One morning, Lightning and Twilight wrote a regular letter to the palace, and Grand Ruler and the Queen answered immediately when Spike belched out the letter. The letter said that everything was fine in New Canterlot, and Goldwin was really coming along nice in his studies about the world. He would spend a lot of time in the royal library, and seemed to be a fast learner. Candance often helped him like a teacher and was pleased to help him a lot when she wasn’t performing her duties in the prison-caverns.

“That’s Cadance for you.” Twilight said “The best foal-sitter I ever had.”

“Oh, sorry…” Twilight said. She was still getting used to her new speech adjustment.

It was "Somebody" not "Some-pony", and all the basic stuff. Still, it was nice to see that things all over the kingdom were safe. “Careful…” Spike said “Every time you say that, that’s when something bad usually happens.”

“Ah, come on, Spike. You worry too much.” Krysta said “Lightning and Twilight can handle anything that comes our way.”

Lightning and Twilight nodded. However, they still wished they knew just what Chrysalis was up to and how her new method of attack was going to come or what it would do. Something told them they would find out very soon.

In the meantime, Twilight was still trying out her latest spell, which if used properly, would help clear the body of things that weren’t supposed to be inside, like germs or things swallowed that weren’t meant to be. She tested it on plants, by feeding them weed-killer poison which wasn’t healthy for them, and she managed to get a lot of the poison out of the plants, which impressed everyone. “But I’m not sure I can do it on creatures like us.” Twilight said “It’s not even safe to test.”

Spike offered to swallow a lot of jewels for Twilight and see if she could remove them. “Spike, you’re a dragon.” Krysta reminded him “Jewels sit well in your stomach.” Twilight agreed and she just wasn’t willing to risk anyone swallowing something or putting anything inside of them that would be dangerous to their health. Her only chance would have to be if someone already had something wrong with them, but even then it wouldn’t be safe to try and she would probably end up making things worse.

Twilight closed her book, “Maybe I should just forget about the spell for now?” and she walked off into the next room leaving the others to exchange looks of dismay and they all shook their heads in concern.

While at the same time, Cheerilee was on her way to school that morning. Only, she didn’t look very happy. If anything she looked ready to get in someone’s face. As she passed by Professor Brain, who was in New Ponyville doing entomology research, “Good, lovely morning, Cheerilee.” he said kindly, but Cheerilee didn’t even acknowledge him and just kept on walking with that angry scowl on her face. Brain felt confused and he walked to catch up with her “Shall we walk together, my dear?” he asked politely. “I prefer to walk alone, thank you very much.” growled Cheerilee “…And I am not your dear!”

Brain just stood there puzzled. “Well… I never…!” He said. This wasn’t like Cheerilee to be all nasty and rude.

Cheerilee was even nastier to her students when she arrived; all they were doing was hanging up their knapsacks and jackets when she yelled “SIT DOWN, ALL OF YOU!!”

The students almost jumped out of their skins in fear, but did as they were told, when one of the students raised her hand to ask a question, “Um… Ms. Cheerilee, are you alright?” Cheerilee looked angrier than and pounded her desk hard “Be quiet!” she yelled “In my classroom… children should be seen AND NOT HEARD!!”

The students all squirmed down into their seats trembling in fear. What was going on? Yesterday their beloved teacher was one of the kindest and sweetest mares on the planet. Now hear she was growling like an ursa-major, and being meaner than even a regular schoolyard bully. To make matters worse, she put all her students straight to work on subjects a little too advanced for them, and she expected perfect results. There was no story time, no snack time, she didn’t even let them go out to recess, but none of the students dared to complain or ask why for fear of being screamed at again, but despite their best efforts to please Cheerilee, she only seemed to get angrier and fiercer as the day continued. Worse than that, Sweetie Belle gave just a tiny little cough trying to clear her throat, Cheerilee forced her to stand outside and hold a pile of heavy books over her head for so-called disrupting class! “Can you feel your arms aching, Ms. Sweetie Belle?!” she growled

“Y-Y-Yes… Ms… Cheerilee!” groaned Sweetie. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo felt awful for their friend, but they really couldn’t understand why their teacher was acting so mean.

By the end of the day, Cheerliee loaded her students down with a lot of homework. Some of the students’ knapsacks were all overloaded and they still had more books to carry. “And… I expect it all to be finished and handed in tomorrow.” growled Cheerilee. “And anyone who objects or it late will be harshly punished! Is that clear?!” The students all nodded nervously showing they understood, and Cheerilee left in a huff, and she shoved Applejack who was coming to pick up Apple Bloom out of the way as she passed. “Well, beggin’ your pardon!” snapped Applejack “What’s got into you?” Cheerilee’s eye twitched and she turned and shouted “YOU WANT TO MAKE SOMETHING OF IT?!”

