EPISODE THIRTEEN
It had been a week since Rarity’s operation, and she was slowly starting to open her eyes and her vision slowly became clear.
“Oh…! Where am I?” she groaned “Why does my head hurt so much, and my joints?”
She slowly sat upright and realized she was in a hospital bed, and she felt very warm inside, especially in her stomach.
“Oh, my!” she groaned “What have I eaten?”
As she rubbed her stomach with her hands she couldn’t help but feel how different her fingers felt-- tipped and sharper, and not after just having a manicure.
Then she looked down and saw why.
“What?!” she snapped as she looked down at her hands, and how her fingers were indeed more tipped and sharp, like claws.
Then she rolled up the sleeves of her hospital gown and looked up her arms, which were now partly smooth like her skin was before, but also part rough like scales-- silver, purple, and cornflower blue colored scales.
She gasped hard and fell out of bed, and as she tried to stand up, her feet felt different, and they looked different too-- still humanoid, but a little larger and with curved tips, just like her fingers.
“What’s happening?!” she cried, and then she could see her reflection in the solid polished sidings of her bed.
Her mouth hung wide open at what she saw…
She sort of looked like herself, but her face-- her ears were more curved and sharp pointed! Her muzzle was slightly turned up at the end. She had the same rough scales on the sides of her face.
Her mane was a bit longer now and more proofed out, a bit like Starla’s.
Her unicorn horn was still there, but behind it were tiny corn flower blue spines that ran all down the back of her head, across the back of her neck stopped at her collar bones.
Her wings, they were half-and-half-- still feathery like a Pegasus, but the edges were all solid and scaly, like a dragon!
Still had her pony tail, all hairy and bushy, but she could feel right inside, hidden within the long hairs, was a tiny sharp and stubby dragon-like tail,
Rarity gasped and let out such a mortified scream that it echoed all through the hospital!
Penny took that as the signal, and dashed down the hallways to Rarity’s room where she found her hiding under her bed covers.
“Rarity…?”
“Oh! Oh, Doctor! You’ve got to help me!!” wailed Rarity “I must be ill! I’m seeing things! I feel so strange, and I… I… I can’t seem to remember much of what’s happened to me and… and…”
Penny did her best to calm her and explained everything as slowly as she could, about the factory, the collapse.
“You did WHAT?!” cried Rarity.
“It was all we could do,” answered Penny “We put parts of dragon in you. You’re now a half pony, half dragon hybrid-- a Dragony.”
Rarity shook her head, trembling frightfully, “N-N-N-No! No, it can’t be!! IT CAN’T BE!!”
Realizing Rarity was overly emotional and not about to calm down, Penny used her magic to put up magic walls of silence around the room to quell the noise.
“Rarity, I’m sorry. I know this may be shocking to you, but it was the only way.”
Penny pulled down a tarp over a large mirror that she had stowed inside the room, as she felt it would be needed, and put Rarity in front of it.
“…This is You now. You’re a dragony.”
Rarity looked in horrors at her reflection, shaking her head! “No…! No…!!”
In her panic, smoke began to fly through her nostrils, and she let out a sneeze, breathing fire onto the mirror, which hammered the sad truth in all the way.
She fell to her knees and began to weep loudly and miserably.
Penny could only sigh pitifully for her.
Naturally, she informed the others, and they were not the least bit surprised regarding Rarity’s behaviour.
“She’s in a complete and total state of shock, absolutely hysterical.” said Penny “She couldn’t help herself even if she wanted to.
For now, I’ve placed her in a special room, so she can’t accidently roast things to ashes, but I’m afraid I can’t release in the state she’s in.”
This disturbed Spike immensely. “I was hoping to have my wife back.”
Starla placed her hand on his shoulder, “She is back, Spike. She just needs time to adjust; this is humongous change for her… for all of us.”
“She’s right.” agreed Lightning “I’m going to have to temporarily reassign all of Rarity’s duties until she finds her strength to get on up again.”
He then looked a bit frustrated, “That means two of my soldiers are now out-of-action. We can’t afford any more of this.”
Spike then asked if he could see Rarity.
“Of course, I think she could benefit from you especially, Spike.”
She led the way down the hall to the specially-fitted room, Lightning and Starla followed.
