//------------------------------// // Episode 2: Strength of Evil: Part 2 // Story: My Brave Pony: Starfleet Magic Season VIII // by DakariKingMykan //------------------------------// “Previously on Starfleet Magic…” Queen Mowaza of the Planet Ainzul attended a conference on United Equestria where she revealed the history of the evil Stammadon that had been imprisoned in a box for thousands of years, but after a series of violent outbursts by Striker, Stammadon was freed and returned to Ainzul to begin again what he had started, ten-thousand years ago! EPISODE TWO Stammadon sat on his throne, looking at all the walls around him. There were stone carvings on each and every stone plate, carvings of monsters and beasts that once served him. “Our armies have been sealed within the walls.” he hissed to his minions “Like me, they may have worn down over the ages, but they shall be instrumental in our conquest for power.” Rai Shi stepped forward, “Master, just give the order, and we shall release our armies upon the entire planet.” “That will not be necessary.” said Stammadon “One is all that we’ll to conquer this pitiful planet. Now that the people of Ainzul are no longer a fighting race, it shouldn’t be easy to bring them to their knees.” Lightning and friends had worked vigorously to finish their plans to travel to Ainzul and evacuate the good people that lived there. Krysta had summoned forth as many of her warping fairies from United Equestria as she could. “Now you all have your instructions. Make me and Starfleet proud.” The fairies bowed to their queen and stood by to wait further orders. “Good job, Krysta.” said Lightning “We’ve got to get Ainzul very soon. Who knows what Stammadon may do to the people?” “According to Mowaza,” said Starla “Stammadon feeds on fear and negativity to gain strength. It gives him power and makes it easy for him to crush his enemies.” Rainbow Dash shuddered at such a thought, “I can hardly wait to get there and stomp him a new one.” Everyone wanted to get going as soon as possible, but Buddy Rose, Rhymey and Spike were all worried…! Even if their wives droids could be fixed in time, they couldn’t really go on the mission as it wasn’t possible for the signals to reach that far out into space. “I don’t think I can just go off and leave Rarity like this.” said Spike. The ponies felt the same way he did about their own wives. “Spike, we’re going to need all hands on this one.” said Buddy. Rhymey agreed, “We are Starfleet, for better or for worst, No matter how we feel, our duties come first.” All the other ponies knew and understood this, but the trio were still very heartfelt and Krysta offered to teleport them all to their homes to at least tell their wives of what was happening. Lightning approved of this, “But hurry back. We really have to get going.” he wasn’t try to be bossy or insensitive. He was really worried about Ainzul. The guys agreed, and they were whisked off by Krysta’s magic. Lightning then held his head in frustration, and wiped his mane from under his cap. “You alright?” asked Applejack. “I’m Just frustrated.” said Lightning “We’re always having to leave our families and loves ones to rush into danger like this. I know it’s the way it’s always been and we HAVE to do it, but I worry. We’re the best at what we do, but that doesn’t make us invincible, and what if some of us don’t make it back.” Dyno stepped forth “It sounds like you’re thinking more like a father than a commander.” he said. Myte agreed “Our father once told us, “It is every parent’s dilemma to balance work and family; to decide which requires the most attention.” and he’s General of a whole planet.” “Wow! That’s really deep.” said Pinkie Pie. Starla approached her husband. It actually melted her heart to see him showing deep concern, but she hated to see him falling to bits. “You know, we’re family too; you, me and our baby. It gives us reason to do this.” Lightning smiled lovingly at her, and remembering their son, “We have time, let’s go see him.” So they went off to the royal daycare. Elsewhere, the other three were bidding farewell to their wives. Spike kissed Rarity deeply and passionately, and he took a moment to look down at her bloated belly, and gave it a soft rub. “Rarity, I hate to just leave you like this.” He said for the umpteenth time, and his wife sighed “Spike, do you think I’d feel any different were it the other way around?” “I know, but…” “No buts!” she suddenly snapped, either from a mood swing from her pregnancy or to hammer it into him. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to yell, but you have a duty to Starfleet, just as I do and would if it weren’t for my being here. Go, Spike, go and help those who need you more than I do now. I’ll be just fine.” Sweetie Belle came in, “I’ll take care of her, Spike. Don’t worry.” Spike and Rarity both felt a little awkward about that, but were both grateful for her services. Spike then kissed his wife once more, and headed for the door. “Spike…” Rarity called to him. He stopped looked back at her. “…Come back alive.” Spike nodded bravely at her, and then he was gone. The same thing was happening at Sweet Apple Acres, Buddy told Tree Hugger what was going on, and he left her in the care of Applejack’s family and DD. “I really wish I was part of the force!” said DD “Then I could go instead of you.” Buddy chuckled “Well, you’re not, DD, but you’re helping me and Tree Hugger a lot you know.” Tree Hugger smiled as she sat in a rocking chair, and she patted DD’s head, and then she looked up at her husband, “Be careful, hon. That’s all I’m saying; be careful.” Buddy nodded bravely, and then flew out the window. Tree Hugger’s stomach then gave a huge growl, “Whoa, my vibes just turned hollow in the pits.” Applebloom raised an eyebrow, “Translation please?” “She’s hungry.” said DD. “I think I know just the feast to rustle up.” said Pear Butter. Bright Mac licked his lips, “You just make some for all of us, Buttercup.” As for Fluttershy, she was weeping, not because Rhymey was leaving, but just her mood swings kicking in. It still hurt Rhymey anyway, “Oh, Fluttershy, Please don’t cry, You know it brings a tear to my eye.” “I know…” Fluttershy wept “I… I just can’t stop.” She cried even harder, and her tears were practically cascading and splashing on everything like downpours. Angel even grabbed a little umbrella for himself. “Good luck on the mission!” cried Fluttershy “I love you.” “…I love you too.” rhymed Rhymey, and he decided to leave before all his wife’s weeping would make it harder to go. Rhymey snapped himself to his senses and flew off. Once the team regrouped at the palace, Lightning and Starla were sharing one final moment with their baby, Shining Light; hugging him and Starla said to him “Don’t worry, honey… we’ll be home soon.” “We love you very much.” Lightning added, and he pecked his son tenderly on the head. The baby cooed softly, but then he began to cry when Starla passed him to Celestia to care for. “Don’t worry, he’s in good hands.” Celestia said to the parents. Starla hated to walk away from her baby, but now it was time to head on out into space. “I’ve already sent word to our refuge planet.” Grand Ruler informed the team “Everything is set to evacuate Ainzul. It’s all up to you now. Good luck, My Brave Ponies.” The ponies bowed to their majesties, and they and the army of warping fairies were ready as Krysta created the portal. “Let’s go!” said Lightning, and everyone jumped into the portal, and set off across the magical pathway. Meanwhile… “The time has come,” Stammadon said as he stood before a carving a monster on the wall, and he raised his hands casting magic into the carving, “Torron; mighty beast of my army, I give you life once more. Awake…!” The carving on the wall then vanished in an eerie wave of black and red sparkling lights, and the monster appeared. He looked like a huge anthropomorphic bull, with huge sharp horns atop his head. As if his muscles alone weren’t intimidating enough, he could charge straight through walls, and by stomping his feet he could create massive earthquakes. “Yeah!” he thundered “It feel great to be back!” He gave his foot a huge stomp which shook the temple. “Wow!” cried Kara Shi “Looks like he’s still got it.” En Shi approached the monster, “Come with us, we’ve got work to do.” Torron snickered wickedly. Lightning and the others had already arrived on the planet and were flying through the air, across there dusk colored skies. “Wow, that sunset sure is beautiful.” said Pinkie Pie. “It’s ain’t sunset, Pinkie,” said Applejack “The sky is always this color in the daytime here. I read it up in the planet’s history data.” As they all soared towards the royal palace of Mowaza, everyone noted how beautiful the planet really was down below; all the forests, countryside, the quaint little villages and all the creatures living simple lives. Soon, they all arrived at the royal palace, and set down at the foot of the long stairway leading upward, to do things the civil way. “Starfleet…” Lightning said to the gaurds “This is a matter of intergalactic security. We must speak with your regent on behalf of Queen Mowaza.” He showed them all a pass he had gotten from the queen before the