Applejack felt like she had come face-to-face with a snarling dragon, and before she could say anything, Cheerilee had gone off stomping in a huff! “Now what in the hayfields is up with her?” Applejack wondered.

As Cheerilee continued to stomp angrily home, she was being watched by Chrysalis as she relaxed on her throne and could feel her life-force rising. Somehow, energy was being transferred to her from Cheerilee, but despite this, Chrysalis was still not satisfied. “Your plan may be restoring my power, Captain, but if you recall correctly there are two sides to this, and the second of which is to conquer United Equestria.”

“I assure you, my queen…” the captain said “Such a plan is also in preparation. Just keep watching.”

“Very well, Captain. It had better be good.” Chrysalis warned him. What she wouldn’t give now to have power enough to return to United Equestria and do the job herself. Nevertheless, she continued to observe.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders all went to the Cake’s new café and bakeshop for a milkshake. Rarity and Applejack saw all three of them had had a very hard day. Rarity noticed that Sweetie Belle’s arms were very sore. “Oh, my goodness gracious…” she cried “Whoever could’ve done this to you, Sweetie? I swear, with all my might I shall make them pay!”

As much as everyone was annoyed by Rarity’s overdramatic act, the girls said nothing, and acted rather afraid. “Hmm.” remarked Applejack “I think I have a feelin’ what’s wrong. Girls, fess up now. Is Ms. Cheerilee the back of all this?”

The girls looked more nervous than ever, but they still didn’t answer, and they didn’t have to. “Well that’s all I needed.” said Applejack, but Rarity didn’t believe it. Cheerilee was one of the kindest ponies she knew. “She’s quite incapable of being harsh in such a grotesque manner.”

“Eh, that, my dear Rarity… I would have to disagree.” said a voice. The others turned to see Professor Brain sitting at another table across from them enjoying a cup of tea. “Eh, forgive my intrusion, but I had overheard what you said, and it may interest you to know that even the most gentlest, kindest, and friendlies of creatures can in fact… eh… em… reveal a sheer force of such hatred and rage.”

“Yeah, but… Ms. Cheerilee…” cried Scootaloo “I’ve never seen her like this or ever known her to be like this ever.”

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle felt really scared now. “She’s going to be really mad us now.” cried Apple Bloom.

“Oh, no, no, no, girls…!” said Rarity “You did the right thing by coming to us. Am I right Applejack?”

“Eeyup.” said Applejack “Girls, when someone or somethin’s botheirn’ you, you should tell someone you trust, like me, like Rarity, or even the professor here. Why, then… we can help make it better for you, and the first thing we’re going to do is see what’s wrong with Cheerilee.”

“I told you, we’re spyin’ on the school to see what’s up with Cheerilee.”

Lightning and the others were around hiding nearby as well and keeping an eye on everything. Krysta and Spike were hiding inside the school. Krysta hid under Cheerilee’s desk and Spike hid in the closet. Only the crusaders knew they were there but didn’t dare to tell anyone, especially not when Cheerilee came in just as grouchy as ever. All the students were seated and keeping quiet, and they all had their massive homework piles on their desks, but as expected, some of them hadn’t managed to get them all done. “My mommy said I had to go to bed.” one of the students said. Cheerilee leaned forward “Your mommy… is a TWIT!” and she angrily knocked the books and papers off the desk. The other students winced. “Sit up straight!” shouted Cheerilee “Eyes forward!”

Outside, the gang had heard and seen enough, and decided to burst in, and they did just in time before Cheerilee seemed ready to really hurt any of the students. “Cheerilee!” snapped Lightning “That’s quite enough!”

Cheerilee narrowed her eyes at the intruders. “Get out of here!” she roared. “We’re not going anywhere until you explain yourself!” protested Rarity.

Krysta and Spike dashed over to their friends. “Come on, Cheerilee!” cried Spike. “We just want to help you.” added Krysta.

“LAST WARNING!!” Cheerilee screamed at the top of her lungs, but the others wouldn’t give. “No! It’s your last warning!” snarled Lightning.

“OKAY...!!!” Cheerilee finally snapped began to charge like a bull. The others all dodged and leapt out of the way. “Run children, get out of here!” cried Lightning. All of the children began to race out the door. “GET BACK HERE!!” roared Cheerilee and she ran after them but Twilight blocked her way at the door. “Cheerilee, stop!” she demanded.