Rarity’s room had no viewing window, and inside it was dark with all the curtains pulled tight, and the lights were all out with Rarity hiding under the bed covers-- which were flameproof, just like everything else in the room.
Only Spike went inside…
“Rarity…?” he spoke softly. “Rarity, its Spike.”
His wife stirred under the covers, “Please…” she spoke in a dry and miserable voice “…Just leave me in peace.”
Spike already could see this wasn’t going to be easy.
“Come on, honey. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. Please come out!”
“NO!!” snapped Rarity “I’ll never come out! I’ll never let anyone see me-- a… a… FREAK!! A MONSTE-HER-HE-HER…!!”
She began to sob miserably again, and she let out another sneeze, blowing a small blaze out through the sheets and at Spike.
He took the hit as if it were nothing, and knew she didn’t mean to hit him, as she voiced, “I’m so sorry…” but then she practically demanded he leave her in her misery.
Dejected, Spike left her room.
Penny felt it would happen.
“Try not to let it get to you, Spike.” she told him “You need to keep trying. Help her see how much she’s loved and needed, and give her a reason to venture out again.”
Lightning and Starla agreed, and offered to help in any way that they could.
Spike gave a weak smile, but could only look back at the shut door to his wife’s room.
Ever since the last invasion in United Equestria, Von Devilor had been most pleased with the vast amounts of energy Dearka managed to harness.
The aura flowed through his massive tentacles, and the blue around him flared.
“Wonderful!” he complimented “Such power, such hate, I can feel it flowing and spreading.
You served me well in the last plot, Dearka.”
Dearka bowed, “My life is but to serve you, my lord.”
Scarlet acted all pouty as usual, and her nerves peaked when Dearka gazed at her out of the corner of his eye in a taunting manner.
“We have come a long way in our conquest.” hissed Von Devilor “But we are still far from reaching our ultimate goal. We must conquer United Equestria, for only there will we have the ultimate resource to leave this forsaken realm, and take back the worlds that were taken from us.”
“Of course, my king.” agreed Dearka “We still have no clue as to where The Healing of Love is distributed to our enemies, but rest assured we will find it.
In the meantime, I have a new scheme to hatch to garner more power for us.”
He summed forth dark waves to reveal images of New Pinkie Parks: an amusement park that stood on the outskirts of New Ponyville.
Dearka explained “Many families and couples seem to flock in a place such as this… especially here on this simulation.” he showed images of a Tunnel of Love ride.
“Ugh!” groaned Scarlet as she gazed at all the lovey couples boarding the boats and enjoying the inner tunnel scenery, which inflamed their romantic feelings for one-another.
“Please, make it stop, or I’ll gag!”
Dearka only snickered, “My newest creature, the Aquanizer, will infect the waters of the ride, causing anyone who dares to enter to succumb to the effects as well.”
Von Devlior pondered, and he liked the idea, “Proceed, Dearka.”
Dearka bowed to him, and then passed by Scarlet, giving her a taunting expression.
“That will be all, Scarlet.” said Von Devilor, and he faded into the darkness.
Scarlet left to angrily train in the lonely area.
“It’s not fair!” she growled in thought “I work just as well, and yet Dearka gets all the glory, all the praise because of a simple success and makes me look incompetent!”
She angrily kicked a boulder, shattering it to pieces, but she didn’t feel much better.
“If only our enemies knew of Dearka’s secret--” she stopped, and her lips curled into an evil grin. “Yes… his secret.
If our enemies knew about it, it just may be the key to being rid of that show-off for good!”
Meanwhile, Pinkie was still a little down in the chops herself as she sat in her room on her bed, stroking Gummy’s little back. Her mane was still all flat down and loose, and she was wearing casual clothes rather than her uniform.
She had been suspended from duty a whole week, and she hadn’t gone on a single patrol round, and worse than that she found it hard to work in the bakery downstairs; because of her low feelings it was hard for her to concentrate. She kept messing up ingredients, or neglecting to watch the ovens, or accidently kept exiting through the fire escape, which set off the sprinklers and ruined exposed dishes.
She decided to stay out of the way before she ruined something else.
Over by the window in a vase on a table, were wilted flowers, the very kind she thought Dearka had given her-- still not knowing who really sent them.
She didn’t have the heart to throw them out, despite their wilted state.
She softly began to sing a soft song, reflecting on all the bad things happening to her…
How has it come to this?
