//------------------------------// // Episode 21: The Princess and He // Story: My Brave Pony: Starfleet Magic Season X // by DakariKingMykan //------------------------------// EPISODE TWENTY-ONE Far, far away, in an upper corner of the galaxy, was the Planet Kallan. The Planet was similar to United Equestria, only overrun with more women than men. All males on the planet were subjected to cooking, cleaning, or tending to a woman’s every need. Very few exceptions were made, and such could only come from higher command. The planet had always been like this, even long before the Princess, Avyanna, had committed crimes against parts of the galaxy, and her entanglement with Starfleet. Despite this, she had been strictly barred from ever entering Starfleet Territories again… However, with the power of her ever-advancing technologies, she had used her powerful tractor beams to seize the Enticorn. Her ever faithful major-domo, Mayne, entered the royal throne room of the palace and bowed to the princess. “What have you to report, Mayne?” “I report success, your highness.” Avyanna’s eyes lit up, “It was captured?” “See for yourself.” replied Mayne as he pressed a remote which activated a monitor, which revealed the Enticorn contained in a special chamber aboard one of their star cruisers. The chambers held the creature in special grips to stop it from regaining its strength and to keep it weak so it couldn’t get strong and break out again. Avyanna seemed most pleased. “Excellent. Then we now have all that we require to put our plans into action.” Mayne nodded in agreement. Avyanna then sent Mayne away as she had thinking to do, and the first thing she thought was of something else entirely as she clutched a small locket worn around her neck on a thin chain. She opened it revealing a picture of none other than Mykan Stevens, showing it was obvious that her obsession with him still held strongly after all this time. “Things would be so perfect if I had you here with me.” Nevertheless, she snapped the locket shut and prepared to get to work for her other plans. “By harnessing the power of the Enticorn, my forces will be rendered virtually invincible, and I know just who will be the first to feel my wrath.” …She wasn’t even thinking of Starfleet; having a much better target in mind…! Meanwhile, after bidding farewell to Khan and his people, and leaving them to tend to Brogan as promised, Lightning and friends headed back to United Equestria to report their failure to their majesties. It was there that their suspicions of Avyanna were confirmed. “There can be no mistake…” said Grand Ruler “She is definitely responsible.” Luna confirmed this, “Sometime after you left for Brogan, our outer observatories confirmed the sightings of a Kallanian star-cruiser near the space borders.” Nothing more needed to be said, and everyone was very angry. “I was so close!” Lightning growled “I almost had my power back!” He was so enraged he looked as if he wanted to blow a hole through the floor, but Starla calmed him. “It’s not going to help.” “She’s right…” agreed Celestia “We have greater problems than ever to sort with.” She wasn’t kidding. Even though Avyanna’s forces were outside the Starfleet boundaries, they still wrongfully took Starfleet property and were likely holding it on their home-world, which was also outside the boundaries where Starfleet law and authority held no bounds. This meant that actually going to Kallan to try and get the Enticorn back would risk Starfleet’s reputation-- making them seem like invaders or warmongers, which would not go good in a long ways. “It just doesn’t make sense.” Said Lightning “Why would Avyanna want my Enticorn?” “Probably to cause nothing but trouble.” suggested Krysta. “Yeah, that’s all she’s full of.” agreed Rainbow. Grand Ruler couldn’t ignore this possibility himself. “We’ll have to hold a meeting with the supreme intergalactic council. We just may be able to come up with a mission plan by tomorrow afternoon.” “Tomorrow afternoon?!” snapped Lightning “By then it might be too late.” “I realize that.” protested his majesty “But this time we absolutely must follow procedure, you know that.” Lightning apologized. “I’m just so worried.” “We all are…” said Dyno. “But look at it this way: We already blew out much of our strengths on Brogan.” “Si, it wouldn’t be wise to go rushing into action right now.” Even Rainbow, Starla, and Krysta agreed. Lightning reluctantly nodded, and he hoped and prayed they could come up with something and soon. Meanwhile, Rainbow and the twins wanted to head back to New Ponyville and kick back for a while, still having just come home, but they all promised to remain on standby for anything. They also wanted to visit Pinkie Pie and