My Brave Pony: Starfleet Magic Season VIII

by DakariKingMykan


Episode 17: One Sad Apple Family

EPISODE SEVENTEEN

What started out as a beautiful day turned really sad, really fast…!

A week had passed since the three babies were born, and the families were… they were adjusting. Seedling and Button Fly were each giving anti-magic manacles clipped around their horns to prevent them from accidently using magic, and special anti-lift patches on their wings so they couldn’t try to fly away. Twilight Sparkle-Scales didn’t need those as she had no magic or wings.

DD and Sweetie Belle both found it a little hard to sleep with Seedling and Twilight crying all night, but the parents was so happy and so excited to have the bundles in their lives; it almost felt worth it to them… Rhymey and Fluttershy too.


Buddy Rose and Tree Hugger were working together to change Seedling’s diaper, and disposing of the dirty one.


Fluttershy and Rhymey were feeding the animals around the cottage and doing chores, and Fluttershy carried Button Fly in a carrier.

Soon as the chores were done, it was time to feed the little guy his bottle of formula. Fluttershy fed her little son and cooed at him, and Rhymey looked down and smiled at the baby.

Angel hopped up onto the bench tapping his foot, wondering if he had become invisible; to which Fluttershy pecked him on the head and Rhymey patted him showing they still loved him.

Angel smiled.


Then there was Rarity and Spike, giving Twilight a bath. The child put up such a fuss and splashed about getting her parents wet-- not that it wasn’t expected.

Soon, the baby was clean, dried, and dressed in a cute little pink outfit Rarity had knitted. Rarity couldn’t help but tickle her daughter’s nose with her finger, and the baby gave a little sneeze, blowing out a small flame at her mother’s mane.

Rarity panicked and quickly doused the flames under the sink tap. The baby giggled at her, and while Rarity didn’t find it amusing, she smiled and pecked the baby.

Later that day, the entire team was invited to Sweet Apple Acres for a great big party to celebrate the happy families.

Rhymey’s entire family was there…

His parents, Mary and Harry, and his nine brothers and sisters-- Larry, Gary, and the twins, Barry and Perry, the triplets, Terri, Sherri and Cherry, and finally were the twins Carrie and Geri.

Rarity’s folks, Hondo Flanks and Cookie Crumbles were there, and brought Sweetie Belle along.

Finally, there was Fluttershy’s folks, and her young brother Zephyr Breeze who was a mane therapist.

The families were hardly ever seen altogether, but it was a special day.


Bright Mac went to give Granny Smith some soft bread and broth. “Come on, Ma, ya gotta eat.”

Granny had not been doing so well lately. She was very tired, and not very active, and she was becoming less coherent as she dopily answered, “Eh… Okay, Applejack.”

“Ma, I’m Bright Mac.”

“Oh… why so y’are.”

Bright Mac was really getting worried, but he decided to leave the tray of food, attaching it to Granny’s rocker, and let her get some rest. “You take it easy, Ma. I love ya.”

“Eh, me too.” grumbled Granny and she dozed off.

Bright Mac sighed and went back to join everyone else.

“Time to PARTY!!” shouted Pinkie Pie.

Even Rainbow Dash agreed and did a sonic rainboom in the sky to show her cheer.

Still, what a lovely party it was, Applejack and her family had spent the entire day cooking up the biggest feast they could ever have made, but everyone brought a little something of their own. Cookie Crumble brought plenty of her own home fixings. “Figure the little dumplin’ ought ’a get used to Granny’s home cookin’.”

“Mother, really.” said Rarity.

“Ah, don’t mind her.” said Hondo “You should’ve seen her when she heard she was a grandmother. She ran all through town yelling her head off.”

“He’s not kidding.” said Sweetie

The folks didn’t seem to mind their granddaughter was a Dragony. She was cute, cuddly and happy; what else was needed.

“Ah-plech!” the baby sneezed and nearly barbequed her grandfather’s straw-hat. “Maybe we should work on this.” suggested Spike.

The family chuckled nervously.


Rhymey and Fluttershy’s family were really cooing and ogling little Button Fly.

“Our first grandbaby.” said Mrs. Shy as she rocked the little bundle. Mr. Shy tickled his grandson’s chin “He’s got your nose, Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy blushed.

“Hey, you,
He’s my grandson too.” said Harry.

The shy’s giggled nervously, but let Rhymey’s folks handle the baby for a moment.

“Um, a question though…” asked Zephyr “When Button learns to talk, will he… you know… do the rhyming thing like you guys do?”

Mary giggled and said,

“We’ll have to wait until he’s grown,
Then he’ll show us on his own.”

