//------------------------------// // Episode 10: Two Times Trouble // Story: My Brave Pony Starfleet Magic: Season IV // by DakariKingMykan //------------------------------// EPISODE TEN There they were, in a small chapel in New Las Pegasus. Spike was dressed up in his cute tuxedo, and beside him stood his bride, Rarity, all beautifully dressed in white. Snips was acting as ordained minister. “Ah-Ahem… Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…” “Hold on, I have your flowers, Rarity!” shouted Pinkie “They’re right here, I got em! I got em! I got em! I got em!” On and on she went, which really annoyed Snips. “We are never going to get through this!” he groaned as he pushed Pinkie back. “They’re gorgeous.” Said Rarity “Now how’s my frock?” Snips cleared his throat again to restart the ceremony. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to bring together…” “How is my frock?” Rarity cut in, and Snips slapped his head in frustration “Oh my, gosh-- we are never going to get through this!” “Do you need more flowers?” Pinkie Pie eagerly shrieked “I think you need more flowers! I got more flowers for you right here!” “Yes! We need more flowers!” groaned Snips. Spike was feeling very nervous as he stood there twiddling his claws, but he managed to gaze up at his bride with love and shyness “Um… uh… I don’t know what to say, but you look… beautiful…!” Rarity turned to gaze at him and asked “Have you got the rock?” “What?” “Have… you… brought… my rock?” “Uh… yeah, totally... I had some ponies help me bring it in because it’s kinda the size of New Fillydelphia.” Snips was really starting to lose his patience. “Okay, we’re renting the hall by the hour.” Spike still couldn’t stop gazing at Rarity, and how beautiful she looked. “Spike…? Spike…?” “Spike…? Please, wake up.” Rarity said as she softly nuzzled the sleeping dragon. “Huh?” he groaned, and found he was still in bed. “Gee, what a crazy dream.” Rarity then opened the curtains letting the sunlight in. “Come along, Spike. We don’t want to be late for the annual flower festival.” Spike’s head perked up and he rummaged through his bed for his calendar. “Oh, no… it’s today?!” he groaned and he flopped back onto his bed, while Rarity was prettying herself up, and putting on her favorite straw-hat with a big bow on it, and a matching bow she tied around her flower basket. “Oh I just love the flower festival.” she sighed. “You actually like planting the flowers?” Spike asked in confusion, knowing how much Rarity wasn’t fond of doing work that involved getting dirty. “No, but do enjoy picking them.” “Hmm, picking them…” Spike muttered, and he imaged he had picked Rarity a beautiful bouquet of flowers that it wooed her, and that he finally had the chance to profess his feelings for her. He sighed softly, but then Rarity quickly snapped him out of his trance. “Spike, we really have to go now, or we’ll miss the complimentary breakfast.” “Oh, sorry, I’ll be right there.” he said, and he quickly rummaged through his bed again for a flower basket. It was amazing how many things he could store in that little basket of his, among them was his HMI of his song for Rarity, which he gazed at and began to ponder about showing it to her again. “Come along, Spike!” Rarity said impatiently. “Coming, I’m coming!” he cried as he raced to the door, and they both left together. While in the Dark Future, all the minions were gathered by the Dark King. “You have let me down greatly, Ergo. Perhaps you are not the one of the job that I thought you were.” “I’m sorry, boss, but these ponies ain’t as easy as they look.” cried Ergo. “Oh, please...” said Esroh Dab “You could easily stop them if you learned to put your head in the game.” he laughed cheekily. “Stop laughing, it’s not funny!” snapped Neila. “Indeed it isn’t…” added Tanig “We will find a way to crush those ponies, and I am prepared to take a calculated risk.” “Go on, Tnaig.” said the Dark King. “Your majesty, it seems we may have been going about this the wrong way. The ponies always defeat us because they work as a team. So perhaps if we were to fight as a team, we may be able to turn the tables.” The others thought that wasn’t a bad idea. Even Ergo was inclined to agree. “I guess it’s worth a shot.” He then held up a card “I have just the very Cardinal that can increase our odds of victory tenfold.” Esroh decided to keep up his own little spy game “You never know, the plan just may fail and at least I can still provide us with much needed information.” The other glared at him gruffly, but the Dark King approved. “Very well, Esroh, you may continue.” he gazed down at the others “As for you three, you had better not fail me this time.” The minions bowed in acknowledgement, and the Dark King glanced far away at the small area of light. “So as there remains a speck of light, the darkness cannot rule over. I want it extinguished now!! IS THAT CLEAR?!” “Yes, your majesty.” the minions all said. Many ponies had gathered