see if her baby was born yet or just on the way. Lightning and Starla had to stay behind to be part of the meeting as Starfleet’s highest ranking officers. The next afternoon… *Mykan’s POV* After a good long morning of teaching the children on New Ponyville, the lunch bell finally rang, and all the kids grabbed their lunch boxes and headed out to the playground on a beautiful day. Cheerliee and I sat on the schoolhouse stoop to eat together while watching the kids. “Time to break it out…” I said as I dropped a fishing-tackle box down beside me. Cheerilee was most confused. “You can’t possibly be planning to go fishing at a time like this.” Now I was confused. “Go Fishing? Cheerilee, this is my lunchbox.” “But it looks like…” Cheeilee said before I held up my hand to cut her off, and I showed her by opening the box, instead of fishing tackle and junk, it was practically overflowing with foods, seasonings, utensils, and even mini-sodas on the bottom. “Oh, wow!” I chuckled as I got my napkin ready. “I got the idea last night: turn an ordinary tackle-box into a feast for a king.” Cheerilee gazed down at her ordinary paper-sack with just a sandwich and soup in it. As I snacked on one of my sandwiches, I offered to let her share some of my lunch with me-- I had more than enough to spare. “Aww… thank you.” “It’s just my way of saying “Thanks for being a wonderful boss.” She couldn’t help but blush and giggle. Still, we were not a couple, and wouldn’t ever be-- too different of species, despite her human-like body, and she was at least ten years older than me. Plus, neither of us felt like the relationship type, preferring to focus more on our jobs. Speaking of which, one of my jobs was about to take precedence when Lightning and Starla dropped in. “Mykan…” called Lightning. “Uh-oh… sounds like trouble.” I said “Whenever they drop in suddenly like this, I know they need me for something.” Cheerliee agreed, and just as I called it out, Starla told me “…We need to come with us… on a little space mission.” I gave them both a near-intrigued look. “What kind of mission?” Before long, I was flying on dimensional pathway through the stars with Lightning, Starla, and Krysta. I didn’t exactly look all that thrilled once I was told where we were going and why, but I couldn’t help but ask. “One more time… why are we going to the Planet Kallan to see the princess?” The trio sighed, and Lightning explained again, “We’ve got to try and convince her to give back my Enticorn, but it could mean walking into danger.” “We figure if you come with us, the princess will be less hostile.” added Starla. Just the thought of Avyanna and my history with her made feel like losing the lunch I had just eaten, but as an axillary Starfleet member, I couldn’t refuse my orders. “Well, it’s nice to be out in space again.” I put it. “But isn’t this violating the Starfleet Prime Directive?” “It’s all taken care of.” Krysta assured me, and she told me how their majesties alerted and met with the Supreme Council-- via magical holograms from distant start systems, “…It was agreed that we’re doing this for the good of all involved, and the new is being passed around the galaxy.” Lightning nodded, “We won’t start any fights, but we will fight if we have no choice. We must get that power back, before something even worse happens.” Now I was really getting concerned about this; knowing Avyanna she was sure to start putting the moves on me. *POV Pause* On Kallan… The star-cruiser had long-since arrived, and the Enticorn was transferred to a chamber in the palace to try and harness and study its power, which proved to be a bit much for even Avyanna’s systems. The creature rived and thrashed about as it tried to restore its energy and escape, and the power flow was unlike anything the systems could handle as several computers began to short out. “These readings are highly unstable.” said a worker girl “Harnessing it may be beyond our power.” Avyanna was not pleased. “Then I suggest you double your efforts. I want that power, not excuses.” Mayne entered the chamber with two royal guards. “Begging your pardon, your highness, but I have distressing news.” “Out with it Mayne, and make it quick.” “Princess… our scout ships in the outer perimeters inform us that a Starfleet team is approaching our planet.” Her features hardened, and she suspected why they were coming. “Prepare to deploy our defense fleet. They have no business coming here!” “Your highness, there is more…” Mayne quickly said “According to our scouts…” he paused and controlled his irritation “…Mykan Stevens is with them.” She gasped and her insides began to go crazy. “Mykan is coming here?” Her heart began to race and her blood was feeling warm. Still, she kept hold of