//------------------------------// // Episode 21: Distant Disasters: Part 2 // Story: My Brave Pony Starfleet Magic: Season IV // by DakariKingMykan //------------------------------// “Previously on Starfleet Magic...” After receiving a letter from the two hooded figures about special ingredients to be obtained for a special project, the team divided into two groups, and set off across the galaxy to the planets Zanadu and Amasia to get them. The Zanadu team soon found the planet was ruled by a greedy tyrant, and they themselves were soon charged as Wanted Criminals, while the princess of Amasia has chosen Lightning to be her husband. EPISODE TWENTY-ONE The guards surrounded Lightning and grabbed him, bringing him into the palace. “Let me go! Stop this!” shouted Lightning, but the guards wouldn’t listen. Lightning would have fought his way out, but keeping in mind he and the others did not come with the intention of being hostile. The others knew this too and didn’t make any attempts to throw a punch, but their anger and outrage were rising high. “Lightning!” cried Starla. She tried to reach for him, but more guards held her back, and Amandiva gazed sternly at the others “You can remove yourselves now. You’re messing up my doorstep.” “I’m not leaving without my husband!” snarled Starla. “Oh, yes you are, and he’s about to be my husband; so, tough bricks.” The others were really tempted to break out and start fighting their way through. “No, guys, don’t!” cried Lightning. “I agree…” said Amandiva “You really don’t want to fight us, but just to make sure…” she held up her hands and cast a magic spelling on their armors and the alicorn horns, even Lightning’s. “Hey!” snapped Cadance “What have you done?” “Just a little precaution so you all won’t be able to try any tricks.” Sure enough, the others found they couldn’t use their magic, or even transform. Starla and Rhymey couldn’t get out their weapons either; everything was locked as was indicated by the magic swirling around their horns, and their armor. “Now, for the last time… leave here. I have a wedding to plan.” She turned to face Lightning “We’ll wed by sundown, my precious.” “Hey, wait…!” cried Lightning as he was dragged away. “Starla…!” “Lightning…!” The big doors closed, leaving the others stuck outside. “No!” cried Starla. “Oh, my!” cried Fluttershy “Oh, poor Starla…” “You mean poor Lightning.” said Pinkie “Who knows what he’s going to be put through.” Poor Soron recovered from his faint, but his heart was aching like crazy as he remembered what the princess had said. “It’s over… I’ve lost her to someone else.” he ran off crying like no tomorrow. The others felt sorry for him, but Starla only wanted nothing more right then to bust in and get Lightning out. Amandiva brought Lightning to her royal throne room, ordering the guards to leave them alone. The walls and columns were gold, the floor were shiny as silver, and the windows shined like diamonds, as they were made from it of course. “Here we are my lovely. This is your new home.” she said. Lightning was nowhere near amused “Look, I don’t know what your obsession is, but I’m not marrying you and that's that.” Amandiva giggled and nudged him softly “Silly boy, I’m the only one who decides around here. Besides, you don’t even have any legal legs to stand on.” She had a point; Amasia was far, far away from any Starfleet derestrict in the galaxy. All the rules and regulations had no meaning here. “This is absolute ludicrous.” groaned Lightning “Why would you even want to marry me when you don’t know a thing about me. I’m not even the same species as you.” Amandiva paid no attention and eyed at him tenderly, and then gazed at the two thrones. “Oh, I’ve been waiting for someone as beautiful as you to sit next to me. You’ll make a wonderful prince.” Lightning could only sigh softly “I don’t know who’s crazier, you or me.” “Come to me, darling. Once I kiss you, we will be officially engaged.” Lightning gasped and leapt up high in the air “Keep away from me!” he shouted as he flapped his wings to keep afloat “I’m already married! You got that!” Amandiva gazed up at him, acting more infatuated than ever. “Look at you, even when you’re vexed you’re beautiful and charming.” “Ugh, Galloping Galaxies!” cried Lightning. Amandiva fluttered up towards him “Come on, now.” and she lunged for him again, and he sprinted away. “Look, I’d rather intercept a comet than marry the likes of you.” he snarled, but Amandiva took this only more to her liking “Beautiful, dramatic and passionate as well. It must be destiny that brought you to me. Now be a man and kiss me already!” She