//------------------------------//
// Episode 4: Trouble's A'Cookin' 
// Story: My Brave Pony Starfleet Magic: Season III 
// by DakariKingMykan 
//------------------------------//


EPISODE FOUR



On Sombra’s ship. Harkin was in a private and wide open area and training fiercely, punching and kicking the air. It was his favorite pastime whenever he wasn’t called to the king to do any bidding or he just had some spare time, and the while he was training, he was thinking of Lightning and the fierce battle that they had before. “I must train hard.” he thought deeply to himself “I will challenge Lightning when the time is right and not before. The only true and noble way for a warrior to fight and ensnare victory with honor.”

Melantha, Phaedra and Frost-Eye were watching him.

“Gee, does he ever rest?” asked Frost-Eye.

Melantha hardly cared much as she just flicked her long mane and said “I’d say give him a break, but I doubt if he’d even want it.”

“I wonder where gets his energy from. His motivation…” Phaedra wondered. She already knew what hers was, and thinking about it made her itchy to let off steam. She was soon about to get her chance when Sombra had summoned the minions to his chamber. 

“Firstly, I shall repeat my commendation to you Melantha, in securing one of the fragments of the crystal heart.” his sinister shadow eyes narrowed. “…But as you all are no doubt aware, there are six more fragments to collect.”

“Yeah, and don’t forget that other shard Starfleet already has. That makes seven in all.” Frost-Eye pointed out. This made Sombra growl in anger.

“See what your big mouth has done now?” scolded Melantha.

“Hey, it’s the truth!” snapped Frost-Eye.

“Silence!” thundered Sombra. The minions quieted down, and Sombra explained he had found another fragment of the crystal heart, and he needed a volunteer to go and get it. “I will go.” Phaedra said. 

“What…? You?” snapped Frost-Eye.

“Why not…? It’s time I had a little fun.” said Phaedra, and she thought quietly to herself “Besides, I can hardly wait to make the people suffer for my pain of what I lost!”

Sombra allowed her to go and supplied her with a monster gem and shadowbolt crystals to aid her. “Good luck, Phaedra.” Harkin said. “Yeah, just don’t mess up.” added Frost-Eye, and the others all gazed at him with stern looks. “What?”




Meanwhile, Lightning, Twilight and some friends were on their way to New Horn Kong, located in the north-eastern region of United Equestria. Many ponies who lived there were skilled in many fine arts, such as kung-fu, calligraphy, carving, painting, dancing, but most of all cooking.

Lightning and Twilight had been personally instructed by their teachers to be on the panel of judges for the annual Silver Chef competition, but also to be on the lookout for a crystal shard that had been reported in the area by other patrols but still remained unrecovered.

What really interested Lightning was he was going to get to see an old friend of his whom he hadn’t seen in a long time; Cookie Dough: Supreme master chef who made the most delicious known meals in the galaxy to many. After Unicornicopia and Equestria were destroyed, and United Equestria was formed, he moved to New Horn Kong to live in peace and share his cooking with more of the world. He also became the well honored Silver Chef, and had held the position for two years now since the planet was formed, and he was competing again this year too. 

Pinkie Pie was also coming along to buy some special ingredients for the Cake’s bakery, and this was her chance to try some new foods. Spike and Starla were there too as well as Applejack and Buddy Rose. So were Applejack and Buddy Rose. Apart from wanting to help look for the shard, both of them were going to buy recipes and gardening-tools they heard they could get.

They all decided to travel by train, and left New Ponyville the previous day and traveled all through the night.

The sun was rising to the next day, and Spike was growing irritable. “Why couldn’t we have just warped or flown here?” he asked.

The others had all grown annoyed of his constant complaining, but answered him again…

“In the first place: Krysta’s not with us.” Lightning said “She had work to do on her planet. She is the fairy queen.”

“I can’t teleport us all there at once. My magic still isn’t strong enough to do that.” added Twilight.

“That’s right.” said Buddy Rose “Besides, warping it supposed to be used for emergencies only, and this isn’t really one of them.”

“Besides, Pinkie and I can’t fly, especially not with the luggage that we brought.” said Applejack

“Yeah, but besides that, it’s fun to take the train. Look at all the neat things we can see.” Pinkie said with glee as she kept gazing outside and using her camera to take pictures of practically anything she saw. “You might want to save some film when we get there, Pinkie.” Twilight said.

