Gerin'Gov hated this planet. He'd hated the fold-space flit into orbit, he'd hated the drop-ship trip to the surface that made him use up two whole vomit sacks, he hated all this magic fairy-tale nonsense and he hated the natives. He couldn't understand what the Federation saw in such a backwards, reality-fucked planet full of people who's biggest daily concern was not having made at least four new friends. Real people had real problems in the world, and these people had no real problems, and they hardly came across as real people. Pastel coated equines with the average personal maturity of a six year old. No, there was nothing on this planet worth his entire battle cluster dedicating a whole week travelling here.

Then why, he had asked himself, was he walking the hallway of one of the most heavily guarded research facilities in the Federation's domain?

The walls were more like that of a starship hull, thick, separated by layers of breach compensatory measures. The doors were multi-powered, unlocking in at least two ways and opening apart in several segments that had sat together with an outrageous level of security. Viewing windows were siege-proof, a Fed could stick on as much plastic explosive as the window had surface area and the detonation would only scuff the surface. Everything about this place, its very atmosphere, bore a grim state of security, almost as if those who had built it were expecting some terrible force to suddenly try and breach its walls. The ceiling was high, the light built in and behind metal-mesh glass, the illumination providing a light that was strangely hazy, obscuring the path ahead of him.

He turned a corner, the thunder of the footsteps of the two Immortals, one at each of his side filling the new space they all marched into. His escort was impressive also, when he stepped off the drop-ship onto the landing strip, he'd never have predicted a pair of the domain reknown super-soldiers would have been their to greet him. Each stood a little over seven feet tall, bearing a strong physique that was supercharged with chemical and biological augments. Stronger bones, stronger muscles, faster reflexes and more efficient cardio systems made these soldiers several times more effective in the field than the standard Benefactor. Each held a Magna-accelerator, a light machine gun the size of a Magna-rifle, yet holding the eventual rate of fire of a Magna-repeater, the sub-machine gun variant of the Magna range of weaponry the military used. Each also wore the most advanced armour system the Federation could hope to provide, a fully enclosed suit, heavily armoured, powered by a miniature collision core, shielded by powerful energy shields and gear upgraded with the latest tactical computing systems. Each super soldier was easily worth an entire squad of any other soldier when fully equipped and armed.

Ahead of them was a large room that had a ceiling raised to accommodate two floors made apparent by the balcony viewable from the ground floor. Below the second floor was a large reception desk, the area bustling with the most activity. The whole facility, of which the Commander could see, was surprisingly busy. Enforcer security guarding every door in pairs, scientist teams and engineers hurrying about to attend to their daily tasks, it truly seemed like whatever this facility was dedicated to was of great importance. But Gerin'Gov would have to see it firsthand to truly believe it. As they approached reception, it would have seemed signing into the visitor logs was unneeded as a team of officials was waiting for him. As he approached, everyone waiting held a welcoming smile on their lips, especially who he assumed was the facility Attendant who stepped forward to offer a greeting, holding his hand low and open for the Commander to receive.

"Welcome, Commander Gerin'Gov. We're very glad you could attend to our summons. I hope your journey was pleasant." The Attendant, a small, slighter Fed than he was, said with his welcome extended, one the Commander accepted with a begrudging expression.

"It was horrible." He said plainly in his raspy voice.

"Well, I'm sorry to hear. However I can guarantee it was worth it. We have some quite exciting news." The attendant promised, still smiling.

"News I had to travel for several days to hear in person? I hope this doesn't turn out to be a very expensive D-mail message."

"I can promise you, if I'd sent a message, you would have considered me with worse opinion than you must do now." The soft-faced Attendant assured.

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The facility was quite impressive, its study rooms ranging from small, personal laboratories, to cavernous spaces akin to starship hangars, holding strange equipment that appeared to be manipulating some form of energy and vast containment cells filled with anything from viscous green fluid to buzzing plasma flares. The group, composed of four scientists, a pair of engineers, a small team of government officials, the Attendant, the Commander and his escort, passed by another room, this one about the size of a school classroom and filled with a team of six scientist all wearing hazard-suits, each aligning some form of energy exchanger equipment in the form of two mechanical arms that ended in what looked like welding tools.

"Here we have our exchangment team working with an energy delivery prototype. This could allow us to re-assign collected Z-density to different units, allowing for efficient energy exchange both for facilities and even in the field." The Attendant said with a measure of excitement.

