//------------------------------// // Episode 5: Two Ways of Separation // Story: My Brave Pony: Starfleet Magic (Season IX) // by DakariKingMykan //------------------------------// EPISODE FIVE The official announcements were made all over the planet, and distributed by royal decree documents, which were posted in every square of every town and village. By now, everyone was aware of The Devils, and many of them felt panicked or heartbroken because Starfleet now how to up its security measures and maintain constant surveillance over all. Ponies that were planning weddings would have to either postpone them, or hold simple and very small ceremonies without inviting so many guests or holding big parties like that. Those planning huge family events like birthday parties, reunions, and other festivities as those, there would be Starfleet sentries posted all over to watch out for Devil activity. As for friends hanging out, or playing and sharing, as innocent as it seemed, they would have to try and limit how much time they did it. …Basically, it was like being in lockdown or quarantine. Many ponies, though disappointed, understood this and were willing to cooperate, but there were still those who were complaining and protesting, believing Starfleet was being unfair. Lightning and Starla addressed these protesters in town square. “You can’t keep us from living our lives!” “You’re locking us up like animals on a leash!” “I was going to invite my entire class to my wedding, and now I can’t and it’s your fault!” “People, try to understand!” bellowed Lightning “We are doing this for your own safety! We don’t like it any more than you do.” “Yeah, I’ll bet you don’t!” “Just admit you’re trying to control us!” Starla was losing her patience, “That’s enough! I as General, and my husband as Commander have explained it to you enough. You have heard the royal decree! You realize what danger is afoot, and we assure you, we shall not accept rioting, protesting, and there will certainly be no defiance under these circumstances.” The protestors only got madder, and booed them, but Lightning and Starla decided they had made their point, and walked back into town hall. “That was well-said, Starla.” said Lightning. His wife breathed out deeply, “Hoo…! I’m shaking a bit. I really hate it when I have to blow my top like that. I just hope we got through to them.” Lightning hoped so too. Things were bad enough as they were, with the lockdown engaging, the last thing that was needed was protesting, which they feared would lead to defiance, which would definitely lead to danger. “Come on,” said Lightning “We’ve still got other points around the village to address.” His wife agreed, but first they had to get someone, who was in the care of Mayor Mare while the addressed the crown. “There you are…” Starla cooed at Shining Light in his buggy. Her little son cooed happily without a care in the world. “Thanks for watching him, Mayor.” said Lightning. “Not a problem, sir.” replied Mare, “It’s just my way of saying thank you for controlling the crowds. Oh, how I hate protestors! But just so you both know that I, my council, and my administration are with you all a-hundred percent on this.” “Thanks,” said Starla “It makes the job a little easier.” She and Lightning left Town Hall, the crowds had already ceased-- they were dispersed by the Starfleet sentries and ordered to return home or to whatever businesses they had. Buddy Rose, Artie, Rainbow Dash, Rhymey and Fluttershy were all in different areas of the planet to help spread the word about, and were dealing with similar situations of protestors themselves, and doing their best to maintain order. Their protesters gave them all the same attitude, and they just put their feet down. “Listen to me, and listen good!” barked Colonel Rainbow “The planet is in danger! There are freaks from another world trying to suck all the love out of us. We have made these rules to protect you, and if you don’t want to wind in a jam… YOU’LL FOLLOW THE RULES!! YOU GOT ME?!!” Some of the protestors trembled under her huge voice, and began to oblige out of fear, while others were still acting all prissy and unreasonable. Krysta came fluttering by. “What’s up?” “It’s chaos.” Lightning reported “I hope nobody tries to disregard the rules.” The others