>You are Anonymous
>You sit in your observatory, overlooking the glistening lights of the city of Canterscant below
>Everything has proceeded as you have foreseen
>Equestria is finally yours, after all the months of planning and preparation
>The magic that those two pathetic princesses used in vain was no match against the power of the Dark Side
>You are content. All is well.
>Except for the Rebellion.
>Your lieutenants assure you that it is nothing to be concerned about.
>And yet they still have not located the hidden base of these traitorous scum.
>You scowl at the direction of your thoughts. Surely you cannot truly believe that they are any match for your insurmountable forces?
>Your black cloak billows softly as you stand from your throne.
>Just then, you hear the mechanical beep of the elevator.
>Good. Your apprentice is here.
>The kingdom of Equestria, although mighty, wasn't the greatest of Celestia's former possessions that you acquired when you conquered this place.
>Her faithful student is now yours as well.
>>26447202
>"What is your bidding, my master?"
>Her voice is heavily distorted by the black mask she wears, but you have come to get used to it.
>Her face may have been scarred, but it is still recognizable. She didn't like that.
>In her eyes, the moment she gave up her old life and put her faith in the Dark Side was the moment she stripped herself of her name, her face.
>She could no longer be the librarian, the student, the friend of traitors.
>She could no longer be Twilight Sparkle.
>You turn to look into the dark, soulless eyes of the mask of Darth Luminus.
>She kneels before you, for as powerful as she was she was not yet as powerful as yourself.
>You grin and clasp your hands together.
"The preparations have been made. The delegates from Saddle Arabia have come to the Imperial Palace."
>"The sultan and his sister?"
"Indeed. Already I sense treachery. I am confident that soon enough we will learn whether or not they are affiliated with this Rebellion."
>"Your wisdom has not yet failed us, my Master."
"Nor will it."
>You step forward, leaving your glistening view of the city and stepping into the elevator with Luminus by your side.
>As the elevator descends, you feel something... strange. Distant, yet recognizable.
"I sense conflict within you, Luminus. Are you well?"
>"It is nothing, Master."
"I think not. You are thinking of your former friends. Your past life. It narrows your vision, distorts your mind."
>"They mean nothing to me. I am devoted only to the Dark Side."
"We shall see."
>>26447213
>When you and Lord Luminus step out of the oscillating elevator, you are instantly flanked by two red guards and several stormtroopers.
>Though you tower over their four-legged pony bodies, you know that they are essential to ensuring your safety.
>Not even the Dark Side can protect you all the time.
>You and your entourage walk through the brightly lit grey corridor, and several droids cross your path as you do.
>When you came to Equestria, their technology was simple, not nearly as advanced as that of your home planet.
>And yet the Force was strong in this place. They called it magic, and yet it penetrated all things big and small.
>You had built a functioning droid army using your power over the Force, just large enough to overtake the peaceful land.
>Since your takeover, you have employed an organic, pony army.
>Your stormtroopers are the most highly trained soldiers this planet has ever seen, and ever will.
>Even the very infrastructure of this place has flourished under your command.
>The capital city of Canterlot, which you renamed to more befit your rule, was merely a mountainside keep when you arrived.
>Now it has been built high and wide, reaching into the night sky and stretching for miles in every direction.
>Its limits have now even overtaken the town of Ponyville. A place of most interest to you.
>For it was there that the Elements resided, before your takeover, before their fragmentation. Their power together was the strongest in all of Equestria.
>A power you intend to use to your own advantage. That is, if you can unite them all once more under the banner of the Empire.
>>26447222
>Three of the Elements now head the Rebellion, giving commands from an unknown location and causing your empire much misfortune. You have even heard rumors that one of them has been training in the Force to defeat you. This is most unacceptable.
>One of them lives here in Canterscant. She succumbed to your rule, and now along with her three sisters runs the most profitable industrial rock farm in Equestria.
>One, obviously, is walking besides you at this very moment.
>She is strong with the Dark Side, but there is conflict within her, conflict that turns her gaze towards the Light. You cannot allow that.
>She tells you she is loyal. You hope this is true.
>And the last Element, well... she is unaccounted for.
>On the day of the Battle of Canterscant, she alone vanished without a trace. You offered a bounty for her, and her yellow visage is posted on holo-posters from here to Yakyakistan alongside an seven-digit rewards amount, but there is simply no trace of her.
>There are rumors that she lives now in the endless Everfree Forest, but nobody has yet managed to find her.
>When the Empire has her, along with all the other Elements, your master plan will at last come to fruition.
>They eluded you that day, but their time has very nearly run out.
>Just then, a stormtrooper speaks.
>"The sultan and his sister are beyond these doors, your highness. They have been awaiting you."
"I am aware. I will speak with them. Alone."
>The guards and troopers leave at once, for defying your will elicits a punishment most severe.
"You as well, Luminus."
>"As you wish, my lord."
>The cybernetically enhanced voice sends echoes through the metal walls of the corridor, and the mare who was once Twilight Sparkle exits the room.
>You adjust your robes, clasp your hands, and step through the sliding door into the conference room, where Sultan Sand and his sister Silver await you.
>>26447235
>"Emperor Anonymous. It is so good to finally meet you in person."
"The pleasure is mine, Sultan. Your trade routes have been most profitable for the empire."
>"I would like to introduce to you as well my lovely sister, Silver Sand."
>The argent mare steps forward, her charming eyes set on your face.
>She and her brother wear the golden ornaments of Saddle Arabian royalty, pieces that drape elegantly over their necks, shoulders, backs, and haunches, along with white regal capes.
