//------------------------------// // Episode 12: Hot Decisions // Story: My Brave Pony: Starfleet Magic (Season IX) // by DakariKingMykan //------------------------------// EPISODE TWELVE Ever since her last defeat, Daybreaker didn’t dare return to the Dragon Lands, but there was than one way for her to charge her malicious sun power, simply by basking in the desert sun, it took much longer, and even still she needed the time to make up a new plan. “I would be ruling this planet by now if not for those meddling fighters!” she grumbled to herself. “And it’s bad enough that they continue to defy me, but even Celestia herself tends to destroy herself to take me down.” Even though she knew Celestia was most likely still in her frozen state, this fact still didn’t make her feel any better, knowing that Grand Ruler Celesto and Princess Luna still had power to keep the sun under their control. “To think, when I had control of Celestia mind I--” she stopped in mid-sentence and realized, “Yes… when she and I were still one.” Even though she was separate from Celestia and had her own powers and strengths, she didn’t have all of Celestia’s powers, which was a large strain on her. The more she thought it over, the more sinisterly she grinned. “Perhaps it’s time for the two to become one again?” She snickered wickedly. Meanwhile… With Rarity in the hospital, the shop had been closed up until further notice, and all or Rarity’s orders had been put on hold until further notice. Much as Spike spent time with her while sewing, he wasn’t the expert she was when it came to all that stuff. He already had more than enough work to do as it was-- taking care of the housework, paying bills, buying groceries, looking after the baby, while still juggling his Starfleet work. Right now, he was looking a little frazzled and sleep-deprived as he cradled little Twilight in his arms as she cried and cried endlessly. “Come on, Twilight.” he groaned “I fed you, I changed your diaper, what more do you want?” Really, he knew she wanted her mother, and that was something he couldn’t really do, but he was too tired to feel too sad about it now. There was a knock at the door; it was the rest of the family-- Hondo Flanks, Cookie Crumbs, and Sweetie Belle. All of them had offered to come and help Spike around the house and help with the baby. “I can’t thank you all enough.” He said with gratefulness. “Now, now, that’s what family’s for.” said Hondo. His wife softly took the baby from him and smothered her softly, “Aw, how’s granny’s little angel?” Twilight seemed to calm down a bit, and at least she wasn’t crying anymore, much to Spike’s relief. Sweetie Belle looked around the place, which seemed to be a little disorganized. Bits of laundry scattered about, cobwebs in the corners from lack of dusting, and a pile of bills in Rarity’s name for all her fashion accounts, and Spike couldn’t pay them, but at least they were agreed by the government to be frozen. “Wow! You really do need help around here.” she said. “More than you know.” groaned Spike “Even if I do manage to find even half an hour to sit and rest, I can’t sleep. I just can’t stop thinking of poor Rarity in the hospital like that.” The family all felt the same way, worried if whether or not Rarity would make it, but they knew they had to be brave and keep going, especially for Twilight. “Don’t you go blaming yourself now,” said Hondo “It’s no one’s fault. Rarity did what her great grand-dad did once in the royal guards.” he held up a picture of his grandfather “He risked his life to save a friend too. He didn’t live thought but he was remembered for it.” This only made Spike feel worse, and Cookie nudged her husband for saying such things. “Er… eh… but I’m sure Rarity will come through alright.” Spike just wished he knew how to believe that, given the horrible shape Rarity was in. The doctor said that even if by miracle she healed, it was doubtful she would be able to have an active life ever again, and it certainly meant her Starfleet days would be over. Just then, there was another knock at the door. It was Krysta. “Spike, you’ve got to come to the hospital, now!” she said excitedly “Lightning may have come up with a way to save Rarity!” Spike’s heart gave a leapt of joy. The rest of the family felt the same way. “You all come too.” called Krysta “Lightning wants you all there.” Soon, Krysta had teleported the family to the hospital, and they were all Doctor Penny’s office talking with her and with Lightning. “Are you sure about this?!” asked Sweetie Belle. “I’m positive, it could be the only