lunged, and he sprinted, “Stay away from me!” Now the princess was starting to lose her patience. “Why do you resist me? I’m practically throwing myself and life of beautify and luxury at you. Most men would give their very souls for this opportunity.” “I'm going to make one last attempt to get through to you; I ONLY LOVE STARLA, AND I'M MARRIED TO HER... YOU GOT ME?!” thundered Lightning. Amandiva saw she was going to have to use more persuasion. “There’s something else I think I should show you.” She waved her hands and showed Lightning a magical image of a large, sparkling but fierce dragon. “This is my pet, Fu-Fu.” Then she summoned her guards “Go fetch that purple haired wanabee, and feed her to my pet.” “What?!” snapped Lightning “You wouldn’t!” “I can, and I will… unless you give into me now!” Unable to fight back at the risk of starting another war and violating everything the Starfleet code stood for “...Fine!” Amandiva’s eyes lit up “You mean you’ll marry me?” Lightning nodded grimly “Only on one condition: You let my friends attend the wedding.” “Hmm! Fine then, they shall attend, but as my prisoners. If they behave, perhaps I'll consider letting them go.” Lightning acted rather grim, but secretly kept that he was actually forming a plan that could help them all escape without much trouble… if all went accordingly! The others were forced away from the palace, and cast over to the darker side of the planet, as Amandiva said “They’re messing up the beauty of our village.” Now they were wandering about the other city, where they saw a whole bunch of normal Amasians. No wings, no magic, just normal, like Earth Ponies. They didn’t really seem as ugly as Amandiva made them out to be, but it was obvious that they slandered the princess, and often insulted her silently… This was hinted by some boys throwing darts at a large painting of the princess, others carving statues of her so they could then smash in anger when finished. Others even made scarecrows of the princess and set them ablaze while dancing happily around them. The friends couldn’t blame them, but still “It’s sad that someone so beautiful can be so vain and mean.” said Fluttershy. Starla was the most furious of them all, and would have loved to get her hands on Amandiva’s neck and strangle her for taking Lightning away. “There is no way I’m going to let someone else have my guy.” Several of the people couldn’t help but overhear her. “Fat chance of that happening.” one of them said “Yeah, that Amandiva; what she wants, she gets.” said another. “You may as well leave you have the chance.” Starla turned completely red with anger and roared like lion in outrage, scaring the people away. “Starla, try and calm down!” said Cadance. “How can I calm down when my husband is in the custody of a crazy lady who’s trying to marry him?” growled Starla. “Don’t worry, we’ll get him back.” said Pinkie. Starla gazed at her hopefully “You have an idea?” “Nope; I just know we’ll save him. I just don’t know how yet.” “But what can we do? Our powers are useless, our weapons too.” said Rhymey. Another Amasian passed along “There’s not much you can do about that.” he told them “Once the princess blocks your magic, the only way to unblock it is to leave Amasia, but even if you come back after that, the spell will reenergize.” “So then how do we get rid of it for good?” asked Pinkie. “You don’t. The spell doesn’t go away unless Amandiva takes it away.” Now the others really didn’t know what to do, and then, things went from bad to worse as the royal guards approached, ordering everyone to clear the streets as they marched through. Fluttershy ducked behind Rhymey as the burly men approached. The guards stopped, and one of them said “Her royal highness, Princess Amandiva, has sent us to collect you, at the request of her betrothed; that you all be present for the wedding ceremony.” The others gawked in confusion, but after hearing “Her Betrothed” “Lightning sent you?” asked Starla. “Yes…” replied the guard “We have been sent to bring you all back to the palace.” He then signaled his men to apprehend them all. “Hey!” snapped Cadance. “What are you doing?!” cried Pinkie. Before any of them knew it, they were brought back to the palace, and thrown in the dungeon; kept within cells with powerful force fields keeping them in. “Nothing personal, it’s just the princess’ orders.” said the guard. The others could hardly believe this, and Starla was so angry, that she dashed at the force field, only to get shocked by its magic and bounced right back. “Starla!” cried Fluttershy “Are you okay?” Starla felt more outraged than hurt, but she