Power Pony HQ

“So….care to explain who you are, hairless ape girl?” Amethyst asked while eyeing Lance up and down.

“One, I am not a girl,” The human pointed out as Sparkler took her leave. “Two, I have a name. I’m called Gunvolt in the field, but when we’re not on duty, you can call me Lance.”

“Okay then... Lance. So mind telling what’s going on? Because right now I’m a little bit annoyed that I’m in this stupid city named… whatever it is, and not only that but I can’t find my aunt or niece.”

“That’s what I thought… and maybe I can help you answer some of those questions. Would your Aunt happen to be Derpy Hooves-.” The Adept was soon interrupted by Amethyst, who soon reacted to hearing her aunt’s name.

“Wait how do you know my aunt’s name?”

“I know her because I ran into her earlier today.” He explained, noticing the cybernetic enhancements on Amethyst’s body. “She was quite worried about you and her daughter, Dinky.”

“Well who wouldn’t be worry when their family member is gone missing.”

“That wasn’t the only thing she was… worried about. She was also worried about a free muffin sale?”

“Mother of Celestia, did you let her use the oven?”

“Oh no no no no.” Lance ensured her. “Thankfully, we already had some muffins on hand that Filli-second baked yesterday, so she had those. I also believed she said something about going to the muffin store… But I’m not entirely sure how that turned out.”

“Does this place have a TV or something? If so then you might want to turn it on.” With that in mind, Lance brought the pony downstairs and turned on the HDTV that was in the break room. What they found was… not what they were expecting.

“NO! NOT THE MUFFIN STORE! WHY MUST THE GOOD DIE UNEATEN!”

“Ma’am please calm down, I’m sure Maretropolis City has another place that sells muffins.”

“It’s not the same! This was the only place that sold free muffins!”

“I think that answers your question Lance?” Amethyst asked.

“Not quite… How would the place get wrecked in the first place? …… I’m going to call her.” He replied, taking his communicator and turning on the speaker. It took a couple of minutes, but soon, he was able to get a hold of the mare.

“Hello?” said Derpy as she answered the communicator on her hoof.

“Derpy, what happened? I come to turn on the TV to find you grieving over a muffin store.” Lance asked as turned up the speaker so Amethyst could listen.

“Well on my way to look for Amethyst and Dinky, I found a store that sold free muffins. So I figure why not stop and get some, then as I was leaving there was a huge explosion coming from the center of the city. So I flew over there to see what was going, that’s when I met this weird hairless purple human like alien named Vaccine Man that was destroying the place and almost attack a little filly named Screwball. Say hi Screwball.”

“Hi!”

“ … You punched him, didn’t you?” The Adept asked, having a bad feeling of what she was gonna say.

“Well I didn’t want, but he said that he was gonna destroy and kill every single pony on the face of Equestria. Not only that but her was gonna destroy all the muffins.”

Lance looked back at Amethyst for a moment before looking back at his phone. “So, that is your report?”

“Yes…”

“You killed a so called Vaccine Man…”

“I didn’t want to kill him, but he left me with not choice. He wanted to destroy all the muffins.”

“And you rescued a filly who was looking for her parents?”

“With the big swirly eyes.”

Lance personally sighed at the last statement, looking back at Amethyst before facepalming himself and speaking again. “You really need to let us know when you are going out into town.”

“And you need to get some more muffins in here!!!”

Lance groaned at the last part, but then thought of something. “Hey Derpy, I’m going to send somepony out to your location. What is the current street you’re on?”

“Um….I’m at a place with a donut shop and a pie shop.” Lance typed those into a search algorithm on his communications device and soon got a result. “Alright, thanks Derpy. I’m sending her your way.” With that he ended the phone call and looked back at Amethyst.

“I figured out the street where your aunt is.” He told her briefly before showing up a digitized map. “She’s at the intersection between 1st and Mane Street on the corner. It shouldn’t be that far of a trot and given that it’s almost sundown, I don’t expect that she will stay there for long. You ready to get her?”

“Not like I have a choice, Faust knows I can’t leave her alone for too long.”

“Just be careful. Even though you have those mechanical limbs of yours, it doesn’t mean that you will intimidate everypony you meet. Be aware of your surroundings. I have faith in you that you will bring her back here safely.”

“Yeah, yeah. Like I need someone with a personality like yours to say stuff like that.” Amethyst said as she trotted out the room.

