//------------------------------// // Episode 1: Strength of Evil: Part 1 // Story: My Brave Pony: Starfleet Magic Season VIII // by DakariKingMykan //------------------------------// EPISODE ONE Starfleet: The greatest fighting force in all the dimensional galaxy, headed by Lightning Dawn and his many friends. Together they had countless adventures, traveled to many worlds, made new friends, and also fought many great evils. Even when then the world seemed at peace, Starfleet continued to train and remain on constant vigil for any new foes that would dare reveal themselves and to do no good. Today, on planet United Equestria, was the first day of spring. All the snow had melted, all the animals were starting to awaken from hibernation, and flowers were blooming, but in the training grounds of New Canterlot Palace, new recruits to the force were doing their morning warmups, and sparing. All were under the watchful eyes of Commander Lightning Dawn, Krysta, and their royal majesties, Grand Ruler Celesto and Queen Celestia, and they were growing quite concerned at what they were seeing…! Recently, the new recruits had begun to slip up, and do poorly at their training-- they couldn’t seem to hold their stances, stay focussed on targets, or channel their inner strength and energy good enough. “What’s the matter with them?” Krysta wondered aloud “Usually the new recruits are all peppy and willing to go through all this.” “We already know what the trouble is,” said Lightning “…It’s their lack of confidence.” Their majesties agreed, and Grand Ruler spoke, “Practically everyone on this planet knows of Lightning and his friends being Starfleet’s best fighters, and all the massive amount of evils they managed to defeat. They seem to feel that they will never be able to be as good as they are, and it’s slowing them up.” Down below in the training yard, some of the cadets began to fumble and fall flat on their faces. “No, no, no…!” cried the instructor “Come on cadets, try again.” “What’s the point?” snapped one Equestrian pony “I’ll never be as good as Commander Lightning Dawn.” Even a couple of Space Alicorns felt the same way, “He’s the least of our problems. His friends are all just as powerful.” “They got the powers of Harmony, and Lightning can become an Enticorn. None of us could ever come close to that.” The instructor took no pity with their whining “That’s fool talk! We don’t train whiners here in Starfleet we train you to be strong in body and in mind. Now you shake off this fool talk and you try again.” So the cadets continued to train. Lightning sighed with dismay at all this, “If those cadets keep losing their confidence, they’ll never make the force. They’d be useless in the fields and be easy targets for their enemies.” Celestia looked down at the training yard and she could see one cadet who seemed to have loads of confidence. …A white unicorn pony with a blonde mane. His name was Striker, and he wore dark navy blue armor, and his cutie mark drawing was that of a strong fist that was glowing, showing he was excellent in strength. Striker was really at the top of his game. He never lost his balance, he hit every skeet target that came his way, but unfortunately he had a rather bad attitude, especially when it came to the sparring session. He defeated his opponents so easily, mostly because he was facing the shaken cadets that couldn’t concentrate well, and he would even go as far as to tease them. “Wimp! Pathetic! You’re all a bunch of silly weaklings. It wouldn’t surprise me if I made your superior right off the bat.” This warranted much aggravation from his fellow cadets. One of them, who was not a shaken cadet even called him out on his attitude. “Hey! Give them a break! They’re trying their best.” Striker glared nastily at the cadet, “Well maybe they’re just not trying hard enough. Maybe they just not strong enough like I am…” A moment of silence followed, and then almost without warning, Striker jump kicked at the cadet, forcing him to defend himself and the two nearly engaged in an illegal brawl, but the instructors intervened. “Stop this!” the head trainer shouted, and used his magic to halt Striker in mid-air. “What is your malfunction, Striker? You should know better than to start fights like that! Now hit the showers!” Striker was set down, and growled at the instructors and his fellow cadet, but he went off as told. Up in the palace, the gang was all livid at the attitude they had just seen. “Perhaps I spoke too soon.” said Celestia, and Lightning agreed, “Striker may have confidence, but that attitude of his leaves much to be desired to be accepted into Starfleet. All he seems to care about is strength and getting stronger, and he doesn’t get along well with others. …I’m going to have to dismiss him.” Grand Ruler placed his hand on Lightning’s shoulder, “Well said, Commander. We’ll leave you to it. Right now, we must go and prepare ourselves. We’re expecting a special guest today.” “Oh, right… that queen from the planet Ainzul.” said