Cheerilee glared Twilight so deeply in the eyes that Twilight could see what was going on…! There, in middle Cheerilee’s iris. “…A changeling!” she cried.

Everyone gasped “Cheerilee’s a changeling?” asked Spike in disbelief. Cheerilee laughed wickedly as her eyes glowed green. “Wrong!” she growled in a double voice. One was Cheerilee’s and the other sounded raspier and evil. “I have not taken the form of your friend, but in fact taken over her; mind and body. I am in complete control!” The changeling demonstrated by making Cheerilee’s body flip and spin about, to everyone’s horror, “And while I’ve been in here, I’ve been helping myself to all the love and pureness this one feels towards her beloved students. I’ve been transferring it all to the Dark Planet where my Queen Chrysalis has been absorbing it into her life-force. Meanwhile your friend here is left with nothing but anger and hatred she thought she was incapable of ever expressing again!”

Lightning felt his anger rising and he stood up tall. “Starfleet Magic!” and he transformed. “I give you this one chance!” he warned the changeling “Release our friend or I’ll--!”

“You’ll do nothing...!” sneered the changeling “You wouldn’t want anything to happen to your friend now, would you?”

Lightning and the others realized she was right. They couldn’t really try to attack without hurting Cheerilee. “Shame, because I can hurt you!” growled the changeling as she made Cheerilee dash and ram hard into Lightning and sending him through the wall of the school and out into the yard “LIGHTNING!!” everyone shouted as they ran out to help him up. “I’m okay.” Lightning said.

Cheerilee leapt outside through the hole and looked ready for more. As she continued to attack, all the others could do was evade her and still could not make any attempt to attack her. Applejack tried to lasso her and hold her in place. “Ye-ha, I got’cha!” she cheered as she held the rope tight.

“Whom has who?” snarled the changeling used her inner magic to make Cheerilee break out of the ropes as if they were made of paper. “What the--?!” cried Applejack, and before she knew it, Cheerilee grabbed the rope and yanked on it hard and whirled it with Applejack at the end of it like a hammer-throw, and slammed her hard down into the sandbox. “Applejack!” cried Rarity as she ran over to tend to her fallen friend.

“Who’s next?” the changeling growled. “There’s got to be a way to get the changeling out of there without hurting Cheerilee.” said Lightning.

“What?!” snapped Twilight “But I haven’t tested it on regular creatures, I don’t even know if it‘ll work. What if I end up making things worse?”

Cheerilee charged at them again, and they all dodged out of her way. “Twilight, how could things possibly get any worse than they are now?” said Krysta.

Twilight realized this. She still wasn’t too sure but decided. “I’ll do it. Try to hold her down!” Rarity used her magic to lift Cheerilee up off the ground, and Krysta used her fairy magic to hold her still. “Release me!” the changeling shouted, and she began to fight their magic with her own inner-powers. Rarity and Krysta struggled to hold their grip. “She’s trying to break free!” cried Rarity.

“Um… yeah… trying to concentrate here!” snapped Twilight. She gazed long and hard at Cheerilee and then shut her eyes tight and concentrated hard. “Please work. Please work!” she muttered. The tip of her horn began to glow, and the glowing got brighter and brighter. Twilight clenched her teeth and held on tight as she kept on charging the magic.

“Hurry!” cried Krysta as she and Rarity couldn’t hold Cheerilee much longer.

Twilight moaned and growled as she struggled to hold herself steady, and she finally unleashed a beam of magic from her horn straight at Cheerilee. “This can’t be!” shouted the changeling as she felt the magic pushing her out. “What’s… happening..?! NO!!”

A cloud of black smoke emerged from Cheerilee’s body, and she slipped to the ground, unconsciousness, and the cloud of smoke transformed into the changeling. “It worked!” cried Twilight “It really worked!”

“You did it!” cheered Spike. The others were proud of Twilight, but the changeling was furious as she got to her feet. “This isn’t over yet!” she growled, but as she prepared to attack, Twilight, Rarity and Krysta blasted her with magical projectiles. Sparks and small explosions hit the changeling all over. “I think it’s quite over!” Lightning said as readied his capture-blaster. “No holding back now…” he sneered “Fire!” and he shot at the changeling hitting her full force. The changeling growled and yelled as she fell over and exploded, and then reappeared as a shrunken down and imprisoned in a sphere.

“Yee-ha! Way to rope that rustler in!” Applejack cheered. Lightning and Twilight smiled and nodded at one another as they walked over, picked up the sphere. “...You’re under arrest.” Lightning said.