(Maretropolis City Street)
[Moments later]

“This is why I hate cities.” The Cyborg Pony said as she was trying to figure out where she was. “These stupid building are blocking my way, and it’s hard to find out where to look for the street I’m trying to find.” Amethyst was trying her best to pay attention to the street signs, but also tried to stay off of the ground. She feared that her cybernetic limbs would attract attention, so she tried sticking to the roof and looking for her mother from above.

However, at one point, the Unicorn found herself puzzled and lost on another roof. Until she heard a voice behind her. “You need some help, Miss?” When she turned around, a human with a white hood over his head took off the hoof and looked back at her. “You look like you're lost.”

“Yeah, I’m trying to find this place on this digital map Lance gave me.” Amethyst said showing the human the map. “One thing that Lance did do was show me a map of this city. Speaking of him, you look almost like him just less girly...who are you?”

“So Lance met you already? I guess you’re part of the team now,” He replied. “I’m Cody. I’m a friend of Lance’s from his world, but here, everypony calls me Copen.”

“Amethyst is my name, and I don’t know what team you’re are talking about, but I’m not part of any team.”

“Oh so you aren’t part of the Power Ponies? Or is this some other thing that you saw as important and Lance decided to assist you?”

“Look I’m just looking for my aunt Derpy okay. Not part of any power pony league or whatever.”

“Right… Says for the fact that you’ve been reading the map upside down the entire time.” Copen pointed out. “You missed your destination a few blocks ago.”

“Are you trying to piss me off? Because if you are, it’s working, and you do not want to piss of a cyborg pony like me.”

“Hey, I wasn’t trying to do that. I was trying to help you because I was at the scene where your Aunt was a few moments ago. I’m trying to help you-.” The boy said, until he stopped and began to look around. “Do you hear that?”

“Hear what? You mean that annoying buzzing sound?”

“Yeah…” Copen replied. Thinking and listening a little more, he soon reached for his specialized revolver out of the holster on his hip. “Something isn’t right… Why does it feel like we kicked a hornet’s nest?”

“It could be because of that swarm of bugs up there to your left.” Amethyst said pointing a hoof past Cody. When he turned around to look, all the bugs around there began to increase as the size of the swarm grew bigger.

“This… might be a problem. Those aren’t bugs… they’re Mosquitos.”

“Seriously?! Ew gross!”

“That may not be our… only problem.” Copen informed the pony, the wristband on his wrist taking form into his combat shield.

“Well this is interesting. Never thought to see more ponies alive in this city, and an added bonus a human as well.” Both hunter and cyborg looked up to see who was talking to them, only to see that they were taking form into what looked like some sort of weird and creepy hybrid of a human and insect.

“Mother of Celestia what is that thing?” asked Amethyst. “It looked like an offspring of a bug and a hairless ape.”

“Personally, I don’t know and I don’t care. But whatever it is, it looks like it wants to kill us,” Copen snarled, using his shield to be set up as a barrier as he aimed his revolver. “Can you fight, Amethyst?”

“Just a little, why you ask?”

“Well, hopefully, that little will keep us alive long enough.”

“Wait, what’s that suppose to mean?” Before Copen could answer, the two of them soon attracted the attention of the Insect hybrid as she looked straight at them.

“You know it’s rude to talk behind a lady’s back?”

“Good lord, just what the hell are you suppose to be!?” Copen asked.

“......I’m going to enjoy sucking the blood out of you two.” Mosquito Girl said as she flicked her claw, motioning the swarm of mosquito to attack him and Amethyst. Copen himself was prepared so to speak, using incendiary ammunition to set a section of the swarm on fire.

“Oh how cute. The little man thinks he can kill my swarm with a little match like that?” She said as she summoned more. “Well let’s see how good you are with that little thing you call a weapon, hero.” Cpoen just smirked, pointing his finger at Mosquito Girl before saying two words.

“Burning Finger!” In an instant, the move that Copen obtained from one of the Qunicy’s under Gremmy covered Mosquito Girl in a burning pillar of fire.

“You do realize that move isn’t going to finish her off right?” Amethyst asked, not taking her eyes off the pillar of fire.

“I know. But that’s not the point.” Copen told her. “The point is to get the attention of somepony who might be able to provide backup. Because something tells me that our little insect lady has a few more surprises for us.”

“Right you are little man.” Mosquito Girl said, as she knock the fire away from around herself. “But you’ll be dead before anyone can come and save you both.” She said as she began to charge at them in a break neck speed.

