//------------------------------// // Episode 18: Back From the Dead: Part 1 // Story: My Brave Pony Starfleet Magic: Season II // by DakariKingMykan //------------------------------// EPISODE EIGHTEEN Chrysalis had dispatched her guards to help her seek the robot captain. She swore that he would pay for trying to destroy her and ruin her plans, but it was no use. He was most likely to be on distant planet, far, far away. Plus, Chrysalis had another critically important issue; to try and recapture as much energy as she could to make up for what she had lost. Over the past days she had sent her remaining changelings to United Equestria. They all gathered some energy for her, but in the end, they were all captured-- every last one of them! By now, Chrysalis had searched all over the Dark Planet, but to her horrors, she all that was left. “Impossible! There’s got to be more!!” but there wasn’t. Even her guards were all gone. Her entire army had been captured. “I have no more changelings!!” Lightning and Twilight, along with Spike and Krysta were at the palace, and personally placing the last captured changeling into its holding place in the prison caverns. “Well, that’s it.” Lightning said “The absolute last of the changelings.” “All of them, except for Chrysalis.” Twilight reminded him. “And the captain, don’t forget about him.” said Spike. “Plus the robots are still out there too.” added Krysta. Just one mention of the robots made Cadance look a little upset about something. “Princess, are you alright?” asked Lightning. “Yes.” Cadance simply said, and then she left, but Twilight was the only one to know that her sister-in-law wasn’t happy at all and why. “Twilight, what’s all this about?” asked Spike, but Twilight refused to say a word, as it was kept between her, Cadance and few others. “If you don’t want to tell us, Twilight, that’s okay.” Lightning said. Twilight smiled and went off, and as much as Krysta and Spike wanted to go and spy on her and figure out what Twilight was hiding, Lightning stopped them and talked them out of it, though he, too, was curious. Cadance was in her and her husband’s bedroom, where they had been staying ever since they moved in after the fall of their beloved New Crystal Empire. She reached under the bed pulled a small box, which was actually a music-box and it played a lovely little tune when she opened it. The music sounded sweet yet a little sad to her and brought tears to her eyes. Shining Armor came in. “Cadance…” his wife turned to face him. “Look… I know this may not be good thing to do, but Twily and I thought it would help you.” That’s when Twilight, followed by Grand Ruler, Celestia, even Princess Luna, and carrying a birthday cake with six unlit candles on it. “It would’ve been his birthday today.” Twilight said “Why don’t we use this time to honor his memory?” Cadance sniffed and nodded that it would be an okay thing to do. One by one, each of them used their powers to light each candles, and then they all had a moment of silence. “I miss you.” Cadance said in her thoughts and then she blew out the candles herself. Meanwhile, the Robot Captain had set up a new secret hideout deep underground United Equestria. He was certain that no one would ever think about looking for him there. “Now that I’ve put that blasted Chrysalis out of commission, I’m free to act alone.” Already he had constructed many robot fighters, skilled in both construction and fighting, but together, they were all working hard building something gigantic. In the meantime, he had created another mechanical creation to help him, and this time he would personally supervise in the battle himself. “It’s been a good long while since I had a good fight.” Meanwhile, Ace Ray was still going about and being a big pain. He had been trying to reenlist into the Wonderbolts, but was strongly rejected due to his overbearing slander at Starfleet, and his utter disrespect towards those who didn’t support this idealism. One day he was out to lunch with his sister, Skye. When Lightning, Rainbow, Twilight and Starla had stopped off for a bite to eat too and Rainbow asked if they could join Skye at her table. Skye was more than welcome to let her and her friends sit with them, but when Ace got back. “What are they doing here?” he snapped. “I invited them to sit with us.” Skye said “Please don’t start.” “We have just as much right to sit here as you do.” said Starla. Ace just scoffed and turned away in a huff. “Fine, but don’t expect me to be any pleasant company.” Rainbow felt her anger rising, but Lightning told her to take it easy. “Ace, we can respect that you don’t like us, but that doesn’t mean you have to go around making it difficult for others.” he said. “Whether you like it or not, we’re here to help protect others and that includes you.” Ace still didn’t seem to care. He would have loved to get into a fight with Lightning and his friends, but apart from not even standing a chance, he’d be put under arrest for assaulting an officer. So he stormed off. “What a creep.” sneered Starla “Skye, don’t you think it’s time to get your brother some help?” Skye kept saying that to herself every day, “But he says he doesn’t need help, and what’s more he forbids me from even trying to.” The others sighed. “Skye…” said Twilight “I don’t think it matters anymore of what your brother thinks. He has a real problem with his anger and