Why is all of this happening to me?
I try, and try to make things turn out right,
But it’s all wrong as it can be.
When will the nightmare end?
What will happen to me and my friends?
Is my life just a great big flop?
I’m sad and hurt and I don’t know… how to make it stop.
She paused and looked at the flowers…
Just give me a sign of hope out there,
Show someone who will care.
…And save from these feelings so unfair.
She could only sigh, and hug Gummy tightly, much to his discomfort.
There was a knock at her bedroom door. “Pinkie…” called Carrot Cake “Can I come in?”
“Sure…” sighed Pinkie.
Carrot Cake and Cupcake entered.
“Pinkie,” said Cupcake “We’ve decided to head out today and spend time with the children. So we’re going to New Pinkie Parks.”
Normally, Pinkie would seem all leaping and excited about such things, but she only shrugged softly.
“Pinkie,” said Carrot “I think you should come with us too. You need to get out there and cheer up a bit.”
Pinkie sighed, “Yeah, you’re right. It’s not like I have any duties to perform myself.”
She left some food for Gummy in his dish and walked sadly out the door, much to the Cakes’ concern. They just hoped she’d feel a little better soon.
On their way out, there was another bouquet of fresh flowers sitting on the stoop.
“Where did these come from?” wondered Cupcake.
Her husband checked the card on the flowers, “It’s for you, Pinkie.”
Pinkie blinked once, and read the card:
“Sorry you’re feeling sad and gloomy, I hope these cheer you up.
--Your Secret Admirer.
P.S. I’m not Dearka. You’re too good for him.”
Pumpkin Cake swooned, “Aw… that is so sweet.”
But her brother, Pound Cake, being a young boy, only gagged, “Yuck.”
“Now, now, kids. Be nice.” said their father.
Pinkie still hardly seemed to have budged a bit, even though the flowers were more beautiful than the other ones.
She still couldn’t help but wonder who sent them to her if not Dearka.
Soon, the family arrived at New Pinkie Parks, and the amusement was as bustling and as beautiful as ever, with rides, games, food-stands, and side-show attractions, such as a wild Minotaur tamer.
The kids were so excited and pulled on their parents trying to lead them to different places first.
“Settle down, you two.” said their mother “Remember, you’re not very tall yet, you can’t do absolutely everything unless your father and I are with you.”
The kids calmed down and smiled like little angels, but Pinkie still didn’t seem too enthusiastic as she usually would.
“Look, I don’t want to be too much of a sour-puss. Would it be alright if I just go by myself for a while?”
“Well, okay, Pinkie.” said Carrot.
Dearka stood high up in a tree near the Tunnel of Love ride, and as he watched the happy, loving couples boarding the cute swan boats to take their ride, he used the distraction to set his plot in motion.
Clutched in his hands was a tiny pulse of dark aura, which was in fact his monster. He wanted it be tiny so that, once in the water, it would absorb energy from the riders and be able to gain power.
“Take a dip.” he hissed as he sent the little minnow towards the river, and it gave a tiny plop, but went unnoticed by all.
The tiny fish immediately swam along the water, heading deep into the tunnel, and once inside it began to infect the waters as promised, which caught onto the boats passing by, and the riders began to feel strange.
As they got off, they all felt a little woozy, but didn’t think it was that serious-- dismissing it as mere motion-sickness from the water ride
Dearka could only snicker at them.
Pinkie was walking along with an ice-cream in her hands; just what she needed for depression, but then she gave it one false lick and the cream fell over, staining her shirt and plopping down on her shoe.
“Ugh!!” she groaned.
She threw out her cone, and went to the nearest food-stand.
“Could I have some napkins please?”
“Sure you can,” said the vendor, who turned out to be Apple Spice, and he gasped when he realized it was Pinkie, and he dropped the clean napkins on the dirty ground. “Pinkie Pie… I-- Uh… let me get you more napkins.”
He zipped back with a whole load of them in no time, so practically no one else could have any, but there were more under the stand.
“What are you doing here?” asked Pinkie “Shouldn’t you be with Applejack?”
Spice explained that Applejack was busier than ever, “With you and Colonel Rarity out-of-action, patrols and duty rounds have been shifted, and Applejack’s been covering some of them.
I’ve never seen her work so hard.”