team left United Equestria. “You may pass.” the guards said, and the team was allowed up the stairs and into the large, oriented palace. “Boy, Rarity would love to see this place.” said Spike. Some of the others chuckled. Lightning told Krysta and her fairies to wait outside, “This shouldn’t take too long.” The fairies agreed and remained outside. Soon, the team entered the palace throne room, where a young tigress, orange in color and wearing royal robes sat on the throne. “I am Princess Balia, daughter of Mowaza and currently ruling in my mother’s absence.” The team bowed respectfully. “Why have you come here, and where is my mother?” asked Balia. Pinkie Pie took in a huge breath to go on one of her long, quick sentences again, but Applejack hushed her, as there was no time for that, and Lightning stepped forth. “Your highness, we haven’t much time so I will come to the point: We have come to evacuate this planet, to transfer you and every inhabitant to one of Starfleet’s refuge worlds.” Balia looked ready to burst out laughing, “Leave Ainzul? Surely joke. Why should I and my fellow creatures leave our lustrous lands?” Starla stepped beside Lightning, “Look, we know this may sound difficult to believe, but you must listen to us. …Stammadon has returned.” The entire room went silent, many of the guard shuddered at the mention of that name. “I do not understand.” said Balia “How can he have returned? My mother told me that the great evil was sealed away for over ten-thousand years.” “We can explain all this later, your highness,” said Lightning “Right now it’s imperative that you heed our warning and help us evacuate your world while we still can.” Starla agreed “Your mother agreed to Starfleet’s treaty, and we have every right to help you all.” Balia was aware of the treaty, “You have proof of signature?” The team suddenly realized that in all the commotion, and due to Mowaza being injured in the process, she never had a chance to sign the treaty. Without this signature, even having Mowaza’s pass with them was not enough to give them any claims, any rights whatsoever. “Your highness, in spite of no signature, your mother would agree with us were she here.” protested Lightning “We must evacuate this planet… now!” Balia had heard enough “I see no proof of what you say being necessary, but know that we are a peaceful race now, and wish to do no harm to anyone. We have no reason to leave this world.” “Look, you’ve got to listen to us!” said Rainbow “If you don’t evacuate now while you can, you may not get the chance.” “Major Rainbow Dash!” snapped Lightning, hushing her, “The princess has spoken. There’s no sense in arguing.” The entire team gawked at him with shock. He would never just give in that easily. “Let’s go guys.” and he turned to walk out the big doors, and the others reluctantly followed him out. One of the guards couldn’t help but question the princess, “What if what they say is true, highness?” Balia seemed unfazed “I was taught to believe not in simple words, but only when proof is shown, and I have seen none. If I were to simply believe the words that everyone told me, I would be subjected to unscrupulous beings, taken advantage of. I would never make queen in such a way.” The regrouped with the fairies outside, and once they all got far away from the palace, Lightning revealed his intentions to try and convince the people themselves of the danger. Artie chuckled, “I knew it-- I knew you wouldn’t just give up that easily.” Lightning nodded, “I’m not about to let these creatures be subject to evil about to shake them up.” Talking of shaking, that’s when an earthquake hit, “What’s going on?” asked Buddy. Dyno and Myte, being the expert geologists could feel the shaking of the ground beneath their feet. “This no ordinary quake…” said Dyno. Myte put his ear to the ground, and he could hear a soft thud, followed by another. “Something’s causing this. It’s like huge footsteps.” Lightning clenched his fists, “This is it! He’s making his move!” The team all rushed off into the air as fast as they could fly… …while in the nearest village, the people felt the quakes. Adults were trying to hold their balance, children were scared, and items in stands jiggled until the felt off the tables they stood. The quake suddenly stopped as soon as it came, leaving the villagers confused. “It’s passed.” “Thank goodness it’s over now.” But then a sinister voice laughed at them, “This isn’t over, it’s just begun!” A woman screamed at the sight of Torron, and the villagers began to panic, much to Torron’s delight, “That’s right, scream your little heads of. It only makes