//------------------------------// // Episode 19: Part 2: Megadox Revolution // Story: My Brave Pony: Starfleet Magic Season VIII // by DakariKingMykan //------------------------------// “Previously on Starfleet Magic…” Cheerilee was accidently transported into the Digital World, via Scootaloo’s malfunctioning wrist-com. The Data Squad was forced to reveal their true identities as they rescued her from the latest mega virus monster, only to then discover that the familes have discovered this secret as well, and to make matters worse… Megadox had pinpointed the exact location of the team’s Super Computer. EPISODE NINETEEN Data Stream was snickering with glee, “I can’t believe it! Surfer’s home base is somewhere in New Ponyville?” “Within a six-mile radius of Town Square to be precise.” replied Megadox “We have taken a great step to finishing off our enemy for good!” Data and Megadox both had the same lust by this point. “But still…” Data pointed out “Six miles is still a wide area. How can we pinpoint the exact location of the program?” “You must travel to New Ponyville.” answered Megadox. “What?” snapped Data “But I thought you could infiltrate any computer source from anyplace at any time?” “True, but from there I shall be able to gather the necessary conduits that will allow me to track down the Surfer Program all the faster.” “Just one problem, smart guy…! How am I supposed to even GET to New Ponyville? In case you have forgotten, there are swarms of guards looking to ID me, and if they find out I’m working with you… I am finished… kaput, and that puts YOU out of commission as well.” “I have already computed this, and I shall transport you there myself, by means of Digitizing you into my realm again.” Feeling she had nothing to lose, and it was the safest way, Data grabbed her briefcase, which contained her laptop and drawing tools, as well as drawings of some viruses. “I’m ready.” Megadox then digitized her into the Digital World, where she flew along the wavelengths, and cruised along the power lines, and arrived in New Ponyville in a matter of seconds… appearing out through a power transformer in a secluded area where no one was around. “It worked.” Data said with astonishment. Then she quickly got out her laptop and found Megadox was already online. “All right, I’m here… what now?” “You must find town square, and locate a power source. I can handle the rest from there.” “Fine, but you better know what you’re doing. I want to find that Surfer and finish him off by sundown!” Meanwhile… *Mykan’s POV* The Crusaders’ relatives and Rainbow Dash had heard from other parents, when their children got home from school early that Cheerilee had gone missing, and when the girls hadn’t returned home themselves they came to Lightning and Starla to report the problem, which was how they discovered. We were all forced to explain everything, and how the girls were my backup crew all the time in the war against Megadox. “I can’t believe this!” said Applejac “You girls have been runnin’ around in Cyberspace, riskin’ your necks, and savin’ the world from virus bugs all this time, behind our backs?!” Starla tried to hush Applejack from yelling so loud, but too late-- Shining Light could be heard crying from his crib upstairs. “Now you’ve done it.” and she went to go comfort her baby. “Please don’t be mad at us.” said Sweetie Belle “Well how do you expect us to feel?” asked Rarity “You-- a band of minor girls fighting evil and risking your lives so needlessly like this.” “It’s not needless!” I snapped at her “The girls didn’t ask to be part of this group, and neither did I. The programs bonded with us. No one else can use them.” “He’s right.” said Lightning “I understand how you all must feel.” “Oh, and that’s another thing,” said Rianbow “You… of all people knew all along about this and you never told us?!” “…Because you didn’t need to know.” insisted Lightning “We knew none of you would take this well, and I had this group sworn to secrecy.” Buddy Rose disagreed “Begging your pardon, sir…” Lightning didn’t like his tone. “…Anything to do with the girls has to do with us… their family and guardians.” He then glared down at the girls and told them all to wait outside, but not before asking them to turn in their wrist-coms. “We can’t!” cried DD. “You better do it.” said Spike. “Lightning, Mr. Stevens, please don’t make us.” begged Scootaloo. Indeed, Lightning and I stepped forward, and surprisingly, so did Cheerilee. “You can’t be serious about this?” asked Rarity. “Yes… No… I don’t really know.” said Cheerilee “I understand how you all must feel, I was just as shocked myself, but I’ve seen what the girls are capable of doing, and they are phenomenal.” The girls smiled at her. “And what about all of you…?” I asked “Didn’t you all train hard and have some wild adventures while you were about their age.” While the others were unable to deny this, “That was totally different,” said Rainbow “We were being trained by