//------------------------------// // Episode 2: Evil's Return: Part 2 // Story: My Brave Pony: Starfleet Magic Season I // by DakariKingMykan //------------------------------// “Previously on Starfleet Magic…” Lightning Dawn had settled into his new home, and had quickly so many new friends along the way. During a celebration of his arrival, Titan the evil sorcerer, whom had been sealed away by the Grand Ruler for centuries, appeared to crash the party and threatens to destroy all the ponies and their world with it. EPISODE TWO With his raging fury, Titan began to capture many ponies and imprisoned them in large bubble-like objects. Even Krysta was accidentally caught as well. “Lightning…!” she screamed. “Krysta! No…!” cried Lightning. “Easy pickings!” laughed Titan. “Let her go!” Lightning demanded, but Titan only laughed and scoffed at him “You dare to command me?!” He stretched out his hand unleashing a blast of shockwaves at Lightning, which blasted him hard into the wall, and before long, the library was a complete and total mess; bookshelves were knocked down; books scattered all over the floor along with the broken glass and ruined party supplies. All the other ponies began to run in panic, much to Titan’s amusement. Lightning was furious! “What are you going to do with those captured ponies?” he demanded to know. Titan gazed at him and his eyes glowed. “That is none of your concern!” he hissed as he raised his hand and was ready to zap Lightning! “Hold it right there!” snapped a voice. Titan looked towards the door, and Lightning saw some of the ponies he had met that day; Buddy Rose, Artie, Rhymey, even Starla. All four of were now wearing actual Starfleet battle-suits-- Their armors looked shinier and stronger, and now they had on knee, elbow, shoulder pads and stomach gaurds, and they all wore cool visors across their eyes like cool shades. “In the name of Starfleet… I order you to cease and desist.” shouted Buddy Rose. Lightning could hardly believe it. His four new friends were all members of Starfleet too, ranked as lieutenants as well, meaning they were pretty much freshmen; newbies, and Titan could hardly believe that Starfleet was still around after all this time, but he simply scoffed “You don’t know what you’re up against." “You don’t know what you’re up against, Titan.” snapped Artie. Rather than cause a real ruckus, Titan decided to test the warriors out. “If you truly wish to save your friends, I’ll give the chance… but you’ll have to find me first.” Then he vanished in a cloud of black and purple smoke, taking his prisoners with him. “KRYSTA…!” cried Lightning. Feeling overwhelmed with sadness and anger, he angrily pounded the floor with his fists in frustration. The others felt sorry for Lightning, but now they had to head off somewhere. “I’m going with you.” Lightning said. “Lightning, No.” Buddy Rose said “This is a job for Starfleet. You should get to safety. We know how you feel about Krysta. We’ll get her back. I promise.” Before Lightning could protest, the four warriors moved on out. Starla stopped at the door and gazed back at him, almost apologetically, but then she ran off to join her teammates. Lightning angrily pounded the floor again. The library was still in a mess, until Dr. Penny arrived with her team to help treat anyone who was hurt, and following her was an elderly green alicorn, wearing small round glasses and dressed in a smart looking-suit and tie, the code GU6I, and spoke in an English accent. “Mmm… I say! What’s happened…?” Inquerius approached him “Can you not tell?” she asked “Did you not feel the danger?” “Didn’t we all?” added Lightning. The green alicorn admitted that he did calculate the tremors, “But… I wouldn’t have believed it possible that Titan has… mmm… eh… returned as it were.” “Well that’s fine and dandy... whoever you are.” said Lightning “But it doesn’t help find where he’s gone or where he’s taken the ponies he took, and my friend Krysta.” The green alicorn kept his cool. “My name, good sir, is Brain; Professor Horatio I.Q Brain if you will, and as soon as I knew there was trouble I began to… eh… make my calculations, and confirm my theories, and I have come to tell you that I just may know where Titan has gone.” Lightning’s ears twitched. “Where, where have they gone? You have to tell me!” Brain told Lightning to calm down and come to his laboratory house in Greenland. It soon became clear that Brain was a regular genius and scientific