was also worried about Lightning. Meanwhile, on Zanadu, the guards were rushing through the city, searching for the wanted criminals, whom they had chased all over. They even barged rudely into people’s already damaged homes and questioned the frighten people “Have you seen these crooks?” they said as they held up copies of the “wanted” posters. This frightened the people dearly, but it got the guards nowhere. One home after another they checked, the home of a middle aged couple. “You’re certain you never saw them?” The old lady, Mamar, and her husband Jakad were outraged. “We may be elderly, but our eyesight’s just fine. We haven’t seen them!” growled Jakad. “Now, be off with you, before we get angry.” snarled Mamar as she held her broom at the guards threateningly. The guards were not impressed, and one of them fired his ray gun at the ceiling, making another large hole. “Mind your manners when addressing the law.” he sneered, and then he left with his friends to continue the search. The second they were gone, Mamar turned to face the wall and said “You can come out now, they’ve gone.” The ponies had been hiding, invisible under Luna’s mane all the time. “Again, we thank you for allowing us to hide here.” said Luna. “But why would you?” asked Buddy Rose. The couple held up their copies of the posters. “You hardly look like the type of dangerous emissaries.” said Jakad. “And if you run from the guards because you are trouble to Sir Sylphesh, then you are surely friends of ours.” added Mamar. Rarity blushed “Oh, well, um… thank you nonetheless.” Mamar fixed everyone some food, from what little supplies they had. The stew was very good, and the couple asked what brought the ponies to their planet. “I see. You came seeking special ingredients.” said Mamar “But unfortunately, Sylphesh owns every last bit of it. That greedy tyrant taxes us mercilessly, forcing us into poverty. The only ones who live comfortably are those that work for him; who are rich and powerful.” Applejack growled fiercely “Just the mention of that greedy little hog makes my stomach churn. What don’t y’all just leave here and move to some other planet?” “Because we can’t…” said Jakad “Sylphesh not only owns all our supplies and money, but he controls all the space-warps, making it impossible for anyone to leave here. Do you really think we’d stay if he had the privilege to leave?” “And what is more…” said Mamar “Sylphesh has also trapped many other creatures from other planets here as well. He sees all newcomers to Zanadu as just aspects that he can profit off of.” This was enough for the friends to hear. It was bad enough the way they were treated, but after hearing that awful story, it was well decided that Sylphesh had to be overthrown, and since it was Starfleet’s job to protect others from evil and injustice, they were allowed to act with force! Jakad and Mamar however held their heads low. “I don’t think you can help us. No one really can.” “And why not?” asked Rainbow. “It’s for the same reason why none of us fight back.” said Mamar “That Sylphesh is weaker than a cat. Even I could take him on, but the problem is he has a large weapon at his disposer, a giant robot that he can control from the inside.” Her husband nodded “He built that robot and gave it incredible powers and weapons. As long as he has it, he runs the planet unopposed. We don’t have a chance against such a monstrosity.” The friends remained unfazed by any of this. “I guess he hasn’t reckoned the power of Starfleet.” said Artie. “You mean you’re still going to try?” asked Mamar. “Si, this sounds like kiddy play. We’ve handled bigger creeps than this before.” said Dyno. Myte nodded “We promise you, we’ll have that guy on his knees and crying for his mama.” The couple looked at the ponies with ever so much hope in their eyes “You’re saying, you’ll fight, and make that overblown selfish miser suffer?” asked Jakad. Princess Luna gazed at them deeply and hissed “Humiliation’s galore!” The couple laughed with glee knowing they would free of their nightmare soon. “Hold your horses, now. We gotta do us some plannin’ first.” said Applejack, and everyone talked and plotted out everything that they could. Meanwhile, it was getting close to sundown on Amasia, and the wedding was to be held in the royal palace courtyard, and guests were already arriving. All of them were beautiful and stunning, and also escorted to specific seats issued by the guards by order of the princess. She wanted each and every guest seated so that their specific beauty didn’t comingle with that of others and ruining it all. As for Lightning, he was being groomed in