herself and acted professional. “In that case, have the guards stand by to greet our… guests.” Mayne reluctantly complied, but he sensed disaster about to occur because the princess couldn’t control her obsession. *POV Resume* We had been flying for a little over an hour to the vast distance, but we finally were approaching Planet Kallan. Though no Starfleet forces had ever actually landed there before, our telescopic observations of it and limited knowledge made it feel familiar. It was no different than United Equestria-- or even Earth to me… …Forests, meadows, mountains, plains, small towns and villages, composed of houses, and even a few high-rises thanks to the advancements they had. One would say they were on the verge of catching up to Starfleet’s level of tech. “Hey, look…” cried Krysta, pointing a bunch of Kallanian scout fighter ships heading out way. “…Looks like the welcoming party is here.” I grumbled. It was looking as if we would have to defend ourselves, when the ships suddenly parted and formed what seemed like a welcoming way for us to pass in-between them. “Are they actually welcoming us in?” asked Starla. She got her answer when at the end of the way, two scout ships flashed lights at us in code telling us to follow them in, and showing us where to set our exit portal. “We better follow them.” said Lightning “Every stay alert, and under no circumstances shoot first.” Heeding the scouts’ instructions the location of our exit portal took us straight to the entrance of the royal palace. A ton of armed guards stood to the sides of the walkway, and others were standing on the battlements. Mayne was also there, and neither he nor anyone of us seemed too thrilled to see each other again. He gawked at Lightning for his small size, but he didn’t question anything and acted courteously. “On behalf of her royal highness, Princess Avyanna, I bid you all welcome. Her highness is expecting you. Please follow me.” He turned his back to us and began to lead us through the front gate. “Gee, glad to see he’s in a good mood.” Krysta mocked softly. As we all continued to head into the palace, I couldn’t help but take notes in my head for my research. “Look at this place. It looks and feels Earthly, but with all these differences…” What worried me and the others especially was the palace was more than half the size of New Canterlot Palace, which meant finding the Enticorn would be quite a problem since we knew where nothing was at all without any blueprints or maps. We just hoped we could get Avyanna to show us. … I especially hoped I wouldn’t have to use extra persuasions. We were guided down the main foyer to the main throne-room where Avyanna were sitting on her throne, and wearing a white and silver, sparkling dress, and her long, long hair was flowing loosely of course. Our eyes met, and she looked at me very deeply. I could already feel parts of my insides starting to turn on, but they were small when compared to my will power and true desires. “Show respect to the princess.” Mayne said softly to us all, and we all reluctantly vowed. “Well hello…” Avyanna said slyly. “It sure has been a while.” Lightning looked up at her with a rather cross expression. “Commander Lightning Dawn?” she asked “You seem different from when I last saw you.” Lightning paid her no comment. Then she looked over at me. “Why Mykan… this is a pleasant surprise. I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.” I gave a simple clear of my throat. “What brings you all here to my planet?” Lightning stepped forth. “Begging your pardon your highness, but I believe you already know why… and which brings me straight to the point: We’ve come to claim our property, and ask that you hand over the Enticorn you captured.” Avyanna figured it would come to that, and she refused. “Why should I hand over something that I happened to find? What legal rights do you have to demand it?” “We’re not playing games.” insisted Starla “You violated our space when one of your distant ships at the space-borders fired a tractor-beam at Planet Brogan, and you captured the Entircorn, which is rightfully our property.” Mayne stepped up to defend Avyanna. “Your argument has no bounds. In-spite of your pointers, the ultimate fact remains we captured something that was loose and not in the boundary of anyone, and as we are hereby outside of the Starfleet Territories, your authority also holds no weight.” “Mayne!” snapped Avyanna “There’s no need to be so brash.” Mayne maintained his stance and his place. Lightning was losing patience. “Princess, I warn you… We are prepared to use force if need be.” Avyanna flicked her hair back and snapped her fingers alerting her guards to point their ray-guns at us all. “Well so am I.” she