professionals. These girls just end up in wrong place at the wrong time, and end up doing some crazy stunts that usually lead to hilarious consequences.” The girls felt insulted, and Lightning felt angry at her, but Applejack stood up, “Lightnin’… you can’t abuse your authority. You can’t be orderin’ us to subject these here youngin’s to a life of danger.” “I’m aware of this!” sneered Lightning “But this time I’m going with it, because I know I’m right, and I’m ordering all of you to back down. …Discussion is finished!” The relatives were livid. Buddy especially, “Lightning Dawn, I cannot believe I am going to say this to you, but I will see you get reprimanded for this!” The others all agreed with him, even planning to send reports to New Canterlot, and see What Grand Ruler Celesto and Queen Celestia would say about this. Lightning just turned his back and folded his arms. “I think you all had better go.” said Krysta. Defeated for now, the relatives decided to leave. “Wow. I’ve never seen them so angry before.” said Applebloom. “So what, Lightning just told them off.” said Scootaloo. “Yeah, he really read them out.” agreed Sweetie. But really, Lightning didn’t feel very pleased with himself at all and hung his head low as he slumped on the couch. “Lightning, are you okay?” I asked. Lightning sighed “They’re right about me abusing my authority, but despite their worrying I can’t let the girls go. We need them.” He was also worried that his friends were going to blab the secret to the rest of the families, which would put more pressure on him, as well as the girls. “Gee,” said DD “I don’t… actually feel like going home right now.” The other girls didn’t feel like it either, not wishing to endure any wrath or potential groundings. So Lightning allowed them all to stay for lunch as he tried to figure out a course of action, but he was still worried what their majesties would say if they ever found out about this. Cheerilee and I felt we were also on the chopping block, for aiding and abetting in this. *POV Pause* Data Stream was in town square, but was couldn’t seem to find any place private to go. “Fleshing!” Megadox called to her “How much longer must I keep waiting?” “Quiet!” sneered Data “Do you want anyone to discover our secret?!” Rhymey and Fluttershy were passing by taking Button Fly for a stroll in his carriage, they looked her way, and she just smiled nervously at them as if nothing was wrong. The couple shrugged and went on their way. Data sighed in relief, and then she whispered to Megadox “Look, it would be easier if you tell me exactly what it is I’m looking for.” “As I have stated: I need more information conduits. Only then will be able to scout this area and locate the Surfer Program.” Data thought it over, and remembered a Cyber Café that wasn’t too far from where they were. So she got up and off she went. Meanwhile, Rhymey and Fluttershy were still enjoying walking their new baby, and Pinkie Pie came along cooing, “Aw… look at the happy family.” Fluttershy blushed, and Rhymey rubbed the back of his head smiling. The baby looked up and cooed and giggled. “Aw, hi wittle Button Fwy.” cooed Pinkie as she stroked the baby’s little head. “I guess it’s true, He really likes you.” said Rhymey. “That’s because I’m good with babies.” said Pinkie. “Oh, my…!” Fluttershy suddenly cried. “What? You know I am.” protested Pinkie. “Oh, no, not you…” said Fluttershy and she pointed up ahead at some of their friends sitting outside the Cyber Café, looking pretty upset. Baby Twilight Sparkle Scales was in her pram which stood ned to Rarity. Pinkie didn’t like sour moods, especially from her friends, so she and the others went over. “Why so glum, chums?” asked Pinkie. Rhymey liked her rhyme. The friends told them everything. “What?!” cried Fluttershy. “Eeyup,” replied Applejack “And now Lightnin’s told us to keep out of it.” Rhymey thought it over, “Well, he does have a point or two, For letting the girls do what they do.” His wife did not agree. “How can you say that? You can’t mean to let the girls go through with all this.” “That’s what we said.” muttered Spike. “I think it’s kind of cool.” said Pinkie “I remember playing Super Pony when I was little, and I…” she paused when everyone was looking at her indicating the seriousness, “…Sorry.” Buddy sighed, “We sent a report to their majesties in New Canterlot and we’re waiting to see what they say about this.” “Well I certainly hope they do the sensible thing,” said Rarity “Sweetie Belle has no right o be carousing around in a computerized realm.” Rhymey still felt different to her, “I understand how you feel about her, But I don’t think you should stop her either.” “Rhymey!” snapped Fluttershy. “All I say, and look it my way, at what the girls have become today?” Through his rhymes he explained how the girls were not as little as they used to be and they had already done many amazing feats and stunts, and even saved United Equestria in the past. “Yeah, and