My Brave Pony Starfleet Magic: Season IV

by DakariKingMykan

Episode 18: Deja Boo-Boo

EPISODE EIGHTEEN

Ever since the fall of the Castle of the Two Sisters, Queen Celestia and Princess Luna had been preparing a little project to salvage the wreckage and recover anything importance, or value. Grand Ruler was very supportive and invited Lightning and his team to participate in this project.

One day, the entire gang set off, leaving the palace under the command of Captain Shaina.

Soon, they had arrived at their destination thanks to Krysta’s teleporting magic. “Thanks, Krysta.” said Lightning.

“Hey, it’s what I do.”

The first thing anyone saw was the massive mountain of rubble, and some of the wreckage had ever rolled over into the chasm near the castle base. The sisters hated the sight of what they saw, as did Grand Ruler. It was bad enough seeing the whole place a mess, but it reminded them of some of their bad times.

“Are you all okay?” asked Lightning.

Celestia held her head up. “Yes, we’re alright.”

“Coming back here after such a long time… it really gives us an uneasy feeling.” said Luna.

“Well, let’s begin.” Grand Ruler said. Everyone else seemed really eager to dig, especially the Spanish twins; this was their specialty.

“Podemos hacerlo!” *We can do it!*

“Lo haremos.”*We Will Do it*

They counted backwards in Spanish form three, and dove at the rubble, shouting like crazy men (Speedy Gonzales shout) as they dug madly through all those rocks. “Well, time to dig in.” said Applejack. Holding her best shovel, she jumped at the rubble, and soon most of the ponies were working hard.

Rarity didn’t dig, she didn’t go anywhere near the rubble. “Ya know we could use your help.” snapped Rainbow.

“Oh, really, Rainbow…? I have an important job as well.” Rarity said, and she motioned over at the table and supplies she had brought. Her plan to help out was if anyone recovered anything of sheer elegance, like a carpet, some curtains, or maybe even a tapestry, she’d do all in her power to restore it. “Besides, I just had a manicure this morning.” she removed her gloves to show off her beautiful fingernails. Spike thought they were ever so beautiful, as did others, but Rainbow was still not amused. “You got your nails done, yet you wear your patrol gloves.” she muttered, but she thought it best not to argue.

The salvation went on. Many of the ponies moved the boulders and debris out of the way while others surveyed the site. Spike tried with all his muscle to lift up a large stone and carry it away, only to be outshined by Krysta as she carried two extremely large boulders with ease right past whim, while humming a merry tune, and then going back for more! Spike then fell over with the rock weighing him down.

They began to find many things from the wreckage-- old paintings, beat up furniture, and few old tapestries for Rarity to try and restore. “Right, let’s get busy.” She said as she cracked her knuckles and set to work.

There were also some bits of old armor, rusted weapons. Their majesties even stumbled upon the remains of a shattered column, one that had a heart carved into it, and two Cs for “Celestia” and “Celesto”

That took them both back; way back to the days of their youth when they first carved it immediately after becoming engaged. Grand Ruler was still amazed that it was Celestia who proposed to him, but he wouldn’t really have had it any other way.

This also made Princess Luna feel uneasy, remembering when she became Nightmare Moon and tossed Celesto into space before getting sent to the moon herself. She still found it even more amazing that her sister and brother-in-law could actually forgive her for all this.

All three of them said nothing, but merely came together in a soft family cuddle. Remembering the times and trying hard not to focus on all the dark ones.

The cleanup continued, and Pinkie Pie burst from the rubble, wearing bits of armor, wielding the rusted weapons. Fluttershy jumped in panic, and Pinkie began acting like she was in a war. “Aha! Surrender Dark King. Take that, and that, and how d’ya like that.”

“Somebody sure is energetic.” said Buddy Rose.

Rhymey nodded

“Just wait and see,
One, two, and three…”

That’s when Pinkie’s rusted sword snapped in two, and her shield disintegrated, right as she was performing a trick, and she tripped over her own feet. “I guess I got a little carried away, huh?” she said in embarrassment.

The others sighed and rolled their eyes.

Lightning and Starla were looking around the area that was once the library and they already managed to recover a good deal of books, though many were horribly destroyed in the collapse. Several of the books were rather interesting to Starla. “Early Equestrian Astronomy”… “Astral Maps”… “Guide to the Night Sky” Gee, these will really help me. I could use them to make more of my star maps, eh Lightning?”