chance.” replied Penny “We can give Rarity new body parts, and reshape her body. It is the only possible way for her to regain and active lifestyle, and to ensure that she doesn’t lose too much of her fighting strengths.” Lightning explained how he got the idea, “Remember, Grand Ruler Celesto was once a regular pony, but when he suffered a fatal accident, leaving in the same condition Rarity is in now, he reshaped his body by turning himself humanoid. It saved his life and made him better and stronger than ever.” Spike only leapt at the idea, “Well that’s great, just do it if it’ll work.” Penny shook her head, “I’m afraid it’s not that simple. We can’t just give her any body parts.” “What are you saying?” asked Cookie. Penny explained how Rarity’s injuries ran really deep, “Replacing her with simple body parts and tissue she had before won’t help her. She needs to have complete and totally different body parts put into her, replacing some of her old bits.” Spike felt his stomach turn, “Are you saying she needs parts of a different creature?” “That’s exactly what she means.” said Lightning “She already told me this, and that’s why I wanted you all here. We would never think of going ahead and doing without your consent.” The family thought it over deeply, knowing that after this surgery, Rarity would look like a completely different creature-- a hybrid! Sweetie Belle couldn’t help but think of what kinds of different creature parts her sister could have. A gorilla’s arm for great strength…? A set of wolf legs for great speed and springing…? A set of bull horns to really sent her enemies slamming down hard and breaking walls…? “What am I thinking?” she said to herself “This is serious stuff.” “Are you sure there’s no other way, Doc?” asked Hondo. “Not that I know of.” answered Penny “And if we don’t act soon, while we have the chance, it may be totally hopeless.” Spike clenched his fists softly, and he decided, “I’m all for it, if it means Rarity will live again.” “And fight too,” said Lightning “She’s a good soldier, and I don’t think the team could afford to lose her.” The family agreed as well. “But what kind of animal parts should she be given?” asked Krysta. Spike immediately decided, “Dragon parts.” Everyone then gawked at him, but not with too much surprise. “Dragons are strong.” Spike explained “This way Rarity will be able to retain her strength, and she’ll be able to understand what it’s like to be a dragon.” He looked over at his daughter, whom was already a dragony “Plus, then Twilight won’t feel so different having parents of totally different species. But it’s just an idea. If you don’t agree, that’s fine.” The family looked back and forth at one another and shrugged. “I’m all for it.” said Hondo. “Me too.” added Cookie. “Me three.” said Sweetie. Lightning was astounded by the way everyone just immediately agreed like that, but then again Rarity needed the surgery immediately. “Oh, but… how can we afford this?” asked Cookie. “It’s already been taken care of.” said Penny. “What?” asked Hondo in surprise “Who has that kind of money to pay for it?” Lightning smirked, “Grand Ruler Celesto heard of Rarity’s condition on Day One, and he was the first one I told regarding this idea, and he agreed and paid for the costs generously. He also plans to be here and personally supervise the operation and provide the necessary parts.” “Well, that was mighty nice of him.” said Cookie. Spike felt touched and grateful towards his majesty. “When can the operation start?” asked Sweetie. “Almost immediately.” answered Krysta “We just have to inform his majesty and he agreed to be here with the parts.” Penny tapped her hands on her desk, “Well then, I better get the O.R theater ready. This is going to be a procedure for the books.” Later that day, Grand Ruler Celesto received the message from Krysta, and he personally ordered the body parts needed to be transferred to New Ponyville Hospital. Like most moderate races, Starfleet always kept spare body-parts needed for surgeries. Some of these parts were given by donors; others were purchased from other planets, or surgically removed from the deceased. Many dragon parts were shipped in coolers and teleported by the fairies. Then his majesty bid his children good-bye, leaving them in Cadance’s care, as well as watch of the throne to the adults while Princess Luna was asleep. “You be good, children, and you listen to Cousin Cadance, right?” “Yes father.” replied the children as they hugged him warmly. “Father?” asked Castor “When is mother coming home?” “Yeah, I want to see mother again.” added