//------------------------------// // Episode 6: Dance-Dance Solution // Story: My Brave Pony: Starfleet Magic Season X // by DakariKingMykan //------------------------------// EPISODE SIX The Idiots, so far, had kept a very low profile while continuing to absorb resent from Starfleet protestors to power up Beaker’s machine. Whenever they would come across someone just like them-- whom loathed Starfleet-- they were sure to use their devices to absorb the emotional energy. Over the past weeks, they had gathered substantial amounts of power, much to Beaker’s pleasure, but still the machine was nowhere near powerful enough to work as he wanted to. Once again, he called all his members to a meeting in his underwater lab. Dodger complained as usual. “Man, I don’t get this. We’ve been bustin’ ourselves up for weeks, and we’re still barely half way to getting halfway there.” “You mean a quarter of the way there.” corrected Paige. “What-evs…” Sun Dew didn’t like the way he was acting so snooty. “At least some of us actually get stuff done around here. I haven’t seen YOU do too much other than lounge around.” Dodger didn’t like her tone. “Yo’ girl, chill! I’m just finding my steps, ya dig.” “Would you two grow up!” growled Digger “We’re supposed to be pushing back Starfleet, not each other.” “He’s right!” agreed Beaker “The last thing we need is for this group to have dysfunctions.” He then turned to speak to dodger “And Sun has a bit of a point; I’ve noticed you’ve been slacking a bit in your share of energy gathering. It’s no wonder we haven’t collected lots by this point.” Sun couldn’t help but giggle, which greatly annoyed Dodger. “So you think that’s funny, huh?” “And what if I do? At least when up in my cloud I can spy on people without causing suspicion. I’d like to see you come up with something like that.” Dodger looked steamed behind his shades. “Why I oughtta’--” It was Beaker who had finally reached his breaking point! He turned round and fired a magical spell from his horn at the two bickering teammates. “Hey!” snapped Sun. “What gives?” asked Dodged. “Just a little trick I learned in my early school days.” said Beaker. He didn’t tell them what it was, wanting them to find out for themselves. Sun and Dodger couldn’t stand each other’s company, and Dodger decided to leave, but as he got up and stepped only a few feet away from Sun, he suddenly stopped and found he couldn’t proceed any further. “What’s happening?” Sun felt funny too, as if she could barely move from where she was either. She was able to get up and move in closer towards Dodger, but she wasn’t able to get more than ten feet away from him. “What is this?!” she whined. Then the both of them wailed, “BEAKER?!” but he only snickered at them. “Until you two learn to work together, you’re going to be FORCED to work together, and that spell won’t break until you do!” Sun and Dodger gasped in disgust and outrage, while Grimer and Paige held in a laugh. “Of course, I could uncast the spell now, and then expel you both!” The duo gasped in horror. “…Unless, you both get out there, and get us some much needed power for my machine.” “And then you’ll let us go?” asked Sun Dew. Beaker gave her a harsh stare, “…I’ll consider it. Now go!” The duo tried to walk off, but the spell forced them to walk closely together, staying within ten feet of one another, but they managed to leave the lab together. “You really think this is good idea?” asked Paige. “What if they blow our cover?” Beaker hesitated, “Possibly, but very unlikely. Those two really need to get their acts together. We’re desperate to get rid of Starfleet, and sometimes we have to do desperate things to get what we want.” The others agreed, and just hoped those two didn’t bungle things. Once safely back in New Ponyville, Dodger and Sun were still grumpy. Sun was forced to walk instead of fly as she couldn’t get very far away. “This is just great!” she groaned. “Here I am stuck with you, when I could be making rain, or bringing sunshine, or just lounging in a cloud.” Dodger groaned and grumbled at her, “Will you keep quiet?! It’s bad enough I’m stuck having to chill with an un-chilled mix like you; we don’t want to arouse suspicion.” Sun actually agreed with him, and they both decided to quickly find someplace and some way to gather power so they could break the spell. “Well, I don’t suppose you have a bright idea?” sneered Sun. Dodger was looking at something up ahead, and tipped his shades to it. “..Actually, I think I just got one.” He pointed up ahead at a couple of ponies were