me stronger!” He wasn’t kidding; his body was glowing with a red aura as the fear was converted to energy. He raised his huge foot, “SUPER SHAKER” and stomped the ground hard, making a massive quake much harder than before, causing many of the people to fall off their feet. The ground was even starting to split open causing the buildings and structures to shift, on the verge of toppling over. Torron was ready to stomp his way through the village, when… “STOP RIGHT THERE!!” Lightning shouted as he and the others all leapt down from the skies. “Hey, you’re not Ainzulians.” growled Torron “Well, either way you can suffer as much as they will.” Rhymey chuckled, “Doesn’t know who we are, does he. Then we’ll just have to show… shall we?” Lightning nodded, “Let’s go…!” he shouted to the team, and they all transformed. “STARFLEET MAGIC!!” “HARMONY HOUR, FRIENDSHIP POWER!!” “Dragon Power!” The Ainzulians gazed in awe at what they saw, having never seen Starfleet in action before but only hearing of it. The monster had never seen or heard of Starfleet before, and he growled in concern at the sight of the team. “Impressive, isn’t it?” said Lightning, then he looked over at Rainbow, Pinkie and Applejack, “You girls help Krysta and the fairies get the evacuation in order, and Spike, you go with them but stay transformed. We’ll handle this big brute.” The girls and Spike saluted and dashed off to begin. Starla scanned the monster with her visor. Naturally, never seeing this type monster form ten-thousand years ago, there was no data to decipher him, but the vital signs showed he was indeed a living being, and not artificial, meaning they could capture him instead of destroy him. “Watch out!” Starla “His strength levels are pretty high. We’re going to have to weaken him a lot to try and capture him.” “We still outnumber him!” said Buddy “I think we can take it.” Torron only snickered, “Suit yourself then. I could actually use a good fight after all these ages. I’ll stomp you to bits!” He charged forth with such speed for a bulky guy forcing the ponies to scatter. Lightning skidded to a halt and then sprung himself at the monster to kick him hard in the chest. BAM!! Right on target, but the monster was barely knocked back a few paces, and Lightning back-flipped off of him. “My turn…” thundered Torron, and his legs began to glow brightly, “STOMPING SHOCKWAVE!” POW!! He stomped his foot hard making the ground shake, but sending a thundering shockwave straight for Lightning which he dodged by leaping up high making the blast miss him and strike a tree, blowing it to pieces. “Oh, sure he just HAS to have super powers too!” grumbled Lightning. The other space ponies came soaring in, “Blast him!” shouted Starla, and she and all the others fired magical beams from their horns like ray-guns, and the monster just took every hit like they meant nothing. “That barely scratched him!” cried Buddy. Torron laughed, “Stammadon only chose the strongest of the strong to join his forces. Then again, you all seem pretty strong. Why don’t you come with us?” “As if we’d do that!” snapped Dyno. “Si, we’ll never join the forces of evil.” added Myte. “Oh well…” hissed Torros, “BOSS RUSH” and he rushed forth with his horns glowing, “Look out!” shouted Artie, and everyone leapt out of the way as Torron passed them, even still, the burning waves from his speeding rush struck them all anyway and knocked them all along the ground. “What’s wrong, had enough?” teased Torron. “We can’t give into this slime. We must stall him to give the girls time.” shouted Rhymey. While the space ponies all held the monster back, Krysta had already instructed her fairies to create portals to the civilians could start to evacuate. “Okay, everyone lineup…!” Krysta hollered “Start marching through, and don’t stop until you reach the other side.” All the inhabitants of the village began to march through the portals in lines, and rocketed off into space along the pathways, arriving safely on the Refuge Planet where the Starfleet Outpost forces were ready to take them all in and keep them safe. Spike acted as head crowd control, “Don’t shove!” he ordered “One at a time, one at a time!” While he and the fairies dealt with the lineups, Pinkie, Applejack and Rainbow were rounding up everyone within the village limits to guide them all to the portals. “This way…!” Rainbow hollered as she directed a long crowd of villagers “Come on, keep moving!” “This way, everybody follow me!” Pinkie said, almost merrily even, as if she were playing Follow-The-Leader… which in a way she was. “Follow me! That’s it…” Applejack almost felt like she