//------------------------------//
// Arc 14-3: A Friendship that Stand By Each Other 
// Story: My Little Pony: One as a Family.  "Trials of Friendship" 
// by SaburoDaimando 
//------------------------------//


	A Friendship that Stands By Each Other



Quickstrike kept his snake arm pointed at Princess Cadance and Shining Armor, keeping them at bay.  Inferno and Waspinator stood above Princess Celestia with their blasters pointed at the helpless alicorn.  But Pinkie Pie and Starlight Glimmer’s eyes were set on Wanda, who stared at the three Predacons with anger in her eyes.
“Wanda,” Pinkie Pie said.  “Now’s not the time to do this.”
But Pinkie Pie’s words were not reaching out to Wanda, nor were they attracting Inferno, Quickstrike and Waspinator.  Princess Celestia stared helplessly at Inferno and Waspinator.
“So Princess,” Inferno said.  “Any last words before your time on this planet is over?”
Tears flowed down from Princess Celestia’s eyes before she said “Do what you want with me.  But leave my daughters alone.  Leave her friends alone.  Leave my sister alone.”
“Oh I’m terribly sorry,” Inferno said.  “But had you been a good mother and simply turned Princess Wanda over to our queen, your life could have been spared.”
“Say good night, Princess Celestia,” Waspinator said with a sinister laugh.
“PREDACONS!”  Wanda yelled, finally catching the attention of all three changelings.
“What in the blazes?” Inferno said in confusion.
Wanda Young held two spheres of magic in her hands as her anger reached a critical level.  Before any of the Predacons could move, Wanda fired the blasts right at Inferno and Waspinator.  The impact from the magic was powerful enough to blast Inferno and Waspinator out of the way, flying right into Quickstrike and sending them falling to the ground.
“Wanda,” Celestia cried as Wanda, who breathed really heavy, marched over to the Predacons.
“What is going on?” Princess Cadance said.  
“I’ve never seen her this angry before,” Shining Armor said.
“Neither do I,” Princess Cadance said.
“What’s happening to Wanda?” Starlight Glimmer asked.
“I think this is where her pent-up anger just exploded like a volcano,” Pinkie Pie said.  “And I have a feeling it had to do with some kind of trauma she got.”
Inferno, Quickstrike and Waspinator looked upwards to see a slightly weakened Wanda stand over the trio.  The three Predacons all cowered in fear as Wanda looked down at them.
“Now you listen to me and listen to me good,” Wanda said as her voice reverberated in the air.  “I don’t want to see you harm my friends, my family, and especially my MOMMY!  DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?”
Inferno looked up in fear and said “Y..yes Princess Wanda.  We best be on our way now.”
“Yeah,” Quickstrike said with fear coming out of his voice.  “No use messing with a coyote like you.”
“Waspinator agree,” Waspinator said.  “Waspinator shall exit, stage right.”
With that, the Predacons transformed back into their changeling forms and flew off in the distance.  Princess Cadance looked up and cracked a smile on her face.
“Good riddance to bad rubbish,” Princess Cadance said.  “And this time, it’s for good.”
“No argument there,” Shining Armor said.
“Princess Cadance, Shining Armor, what happened?” Princess Cadance and Shining Armor turned around to see Princess Luna and Captain Airazor approach them.
“It’s worse than we thought, Aunt Luna,” Princess Cadance said.  “The Predacons struck down Princess Celestia and took her magic away.”
Princess Luna gasped in fear before she ran up to Princess Celestia, who struggled to get up.
“Sister,” Luna cried.  “What happened?”
“All I can say is,” Celestia said as she finally got up on her four hooves.  “This is the last time I scold Wanda without looking for any danger around us.”
“This isn’t the time to be joking sister,” Luna cried.  “You almost died again and…”
Celestia turned towards Wanda, who breathed heavily from her exhaustion.  The Man’s Cub got down on her knees and broke down crying.  
“Princess Celestia,” Starlight said as a tear fell from her eye.  “What happened to Wanda?”
“I now know why she pulled that stunt..twice,” Celestia said.  “And it had to do with my near death during the Gala and nearly losing her friends.”
“Poor Wanda,” Pinkie Pie said.  “To be traumatized after Queen Chrysalis nearly killed you.”
“I think it’s time I gave her a more comforting talk,” Princess Celestia said.
Princess Celestia limped over to Wanda, who continued to cry into the air.  She placed her hoof on Wanda’s shoulder, causing her crying to slow down before stopping.  She looked up at Celestia, who looked sad and depressed.
“Mommy,” Wanda said.  “I’m sorry I…”
Celestia put her hoof on Wanda’s mouth and said “It’s alright.  I know why you did that, even if it was reckless.  But then again, your mother was as reckless as you are.”
“Huh?” Wanda said in confusion.  “What do you mean?”
“Wanda,” Celestia said.  “This is the second time that I was almost killed by the changelings.  I did say that there was a time to be brave and a time to be cautious.  Turns out, that was a lesson I should have taken to heart.  I was far more reckless in my actions and I put you, and myself, in danger.  You don’t need to apologize to me.  It’s me who needs to apologize to you.  I’m sorry.”
Wanda looked up at Celestia and her tears began to flow again.  She struggled to hold back before she cried right into Celestia’s chest.  All Celestia could do was to rub her adopted daughter on the head.
“I think we all had a long day,” Princess Luna said.  “We should head back to the castle.”
“Wait,” Princess Cadance said.  “There’s still that dinner that Wanda and Helga made for Starlight and Sunburst.”
“Yeah,” Shining Armor said.  “Until those Predacons ruined it.”
“Then might I suggest we return to the very restaurant that you were at?” Airazor asked.
Luna nodded and said “Good idea.”
Wanda pulled her head out from Celestia’s chest as she got up and wiped her tears from her face.  Starlight Glimmer walked up to Wanda and gave her a big hug with Pinkie PIe right behind her.
“Come on,” Celestia said.  “Let’s finish what you started, my darling Wanda.”
Princess Celestia limped alongside Princess Luna, Captain Airazor, Princess Cadance and Shining Armor down the street with Wanda Young, Starlight Glimmer and Pinkie PIe following from behind.
“Wanda,” Starlight said.  “I’ve known you since we met at the School for Gifted Unicorns.  But I’ve never seen you that angry before.”
Wanda looked down at Starlight and said “I’m sorry that I scared you.  But I didn’t want those meanies to hurt you, or mommy.”
Starlight placed her hoof on Wanda’s cheek before she said “Even though you were scary back there, I do appreciate what you did for me, and for your mommy.  Even though we’re different, we still have a strong heart, and I’m glad to have you for a friend.”
“Aww,” Wanda said.  “Thanks Starlight.”
“Well what can we say?” Pinkie Pie said, bouncing along with her party cannon following behind her.  “After all, Friendship is Magic.”
Starlight looked behind Pinkie Pie and said “Hey Pinkie.  How come your party cannon is moving right behind you without you pulling at it?”
Pinkie Pie smiled before she said “Oh sometimes I use a rope to pull the cannon.  And sometimes, it’s got a mind of its own.  And right now, it wants to walk alongside me.”
Wanda and Starlight laughed alongside Pinkie as they, along with Celestia, Luna, Cadence, Shining and Airazor walked down the streets of Canterlot City.