it needs to be taken care of. It’ll only get worse if you don’t.” Skye felt nervous and wasn’t sure what to do. “It’s up to you, Skye.” Lightning said “If you don’t want to do it, we won’t force you to, but just think about what we said.” Skye nodded and asked to be excused. She needed to go for a walk and clear her mind. “Poor, Skye.” said Rainbow “I’d like to teach that brother of hers a lesson he won’t soon forget.” And she pounded the table, sploshing Lightning’s drink on his his face. “Oops.” Lightning sighed softly, and Twilight and Starla helped clean up the mess. “You know the regulation, Rainbow.” Starla said “Unless he’s broken the law severely and is causing violent danger, we don’t do anything.” Rainbow promised to be good. “I still wish I could give that jerk a taste of my mind. Just once…!” Suddenly, there was a loud booming sound followed by the sounds of panicking ponies running scared. Everyone almost fell out of their seats. “What was that?” asked Twilight. “Starla and I will check it out.” said Lightning “You-two get all these creatures to safety and contact the others.” The two teams split up and Starla and Lightning dashed into action, transforming along the way. “Starfleet Magic!!” They made it to the outskirts of the village to see Skye and Ace being held up by strange creatures. They were tall human-shaped creatures, all shiny from head to toe. “What are those things?” asked Starla “Whatever they are-- get them!” said Lightning. Some of the creatures turned to face the two charging warriors and struck them back hard knocking them to the ground. “HELP!!” screamed Skye. “Get up, you lousy wimps!” snarled Ace. Starla and Lightning hated the way he insulted them, but they got up and attacked the creatures again. They tried their very best but were outmatched in every way. “STAR SHOWER” yelled Starla and he attack hit, but seemed to do no damage at all. This gave away what the creatures were immediately, but before she could say anything… Lightning raised his foot to kick one of the creatures, but it grabbed his leg, whirled him round, and around and sent him flying right into Starla. “It’s no good. We need back up.” said Lightning. “And you call yourselves fighters!” mocked Ace, but he got smacked in the face by one of the creatures knocking him unconscious “Ace!” cried Skye. Suddenly the cavalry arrived-- The rest of the Starfleet team and Twilight’s gang. “Glad you guys made it over.” said Lightning. “What’s going on?” asked Artie “Yeah, I thought you captured all the changelings?” added Pinkie. “Oh, Ponies...!” called a voice followed by several energy-blasts. Sparks flared all over and the whole team fell off their feet. “Look!” cried Rarity as she pointed at the creatures’ leader. Though they didn’t recognize him at first, his voice could not have been denied. “The Changeling captain…?” Twilight said in still disbelief "He's the one behind all this?" “Correct!" hissed the Captain "Also, these aren’t changelings, they’re robots. My robots, and with them, I shall easily dominate this dimensional-planet and all who live here!” The team didn't like the sound of this one bit. "Why would you want to conquer our planet for?" asked Lightning. The Captain snickered and felt it was time to explain his motives as well as his origin. "You see, I and my kind you see now; we have not been programmed by terrestrial creatures. We have been built and programmed by each other throughout the generations. However, our original ancestors were designed and created by a band of genius creatures form the Planet Cybria, know as "The Creators." He went on explaining... Centuries ago, The Creators began one of the most daring and most magnificent plans ever conceived: no less than the conquest of the entire dimensional universe! An immensely difficult task for any one race to achieve no matter how advanced their technology or how powerful their magic... "...But time and planning solve all problems." hissed the captain. For centuries, as their technologies developed, The Creators had been gathering what they had needed most; energy! Cosmic forces combined with biological-energies extracted from living beings, which would allow them to power their creations to possess astonishing abilities and powers of amazing qualities. The Creators designed their robots to carry out their bidding, but they overlooked one detail; the robots were programed with strong intellect, giving them the ability to think for themselves. However, upon realizing that the creators only built the robots to carry out their bidding, and that they cared nothing for them, the robots rebelled, and quickly destroyed The Creators, and all of Cybria. Able to travel through space, with magical resistant armor to shield them from the teleportation magic, the robots decided to make their own purpose, and conquer the universe for themselves; turning it into a world of machinery and cybernetics. Their first task was to wipe out all terrestrial life forms. Their first attack was made against the planet Equestria, but as much as they managed to get the upper hand, the robots were defeated single-handedly by one foolish pony. “My brothers fell, but I survived.” hissed the captain “All these years I’ve spent planning, rebuilding. Disguising myself as a Changeling and feigning loyalty to Chrysalis, I was able to tap into the energy she gathered to help reconstruct my