https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbTTrvUUoSI

Canterlot:

A steam whistle cut through the thick of the early evening fog, as a singular orb of light shined and glimmered in the mist. Great wheels churned, and a thick column of churning black smoke rose up above the fog as the Ponyville Express (Although one passenger knew better, it also was known as the Solar Streak if the right magic was used) pulled into Canterlot station with a grinding halt, massive wheels screeching and letting off sparks as they stopped. The whistle blew again, this time to let everyone know the train had pulled to a halt.

Two boots clambered off one of the rear passenger cars. A strong able-bodied man was in those boots, stepping onto the platform clad in his usual orange and black uniform, a metal badge with a dog’s head pinned on it’s right breast. In his head, thoughts ran rampant as memories long since past came to the fold once more as he began the long journey up to the castle where the source of his current troubles lay. It was a Princess as ever, though it wasn’t the same one that had caused him a hell of an amount of trouble when he first came to this world (Didn’t mean his troubles related with said Princess were over, as he’d soon find.) No, this time it wasn’t him taking issues with a madmare, but more him taking issues of the more… romantic sort.

“We know now that in the early years of the twentieth century this world was being watched closely by intelligences greater than man's and yet as mortal as his own. We know now that as human beings busied themselves about their various concerns they were scrutinized and studied, perhaps almost as narrowly as a man with a microscope might scrutinize the transient creatures that swarm and multiply in a drop of water. With infinite complacence people went to and fro over the earth about their little affairs, serene in the assurance of their dominion over this small spinning fragment of solar driftwood which by chance or design man has inherited out of the dark mystery of Time and Space. Yet across an immense ethereal gulf, minds that to our minds as ours are to the beasts in the jungle, intellects vast, cool and unsympathetic, regarded this earth with envious eyes and slowly and surely drew their plans against us. In the thirty-ninth year of the twentieth century came the great disillusionment.

“It was near the end of October. Business was better. The war scare was over. More men were back at work. Sales were picking up. On this particular evening, October 30, the Crosley service estimated that thirty-two million people were listening in on radios…”

“You have got to be kidding me, people actually believed in this crap?” Artemis deadpanned. It would be a few days before Pinkie’s fateful party, the one that would change their lives forever. Currently, she and Robert were held up at the Prancing Pony inn, once more just curled up on a bed listening to an old radio broadcast Artemis had dug up from… somewhere. She wasn’t keen on saying exactly where. All she said was that is was a remnant of the Old World. The winter winds were howling outside, making both thankful were inside. Robert had chuckled when the tape that had recorded the broadcast had begun, recognizing that voice at once, and the narration as well.

“The Panic Broadcast”, he’d called it. Orson Welles’ (In)famous narration and radio dramatization of H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds. Perhaps not too coincidentally in hindsight, this very room was the very same one where his and Artemis’s relationship would begin to go downhill a few nights later.

“Well, I’m no history buff,” Robert replied. “But even I know that the 1930s, they were a different time. You couldn’t just turn on a TV and watch the news to see if anything was fake, most people had sold their TVs just to pay for their day to day needs. Great Depression and all that. The radio, it was trusted friend of everyone back in those days. You gathered around it in the sitting room like you’d gather around to hear your grandad tell stories. And then there was the format of this broadcast, it was made in the style of old news flashes, so it sounded realistic....”

The broadcast continued all the while in the background.

“Ladies and gentlemen, following on the news given in our bulletin a moment ago, the Government Meteorological Bureau has requested the large observatories of the country to keep an astronomical watch on any further disturbances occurring on the planet Mars. Due to the unusual nature of this occurrence, we have arranged an interview with noted astronomer. Professor Pierson, who will give us his views on the event. in a few moments we will take you to the Princeton Observatory at Princeton, New Jersey. We return you until then to the music of Ramón Raquello and his orchestra.

