//------------------------------//
// The True Meaning of Starlight Part 5 
// Story: The True Meaning of Starlight 
// by SaburoDaimando 
//------------------------------//


The True Meaning of Starlight Part 5



As the hot air balloon drifted northbound, Wanda Young sighed as she slumped down in the basket, looking upwards at the flame that keeps the balloon afloat.  Starlight Glimmer kept her focus on the north with a depressed look on her face.

“Sunset,” Wanda said as she reached out at the flame with her hand.  “Please tell me that you’re alright.  I wish you, along with Rainbow Dash and Zipp Storm, were here to get us back to New Ponyville.  Why does it feel like life has to be cruel and unfair to all of us?”

Wanda slowly got up on her two legs before she looked at Starlight, who continued to daze off into the night sky.  Though she looked hesitant, Wanda pulled down on her winter dress and cleared her throat.”

“Starlight,” Wanda said.  “I…need to talk to you.”

“Whatever,” Starlight said, barely ignoring Wanda.  “At least I’m already exiled from New Ponyville.”

“No you’re not,” Wanda said.  “We would never resort to banishing any pony from New Ponyville, no matter what.”

“Then what is it?” Starlight asked as she slowly turned herself towards Princess Wanda.

“It’s about what happened early ago,” Wanda said.  “I already know what happened that caused you to tip that tree over.”

“It wasn’t my fault,” Starlight said as she started to become a bit agitated.  “I didn’t even mean to do so.”

“That’s not why I’m disappointed in you, Starlight,” Wanda said in a harsh tone.  “It’s because you chose to run away.”

Starlight paused for a moment before she said “Well so what?  I’ve already angered all of New Ponyville for what I did.  Maybe I don’t deserve to live there.  I’d rather be someplace else like Canterlot, New York, Metroplex, Zephyr Heights, Tokyo, London, Vancouver, Mount Aris, or even Angel Grove.  Any place but there.”

“By running away from your problems?” Wanda responded.  “Starlight.  You should have known better than to do that.  Not only did you make a bad situation worse, you put your own life in danger.”

“Well,” Starlight said as her eyes began to water.  “Maybe I wish I was never given that stupid assignment of delivering socks.  Maybe I wish I never came to New Ponyville with Sunburst.  Maybe…”

“Starlight, please,” Wanda shouted, causing Starlight to pause.  

As Starlight slowly sat down,  Wanda composed herself and took a deep breath.

“Starlight,” Wanda said.  “While I am disappointed in you leaving New Ponyville after that mistake, I’m not fully angry at you.”

“Compared to what Sprout said to me?” Starlight cried.  “Maybe he’s right.  Maybe I do hate Christmas and all of it.”

“Starlight,” Wanda said, putting her hands on Starlight’s arms.  “He should have known better than to say those words.  But at the same time, you can’t dwell on the past, nor make any excuses.  It’s time for bygones to be bygones.”

“But,” Starlight said before Wanda placed her finger on Starlight’s lips.

“It’s going to be okay,” Wanda said.  “Trust me.  I wanted to make you happy this Christmas like how Minty wanted to make everyone happy with her legendary sock making skills.  And yes, I know Rarity got her a sock maker just to help her out.”

Starlight looked up at Wanda, who’s frown flipped into a smile.  But all Starlight could do was cry into Wanda’s chest.

“I’m sorry, Wanda,” Starlight cried.  “I didn’t know I caused more harm by running away.”

“It’s okay,” Wanda said, stroking Starlight’s head as she sat down.  “Besides, I’ve actually done this myself.”

“You did,” Starlight cried as she looked up at Wanda.

“Yeah,” Wanda said.  “Back before I heard of Christmas, my adopted mother Princess Celestia used to throw these festive Hearth’s Warming Eve celebrations in Canterlot.  And like you, I…”

“Tipped over the tree?” Starlight asked.

“Worse,” Wanda said.  “I somehow tripped over one of the decorations and pulled them all down within the castle, causing a massive catastrophe and scaring nearly every pony.  When I saw what I did, I ran down the halls, covering my face in shame.  I just wanted to hide away for what I did and never show my face again.”

“So did you really do that for real?” Starlight asked.

“No,” Wanda said.  “Sunset Shimmer quickly took notice of the damage done and told Princess Celestia what I did.  She was a bit upset.  But when I told her what really happened, she realized that someone didn’t set the decorations up properly and I could have been hurt, or worse.  In the end, while I did apologize for the accident, I wound up getting a bigger apology for some pony’s sloppy setup.”

