One bright beautiful morning, Queen Celestia awoke, stretched her arms and softly pecked Grand Ruler’s cheek. Her husband yawned and opened his eyes and smiled up at his wife. “Good morning, my lovely.”

He sat up right and gazed deeply into wife’s eyes. “Every morning, you look more ravishing than ever.”

They’re faces moved closer and their lips barely touched when they were interrupted by the sound of their babies crying in the room beside their bed-chamber. “I’ll go tend to them.” Grand Ruler said as he got up and headed into the next room from the side-door.

Celestia got out of bed, and walked over to the window and opened it. She felt the warm sun shine on her. A little birdy flew by and softly landed on her finger “Good morning to you too.”

She played with the little bird unaware that someone had her right in her sights…!

That mysterious hooded assassin was standing on a tree limb on the side of the mountain the palace was built by, and aiming a laser-crossbow directly between Celestia’s eyes. She was squeezing her finger on the trigger…!

“Hey, you there!” shouted a royal-guard, startling her causing her to miss and shoot her arrow at the wall, just missing Celestia by a few feet. Celestia gasped and shrieked in horror, and she could see the commotion up ahead. The guards had surrounded the tree and the assassin and warned her to come down with her hands up. She glared at the guards angrily, narrowing her eyes and she vanished in a dark and eerie light.

Celestia saw it all, and then, POOF, another black threatening letter appeared on the window sill near her. She nervously opened it, and it read…

You’ve got a wish coming, Celestia… a death wish!

…and sooner or later it’s going to come true.”

Grand Ruler came in when he heard her scream, and he saw the arrow wedged in the wall outside the window. “It’s happened again.”

The attacks were growing more frequent, and Celestia was hardly safe to be left alone and unattended. “Celesto… I…”

“No...” her husband said “Remember, we don’t tell anyone outside of this palace until we know more. We just can’t have others getting involved too. They’ll be in danger, and the entire planet could into a panic. Other innocent lives could get involved too. We just can't take that risk... not this time."

All of New Canterlot, still unaware of Celestia’s problem, was bustling with excitement. It was almost Queen Celestia’s birthday, and all the kingdom was getting ready have a really grand ball to celebrate. However, Celestia had sent Lightning Twilight and the others each requesting they not attend the ball, and for good reason!

Like her husband, Celestia wasn’t completely devoid of wild fun and excitement. After the ball, she wanted hold a smaller, private party at the palace, and she wanted all of her closest friends to attend. This way, they could all act a bit wilder and have real fun and excitement instead of just standing around at a gala and just talking all night.

This was her special birthday wish, and everyone was more than obliged to agree to it, and it gave them all extra time to figure out what kind of special birthday gift to give to Celestia.

Twilight was busy making her teacher a handmade gift, with Spike’s help; a special jewel-covered card. “Another jewel please, Spike.” She waited, but Spike didn’t hand her any. “Spike…?”

Spike turned to face her “Huh?” he said with his mouth full and his cheeks bulging, much to Twilight’s annoyance. “Ugh! Spike, I told you not to eat any of them.”

Spike swallowed. “Sorry, but I just couldn’t help it. After all, I am a dragon.”

Twilight rolled her eyes. “I was prepared for this.” she said and she pulled the drawer of her desk open revealing more gems she had hidden away, much to Spike’s delight as he salivated at the sight of them. “Oh, no…!” Twilight said to him “You’ve already had enough. I think I’ll finish this alone.”

Spike sighed “Okay.” He decided to go for a walk, but he wasn’t upset about Twilight and what he did, but something else altogether.

He walked through town, past the meadows and came to the pond where he ran into Lightning was practicing proposing marriage for what to say to Starla if he got his chance and didn’t get interrupted again, when he saw him. “What’s wrong, Spike? I thought you were helping Twilight.”

“She kicked me out.” Spike said “She was right to do it, but that’s not why I’m upset.”

“It’s Celestia’s party, I wanted to give her a little gift too, but I just don’t know what to give her. What do you give to someone who pretty much has everything?”

Lightning understood how Spike felt. “You know, Spike, you don’t really have to get her anything all that special. All she really wants is for us to come and have a good time, and she has said that the greatest gift she’s ever had was friendship, love, and protection.”

Spike knew this, but he still felt he wanted to get her something. “Well good luck with that.” Lightning said “Party’s not until tomorrow, so you still have time.”

“Yeah… that gives me confidence.” Spike muttered softly as Lightning left him on his own to think of all the many things that would make a nice gift, but everything Spike came up with, Celestia either already had or just seemed too dumb to give her. “Ugh! What can I get her?” he asked aloud. Then suddenly he thought he could see something shining under the water. “Huh? What’s that?”