in the fields around New Ponyville, including all the friends, and Mayor Mare approached the podium up front. “I would like to welcome you all to the annual New Ponyville flower festival.” Everyone applauded… “And now, as a change of pace for this year, I would like to pass control of this occasion to your requested elected host this year, Major Buddy Rose.” More applause thundered as Buddy Rose took the stand. “Good morning. As one of United Equestria’s finest gardeners, I am honored that you chose me to be your host this year. As you know, from the days when planet Equestria was still around, this is the time of year when Spring turns to Summer, and you would plant new flowers in the fields to help remind us that even when difficult times are upon us, we are a strong-willed congregation, and do not let many things get us down. Now in our new world of United Equestria, we choose to continue that tradition, and by planting these new plants and flowers, we choose to continue forth in life and cherish the good times we have… to help strengthen our will, and hearts.” More applause thundered. Pinkie blew a noise maker and threw confetti everywhere. Of course the complimentary breakfast was first-- pancakes and flapjacks for everyone. Krysta brought in special maple syrup and honey “Made from the finest bees and trees from planet Luminous.” she said. The friends all sat at the V.I.P table, at Buddy Rose’s request. “You’ve really outdone yourself this year, Buddy.” said Lightning. Buddy smiled “Well, everyone does need this, what with all that’s going on. How’s the search for Princess Cadance coming?” “Still no good…” said Starla. “We’ve already searched the whole planet three times. We can’t find her; we can’t detect her energy or anything.” “It just doesn’t make a bit of sense.” said Applejack “She didn’t leave the planet, maybe she’s tryin’ to hide herself. She was mighty upset from them nightmares.” The friends decided all they could do was keep searching and hope for the best, but for now they left it to the other patrols and enjoyed what time off they had. After breakfast, it was time to get to work. The fields were looking pretty already on such a lovely morning, but there were a ton of flowers to plant and others for picking, but it was a very lovely day. The ponies all broke out into a song… with Buddy Rose at the lead. Flowers here, Flowers there, gonna plant ‘em everywhere It’s not that hard, but the thing you need most is your heart in the right place Flowers here, Flowers there, give hope to these plants so fair In return, may they always bring a smile right to my face Crying tears, and fears and woe, all the bad feelings that I know Chase em all right away just giving the gift of giving round Roots and stems and petals my… darlings bring warmth to my eye. As I look at the beauty I drop my troubles to the ground. (Flowers here…) (Flowers there…) (Oooh-ooooooh…) When dark times are coming near, or you don’t ‘em stayn’ here Keep in mind that they don’t always last, and today we’re pulling through Sweetness smells of the tropical breeze; let’s work hard like the birds and bees Give these flowers a place in the light like they do for me and for you. (Flowers here…) (Flowers there…) (Oooh-ooooooh…) Flowers here, Flowers there, gonna plant ‘em everywhere It’s not that hard, but the thing you need most is your heart in the right place Flowers here, Flowers there, give hope to these plants so fair In return, may they always bring a smile right to my face …bring a smile right to my… face. (Flowers here…) (Flowers there…) The flowers were really coming along nicely, and the fields were looking more beautiful than ever. “They’re so pretty and smell wonderful.” said Fluttershy. Rhymey held out a bouquet of flowers to her. “I know they do, So I picked these for you.” Fluttershy blushed softly, but kindly accepted the flowers and pecked her colt-friends on his cheek. Artie didn’t plant too many flowers, he was sketching a rough picture of the fields which he intended to take home and paint a beautiful landscape, as his own way of contributing. Lightning handed Starla a single rose, which she accepted lovingly, and wove it through her mane to really show it off. “Beautiful.” Lightning said, and he kissed his wife softly. Spike could see this mood everywhere; many ponies were exchanging flowers with their sweethearts. He gazed at Rarity; she couldn’t see him, but all he could feel was warmth. Then he gazed down at the flowers he had picked in his basket, all of which were Rarity’s favorite. He scooped some up in a bouquet and then slowly approached Rarity. He was sweating nervously, and his nerves were going crazy, but just as he was about to speak to her, Rarity looked up over the fields and she saw “Thunder Cloud!” and she got up to go over to him, and Spike could only just fall flat on his face… literally. Thunder Cloud was sitting alone in an area of the field staring confused and grimly at the flowers