“I guess you handled it far better than I did,” Starlight said.  “Some friend I turned out to be.”

“Not really,” Wanda said.  “Despite that, I can still get a worrisome amount of fear in my head when I prepare for a project for all of New Ponyville.  Sometimes, I still wonder if I put in enough effort into my projects or if it all blows up in my face.  Even despite making amends, I still worry about failing the ponies of New Ponyville.”

“So you’re afraid like I am?” Starlight said.

“I am,” Wanda said.  “But I often put on a brave face and go forward.  I’m reminded why I rule alongside my sister in the province of New Ponyville.  It’s because I want to see the ponies enjoy their new life and one day, open the land to the other humans.”

“So I imagine that we’ll see these humans who look just like you, use magic just like you and even fly just like you?” Starlight asked, causing Wanda to giggle.

“You know what’s funny?” Wanda laughed.  “I did see humans before.  But they didn’t use magic, nor did they fly like me.  It’s rather fascinating.”

But as Wanda laughed, her eyes took notice of a light shining on the side of her cheek.  She turned to her right and saw a small light coming up from behind the hot air balloon.

“Wait,” Wanda said.  “I think I know that light.”

“Who is it?” Starlight asked.

“It must be the Zephyr Ship,” Wanda said.  “Pipp and Zipp must have given sister the green light to rescue us.”

Starlight Glimmer leaped into the air and started to cheer loudly as Wanda reached out and waved with her hand.

“OVER HERE!”  Wanda yelled.  “WE’RE STUCK OVER HERE!  CAN YOU COME GET US?”

But Wanda paused for a moment when she heard the sound of Starlight inhaling frantically.  Wanda turned around to see Starlight standing on the floor of the basket, looking like she’s on the verge of sneezing.  But instead of fear in her eyes, something lit up in Wanda’s mind.

“I have an idea,” Wanda said as she turned Starlight around, facing away from the light.  “Sneeze right here.  Maybe we can get this balloon closer to the ship.”

Starlight Glimmer huffed and puffed as loudly as possible.  At the height of her breathing, Starlight let loose a powerful sneeze, propelling the hot air balloon towards the light that was coming towards their aircraft while shaking the basket slightly.

“What happened?” Starlight asked as she wiped her nose.

“That was a powerful sneeze,” Wanda said.  “I sure hope it got us closer to the Zephyr Ship.”

Up ahead, the Zephyr pods made their way towards the Hot Air Balloon with Zipp Storm in the lead.  Rainbow Dash and Sunset Shimmer stood behind Zipp Storm with Danged Spell, Sunburst, Moondancer, Golden Lace, Thistle Whistle, Minty and Starcatcher.

“There she is,” Zipp Storm said.  “The Hot Air Balloon with Wanda and Starlight in it.”

“Thank Celestia,” Minty said.  “I hope we can pull them in and get them to safety.”

“So how the hay are we going to get them out of harm’s way?” Starcatcher asked.

“I can always fly out and pull them from the basket before making my way back to my pod,” Thistle Whistle said.

“That won’t be necessary,” Zipp Storm said.  “Rainbow, would you like to explain?”

“I’m on it,” Rainbow Dash said.  “Each of our pods are equipped with a special tractor beam that can pull anyone in towards a hatch below the pod.   Once they are in range, the hatch will open up and pull him or her inside.”

“That’s great,” Minty said.  “But how do I do so?”

“Follow me,” Zipp Storm said.  “I’ll tell you what to touch on the console’s touch pad.  But first, I need to relay this message to my sister.”

On the bridge of the Zephyr Ship, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Pipp Petals, Spike and Abigail waited patiently as they kept their eyes on the radar where the ten pods inched closer towards the hot air balloon.

“I can’t believe they got to them that fast,” Rarity said.

“What did you expect?” Pipp Petals said.  “This may be a hunk of junk.  But it’s still a top-class ship throughout the world.”

Immediately, Rarity turned towards her communications computer, taking notice of her monitor with Zipp Storm’s image on it.

“Zipp is trying to get through to us,” Rarity said.

“Patch it through the monitor,” Pipp Petals said.

Rarity tapped her console a few times before she directed her eyes to the viewing window.  Instantly, the world outside of the viewing pane disappeared and the image of Zipp Storm appeared in front of everyone.

“Sister,” Pipp Petals said, excited.  “Report.”