was herding sheep, “Come on, y’all, this way! You’re almost there.” All four groups met up together and then all headed up the streets. The portals were just around the next bend, when they turned the corner, four powerful creatures-- The Four Shis-- were standing in their way. “Going somewhere?” Rai Shi snickered. “And just who are you four?” sneered Applejack. Tan Shi extended her claws, “The loyal servants and lead fighters of Stammadon, and you’ve got a lot of nerve trespassing on our world.” She growled like the tiger she was which frightened the peaceful civilians. “No, no! Don’t give in!” said Pinkie “That’s what Stammadon wants.” “That’s right…” hissed En-Shi, “The more you fear, the stronger we get.” She then leapt up high, and her large blue mane extended, “HAIL STORM!” Out from her mane fell a hoard of ice pellets and shards that bombarded all around the civilians, frightening them even more. Spike and Krysta could see the slight hail storm from where they stood. “What’s going on over there?” Krysta wondered. Spike didn’t like the looks of the storm one bit. “I better check this out. Can you handle yourself here?” Krysta nodded, and with that, Spike flew off. The girls were outraged, “Oh, it is on!” growled Rainbow. Kara Shi snickered as he held up his little sword, “This is going to be fun.” “Pinkie Pie…” Applejack whispered “We gotta get these folks outta here. R.D and I will keep these brutes occupied, you escort the folks out.” Pinkie nodded and stayed behind as the other two dashed off towards the four minions. Rainbow bounded straight at En Shi to get the hail to stop falling, but Tan Shi leapt right up and shoved her hard to the ground in a tiger pounce. She was ready to claw at her, down came her arm, when Applejack lassoed her paw, “Think again, kitty cat!” Tan Shi growled and used her other claw the snap the ropes, but this gave Rainbow the chance to wriggle her fist loose and she punched the tigress hard in the face, sending her flying, but she landed on her feet. “You’re stronger than you look.” Tan hissed. “You don’t the half of it!” said Applejack. Rai Shi stepped forth, “We shall see,” and he looked ready to brawl. While those two dealt with the Shis… “Shh…” Pinkie said to the crowd “Follow me this way.” She lead them all back from whence they came to take another pass to the portals, but the Shis could obviously see for themselves… “Stop them!” shouted Tan Shi. “I got this.” hissed Kara Shi, and he rushed forth, at super speed, and struck Pinkie hard making sparks fly, and he then retreated the other way striking the ground making more sparks fly, scaring the civilians even more. Kara Shi laughed, while Pinkie growled like a furious bull, “Why you…!” and before she could finish her rant, Kara Shi zipped right up to her, and punched her hard up into the air. He was surprisingly strong for a little guy. Pinkie punched for him, but Kara Shi dodged and struck her hard again. Pinkie kicked at him, and he dodged against and struck her. He was just too fast for her to keep up as easily. “Here I come!” shouted Kara Shi, and he leapt up high holding his sword, ready to strike, when suddenly, Spike came in and head-butt him hard with his knight’s helmet, and sent the little shrimp crashing to the ground. “Spike!” cried Pinkie. “You okay?” Spike asked, and Pinkie nodded. “Good timing, Spike.” Rainbow called. “Ye-ha! Now we got them four-on-four.” cheered Applejack, but she suddenly ate those words as Rai Shi grabbed her wrist and held her up off the ground. He glared at her and sneered “Whom has whom?” “Applejack!” Spike cried as he tried to rush in to help her, but was intercepted by En Shi. “TSUNAMI” she shouted and unleashed a huge tidal wave of water, magically form out of nowhere. The wave was several feet high, and several more feet long. SPLOSH!! Spike was hit by the huge wave and washed far up the street, and he crashed hard into a stone wall, and seemingly felt flat on the ground. “Spike!!” cried Applejack, and she fussed about trying to break free or attack her captor, but Rai Shi snickered at her, “Your Kung-Fu is not strong. Applejack shuddered in fear which he used to power his attack. “FIST OF FORCE!” His fist glowed brightly as he channeled his inner strength into it and POW… jabbed Applejack hard in the chest, sending her straight into, Rainbow Dash, and the two crashed into Pinkie, and all three of them just lay flay on the ground. The civilians were more frightened than ever, and the four Shis laughed. “That was easier than I thought.” chirped En Shi. Tan Shi agreed and glared at the civilians, further increasing their fear, “You