Applejack was having trouble. She thought that within the chaos that Twilight was right behind when all this time it was changeling pouncing on her. It got worse as more changelings followed.

The real Twilight pinned down a copy of herself, using her magic to put the changeling into unconsciousness.

Twilight spun around and found Applejack copies piling upon the real Applejack. Twilight transformed her magic into bolts of magenta energy locking onto each of the Applejack copies.

Soon there was only one Applejack left and Twilight levitated it in front of her, charging up a magical blast

"Real me! Real me!" Applejack panicked. When Twilight set her down she mouthed out a thank you.

Pinkie was just smiling at the shape sifting changeling in front of her.

"Hehehe….do me do me!" Pinkie bounced.

The changeling rolled its eyes, but it transformed into a copy of pinkie, mimicking her smile.

"Nah, I've seen better." Pinkie judged. Then she snatched Twilight and held the unicorn like gun at the changelings….

"Excuse me?"

I Jump at the sound of the new live voice; the only ones that I have been hearing were the ones of Twilight Sparkle, her friends, and my narrating of a 2500 year old adventure. In short, the story was of a royal wedding, family issues, and an invasion of shape-shifting bugs. I could never completely describe Cogneto's taste in literature, except that there weren't any boring tea-parties.

But back to reality. Two ponies stand before me at the front desk. One was blue unicorn with saddle, a purple mane tied back in buns, and a pretty pink sunhat filled with flowers. Her ice blue eyes reminded me of crystal statues. The other was a grey stallion with green eyes and brown crew cut.

"You look nice." I say

They both thank me at the same time.

"I'm Destiny! What are you doing here? The library is closed." I inform them. Anybody who anybody here knew the Library was closed on Sundays.

The mare with sun hat answered "We're just tourists passing through and I thought I wanted to get a glimpse of the Ponyville Library. It's quite beautiful. Isn't it, Corncob?"

The stallion beside the mare blushed and straightened up. "Yes, dear…it kinda reminds me of…uh, home." If had my mind reading powers back, I could clearly tell what he was thinking. Because I couldn't, I could only assume he was nervous or that he was trying to hide something.

I smile. Sorta. "Thank you miss and mister…."

"Sparkle. Halsey Sparkle. And this is my coltfriend, Corncob. We're on our anniversary." She mentioned. Corncob turned away and trotted around at the treehouse library's interior. I bet he was embarrassed.

"Oh, my gosh! You're related to Twilight Sparkle!?" I yelped happily pointing to the statue of the pony and her assistant. I was just reading about one of her adventures and now I meet the mare who is her great-great-great-great grandchild?This was the next best day ever!

Halsey Sparkle nodded, giving a little smile. A little one. "That's right dear. But I'm afraid that my family didn't have an interest in keeping this place much longer. So they gave it to yours."

"You're not jealous are you?" I asked showing my big adorable eyes. They are irresistibly cute – and quite the thing you need when your persuasion skills fail.

"Not all." Halsey stated "But before leave would like to give you something. If you are lucky."

I widened my eyes. OH BOY, GIFTS! "What is it? What is it?" I bounce on the desk

Using a fore hoof, Halsey pulled out a coin. It was in a reflective yellow color with its rim party shaved.

"A GOLD COIN! I AM THE RICHEST GIRL IN THE WORLD!" I shout at the top of my lungs. All the windows in the library fragment.

Halsey shakes her head "No…not exactly," (Me thinking: What? A fake?) ", But this is what money looked like two-thousand years ago when Equestria was the only planet that everyone and everypony settled on."

"It looked like bunch of fake gold coins? Then I'm not interested." I object. A little rudely. A little. I didn't mean it though.

"No? But this is an artifact from ancient times. You could sell it and get a mountain of credits." Halsey replied.

"But then I need my sister's help with that; her credit card is with her. But she isn't here at the moment so she'll have to take a message. And I can never remember messages with all the ruckus that goes on in my head." I reply

"What kind of ruckus?" Halsey asked. Uh-oh. I couldn't let out my telepathy secret, even if it was gone.

"I'm…being an assistant manager." I lie quickly "Of this library."