>The gaudy garments of kings have never suited your tastes. You are content in your black robes.
>They strengthen your connection with the Dark Side, binding you in a shroud of seeming harmlessness. They make you look like a simple middle-aged man, a beggar perhaps.
>They lower the guards of those around you with their simplicity.
>Precisely as you like it.
>"I am honored, your majesty, to meet one so exalted as you."
"Ah, spare me your praises, sultaness. I am but a man who understands the makings of the world."
>Both smile. It is clear that they mean to appease you. They are easily read.
"Now, let us discuss the matter for which I have called you both to my palace. Are either of you aware of this so-called Rebellion which threatens my state?"
>The sultan speaks first.
>"Indeed, your majesty. It is most grave that a force that has built itself up so dubiously actively works to oppose one so benevolent as yourself."
>Silver speaks up. "If there is anything that Saddle Arabia might do to aid the Empire against these fiends, we would be honored to do so."
>She does well to hide the truth, you can admit to that. Her eyes show nothing but courtesy and fealty.
"Your words are appreciated, mistress Silver. However, I have heard numerous reports, rumors really, that the Rebellion has set up base in Saddle Arabia. Not only that, but, and this is certainly falsehood, that the Saddle Arabian government is supporting them. This cannot be so, can it?"
>>26447252
>"Of course not, Emperor. If there are Rebel forces lurking within Saddle Arabian borders, then we are not aware of it. If this is truly so, we will do everything in our power to stop them."
"Your words are like honey to my ears, sultan. But how can I be certain that you speak the truth?"
>The sultan looks as though you have just slapped him in the face. In a few moments, he has managed to restrain himself and regain his composure.
>"M-my lord, this is preposterous! Although I can understand that you are quite concerned about the Rebellion, I can assure you that as a sultan and a loyal servant of the Empire, I would never in my life state such a falsehood!"
>"My brother speaks true, your majesty. The Rebellion is not in any way affiliated with Saddle Arabia, nor has it ever been."
"This is a most reassuring testament, lady Silver. Especially considering the great lengths to which one of my spies assured me of the opposite."
>The sultan's face turns paler than that of his lovely sister.
>"A-and what would th-that be, y-your highness?"
"It was nothing, really. Only a documentation of his observations of numerous large Rebel troop movements and supply runs in Saddle Arabia, along with an extensive list of the a most unnerving collection of weaponry belonging to them."
>"I-I don't know anything about that, my lord. Rest assured, it will not be long bef-"
"I wasn't finished, Sultan."
>The sultan meekly looks at you. Even his sister, stalwart only moments ago, seems afraid of your careful gaze.
"When I heard the report, I assumed the spy was referring to some hidden base far out into the Saddle Arabian deserts, unknown to you or your noble kin. That is, until he informed me that the weapons the Rebels obtained were not stolen, but rather SOLD, by the Saddle Arabian ministry of warfare. And that the rebels were sighted within Buckdad making arrangements with various state officials."
>The sultan is shaking now. You open your mouth once more.
>>26447259
"You Saddle Arabians have always been quick to tell a lie, but come time to provide evidence for said lie, you cower at your misnomer. Did you truly believe I would not discover your affiliations with the Rebel Alliance, Sultan?"
>"I-I... p-please my lord, I don't know-ack!"
>The bearded stallion grips at his throat as he feels your icy, invisible grip work its fingers around it.
>The sultan's sister is now distraught, panicking.
>"Please, your majesty, let him go! We would never speak to you anything but the truth!"
"Spare me, lady Silver. Your words have lost their luster, and now serve only to irritate me. Admit your traitorous alliance, or else your younger brother will soon be sultan in his place."
>You tighten your force chokehold. The sultan gasps for breath, and his eyes widen as he struggles for air. He is near unconsciousness.
>You look back at Silver Sand. There are tears streaming down her regal features. She looks at you with distress, and then with resignment.
>"I admit it! We have been supplying the Rebels! All of their arsenal was sold to them by our ministry of war!"
"And where is the Rebel base? I want the coordinates, my lady."
>The sultan is turning blue. You prepare to crush his windpipe.
>"It's only a few miles west of Buckdad! A bunker beneath a sand dune! Please let him go!"
>You grin, and release the sultan. He falls to the ground in a heap, hacking as his lungs fill with oxygen once more.
"A noble sacrifice of information, lady Silver, but a foolish one. You have saved your brother, but you have doomed your people."
>"Please, no! They are innocent, all of them! Oh, brother... please my lord, I-"
"Silence."
>You press a small grey button on the table beside you, activating the comlink.
"Commander."
>"Yes, your majesty?"
"I am finished with the sultan and his sister. Send two men to escort them to the detention cells."
>"Yes, my lord."
>You lift your finger and smile coldly at the two Saddle Arabian ponies before you.
My thanks."
>>26447286
>The door slides shut behind you as you leave the conference room, and even through the thick duraplastic you can still hear the desperate coughs of the sultan as your men take him and his sister away.
>Walking away from that most informative encounter, you reflect on the past few weeks.
>Though your administration is careful not to inform the public of any possible threat that might dissuade them from content, the current state of the Empire is… tumultuous at best.
>The Rebellion has been growing stronger with each passing day, with citizens in the farthest reaches of the Empire throwing their loyalty away and joining their movement.
>In a way, you cannot blame them for doing so. They are so far from this city, this monument to the full extent of your power, that they cannot understand what a grave error they’ve made.