A brief spurt of music, and then…

“We are now ready to take you to the Princeton Observatory at Princeton where Carl Phillips, or commentator, will interview Professor Richard Pierson, famous astronomer. We take you now to Princeton, New Jersey.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. This is Carl Phillips, speaking to you from the observatory at Princeton. I am standing in a large semi-circular room, pitch black except for an oblong split in the ceiling. Through this opening I can see a sprinkling of stars that cast a kind of frosty glow over the intricate mechanism of the huge telescope. The ticking sound you hear is the vibration of the clockwork. Professor Pierson stands directly above me on a small platform, peering through a giant lens. I ask you to be patient, ladies and gentlemen, during any delay that may arise during our interview. Besides his ceaseless watch of the heavens, Professor Pierson may be interrupted by telephone or other communications. During this period he is in constant touch with the astronomical centers of the world . . . Professor, may I begin our questions?”

“I see what you mean,” Artemis replied as Professor Pierson from Princeton began answering Carl’s questions...

“And it’s only just begun, wait till we get to the part where everyone started to panic. Not everyone had actually tuned into the beginning of the broadcast, if I remember correctly, so not everyone knew this was just a radio dramatization of a book,” Robert replied before continuing. Also, I’d like you to remember that Hitler, (Here Robert made a sound of great disgust) -Germany’s greatest shame- amongst dictators were cementing their power. People were frightened. Winston Churchill, great man by the way, was urging America to gear up for war. So you can imagine what people may have thought this might have been when they heard the word “Invasion!”

“Nazis…” Artemis muttered. “Right…”

Robert’s thoughts whipped back to the present as he walked down the cobblestone streets of Canterlot, amongst the hustle and bustle of the upper class. No longer was he as afraid to walk down these streets as he might have been in the past, in fear of some Royal Guard coming to arrest him for some bullshit reason under Solar Flare’s orders.

Oh sure, he still heard the whispers from certain ponies, that would probably always persist but like always he gave them no mind. Those bigots, they could fuck off for all he cared really.

Besides, they weren’t really that important for him to focus on. Oh sure, he’d save them if he needed, and he probably would take joy in for various reasons (The glory for one, and the other probably him rubbing in their smug little faces that the famed Royal Guard couldn’t always protect them) but in the end, they weren’t really that important to him right now. Only one pony in this city held his attentions at the moment.

Princess Luna herself.

“Verdammte Scheiße…” Robert thought to himself. “If I knew talking to my ex was this difficult, even if to help sort out the issues between me, Sunset-Chan and her, I’d have just hopped a train to the Crystal Empire, enjoyed a few days on the railroad and talked to the actual Princess of Love…”

In hindsight, he wished he had considering what was about to happen. As his thoughts raced, he was so preoccupied with them he failed to notice where he was walking. And who he was walking into.

“Oh, Princess Celestia, so sorry!” Robert apologized profusely as he helped the Solar Invictus up off the ground. “I know women usually stumble over themselves to meet me, but this is a first…” he teased.

“Very funny. I can see why Sunset likes you…” Celestia teased back in return.

“Yep, definitely her adopted daughter, Sunset-Chan is. Can match wits with the best of ‘em…” Robert mused. “Let’s just hope she hasn’t noticed our current… status.”

If Celestia did, she never commented on it.

“What exactly are you doing out this late, Robert? And in Canterlot at that?” she asked curiously.

“Needed to find your sister, ask for some advice,” Robert replied simply, not wanting to let Celestia know his full relationship with her little sister.

“I suspect I could help… If you’ll let me?” Celestia inquired, and Robert chuckled to himself.

“No offense intended milady, but this is sorta a personal matter…” he trailed off. “I probably could ask the same of you, what you’re doing out so late…”

“Moonlit stroll, I often find it helps clear my mind and relieves me from the stresses of Royal duties. I hope you can understand, of course?”

“Yes, I imagine it isn’t easy, ruling a whole country. God knows the Queen Mum never had it easy on her…” Robert chuckled. “Mind you, I find a good spar often does the same for stress levels, at least for me. Care to join me?”

Celestia chuckled. “Let’s see if you can keep up… if you can.”

Canterlot Gardens:

Soon, they were deep within the gardens of the Castle grounds, near a massive sundial that had been designed to replace Discord’s statue, with Robert’s Crystal Saber drawn, while Celestia held her signature short sword Feather Edge.

“You know, funny thing,” Robert commented lightly as the blades ground together creating sparks. “I always imagined, at least when we first met and I was suicidally stupid, to be doing this, except it always ended with your head on a stake.”

