Climate of Change Pt 2: Tempest Protocol

>Scootaloo’s bouncing circles around you. “I can’t believe you’re going to mee the Princess!”
>Neither can you. You remember back to The Director’s parting words.
>Did the Princess ok ‘The Factory’? How long ago was that? Maybe she regrets it?
>You snatch her out of the air. “Well, I AM a very important person. Maybe she wants to make your dad ‘King of the Humans’!” You toss her in the air gently and she flutters back to the ground giggling.
>”But you’re the only human around.” She says, jumping onto your bed to help toss a pair of socks into your bag.
>You tussle her mane, thank her, and close your luggage. “Then that makes me the leader of the humans by default.” You give her a wink “I guess that would make you a princess in your own right.”
>Making her laugh is one of life's simple pleasures.
>Ok, packing complete. The train isn’t until tomorrow afternoon.
>Rarity says she has something special for you. You’re guessing it’s that fancy suit she promised.
>All you really need to do in the morning is see Scootaloo off at the Apple’s.
>you’re nervous about seeing the princess, but Twilight’s little hit squad was invited too, so at least you won’t be alone.
>Still, something in the back of your mind doesn’t feel right.

>You let Scootaloo sleep in your bed with you that night.
>This is the longest you two will be apart since you took her in.
>The two of you get up, get breakfast and head out.
>At the farm, you say your goodbyes with lots of hugs.
>”Ready to head out ther stud?” Applejack shouts to you as she trots out of the house.
>Fortunately, Scoots has already run off to do whatever with Applebloom.
>Whatever, you’re not too agitated by the comments anymore. “After you bumpkin.” You playfully retort.
>The two of you take off for the train station. “Thanks for letting Scootaloo stay at the farm, means a lot.”
>She shoots you a sideways smile. “Awh shucks, the only other option is just leave her on her own. You taught us all better then that.”
>That makes you really pleased with yourself.
>The rest of the group is already at the train station when you two arrive and.... How much shit did Rarity pack?
>After a spot of goofing around, you all board the train.
>Rarity pulls you off to one side, “Put this on, I worked so hard on it just for you.” She magics over what looks like a dry cleaning bag. Oh boy, a human wearing p0ny fashion. This should be fun.

>You look like a velvety pirate. Ruffle-y undershirt and everything.
>P0ny fashion is weird.
>I agree with you brain.
>Rarity oohs and awhs over your outfit.
>Fluttershy doesn’t seem too impressed.
>Rainbow Dash and Applejack try to hide their laughter.
>And Pinkie Pie won’t stop touching the fabric.
>”It’s so fuzzy!” She keeps saying to herself or whoever will listen.
>Trying your best to ignore her, you address the group. “Why do you think the Princess wants to see us?”
>”Probably wants to silence us because we know too much.” Rainbow says matter of factly as she stares out the window..
>Fluttershy doesn’t like that at all and starts shaking slightly.
>AJ pats her on the back. “Now now, if she wanted ta, it’s not like she doesn’t know where we live or nothin’.” That doesn’t help Fluttershy’s shakes.
>Shit the mood is grim.
>”Maybe she changed her mind.” Pinkie says, pulling herself from your suit.
>You all look to her.
>”It’s been a long time,” She says with her trademark giggles “maybe this Factory thing isn’t what she wanted in the first place and she just found out how icky it was thanks to Twilight.”
>Shit Pinkie knows how to make folks feel better.
>Twilight. You sure hope she’s doing alright. You’ll find out soon enough, Canterlot is coming up quick.

>The second you all get off the train, you’re met by Celestia’s guards.
>”Honored guests, we are to escort you to the castle where Princess Celestia wishes to invite you all to a royal dinner.” The lead guard says in a very authoritative tone.
>Rainbow lands next to you. “Not like there’s much of a choice, free dinner at least.”
>”Will there be cake?” Pinkie says as she starts bouncing her way behind the guards.
>Well Canterlot’s certainly way different than P0nyville.
>Very fancy pants, hoighty toighty, all that.
>Rarity has a smug smile on her face, Pinkie is... well Pinkie, AJ and Rainbow are stone faced, and Fluttershy looks like she may cry.
>You fall back a bit and put a hand on her head. “You need to be here, who else will look after me?” You tell her. She manages a real smile and picks up her pace.
>Disneyland ain’t got shit on Celestia.
>Look at that fucking castle!
>Your suit suddenly feels a lot more fitting for the setting.
>You’re taken past the front room, through what feels like a maze of halls into the biggest damn dining room you’ve ever seen.
>”Take your places, the Princess will be joining you shortly” your escort says in his damn tone.
>You take the time to wander the room a little, take in the sights of what royalty enjoys.
>Whoa fanfare.... Shit, the Princess.