Her husband didn’t respond. He just slowly and carefully stacked some books in a pile with a queer, downhearted look on his face.

“Honey, are you alright?”

No Response.

“Lightning…”

“Hmm…? Say what?”

Now was one of the times that only a wife could tell when her spouse was really disturbed, and there was only one that made Lightning ever feel like this. “Twilight…?”

Lightning nodded. Stacking all the books reminded him of all the times he and Twilight studied together, as classmates; both of them being the pupils of their royal majesties.

“I especially remember that one other time…” Lightning said, and Starla knew what event he was referring too. It all happened over a year and a half ago; back when after Titan had been defeated, and when United Equestria was formed, after the planets Equestria and Unicornicopia were destroyed.

Twilight was still wingless, after her alicorn wings were destroyed by the return of Nightmare Moon, but she and her friends had joined up to begin training to become members of Starfleet; in case if their home-world was ever attacked again by forces beyond imagination, they wanted to be ready to defend it.

Sadly, like most rookies Twilight didn’t do so well in her first days of training. She did fairly well when it came to book-studies, and written tests and things, but when it came to actual training exercises… that’s where it got rough.

It was hard to get used to her new humanoid body, even with her experience from the human-world. Even when she got the hang of it, even the most basic of training didn’t do so well.

She could barely keep her stance, and kept falling all over herself; only because she was a beginning.

Then again, her friends were beginners, and they didn’t fall as much as she did, especially not Rainbow Dash. Thanks to her Wonderbolt training, she was able to get the hang of some of the moves very quickly.

“Okay, girls, listen up.” said Captain Lightning “You will dash down this path and then leap and kick this target scarecrow. Ready… go!”

Rainbow and Applejack did stupendously for their first try. Pinkie Pie didn’t do very badly, Rarity on the other hand, dashed along the ground and got upset that her boots were all filthy from the dirt, so she didn’t pay much attention and crashed into the dummy-target.

Fluttershy, she was so meek and timid, she could hardly run, and just as she reached the target she just gave it a playful little tap, much to Lightning’s disdain.

Then it was Twilight’s turn. She stared down her target, eyeing it carefully, and then she dashed forth, and aimed her fist, took a swing, and she missed the target completely and fell over. Rainbow couldn’t help but laugh at her. “Even Fluttershy managed to touch the target.”

Everyone, even Lightning was annoyed with her for that outburst. “CADET RAINBOW DASH!!” shouted Lightning. Rainbow stopped laughing, and looked a little frightened. For her insolence, Lightning made her do fifty backflips, one after another.

The girls were instructed to obey Lightning at all times, as he was the instructor, but also their future commander. This mean, even Twilight, though she was a princess, did not have any authority over him.

Still, Lightning preferred the girls to think of him more as their friend than their boss, and he demonstrated this by helping Twilight up onto her feet. “I don’t get why I can’t do this.” cried Twilight “I’ve been in battles before. Maybe I’m just too soft.”

“No, you’re not, Twilight.” Lightning said “You’re just having beginner’s trouble, and that’s understandable. I mean even I was a beginner, and I don’t have magic like you do. Just give it time.”

As much as Twilight felt glad he was giving her confidence, she still didn’t feel very easy.

All through the rest of training, she still didn’t fare so well, but the others were all having the same trouble as she had, in some fields. Target shooting, Obstacle racing…

Though Twilight did show good signs in the dance program; for dancing was one of Starfleet’s most pivotal parts of training, to help keep in shape, work on footing, and to increase evasiveness.

She wasn’t a half-bad dancer, and neither were her friends, but still, this wasn’t enough to become full-fledged fighters. They would have to train harder and harder every day; building up their strengths and speeds, as well as opening their minds to what used to be “The impossible” to them.

Twilight sighed “I don’t feel like I’m getting anywhere with all this.”

“Ah, buck up, Twilight. We’re all not doin’ so well for our first times.” said Applejack.

Pinkie bounced merrily along her way “I can’t wait for tomorrow. I sort of like all this training, especially the dancing.”

Poor Fluttershy felt differently “I don’t think I can get through this.”

“Oh, really Fluttershy; you must stop beating yourself up like this.” said Rarity “You must face the danger, look it right in the eye, stand up to it and let it know that you won’t back down!”