>In the outer reaches of Equestria, where your forces are spread ever so thinly, it may almost seem to those bumbling fools that they stand a chance.
>They are a nuisance at best, but a persistent nuisance at that.
>And with the new insight you have just gained, that persistence may run out.
>If the lady Silver told the truth about the location of the Rebel base, and you are confident that she did considering her dire circumstances, then this was the beginning of the end for the Rebellion.
>As well as the end of the beginning for your master plan.
>The power of the Elements is one that even one such as yourself could not fully understand, but despite this it is easy to tell that to harness this extraordinary power would be to make yourself unstoppable.
>If only you could unite them once more…
>You realize that in your thoughts, you have reached the end of this corridor. You dial the access code into the panel to your left using the invisible hand of the Force, and as the door slides into the ceiling you glimpse four ebony black hooves standing on the other side.
>>26447421
>”My master. I trust that your conference with the Sultan and Lady Sand was successful.”
“Indeed it was, Lord Luminus. But do not deign to question my intelligence, however implicitly, on these matters. You could lose my favor very quickly.”
>”My apologies, Emperor. I wish only to learn from you.”
“Then learn this: the location of the Rebel base has been most graciously provided to us by the lovely Lady Sand.”
>”Truly?”
>You now walk side by side with the masked mare, back down the path to your throne room. Even from here you can see the bright red robes of the guards awaiting your return at the end of the hall.
“The Saddle Arabians have been harboring them for some time now, I imagine. I was foolish not to have foreseen this earlier.”
>”It does not matter. They will soon fall to the might of the Empire.”
>The black, distorted voice of Luminus grates against your ears, the product of a voice modifier within the helmet. You are not certain why she is so intent on masking her true identity, but you suspect it is simply because she does not want to be affiliated in any way with her former life.
>She has fully devoted herself to the Dark Side, and to you; that much is evident. But how long before her confidence in your teachings is overtaken by fear for her former friends?
“I believe you are correct, Darth. Which is why you will be personally leading the strike on the Rebel base.”
>Luminus turns to you. Even without facial expression, you sense her concern.
>”I will not fail you, my master. The insurgents will learn of your might through myself. They will soon kneel to the Dark Side, and to you.”
“Excellent.”
>>26447448
>As you near the elevator to your chamber, your apprentice turns right and walks swiftly towards the shuttle hangars. You suspect she has business elsewhere.
>But this is of no concern to you at the moment. Now you must focus on a more important matter.
>There is a strange disturbance in the Force. Barely perceptible, but present nonetheless.
>As the elevator doors open before you, you decide to meditate on this occurrence in the solitude of your throne room.
>Soon, a conflict will arise, one that will tear asunder the balance of the Force…
END OF CHAPTER 1
Should I continue? Y/N? Anybody there?
>>26447863
I like this, continue pls
>>26447970
Thanks anon, also I'm probably going to steal your picture for a post if you don't mind ;)
>>26448039
Go for it bro.
>>26447863
>You are Rainbow Dash
>Admiral of the Rebel Air Fleet
>But you certainly don't feel like an admiral.
>You sit in a small dark room, a bedchamber hastily set up in this dry underground base
>You're in over your head. You got caught up with this whole movement and you've got yourself into a knot too big to untie.
>Ever since the Battle of Canterscant, ever since that fateful day when Twilight was murdered, you've felt like a little filly, lost in a world that doesn't make any sense anymore.
>Except now, everybody is looking up to you.
>You're one of only three Elements that escaped from the wrath of the Empire, and since then you've had to take on responsibilities.
>Responsibilities like taking active command of the Wonderbolts as a fully-fledged military unit.
>You would have been jumping with joy only a few years ago if you had been simply handed command of the Wonderbolts, but now you just feel... tired
>You're tired of fighting, tired of running from the ever present menace of the Empire.
>And behind all of those white-faced death masks is the hooded visage of the Emperor himself.
>The strange alien that came to Equestria with unspeakable powers and dominated everybody.
>Not even Celestia and Luna, with their powers combined, were able to defeat him.
>He destroyed them with what he called the Force, some ancient power far more potent that any magic you had ever seen.
>And then...
"He killed Twilight."
>You say it out loud, for nobody else to hear.
>She had tried to face him alone, and he was too much for her to handle.
>You had not even been there for her death; you merely heard the news after the fact while fleeing Canterscant.
>Everything had gone wrong. This wasn't supposed to be how things happened.
>You and your friends had promised Celestia before her own demise that you would stop the Emperor once and for all, that you would use the power of friendship to shatter the evil Empire he had created.
>But even that was no match for his Force.
>>26448281
>You close your eyes, struggling to remember how you had done it the first time.
>Each time you accomplished something as small as a push or a pull of a tiny object, you seemed to forget how and have to do it all over again.
>The walls of your small bedchamber seem to close in on you as you think.
>The Emperor's powers were not limited solely to himself.
>Twilight, before she died, told you that she felt a sensation unlike any she had ever felt before.
>As though... her magic was being overtaken by an even greater power.
>And the odd thing was that you had felt it too.
>The Force had come to Equestria via the Emperor's arrival, and you are intent on learning it.
>You have meditated on it, no easy feat for one so active as yourself.
>You have focused, trying each time to concentrate on a single point in the universe, trying to harness the power once reserved only to unicorns.
>But it wasn't magic. It was the Force.
>You breath in deep, and let it out.
>The room is silent. The chatter outside has vanished, as though the Force has soundproofed your quarters.
>You open your eyes again, and look at a quill on the stand by your cot.