his private room, by other guards, who helped him into his wedding ensemble; which consisted primarily of tights, gladiator armor, and a red cape. His other clothes were all tossed aside on the floor. Lightning would have complained, but he was nearly exhausted form all the excess grooming. He had been given five baths, and his hair styled many times, and many other beautification treatments to look manly for his bride. “No… more…” groaned Lightning “I can’t take another minute of this!” The guards ignored him and walked him along. “We must take you to the princess for her approval.” Lightning could only groan in dismay. Almandiva was already beautifying herself, sitting in front of her mirror, humming the wedding march. She fluttered her eyes and her reflection and smiled. “Mirror, Mirror on the wall, Who’s the fairest in the galaxy and all?” “Princess Almandiva…” the guard said as he, his comrade and Lightning entered, much to her annoyance. “Sorry to disturb you highness, but we have brought the groom for your inspection.” Amandiva turned to gaze at Lightning, and she gazed him over from head to toe. “Excellent…” she said “Perfectly beautiful and beautifully perfect.” She sauntered up to Lightning, and fluttered her eyes at him. “Just a little longer my sweet, and then it’ll be just you… and me…” she locked her pinky finger with his giggling. Lightning could only growl softly in anger, and then the princess ordered the guards “Take him and have him prepared for the ceremony. I’ll be ready in a while.” The guards bowed, and dragged Lightning away. As he was walked along down the hallways, he was secretly hoping that his friends were okay and that part of his plan would be able to spring into action, despite that they were locked up. He knew most of their magic and powers were blocked, but not all of them were…! Down in the dungeons, his friends were well aware of this too. Their Starfleet powers and most of their normal magic had been blocked, but Cadance’s ninja power wasn’t as it didn’t originate from her horn but rather the medallion she wore, and Fluttershy and Pinkie could still use their Valkyrie powers, as the elements of harmony were a type of magic that couldn’t be blocked as easily by such magic. The problem was getting out of their cells, and such a solution was coming their way. The guards changed shifts, and Soron came in to watch over the prisoners, but he was still looking pretty glum, and his eyes were a little red around the rims, obviously from crying. “Soron, are you okay?” asked Fluttershy. Normally prisoners weren’t supposed to talk to the guards, but Soron felt so distraught that he couldn’t care less. “Do I seem alright to you?” he cried. His tears were falling in earnest, but he tired his deepest not to break out sobbing. “I’m starting to wish we had never met, and then none of this would have been happening. Now I’m about to lose my one true love. My one and only soul mate to another!” The others hated to see him so hurt, and Cadance couldn’t stand to see anyone broken-hearted more, as for Starla, although she was still upset at the thought of Lightning being taken away by another, she felt bad for Soron as well. “You really love the princess that much?” she asked. “Oh… I do.” cried Soron “I’ve always been there, attending her every need, her every desire, and I cherished every second of it. If only she weren’t so lost in her lust for beauty and charm, perhaps she could’ve seen that. Now it’s all too late.” The others had heard enough, and realized Amandiva just needed to open her heart more, and Cadance knew the only way to ensure that. “Soron, I think I can help you.” she said to him. “How…?” Soron asked in dismay “How can anyone help at a time like this?” “Hear me out…” said Cadance “If you agree to help us, I think there might be a way so everyone gets a happy ending today, including you.” Soron’s pointed ears gave a small twitch. The force fields were generated by a control switch on the wall. All he had to do was switch it off, but he really didn’t know if it was right to do; the princess would be furious if she found out! Suddenly, they all could hear the sounds of a trumpet fanfare playing form outside; the wedding was about to begin. “You have little time, Soron. If you don’t act, all hope will be gone.” said Rhymey. Soron was sweating nervously, and still unsure. Outside, the fanfare sounded again, and the royal greeter announced to all gathered “Please rise one and all. Presenting her esteemed loveliness, ruler of Amasia and envy to all beauty and perfection-- our fair princess, Amandiva!” The doors opened wide, and the bride