forces, which I sent as tests to prove if we were ready to rise again. Now that I have all that I need to rise again, and lead the Robot Empire to glory and triumph. My first directive: Destroy you pests!!” and raised his hand, and fired. “Scatter!” shouted Lightning, and everyone leapt out of the way just in time. “Attack them!” the captain ordered his robot-men, and the creatures began to attack, with the exception of the ones holding Skye and Ace back, and the captain leapt into battle too. “LET’S GO!” shouted Lightning. From the royal palace in, Goldwin could see the battle happening through his telescope. “Wow! Look at all those robots.” he cried, and he tried and tried to count them all but kept losing count each time. Grand Ruler and Queen Celestia were dispatching many guards and other fighters to help in the battle. “You all know what to do.” said Grand Ruler. “Go and make us proud.” added Celestia “If it gets any worse, we will join you.” The guards all tapped their lances in acknowledgement and then, “Let’s move out! Hut-Hut-Hut!” at Captain Shaina’s shouts they all charged out of the palace. Cadance and Shining Armor watched the guards leave. “Boy does that take me back.” said Shining Armor “I wish I could go out there and help Twily.” “I know how you feel.” said Grand Ruler “But as I have told you; it’s best you remain here in case the palace gets attacked next.” Then he went off, and Shining Armor went with him, while Celestia and Cadance stayed with Goldwin. They used their magic to view the battle from afar, and they saw the teams weren’t doing as well as it seemed the robots were designed for speed, strength and intelligence. It was going to be awfully hard to land so much as even half a hit on them. Still, Cadance couldn’t help gaze at was Lightning and Twilight battling the captain. She was very concerned every time they got hit and went down, as the captain was a skilled fighter, but something about his fighting style seemed familiar to her. The captain was just ruthless as his men. Twilight and Lightning had suffered many beatings from him. Twilight tried as much of her magic as she could, but it had no effect on his magic-resistant armor and just slicked right off of him like water. “Heh, Heh! Nice try, but not nice enough.” and he raised his leg and kicked Twilight hard. Lightning helped her up “You okay?” he asked. “…Just barely” Twilight groaned. All the others weren’t having much luck either with the robot-men. With all three stats programed into them, even their attacks that normally worked before didn’t help. Some of their weapons got badly damaged as well. Buddy Rose's Whip was snapped at the hilt. Artie’s staff got broken in two. Rhymey’s sword was bent… Starla’s bow was actually tied in a bow! All the rest of them had all suffered serious beatings from those metal monsters! “Argh, can’t we ever get a break from such tough guys?!” groaned Applejack The whole gang met up together, tried but not too badly hurt, but the robots and the captain had them stumped. “Come on, you guys!” cried Skye “I know you can do this!” “Silence!” growled the captain. “Your so-called “defenders” are no match for me and my robots.” He then turned to face the team. “However, I will allow them one final chance to spare themselves from a most painful death.” He offered the team to join him, and become robots. “With you fighter skills, and magic abilities, together, under my leadership we will be an unstoppable empire, and the entire universe will bow to our every command.” Twilight and Lightning suddenly caught a glimpse of moment in the bushes nearby, and Lighting caught the wink of a familiar eye. “The answer is no.” Lightning said. “We’ll never join you.” All the others nodded in agreement. “Then you have made an unfortunate decision.” said the captain and he raised his arm, powerful up his laser for the kill. When suddenly, he gasped, and held his head moaning and groaning as if he were in pain. The others were confused and exchanged looks of curiosity at one another. Then, the captain said something that no one seemed to believe. “Robots… Release... the... prisoners!” The robots did as they were told, and let go of Skye and her brother. “What was that all about?” asked Buddy Rose. “Ac...tiv..ate… auto-destruct!” groaned the captain and all his robots did as they were told and destroyed themselves, much to everyone’s extreme confusion. Then the captain begged everyone “Please… destroy me! I can’t hold it back!” The gang just stood there all puzzled. Rainbow blinked twice “Did he just say…?” “What is going on here?” cried Rarity. At the palace, the others could see it as well. “What’s happening?” asked Goldwin “The captain looks like he’s surrendering." “He looks like he’s struggling with something.” Celestia said. Cadance was still gazing at the captain long and hard, and was starting to feel there something very unusual about him, almost familiar. “Destroy me! Please hurry!” the captain begged, but he suddenly stopped struggling and felt himself being in control again. “I’ll settle this myself then!” but as he raised his arm ready to fire, a lance was thrown and struck at him, and the captain didn’t seem ready for it as it struck him. It was Shaina who threw the lance. “ATTACK!” she shouted to all his guards, and they all leapt out from hiding and charged after the captain full force, attacking him from all