-

Halsey could see subject-117 was quick to excite and sadden. Than again she was only a filly; what would you expect? And oddly she wasn't into money of shiny things that much. And to think that somepony like her could have survived light bolt was preposterous. But Halsey still had to test the subject's other abilities since telepathy was gone. PONI reported that it was damaged to the point where it was nothing.

"It must be hard work for such a young filly." The doctor replied.

"I can do it." 117 huffed.

"With your sister of course. Do you have any other family?" Halsey wondered, even though she knew everyone who was related to filly, including schoolmates and neighbors.

"My sister, Raysin, is with her boyfriend. I never saw my mom or dad. My brother, Cogneto…" I start to tear up. "…he's gone. He was in army."

He was in the marines Halsey corrected.

"How about if you and I play a game with this coin. If you win, you decide what you want." Halsey thought of quickly, as to not upset the little filly.

"Anything?" subject 117 grinned, changing her mood

Oh Goddess, what did I get myself into? Halsey worried. Subject 117's was due for recruitment in at midnight. And now the doctor couldn't believe she was taking requests from an adorable little test subject. She hopped that Keyeswould somehow help him out of this. But the Stallion was now busy looking though books. But Halsey had to test her, no matter what.

"Deal. Name your game !" 117 accepted the challenge

Halsey pulled out a pen from her dress pocket. Then she marked one side of the coin with a blue "X". "Now, I will flip it. If it lands X, You win." Halsey explained

"I always win!" Subject 117 chanted. Over Confidence, but not a bragger. Eager and enthusiastic The doctor analyzed.

"Let the games begin then."

Halsey flipped the coin in the air. On its way down, Subject 117 caught it in her hoof. Her smile on her lemon-colored face was priceless

"X marks the spot!" She shouted.

Halsey then she realized that she should stop playing. Subject 117 may love her now, but in the end she would come back to haunt her as one of 303 fillies and colts who would become part of the GREEHORN-II project.

"It appears I have to go now, Destiny." Halsey hastily concluded, glancing to Keyes. Keyes nodded in and trotted beside her to the door.

"But don't get I gift?" Destiny asked.

"Is it alright if I came back with gift?" Halsey replied. She had ventured too far with this and now she wanted to retreat to her freezing lab back on Sigma Clopodia.

"But we made a deal that if I win I get to choose what I want!" Destiny protested "And now I know what I what!"

Damn me…What's in for me next? Halsey couldn't take much more of this filly.

Destiny leapt on to the desk yelling "Mister Corncob! No smoking!"

Halsey could see Keyes had put his great-great-grandfather's pipe in his mouth. But Keyes never smoked; he only chewed on its end to assist his thinking.

Yet Keyes just smiled at the seemingly-harmless filly "Excuse me my dear but-"

"I am Destiny and will not allow anyone to smoke in MY LIBRARY!" Destiny reached out from under the desk clutching the brightest and reddest fire extinguisher in her hooves.

"Good bye Ms. Sparkle and Mr. Corncob! Thanks for the hat!" Destiny waved, wearing Halsey's sun hat. It was what she had decided on wearing after she had won the coin toss, despite being a little ill-fitting.

Halsey had to admit while the filly was adorable and enlightening, she was the one who would hold her position no matter what. Just one of the characters she needed need for an Element. She may fit loyalty or laughter best…if she is a destined bearer

"Why did you need me again?" Keyes sneered. His clothing was now breached in white. Destiny had fired the wave of powder with his eyes open. Now they were bloodshot in pain, with his brown mane and grey coat in white. Halsey and Destiny laughed, saying he looked like an albino.

"I just wanted to show you how real PONI officers do their tests." The doctor stated as they neared the pegasus wagon station. "It's the least I could do for a close colleague." Keyes swore she saw Halsey smirking.

"And what did you test?" Keyes said, placing his pipe back into his mouth. He took it out a spat into the ground, with some powder still stuck in there.

"Her reflexes, perception, alertness, personality, and luck, lieutenants." Halsey explained

Keyes gave dumbfounded look to the doctor's reasoning. "Luck? You're kidding right?"

While Haley waved for a Pegasus to bring a taxi wagon to come by and pick them up, she hissed to Keyes "If soldiers have discipline and guns, heroes have luck."