engaged in an argument over the status of Starfleet. “I say they are cool, and so does a good portion of the planet!” yelled one. “You and everyone else are brainwashed by those bullying overlords!” protested the other. They kept quarrelling and quarrelling, and then a couple more ponies joined the quarrel from either side… …Which made Dodger smile. “Mm-mmm… I couldn’t have planned it better.” Sun was unimpressed. “What, barely a handful of ponies arguing? Like that’s going to get us what we need.” Dodger was not so convinced, and dragged her along with him. It looked as if things were going to take a turn for the worst, had Swift Star not sounded his whistle at everyone. “What is going on here?!” he bellowed. “I was just about to come off duty, and now another problem.” Before any of the ponies could say a thing, Dodger whistled and said, “Peace, my brethren. There’s no need for all this volcanic, titanic, yell-a-manic.” The other ponies, even Sun, were gawking at him with confused expressions. “The name’s “Dodger”, and I come before you folks with a method of steam blowin’ that is so cool… ice looks warm. Hoo…!” He busted a few dance moves, being careful not to hit Sun, or move too far from her, and while his moves were fairly impressive, he still hadn’t seemed to impress much of the others. “What are you getting at?” asked Swift. Dodge then guided everyone deep into town, where he had his Disco Club, and said, “Behold… the path to inner peace. Once you get your groove on here, you all feel. “Hey, what’s the fight for? Is it worth it?” The two ponies who initially started the quarrel chuckled. “Dancing is a way to vent?” said one. “Get real.” scoffed another. “Actually, he’s got a point.” said Swift. “In Starfleet we train ourselves in the art of dancing, it makes for good exercise, helps with our evasiveness, and it actually does let off steam when we’re angry. I’ve done it before.” The protesting ponies scoffed again, but said nothing-- not in front of an officer. Still, Swift Star urged everyone to try it. “It’ll be a whole lot better for all of us if you try it.” Though the dance hall was usually closed until late at night, Dodger unlocked the doors and let everyone in, urging everyone to come to the main dance floor. Sun poked him softly and whispered very softly, “What’s this got to do with our plan?” “Just wait and see!” Dodger growled softly. “Is there a problem?” asked Swift. “Nah, nah, it’s all cool…” Dodger quickly answered. “Now let’s get up and get down.” With a flick of a large switch, his entire Disco Floor came to life with lights, from the ceiling, glowing floor panels, and funky beats. “Come on, we’ll show you.” said Dodger as he led Sun onto the dance floor. “I don’t know how to dance!” Sun growled softly to him “I never even went to my high school prom.” “Just go with the flow. You’ll get it.” said Dodger, and keeping well within range of her, he began to cut loose-- spinning, stepping, and even splitting like the wild Disco Dude he was, which astounded the audience. Sun suddenly felt her wings moving to the beat, and her toes started tapping. “That’s it…! Feel it…” said Dodger. Sun felt her head start to bop, and before she knew it, she was getting into the jive, and didn’t seem as annoyed as she did before. The protesting ponies still didn’t seemed enthusiastic, until Swift decided to jump up on the stage and cut a few moves himself. He leapt way up high, and he began to move and groove almost if he was standing on solid ground while he came back down again. One of the protestors scoffed; “I could easily out-dance this guy…” he leapt up onto the dance floor and began to dance, almost in a threatening way in front of Swift, prompting Swift to dance along with him. The other protesters decided to join as well, and as the dancing continued, everyone began to feel much better—no longer feeling angry or wanting to yell or protest. “I still hate Starfleet though.” said one of the protesters. “Well, that’s your privilege.” said Swift. “You can hate us all you like; as long as you don’t try to pull any stunts like yelling in the streets, or causing physical problems.” “Say no more…” said Dodger “I gots me and you just the solution-- a Dance Solution.” Before anyone knew it, he had stuck up a huge poster inviting everyone to his dance hall that night to dance their anger and rage away. “Dance, Dance Solution” he called it. “Tell all your peeps, your neighbors, and tell ‘em to come on over. Nothing like a good dance party to lose your rage-- Ooh!” Sun actually agreed, “Not