said. “I have my own reasons for wanting that Enticorn and harnessing its powers, and that business is strictly my own. Perhaps if I should grow tiresome of it, I just might be willing to give it back.” “You’re meddling with a power you can’t possibly fathom.” Krysta cautioned. Avyanna was unfazed and refused to let anything stop her. “I believe that is all we have to say to each other…” Then addressed me, “Mykan… would you care to join me for a quick drink before you leave?” My answer was quick and easy. “I’d rather not.” That’s when two guards stepped behind me pointing their guns at my back; showing Avyanna wouldn’t let me off that easy. “On second thought: maybe I will.” I looked at the others as the guards slowly led me away, and other guards escorted the other towards the door. Lightning noticed me twiddle my fingers on my left hand as I left, telling him that I was ready. Earlier, before taking off for the planet, we had formulated a plan knowing Avyanna would refuse our demands, and take me aside privately. *Flashback* Before leaving United Equestria, I was brought to New Canterlot Palace, where their majesties gave me a special lip-gloss they had enhanced with a magic spell. “Me… wear lip-gloss?” I asked in shock. “Trust us, Mykan.” said Grand Ruler “From our extensive knowledge of the Kallanians, they may be able to detect weapons or technologies, they don’t have the equivalence of our magic detection.” Celestia brushed the stuff onto my lips. It felt cool and a bit slick, but it was invisible, tasteless, odorless, and in a moment I could hardly feel it. “This is enchanted with a special spell. Lightning and Starla will explain to you on route to Kallan. It may be our only hope.” *End of Flashback* All I had to do was kiss Avyanna on the lips… …And I had a feeling that was going to occur shortly. *POV Pause* Lightning and co were escorted out of the palace and told by Mayne to leave Kallan. “We’re not leaving without my Enticorn, or Mykan.” protested Lightning. Mayne simply chuckled and then sneered, “They are no longer your concern. The power and the man belong to us. The princess has seen to that. Go…!” Starla couldn’t help but egg Mayne on. “It was must pain you, doesn’t it…? That Avyanna continues to fawn over a simple Earth-Man when you know it could mean trouble, especially for the princess’ affections…?” Mayne clenched his fists, “I am but a mere servant of Princess Avyanna; nothing more, and while I find her attitude at times questionable, I must obey. Now be off with you, before I call the fleet in.” He said no more and turned to head back to the palace, leaving the guards to point their weapons at everyone to enforce their leaving. “Let’s go…” said Lightning. “But what about Mykan?” wailed Krysta. “I guess we’ve lost him.” replied Starla. Really, they were all just putting on an act, as part of the plan. So Krysta opened a portal and warped everyone out into space and seemingly took them far from the planet, but really she had taken them to the planet’s moon where they wouldn’t be seen or detected as easily. There, Starla used her visor’s telescopic mode to watch the palace from where she stood. “Now we have to wait for Mykan to do his part.” Lightning and Krysta hoped he was okay. *POV Resume* I was taken to Avyanna’s royal bed chamber, but before actually entering I was stripped of all my weapons, my teleporter, and my magic cape. Then I was scanned by the guards in case I had any hidden items on me. Luckily, and as promised, their scanners couldn’t detect the magic spell rubbed into my lips. Once I was given the okay, Avyanna casually invited me in, and told the guards to remain outside. “…I could not be in safer hands.” she put it in a flirtatious way towards me. The guards complied and closed the big doors behind her. The bedroom was twice the size of the school-house back home, and naturally was loaded with all the usual comforts-- King-sized bed, large sofas, makeup table with mirror. Avyanna immediately poured us both some Kallanian Apple-Cider. “I must admit, I was very surprised when I heard you were coming.” she said to me. I had to keep myself together for the plan to work, but I couldn’t help myself with a part of my attitude. “I admit I’m surprised you’re being this merciful to me. I thought for sure you’d want nothing more than to shoot me on sight.” She handed me a goblet and looked at me rather strange “…And waste a perfect opportunity? I think not.” She clinked her goblet against mine, and not to be rude I sipped the cider, which tasted pretty good-- a bit tangy but good for an alien beverage. “You’ll pardon my asking… What opportunity?” not that I really needed to ask that, especially when she sauntered up to me, and moved around my backside