all the times they screwed up too, and nearly got themselves destroyed many times.” Rainbow pointed out. “Rainbow’s right.” agreed Fluttershy, and then she motioned at Button Fly “Would you let our baby go into battle just like that?” Rainy and Spike were with her, they would never let Twilight just run off into battle. Rhymey knew they were right, but he protested, “I would never let very young children go, But this time is different matter you know. The girls are bigger, and much older, They’ve proven to be smart and bolder. Would you stop any of us from what we do? We fight bad guys all the time too. If we didn’t do our job, then our world would fall. Are you willing to risk that-- just risk it all.” Fluttershy felt like crying, feeling a little hurt deep down that her husband was willing to let the girls go through with this. “Excuse me please.” And she walked off into the café, to head to the washroom for a small cry. “Way to go, boy.” said Applejack, and she went off to comfort Fluttershy. Button Fly began to cry after his mother just went off like that. His father comforted him, but Rhymey felt pretty bad, he didn’t like it when he and Fluttershy disagreed, but he still felt he was right too. “For my money, I think you’re right.” said Pinkie “We can’t just let heroes not be heroes. That’s like asking a Cake not to be Cakey, or a Pie not to be Pieish.” The others were sort of starting to agree, but they still felt the same-- concerned because the girls were still very young. What none of them realized was that inside the Cyber Café, Data Stream had setup her laptop, having plugged it into the wall while none of the other patrons were looking. “Okay, Megadox,” she whispered “I got you inside.” “Yes,” hissed Megadox “I can already feel the information coming in and am currently eliminating all factors to pinpoint the Surfer Program. Plus, every ounce of power I tap into increases my strength. The Surfer Program will stand no chance against me this time!” Data snickered, now it was only a matter of time. “Surfer is as good as gone.” While in the mares’ washroom, Fluttershy had washed her face-- something she liked to do whenever she cried. “You feelin’ better?” asked Applejack. Fluttershy dried up, “…A little, yes.” She took a few deep breaths, “How could my own husband say things like that?” “I think I know how ya feel. I can’t believe he said those things either… even if he does have a point… I don’t feel we can just let the girls go through this no more.” Fluttershy agreed, but she still didn’t really want to be mad with Rhymey, especially not for Button Fly’s sake. She decided to come out, and maybe talk this over again with Rhymey-- calmly and with no heating up at each other. No sooner had the mares gone outside to see Button was fast asleep in his carriage as Rhymey softly pushed the carriage back and forth. Seeing her little son sleep sort of made her forget the troubles-- same with everyone else… until… Spike let out a huge belch as a letter appeared, which woke up Button Fly and scared Baby Twilight as well. The two babies cried and screamed much to everyone’s annoyance. “Sorry, I can’t tell.” said Spike. As the mothers comforted the babies, Spike read the letter. “It’s from their majesties; they’re saying to come to Lightning’s place.” “Well we might as well go.” said Rainbow. *Resume* Once the babies were calmed down, the team headed back to Lightning’s. Artie and the Spanish Twins were there too. They too had been asked to attend by their majesties and they were told everything about the girls. They were just as shocked and astonished to learn the truth, even a little proud. “I think it’s neat the girls have actually helped save the world.” said Artie. “They may be young,” added Dyno, and Myte said “…But I guess they’re full of surprises.” The girls felt flattered, but the others who were against it… “I don’t believe this.” muttered Buddy. “How can our friends not realize the seriousness of all this?!” whined Rarity. Before anyone could protest, Grand Ruler Celesto and Queen Celestia appeared, as magical holo-images, and everyone quieted down and bowed to them. “Good, you’re all here.” said Grand Ruler. The girls felt very nervous as they slowly peeked up. “It’s all right, girls,” said Celestia “There’s no need to feel nervous. We’ve known all along.” The girls were surprised, even Lightning was astonished “You knew all this time… that they were controlling the Data Beasts?” “We have eyes haven’t we?” said Grand Ruler “We’re aware of many things that happened throughout the planet.” Celestia nodded and said, “Besides, it was MY technicians and programmers that created the Data Beasts and the Surfer Program decades ago. I was there! So, of course I would know this.” The girls and I suddenly remembered, having forgotten some time ago what with all the distractions. “I feel like a complete fool.” I said. “They knew all this time.” muttered Sweetie. Fluttershy cleared her throat, “Um… your