inventor. He was no Starfleet fighter, but he was an unofficial advisor to Starfleet and developer of several of its modern-day technologies and tools. His laboratory seemed massively loaded with many strange and bizarre inventions, but that was expected as it was a laboratory. “Please do not touch anything.” Brain warned Lightning “One little accident in a laboratory could cause massive trouble.” Then Brain sat himself down at a strange contraption that seemed to be heating water. Brain sniffed the steam. “Ahh…! Satisfactory…” he sighed “Most satisfactory.” “What is that?” asked Lightning “Is it a device that lets you find Titan? Something that can beat him or get the ponies and Krysta back…?” “What? Oh, don’t be silly…” said Brain “This device is merely used to make me a cup of tea. I’ve finally perfected it you know.” “A cup of tea…?!” Lightning asked in annoyance “I thought you said you knew where Titan had gone?” “But I do…” snapped Brain. He cleared his throat “Begging your pardon, if you will just hand me that map over there...” Lightning did as he was asked, and Brain unfolded the map and consulted his notes. “Mm, now, let me see. Ah, ha! Satisfactory…! Most satisfactory...” “What is it?” asked Lightning. Brain explained that the only place Titan could have taken the captured ponies would be to Blacktop Mountain, which was located on the other side of Violet Swamp. “Then that’s where we should be heading.” Lightning suggested. “Oh, good heavens, no!” snapped Brain “You know it’s dangerous to be wandering through the swamp at night? It… eh… especially would not be bright considering… em… our enemy would be expecting you. That is what had said, was it not?” Brain had a point. Violet Swamp was already a dangerous place even in daytime, as it was home to many creatures and dangers. The creatures got very hostile whenever they were disturbed or they felt their turfs were being trespassed on. Lightning would also be all alone and he had no magic or weapons to defend himself with. “I don’t care!” Lightning said “Krysta’s in danger and so are all the captured ponies! I’m not just going to sit around and do nothing. Grand Ruler also trained me well. I know I can do this.” With that, he decided to fly out on his own. “Oh, dear!” cried Brain “The poor chap; I do hope he thinks twice of this at the last moment.” Blacktop Mountain was the tallest mountain on the planet, and the upmost level of ground anyone could reach without having to fly so high. An old shrine lay on the mountaintop. Centuries ago it was used as a meeting place for Starfleet fighters of the past, and that was exactly where Titan was now. All the ponies he had captured were still trapped in their bubbles desperately trying to escape, but to no avail. Titan was most surprised to realize he had captured Krysta as well. “It’s not every day one comes across a fairy.” he hissed. Krysta tried with all her magic and might to escape, but the bubble simply wouldn’t break. “What are you planning to do with us?” she demanded to know. Titan didn’t mind explaining to her that he was planning, and while he did he was interrupted along the way by the arrival of three other ponies; demoncorns Titan had created out of corpses, graveyard soils and fused with bits of his own magic to serve as his minions. They were Mysterious; a black shiny pony that was practically a living shadow, but had the force and might of a solid being. The second was called Rep-Stallion; a tough and rather pompous but strong pony holding a double-bladed scythe. The third was a female, named Dementia. She seemed rather attractive, but she was dangerous nonetheless, and her name Dementia was implied because she had the power to warp dimensional energies and waves around her. The minions had reported that the members of Starfleet were on their way but they had also spotted a white alicorn with a golden horn at the edge of the swamp. Titan held both his hands together creating a ball of light he used to view the edge of the swamp, and he saw Lightning. “Why, it’s that annoying little pest who tried to stand up to me.” Titan had heard stories of Lightning Dawn and how he had no magic to even do card-tricks, let alone anything spectacular, but he also knew he was the Grand Ruler’s personal apprentice, meaning there was more to Lightning than at first glance. When the minions asked if they should dispose of him, Titan refused. “Let him go.” he simply said. He wanted to see Lightning in action and