“Previously on Starfleet Magic…”
Careful research led to the identification that the ghost is the spiritual remains of a once-pony that could never grow up. Meanwhile, Lil Fair was overly devastated to hear of her grouchy father’s detest of her very existence and all children everywhere, whereas the spirit finally was able to control Lil in whole new ways leaving the filly powerless to repel, and another failed attack revealed her indeed to be Little Jewel, which prompted her to retreat and formulate a newer, dastardly plan to wipe out all grownups.
EPISODE NINE
*Mykan’s POV*
The next morning, Lightning had gathered the entire group at Spike and Rarity’s place to discuss the events last night.
I was told to attend as well, as it was assumed my services would be needed too after my confrontation with the ghost last night.
Rarity took a good look at the old photos of Little Jewel, and she was ever so astounded. “I can’t believe it!”
“I can’t either,” agreed Spike “Twenty-three years old and yet she looked no older than three her whole life.”
“Oh, yes, I agree, but I was referring to those outfits she models in. The stitching is just all wrong, and those patterns… Ohh-hhh-hh.”
Spike rolled his eyes.
“Seriously…?” I grumbled “Thinking about fashion at a time like this?”
Lightning cleared his throat for everyone to focus.
“So now we know who the ghost is.” said Dyno “But how are we supposed to stop her?”
Myte thought deeply, but nothing came to mind. “I don’t think it’ll be so easy to do so. She’s not like any other spirits we ever faced.”
Swift was combing through Zecora’s book on how to stop ghosts, but all advice amounted to the normal and usual things-- exorcisms, imprisoning the spirit within and object, or even helping the spirit find peace so it would move on.
The most easy and obvious of them all was that ghosts loved darkness and hated light, which was of zero good seeing as the ghost was shrouded in brightness all the time.
“I’ve seen her in action close up. She’s as nasty as they come.”
“I’m more concerned with her appearance as well as her motivation.” said Starla. She observed Little Jewel’s picture, and how her ghastly, ghostly forum looked nothing like it. “How could this have happened to her?”
Rainbow was starting to grow impatient. “Look, we should just figure out how to stop her and fast. Everyone all over New Ponyville has been going crazy, and what if it spread all over the planet?”
She then snatched the book from Swift.
“Hey!” Swift protested.
Rainbow combed through the pages looking something-- anything for a quick answer. “Come on! Come on!!”
Buddy then snatched the book. “Rainbow, take it easy! We’ll find a way.”
Really, he was as frustrated as she was. He, just as the others knew, there was no real way to battle the ghost. All the attacks and magic would just go straight through her, and even repelling her own magic back at her would do nothing either.
Pinkie scratched her head and paced up and down the room while blowing a bubble pipe.
“Aha!” she suddenly said, but then she immediately went “Oh, no… it won’t work. Never mind.” which made everyone groan.
“How hard can it be to catch one simple ghost?” asked Applejack.
Swift reminded everyone, “Well, we know one thing; when we showed her all those advertisements of herself, she went crazy, and according to Zecora’s book, her power would have weakened.”
Rhymey agreed, but also shook his head,
“I don’t think it’s really enough,
She’s still so strong and really tough.”
Fluttershy sighed,
“All this trouble is becoming a dread,
How do you beat what’s already dead?”
“I don’t know… With another spirit maybe?” replied Krytsa. She only threw such an idea at random, thinking it was an unlikely and very ridiculous idea…
…But everyone went silent, and all were suddenly fixating on what she had just said.
“Another spirit?” said Lightning. Then he looked at Zecora’s book which actually confirmed this theory.
“When all other tactics do you fail,
Only one other option will prevail…
If a spirit it is you wish to fight,
You must possess another spirit’s might.
Mortal attacks will avail you naught,
Only a spirit’s power is your best shot.”
No one was really able to argue with such a thing, but everyone’s minds were still going in circles.
“And just how or where are we supposed to find a spirit?” asked Rainbow.
Lightning slowly stood with a strange expression on his face. “…We may not have to find a spirit.”
Everyone was looking at him, and Starla asked “What are you talking about?”
Krysta’s eyes widened. “Lightning, you don’t mean…?”
His silence was enough to answer just so, and Lightning explained…
“A long time ago, while Grand Ruler Celesto was training me on Unicornicopia, I learned of many times of magic and spells from him. Thought I couldn’t do magic myself, it would help me understand better so I could defend myself and be better prepared in such situations.