“We’re approaching the hot air balloon as I speak,” Zipp Storm said.  “Wanda and Starlight are in there, and we’re going to use the tractor beams to get them out of harm’s way.”

“Make it so, sister,” Pipp Petals said.  “We await their arrival at Docking Bay 3.”

“Will do,” Zipp Storm said.  “Switching the video feed to the front of the pod.”

In an instant, Zipp Storm disappeared from the viewing window as the video switched over to the hot air balloon, where Wanda and Starlight were still in.

“This is it,” Spike said.  “They pull this off and get them out, we’ll be back as one big happy family.”

“That, I can agree on,” Pipp Petals said.  “I’m glad this is going to be over.”

Back at the hot air balloon, Zipp Storm, Sunset Shimmer and Minty’s Zephyr Pods were lined up in the front, inching closer to Wanda and Starlight.  The two balloon passengers waved towards the trio, excited.

“Hey guys,” Wanda cheered.  “Over here.  Get us out.”

“We’re alright,” Starlight yelled.

But inside the pod, Zipp Storm could barely hear the two from inside the pod.  Immediately, she tapped the touch screen of her console.   Before she could lift her hoof off, the voices of Wanda and Starlight were amplified into the cockpit.

“I read you ladies, loud and clear,” Zipp Storm said.  Standby for the tractor beam to pull you two to safety.”

“Right” Wanda said.  “Let us have it.”

Zipp Storm turned towards Minty’s pod and said “Minty. Do you see a green shape on your console?”

Minty looked down and said “Yeah.  Is that the button for the tractor beam?”

“It’s the one you should hit, and do it now,” Zipp responded as she held her hoof in the air.

Immediately, Zipp and Misty each pressed the green shape on their respective pod console.   Two tractor beams fired right at Wanda and Starlight.  They slowly lifted into the air before they were pulled towards the Zephyr Pods.

“Wanda,” Sunset said.  “How are you doing?” 

“I’m doing fine, sis,” Wanda responded.

Inside the bridge of the Zephyr Ship, everyone cheered loudly as they saw Wanda and Starlight inch closer to the pods by the tractor beams.

“They’re coming home,” Spike said as he and Abigail got out of their seats and danced together.

“Wanda’s coming back, Wanda’s coming back,” Abigail cheered.

Pipp Petals sat back down in her captain’s chair, looking up at the viewscreen with a smile on her face.  She inched towards the mic on the chair with a smile on her face.

“Thanks for pitching in on this rescue mission, Zipp,” Pipp said.

“It’s what I was made to do, sis,” Zipp said.  “After all, it was our mother who encouraged us to reach for the stars.”

“And reach them we did,” Pipp laughed.

But as everyone celebrated, Pinkie Pie’s happy tone became muted as she noticed some black clouds forming behind the Hot Air Balloon.

“Hey guys,” Pinkie Pie said, pointing to the clouds.  “By any chance, what is that?”

Pipp Petals paused for the moment.  She looked at the clouds that inched towards the balloon, and her jaw dropped in horror.

“ZIPP!”  Pipp yelled in the microphone.  “GET OUT OF THERE, NOW!  THAT’S A TEMPEST WINTER STORM!”

Back with the pods, Zipp Storm was made aware of the clouds as she pulled Wanda closer to her pod while Minty pulled Starlight to her pod.

“We’re almost there, sister,” Zipp said.  “It’s too dangerous to move our pods while the tractor beams are in use, storm or no storm.”

As Wanda and Starlight moved closer to their respective pods, Wanda looked up at the black clouds that moved closer to the gang.  The hot air balloon began to pull itself away from the pods and towards the storm clouds.

“Oh no,” Wanda said.  “Princess Celestia told us about those clouds.”

Sunset Shimmer looked at the clouds that pulled the hot air balloon away before it disappeared completely.  She gasped in horror as bolts of lightning form from the storm.

“I’m afraid your sister’s right, Zipp,” Sunset Shimmer said.  “We need to slowly back off from those clouds before we get zapped by it.”

“Okay,” Zipp said.  “It’s going to be a bumpy ride.  But we’re going to have to risk it.”

Zipp tapped her console a few times at a frantic pace.  Immediately, every pod began to back up as the tractor beams pulled Wanda and Starlight to the bottom of their respective aircraft.

“We almost got you out of there,” Minty said.  “Just hang on.  It will almost be over.”

