(November 3rd)
Vanellope was with her slaughter race friends at their home, enjoying breakfast with them. Today was not gonna be a good day for her family, today was Empire day. A year ago today her daughter lost everything, she was overthrown, and a massive tsunami hit the city. Today was the day the galactic empire achieved their goal and grew to power.
"If it makes you feel any better we don't support the bucket heads either" said pyro
"And believe us if it weren't for the mayor we wouldn't have recruitment posters on our garage" said Butcher boy
"I appreciate the breakfast, I really do" said Vanellope as she ate her food
"So, what're you gonna do about this holiday?" Pyro asked
"Probably head off world, go someplace non imperial. Maybe go to cybertron, they don't celebrate the holiday" said Vanellope
"I don't think Lucy would like that much" said Shank
"Don't really have a choice. Equestrias out of the question, raxon, aquis, epsilon, most of the planets are pro imperial in some way. And I don't feel like leaving the game today to be honest" said Vanellope
After eating, Shank decided to see Vanellope home. As they left the garage, the first of several parades was in full swing. Citizens lined the streets as imperial walkers and soldiers paraded down the street. Confetti fell from buildings, and every store and home had a red and black imperial banner with a 6 spoked crest adorning it, or a propaganda poster celebrating the empire. Music played too, a very patriotic version of the empire's theme from the Star Wars movies called Glory to the empire. A lone Star destroyer orbited the city while tie fighters flew overhead. The crowd cheered for the parade, it wasn't easy for Vanellope to see so many people supportive of the regime
As she neared the castle, it got harder for her to tolerate things. A small stage was set up by the castle gates where an imperial officer and a pony in stormtrooper armor were talking to a gathered crowd.
"Let this celebration be a demonstration of the full power of the Galactic Empire. Loyal imperial subjects, under our watch, you are safe from threats big and small. We are your protectors. Ah, I see the queen of the city right now, reminder that you caused this day to happen" said the officer
Vanellope walked onto the stage as shank watched from below
"And how am I responsible for this?" Vanellope asked
"You raised a psycho of a daughter" said the pony
"My daughters not crazy, she's misunderstood" said Vanellope
"It's no secret she's aligned herself with separatists. And don't forget she's friends with war criminal General Grievous, don't tell me you've forgotten the crime he committed, trying to invade the city?" The officer asked
"You did that too" Vanellope pointed out
"And so did the Decepticons and thanos. But unlike them we've changed, we protect half this game. We have an impressive army of willing recruits from all over, with the latest in defense technology. Queen Lucy on the other hand uses outdated and aging clone wars tech, last I checked the clone wars are over and the droid army was defeated"
"Don't forget, your daughter tried wiping out my village. She took our food, she sent her droids to destroy us" said the pony
"She's a better ruler than these guys, I know that. And if your former ruler was here she'd agree with me" said Vanellope
"My princesses were not separatists, and they never would be separatists, race car girl" the pony snapped
"And how would you know? They don't even live here" said Vanellope
"They'll return, one day" said the pony
"Yeah the day they do I'd love to hear their opinion. But until they come back from wherever they are, you're stuck with my daughter" said Vanellope
"She'll never be my leader, I've chosen my side" said the pony
"And let's not forget to mention your former assistant, sour bill was it? He betrayed your family because he saw you unfit to rule. He saw your kids as disappointments" said the officer
Shank had to drag Vanellope off the stage before things could escalate further
"He's not worth it" said shank
"I know. Bugs me I can't do anything about these imps anymore" said Vanellope
Upon getting inside, shank left Vanellope while she went to see Lucy. The whole family was outside her bedroom door.
"Sis, you can't spend the whole day in there crying" said Kevin
"Sweetie, we want to help you" said Rancis
"Go away, I want to be left alone" Lucy called out
"Why did I figure this would happen. Ralph, please break the door down, I'll talk to her" said Vanellope "Everyone else, pack some things, we're taking a trip to space"
Ralph grabbed the doorknob and ripped the door off it's hinges with ease, allowing Vanellope access. While everyone left, Vanellope went to Lucy's bed where she was in her robe and pajamas, crying, with her pet cat in her arms comforting her. Vanellope sat next to Lucy on the bed
"Lucy-
"This day holds so many bad memories. The fact the citizens are celebrating my failure, it hurts. I can hear that stupid imperial anthem in here, been hearing it all morning. I can't show my face out there" said Lucy
"Lucy, we can't change what you did, but you can try to be a better person. I know you're trying and that's what I care about. Come on, let's get out of here. I'm taking us all someplace in the game where there is no empire day. Bring benson along too, gonna be gone all day and he needs his master with him still" Vanellope told Lucy
Vanellope helped Lucy change into her casual clothes before leaving for Lucy 1. The castle took the family to cybertron as she requested. Lucy was not impressed seeing the all metal planet. Cybertron didn't celebrate empire day, the empire enslaved the population after they took over the galaxy, and so the transformers didn't look kindly on them.
"You all know there's no air on this planet right?" Lucy asked
"That's why we're wearing space suits" said Vanellope
"Come on kid, it could be fun" said Ralph
Lucy merely rolled her eyes and went to change. After a half hour the family was on the planet, where they were warmly welcomed. The transformers all cheered for them, praising Lucy and Vanellope and everyone in the family. They even showed off a statue of Lucy near the spaceport made of gold. The transformers looked highly upon her, after losing their old home world in their civil war, they were extremely grateful Lucy gave it back to them, even more when the planet was the first she reclaimed in the war.
"See Lucy, not everyone hates you" said Vanellope
"It's cool and all, but they're not the ones I want to impress" said Lucy quietly
The family had a fun couple hours on cybertron, hiking a mountain, driving through canyons and the infamous sea of rust, flying over the cities. Despite being the size of bugs compared to the transformers, the transformers showed them nothing but kindness, even the decepticons. They were all treated like celebrities. Upon returning to the castle for lunch, Vanellope still saw Lucy was a little down, and talked to her in private.
"I don't care about the cybertronians, they're already loyal to us. If anything Kevin should be praised here, he's the one who likes them more" said Lucy
"They already like him" Vanellope pointed out
"I didn't build this planet so they could like me, I did it so I wouldn't have to see them much. I made equestria so the ponies could like me. But half of them celebrate empire day. It hurts honestly" said Lucy
"Look honey, you may not like it, but you gotta take what support you can get. Forget those candy horses today, they don't know what they're talking about, betraying you and all. I know if their old princess was here she'd support you" said Vanellope "I would know, I met her once years ago"
"Celestia and Luna aren't coming here, I've never met them nor have they come to me elsewhere" said Lucy
"Maybe now, but wherever they are I'm sure they're proud of how much you're trying to change, news spreads quickly in this website we live in. The ponies will like you one day, even if it isn't today, trust me. At least try to enjoy what we're doing for you today please, I'll get you some new earrings later if you're good" said Vanellope
"Would be nice to swap out these old cherries for something different, just not sure what" said Lucy, referring to the cherry earrings she wore
"We'll find something dangly, know you like that. Til then, go eat, I'll be with everyone in a moment" said Vanellope
Lucy walked out of her room and went to join the others. Vanellope looked out at the planet, it was peaceful, life was good, and best of all, no galactic empire. If only the empire didn't exist on equestria, or half the planets that supported Lucy. She had an idea, it would make her the best mom ever. She was going to drive the empire off equestria. No, even better, out of Litwak city. But one thing at a time, first she had to figure out how to do it