The grills began to sizzle, prompting him to rush over and tend to his foods.
“Then shouldn’t you be at the farm?” asked Pinkie.
Spice sighed, “I’m not cut out for the farm life.”
He explained that ever since he moved in with the Apples he had tried his best to fit in with the family, but doing farm work just wasn’t his thing.
He tried to pitch the hay loafs up high in the rafters of the barn, only to miss, and miss until the straps broke loose and the hay spilled all over.
He couldn’t milk the cows very well. They kept moving away, or he’d end up squirting milk everywhere but in the pail.
He couldn’t herd sheep-- they always went in the opposite direction, anywhere but in the pen.
He was no good at planting, or hauling apples, but at least he was good at feeding the hogs… and making a mess of himself while at it.
Pinkie couldn’t help but giggle softly at the funny thoughts, but held herself back not wishing to upset him.
Spice sighed, “If I marry Applejack I’m going to have to be stuck with that all my life, and now her folks are actually planning for our wedding day.”
Normally, Pinkie would leap at such a romantic though, and an event such as a wedding, but she could see Spice was upset about all this contract stuff.
“Well, maybe you could do other things.” she suggested.
Spice looked down at the grill as he turned the food over, “Well, all I’m really good at is cooking. It’s all I ever perused. That’s why I’m here today. I came to this park for some space to myself, and the cook of this stand called in ill, so I volunteered to cook and serve.”
Pinkie sniffed the great food, it smelled really good, and he was even baking sweets, and pretzels, like he was managing an entire restaurant like his parents used to.
Pinkie couldn’t resist and tried a piece of everything-- paying for it of course-- and the flavors were just delectable. Exactly what all the other customers thought, making the stand huge success, and Spice kept cooking and cooking until he was out of supplies, meaning the stand had to close for the day, which disappointed those who didn’t get a chance to try the food.
“That was amazing.” said Pinkie “You could really be a great chef someday.”
Spice felt flattered, “You think?”
Pinkie nodded, almost cheerfully. She was starting to seem a little better, but her mane was still down.
Even still, he was lost in her big sky blue eyes, it made him feel all warm inside, and he nearly lost himself.
He quickly turned away.
“What’s wrong?” asked Pinkie.
“Uh… nothing… really…”
He felt really embarrassed as he thought, “How long did I plan on staring at her like that?! I’m such an idiot!”
“Hey, Spice…?”
“Yes…” he practically squeaked.
“I know you have nothing better to do right now, so how about checking out the park with me?”
Spice felt like he was going to faint, “Um… sure… I’d love to.”
Pinkie seemed more and more like her usual self, and her mane was starting to stiffen back up a bit.
“Come on, let’s go.” She chuckled as she took his hand and they headed off, much to his delight and timidity. “I can’t believe this!” he stammered in thought “Me and Pinkie Pie together, in the amusement park. It’s almost like… we’re on a date!
I wonder… does she know about those flowers I left for her this morning? At least it seems to be cheering her up.”
The two went through the park, and went on loads of rides, including the roller coaster which Pinkie screamed for joy, while Spice could only close his eyes and wail, but being beside her made it all the worth it.
They did the bumper cars, in which Pinkie bumped Spice clear into the wall, and she cheered for joy.
They even did the Apple-go-Round ride, and Pinkie got a little carried away, spinning it far too fast which made them both a little sick.
They went into a funhouse where they played with the wacky mirrors.
Then came the ferries wheel, and they stopped at the top and could all around for miles.
That’s when Pinkie’s mane fully puffed up again as she felt better again, recapturing her giddiness.
Spice though she looked ever so pretty in the midday sunlight, and he never remembered having so much fun like this either. It made him feel more attracted to Pinkie than ever.
He even began to have a warm and fuzzy dream where she held his hand, and they looked deeply into each other’s eyes.
Their faces began to move closer and closer…
…Until he was snapped out of his trance by the ride operator calling to him. “Ride’s over, kid.”
“Oh. Sorry…” he said sheepishly.
Pinkie couldn’t help but giggle and ask “What were you thinking about?”
“Um… well… uh… actually?” poor Spice needed to come up with a distraction and fast.
“I was thinking of… that!” and in an extreme act of panic, he found he was pointing at the Tunnel of Love ride.
He suddenly felt worse than ever, like he was about to scream in fright for making such a move.