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning shot out from the clouds.  Before anyone had time to react, it split into three smaller streaks that hit Zipp Storm, Minty and Sunset Shimmer’s pods, shaking all three violently.  All three pilots screamed in horror as their computer systems began to malfunction.

“AHHHH!”  Minty screamed as she struggled to stay seated.

“WHAT HAPPENED?” Golden Lace yelled as her voice echoed through the cockpit of Zipp Storm’s Zephyr pod.  “ZIPP.  RESPOND!”

“I’ve had a major malfunction,” Zipp said.  “My Zephyr Pod’s losing power.”

Down below Zipp and Minty’s pods, the tractor beams stood in place as they began to disappear, much to Wanda and Starlight’s horror.

“Guys,” Wanda shouted.  “We’ve got trouble down here.”

But before anyone could react, another bolt of lightning shot out and split into three smaller bolts once more.   This time, when they hit the three pods once more, a small burst emitted from the tops.  The three Zephyr pods shot up in the air before they began to free fall towards the earth.  Wanda and Starlight quickly went under the hatch of two of the pods before the tractor beam went offline.

“ZIPP, SUNSET, MINTY!”  Rainbow Dash yelled.

Back on the bridge, everyone stood there horrified as Zipp, Minty and Sunset’s pods fell downward.

“SISTER!”  Pipp yelled.  “Eject this instant.  GET OUT OF THERE!”

“I can’t,” Zipp said as the audio and video began to break up.  “Ejection seat….broken.  “I…..I can make…..”

But in an instant, the audio and video feed disappeared from the viewing window.  Pipp Petals directed her mouth to the microphone.

“ALL REMAINING UNITS!”  Pipp Petals yelled.  “GET THEM OUT OF THERE!”

As the three pods fell towards the earth, Sunset’s pod broke open as she pulled herself out of there.  She leaped into the air and flew towards Zipp’s pod, landing right on the front glass.

“Zipp,” Sunset yelled.  “Zipp.  I’m getting you out of there.”

Sunset Shimmer frantically smashed into the glass that separated her from Zipp Storm.  But down below, Wanda held onto the hatch, struggling to keep her grip on it.

“Why did this day have to go horribly wrong?” Wanda cried.  

Suddenly, Wanda heard the sound of glass breaking.  She looked up and saw shards of glass fall down towards the earth.  But she also made out a red and yellow pony tail.

“That’s sister,” Wanda said.  “I’ve got to help her.”

Wanda let go of the hatch as her insect wings formed on her back.  She flew up and landed next to Sunset, who broke as much of the glass as possible while Zipp struggled to get her pod operational.

“Sister,” Wanda said.  “I’m glad to see you.”

“Now’s not the time for a reunion,” Sunset Shimmer said.  “Go over to Minty’s ship and rescue her and Starlight.”

“Right,” Wanda nodded.

As Wanda flew away from Zipp’s pod, Sunset reached down to Zipp Storm through where the glass was located.

“Hurry,” Sunset yelled.

Immediately, Zipp Storm reached out and allowed Sunset Shimmer to pull her out in an instant.

“We have to get to Minty’s pod,” Zipp said.  “Starlight and Minty are still in danger.”

 Nearby, Wanda flew over to Minty’s pod, where Starlight struggled to hold onto the hatch below.

“Starlight,” Wanda cried.  “I got you.”

Starlight looked to the side, where she saw Wanda reach out and grab her, holding the twin-tailed mare tight.

“Wanda,” Starlight cried.  “What’s going on?”

“The pods are damaged beyond flight,” Wanda said.  “Let go and I’ll pull you to safety.  Trust me.”

Starlight nodded before she released her grip on the hatch.  Wanda pulled herself away from the bottom of Minty’s pod before she pulled up, where Minty sat there, horrified.

“Minty,” Starlight yelled.  “We’re getting you out of there.”

“Hurry,” Minty cried.

With her horn glowing brightly, Starlight Glimmer covered the glass in an aura of magic.  She flicked her head slightly, causing the glass to shatter completely as Minty covered her face.  When Minty looked up, Starlight reached out with her hoof.  

“Come on,” Starlight yelled.  “We’re getting you out.”

“I can’t,” Minty cried.  “I’m too scared.”

“So am I!”  Wanda and Starlight turned to the right where Zipp and Sunset flew up to the duo.  Behind them, Zipp and Sunset’s pod continued to free fall as Zipp made her way to Minty’s pod.