Rhymey agreed and said,

“Even if he doesn’t talk like us,
I see no need to make a fuss.

I’m just happy to have him today,
I’ll love him either-either way.”

Fluttershy pecked him on the cheek, “Just like I love you, I don’t mind that you rhyme.”

Rhymey smiled and pecked his wife back.



Poor Tree Hugger and Buddy Rose, they had no parents to show Seedling too, and while they missed their relatives they still felt blessed to have Seedling, and DD and all their friends around them.

Tree Hugger rocked the baby in her arms. After all these years, she was married and had a kid. The one thing she always wanted-- a loving family.

Buddy and DD knew how she felt too; it was if they were both given a second chance to really be a family once more.



Lightning had brought Swift Star to the party as a guest, to help with his visual and training and understanding. “You see this, Swift-- all the families getting together, all the joy and happiness shared. These are things we have to fight for, to protect, and live for. It’s what gives us our motivation to keep trying and believe in ourselves and our friends and loved ones.”

Swift could tell he was right. He had never seen a whole bunch of people so happy in his life. “I never had it like this.” he said.

Lightning looked his way. “I wanted to be in Starfleet so bad and increase my strength, I trained hard and studied. That’s all I ever did. I wouldn’t stop for pretty much anything.”

“Really?” asked Krysta “That seems kind of sad.”

“Well not to me it wasn’t. I liked to do it, I thought it would be good for me… then there was Striker.”

Swift paused and thought deeply about his cousin, “Striker was never good at anything much, other than brute strength. It seemed all he was good at were martial arts, fighting, and being strong.”

Lightning had never considered that before, having never heard of Striker’s backstory. “Is that why he wanted to join Starfleet?”

“I guess…” said Swift “To him it was the best and greatest thing he could possibly become, but he let the power and anger go to his head, and that’s why he started pushing others. It was pretty much out of jealously that other people were multi-talented and had more choices.”

Lightning could now see Striker in a whole new light, but this still didn’t excuse Striker’s bullying behaviour which earned him a dismissal, and especially for his barging in and causing Stammadon to be freed.


So what made this day go from plentiful cheerful to downright heart wrenching…?

It was when Applejack went to check on Granny Smith. “Ah, Granny, ya haven’t touched a bite again.” she chuckled, but Granny didn’t even move.

“Granny?”

No response.

She just lay there in her rocker. She wasn’t moving… or breathing either!

Applejack felt her blood turn cold as she felt her Granny’s wrist for a pulse, and then put her ear to her chest…

…Nothing!

“Granny!” cried Applejack. Her tears were starting to fall. “Granny…! Come on! Snap out of it!”

Her mother heard her shouting and dashed over, and she could see for herself. “Oh, my…!” and she called out for Bright Mac.

“Ma?!” cried Bright Mac.

Applebloom and Big Mac felt their stomachs turn as they saw their motionless Granny.

The entire yard went silent as a ghost town as everyone huddled around.


Granny Smith was soon lying on her bed, and Krysta went to fetch Doctor Penny. Only the Apple family went inside the house, leaving everyone else outside worrying sick.

Starla held Lightning’s hand tightly, “You don’t think…!”

“…It’s… possible.” said Lightning.

Then Applejack came out with a face sadder than a dog without a bone. “She’s gone.” She sobbed softly “Granny Smith passed!”

Everyone gasped softly, and felt their insides going numb, especially Buddy and DD!

“Oh, Applejack…!” cried Buddy. “I’m… I’m so sorry.”

He felt his heart breaking with Applejacks, and Applejack slowly fell to her knees and softly let out her emotion.

All the partygoers, even Pinkie Pie had lost their sparks. Many of them began to weep softly for Applejack, and for the loss of Granny Smith.


Over the next few days, it was pretty sad. The entire Apple Family was completely shut in, nursing their aching hearts, having a few cries.

Poor Applebloom was crying softly as her mother held her, “It’s not fair!” she sobbed.

Pear Butter could hardly hold in her own cries, “It’s all right, honey. She’s in a better place now, but I know it still hurts.”

“E… E… Eeyup.” cried Big Mac, and even a big guy like him couldn’t hold back, and sobbed ever so silently.

Applejack hated these aching feelings of woe, and felt one pony who needed the most comforting was her father. She found him upstairs in Granny’s Room, sitting on the bed where she used to lay. Granny’s body had been taken away two days ago.

Her father just sat there, with a distinct look of devastation, and he even had removed his hat… something he only did when he was truly feeling at the end of his ropes and hopeless.

“Pa…?”

Her father looked up at her, and she came over and sat down next to him. “I can’t believe she’s really gone.” said Bright Mac.