“Let’s go on it.” said Pinkie.
“Um… okay…” he peeped with a squeak.
Soon, he and Pinkie were seated in one of the cute swan boats, like some of the other romantic couples.
“Have fun, you two lovebirds.” the operator teased.
Spice gulped hard.
Pinkie giggled, “Oh, we’re not a couple.”
“Sure, that’s what they all say.” said the operator “Just try not to get seasick. Everyone seems to be getting off the ride feeling a little woozy.”
Suddenly the boat slowly began to drift down the river and into the tunnel.
“Ooh… here we go.” squealed Pinkie.
“Yeah, here we go!” murmured Spice.
Soft and gentle music began to play accompanied by the sound of birds tweeting.
Soft faded lights of pink and white flowed in waves along the ways, as hearts glowed like magic, followed by soft pictures of clouds and sparkles.
Pinkie was enamoured by all the glowing loveliness, as was Spice, the way she looked so lovely in all the lights and sparkles, and her eyes, her smile.
At this one moment, Spice realized he was head-over-heels in love, but the fact that he was promised to Applejack by law caught up with him again and he began to feel upset.
Come to think of it, he was starting to feel strange, woozy-- just like the operator warned them about.
Pinkie looked down over the side to see the lights reflecting on the water, but suddenly she spotted something unusual-- what looked like two red glowing eyes coming from the shallow bottom.
“What’s that?” she wondered
The eyes faded away almost instantly.
“Please, don’t rock the boat so much.” groaned Spice.
Pinkie looked up and saw he was looking a little pale, but thankfully the ride was over as the passed out of the tunnel and out in the sunlight again.
The operator helped them out of the boat and was baffled. “Everyone seems to be getting tipsy on this ride.” He then noticed Pinkie seemed just fine, “…Except for you.”
Pinkie didn’t feel the least bit tipsy or woozy at all, which raised further suspicions.
Suddenly, the sounds of screams erupted and folks began to run for their lives at the sight of infected ponies, all of which went on the ride.
“The Devils! I should’ve guessed!” growled Pinkie.
Then she gasped and realized, “Spice…!”
She turned round to look behind her, and Spice had gone pale and pulsating with dark aura from the infection.
The operator screamed and ran away.
Spice snarled at Pinkie and then swung to attack her, but she back-flipped three times away from him.
Spice continued to march towards her, as did the massive swarm, and Pinkie didn’t have her energizer so she couldn’t summon the Healing of Love to help them, nor could she transform.
Then it got even worse!
“Mommy…!”
“Daddy…!”
Pinkie knew those voices too well.
“Pound…! Pumpkin…!”
She saw them; their parents were surrounded by the infected victims.
“Kids, run! Save yourselves!” shouted Carrot Cake.
“Go now!” added Cupcake, and then she and her husband were attacked and infected.
The children were too scared and crying miserably, and the victims began to march towards them as well and would have caught them had Pinkie not swooped in and lifted them up to the entrance to the park where it was clear.
“But Mom and Dad…!” cried Pound.
“Listen to me, both of you,” said Pinkie “I want you both to find the nearest sentries, tell them what’s going on, and have them send for Commander Lightning.”
“Okay!” said Pumpkin, and she and her brother ran off.
Even though Pinkie was still suspended and not permitted to fight in battle, she wasn’t about to let the rest of the park become infected, and headed back inside, only to see half the guests at the park, infected, including Spice and the Cakes, all gathered together staring her down.
Dearka then dropped down at the head of the group.
“Isn’t this delightful.” he taunted “I have an entire swarm of helpers, and not a Starfleet fighter insight.”
“I am Starfleet!” Pinkie corrected him.
Dearka chuckled “All I see is a fool, like you were on our last encounter.”
Pinkie felt hurt, remembering of how he bluntly told her…
“…I would never give flowers to a worthless creature like you!!
…I HATE YOU!!!”
Pinkie’s head throbbed and her heart ached, and she snarled. “All I did was tell you my feelings, and I tried to save your life and show compassion-- things I now see that a heartless creature like YOU would never understand!!’”
Dearka’s features hardened as he thought silently, “I know more about it than you’ll ever know, but I wouldn’t expect a creature like you to understand my resentments!”
Instead he threw his arm up high and shouted… “…AQUANIZER!!”