“Um, Rarity, you’re stepping in a mud puddle.” said Rainbow. Rarity winced, and looked down, and she let out a horrific scream. “My boots are ruined, again! It took me hours to make them shine like diamonds.” she began to whine and bawl that it wasn’t fair.

The others all rolled their eyes in dismay.

“Thanks for the pep-talk, girls, but I still don’t know.” said Twilight, and then she wandered off.

In actuality, it wasn’t just because of beginner’s bad luck that was slowing her down. It was also because of envy.

She remembered when she and Lightning had officially met, and when Starfleet came to Equestria of old to help fight off Nightmare Moon, after she herself had visited Unicornicopia. She never thought that ponies could live on other planets, but what really surprised her was the magic they wielded, much stronger than anything she had ever seen or read about in her books.

Just they’re physical strengths alone were greater than that of the biggest Dragon she had ever seen. For her to punch them would be like trying to punch an oncoming freight-train. They were even strong enough to reduce huge solid rocks into pieces with one hand. It was just astonishing!

Also, she had a chance to see Lightning use the uniforce; a power like no other. It even put the Elements of Harmony to near shame. Even Grand Ruler Celetso was able to use this power, and his was much stronger as he was a divine deity alicorn and had three horns instead of one.

Twilight began to feel… small! All of her best and most powerful spells could never amount to anything that powerful!

As a philosopher of magic, and Princess, Twilight wanted to find out more about the uniforce, and maybe even learn to use it herself. So she spent endless days and nights, or whenever she had a free moment, researching, but none of her old Equestria books had any information on the uniforce, and neither did the new Starfleet archives.

She even went to their majesties, Grand Ruler Celesto and Queen Celestia for further information. “If anyone had the answer it would be the two of you. So, is there any way either of you can teach me how?”

Their majesties gazed grimly at Twilight “I’m sorry, Twilight, but as much as we appreciate your devotion to your studies, this is something that neither of us teach to you.” said Celestia.

“But, why can’t you?” asked Twilight.

“You don’t want to hear the answer to that, Twilight.” Grand Ruler said. Twilight was starting to feel anxious, and rather impatient. “But I wish to know; no matter how difficult the process or training is, I want to know how to summon the uniforce.”

Grand Ruler shook his head “I'm afraid that is impossible."

“No it isn't!” Twilight protested.

“It is for you, Twilight. You don’t have a rare golden horn like me or like Lightning; End of story.

Only ponies with rare golden horns can use the uniforce, and it’s something you have to be born with. It cannot simply be gained.

I told you, you wouldn’t like what I had to say.”

Twilight froze in shock, "But... But... I--" but there was no arguing it. An ultimate magic that even if she studied hard enough, she couldn’t hope of matching it, or defending against it... and she'd never be able to experience its uses.

“Twilight, you shouldn’t feel so distraught about this.” said Celestia “It’s true, the uniforce is very powerful, and even I myself can’t conquer it or defend myself against it, but I don’t let it get me down. After all, we all have our specialties, and our own unique ways of magic. Just remember, you’re not less important than any of your friends or your new friends are.”

Twilight knew this was true, but still, her persistence was strong as ever and now she wasn’t as obsessed with summoning the uniforce, but rather figuring out a way to match it in strength. It was difficult, but she knew it wasn’t impossible, as very few types of strengthened magic could in fact stand up to it.

Twilight began to wonder if maybe there was some way to power her magic up...

“Twilight, I think you should give it a rest.” said Spike “I think all this uniforce stuff is starting to affect your brain.”

“No, it isn’t.” snapped Twilight “Spike, you saw that magic; where’s your sense of curiosity?”

Spike stretched out and yawned “All in one place, and that’s sleep. Goodnight!” He rolled over in his bed and went back to sleep, while Twilight stood up most of the night pondering and contemplating all about the uniforce.

She even fell asleep at her desk and she had a dream…

New Ponyville was under attack by shadowy villains who plotted to destroy all ponies and conquer the world. They seemed so unstoppable. “Hold it right there!” called a voice. The evil shadows turned and saw Twilight, dressed in a super-pony outfit as a heroic fanfare sounded.

“Who do you think you are?” snarled the leader. “A hero to all those who are good and decent, and deadly foe to those who serve evil’s will.”