he hadn’t planted, when Rarity approached him. “Thunder Cloud…” Her eyes began to sparkle like the sun as hearts danced around her face. He looked up “Captain Rarity, you’re here too?” “Oh, please, dispense with the formalities. It is just Rarity, but… well you may call me captain if you like.” She sounded rather nervous, much to Thunder’s confusion “Why are your cheeks doing that?” he referred to her blushing. Rarity’s cheeks went from pink to red. “Oh, well… I uh… it happens from time to time.” she lied on that, not wanting to admit her crush, especially as she didn’t really know much of him yet. She did notice all his unplanted flowers. “Aren’t you going to plant those?” Thunder gazed down at his flowers “I really don’t know how, I’ve never seen real flowers before.” Rarity felt as if she had swallowed a bug “You’ve… never seen a flower?” Thunder Cloud shook his head, and Rarity could barely believe this, but rather than make a big deal of it, she decided to help him. “Let me show you.” she said, placing her hand over his, and they both worked together. Thunder had some trouble at first, and he picked himself on a couple of thorns. “Oh, are you alright?” Rarity asked. She looked at the small cut on his finger, and decided to take the bow from her basket and tie it around his finger like a bandage. He gazed down at it exactly as he saw the flowers. “Why do you do this?” he asked. Rarity was starting to wonder if Thunder was for real, with all these questions that most could understand. “Well… I find it’s wonderful to be nice to those around you, especially friends.” “Friends…?” Thunder thought “This is what it means to be a friend? I don’t understand all this! Why would she want to be my friend anyway?” He just gazed at Rarity strangely, and she felt a little embarrassed. While from afar, many of the others could see them. “So, that’s the muchacho Rarity’s told us about.” said Dyno. “Ay’ Ay’ Ay’! I think I feel the vibes coming off from there.” added Myte. Starla could tell Rarity was falling all over Thunder Cloud, she knew what it was like to be in love. “She’s only taken her first step. I wonder how it’ll play from here.” “Not very long I hope.” Spike muttered, though the others didn’t hear him, they noticed he didn’t seem very happy. “Uh oh, looks like someone’s jealous.” Rainbow teased. “Me? I’m not jealous. What do I have to be jealous about?” “Oh… I don’t know… maybe jealously of Rarity liking Thunder Cloud?” teased Pinkie. She and Rainbow giggled, but the others didn’t think it was fair to tease Spike like that. “I don’t know what Rarity sees in him.” Spike said “There’s something about that guy I just really don’t like.” Lightning gazed at Thunder Cloud feeling the same way. He tapped his insignia to activate his visor without fully transforming, and then scanned Thunder Cloud, unbeknownst that Thunder Cloud was aware of this, and his futuristic powers to manipulate the scanning so he seemed normal. Try as they would, even with their upgrades, Starfleet would't be able to unmask him that easily. “All signs normal.” Lightning said “He doesn’t seem potentially dangerous.” “Ah, dangerous or not, I’m bettin’ this ends up the same way it always does.” said Applejack, naturally she was referring to Rarity’s bad luck with boys-- every stallion she ever crushed on ended up not liking her at all, or too pompous and rude for her that she’d lose interest. “It always happens.” Spike didn’t like it when bad things happened to Rarity, especially with her bad luck with boys, but deep down he secretly hoped it would happened, and he did hate himself for thinking this. So he wandered off on his own. He passed right by Rarity and Thunder Cloud, and he felt a really big shiver run down his spine as he passed Thunder. Thunder Cloud gazed down at Spike as he passed. “Are you alright?” asked Rarity. “I’m fine.” Thunder said “Who was that?” “Who, Spike? Oh, he’s really a very sweet boy. That’s why I take care of when Twilight sparkle died.” “Take care of him…?” asked Thunder “Is he your… friend too?” “Of course he is. My Spikey-Wikey is possibly one of the best friends I’ve ever had, why we might even close friends, like family.” Thunder stiffened “What’s this, what am I feeling right now?” he thought to himself “Just now I felt something I’ve never felt before, but what is it?” He was starting to feel very strange, almost nauseous even. “I really need to go now.” he said. “What, so soon…?” “Yes! Is that a problem?!” snarled Thunder Cloud. Rarity winced at his sharpness. “You didn’t have to shout!” she scoffed at him. Thunder Cloud turned scoffed, and walked away, crushing some of the flowers under his heel as he went. The others saw that. “Can you believe that guy?” snapped Krysta. Even Buddy Rose was cross, especially for the poor flowers that were crushed. Esroh Dab had retreated to a shadowy area, still feeling outraged, but more confused by these strange feelings that were plaguing him. “Aw, what’s the