stepped forth gracefully for all to see and enamour as she gracefully walked down the aisle with her three bridesmaids behind her. Once at the end of the red carpet, she walked up the steps and stood under the arch. “And now…” the greeter announced “Presenting the groom; all the way from United Equestria, and quite possibly the luckiest creature in the galaxy; Lightning Dawn.” Lightning was brought out by the guards until he reached the arch. He felt really sick to his stomach, especially when Amandiva gazed at him tenderly “Hey…” she flirted, and pursed her lips kissing the air. Lightning shuddered, and hoped the others were ready, if they even pulled the plan off. Meanwhile, at Sylphesh’s palace, the greedy tyrant was napping at his desk, and snoring loudly. He was even talking to himself as he dreamed. “Give me money… all your precious money.” While he dozed, the guards were all on patrol, keeping their eye out for trouble, when suddenly, KAPOW!! The walls burst wide open in a big explosion, and the ponies leapt right in, already transformed, and began to attack the guards to render them unconscious. The alarms sounded… …Sylphesh was awoken from his sleep. “What is it? What’s going on?!” he shouted, and he could see on his monitors… …whole swarms of guards came rushing in with their ray guns armed, but they were less of than match for that against the ponies. The blasts from the ray guns didn’t work against their super armor. The ponies, punched, kicked and knocked all those guards down like blowing pins, leaving them scattered all over the place, and they all dashed down the corridors. “This is madness!” cried Sylphesh “How could they have defeated all my guards so easily?” Then suddenly, his office doors burst wide open and the ponies leapt in. “Simple, they’re just like you.” snapped Buddy Rose “Weak, spineless and hardly much of a threat.” Sylphesh growled “Such insolence! You can’t talk to me like that. I am ruler of all Zanadu!” “Not anymore you aren’t!” snapped Rarity. “Step down right now, before we step all over you!” added Rainbow. “What?!” snarled Sylphesh “I’ll show you a step!” and he stepped on a floor switch, engaging his security systems. Before the others knew it, they were totally surrounded by missile launchers, machine guns and other sorts of fire arms. “FIRE!!” shouted Sylphesh, and all the weapons fired right at the ponies, engulfing them in huge explosions, but when the smoke cleared, Sylphesh gasped “What?! This is impossible! How can you not have a single scratch?” The ponies snuffed. “Not only are you a coward, you never learn.” said Dyno. Myte nodded “Your weapons and pitiful tactics won’t work on us. Now either you come quietly, or we’ll drag you out!” Sylphesh wasn’t beaten yet, and he hit another floor switch, and a glass tube came down from the ceiling and sucked him up. “What’s happening?” cried Artie. He got his answer when the entire room began to change as the walls and floors flowed out into solid metal, and the big wall behind Sylphesh’s desk opened wide revealing the giant robot, the elderly couple warned the friends about. It was at least thirty meters tall, with big cannon on its chest, a pack of missiles on its back, a giant right fist, and a large buzz saw for its left hand. “So this is the mechanical monstrosity.” hissed Luna. Sylphesh was heard laughing from within the cockpit. “This is what happens to those who dare to aggravate me! You should have run while you had the chance. Now, get ready to die! The ponies scanned the robot with their visors, and the levels showed it was a lot stronger than they thought. “We can still take it.” said Applejack. The others all nodded, and stood ready for a big fight. Meanwhile, the wedding ceremony was well underway. Lightning was growing more and more nervous, having not seen a sight of his friends anyway. Maybe they didn’t make it out? Maybe the plan was a bust? Then suddenly, he could see out of the corner of his eye, a mysterious figure slinked through the shrubs, unseen by all. Then, a mysterious gloved hand peeked out from under a bush. Lightning recognized it immediately as Cadance’s ninja glove. She began tapping her finger in morse-code; “I’m going to create a distraction. Don’t run anywhere.” Lightning softly tapped his toe once, meaning he understood. His plan was going to work after all. “Marriage is a noble tradition…” said the preacher “A tradition of which the male worships the female. He bows to her every whim, cares for her, cooks for her, basks in her loving glory and bestows upon her his heart’s deepest devotion.” “Ugh, I think I’m going to be sick.” Lightning