are all next.” Suddenly, there was another earth tremor, obviously cause by Torron. “Speaking of next, I think our monster’s made short meat out of those other creatures.” said Kara Shi. “SUPER SHAKER” Torron shouted as he stomped his foot shaking the ground again, forcing the space ponies to all leap up into the air. “We’ll be safer up here.” said Artie. “Think again…!” sneered the monster. He bent down by his knees and sprung up high in the air. “Whoa! He can jump too!” cried Starla. Torron’s two might legs glowed, “STOMPING SHOCKWAVE” and rather than his usual attack, he simply clapped his feet together, making a huge sonic blast behind him that thrust him forth like a rocket, straight at the flying ponies. “BOSS RUSH” and he crashed right past all the fighters sending them all plummeting below, crashing and making huge clouds of dust. Torron landed with a strong thud on his feet and laughed, “They up a good fight. Now, I’ve got a planet to conquer.” He was about to charge off when he heard Lightning call him through the smoke, “We’re not through with you yet.” “Huh…?!” Torron gawked at the clearing dust and saw all the ponies were still standing. A little bruised maybe, but looking fine and ready for more. “But… how are you--?!” The space ponies had been faking him out all along, as a little test of his strength and abilities. “Now that you’re finished blowing steam…” said Lightning, and he and the others charged up their inner powers to boost their strengths, shrouding themselves in thin glows of colored aura. Torron growled angrily, he rushed forth, but everyone zipped out of the way, and he missed them entirely. Lightning came in from the side and punched the monster hard in the face and sending him skidding across the field. “That’s it!” growled Torron, “Now I’m going to get tough! STOMPING SHOCKWAVE!” He stomped the ground hard, but strangely the tremor wasn’t as violent as any previous quakes, and the shockwaves didn’t spread too far and fast, much to his confusion, “What the--?!” Rhymey snickered at him, “You’ve been fighting us for so long, You used up your energy which made you strong.” Buddy agreed “We, on the other hand, still have plenty of steam left because we were holding back.” Torron realized he had been played for a fool. This only enraged him more and he wouldn’t give in so easily. So he continued to fight with the ponies, but just as promised, the ponies were now fighting stronger than ever. “BOSS RUSH” Torron charged forth. Artie flew in from above, “PAINT SLUDGE!” and magically fired blobs of sticky colored goop at the creature’s big face, covering his eyes, “I… I can’t see!” he whined as he frantically rubbed the sludge away. “Now’s our chance!” said Lightning “Blast him!” One-by-one, each of the ponies rushed in and shot the monster hard with their attacks, Lightning rushed forth and rammed several strong punches into the monster’s face, chest, and gut. “PULSAR LASER” “LEAF SWARM” “PAINT BOMB” “DRILL QUILL” “BOOM-BOOM FIREBALLS” The barrage of attacks struck the beast all around. Sparks and explosions flew like crazy and Torron rolled along the ground. “I’ll get you for this, you little shrimps!” he thundered, but with the sludge removed from his eyes, he saw Lightning pointing his capture blaster straight at him, “Actually… WE’VE got YOU. You’re under arrest!” Before Torron could respond or do anything, “FIRE…!” Lightning shot him hard with a huge blast. KAPOW!! The monster roared and growled as he fell over forward and exploded, which wasn’t a real explosion but just a transformation effect. When the illusion of the explosion cleared, the monster was shrunk down and imprisoned in a clear blue sphere. The space ponies all stood together proudly, but the job wasn’t finished yet. The planet still had to be evacuated before anything else bad happened! Rai Shi, Tan Shi, and En Shi approached the trembling civilians. “Your trembling will only make your demise the more satisfying.” En Shi hissed. “From now on only the strongest creatures shall rule this planet.” said Rai Shi. Suddenly, Kara Shi noticed “Um… guys…” “Not now!” growled Tan Shi. “You really should look at this!” His comrades all looked and couldn’t believe their eyes…! The girls and Spike were up on their feet and standing together. A little bit bruised maybe, but they looked up and ready for more. “You are still standing?!” Rai Shi asked in shock. “Thought you had us beat, didn’t you?” teased Pinkie. “We face tough guys like you all the time.” said Rainbow. “We were just letting you guys knock yourselves out to see what you’re made of.” “Now that we’ve seen y’all in