EPISODE SEVEN

Ever since Lightning and their majesties were turned into children, Professor Brain and his team of scientists had been working hard for weeks upon weeks trying to discover what happened to the trio and how to reverse it.

The pressure was even more immense what with the planet under Starlight Glimmer’s threats, and all that.

Goldwin entered the lab bringing Brain and the other scientists the lunches they had sent for.

“Oh, er…I’m afraid not,” replied Brain. “We have studied drops of blood from the… subjects… as it were.” he stopped and cleared his throat. “As well as records of their tissues and their vital signs, and compared them to previous reading before… er… said incident.”

Goldwin didn’t like the sound of his voice. It was starting to sound hopeless, as if it didn’t seem that way already. “Well, isn’t there anything that can be done for them?” Goldwin asked “A magic spell, a potion…?”

Brain typed into his computer, “Most obvious answers, and yet… No, I’m afraid.

We have run simulations on every formula, every potion, every spell and incantation we know. Sadly, it simply wouldn’t work, not even temporarily, and I believe I have discovered a possible solution…”

He typed up images recorded from memories of the incident, and it showed how Lightning intervened with Starlight’s life force drain while he was in his Enticorn form.

Goldwin was most astounded. “Are you saying that the energy from Lightning’s power is the reason why?”

“Theoretically…” replied Brain “Those powers, despite our limited knowledge, are still vastly mysterious and difficult to understand or study, but they just may… just may, mind you… be the main problem as to why ordinary magic and potions would fail to yield to our cause.”

Goldwin figured it; Brain was suggesting the energy of the Enticorn was blocking out other magical waves like a barrier surrounding the tissue. “And we don’t know how we can possibly dispel such a thing. The Enticorn draws its very power from the Uniforce.”

“Precisely…” replied Brain “At the moment, it would seem that our friends are perfectly unharmed, and can still grow up and age normally, but at the moment we don’t dare try any sort of trickery with them until we know for certain.

One false mistake, they could very well become even younger, or… far worse… they could be harmed.”

They were reviewing the images of the transformation themselves through magical images.

Celestia was still more than amazed, every time she re-watched the footage. “Here we have the source of what caused this, and yet no way to reverse it.”

Grand Ruler agreed, but he, like she, wasn’t willing to give up. “There must be a way, and we’ll find it.”

Celestia hoped so especially, as she turned to look out the window, up into the sky… as if she were looking for the Spider-Base. She knew Starlight was out there, and she still had daggers for her.

“I know…” she said cutting him off “In my current condition, I dare not confront Starlight. With my power not at full, who knows what she could do.”

She began to think back to when Starlight was just a little filly, and how she and Twilight were in her School of Gifted Unicorns…

Starlight always worked as hard as Twilight did, and sometimes she would study during free period, or even stay up late, past her bedtime, which made it hard to focus the next day, which lead to cranky moods and grumpy outbursts, which marked her down for conduct in class.

True, Twilight was anti-social as well, but not as deeply as Starlight was, and at least Twilight knew when to take a break… once in a while.

Though the two ponies showed amazing potential, Celestia felt she could only choose one to be her apprentice, and her choice was made.

“Your majesty… I push myself night and day, studying, cramming, and learning, I’ve even mastered a few tricks that even Twilight can’t do.”

“I understand this, but you see you push yourself too hard, and you make things difficult, and furthermore, you have mastered many spells already, but it is Twilight who needs further guidance, and that is why I have chosen her.”

Crushed, and extremely enraged, Starlight began on her path to her expulsion.

She would be rude to her schoolmates, show disrespect to Celestia, her teacher, and even resort to pulling pranks and mean tricks on others.

When Starlight’s parents found out, they threatened Celestia with numerous lawsuits, and even acts considered threatening and vengeful, forcing her to put her, then, hoof down and have the family deported from the main Equestria lands.

“I’ll never forgive you for this!” Starlight bellowed “Mark my words, Celestia… you will pay for this someday!!”

That was the last she ever saw of Starlight… until her recent return as the creature she was now.

Back in the present, Celestia was starting to feel maybe she acted too hard on Starlight. “Maybe I should have tried to help her better, instead of just brushing her off.”

Her husband couldn’t deny that, but assured her, “Even if you had tried, would she have listened to you?”