hopefully find out any secrets that would be helpful. “And what of Starfleet, my lord?” asked Mysterious. Titan merely turned to his minions and answered with his red eyes glowing madly. “You know what must be done.” Lightning stood at the edge of Violet Swamp, and Brain wasn’t kidding when he warned him--it really did seem dark and creepy at night. Just a simple gaze through all the thickets and brambles was enough to send chills up his spine. Still, Lightning has come this far, and he knew Krysta and the other unicorns were in danger. “Well… here goes.” He said to himself. Then he took one step forward crushing a twig under his boot as he walked followed by all kinds of screeches and noises from within the swamp. He gulped nervously but ventured forth. It was hard to see when there wasn’t so much light, but at least it wasn’t so pitch dark you couldn’t see anything at all. Lightning figured the best way to traverse the swamp was just to keep going forward in a straight line. He would eventually reach the mountain trail for sure. Jagged rocks, fallen logs and dangling vines seemed to trip him everywhere he stepped. He stepped in gooey mud “Yuck!” he groaned. Suddenly, Lightning turned and thought he saw a monster, but it was only a tree in the shape of a monster. He saw a scary claw, which was actually just a long branch. Lightning took in a deep breath and counted to ten, then again, and felt better… until he heard the sound of footsteps coming towards him. Quivering in fear, he ducked down, and peeped, “Who’s there…?” The bushes shook and twigs snapped, but then a friendly voice called. “Lightning…? Is that you…?” Lightning peeked up and saw it was Starla. He sighed heavily in relief. Starla called out to the others who were all close by. They all came over holding flashlights and lanterns “What are you doing here?” asked Artie “We told you not to follow us. This is Starfleet business!” Lightning explained that he didn’t follow them deliberately and came out here on his own. “We realize you are in such worry. But you must leave here in a hurry.” said Rhymey “Listen!” Lightning snapped at them all “You can tell me that as many times as you want, but I’m not leaving.” The others could tell there was no point in trying to say no. So, despite it being against Star Fleet’s code, they allowed Lightning to come with them. So they all traversed though the swamp together. Rhymey even decided to make things easier. His horn glowed, and he shouted, “WARD SWORD!” causing a simple knight’s sword to materialize so he could cut and hack away at all the brambles and thickets, making a clear path through. “Follow me this way… Hurry now. Don’t delay.” Everyone followed quickly, because all the things that Rhymey had hacked seemed to grow back almost instantly. Suddenly, Starla began sinking. “Hey!” she shrieked “Quicksand!” The others all leapt away before they got sucked in, but Starla couldn’t seem to get out, and if the others moved to close, they would get sucked in too. “Starla…!” Lightning called “Don’t struggle. You’ll only sink faster.” Starla remained calm, and then Lightning pulled a vine from a tree and tossed it to her. Starla caught it. Then the whole gang pulled hard and yanked her out of the sand. Starla was okay, but they could all hear the sounds of heavy footsteps coming towards them. “What now?” Lightning asked. He soon got his answer as monstrous shadowy images seem to jump right out from round the trees and open fire on them. “Look out!” cried Buddy Rose and everyone leapt out of the way. “Run!” There was worse to come as those shadows seemed to be popping up all over the place, and worse, the trees were falling over as they had been slashed as if someone were trying to crush the gang, but finally, after running for a while and dodging all the traps they made it out of the swamp all in one piece “What a nightmare!” Buddy Rose panted. Lightning was glad to be out of there and now just before them was the starting trail of Blacktop Mountain, and it looked even more eerie than the swamp, sending chills up everyone’s spines. Still, they all climbed, and resisted the urge to fly up the mountain, not knowing what traps lay ahead. Not only we’re there more monsters along the way, but booby traps as well-- Things like hidden pits, rock slides, falling boulders. Even scary shadows, which only turned out to be the shadows of the gang all huddled against the mountainside. “And you Starfleet guys do this all the