agreed, and then Starla noticed down the road at New Sugar-Sub Corners, “…Is that Apple Spice?” It was him, standing on the doorstep and leaving behind a bouquet of lovely flowers, with a card in the top. Then he looked sad, and just walked off. “What was that about?” wondered Krysta. “Well, we don’t have time for that now.” said Lightning. Pinkie Pie then came out, all dressed up and ready for her patrol rounds, when she spotted the flowers on the doorstep. “Who left these here?” she wondered, and she couldn’t’ resist sniffing the flowers. They smelled so sweet. “Mmm…” Then she noticed the card, which had her name on it, and inside was inscribed… “These are for you-- -- Your Secret Admirer.” Pinkie felt like cute little hearts and stars were dancing around her head, and she leapt about squealing for joy, “I’ve got an admirer! I’ve got an admirer!!” She cooed and giggled like a little school girl, and then she wondered who the flowers were from, since there was no name in the card. While she remained curious with her thoughts, there were some ponies who were part of the protests, talking about willingly defying orders. “I don’t care what Starfleet says!” grumbled a mare “I’m getting married this afternoon whether they like it or not!” Her betrothed agreed with how she thought. “When you talk like that it makes me shiver.” She fluttered her eyes at him, and all their friends agreed and raised their glasses cheering, “To the wedding.” In The Devils’ World, Dearka was standing in a dark corner all by himself, alone with his thoughts-- disturbing thoughts by looks of the deep, cringing expression on his face, and the clenching and trembling of his fists. He reached softly under the collar of his armor and pulled out what appeared to be a broken locket on a thin metal chain, he had only one part of it, and inside was a charred picture that was difficult to make out, but it was definitely that of a male humanoid creature, which only Dearka knew too well. The painful memories it brought on. Scarlet crept in from behind the column, “Aw, are you still wrapped up in those old memories?” Dearka angrily clasped the locket and tucked it back under his suit, “I was until you came here to annoy me!” “Ooh, you get tense when you’re irritated. I don’t know if I should be scared or amused.” laughed Scarlet. Dearka only growled. “Hey, darken down!” hissed Scarlet. “You really ought to let go of all that and remember your place as my sidekick.” Dearka’s eyes blazed with fury, “…Sidekick?!” he looked at her furiously “Listen you red-headed annoyance! I was selected first by King Von Devilor to lead the mission! That makes me, now and always, top-dog, and if anyone is the underling, it’s you! Got it?!” “Maybe you’d like to face me head on!” growled Scarlet. The two Devils sneered and snarled at each other, looking deeper into each other’s eyes. When a royal sentry came along, “…His majesty has summoned you both at once.” Straightening themselves out, the bickering duo made their way down the dark path as the torches lit up, revealing Von Devilor, it was hard to tell if he was pleased or annoyed. Being the master of all Devils he could sense the emotions all over his own realm. “As much as our people enjoy the amounts of hate, even amongst yourselves, I’d appreciate it more if you would reserve this energy to attack our enemies! Understood?!” Dearka bowed “I understand perfectly, sire. If it shall please you, I will head for United Equestria at once. I’m rather in the mood to stir up some hate.” “Tch…!” snickered Scarlet “Whatever happens, don’t let your memories fuel you.” Dearka’s anger raged again, “I warn you, don’t insult me!” The two Devils growled at each other again, and Von Devilor thrust out his arms, and magical waves fired from his giant tentacles, teleported the duo away. “…The bitterness they exhibit towards each other only makes it all the sweeter.” he snickered “…Perhaps I did better than I thought pairing them up, it only means more hate, more darkness, and no more love for the Light Dwellers.” His evil laugh echoed all through the darkness around him. Pinkie was so happy about receiving the flowers; she had to tell her friends… after her patrol of course, and her first stop was Applejack’s, but instead she found Dyno and Myte helping to haul some boxes