“And don’t forget, we are going there on a mission.” added Starla.

The sound of the train whistle alerted them that they were nearly there, and they disembarked as soon as they arrived at the station in New Horn Kong. It was really a beautiful country with pagoda buildings and open stands in the shopping districts and gongs sounding. Some of the ponies wore yukatas and kimonos, while others preferred to dress casually, and those who were members of Starfleet wore traditional patrol uniforms like the friends were wearing. “This is really lovely.” Twilight said. “I only read about it my books but this is my first time ever coming here.”

Starla agreed “It’s the kind of place Rarity would call…” she imitated Rarity’s voice “Simply sensation of scintillating specialties. Heh! And she’d probably get ideas for new clothes everywhere she looked.”

Lightning searched through the crowd for Cookie Dough. He saw him and with him was a pink pegasi mare dressed in a red and white kimono, and her black mane knotted up in back with small sticks in it. On the front of her kimono was a picture matching her cutiemark; a black belt over a fork and chopsticks. 

“Look, there’s Cookie Dough.”

He saw them and shook hands with Lightning “Lightning, good to see you again old friend.”

Starla and Buddy Rose were happy to see him again too, and Cookie was glad to see Princess, or rather Captain Twilight Sparkle and her friends Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Spike too. “I’d like you all to meet my wife, Khana Ling.”

His wife folded her hands and bowed in greeting. “I bid you welcome.”

Most of the others bowed in response, but Pinkie bounced about in rings around her and shot off her mouth a-hundred miles an hour going…

“How old are you?”

“What’s your favorite color?”

“Care to be my friend?”

“How many friends do you have?”

“… Pinkie Pie!” snapped Twilight.

They hitched a taxi-coach to the hotel they’d all be staying at which was just across the street from the place where the silver chef battle would take place. Cookie Dough prepared a special lunch with the help from his wife. It was just so delicious, Spike especially loved the noodles, though it was a bit discomforting having to kneel on the floor and eat at a low table.

“So, how you’d you two lovebirds meet?” asked Applejack.

Khana decided to tell the story…

Many years ago, before Equestria was destroyed, Khana was a single child who lived with her father, Ho-Meng. A yellow Earth pony who’s cooking skills and credentials were on the same par as Cookie Dough’s. However, her father was very mean, very egotistical, and very self-centered to having his own way. He was very disappointed that Kana was born a girl when he hoped for a son, and that she was a pegasi and not an Earth pony, even though both he and Khana’s mother were Earth ponies, Ho-Meng blamed his wife for having different ponies on hear side of the family. “My family’s bloodline consisted of a long line of Earth ponies, only to have this happen. We have a pegasi now. What a waste!” he would say.

“That’s awful.” said Starla “My father was overprotective and self-centered, but he never acted that badly towards me.”

Khana agreed. “My father seemed to care more about his own selfish honor than the feelings of those around him.”

She went on saying she wanted to prove to her father that she could still be the idealistic child he had always wanted. She did excellent in school, and even took martial-arts classes. While her mother showed great pride, her father continued to remain distant.

Khana still remained unfazed and determined to prove herself. So she decided to take up cooking so maybe she would understand her father’s world more closely, and it seemed to slightly work. She had gained his attention, but hardly any respect. Even for just being a beginner and making simple ordinary mistakes, her father really let her have it. 

“That squid looks like it’s been hacked by a blind woodsman.”

“I said turn the heat down!”

“You may do things your way if you wish… but it is not the right way.”

Her father was starting to sound more and more like a real jerk, and the friends were only grateful to hear that at least he never became abusive or violent with Khana, but that was still no excuse for his behavior.

Khana’s mother died during Nightmare Moon’s reign of terror before Equestria was destroyed. Khana was being whipped and lashed by Nightmare’s minions for slacking due to exhaustion, and her mother stepped into protect her daughter, only to take a more brutal punishment… and was beaten to death by those monsters!

As expected, her father blamed Khana for it, and she finally came to grips that her father was an overbearing disgrace who would never come to accept her, or show her any respect.