Leilani. Their father didn’t have the heart to tell them about their mother still being frozen in her prison sphere, which he kept hidden on his person. So he made a lie and told them that Celestia was attending a conference on another planet, and she had to leave to leave quickly and couldn’t say goodbye. “Don’t worry,” he said lovingly, “Your mother will be home very soon, and I tell you what. We’ll all go out for a big family picnic when she does. Won’t that be nice?” The children bounced with glee, while Cadance r feigned excited smiles, but she was keeping the secret of Celestia just that from the children. “We’ll take good care of them, Uncle.” said Cadance. His majesty nodded, “I will return immediately after … you-know-what.” he said it like that not wanting to alarm the children. Then he was off. Suddenly, the three ponies heard the sound of Flurry Heart crying from the playpen near the thrones. Shining Armor, or rather Saber, tried to comfort his daughter, but she acted scared of him and back away, and wouldn’t let him touch her. “Honey, please… it’s only Daddy.” Flurry only cried louder. “Oh, dear!” said Cadance “I think I should take her.” She picked the baby up and rocked her softly. “It’s okay, honey. Don’t cry, it’s only Daddy over there.” Poor Flurry didn’t look anywhere near her father, unable to recognize him in his insect forum. Saber felt depressed. He still couldn’t get his mask off and resume his normal forum. Thanks to Daybreaker’s last attack, the mask was welded on so deeply, and because of the enchantment of the coverage, there were no lines or ends of the mask to pull on or target with magic, and the Healing of Love wouldn’t help either-- it wasn’t that kind of trouble. And now, to have his baby be scared of him just broke his heart. He sighed heavily as he sat on the steps to the throne. “No one’s ever going to take me seriously like this. What if I never get my mask off? What if I can never become a pony again?” Cadance felt heartbroken for her husband, but she assured him, “We’re going to do everything we can for you, dear.” “But what if we can’t? That’s all I’m saying. What would I do? Who would love me? Who would care enough to be seen with me?” He was really starting to panic, but his wife assured him “You’re still my husband, and I still love you. Nothing will change that.” He looked up at her, and then Castor and Leilani came over and hugged him on his sides. “We know it’s you, Shining Armor.” said Castor. “And we love you too.” said Leilani. Saber felt tears coming to his eyes, and he hugged the children in all six of his arms. Cadance moved close to join in with Flurry Heart, but the baby began to cry upon getting too close, until she moved away from him again. Saber could only sigh miserably again. Later on, Rarity was placed in the operating theater, Dr. Penny and her team were all washed up and dressed up in gowns masks and gloves, so was Grand Ruler. “I can’t thank you enough for this, your majesty.” said Penny “Your payment for the procedure was already more than generous.” His majesty nodded, “Rarity is one of my finest soldiers, and I’ve had experience in this, but thankful she won’t have to suffer as much as I did.” He still remembered how when he changed his shape, and how he had to operate on himself, wide awake and feel every sting, twitch, and agonizing bit of pain that nearly did him in due to not having proper technologies or resources available to him. He pulled himself together and cleared his throat, “Are you ready, Doctor?” Penny nodded, and the operation began. The first thing that was done was unraveling Rarity’s bandages, exposing the horrifying mess underneath. Med Students watching above in the theater seats were grossed out at the sight of it. Some felt faint in their seats rather than taking notes. “Oh, Rarity…!” Spike sighed softly. Lightning and Starla felt just as worried as he did, and a little freaked out seeing Rarity go under the knife like that. The rest of Rarity’s family was not present, as they were still helping at the house, and giving Spike a much needed break. “It’s a good thing Sweetie Belle’s not here to see this. She’d never be able to stomach this.” said Starla. Lightning sighed “I’m more worried about Pinkie Pie. She hasn’t been herself since the factory collapse.” “I can’t blame her,” said Krysta “She really feels like it’s her fault that Rarity got hurt.” “But it isn’t.” said Lightning “Pinkie was following protocol to help someone, even if it is the enemy, and Rarity went back to help her out of a bind.” He looked pretty droopy himself, “I