“You did what you had to do.” said Grand Ruler. “Rules were being broken, and people were getting hurt. What else was there?”

Celestia didn’t look any better. “Knowing and understanding all this doesn’t stop my fears and slight regret.”

Meanwhile, Starlight was haunted by those horrid memories, and just as enraged by them.

She spent time by herself in the lower chambers of her ship, training with magical simulations, all of which were clones of Celestia, in her normal, adult state.

She punched, she kicked, she karate-chopped, and she fired her magical blasts like crazy. Some of the Celestia’s were hit, but others still managed to attack her, making sparks fly, and knocking her to the floor.

Still, she would not give in, and bolted back up again, bashing and thrashing them all to bits, and yet she didn’t feel any better, for nothing she was doing would satisfy her until she could destroy the real Celestia!

She stopped the simulations, and sat on the mist-covered floor in an exhausted but visible sulk, and still Celestia’s voice of scolding her, expelling her from the school, and banishing her and her parents off the lands…!

Waverline didn’t seem too moved. “She hasn’t given us any orders for a while, and I’m starting to get edgy. I’m anxious to kick some Starfleet!”

Specter actually agreed, “It has been a while, but nonetheless, we shall remain on standby as ordered.”

Starlight bolted upright and got herself together for her master’s calling. She even shoved her way past Specter, which he didn’t take too kindly too.

Titan’s red eyes seemed infuriated. “You dare question my reasons for coming?!”

Titan growled softly, but then went on with his report, showing her images of what was happening.

The Shadow Planet was absorbing flowing streams of energy coming from every corner of space.

The streams were coming from different locations which had been invaded by their forces, and each setting up evil stations to absorb power, convert it into darkness, and magically send it on its way to the receiving sources on the Shadow Planet.

“Slowly, but surely we’ll gather loads of power, which I shall be able to use to revitalize myself, and all the planets we infect will be under our command.”

“I congratulate your impending return, my lord.” said Starlight. “But, begging your pardon, surely Starfleet will sense the chaos and dangers. They will try to stop you.”

The henchmen all shuddered, and Titan snickered, “They already have, and our forces are standing by. Of course in the end, it doesn’t matter.

True to his name, he was a humanoid alien, wearing a racing outfit and driving a rather monstrous motorcycle, armed with powerful laser cannons, hover jets, and one of his specialties was super speed, making it nearly impossible to see him.

He spoke with a Scottish accent. “Aye! I’ll be a blazin’ to speed me way through them r-r-r-rats for you. Me and my bike, Nessie, here don’t ever lose to anyone!”

Starlight had faith in Titan’s decision in sending this monster, and the henchmen didn’t dare question.

Still, Starlight was thinking of Celestia again, and getting that urge to go down there herself, but she knew she had to remain on the ship, but it was growing rather annoying.

Meanwhile, reports were coming in through the magical intergalactic post. Their majesties read all through them, using Fast Forward spells, and all the reports read near the same details.

“So, Titan has finally made his move.” said Grand Ruler. “We better summon the entire team, and that includes Lightning.”

Starla sighed as she was changing Shining Light’s diaper. “They always pick the finest times.”

There was a knock at the door; it was Applejack and Buddy, along with Spike, Rarity, Rhymey, Fluttershy, Artie, and Pinkie’s droid.

Rarity and Fluttershy had dropped their respective babies off at Buddy’s place so Tree Hugger and DD would look after them.

“Let’s hurry…” said Lightning “The sooner we drop off Shining Light, the sooner we head to New Canterlot.”

The dropped the baby off in almost no time, with the help of their super speeds, and then they were all up in the skies.

“Speed Boosts!” hollered Lightning, and with a single flap of their wings, everyone zoomed through the air, and reached New Canterlot within a few seconds.

“Let’s get down there.” said Starla, but before they could all touchdown safely, they all felt something strange zoom right past them, and the airwaves blew them all about causing everyone to crash onto the ground.

“What in horse feathers what that?!” snapped Applejack. That’s when the monster came into view on his hovering bike. “That’d be me! The name’s “Mach” and I’ll be the one who’ll be destroyin’ y’all now.”

Pinkie was rather impressed by his bike, only her droid still couldn’t show much emotion, and then again, far back at home in her room, all she could do was smile weakling and say, “Neat.” in a monotone voice.