“She was old, Daddy.” sobbed Applejack “We knew it had to happen. She wasn’t doin’ too good anyway.”

Still, father and daughter held each other tightly. This was way too much for them to bear.

Bright Mac really missed his mother. He lost his father long ago, and then after being reunited with the family he lost his brother, Seeder Breeze, less than a year ago.

Applejack felt really hurt at the loss of her granny, the very kind and elderly pony who took care of her and her siblings when her parents disappeared for ten years, and then she worked hard to care for her in her declining years.


Meanwhile, on Ainzul, someone else was thinking of demise…!

Tan Shi and Zenia had been sparring for the past few weeks and perfecting Zenia’s new weapons.

Her blade-merangs were spiked and sharped. She wore stronger body armour, and more plating than ever. Her sword was double edged and could fire Blade Pulse energy waves, and her whip could light on fire and burn anything it touched.

“I am so ready!” said Zenia.

“I believe that we are.” agreed Tan Shi “The time has come to finish what we started with those horrid creatures.”

Zenia was prepared to leave, “Should we not inform Stammadon of our mission.”

“No!” sneered Tan Shi “I have been told he has been training hard ever since his last defeat. Perhaps we will be able to redeem the shame by destroying the enemy for him.

Come!”

As the two ladies made their way through the temple, they passed by the dojo where Stammadon was training with Ka Hotake, and Rai Shi and En Shi were the practice targets.

Tan Shi and Zenia slipped skilfully right past, and headed for another way out, when they ran into Kara Shi.

“Where are you two going?”

“That is none of your business!” growled Tan Shi, but Kara Shi wouldn’t take this, “You know Stammadon doesn’t like it when we strike out without consent!”

Tan Shi wanted to roar at him and kick him aside, but she knew that would only lead to unwanted attention from the others out in the dojo.

“You’re taking this grudge of yours way too far.” said Kara Shi.

“Oh, please…” grumbled Zenia “This from the LITTLE guy with a SHORT temper?”

Kara Shi tightened his grip around his sword and felt his insides raging. “Fine…! I get the point But I’m coming with you two. I’m in the mood for a little action.”

“Whatever!” grumbled Tan Shi.

“What?” snapped Zenia.

“Hey, if with us, he won’t snitch!”

Zenia reluctantly agreed, and the trio silently slipped off.


Stammadon roared and charged at his minions.

The two Shis were almost nervous at how powerful and enraged he seemed, but they charged forth to attack as well.

“FIST OF FORCE” Rai Shi thrust his fist forth, but his master just punched him hard, knocking him out of the ring.

“HAIL STORM” En Shi unleashed her ice hail, but Stammadon was so enraged that his flaming aura actual melted the pellets before they could even reach him.

“Impressive.” said En Shi “Now try this…! TSUNAMI”

He tidal wave spread out, and yet Stammadon leapt up high and karate chopped right down on that massive water rush, actually slicing it down the middle and cancelling it out.

En Shi gawked in astonishment and a bit of fear, while Ka Hotake was pleased. “Now, you will rest.” he said “Clear your mind of all but the hate and the rage.”

“Yes, Master…” said Stammadon and he sat down with his legs crossed and went into a state of silence and stillness, but suddenly a whole lot of images passed by his mind-- images of Striker’s memories, and how he fought, trained and did his best with what little talent he possessed.

It was if Striker was struggling to regain control of his body, but to no avail as Stammadon growled softly and focussed as best he could on the hate, flashing out those memories. “This fool’s memories are still strong.” he thought “No matter. Soon there will be no creature in the galaxy strong enough to take me on.”


The Apple Family elders had a meeting that day with a funeral home to discuss a service for Granny Smith. Applejack had gone with them, and Buddy went along for moral and neighbourly support.

He knew Applejack wasn’t okay and didn’t bother to ask. She looked so sad, so hurt, so lost… and he could not blame her a bit. He knew what it felt like to lose loved ones, but now was not the time to worry about his own feelings.

He just wanted to be there, help her through it, and let her have time to find herself again.

Applejack couldn’t find her strength to talk, but she was gleeful and held his hand, thanking him for being so supportive.

“The others send you their wishes to.” he told her.

She smiled very sadly, and she suddenly broke out into a soft cry again.

Inside the main office, her parents were trying their hardest to hold back their own sorrows.


Meanwhile, the rest of the gang was only a few blocks away at a café.

Fluttershy sniffled, “Poor Applejack.”

Rarity shivered with her own nerves and tears, “I can’t bear to think of she’s feeling!” she sobbed.

Spike held her softly, feeling really hurt for her.

“I feel so terrible for her and her family.” said Artie.

The others all felt the same and Pinkie Pie shed a tear. “And to think… she passed away at a party. It was such a happy day too.”