groaned softly. The preacher then proceeded to pour some crystal spring water into a goblet on the table. “The bride and groom are ready to sip the sacred water, which will seal the marriage. However, if there is anyone present who knows why our princess must not marry this pony, speak now.” Suddenly, Cadance emerged from the bushes and threw many of her ninja smoke bombs all over the place, even by the altar. “What’s this?!” snapped Amandiva “Who dares to interrupt my wedding?!” When the smoke had cleared, the other ponies were standing in the middle of the aisle. “Surprise!” shouted Pinkie. “What?! You’ve escaped!” cried Amandiva. “You bet we did…” snapped Starla “Now, get away from my husband, or else!” Amandiva scoffed, and shouted for her guards “Take these miserable creeps away.” The guards charged forth, but the friends began to fight back, easily overpowering them with their regular fighting skills and strengths, much to Amandiva’s horror. Lightning didn’t bother to help out, as he didn’t have to, and was told to stay put by Cadance. “You see, Amandiva, beauty’s not everything.” he said. He was secretly hoping for the next part of his plan to happen, and he got it…! Amandiva growled angrily. No way was she going to stand for this, and she whistled loudly, and the ground gave a small quiver, and another, and another, and finally a large dragon burst into the yard. “There my wittle Fu-Fu.” The friends all gawked at the mean dragon, and Fluttershy fainted into Rhymey’s arms. He quickly snapped her out of it. “Get rid of these pests now!” shouted Amandiva. Fu-Fu nodded and snarled at the other ponies. “This is it.” said Starla “Everyone ready?” The others all nodded, and Pinkie and Fluttershy concentrated hard and shouted “VALKYRIA!!” changing into their Valkyrie forms. “What’s this?!” snapped Amandiva as she gazed at the two Valkyries. “Those have got to be the silliest getups I’ve ever seen. No matter-- Fu-Fu…” The dragon roared loudly and lunged in to attack. The others all dodged. She swung her tail at them, just missing the crowds, but the ponies ducked out of the way. Pinke and Fluttershy nodded at one another, and soared at the dragon, and then using their swords, they cast powerful binding chains around Fu-Fu, in attempt to hold her down. The dragon fussed about fiercely making it hard to maintain a good grip. While the struggle continued, Cadance remained in hiding, and got a good view of the goblet on the table. Her ninja powers helped to unblock the lock spell on her alicorn magic, allowing her to spike the water with one of her special spells. She gave Lightning a thumb up, and he winked at her. Fu-Fu was still able to breathe strong fireballs, even though she was tied up, but the ponies still managed to dodge the blasts. Unfortunately, they ended up getting caught in the dragon’s huge claws. “No!” cried Lightning. Amandiva nodded with satisfaction, and she decided that while they were tied up, “Finish the ceremony now!” she demanded. The preacher winced at her sudden snapping. “Y-Y-Yes… your majesty.” He cleared his throat. “Do you, Princess Amandiva, accept Lightning Dawn as your wedded husband?” Amandiva grabbed the goblet and raised it before Lightning in salute “I do…” and she sipped from the goblet. “Come on, come on…!” Lightning muttered. He was hoping for the spell to take effect, otherwise the second he drank the water too, then the marriage would be legal. “Mmm, refreshing…” said Amandiva, but suddenly she felt very strange. “Oh… oh my. What’s this?” The spell, it was working. Cadance’s spell was cleansing her heart, and helping her see past all the beauty and stuff, as well her vain attitude. She began to remember special times, or rather a special someone in those times. “No…!” she cried as she dropped the goblet, and the entire courtyard went silent in shock. Even Fu-Fu gawked in confusion. “This… this is all wrong.” cried Amandiva “Lightning, I shouldn’t be marrying you; you’re not the one I really want to be with.” Now the crowds were more shocked than ever, but the ponies began to realize the plan was working. Amandiva even called out “Where are you, my true love!” That’s when Soron called out to her as he came in and landed in the aisle “Princess, I am here!” “Soron!” “Amandiva!” The two ran towards one another, and she tacked him to the ground in a deep embrace. The crowds couldn’t be more shocked, but seeing how adorable it was, they all broke out into cheers. Lightning jumped for joy, and even his friends were happy. Fu-Fu leapt for joy too, after the Valkyries released her from their grip. “Oh, Soron…” cried Amandiva “I’ve been