He saw it shimmer again and stuck his head into the water. There, on the pond bottom, he saw what appeared to be some golden medallion the size of a cup coaster, it was a little muddy, so he soaked it and rinsed it off with the water and it became more beautiful shinier than ever. He could even see his reflection. “Wow!” he exclaimed in awe “Celestia will love this!”

He crept quietly back to the library, and Twilight seemed pretty occupied with working on her card and supposedly didn’t notice him, until Spike reached the stairs and she poofed herself over in front of him, making him jump.

“What did you bring back, Spike?” she asked with a nosey and naughty look. Spike quickly tried to hide the coin. “It’s nothing.”

Spike tried to run, but Twilight poofed him right back every time. “Twilight…!”

Realizing he wouldn’t get away with it, Spike showed her the medallion. “Oh, Spike! Where did you get this?”

Twilight admired the shininess of the medallion and knew Celestia had nothing like this, but she couldn’t help but wonder if she had seen it somewhere before in her studies. “Well, I think it’s lovely. I’m sure the queen will love it, Spike.”

The next day, at New Canterlot Palace, Pinkie Pie leapt about, threw a bunch of confetti and shouted “PARTY TIME, WHEE-HOO!!”

Lightning, Twilight, and all their friends had come for the private party. Even Cadance and Shining Armor were there with Fratello. Twilight was very happy to see them, and the party was just wonderful.

Celestia felt so relieved to finally have a chance to put all her royal duties, and seriousness to rest for once and have some plain old-fashioned fun. “Thank you all so much for coming.” she said “And I hope you all have a most wonderful time.”

Everyone bowed to her, and the party began, there was cake, treats, songs, dances, and fun and games for all, especially one of everyone’s favorite game, Ship-Battle; a magical game that was played with illusions consisting of ships at sea. They split into two teams, males vs. females; Captain Celesto VS Celestia of the Seas

Celestia’s team seemed to be on the verge of a comeback. Starla gazed through her telescope. “Enemy sighted, Captain.” she said playfully. Celestia nodded. “B5 and H7” and her ship sailed into position. “…Artillery, fire!” and the magical beam was fired at Grand Ruler’s ship, hitting it full force. “A direct hit!” cried Lightning “One more hit and we’re sunk.”

“Surrender, Captain Celesto.” Celestia playfully called over. “Surrender!!” hollered the girls.

Grand Ruler simply smirked “The war is not over until it is over, Celestia of the Seas.” he said. “G6 and H7-- Fire!” Their shots missed and the girls teased the guys, but Celesto smirk widened and motioned above them “Have you forgotten about the aerial search?”

The girls gasped and looked above and saw three of the guys soaring over them. “BOMBS AWAY!!” and they dropped the bombs onto the girls’ ship, sinking it and ending the game. Everyone shared a good laugh as the game was that much enjoyed, and the fun was only just beginning.

Abra Kadabra had been especially invited to do a magic show at Celestia’s request. Everyone was glad he could come, especially Goldwin. We’re it not for his magic, he wouldn’t have his enchanted mask and he would still be just a statue.

Abra even invited Celestia to perform in an act with him, in which she stepped into a clear box and could still be seen by everyone, and a magic manacle over her horn preventing her from using her own powers. “Ready…” Abra shouted “Three… two… one…!” he clapped his hands, and the box exploded; both it and Celestia were gone, much to everyone shock. Rarity fainted, completely overwhelmed, and Fluttershy hid behind Rhymey.

Abra turned and smiled smugly to everyone “Why, there’s no reason to be alarmed…” he took off his hat, held it in midair and Celestia popped right out and landed on her feet, safe, unharmed, and still with the manacle attached to her horn. “That was incredible, Abra.” she said. Abra bowed to her and the cheering audience.

As the party continued, everyone was unaware that far off and hiding in the shadows and gazing at the palace, the mysterious hooded assassin who was out to get Celestia was preparing to make her next move; eager to learn just how powerful and resourceful Celestia truly was and it would make it that much easier to ultimately kill her.

All she wanted to was to see Celestia dead, and anyone who got in her way would regret it, but she had to move cautiously so as not to be spotted by the guards.

At the party, Rarity took a sip of punch acting all posh. “I say, this gathering is truly remarkable.” She said to no one in particular, suddenly, Pinkie Pie ran into her spilling the punch down her leg. “Isn’t this the most fun you’ve ever had in your life Rarity? Huh? Huh? Huh?”

Rarity gritted her teeth and resisted the urge to yell in Pinkie’s face for spilling her punch. “Pinkie, while I am enjoying myself, I’d much rather prefer to enjoy myself in my own special way. Besides, I’m sure her majesty, the queen, by now must be feeling quite exhausted.”

But Celestia was still having the time of life and neither she nor anyone else seemed ready to call it quits. They were all having a tongue-twister contest, the kind that Twilight and Cadance used to have when Cadance babysat for her. Everyone took their turns, even Celestia made a few funny mistakes. Then they all came to a very catchy one that they all remembered well.