actually blame myself more. I should’ve made sure everyone got out before leaving.” Starla placed her hand on his back, “Blaming yourself won’t change things now. Besides, Rarity’s getting the treatment, and soon she’ll be back on her feet again.” Lightning still didn’t feel any better, but he couldn’t help but wonder how Pinkie was getting on. Pinkie was way down in the dumps. So down, that her once curly and puffed-up mane, was now hanging down flat-- the way it did whenever she was extremely depressed. Of course, being overly depressed was no excuse to skip her patrol beat. Starfleet still had to go on after all. She was grateful that Rarity was getting surgery and would most-likely be up soon, but she still felt upset for putting her in the hospital in the first place. Even so, that wasn’t the only thing depressing her…! She thought back to how Dearka voiced loud and clear. “…I HATE YOU!!!” and coupled with the fact that he was willing to destroy her without any qualms, or considering her confession liking him. Pinkie just sadly walked on her beat, instead of flying, and barely paying attention to where she was going, and walked straight into the road with a red light flashing, and a large hover wagon was coming by. “WHOA!!” the driver screamed, making Pinkie snap to her senses, and she screamed, and leapt up high into the air letting the wagon miss her. “LOOK WHERE YOU’RE GOING!!” shouted the driver. Pinkie could only sigh miserably, but at least she was up in the air now. “Hey, Pinkie…!” Applejack as she and Buddy came rushing in on their own beats, helping to cover Rarity’s shifts. “We saw you nearly get hit by that wagon.” said Buddy. “You alright?” asked Applejack. “Yeah, I am.” Pinkie said in a low tone as she just hovered softly in one place. The others could tell otherwise. “It’ll be okay.” said Buddy “You know Rarity’s going to be better soon.” Pinkie nodded sadly, and Applejack could see what was really bugging her more. She was about to give her a serious talking about Dearka, when suddenly, she looked up and could see, “Daybreaker!!” flying straight over the village, and the temperature immediately began to rise with her fiery presence. Since she was a version of Celestia, she also had the power to use a Royal Voice, and she announced all across the village. “Now hear this! Now hear this!!” Even those in the operating theater could hear. “What’s that?” asked Penny. Grand Ruler cringed angrily, “…Daybreaker!” Lightning and the others could hear her too. “Hear me now, Grand Ruler, I know you’re here somewhere, and I know you have Celestia on you. I can sense her spiritual presence!” Many other ponies who heard the message wondered what she was talking about-- unaware of the situation in New Canterlot, it was being kept a well-guarded secret from the world to avoid panic and misunderstanding. “What’s she talking about?” “Queen Celestia isn’t here.” Grand Ruler began to feel nervous but frustrated as well. “Are you able to continue the surgery?” he asked, to which Penny nodded. “Good, you’ll have to excuse me. For now I’ll place you all inside a protective barrier.” He excused himself from the operation and just as promised, shrouded the area in a special barrier which would protect the team from any increase in temperature, or prevent shaking if any were about to ensue. Grand Ruler then looked up at Lightning and the others, signalling them to come with him. Lightning saluted, and he and the others rushed for the exit, but Spike stopped a moment and looked back down as Penny and her team kept working on his wife. “Come on, Spike!” called Krysta. Daybreaker then used her malicious powers to show fiery images of what happened before, how Grand Ruler shot Queen Celestia, imprisoning her in sphere. “You see what your so-called “Grand Ruler” did; capturing your queen-- his own wife-- wanting her out of the way so she couldn’t interfere anymore!” While the scenes did seem incriminating, the people didn’t believe it for a second! They knew their Grand Ruler would never do such a thing, especially not without reason. Buddy, Applejack and Pinkie had seen enough, and nodded at one another, ready to transform. “Starfleet Magic” “HARMONY HOUR, FRIENDSHIP POWER” “Enough of your lies!” shouted Buddy “His majesty did what he did for good reason, and you know it!” “He was trying to stop the queen from really hurting herself just to stop you!” added Pinkie. The citizens could hear their shouts, and agreed with them, and they also felt concerned that their queen tried to destroy herself, in an obvious moment of insanity. Applejack