The shadows scoffed and fired dark pulses at her, knocking her form the rooftop. She tried to battle them, but she couldn’t seem to land a single punch. The shadows always managed to stay one step ahead of her in speed and skill, dodging her every attack, and hitting her back.

Twilight then tried to use her magic to blast them all to the moon, but her magic didn’t so much as even scratch them. “No!” cried Twilight.

“Yes…” hissed the leader “Your magic pales in comparison to ours, and now you’ll pay the price for having interfered with us!”

The poor hero was trapped with no alternative, and inched away. The shadow leader snarled at her and was ready for the kill, when suddenly; he got zapped by small bits of magic. “What? Who…?”

He turned round and saw seven new ponies, Lightning and his team, standing proudly in the light of the sun. “In the name of Starfleet, we order you to cease and desist.” Lightning snarled.

The shadow leader and his men all roared viciously and began to charge at the heroes. Lightning snapped his fingers softly, and his team went after them one-by-one, punching, kicking, and blasting those evil foes to the ground.

Twilight could only watch in astonishment, having never seen powers like this before. Then, when all the shadows were huddled together, she wanted as Lightning Dawn began to glow in a golden, majestic light. “No! What sort of magic is this?!” cried the leader. Lightning grinned at him “You’re about to find out; UNIFORCE!!”

(Skip to 0:38... the uniforce behaves sorta like that)

He then unleashed an enormous bust of bright, burning magic that incinerated the shadows instantly in big explosions. The force and shock-waves of the magic were so strong, that Twilight screamed as she watched in horror yet astonishment!

When the light had faded, the shadows were destroyed, and the land was saved. Many ponies came out to congratulate and offer their thanks to Starfleet, but Twilight sat where she was, still unable to believe what she had just witnessed “That… power…!” she peeped.

The next thing she heard was the sounds of other ponies laughing at her, and they began to ridicule her.

“Look at the brave hero now. She’s a total wreck.”

“As if-- she didn’t stand a chance from the start.”

“I know, and she’s the princess?! Puh-lease…”

Everywhere Twilight turned, more and more ponies were laughing at her.

…then she woke up, in a startling gasp. She panted heavily trying to catch her breath. “It was just a dream…” she peeped softly, but really, this was the point where that paranoia from deep within her began to grow; when she was really stressing out.

She didn’t want to be some laughing stock of United Equestria; especially after all she had done for her world in the past. “That’s it then, starting tomorrow, I’ll train super hard!”

Spike rolled over in bed “Don’t you think you should get some SLEEP FIRST?!” he growled, and then rolled back over and went back to sleep. “No!” Twilight said “Why not do better and start now?” she left her home and took a quick jog as a warm up.

She got a little bit of sleep after returning home, but in the morning, she really went harder at it than ever. She broke eggs into a pitcher and drank it all down. “UGH!!” she cried.

Even Spike felt nauseas just looking at it. “That is nasty!”

Twilight didn’t care, and continued to work out, doing simple exercises; push ups, sit-ups, chin-ups, lifting weights, punching a punch bag, running on a treadmill. Why she even skipped breakfast, and settled merely for a glass of water settled for a few energy bars.

“Um… Twilight… don’t you think you’ve had enough by now?” asked Spike.

“I can’t talk now. I gotta keep training.” Twilight simply said, and then she ran off again to continue her workout. Spike knew this wasn’t good for her. He remembered what happened the last time Twilight got paranoid like this. “I better tell someone before she goes over the edge.”

Sadly, he was going to be too late!

Twilight decided to add one little extra ingredient to her training; a potion to really boost her strength and magic. After pouring it all over her body and her horn she felt something in her body snap its lights on. Her muscles began to flex out. “Yeah, I can feel it!” she cried.

Twilight began to practice in an open field. Just her, a few rocks, and wide open spaces. “This is it. I can feel it.” she hissed. Her eyes were blazing with fire in her pupils. She began to concentrate as hard as she could, and the tip of her horn began to glow brightly-- much brighter than ever. “Yes! YES!!” Twilight cried. She was sounding as if she had escaped from an insane asylum.

Next, she eyed a very large boulder. “Perfect, I can use that!” She charged up as much as she could, just as Spike and Lightning came along. “TWILIGHT, NO!!” shouted Lightning, but Twilight had fired a large bust of magic from her horn straight at the boulder, exploding it in a big bang and shattering it to bits.