just for those who hate Starfleet, but anyone with any anger issues at all.” The protestors and the supporters thought it over, and by nightfall, the place was crowded with ponies from around the block and the village. Among the crowds were some of the members of Starfleet themselves, including Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Spike, and even Artie and Sunset. Everyone one of them was all dressed up for a big dance night. Rarity had even made her and Spike matching disco outfits. Spike’s outfit was a faded white with gold edgings, and sparkling rhinestones around the vest and pants, while Rarity wore a lovely top, which was a faded lilac, with a short skit, made of a sparkling dark blue and black. “Careful!” she cautioned the others “I’d rather not damage my new ensemble.” Rainbow sighed, “Seriously?! You make a dance outfit and you don’t even intend to do any dancing?” “Oh, I perfectly intend to dance tonight.” replied Rarity. “Only no leaping, no twisting, no dipping-- no footwork whatsoever.” The others all thought that very typical or Rarity. “Rarity, I brought you out here to kick back and have fun.” said Spike “Besides, we haven’t gone dancing in quite a while, and by that I mean other than ball-room dancing.” His wife sighed, but complied. “Well, come on, what are we waiting for?” Rainbow asked rather excitedly. She was most anxious to head, and what a sight it was to behold; all the lights, the booming music, and all the dancers whom had arrived. Swift Star was there too, but he was acting as a watchman to maintain security and deal with rule breakers, if any. “Hey, Swift.” said Artie. Swift saluted to him, “Good evening sir.” Artie insisted they dispense with the formalities. “We’re off duty, and so are you.” “Well, technically, I’m not…” said Swift. “Besides, haven’t you noticed a lot of these ponies?” Artie noticed there were a ton of ponies whom he realized were haters and protesters of Starfleet, while others were supporters, but they seemed to be behaving themselves, actually keeping on opposite sides of the entire room, as if were divided by a wall in the middle. As long as nobody was trying to pick a fight, it all seemed fair-play. At first, everyone just sat down at tables, on the side of the supporters, sharing some drinks, and ordering food and watching others get their groove on at the dancing floor. Rarity was dancing as she promised-- simply by thumping her hand up and down to the beat of the music and swaying her head softly, much to the dismay of the others. “Come on, Rarity,” said Spike. “Let’s get out there and cut loose.” Rarity took one look at the dancers, and then patted her skirt, still unsure if she actually wanted to risk it. “…Maybe later.” she simply put it, much to Spike annoyance. Rainbow was really getting her groove on as she stepped, spun, and twirled in the air. “Ah, yeah… whose the Party Pony now?!” The protesters hardly paid her any interest. Some even felt their anger rising, but then again some didn’t even like her before Starfleet came. “She’s too much of a show-off.” “Who does she think she is?” “Starfleet or not, I bet I can out-dance her.” Rainbow accepted the challenge, and danced her way to out-best any and all protesters who dared challenge her. Dodger and Sun were at the sound station playing the tunes, and still keeping well within range of each other. They also took the time to secretly raise their devices and absorbed the hate from the protestors. “Well…?” Dodger said to Sun, and she was forced to admit, “Okay, okay… it wasn’t as bad a plan as I thought, and you aren’t useless.” Dodger adjusted his shades in a boastful manner, and looked out at the dancing ponies, preferably at the supporters rather than the protesters. “Look at them. They think they’ve got it cool and smooth.” Sun agreed and added, “…Well, they can enjoy it all now, because soon this world won’t be theirs anymore.” Artie and Sunset sat with Spike and Rarity, enjoying the refreshments. “I wish Commander Lightning was here.” said Sunset. Artie felt the same, “Unfortunately, they don’t allow minors in this place, and that’s where Lightning’s maturity can’t help him. Besides, Rarity and Spike dropped Twilight off so he and Starla could babysit.” He stopped and looked at his wife, and placed his hand over hers. “Just the same, I thought I’d bring you out here and spend some time with you. A lot of us are bound to be sent on deep space missions soon.” Rarity and Spike fell silent, knowing this was part of the reason they stepped out tonight as well-- to