After Equestria was destroyed and United Equestria was born, moved out of her home and decided to live her own life without any expectations from her father. She managed to get a job as a waitress at a restaurant, and one day while out shopping at the market she bumped into Cookie Dough, and all through the day she bumped into him again, and again, and again. So they both decided to sit down and talk things over before they had an accident. They became good friends…

Cookie Dough felt sorry to hear about what her life was like, and one night she invited him to her place for dinner. She tried her best to prepare the meal but her cooking still needed vast improvement, which Cookie Dough was only too delighted to show her how to become better.

Every day or so he would come over and teach her more, and every day she got better and better. He was kind, gentle, and most caring towards her even when she made a mistake. Khana found herself becoming more and more attracted to him, and one day… she just came up to him and let it out.

“I love you! I love you, Cookie Dough.”

Cookie Dough was almost speechless. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Do you?”

“Yes, I love you too.” He approached her and gazed her deep in the eyes. “Will you marry me?”

Her smile widened. “Yes. Oh, yes.”

They were married almost at once. Cookie Dough wished he could have sent out invitations to his friends, but Khana didn’t want to alert the attention of her father. Knowing him, he would be very angry with her choices and possibly cause trouble.

Still, Khana and Cookie Dough moved into the same house, and Cookie Dough invited her to come and work with him at his own restaurant, and together, they ran one of the most successful businesses in all of New Horn Kong. Cookie Dough was very happy to be married, as he sometimes thought about the blissful joys and giving up his bachelorhood. 

It was the inspiration and suggestion of his wife that he enter the Silver Chef contest, as he was sure to win, and he did, but he always made sure to offer credit to his wife for inspiring him and having faith in him.




The rest was pretty much history.

“Aw, that’s so sweet.” Twilight said.

Pinkie was blubbering out of happiness, and blew her nose with a hankie.

Lightning and Starla smiled and felt happy for the couple, and they glimpsed at each other and turned away blushing.

“Well, I hope you win at the contest.” Applejack said.

“Me too…” Spike said with his mouthful “I can… GULP… hardly wait for the tasting bit.”

“Say, who’s your opponent anyway?” Starla asked.

“We don’t know yet.” Cookie Dough said.

“It is a sacred tradition.” added Khana “The opponents do not know of each other until the time of the competition. This helps to avoid confliction and nervous feelings which would throw them off.”

She did, however show them a poster of what the first prize was. The prizes varied from every year, as well as upholding the title of Silver Chef, this year the winner would receive a large and mysterious jewel-encrusted egg. Everyone gazed at the posted in awe. Spike had never seen anything so beautiful in his life. “It’s… it’s… beyond anything that words can say.” he cried heavenly. He wasn’t even sure if he had it that he’d ever want to eat it. 

Twilight and Lightning recognized it as a dragon egg. “A dragon egg…? Are you sure?” asked Pinkie Pie. “We’re positive.” Twilight said “It has the same shape and basic style.”

Khana confirmed that it was indeed a dragon egg, but not exactly a biological one, nor the kind you could eat. “The legends say that long ago there was this powerful and fierce warrior called the Dragon Knight who wielded extraordinary powers, and crushed all his enemies. This egg belonged to him as his most prized possession, but nobody knows really why.”

Lightning remembered reading up something like that in his galactic studies. “But that story is believed to be just a myth.”

“Yeah, I heard the same thing.” added Starla “As far as anyone knows, the only thing anyone knows about that egg is that it’s valuable. Even if it has secrets, no one knows what they are.”

That egg was starting to be more and more of a mystery of interest to everyone. Still, at the moment there was nothing to do but wait until the contest which would take place at midnight. This would give them all a chance to rest up and prepare. Also, Twilight and Lightning had to be careful not to eat so much for all the tasting they would have to be doing as judges.

This also gave everyone a chance to walk around town a do a little shopping. Twilight bought special charm bracelets for all her friends back at home and several new books for herself. Applejack and Buddy Rose did their shopping and got all the tools and supplies they wanted.

Spike admired the fancy jewellery, so much that he couldn’t stop drooling. Sadly he couldn’t buy anything without any money. He was almost greedy enough to take some while the clerk wasn’t looking. “Spike!” snapped Twilight.

As for Lightning and Starla, they were enjoying the sights and activities; they even danced as they went along their ways, as well as keeping a watch out for any sensing of the crystal heart shard.