“Funny how times have changed…” Celestia chuckled softly as she slashed out at him, but Robert ducked to avoid the swing and countered the next one with his Saber.

“Yeah, funny that. Here we are, actually close to being friends…” Robert mused. The two did seem to be somewhat evenly matched, though Robert suspected Celestia was holding back. From what he’d seen, if this were a real battle, she would very easily disarm and then kill him.

“Or maybe more if you’re lucky. So, how many you planning to add to your Royal Princess Harem? Me or Twilight on the list next?” Celestia teased, knocking Robert off guard.

“How the…?” He asked.

“Oh, I’m not stupid. I figured out where Luna went off to during the winter months a long time ago, had a few guards keep tabs on her just to make sure she didn’t get into too much trouble. Figured she was going to protect you, and good idea on her part, just didn’t expect her to fall in love with you along the way…” Celestia mused. “Nor did I expect you and Sunset to fall for each other. Sure, you both being on the same team made it likely, but Sunset’s never, and I mean never fallen for anyone…”

“Great, for all I know she’s trying to guilt-trip me now…” Robert grumbled to himself mentally. “Sunset’s first real relationship, and I cocked it up… Bloody good job on you, mate!” he told himself. Before he could even muster up a response to Celestia, he heard something, and so did she. Boots against gravel.

They turned, and saw a fifty-something Japanese man in a brown leather vest, as a giant silver flying saucer resembling the Enterprise loomed overhead.

“Welcome to my kingdom,” Celestia said kindly. “Who might you-”

“Save it Solar Flare, we’re here to bring you in at last. I don’t know how you survived that shot from your friend here in the video Bunglay sent us, but we’re here to bring you to justice. Name’s Retsu Ichijouji, AKA Space Sheriff Gavan of the Galactic Union Police.” the man said sternly.

“We? Who’s we?” Robert asked. He soon got his answer, as Bard flew onto the scene from atop a rooftop.

“Your observation skills need work. Bard, of the planet ZyuEarth AKA Space Sheriff Estevan.” Bard mused.

“Clearly…” Robert deadpanned. “Though I can say the same about you. If Bunglay’s your source, you both are really hellishly bad cops, gotta say…”

“I admit,” Retsu/Gavan said. “Bunglay’s fishy as a source, so we’ll follow up other leads. But the fact remains, you two are the best ones we have in order to figure out what really happened in that video he sent us. You’ll be asked the standard questions of course, and no harm will come to you if you come with us quietly. Not even to you, Solar Flare…” Retsu trailed off kindly.

“Yeah, you really need to update your sources. Solar Flare’s gone. Dead, ashes to ashes! Dust to dust! Videos can easily be doctored.” Robert pointed out, drawing his Crystal Saber. In a more even-tempered sort of mind, he probably could have ended this little problem here and now and talked things out quietly. But Robert was never said to be even-tempered.

“Your choice…” Retsu sighed before he and Bard shouted: “Electroplate!”

Suddenly, Retsu was covered in a high-tech metallic silver suit. Bard was in a golden suit, slightly different and looking slightly more advanced with a more aggressive angled looking helmet. Celestia sighed as she pulled out a lance and tossed Feather Edge aside.

“Was going to try and negotiate this quietly, but…” she sighed. “Magical Source, Mystic Force!” she yelled out and transformed into the Solaris Knight as Robert morphed as well knowing that this was a battle of the Henshin Heroes now.

The Space Sheriffs brought out their famed Laser Blades, high-tech steel broadswords which were issued to every Space Sheriff. They twirled the blades around like proper cowboys (Well, at least Bard did) before pointing their tips at Celestia and Robert.

“So, that’s how it’s going to be huh?” Gavan sighed sadly as he raised his sword and charged at Celestia, while Robert took on Estevan. They both took on fire, but Celestia cleaved through the shots while Gavan dodged them effortlessly.

“A space eagle…” Robert muttered to himself as he whirled around to deflect a sword swing. During this, his cape was sliced off, and the fabric fell to the ground catching fire as it did so. Laser Blade indeed. “Have to say, that’s a new thing. And I mean seriously new, even by my standards. Any chance you related to that over-stuffed pelican Birdy?”