He also taught me of special abilities that didn’t really require magic, but more stamina and inner strength.”
He went on explaining how he learned the existence of a magic ability so powerful, so deadly, most creatures would never dare to learn it or practice it.
“Observe, Lightning…” Grand Ruler said as he showed magical images of a battle he once took part in on another planet ages ago.
He and Starfleet were battling powerful aliens, threatening to conquer Neighboring planets near Unicornicopia, and after a lengthy battle, Grand Ruler had the alien master cornered…
…But the evil creature demonstrated the great power he was about to unleash.
He began to concentrate his inner stamina and life force, and began to perform a strange tai-chi like dance.
Then, all at once, the life-force of his body began to flare up and leave his body, forming itself into a perfect spiritual duplicate of himself.
“Behold…!” the creature shouted “The power of …Spiritual Duplication.”
Just as the name and images revealed, the user would focus their very life energy, their strength, power, and whatever magic they had to create spiritual duplicates of themselves, like puppets they could control while still performing the slow dance and keeping a firm concentration as well.
The alien spirit was just as powerful as his mortal forum and could do all his moves and magic as well, and as a spirit, normal mortal attacks would prove ineffective and merely pass straight through, while the spirit was capable of using life-force energy against the target, which was extremely powerful stuff.
Everyone was wide-eyed and their mouths were hanging open at the thought of such of such a power.
“Duplicating yourself as a spirit?” I said, and I rubbed my head in total disbelief and astonishing amazement “…That goes beyond every scientific theory, every religious belief the people of my world ever considered!”
Lightning agreed, “Yes, it is incredible… but it comes at a horrible risk and price.”
He went on explaining from the images he saw, the longer one would keep up this incredible power, the more life energy they would be pouring into it.
Finally, after a lengthy battle, Grand Ruler realized that instead of wasting time with the spirit, he should attack the alien himself.
One blast of his Ten-Fold Uniforce, the alien was thrown back hard, breaking his concentration and vanquishing the spirit instantly.
As for the alien, he had died, not really from the attack, but from using up too much of his life force for so long.
Now everyone was shuddering with fear. Rarity felt short of breath and felt like fainting.
Lightning clenched his trembling fists, still remembering the horrors himself, and they still frightened him that very day.
“Is it really that dangerous?” asked Starla.
Krysta replied for Lightning. “It is! The Spiritual Duplication Art, with the right training, any creature can use it, but just so… if you’re not sufficiently strong, it could come at the price of your life!”
All at once, everyone had nearly forgotten how to breathe, and Rarity did faint into Spike’s arms.
“Such power!” murmured Dyno.
“Totalmente increíble! *Totally Incredible*” said Myte.
“But… why are you telling us all this?” asked Spike.
Lightning fell silent again, and everyone’s began to turn cold, especially Starla’s. “Don’t tell me you know this art?”
Lightning shook his head, “No, I don’t, but I’m sure He… does.” he referred to Grand Ruler Celesto.
That’s when he began to look as if he were going to be sick himself, and no one could blame him. The very thought OF the very thought of asking his majesty to risk his life like that…!
“There’s got to be another way!” wailed Artie.
“There isn’t.” said Applejack “Unless of course one of us dies and tries to fight the ghost ourselves.
…I think not.”
“Absolutely out of the question!” cried Rarity. “All this talk of death or potential doom… it… it’s more than I can bear!”
Lightning slumped on the couch, clutching his head in outrage and frustration. “How can I ask him?”
Starla, equally as freaked out as he was, held her husband’s arm, but she honestly didn’t know what to say or tell him.
Lightning knew there were no other choices, and not even trying meant risking more innocent lives with that ghost still on the loose.
“I guess there’s nothing for it...” he decided. “I better contact him right now and get it over with.”
“We’re all with you on this.” Artie assured him, and all the others agreed, but even with this support, not one of them felt good about this.
As for Artie, he took a look at one of the pictures of Little Jewel on the table… and he got a secret idea of his own.
“Can I borrow this?” he asked Swift.
Swift was curious. “What are going to do, General?”
Artie didn’t give a straight answer, but he did say “…I think I have a small idea of my own, but I’ve got to do it right now.”
He then looked at Lightning, “Trust me, this just may help.” and he quickly left the house and headed home.