sides. Even though he was immune to most kinds of magic, like Starfleet, everyone attacked using a combination of magic with energy and physical power. That worked! Lightning Twilight and friends still had strength enough to help them all. “Let’s do it!” Lightning said. The captain really wasn’t able to fight back very well with all those ponies attacking him at once and he got struck several times by lances and powerful kicks, and in the midst of it all, the captain’s face-plate was busted and half broken off revealing part of his face. Everyone gasped. “Do you see?” Lightning asked. Starla nodded “…But I don’t believe it.” Twilight and the others were all speechless. The captain… his face… it was a Pony! Celestia and Cadance both saw the captain’s true pony-face and recognizing it anywhere, they gasped softly in deep shock; both of them looked as if they had seen a ghost. The captain had taken a huge beating. His armor as scratched, he sparked a little bit and a couple of wires were sticking out of him. Yet he just stood there, quivering softly while angrily glaring at them all. “This is our chance.” Lightning said “Everyone ready?” The two teams and the army of guards stood ready, and began to power up for the kill. “This is it...” Goldwin said “I think they’re finally going to finish him.” he sounded both scared and excited, but Celestia and Cadance felt their bodies begin to quiver with grief and fear. Cadance gazed almost tearfully at her aunt, and her body was shaking with stress. Celestia felt exactly the same. Her insides were burning wondering what to do. The captain lurched forth, but collapsed onto his knee joints. “Ready…” shouted Lightning “Aim…!” Finally Cadance’s horn began to glow, “...DON’T FIRE!!” The others all heard her. “What?!” snapped Lightning. “Huh? Cadance?!” remarked Twilight Celestia began to speak too, “...Hold your fire!” “Queen Celestia?!” snapped Starla “What in yellow-bellies is she talkin’ about?” growled Applejack “This could be our only chance.” growled Rarity. “We’ve got to fire now.” “No!” shouted Cadance “Don’t shoot him!!” She slowly fell to her knees with her back against the well. Her tears were falling in earnest now. “Please… don’t… Just don’t...!” Celestia bowed her head and buried her face in her hands. Goldwin couldn’t understand why they were so upset, but he ran off to get Grand Ruler and Shining Armor. The team. still horribly confused, reluctantly did as they were told. A few of the guards stayed behind to escort Skye and Ace back to town. Ace looked in a bad way and needed medical attention. As for the robot captain, he had retreated back to his hideout. Only a few of his robots had been destroyed, he had plenty of others, and would construct more, but now he needed some time to repair and heal himself, but he was very upset and felt almost humiliated for losing control in the battle today. “I will rebuild...” he hissed silently “I will strike again, and next time, no mistakes! They have not seen the last of me!” Celestia and Cadance sadly entered the throne room, where they found Grand Ruler waiting for them, and he was furious. “Celestia, Cadance! What is the meaning this?” he said sternly “Goldwin told me everything. Why did you call off the attack without consulting me first? You know I make the final decisions in Starfleet order.” Shining Armor was there, and he was cross when he learned Cadance was the one behind all this. “How could do this Cadance?” he said sharply, but then both he and Grand Ruler saw the look of extreme sadness on their wives faces. Cadance was so ashamed she could hardly speak, but Celestia apologized for them both “You don’t understand.” she said “We just couldn’t bear it…” before she could say why, the team burst into the throne room. “…Retreat?!” Lightning yelled at Celestia, “What we're you thinking, your majesty? We had him!” “He would have killed us without thinking twice!” growled Starla. Even Twilight was cross and baffled with her teacher and sister-in-law. “Now he has a chance to repair himself. And he’ll be back and even stronger than ever.” “No puedo creer esto! What’s wrong with you two!” growled Dyno. “Never would I ever be ashamed of my own queen and a princess.” snarled Myte. All the friends started to extend their anger towards Celestia and Cadance. “QUIET...!!!” Grand Ruler shouted, and the whole room feel silent with everyone gazing at him. As much as he was upset about this, he wouldn’t tolerate all this anger and insulting to be thrown at his wife and niece. It wouldn’t help matters at all. He approached Celestia and Cadance and spoke calmly. “Cadance, Celestia… why... Why did you stop them?” Celestia hesitated, but it was Cadance who finally turned and admitted with great shame and guilt to everyone “...Because… he’s my brother!” Everyone’s mouths hung open and their eyes widened in shock. To Be Continued…! (Promo) In our next episode, Cadance and Celestia reveal the shocking truth about Cadance’s brother. As much as the others understand, their orders and courses are clear. Meanwhile, Chrysalis decided to take a chance and plans to unleash a whole power she has been perfecting to attack the ponies. Can Cadance bring herself to accept the team’s decision about her brother, and what is this new power Chrysalis has? Don’t miss the next exciting episode of “Starfleet Magic!” (Next Episode: “Back From the Dead: Part 2”)