Lightning stood tall and ready, remembering his promise to avoid major battles. He turned to face his wife and said “I’ll try and slip out of here and help the sentries. You guys take care of this creep.”

His wife agreed and called to everyone, “Let’s go!” and everyone transformed…

Starla stood at the head of the team and Lightning slowly stepped behind her, ready to run off.

“Go!” shouted Starla, and she and the team rushed forth to attack, while Lightning sped off for the village, but Mach suddenly zipped out of the way and out of sight.

“BIKER RAPID-FIRE” a rain of tiny, burning pellets shot from the bike’s lasers, striking everyone hard, including Lightning.

Rarity groaned and complained, “And I just had my mane done up and my scales polished too!”

Mach laughed zoomed at incredible speeds, zipping past everyone and knocking them all over again.

Lightning hated seeing everyone getting beaten up, and he felt the urge to stay and try and help, but Starla looked up after being knocked over again and ordered him, “Get out of here, Lightning! …Hurry!”

Lightning’s nerves were burning painfully, but he left her in charge of the unit and didn’t want to break his own faith in his wife’s abilities, and he turned back to run towards the village…

…Only for Mach to zip up in front of him. “Going somewhere, Lad?” and then POW! He kicked Lightning hard sending him skidding along the ground.

“Lightning…!” cried Starla, and just as she was about to rush over and help him, Mach had summoned a swarm of Darquines to intercept.

“Come on, let’s help her!” said Buddy. The others agreed and rushed over to make short worth of the evil swarm.

Lightning stood and glared the monster down, and just as Mach was ready to attack again, he was blocked off by a large dark hand.

Specter marched straight up to him and then motioned at Lightning, “This one is mine. I have authority from Ms. Starlight.”

Mach growled, “Fine. Just stay out of my way.” And he sped on over towards the other fighters just as they had finished off the last of the Darquines.

As he sped his way past the fighters, the exhaust flames from his bike blasted at everyone, knocking them all down yet again!

“Starla, go and help out Lightning,
We’ll stay here and beat that thing!” said Rhymey.

Starla agreed, and was about to rush over to where her husband was, but Mach had already sped past her and knocked hard, like a golf-ball, clear across the fields.

The team knew Starla needed help, but they didn’t dare leave Lightning on his own.

Rhymey and Fluttershy didn’t wish to take chances, feeling Starla would never forgive them if they left Lightning to fend alone. So they stayed behind while the rest headed out into the field.

“I said I can handle this!” bellowed Lightning, and he tried ordering them away, but the others refused to budge.

“Starla is in charge, you made her so.
And we defy you, we will not go.” said Fluttershy.

“We’ll take no chance. We’ll help you out,
You never know what evil tricks can lurk about.”

Specter snickered, “How noble; the elderly springing to the aid of a minor.”

Lightning felt most insulted, but Rhymey and Fluttershy looked at each other, already deciding on their plan-- Rhymey would battle Specter out, while Fluttershy could try and get Lightning to a safer place.

“WARD SWORD” Rhymey held out his weapon, and leapt forth to attack, while Specter stepped back, out of the way, and Rhymey continued to go at him.

Lightning and Fluttershy saw their chance to break for it, and they both headed deep towards the village…

“Oh, no you don’t!” shouted Specter, and he managed to stop Rhymey’s oncoming assault, clashed his arms with one of his own, and with his other free hand…

“DARK FIST OF FURY” he cast one of his monstrous dark fists to pursue after the fleeing duo, and after which he kicked Rhymey hard in the gut, knocking him down and allowing himself to make a break for it.

Rhymey growled and gave chase, but Specter sent yet another dark hand to stall him.

Lightning could see the other dark hand heading straight for him and Fluttershy.

Fluttershy turned round just in time to see the big hand take a huge swing at them both. They both dodged, only for Specter to suddenly bash into them hard, surrounded by his wind-sphere.

The two crashed hard on the ground, and Specter commanded his large hand to swat them both from above, forcing the two to roll out of the way as the hand slammed the ground. The force and shockwaves of the impact sent them both tumbling in opposite directions away from one another.

Specter leapt over towards Lightning aiming a punch at him, only for the boy to block his attack with his arm and kick him back in the chest.