>Your friends all bow at her approach. You decide to take a knee and lower your head.
>”Please, rise and join me. I believe there is an urgent matter we must discuss.” She says in a regal sounding voice.
>As you get up you notice that Twilight had followed her in. She looks fine, smiling even. You feel a bit better knowing she’s safe.
>You all take a seat as a very fancy meal is brought in.
>The room mostly stays silent until the serving staff finishes. Hell, Celestia even dismisses her guards
>Shall I go to Red Alert sir?
>Bring us to Yellow Alert and have Jimmy Rustlers on standby Mr. Brain.
>Celestia gives a sad sigh that echos through the hall. “Twilight has told me about some disturbing information you all have come into possession of.”
>Here it comes, some sort of magic A-Bomb to kill you all and keep a secret.
>She drops her head. “I admit, I did commission that factory.”
>What? She sounds.... sad.
>She doesn’t raise her head to look at any of you. “It was over a thousand years ago. Discord, the lord of chaos had been defeated.”
>Yeah, you think Twilight mentioned something like that.
>”I was... so intent on bringing order to the land.” Is that a tear you see hit the table. “Weather was the ultimate chaos. Unpredictable, destructive, left entirely to the whims of Discord himself.” She raises her head finally. “I was willing to sacrifice EVERYTHING to bring order to my kingdom. It was so long ago, I was a different p0ny at that time.”
>You’re all too awestruck at the admission to speak for a moment.
>”What would you have us do Princess?” You ask, breaking the silence.
>She looks at you, not just at you, but into your very soul it feels like. “I want you all to destroy the Factory.”

>The rest of the evening is filled with talk of the facility, and tactics.
>”How are we supposed to destroy this thing?” Rainbow throws out.
>Celestia smiles. “There is a failsafe installed, in case the facility were to become overrun by the enemies of Equestria. The Tempest Protocol.”
>Ooooo fancy sounding name.
>”Deep in the facility is a room.” She plucks a feather from her wing and it hovers on its own in the center of the group. “Place this feather in the console and it will release all the weather in the facility. Basically every weather effect will occur simultaneously and tear the facility apart.”
>Dayum!
>”Wait,” you interject. “what about the children? Won’t they still be in there?”
>She nods thoughtfully. “I will do my best to ensure it is empty, however know that the lives lost there is nothing in comparison to the future generations lost if it were to remain active.”
>It must really hurt her to know that you may be forced to kill innocent children.
>But you also know there is such thing as a necessary evil.
>You really wish you could pay more attention, but everything is so deep, it hits you so hard.
>You reach for your napkin and as it unfolds, a slip of paper lands into your lap.
>Under the table you open it. It reads: “Meet me in the garden in the light of the moon. I have something you will need.”

>Shit, it’s already dark out.
>You politely excuse yourself. Twilight promises to fill you in on anything you might miss.
>It takes a bit of wandering, but you manage to find the garden after a while.
>It’s just as opulent as the rest of the castle.
>”It is good thou hast found my note.” You look around and see a hooded figure seep out of the shadows.
>Red Alert now?
>....Maybe Mr. Brain
>The figure approaches and its hood melts away in the moon's light. This must be... Princess Luna? She’s exactly as Twilight described to you.
>You give your bow out of respect and she summons you to rise.
>”I hear you and thine friends are attempting to finish what I started a thousand years ago?”
>That’s news to you. “What do you mean princess?”
>”The Factory... A thousand years ago I rose up against mine sister after I learned the high cost of controlling the weather.” She stares up at the moon, her moon above.
>Hang on, wasn’t it all about jealousy?
>She looks back down at you. She is a lot shorter than her sister. “I know thine history says otherwise. A thousand years is more than enough time to re-write history.”