matter?” Neila mocked as she and Ergo appeared. “You’re not actually having a feeling of light are you?” “Don’t be silly, of course I’m not.” Esroh sneered “I hate this and you know it. It really sickens me that they actually believe in all this junk.” Ergo scoffed and asked "Suuuuure it does. Esroh felt embarrassed, but his features quickly became anger, but Tanig appeared. “That will do!” he said “It’s time we made our move-- Ergo, the Cardinal...” Ergo held up the card “Let’s do this. I’ve waited long to settle the score with those chumps.” Buddy Rose just barely managed to save the flowers that were crushed. “Thank goodness there was still some life left in them.” he said as he finished planting them into the ground. Everyone was still angry at the way Thunder Cloud behaved, even Rarity was still appalled, yet she bared in mind Thunder Cloud was still new to New Ponyville. The others also realized this, and also the fact that he seemed to be rather foreign to normal things like flowers, foods, and even friendship itself. “You don’t think…” peeped Flutershy “You don’t think maybe he had a bad life, do you?” “It’s possible…” said Artie. “Some of us did, but even we weren’t that estranged to all these things… not much.” Pinkie opened her mouth to suggest maybe throwing a big party like she originally had planned, but Rainbow covered her mouth “No, no you don’t, Pinkie Pie, not this time.” she said. “Aw, gee…” sighed Pinkie, but then again, she remembered a lesson she had learned way back, and thought it was best maybe to give Thunder some time. As for Spike, he didn’t know rightly which way to think about this. Wishing Thunder Cloud would stay away from Rarity, or just leaving it well alone and let Rarity be happy if it was what she wanted… either way, he felt awful. Suddenly, a large group of ponies ran by screaming in panic. Some of them were shouting… “Help!” “Run!” “Big monster sheep!” The friends didn’t like the sound of this, and ran further down the field, and sure enough, they could see it. A larger than actual-sized black-wool sheep, but it had sharp teeth, claws instead of hooves. “Oh my goodness!” cried Fluttershy. “Goodness has nothing to do with this?” hissed a voice. Then the three minions appeared. The friends recognized Ergo, but some of the boys couldn’t help but gaze in awe at the girl’s stunning charm. “Go ahead, look all you like.” said Neila “That’s what everyone does before I destroy them.” “Enough, Neila.” said Tnaig. “Who exactly are you guys?” snarled Lightning “…Not that we already don’t know.” “We are but the humble servants of the Dark King.” said Tnaig “Our mission is to conquer all worlds, and block out the light, but you’ve all become quite the obstacle keeping us from our glorious future.” “Glorious? More like ghoulish!” snarled Krysta. “I doesn’t matter what you guys think…” said Ergo “This time were going to fight on your field, together.” “Team Vs Team, huh?” asked Lightning “All right then, everyone ready?” The team shouted that they were ready, and they all transformed! “STARFLEET MAGIC!!” “HARMONY HOUR, FRIENDSHIP POWER!!” "Dragon Power!” Krysta then dashed off to go help the civilians get to safety, leaving the others to face the danger. “All right, you evil specters, it’s time we all taught you a lesson for messing with our world.” said Lightning. “YEAH!!” everyone shouted. “Okay, this has gone long enough.” said Neila, and she snapped her fingers “Crush them, Baa-Baa Black!” The monster sheep roared, and charged at the team. “Scatter!” shouted Lightning, and everyone split up just as Baa-Baa crashed onto the ground. “Let’s get ‘em!” shouted Ergo, and he and his comrades leapt down into battle. The teams remained divided into groups, but the fight was on. Lightning, Starla, Rarity and Spike went after the monster. “Let’s see how tough this thing is.” said Lightning as he leapt up high and kicked the sheep hard; a direct hit and actually damaged the brute, but mysteriously, the monster began to glow and then there were two. “Oh, no!” cried Lightning “It has the power to multiply?!” cried Starla. “This is not good.” said Spike. The two monsters both began to charge towards the friends. “Look out!” cried Rarity, and she and the others all dodged the two monsters. “Let’s turn up the heart a bit!” Spike said and he prepared his fire attack! “Spike, No!” Buddy Rose shouted from afar “You can’t use fire here, you’ll set the whole field ablaze.” “Ah!” Spike quickly powered his attack down. This was bad news for a lot of the fighters. They couldn’t use any fire or burning energy attacks without out risk of starting an inferno. “Ha! That’s the least of your problems.” hissed Neila, and she leapt down and kicked Buddy Rose hard. “Hang on! We’re coming!” cried Rainbow, as she Fluttershy, Rhymey and Artie dashed over, but ran smack into Ergo “No, I think you’re going!” and he punched them in a quadruple-play, sending them skidding along the ground. “Oh that felt so good!” Ergo