over. “Hola Pinkie.” “What’s happening, chica?” “I could ask you guys the same thing.” said Pinkie. “We’re helping Applejack’s boyfriend move in.” answered Dyno. “You mean fiancé.” corrected Myte. “He’s not either!” snapped Applejack. Everyone turned and saw her standing in the doorway, looking much frazzled as if she had been up all night… which she had! “Wow, what’s with you?” asked Pinkie. Applejack let out a yawn, “I have been up all night trying to find some loop-hold to get me and Apple Spice out of this here arranged marriage.” The contract was still legal-binding, even with the lockdown issues at hand; they did not cancel out the order of the contract itself. Applejack was to marry Apple Spice by the end of summer, and summer was only a week away. “Now my family is moving Apple Spice in with us.” Her father came out, “Applejack, we’ve been over this, this isn’t just about the marriage agreement. Apple Spice does need a home and some family comfort. So we’re taking him in as hired help.” Pear Butter came out to get another box, “We saw his home, and it wasn’t exactly enlightening. These few boxes are all he’s got. I guess he didn’t have as much money as he said he did.” Pinkie thought it was kind of the Apples to at least take him in. “This way, you and Spice can get to know each other better.” Applejack only shrugged. Dyno spoke softly to her, “Look, Applejack, we know this must be frustrating, but you’re just going to have to go through with this.” Applejack knew all this; as a Starfleet officer she was aware of rules and regulations. The contract could only be annulled by a legitimate and legal reason-- her and Spice’s simple objections just didn’t cut it. Unfortunately, since Spice’s parents were dead, there was no way to get approval to cut the contract, and there were no other faults to ensure nullification. Applejack was as stuck as she would ever be. “You know, it may not be so bad.” suggested Myte. “Why don’t you at least talk to him, he’s out there by the fields.” Her parents insisted she do the same, and Applejack felt it would help a bit. Spice was sitting on a bench at the edge of the pasture overlooking all the beautiful apple trees. “Hey.” Applejack called softly. “Oh, hi…” She sat down next to him, and the two fell silent, but then they both turned to say something to each other at the same time, and then they chuckled. “Listen, um… it was really nice of your folks to take me in like this. It’s almost like I’m part of the family.” “Yeah… family…” Applejack wasn’t about to mix words. “Look, Spice, don’t take this the wrong way, but I still don’t want to go through with this marriage thing.” “It’s okay, I feel the same, but what choice do we have? It’s the law.” Applejack sighed and rubbed her face a bit. “Look, maybe we should change the subject.” Spice agreed, and the only that came to his mind was, “…So… is Colonel Pinkie Pie seeing someone?” “What?” “Um… sorry, I… I had no right to ask. I was just curious.” Just to keep conversation going, Applejack answered, “No, at least not that I know of. I mean, Pinkie’s a great gal, but I don’t know if she’s the romantic type… …Although she did just come by here with a bunch of flowers.” Spice’s head perked up, “She’s here?!” he cried in excitement, “Um… I mean… she’s here?” “Um… yeah, and she seems kind of giddy too. I guess most mares are when they get big flowers from an admirer.” Spice began fall into a soft daze, imagine the happy look on Pinkie’s face as she cradled the flowers, and gave him a flirtatious wink. “Thank you, Sweet Spice.” she would say which made him feel like melting. “You feeling alright?” asked Applejack. He didn’t hear a thing she said. Suddenly, Pinkie popped up from right behind, “Heeeeey love-birds!” she called, making them both jump. “Sweet Apple Core’s, Pinkie!” groaned Applejack. “Sorry, can’t help it.” Pinkie yipped as she sniffed her flowers again “…I’m just soooo excited!” Spice saw her, and immediately felt birds suddenly appearing, and harps and flutes playing. Seeing her so happy with those flowers really gave him hope, but she obviously didn’t know he had sent them to her. Then she looked down at him and held out her hand. “Need a hand?” she asked. In a big pop, he snapped back into reality, “Pardon…?” “…I asked if you needed a hand getting up.” Spice