The area around the Tunnel of Love began to tremble, and the setting burst wide open as the giant creature emerged.
That tiny little minnow Dearka had sent had now grown into a large monster, sticking its head out through the waters, with sharp spikey scales, large teeth, and a massive roar.
Pinkie gaged at the sight of the slimy creature, but she knew that at this stage, despite her orders not to, she couldn’t sit by and wait for reinforcements.
“Valkyria!” she transformed into the Valkyrie of Laughter, the one special power she still had.
She gripped her sword tightly, and held up her shield, “Let’s party!”
Dearka extended his claws and called to his army. “…Attack!”
The army of victims began to charge at her, but she just flew up in the air were most of them couldn’t get to her, but that didn’t disclose the pegasi and their ability to fly up after her.
Dearka then signaled to his monster to aid the forces.
Aquanizer began to launch its spiky scales like missiles, which Pinkie dodged and blocked with her shield, and she dodged all the pegasi as they charged at her.
“Oh, this too good.” hissed Dearka, and he fired his thunderbolts at Pinkie, hitting her hard and causing her to lose height. Still, she managed to keep herself steady, but she knew she was horribly outmatched.
With the victims still marching about to infect more civilians, and between the ones still chasing her, Dearka, and the monster, she knew she needed backup and fast.
…And right on que, Lightning and Starla came soaring in with Spike and a load of sentries to balance things out.
All at once, the sentries began to hold back the infected civilians while defending the fine ones and escorting them to safety.
“You okay, Pinkie?” Lightning called.
“Just glad you made it.” she hollered at him.
Dearka was most annoyed, “Think I’m intimidated.”
“You should be!” sneered Starla.
“Easy!” said Spike “Remember, the more anger we show, the stronger he gets.”
“Right, we’ll split up.” said Lightning “I’ll go make short work of the monster; you guys help heal those civilians, and hold Dearka back.”
The others agreed, and Lightning called over to Pinkie “You’re with me!”
Pinkie was astounded at first, “Does this mean…?”
“We’ll talk about it later! Come on!!”
“Yes sir!”
Starla lunged at Dearka, but he dodged her, and struck her hard with his claws making sparks fly.
“That does it!” growled Starla.
“PULSAR LASER” She fired a huge blast from her horn, forcing Dearka to dodge, which gave her the opening to rush in and punch him hard in the face and sent him skidding along the ground and smashing hard into a lamppost.
Dearka bolted upright with an angry roar, flaring up with hateful aura.
“Aquanizer…!” he called “Bring me more energy!”
The monster complied. With its eyes glowing red, it summoned forth a small wave of water from the boat ride and spread it across the battlefield.
“No!!” shouted Lightning… and he soared swiftly across, conjuring a wall of Uniforce as a dam, blocking the cursed waters.
Dearka was outraged, and Starla tackled him hard and rammed numerous punches into his face. “It’s bad enough you attack an amusement park,” she scolded “You dare infect the Tunnel of Love?! You Devils make me sick!”
Dearka managed to get his arms free, grabbing her arms, and shocking her with his thunder-bolts, knocking her away.
“You light-dwellers,” Dearka growled as he stood “You and your love and hope make ME sick! I’ll see you all ashes before long!!”
He raised his claws up high to instead absorb energy from the infected civilians to increased his strength, forcing Starla to fire beams of light form her horn to stall him as he didn’t like light.
“Spike, cleanse them!” Starla shouted.
The civilians all marched forth and Spike drew in a huge breath, “DRAGON FLAME” and he unleashed a fiery waved to make everyone back away from the brightness.
Spike then got out his sword, “This is for you, Rarity! I hope you can feel my strength!” he said softly, and he empowered it with the Healing of Love and with a mighty swing he flung the waves at the civilians, healing them.
Dearka still felt he had gained enough power. “I will destroy you all!!”
He unleashed a strong wave of Lightning that hit all the fighters and nearly struck the civilians.
Starla charged up her bright aura and rushed forth, brawling with him hard.
The Aquanizer gave out a roar and starting firing more of its spikes at everyone, and splashing more infected waters about.
Pinkie looked at the river spouting from the tunnel exit, and she suddenly had an idea.
“Lightning, keep him distracted for me.”