stroking my shoulders. “Mykan… I’ve never once stopped thinking about you. You are unlike any man I have known in the entire galaxy, and usually the men of my culture are not held in that much respect.” That was a sickening reminder-- how men were treated on her world. Her hands felt so warm against my shoulders, and yet I felt slight chills coming on. She then moved in closer, speaking softly near my ear, and parts of her long hair draped over my side. “Mykan… I know we have had our history. I know you must think of me as a criminal, but can’t you see that I still have feelings? Yet you rejected me several times.” I was starting to feel sweaty. “Look at me…” she said “Am I not beautiful enough for you?” This was it, time to put the plan into action, and I couldn’t help but be just a little honest with her. “You are one of the most beautiful creatures I’ve ever seen.” I had much more to say than just that, but I couldn’t bring myself too; not just yet. Feeling flattered by what I had just said, Avyanna softly took my face in her hands, and brought her lips to mine. It was only for the sake of what was about to happen next that I gave it all I had and kissed her back deeply. Suddenly, her eyes snapped wide open, and so did mine as we both began to feel strange. She couldn’t seem to pull her lips away from mine, and before she knew it, everything flashed white before our eyes… Then she finally separated from me… …Or rather I separated from what was my own body. The spell in the gloss on my lips was a switch-spell, and the moment my lips made contact with hers, we switched bodies. …I was now in control of Avyanna, and I still had her voice, while she inhabited my body, and she could not believe her eyes as she looked herself over. “What? It can’t be!” she wailed in my voice. I myself could hardly believe-- I was a woman, and alien at that!! IT felt even stranger looking at my own body before me. Still, despite all these strange feelings of my new body, I had to put the plan into action. “Sorry sweetheart.” I said to Avyanna, and then I called for the guards. They came in almost at once. “He rejects my feelings once more. Lock him in the dungeon.” The guards obeyed me, and Avyanna tried to protest. “This is a trick! I am your princess!” The guards couldn’t believe her for an instant and hauled her in my body away. “And gag her-- I mean “him” as well.” I felt ready to kick myself for having almost spilled the beans. The guards tranquillized my body, and Avyanna fell out cold as they dragged her off. Mayne then walked in and he didn’t suspect a thing. “Are you alright, your highness?” Knowing how Avyanna usually behaved, it was easy for me to put on her snaking. “Surely you can see I am well, Mayne. Now, to the chambers… I wish to check on the Enticorn.” Mayne bowed to me. “…As you wish.” I took a step forward and nearly tripped on my long dress-- I had never worn clothes like these before. I managed to keep it together and walked gracefully like a “Princess” would. Even though I had my own spirit and conscience, I had Avyanna’s body, which meant I could access her brain too. I already knew every inch of this palace, the technology, passwords, and codes that would prove useful. I was also able to tap into her conscience… I could feel her inner thoughts about me-- she envisioned me becoming her prince consort. We would be wed, and I would live with her forever, and she would pamper and spoil me like crazy and I would do very little work around the palace or for the kingdom. She would cook for me, provide my every desire and need, and together we would rule the galaxy after harnessing the Enticorn’s power and advancing the technologies. But above all things, she really wanted to love me-- take me to bed every night and…! …I tuned those thoughts out right then and there. *POV Pause* Avyanna had been tossed into the prison dungeon, with an electronic barrier to prevent any escapes. At Mykan’s command she was bound and gagged on the wall so she couldn’t try anything. She was ever so outraged, and she fussed about trying to get the guards attention, but they only chuckled to one another… “Whatever the princess sees in this guy I’ll never know.” “Me neither.” Avyanna knew she was stuck, and could hardly believe she had fallen for such a trap-- when Mayne did warn her not to be so hasty. It was pointless for her to try and reason with her guards, however… she did think… “I have access to Mykan’s brain. I can uncover the secrets of Starfleet and make it easier for maybe a future attack… and maybe more.” Unfortunately for her, because Mykan was only an axillary Starfleet member, he didn’t have that much information stored in his mind to give like full-fledged officers did-- some things that