(this music... +1 pitch)



They stepped, kicked, twirled, and leapt about in grand jete and saut de chat. They tried many of the activities they passed…

They caught red fish in a lucky fishing game. They joined a friendly group of ponies doing Tai-Chi. They meditated under relaxing waterfalls. They flew kites with some of the children in the park. Starla even bought herself a yukata almost like Khana’s. Lightning thought she looked really pretty.

“What? You’re saying I didn’t look pretty before?”

“Oh, no I meant that…”

“Got’cha.”

“Starla…!”

Before long, they had reached the end of their little spree and dance, and were now sitting on a bench in the park together as the sun began to set. They hadn’t seen any signs of the heart shard or even any signs of abnormal, evil activity, and that was good. “This place is so amazing.” Lightning said.

“Yeah, I almost wished I lived here.” said Starla “But… I’m glad I’m here at least with you, Lightning.”

Lightning felt the same, and he had that soft feeling inside him again, and felt the box inside his pocket with the engagement ring inside. “Starla…? Since we’re alone and enjoying the scene, can I ask you something?”

Starla felt she knew was coming. “Yes, what is it?”

Lightning held her hands, and gazed deeply into her eyes. “Starla… I was hoping… that… that you’d--” before he could say another word, he was interrupted by Pinkie Pie shouting “HEY, LIGHTNING!! STARLA!!” as she ran up to them, making them wince hard and bonk heads.

“Oh!”

“Ow!”

Lightning felt most annoyed that he had been interrupted again, but he and Starla shrugged it off. “We’ve been looking all over for you two.” said Pinkie “We have to head back to hotel and get ready for the show tonight.”

In all the excitement, Lightning and Starla had almost completely forgotten, but they decided to hold their last thought and pick it up later… they hoped!

They all went to the hotel, and by midnight they had all gone to the theater where the competition was going to commence. Lightning and Twilight took their places ready to enter as judges, Cookie Dough took his place to enter, and all the others were given special seats near the front row to get a good view of everything.

“This is so exciting.” cried Pinkie.

“Easy now, sugar-cube…” Applejack said “Don’t wanna be making too much noise now.” In actuality, she was just as excited as Pinkie. So were the others. Soon, the large gongs were sounded and the host came out. A very serious green ground pony with a strict and furious look on his face. He drew out his katana to signify the beginning of the contest and announced the contestants starting with Cookie Dough the reigning champion. He came out wearing his special chef’s uniform and hat with the official champion around him which he took off and handed to Khana. His wife pecked him on the cheek for luck as he took up his position at his station.

Then his opponent was announced. “… Chef HO-MENG!”

The friends in the audience, Cookie Dough and Khana gasped at the mention of the name, and indeed, it was Khana’s estranged father, and he looked just as grumpy, just as strict, and one look at his daughter made his features curl into disgust and disappointment worse than ever. Khana gazed at him in surprise and also outrage. “Father!” she hissed softly in a sneer.

Cookie Dough had never met his father-in-law before, but already didn’t seem to like him much at first glance. The judges were announced and took their places at the panel table to await the tasting part of the contest. There were five judges and all; Lightning, Twilight, and three other ponies. The audience bowed to Princess Twilight, and others saluted to Admiral Lightning. The head judge welcomed them as well, and expressed what an honor it was to have two figures of high authority join them in what was sure to be a most exciting event.

Traditionally, the challenger, Ho-Meng was asked why he would dare to challenge the silver chef. He answered sternly, “…To prove what real honor is, and to show everyone the right way of doing things.” Half the crowd took a liking to that, but many more as well as the friends saw it as just him being egotistical again and trying to be right over everyone else. “That guy has seriously got to let loose.” Buddy Rose said. The others agreed with him.

Cookie Dough was asked, if he were to win and retain his title, what his were reasons to wanting to be Silver Chef, to which he replied “I came to try my best and give it my all. If I win that’s fine. If I lose, that’s fine too.” The audience applauded loudly in respect for his honor and respectfulness, but Ho-Meng already didn’t like his attitude.