“Bug lady’s coming this why! Do something, you’re the hero after all.” said Amethyst.

“Then what are you suppose to be!?” Copen questioned, using his shield to smash it into Mosquito Girl’s nose and face.

“How should I know!? I just got here thank you very much!”

“I’m not trying to be mad at you, I’m trying to help you-.” Copen said again, only stopping when the millions of insects around them began to swarm around Mosquito Girl. “Okay… this is bad.”

“Really? What was your first clue when they began to swarm around her?”

“Sarcasm is not your best trait.” He replied, just as the insects around them began to stop swarming, but the ones who did make their presence known soon dispersed, revealing their foe’s new form.

“You know for a hero you should’ve killed her with that fire spell you just did earlier.” Amethyst suggest before turning her attention at Mosquito Girl. “Now we have to deal with this ugly red freak.”

“I’m a part time hero. I mostly do this for fun on a normal basis.” Copen grinned, noticing the cybernetic legs of the pony. “Hey… If you are a cyborg, can’t you use your mechanical legs for something?”

“Oh sure I can do that, maybe all I have to do is point a hoof at her and she’ll be dead in a few seconds.” Amethyst said sarcastically. “Do I look like a pony that know what the hell she’s doing-?” While Amethyst was talking, Copen had to leap and push her out of the way of the incoming swarm that almost got her. But, in doing so, He had a gash show up across his right arm because of the metal spike on Mosquito Girl’s forehead.

“Less talk… more action.” Copen sighed, groaning a little from the pain.

“Right...so any ideas on how to beat her, because so far unless you have a spell that can match her speed along with the swarm, then we’re pretty much bone in most cases.”

“Fire works against them… Do what you were saying earlier.” He told her. “Aim your hoof and say incinerate.”

“What is that suppose to do?” Amethyst asked as she aimed a hoof at Mosquito Girl. “Because I don’t think this is going to-.”

“Just try it!” Copen snapped, using his shield to try and provide cover for her while she aimed.

“FINE YOU HAIRLESS APE!” She yelled turning her attention back at the villain. “INCINERATE!!!” To her surprise, blasts of fire emerged from her own hoof, almost blowing up the nearby rooftop where Mosquito Girl was. Copen smiled a little, surprised, but glad that it worked. Amethyst herself though… was quite stunned. “W-What the buck did I just do?!”

“I think your front legs are incendiary cannons. The only way you activate them though is through verbal commands.” Copen hypothesized. He noticed that the swarm had stopped, but Mosquito Girl was still there. And she was pissed. With a quick swipe, she was able to tear apart the building that was under him to shreds, causing the whole thing to collapse.

“Run!!” Copen yelled, just before the two of them began to slip and fall towards the ground below. Amethyst landed with a loud THUD!! against the pavement while the boy fell onto the top of a carriage. The Unicorn was okay, but the hunter who fell on the carriage… wasn’t in the best of shapes.

“A-amethyst… A-are you alright!? I-i think the fall broke my ribs.” His words were fallen on deaf ears though as the Cyborg pony herself was trying to regain her footing after the fall she had. Mosquito Girl was inching closer the more she struggled. But in this chaos though, something… unexpected happened.

“NOW DIE WORTHLESS-!”

SMACK!!!

When Mosquito Girl was originally charging her, Amethyst closed her eyes, trying to not see her fate. But, when she opened them, the Unicorn was treated to a much… different sight.

“Mosquitos, are annoying.” Derpy said as she used her cape to wipe her hoof off. “Guess that explains that annoying buzzing sound I heard earlier. That and the few dried up ponies.”

“A-aunt Derpy!?”

Upon hearing her name being called. Derpy turned around to see Amethyst and Copen beside herself. “Oh hi Amethyst and….injured human. How are you doing today?”

“O-okay. Oww…” Copen groaned, grabbing his chest. “And I have a name. It’s Cody.”

“That’s a weird name for a human.”

“It’s… Oww… common back home.” He replied, personally surprised that the two ponies didn’t notice that he was holding his arm where his ribs were broken. Soon though, Derpy was getting another phone call on her communicator and proceeded to happen.

“Hello, this is Derpy Hooves. May I ask who is calling?”

“Derpy…” The voice on the other end that she knew as Lance spoke. “What… happened?”

“Well first off I was minding my own business trying to find another muffin store after dropping Screwball off-.”