time?” Lightning asked. “Yes… we do.” Artie said. “That’s why we all joined, to help out.” Lightning had only read and heard stories about Starfleet while living with the Grand Ruler and had spent a great deal of his time studying the manuals and regulations. Titan was not the only evil they had ever faced, but there was always some bad guy or other evil forces out there causing trouble. So over the ages, Grand Ruler sent many legions of Star Fleet warriors to patrol areas of Dimensional Space and stave off any evil they could find. This was what inspired Lightning’s new friends to join Starfleet; to continue the legacy and protect Unicornicopia and the rest of the universe as best they could so that evil might never be allowed to harm anyone. Lightning began to wonder if maybe he should join, but he quickly became discouraged due to the fact that he couldn’t do magic or summon weapons like the others. The others felt sorry for Lightning, and wished there was something they could do. Soon, after a while of climbing they reached the top of the mountain and there was the old shrine temple just ahead as a flash of lightning and the booming of thunder made everyone wince. “Well, here we are…” Artie said nervously. That’s when the doors to the shrine creaked open, as if they were being invited in. “Gee! Do you think it’s okay… To go in that way?” asked Rhymey “We have to.” said Lightning “We didn’t come all this way to just turn back now.” They all quietly walked through the open doors. It was dark and eerie inside. Nobody could see a thing. “Think we should announce we’re here?” asked Buddy Rose. “How should we do that?” asked Starla “How about… come and get us?” Lightning called out. That was when the doors slammed shut behind, and everything went pitch black. Everyone else screamed all at once. “…Although a bloodcurdling scream is just as good.” replied Lightning. That’s when a torch on the wall lit with fire. Then another torch lit, and another, and another, all the way around the shrine. “Look!” cried Starla. It was the Unicorns, all sleeping inside magic bubbles, and “Krysta!” cried Lightning. He dashed over towards the bubble. “Lightning, No…!” called Artie “Don’t go…!” rhymed Rhymey Lightning reached the bubbles, but found his hoof could pass right through them. “These are illusions!” That’s when all the bubbles vanished instantly, and sounds of laughter echoed throughout the shrine as Titan’s minions appeared. “Well, hello there…!” hissed Mysterious. Rep-Stallion and Dementia snickered cheekily. “Who are you?” snapped Buddy Rose “And what have you done with the alicorns.” “…and Krysta!” added Lightning “They’re safe… for the moment.” said Rep-Stallion. “And if you behave nicely, we just might make your fate less painful than theirs.” added Dementia. The gang was starting to tell that these creeps were going to give them no end of trouble. “Don’t get any ideas!” snapped Artie “When the Grand Ruler finds out about this…” “Don’t flatter yourself.” snorted Rep-Stallion. “We can beat his magic with one hand each. Well, maybe two.” The ponies stood poised for battle, and Rhymey held his sword tightly. Lightning, however, wasn’t sure what to do. He didn’t have any magic to use, no weapons, not even any super armor like the others. So he ducked behind a column and watched as the others began to brawl! Artie and Buddy Rose went after Mysterious. “Let’s get him!” shouted Buddy, and the boys charged at their enemy only to end up passing right through him. “Huh…?” “What…?” “Hm, mm, mm…! You missed me.” Mysterious mocked at them. The boys tried again only to repeat what happened. Then suddenly they realized. Mysterious, being made of darkness, was able to manipulate his body. “Fools, you can’t just reach out and touch a shadow.” he mocked, and ran past the boys striking them with his horn. “… but perhaps the shadow can touch you!” Even with their armor on, Buddy and Artie felt this would be harder than they thought. The others weren’t having much luck either, as Rhymey and Rep-Stallion went at it with their weapons. Rep-Stallion was very skilled in wielding his scythe, but he was rather impressed by Rhymey’s swordplay. “I must say, you are rather good…” “I have practiced for long, like anyone should.” rhymed Rhymey. Rep-Stallion sniggered, and then pulled a cheap magic attack, “SCYTHE SHOCK!” and his scythe began to spark with electricity that gave Rhymey a jolt and knocked him back hard. He got back onto his feet snarling