//------------------------------// // Act 9: Snaps // Story: My Brave Pony Starfleet Humans // by DakariKingMykan //------------------------------// ACT NINE Lightning wasn’t sure if he dared to tell any of his friends what he had learned, fearing Celestia would fly off the deep end for sure, but then again she was likely too anyway. The way he saw it, only if either she or Grandruler confessed their true feelings for one another would it help make things better, but it had to be one of them who did it. Meanwhile, he still had lots to deal with himself! For his popularity had increased dramatically, ever since he joined the team and the acting party for the play, everyone was starting to take a shine to his skills and talent. Lightning could hardly walk anywhere in school without a student saying hi to him or giving him a compliment. So many of the pretty and popular girls even shot a few winks at him and called him handsome. Lightning was flattered, but preferred to stay focussed on what was really important and he continued to attend practice and rehearsals. The basketball team was playing better than ever. Especially thanks to Lightning. He wanted to win that trophy so badly he was practicing and training non-stop. It also helped him keep up his normal training for possible battles he expected would come, which was why he had Krysta keep an eye in the sky on the lookout for anything suspicious. Then there were the play rehearsals, they even took places a few hours over the weekends. Things were going smoother now that everyone learned their lines easier, and everyone else was doing their part to help prepare for the big show. Rarity was helping make costumes and outfits for everyone, and the others continued to set up the stage and practice their music. All the time that went by, a song played, and they all seemed to sing and dance to it, starting out by tapping their shoes and clapping their hands. Working so much harder that days are getting rough But we’ve got to keep on practicing to make the team tough And the play’s around the corner and will start before we know So we’ll keep up our rehearsals and we’ll watch our dances go. Lightning and Rhymey tap-danced along the floor, and exchanged turns showing off different moves. Starla showed off her own dancing skills; twirling and doing splits. Twilight was getting good at the dancing too, and together all of them went around the school singing and dancing to the grooving pop song. -We got the moves, let’s get in the grooves With our confidence, we know we’ll make the sight We gotta keep it up until we get it right. With Lightning here, we have no fear. And our teams will shine in the light We gotta keep it up until we get it right -Every student here at Canterlot High, Has got a spark of hope in their eye They’re counting on us, and especially on you So don’t let em down, all their faith’s upon you. -Lightning, is helping us in every way For the high school team and for the play And every student wants to say “You rock and you’re cool and you’re gonna take us to the top! Don’t stop, don’t flop, Take us to the top” In a montage of flicks, Lightning continued to practice for the basketball game, and rehearse the play with his new friends; dancing with them through the school and across town and many other students including the many groups of Canterlot High joined them all. Lightning was felt he was fitting in great and really becoming a part of the human world. -Let’s kick it up, and we’ll pick it up Keep on going ‘till we win that trophy cup We gotta keep it up until we get it right. Times are getting’ rough, so we’ll become tough Time to show the world enough is just enough We gotta keep it up until we get it right. -Every student here at Canterlot High, Has got a spark of hope in their eye They’re counting on us, and especially on you So don’t let em down, all their faith’s upon you. -Lightning, is helping us in every way For the high school team and for the play And every student wants to say “You rock and you’re cool and you’re gonna take us to the top! Lightning, is helping us in every way For the high school team and for the play And every student wants to say “You rock and you’re cool and you’re gonna take us to the top! Don’t stop, don’t flop, Take us to the top!” Sunset Shimmer, now ever so jealous and aggravated by all the attention Lightning was getting, while others were starting to neglect and not fear of her anymore. She was now more than determined to ruin him, as well as Twilight and all her friends. She had managed to rope two of the school’s not particularly bright boys, Snails and Snips to work for her and help he get much needed dirt to help spread on everyone. While all the time, Lightning and all the other students were completely unaware as they continued to sing and dance, right out the front doors and into the school yards. -Every student here at Canterlot High, Has got a spark of hope in their eye They’re counting on us, and especially on you So don’t let em down, all their faith’s upon you. -Lightning, is helping us in every way For the high school team and for the play And every student wants to say “You rock and you’re cool and you’re gonna take us to the top! Lightning, is helping us in every way For the high school team and for the play And every student wants to say “You rock and you’re cool and you’re gonna take us to the top! Don’t stop, don’t flop, Take us to the top!” We’ll follow you to the top! Gonna shine when we’re on top! Just take us to the top! Two and a half weeks later, quite a lot had happened, and preparations were nearing completion. On Friday, the play was scheduled to premiere the next week at night, and then the big game, which meant that at present, Lightning had only nine days left to complete his mission. The transport jewel had faded immensely and its light was dimmer than