chuckled. The Spanish Twins, Pinkie, and Applejack stared Tnaig down, and he just stood where he was, as calm and stiff as when he first appeared. “You just gonna stand there like that?” Applejack snarled, but Tnaig didn’t even blink his dark eyes. “Hey, we’re talking to you!” shouted Dyno “Aren’t you to answer?” hollered Myte. Tnaig still didn’t move. Pinkie didn’t like it when others ignored her and her friends. “Here I come!” she growled as she charged forth. The others joined her and all charged at Tinag together. One-by-one they leapt onto him, punching, biting and kicking him at all points, and he just stood there taking the hits without much of a care. Then, in an instant, his robe flapped open wide unleashing a powerful burst of dark energy, flinging the fighters off of him hard, and damaging them too. “What… was that?!” groaned Applejack. “That… is the power of darkness.” said Tnaig “I am the leader of the Dark King’s most servants, not for my strength, but for I can understand darkness more than most can, and how to harness its power for my own. If you wish to continue attacking me, go ahead, but I assure you it will avail you naught.” This made the friends angrier, and they were determined to get at him more, so they lunged at him again, and ended up getting blasted hard yet again. Attacking him all at once didn’t work, and attacking him one at a time didn’t work either. He just continued to blast them back, damaging them more and more each time. Finally, Buddy Rose was fighting with Neila all alone. “Hold still, will ya!” he snarled as he threw punch after punch after punch at the spiteful lady, and she continued to swerve, spin and dodge each one. She then grabbed both his hands, holding them tight, and then stood on both his feet, rendering him unable to move. She sniggered softly “Well, I’m standing still...” Buddy growled and struggled to wretch himself free. “Don’t tire yourself out, take a nap instead.” her eyes began to glow. “Huh?” Buddy said, as magical flower petals fluttered past his eyes, and his eyes started to feel heavy behind his visor “What’s… happening…” “Sleep little pony. Sleep…!” Neila voice sounded so soothing and enrapturing. Buddy began to feel woozy. “Can’t… find my… strength…!” he plopped flat onto the ground. Neila snickered, and picked him up. “Poor young fool. It’s time to send you into a permanent sleep.” She prepared to finish him off for good, when Rarity came along, when she saw the danger, and kicked Neila hard in the side, sending her skidding across the field. “Buddy Rose!” she got down and patted his cheeks softly to try and wake him up, and it worked. He woke up, feeling more wide awake than ever. Neila’s sleep spell didn’t last long at all. “Thanks, I needed that.” Neila got up, and rubbed the dirt off her clothes. She seemed pretty mad, but her scowl curled into a wicked smile “Nice surprising me like that, but do you think it was smart to leave your other friends?” Rarity growled angrily. “I was told to help out!” she snarled “In case you’ve forgotten, this is a team effort!” added Buddy Rose. “Speaking of team, I think mine is about to grow bigger.” hissed Neila. As Lightning, Starla and Spike continued to battle Baa-Baa-- by using other attacks that weren’t so dangerous to the field-- things were not improving. “STARLIGHT ARROW” Starla fired two arrows from her bow, hitting both sheep, and then there was four of them, Spike tried to gash at two more them with his Dragon Sword, causing them to split, making six monsters in total! “STOP THIS!!” shouted Lightning “We’re only making this worse.” The six sheep glared the friends down, but instead of attacking the heroes, they began to attack each other, multiplying into a vast swarm of at least thirty sheep. The gang of heroes and the gang of villains both regrouped together, but the heroes were badly out-numbered. Esorh Dab was watching the battle from far away “Well, well, perhaps this teamwork idea really was worthwhile.” he said to no one in particular “Still, from what I’ve seen, those ponies are always up to tricks, and I’ve got a feeling this time will be no different.” The two teams continued to stare each other down, but the heroes were starring more at the enormous flock of sheep. “I’ve heard of roundin’ up, but this takes the cake.” said Applejack. “Worst part is we still can’t use any super charged attacks in the field.” added Lightning. Then he realized “Wait… that’s it!” “What’s it?” asked Starla. “What’s it is the end of your existence.” said Tniag “Our army of sheep will squash you like bugs, while we lick up what’s left… if there is anything left.” “You’re all history, punks!” snarled Ergo “We’re taking over, and there’s nothing you can do about it!” “All hail to the darkness!” added Neila “LET’S GO!!” The army of sheep began to charge forth. “Everyone, fly!” shouted Lightning, and they all leapt up really high, where the flock was unable to reach them. “Now, follow me this way!” cried