majesties, but about the report we sent about everything.” “That’s exactly why we’ve called you all here.” answered Grand Ruler. Everyone quieted down and listened carefully. “We’ll come straight to the point.” said Celestia “…Celesto and I have talked it over, and while we understand how many of you fear for the girls’ safety, we ourselves have similar feelings.” “Oh, no…” groaned Applebloom. “We are so busted.” added Scootaloo. “However,” Grand Ruler said, and those were against the girls winced softly, “In spite of these understanding emotions, it our decision that any acts against the Data Squad… are denied!” “What?!” snapped Rarity. “You got to be kiddin?!” wailed Buddy. The girls would have been delighted… except everyone in the room began to protest and argue with one another like some angry mob; which made all three babies cry. “QUIET!!!!” Krysta shouted, and everyone turned to face her, “You’re upsetting the babies, and I’m still surprised at all of you! You’re all supposed to be a team. You always find the sensible solution to things, and now you’re all at each other throats. Their majesties have spoken-- The girls get to do as they want! GET OVER YOURSELVES!!” Krysta panted and trembled, unable to believe what she had just done, but the others all agreed with her. “What have we become?” asked Pinkie. “I guess we all kind of lost our heads.” I said. “You can’t blame yourselves,” said DD “We’re just as responsible for keeping this such a secret.” The other crusaders agreed. The adults all felt it wasn’t fair to put this much pressure on them. Celestia was pleased to see everyone getting along better again, but still the decision was final, and for good reason. “But the girls are just young.” said Rarity. Cheerilee approached her and said, “That may be, but does age really have anything to do with what their capable of? Look at all they’ve done. It’s a good sign that they are growing and really getting smart.” The girls agreed with her. “We’ve screwed up a lot in the past, we admit.” said Sweetie “But when was the last time we messed something up over the past couple of years?” “People can learn from their mistakes, can’t they?” said Applebloom “We sure did, and we wouldn’t be the fighters we are today if it weren’t for.” DD and Scootaloo agreed. The adults and I were very proud of them for their speech, but still those who were against the idea were not very keen on this. *Pause* Back at the café, something strange was happening-- the lights were starting to flicker, and every computer at every table was beginning to malfunction much to the patrons annoyance and misery. “What’s happening?” “It’s like some kind of glitch.” The computers and the lights were not the only things going haywire, but the electric devices behind the counters-- the coffee dispenser, the microwaves, even the cash registers were losing power, much to the workers confusion. As the ponies tried to examine the devices, one little touch gave then electrical shocks that nearly forced them back into the walls. “Look outside!” one pony shouted, and everyone could see… The street lights were blinking like crazy-- in the middle of the day when they shouldn’t be active at all. Worse still, many home appliances and systems were going haywire too, which began to cause panic. “Let’s get out of here!” cried another patron, and all the ponies began rush out of the café, staff and all, but Data Stream stayed behind, laughing like the mad-pony she was. “Look at them run--the fools! They can run all they like, they can’t escape.” Megadox laughed, “With all the power that absorb, I grow stronger, and stronger!” Indeed he did, he had absorbed so much computerized energy that he actually to transform on screen, growing larger and more muscular, and spikes appearing out of his head and shoulders. “Yes…! I love it!” he hissed “And now I finally have eliminated all the obstacles. Now I can locate the Surfer Program!” “All right!” cheered Data Stream “Find him, Megadox, and shut his computerized capacity down for good.” Megadox then leapt up, vanishing through a digital warp in the grid, and he traveled along the power lines. Since he had already eliminated all other potential locations, he knew exactly where to land, and was heading straight for Lightning’s place! *Resume* The lights in the house and all the electronic equipment were starting to go crazy. “What’s going on?” I cried. Starla tried to type into the Super Computer, but it was going crazy as well. “Something’s causing a huge wave of interference in the Digital World. Then suddenly, the screen split, and there he was! “The Surfer Program, and the Data Beast Programs! I have found you at last!” “Megadox!” cried DD. All the friends gathered around the computer to observe the evil creature, and Celestia could see him herself through her own image, “…Megadox!” she growled softly. “What?!” Megadox growled, “You are Fleshlings-- Mere insignificant mortals!” “This is so not good!” said