She-Ra and the Crystal Gems: Rise of the Machines

Chapter One: Occupation

Two weeks had passed since Steven and Connie had disappeared off to Denebria with the Crystal Gems and Princess Alliance. The two of them going off on an adventure was nothing new, but for them to be gone for this long was beginning to worry their friends and family.

Unbenounced to the people of Beach City, upon arriving on Denebria, the gathering of heroes had had a run-in with the Horde, intent on reclaiming the artifact that Adora had taken from them. In the ensuing battle, Steven had attempted to bring what he had thought to be a friend back from the dead, to disastrous results. That same person had turned out to be an ancient necromancer, manipulating Steven to his own ends. While this evil had been defeated, the Crystal Gems were now trapped on Etheria, with seemingly no way to get home.

The worst part, at least to those still on Earth, was that they had no way of knowing what had happened in recent times. For all any of them knew, something had gone wrong when the team had gone into space. For Connie's parents, Doug and Priyanka Maheswaren, who were new to the idea of having their child go on dangerous adventures, this uncertainty was most unwelcome.

"And you're sure you don't know anything about this?" Priyanka asked Greg, during a lazy day at his car wash. She could hardly stand still, resisting the urge to pace nervously across the pavement.

"I wish I did," said Greg solemnly. "I know just as much as you do, which isn't much. I haven't heard anything from them in days."

Doug sighed. "I just wish there was something we could do. Some way to know if she was hurt."

"I'm worried about Steven, too," said Greg. "But you have to remember, both he and Connie were with the Crystal Gems. They'd never let anything bad happen to either of them. And I don't know much about those princesses, but they all seemed capable. All we can do at this point is have faith. Trust me, having faith is what kept me together for these last few years."

"And what about that terrible Horde that took over the whole town not long ago?" asked Prianka. "You don't think this has anything to do with them, do you?"

Greg sat down on a nearby crate. "I honestly have no clue," he said, sounding somewhat defeated. I don't know anything about this 'Princess Alliance' or 'Horde' or whatever. All I know is that they came from another dimension out of nowhere, and started acting like they owned the place. And that Steven made friends with some of 'em."

"He does tend to do that a lot, doesn't he?" Priyanka mused.

"Heh, you said it," Greg chuckled. He stood up. "Steven can always see the best in things. People, situations, it doesn't matter, he can see the good in just about anything. Which is why I'm sure that, wherever he and the others are, they're doing just fine. And they're doing everything they can to get back home."

"We can sure hope so," said Doug. "We've tried pretty much everything else, so hoping is just about all we can do."

Just as their conversation was coming to a close, the three of them heard a sudden shout from off in the distance. "Mr Universe! Connie's Parents!" The call had come from Lars, who was running towards them alongside Sadie.

"Huh? What's the matter, you guys?" said Greg. From the way they were running, whatever was going on seemed urgent.

"It's...there's a-a spaceship!" said Sadie, out of breath. "Near the beach!"

"A spaceship?" said Priyanka.

"Yeah! It just came out of the sky, outta nowhere!" said Lars. "Steven could be on it!"

"Which means Connie could be on it, too!" said Doug.

"Come on, lead the way!" Greg urged of the two teens.

All five of them hurried over to where the ship had been seen. By now, a small crowd had gathered near the landing site, trying to get a good look at the vessel. Mayor Nanefua and her guards were making sure that nobody strayed too close.

"Everyone, please, step back!" urged Nanefua. "We don't know what this is, or where it came from. It could be dangerous!"

As for the ship itself, it looked nothing like the green, hand-shaped Gem craft Steven and co. had flown away on. This ship was rectangular in shape, and had no paint at all, making it a dull grey, metallic color. It would actually be quite boring were it not for one decal: an emblem showing the likeness of a pair of red wings. This did not bode well; few recognized this symbol, but those who did knew it from the Horde's takeover of Beach City.

"So, that's it, huh?" said Greg.

"Yeah," Sadie answered. "We were just minding our own business, taking a walk on the beach, when all of a sudden, this ship just shows up outta the blue!"

"We thought that Steven and the others could be on it, but now, I'm not really sure," said Lars. "It's just sorta...sitting there."