looked down at the people and shouted, “What are you all just standing here for? Get on out of here!” The people snapped back to their senses, and Krysta’s fairies soldiers all appeared and teleported them all inside their homes, and the barriers were engaged, keeping the temperature controlled, as well as controlling damage. “You!!” called Grand Ruler as he and the others arrived on the scene. Lightning and the others were already transformed. “There you are!” hissed Daybreaker “You know what I want, now hand over Celestia!” “Never!” thundered Grand Ruler. “What do you even want the queen for?” asked Lightning. Daybreaker only snickered, “If you won’t hand her over, I’ll force you to!” and she flared up ready for battle! “Whoa!” cried Spike “How did she get that much flare in her?” Grand Ruler didn’t seem to care how, and powered up his own glowing aura as well. “If she tries to move the sun, I’ll be ready.” Lightning agreed, “We’ll protect you as best we can.” then he looked over at Daybreaker thinking, “With Celestia frozen, we won’t hurt her if we fight, but we still can’t destroy her.” “BURNING STRIKE” Daybreaker sent a flaming X at everyone forcing them to scatter. Grand Ruler then rushed forth to attack Daybreaker, aiming a powerful punch at her, but she zipped away and attempted to attack him from behind, but he zipped off too for another attempt to strike her. Back and forth, back and forth, the two kept zipping out of the way when the other attempted to strike. “They’re barely landing a blow on one another.” said Krysta “We can use this.” said Starla “Spread out, and determine where they’ll reappear next.” Lightning and the others agreed, “SUPER MODE, ACTIVATE” donning their strong armor and scattered about, though Pinkie seemed to be wobbling a bit as she got into position, which worried the others. Grand Ruler and Daybreaker kept popping in and out all over, and the fighters kept rolling their eyes around looking for a possible point, and detecting the speed motions with their visors. Finally, Lightning spotted an opening. “Starla…!!” he shouted, and then rushed upward, just as the two fighters reappeared again. POW!! He socked Daybreaker clean in the cheek, and sent her sailing towards Starla! Starla kicked the evil creature hard in the side, sending her towards Spike, who gave her a tail swatting towards Buddy and Applejack. “Heads up, Pinkie!” hollered Applejack, and she and Buddy double punched Daybreaker towards her. Pinkie thrust her fists forth… missing her target by a wide curve, and Daybreaker finally got her momentum, and rushed back, holding Pinkie in neck-lock. “Pinkie!” shouted Lightning. Daybreaker snickered and increased her flames and heat, making Pinkie start to sizzle. Pinkie tried to fight her way out, but it was no good. She was still affected by her emotional trauma and it slowed her up. “Let he go!” demanded Grand Ruler “Give me Celestia, or your friend suffers more!” demanded Daybreaker. “Ha!” scoffed Buddy “If we did that you’d make her suffer anyway. We know villains like you.” “Come on, Pinkie! Fight!” called Applejack. “You can break out of there!” Pinkie could barely move, and the heat was starting to overwhelm her. Even her suit couldn’t keep her cool against the heat! “Alright!” shouted Grand Ruler “I’ll give you Celestia!” “WHAT?!” the others shouted. “Master, you can’t!” protested Lightning, but his majesty already held up the sphere containing Celestia inside and tossed it towards Daybreaker. Daybreaker dropped Pinkie to catch the orb. Krysta fluttered in and warped the motionless Pinkie to a safer distance away from the heat. “Is she alright?” asked Starla. “She’s fine, she’s just overcome.” Applejack rushed over to help Pinkie while Daybreaker laughed wickedly, “That’s the least of your troubles! I have what I want now, and I--” she stopped in mid-sentence, sensing something usual about the orb. Grand Ruler smirked, “What’s the matter, Daybreaker?” The others all suddenly caught on to his little deception. Daybreaker smashed the orb angrily on the ground shattering it and the figure inside to pieces-- it was a fake, coated with a magical essence to seem like it was Celestia. “You didn’t think I’d make it that easy, did you?” sneered Grand Ruler. Infuriated, Daybreaker flared up and prepared to bring the sun closer again, but Grand Ruler was already one step ahead other as promised and began to hold it back. “Let’s get her while she’s distracted!” shouted Lightning. “Yeah!!” agreed Starla. “RIGHT!!” hollered the others. Daybreaker tried to defend herself, cloaking herself