Krysta. Celestia nodded “Queen Mowaza, we plan to sign a treaty of alliance with her people, and she is coming to entrust us with a special task to help seal the contract. We aren’t sure what it is yet, but it sounds very important; serious even.” Lightning and Krysta felt curious, but decided not to bother. For now, Lightning had his duty to do. Later, after sundown all of Lightning’s friends and his family had come to help personally welcome the arrival of the queen. “Oooh… this is so exciting!” cried Pinkie Pie as she leapt for joy. “Easy, Pinkie Pie,” said Artie “We got to put on our game faces now.” Rarity and Fluttershy were actually duplicate droids Professor Brain had built for them just as he did for Starla Shine the previous year. The ladies were six months pregnant, and had recently gone on maternity leave. This meant no fighting, no unnecessary space traveling, or super hyper activities. The ladies were at home, controlling their droids by the control-systems. Rhymey spoke to Fluttershy, “If you want me to come home or if you’re feeling sickly, Just say the word and I’ll be there very quickly.” “Oh, honey, you’re worrying too much.” his wife answered through the droid “I’ll be just fine. Angel and the other animals are here to help me.” Spike then opened his mouth to speak, but Rarity hushed him, “I’m just fine too, darling. You needn’t worry.” “Yeah, but I’m worried anyway.” Spike teased. Starla Shine was there in person, not wanting to miss such an important meeting. She had brought her and Lightning’s six-month old son, Shining Light with them, and dropping him off at the palace daycare. She and Lightning held hands and felt happy for the couples, as it reminded them of how they felt when they were expecting their baby. Buddy Rose smiled at them too. “How’s Tree Hugger doing?” asked Starla. “She’s fine too.” replied Buddy “I’ve never seen anyone so relaxed and calm while pregnant before. Even her mood swings are hip and soft. Applejack’s folks are helping care for her while I’m here.” Applejack giggled softly, “You should see how my Ma treats her. It’s like expectin’ another little foal, even when it ain’t hers.” Suddenly the big doors opened, “Here come their majesties.” Said Rainbow Dash, and indeed, their majesties, with Princess and a royal guard escort with Captain Shaina came into the throne room. “Aten-tion…!” Lightning said to his friends, and they all stood tall and straight in a line. “Good, very good.” said Grand Ruler “We’re glad you’re all here to witness this event.” “We wouldn’t miss it for the world, master.” said Lightning. Suddenly, the royal fanfare sounded. “Ay’ Ay’ Ay’! It’s time!” cried Dyno. “Si,” added Myte “This is so exciting, but he and the others maintained their stance. The big doors at the other end of the throne room opened wide as the pony sentries stood to the side, and Captain Shaina and her knights stood to the right side of the red carpet, and Lightning and his team all stood at the other side and saluted. The Ainzulian party came in. They were creatures that resembled anthropomorphic lions and tigers, and they were all dressed in Chinese-Like attire-- robes, armor… The guards stepped in, and one of them announced, “Her royal majesty: Queen Mowaza, of Ainzul, to negotiate with United Equestria.” A loud gong was sounded, and she came forth. Queen Mowaza: A beautiful beige lioness, with soft touches of gold streaks round the top her head, and yet her facial features made her seem nearly humanoid completely. She wore royal red kimono made of silk and satin sleeves with pictures of silver dragons all over. Two white sashes with red Chinese characters worn up and over each shoulder, and a golden headdress placed on her had with beaded strings, and soft curled spikes out the sides. She bowed gracefully to everyone present. “Greetings, I am Mowaza.” Everyone bowed to her, and their majesties extended their welcome to her. “We are glad you made it safely, your highness.” said Grand Ruler. “As am I, too.” replied Mowaza. “My wife, Queen Celestia,” Celestia bowed, “My sister, Princess Luna.” Luna bowed, “Our right hand fighter, Commander Lightning Dawn.” Lightning bowed politely, “Your grace. We have prepared a welcoming banquet in your honor if you wish to partake.” Mowaza nodded softly, “It would be my honor.” Soon, the entire court was gathered in the large conference room deep in the palace. Everyone sat at their seats which forms a long curving table that arched all across the room. There were all kinds of foods, and drinks to go round, and as the guest of honor, Mowaza sat near the head of the table by their Majesties, where Lightning usually sat, so he sat with his wife and friends at the end of the table. There was also entertainment; Goldwin, and the royal dancers performing special performances in honor of the queen. Wild disco dances with hula-hoops spinning on the floor with dancers inside and hanging on. Fire dances in which the dancers juggled burning torches while they danced. Mowaza found the acrobatic dances