The host ordered the combatants to their posts. A giant hourglass appeared behind the host as he went over the rules: The chefs had one hour--the time it took for the sand from the glass to fall--and the winner would not only receive, or uphold the title of Silver Chef, but also be presented with the grand prize; the legendary Dragon-Knight Egg, and then and there it appeared right by the host for all to see. The crowd gazed in awe, and Spike almost felt like he was in love with such a sight. The egg was even more beautiful than he imaged.

“Steady, Spike.” Starla said.

Finally, the host announced that the chefs were to make up to four dishes using only all the foods and appliances and tools they had, while all containing the same special ingredient to use, and the special ingredient was Cheese.

“Mmm…! I like cheese.” sighed Pinkie.

Ho-Meng sharpened his cleaver in a threatening manner. Cookie Dough heated his stove elements and oven. The host drew katana again and shouted for the chefs to begin. The gong sounded and the two chefs took off at it.

The show was anything but boring to watch as the chefs demonstrated how fast and skilled they were. Cookie Dough trick cracked some eggs into a mixing bowl for a cheesecake, while Ho-Meng tossed a fish in the air and slices and diced it with his cleaver. Twilight and Lightning were both amazed by the excitement. It felt almost like watching a war instead of a cook-off.

The first ten minutes passed and the chefs, to everyone’s astonishment, had managed to make starting points at all four of their planned dishes and were still going at it hard, chopping vegetables, mixing batter, stirring and frying foods in the pots and pans. Flipping the foods really impressed everyone. “Whoa! Even Granny Smith could never do this.” Applejack whispered.

All the time, however, Ho-Meng kept glancing over towards Cookie Dough’s corner and glaring furiously, and he continued cooking fiercely and it was almost scary. The judges took note of this, and Lightning and Twilight liked Ho-Meng less and less. If he kept this up, it would be no surprise what the outcome of the contest would be.

Halfway through the competition, the two chefs were halfway through making all their meals. When suddenly, Lightning’s horn began to glow, Twilight’s too. Starla and Buddy Rose’s horns were also glowing indicating that a heart fragment was very nearby, and before any of them, or anyone else could react or say anything the doors to the theater burst wide open, and hole appeared in the ceilings as shadow bolts entered, and Phaedra appeared down below in the center. “Stay where you are, all of you!” she shouted as she pulled out her sword. “I know there’s a heart fragment here and no one leaves until I find it.”

“That’s what you think!” snapped Lightning as he and Twilight and their friends in the audience stood up. Many of the other audience members who were part of Starfleet also stood up.

“Get out of here!” shouted Ho-Meng.

Phaedra glared at him. “Are you talking to me?” and Ho-Meng glared back. “You are wrecking our contest! GET OUT OF HERE!!”

“Father, stop!” shouted Khana “We are in danger.”

“Keep out of this!” her father shouted at her. He seemed to be getting angrier and angrier and gripped his cleaver tightly. “No one, I mean NO ONE shall keep me from achieving honor and respect!” he almost looked ready to fight Phaedra himself.

“Get him!” Phaedra shouted at the shadowbolts, and the shadowbolts dashed at him and he furiously began to fight them with his knowledge of Kung-Fu, he even bashed them with his scalding hot cooking pans and managed to beat a few of them, but his fury continued to grow; as he really wanted the contest to continue, caring more about it than the dangers… a thing which the judges had seen to equal enough of poor attitude.

For now, Lightning, as admiral ordered all the other Starfleet fighters to help escort everyone out of the building, and for Cookie Dough and Khana to go too, and everyone began to run out, but Lightning, Twilight and their friends stayed behind. Spike remained hidden behind the seats, while the others transformed.

“STARFLEET MAGIC!!”

“HARMONY HOUR, FRIENDSHIP POWER!!”

They all stood ready for battle, but Phaedra didn’t seem amused. “I don’t have time for this, and she ordered the rest of the shadowbolts to attack. “Get them!” shouted Lightning and the team dashed into battle. Lightning, with a swift kick of his foot sent two of the shadowbolts soaring to the far back row of seats. Twilight swerved and dodged oncoming assaults and blasted a while pile of them into smoke with one blast “Stiiiiirike!”

Pinkie Pie was faced by a swarm of more shadowbolts coming right at her, but she also felt her tail doing the “Twitch-a-Twitch…?” which told her that something was going to start falling, and she was right, for at the last moment large bits of loose rubble from the holes in the ceiling fell right on top of the baddies, crushing them into smoke. “Ha! Take that!” she chortled.