>You focus on it, feel its presence, and then you try to lift it.
>You did it once before, why not now?
>Except the quill does not budge. You concentrate, letting the Force enter your body and guide you, and yet no matter how hard you try, the quill won't move.
>You start to get angry. You grit your teeth, trying to move this quill with your mind.
>It sits there, unmoving.
>"Rainbow Dash?"
"Huh?!"
>You lean forward, facing the pen.
"Q-quill? Is that you?"
>"What? No, Rainbow Dash, behind you!"
>You turn around to meet the eyes of Applejack, looking at you as though you've lost your mind.
>>26448296
>”Is everything alright, Dash? Ya haven’t left your room in hours.”
“It’s nothing, Applejack. Just… trying to do something.”
>”And what would that be?”
“I already told you, nothing. Don’t worry about me.”
>”Ya know, Dash, if you’re trying to do that Force thing that Twilight learned how to do, I reckon it might take ya a while, considering you ain’t exactly got a horn.”
“It’s not that, Applejack! And I don’t need a horn for the Force because it isn’t magic! Twilight said so!”
>You feel tears form at the edges of your vision. No, that can’t be. You were never the blubbering type.
>”So that is what y’all were doing in there.”
>You shut your eyes, and moments later you feel a hoof on your shoulder.
>”Look, sugarcube, I know y’all want to avenge Twilight, and I know you’re upset, but there was nothing ya could’ve done. How do you know that doing this “Force” thing ain’t going to turn you evil? What if Anonymous was just some normal guy until that power corrupted him? It’s too dangerous and too risky considerin’ what we have at stake if we lose you.”
“I know what I’m doing, Applejack. Just leave me alone.”
>”The Rainbow Dash I know would never try to get revenge on anybody.”
>You sigh. She’s right.
“I know. But I can’t get Twilight out of my head. I just… can’t believe she’s really gone.”
>”It’s okay, Dash. I feel the same way.”
>>26448362
>You regain your composure, and together you and Applejack step out of the darkened quarter and into a carved sandstone hallway lit by glowglobes, transmission and relay wires running the length of the walls and ceiling.
>Base Prime isn’t much to look at, but it’s well protected and in a secure location.
>Before it was in use by the Rebellion, the subterranean complex was a prison of sorts, housing dangerous Saddle Arabian criminals nearly three hundred years ago.
>When the Saddle Arabians agreed to assist the Rebellion, they offered it to you as a hidden location utterly unknown to the Empire large enough to give quarter to all of the soldiers you brought with you here.
>The base houses around a thousand Rebel troops, all packed beneath a particularly large sand dune in the middle of the Saddle Arabian desert.
>From here, the Empire can be safely monitored with scouts, tactics can be arranged, and strikes can be planned.
>The Rebellion has already conducted numerous successful raids on Imperial supply lines and outposts, slowly building up strength and confidence until it can attack the main target: the mega-city formerly known as Canterlot.
>There’s no doubt in your mind that the Empire is a force to be reckoned with, but you’re confident that there’s a way to strike it at the source of its influence.
>At least, you would be… if you weren’t the one responsible for finding that way.
>Everybody looking up to you and relying on you because you were an Element of Harmony doesn’t sit right with you.
>You were always content with Twilight being a de-facto leader of sorts whenever you had to fight some greater foe- you had never thought about how hard it might be without her.
>>26448675
>Now you, Applejack, and Rarity commanded the fleet, ground forces, and high command respectively.
>Thankfully, most of the planning is done by Rarity, taking that weight off your own shoulders, but you still have to lead, a responsibility that you were not prepared for when this Rebellion was founded.
>Going up a flight of stairs, you realize that you and Applejack haven’t said a word to one another since you left your quarters.
“So… um… how did the last supply run go?”
>”Well enough. But Lieutenant Carrot Top told me when she got back that the agents she communicated with in Buckdad to get the supplies told her the sultanate was starting to get anxious about continued resupplies.”
“What? Why?”
>”Well, the Emperor recently summoned the Sultan and his sister to his palace, and they still haven’t returned. The magistrates running the place in his stead are starting to think the Empire is onto us, and that they should try to avoid being implicated with the Rebellion from now on.”
“Do you think the Empire knows where we are?”
>”I don’t know, Dash. But if they do come here, we’re prepared for ‘em.”
“You’ve got that right. They won’t stand a chance.”
>As powerful as the Empire may be, you still have the tactical advantage here. Base Prime is heavily fortified and the few entrances are nearly imperceptible.
>Even if the Empire had discovered it, taking it would be an entirely different matter.
Bump
>>26448711
>The walls of the narrow hallway give way to a larger space; what was once a prison commons has been transformed into a command center
>Rows of holo-computers have been hastily set up, cables trailing on the floor between them and a large power converter at the other end of the room.
The quiet chatter of analysts and coms specialists fills the hall, each occupying a space on the rows, tapping away at the control consoles and the holo-screens displayed before them
>It's an impressive setup for an organization with so little external funding
>The Saddle Arabian government has always been very careful with how much resources they grant to you, and it seems now as thought that will be even more difficult.
>Applejack leads you over to one of the command consoles, where a pale yellow stallion sits, headset slightly lopsided over the uneven surface of his brown cowboy hat
>You recognize him as Applejack's cousin Braeburn.
>Although Braeburn was a simple country pony before the Emperor arrived, he has since proven himself to be quite proficient with the advanced technology that the Emperor brought with him.
>Applejack smiles and taps Braeburn on the shoulder.
>He turns suddenly, and his headset falls to the floor with a clunk.