to be her favorite, and she applauded graciously when the performance ended. “Thank you,” she said “I have not seen such amazing dance style.” Goldwin bowed “Thank you, your majesty.” After the feast, and final refreshments, Mowaza expressed her thanks, “For the food, and the entertainment, and the generous hospitality, I am grateful, but now I must explain things of business. The people of my planet, Ainzul; once we were great fighters and warriors, but the times of war have faded, and we all have grown weary of these ways. We wish to retire from the ways of battle, and settle in peace and harmony. However, this will leave us most vulnerable in the event of an invasion, and there will be those that would dare to take advantage of our peaceful ways. We know of your Starfleet, and have heard the many stories of your victories. We wish to enlist that your warriors, be our new guardians, to provide us with protection, and safety for our new era.” Rainbow thought that a very weird speech, “Sounds like their just too lazy to fight anymore.” This earned her a nudge from Buddy “How can you say that!” he whispered. “They want to stop being fighters themselves and that’s fine, but they will need protection.” “Peace…” Lightning whispered, and he remembered how blissful his home planet Harmonious once was, but because there were no fighters or armies to help protect them, the planet was doomed. At least Ainzul had a chance to be both peaceful and protected still. Grand Ruler addressed Mowaza, “As Commander-in-Chief, I submit that we will be honored to loan our services so that you and your people may continue to be protected.” Celestia agreed to this as well, “However,” she said “You have mentioned that there being a condition to this treaty.” “Yes,” said Mowaza, and she instructed her guards to “…Bring it forth.” Her guards complied, and the doors to the room opened wide. One a large rolled up scroll. Another guard came in carrying came in carrying a small white chest with ancient carvings on it, and a powerful seal sticker on the latch. This seal not only kept the box secure, but it rendered the box to be resistant to magic. The conference was all in curiosity over all this, and Mowaza got up from her seat and stepped down to where her guards stood, and she bowed at the box and the scroll. “Just what is the nature of all this?” asked Princess Luna. Mowaza hesitated for a moment, and then answered “As I say… my people and I wish to let go of fighting and settle. In order to do so, however, we must entrust you with a great and important task.” Everyone exchanged looks of concern with one another. “Listen very closely.” said Mowaza “Over ten-thousand years ago, on my planet… there was a great evil…!” She turned to her guard with the scroll, and the guard held the scroll up so that it fell open revealing a large ancient splash-panel painting; of an ancient Chinese like town being ransacked by evil creatures, and in the upmost center was a large hulking creature that had a large lion’s head, two dragon heads for hands, and the face of a huge bear as chest armor. “…Stammadon!” Mowaza called him “He believed that only the strong and the mighty should rule, and those he deemed weak were to be erased. This lead him to become power-hungry, and a warmonger; using these as means to increase his own strength and rule over anything he desired.” Grand Ruler and Celestia held hands, feeling outraged at such a creature and its lust for power, everyone else in the room felt the same way. Mowaza continued with her story and motioned at the chest. “Brave Kung-Fu warriors of our world fought hard, channeling their inner pure strengths. Finally, they were able to capture and imprison Stammadon… inside this box.” A moment of silence followed as everyone took a moment to let it all sink in. “For all that time,” said Mowaza “The royal family had been charged with the honor and duty of guarding this, to ensure that Stammadon would never escape. But now… that we are converting to the ways of peace and bliss, we can no longer carry out that task. We know that you are of good nature, Starfleet, and our faith is with you as well. We wish to entrust this task to you, if you will have it.” Every face in the conference was fraught with mixed emotions; concern, fear, outrage at the thoughts of such an evil, but naturally they all agreed they should take the task. “One thing Starfleet does is try to help other worlds by protecting them from evil.” said Lightning “It’s what we train for.” Suddenly, they could hear a roughhousing going from the open doors, and the first thing they saw where the guards being knocked down by a very angry Striker, who then proceeded to march straight into the conference room. “I spent five whole years training for Starfleet!” he thundered “You can’t just have me dismissed for no reason!” “Agreed,” said Grand Ruler “But we HAVE a reason.” Lightning agreed, and being the one who dismissed Striker, he addressed him next. “You on the other hand have no reason being here and