"So, are you saying this energy source will replace our current reactor cells?" A representative asked, seemingly unimpressed.

"Potentially, Z-density could replace almost all primary energy reliance, fueling city power grids, starship power cores, allowing greatly extended travel distances to be achieved with spacecraft, and can even be applied for military use. Not to mention, its relationship with Equis could see us efficiently replicate the manipulative capabilities of the natives."

"This is all quite impressive, it is. You've spoken a lot about this, Z-density, and its properties and applications, but you have failed to mention what it is." The Commander inquired, his patience truly beginning to wear thin by the tour he'd just been taken on.

"Well, now, this is were things get a little...controversial. Our entire society has been solidly built on the benefits of science, logic and reason, such qualities have fueled the past four hundred years of technological innovation, leading to the conquest and colonization of over two hundred planets. However, all of our previous assumptions, all of our conclusions on the nature of the universe around us was challenged by the discovery of a world that seemed removed from the laws of science. This world." The Attendant said, as though he were performing for some acting audition.

"We know all of this. And the challenges this world has forced upon us have been countered, we have nothing left to gain from being on this planetary abomination." Gerin'Gov growled, the lines on his pale face tightening as he scowled softly.

"But what if we haven't, in fact, countered all that we have encountered here. What if I were to tell you, without the governmental information filter putting back ink over large portions of my reports, that my scientists have informed me we have actually come to understand nothing on this world, at least not entirely."

"Wrong. Our reports have been delivered with level ten information access, and they tell us the same story everyone else has been told. That this planet is a scientific cooking pot of natural disaster. Just some random universal variable." A government official shook, her eyes closed in disappointment at the Attendants apparent stupidity.

"I'm afraid it is you that is wrong, Officiator. You see, the study of Equestria has been under my supervision for the entirety of the three years we have been here as a species. Every scientist, every technician reports to me with their significant finding which I then relay to planetary command, which in turn is delivered to Federal command. I received an immediate demand of silence in confidence in regard to the findings I was receiving, and was ordered explicitly to report all finding to Federal command and Federal command alone. A breach of these terms was said to cost me my life, until eight days ago, when I was ordered to summon all of you to an informative gathering." The Attendant said with a smug grin.

"You have the appropriate documentations for this summons, and all relevant records of the events you have detailed?" Another government official inquired.

"Delivered to you digitally as soon as we started the tour."

At this almost everyone present raised their wrist mounted data slabs and swiped their fingers across its surface to the relevant information. The Commander, however, did not feel the need to assure himself of such claims, he could see the Attendant was not lying. And if he was, the Commander himself had full permission lawfully to execute the Fed then and there. But there was one thing he truly wanted answers to.

"So. In plain Tafish, explain what you've found, Attendant." Gerin'Gov said calmly.

"This planet, this entire planet is heavily saturated with an energy signature completely untraceable by previously perfected measurement equipment. This energy, what we have entitled Z-density, remains separate from perception on a level that implies it is of an inter-dimensional nature. Firstly, this could mean we have discovered a source of energy not only potentially limitless in capacity, but more potent than even the largest collision reactors available today. This energy has, as I have stated, vast levels of application, both in our societies and for military use. Furthermore, with this energy harnessed in the correct manner, all of Equis becomes not only controllable, but entirely reshapeable."

"Terrain can be reconfigured in hours simply by the push of a holo-glyph. Weather, also, becomes equally easy to manipulate on the fly, producing clear skies and vast hurricane in minutes. The possibilities for mineral harvesting is astounding, as we could simply program the planet itself to arrange, purify, compact and extract all valuable materials with minimal manual intervention needed. Also, let's not forget the natives themselves, most notably the Ponies. With complete Z-density control, we could rearranged the energies imprintment upon Equestrians. Keeping in mind the...uh...'specialisation imprint' these creatures eventually mature into, we could program what specialization they receive. We could, effectively, manufacture generations of pre-destined engineers, pilots, manual workers...soldiers." The final word was said as the Attendant look straight at the Commander, who could not hide how captured he was by the possibility of not only getting something useful out of this planet, but actually saving Federal lives in warzones by pre-programming Equestrians to be soldiers, ready to fight for the Federation.

"This really, really is impressive. How does Z-density work exactly?" The commander asked as those around him gossiped excited and anticipating words to one another.

"We are...actually not quite sure. Extensive tests have been made in an attempt to both measure and even perceive Z-density. We have some plans for future investigations, but the Gov's down here have demanded certain conditions to better their efforts." The Attendant admitted.

