//------------------------------//
// Sparkle Lavender Light Saves the Universe and Everypony In It! 
// Story: Trouble at the Finish Line 
// by shortskirtsandexplosions 
//------------------------------//

	Ka-ZAAAP!

"Oooof!"  Ebon Soul flies off his space wagon, crumpling to a smoking heap across the arid, lunar surface.  "Nnnnngh... curses!  How did you find my Goblin Rush Gang?!"

"Hue Hue Hue!"  Ravishin' Prism strikes a gallant pose besides here partner.  "It's very simple, Ebon!  Your last few mercenary jobs for the Goblin Emperor were so terribly bungled, we traced your space debris all the way here to Whinny Gulch!"

"That's right, ya stinkin' varmint!"  Astro Dust hisses, twirling a revolver as she chews on a glowing haystalk.  "Only you would be the sort of snivelin' coward to think that y'all could hide in this here asteroid minin' town!"

"But now your bounty hunting days are over!" Twilight Sparkle shouts, beaming in her space-suit, complete with a glowing cowfilly hat and a spectral poncho.  She strikes a heroic pose between the other two heroes.  "All thanks to us!"  She spreads her alicorn wings wide in victory.  "The Threatening Three!"

"Noooooo!"  Ebon Soul whimpers as he disentegrates into orcish ashes.  "I've been defeated by the—grkkk—apple dash liiiiiiiight!"

"Spoken like a true madstallion!"  Twilight spits, then twirls towards the other characters.  "Squeeee!  We did it!  That was so fun fun funnn!"  She claps her hooves.

"Whoah whoah whoah whoah..."  Clakka-Clak!  Ravishin' Prism retracts her helmet and glares at the alicorn.  "What do you mean we did it?"

The birthday mare blinks, her violet eyes quivering.  "But... b-but I thought..."

"It was all you, Sparkle Lavender Light!"  Astro Dust reaches forward and hoists Twilight up onto her shoulders.  "We wouldn't have gotten anywhere if it weren't for yer expert snoopin' and sleuthin!"

"Awwwww..."  Twilight sniffles, hiding part of her face behind curled forelimbs.  "I-I was only trying to help!"

"'Help?!'"  Ravishin' Prism hovers up on thruster engines.  Her smile reflects the sheen of intergalactic starlight.  "You practically did all the adventuring for us!  The ponies of Whinny Gulch owe their lives to you!  The sidekick of the year!"

"Yeeeee-haaaaa!"  Astro Dust tosses her hat while raising Twilight high.  "Let's hear it for Sparkle Lavender Light!  The most darin', adventurous mare who ever did live!"

Now that it's safe, the Pony villagers poke their heads out of storefronts, space ships, saloons, and biodomes.  They wave their hats, laser blasters, and hooves in joy, cheering and chanting Twilight's character's name.

"Sparkle Lavender Light!  Sparkle Lavender Light!  Sparkle Lavender Light!"

"Best Sidekick!  Yaaaaaaaaaaay!"

Twilight sniffles again, her eyes growing teary.  "Awwwwwww... this... th-this is such a wonderful, happy ending!"  She wipes her lavender cheek dry, blushing and squealing even more.  "Really, it's the best birthday gift I've ever g-g-g-g-g—"

Her voice disappears as her body does, sucked into a singularity of collapsing magical essence.