realized he was still on the ground and felt very embarrassed, but he took Pinkie’s hand, which felt so warm to him, and yet so strong and solid because of her Starfleet training. Still, it felt wonderful. He kept staring at her softly, and Applejack noticed this, but just as she was about to say something, Pinkie bid her friends goodbye, “I’m off to show this to all my friends. Maybe I can find who my admirer is.” “Wait! Stop…!” called Spice, but Pinkie had already flown off. Spice sighed and hung his head low. Applejack began to fit it all together, “So he’s the one who sent those flowers to Pinkie. I think I get it here.” She wasn’t the only one who saw, Dyno and Myte saw everything from way over at the house. They gave each other playful nudges and snickering at one another. “What’s going on out here?” asked Pear, but the Twins decided not to tell her about what they thought. It didn’t seem cool to invade Spice’s privacy like that. Meanwhile, Lightning and Starla were sitting on a bench near the park, and Starla was feeding Shining Light his bottle of baby formula. “Oooh, you were hungry, weren’t you.” she cooed. “I’m not surprised,” said Lightning “We’ve been all over New Ponyville. I just hope we got the message across.” He then noticed many ponies passing by all wearing T-shirts and shirts with an “I am an Understander of Lockdown!” logo on the front and back, showing they were supportive and understanding of Starfleet’s decision. Then he saw Rarity and Spike coming along and Rarity was handing out the shirts, having made them herself, while Spike pushed the baby pram along, and little baby Twilight was wearing her own special shirt, and shaking a rattle with the logo on it too, which her mother had made for her. “Well isn’t that cute.” cooed Krysta as she and Lightning came over. Lightning thought the baby looked adorable as she looked up at him, smiling. Spike spoke in a playful squeaky voice, pretending to talk for his daughter. “I’m being a good wittle girl, Commander. I’m helping mommy and daddy to spwead the wules awound.” Lightning giggled and spoke to Twilight, “Good for you, Twilight. You keep this up and you just may be Captain one day.” Spike made Twilight raise her arm softly, “Yes sir.” Rarity smiled and held up one of the shirts. “I just knew making these simple wears would help for our cause. You wouldn’t believe how many I’ve given away. Why I could start a whole like of Fashion Logos for other companies as well. I’m so glad I thought of the idea.” Spike whispered to Lightning, “Yeah…after I suggested it.” Lightning rolled his eyes. Suddenly, a sentry approached him. “Commander Lightning… Sir… we’ve just had a report of a disturbance.” Lightning’s features hardened, “Take me there at once.” “Yes sir.” Lightning then asked the others to tell Starla and keep her company “…This shouldn’t take too long. Krysta, you come with me.” “…Right.” Those naughty protesters tried to hold their wedding, with a gaggle of fifty ponies as their guests, at the New Ponyville Chapel, but the sentries spotted them and blocked their way to the building. “You can’t do this to us!” protested the Groom “We’re getting married, and you can’t stop us!” The sentries didn’t budge. The leader spoke severely to the crowd, “You are all under violation of the lockdown, and by order of their majesties…” “We don’t care!” thundered the bride “We don’t’ care about your lockdown or your orders! We’re getting married and there’s nothing you can do about it.” Their friends and guests all hollered in agreement. None of them noticed Scarlet hiding nearby behind a large tree. “Ooh, listen to all that wonderful anger. Looks, I’ve hit the jackpot.” She snickered softly, and then blew a kiss at the ground a few yards back from all the protestors. The lip smear began to absorb all the hate coming from the ponies. Lightning touched down with Krysta fluttering near him. “I was afraid something like this would happen.” he grumbled. “Hey look, it’s the commander.” grumbled a protestor, and all those in the party booed and hissed him, but Lightning didn’t have time for any of this, and just as he was about order everyone to stand down, he could see behind them, a large falcon-like creature-- made from The Devil’s darkness was rising up. “Look out!!” he shouted. Everyone turned