The others actually shared her pain, and some of them comforted her.

Suddenly, Button Fly and Twilight were starting to get a little cranky themselves.

“I think we should really go,
The babies need their naps you know.”

Fluttershy agreed, and so did Spike and Rarity.

“We’ll see you all later, okay.” said Spike.

The others nodded and watched the families go off.

Swift felt pretty bad for Applejack, but he had to ask “Shouldn’t you all be with Applejack right now? I mean, she could use some cheering up.”

Lightning placed his hand on his student’s shoulder and shook his head. “Swift, I think what Applejack really needs is some space and time.”

“What?!” snapped Swift “How can you say that? Her grandmother died. She looks like she’ll fall apart. Her whole family is upset.”

“We know all that, meng.” said Dyno “But this is for her and her family to deal with.”

“Si, we can’t pressure them all the time.” added Myte “The worst thing we can do at a time like this is try to make someone feel better.”

Swift felt shocked at what was just said, but the others assured him they weren’t trying to be bad or uncaring. They all felt horrible for Applejack, and knew she and her family were upset, but it was for her and her family to deal with at the moment.

Granny Smith was old and tired. She lived a long life and it was just her time to go, so at least it wasn’t tragic. If anything it was expected to happen for quite some time. Not that it really made things any easier.

“The point is…” said Starla “Death is a very natural occurrence in life, and sometimes it can happen unexpectedly. The point is: Whenever or however it happens, the loss of a loved one can be very painful. It can’t get better-- not right now.

“So sorry for your loss,” and just being there for Applejack when she needs us is all that’s really needed.”

Swift never felt like this before, but now he was starting to see things from their point of view. Just the same, he hoped Applejack was okay.

Suddenly, the alarms sounded, frightening everyone out of their trances.

Shining Light began to cry at the loud noises.

“Now what?” groaned Rainbow.

Still, the team knew they had to investigate. Starfleet still went on and did their job, and they couldn’t let emotions prevent that.

Starla gave Shining Light to Swift telling him to get to get inside the café.

Swift agreed, and took the baby with him after Starla and Lightning pecked their son’s little head, and patted him softly.

“Let’s go!” snapped Lightning, and he and others ran off leaving Swift to take refuge just like any other civilian in the area before the barriers activated.


Back at the Funeral Home, Buddy heard the alarms too, and Applejack actually snapped out of her trance. “We better check it out.” she said.

“Are you sure about this.” said Buddy “You’ve had an emotional trauma, and I don’t think you should be fighting out there in your condition.”

He was about to order that she sit this one out, but Applejack had already sprint for the main doors, not even bothering to inform her parents, but they could see through the glass doors of the office. They were very concerned, and Buddy could see this but he had no time to really talk to them; he had a job to do as well.


Tan Shi, Kara Shi and Zenia appeared in the open fields at the town borders.

“Those fools should appear any second now.” hissed Tan Shi.

“Look, here they come!” cried Kara Shi.

“About time.” said Zenia, and she softly fingered her new blade-merangs, ready for action.

The entire team had arrived, all transformed too. Rhymey and Spike were in the group but joined by their wives droids as Fluttershy and Rarity were still on maternity leave, and they couldn’t leave the babies home alone.

The only one who wasn’t transformed was Applejack. Because of her emotionally shaken conditioned, her powers wouldn’t function.

“I was afraid of this.” said Buddy “Krysta, get her out of here.”

“No!” snapped Applejack “I’m not leavin’!”

Lightning sided with Buddy on this one, “Major Applejack, I order you to get to somewhere safe. You’re in no condition to be battling.”

Krysta prepared to teleport herself and Applejack away.

“Oh, no you don’t!” sneered Tan Shi “SYMBOL POWER: FORECE-FIELD” and she cast a powerful yet invisible barrier like before, only it surrounded the entire area like a large dome, about half a mile wide.

“We’re trapped!” cried Artie.

Krysta tried to teleport Applejack out, but the barrier prevented that.

Tan Shi snickered; her training and strengthening herself was really paying off. “You’re not getting away from us this time.” she sneered “I have a score to settle with all of you, and this time… it’s to the finish!”

Zenia and Kara Shi looked ready to brawl.

Lightning clenched his fists, and he looked back at Applejack.

“Quit worryin’ about me. I can handle this!”

Lightning wasn’t going to take any chances and motioned for Krysta to keep sharp tabs on her, to which she nodded and acknowledged.

Then the fight was on.

Lightning, Starla, Buddy and Artie went for Tan Shi. Rhymey, Fluttershy, Rainbow and Pinkie went after Kara Shi, leaving The Twins, Spike and Rarity to deal with Zenia.