barging in on this conference.” Striker completely snapped and lunged for him; punching and kicking like crazy. “Has he gone mad?” asked Rarity. “I think he’s already crossed that line.” said Spike Still nobody bothered to intervene, nor did their majesties even bother to sick the guards on Striker. They knew Lightning could handle him… and he did…! Striker punched and kicked with all his might, but Lightning just stood where he was dodging each blow without even moving his feet, and then proceeded to block Striker’s attacks with one arm. Totally enraged, striker leapt up high for his signature jump-kick move, but Lightning merely raised his hand and gave a small thrust forth with his fist sending a small shockwave along the air, knocking Striker down to the ground. Striker looked up, angry and humiliated, but everyone just glared at him with extreme disappointment. “Now, I give you this one chance,” said Lightning "Go now... or I'll arrest you." Striker got up, still infuriated and seemingly obliged and headed for the doors, but at the last split second he turned and grabbed Mowaza holding her hostage “Nobody move, or she’s going to get it!” he thundered. “Striker…! Stop this now!” thundered Celestia “Shut up!!” thundered Striker, and then he noticed the box Mowaza held, not knowing of its contents, “What’cha got there?” and with his one free hand he tried to snare it away from her. “No! You mustn’t!” cried Moawaza! “Stop him!” shouted Grand Ruler, and the guards and the friends rushed in, just as Mowaza broke free and dashed ahead with the box safe in her clutches. “Give me that!” sneered Striker, but the guards and friends jumped all over him, and Lightning readied his capture blaster, “Hold him still!” and Starla, Buddy and Rhymey used their telekinesis to levitate him up high. Try as he would struggle, even his strength and rage couldn’t hope to overpower the strength of the strongest Starfleet fighters. “Let me go!” he screamed. “No way!” sneered Lightning “You’re under arrest for attempted assault and hostile actions!” he powered up his blaster to capture him. Even though Striker couldn’t break free of magic aura holding him, not with brute strength, he concentrated all he could, and fired a blast of magic from his horn, hitting Lightning’s blaster, causing him to accidentally shoot in the direction of Mowaza. *Slow Mo* The huge blast headed straight for her. “NOOOOOO…!!” Lightning thundered, but Grand Ruler and Celestia quickly dove in and swiftly pulled her out of the way, just in the split of time, and the blast when sailing out the window, way out into the sky where it exploded harmlessly. …But… in the panic, Mowaza ended up throwing the box way up high in the air, and because it was resistant to magic, none of the ponies could use telekinesis to grab it or shield it! “Get it!!” cried Starla. Rainbow soared up and managed to catch the box in her hands safely, landing on the ground with the thud. *Regular speed* “Save!” she cried. Everyone breathed a huge sigh of relief, but Mowaze gasped, “The seal…!!” it was broken!! The box began to rumble violently, and Rainbow threw it across the room. POW!! The box burst open, and a huge burst of energy flowed out from it with the force of a hurricane. The force of the strong winds and shockwaves knocked everyone around, Grand Ruler and Celestia were knocked away, and even Striker was freed from the aura that held him as the other ponies got knocked away by the blast. “I’m outta’ here!” Striker cried, and dashed he off. “FREE!!” thundered a deep and evil voice “…I AM FINALLY FREE!!” “Oh, no!!” cried Mowaza. The spirit of Stammadon turned, and a pair of glowing red eyes shone in the energy, glaring at her. “Mowaza!” he thundered “For many millennia I’ve been trapped and guarded by your family and heritage, but now that I am back, YOU will be disposed of first!” “LOOK OUT!!” Pinkie Pie screamed as the evil spirit rushed in too fast for anyone to react. “AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH…!!!” The force flew straight at Mowaza, knocking her with a strong hit that send her sailing hard into the wall, and she flat on the floor. “The Queen!!” cried the gaurds. Stammadon laughed, “Mowaza is defeated… the rest of you are not worthy of my time!” and he flew off with such a force, knocking everyone down in a gust of winds as he flew out the window and was gone. Rarity and Fluttershy’s droids were malfunctioning, and had to be powered down and repaired at once. Everyone else wasn’t hurt too badly, but Mowaza lay where she was barely breathing. “Queen Mowaza.” cried one of the guards. Princess Luna dashed over to her, and felt her pulse. “She is getting weak. We must get her to sick bay!” “Right, hurry…” said Grand Ruler, and quickly Mowaza was rushed to get help. Lightning stared at the empty box on the floor, and angrily stomped his foot “URGH!!” and then he looked out the window wondering where Stammadon had gone. Meanwhile, Striker wanted to get as far from the palace or New Canterlot as fast as