so blind by my lust for beauty, I now realize, I love you, not for your charm and grace, but for your inner beauty.” “And I love you nonetheless, my princess. Will you marry me?” “Oh, yes! Yes I will!” The crowds cheered louder than ever. Fluttershy couldn’t help but shed a tear “It’s so beautiful.” Pinkie was already blubbering loudly. Some of the guards were confused still. “But she can’t marry him…” “He’s only a sentry.” Rhymey chuckled and said to them… “As the sunlight starts to end and the stars shine above. Isn’t it a romantic thing to two people in love? They can be together, there’s rule that it cannot be. Love is all that matters, anyone can see.” The guards took another look at the happy couple, and agreed. Cadance came out of the bush and untransformed as she approached Lightning. “Good job, Cadance. I really owe you, big time.” “Well, I think I know what you can do for me…” she said, and she motioned over at Starla. “Lightning!” “Starla!” They ran towards and collided into each other. Lightning twirled her around happily and held her close. “Love you, Starla.” “I love you…” she said back to him, and they kissed in front of the cheering crowd. Meanwhile, Sylphesh pushed hard on the controls making his robot lunge forth, and he bashed the ponies hard, sending them scattering about, but they all landed safely on their feet. Sylphesh could not believe this at all “You’re still standing! Why can’t you just die already?” “Perhaps we are as equally as stubborn as you are.” sneered Luna. “Ha! Stubborn this!” growled Sylphesh, and he hit the controls launching his missiles at the friends. “Watch out!” cried Buddy Rose, and they all dodged, but the missiles swerved and came right back after them again. “They must be equipped with homing signals.” cried Artie. They all swerved again, but the missiles would not give up and continued to home in on them. Suddenly, Applejack had an idea and got out her rope. She lassoed one of the missiles. “Yee-haw!” she cried as she swung hard, sending the missile crashing into two others, detonating them. “Of course!” cried Dyno. “Heads up!” cried Myte as missiles headed straight for them. The boys leapt high causing the missiles to hit into each other. The others then blasted the other missiles with their own magic, and Rainbow stared the last missile down as it came directly at her. “Take this…!” she thundered as she kicked the missile hard with her foot sending it right back… and injuring her foot slightly. “YE-AAAOW!! That smarts.” “Ah!” screamed Slyphesh as the missile headed straight for him. He dodged it, causing it to hit the metal walls. “Hey, do you have any idea how expensive those missiles are?!” he shouted. Then he started up the giant buzz saw “I’m going to cut you all into pony pieces!” He swung the robot’s arm hard and the ponies were barely able to dodge the blade. Rarity was missed by a few threads of hair from her mane. She gasped ever so hard… …and she screamed… Then her features immediately changed to sheer fury! “You hurt my mane… NOW YOU WILL PAY!!” The buzz saw came right at her, and she rolled under it and grabbed the arm of the robot and with all her fury and strength, she managed to break that huge arm right off, much to Sylphesh’s horror. “THAT’S IT!!” he shouted “I tried to be peaceful, but now you’ve pushed me too far-- Time to power up the ultra-cannon. The cannon on the robot’s chest began glowing as the energy began to build up. The ponies all stood together, and scanned the power of the blast with their visors. “Whoa! That power’s really climbing.” cried Rainbow. “But not high enough…” said Artie “I think we can take this.” Princess Luna nodded, and told everyone to form a group around her “Charge your power as much as you can, and get ready.” The ponies all stood together. Rainbow, Rarity and Applejack changed into their Valkyrie forms. “FIRE!!” shouted Sylphesh, and the slammed hard on a big red button, and the canon fired a huge burst of energy. “NOW!!” shouted Luna, and all the ponies fired their powers, combining them in one colossal burst of energy, intercepting the cannon’s blast. “Ah?!” cried Sylphesh, unable to believe what he was seeing. The blasts were actually even in power. “No! I won’t let this happen. More power!” and he began to charge up more and more power into the blast, sending it slowly towards the ponies. “Yes…!! YES!!” but the ponies just stood where they were, and Luna nodded at them all. Everyone poured a teensy bit more magic into their blasts, and sent the power right back at the robot. “No!” cried Sylphesh. He tried to pour more power into the shot, but the controls were