and saw the enormous creature caw at them loudly, which frightened them and made them start to panic. Scarlet saw everything and snickered, “…The Air-o-nizer will make worms out of those chumps, and I’ll lick up what’s left.” The monster swooped in, over everyone, and then flapped its huge wings rapidly, unleashing gales of the dark aura. The civilians all jumped out of the way, but the winds were still billowing around. “Starfleet Magic!” Lightning quickly transformed. “Quick, Krysta, transport the civilians inside!” “Right!” agreed Krysta, and with a wave of her wand, she conjured a portal leading into the chapel, “Everyone, over here, quickly.” Not hesitating a second, the wedding party rushed for the portal, but due to the large party, they weren’t all able to get inside in time, and some, including the bride and groom were infected by the darkness. “No!!” cried Lightning. “Yes!” Scarlet softly cheered. The remaining party members had turned evil. Their bodies pulsating with dark aura, and soon the poison would destroy them if they were not healed in time, but he couldn’t let that monster get loose either, there was no time to sound the alarms and get people inside to safety. He needed backup, and the sentries were guarding the chapel. “Lightning…!!” called a pair of voices, and Dyno and Myte dropped in, already transformed, having seen the monster soaring in the sky and figuring there was trouble. “Good timing, guys.” said Lightning “You guys try and handle the civilians. I’m going after the monster.” The Twins agreed, because they knew with both of them fighting the monster would mean it would gain more power from their hate while in battle. Lightning then flew off after the beast, and the Twins were left to their work. First they had to stop that smoke from spreading. “Best chance is to blow it out, with fire!” suggested Dyno. His brother agreed, and then the two joined their hands together and held out their other arms… “BOOM-BOOM FIREBALLS!” Their fireballs hit the ground causing the smoke to vaporize by the heat, and blow away to nothing in the winds from the explosions. “Excelente!” hollered Myte. Starla and the others saw the monster from far away. “Lightning!” cried Starla. “We’ve got to go help him!” said Rarity. “But we can’t leave the babies alone!” Spike pointed out. “…Indeed you wouldn’t.” hissed an unpleasant voice. They turned round and saw Dearka. “You!” growled Starla. Wasting no time, Dearka extended his claws. “That won’t work on us, pal!” sneered Spike. “No…” agreed Dearka “…But what of your young ones?” “YOU DARE?!” growled Rarity. Dearka struck the ground with his claws, sending a series of glowing streaks-- like cracks-- towards the group. “Let’s move!” shouted Starla. She and Rarity quickly grabbed the babies and they with Spike leapt up into the air, just before the streaks blew the bench and Twilight’s pram! The babies began to cry, and Spike was infuriated. “You two get the kids somewhere safe, I’ll stay and keep him busy.” The ladies agreed, and Rarity pecked Spike on the cheek, “Please be careful dear.” Her husband agreed, and he pecked little Twilight on her head, “Be good for mommy now.” The ladies flew and Spike landed before the evil Devil. “How noble…” hissed Dekarka “Family love, I honestly can’t tell if it’s stupider than romance.” Spike huffed! “Dragon Power!” and he transformed and pulled out his sword. “Maybe you’d understand better about Family if you actually had one!” Dearka looked furious, as if he had been insulted, and charged at the Dragon Knight. His claws clashed with Spike’s sword as the two dueled like the skilled warriors they were. “I know your one weakness!” sneered Spike, and finally he managed to dodge Dearka’s attack and took aim with his sword straight for Dearka’s mask. The sword clanged against the mask, but failed to knock it off, much to Spike’s horror. Dearka snickered and he knocked Spike’s arms up with one claw, slashed him hard with his other claw making a huge burst of sparks, and then kicking him hard up the ground. “You didn’t I’d let you know my mask off so easy this time, did you?” hissed Dearka “I had it specially reinforced. It won’t come off unless I take it off.” Spike got up, outraged that his plan didn’t work. Dearka thrust his claws intro the ground sending powerful