ever. Lightning was growing concerned about his time remaining, but even more concerned about Flash and Sapphira. Krysta had kept a good eye on them both, yet neither of them had made any suspicious moves, which lead Lightning to suspect whatever it was they were planning, it would most likely be sprung during the big the game next week. Even still, there was one other thing on his mind as he went to school on Monday. He just stood where he was gazing at the school and the students walking in or just hanging around. A small sad and bitter smile appeared on his face. Krysta landed on the fence near him. “What’s the matter, Lightning?” “Krysta can’t you see how well I’m fitting in here?” “Well, yeah, you’ve gotten along quite well. Look at all the friends you made, and you sure didn’t waste time becoming Mr. Popularity.” “Krysta, that’s just it. The longer I stay here and the more I fit in…” he sighed softly “… It’s only going to make it that much harder for me to leave.” Krysta hadn’t thought of that, and almost immediately understood how Lightning felt. As the two continued to chat, Starla came from around the corner and saw Lightning talking to that exact same bird again. She had lost track of how many times she and the others had seen him conversing with that bird that seemed to always be following him around like a real pet before and after school. The others came along and noticed. “She’s staring at him again.” said Dyno. “She’s defiantly got the hots for him.” added Myte. They crossed over to Starla and Buddy tapped her shoulder. She jumped and yelped in shock, making the others do the same. “Don’t sneak up on me like that!” “Or what, you won’t get to stare at Lightning like you want to?” Artie teased. Starla felt her cheeks go red. “I wasn’t staring at Lightning. Who said I was staring at Lightning or even if I wanted to ask him to the Fall Formal?” The boys all gazed at her with strange looked, and Starla finally realized what she just said out loud, and she couldn’t bail on it now. “Okay, I really like Lightning. I don’t know, it’s just happening, okay?” “Girl, take it easy.” said Buddy. Starla apologized, and just wished she could bring herself to ask Lightning out to the formal, which she had been trying to the past two weeks, but every time she did she got interrupted, or just chickened out, not to mention he always seemed to be hanging around that exact same robin every chance. The boys could see she wasn’t kidding. Lightning kept hanging around that bird and talking to it more frantically than ever lately, and the way he kept talking to it as if he were passing on or getting secret information. They felt that maybe today they wouldn’t put it off any longer and ask him what was with that bird, and maybe Starla would get a chance to ask Lightning to the Fall Formal, but it would have to wait as the bell rang. From that moment on, the day began to spin downward into disaster. First, Lightning stepped into the school and noticed Twilight walk right past Rarity; both of them not even looking at each other, just passing each other by as if they didn’t care to see one another. Applejack and Pinkie Pie acted the same way. Lightning just couldn’t understand it, but Sunset, who was hiding nearby did… During the past weeks, she had sent emails to the girls to mess up plans that they had, and made things so rough that the girls no longer trusted one another. She snickered softly with glee. “Phase one is complete. The girls no longer trust one another. Good work, boys.” Snails and Snip smiled shyly. “What are you smiling at?” growled Sunset. “Nothing!” whimpered the boys. Sunset sighed and couldn’t understand why she ever hired them both, but asked them if they had done all the other stuff she told them to do, which they stumbled and stammered with their words trying to remember, but they did. “Good.” hissed Sunset “Phase two of project-payback is about to begin.” Rhymey was walking along the hallways to his locker, when he noticed Fluttershy was sitting all alone in a corner and in tears. It broke Rhymey’s heart to see her like that and being all alone, that he actually walked right up to her. “Um… Hi …Fluttershy.” She looked up at him. “Rhymey?” she felt very nervous with him around but was too sad to run or duck out of the way. “What’s going on? Tell me what is wrong.” Fluttershy explained that she got into a big fight with the girls, and it looked as if their big friendship gang was over with. Rhymey felt ever so horrible for her, and Fluttershy, still not caring about her shyness, rested her head on his shoulder and cried. At first, Rhymey felt his insides going crazy with nerves of shyness, but he surrendered and actually held her close letting her cry. He honestly didn’t know what to say or do. Lightning could see them from down the hall, and while he felt glad it looked as if those two were overcoming their nerves, it pained and confused him to see more unhappy faces. Rainbow Dash passed by him, and she looked just as mad and stubborn as most of the girls. “Hey, Rainbow, what’s going on with you and the girls?” he asked, but Rainbow brushed him off “Girls? What girls? I don’t know any girls.” and then she walked off in a huff. Lightning scratched his hair. “What’s going on here?” Then things went from bad to worse, as Buddy ran up to Lightning and told him to quickly come to the atrium, and when Lightning got there, a terrible sight be his eyes. The stage, the scenes, the props, all ruined and messed up. Artie was flat on the floor having arrived earlier and fainted at the sight of his beautiful work. “Who did this?” snapped Lightning. “We don’t know…” answered Buddy “But one thing’s for sure, Celestia’s not going to like this.” Talking of Celestia, she announced over the school intercom “Attention! Attention! Ms. Starla Shine please report to the main office immediately!” she