"What does her luck make you so interested in revoking the Elements of Harmony?" Keyes knew about the doctor's classified plan.

Halsey pulled Keyes close to her, signaling Keyes to keep extra quiet "The Elements only arise when there is conflict that could change Equestria forever. Since then, they remain with their bearers, until his or her life ends. Tradition states they are to be locked up where they were last used."

"So what does making an army of soldiers consisting of fillies and colts have to do with -"

Halsey gently put hoof on Keyes snout, silencing him.

"The Elements are always bestowed on those who have unique and amazing personalities that sometimes are contradicting each other. By bringing ponies with those different personalities together, then The Elements may awaken again. And if they don't, at least we have an army to ensure another New Manebassa doesn't happen." Halsey didn't want to call them 'Elements of Harmony' – that name was judged inaccurate to her and many others.

It took Keyes few moments to understand what the striking and cold-hearted doctor was saying. "Well, you'll get Loyalty and Honesty out of a good soldier…but Laughter, Generosity, Kindness, and - if by Celestia's grace if you need it - Magic? Odds are slim to nothing, Doctor."

Instead of auguring further, Doctor Halsey Sparkle gave small smile "Oh you just won't see them in action….you'll start to believe in them even after they are dead."

Keyes cocked an eyebrow "Despite such an enlightening evening…I don't want to run into more of this."

"You'll be steering away from the worst of it, Corncob." Halsey replied, looking staring at Equestrian's setting sun. She knew that this system was the only one where Celestia and Luna controlled the sun and moon. Every other system worked by itself.

In the end, Halsey briefly wonder if what she was doing was thee exact same thing the insurrectionist and the suns of other systems were doing; defiance against Celestia's power.

Halsey pushed her thoughts away as she tried to focus on what to tell Princess Celestia when she reached Canterlot. Princess Celestia loathed Halsey for not standing up to Twilight Sparkle's obsession with pleasing her, or continuing the family's tradition of studying friendship. Yet both seemed to hold both a grudge and a respect for each other. In fact, she needed to talk to Celestia about the project's funding.

After that she would have to take a shuttle to Sigma Clopodia. That's where it would all begin

-
MIDNIGHT
PLANET: SIGMA CLOPODIA
CLASSFIED MILITARY COMPLEX

"Celestia doesn't approve of your plans doctor; but she understands the risks we must take if this will stop the insurrection and somehow rekindle the elements." Lyra, an Ai represented as a holographic representation of a mini cyan mare sitting on holo-projector, informed.

Carrying her lab coat on her back, Halsey Sparkle paced around the amphitheater stage under a calming night time sky filled the sky with Turvus, Sigma Clopodia's ringed moon, constellations named after famous figures, and swirl of stars. But Halsey felt even more uneasy.

The complex included barracks, a thousand acres full of woods, Halsey's underground lab, and several buildings that all could see. Somewhere, she knew there was a motor pool, vehicle depot and full sized airpad. She just couldn't find them because this entire place could have been mistaken for a fenced and unsaturated town in the mountains.

"Doctor, Princess Celestia wonders if there are alternatives." Lyra wondered

Halsey asked her self this hundreds of times. "There are none. The dragons will only make things worse like in Everfree Forest Wars. Changelings are too genetically weak to use as frontline fighters. Griffons and Zebras are just recovering from that drop in their economies. And every other specie won't join our cause or assimilate with us. We're on our own"

Lyra interrupted. "She meant why use foals."

Felling mortified, Halsey held her anger. "Their minds are more adaptable to augmentation and indoctrination. We can alter their bodies to become super soldiers stronger and faster than normal marines."

Lyra sat awkwardly, thinking "Still, we can't do this to adults?"

Halsey knew the public would ask the same question if they found out. "Last time you asked me this, my answer has remained unchanged; We're only scientists, not gods. Even Celestia can't make a perfect soldier who also has the sociality of a civilian. Sometimes, it's one or the other."

Lyra pondered for a moment. "Very well Doctor, yet do you have any idea what we should tell the subjects?"