>"Huh? Oh, hey Applejack!"
>"Howdy, cousin Braeburn. Everything nice and tidy here in the command room?"
>"As tidy as you could expect a rusty old prison to be. We've recently tracked some noticeable Imperial activity in the southern dunes, thought you might want to know."
>Applejack frowns. "What kind of activity?"
>"Patrols, the like. One squad ventured a little too close to the base for comfort the other day, though. I guess they ignored the Saddle Arabians' stories about mummies in the area."
"The Empire is becoming increasingly wary of us here, maybe even aware. I especially don't like the whole thing about the sultan you told me earlier, Applejack."
pls don't let this thread die
>jhon Johnson walks into the room
>ne sees the calamities of the current evens
>in a smooth motion like butt butter
>he turns on one heels and hurriedly walks away
>the only sounds to be heard are his contestant
>"nope nope nope nope nope"
>as we walks down the hallway
>hops into a pod
>and crashes on the nearest asteroid
Please don't die
Bump
>>26449534
>Braeburn appears to be startled by your voice, as if he didn't notice you standing there next to Applejack.
>"Ah, Admiral Dash! I-it's good to see you here too!"
>He swivels back around in his chair, his face noticeably more worried-looking.
>"I should get back to my work. Nice talking to you, cousin! And you, A-admiral."
>As he puts his headset back on and begins working again, you and Applejack continue walking.
"What the hay was that about? He looked like he'd seen a ghost soon as he saw me!"
>"Heck, I dunno, Dash. Maybe it's got something to do with all this Force nonsense you've got in your head." Her tone is dripping with sarcasm.
"What are you talking about, Applejack?"
>"I mean that you're always locking yourself away in your quarters, practicing trying to do stuff that pegasi just ain't born to do. Come on, sugarcube- everyone knows that's what you're doin' in there."
"I only want to help, Applejack. I only want to... to stop him."
>"Well, you can do that by being there for your troops. The stallions and mares here look up to you, Dash. You've got to take charge, stand up and lead, not hide away and try to master this power that ya can't even begin to understand."
"That's not the point, Applejack. When it comes time to face him, alone, I need to be ready."
>Applejack puts her hoof on your wither again.
>"Ya won't have to face him alone, Dash. You've got us."
>You smile and look up at Applejack's eyes. They're full of sincerity, trust, friendship. It's all the things you need in this time of darkness.
"Thanks, Applejack."
>"No need. Now, let's go pay Rarity a visit. I'm sure she misses your company."
"Pfft, yeah right. She's more wound up in all this tactics stuff that she's more isolated than me at this point!"
>"Well, I guess she enjoys it. Who ever knew she was as good at bein' a general as she was at makin' clothes?"
>>26452783
>You and Applejack are halfway to the green room when you hear tiny legs quickly trotting behind you.
>"R-rainbow Dash! Applejack! W-wait up!"
>By the time you've turned around, Spike is already standing right behind you, panting at the little sprint he just did to catch up to you.
>"Where have you been, Rainbow Dash? I don't think I've seen you in days!?"
"Hey, Spike. I've just been in my quarters, meditating, the like."
>His nose curls at that.
>"Really? Meditating? Doesn't seem like a very Rainbow Dash thing to do."
"It's a special kind of meditation. The kind that lets me do cool stuff when I've completed it."
>"Sounds neat! Like what kind of cool stuff."
>You roll your eyes, trying to dodge the subject. Spike doesn't have to know about your self-training, especially since the Force was somewhat responsible for the death of his big sister.
>And he... didn't really take that very well.
"It's nothing, really. I'll tell ya later, kiddo."
>Applejack nudges Spike, prompting him to give her attention.
>"Spike, didn't I tell you to go down and help out in the boiler room? They really like havin' y'all around, what with your fire breath and all."
>"Aw, but I wanna come with you to the green room! That is where you're going, right? I wanna hear all the tactics and cool stuff like that!"
>"Naw, y'all don't want to hear all that. It'll bore you right to sleep."
>Spike looks disappointed. He turns and walks back towards the stairs into the lower levels.
>"OK, Applejack. I know you don't want me in there. I'll probably just get in the way."
>He shuffles back down the stairs with his head down.
>You turn to Applejack again, who seems frustrated with herself.
"Hey, don't be so hard on yourself, Applejack. It's always hard saying no to a kid like that."
>Applejack says nothing. You can see tears starting to form in her eyes.
>"Heh, I never could bear to say no to Apple Bloom."
>>26452960
>This time, it's you who's comforting Applejack instead of the other way around.
"Hey, listen. Don't worry about Apple Bloom. She's safe, she's with Big Mac and Granny Smith. She's alright."
>"She's so far away. Without me. And the farm... it's under Imperial control now. How long until Apple Bloom and Big Mac and Granny get kicked out? Or worse... how long until the Emperor decides to use them against me?"
"Don't think about those things, Applejack. Don't worry. I promise you, they're all safe."
>"How... how do you know that?"
"Because I can feel it."
>You turn and look through an iron-barred window, through which you can look down and see the control room you were just in.
"The Force isn't just a tool, Applejack, or a weapon. It surrounds everybody. You, me, Apple Bloom, everyone. And I can feel that she's okay. You just have to trust me."
>Applejack sniffles, then wipes the tears away from her eyes.
>"I guess you're right, Dash. The best way to save Apple Bloom and all them is to stay focused and keep fighting."
"That's the spirit."
>You start walking again, and as you approach the green room you see a number of Wonderbolts walking towards you from a different direction.