"You have plans to use this energy source, for application across the Federation, and yet still have no idea where it comes from, or what it's made of?" The Gilith Officiator probed.

"What are the conditions your people require, Attendant?" Asked the Commander, ignoring the whinging of the Officiator.

"They say they require a biological bridge from which to monitor the behaviour of Z-density. The Unicorns we have detained have been useful, but only to a degree, and further study requires subjects with a more intimate control over the energy they can manipulate."

"You need one of the princesses?" The Commander said, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, yes, but we thought we'd go all the way on this request."

The voice had come from behind, having a young sharpness to it, a sharpness that was almost sinister in nature. The tour group turned to see a male Fed of average build striding down the corridor towards them, clothed in military attire, armour and even being armed with his sidearm and variety of tactical equipment. He didn't look all too different from a regular Benefactor foot soldier, however his spinal pack had in-built communication nodes, he lacked his helmet, and the blue patterns in his armour were filled with bright yellow dots, each about the size of a large coin. He moved with an aura of confidence, even a level of dominance that forced all but the Commander to take a step backwards as he approached. He came to a stop just in front of the Commander, his battle-ready tactical dress mirroring the Commander more formal, minimalist desk suit beneath a long, dark coat, along with the newcomers young, confident appearance mirroring the Commanders age-worn face stretched down in a state of exhaustion and impatience.

"Commander Gerin'Gov, glad to have you on the team. Good to know you'll be keeping a close eye on us from orbit, keep the cannons warm for us up there, right?" The young Gov said.

"Benefactor Supreme Yuni'Gov. You seem unnaturally chipper." The Commander growled.

"Well, as you have just heard, the think-tanks in this facility have made quite the demand, and I've offered them one better." The Benefactor Supreme replied with a wide smile, one that showed off his upper and lower jaw-spanning teeth.

"What could be better than a princess in the bag? You planning on dragging all four of them here yourself?"

"Actually, yes. Not only that, but all the dissidents they have been interacting with as well. That's all four princesses, and the other five Elements of Harmony." Yuni'Gov exclaimed, gaining a favorable reaction from most present.

"What are you going to do, steal their jewelry and lure them here with it?" Gerin'Gov grunted.

"Actually, we have, quite easily I have to say, implanted some information to have all mentioned chase a false lead. A lead they believe will take them to something that can evict the Federation from Equestria." A round of screeching laughter came from all present at the claim, all besides the stone face of the Commander.

"So you're setting them up?" The Commander asked.

"Exactly. We lure them to an underground location with no way out, a series of caverns located under the Crystal Empire our surveillance equipment picked up, we allow them to enter said location, a battle force follows them down, traps and containment the targets and bring them to this facility for detainment."

"What units are you dedicating to this assault?"

"Four squads of eighteen benefactors, four Immortals, four Eliminators and a pair of Dominator exoskeleton units outside the breach point on guard duty. Now, this might seem excessive to the uneducated, but do not be fooled by the helpless nature of the general populace of Equestria, these individuals, especially the princesses, have proven to be quite capable when avoiding capture. This is why we are taking every precaution possible to ensure this operation runs smoothly and successfully. You can confidently let Federal command know that further scientific progression is absolutely guaranteed."

A round of hearty applause went up as all present were doubtlessly impressed with what this operation could mean for not only Equestria, but the entire domain. Gerin'Gov remained firmly reserved about the proposal, he'd have to see it to believe it.

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Independence costs lives! Conformity ensures safety!

An image of a group of ponies tied together with a large chain, standing with blank expressions atop a pile of bodies all coloured in red. The image of a Federation Benefactor stood behind the chained group.

The working pony is a hero, the rebel is a criminal! Report all suspicious activity to your nearest benefactor.

Back to back, an image of a smiling stallion in blue was looking up at the sky while holding a book, against another who was bent over in chains, frowning.

Progress is the only way forward! Those who stay behind are traitors!

An image of a Federation Benefactor holding the Federation flag in one hand and pointing forward with the other, while the image of a pony stood behind him, coloured red and pointing an Equestrian military sidearm at the soldiers head.

Magic is illusion, science is illumination!

The smiling image of a pony mare holding a data pad and a science beaker full of yellow, bubbling fluid peered out into the world.

Disobedience = Dead! Logic is the only way!

The image of a pony in red was stood before the Federation flag, spray painting a large red X across it as a blue cross-hair hovered over the ponies head.