All at once, the ground began to rumble and quake, which snapped Twilight back to her senses. “Uh, oh… what have I done?!”

“What have you done?” Spike was really asking, and he got his answer as large puffs of smoke burst through the hole where the boulder had once been. When Twilight shattered the boulder, she unleashed a sleeping creature that materialized from the smoke in the skies; a large flying serpent like creature, with dark sandy-like scaled. Its body had to be at least thirty feet long, and it roared loudly.

“A molgera!” cried Lightning. He had read about creatures like this in his galactic studies, and even Spike had heard of it from Twilight’s readings. The Molgera was a creature that could breathe smoke thick enough to block out the sun, and make the air stale, and not healthy to breathe. They loved and preferred to live in dark and underground places, where they sleep and smoke things to their likings, but they did not take a kindness to the light, and when disturbed they got awfully angry and threw a raging fit… and this one seemed pretty cranky!

It roared loudly and began to soar across the sky, blowing puffs of black smoke all over. “We can’t let it loose on the planet. Who knows what it may do!” cried Lightning, and he took off after the monster. “What are you going to do?” shouted Spike.

“Chase it!” Lightning shouted back “But get everyone out of the village!”

Twilight was a mixture of shock, shame, and really upset with herself for unleashing the creature. “I knew it! I knew something like this would happen!” Spike grumbled, but rather than berate Twilight, he had to get her to snap to her senses. “Come on, we’ve got to help out!”

Twilight agreed, and they headed off for town.

The amber alarm sounded, and Starla was on patrol and announced loudly over the intercom. “An angry molgera is headed for this village, all citizens are to evacuate through the emergency warp portals immediately!”

Ponies could see the angry beast coming, and blowing smoke straight for town. All the ponies began to run about in panic. Fortunately Krysta and an squad of her warping fairies, on guard at the time, created warp-portals for everyone to pass through to get to safety on the planet Sharma. “Come on, let’s move, move, move!” cried Krysta.

Soon, all the civilians had escaped to safety, leaving only Lightning’s friends, and Twilight’s friends behind. “You all better go too.” Buddy Rose said.

“He’s right, this is no place for any of you. You’re not properly trained yet.” said Artie.

Twilight’s friends tried to protest that they wanted to stay and help defend their world, and they even had the Elements of Harmony to use, but the others were insistent. This time, it was just too dangerous. “Get going, and that’s an order.” snapped Starla.

The girls saluted and began to head through the portals. “Please, be careful Rhymey.” cried Fluttershy.

Her colt-friend winked at her and said…

“Do not worry, Fluttershy.
We’ll be fine, my friends and I.”

The girls were gone, and none too soon as the molgera began to fly over the village spreading smoke all over. The air was already starting to grow stale. “Quick, transform now!” shouted Lightning.

“STARFLEET MAGIC”

Once all transformed, everyone tapped on a few switches on the sides of their visors, activating respiration masks so they could breathe easier. Then they scanned the contents of the smoke with their visors. “Ay’ Ay’ Ay’, that smoke isn’t very healthy at all.” said Dyno “Si, but it’s not flammable, we can blast it away.” added Myte.

“All right, let’s move!” shouted Lightning, and all the ponies flew up, straight at the snarling beast.

Twilight and Spike just reached the village. “Hey, look!” cried Spike as he pointed upward. Twilight looked up and could see all the ponies heading straight at the molgera, and then she saw Lightning grab it by the tail actually trying to halt the creature in midflight. Buddy Rose and Artie joined him, and succeeded, but the molgera grew angrier, and swished its tail madly, shaking the boys off. Then he it turned round and dashed straight for them. “Scatter!” shouted Lightning, and they all zipped out of the way.

The molgera belched out a big puff of smoke, thicker than ordinary fog. “I can’t see a thing in all this!” cried Buddy Rose.

“Time for some infrared.” said Artie, and he and all the others activated their visors. “There, that’s better.”

The molgera was able to navigate through the smoke with ease, and swung its huge tail, swatted each of the ponies one at a time. “I think we’re going to have to use a little more forceful methods.” said Starla. Lightning agreed, but told everyone to go easy on the creature.

“But first we’ve gotta get rid of this smoke.” said Buddy Rose.