Moses supposes his toeses are roses
But Moses supposes erroneously
Moses, he knowses his toeses aren’t roses
…as Moses supposes his toeses to be.

All three of them repeated the rhyme, and suddenly they broke out into a song and dance as they sang the rhyme to the music, and then got up and tap danced. Lightning Twilight soon jumped in, tapping, and twirling to the music.

All of Twilight’s friends formed a line and tap-danced together, and Lightning’s friends all joined in too. Finally, the Grand Ruler and Queen joined too and had a solo number together. They even performed special dances sitting on, and standing on, and leaping off and around their respective thrones. The others all jumped, tumbled and flipped about like being in a circus show, and the number ended with everyone spread across the massive floor, and then all coming together to form a giant letter A and Celestia standing in the center and everyone shouted “…A!!”

After that and everyone rested up from the dance, and everyone wanted to give Celestia the gifts they brought for her. “Oh, really, you didn’t have to.” she said “The greatest gift I have is having all of you in my life, and especially for sharing this lovely day with me. It isn’t very often that I get to have all the fun in the universe that I desire, and I’m glad you could all be here today. I love you all very much, and am grateful to your loyalty, friendship, and your dedication.”

Buddy Rose and Applejack gave her a special bouquet of flowers they grew on the farm. Artie gave Celestia a painted portrait of her in most special royal garments, with the date marked on it to remember the day it was given. Starla’s gift was one of the most impressive-- while star-gazing she discovered a new constellation of stars which, if looked at hard enough, made a picture of Celestia in space. So it was named after her. Fluttershy had summoned a flock of birds to whistle a merry tune, and Rhymey sang a special song of how special the queen was. It brought a tear to her eye. Twilight gave her the special jewel-encrusted card with the words “Friendship is Magic” written in it. “Thank you, Twilight. That’s very thoughtful.”

Grand Ruler came along with Castor and Leilani. “Darling, the children have something for you too.” he said while chuckling and he handed her a piece of paper with little fingermarks all over it making a messy but recognizable heart-shape obviously the babies had made. “Aw, how sweet.” she cooed, and she softly pecked her son and daughter on their little heads.

The babies cooed and giggled, and then their Aunt Luna took them upstairs to put them down for their nap.

Celestia then reached over to grab her cup of punch for a sip when Spike softly cleared his throat and nervously approached Celestia and held out the small box with a bow wrapped around it “Um… happy-birthday your majesty.”

“Oh, Spike, you too…?” Celestia gracefully took to present and opened it. “Oh! Oh, my!” she said as she took the medallion in her hand. “Spike… this is beautiful.”

The others were all amazed and wondered what it was. Celestia then saw a small inscription in the medallion, but it was hard to make out so she held the coin in the sunlight. That’s when the coin gave a mystical glow. “What’s happening?” cried Krysta.

Suddenly, before everyone’s eyes, there appeared a mystical yet beautiful pony dressed in a pink Arabian outfit and a tulle scarf across her face. “Jumpin’ apple-cores!” cried Applejack “Is that what I think it is?”

“So long have I waited to be set free.
I am a magical spirit of a pony genie.
I was trapped in that coin, long, long ago,
Now that I am free, my spirit shall go…
…to join my ancestors in eternal rest
But first my happiness shall be expressed.”

“You set me free, so here’s what I’ll do,
I will grant you one wish, and make it come true.”

“Everyone, please, settle down.” Celestia said “I’m not sure what I could possibly wish for.” She at first thought, aloud, of wishing that they had all the Crystal Heart shards back, or that Sombra and his foes were no longer a threat, and the war would be over.

“There are only certain wishes I can grant for thee.
Those types of wishes simply cannot be.
You must wish for something else, but choose wisely.”

Celestia closed her eyes and thought for a moment, and then she had the perfect idea. “I have it.” she said. She looked at everyone, and wanted to show more of her gratitude for helping make her birthday special. “I wish… that you all could have a wish.”

Everyone winced in shock, and the genie clapped her hands three times. Everyone else in the room glowed magically, and a magical golden star appeared on their outfits. “What is this?” asked Lightning.

“There are still a few things for you to know
I will tell you them before I go.
Be careful what you wish for, for they cannot be undone,
Except by a wish made by another someone.
Before the sun sets is how long you may take
After that time, the spell will break.”

“I thank you again for freeing me,
Now I may join my ancestors and rest eternally…

This was really something wild to think about, but it had gone noon already and left only six hours before sunset.

In the meantime, everyone helped clean up after the party, and as a final gesture, their majesties invited everyone to stay in the palace.

Goldwin seemed the most excited to have a wish out of everyone. “I take it you know what you’re going to wish for.” Cadance said.