have some fun and kick back while they could. Sunset admitted she didn’t mind being brought to the Disco. It reminded her of all the underground clubs and bars she used to crash during her former life of crime in the human world. “…Back then the dancers would all call me “Flash Sunset.” and believe me, I earned that title.” “Oh, really…” Artie said with a coy expression as he stood, “Well, care to show me your moves?” His wife gave him a cheeky grin. “…Love to.” She led him onto the dance floor, and she walked up to Dodger and Sun behind the podium requesting a special song she had burned onto a CD she had brought with her. Dodger was curious to hear the tunes, and he called into the microphone, “Yo’ dance folks, we got us a special request, brought to us here by Sunset Shimmer: A Human World ambassador. Hoo!” The lights shone on Sunset as the tunes started and some of the dancers cleared from the center of the floor to give her and Artie some space. Sunset began to make a few easy steps around the floor, and then she cut real loose like a professional dancer, and vocals began to sing out from the recording. She busts through the doors and then steps on the ground, Then she starts showin’ her moves. You would think, the floor would break By the way she gets on her grooves She’s a wild thing, can’t be beat. She puts the rest to shame See her bringing forth the heat, Dancin’ to the sound of her name! They call her “Flash” “Flash” “Flash” “Flash” “Flash B-Girl…!” When she steps on up, she fires up like a laser You know she’s “Flash” “Flash” “Flash” “Flash” “Flash B-Girl…!” When she spins around, she burns like a wild blazer! Artie could see and was widely impressed with his wife’s dancing, and when she motioned for him to come boogie with her, he couldn’t refuse, and they both became the center of all the dancers. Magic wavers when she shows up, She’s makes everybody faint at the sight, Of the thundering footsteps that she stomps about You’d think she was challenged up to a fight. She’s a wild thing, can’t be beat. She puts the rest to shame See her bringing forth the heat, Dancin’ to the sound of her name! They call her “Flash” “Flash” “Flash” “Flash” “Flash B-Girl…!” When she steps on up, she fires up like a laser You know she’s “Flash” “Flash” “Flash” “Flash” “Flash B-Girl…!” When she spins around, she burns like a wild blazer! During the instrumental segment, everyone began to cheer for Sunset and Artie, and others began to dance around them. Spike couldn’t take this any longer. He pounded the table softly as he stood up, startling Rarity, and before she could speak he had grabbed her by the wrist, leading her towards the dance floor. “Spike, what are-- Release me!” but her husband would not, and managed to get her all the way onto the platform, and then he glared at her, almost angrily, but it was all part of his plan to finally get her to cut loose. “Spike, my outfit!” wailed Rarity, but Rainbow flew up behind her. “Ah, come on, Rare… take it for a spin!” and she flew in circles around her forcing Rarity into a dance-spin, and when she stopped, she felt a little dizzy, and did moves and grooves to keep her balance. Then, even after regaining her stance, she found she just couldn’t stop moving to the beat. “Oh...! Oh, my!” she cried with joy. Spike and Rainbow slapped a high five, and joined her, dancing to the next verse of the song, while sunset still remained the main center of attention. With the wave of her hair, and to the tip of her toes She’s got power running all through her bod. And splits and she kicks, with her magic tricks She’s attractive as a lightning rod She’s a wild thing, can’t be beat. She puts the rest to shame See her bringing forth the heat, Dancin’ to the sound of her name! They call her “Flash” “Flash” “Flash” “Flash” “Flash B-Girl…!” When she steps on up, she fires up like a laser You know she’s “Flash” “Flash” “Flash” “Flash” “Flash B-Girl…!” When she spins around, she burns like a wild blazer! The song had one final instrumental course towards its fading out, but the hall was still bursting with loud noise of cheering and table pounding for one of the most incredible dances ever seen. Artie tenderly kissed his wife’s hand, making her blush. Rarity on the other hand was out of breath and panting, but she felt incredible after dancing like that for so long, and her outfit was just fine. “Well…?” Spike asked sounding smug. Through her panting, his wife replied, “Okay… I admit… that was something at least.” A lot of the goers felt a little beat from the last dance, and