“I’m on it.” said Artie “SUPER STAFF” Gripping his staff tightly, he spun it round, and around like propeller, creating a gust of wind blowing the smoke away, and it dissolved. Then, one-by-one, each of the ponies flew in and punched the creature hard, and sent it crashing down to the ground.

“All right, let’s hold him down!” shouted Lightning, and all six of his friends used their telekinetic powers to try and hold the creature at bay. It seemed to be working. The creature couldn’t move, but that didn’t stop it from belching a bigger, thicker cloud of smoke that blew all around, it was so thick that it soiled the fronts of everyone’s visors, even infrared couldn’t see through it.

Now, with their eye-contact broken, the molgera broke free and soared back up into the air. “Where’d it go?!” cried Starla

“I can’t see anything in sight
Everything’s as black as night.” said Rhymey.

“We’ll have to use our other senses.” said Lightning. Even though couldn’t see the creature, they could still hear where it was by the sound of its roaring, and feeling its presence by the uneasiness of the air around them.

They soared into the air and followed the snarling creature. It swished its tail at them furiously, but even while blinded, they could still feel it coming, and managed it to dodge it, but not all the time. They got hit more times that they dodged.

One big swat and they all fell from the skies and crashed to the ground, but by then the smoke was starting to rub off so they could see again. “We’ve got to stop that crazy thing, somehow.” cried Dyno “I know, but we can’t just destroy it. We need to hold it still enough.”

Twilight, unseen by the others, overheard everything, and dashed off. “Twilight!” cried Spike “Hey! Wait for me!”

The space ponies flew to catch up with the molgera, just as it was reaching the center of town, and began to belch out more smoke. Fortunately the area had been evacuated, but if this continued, all of New Ponyville would soon become a hazard zone, and it would spread to other major cities and villages too.

“Okay, one last time!” cried Lightning “Everyone, move in!”

His friends all surrounded the creature, and zapped him with their telekinetic powers again, but while flying, it was hard to maintain a good grip on him. “We need more powerful!” cried Starla. Lightning realized this as well, but there was no way he could give the power; he didn’t have any.

All he had was his new capture blaster at the ready, but the monster would have to hold still for him to get a good shot.

Suddenly, a seventh beam of magic hit the monster from underneath. Lightning looked down and saw Twilight. “Lightning, do it, now!” she cried. Lightning nodded and armed his captured blaster. “Fire!” he shot at the creature… KAPOW!! The creature was hit and fell from the skies, crashing to the ground. Kablam! He seemingly exploded, when really the explosion was a transformation that shrunk him down to a five inch figurine, preserving him in suspended animation, and he then appeared in a glass sphere.

“They did it!” cried Spike. Twilight gave him a stern look “Uh… and you too, Twilight.”

Soon, all the smoke had cleared, and the civilians would be allowed to return to their homes soon. As for the, the molgera, wasn’t going to be sent to prison, but it was decided to relocate it, possibly to another planet where it would be able to live peacefully without being disturbed much.

However, a bright light flashed in the sky, followed by the sound of Celestia shouting “Twilight Sparkle!”

Then, the queen had appeared in the sky, and her husband appeared alongside her. Both of them did not look at all pleased. “Meet us in the library; All of you!” Grand Ruler said in a very stern voice.

Twilight felt her stomach churn, and the others felt worried and concerned.

Twilight’s friends returned, but were told to stay out of the meeting as it didn’t concern them. Despite Applejack’s protests “Anythin’ that concerns Twilight concerns us too.” They were still ordered to remain outside. All they could was watch, and listen in through the open windows.

Their majesties made aware that Twilight inadvertently unleashed the molgera by a patrol force that had witnessed the event and reported back to them, but they were very baffled and confused why it happened, and they both demanded an explanation, and Twilight saw no alternative but to come clean.

“…I was so obsessed; I completely lost sight of myself.”

Their majesties gazed at one another and then gazed down grimly. “It sounds as though you were jealous as well as obsessive.” Grand Ruler said. Celestia nodded “Nevertheless, this does not excuse your actions, or the danger you unleashed. I am very disappointed in you, Twilight Sparkle.”

Twilight hung her head in shame “I’m disappointed in me too.”

Lightning stepped forth and cleared his throat “Your majesties, being your pardon, I’d like to speak to Twilight alone. Perhaps it will help make things a little better.”