…But Rhymey unleashed his barrage of quill feathers, forcing him to swerve and dodge.

Lightning agreed and flew off towards the village, but he really felt sick to his stomach running from a battle like this!

“You can’t escape from me!” thundered Specter, and he melded into the ground, as a shadow, causing the two fighters to crash into each other.

Rhymey fired magical light blasts from his horn at the shadow, but it moved so swiftly, and would quickly catch up to Lightning.

Lightning had just made it into the village and could see the sentries had done their jobs well-- all the citizens were safely indoors or escorted to safety.

As relieved as he was to see things all quiet and safe here, he felt a little upset again for not being able to help out sooner, but at least now he could head for the palace and be safer himself.

He turned to take off, only to run into Specter yet again.

Lightning was far from amused. “I don’t have time for this, Spector! Now get out of my way!”

Lightning growled but then gave a cheeky smirk. “If anyone’s a coward, it’s you! Look at you, challenging me because I’m a minor and my strengths aren’t what they ought to be. You feel that gives you the edge, and while you be right, the facts don’t lie about you.”

“The truth hurts, doesn’t it?” remarked Lightning. “And to think, you keep coming after me specifically to settle a score and earn honor for yourself, but what good does it do the way your perusing it? It’s like fighting under the condition of a handicap, a reputation which nobody wants.”

“Silence!” growled Specter “You know nothing of why I do what I do! It makes no difference to me, just so long as you are out of the picture! You: the most powerful of Starfleet, and the one great threat to the United Alliance of Evil!”

The two looked ready to fight each other hard, when suddenly Rainbow Dash came soaring in…

Specter looked up just in time, and so did Lightning, and they both leapt far out of the way just in time as she slammed the ground, making her trademark colorful-explosion.

As Lightning touched down on the ground, the ground gave way and swallowed him up… courtesy of Dyno and Myte burrowing down below.

“Come on, Lightning. Let’s get you out of here.” said Dyno, and he and his brother escorted Lightning along their temporary tunnel to the palace.

Rhymey and Fluttershy arrived on the scene and assisted Rainbow in battle Specter.

While all that happened, Starla had crashed deep in the open fields, and Mach had caught up with her in no time.

“Face it missy…” he taunted “…Your just a wee bit slow to be keeping up with me!”

“But how?” asked Pinkie “He moves too fast for us to get a glimpse of him too easily.”

Starla already had the solution, “…But not necessarily all of us at once.”

The others all just realized this as well, and figured out what to do. “If we can’t outmaneuver him, we’ll outwit him.” murmured Spike.

Rarity’s eyes narrowed as she gave a smug grin. “Yesssss… of course.” she hissed

Mach revved his bike’s engine ad rushed forth, but the others all scattered about in different directions, but Mach still managed to speed up and down and all around, ramming into each fighter hard.

“BIKER RAPID-FIRE”

The heroes were all shot at… which was all part of their plan…!

They all shakily got up and onto their feet, looking pretty beaten up, and Mach felt most amused. “Ah, what be the matter with ya? Losing your steam?”

He laughed and revved up to run them all through once and for all! “Here I come…!” and just as he revved forth…

“NOW!!” shouted Starla, and all the fighters quickly scattered about in different directions.

Mach still managed to outmaneuver and dodge each and every barrage thrown at him, but then…

“DRAGON FLARE” Spike unleashed a burst of fire, and Rarity added her own flames to the wall, forcing Mache to veer off, which allowed Pinkie to successfully land her droid on the bike.

Pinkie set the droid for quick self-destruct, and it counted down verbally. “Three… Two… One…!”

Mach screamed and quickly bailed as droid exploded and blasted his precious bike into a mountain of debris.

Back at home, Pinkie’s controls all had gone dead and her viewing gear went black.

Apple Spice came into the bedroom with a tray of food for lunch he had made for her. “Everything okay, Dear?” he asked.

His wife slowly raised the visor up remarking softly, “I was hoping I wouldn’t have to do that.”

Nevertheless, Mach was about to burst into shameful tears at the sight of the burning remains of his beloved bike.

Then he found himself completely surrounded by the rest of the team. Not that it really mattered, with the destruction of his bike, he felt he had no reason to go on, and he knew he couldn’t let himself be captured anyway… and so, using Titan’s power, he destroyed himself in a big explosion.