While all this was going on, Phaedra used what little time and space she had to scout for the fragment which had to be located inside the building; right beneath the flooring under the judges’ table. Phaedra drew out her sword and poised it at the table. “BLADE BLASTER” and fired a swarm of energy projectiles destroying the table and making a huge hole in the floor. The fragment levitated into the air glowing brightly.

“Look!” cried Buddy Rose!”

“The fragment!” said Starla.

“Get it!” shouted Lightning, but Phaedra wouldn’t let them anywhere near it and blasted them all knocking them to the ground. “Like beating a dead horse.” she mocked, and then proceeded to take the fragment, but she had forgotten about Ho-Meng still being there and he was still fighting the shadowbolts. He saw what was happening and acting fast he threw a frying pan straight and fast as the fragment and sent it soaring out the door and somewhere out into the city. “No!” shouted Phaedra. Then she turned angrily to face Ho-Meng! “You!” she wasn’t going to stand for this, but as she had to go and find where the fragment was, she decided to let a monster handle this, and she knew just the thing to use her monster gem on, one of Cookie Dough’s boiling pots on his stove. “Hope you’re hungry… to die!” and she tossed the gem right at the pot. It sank inside and the pot was enraptured by dark magic changing it into a giant beast known as Hot Pot. Not only did its steel coating protect it from most attacks, but it also had the power to spew hot, scalding liquids that would burn anything in its path like lava.

“Enjoy your last meal, punks!” Phaedra chortled and she left to go searching for the fragment in the city, but remembering their strategy, Pinkie Pie Twilight decided to head out and try to find the fragment first. Applejack stayed behind to help in the upcoming fight.

“Let’s go!” snapped Twilight as headed off “Aye-Aye, Captain!” cried Pinkie as she ran after her. “Good luck, girls.” said Lightning, and he stood with the others ready to fight. Using their visors they could scan that Hot Pot’s defense was very high as promised, and his temperature was hot as an oven.

The pot glared and growled at his enemies, and spewed out the scalding hot liquids from its mouth right at them. “Scatter!” shouted Lightning as everyone leapt out of the way. The burning liquid horribly burned the floor where they stood and melted some of the chairs and tables.

“Whoa! That’s hot stuff.” Spike said as he gazed up from his hiding place.

Buddy Rose went first. “LEAF SWARM” but as expected, his sharp leaves didn’t even scratch the solid steel. “Nothing!” he grumbled, and the pot spewed more hot stuff at him. Lightning dashed forth and rammed a hard high-jump kick into the pot’s body and managed to nudge it back a little, but hardly damaging it, and the pot head-bashed him hard in the chest and sent him skidding across the floor. “Are you alright?” asked Starla.

Lightning got to his feet quickly. “I’m okay, but this is going to be harder than I thought! I just hope Twilight and Pinkie are doing okay.”



All the civilians had gone far from the theater where the danger was and were now shielded within the other buildings protected by the force-fields.

Phaedra and her few remaining shadowbolts scoured the immediate areas around the theater for wherever the heart fragment could have fallen. “I must find that fragment!” she growled.

“Not on your life!”

“Huh?” Phaedra turned and saw Twilight there just as she soared towards her and socked her hard in the face. “A’RGH…!” 

Twilight stood in midair ready for battle. Phaedra just let her shadowbolts continue to search as she needed to keep Twilight out of the way.

“Was that supposed to hurt me?”

“That was just a warm up. The real pain’s coming soon.”

“Wrong! You have no idea what real pain and suffering is all about.”

She explained how years ago she was humble flower-shop unicorn with a gentle spirit and in personality. She had fallen in love with a perfectly nice young stallion, by the name of Royce Rolls. He was a very handsome and understanding unicorn who was like her in many ways. Their love seemed pure and would had lasted for ages, but for one small detail… their feuding families that did not see eye-to-eye wished to drive them apart simply out of pure spite and hatred of each other. So Phaedra and Royce continued to meet in secret, behind their folks’ backs. Their love for each other just grew stronger and stronger, until finally they decided to elope. They promised to meet in a secret place deep in Everfree Forest and run away together.