“Well, he was my distant ancestor…” Estevan remarked as his blade met Robert’s. “I’m honestly shocked, seeing a member of SPD in this time. It’s supposed to be long gone, organization and all when Time Force swallowed it up. Seeing someone in the classic uniform, that’s surprising. What is it, Throwback Thursday?”

“I’m surprised you even know what that is…” Robert snarked as he elbowed Bard/Estevan in the stomach, before following up with a lightning-quick knife hand to the back of the neck.

“Retsu, he taught me about human customs,” Bard replied, maintaining a surprisingly friendly demeanor even during combat. “Thought it’d help ease me into being his partner some more…”

Nearby, Celestia went lance to sword with Retsu/Gavan, meeting their blade with every strike, while also having the advantage of distance and wider swings. When she had the chance, she jabbed the blade forward, only for Gavan to lurch himself backwards or swat it away.

“I really wish we didn’t have to do this…” Celestia murmured. Gavan raised an eyebrow under his helmet. Solar Flare, the tyrant sun, showing remorse?

“Trust me, Celestia. We take no pride in this either,” Retsu sighed as he swung his sword for her at her chest, only for her to backflip and knock it into the air, catching him by surprise. “But you have a warrant out for your arrest, and the Galactic Union Police will want to judge you all the same; ranger or no.”

“Even so, the whole ‘right to remain silent’ deal won’t work on me.” Celestia shook her head and twirled her lance around, repelling a laser attack from Retsu’s partner, before dashing to him and knocking the guns away with the tip of her lance.

“Bard, stay out of this!” Retsu warned. “Focus on your own fight!” he instructed.

The Zyuman nodded, before Bard’s blade glowed red, and he shouted out “Estevan Dynamic!” before firing an arc of red energy towards Robert.

Then, before Estevan could strike a powerful blow from his Laser Blade, Galaxy leaped out of nowhere and kicked him backwards before the thestral landed next to Robert, his predatory eyes gleaming in the moonlight, dark blue and purple armor shining.

“You want to fight the Princess, or a fellow Ranger?” Galaxy asked. “Guess what, here in Canterlot, soon as you threaten a Princess on my watch, you’ve got my attention. And trust me, last thing you want…” he snarled before firing his Dino Morpher at Bard and as a manifestation of a Pachycephalosaurus head bit down on Bard before coming back around and morphing Galaxy.

“Pachycephalosaurus, Power Ranger: Graphite!” Galaxy called as he drew his infamous scythe, Blood Moon. He quickly joined Robert’s side.

“So, a golden boy eh?” the Reaper of Canterlot asked Bard. “Geez, and I thought old foxy here was the show-offish one…”

“I’ll pretend that wasn’t an insult and take it as a compliment ya bloody Alucard rip-off…” Robert muttered. Galaxy mouthed the word in confusion.

“The Blood Moon…” Bard stared at the bleeding scythe, and how ominous it looked in the light of the moon. “The scythe that can eviscerate an entire Changeling army with one swing?”

“Oh, so you know this blade?” Galaxy asked mockingly. “Funny coming from an alien…”

“The infamous scythe that has slain hundreds of Changelings...” Retsu’s grip tightened on his sword. “Bard, prepare yourself!” he warned, remembering the research he’d done on the blade while staking out the planet before he and his partner had moved in for the capture.

“Galaxy…” Celestia looked at the dark scythe, then at the provoked Space Sheriffs. “What’s gotten into you?”

“You assigned me to this post to protect Canterlot from all threats. Just following orders,” Galaxy answered simply. Galaxy knew the scythe often played mind games with his opponents, as they were usually quaking in their boots when they saw it brought out and realized who they were dealing with.

Robert let out an audible growl under his helmet, he really hated that phrase at times. Still, didn’t mean he wasn’t grateful for the help… Galaxy, partially crazy as he was, was a good fighter in the heat of battle.

“If we make it out of this, remind me to give you a raise…” Celestia’s grip on her own weapon tightened.

Galaxy seemingly manifested a crimson moon behind him, before unleashing a Blood Moon Slash towards Estevan, sending a spinning arc of red energy towards the gold-clad warrior.