angrily… “I’ve had enough… It’s time to get tough!” He spread his wings out and shouted, “DRILL QUILL!” and as he flapped his wings hard, he sent a swarm of sharp quill feathers from his wings at his enemy like missiles. Rep-Stallion got hit several times as sparks and small explosions hit him. “So, you want to play that way? Fine then…!” Meanwhile, Dementia and Starla stared each other down. “Let’s see what you’ve got.” Dementia sneered as she charged forward. Starla leapt out of the way. “STAR SHOWER” and with her shout sent a cluster of small stars, actually energy-bolts, straight at Dementia, nearly ruffling her mane and Dementia did not like it when someone tried to spoil her pretty looks, and Dementia did not like getting her looks spoiled She turned and glared furiously at Starla. “Oh…! Ye who messes my mane WILL PAY!!” she shouted and charged at Starla with all her might, and using her power to warp the air around her negating Starla’s attacks and mocked, “Like they say, a good offense is a strong defense!” Starla didn’t care, but as the fight was about to continue, Titan appeared and called his minions off. “That’s enough.” he said with an evil snicker. “You have done well, my minions. Return to the castle.” The minions, though disappointed as they were having so much fun, obeyed their master and vanished into thin air. Lightning peeked from behind the column. “Oh, no! Not him…!” he whimpered softly. Having previously had a taste of Titan’s power he knew Titan was going to be much tougher than the minions, maybe even too tough for the others to handle “Release those prisoners now!” Buddy Rose demanded. “Never!” scoffed Titan “But if you insist on seeing them again, I’ll be glad to let you join them!” and he fired a stream of magic at the ponies, most of them dodged the magic, but Starla got hit. “Uhn…” she cried and she was trapped in a magic holding-bubble. “Starla…!” shouted Lightning. “Let’s get him!” shouted Artie! and everyone fire their best attacks all at once… “LEAF SWARM!” A cluster of razor sharp leaves… “PAINT BOMB!” Artie fired blobs of paint that exploded on contact whenever it hit. “DRILL QUILL!” Titan got hit from all directions, but he didn’t even seem fazed. “Fools!” he laughed and then one-by-one, trapped each of them in more bubbles, ready to drain their magic and energies. Lightning was horrified to see his friends in so much pain and suffering, as well as the prisoners, and he finally felt something inside of him snap, and he leapt out from behind the column shouting. “YOU LEAVE THEM ALONE…!” Titan turned to face him. “Lightning, don’t!” cried Starla. “Get out of here while you still can!” shouted Buddy Rose, but Lightning refused. For a moment, nothing happened. Neither Titan nor Lightning said a thing to one another or even moved. Suddenly, without warning, Titan fired a small projectile which Lightning barely dodged. “Stay out of my way weakling! I don’t know why the Grand Ruler chose you of all creatures to be his student, but I’d say he made a poor choice.” Those words made Lightning furious and he clenched his fists angrily growling “Never say anything like that about my mentor in front of me!” and he charged towards Titan roaring like a monster. Impressed with his courage, but annoyed by his peskiness, Titan continued to fire more shots at Lightning, only to realize that Lightning was pretty quick on his feet and dodged each and every shot as if they were coming at him in slow-motion. Titan growled and then fired one giant shot of power but Lightning leapt right over it and, with a fierce battle cry, he soared downward and managed to kick Titan right in the chest. Titan hollered in pain held his chest. The others, watching from their prisons were nearly speechless. “Look at him go.” exclaimed Artie. “We were not able scratch him, Yet he seems able to match him.” said Rhymey “He’s amazing.” Starla muttered softly, unable to take her eyes off him. Lightning himself wasn’t sure he could believe how strong he was, but began to realize that having been training with the Grand Ruler for more than a decade was the explanation. Titan was most outraged. “You… dare strike me…?!” he thundered as his body began to glow with extreme anger, and he flapped open the lower area of his massive robe revealing that he had no legs at all, and that it was all just black and purple smog. “What the--?!” snapped Lightning “How…? But what…?” and while he stood there stammering in confusion, Titan