Applejack tried to get through and help, but Krysta wouldn’t let her. Even though she couldn’t teleport Applejack out of the barrier, she was able to teleport her back to where she stood every time.

“Cut it out!”

“Never!” snapped Krysta. She refused to let her fight, fearing like the others did she wouldn’t fair too well in her condition; doubly proven by the fact that Krysta was able to catch and teleport her so easily, showing that Applejack’s strength and speed were not at full.

Applejack was running out of breath and stopped trying to rush in for a bit. All this and watching her friends fight, combining with her loss of Granny Smith was really not doing her justice.

Tan Shi roared as she punched for Lightning and co, and the four ponies zipped off in different directions. Then they all came rushing in from different angles to attack, but the furious tigress blocked their every attack, and slashed at them with her claws.

“You seem weaker than I remember.” Tan Shi mocked “Haven’t you been keeping to your training?”

Kara Shi parried Rhymey’s sword and punched him hard, sending him crashing into the others. “Obviously they haven’t.” Kara Shi teased

Zenia, she let out her battle cry and leapt up into the air.

“Here she comes!” cried Spike.

Zenia landed and began to punch and kick like crazy. Rarity found it hard to keep up with her droid controls, and her droid received a huge blow to the face knocking it back.

The Twins decided to heat things up, and joined their hands together, “BOOM-BOOM ROCKETS” they’re rockets flew, but Zenia was ready for this, “SPIKED BLADEMERANGS!” pitching her blades that flew in unusual but swift angles, blowing all the rockets to bits before they could reach her.

“You men are all the same, just like your attacks.” she taunted.

“Oh, not this again!” groaned Dyno.

“Are you still on that kick?!” asked Myte.

Zenia’s features hardened, and she battle-cried and drew her sword and whip, lunging straight at the twins.

Spike blocked her sword with his, and Rarity came in and grabbed Zenia’s other arm to stop her whip, only to suddenly get clunked from behind by the Bladmerangs on their return trips.

The Twins helped their friends up.

Zenia laughed, as did the two Shis. “How pathetic can you get?” sneered Kara Shi “I think I’m glad I came after all.”

Tan Shi was especially enjoying herself “You men are about to pay the price, and your females will as well for aligning themselves with the likes of you!!”

The entire team felt livid, especially Applejack. She really wanted to go over there and mess her up for still thinking so horridly, but Krysta was watching her closely and ready for anything.

But Lightning began to chuckle, as did some of the others.

“Am I missing the joke here?” asked Kara Shi.

“We just find you ridiculous-- that’s all.” sneered Lightning “You really think we’ve neglected our training?”

The villains all growled softly.

“…Or maybe we’ve just been leading you on?” said Starla.

The other fighters all nodded, and smirked cheekily.

“Attack!” shouted Lightning, and his team lunged forth, attacking the villains harder than ever.

ZAP!! Tan Shi was punched hard in the face.

Rhymey and Kara Shi duelled with their blades, but Rhymey parried his foe’s sword away, allowing Fluttershy and Pinkie to double kick him hard in the chest, sending him soaring up high, and Rainbow grabbed hold of him, “Going down!” she teased “SONIC RAINBOOM!”

“Whoa!!” Kara Shi whined as Rainbow dove straight at the ground, smashing him hard in a colourful explosion.

Zenia growled furiously, “So you pulled off a few tricks. You think that’ll stop us?!”

“We don’t think…” said Dyno.

“…We know.” added Myte

Zenia battle-cried again and leapt in to attack them, but the twins sprinted away causing her to miss.

Spike clashed at Zenia, his sword against hers, forcing her arm upward and leaving her wide open up front.

“DRAGON BREATH” he unleashed his fire straight at her, even from that distance, the results were explosive and knocked Zenia way back, and straight at Rarity. “Take this!” she thundered as she kicked the evil amazon hard in the back and sent her crashing against the barrier.

Rarity snickered, “Not bad for a droid that seemingly can’t train.” She was right too-- both she and Fluttershy, though out of practice from their pregnancies and maternity leaves, didn’t mean they hadn’t spent time practicing with their droids to outwit their enemies.

As for the others, having spent all that time wearing their super-heavy armor for menial tasks and basic routines-- it increased their strengths as well as their speeds and endurance, and while they still couldn’t effectively use the super armor in battle, it helped.

“You may as well make it easy and surrender.” said Lightning “You’ll never defeat us.”

Tan Shi was furious. She wasn’t willing to give in like she promised. “I refuse to cease, especially towards a male such as you. I swore I would have my revenge on all men, and those who allow themselves to be ruled by them!”