“Bard!” Retsu shouted out, seeing the power behind that attack, and dived towards his partner igniting his own Laser Blade and blocking the strike with a Gavan Dynamic.

Bard used this chance, -as Celestia and Retsu reengaged- to go after Galaxy and Robert, swinging his Laser Blade in a dangerous fashion keeping them both on the defensive…

“Ladies and gentlemen, here is the latest bulletin from the Intercontinental Radio News. Toronto, Canada: Professor Morse of McGill University reports observing a total of three explosions on the planet Mars, between the hours of 7:45 P. M. and 9:20 P. M., eastern standard time. This confirms earlier reports received from American observatories. Now, nearer home, comes a special announcement from Trenton, New Jersey. It is reported that at 8:50 P. M. a huge, flaming object, believed to be a meteorite, fell on a farm in the neighborhood of Grovers Mill, New Jersey, twenty-two miles from Trenton. The flash in the sky was visible within a radius of several hundred miles and the noise of the impact was heard as far north as Elizabeth.
We have dispatched a special mobile unit to the scene, and will have our commentator, Carl Phillips, give you a word description as soon as he can reach there from Princeton. In the meantime, we take you to the Hotel Martinet in Brooklyn, where Bobby Millette and his orchestra are offering a program of dance music.”

The noted twenty seconds passed, and then…

“We take you now to Grovers Mill, New Jersey.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is Carl Phillips again, at the Wilmuth farm, Grovers Mill, New Jersey. Professor Pierson and myself made the eleven miles from Princeton in ten minutes. Well, I . . . I hardly know where to begin, to paint for you a word picture of the strange scene before my eyes, like something out of a modern "Arabian Nights." Well, I just got here. I haven't had a chance to look around yet. I guess that's it. Yes, I guess that's the . . . thing, directly in front of me, half buried in a vast pit. Must have struck with terrific force. The ground is covered with splinters of a tree it must have struck on its way down. What I can see of the . . . object itself doesn't look very much like a meteor, at least not the meteors I've seen. It looks more like a huge cylinder. It has a diameter of . . . what would you say, Professor Pierson?”

The two continued listening in stunned fascination. One could see why one might have fallen for this, it was quite exciting in a way with it’s realisticness. And came the famous scene that probably everyone listening in on that night remembered.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is the most terrifying thing I have ever witnessed . . . Wait a minute! Someone's crawling out of the hollow top. Someone or . . . something. I can see peering out of that black hole two luminous disks . . are they eyes? It might be a face. It might be . . . Good heavens, something's wriggling out of the shadow like a gray snake. Now it's another one, and another. They look like tentacles to me. There, I can see the thing's body. It's large, large as a bear and it glistens like wet leather. But that face, it . . . Ladies and gentlemen, it's indescribable. I can hardly force myself to keep looking at it. The eyes are black and gleam like a serpent. The mouth is V-shaped with saliva dripping from its rimless lips that seem to quiver and pulsate. The monster or whatever it is can hardly move. It seems weighed down by . . . possibly gravity or something. The thing's raising up. The crowd falls back now. They've seen plenty. This is the most extraordinary experience. I can't find words . . . I'll pull this microphone with me as I talk. I'll have to stop the description until I can take a new position. Hold on, will you please, I'll be right back in a minute.

“Ladies and gentlemen (Am I on?). Ladies and gentlemen, here I am, back of a stone wall that adjoins Mr. Wilmuth's garden. From here I get a sweep of the whole scene. I'll give you every detail as long as I can talk. As long as I can see. More state police have arrived They're drawing up a cordon in front of the pit, about thirty of them. No need to push the crowd back now. They're willing to keep their distance. The captain is conferring with someone. We can't quite see who. Oh yes, I believe it's Professor Pierson. Yes, it is. Now they've parted. The Professor moves around one side, studying the object, while the captain and two policemen advance with something in their hands. I can see it now. It's a white handkerchief tied to a pole . . . a flag of truce. If those creatures know what that means . . . what anything means!. . . Wait! Something's happening! A humped shape is rising out of the pit. I can make out a small beam of light against a mirror. What's that? There's a jet of flame springing from the mirror, and it leaps right at the advancing men. It strikes them head on! Good Lord, they're turning into flame! Now the whole field's caught fire. The woods . . . the barns . . . the gas tanks of automobiles . . . it's spreading everywhere. It's coming this way. About twenty yards to my right . . .