were even only the highest ranking officers were given. She did, however, start to see Mykan’s memories... …His days as a school teacher and all the children whom looked up to him as he lectured them about his own world, and Cheerliee being a very kind and caring boss towards him, almost even like a motherly figure. She saw the part where Mykan let her share some of his lunch with her on the stoop before the mission began. “He does seem to have a lot of friends.” Then there was the time when Mykan and the Cutiemark Crusaders were the Super Cyber Data Squad, battling the evil viral forces of Megadox and saving computer systems. Seeing that and his past assistance with Starfleet made her desire for Mykan grow larger, and her frustration at his rejection of her all the worse. “I offer him a comforting life of luxury, love, and power… and still he pushes me away?!” Then, there were his other memories… -Being pulled out of his universe by Titan, which she was in on at the time. -Going back to save his world and his family, only for his beloved Michelle to be brutally murdered and die in his arms, which overly devastated him. -As well as the very sad thing of saying goodbye to his family to come and live in this world permanently due to it being inadvisable and dangerous to remain in his own world in a pony forum. Such painful memories, and they were still fresh after all this time, like a swarm of flies that would never disperse no matter how much you ignored them or tried to treat them. “So these are all the things he remembers.” Avyanna never felt like this before-- being overly spoiled, pampered and power-hungry all her life, she never had feelings like this before. She could also feel Mykan’s reasoning for his rejecting her. “You and I have irreconcilable differences. You’re after power, wealth, and dominance. What I do is for a whole lot more… I’m studying this world so maybe, one day, people from my world can come to live here, and beings from this world can visit my world without worry. You claim to be in love with me, but it’s more an obsession. You can’t buy my love with all this power and lust. Love doesn’t work that way between people. They either have something very special or they don’t; and we don’t.” For a moment, it felt as if Avyanna was finally starting to see the light, but it didn’t last. She still felt she could try and persuade Mykan to be hers, and she would help him forget such things. *POV Resumes* In the labs, I could see Lightning’s Enticorn fussing in the chamber, and while it was being kept weak by all the machinery, the creature still looked horribly enraged. …Somehow I had to get it out of there, but I had to alert Lightning and the others too, and such a plan was already in the makings as I had ordered Mayne. “You heard me: Send a few remote-controlled scout ships to the moon. I wish for some rock samples to be collected.” Mayne was really confused. “We have a fine amount of rock samples already, your highness.” “Then get me more! We can never have enough when it comes to things like this.” Mayne contained his rage. “Yes, highness…” and he went off to organize the launching of the scout ships. With Mayne gone, I could put the rest of our plan into action. I was in for extra luck too, because also in the lab were my weapons and my gear. They were contained under a glass dome on a pillar where the computer was trying to analyze their powers and effects, which, again, were hard seeing as all the magical properties of my gear, were far too strange. The first thing I did was send the guards outside to check the perimeter. They did as they were told which made me feel kind of giddy to be a ruler. All I had to do now was stop the workers and I doubted they would leave their stations if I ordered them too, so I would have to use more persuasive matters. I could feel under my “dress” a ray-gun kept in a holster. Avyanna obviously kept it to defend herself if need-be. While the workers weren’t even looking, I got out the gun and set it on “Stun.” and I shot them all with soft rays, and their all dropped to the floor or flopped down in their chairs at the consoles. “Just like in the movies…” I teased to myself. *POV Pause* Krysta was starting to grow annoyed with all this waiting. “Do you think Mykan’s gotten into trouble?” “I don’t know,” said Lightning “But he’s proven himself before and again. We just have to believe in him.” Starla agreed, and then she noticed. “Something coming this way…” It was a pair of remote-controlled scout-ships coming towards the moon. “That’s it!” cried Lightning “That’s what we’ve been waiting for. He’s done it!” The ladies grinned, and the trio then ducked down behind a large rock. “Activate jamming beams.” said Lightning, and he