action, let’s get serious!” sneered Applejack. “All right…!” Spike hissed as he extended his dragon claws “I’ve been waiting for a little more action.” They and the Shis growled at one another, looking ready to brawl some more, but suddenly Stammadon’s voice was heard, echoing across the lands, “Shis… that’s enough. Return to me at once. We have matters to discuss.” The Shis were confused. “Master, you cannot be serious.” called Tan Shi. “Enough!” said Rai Shi, and he glared at the fighters and civilians, “You have not seen the last of us.” All four of the Shi’s then slammed the ground, creating huge flashes and clouds of smoke, and they were all gone-- vanished into thin air. “They’re gone!” cried Pinkie. “Oh, rats!” Spike sarcastically groaned “I was looking forward to a good beat down.” “Come on,” said Applejack “Let’s get the rest of these folks outta’ here.” Rainbow agreed, and soon the villagers were all brought to the portals and transported to safety. While Lightning and the others returned to the palace to reveal to Princess Balia their capturing of the monster. “Now do you believe us?” Lightning asked. “I believe you.” replied Balia “We must evacuate at once. I will help you.” With her help, soon the rest of the entire planet was evacuated. Every village now stood empty, the royal palace was evacuated. The team, their mission completed, headed back to United Equestria just in time as daylight broke out. All of them were feeling rather exhausted, but they were given royal congratulations by their majesties upon their return. “I received word from the Starfleet Refuge Outpost,” said Grand Ruler “All the inhabitants of Ainzul are safe and well. Thanks to your efforts, and Princess Balia apologizes once more for initially disbelieving you.” The team was gratefully honored, “Is Queen Mowaza okay?” asked Spike. “She’s gone.” replied Celestia. The team gasped, but Celestia quickly corrected, “She’s fine, she left a while before you returned. She had a good night’s rest and her injuries were treated well. She felt it was best she leave to be with her people at once.” “But she did sign the treaty,” Grand Ruler said holding up the signed document. Then he held up a letter, “She also had time to write you all this before she left, which I shall read to you.” He cleared his throat and quoted from the letter... “Words can barely express my gratitude for your gracious hospitality, but I cannot see how to extend any apologies for all the danger I have now put my people and yours in. The battle against Stammadon will be long and hard, and it will be some time before my people and I may return to our planet, but know that we are well, we believe in you, Starfleet, and I am proud to have signed the alliance agreement. Until we speak again… …Queen Mowaza. PS: I will be having a small talk with my daughter about listening to what others have to say.” Lightning sighed, “Looks like we’ve got a long road ahead of us.” The others all agreed. Back on Planet Ainzul, Stammadon’s wicked temple on the mountains was suddenly surrounded by thick darkness that made the temple disappear from sight, like a protective barrier. The Four Shi’s understood now, “So that is why you called us back.” said Rai Shi, and Stammadon concurred, “The fear we have collected is enough to conceal our location. The rest we shall use to power our army for our next task.” “If I may inquire, which next task?” asked Tan Shi. Stammadon growled softly, “This Starfleet seems to be a strong force, much better than anything getting fear from those wimpy Ainzulians ever would be. …They shall be our primary target now.” “Hey, yeah, that is a great idea.” chirped Kara Shi. “By absorbing their fears and power, we can grow stronger than ever before.” added En Shi. “Yes…” hissed Stammadon, and he turned round to face his minions, revealing himself to in fact be Striker-- Stammadon had possessed his body-- Striker looked a little more buff, paler, and his eyes were glazed with red and yellow. “Soon, they and any worlds beyond will feel my awesome strength.” He let out a ferocious ROAR, and let loose a small shockwave that shook the temple softly, followed by sinister laughter. (Promo) In our next episode: A disgruntled computer programmer causes trouble in the New Crystal Empire, and more so when she is then met by a powerful and rouge computer program from a world contained inside computer systems, granting her power to tamper with electronic systems anywhere. How can Starfleet deal with corrupted computer systems? Don’t miss the next exciting episode of “Starfleet Magic!” (Next Episode: “It came from Cyberspace”)