"Well, if Steven didn't bring it here, why else would it be here?" said Priyanka.

A few moments later, this question would be answered. With a hiss and a jet of steam, the sides of the ship raised up, startling the onlookers. What was inside the ship, however, was even more startling. Within the ship were no less than eight humanoid robots, each tucked into its own compartment. Once the hatches were raised, the metallic figures sprang to life: each one had a single visor shaped like an eye, which burned a harsh red color. The machines disembarked, their white exteriors glinting in the midday sun as they marched to equidistant locations around the ship.

A monotone voice emerged from the robot nearest to the watching humans: "Landing procedures successful. Planet identified: Etherian Colony 'Earth.' Now scanning for lost artifacts." Just as it said, all the robots began combing the nearby area, using a red light from their optics to scan the area around them.

"Well, this isn't exactly what I was expecting," said Doug.

"And what were you expecting?" asked Priyanka.

Soon, the scans reached the nearby citizens. The robot that detected them immediately ceased all its efforts, instead focusing on the humans. "Intelligent life verified," it said. "Playback enabled. Now running data log zero-zero-one."

This robot tilted its head upwards, from which a large holographic image appeared, the same red as its eye. This image appeared to depict a human man, a king at that. He was covered in a long, regal robe, a dark beard covering his face, and an ornate crown atop his head.

An audio recording accompanied this image as well. "I bid you greetings, inhabitants of the planet [Earth]," said the man. The name of the planet was clearly said in the same voice as the machines, indicating a blank space in the recording to be filled as needed. "My name is King D'Vann Grayskull, current regent of the planet Eternia, and overseer of the Great Computer initiative. If you are receiving this message, it means that Horde Prime, latest of the Great Computers, has deemed it necessary to occupy this world in pursuit of its goal. In order to assure that this goal progresses smoothly, I ask that each and every one of you cooperates. It may not be easy being under its command, but I can assure you, Horde Prime was created with a bright future in mind. A future free from the tyranny of Gemkind. Farewell, and many thanks in advance for your cooperation." With that, the crimson hologram disappeared from view, leaving behind only several very confused townsfolk.

"Uh, did any of you understand any of that?" said Greg. "All I heard was something about a grey skull, and then it all sort of melded together."

Sour Cream, who was onlooking as well alongside Buck Dewey and Jenny Pizza, leaned over. "I recorded the whole thing," he said, "so I could play it back later."

Meanwhile, one of the townies was not happy with the robots' arrival in the slightest. "What did you do with Steven!?" shouted Ronaldo to the robot. "Answer me!"

"Ronaldo, calm down!" said Peedee, attempting to reign in his elder brother. "You don't know what happened!"

"Oh, and these guys just happened to show up when Steven and his friends went missing?" Ronaldo asked sardonically. He pushed his way through the crowd, getting right up in the robot's face. If it had one, that is. "I'm on to you! Who do you work for? The space police? The Galactic Inquisition? The Evil Horde?"

The automaton's unblinking eye focused on the teen in front of it. "Citizen, please comply," it said stiffly.

"You can't silence me!" shouted Ronaldo. "I know my rights! Now tell me where you took Steven, or-"

A harsh droning sound was emitted by the bot, which had evidently grown tired of being questioned. It raised both of its arms forward: both of its hands shifted downwards at the wrist, revealing a pair of glowing red blasters within its arms. Ronaldo, as well as everyone else, took several frightened steps backwards.

"Citizen, please comply," the robot said once more. Its voice now sounded much more forceful, though still without emotion. After it was sure it would receive no more trouble from either the blond teen or the other terrified townsfolk, the robot sheathed its blasters, and went on with scanning the surrounding area.

"This isn't how I expected this day to go," said Doug, watching the patrolling robots warily.

"I don't think any of us did," said Greg. "Still, I think Fryman's kid had a point. These things showed up out of nowhere not long after Steven disappeared. I'd be willing to bet they're connected somehow."

"That's the least of our worries," said Priyanka. Her gaze skyward, the others turned to see what she was looking at: several more of the rectangular ships were descending from the sky towards Beach City.

"More of these things," said Sadie, the worry in her voice clear. "What could they be after?"

Lars gulped. "Nothing good," he said.