Chrysalis saw everything. “I am displeased, Captain.” she hissed “Now our enemies are aware of our strategy.”

The Captain was aware of this, but he didn’t seem too concerned. “My queen, I assure you that despite what they now know, even they will be powerless to watch every single solitary thing possible, or notice when something goes wrong.”

“Quite so.” agreed Chrysalis “And you did manage to give my life-force a powerful boost, but I will not ignore the fact that your plotting has landed another one of our followers into imprisonment.”

The Captain was aware of the loss of many of their best fighters and they would have to select attack targets wisely with the little of their army they had left. “Rest assured, Captain…” Chrysalis warned him as she faded into the shadows “The leading soldier always suffers for the fate of his men. If you continue on this path of blunder… there will be consequences as you cannot imagine.”

The Captain narrowed his eyes and growled softly but fiercely, “Only I’m not going to suffer. Not as much as you will, my so-called queen!” he thought silently to himself.

After Lightning sent Krysta to take the captured changeling to the prison-caverns in New Canterlot, Cheerilee began to awaken. “Oh!” she groaned “What’s happened to me?” She felt as if she had run head first into mountainside. When the others asked her of what happened… Cheerilee thought hard and remembered two days ago after she had left school, she went home did her work, had her supper and went to bed, but then something woke her in the middle of the night, and she began felt she wasn’t alone in her room. That’s when she saw a changeling standing beside her bed. Before she could scream, the changeling touched her forehead and… everything else was a complete blank.

The others regretted to inform Cheerilee what really happened and how she was being controlled, and seeing the large hole in the wall of the school and small collateral damages to the schoolyard, Cheerilee had to believe it, and she felt ever so ashamed of herself. “Oh my goodness!” she cried with tears of shame coming to her eyes “What have I done?”

“It wasn’t your fault.” Twilight said “That changeling was controlling you. It’s all over now.”

“Besides,” Lightning said “Isn’t one of the rules of friendship a good teacher always shows us… to forgive and forget when it can be?”

The very next day, while the school and the playground were being repaired, Cheerilee asked all her students to gather in area where she apologized wholeheartedly to all her students, and they forgave her graciously once they realized the truth that she wasn’t really responsible.

Cheerilee felt like the luckiest pony on the planet, and came together with an all her students for a warm group hug.

Also, many of them had learned a lesson about friendship and wrote a letter to the royal palace immediately.

We, the students, have learned that everyone is capable of feeling all emotions, even really bad ones. Even the friendliest of people are capable of showing hatred and negative emotions, and that’s what makes it all the more important to let the goodness of all friendships shine bright. As long as one gives friendship, generally they will always get it in return, and if someone still acts grouchy it’s best to give them their space and let them cool it off for a while, but most importantly to help others when they need it, even if they don’t ask for it, and it’s always divine to forgive and forget, especially when friends or loved ones don’t mean to be grouchy or just aren’t being themselves.

Twilight and Lightning also wrote their own letter to their majesties explaining the information they had gathered on the changelings and their new method of attack. They immediately got a reply

The information on the changelings would be held only between force officials and allies. It made no sense to put the whole kingdom into panic, but as such patrol would continue and they would have to keep a sharper eye on things than ever. A changeling was bound to seek a new victim at any time. It was safe to know at least they would not kill their victims as they were needed to harness the love energy.

They themselves also didn’t have to worry about being taken over and possessed themselves. Starfleet ponies were trained as such to resist such trickery, so the changelings would have a difficult time trying to possess them.

...Difficult, but not impossible. Reason being: It would require much more power and effort, as well as timing, which the Changelings could not afford to waste with their life forces on the line. Also, the energy they wanted and needed came better from Equestrians rather than Space Ponies.

Celestia also mentioned she was very proud of Twilight for mastering her new spell, and Grand Ruler said that her magic would now be, by far, their greatest asset in the fight against the changelings. Twilight intended to take their word seriously and promised that she would continue to study her books as well as train a little extra, and Lightning promised to stick to his own training and studies as well as his routines.

In our next episode, a new student comes to Cheerilee’s school-- None other than Buddy Rose’s young cousin Daphne Dil. She tries her best to fit in, but already gets off on a wrong foot or two with the Cutie Mark Crusaders, as well as new rivals.

Can Daphne Dil find the right way to fit in and really make an impression?

Don’t miss the next episode of “Starfleet Magic!”

(Next Episode: “A-B-C...DD”)

My Brave Pony Starfleet Magic: Season II

by DakariKingMykan

Episode 3: To Teach the Teacher