*POV Pause*
Elsewhere, there was something else big going on.
Lady Fair had gone to Lil Fair’s room to get her up for school like she always did, only to find she wasn’t in her bed or anywhere in the house.
“Lil!” she called. “Lil… where are you?!”
When she couldn’t find her daughter anywhere, she dashed Sole Maker’s office and quickly wrote a letter to her husband at work… five times to ensure he would get it instead of just overlooking it.
Surely he had to care for their child at least a little!
When she finished writing the last letter, it was strange. Usually when she was stressed or feeling bummed she would go out on a shopping spree, or hit the spa to forget all her troubles, but somehow she didn’t feel much like doing it this time.
“What’s wrong with me?” she wondered “I’ve never felt like this before.”
There was no doubt, it was her motherly feelings finally enflaming for the first time ever. She actually did show a little more care for her child than her husband, but still not nearly enough to make Mother of the Year.
As she got up from the chair, she heard a small crash on the floor beneath the desk.
She found an open briefcase with a lot of money it, and there was a letter. It was her husband’s handwriting and it was addressed to Lil’.
“Here is Twenty-thousand bits for you to never come home.
--Dad”
Lady was positively horrified. He would dare just kick a nine year-old child out of the house just like that?! True, she knew of his resentment to her, but never would it be this strong!
Then she also noticed the briefcase was still under the desk.
Lady wondered if Sole decided really not to do it.
It also gave her the idea, “Lil! Maybe she got up early and went to school herself.”
It wasn’t likely, because school wouldn’t start for another half hour, but she rushed downstairs to head out the door, only to find her daughter standing there in the foyer.
“Lil?!” she cried.
“What are you doing here? Didn’t you hear me call you?”
Lil just stood facing the door, with her back to her mother.
“Lil, are you listening to me?” bellowed her mother, but all she heard in response were tiny little snickers from her daughter.
“Stop that laughing right now!”
Lil then turned around with mighty evil grin, and jewels in her eyes “…Or what?” she sneered in a deep, raspy voice.
Lady gasped, and the next thing she knew her daughter blasted her with some kind of strong magical ray, forcing her back into a wall and locking her in place.
“What are you doing?!” she wailed “Lil, stop this right now.”
Lil only laughed, “I’m not your daughter. I’m the one who’s going to use you and several others in a plot to make my dreams become a reality.”
Lady’s eyes widened as she finally got the idea who this really was. “You’re the…?”
Before she could say another thing, Little Jewel used her malicious powers-- making her diamond eyes glow brightly to paralyze Lady into silence.
Jewel snickered and then moved in closer to her victim only to stop midway and begin struggling again as Lil’s inner-spirit began to fight for control again.
“Leave my mother alone!” she demanded while trying to hold Jewel back, but eventually the evil ghost took control of her body again. “Stay down, you fool! I’m just getting started.”
Later, at the Royal Palace, Celestia, as a teacher herself, had just come from teaching her students, and her own children, in magical arts.
She, of course, did not give her children any special treatment or any of that stuff and all, and it warmed her heart to see so many young faces studying hard to become great magical users and conjurers.
She came to the throne room to find her husband sitting on his throne, silent and still like a board, and staring off into space with wide, shocked, and worrisome eyes.
“Celesto?”
No response.
“Darling…?”
No response.
Then she noticed a letter in his hand with Lightning’s official seal on it; that meant is was a very serious matter.
She managed to take the letter and read it herself.
After she finished, she lifted her wide eyes up over the edge of the paper, and that’s when her husband finally looked up at her.
Celestia knew of the Spiritual Duplication Art as well-- her husband told her about it.
“I only ever used the art once.” he re-explained.
“Centuries ago, the alien army returned when they had received word of their fallen leader.
They were armed with newer technologies and weapons, making them harder to beat, including an ability to combine their bodies to make a huge giant.
Even with the uniforce, it proved to be a difficult foe, so I used the art, had my spirit attack the creature from inside the body, destroying it instantly and wiping the aliens out…
…But the lethality of the art out a huge strain on me. I barely managed to recover. I never dared teach this art to anyone, and I struggled with all my might to train and come up with ways to beat foes without the art.”
He said nothing else, but because obvious, the way he looked up at Celestia, what he was thinking.
“No! You can’t…!” she cried.