in her fiery mane, and unleashing fire attacks, but her energy seemed to drain only faster-- basking in the sunlight was just not enough for her to keep strong and fit. WHAM!! Lightning punched her hard. BOOM!! Starla gave her a huge kick. Spike rushed in with his sword, striking her hard over and over, and Buddy followed up with another kick to her chest. “YEE-HAW!! That’s showing her!” cheered Applejack. Daybreaker, knowing she was licked again decided to make her escape. “This isn’t over!” she threatened “I will gain my power back, better than ever, and when I do, the next time we meet will be our last!!” Then she was gone in a fiery flare and the temperature slowly crawled back to normal. The barriers were disengaged, and the citizens all came out cheering the team for driving Daybreaker away, but the team was non-too optimistic, knowing she would return. Still, they took a polite bow to acknowledge the crowds, and then Grand Ruler teleported them all somewhere private. Pinkie began to awaken from her little pass out. “What… what happened?” she groaned. Then she snapped upright, “Daybreaker…!” “Easy, easy, sugar-cube,” said Applejack “She’s gone… for now. His majesty saved you with a little trick.” Grand Ruler then held out the real orb containing Celestia, still frozen, inside. “I knew it would only be a matter of time before Daybreaker would decide to merge with her again.” “Merge?” asked Lightning “You think that’s what she wants the queen for?” His majesty nodded, “When you’ve faced as many evils for as many centuries as I have, some of their plans are as open as a book. Ever since Daybreaker appeared after the separation, I noticed how she seems to lack all of Celestia’s powers. She may be able to move the sun and harness power from it, but she isn’t able to do everything.” Starla clenched her fists, “So that’s why Daybreaker wants to merge with Celestia. Only this time, she’ll be in control, and Celestia will be trapped inside her subconscious.” “That means she’ll have more power than ever,” added Spike “And she’ll still be connected to Celestia, so we wouldn’t be able to destroy her!” “Ugh!!” groaned Buddy “Is there any way at all to be rid of this nightmare?!” “We’ll contemplate that later.” said Grand Ruler, and he cast a grim look at Pinkie Pie. “I’m sorry to do this, but until you can get over your emotional trauma’s I can’t have you entering battle, endangering yourself and the team.” “I second that,” Lightning said with regret “Colonel Pinkie Pie, I hereby relieve you of duties until further notice.” Pinkie looked extremely regretful, but she accepted, and as result, Grand Ruler disabled her energizer so she couldn’t transform. “Sorry, Pinkie,” said Starla “But you know the rules and regulations.” “It’s okay Starla. I know.” Pinkie said sadly. The others all sighed. Then suddenly, Spike remembered, “…Rarity!” Everyone’s heads snapped up. “Quick, back to the hospital!” said Grand Ruler. Krysta teleported everyone back in a heartbeat. The operation was still going on, but thankfully because of the barrier, nothing serious had occurred, and his majesty got rescrubbed and smocked up to continue supervising. It wasn’t until long by nightfall that Dr. Penny and Grand Ruler came to the others, whom had fallen asleep in theater. Spike looked up with extreme anxiety. “It was a success. She’ll live.” said Penny. Everyone sighed in complete and total relief, especially, Pinkie. So at least that much was off her chest. “So, does this mean…?” Krysta asked. “Is Rarity a…?” His majesty nodded, “She is indeed a Dragony-- Part Dragon, Part Pony.” “Can I see her now?” asked Spike. Penny held up her hand shaking her head, “She’s just had a serious transplant, and she’s in the recovery ward now, but the worst is over. All that’s left is for her to wake up.” “Oh, golly…” said Applejack “She’s in for one nasty shock when she comes to.” Spike dreaded that, knowing how Rarity would most likely react when she awoke, and wanted nothing more than to be there for his wife so she could accept her new look. (Promo) In our next episode: Rarity awakens to the shock of her new appearance which causes her to panic and isolate herself, complicating things more than ever. Meanwhile, Pinkie Pie and Apple Spice actually spend time together and begin to show a small bonding, which leads Dearka and Scarlet to a set of new targets at a carnival ride! Can Rarity come to terms with her new looks, and how will Starfleet fair against The Devil’s new plot. Don’t miss the next exciting episode of “Starfleet Magic!” (Next Episode: “Deep within the Deep”)