“Minding your own business? Then why is it that on TV, I see the blood of the villain you were facing painted across the apartment complex and-. Wait, is that Copen?” Lance stopped, asking that before realizing what was going on. “Derpy, Amethyst. Get Copen back here right now! His ribs are broken and if you two don’t get him back here, he’ll start bleeding out.” The last part got the two ponies to notice his condition as they saw parts of his white outfit begin to turn Crimson red.

“Don’t worry I’ll bring them both to Power Pony HQ in no time, Lance.”

“Got it. I’ll be waiting with Masked Matterhorn and a few others waiting on standby to help attend to Copen once you two arrive. Gunvolt out.” The transmission soon ended as Derpy soon trotted over to where Copen and Amethyst are. Before getting a look of confusion from Copen.

“Okay, how are you suppose to bring me there?”

“Um, did you not see my aunt hoof smack that monster in the face and into the building across from us?” Amethyst asked. “I’m pretty sure she can carry you back to the base.”

“I know… But she said that she was going to bring us both.” He deadpanned. “Aren’t you a little concerned about one mare trying to carry two people that are probably heavier than her weight wise, no offense.”

“...Auntie show this idiot that you can carry us.” Amethyst asked as Derpy moved over towards them, and lifted them onto her back without a problem. “See?”

“Okay I was wrong, sorry about that.”

“You should be sorry, though I am sorry about what’s going to happen to you in about a few seconds or so.”

“Wait, wha-?”

“Onwards to Power Pony HQ!” Derpy yelled as she flew off like a bullet through a building in front of herself. “Oops, didn’t see that building in front of me. Is Copen okay?”

“Y-yeah…” He said, sarcastically. “Just a scrape.”

“Yeah because the blood from your forehead says otherwise.” Amethyst said sarcastically. “I’m pretty sure he has a concussion or brain damage...I think.”

“That was there BEFORE that-. LOOK OUT!!!” He yelled, just as Derpy dodged an incoming billboard. Only for her to smash through another building again.

“How much more until we get there?” Copen asked, trying his best to hang on.

“This is my aunt we’re talking about, this might take a while.”

(Few hours later, past sundown)

“Well, you were able to bring Copen back. That’s one thing.” The Azure Striker told Derpy and Amethyst after he checked on his friends recovery. “With the healing spells we have right now, he should be working back at the Police Department with Detective Hooves tomorrow.” Lance sighed as he watched Derpy eat a muffin while Amethyst was watching him. “However, what is beyond me is how you brought him back in a worse condition than he was when I last saw him. Radiance was even freaking out about having to remove the blood out of his clothes.”

“To be fair you had Derpy bring us back to HQ. You should’ve realize that something like this would happen.” Amethyst said.

“If so, then you should speak up and tell me. I could’ve been able to instant transmission myself over to you guys and brought you back without having the need to take a shortcut. I would’ve been more than willing to do that to help you.” He explained. Sighing a little, he then looked at the two of them. “Okay, now that we have that established, I remember Derpy telling me that there is probably one more of your family that’s still out there that you need to find.”

“Yeah, you wouldn’t happen to know where Dinky is do you?”

“No, but I might have a lead.” Lance told them, a set of papers appearing in his hand. “Authorities along the coast of Baltimare have been getting reports of a lost filly that has been trotting along the streets, looking for her mother and cousin. However, they haven’t gotten on top of that because of another problem.”

“And that would be?”

“The reports are of a monster that’s attacking trade ships coming to and from the Baltimare Harbor. The locals are calling it The Sea King.” He said, showing them an image that was caught by a newspaper reporter on the subject.

“Ew what is that thing? It looks like an offspring of a human and a fish.”

“Actually, it’s unknown as to what it is, but they say it’s a demon that lurks in the waters.” The Adept responded. “Tomorrow, I’m needed to help out around the city so I can’t assist you. Copen though will be fully healed by morning, so he’ll be able to help you two on your travels. Also, Amethyst, Spike gave me something to help you.” He told her, handing a small SD card that she put in her foreleg before taking it out.

“What the hay is this?”

“It’s a memory card that Spike said you should have installed in you. It’ll allow your cyborg body to be able to use the same spells that you could when you were a Unicorn. Like Levitation, Teleportation and so on. It’ll be handy for when it’s needed in a pinch.”

“I already know my basic spell from when I was back in Ponyville. So I don’t need something like that.”

“Yes, but since you are mostly a Cyborg now, if you tried using those spells, the rest of your body will backfire and possibly cue a self destruct sequence. These codes allow your body to recognize the magical energy so there isn’t any glitches.”