many went to sit down. Even Rainbow was all pooped out. “That was so awesome!” she exclaimed “You got some sweet moves, Sunset.” Sunset gave her a playful nod. “By the way,” asked Artie “What does the B in “B-Girl” mean?” Before Sunset could answer, there was trouble… which started by the shattering of a soda bottle! It turned out there was a couple of protestors who didn’t quite feel better after the whole dance-a-thon, and decided to pick a fight with some of the supporters. “I say Starfleet sucks, and so do you for supporting these punks!” shouted a protester. “I second that!” yelled another, and he kicked over a table and the chairs. One of the soda bottles-- still full-- hurdled through the air, and of all places to, it splattered all over Rarity’s new skirt. Everyone around her gasped as Rarity began to quiver, and her eyes bulged with inner rage and shock building up. “I think… I’m going to… scream!” cried Rarity, but she settled for a near faint instead. Spike caught her and helped her regain her composure. Swift and the team were forced to take action. “That’s enough!” snapped Artie, and he used his magic to levitate the troublemakers off the ground. “…Outside now!” Artie asked the others to stay behind and make sure no other problems broke out, but Swift requested to go with him and say a word or two to the troublemakers, to which Artie agreed. Other protestors in the hall glared furiously at the other Starfleet members and their supporters. “Don’t try anything.” Rainbow cautioned everyone. Spike and Rarity stood tall and stern between the two sides, keeping everyone separated from one another. Dodger didn’t seem to mind too much about the damages. If anything, he blamed more of this on the Starfleet supports getting the protestors so riled up. Sun felt the same way. “I don’t think we need to worry too much.” she said. “With all the energy we’ve collected tonight, we’re getting closer to our goal.” Dodger nodded, “Thanks to my plan you mean, but you helped out, so… eh.” Sun rolled her eyes. As for Sunset, since she wasn’t in any real trouble, she couldn’t help but move towards the doors to the hall, and see what her husband was up to. Outside, Arite set the bad ponies down and really read them out. “Okay, what’s this all about? Where do you two get the idea of starting a ruckus?” One of the two protestors lost all his courage instantly and hesitated to answer, while the other shot his mouth off. “I don’t like you guys. In fact: I hate you. I hate who’s even the slightest for the crooked force that runs us, and now look what’s going on, everyone’s being brainwashed into this petty dance show than voicing their opinions and calling people out for the morons they are.” Artie and Swift looked cross. “That’s the whole reason behind this whole “petty dance show.” sneered Artie “It was made to help people vent off their rage, and resist urged to “call people out” as you so quaintly put.” The loudmouthed protester only scoffed, “And now you’re saying we have no freedom of speech. Only further proof what a bunch of control freaks you really are.” “Stop it…!” grumbled the cowardly pony. “Forget it! Like I said, I have freedom of speech.” Swift stepped forth, ready to give another one of his special speeches… “You may have freedom of speech, pal, but that doesn’t mean you have freedom of consequence, especially when you commit a crime like you just did. People like you get mad over the pettiest of things, and then you work up such a complex that you’re right and everyone else is wrong, and your way is the only way-- Well guess what, mister… your way isn’t the only way, and you’re not right all the time. Your way causes problems-- you wail on other people, break their property, and you have the gall to call it freedom of speech and a right to complain. Well, there’s a difference between complaining and causing issues, and when you cause problems, like what you did in there, it quickly becomes our problems, and even then, you blame us for the whole thing.” The protestor was livid, yet so struck by all those blows he had been given he didn’t know much else of what to say. Swift then continued, “Well suppose it was you in there that got attacked or balked at. You who had your property broken and smashed just because someone was angry and they felt like blowing off steam? Well, there are other ways to blow off steam, you know; some ways that are far better than what you just pulled. If the dancing wasn’t your thing, fine. Maybe you should’ve gone and do something else, like take a walk, or