>Wow, stunning revelations abound eh?
>”So...” Quick, say something cool. “What is thy bidding my princess.” was that too condescending? Did it sound patronizing?
>She raises her hoof. Her horseshoe tears away and you can see it discomforts her a bit. She hovers it in front of you. “Please, take it.”
>Ooooookay. You reach out and take it in your hand.
>It becomes enveloped in luminous darkness. It starts melting, or molding. A dark blade forms.
>After it forms, Luna nearly collapses and breathes hard. “I have given thine blade some of my magical essence. So powerful that, If needed, I’m sure it could even cut mine sister.”
>You look it over, quite impressed.
>”Thank you,” Is all you can manage.
>She straightens herself up. “I shall assist as much as I am able. Please... succeed where I had once failed.”
>She disappears into the shadows again, leaving you alone.
>The blade is nice, very nice. Don’t know how you’re going to conceal it though.
>Um, think happy thoughts?
>Don’t be a dick brain.
>Wait, it’s dissipating, all you’re doing is willing it away leaving you with nothing more than a horseshoe..
>After a moment, you will it back and sure enough *BAM* badass sword thing.
>Ok, you’re feeling a little confident.

>You find a guard and ask to be escorted to your room. He obliges.
>All your belongings had already been brought up.
>Like everything else in this place, it is fancy.
>You mess around with your new toy for a bit before there’s a knock at the door. You put it away “Come on in.” You call out.
>Your 6 friends trot in. and fill you in on things like facility layout, points of entry. How The Director has been getting more and more out of control.
>”Oh there is ONE more thing.” Rarity chimes. She drags in one of her millions of spare luggages.
>They all look at each other and in unison say “Open it!”
>You flip the latches and swing the large case open.
>The gold on the armor catches the light and basically glows. On the left side just over the heart, is etched Scootaloo’s Cutie Mark. Makes you a bit misty.
>”No offence bro,” Dash says as she pulls it out to help you put it on. “But last fight you were in, you were a little bit.... squishy.”
>AJ, taps you with a hoof. “Not as resilient as an Earthp0ny ya know.”
>You get it on and look in the mirror.
>Then the weight of the situation finally hits you. You’re getting ready for war.

>The next couple of days are filled with planning, training, and general preparations.
>At nights you try to find a secluded spot to train with your new weapon. complete with your armor.
>Seems like it can slash when needed, but more suited for a punching motion.
>It’s damn sharp though.
>The jump off date comes up quick. You pen a quick letter to Scootaloo..... just in case.
>Not something you want to think about, just being a realist.
>Time to turn in, but it’s hard to sleep.
>Knock on your door. “Come in.”
>Rainbow slowly enters. “Hey... there’s something I need to tell you.” Is she embarrassed? “It needs to be said because... you know.”
>Yeah yeah, the whole ‘we could die tomorrow’ thing. “Go ahead, you can tell me anything.”
>She sits on the ground. “You’re probably one of my best friends, and … I love you. Not like that, just... I love you man.”
>You smile, nod, and give her a hug. “I know. I love you too man.”

>She hangs around and you two talk about whatever. Doing your best to avoid the thoughts of tomorrow.
>Another knock. This time Fluttershy. “I’m sorry...”
>You pat the bed to invite her over. “No problem, Dash and I were just talking.”
>She trots over “Oh, no... Not about interrupting, but I guess I’m sorry for that too.” She looks up at you. “It’s for how I acted before. I should have seen you as a friend and not as something to take care of.”
>You assure her it’s ok and when this is all over, you two will be the best of friends.
>Applejack doesn’t even try knocking. She just kicks her way in.
>Damn it Applejack.
>”Well dang!” She yells. “I was hopin’ for one last chance to roll in the hay with ya, but I guess you got yer hands full.”
>Dash and Fluttershy stare at her.
>AJ’s shoulders slump “I wasn’t gonna force myself on ya or nothin’ just wanted to see cuz, you know, might not get the chance later.”
>Why are you laughing so hard?
>”AJ,” You say as you finally remember to breathe. “we get through this in one piece and I’ll do whatever you want ok?”
>All eyes on you.
>What have you DONE?
>She just snorts. “Ok, you’re on. Just don’ go gettin’ yerself killed so you can get outta it.”
>Pause.
>Everyp0ny bursts into laughter. With friends like these......