And then everything went dead silent after a loud horrific scream, and you could be forgiven for thinking this was a actual broadcast, Artemis mused. She would have.

“Ladies and gentlemen, due to circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to continue the broadcast from Grovers Mill. Evidently there's some difficulty with our field transmission. However, we will return to that point at the earliest opportunity. In the meantime, we have a late bulletin from San Diego, California. Professor Indellkoffer, speaking at a dinner of the California Astronomical Society, expressed the opinion that the explosions on Mars are undoubtedly nothing more than severe volcanic disturbances on the surface of the planet. We now continue with our piano interlude.”

“I have to wonder,” Artemis pondered. “What were the people of Grover’s Mill thinking during all of this? I mean surely, they could just look out their front windows and see that nothing was going on!” she scoffed.

“Don’t know much about New Jersey, but it’s very tree heavy and like I said, people were afraid back then. Afraid of the Germans and afraid of invasions. I suppose,” Robert said as Artemis flicked the recording off, “One has to define the word gullible. I mean sure, one has the right to be curious, but when the warning signs are there, such as if you were in Grover’s Mill at the time and not seeing these giant things stomping around and yet you still believe they’re there, that’s when hoaxers and scammers can profit. I think, in a way, Welles was a scammer in a sense…” he trailed off, and Artemis looked at him curiously.

“How so?” she inquired.

“Well, there Orson was, apologizing for all of the chaos caused by this broadcast, this little joke of his, and he had this big-ass grin on his face. Maybe he knew people would fall for it, maybe he didn’t. Who’s to say?” Robert mused, his detective instincts working on overdrive. “But I think, the smoking gun if you will, comes from the end of the broadcast. “This is Orson Welles, ladies and gentlemen, out of character to assure you that The War of The Worlds has no further significance than as the holiday offering it was intended to be. The Mercury Theatre's own radio version of dressing up in a sheet and jumping out of a bush and saying Boo! Starting now, we couldn't soap all your windows and steal all your garden gates by tomorrow night. . . so we did the best next thing. We annihilated the world before your very ears, and utterly destroyed the CBS. You will be relieved, I hope, to learn that we didn't mean it, and that both institutions are still open for business. So goodbye everybody, and remember the terrible lesson you learned tonight. That grinning, glowing, globular invader of your living room is an inhabitant of the pumpkin patch, and if your doorbell rings and nobody's there, that was no Martian. . .it's Hallowe'en.” he said, and I think in a way he knew people would fall for all of this. Maybe he didn’t predict the major reaction it had, but he knew in some way someone would be just gullible enough.” Robert commented.

“When you were talking about gullibility, somehow I think you weren’t talking about people,” Artemis mused. “Think you were talking about Celestia and her ponies, and the propaganda she’s sprouted…”

“Probably…” Robert muttered, with Artemis patting him on the back sympathetically.

“Times’ll change, you’ll see…”

“Yeah, they will…” he muttered in disgust. “But only after she’s unseated from her gilded throne…”

Back in the present, Robert and Galaxy found themselves thrown back by a surprising show of strength from Bard/Estevan, who only chuckled.

“Stubborn ones, aren’t you?” Bard asked before he pressed a few buttons on his gauntlet, and both Galaxy and Robert looked up and swallowed at what they saw next. The mostly blue toned bottom portion of Gavan’s saucer detached, and a massive serpentine head and tail unfolded, allowing them to see the Space Sheriff’s ultimate weapon. The massive robotic dragon known only as Electronic Starbeast Dol. It let out a nearly earsplitting roar, as his twin yellow eyes narrowed.

“Bard!” Gavan reprimanded. “You’re going too far, this is far too much force!”

But Bard wasn’t listening.

“It’s our job to capture Solar Flare and any of her accomplices, with whatever force we deem necessary. I deemed the use of Dol necessary,” Bard replied.