and Starla both activated their visors, shooting magical beams at the ships to cut off their control from the Kallanians below. “I think it’s working…!” Starla hollered as the ships began to wobble in midflight. “Now’s our chance…!” said Lightning “Let’s get in those ships.” “Hope you guys know how to fly them.” said Krysta. “Oh, please…” replied Starla “… With our study of Kallanian technology-- the design on these things are so simple, even a child could fly them.” “…And I’m the very child.” joked Lightning. While all this was happening. The men who were controlling the ships were baffled as they reported to Mayne… “Something is wrong…” “We have lost all control with our scout ships.” “…What?!” snapped Mayne “How is this possible?” “They’re coming back!” Mayne turned sharply. “Try to regain control!” “I can’t! The controls don’t respond!” Mayne knew he had to run off and alert the princess! *POV Resume* Using Avyanna’s knowledge of the consoles, I had already released and reclaimed my gear. I couldn’t use them while in Avyanna’s body, but I did erase any and all the data the machines had gotten, but I didn’t dare release the Enticorn-- what if he flew into a rage and wreaked havoc?! I had to keep him where he was until Lightning and the others arrived. For now, I had locked all the electronic doors from the inside so no one could barge in. Suddenly, there was someone trying to get in from the other side, but my change of the access made it impossible. “Princess…!” called Mayne “Princess Avyanna… Are you alright?” I didn’t dare answer him or let him in, and it didn’t matter because I was in the middle of something else. I observed any data absorbed from the Enticorn, and it turned out that, in his weakened state, the machines managed to record some of his brain patterns, and what I discovered nearly turned my blood cold. I downloaded it onto a special memory chip which I planned to bring back to United Equestria. “…Princess!” Mayne called again, but still I ignored him, but I was starting to grow nervous. “Hurry up, Lightning…” *POV Pause* Outside the door, Mayne was really getting worried, and he was about to call the guards to help him shoot the door down when the alarms sounds. “Now what?!” he groaned. A guard came rushing up to him and reported, “Mr. Mayne, sir… those two scout ships from the moon, they are attacking our forces. Mayne could only suspect one thing behind all this…! Krysta rode with Lightning in one ship while Starla commanded the other. The fleet of defense ships and gun-patrol already had them in their sights. “Right on schedule.” said Lightning. “Remember, we just want to disable the ships, not destroy them.” “Copy that.” Starla answered over the radio. Many ships were heading for them and shooting their lasers. “Think again, fellas!” Starla called, and used her magic to produce barrier around her and Lightning’s ships, blocking the attacks. “Now it’s our turn.” said Lightning. “…Fire weapons!” Firing their lasers, they managed to cripple the enemy fighters forcing them to stray off, giving a clear opening towards the palace. Then cannon-soldiers had the ships in their sights and opened fire. “Oh, no you don’t!” snapped Krysta. Even from within the cockpit, she was able to conjure her reflecting portals outside to absorb the blasts and send them right back down again. The gunners retreated as the blasts came in destroying their own weapons. “Okay, the palace is coming up.” said Lightning “Get ready to disembark.” “Ready!” Starla complied. They both set their ships on auto-pilot. Krysta couldn’t help but tease, “For a race with high tech, they sure aren’t too fool-proof.” Lightning and Starla snickered. Krysta then transported herself and Lightning to Starla’s ship, and then transported all three of them out, leaving their ships to fly off into the distance-- tricking the fleet into perusing them while the fighters had a clear drop down to the palace. …Smashing through the walls. The guards all charged forth with their weapons ready, but Lightning and Starla skillfully dodged their every attack and blast, and punched the guards out cold-- they never had a chance-- allowing the fighters to rush clear through the hallways. Not one of them knew their way around the palace, but this was all part of the plan. *POV Resume* In the labs there was an intercom that would let my voice be heard all through the palace, and I even put on a little evil act. “Come find me, Commander. Try looking on the second floor, down two corridors, or maybe I am down below down the hall and to the left.” *POV Pause* Lightning and Starla nodded at one another and split up, Krysta stayed with Lightning figuring he’d need more help as they headed for the labs, and Starla made her way