saw his chance and unleashed a strong wave of extreme dark energy which hit Lightning with the force of a hurricane and seemingly knocking him down for the count. “…LIGHTNING!!” the others all shouted, and when the smog had cleared, Lightning lay flat on the ground and felt very weak and sore. Titan laughed hard and evilly and continued to mock at him, “And you call yourself an alicorn?” Lightning struggled to get up, but he collapsed in near exhaustion and pain. Titan decided, “Well then, allow me to put you out of your misery!” Titan said as began to power up again for one final, really big blast. The others could hardly bare to watch, this truly looked like the end for Lightning… “No…!” Lightning suddenly snapped, and he struggled, and struggled, and he managed to stand back up, much to Titan lividness. “Good gracious, are you still thinking you can win?” “I’m… not… thinking…” said Lightning “Magic… or no magic… I KNOW I CAN BEAT YOU!” That’s when his golden horn began to glow with a mystical light that seemed to cover all of Lightning’s body. He felt incredibly strong now. “That… that glow!” growled Titan “…No! No it can’t be…?!” The others all watched in amazement. “Is that what I think it is…?” asked Buddy Rose. “Without a doubt… The truth now comes out!” said Rhymey. Titan was not willing to let it be so. “Say goodbye…!” he snarled as he continued to charge up, but Lightning, still glowing, stepped forth and recited a chant, almost like being in a trance. “I summon forth a mystic power To aid me in this darkest hour Casting now upon my foe I now unleash… this magical glow…!” Titan roared loudly and fired his magic-stream, and Lightning shouted, “…UNIFORCE!” (skip to 0:38) He fired a large and powerful golden force of extreme magic which met with Titan’s force sending it right back towards him. “AAHH-Uh…? NO…!” KAPOW! He was hit hard and seemed to explode in a ball of fire, leaving only his charred robe behind. Lightning stopped glowing, and he felt extremely exhausted now as if he had just blown out every last bit of his energy. The bubble cells holding all the prisoners had vanished now that Titan was gone. Lightning’s friends were released from their bubbles while outside, the dark clouds lifted as the evil vanished from the mountain and the swamp below. Everyone shouted for joy, and Krysta was so happy to be free and so proud of Lightning while the members of Star Fleet were amazed. “He did it.” said Buddy Rose. “But how…?” asked Arite. Lightning was slowly recovering his strength but he still felt a little woozy. “Wow!” he exclaimed “Was that... could it be?!” “Lightning, you won!” cried Krysta “You saved everyone. Lightning felt really shocked and amazed with himself. It all happened so fast though. Suddenly, the doors to the shrine opened, as dawn began to break and the sun shined through, followed by a mystical glow and then… he appeared-- a handsome, tall white alicorn with a short dark mane with images of space flowing like a picture. He wore jewel encrusted golden armor with doublets on each side into it, a red cape with gold markings fluttering on his back, even though there was no breeze. Golden Pegasus wings, black boots with golden edges round the feet, and atop his head were three golden horns, all shimmering like the stars The ponies all bowed, and so did Krysta. Lightning’s eyes lit up and he actually found the strength to leap for joy. “Grand Ruler, you’re here!” He ran over to greet his mentor, and Grand Ruler was pleased to see everyone. “Lightning, my boy, I am pleased you and everyone are safe, and I am very proud of you, for what you have done.” “You are, sir?” His mentor nodded and explained he had. He explained that he had witnessed everything that had happened; he didn’t come to help because he knew that Lightning’s training would pay off and that he could handle the situation. Lightning and his new friends felt confused. "Begging your pardon, sire..." said Buddy "But why would you not assist us? We all could've been hurt." His majesty crossed over to Titan’s charred robe and pulled out a damaged block of wood with an ancient seal marking on it. “This was not actually Titan, but in fact a puppet imitation of him, with only a fraction of the actual power." The ponies gasped, they all had studied these puppet-clone spells before. "If that was only a fraction of his power, I'd hate to see the real Titan." said Artie. Grand Ruler clenched the broken puppet wood in his hand, breaking