“I have no choice. The only possible way to battle a spirit is with a spirit, and if we don’t do anything, all of New Ponyville will be in great danger, and the rest of the planet is sure to follow.”
Celestia was quivering nervously. “…But what about you?”
Grand Ruler felt no different than she did. He knew exactly what he was putting on the line-- especially his wife and children.
“I’m still much stronger now than I was before.” he said. “I should able to help beat this creature easily before things get too harsh.”
“That’s still not the point.” said Celestia, by now she was trying to fight back oncoming tears of worry, and she didn’t have to say what was on her mind.
Grand Ruler got up and embraced his wife deeply.
“I know how you feel; I’m scared too.”
The both of them were reminded of how they were separated for a-thousand years, and ever after being reunited, nearly lost each other times-- it was all part of the business, they were obligated to their duties, but it always felt scary in the end.
“What do we tell the children?” she whispered into his ear.
“We don’t.” he immediately answered. “I especially don’t want them to worry.”
Celestia understood, and then Grand Ruler softly looked rolled his eyes up at the ceiling, “…Is that understood, Luna?”
His sister-in-law, had been hiding up in the ceiling listening in on them, slunk down in her shadowy forum, and she complied “I understand…” but she too had objections regarding what was going on.
Grand Ruler wrote a response back to Lightning, agreeing to the terms, but he wouldn’t be able to make it until after the children were put to bed, but he did enclose instructions on how to make the plan better, and…
“…In the meantime, try and locate the ghost. Don’t worry about sending me the info; I’ll be able to find you.”
Lightning sighed, “Well, that’s it then. He’s agreed to help us.”
*POV Resume*
Nobody in the room felt too relieved, even though his majesty stated his strength was greater now-- it was still a risk.
“Couldn’t he just take something?” I asked “You know; a potion or an item to boost his strength even more?”
Krysta shook her head, “It can’t be anything artificial. It has to be pure and natural life force.”
“Well, never mind that now.” said Starla. “The next thing we have is waiting for the ghost to show itself, and that won’t be easy.”
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
Rarity answered it and found one of the sentries.
“Beg pardon, General…” he said while saluting “Is the commander still here?”
Lightning came to the door, and the sentry handed him a report that was urgent for him to observe.
“Thank you, at ease.” he said dismissing the soldier.
“Can’t they see we’re in the middle of an important conference?” grumbled Spike.
Lightning took one look at the reports, and his eyes widened. “…This may be exactly what we need!”
“What is it? What does it say?” asked Rhymey.
“What is it that’s coming our way?” rhymed Fluttershy.
Lightning explained, “Lady Fair and Lil Fair have been reported missing.”
Everyone huddled close, and I checked the report too. “Lil never went to school this morning?”
Part of the report was from Cheeriliee-- I had told her I wouldn’t be in today because my Starfleet services were needed, and she wrote part of the report.
The other report written by Lady Fair’s friends...
They had come to visit her to invite her shopping when they noticed the house looked as if there had some kind of struggle-- tables and chairs were knocked over, a vase was broken, and in the middle of the floor was a letter, which was copied and enclosed in the report.
“To anyone who discovers this:
If you ever want to see Lady Fair again, come to Sole Maker’s Shoe Factory at the edge of New Ponyville, tonight at 6 pm.
Ha… Ha… Ha!”
There was no questioning; this was the ghost’s work!
“Of course she would strike there.” said Dyno.
“Si, it’s probably where she originated from all this time.” agreed Myte.
Rainbow read the letter herself, and she was most infuriated, “Okay! This time she’s gone way over the line!!”
Pinkie looked pumped up and ready to jump into action! “Let’s go, right now!”
She was about to dash out the door when Buddy stopped her-- levitating her with his magic.
“Whoa! Whoa!! Down, girl…! We’re not ready to barge in yet; not without Grand Ruler Celesto.”
“He’s right.” agreed Starla. “Without his majesty we won’t have a chance, and now we have a hostage situation. That only makes it worse.”
The others all agreed, while Swift observed the blackmail letter. “Something doesn’t add up here. Why does it only talk about Lady Fair being danger and not Lil too?”
Everyone thought that perplexing indeed.
*POV Ends*
Meanwhile, Sole Maker was hard at work in his office again, finding it so hard to concentrate on his paperwork. All he could think of was how wonderful it would feel to finally kick her out of the house, out of his life, and out of his misery for good.
