//------------------------------// // Episode 9: Trial of Misjudgment // Story: My Brave Pony Starfleet Magic: Season II // by DakariKingMykan //------------------------------// EPISODE NINE Starla and Lightning were both in big trouble and being court martialed! They were called before Grand Ruler and Celestia at the royal palace to discuss charges for baffling insubordination, and for causing a load of trouble and danger when a changeling that was captured that day had almost escaped. All their friends were sitting in their seats. Dyno and Myte’s arms and heads were wrapped in bandages, both very annoyed with Starla and Lightning. Celestia banged her gavel, and Grand Ruler read the charges against the two officers… -Blatant Insubordination -Failure to cooperate and aid one another in battle -Not looking out for your comrades -Allowing the near escape of an enemy. “Never in all my years of command have I seen such charges, especially from two off our finest, not to mention my own apprentice.” Celestia placed her hand over her husband’s arm telling him to calm down. Grand Ruler took in a deep breath and sat down beside her. Celestia gazed shamefully at Lightning and Starla. “Would you two care to explain what happened?” “And remember to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” Grand Ruler added. Lightning and Starla told the story from the beginning… It all started when Lightning and Starla were visiting Dr. Penny for their regular weekly physicals. Lightning checked out okay, but Starla, her legs had gotten very skinny lately from too much training and struggling. It wasn’t serious medically, but Starla felt terrible, and she could feel the difference in her legs the way her boots didn’t feel a perfect fit. She felt that others would make fun of her if they found out, and made Lightning promise not to tell anyone about her legs being “Skinny as pancakes.” Lightning promised his mare-friend he wouldn’t tell, and they sealed it with a soft kiss… …but the very next day as Starla was passing by in town, she overheard Lightning talking to Pinkie, and the Spanish Twins, and she heard him say the words “They were skinny as pancakes. Can you believe what she said to me after that?” and everyone shared a soft laugh, but Starla, she felt tears coming to her eyes and her heart aching. When Lightning met up with her, she angrily refused to talk to him and just walked off in a huff. Lightning tried to ask what was wrong “Don’t talk to me!” she would only say “You’ve said enough.” Lightning was very confused and kept following Starla all the way home only to have her slam the door smack into his face “Ow!” he groaned. “Fine, if that’s the way you want to be!” The next day she was just as stern and as distant towards Lightning as possible. Finally, Lightning had no choice but to pull rank on her “Lieutenant Starla Shine, what is wrong with you? I want an answer, and as Captain I am making this is an order!” Starla knew she couldn’t refuse an order, and so she snapped “You told my secret! You promised me you wouldn’t, and you went right behind my back.” “What?!” snapped Lightning “No I didn’t.” “Yes you did!” protested Starla “I heard you. I saw you, and right now I don’t think I ever want to hear or see you ever again! Goodbye Lightning Dawn!” and she stormed off. “Starla…!” Lightning said. He tried to explain that he didn’t know what she was talking about, but she wouldn’t hear him out. He felt absolutely crushed then. “Women…!” he growled. As for Starla, she made it home, threw herself onto her bed and burst into tears bewailing that she had lost her colt-friend. “How could he betray me like this?” she sobbed. “So you felt that Lightning had betrayed you.” said Celestia. “What happened after that?” asked Grand Ruler. Lightning and Starla explained that it was most certain that Chrysalis had been observing them… Chrysalis couldn’t stop laughing and mocking at Lightning and Starla’s fallout. “They no longer trust each other-- the perfect time to launch another attack.” The captain bowed to her “I couldn’t agree more, my queen. I’ll have a changeling sent down immediately.” “Yes! Do that.” said Chrysalis “And make sure to gather a lot of energy.” Lightning went and talked to some of his friends about Starla, and Dyno and Myte were baffled and shocked. “I didn’t even know she had a secret.” said Dyno “What is it?” Myte asked only to quickly withdraw what he asked. “Sorry.” Lightning sighed heavily “I just don’t get what’s wrong with her.” he said “I keep trying to tell her I didn’t betray her, but she won’t talk to me and worse, I can’t even order her to tell me everything, it’d just makes things worse.” Krysta felt bad for Lightning and so did Spike, and they wished there was something they could do, but Lightning told them not to. He didn’t want to risk their getting upset if Starla gave them the cold shoulder too. “Don’t keep beating yourself up like this, Lightning.” said Twilight “I’m sure Starla will come around soon.” “I hope so.” replied Lightning. Just then, the alarms sounded. There was an attack in progress. “Let’s go!” snapped Lightning, and off they went to