>One of them is Captain Soarin, and he's looking directly at you.
>"Hey, Admiral Dash! Hold up a sec!"
>Quickly, you rush Applejack along towards the door, punching in the access code as fast as you can.
>"Wh-what in tarnation are you doin', Dash?"
"Not now! Just hurry."
>"Admiral! Over here!"
>The door slides open, and you snatch Applejack and pull her through.
>It slams shut before Soarin and his posse can reach you.
>Applejack turns to you, a concerned expression on her face.
>"Well?"
"I... I can't talk to them, okay?"
>"What are you talking about?"
"Not now, Applejack. Now come on, I thought you said Rarity was expecting us."
>"Alright, sugarcube. But don't think we ain't gonna talk about that later."
"I don't have a problem with that."
>"Uhuh. Okay."
Forgot my name for the last few posts. Whoops.
Feed me bumps plox
bump this is getting good
Bump
This thread has an alarming lack of good Palpatine images. I'm not peeved.
>>26454951
Well, thank you for providing, anon! I'll be sure to use this image as well!
>>26453117
>The narrow transmission hallway gives way to a circular room with green-painted concrete walls and mix of metal grating and black tile on the floor. Coolant tubes dangle from the ceiling, the mechanics' attempt to cool this part of the base down to a comfortable temperature.
>They say it's so that the tacticians at work here don't get distracted by the intense humidity, but you suspect it's got more to do with Rarity's complaints about the heat unraveling her hair.
>You smirk at your thoughts. Rarity may be high-maintenance, but she does good work, that you'll admit.
>Speaking of, you spot Rarity in the center of the green room on an elevated platform.
>She's speaking to one of the other subordinate tacticians over a round holo-map of the base until she spots the two of you.
>"Ah! Rainbow Dash! Applejack! Marvelous of you to stop by!"
>You step closer, climbing up a few steps that lead to the platform.
>Rarity's got her hair in a new design since the last time you saw her around the base; this time she's got two strange, cinnamon-bun-like protrusions of hair on either side of her head and a combback on top.
>It's unconventional, but you never claimed to be an expert on fashion.
>"My goodness, Rainbow Dash, I suspect I haven't seen you in days! Whatever became of you?"
"I was just busy with my work, that's all."
>"Well, I suppose that's a reasonable excuse if anything is not to stop by."
>Applejack opens her mouth.
>"I agree we don't get to see much of each other much anymore, but I guess it's for the best."
>"Hm. So, is there something to be said in this exchange, or is it merely a social call?"
>"Actually, Rarity, I've got some important, rather unfortunate news."
>Rarity's face drops a little.
>"Oh dear! Whatever could that be?"
>"Well, somebody down in analytics told me that the Empire might've caught wind of our location."
>Rarity turns back towards the holo-map, stroking her chin with her hoof.
>>26457388
>"That is most dire news indeed, Applejack. And we can only hope that it isn't true."
"Well, if it is, then we need to make sure we're prepared for a full on attack."
>"I agree, Rainbow Dash. We're going to need sweeps of the desert, aerial patrols, every hour on the hour to spot any Imperials before they spot us. Can your Wonderbolts handle that?"
"No problem. What I'm concerned about is what happens after we've sighted them."
>Rarity gestures to the holo-map. As the three of you gather around its edges, she flicks a panel, and parts of the map glow red.
>"These are the three entrances to the base. One is the main hangar on the west side. Since it's heavily protected and on the roof of an incline, we should be safe there. However, once our fighters are out, we should close the blast doors just to be safe."
>Rarity points to another glowing red spot on the map.
>The second entrance is here, a small base door that opens into the training area. That will be a bit more difficult to defend. It can be blocked off, but if the Imperials discover it, they can use explosives to flush out any defenses we have set up within. Finally..."
>She points to the last glowing area.
>"...we have the south entrance, possibly the most difficult to defend. It sits in a small trough of dunes that will give the attackers a height advantage while taking it. If we mount E-Webs on either side, that will help, but there's always the possibility of the enemy climbing on top of the main dune and flanking them from behind."
"That's where I'll come in."
>Applejack and Rarity both look at you. You gesture to a region above the main dune covering Base Prime.
"I'll take a small unit of Wonderbolts to circle around the top of the dune when the fighting gets going. They'll provide a constant stream of information on where the enemy is and what they're doing to Command as well as make sure none of them get close enough to breach that third door."
>"Good plan, Dash."
>>26457498
>Rarity turns to Applejack at the sound of her voice.
>"Ah! Applejack, I nearly forgot about what your role in this is."
>"Anything that the ground forces can do, I'll make sure of it."
>"That's good, darling, because they're probably the most important part of this defense grid."
>Rarity taps another panel, and several areas turn green on the map.
>"These areas will be where your troops will be entrenched. My surveyors tried to find optimal locations where the ground was packed enough to have stable footing, but the space before it, where the Imperials will be trudging forth, will be soft and difficult to cross."
>"While the Imperials are getting their boots full of sand and feet stuck in the dunes, your ground troops will be maintaining heavy fire, keeping them from reaching the edge of any ridge. If that happens, they'll have a better survey of the land and the base, and we certainly don't want that."
>"What about the inside of the base, Rarity? What if they get past all that?"
>"I was just getting to that. Another large group of your troops will be stationed at all three entrances as well as key points in the base that provide maximum protection and offensive capability against any invading party."
>Rarity closes the map with the flick of a switch.
>"We'll have to get the details ironed out now that the possibility of an invasion is drawing closer, but rest assured that I am on it."