“As soon as school gets out this afternoon…” he thought to himself. “I’ll have my messenger drop the briefcase off to Lil. She’s been a pain in my back for long enough, and it’s time I got my own life back.”
Suddenly, he noticed how quiet it was and felt.
He looked out his office window and saw the entire factory below was deserted. All the workers were nowhere to be seen, and all the machines were switched off.
“What is this?!” he growled. “Why is no one working?!”
Just as he was about to announce through the entire factory over the intercom, there was a knock at his office door.
“Yes, what?!” he bellowed rudely.
The door slowly opened, and who should walk in but his daughter.
“Lil…? What are you two doing here?!”
He was now angrier than ever that his staff had let her in.
“Aren’t you supposed to be at school?”
Lil only acted smug and looked her father in the eyes, “What are you going to do about it?”
Sole’s eyes flared up, “What did you just--” was all he managed to get out before Lil threw a briefcase on the floor by his feet; the very case with the money he intended to give her to have her leave and never return.
“…Planning to kick me out, we’re you?”
Rather than go into a stammering dumbfounded state, Sole was very blunt. “Yes. You want the truth; I’ll give it to you straight.”
He was about to speak, but Lil interrupted him again, “It’s because you’re a selfish, heartless, possessive, loud-mouthed work-a-holic, with no respect or regard for anyone’s sake but his own.”
Sole was looking angrier than ever, and growled softly, “Shut up, you little brat!”
“And that’s another thing!” sneered Lil “You have this deep-seated hatred of children, just because you grew up in a different manner-- preferring to mature and learn to be successful at a young age than enjoy the pleasures of youth and innocence, and you scoff at everyone and everything that doesn’t meet your standards.
…You are disgrace to all living beings and workers everywhere!”
Finally pushed to beyond his limits, and completely unable and unwilling to stand for this disrespect and lashing, decided to change his initial plan…
…He grabbed a sharp letter-opener off his desk, intending to slay his own daughter with and finally being rid of her. “I’ll show you who’s a disgrace!!”
He had barely put one foot forth to rush her…
“Stay where you are!” Lil growled in a dark, raspy voice, making her maniac father stop in his tracks.
That’s when Lil’s eyes changed into diamonds, and she shot the letter knife of out his hand, causing him back away in fear. “What… What do you think you’re doing?!”
That’s when his daughter’s body began to glow brightly as she slowly approached him, “I’m going to teach you a lesson… Father Dearest!”
“HELP!! SOMEBODY HELP ME!!” shouted Sole, but the evil creature snickered, “There’s no one who wants to help a creep like you!”
Suddenly she was halted in her tracks by Lil’s inner spirit holding her back yet again. “No! I’m not going to let you hurt my dad!
He may be a worthless and heartless jerk, but he doesn’t deserve to get beaten up!”
“Let go of me!” demanded Little Jewel. “He was going to kill you! He would have kicked you out on your own! Now he’s at our mercy!”
Realizing a bit of what was going on and seeing them struggling for control, Sole, heartlessly and foolishly, picked up his desk chair and hurled it at Lil, not caring if it was really her or not, but Jewel saw it coming and quickly blasted it right back at him!
The chair crashed into him hard and knocked him on the floor, unconscious.
“Pathetic!” grumbled Jewel “But at least it makes things easier for me.”
She then looked at the big clock on the wall, which read 11 A.M.
“Seven more hours, and then, the real party begins.”
There wasn’t much she could do in broad daylight. It was only at night, in the dark, where her powers would peak and she could unleash her wrath.
All she could do for now was put Sole with all other prisoners she had with her in the factory, and await the arrival of Starfleet-- all part of her plan.
Looking around the office like this and how successful a grownup could be; it all just infuriated her-- bringing back terrible memories of how such things could never be hers, along with many other things due to the way she was in life.
“…Grownups!” she growled “…You will all suffer for what you are.”
To Be Continued…
(Promo)
In our next episode: Our heroes confront Little Jewel’s ghost, and after hearing of her past, it’s an all-out battle as Grand Ruler Celesto aids with the help of the Spiritual Art, but things start to get worse as Sole Maker devises a plan of his own which may jeopardize many innocent lives.
Can our heroes finally put an end to these dark plots?
Don’t miss the next exciting episode of “Starfleet Magic!”
(Next Episode: “Part 3: “Childish Reasons”)