Lightning didn’t have time to ask and merely trusted her, and he called up to the monster. “Hey, Fish Face, over here!” and he fired a few pulses at the monster, striking it hard but hardly damaging it.
The angry creature launched more spikes and water splashes at him forcing him to swerve and dodge about, and fire more blasts.
With the monster distracted, Pinkie stood at the edge of the river and held her sword up high.
“Powers of Harmony, lend me your strength!”
Her blade began to glow brightly, and she pointed it straight at the water.
POW!! She fired a powerful light blast, which swept along the water like conducting electricity, flowing all way along into the tunnel. It reached the monster, blasting it hard and weakening it severely in the light.
Lightning was astounded, “Well done, Pinkie!”
Pinkie winked at him, and then Lightning powered up as he faced the weakened creature. “It’s Fish Fry time…!!
…UNIFORCE”
With that one blast, the creature melted away into the waters as all the evil aura gathered up into a ball in the sky, and burst into nothing.
Outraged but outnumbered, “I’ll get you for this, Starfleet!” Dearka bellowed, and he vanished quickly.
Starla huffed angrily, but she was relieved that all the evil was gone.
Suddenly, she noticed down by her feet, “Hey, what’s this?”
She picked up was appeared to be a small, broken locket made of gold, with an odd symbol on the lid-- a letter V twisted in the middle, with two stars on either side-- and inside was a charred and faded picture of some creature.
Her visor sensed small bits of dark aura around it, which immediately told her “This is Dearka’s!” and she figured it had been knocked loose during the fight.
She decided to keep it and examine it for analysis.
Meanwhile, Dearka was thrashing about when he discovered that his locket was missing. He shattered stones, knocked down columns, and fired big bolts into the skies which lit up with soft explosions.
“My locket!” he growled “My one possession; how could I lose it?!”
As he thrashed about some more, Scarlet was spying on him, and she assumed she knew where the locket was.
“This is almost too good to be true.” she thought “I think I have another way to bring Dearka down to size.”
Then she faded away to begin her secret treachery.
The theme park had to be closed for the rest of the day to repair the damages, and the Tunnel of Love needed serious renovations, but the park management assured Starfleet that they were good and covered for it, and were just thankful for their services.
Under Lightning’s recommendation, all the civilians headed home.
Pinkie escorted Apple Spice home to the farms.
Spice was very upset with himself. “I can’t believe The Devils infected me… again!”
He could barely bring himself to look at Pinkie, “And I can’t believe I tried to attack you!”
“Aw, don’t beat yourself up.” said Pinkie “You and I both didn’t know the ride was dangerous, and it’s all over now.
And thanks to what happened today, Lightning reinstated me.”
Earlier, before leaving the park, Lightning gave Pinkie a little talk…
“You disobeyed orders! You were told not to enter battle!”
Pinkie looked ashamed, but then Lightning took pity on her. “But, under the circumstances, you do seem to have regained your senses, and I was intending to give you a trial run anyway, and you’ve already proven yourself.”
He gave her back her energizer.
“Welcome back to the force, Colonel.”
You can bet, Pinkie gave him a huge hug for that, before regaining her seriousness again, and saluted with pride.
“Thanks to you I’m back in action, and better than ever.”
She reached over and pecked him on the cheek to express her gratitude.
His eyes widened as he touched his face.
“Thanks for a fun a day.” said Pinkie, and then she flew off to go check on the Cakes back at home, leaving Spice to just stand there frozen with a dazed and goofy expression on his face, still holding his cheek.
Applejack came running up him, having returned from her patrols on another part of the planet.
“Spice, are you alright? I heard what happened to you today.”
Spice didn’t even notice her, and just stood there staring into space.
Applejack then looked up, and saw Pinkie flying in the distance, which told her enough.
“Poor kid…” she thought, figuring that Pinkie still didn’t know how he obviously felt for her, “If only there were some way to get us both out of this marriage deal.”
All this would have to be dealt with another day, but not put off for too long as her forced marriage was coming up fast.
(Promo)
In our next episode: Celestia is released from her prison when a plan is made to confront Daybreaker in what should be a final confrontation, but involving severe risks and may put all of United Equestria at great risk.
What is the plan that can hopefully bring Daybreaker down?
Don’t miss the next exciting episode of “Starfleet Magic!”
(Next Episode: “Dawning of Doomsday: Part 1”)