the danger area. At the market, a changeling had taken control of Cup Cake while she was shopping, and she was terrorizing the town and every creature she ran into she used a hypnotic trance to knock them to sleep and then steal their love energy. Carrot Cake couldn’t believe his own wife, and Pound and Pumpkin were frightened little foals crying in Pinkie Pie’s arms. “It’s okay.” she cried “...It’s okay, kids!” but she herself felt like crying in fear. That’s when Starla dropped down from the skies, “Halt!” she said. Ms. Cake laughed wickedly as the changeling controlled her. “Foolish creature, you think you can take me on alone?” “Not alone!” said a voice, and there stood Lightning and the others. Lighting and the twins were already transformed, but Starla didn’t seem too happy to see Lightning and glared at him sharply before turning away from him. “Ay, Ay, Ay! That’s a sharp look.” said Dyno. “Never mind that now.” Twilight said and she used her splitter spell on Cup Cake, ejecting the changeling out of her. Krysta and Spike dashed over to help Cup Cake to safety. Carrot Cake was overjoyed to have his wife back, and the kids could feel their mama was back to normal. Now the others could fight the changeling, only Starla seemed more interested in fighting all alone, and he wouldn’t let the others help her, especially Lightning. “Stop trying to help me!” she said “I’m not flat as a pancake!” She began to fight all by herself. She did an okay job at the start, but without help, the changeling was starting to get the upper hand, and kicked her hard in the chest sending her crashing into a crate of apples. “Starla!” cried Lightning as he ran over and tried to help her up, but she slapped him away “I don’t want your help!” she growled. “Starla this is no time to be grouchy!” Lightning protested, and the two of them began to squabble back and forth. Twilight tried to break them up but the twins convinced her to help them fight. Only problem was, even with the force-fields up around the homes, Dyno and Myte didn’t dare use any of their explosive or ground attacks, or fear shaking things up, they would have to fight regularly. Twilight was still able to use her magic, but this changeling wasn’t like any of the others. It had been secretly training, and observing their fighting styles, without the whole team ganging up on him, the changeling was able to overpower Twilight and the twins easily. “Lightning…! Starla…!” Twilight screamed trying to get them to come and help. Starla and Lightning finally broke up their squabble and dashed over to try and help the others, but the changeling saw them coming and knocked Twilight away, and blasted the twins hard into a pile of crates with his magic began to dash off. “It got away!” groaned Twilight “Well I hope you’re happy.” snapped Lightning. “Oh, so this is my fault now?” protested Starla “Why am I even talking to you?” and she stomped off in a huff. Leaving the others to help Dyno and Myte up, and the both of them had gotten injured in the crash. Both of them were very annoyed with Lightning and Starla. Even Twilight Spike and Krysta were angry with Lightning for squabbling with Starla instead of concentrating on the battle. “Grand Ruler and Queen Celestia would be ashamed of you and Starla.” said Twilight, and she and the others went off to help get the twins treatment for their wounds, leaving Lightning feeling grumpier than ever. Now more of his friends were mad at him, and the changeling was on the loose. “A great day this is turning out to be.” he grumbled. “And women-- They’re just as fickle as space! Peaceful one minute, fighting like crazy the next.” He figured the best thing he could do now was go and find the changeling and capture it himself, he was still grumbling as he flew through the night. Meanwhile, the changeling had retreated into a nearby forest to catch his breath. “That was a close one.” he panted. “I’ve got to think of a way to gather up more energy and then strike them again.” “Psst…!” hissed a voice “Agent, come this way.” The changeling followed the sound of the voice to find the captain. “I bring you a message from Queen Chrysalis.” and he handed the changeling a letter saying that Chrysalis would meet the changeling in a secret place to join in the fight so they could wipe out the enemies together. “This is not like our queen.” hissed the changeling “She said that she refuses to fight until she had sustained herself with enough energy.” Still, an opportunity like this was hard to pass up, and so the changeling agreed. Unbeknownst to him, however, the captain had forged that letter as a setup he was plotting. “Phase-one is complete.” he snickered “Now, part two.” Grand Ruler and Celestia gazed at each other with looks of concern. “Continue.” Grand Ruler said. “What happened next…?” asked Celestia. Twilight Spike and Krysta had treated the twins’ wounds, but the twins were now in bandages. “Gracias, Amigos.” Dyno said. “So what do we do now?” asked Myte. “Order another milkshake?” said Spike. Krysta landed near him “He means about Lightning and Starla.” she said “This has gone on far enough between them