Even Kara Shi could see she was taking this vendetta against men much too far.

Starla was growing annoyed, “Tan Shi, look around you. Times have changed over the centuries.”

“She’s right!” snapped Fluttershy “Men don’t rule us, they rule WITH us.”

Rhymey nodded and spoke severely to Tan Shi…

“I care for my wife, and I love her,
It is only in official rank I am above her.

But I treat her well, with respect and with grace
as do many of my friends and others in our race.”

All the fighters nodded-- male and female-- but even with all this, the lady villains remained unmoved. “That’s so sweet, I think I’m going to hurl.” sneered Zenia, and she grabbed her whip and lashed it tripping Dyno and Myte off their feet, and she leapt up high, “SPIKED BLADEMERANGS!” throwing her blades at Spike and Rarity, hitting them hard!

She then came down hard to slice the fighters with her sword, but the fighters rolled out of the way and lunged at her.


Tan Shi then lunged at Lightning and Starla, only for Artie to leap in and block her with his staff to her head, and Buddy then lassoed her legs together with his whip.

“Your head is thicker than the toughest sculptures I’ve made!” he growled.

“We tried reasoning with you,” added Buddy “But now you leave us with no choice!”

That’s when Lightning and Starla both came in and socked Tan Shi hard in the face, sending her soaring up high, and as she began to plummets, the four alicorns fired shots from their horns.

Tan Shi, however, straightened herself out and managed to evade and dodge the entire barrage by swerving skilfully in midair.

“SYMBOL POWER: EARTH CRUSH!”

She came crashing down with a powerful aura shrouding her.

“Look out!” shouted Lightning, and he and the others scattered just as Tan Shi smashed the ground so hard, causing a violent tremor that knocked everyone on the ground off their feet, even Applejack fell over.


“You feel that!” growled Tan Shi “That’s my determination, my rage, my promise! I said I’m not giving up… UNTIL THIS FIGHT IS TRULY OVER AND YOU’RE ALL DESTROYED!!”

“She’s completely lost it.” cried Pinkie.

“I’ve never seen anyone so incredible in hate before.” said Fluttershy.

“Yeah uh… we could use some help here!” Rainbow hollered as she and Rhymey battled with Kara Shi.

He slashed at Rainbow, knocking her away and then turned to face Rhymey, “Why can’t you just fall down already!” he thundered

“Why can’t you do the same?
I’m just as tired of this game!” replied Rhymey.

Suddenly, He was grabbed hard by Pinkie and Fluttershy and he dropped his sword. “Got’cha!” snapped Pinkie.

“Nowhere to run now!” added Rainbow.

Try as he would, Kara Shi couldn’t pull free. Fluttershy then steered her droid to add more support from behind, further entrapping him and leaving him fully vulnerable to Rhymey’s wrath.

“Sorry to pain you,
But now I’ll drain you!”

And he zapped him with a long concentrated blast from his horn, which began to weaken him… very, very slowly, but hopefully Rhymey could keep it up until Kara Shi was weak enough to be imprisoned!


Zenia was still dishing it out, and looking just as fierce as Tan Shi was.

“SPIKED BLADEMERANGS” Her blades were thrown again, and the four fighters swerved and dodged them.

“I share Tan Shi’s rage.” growled Zenia “I’m not quitting until I’ve beaten ever male I don’t like and that of their allies!”

She swung her sword and her whip, but the twins held her down. “Are you even listening to yourself?” snapped Dyno.

“Try to listen and understand…!” growled Myte, but Zenia pulled on their arms, giving herself leverage to actually bring her legs up and kick them both hard so they released her.

“DRAGON FLAME-WHEEL” Spike charged at her, and Zenia held her sword out front like a shield, actually halting him, and then flung him up high.

She screamed a battle cry as she leapt, and actually kicked that flaming wheel and sent Spike crashing down hard.

Rarity was furious, “No one harms my Spikey-Wikey and gets away with it!” and she screamed and leapt up high to attack, but Zenia swerved, and kicked her in the back sending her crashing down.


Applejack hated just sitting on the sides like this! The stress was becoming so much to bear, and already adding to her stress from Granny Smith’s passing.

Things then went from bad to worse!

Rhymey was starting to grow tired from sapping Kara Shi’s powerful strength, and he had only reduced him to half-- still not weak enough to capture. The girls were growing tired and couldn’t hold Kara Shi down much longer either.

CLANG!!

CRASH!!

Zenia’s Blademerangs struck the others, weakening them even further. “My droid is running out of power!” cried Rarity.

The Twins and Spike were running low on flames… both ways-- their powers were getting weak and they could hardly produce much flames.

Finally, Lightning and his co decided to combine their powers together.