“Princesses,” Minty said.

“Here,” Zipp said as she reached out to Minty.  “I’ll pull you to safety.”

“But…I’m too afraid,” Minty said, turning her head away.

“Trust me,” Zipp yelled.  “I’ll keep you safe.”

Minty took a deep breath and reached out with her right arm.  Zipp grabbed it and pulled her out of the pod before holding onto the earth pony.

“You’re safe now,” Zipp said.  “We can get you back to the ship.”

As Sunset, Wanda and Zipp held in place with Starlight and Minty held by the latter two flyers, the three pods continued to free fall towards the earth before they hit the snow with a loud crash.

“The hard part’s dealt with,” Zipp Storm said.  “Let’s get you back to the ship and out of harm’s way.”

Wanda let out a sigh of relief as she held Starlight Glimmer close.  Along with Zipp Storm, who held Misty tight, Wanda and Sunset flew towards the remaining seven Zephyr Pods, which immediately flew to their level.

“Hold on,” Rainbow Dash shouted.  “We’re activating the tractor beams this instant.”

But before Rainbow Dash could press anything on her touch screen, Golden Lace looked out and saw the hot air balloon flying in on a tornado.  Lace’s face went pale white.

“EVERYONE!”  Lace shouted.  “BEHIND YOU!”

But before anyone could react, the basket of the hot air balloon bent itself to the right before it scooped up Wanda, Starlight, Zipp and Minty before hitting Sunset Shimmer, knocking her out cold.  Sunset free fell down towards the earth while the basket of the hot air balloon pulled Wanda, Starlight, Zipp and Minty away.

“ZIPP NO!”  Rainbow Dash shouted.

“STARLIGHT!”  Sunburst yelled.

Back on the bridge, Pipp Petals stood there, horrified at seeing her sister get snatched away by an out of control hot air balloon.  She watched as the balloon got pulled in by the tornado before it disappeared once more.   Wanda Young, Starlight Glimmer, Minty and especially Zipp Storm disappeared without a trace.

“Zipp,” Pipp Petals cried.  “No.  Say it ain’t so.”

But as Pipp stood there, motionless, Rarity turned back towards the communications console and tapped the console.

“ALL ZEPHYR PODS!  RETREAT THIS INSTANT!”  Rarity shouted.

Back outside, six of the remaining pods began to pull back from the storm and flew back towards the Zephyr Ship.  But one of the pods instead directed downwards towards the falling Sunset Shimmer.

“Rainbow,” Danged Spell shouted.  “GET BACK HERE!”

“NOT WITHOUT SUNSET SHIMMER!”  Rainbow Dash yelled.

Rainbow Dash’s Zephyr Pod flew downward towards Sunset SHimmer.  She slammed her hoof on the console, causing a tractor beam to shoot out and grab the unconscious mare before pulling her close.  Immediately, Rainbow Dash directed her pod away from the storm before jetting back towards the Zephyr Ship.

“Princess Sunset Shimmer has been secured,” Rainbow Dash said, looking at Sunset Shimmer, who was still suspended by the tractor beam.  “We’re heading back.”

As the tractor beam slowly pulled Sunset Shimmer in, the hatch opened up and Rainbow Dash immediately stuck her head out.  She reached out before Sunset’s hoof barely touched hers.  Then she pulled the alicorn princess inside before shutting the hatch.  Rainbow placed Sunset next to her before the alicorn woke up.  Then the pegasi got back into her seat and gripped the controls.

“Rainbow,” Sunset said as she got up.  “What happened?”

“They’re lost,” Rainbow Dash said.  “Wanda, Starlight, Minty and Zipp.”

“No,” Sunset said as she turned her head away.  “We were so close.”

A few moments later, the remaining seven pods landed in Docking Bay 3 as Pipp Petals raced down.  Rainbow Dash emerged from her pod, carrying the weak Sunset Shimmer on her back.  Sunburst, Moondancer, Danged Spell, Golden Lace, Thistle Whistle and Starcatcher emerged from their own pods, looking defeated and depressed.

“Where’s Zipp?” Pipp yelled.  “Where is she?”

“I’m sorry, captain,” Rainbow Dash said, depressed, as Sunset got back on her four hooves.  “We lost them.”

Pipp Petals couldn’t believe what she heard.  She ran over to a nearby corner and began to cry her eyes out.

“Zipp,” Pipp cried.  “Please come back to me.  I don’t want to spend this Christmas or Wishentimes without you.”