You wouldn't even stand a chance! Rebellion will be met with swift military correction.

The image was of a portion of Equis with a Federation starship floating above, its orbital cannons firing down upon the planet below.

The public propaganda posters were large, taking up a good portion of the sides of houses and shops they had been placed upon. They were of simplistic, clean cut design formed of a small variety of blues, yellows and reds on a white background. The first posters had been far more subtle and suggestive in their approach to the public eye, the Federation thinking it best to drip-feed the Equestrian population the desire for the Federations alien culture. This had little success, and so led to increasingly larger posters bearing more intense messages, a new batch thrown up every couple of months.

A pair of Benefactors marched passed the window of a toy shop, blocking Rainbow Dash's view of the posters she had just been staring at. She ducked down below the glass to conceal herself for a second before steadily peering back out the window again. Checking each direction for a couple of seconds, she decided it was best to move on. She turned to the shop owner, who had taken to blocking all the exits besides the front door with wooden panels, who scurried over to the shops main entrance and carefully unlatched the door's lock before creaking it ajar. Dash gave the stallion a friendly nod with a smile while gently throwing over a small bag of Equestrian bit coins. Without waiting for a 'thank you' Dash darted out the door and hurried to the alleyway across the street, nearing the edge of town. Hearing footsteps hurrying towards her, Dash pressed herself against a wall, only to see a pair of mares hurrying by, most likely worried about attracting attention from the recently seen Benefactors. The rainbow maned mare risked a peek around the corner of the house she hid behind, saw the Benefactors turn the corner at the end of the street, and decided now was probably the best time to make a move for Sweet Apple Acres. Spanning her powerful wings for a second, tensing the muscles in her back to the 'ready' position, she braced her footing before surging all her physical energy into her avian appendages and hooves. Like a bolt of technicoloured lightning, if Dash was seen at any point by anypony (or thing), she would have simply been seen as a spectral blur that made a beeline for Ponyville Elementary school, the path there leading to the farm beyond.

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The sun was setting on the horizon, the sky rippling with a dozen colours as the night drew in. As the shadows grew long, Rainbow Dash's approach to the local farm became more concealed by the fields full of apple tree that flanked each side of the path leading to Sweet Apple Acres and the looming shadows they cast. Dash kept her movements swift, but cautious, she didn't want to run into anyone she didn't want to at this time of the day. The drone of nature murmured among the vast collection of apple trees, birds, critters and swarms of insects chittered and buzzed among the leaves and grass beneath them. For a moment, Dash allowed herself to loose her sense of tension, to feel relaxed and problem-free.

She felt like she had done before first contact.

She remembered the long days of spring she'd spend just napping atop a pillowy cloud. She remembered the summer sunsets she'd spent watching Applejack finish a days work of apple harvesting, and the ever-running contest on who could carry the most crates of apples back to AJ's home. She remembered how she'd always make sure to give Fluttershy a demonstration of her latest routine to get her honest opinion on her efforts, and to earn herself a cheer or two from a close friend. Pinkie's pranks, Rarity's dresses, Twilights books, she missed the whole world she used to know, the world she belonged to in such absolution it physically hurt to notice it's absence. Dash was snatched away from the fantasy world that was once her life with a conclusion as solid as diamond. That she'd fight to the death to bring the old Equestria back.

Sweet Apple Acres farmhouse was within view by the time Dash looked up from the path ahead, her pace quickening to close the last few hundred feet in front of her to AJ's front door. The farm had always had a homely comfort emanating from it like a heartbeat, the sound of clucking hens and grunting pigs could have been heard in the background as a strangely soothing ambient noise that assured anypony who heard it that the world was still spinning. Now the farm was deathly silent. Not a whisper could be heard besides the droning from the fields beyond the farm.

Maybe the world's stopped spinning. Thought Rainbow as she approached the large, magenta coloured house.

Dash reached the front door located to the 'left' of the structure and gently unlatched the locking slot. With a quiet groan the door drifted open slightly, allowing Dash to get a good hold of its edge to slowly pull it open. Swiveling around the doors edge, Dash proceeded to carefully close up the door again, checking around as it closed for potential unwanted followers. Once inside she turned to head through the entryway, passed a coat-hanger and shoe rack laced with several weeks worth of dust and cobwebs, and into the living room/dining room/kitchen. The entire space before the pegasus was dark as it was dead, as if every scratch of vibrance and life the once homely barn-house had once held had been sucked dry by thick shadow. Dash almost felt like crying at the site as memories of what this home had once been glided through her mind. The light through the curtains, the clatter of a wooden spoon in a cooking pot, fillies laughter, all turned to darkness and dust.