“UNIFORCE”

“STAR SHOWER”

“LEAF SWARM”

“PAINT BOMBS”

Lightning’s power carried along the combined attacks of the others into one super blast straight for Tan Shi.

“SYMBOL POWER: STRONG ARMS” With the power of her symbols, Tan Shi’s arms glowed with a small boost of strength. She intercepted the blast like a shield, but the power still forced her back hard, weakening her more, but still hardly enough that she wasn’t still standing and roared like the tiger she was, while Lightning and the others were panting.


Applejack couldn’t stand to see this! What if her friends were destroyed?! She already lost her grandmother, she couldn’t bear to lose any one else she loved or cared for.

“Applejack!” cried Krysta.

Suddenly, as Applejack juggled the pain and care she had, her body began to glow.

“What the--!” cried Krysta. There was no mistaking it. Applejack had unleashed her own pure inner strength!

Applejack began to stomp forth. Krysta tried to teleport her back to her spot, but her magic proved ineffective against the pure strength blocking her out. “Applejack…!”

Applejack didn’t stop, and suddenly all the fighters turned to face her.

“That glow!” cried Tan Shi.

“It can’t be…!” wailed Kara Shi.

“Uh, oh!” said Zenia.

The fighters gawked in awe. “The Pure Inner Strength.” muttered Lightning.

Zenia wouldn’t let this happen; not this time, and she rushed straight at Applejack. “SPIKED BLADE-MERANGS” she threw her blades.

“Applejack!” called Buddy.

She just stood there, and let out a huge roar, thrusting her arms forth, unleashing a wave of pure white energy at the blades, disintegrating them easily. The blast then continued and struck the monster hard, really damaging her, and Applejack then unleashed another wave, blasting Tan Shi as well, throwing her smack against the barrier, and the power of the strength shattered the magical force.

“Tan Shi!!” shouted Kara Shi.

The others were all astounded, but Applejack suddenly stopped glowing and collapsed to the ground exhausted by what she had just done.

“Grab her!” shouted Lightning, and he and his team used the magic form their horns to bind Tan Shi down, and then shock her hard draining her of more energy.

“It’s working!” cried Artie “I think she’s actually weak enough to capture.

“No!” cried Zenia, and she tried to rush in to help her comrade, only for Dyno and Myte to black her with a firewall. “You’re not going anywhere, chica.” said Dyno, “Except down!” added Myte.

Zenia then looked behind her, and saw Spike standing there, powering up his sword, “DRAGON KNIGHT SABER… IGNITE!”

Poor Zenia had nowhere to run, and her armor and weapons were useless after taking a big hit. Spike slashed at her, and she screamed as she flared up, “I HATE MEN----!!!” then she exploded and was imprisoned in a sphere.

Having used the last of his strength, Spike de-transformed and fell to his knees. “Spike…!” Rarity cried as she caught him.


“No!!” shouted Tan Shi.

“Now it’s your turn!” sneered Lightning.

He disengaged himself from the group, leaving the others to hold the helpless tigress down, and got out his old Capture Blaster. “Say goodbye, Tan Shi!”

Kara Shi couldn’t bear this. “No… No…!” and suddenly, in a great burst of strength, he wretched himself clear of those who were holding him down, and kicked his own sword on the ground, send it sailing into Rhymey, and actually ricocheting off all the other fighters near him, knocking them all to the ground and they de-transformed-- Rarity and Fluttershy’s droids went offline having taken too much damage.

Lightning was just about ready to fire!

“TAN SHI…!!!” Kara Shi screamed as he dashed for her.

Krysta try to zap at him, but her wand was all tapped out from using it on Applejack too much. “LOOK OUT…!!” she called to Lightning.

Lightning and the others in his group all looked, and Tan Shi looked up just as Lightning pulled the trigger, and his gun fired, but Kara Shi leapt right in front of Lightning’s blaster, taking the hit just as it spouted.

KAPOW!! Such an explosion at that range knocked everybody back hard. “KARA SHI!!!” shouted Tan Shi.

When all was clear, the remaining fighters had all been de-transformed, and were all bruised and battered from being hit by the explosion, and yet Kara Shi was still standing, and he looked pretty roughed up-- his helmet was all dented and battered, his clothes were burned and tattered.

Tan Shi looked at him in shock, and he smiled weakly at her, “So much… for a male… protecting… his comrade…!” those were his last words as he exploded and was imprisoned.

“KARA SHI----!!!”

He was finished, imprisoned in that sphere which Krysta picked up.

None of the fighters had any strength left to finish off Tan Shi, and she herself was exhausted from the battle, having just barely enough power to teleport away, and it was her only option.