Lightning. “Where are we going?” asked Rainbow. “Trust me!” shouted Lightning. The minions couldn’t understand this, but couldn’t let them getaway. “Come on, let’s go get ‘em!” wailed Ergo, and they and their flock of sheep monsters gave chase. Esroh followed them too, but still kept out of sight. The villains chased heroes far beyond the field, to the outback near the New Ponyville limits. The villains lost sight of them, and stopped to look around. “Where did they go?” snarled Neila. Tnaig rolled his eyes softly, still keeping stiff and calm. “Where are you? Come on out!” shouted Ergo. The flock of sheep were growing impatient, and suddenly, so many magical burning attacks hit them from all directions, the minions got shot at too and fell from the sky, and the heroes leapt out from hiding behind rocks and down from the sky. “Now we can really fight it out.” said Lightning. The others all agreed, but as the smoke from the blasts settled, “Um, Lightning…?” cried Rainbow. She pointed at the flock of sheep which had now doubled! “You gotta be kiddin’ me?!” groaned Applejack. Neila leapt down “We kid you not.” and she fire a blast of magic at them all. Ergo leapt down and began to bash them all mercilessly. The flocks of sheep then began to stampede, splitting up and covering more ground. Some of the heroes ran for life. “The army just keeps getting stronger. I don’t think we can last much longer!” cried Rhymey. “Hey, I’ve got it!” cried Fluttershy “Maybe if defeat the original, all the others will vanish.” “Yeah, but which one is the original?” asked Artie. “It’s this one. No, it’s that one. It could be one of these.” cried Pinkie There were far too many sheep, and they all looked exactly alike, and attacking them normally would cause them to multiply even more. They couldn’t make a move until they were sure they had the right target, but their visors couldn’t detect which was which unless they went mega mode. “What’s the matter, can’t figure it out?” Ergo teased “Well, let me make it just a little easier.” and he leapt down and attacked more of the sheep causing them to multiply even more. “You call that easier?!” snapped Rarity. “Yeah, easier for us to keep you in the dark.” replied Ergo. Then he ordered half of his enormous army of sheep to head back to attack New Ponyville. “No!!” shouted Lightning. The entire area had been evacuated when the battle began, but a stampede that size was bound to cause unthinkable damage. A whole fleet of officers came out to attack the sheep, but weren’t able to hold them back very well due to not being super strong like Lightning and his team. “Call them off, right now!” demanded Starla. “Not until you surrender!” growled Ergo. “NEVER!! WE’LL NEVER GIVE IN, YOU HEAR?!” shouted Buddy Rose, and suddenly, his insignia began to glow. “Look at that?” cried Spike. “His mega mode is activated.” added Rarity. Lightning was impressed, but suddenly, his mega mode was activating too, but none of the others were. Still, nobody thought it really mattered that much. “Hurry, you guys. Transform!” cried Starla. “Well, ready to give a whirl?” asked Lightning. “Are you kidding? I’ve been waiting for this.” said Buddy Rose. They both stood side-by-side and shouted “Mega Mode, Activate!” Their suits were donned. “Wow! I can feel the power flowing through me!” cried Buddy Rose. The villains were not impressed. “As if one of them suped-up wasn’t bad enough, now we gotta deal with two of em?!” growled Ergo. “Never mind, we can take them!” said Neila “Remember, we’re in this together, just like they are.” Tniag nodded, and he opened his cloak wide, revealing he hadn’t much of a body, but rather swirling darkness contained inside, and launched a barrage of dark waves at the sheep below, multiplying them into one crazy army that seem to take up a small part of the entre outback. “We’re in trouble now!” cried Fluttershy as the enormous army began to stampede for the others. “Let’s turn things up a bit.” said Ergo and he used his Speed-Up ability to make the sheep go faster. The heroes were barely able to leap up to safety fast enough. Lightning and Buddy used their mega-scans on all the sheep, and the original wasn’t among them. “It must be with the others heading for New Ponyville.” said Buddy Rose. “You go find him…” said Lightning “I’ll stay here and help out the others.” Buddy Rose nodded, believing in new powers, and he took off for the village while Lightning headed right down standing in the path of the stampeding monsters. “Lightning!” cried Starla “Is he crazy!” added Artie, but Lightning began to charge up his power, and fired a big burst of uniforce, vaporizing most of the sheep into ash, and because he blew them right down to the last bit, they couldn’t multiply back up again. “There, that should even the odds.” he said, but that’s when the minions came down and surrounded him. “But not enough to save you.” hissed Neila. Ergo snickered gruffly as he pounded his fists