Dash had old blood in her lineage, her family maintaining genetics that stemmed from the ancient pegasi culture of warriors and battle commanders. This well-kept bloodline had granted her features that had been bred out of many pegasi of the modern world. Noticeably, this was seen in the form of ears with tufts of fur at their tips akin to those of a thestral night guard, along with eyes that appeared half way between those of a pony and those of a dragon. Other, unseen, qualities were slightly faster than normal reflexes, sharper hearing, denser muscle fibers and low-light visibility. The latter came in handy at this time since half the room she stood in was drenched in pitch black, and the barn beyond couldn't have been much better. Treading carefully, her hooves sliding to the floor with a near unnatural softness, Dash proceeded forward into the barn area of the house, slowly giving herself to the dark ahead. Once within she paid close attention to the floor beneath her hooves, the sound it made with each step and how her weight sat upon it. She lightly stepped around for a minute before her hooves trod upon a surface that held a slight less solidity to it as well as giving a soft wooden 'thunk' as her hoof hit its surface.

It's been too long. Time to say hello.

She knelt down and found a ring handle that twisted on its end to unlatch the trap door it belonged to. With a metallic rattle the door unlocked, allowing Dash to take a stand and pull the entrance to the basement open. Quickly stepping down the steep, wooden stairs leading down, Dash descended while lowering the trap door back down over her head. Dash turned to see a couple of lanterns sitting atop a large apple crate, a small gathering of Equestrians gathered about their light.

Dash was sure that having turned around a second earlier she may well have been asking for new pants, as Applejack had just lowered the barrel of her T-6 Leverload trench gun to the ground, a barrel that Dash could safely assume had just been aimed at her. Applejacks expression was of deep relief and happiness to see her friend as she strode forward, arms opening to grab Dash into a meaty hug. AJ was huge, not just big, but positively gigantic for a mare. Standing over six feet tall, her arms as thick as an average mares waist, her back and stomach slabbed in thick muscle, the orange mare with the blonde hair was larger than most stallions, and was the proud product of many generations of her family breeding strong farm hands and capable apple buckers. The relentless bucking the family committed to daily was evident by AJ's most impressive feature, her almost unnaturally muscular legs who's ferocious strength was said to have been able to split a pony in two, not that such a thing was based on any actual events that had occured. Dash would have hated to admit it, but AJ's loving embrace was on the edge of crushing every bone in her upper half, and she was sure had her giant of a friend not released her when she did, Dash would have passed out.

"Dash, yer gotta lotta nerve showin' up this late." AJ said in her thick southern accent through a gentle beam of a smile.

"Sorry girls, didn't expect the Attendant himself would be paying me a visit. He's getting bolder almost every day now. Oh, and I owe you a cider, AJ. Nice work with the fireworks down town earlier." Dash said looking around at her friends through the dim light before turning to her earth pony friend, giving her a friendly nudge with her elbow.

"Ain't nuthin', Dah. Nopony got hurt, shook up a couple 'a' them squids, took out a crate 'a' ammo and got your pretty tail outta a stick." AJ said back with a cheesy grin, one that seemed to tickle Dash every time she saw it.

"It's alright, Dash, so is every Fed all over Equestria. Had my first frisking just yesterday. Seems even the princesses aren't above alien law now." Princess Twilight said, her voice heavy with a somber tone and exhaustion.

The Princess of Magic had not always been the majestic alicorn she was standing before Dash at that moment, she had once been a unicorn, physically unspectacular and something of a book worm. Dash had known Twilight for quite some time as a unicorn, and had grown very close to her as a friend. Her ascension to the form of a regal alicorn had caused something of a spark of worry in Dash for a small time, as she had feared her friend would have been sucked deep into the bustle and business of life as a Princess, however Dash had thankfully been proven wrong as Twilight proved time and again that time as a member of the throne was not nearly as important as was time spent with good friends. Physically, Twilight had changed greatly from the unicorn of average height and slight physique, save for a slightly more generous behind than most, to a tall, graceful being seemingly crafted from the finest clay by the hand of Rosetta herself, plus a truly outstanding frame to her lower half. Her mane was graced with a single blonde streak running through it as well as the ends of her neatly cut hair ending in an image of glimmering starlight, a sign of the alicorn magic she was gifted with beginning to take root in her physical form. Given time Twilight would grow taller, her mane and tail becoming a swirling, weightless ocean of glowing colour and would go on to live forever. Dash tried not to think about this eventuality too much, and instead enjoyed the fact that for all her changes, the same old Twilight was still very much by her side, if a somewhat exhausted variant.