Halsey had her answer ready. "I can't lie to them, Lyra; they have to know we kidnapped them. Ponykind and the UNSCOE will be saved…even if some have to suffer for it." Halsey stated, throwing on her lab coat. If there was anything she could confess to Celestia after this insurrection was crushed, it was that she told the truth. Or at least most of it

"Affirmative, but I strongly recommend you take my advice; they are only children today who will only be soldiers tomorrow and dead in a month. It won't matter if you lied to them." The holographic AI, Lyra icily replied before shutting her holographic form off.

"Your advice is noted." Halsey brushed her purple main before seeing the first of Phoenix dropship land – they were a little older than foals; how hard could this be?

One by one, several Phoenix-class Drop ships landed into the ring in front of her platform. The doctor knew that in a total of five hours PONI had already captured all 303 candidates. Drill instructors were forcing the candidates, fillies and colts, out like cattle. They all were confused, tired, as if it were in a dream. Those who did try to escape back into the Phoenix Dropships were zapped back into place by stun sticks in the sergeants' mouths.

I take it back – this isn't going to be easy Halsey was starting to sweat. These kids weren't adults. They wouldn't understand what she was saying, or what would be done to them in the months to come. They all wouldn't make it.

Halsey then spotted a familiar pegasus wearing an eye-catching sunhat in the crowd. But unlike the other fillies, her face seemed relaxed, patient, and ready.

That was enough for Halsey to get the strength to start.

-

I've visited Cogneto's military base on War Horse Day. So when I woke inside a phoenix-class dropship with a bunch of stallions shutting us up, I was only a little surprised. I didn't want to be scared – I had to be different. I had to be tough and brave if I wanted to somehow make those innies pay.

Before I went to sleep, all I remembered before the lights went out was Raysin kissing me goodnight. When she closed the door I threw on my sunhat. It was quite the best day ever.

Then I had to pee at 22:00 (I had a digital clock on my bedside table).

Right as I came back into my bedroom, two ponies – a mare and a stallion placing a pony on my bed.

I gasped. That pony looked exactly like me.

The stallion heard me and held up something that looked like a pen to his mouth. A tiny dart pierced into my hoof, making it all num. Pretty soon my body felt all sleepy and could feel myself falling into somepony's hooves.

"Welcome to the Greenhorn-II program." The mare on the stage addressed to us all. She used her unicorn magic to project her voice as if spoken though a microphone.

Halsey…It was her! The mare that visited me that morning and gave the sunhat! What was she doing here now? What was I doing here now?

"You have been call upon from across the galaxy to serve." Halsey continued. Her voice was gentle and her expression was neutral, maybe even little regretful.

Some of the other kids quieted down on the stage. I'm now really glad I lost my mind reading powers. Otherwise, I would have a huge headache.

"You will be the proctors of Equestria and all her colonies. There will be great deal of hardship on the road ahead." Halsey Sparkle paused, trembling slightly.

Stage fright! I must help her! I start a soft clap with hooves being first in row. Everypony just stares at me seeing I'm the only one clapping. But Halsey catches it yet she gives sadden smile to the crowd.

"You cannot return to your families. But you will all be a success in the end." Halsey choked again, but this time I couldn't help her.

Everyone went silent gapping their mouths wide open. Beside me, a colt started to tear up. But somehow, that filly that I saw was a clone of me was the reason why they wouldn't allow us to return. We probably were being replaced. Maybe Raysin might like the clone better than me.

But were we going to become heroes of the galaxy? Like Cogneto? Like Twilight Sparkle and her friends?

Halsey Sparkle resumed the speech "This place will become your home. I, your trainers, and fellow trainees will become your family. The instructors shall guide you to your barracks. It's going to be long day for you tomorrow. Good luck."

That's when the stallions with those shock sticks start pushing us back into the dropship and yelling at us.

Even as they do so, I do my best to take off my sunhat and place it on the floor. I would try to tell Halsey that I'm giving it back to her but she is already off the stage and speaking with an instructor.

I just felt that if I was going to leave Ponyville, Raysin, Minnie-Apple-Los (Mal), I might as well leave everything.

The hat was just resting under the nighttime sky of galaxy in middle of an empty amphitheater for endless hours before somepony found it again.

The rest of the story can be found on this link