As Pipp cried, Danged Spell, Golden Lace and Moondancer looked at her with a solemn look on their faces.

“We tried so hard,” Moondancer said.  “And in the end, we lost more than we realized.”

“It was one thing to lose Wanda and Starlight,” Golden Lace said.  “But now Zipp Storm and Minty?  This has been the worst holiday ever, and I do mean it.”

But Sunset Shimmer simply walked away from the rest of the group, tears falling from her eyes.  She grimaced for a bit before she slammed her hoof on the floor, catching Danged Spell and Sunburst’s attention.

“It’s not fair,” Sunset cried.  “We were so close and that stupid storm had to take them all away.”

“Sunset,” Sunburst said.  “Can’t we go out and find them?”

“Unfortunately, no,”  Sunset said.  “We’re going to have to stage a retreat.  That storm’s too dangerous for any of us to continue the rescue mission.”

“Retreat?”  Pipp said, overhearing what Sunset said.  “But…our sisters are out there.”

“And I’m afraid we’ve lost them for good,” Sunset Shimmer said.  “Issue the retreat.  We don’t want to lose any more ponies.”

Dejected, Pipp Petals walked over to a communications console before tapping the screen.  She placed her mouth to the microphone.

“This…this is Captain Pipp Petals,” Pipp cried.  “I am ordering a full retreat from this sector back to New Ponyville.  The mission is a failure.”

After releasing her hoof from the screen, Pipp Petals swung her head down, crying loudly.

“What would Queen Haven or Princess Celestia say about what happened to Princess Wanda, or Princess Zipp Storm?” Sunburst asked.

“I don’t know,” Sunset said.  “But I know it can’t get any worse than this.”

Suddenly, the whole ship shook violently, causing everyone on the docking bay to fall to the ground.  Everyone’s faces turned to horror as they got themselves up and the alarms went off. 

“What happened?” Sunset yelled.

“Something hit us,” Pipp Petals shouted.  

Immediately, Pipp reached up and tapped the console once more, where Spike the Dragon showed up on the screen.

“Spike,” Pipp said.  “What happened?”

“Engine Oh is offline,” Spike yelled frantically.  “I repeat.  Engine Oh is offline.  A lightning bolt damaged it badly.  Even worse.  That storm is inching closer to us.”

“Oh no,” Pipp Petals said.  “We’re sitting ducks.”

“What can we do about it?” Danged Spell asked.

“There’s nothing we can do, but brace for impact,” Sunset Shimmer said.

With that, Pipp Petals tapped the console again before putting her mouth to the microphone.

“THIS IS CAPTAIN PIPP PETALS!”   Pipp said.  “THE SHIP’S ENGINE HAS BEEN BREACHED!  I REPEAT!  THE SHIP’S ENGINE HAS BEEN BREACHED!  BRACE FOR IMPACT!”

As Pipp Petals got her hoof away from the console, she ran down through the docking bay as the alarm echoed through the ship.  The rest of the ponies followed from behind in a hurry, with fear flowing through their eyes.

“HAS THE ZEPHYR SHIP EVER EXPERIENCED A SCENARIO LIKE THIS?” Danged Spell asked.

“NEVER!”  Pipp Petals yelled.  “NOT LIKE THIS ONE!  THE TEMPEST WINTER STORMS ARE SAID TO BE THE DEADLIEST OF ALL OF PLANET EARTH!”

The alarm ranged through the ship.  Ponies ran into various rooms.  Some held onto each other.  Others hid underneath tables and beds.  Pipp Petals led the remaining pod flyers down the group with Sunset Shimmer by her side.  But as they passed by Pipp’s private quarters, the door opened and a worried Sprout emerged with a towel wrapped around his waist.

“What’s going on?”  Sprout yelled.  “What’s with the alarms?”

“Ships going down, and it’s too dangerous to launch escape pods,” Pipp said.  “Stay inside my quarters until further notice for your own safety.”

As Pipp led the others down the hall, Sprout had a worrisome look on his face.

“Oh no,” Sprout said as he pulled his head back.  “I don’t like where this is going.”

At the bridge, the doorway opened and Pipp Petals led Sunset Shimmer, Rainbow Dash, Sunburst, Moondancer, Danged Spell, Golden Lace, Thistle Whistle and Starcatcher inside.  Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Spike and Abigail got up from their seats and ran up to the rest of the group.