hangout with other friends.” Artie agreed and added, “Or maybe you can do what I do; when I get angry I paint a picture, or carve a statue, sometimes it works, sometimes it barely helps, but it’s much better than hurting someone else or breaking their property, and best of all no crimes are committed and everything is fine.” Swift nodded, “So the next time you decide to lose your temper or make a fuss, try to keep it quiet and calm, or you may end up in even more trouble than the trouble you caused.” Both protestors now looked timid and ashamed of their actions, but the officers could only let them off with a warning, since no one got hurt. Suddenly, everyone was filing out of the dance hall. “What’s going on?” asked Artie. “The owner decided to close up for the night to clear up the damages.” answered Rainbow. “Talk about ruining a perfect party.” “Ah, well.” said Spike. “I’m a little tuckered out anyway. Might as well go get Twilight and head home.” “Agreed!” grumbled Rarity. She was still concerned a little about her ruined outfit. “It might take me days to wash these horrible stains out!” Everyone rolled their eyes at typical Rarity, but they all bid each other good night, and went off their own ways. “You were amazing out there.” Sunset said to Artie. Her husband smirked, “It’s what I do.” Then he asked, “Say, you were about to tell what the B is “Flash B-Girl meant?” Sunset chuckled softly, and she looked around to see that no one was near to hear her, and she whispered into Artie’s ear just what it was. Artie’s eyes bulged! “Oh…! Um… yeah… uh…” he stammered and stuttered, “Why don’t we just keep it to ourselves.” His wife giggled and pecked him on the cheek. Rarity and Spike picked up their baby from Lightning and Starla, and they also gave the report of what happened at the dance hall. “I see…” said Lightning. “Well I’m pleased to know you all handled it well.” Rarity huffed, and motioned at her dress. “I would hardly call that “too well.” Starla chuckled. “Goodnight guy… and keep alert.” “Will do.” replied Spike. Then they were off, leaving all quiet and calm in the house. Shining Light was fast asleep in his crib upstairs. Lightning sighed. “I wish I could’ve gone with them. I could’ve used a good dance myself.” Suddenly, he heard very soft slow music playing. Starla had started up a good disc, and then she dimmed the lights and extended her hand to him. “May I…?” While it wasn’t quite the dancing he hoped for, Lightning couldn’t refuse and took his wife’s hand. Together they slow danced in the silence and glimmering of their living room. It still felt as romantic and as soft as it always was. Meanwhile, Dodger and Sun still had one little matter left to fix. Sun flew out to the seaside where Beaker had his home above from the secret lab. Dodger had to ride on Sun’s back since he was unable to fly. Both of them practically pounded on Beaker’s door, and he answered almost instantly. “What are you two doing here?” Beaker asked in an annoying tone. “Can you undo this crazy spell now?!” growled Sun. Dodger agreed, “We’ve worked together! We got you power, and I don’t like it when people try to trash my joint! So let us split up already!” Beaker chuckled softly. “What’s so funny?” asked Sun. Beaker gawked at them, “The spell wore off hours ago. It was only temporary.” The others stood with their jaws hanging open and their eyes bulging. “Say what?!” groaned Dodger. “You got to be kidding?!” whined Sun, but it turned out they were able to get away from each other after all. Beaker snickered, “I hope you learned your lesson today. Next time I won’t be so easy. Now scoot before somebody sees us.” He shut the door right in their faces, leaving the outraged ponies to head back home. “I could use a life, you know.” said Dodger. Sun sighed. “Hop on.” and she took off with him back towards New Ponyville. As for Beaker, he calculated the amounts of energy absorbed, and he was very thrilled. “Don’t worry, my brethren,” he said to no one in particular “…Our world and our time will come, just like it once was....” (Promo) In our next episode: Distress occurs from every corner of the known galaxy, meaning members of the team are forced to head on out to unravel the mysteries, yet leaving United Equestria as a vulnerable target for Starlight, whose patience is wearing thin to do battle. Can our heroes maintain their stance, answer the calls, and keep their own world safe under all this impending chaos? Don’t miss the next exciting episode of “Starfleet Magic!” (Next Episode: “Speeding to the Stars”)