“UGH! Fine I’ll use it you annoying human! Faust, I’m surprise that no one punched you in the face yet.”

“Hey, Lance. Did Amethyst get the codes I made for her-.” Humdrum walked in to see Amethyst. “Oh… Hi.”

“....Seriously? Wow that is one lame hero outfit that Spike has on.”

“I tried asking for a new one, but Radiance said no capes.”

“Well this Radiance pony needs to have a better taste in making superhero outfits, because what you’re wearing is something somepony wear when is forplaying with somepony.”

“What was that I heard about my suits?!” A certain white Unicorn trotted in, glaring at Amethyst. The one thing that the Cyborg did not know was that Radiance was actually Rarity. So, basically, she just insulted a lady that was a close friend to her aunt.

“I said your taste in making superhero outfits suck. I mean seriously these outfits you guys wear; minus Lance and Cody. Do you see somepony wear these in between the 70’s or 80’s?”

“Coming from somepony who doesn’t have any whites in their eyes.” Radiance shot back, “I am a fashion designer, mind you, and I make our outfits based on our identities. I don’t think you can see the amount of craftsmanship I put into these.”

“Yeah well for a fashion designer you kinda suck at your job.” Amethyst paused for a brief moment, remembering what she said before. “Wait, what was that about my eyes!?” She asked as she levitated a mirror towards her to get a better look at her eyes. “Oh you have got to be kidding me! I look like something from a Nightmare Night store!”

“Technically, you’re a Cyborg. Besides, Derpy was displaced here when she was trying to buy something for Dinky’s Nightmare Night Costume.” Lance mentioned. “Which reminds me… How did you end up here anyways, Amethyst?”

“Would you believe that I was in the same boat as my Aunt?”

“Yes I can.” Lance replied. “Happened to me too a few months back when I first got here, but that’s a different story.”

“Great, so we’re stuck here for faust knows how long.” Amethyst said as she slammed her head on the table she was sitting by. “This is going to be such a pain in my flank.”

“Give it time,” The Adept replied, “I honestly thought that the first day I was here… Until Solaria started chucking Wrenches at my head as a training exercise.”

“Something tells me you suffered brain damage when that happen.”

“No actually. Since I’m an Adept, I can heal faster than normal.” He explained. “Anyways though, we should all get some rest. Derpy, Amethyst, after you find Dinky I want to make sure and assist you however I can.” With that, he handed what looked like a second one of the hairpins that was on the end of his braid to Derpy. “Keep this on you. It’ll allow for you to summon me when you are in an emergency.”

“Seriously you sure you’re not a girl?”

That question was answered once Lance hung up his coat and unzipped the jacket underneath, showing the Adept’s flat chest and muscles. “What did I tell you before? I just prefer to have my hair grow out… Now, I’m going to hit the hay. I’ll see all of you in the morning.”

“Before you go Lance, somepony came by and wanted me to give you and Twilight a letter.” said Humdrum as he took a look at it. What he found… wasn’t the most pleasing of things to find out about.

“Derpy… The bill just came in for the amount of property damage that happened today… Why is the total over fifty thousand bits!?!”

“Oh during my time in the city, Mayor Mare saw me and wanted to ask me a few question. So after a few hours and some free muffins, she wanted me to tell you that any damage that I cause by accident or not Twilight will have it cover. She also said that Twilight will be paying any bills that we have for our new house that she got for us. It was really super nice that she did that for us, though I do wish I could understand what she said by ‘Chrysalis send her regards.’”

Amethyst expression on the outside was as emotionless as a fish, but on the inside she was laughing like a mad pony after hearing that. “S-So Lance.” The cyborg pony said, while trying not to laugh. “I hope you and Twilight have enough money to cover for my Aunt.”

“For now… We can. But if she keeps on doing this…” The Adept sighed. “I rather not think about it. Having our budget cancelled is the last thing we need right now. Especially with all the ponies that broke out of the Zero Zone.” He then continued to walk down a hall, heading into his room before closing it and going to sleep.

“Man you guys are the grand centrail station of disappointment huh?” Amethyst said sarcastically.

“....I get the feeling you’re gonna be sarcastic every time you’re annoyed or bored?” asked Radiance.

“Only when I want to….which is pretty much all the time when I’m around other ponies that annoy me.”

Author's Notes:

Next Chapter: Odd but interesting dream