“First we lose Wanda, Starlight, Zipp and Minty,” Rarity said.  “And now this happened?  We should launch the escape pods.”

“Bad idea,” Pipp Petals said.  “That storm will pull them in and put them in even more danger.  Get to any seat possible and brace for impact.”

With that, Pipp Petals made her way to her captain’s chair and sat down.  She tapped on the mini-console’s touch screen on the armrest, ejecting a pair of seat belts that wrapped around her waist before clicking in place.  Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Spike and Abigail returned to their assigned seating before they buckled up.  Then Pipp pressed the mini-console’s touch screen again, revealing a number of seats around the bridge.

“GET IN AND BRACE YOURSELVES!”  Pipp yelled. “AND HURRY!”

Sunset Shimmer, Rainbow Dash, Danged Spell, Sunburst, Moondancer, Golden Lace, Thistle Whistle and Starcatcher all sat down in their respective seats before grabbing the ends of their seat belts and clicking them together.   Everyone looked up at the viewing window, where the storm made its way closer to the ship.

“Spike,” Pipp said.  “Any status on Engine Oh, or the other engines?”

“It’s worse than the engine being shut down,” Spike said as he looked down at a blank console.   “The controls are offline.  We’re sitting ducks.  Even worse.  That storm’s moving in really fast.”

“Guess this is it,” Rainbow Dash said.  “After we failed to save Wanda and Starlight, and we lost Zipp and Minty, we’re all going down.”

Danged Spell reached out to Golden Lace as the two held each other by the hoof, looking out at the storm clouds.

“Whatever happens,” Danged Spell said, “Know that we all go down together.”

“Agreed,” Golden Lace said.

As the clouds were only moments away from the group, a lightning bolt hit the ship’s hull, shaking the interior violently.  Everyone on board the bridge screamed in fear as the light blinked for a moment.

“THIS IS IT!”  Pipp yelled.   “IMPACT IN FIVE, FOUR, THREE, TWO, ONE!”

The ship was pulled slowly, but violently towards the storm as it made its way through the sky.  Everyone inside held down as they felt the weight of the storm.  Once the ship was deep within the storm, it was yanked from its position before it spun around the center in a counter clockwise pattern.

Inside the interior of the ship, ponies screamed loudly as they flew out of their hiding place.  Some tried to pull them down, only to be knocked away before tumbling out of control.  The alarms blazed even louder than before.

Inside Pipp’s private quarters, Sprout Cloverleaf struggled to hold onto the couch as the ship rocked back and forth, faster and faster.

“WHY DOES THIS HAVE TO END FOR ALL OF US?”  Sprout yelled.  “WHY DO WE ALL HAVE THE WORST DUMB LUCK OF ALL PONIES?”

Sprout lost his grip on the couch and went flying back into the wall.  He collapsed onto the floor before he lost consciousness.

Back on the bridge, everyone held on tightly as the ship swayed violently back and forth with the alarms blazing even louder than before, and the lights blinked on and off.

“THIS FEELS LIKE A HORRIBLE NIGHTMARE!”  Moondancer yelled.

“I KNOW!” Pinkie Pie yelled.  “A SUPER DUPER ULTRA UNCOOL NIGHTMARE!”

“YOU TOOK THE WORDS OUT OF MY MOUTH, PINKIE!”  Rainbow Dash said.

Suddenly, Pipp Petal’s chair ripped right out of the base and flew across the room with Pipp Petals still buckled inside.

“PIPP!” Rainbow Dash yelled.

Pipp tried to reach for her seat belt.  But she only had time to look up to see the viewing window in front of her.  Pipp quickly covered her face as the back of the chair slammed right into the screen, shattering and disabling it.  

“Captain, are you alright?” Thistle Whistle asked.

“No,” Pipp Petals said as she unbuckled herself and got out of her chair.  “I’m not alright because we’re all in danger.  And….this is my fault.”

“It’s not,” Sunset said. “We all agreed to look for Wanda and Starlight, and we knew the risks when doing so.  But whatever happens, we all stick together to the very end.”

“But….” Pipp Petals said.

“No butts,” Sunset responded.  “Princess Pipp.  It’s been an honor to serve alongside you.”

“No,” Pipp said, turning her head away.  “It’s been an honor as well, your majesty.”

Pipp flew up to Sunset Shimmer and held her tightly.  Everyone held themselves down as the ship flew faster and faster into the storm, completely out of control.



	To Be Continued in Part 6