"Thanks, Rarity."
>With that, you and Applejack step back down from the central platform and out of the small command room.
"Do you think we can hold this base if we have to, Applejack?"
>"Heck, I don't know, Dash. All I'm worried about is making sure nobody gets hurt.
"It's war, Applejack. You have to be willing to make sacrifices."
>"Haven't we sacrificed enough already?"
"I'd like to think so."
END OF CHAPTER II
Who should we visit next? Anybody you fags want me to shoehorn into the story?
>>26457642
go for it
bummp
ass n titties bump
>>26461495
Boop.
>>26457642
CHAPTER III
>The interior of the shuttle is lined with red elliptical light panels, barely luminescent enough to cast a light on the reflective surface of your face.
>You are Luminus.
>You sit here, feeling the movement of the aircraft through the windless sky, feeling the metal floor beneath the padded black cloth wrapped about your hooves.
>Feeling the Force flowing through every crevice of your mind.
>Two stormtroopers, unmoving, like statues, stand at attention across from you
>Their purpose is to protect you. You do not need them.
>You close your eyes, shutting out the grimness of this place, and entering he center of your spirit.
>You are one with the Dark Side. It is powerful, and therefore you are powerful.
>Then... why do you feel conflicted?
>What is pulling you towards that forbidden place, the Light, that is so strong and capable as to oppose the might of the Emperor's will?
>Your black mask hides the conflict within you. Your men must not see the face of their leader fall.
>You are resolute. You are the hand of the Emperor.
>A voice sounds over the intercom connecting to the cockpit.
>"We have arrived, Lord Luminus. Preparing to land."
"Thank you, captain."
>Slowly, gently, you can feel the shuttle decelerate and descend, positioning itself carefully over a landing pad.
>Your pilot, Captain Dust, is the best in the entire Imperial Navy.
>Better even than the personal corps of the Emperor, in your opinion.
>Not that he has much use for them; it isn't often he leaves the confines of the Imperial Palace.
>The amplifiers embedded in your ears pick up the near-imperceptible sound of the lander legs extending as the shuttle comes close to the pad.
>With a gentle huff, the shuttle buckles slightly upon contact, then rights itself.
>"We have landed, my lord. Opening bay door."
>>26463273
>The stern of the ship hinges outward from the floor like the mouth of some great beast, and steadily more and more dawnlight floods into the small passenger area.
>Outside the ship, you can see that the steel ground of the landing pad is wet with past rain.
>The morning sun shines orange through brilliant clouds, just barely over the horizon at the dawn of a new day.
>You step quickly out of the shuttle, flanked on either side by your stormtroopers.
>The landing pad you walk upon is suspended some four hundred meters above the ground below, attached perpendicularly to a skyscraper.
>Surrounding you are several other, equally tall buildings, each a stoic reminder of the Emperor's grandiose power.
>Stepping forth across the sheen of the wet strip, you can see a glass sliding door open on the side of the skyscraper, and a stallion walk out.
>He wears a blue jumpsuit and a yellow belt, along with a darker blue worker's cap.
>He walks towards you at the same rate you walk towards him, until at last you meet halfway down the strip.
>"Lord Luminus. It is a great honor to have the likes of royalty visiting this most humble house of business.
"I am no royalty. Merely a servant of the Emperor such as yourself."
>"Indeed."
"I assume you know why I am here."
>"Ah, of course. This way, come. She's been expecting you."
>Together, you and the stallion walk back across the strip into the glass doors.
>You turn and wave your hand at the stormtroopers accompanying you, prompting them to halt at the door and remain with the shuttle.
>You walk across a white acrylic tile floor through a lobby area of sorts, worker ponies crossing your path with every step.
>There is a rune pattern at the center of the floor, spelling out the words "Bounty Hunter's Guild."
>>26463459
>Stepping along, you spot at the end of the hall a mare with a tube filter strapped about her jaw, leading to a box attached to her flank, conversing with a large, bearded stallion with a long black coat and a scar across his eye.
>Both are heavily armed. They appear to be bounty hunters.
>You are here for a bounty hunter, but not them. One in particular.
>A mare you once knew, in your former life.
>It matters not. She will not recognize you any more than you recognize yourself.
>The stallion stops at a white framed door, opening the casing of the access panel on its left.
>"She is in here. I will leave you two to business."
>With a few button presses of the stallion, the door slides into the ceiling, and you step into the darkened room beyond.
>The only light, once the door shuts behind you, is a small lamp that softly illuminates the silent space with yellow light.
>At the other end of the room, there is a plain wooden table, and sitting there is the mare for whom you came here.
>Her blue fur is very nearly entirely covered with armor and tight bandoliers of ammunition and small weapons, her face covered by a purple T-shaped visor mask.
>The helm she wears extends above her head into a sharp point, and a tattered purple cape covers the entire ensemble.
>Definitely an improvement over her earlier choices in clothing.
"Trixie."
>"Darth Luminus. Please, sit."
>You walk forward a few steps and sit beneath the glowing lamplight.
"I understand you have some information you would like to provide to the Empire."
>"One could call it that. I prefer to think of it as actively promoting myself."
"I didn't come here for promotions."
>"Nor did I expect you to. However, before I tell you what you want to know, I must be promised a certain... position in the matters that follow."
"The Empire will compensate you for your information, if that is what you refer to."
>"Oh, no. Information is not what I am willing to give to you."
"Then, pray tell, what is?"
>>26463619
>"I am offering the capture of a very valuable asset in exchange for a bounty."