Later in the evening, the group arrived back at the cafe, where Helga Heartsoup, Trixie Lulamoon, Abigail Albright and Sunburst waited for them.  Helga was surprised by the presence of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.
“Princess Celestia, Princess Luna,” Helga said. “I’m honored by your presence.  But why are you here?”
“I heard that you and Wanda prepared a special dinner for Starlight Glimmer and Sunburst,” Princess Celestia said.
Helga quickly noticed the blast mark on Celestia’s side before she said “Sweet bread rolls.  What happened to you, your majesty?”
Princess Celestia looked at her side and said “A reminder to why my daughter’s been suffering lately.”
“Wow,” Sunburst said. “Those Predacons did a number on you.”
“And they locked my magic and Wolf’s Breath curse out,” Celestia said.
“The same thing happened to Danged Spell when he had to defend himself against the Changelings,” Pinkie Pie said.  “From what I heard, he had to resort to fighting dirty to hold off one of them.”
“He did that, huh?” Princess Celestia said.  “Maybe I should consider that the next time I lose my magic and curse.”
“Mommy,” Wanda said.  “Now’s not the time to be joking.  You almost died again.”
“Your daughter’s right,” Luna said with a smirk.  “I think we all need to relax and just enjoy the moment.”
“You’re right, you’re right,” Princess Celestia said.  “Come on.  Let’s get some grub.”
Helga held her arm out and said “I’ve prepared a special booth for all of you as a token of gratitude and due to what happened to the last one.”
“Last one?” Celestia asked.
Wanda looked at Starlight and Sunburst before she said “Truth be told.  I helped Helga with the last one because….well….I see a spark within Starlight and Sunburst.”
“A what?” Starlight and Sunburst said.
“I think you two were meant to be with each other,” Wanda said.  “That’s why I pitched in.  That’s why big sis, Trixie, Shining Armor and Abby helped me out.”
“Look on the bright side, Wanda,” Trixie said.  “We made sure this one is great and spectacular.”
“What do you mean by that?” Wanda asked.
“Go look inside,” Sunburst said.  “I think you’ll be surprised.”
Immediately, Wanda ran past Princess Celestia and Helga Hearthsoup and into the cafe.  When she looked at the back of the cafe, her face beamed with excitement.  One large table had been set up with a similar tablecloth and napkins.  Candles were lit for the mood.  And there were steaming hot plates of Manehattan spaghetti and seasoned oatballs, with frothy mugs of root beer floats.  
“I…I don’t believe this,” Wanda said.  “You did all this while I was gone?”
“You wanted to do all of this for me and Starlight,” Sunburst said. “And truth be told, I didn’t expect you to do this because you saw a spark between me and Starlight.  But I appreciate it.”
Starlight walked up behind Wanda and said “Wanda, you’ve proven to us that you’ve been a great friend.  And because of that, I’m grateful.”
“Come on Wanda,” Trixie said.  “Let’s go inside and enjoy the moment.  So says I, the Great and Powerful Trixie.”
Wanda giggled as Trixie, Starlight and Sunburst lead her to the table, where they all got up in their chairs and sat down.  Pinkie Pie and Abigail Albright ran up behind before sitting next to the group. 
“I was wondering if you would join us,” Starlight said.
“Yeah,” Wanda said.  “After all the help you did for us, you deserve a seat at the table.”
“Awww,” Pinkie PIe said.  “Thanks you guys.  You’re some of the best friends I’ve ever had.”
With that, Wanda, Abigail, Starlight, Sunburst, Trixie and Pinkie all picked up their mugs of root beer and clanged them together in celebration, cheering in the night sky.  But at the entrance, Princess Cadance and Shining Armor watched as the younglings all enjoyed their spaghetti.  
“What do you say, hot stuff,” Princess Cadance said as she wrapped her tail around Shining Armor’s chin.  “Wanna go get a bite to eat?”
But the only thing Shining Armor said was “Hubba hubba hubba hubba.”  Cadance looked up to him and smiled.
“Come on, big boy,” Princess Cadance said. “Lets join in like the good ol days.”
With that, Princess Cadance and Shining Armor walked up to the table where the younglings were enjoying their spaghetti.  But nearby, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Captain Airazor and Helga Hearthsoup observed from afar.
“You have such wonderful daughters when it comes to Wanda and Cadance,” Helga Hearthsoup said. 
“Thanks,” Princess Celestia said.  “But I do worry for Wanda.  Twice today, she lost her anger.  One was over Starlight Glimmer . And the other was because of me.”