As for Specter, Rainbow, Rhymey and Fluttershy all dove for him at once, but Specter leapt up and out of the way, causing them all to crash into one another, and he called down to them, “You haven’t seen the last of me!” and then he vanished and was gone.

Rainbow growled and shouted up at the sky, “Yeah, you run away like a big coward!!”

The danger was over, and what mattered most was getting back to the palace as they were ordered in the first place.

Once in the briefing room, and revitalized from the battle, it was then straight to the briefing room, where Lightning was waiting for the others, so were their majesties, and the twins.

Dyno nodded, “Si. We came as soon as we got the message, but we didn’t run into the monster.”

“As soon as we saw the battle, we knew had to act.” added Myte. “We thought our best course would be to get you off the scene, but then Specter showed up, and well…”

He didn’t have to go on, seeing as everything was now fine, but Lightning still felt a little ashamed with himself.

“I ran away from battle like that? I know I did it for good reasons, and I was told to do so, but… it still feels wrong.”

Starla placed a comforting arm on his shoulder, but Lightning knew this was no time to beat himself up.

As soon as Krysta finally appeared, the meeting was ready to commence. Their majesties kept in touch with Pinkie via magical holograms so she could see and hear everything.

Krysta vouched for the explanation, “My fairy spies know what they’ve seen.”

Starla felt her stomach turn. “It’s like Titan is sapping power from the very universe itself.”

Celestia had only one inkling, “It’s our powers-- the very energies of our life force Starlight Shimmer had stolen. Somehow it must be granting Titan the ability to carry out his plan, and even as we speak, he is getting closer to ultimately reviving himself.”

“My thoughts exactly.” agreed Grand Ruler. “It must be stopped as soon as possible.”

“If Titan is absorbing power from planets all over…” said Buddy “…Can you imagine what a distance that would be, or what kind of job it entails?”

“Wow!” Pinkie exclaimed, rather softly and monotone. “Sounds like a ball.”

She wasn’t pretending not to care, she really did, but it was hard for her to focus due to her diet and her meds.

Krysta nodded and explained, “Ever since the sightings of the Shadow Planet, and Titan’s impending return, all my fairies informed the outposts to standby. They’re probably already investigating and battle the evil forces as we speak…”

Krysta nodded, “And that’s not all, there could even trouble happening in areas we haven’t even explored yet; even planets that have only just been discovered!”

Rarity began to feel faint, and everyone else looked back and forth at one another.

“Does this mean we’ll have to go,
On a great big space journey and fight just so?” asked Rhymey.

Grand Ruler nodded, “Yes, but as you all may realize that could be difficult at this time. Our planet is still under attack, meaning some of you will have to go, and others will have to stay, and even those of you who go, it still raises issues of the long job ahead.

“It is a big galaxy after all,
And we knew we’d get the call.” said Fluttershy

“Yeah, but what about our planet?” asked Rainbow “What do we do; just leave it and let Starlight Glimmer attack it to smithereens.”

“No, we won’t be letting that happen.” said Celestia, “Which is why, as you all may have guess, not all of you should actually go.

Some of you will go as is required, while the rest will have to stay as need-be as well.”

“Well, I guess that’s me out.” said Pinkie, and she softly stroked her pregnant belly; “I’m in no condition to fight like this. Even if I get a new droid, the signals don’t reach far enough.”

Starla then looked down at Lightning, giving him a rather concerned look, and he looked back at her with mixed expressions. “I know what you’re going to say… and we’ll have to talk about this too.”

“What do you mean?” asked Starla. “You promised you wouldn’t enter battles.”

“Agreed, but I still have knowledge and expertise, and I know some of the planets out there.”

Their majesties agreed, the matter would involve further discussion, but in the meantime it was decided…

“General Starla…” said Grand Ruler “Because you are in charge of the main orders for frontlines, you will have to stay for certain…

“As for the rest of you, except you, Pinkie…” said Celestia, and she paused. “You have twenty-four hours to get your affairs here in order before receiving your assignments and shoving off.”

Everyone felt huge blows striking them in their hearts, but there was no questioning the orders. Duty always came first in Starfleet, regardless of personal feelings.