"Twilight, are you okay? You look...tired." Dash said with a slight cringe.

"I'm fine, thanks, Dash. I've just been moving around a lot lately trying to get more info on the Crystal Empire. Turns out that trail of breadcrumbs would take me all the way to Vanhoover and back." Twilight said as she rubbed her reddened eyes.

"And you did incredibly well, I could never have done this without you. I couldn't have done this without any of you." The gentle, motherly voice came from just behind Twilight, the figure it belonged to placing a hand upon the Princess of Friendship's shoulder.

Princess Celestia made Applejack look like a child in many respects. Although not emanating as much raw strength as the orange earth pony, Celestia was truly the largest pony Dash had ever seen. Standing seven and a half feet tall, Dash was barely eye level with the white alicorn's large bust. Her arms and legs were long and thick, but her muscle was gently curved, her whole body almost a waterfall of large, but graceful curves. Her wings were also the largest Dash had ever seen, the tips of her primary feathers just about brushing the floor. Her mane and tail was ethereal in every sense, glowing with a gentle luminescence as they floated about with an assortment of pastel colours. Her face was the easiest thing to look at in the world. She was unbelievably beautiful, undoubtedly the daughter of the great creator herself, her eyes were pools of calm violet that were soothing to peer into, her smile so gentle and soft a pony could float in its presence. It was odd, however, to see the Princess without her staple golden crown and collar, both embedded with a single purple jewel. Instead Celestia wore a simple white robe with a handful of material cutaways, one over a shoulder, another at her stomach and again around each flank exposing her sun shaped cutie mark. Rainbow Dash, out of habit gave a slight bow of the head before the princess, though Celestia had assured that such a thing was hardly needed considering how often the Elements met with the Regent of the Sun, and considering the current situation.

"So, what have you got for us, Princess?" Dash asked hopefully.

"Cadance." Celestia said looking behind her.

From the middle of the group stepped forward another taller individual, taller than Twilight by a fraction, but still much smaller than Celestia. Even though Celestia herself was glowing with raw beauty, considering this, this individual could be described as bursting with it. Princess Cadance, beloved Princess of the Crystal Empire, Alicorn of Love was, visually, a furnace of physical appeal, her hefty chest, plump rear and alicorn-style graceful physique drew everypony's attention in a way that may have made them feel a little uncomfortable if they had been looking at anypony else. Rainbow Dash herself knew in all entirety that the Princess was a good friend, married and strictly off limits, but a fire burnt in Dash's chest simply by looking as her, a fire that gave her a feeling she felt for only one other pony. Dash was sure almost all present felt very much the same, to a small degree, but this affect was very much temporary, a strange after-effect of the magic burning from Cadance's every fiber. Dash closed her eyes and shook her head slightly to rid herself of her instincts, and drew her attention to the pink alicorn's face. To describe it, Dash would have said to anypony to imagine something cute, then magnify that level of cute to about a hundred times and compact it down into the face of a single pony. Her eyes were gentle, yet were magnetic in a supernatural sense. Lips thick, but far from an excessive pout and more like a miniaturized pair of pillows sitting snugly against one another. Her hair was bouncy and thick, the waterfall of purple and blonde seeming to explode off an invisible layer of rock in the form of a heavy curl at the mane's end. Cadance walked up besides Celestia and turned to Twilight for a second to gently stroke a dainty hand over her nearest arm. Dash took a few steps forward into the group, AJ by her side every step, one of her tree-trunk arms hung around the back of Dash's neck.

"We have all but utterly confirmed word that there is...something, beneath the Crystal Empire. Some ponies say it is just a dirty old dungeon, others say it's a haunted prison or underground slave jail from when Sombra ruled. But those who seem best informed say that pieces of ancient text that they have acquired speak of the structure of the Crystal Palace extending down under ground, forming some sort of structure said to have actual mechanics to it, as though it were made to...do something. Both myself and Twilight have checked these age-old pages ourselves and agree that whatever is down there could be...no, is our last hope at pushing back against the Federation. A lot of theories are up in the air at the moment; that it's a weapons cache, a portal to another dimension, a generator for some kind of shield. At this time we don't know what it is, but thanks to Twilight Sparkle, we know how to get inside." Cadance said to all.