“I believe Wanda may be suffering from Autophobia,” Princess Luna said.  “A fear of being alone.  Remember that nightmare she had?”
“About the Pony of Shadows taunting her about how she will forever be alone?” Princess Celestia said.
“Yeah,” Princess Luna said.  “Those nightmares are getting worse and worse by the days, and I fear that Wanda’s psyche could break unless we remind her that she’ll never be alone.”
Princess Celestia let out a sigh and said “After what happened, I felt like I’ve only worsened her fear.  I know I’ve looked after many orphans.  But I feel like a failure as a mother.  Maybe a trip to the Golden Land will help her out.”
“Sister,” Princess Luna said.  “It’s okay.  We can help her out.  Right now, she’s enjoying her time with her friends and I think it’s what she needs after all she’s been through.”
“She’s right,” Captain Airazor said. “You do have a wonderful daughter.  And she needs all the help she can get, be it from you, your sister, her sisters, her friends and even the Chancellor.  It’s time to put away your worries and enjoy some time with her.  A little kindness will go a long way.”
Celestia chuckled a bit before she said “I think you’re right.  Besides, I’m starting to remind myself of Wanda.  Very well.  It’s chow time.”
With that, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and Captain Airazor approached the table.  But suddenly, Princess Luna  turned to Helga Hearthsoup.
“By the way,” Princess Luna said.  “How did you know that there would be more to come by?”
Helga laughed before she said “An ancient Hearthsoup technique.  It involves how hungry the pony is and how many around them know what food to eat.”
“Very clever,” Princess Luna said with a grin on her face.  “By the way, my sister and I will be sending you some construction workers tomorrow to fix up the hole in the wall that was caused by those Predacons.  It’s on us.”
As Princess Luna walked up to the table, Helga Hearthsoup stood there and said “It’s moments like this that make me appreciate my job.  Full bellies and satisfied customers are what makes life worth living.”
At the table, everyone was enjoying their spaghetti and root beer.  Especially Wanda, Starlight and Sunburst.
“Wow,” Wanda said.  “This is great.  I knew the aroma was irresistible.  But I never thought I would enjoy something like this.”
“Yeah,” Starlight said.  “It’s too bad those Predacons ruined our first plate.”
“But at least,” Sunburst said.  “We got a chance to enjoy some good food.  Thanks Wanda, and tell Trixie, Princess Cadance and Shining Armor that we really enjoy it.”
“Anytime,” Wanda said.  “Anytime.”
As Wanda enjoyed her meal with Abigail by her side, Starlight and Sunburst turned towards each other, having each taken a bite from their oatballs.
“What a day,” Sunburst said.  “Can’t believe we went through all that trouble thanks to those Predacons.”
“But at least we have each other,” Starlight said.  “But, I wonder why Wanda thinks we have a spark between us.”
“But we do,” Sunburst said.  “As friends.  Just like with Trixie, Wanda, and all our friends at the School for Gifted Unicorns.”
“Sunburst,” Starlight said.  “Do you think we’ll be more than friends?”
“I dunno,” Sunburst said.  “I’ve known you for a long time since we were foals.  And honestly, I’m not that kind of pony to be a romantic casanova.”
Starlight giggled before she said “Sunburst.  Thanks for being my friend.”
“Anytime, Starlight,” Sunburst said.  “I’ll always be there to the very end.”
As Sunburst enjoyed the spaghetti on his plate, Starlight turned her head towards Wanda, Abigail and Trixie, who were busy eating their food.
“It’s great to have friends like Sunburst, Trixie and Wanda,” Starlight thought to herself.  “Always there to be by your side, no matter what.  Sunburst is reliable since we’ve known each other, and I really like hanging out with Trixie.  She’s definitely one pony who knows how to put on a show.  Great and Powerful indeed.  I would like to meet her father Jackpot.”
But Starlight focused her attention towards Wanda, who rubbed the back of Abigail’s neck, causing the kitty to purr gently.
“That being said,” Starlight said.  “I don’t know why.  But I feel like there is something magical about Wanda.  Sure she wants what’s best for me and Sunburst.  And yet, the more I look at her, the more I care alot about Princess Celestia’s adopted daughter.  Maybe it’s because of Wanda being a prime example of Princess Celestia’s teachings, along with her sister Sunset Shimmer.  But at the same time, I think there is more to her than meets the eye.”