“I sure do.” Goldwin said grinning “But not just yet, I’m going to wait until tonight when we all get together for dinner. That way I can share the moment with all of my friends.”

“I’m sure it’ll be wonderful, Goldwin.” Shining Armor said. He and everyone else didn’t need two guesses to figure what Goldwin wanted more than anything. To be really alive, and not have to wear his mask anymore or stay confined to the palace.

Meanwhile, the others were strolling around New Canterlot village wondering what to wish for. Rarity, Twilight and Spike sat near a pond, just gazing at their stars.

“What could I wish for?” Spike wondered aloud “Maybe a whole cave filed with big gems, or maybe even my own castle to live in.”

“Well, whatever it is, just be careful, Spike.” Twilight reminded him and Rarity what the genie said about the wishes “And make sure you don’t wish by accident.”

“Darling, I wouldn’t dream of it.” Rarity said “Besides, I would save my wish for something practical, something that everyone could agree to.”

Suddenly, a squad of Wonderbolts came soaring overhead, Spitfire was with them, but all were led by Rainbow Dash. “Hey guys!” she called down to them eager to show off her new Wonderbolt’s outfit, and also her gold star was gone. “Rainbow, What are you-- Wonderbolt General?”

“You got it!” Rainbow said “I wished for it right there, so meet the new supreme leader of the Wonderbolts in all of United Equestria.

Rarity was impressed by Rainbow’s outfit, but Twilight was not impressed by Rainbow’s attitude “Don’t you think that wish was a little selfish?”

Rainbow raised her eyebrow in confusion. “But it’s always been my dream, to one day be the greatest Wonderbolt in the whole universe. I even often wished it aloud, and now it’s come true.”

“Yes ma’am!” The Wonderbolts said saluting and they soared back up into the blue. “I can’t believe her!” Twilight said “Can you guys believe that?”

“Yes, I… uh… believe we have shopping to do. Come along, Spike.” and they both left her.

Lightning and Starla walked through town, brainstorming of what to wish for, but not one of them had any ideas. To them, their lives were fine just as they were; apart from Sombra being out there and stuff. If only they could wish the war to be over. “That would be nice.” Starla said “Then maybe we could have some peace for a while again, and we could spend more time together, not just on missions or patrols.”

Lightning knew how she felt, and decided maybe it was time for him to put his practicing to use. “Starla, there is something I wish for, but I don’t think I need to actually make a wish to have.”

Once again, Lightning held her hands, looked deeply into her eyes, and reached behind him to get the ring, when suddenly something whizzed by at such an incredible speed creating a strong gust of wind that blew him and Starla off their feet, and the ring in its box fell out of Lightning’s hand and through a series of wild events-- bumping and bouncing off of many obstacles-- the ring fell into the middle of a forest much to his outrage added to his frustration that he was interrupted again!

The strange zooming zip came back and stopped before them. “Buddy Rose?!” they said in shock. “Hey, guys…! What do you think of my new super speed?”

“Yeah, but now I’m even faster than ever.” said Buddy Rose “In just one hour, I went back home to tend to my garden, dashed to New Horn Kong to buy fertilizer, raced to the New Crystal Empire to check up on it and inform Cadance to reenergize the spell, entered a race in New Cloudsdale, and won, and just got back here.”

Lightning and Starla were speechless. “That’s… pretty impressive.” Starla said.

That’s when Applejack stomped over holding about three giant houses over her head, with one, rather muscular arm, while the rest of her looked just as ribbed and buff. “Applejack?!” they said in even greater shock.

One of the ponies peeked through the window and said that they and the others were planning to move to a new neighborhood, but they weren’t very happy of leaving their houses that they loved, so now, thanks to Applejack, they could just go with the entire houses.

“Beats me, but I’m doin’ It.” replied Applejack as she stomped away carrying the houses over her head. “Gotta zip.” said Buddy Rose and he dashed off, and this reminded Lightning of his lost ring. “Oh, no! I wish I had it back.” he said. “Oh!” he gasped when he realized what he had said, but his star disappeared, and he got the ring back, still in its box and unharmed.

As the dust settled and Starla brushed herself off, she hadn’t noticed Lightning made his wish but insisted they gather gang together to talk about this as some of the wishes were starting to get a little out of hand. Lightning agreed.

In our next episode, more and more of the friends find themselves in awkward situations when accidently using up more of their wishes. Meanwhile, the hooded assassin is moving in dangerously close to making another strike on Celestia.

What will become of our friends? Will the Celestia avoid her killer’s sinister plot?

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

(Next Episode: “Careful What You Wish For Part-2!”)

My Brave Pony Starfleet Magic: Season III

by DakariKingMykan

Episode 9: Careful what you wish for: Part 1