“Seems a bit overkill if you ask me,” Robert replied. “Maybe you should listen to your boss,”

He was, of course, ignored.

“It’s derived from old SPD Zord technology, if you’re wondering,” Bard commented. “A masterwork of engineering developed on the planet KO-35 and the culmination of thousands of years of mecha research and development.”

“Oh, so the new-school cops have some new tech…” Robert snarked back, rolling his eyes under his helmet. “Well, don’t say you weren’t warned. Time to see the new-school, meet the old-school. I need Red Dragon Thunderzord power, now!”

To both Gavan and Estevan's visible shock (Robert felt rather smug at this) the snarling, raging roaring form of the Red Dragon emerged from behind a mountain and breathed powerful flames at Dol.

“Robert, stop this at once! You’re only making this harder on yourself!” Celestia shouted as she continued to lock weapons with Retsu/Gavan, whose eyes widened at that.

“What the…? Something’s off here, and me and Bard both knew it from the start,” Retsu thought, his detective instincts going into overdrive. “This only furthers my suspicions. If this really was Solar Flare, why would she have shown concern for a comrade, a human one at that? She’d have incinerated him on the spot! Maybe there is more here than meets the eye…”

Before he could call Dol off however, the Red Dragon flew towards him, and slashed at the Starbeast with it’s claws before flying off, with Dol giving chase firing beam after beam of hot blue flame.

The two soared over the rooftops of Canterlot, each firing their flamethrowers at the other doing damaged with each pass. Fire and flames lit up the night sky. Eventually, however, Dol got lucky and grabbed the Red Dragon by the neck and bit down.

It roared out in pain as Dol bit down harder, the crunching of metal being heard.

“Now, call it off, and maybe we can come to a peaceful arrest and maybe we can talk…” Retsu said calmly, not wanting to do any more damage to the rebuilt legend of a Zord than needed.

“Like hell!” Robert snarled.

“Do as he says Robert. Best you demorph as well.” Celestia stated, and Robert gaped at her.

“You gotta be…” He trailed off disbelief.

“Do it, now,” Celestia stated firmly, as she demorphed and dropped her lance, it hitting the street with a loud clattering metallic thud. Robert, so shocked by Celestia actually doing this, compiled and demorphed in an orange flash as Dol let go of the Red Dragon.

“Your compassion for your Zord will be noted in the record books,” Bard said as he cuffed Robert. Dol reattached to Gavan’s saucer as Bard turned to look at Galaxy, who was demorphing as well.

“You, we’ll let you go free. You were only following orders and coming to the defense of your Princess. You were not responsible in any way for the massacre which took place on this planet, so you’re not our concern.” Bard said to him.

“Why…?” Robert asked, as he looked at Celestia, who gave him this answer.

“I lied. I cheated. I bribed men -Good men in fact!- to cover the crimes of other men. I am an accessory to murder,” Celestia stated as she allowed herself to be cuffed by Gavan.“But the most damning, and frightening and disgusting thing of all... I think I can live with it. And if I had to do it all over again, I would. Perhaps Solar Flare was right about one thing - a guilty conscience is a small price to pay for the safety of my race. Because… At the time, humans were hunting us down to the edge of extinction and someone had to fight back. I did what I had to do. No excuse for it, and I’ll probably never live with it, and those screams will probably haunt me to my dying day, but… I have to own up to my crimes. Because… in a way, they were my own…” Celestia sighed, and if you looked closely a small tear trickled down her face.

With that, both she, Retsu, Bard, and Robert were all beamed up into the ship leaving a very stunned Galaxy behind…

Author's Notes:

Okay, first off huge thanks to Shadowmane for the help on the five-person fight between Bard, Retsu, Celestia, Robert, and Galaxy. Now, wanted Retsu and Bard (Or Bud as he was known last time you saw him, turned out Bard was another translation of his name and decided to use that instead as it sounded less silly) to come off as reasonable cops.

Just doing their job really, with really bad intel and already suspicious of that. Now, I admit the old broadcast of the War of the Worlds was just for fun, but it did have a purpose, as it led up that line about being gullible, which Bard and Retsu were here, playing right into Bunglay's hands.

Comments, thoughts, and critique are, as always, welcome.