Back outside in a nearby alley, Inferno, Quickstrike and Waspinator wandered down the place, having transformed back into their changeling forms.  The trio looked completely worn out and beaten up.
“Oh Queen Chrysalis,” Inferno said in a solemn voice.  “I have failed you, and now I must face the music that you will rain on us.”
“I am not looking forward to being yelled at by Queen Chrysalis,” Quickstrike said.  “Attempting to kidnap that mutt of a pony, Twilight Sparkle and Princess Wanda, along with our failed assassination of Princess Celestia.  After so many failures today, my mood has sunk to a new level.”
“Waspinator don’t know,” Waspinator said.  “After being yelled at by Princess Wanda, being yelled at by Queen Chrysalis is gonna be so relaxing.”
Inferno and Quickstrike stared at Waspinator like he’s gone mad.
“Waspinator,” Inferno said.  “I think you need to see a doctor about that.”
“Yeah,” Quickstrike said.  “Especially if Chrysalis’ shouting will mean nothing to you.”
“What’s the point?” Waspinator said.  “It can’t get any worse than this.”
Suddenly, the trio caught the attention of a dog growling.  Wasapinator began to shake nervously as Inferno and Quickstrike looked behind him.
“Don’t tell me that blasted mutt is behind us,” Inferno said.
“Waspinator thinks she is,” Waspinator said.
The Predacons turned around to see the Alicorn Bulldog standing right behind them, growling loudly as saliva dripped from its mouth.
“Brothers,” Inferno said.  “We must fly as fast as we can and make it to the hive.  At least our Queen’s harsh words will be soothing.”
“I’m with you on that, brother,” Quickstrike said, flapping his wings as fast as possible.
With that, Inferno, Quickstrike and Waspinator flew far away from Canterlot with the Alicorn Bulldog flying in pursuit, chomping right at it while barking loudly in the evening sky.
But nearby, Coldnelius Snap looked up at the fleeing Predacons before turning his attention down towards the Ponies of Canterlot.
“A shame that the Predacon Brothers failed in their attempt to capture Princess Wanda or even Twilight Sparkle,” Coldnelius Snap said.  “But no matter.  It is time to prepare for Operation: Eternal Winter.  We have gathered enough negative energy from the ponies of Equestria, and soon, the cold will last…forever.”
Coldnelius Snap laughed loudly before he turned tail and leaped across buildings, all the way towards the border wall of the city and out of the boundaries towards the forest.



	To Be Continued in…


	Arc 15: The Golden Land


	Silver Banks’ Rescue