She waited, and waited, and waited… but he never showed up! She never had felt such betrayal before in her life, and it only worsened as his letters seemed to stop coming. Her parents forbad her from ever sending any letters to him again kept on enforcing that she was better off without him. All that betrayal and hatred in her continued to grow, and Phaedra decided to run away…

Still, her aching and hurting never ceased. It was always there in her every waking moment, and whenever she slept she would dream about the same events over and over. Finally, one day her travels took her to the Crystal Empire where she met him, King Sombra, who was trying to gain entry to the empire, and steal the Crystal Heart to revive himself.

However, he could sense the darkness and hate within Phaedra, and keeping in close mind that there was a chance of his defeat, he made Phaedra a deal to come and work for her. “With the power I shall grant you, I can help you exact vengeance on all those who betrayed you.”

Phaedra accepted and was reborn as a demoncorn, and from then on, not only had she dedicated her new life to serving Sombra, but making others suffer for all the pain and betrayal she suffered. Basically... she was letting off steam.

Twilight felt more livid than pitiful for Phaedra. “All this just because your colt-friend didn’t show up…? Didn’t you ever stop to think there was some explanation for why he didn’t come?”

“If there was, why did he not write to me, or tell me?” growled Phaedra “It’s too late now for that… just as it is for you! BLADE BLASTER” 

Twilight countered the shots by firing a magical beam at them exploding them. That’s when Phaedra zipped forth and socked her hard on the face just like she punched her. Twilight wasn’t hurt much thanks to her training from the other day, and the two fighters began to brawl.

Even with her sword, Phaedra didn’t expect Twilight to be so tough and swift. She dogged every single swing and managed to punch, kick, and blast her a few times, but Phaedra managed to return the favor many more times; punching, kicking, and blasting her right back. She even gave Twilight a huge cut to her face with her sword, and it stung a little. “Can you feel the pain?” Phaedra chortled.

Twilight growled.

“Well, you’ll be feeling more and more of it pretty soon. Speaking of which, I wonder how much pain my monster is inflicting on your friends.”

“My friends…!”




The Hot Pot was continuing to prove its strength and power. Against its super defense and its extreme temperature, most of their attacks were useless. There had to be some way to weaken the monster. 

Applejack tried to lasso it and hold it down, but it easily poured hot liquid onto the rope burning it to ashes. “My best rope!” cried Applejack “Oh, that is it!” and she foolishly charged forth “No one breaks my rope and gets away with it.”

The pot growled and spewed more hot stuff right at her. She would have been roasted had Starla not swopped down from above. “What were you thinking?” she scolded.

“Uh…well… ” to be honest, even Applejack realized she was blinded foolishly by her rage. “I guess I need to learn to cool off a bit.”

Lightning heard what she said and realized “Cool off-- You guys, that’s it!”

The others caught on immediately, and Buddy Rose figured how to put it into action. “VINE WHIP” and he swung his whip grabbing the hose spray nozzle at one of the faucets in cooking corner and yanked it back at into his hand. Before the pot could react, Lightning turned on the cold water full-blast. “Everybody Freeze!” shouted Buddy Rose as he sprayed the monster.

All that cold water-- The monster couldn’t take it. Like all things that went from extreme hot to extreme cold really fast, especially kitchen equipment, it got damaged, especially when filled hot burning liquid in it. Sparks and small explosions shocked the monster forcing it right out into the street. “Way to play it, BR.” said Applejack.

Buddy Rose nodded, and then everyone ran outside to attack the monster harder. Since it had been cooled off its power was no longer a threat, and its strength had been badly reduced by the shock. All of them punched, kicked, and fired their attacks at it. “It’s time to finish this!” Lightning said, but rather than him doing it, he let Starla and Buddy Rose have a chance to test their weapons’ new functions.

“Let’s do it!” said Starla as she armed her bow.

“I’m with you.” said Buddy Rose with his whip at the ready.

Their weapons were set to on “Heal” and they powered them up. 

“GALATIC PROJECTILE”

“WHIPLASH STRIKE”

The powerful forces struck the monster hard causing it to fall over and explode in a small blaze and a shower of sparks; transforming it back into the plain ordinary cooking pot that it was. The dark crystal emerged from it and shattered into dust.

“Starfleet, victory is ours!” Lightning proclaimed.