Their majesties pondered, but decided to let Lightning have his chance, and ushered everyone outside, including Spike, and once everyone had cleared out, Lightning sat down in a chair, but Twilight couldn’t even bring herself to look at him.

“Twilight…I want you to hear me on this; it’s very important.” he paused a moment, and then said “…I don’t think I’m better than you in all things.”

Twilight’s head perked up, and she gazed at him in confusion. “Pardon…?”

“You heard me. I don’t think I’m better than you at everything.”

Twilight just couldn’t really see much of that. “Look at you, you’re stronger than me, faster than me, you even have knowledge of things I’ve never seen before.”

“Well, yes, but you know some things I don’t know of either.” said Lightning “Look at you, you’re a pony princess, and you have magic. That’s something I’ve never had, and never will, as embarrassing as this is for me to admit, I’m envious of you sometimes-- you can do magic and I can’t.”

Twilight never thought of it like that before, and was starting to realize her own qualities that made her just as special as anyone. “I guess I’ve been more paranoid than I thought. It’s just, all that power you have, and the uniforce…”

Lightning touched his golden horn softly “Yes, they are formidable things, but Twilight… you can possess powers equally as good. That’s what all this training and stuff is for. You may not be so good at it now, but I know after a good long while, you’ll become one of the strongest ponies of your clan.”

Twilight blushed softly “You think so?”

Lightning “I know so, because I believe, Twilight. I believe in you, and in your friends. You helped us save lives before, and you just did again today. So what do you think you should do now?”

Twilight knew the answer. She was going to continue her training, normally, and not let her emotions or fears cloud her judgment as much again. “And I especially promise no more shortcuts. They only lead to disaster.”

Lightning smiled proudly at her. “Good, that’s settled… but don’t think you’re off the hook quite yet.”

Twilight felt a little nervous. “What are you going to do to me?”

Lightning could only think of one suitable punishment for Twilight’s actions, and he was able to talk their majesties into it…

…Twilight was given extra training hours, less breaks, and hard work for a full week. Twilight seemed to like this more than hate it, as the extra hours did help her start to improve. Soon, she was able to punch the targets without tripping, dash little faster, and even jump much higher than she could before. Of course, she still wasn’t as strong as Lightning and his friends were, and she never actually would be, but regardless… she was happy just with her progress and what it promised her.

Lightning clutched one of the books close to his heart, and held in his emotions. “Twilight…” he sighed softly. Starla placed her hand on his shoulder and pecked his cheek. Both of them remembered the times well, and were always saddened that Twilight was no longer with them, but their memories would give them strength, and confidence to press on and fight for her honor.

Their majesties saw Lightning and Starla and knew just what they were thinking. They both began to feel downhearted themselves, but they gazed at each other, knowing one-another felt the same, and they embraced softly.

A couple of days later the salvaging was completed. It was not going to be commissioned to restore the castle. Though it once had sentimental value, it was just of no more use or any good in the new age.

Still, many things were recovered from the wreckage of the castle. Rarity restored many tapestries which were hung in the palace in New Canterlot. Some of the other stuff was donated to pony museums. Other things unfortunately were damaged beyond repair, and were recycled to make new things, like books, armor and even weapons.

The friends however were permitted to keep of few of the salvaged things for themselves as reward for their cooperation. So Starla got to keep the books she had found to study, and use for her astronomy hobby, and to help her map out the galaxy better than ever.

Lightning had one special thing he kept, and that was Twilight unfinished book still with its marker in the pages, which he had placed in glass-casing, on the mantle above the fireplace, with a wreath of flowers around it, and a large painting of Twilight, in her Starfleet uniform, saluting, but still wearing her crown.

Lightning, Starla and Krysta gazed at the picture, smiling feeling Twilight was at peace just as they all would be… one day. For now, the war was not over yet.

(Promo)

In our next episode; Esroh dab is determined to avenge his fallen comrades by unleashing another cardinal, but when he goes to target Rarity first, Rarity confesses her feelings towards him, which makes him struggle with his issues again, and really puts the blow on Spike, and he becomes distraught again.

Despite his growing feelings, Esroh unleashes the horse cardinal, and Rarity and Spike wind up at the monster’s mercy.

Can they escape from their certain doom? Will Esroh Dab regret his actions again?

Don’t miss the next exciting episode of “Starfleet Magic!”

(Next Episode: “From the Horse’s mouth”)