shockwaves towards him, but Spike quickly leapt up and over him. “DRAGON FLAMEWHEEL” and he rammed hard into Dearka, who held out his arms like a shield. Spike pushed harder, moving his opponent back several paces, but Dearka still just stood there. Under his visor, his eyes were glowing with dark aura, “…I ask for power of the hate! The strength of the darkness…!” This gave him a small boost to force Spike off of him hard and sent him crashing into a huge rock in the ground, shattering it to small pieces. Even with his armor on, Spike still groaned “…Okay, that hurt!” Lightning chased after the Air-o-Nizer, and shot a few Uniforce Pulses at it, which angered it! “Put up your wings, beak face!” growled Lightning. The monster cawed and opened its huge beak, unleashing burning energy at him. Lightning couldn’t let the blast go past him and hit anything, so he simply took the shot. POW!! “ACK…!” He was really steamed now and he rushed forth, slamming his feet hard at the monster’s chest sending it crashing hard into an open field. “Look out below!” Lightning shouted as he slammed into the creature and rammed numerous punches at its face, and the monster smacked him off with its wing. “This could be tougher than I thought.” Lightning grumbled, and he figured it was because of all of the dark aura being emitted from the infected civilians. The Twins were standing ready to test out their new gifts from Cadance. The looked at each other, and nodded, and pressed down on their energizers “THE HEALING OF LOVE!” “What’s this?!” cried Scarlet, and she watched as magical, yet melodic waves of pink and white light emitted from the twins. “AAAH… NOOOOOO!!” The civilians were all enveloped by the magical, musical waves, counteracting the darkness. The civilians also had flashbacks of how, despite their bad attitudes, they had loving memories or being with family, friends, and even the bride and groom remembered their love for each other and why they wanted to get married to begin with. In a bright flash, the civilians were revived to normal, but feeling very weary. “What happened? “Did we pass out?” The twins slapped a high five in celebration that their new magic worked. Then Scarlet leapt out from behind the tree, “You think this is over…?!” The twins growled at her appearance. “…You can’t stop me that easy!” and Scarlet leapt up high and came down between the twins, forcing them to leap in opposite directions. “Dyno..!” “Myte…!” While physically able to fight on their own each, without being able to join together, their battle magic was weakened. “See how you like this!” sneered Scarlet “SMOOCH OF INFECTION!” she blew another magical kiss, sending her lip smear at the civilians. “No!!” cried Dyno. The lip smear slammed into the ground, creating more smog. “We can’t let them be infected again!” shouted Myte. The civilians were too weak to run for cover, and Scarlet couldn’t be allowed into the chapel were more civilians were. “Let’s help them!” cried Dyno. “Right…” agreed Myte. Scarlet blew another kiss, between themselves and the civilians, creating a wall of dark flames. Even the twins had never seen such flames, but their visor-scans showed deadly signs of poisons and magic, much like the aura itself. If they were to touch it, they would be poisoned-- like the Devils being poisoned in the light. The Twins tried to use Healing of Love again, but this darkness was too strong to dispel so easily. The civilians were all backed up against the walls with the smog approaching them. “Help us, please!” “Get us out of here!” Others screamed and wailed. Scarlet laughed, “All this screaming is music to my ears.” The Twins were still not beaten yet, and they looked at each other and agreed, “…DIGGING TIME!!” Joining hands, their horns and free hands glowing brightly, they burrowed quickly under the ground. “Hey! You can’t do that!” shouted Scarlet, and she prepared to jump in after them… “STAR SHOWER” Starla, unleashed her stars and sent them pelting all around the evil lady. She then landed right between her and the hole the twins had made. “That’s as far as you go!” “Ha!” scoffed Scarlet “My smog is about to re-infect the civilians. So, you’re a little late to be making threats. …And I wonder how your husband is faring against the Air-o-Nizer!” At that very