to the dungeon. Starla plowed her way through the guards with ease, and was soon in the dungeon where Avyanna, still in Mykan’s body, was kept in a cell. She smashed the console which deactivated the barrier and dropped her from the wall, but before she could remove the gag to even try to call for help, Starla quickly powered up her finisher with her bow set on “capture” “Sorry about this, Mykan.” she said softly. “GALACTIC PROJECTILE” and she shot Avyanna, making the body shrank down and was imprisoned in sphere. With the body, safely imprisoned, and unharmed, Starla grabbed the sphere and bounded back upstairs, using her visor to detect Lightning’s life-energy. Mayne had dashed back to the labs to war the “princess” of the trouble, only to run straight into Lightning and Krysta. “…You!” he bellowed. *POV Resume* That’s when I finally opened the door to the labs, and pointed my gun straight at Mayne. He never felt so shocked and confused in his life, but as I instructed, he came into the lab quietly, and then Starla joined us all. “What in the galaxy is this?!” Mayne demanded to know. “You’ll understand soon enough.” said Lightning “Right now, you’re going to make restitution; you’re going to give back the Enticorn!” “You better do it…!” I threatened. Knowing he was licked, Mayne prepared to release the creature from captivity… When suddenly, the inside of the chamber began glowing… “What’s happening?!” cried Krysta. Even Mayne was astounded. “I do not know. I am not responsible for this!” Suddenly, there was a bright flash, and the Enticorn vanished and was gone from the chamber. Before any of us could question, we could hear the sound of someone’s voice laughing at us. “Titan!” cried Lightning. Titan’s voice snickered at us all. “…Thank you for making a hard job all the more easier. You Kallanians are just as weak and foolish as I remembered you would be.” Avyanna heard everything from inside the sphere. Both she and Mayne could hardly believe their ears that Titan was behind this. “You fiend, Titan!” thundered Lightning “Give me back my power!!” Titan only laughed, “If you want it so bad, why not pay me a visit… if you can. It won’t matter even if you do; Project Darkness is about to begin, which spells out the end of all of you!” His evil laugh echoed as his voice faded away. “…Project Darkness?” wondered Lightning. The rest of us, even Avyanna didn’t like the sound of that one bit! “We both better get back to United Equestria… Now.” suggested Lightning. The rest of us agreed, and also… we intended to bring Avyanna and Mayne back with us as prisoners for still, technically, violating our Starfleet Space. We had the authority from our superiors and the galactic council, so not even the outer boundaries could save them. “Uh, just one thing before we go.” I said “…Can I please have my body back?” My friends snickered, and Mayne then watched as Avyanna in my body was released from the sphere, and all I had to do to reverse the spell was kiss her… or rather myself, again. This time it felt really strange-- having to kiss my own self as I was still consciously a man in a woman’s body, but I managed, and it worked-- I got my own body back. Avyanna was completely outraged and looked ready to raise horrors, but she was already in custody and was forced to come along with the rest of us. The last thing we all did was report to the entire Kallanian Empire that we were taking the princess with us, which of course shocked and appalled every being and the attack forces, but they couldn’t open fire on us, not while we had the hostages. “In the meantime…” Lightning announced “This planet will be under the temporary watch of a Starfleet unit that is now on its way. There is to be no acts of war, no counter assaults, and no commissions of any action. …All will be made clear in time.” As soon as the outpost arrived and setup within the palace to keep things clean and quiet, our group headed home, with our prisoners. Our mission was done, but it was obvious now that the real bout was about to begin! On the way, Avyanna looked at me sourly, and I couldn’t help but tease “Don’t look so grim, it doesn’t feel all that bad to be in your position.” My friend chuckled, but Avyanna and Mayne were far from amused. (Promo) In our next episode: Not only is it discovered what Titan’s evil project is, but it may already be too late to stop it as Titan finally materializes in solid forum to put his plan into action. Starfleet has no choice but to make a deal with Avyanna and her forces to assist in the battle that is going to commence. What is Project Darkness, and will The Kallanains comply with the terms? Don’t miss the next exiting episode of “Starfleet Magic!” (Next Episode: “Part 1: Project Darkness”)