“I will not forget this!” she sneered at the fighters, and then she was gone.

The fighters lay silent and shocked, but at least the battle was over.

“Applejack!” said Buddy as he finally found strength to get up, and scooped her up in his arms. She weakly opened her eyes, and smiled weakly at him, “Did we win?”

“We sure did. Granny Smith would be proud of you.”

Applejack only continued to smile.


Back on Ainzul, Rai Shi and En Shi delivered the sad news to Stammadon as he sat on his throne.

“I am afraid Kara Shi has been defeated, master.” said Rai Shi.

As outraged as Stammadon should have been outraged at the loss of a valued ally, here merely brushed it off, “Then I suppose he was not the strong fighter I thought he was.”

Rai Shi felt that a bit harsh, but En Shi agreed with Stammadon completely; Kara Shi was beaten… he was simply not strong enough. The same thing she would have thought if Tan Shi had been beaten too.

“What about Tan Shi?” En Shi asked “She still disregarded regulations. Do you wish her punished?”

“Possibly…” said Stammadon “…Yes! Set her up in the dojo, I shall use her as practice target, even in her weakened state. Perhaps the next time she’ll show better respect for the rules!”

Indeed, Tan Shi was strapped to a post in the dojo, still weak and battered from her ordeal, and En Shi stood ready to train “No hard feelings, Tan Shi.” she mocked, and she proceeded to really give her a thrashing.

Rai Shi still didn’t think this was a very good punishment for Tan Shi, but for letting Kara Shi be captured and it was Stammadon’s wishes… he let it slide.

As for Ka Hotake, Kara Shi’s defeat didn’t seem to bother him a bit as he thought, “Well, that’s one less nuisance out of the way, which means less obstacles to stop me when I unleash my greatest plan.”

He eyed at Stammadon rather sinisterly, and Rai Shi noted this still having his growing suspicions.


A few days later, the fighters all had a good rest and were fine, physically, but now; they were all gathered around a large open clearing in the orchards where a lone baby apple tree was planted, and a monument stone was placed near it.

The Apple Family was having a little private service for Granny Smith, and all the friends were there, including Swift Star, to give support for the Apples.

Bright Mac spoke first. “Ma loved this field so much, the day she and her fellow pony pioneers first came to this place and planted the first apple tree. She was more than a pioneer to me, she was my heroine. She had a good soul, loads of kindness to give, and even though sometimes she was cranky and a bit pushy… she learned to adjust.” he paused and looked at his wife reflecting the time she accepted her into the family after the feud with the Pears.


Applejack went next. “Granny was a hero to me too, and to Big Mac and Applebloom. She raised us after Ma and Pa went missin’, and we were always there for her too.”

Big Mac and Applebloom nodded tearfully, and Big Mac held his little sister close to him.

“We loved Granny, with all our hearts, and that’s why we wanted this little tree planted here for her; to watch it grow, and remember all she did for us and left us to carry on the Apple Family ways.”


Buddy Rose was next; even though he wasn’t part of the family he wanted to say his peace too. “Granny Smith was one of the kindest, most caring of ponies I ever knew. When United Equestria was formed after The Great War, she kindly let me move in on her lands and let me start over in a new life. I spent every day of that new life working hard, and helping her family as my way of repaying her for the gifts she gave.”

He paused and looked down at the little tree and the monument stone, “Thank you, Granny. I wouldn’t be here today if not for the kindness you showed me, it was almost like I was part of your family too.”

A tear rolled down Applejack’s eye.

Tree Hugger and DD both bowed their heads softly.


The rest was all drowned out by everyone bowing their heads and having a long moment of silence for the departed.

After that, everyone pretty much just went home, and let the family grieve, get it out of their systems, but Swift took a moment and approached Applejack, remembering what he had learned from Lightning and the others he spoke very honestly, “…I’m so sorry for your loss, Major. I hope you’ll be okay.”

Applejack smiled softly and hugged him, “Thank you.”

Swift hugged her back.

Lightning saw the sweetness and he was very pleased with Swift, but for now he and the rest of the team had things to do. The battle made him decide “No more holding it back; we must unlock the secret of Pure Inner Strength.”

Starla agreed, and the rest would agree in time too.


(Promo)

In our next episode: Data Stream and Megadox decide to take things to the extreme by setting a trap for Surfer in attempt finish him once and for all. Meanwhile, Scootaloo has accidently damaged her wrist-com, which Cheerilee finds and is inadvertently transported into the Digital World herself, which could mean a serious security leak for the team.

Can the team safely get Cheerliee out of her predicimanet, and what is Megadox’s master plan?

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

(Next Episode: “Part 1: Leak in the Links”)