and we can’t have them mad at each other.” “Krysta’s right.” said Twilight “We’ve got to set those two straight before things get worse.” “But what about the changeling…?” asked Spike. “It got away; we can’t let it run loose.” This was also true, and that suddenly made everyone realize that both Lightning and Starla each could have gone off to search for the changeling themselves, and if they ran into each other, who knew how bad things could get. “We’ve got to find them.” Twilight said. Dyno and Myte insisted on coming. Their injuries weren’t very severe and they could make it. “Fine, but don’t blame me if you get hurt again.” Twilight said. Meanwhile, the captain had reported to Chrysalis that the changeling had succeeded in capturing some of the enemy forces. “Is this true?” Chrysalis asked. “Yes, my queen.” said the captain “At least that is what I have been told, but this is an opportunity I feel we cannot miss. Much pure energy and love power can be yours, and we will a great step closer to our ultimate goal of conquering United Equestria.” Chrysalis decided to go for it, “This had better be good, captain. I am running out of patience.” “Oh it will be good.” The captain thought sinisterly, “Very good indeed. Phase-two is complete.” Lightning had been soaring all above the town using his scanner to search for the changeling’s signal. All civilians were to remain in their homes or other buildings until further notice. Up ahead, he could see Starla. “Starla…!” he called out to her. Starla peered round but then scowled and turned back and speeded up to get away from him, but Lightning was more than able to catch up to her. “Starla…!” Still she ignored him, and poured on more speed to try and get away from him, but of course Lightning caught up with her due to his advanced training. “Starla, look, about what happened--” “I don’t want to talk about it!” she snapped at him “There’s nothing to talk about. You betrayed my secret!” “No I didn’t!” snapped Lightning “And right now, this is no time to talk about that, we’ve got to find that changeling.” Starla knew he was right, but this by no means meant she was keen on working with him. Suddenly their scanners began to blink and beep crazily, and off in the distance they could see magical lights flickering. Twilight and the others could see it too and recognized what it was immediately. “…Chrysalis!” the all exclaimed softly. “This can’t be good.” whimpered Spike. “Let’s go!” said Twilight. The changeling was already on the scene and witnessed Chrysalis’ entrance. “What’s this?” Chrysalis sneered “Where are the prisoners?” The changeling seemed confused, “But… I thought that--” “Freeze!” shouted a voice, and Lightning and Starla dropped in from the skies. “You’re not going anywhere this time, Chrysalis.” said Lightning. Chrysalis angrily glared at the changeling. “So, you made a double crossing deal!” she growled “…Turn me in to save your own self!” The changeling tried to protest that he was just as confused, but Starla and Lightning already dashed at them and the fight was on. Starla went after the changeling all by herself and Lightning went after Chrysalis, while hiding in the shadows, the captain saw everything and chuckled softly before he vanished and was gone. Starla was barely able to stand too much of a chance against the well-trained changeling, and Lightning had it worse. Chrysalis had become stronger and swifter since their last encounter. Now her skills seemed exactly on par with his. She blocked his every attack, and managed to hit him more times than he hit her. “What’s wrong little captain? You didn’t honestly think the energy I gather is just to boost my life force. It increases my power and strength.” she fired two beams of energy from her eyes blasting Lightning hard and sending him skidding across the ground. “Lightning!” cried Starla, and in her distraction, the changeling kicked her hard in the chest sending her skidding towards Lightning. The changeling and Chrysalis laughed maliciously and prepared for a final attack, when suddenly a bright ray of magic hit them behind. It was Twilight and the others. “Leave our friends alone!” Twilight demanded. “Si!” growled the twins. Chrysalis shook scoffed and then dashed over to fight them, with the changeling helping her. Dyno and Myte had a hard time keeping their stance due to their injuries, but they were still able to perform their attacks, especially in the open area now, away from any buildings. “BOOM-BOOM FIREBALLS!” The twins launched their fireballs, knocking the changeling back, but Chrysalis evaded the attack and lunge at the already injured twins, only run into to one of Krysta’s warping portals, sending her back where she started. “Sorry that’s the best I can do.” Krysta said. As the fight continued, Lightning got back up again and helped Starla up, but she was still mad at him, only this time she actually came clean. “I saw you. You were talking to the twins.” Finally it was starting to make sense “I wasn’t talking about you!” Lightning said firmly and he finally explained the truth… Eariler that day he had been working at the Cake’s bakery