it to splinters in his grip. "Had this truly been the real Titan, I would have come in an instant. I knew you would be able to handle this puppet, however... due to the puppet's appearance and all this trouble; a thing I have feared most is coming true." He turned to face the others, "You must all listen very carefully to what I am about to say. Our world, and many worlds beyond as we know may now be in terrible danger." He explained that ever since he had fought against Titan a-thousand years ago and banished him into the Dark planet, it was always feared that Titan would one day make an attempt to escape and return to finish what he started. “It now appears, that somehow, Titan is regaining his power. Sending this puppet and those three evil ponies proves it!" He continued to explain that the Dark Planet was, just that-- a very wicked and desolated planet located in the outer reaches of the galaxy. After Titan had been banished to the planet, Grand Ruler used his own powers to shroud the entire planet in a powerful force-field which had kept Titan there for all those centuries. "Now it seems that Titan has grown strong enough to actually weaken the barrier; by puncturing a small breech in it, enough to send these creations after us." “He was testing us?” asked Lightning. “Yes, I’m afraid he was." replied Grand Ruler "Though the barrier may be weakening, Titan is still incapable of freeing himself, but rest assured, from what has happened Titan will attempt to find ways to increase his powers to escape my seal, and if he is successful... it will surely mean disaster to all!” The ponies were starting to feel frightened “We can’t let him escape.” said Artie. “What can we do?” asked Starla. More and more ponies began to panic and stammer about of what to do. “Calmness everyone…!” Grand Ruler "As I have said, Titan is still weak and cannot escape himself, which gives us an outside chance. I will be doing everything that I can to maintain the seal against Titan, but at the same time, Titan will also be sending more monstrous creations to attack our world in an attempt to increase his power. It pains me to say this to you, but I'm afraid I will not be able to join you in battle." This worried everyone. “But we need you to fight by our side.” cried Starla. “We can’t beat Titan without you. Who knows what he may try or do.” said Rhymey. “You all must understand. Unicornicopia is already in enough danger.” said Grand Ruler. “As well as maintaining the seal of the Dark Planet, I must also use my power to protect the civilians and innocent ones of my kingdom in times of danger. I mustn’t strain myself any more than I should have to.” He gazed down at the fighter ponies, “You all and many others with you are officers of Starfleet. It will be your duty like the many you came before you to fight to defend our world from any and all evil attacks that may come our way.” “Yes sir!” the fighters said and saluted to him. Grand Ruler nodded, and then gazed at Lightning. “As for you, Lightning, the time has come for you to take your training to the next level. ...I want you to join Starfleet as well.” Lightning was speechless and shocked at first, as were the others, "But... Master... I--" “I have trained you well, Lightning Dawn, and you have already proven yourself to be a worthy fighter. Though you have no natural magic of your own, you are no doubt capable of performing tasks, feats and doing battle without it, and that with your golden horn, you have the power to tap into the uniforce-- the one thing that Titan and his minions fear most.” “But what is the uniforce?” Lightning asked “How do I unleash it again?” Grand Ruler placed his hand over Lightning’s shoulder. “You will learn in due time, and you will also discover that you are capable of doing far more than you think, so long as you continue to believe in yourself and in the faith of your new friends. That goes for all of you.” He bowed to his subjects and they all bowed back. This was the beginning of a new adventure for everyone! (Promo) In our next episode, Lightning is sent on an errand for Buddy Rose, but Titan sends Dementia to attack by creating vicious monsters. Lightning, must fight alongside what little help he has, and even receives a new weapon to aid him in his quest for freedom and justice. What is this new weapon, and will be able to help defend the planet? Don’t miss the next exciting episode of “Starfleet Magic!” (Next Episode: “Fearsome Flowers”)