"No matter what it is, we are quickly running out of time. Fleur has confidently informed me that Federation high-ups have plans to detain or...and, uh, take us in for 'study'." Dash knew what Celestia was going to say. Personally, if it came to being probed and prodded by alien techno-crap, Dash preferred the unspoken alternative.

"How's everypony doing in Canterlot? Any news on the other settlements?" Dash asked the three princesses present.

"If I may, I've managed to collaborate quite the detail on how Equestria is doing as a whole?" Posh, clean tone, well mannered.

Hide your stallions, everypony.

Rarity stepped forward, wearing a somewhat heavily built business suit that almost looked like a grey raincoat over a white shirt and knee-high skirt. Rarity was a piece. Figure was faultless, softly curved, but not to the ludicrous degree the princesses had, a kind of figure that flowed like milk poured into glass. Her brilliantly blue eyes were shamelessly alluring, awash with a blue shade of makeup that complimented her gleaming white coat wonderfully, although in all reality, she didn't entirely need it. Her smile could drop every stallion in a fifty yard area if her normally generous attire couldn't, and a plethora of discounts and handy favors had become her life. Not to say she was greedy, in fact quite the opposite, for as much as the spectacle of a mare treated herself, she treated another equally as much in one way or another. The diamond of a lady stepped forward as though weightless, holding a series of notes and papers in the cradle of an arm, while the opposite hand flitted through them. With a nod from Celestia Rarity continued on.

"Right, well, all and all, we could be doing a lot better. Not that a lot of ponies haven't learnt to adapt admirably, but the Federation has become adept as tripping our hooves quite efficiently. Appleoosa's resistance has been almost frozen due to Federal security, of which has tripled in the region, however their efforts have grown more conservative, and I've caught word that two Dominator battle-suits have been recalled to orbit to have their entire systems scrubbed out. That reminds me, Princess Cadance, Braeburn says a big thank you for delivering that micro-crystal solution, we can all take note on how well it works in disabling mechanical systems. Braeburn has also informed me that they have salvaged another half dozen crates of weapons and ammunition from Dodge Jun-...I'm, oh Applejack, I'm sorry...I..." Rarity trailed off as she clutched the papers to her chest, looking at Applejack with intense regret for nearly mentioning a certain something.

"It's fine, Rarity, don't you worry. We remember." AJ said reassuringly, before muttering the last two words. Dash muttered them too.

"Uh, um, anyway. Las pegasus and Cloudsdale have, as of three days ago, been completely evicted and emptied of their populations. Cloudsdale has had a small, mobile base of operations for research team built beneath it, and Las pegasus' ground based structures are being occupied for the same purpose. I've been told that the Feds still have no further information on our cloud cities or our artificial rainbows, however there has been word that the research facility in the east has been developing something. Something a lot of Feds seem very happy about. Flitter and Cloudchaser have been camped outside the base for a week now and earlier today sent a letter saying how an unusual number of ships, each carrying some sort of Federal official visited the facilities landing strip, made a drop off and left. It would seem the Federation is planning something big."

"Ugh, well at least it's bad news we've already heard of." Groaned Twilight.

"Actually, that's not the worst I've heard. Princesses, I fear that we might have Equestrias future dependent on our next move in more ways than we first thought. You see, ponies are starting to lose faith in the old world, in magic, in you. Manehattan and Baltimare have already seen a very noticeable portion of the population start to consider the Federation as their legitimate government, and consider you, as the Federation has put in, obsolete. They use Federation technology, pay Federation taxes, they take a frisking like a warm cup of tea and just carry on with their day! I can hardly believe that there are ponies in this world willing to act like such senseless drones." Rarity exclaimed with an aghast look.

"No, Miss Rarity, I expected this from day one." Celestia said, her face slightly pained, eyes closed.

"I knew it the moment we all saw that spacecraft in the sky, the moment that dropship floated down in front of our palace, the moment I laid eyes on those pallid...I knew that ponies would drift away from us. So now it's just up to us and us alone to set things right, and it needs to happen tomorrow."

"Sister."