he could go. He now stood in an open field outside the village, but he could still see the palace. “What was I thinking back there?” he wondered shamefully to himself. Then, suddenly, he felt the winds picking up and he felt he wasn’t alone either. This was confirmed when someone called out to him, “Striker…!” Striker panicked and began to run, but that voice and those winds just kept right on his tail, chasing him into the open fields, finally catching up to him, and he screamed as he felt something take him! Mowaza was in the sick bay, put on life support which stabilized her. “She’ll be all right now.” said the doctor “If you hadn’t brought her here she would’ve died for sure.” Mowaza wearily opened her eyes, “Stamm… adon… he is free!” she whimpered “It is all my fault!” Celestia hushed her and urged her to relax “No, no, don’t say that. It’s not who is to blame now, it won’t help things.” Mowaza still felt bad, and really worried, “Stammadon will most likely return to Ainzul where he was originally captured. He will try and resurrect his army. My people will be in great danger!” The doctor saw no choice but to sedate her to calm her, and she was resting softly, much calmer. “Then we must go too, That’s what we must do.” said Rhymey. “He’s right…” agreed Applejack “It may not matter who’s fault it is; there’s no tellin’ what that brute’s up to. We can’t just let all those folks on Ainzul fall to his evil.” Everyone agreed, and so did Lightning and Grand Ruler. The planet Ainzul: A red and white planet in star-system ways east of United Equestria’s. The sky was always a shade of dusk red with white clouds. The populace was, as was said, a race of anthropomorphic lions and tigers and cat-like creatures, all dressed and lives in a Chinese like environment. The Ainzulians knew nothing of what was happening, and were just going about their daily lives waiting for their queen to return, hopefully with good news. While on the far side of the planet, atop a dark and foreboding mountain, there sat a large oriented temple, as big as a castle. This was the former base of operations of Stammadon, which had been abandoned for millennia since the war. A lone figure trudged into the temple throne room. He seemed to be an ordinary creature, wearing black armor, paddings, and wearing a fluffy black cape on his back. He spoke in a very deep and darkened voice. “It feels so good to be back.” he hissed, and then he gazed at the throne at the end of the room, or rather the large stone statues that stood all around it, four mighty guardians which were once his most loyal and obedient followers, turned to stone following his capture. “Ah, my friends…” he hissed “Front and center!” he raised his hand and unleashed a small shockwave that broke the sticker seals on the statues, allowing the creatures to come back to life. They were… Rai Shi: A mighty muscular ape, who wore white pants, strong wristbands, and a strong kung-fu belt tied round his waste. En Shi: A beautiful and stunning pony-like alien, nearly resembling that of Celestia, only she had no horn and no wings. She had a white coat, but with a strong hint of gray, a long voluminous light blue mane that didn’t seemed to flow like waves on the water, which was her elemental power-- ice and water-- and she wore a white armor vest across her body, with long boots that went past her kneecaps. Kara Shi: A short, and stumpy looking little humanoid alien, who wore a samurai helmet but his size did not at all matter, for he was swift and as stealth as a ninja, and carried a small sword in his hand. Tan Shi: A white tigress, Kung-Fu fighter, with sharp claws and fangs, and a strict face that would frighten anyone just by looking at it. The Four Shis stretched out, and yawned like waking form a night’s rest, and then saw him staring at them. “Why Stammadon…” said Rai Shi. “Hmmm…” said En Shi as she looked her leader over “I must say, I like your new look.” Stammadon approached his minions, “Sometimes you have to make the best with what you’ve got. Millennia of being imprisoned has worn me down, but now we can rebuild, and re-strengthen our forces.” Kara Shi leapt with joy, “Oh, yeah! That’s what we’ll do, alright, and then we’ll show ‘em, won’t we.” Tan Shi clunked him in the head with her paw, “Quiet, and let him talk.” Stammadon stepped up to the throne, but didn’t sit and just stood with his back turned to his minions. “Begin preparations. It’s time we re-took this world, and did away with all those weak beings below.” To Be Continued…! (Promo) In our next episode: Lightning and his friends set off for the planet Ainzul to help the populace, but the people refuse to believe and heed their warnings to leave their home world, which gives Stammadon the perfect chance to begin in onslaught for takeover. Will Lightning and friends convince the people of Ainzul to flee, and what does Stammadon have in store for them all? Don’t miss the next exciting episode of “Starfleet Magic!” (Next Episode: “Strength of Evil: Part 2”) (End Credits)