sounded really raving mad. Lightning didn’t like the sound of her voice, and he ran off. “Lightning!” cried Buddy. Lightning arrived just in time to see Starla run out from the office and down the hall in tears. Luna was just outside the door, and when Lightning asked her what was going on he was livid to hear that Celestia had personally cut Starla from the play. He clenched his fists in anger feeling that angry woman had finally gone too far. He shoved his way past Luna, barged into the office, literally kicking Celestia’s door open, just as she was about to sip her cup of hot coffee. “Principal Celestia, I demand an explanation!” Celestia placed her mug down and glared angrily at him. “What is the meaning of this, Mr. Dawn? …Barging in here and barking out orders.” “Silence!” shouted Lightning “I want answers from you and I want ‘em now! Why did you have Starla cut from the play?” Celestia was outraged by the way he was speaking to her, but merely slid a file towards him which contained photographs taken showing Starla as the culprit responsible for trashing the set. “If you expect me to allow someone who has done this to be in our school play, you are sorely mistaken.” “I don’t believe this one bit.” said Lightning “Starla would never do something like this.” Celestia had been told the same thing by Starla, and since Starla was not able to prove otherwise, Celestia cut her off. “My decision is final. Now, get out of my office.” Lightning stiffened his body and gazed at her furiously. “No, I won’t!” Celestia’s features hardened into deep fury. “What did you say?” “I said… No… I… won’t! I’ve kept this quiet for some time, but you’ve asked for it. You are nothing but an overbearing, bad-tempered, cold-hearted whiny little misfit of a hag!” He was shouting so loud, that practically everyone could hear what he had said echoing through the school; everyone gasped and peered round the corner. Some even swallowed flies, literally, but were freaked out to even care. Celestia had never felt so angrily heart-struck in her life. She felt her whole body shaking with such fury, all she needed was one more little push. “You know what… maybe it’s a good thing Bud is dead!” growled Lightning “I’m not so sure he would want an angry wretch like you riding on his back, and how Grandruler ever fell for a demon like you is beyond me!” Celestia SCREECHED like an angry banshee and swiftly leapt over her desk, tackling Lightning to the ground and began to angrily punch his face. He didn’t feel anything from her punches of course, and he grabbed hold of her arm and flipped her off of him. “Sister, Stop!” cried Luna as she barged in trying to break the two of them up, but Celestia was so outraged, she punched her own sister in the face sending her colliding head first into the counter outside, knocking her out cold, and she continued to attack at Lightning. Many students saw it, and while some actually found it cool, the rest were horrified and ran off to call the police. Lightning didn’t dare attack Celestia, knowing with his superior strength he would really hurt her more than she deserved to be, but he did shove her off him, and sent her crashing into a shelf with her old riding trophies on it, and they all fell on her, a couple were even broken, and one of them was the very first trophy she and Bud had ever won, really enraging her, so much that she lunged at Lightning, tackling him to the ground with her hands on his neck attempting to choke him to death. He just had to get her off of him somehow, and with his one free hand he felt up on top of the desk. He felt sharp pencils, a pair of scissors, a letter opener knife, and finally the hot cup of coffee. He grabbed it and then swiftly bashed at Celestia’s face hard, shattering the cup and scalding her with the hot coffee and knocking her off of him. She SCREAMED in extreme agony as she lay flat on the floor rubbing her face. “IT BURNS! IT BURNS!! Now feeling outraged and very ashamed of himself deep down for what he had just done, Lightning angrily ran out of the school “Lightning…!” Starla called out to him, but he had already dashed far away into town. Flash saw him run off and thought “Amazing! I never knew he could ever be so enraged. Still, this could prove most beneficial.” Celestia’s face was a little red from the scalding, but she was lucky she wasn't burned severely. That was the least of her problems…! The police did come, and in less than an hour the breaking news spread all over the island of Celestia mercilessly attacking a student. Luna was very upset with her sister for the first time since… ever. She had a big bandage on her forehead where she hit the counter, and was holding and icepack to her face where Celestia punched her, and when Grandruler came, he was definitely not pleased. “You’ve really done it this time, Celestia!" he growled "-Disregarding conduct, -Abusive irrational behavior, -Assaulting a student and Vice Principal, ...And what angers me is what started all this.” he had been made aware of the situation regarding the play, but he too was in favor of Starla being innocent despite the pictures. “Celesto, Lightning Dawn completely disregarded conduct himself.” growled Celestia “Barging in here, yelling in my face, not to mention the use of highly offensive words to insult me.” “Silence!” snarled Grandruler, pounding his cane on her desk. “I’ll deal with what Lightning did, but what you did is worse. You had no right to assault him, just as you had no right to do all the other things you've done here and in the past. I am not going to put with this any longer, Celestia. ...You’re fired!” Celestia gasped, and her heart felt numb! “I suggest you clean out your desk and leave here within one hour.” said Grandruler as he left. Luna followed him out, but turned to gaze shamefully at her sister. “Monster!” was all she could say.