The shadow behind the group seemed to almost come alive itself, a shift of movement flowing in the space the light dared not tread that advanced towards the other princesses. Once it had moved between the furthest two ponies, the figure became more clearly visible, appearing as a tall, slender alicorn. Her figure was almost alien in its posture and frame, both bearing thick muscles, yet being strangely slim at the same time, the curvature of her spine seemed almost unnatural, perhaps painful for any other pony to do. All this gave the alicorn a mysterious beauty to her, like a creature from an obscure dreamscape. Her mane and tail were the night sky given form in a swirling canvas of dark blue, iridescent violet and starlight, her eyes an almost luminous turquoise and holding a certain feral verticality to them similar to Rainbow Dash. Her coat was a dark blue, her clothing was much like that of Celestias, only jet black, and as with her sister, she looked somewhat strange without her crown and collar. Princess Luna, Alicorn of the Moon looked awful. Her eyes were filled with tension, like she hadn't slept in days. If Twilight looked like a trainwreck then Luna could have been described as five airships crashing into each other and disintegrating to the ground in a fiery ball of devastation. Her face looked oddly gaunt as well, like something was draining her very strength away, and even though it floated gracefully in the air, her mane was kinked, crooked and its movement seemed to have the odd off flit or flick to it.

"We cannot commit to such an endeavour without knowing exactly what we're going to find. We have to be sure this is going to work, in utter absolution. If we go down to these dungeons, or caverns or whatever, we could be setting ourselves up into a trap. I fear if we just run into this blindly...I might...none of us will see each other ever again. Equestria, all the world will be utterly defenseless against occupation, and everything we once knew will become undone, Equis will be just another alien colony. Another one of their statistics." Luna's tone went from tired, concerned for her friends and family, to sour on the alien subject.

"I know, dear sister, I wish this was something we had time to investigate further. But we are out of time, further delay could mean all that you fear coming to pass, and it would happen before we could even try and do anything about it. Soon our subjects will lose faith in us, they will think us useless to their future, and the Federation will use the population's opinion to throw us from our thrones and detain us for some crime against some alien law. So, it comes down to this, this one last chance to at least try and set things right."

Luna looked up at her sister with discomfort and sorrow in her eyes, as if she wanted to believe what she was saying, but couldn't quite bring herself to.

"So, are you with us, Luna? Are you with me?" Celestia asked gently, pleadingly, softly holding her sister by the shoulders.

Luna, for a split second, flinched. This brought on a look of intense inner conflict, as though somepony was actually telling her to deny Celestia. She looked down, frowned, seemed to compose herself after a moment, and looked back at her sister.

"I am, sister. Always." Luna said with a weak grin.

"Good. Okay, everypony, I want you to head to your homes tonight, and please be careful when walking the streets, it's certainly passed curfew by now. When home, pack a travelling sack for a couple days journey and dress appropriately. I've already arranged the national rail service to schedule themselves to head on a non-stop journey straight to the Crystal Empire, we'll be travelling in one of the storage carriages for the journey." Celestia said while turning to everypony.

"Ugh, well I just hope the stack of crates is as comfortable as the passenger couches." Rarity exclaimed with a roll of the eyes.

"It's the only way to make sure we aren't accidentally seen from the outside on the way there, and the only way we'll get through checkpoints undetected." Celestia calmly assured.

"Uh, how so? Feds check each carriage, even storage and cargo." Rainbow Dash inquired.

"I know it's far from glamorous, but I have requested us a handful of empty crates and container to hide in when we stop at security checks. Crates only come in a few sizes, and it was either we each have to curl into a ball the size of a large pumpkin, we risk all being caught by all of us hiding inside a shipping container, or we pair up in military and ration crates. So when we get to the station, we pair up and get aboard the train as soon as we can. We meet at seven-twenty seven in the morning, on the dot, meaning we have three minutes until the train leaves. Everypony please be on time, we can't afford to leave anypony behind, but the train is on a strict schedule by my request. We get to the station, pair up, on the carriage and we stay in our containers whenever the train slows down. When we get to the Crystal Empire, the driver will sound the whistle twice in short and once in length."

Everypony was a little surprised to hear all this coming from the normally regal and well-mannered princess. It threw everypony off to hear her talking like some spy mastermind from a cheesy action film. And although her plan sounded elaborate, it could be pulled off with a little luck. Rainbow Dash, for one, was loving the prospect this journey implied. Adventure, mystery, espionage and danger, this was going to be awesome, for sure.

"Is everypony clear?" Celestia said firmly, but with a slight grin.

All present gave a series of nods and smiles.

"Let's go save Equestria."