second, Lightning came hovering overhead, with the monster gaining on him. He then stopped in midair at the last second and let the creature soar straight for him, only he zipped out of the way at the last second, appearing behind the creature and kicking it down hard on the ground… …CRASH!! Scarlet nearly fell off her feet, and Lightning landed down near his wife. Scarlet wasn’t afraid, “Bring it!! I can take the two of you on!” While all this was happening… …Spike took another wham from Dearka, sending him tumbling backwards. “DRAGON FLARE” Spike unleashed a breath of fire at him, making an explosion that threw him back as well, but while Spike was starting to feel exhausted, Dearka didn’t seem as much. “The hate and the darkness give me the advantage.” he hissed “Unlike your power and energy, drawn from the light, my power hardly runs low in a situation like this.” Spike still managed to get back onto his feet. “So, you still choose to fight…?” asked Dearka. From the shadows within his helmet, Spike narrowed his eyes at him, “…I do.” “What can you do to me all on your own?” “He’s not on his own!” shouted a voice, and Rarity leapt down from above, wearing her battle gear. She looked at him and smiled lovingly, and though his face was hidden in the shadows of his helmet, Spike smiled at her. “Rarity…! Spike…!” called another voice, and Applejack and Pinkie landed down too-- having seen the battle from afar-- much to Dearka’s annoyance. Pinkie looked at the evil Devil, and nearly went into a daze again. “It’s you…” Dearka didn’t like the way she was looking at him and poised his claws straight at her as he leapt forth, forcing Applejack to tackle Pinkie out of the way. Rarity then leapt in and kicked Dearka up into the air and then fire a big blast from her horn Sending him crashing into a huge bed of flowers-- identical to the ones Pinkie had received. “Get him!” shouted Spike. He and the girls all rushed forth, but Dearka leapt up high and out of the way, still coated in the flowers, which sickened him. He snarled and fussed as he brushed them off of him, and one of the flowers hit Pinkie, and landed in her hand. She recognized it as the same as the bouquet she had gotten, and you can bet she began to get the wrong idea! As she stood there in a daze, Dearka saw his opening and tackled her to the ground. “Pinkie Pie!!” cried Applejack. Pinkie struggled and fussed, but Deakra had her pinned down hard. “Your end is here and now!” he hissed at her, and prepared to stab her fatally with his claws. “But I like you…!!” Pinkie shouted at him. Dearka was stunned, “What?!” “I like you. I know I shouldn’t but I do, and I’m thankful for the flowers you gave me.” Dearka was more confused than ever, but extremely outraged that someone admitted she liked him! Sadly, for him, because he let his guard down, Applejack came soaring in and kicked him hard off of Pinkie. “You okay?” Pinkie looked dazed again, and Dearka looked furious and ready to attack, when suddenly he was enveloped by The Healing of Love, cast by Spike and Rarity. “BLARG!!!” groaned Dearka. Because he was stronger than a mere monster or infected civilian, he was more resistant to the waves, but they still disgusted him and he didn’t like the feelings at all! “…I’ll get you all for this!!” he thundered, and then he vanished through a portal, back to the Devils’ World. Pinkie felt a little upset that he was gone. “I thought I was making a connection with him. I told him I liked him.” Applejack sighed and shook her head. Meanwhile, the ground began to shake, especially beneath the civilians’ feet. POW!! The twins burst up from the ground between the civilians and the oncoming smog. “BOOM-BOOM FLARE” Unleashing their powerful finisher, the flames blew all the smog out. “No!!” cried Scarlet, and then she saw Starla holding her bow out and aiming a powerful shot at her monster. “GALACTIC PROJECTILE” POW!! Her arrow fired right through the monster, making it caw and screech in pain as it vaporized into a cloud dust, and exploded in midair. “Now I’m really steamed!” thundered Scarlet. Stala and Lightning both stood together, nodded at each other, and pressed on their energizers… “THE HEALING OF LOVE” The fired their magic beams straight for Scarlet. “Huh…?! NOOOOOOOOO!!!” she screamed as she leapt up high avoiding