together, while Tniag remained as calm as ever. “Let’s go help him!” cried Rainbow. The others agreed, but they had completely forgotten about the remaining sheep, which outnumbered them vastly, and blocked them off. A big fight had engaged, and the friends knew that attacking the sheep would only increase the number of them again. “We’ve got to try and hang in until Buddy Rose finds the original!” shouted Dyno. “Si, but I just hope he hurries!” cried Myte. The other flock of sheep had nearly reached New Ponyville limits, and Buddy Rose was just flying above, scanning them over one-by-one looking for the original. “Come on, where are you?!” he growled. Then suddenly, he spotted it. “THORNED VINE WHIP” He grabbed his new weapon, exactly like his old vine whip, but now it was red, and coated in sharp thorns to give off more damage. “Let’s rope in this cattle; Extend!” At his command, his whip extended as he cracked it hard, and lassoed the original Ba-Ba by the leg, yanking it from the flock. Now both it and Buddy Rose stared each other down. Ba-Ba suffered and tapped his hoof like a bull ready to charge. “I may have found him, but now I have to finish him off!” Buddy said to himself, keeping in mind he couldn’t attack it normally. He had to think fast though, the flock was still heading straight for town, and the others… …they were still not holding out too well against the remaining sheep. They were starting to grow tired from all the fighting, and were getting bashed and pummelled, even stomped on by those beasts. While Lightning was still surrounded by the minions “I must say this has been rather enjoyable…” said Tnaig “But I’m afraid all good things must come to an end.” Lightning growled angrily as the three minions approached him ready to finish him off, and finally as they struck, Lightning ducked down, and trip-kicked Neila off her feet. Ergo tried to jump him, but Lightning rolled out the way, and then kicked him hard towards a large rock wall. Tnaig tried to zap him, but Lightning zipped out of the way, straight for the wall, and held Ergo at close point “Freeze! Don’t move, Ergo!” Ergo growled, and the others two stood together. “You two, stay back! I’m calling the shots now.” snarled Lightning, and then he turned back to face Ergo. “Now then, call off your sheep army!” “Ha! If you think I’d do that, you’re crazy. Speaking of which, I wonder how your red boy’s doing.” Buddy Rose stared at the original Ba-Ba as it began to charge him, getting closer, and closer. “I sure hope this works.” Buddy mumbled as he prepared to try one of his newest attacks “SUCKLING SEEDS” He unleashed a barrage of small seeds that latched themselves onto the monster, and began to suck the energy right from him, and because of this, the monster couldn’t multiply. The rest of the flock were still attacking the others, and Lightning still had Ergo cornered “Call them off!” he shouted “This is your last chance, or I’ll destroy you right here and now.” “Go ahead…” snapped Ergo “I’m not scared.” “Don’t worry, Ergo, he wouldn’t dare.” said Neila “After all, I’m sure he’s aware that at that range he’ll blow himself up as well.” Lightning growled softly, well aware that was true. “Lightning!” cried Starla. “Don’t do it!” added Pinkie. The sheep continued to thrash the friends. Lightning hated to see it. “Well, what are you going to do now punk?” Ergo teased “Do you want to take a big risk? I’m right here…” Lightning’s hands were quivering, but his horn remained normal, not glowing. It was a mighty big risk staring him down, but he suddenly lowered his hands. “Thought so....” Hissed Ego and he quickly grabbed Lightning, turning the tables on him. He began to squeeze him hard by the neck and body “You should’ve taken the chance! Now you’re going to regret it chump!” “Lightning…!” Starla screamed. The original Ba-Ba seemed weak enough now. “Time to end this for good.” said Buddy Rose. He concentrated hard, and his whip began to glow brightly, ready to perform the new finisher “SPIRIT OF THE NATURE TREE!!” He cracked his whip ever so hard on the ground. The ground began to rumble, and out sprouted a magical tree, with a very stern face. It inhaled deeply, sucking the monster into its huge mouth, and swallowing it like a grape. The tree then glowed brightly and vanished in a bright flash, taking the monster with it, leaving only its blank card behind. The flock of sheep heading for town vanished in dark waves… …as did all the ones attacking the others-- all them, gone! “No!” cried Ergo “It can’t be…!” “But… it is!” snarled Lightning, and he began to power up hard, casting himself in glowing light. Ergo released him as the brightness blinded him, giving Lightning the chance to spin round “UNIFORCE!!” blasting him hard. “NO...!!” Ergo screamed as he, Lightning and the entire spot went up in a blinding flare of power. Everyone shielded their eyes, even the villains did and they dashed up high into the sky. Even Esroh shielded his eyes as