Artie and Buddy clenched their fists tightly, not looking forward to telling their families about this.

Tree Hugger was chill and didn’t burst into tears or anything like that, but she looked pretty downbeat about it.

“Chill out…” his wife said “It’s your job, and my charisma isn’t the type to put the blocks between the vibes of the cool and the needy.”

In other words she had said that she understood and couldn’t keep him from saving worlds and helping others.

“Bud…?” asked DD “What about me? Who’s going to be my trainer and educator?”

“Don’t worry about that.” her cousin replied. “We’ve already made arrangements. Your training will continue and so will your education, if you’re willing to handle it.”

DD stood tall and proud and saluted to him, showing she was willing to adjust, like a true Starfleet cadet.

“I know you’re too young to understand, honey, but just know this… I love you very much, and that’s why I’m doing this. If I don’t, everyone could be destroyed, including you, Mommy, DD, and everyone else I know and love.

Buddy leaned down and pecked her little head, before passing her back to her mother, and then he and the ladies all came together in a huge group hug, but all three of them remained silent as ever, and after giving Tree Hugger a long passionate kiss, he decided to head back to New Canterlot before his sadness would weigh him down.

Rarity bawled her eyes out as she hugged Sweetie Belle, and her squeeze on her became tighter and tighter to the point of cutting off her breathing.

Spike found it slightly amusing, but it was comforting to know that Baby Twilight would be in the care of Rarity’s folks.

“You be careful out there, honey” said Bright Mac “I lost my brother, and we all lost Granny Smith. I just can’t bear it if you don’t come back either.”

“Try not to worry, Pa.” said Applejack “Besides, you know I’m not easy to hit. I’ll make them baddies sorry they ever messed with Colonel Applejack.”

Applejack couldn’t help but shed a tear herself, and then with a tip of her hat, she headed off.

Artie was walking with Sunset down his Art Gallery after giving her the keys and putting her in charge of tours and admissions, as well as taking care of the place like he showed her.

“Frames need to be dusted, carpets need to cleaned, and don’t forget to welcome the VIPs when they come, okay? Okay. Okay good.”

Artie felt silly, and just as he was about to voice his concern with her being alone for so long, she informed him…

“…I’m a survivor. I’ve been on my own before, and I know my ways around town and all the twists and turns. Trust me.”

Her husband chuckled, “I guess this is what married men call “Separation Anxiety” where they can’t stand away from their love for too long.”

Hearing him say that made her blush, and she grabbed him and dipped him back, kissing him very deeply, almost as if she was trying to eat him.

She smirked at him and kissed him deeply again, and they both fell on the floor and… well… they went at it… in the empty halls of the gallery. No one could see or hear them.

Back in New Canterlot Nursery, Fluttershy was rocking Button Fly in her arms, trying her hardest not to cry.

The thought of leaving her child for so long just broke her inside. Rhymey felt no different, and never took his eyes off his baby, or his wife, and he leaned down and hugged them both, and Fluttershy couldn’t help but shed a tear.

Then, the very next morning, the astronauts had gathered on the main palace terrace. All had received their orders, their destinations, and everything.

Their majesties, Lightning, Starla, and Pinkie, watching through her replacement droid were gathered to see them all off.

“Good luck My Brave Ponies.” said Grand Ruler “May the stars always watch over you.”

Nobody said a thing, and just stood tall and ready, and Lightning gazed all around at his friends, but he had nothing to say that wasn’t already understood.

“Here we go!” said Krysta, and with a wave of her wand, she produced a portal.

Not wanting to strain their feelings much longer, the team jumped inside, and then they rocketed off along different dimensional pathways, heading deep into different corners of space.

All over the planet ponies and other creatures looked up as the fighters rocketed out of sight like speeding comets. Many of them wished the fighters “god speed.”

In our next episode: A conference is held with the intention to help protesting folks understand the full situation and seriousness of dealing with Starfleet and laws, which gives the Idiots an idea and chance to forward their project harder and garner new allies.

Will the conference be a success, or will more uproar be caused among the people?

Don’t miss the next exciting episode of “Starfleet Magic!”

(Next Episode: “ Con-ref-erence)

My Brave Pony: Starfleet Magic Season X

by DakariKingMykan

Episode 7: Speeding to the Stars