shorting out from being so overloaded, and the danger levels were blinking like crazy. “BAIL OUT!!” and he quickly ejected while he still could, just as the blasts went straight up the cannon, and the robot exploded in a big boom. Sylphesh was okay, but he couldn’t have been more devastated, and the ponies stood before him glaring at him fiercely. He knew he was licked, and he couldn’t buy his way out of this one. “No, please… don’t hurt me!” he whined “I’ll go in peace! Just please don’t hurt me.” “Oh, really… there’s no need for all these dramatics.” said Rarity. “Guess it’s true what they say…” said Buddy Rose “Those who often throw their weight about turn out to be terrible cowards.” “Eeyup.” said Applejack. Thanks to Starfleet’s efforts, the planet was now free from the greedy tyrant and his wrenching. Surprisingly, even some of the guards were relieved it was over, as they were fed up with taking orders from that fool! Everyone’s debts were cleared, and fairness and equality was finally returning to Zanadu. As for Sylphesh, everyone agreed that the best way to punish him would be for him to work off for all the money he had wrenched-- he’d be pretty busy for a good long time. Mamar and Jakad were very thrilled and couldn’t stop thanking the ponies for all they had done. “It’s what we live for.” said Princess Luna “We were happy to help in what ways that we could.” The next morning, both teams from both planets were presented with the ingredients they had come for. A few simple powders and herbs and other things they couldn’t get from home. Then, after exchanging farewells with their new friends and allies, whom agreed to become part of the Starfleet organization, the friends headed back to United Equestria. Once back home, they presented the obtained ingredients to their majesties, and they were very pleased. “Well done, all of you.” said Grand Ruler. “You all did superb, and we will personally see that you are well compensated.” “Oh, please…” said Lightning “Begging your pardon, but we’ve been through quite enough.” The others all agreed. It was quite a relief that they managed to pull off everything without starting more wars. Instead, they made new allies, and Grand Ruler and Celestia would draw up the agreement documents immediately. “Did you really almost marry a princess, Lightning?” Krysta asked. Lightning and the others preferred not to think about that, but it was rather nice of Soron to give them the ingredients before they left, as a so-called apology for taking Lightning’s bride away from him. “He never took my bride form me….” he gazed at Starla “…Not my real bride.” His wife smiled and pecked him deeply. She and the others were grateful that Soron and Amandiva were happy now, and that all of Amasia was now a better world where everyone was treated fair, not just for appearances. Amandiva was sure to uncast her spell before they all left. Shining Armor was pleased that his wife played a major role in it. “Guess your powers are coming along real great.” Cadance nodded and said “It’s fun to adventure, but it’s more fun to be home.” Rarity was still picking at her mane and sighed heavily at the snipped ends. “Oh, it’s okay, Rarity, you can hardly notice it at all.” Spike said “And I am glad you still made it back safely.” Rarity smiled at him “Spike, that’s so sweet of you.” and she pecked his little head making him blush and faint. Still, even now that they had the ingredients, they couldn’t do much more with them; the note had told them all to stand by and await further instructions from the hooded figures. For now, that was all they could do. “Do think this means we’ll finally get to meet them?” asked Dyno. “I don’t know.” said Myte “But I hope so, there’s so much I want to know.” “There is much we all wish to know.” said Celestia, “But in the meantime we must continue forth.” Her husband agreed “There is still much to beware of and protect the planet. Go forth with courage, My Brave Ponies.” Everyone agreed. (Promo) In our next episode; Spike discovers the shocking truth about Esroh Dab, but when he tries to preach to Rarity results in a heated argument and an ultimate loss of trust and faith. Rarity is then saddened to ultimately discover the truth herself when Esroh reveals his true identity to her, and then challenges Rarity and friends to a fight to the finish, but Rarity desperately does not wish to do battle and begs for another solution. Are Spike and Rarity truly finished? Will our heroes be able to overcome Esroh Dab’s treachery? Don’t miss the next exciting episode of “Starfleet Magic!” (Next Episode: “The Truth of the Heartbroken”)