with Pinkie Pie, they were trying to bake brownies but accidently used baking soda instead of baking powder. The brownies turned out “Skinny as pancakes.” And the part where he said “Can you believe what she said to me after that” he was referring to Pinkie Pie who took their mistake with humor. She had said to him “This isn’t the first time it’s happened.” Starla felt heart-struck “You… weren’t talking about me?” “Of course not…!” snapped Lightning “I was trying to tell you all day, but you didn’t me a chance nor did you explain your side to me either.” Starla felt like such a fool. She was suddenly snapped out of her trance when Twilight called for help, and there she was backed into a wall, with no way to get out. Chrysalis and the changeling were slowly inching towards her ready for the kill, when suddenly they were both blasted at form behind. “What’s this?!” snarled Chrysalis. “STARLIGHT ARROW” Starla fired more shots, hitting the villains hard and strong. Chrysalis dashed like an angry bull to attack Starla, but Lightning soared in from the side and bashed her hard in the side sending her crashing to the ground. “Get them!” she ordered her changeling. “Oh, no you don’t!” growled Lightning as he readied his capture-blaster just as the changeling started charging at him. “…FIRE!” and he shot at the changeling, it got hit, fell over, there was the explosion and the changeling was transfigured. Chrysalis stomped her foot angrily. “You’ll pay for this, ponies! Someday!” and then she vanished. “Come back and fight, cowards!” shouted Lightning, but she was already gone. The changeling was at least captured, but now Dyno and Myte suffered more injuries in the battles. They, along with Twilight, Spike and Krysta were very angry with Starla and Lightning now, and that point, Grand Ruler and Queen Celestia appeared in the skies. “CAPTAIN LIGHTNING DAWN!! LIEUTENANT STARLA SHINE...!!” Both of them seemed furious, and Grand Ruler angrily told them “Both of you report to the palace immediately for inquiry and court martial!” All the friends shuddered in fear, but not as much as Lightning and Starla. “That is all.” Lightning said. “We’ve told you everything.” Their majesties said nothing and then turned round to quietly discuss the matter of what to do. After brief deliberation, they “Starla Shine…” said Celestia “You should have known better. Lightning would never have betrayed like that, especially without good reason. Yet you trusted your eyes and ears instead of hearing your colt-friend out.” “And you, Lightning…” said Grand Ruler “You need to remember to put personal feelings behind priorities in serious times. You should have concentrated more on your objective than your issue with Starla.” “Yes, master.” Lightning said “There is no excuse.” As much as Celestia and Grand Ruler were pleased that at least the changeling was now safely in the prison caverns, Lightning and Starla still were to blame for all of the trouble for the kingdom, themselves, and their friends. “United Equestria is built on trust, friendship, mutual understanding. Instead, you both showed the exact opposite towards one another.” Celestia said. Lightning and Starla felt very ashamed. “And what is more…” Grand Ruler said “The entire Starfleet organization is built on discipline, order, and respect… and the both of you caused a lot of trouble today over personal feelings regarding over a simple misunderstanding that could have been dealt with peaceably. This cannot and will not be tolerated!” As punishment, Lightning and Starla were sentenced to one-hundred hours of community service each, and one full week of extra hard training. Celestia warned everyone to take learning from this, and both she and Grand Ruler didn’t want to hear of anything like this happening again. With that, the court was dismissed. A few days passed, and Lightning and Starla were working off some of their hours in New Canterlot around the palace so the servants could have time off. Still, at least they weren’t mad at each other anymore, and they both apologized to each other deeply. “I should’ve known you wouldn’t have betrayed me, Lightning.” said Starla. “Yeah, and I’m sorry too.” said Lightning “For yelling at you during the battles and pulling rank on you. So, we cool?” Starla came right up to Lightning and pulled him into a kiss. “What do you think?” she teased. The others could all see them from the palace. “Fighting is harsh…” said Dyno “But makeups are fun.” added Myte, he and his brother slapped a high-five only to forget about their injuries. “AY-Y-Y-Y…!” they cried, the others couldn’t help but giggle softly. (Promo) In our next episode, Rarity begins to lose her faith in her life after being insulted by rich, upper-class ponies. Wishing to do something about it, Rarity decides to seek riches. After talking to Zecora, she is mysteriously guided to a magic collar which turns anything she touches into solid gold, but soon she goes out of control and realizes her big mistake. How serious will Rarity’s new power on her and her friends? Don’t miss the next episode of “Starfleet Magic” (Next Episode: “Goddess of Gold: Part 1”)