Phaedra couldn’t believe what just happened, or even more that she couldn’t believe as she gazed down in an alley where Pinkie Pie was. “She found it!”

Pinkie laughed as she held the recovered heart fragment up for her to see.

“Hey! That’s mine!”

Pinkie stuck her tongue out at her. “Sorry, I don’t see your name on it anywhere.” and she dashed off. Twilight smirked and then gazed at her. “Don’t be a fool, Phaedra. You failed. Give yourself up and maybe we can try and help you with your problems.” but Phaedra wasn’t interested and vowed that Twilight and her friends would pay for this. 

Then she vanished and was gone.




Later on, the citizens of the town were ever so grateful to the heroes for saving them all. “Man, I wish I could share in the glory.” Spike thought sadly to himself, wishing that he could have done something to help in the fight.

Of course the theater was still damaged, so the contest couldn’t carry on, but it didn’t matter anyway, because despite the battle and the problems the head judge had already made up his mind before it all started, and the other judges unanimously agreed that Ho-Meng was not worthy of being silver chef.

“What?!” snarled Ho-Meng “Why? You did not even get to sample my cooking? Do you dare disrespect the honor of our traditions?!”

The head judge picked his ear and stated that his decision was made while the contest was still on, and therefore it was agreed. “You do have great skill Mr. Ho-Meng. You have the potential to be a great chef, but your attitude leaves much to be desired. It would appear you have no control of your anger, and your stubbornness and ego are blinding you to true greatness. The title of Silver Chef is more than just having great skill. It is also about honor, integrity, kindness… all of which you seem to lack.”

The decision was final, and Cookie Dough was officially awarded to retain his title; winner for a third and consecutive year. Everyone cheered for joy. Lightning shook hands with his friend, and Khana pecked him on the cheek. Then she glared at her father. “You see, Father. You may know many things, but you possess no honor. You will never be a true success until you are able to overcome your blindness.”

Seeing as how everyone was in total agreement, Ho-Meng felt shame for the first time to befall him. Then he just ran off into the night. Everyone hoped he would be okay and learn to deal with himself.

Meanwhile, Cookie Dough decided to celebrate his victory by cooking a late night feast for everyone at his restaurant right then, which meant the friends got to try some of his dishes made with cheese after all. The first was a cheese soup, followed by a plain pasta and cheese dish. Then it was on to the third dish, which was fondue, and everyone was permitted to eat until they couldn’t eat anymore, which was practically what they did and didn’t think they could ever eat again, but the fourth and final course, dessert, a chocolate covered cheesecake, made them feel like maybe they had just a little room left.

“This is so good!” cried Pinkie “I wish I could make this at the bakery.”

Cookie Dough was more than pleased to give her the recipe for her and the cakes. “Think of it as part of my thank you for saving us all.”

“Dang it, but you’re a real sweetheart, sugar-cube.” Applejack complimented. Cookie Dough blushed.

Twilight and Lightning enjoyed their meal. “Well done, Cookie Dough.” Twilight said. “Top marks all the way.” added Lightning. Cookie Dough nodded and they all clicked their drink glasses together in a cheer.




Soon the friends were all on the late-late night express back home.

Cookie Dough was sorry to see them go, but they had to get the recovered fragment to New Canterlot immediately where it would be safer. Cookie Dough understood, and as a token of their friendship he let them all have his prize; The Dragon Knight Egg was with them now.

“Are you sure you want to give it to us?”

“I’m positive. I don’t really need it anyway, and I know you guys might be able to uncover its secrets if the legend is true.”

Lightning and Cookie Dough shook ands one last time. “Thanks Cookie Dough. Until we meet again…"

“Good luck in the war. I know you’ll save us all.”




So the egg was with them now, and they were going to do their best to learn more about it. As for Lightning he took a glance at Starla sleeping in the bed across the aisle from his, and he took out the ring box and gazed at the ring and remembered how he had missed his chance again. “There’s always next time.” he said as he drifted sadly to sleep.




(Promo)


In our next episode, things turn into quite the conflict when Ace Ray causes a scene in town and is finally arrested for violence and treason. In view of Ace's behavior, a powerful lecture is given at the academy to reflect on how Starfleet really works.

But is it enough to convince every one on the planet?

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

(Next Episode: “Truth Hurts!”)