the waves! “I’m outta here!!” then she vanished through a portal, back to Devil’s World and was gone, and her wall of flames vanished. “She got away!” groaned Starla. “We’ll get her next time.” said Lightning. Krysta called to Lightning, “All clear?” Lightning gave her a thumb up, and Krysta signaled the sentries to let the civilians out from the chapel. Lightning and he friends all looked at them sternly, and he spoke severely to them. “I hope you all learned from this!” The civilians looked remorseful. Some of them were trembling by the sound of his voice. “...You could’ve been hurt or destroyed!” scolded Stalra. “And you could have put other lives in danger as well! When we put up rules and orders like this, they’re for your own safety, and to help make our jobs easier to keep you all safe! Do you understand?!” The civilians all regretfully nodded. Lightning pointed at them all, “We’ll let you off with a warning this time, but the next we catch you violating regulations again, you will be charged for it. …If we’re going to survive this fight against The Devils, we must follow orders, and that goes for all of us.” With all that said, he and the others headed off. “You didn’t have to get so close, Lightning.” said Lightning. “Si,” agreed Myte “…But it wouldn’t be as satisfying, eh?” Lightning agreed, “…Had to be done.” Starla pecked him softly, “You did good.” Lightning gave a weak smile, and then looked down at his energizer. “At least now we know The Healing of Love helps, but it’ll take more than it alone to beat The Devils for good.” The others all agreed. In the Devils’ World, Von Devilor was dealing with his two subjects. “While I am pleased with the energy you both gathered, your hasty retreats are another detail!” Dearka bowed to the king, “A-thousand pardons, my lord, our enemies have a source of power that could prove dangerous to us.” “Much as I hate to say it, but I agree with him.” said Scarlet “Whatever this new magic is, it might give our enemies a serious advantage.” Von Devilor pondered and declared “…Then we will find the source of this magic, and destroy it.” His subjects agreed, but Dearka was still struggling with the thought of Pinkie confessing feelings to him. “But I like you…!! …I Like You!” Those words just kept repeating in his mind over and over. “Why would that creature say such a thing to me?” he wondered in thought. When Applejack returned home, she washed up and set down to lunch with her family, and with Apple Spice. “How was the battle?” asked Spice. Her parents and her siblings wanted to know too, but Applejack was very distressed about Pinkie. And you can bet Spice was most shocked and disturbed when he heard. “Pinkie Pie is in love with a Devil?” “Eeyup, she said it clear as a bell. She thinks he gave her the flowers, no matter how many times I told her how crazy that is when I saw her home.” Spice felt a little crushed, and Applejack knew the story, but still said nothing-- not in front of her family for fear of gossip starting. “What’s everyone so quiet all of a sudden?” asked Applebloom as she dug into her lunch. As the family ate, all Spice could think about was his growing feelings for Pinkie, and constant reminders of how he was legally promised to Applejack. What was he going to do? What was Applejack going to do? What was everyone going to do about Pinkie Pie. …They knew this crush she had on Dearka would only lead to disaster… …And yet, Pinkie Pie lay on her bed, with her bouquet resting in a vase on her nightstand. And she smiled lovingly at them, still thinking Dearka gave them to her, and how he was stunned by her confession to him. Of course, deep down she knew it was wrong of her to be crushing on the enemy, but she couldn’t help herself. “…Dearka.” she sighed while picturing him in her mind again. (Promo) In our next episode: While Artie and Sunset deal with their seemingly, blossoming feelings, Daybreaker causes more havoc and nearly takes over Celestia again, prompting the queen to finally rid herself of the evil within her, which could prove fatal to her health and a danger to all involved. Will Celestia succeed in removing the evil from her, and how strong is it growing between Artie and Sunset? Don’t miss the next exciting episode of “Starfleet Magic!” (Next Episode: “Burning Feelings”)