Scootaloo. “Now he knows who we are!” added Starla. Everyone else was astonished to actually see Megadox, for the very first time, and while he at first seemed unimpressive to some, everyone realized he was more dangerous than he looked. “Time to erase you all…!” Megadox shouted, and his massive arms began to glow brightly as he charged up. “Look out!!” Lightning shouted and he tackled Starla, and anyone near the computer out of the way just in time as an electrical wave was fired from out of the screen, which struck the images of their majesties, but obviously didn’t harm them. “Everybody out…!” I shouted, and we all stampeded our way out the door. Krysta teleported others directly outside where it was safer. …Or so we thought! “What in the Apple Mixes--?!” cried Applejack. All over town, lights were blinking, transformers were sparking, and ponies and other creatures were falling into complete and total panic and chaos. “What’s happening to the town?” cried Dyno. “It looks like every electronic system is going, Muy Wild!” added Myte. “It’s Megadox!” cried Applebloom “He must be infectin’ every electronic system everywhere.” The voice of the evil program could then be heard even outside. “You are correct! I have absorbed the power of nearly every electrical within the area, and more that I feed the more my power grows. …But why stop there when I can do so much more!” *Pause* As he laughed, Megadox began to spread his evil surge all through power lines and wavelengths, extended his viral infection, more deadly than any Mega Virus ever could. More and more systems across New Ponyville were infected, and the surge spread all over to all major towns all over the planet, from New Las Pegasus, to New Fillydelhpia, even New Cloudsdale got infected by the wavelengths along the air. Naturally, the surge was making its way to New Canterlot, and just as Professor Brain was on the verge of completing a new experiment. “Satisfactory! Most, Satisfa--” Kapow, the computer systems shorted out with the infection and blow out right in his face. “Well… now who’s a fool?” It only got worse as the systems all over the royal palace began to malfunction. “Activate emergency firewalls!” ordered Grand Ruler. The technicians and programmers did all they could, and managed to get a firewall going, halting the infection from spreading around the palace, however…! “Something wrong!” cried a programmer “We’re starting to lose power!” Indeed, power-cells were slowly decreasing due to Megadox syphoning energy from everywhere! Eventually the firewall would break down, and even the palace defenses wouldn’t be able to hold him out. *Resume* Pinkie Pie began to panic, “This isn’t happening! This Isn’t Happening! “THIS ISN’T HAPPENING!!” “Pinkie Pie!!” snapped Artie and he grabbed her and softly slapped her cheeks, “Get a hold of yourself!” Everyone else then began to gawk at me and at the girls, wanting us to do something about this. The girls and I all agreed, but unfortunately, as we activate our wrist-coms, “Oh, no! The programming’s blocked!” I cried. “Mine too!” added Sweetie, and the other girls were all blocked out too. Starla examined my wrist-com, but even she was unable to break the error. She could only then conclude, “Megadox is in the Super Computer. He’s blocked our access codes. You guys can’t digitize!” The girls and I began to fret, much to Megadox’s amusement. “And to ensure that there will be no such interference, these pitiful programs must go!” With that, he began to attack and destroy the Super Computer systems, much to everyone’s horror and sadness, but none as ever so devastating as to me and to the girls. One-by-one, he crushed each and every program of the Data Beasts, causing the wrist-coms to go completely. “Dread Program---!!” cried DD. “Assault!” wailed Sweetie Belle. “…Totalizer!!” shouted Applebloom. “Arc… No…!!” screamed Scootaloo. Megadox laughed loud and wickedly, and then it was no surprise which program source he aimed at next. “No… don’t!!” I shouted, but we all watched as he blasted the Surfer Program unit, destroying my armor, my weapons, all of it. Everyone watched in complete and total devastation, as the program was blasted into bits and my wrist-com went completely dead. Overwhelmed with devastation, I fell to my knees trying to hold back my inner sorrows as I clutched my dead wrist-com. All I could do was lift my head to the skies and shout with all my anguish, “Surfer…!! …SURFER------!!!” Megadox laughed and laughed, “The world of Fleshings… IS MINE!!” To Be Continued…! (Promo) In our next episode: Megadox plans and overwhelming devastation to ultimately wipe out life on the planet, but the Data Squad and their allies refuse to give in and search for a way to defeat him, which may include enlisting the help of Data Stream herself. Can the data squad ultimately end the era of Megadox? Don’t miss the next exciting episode of “Starfleet Magic!” (Next episode: Final Part: “Salvation of Data”)