he watched from afar “AH! THAT POWER...!!” he cried. When the light had faded there was nothing left but a piled of shattered rocks, and the darkness that was once Ergo vanquished into nothingness. “…Lightning!” Starla cried as she fell to her knees. Tears came to Fluttershy’s eyes. “No… it can’t be!” Spike cried softly. Buddy Rose came back, no longer in his mega mode form. “What happened?” he asked. “Lightning…” cried Pinkie “He… He…!” she couldn’t finish, and broke down sobbing. Starla was easily the most devastated. Her tears creped out from under her visor, but she could hardly bring herself to sob. She had only been married less than two months, and now she was a widow? “Please… don’t be gone!” she whispered. Applejack looked up sadly and saw the rocks moving and familiar hand pop out from the rubble “Hey, he’s not! Look!” she cried. Everyone looked up, and that’s when Lightning burst up through the mountain of rubble. His mega mode suit gone, and he looked pretty banged up and his casual suit was all dented and damaged, while he himself seemed pretty beat, but he was okay. “Lightning!!” cried Starla, and she dashed over, capturing him in her arms, he hugged her back weakly. “Starla…” then he nearly collapsed, but the others cam and helped him up. “Lightning, you really sacred us all.” cried Rarity. “Uhn… to be honest… I scared myself a bit too.” Lightning said. Just before he had attacked, he managed to conjure up a little extra energy to force him away from the explosion, just enough so he wouldn’t get hurt too badly. “I see the sheep are gone.” “Yeah, thanks to me.” said Buddy Rose “This new mega mode rocks!” Artie felt a little left out, being the only one left who hadn’t unlocked his power, but he and the others were just glad everything worked out. “Let’s go home.” Lightning said, and off they went. While up in the sky, Neila couldn’t believe what she had just seen “I don’t believe it! He destroyed Ergo and survived! I… I…!” “I realize how you must feel, Neila.” said Tnaig, yet he seemed as calm as ever. “We won’t let Ergo’s demise be in vain. He gave his life for the success of our mission. We have now learned more of our enemies than ever, and don’t forget, Esroh Dab is keeping a close watch.” Neila knew this was true, but she couldn’t believe now two of her comrades were gone! She swore she would avenge them both! Not too much damage was done to the fields, just a few crushed flowers here and there, but the ponies, upon returning, re-soiled the grounds and replanted more flowers, making the fields prettier than ever. After a long, exciting and frightening day, the friends all went home. Spike was still feeling a little nervous about his feelings for Rarity, but decided to try and show her his affection again, by grabbing the bouquet he had saved. “Um… Rarity…” “Yes Spike?” “Well, I uh… I wanted to tell you something earlier, but I… well…” he was about to hand her the flowers, when suddenly, as they approached the steps leading into their house, a bouquet of the exact same flowers was there on the top step. “My favorite flowers of all!” she cried, and there was a note attached to them… I’m sorry for the way I acted today. -Thunder Cloud Rarity felt her heart racing. “He likes me!” she cried “Spike, he really does like me!” she kept singing that same line as she merrily walked into the house, closing the door behind her and leaving poor Spike in the dark. He sighed miserably as he gazed down at his flowers, and slowly walked out into the yard. Little did he know that Thunder Cloud was watching from his dark empty house. He was just as upset by Ergo’s destruction, and was just as determined to avenge him and Nomed, and the best way was to keep on observing his enemies, and even testing them to learn more of their behaviour. That’s why he sent Rarity the flowers. “It’s only a matter of time.” he hissed. (0:09 - 0:38) As for Spike, feeling he no longer could give Rarity the flowers, he knew what else do with them. In the backyard, there was a rock about the same size as he was, and he himself had carved a poor, but meaningful picture of Twilight in a heart on it. This was his own little memorial for her, and he softly set the flowers in the ground near the stone. “You should have these, Twilight.” A soft slight breeze tickled his spines, and he felt it was Twilight saying “Thank you.” (Promo) In our next episode; everyone gathers at the royal palace to discuss further battle plans, and Celestia also reveals an astonishing fact she learns from a nightmare, revealing the Phantom of Magic’s intentions. Meanwhile, the phantom has a few loose ends to clean up with some ponies residing in New Canterlot, which forces everyone, including Celestia to do battle to protect the land, and a mysterious stranger appears from out of nowhere. Is this stranger friend or foe, and what are the phantom’s true intentions? Don’t miss the next exciting episode of “Starfleet Magic!” (Next Episode: “Phantom’s Fury”)