"That sounds utterly normal for a bounty hunter such as yourself. What exactly makes this bounty special?"
>"Because this is the one. The one that nobody's been able to find."
"She has not yet been located."
>"Ah, but my contacts range far and wide from here, Darth. I was finally able to track her down, and I want a guarantee that the reward I get for her will be considerably more significant than the one currently posted."
"For what reason do you expect the Empire to give you a larger bounty than it has set?"
>"Because I'm the only one who knows where she is. And given how clearly important she is to the Empire, that fact alone should be more than enough to prompt a hefty reward."
"The Empire does not tolerate extortion."
>"Don't consider this extortion. Consider this a mutually beneficial opportunity. I deliver the merchandise to your doorstep, you pitch in something extra for the hard work I did tracking her down."
"Pointedly described, bounty hunter. Perhaps you would do well in the Senate."
>"Too formal for me. Besides, it's my understanding that you despise senators, Darth."
"Quite."
>You stand, keeping your eyes locked on the blue mare.
"If what you say is true, the Empire would be happy to provide an additional sum for the locative work you have done. As long as you are certain your information is correct."
>"My contacts are never wrong, my lord. I will find Fluttershy, and I will hand her to you on a silver platter."
"Let us hope so, bounty hunter. The Emperor is not so forgiving of failure as I am."
>"I haven't failed yet."
>bump
don't let it die
bumping for sheev
Bump and have you thought about posting this in the star wars thread?
>>26467603
Yeah, but it'd probably just get buried there. If this thread never takes off I might consider it.
>>26463785
>The door shuts behind you once again, leaving you in an empty white hallway.
>You consider your options.
>Although you have harbored negative feelings towards Trixie in the past, it would be ignorant to allow those feelings to get in the way of Imperial business.
>If the bounty hunter really knows where Fluttershy is, you are more than willing to allow her to track the pegasus down.
>Her absence has been quite troubling for the Emperor; though he has not confided in you the full nature of what he calls his "master plan", you understand that it involves all of the Elements being in his possession.
>Including yourself.
>If the Emperor plans to betray you and make some sort of sacrifice of you and the other five mares that once composed the Elements of Harmony, you will not stand by and let yourself die.
>Under that circumstance, you might be obligated to destroy him.
>But you cannot dwell on these thoughts; the Emperor's power is far-reaching, and his dominion over the minds of others is extraordinary.
>Were he to learn that you harbored even the slightest hint of treachery, you are not certain how he would react.
>Your black cloth-wrapped legs carry you towards the entrance to the Bounty Hunter's Guild, your cloak billowing at your back.
>You are almost at the glass door that leads to the landing pad when you hear a voice.
>"Darth Luminus!"
>You halt and turn around, trying to distinguish the source of the voice.
>Across the room, a rough-looking stallion with an eyepatch and a thoroughly scratched-up blaster takes a few hard steps towards you.
>"You killed my partner! You damned lapdog of the Emperor! Now I'm gonna kill you."
>The stallion shakes off his brown vest, revealing a pair of scroungy, yet strong, looking wings.
>He flaps them a few times to gain some height, then aims his blaster directly at your head.
>"Eat plasma, you bitch!"
>>26467886
>A single shot sounds in the round white room, and within moments, all the eyes that were formerly on the stallion are on you.
>What they expected was to find you stumbling backwards, a burning hole carved through your chest cavity.
>What they saw was a blaster bolt suspended mid-air, shimmering with latent energy.
>With a mere thought, the bolt disintegrates into twining strings of energy that grab out in all directions before fading away.
>The stallion looks at you with awe, and then a burning anger.
>"Yaaaaaagh!"
>He zooms towards you, ready to tackle you to the ground.
>He's quick.
>But you're quicker.
>Using the Force, you pull a small metal stick from a compartment hidden beneath your cloak.
>It's a rare opportunity that this level of force is required to handle a situation, but this is a most unfortunate situation indeed.
>Bringing the stick directly towards your face, you activate it with the Force.
>Instantaneously, a bolt of crackling energy emerges from the lightsaber's emitter, glowing blood red and reflecting it's terrible light against the whiteness of your surroundings.
>When the stallion is nearly on top of you, you swing the saber in a parabolic arc across his shoulders.
>The stallion crashes to the floor behind you.
>Half a second later, his two severed wings touch the ground next to him.
>As the wretched stallion moans in pain and sorrow, you deactivate your lightsaber and fit it back into your belt.
>Without looking back to see the shocked faces of the other bounty hunters and their employees, you turn and step outside again.
>It's raining once more. The rising sun is nearly blotted out in full by dark storm clouds.
>You step forth towards the shuttle at a lively pace, at last reaching it at the end of the strip.
>Stepping up the ramp into the passenger area, you find Captain Dust and your two stormtrooper escorts awaiting you.
"Bring me back to the Imperial palace, captain. I wish to speak with the Emperor."
>"At once, my lord."
>>26467751
I would consider it an honor if you joined us.
All I ask is that you put together a pastebin, and I would add you to the list. I'm sure many others would be excited about some new content.
Things are rather slow at the moment.
>>26468007
Thanks so much! I'll put together a pastebin, and as soon as this thread dies, I'll try hopping over and giving the SW thread a shot.
Glad you like the story too!
>>26467996
That's all for tonight, folks (I-if there's anyone still there.)
Try to keep the thread alive overnight, if it dies, here's a pastebin of everything so far:
http://pastebin.com/SKk8MYKQ
>>26468151
Of course I'm still here
