My Brave Pony Starfleet Magic: Season II

by DakariKingMykan

Episode 14: Prison Roundup

EPISODE FOURTEEN

Twilight and her friends were moving closer and closer to getting their commissions approved to become full-fledged Starfleet fighters. They had just recently passed their astronaut tests and were awarded their licenses allowing them to go on space missions.

This was a very good thing, for Lightning and Twilight had been summoned to the royal palace one day to go on a special mission. They, along with Princess Cadance were going on a reconnaissance mission to the planet Conva where one of Starfleet’s many prison compounds was situated. An entire planet compound with thousands of imprisoned creatures of all shapes and sizes from every corner of the galaxy, which was why the entire planet was a prison and others like it.

Over the months, Starfleet and had been rounding up so many changelings and other prisoners, the prison caverns below were getting to be overstocked, and it was time to transfer a large portion of the prisoners to one of the prison planets Starfleet occupied where the prisoners could be kept under tighter guard.

This however was not their mission.

The prison planet Conva had sent out a distress call. Recently there had been reports of trouble occurring in the prisons-- Guards had been found locked up in prison cells, while others were injured and Prisoners had also been reported missing from their captivity and were barely caught before escaping. Not that they couldn’t actually escape the planet itself.

The message was sent by the chief warden, Major Cerise Wonder. She was a pink alicorn who bared a strong resemblance to Princess Cadance, only her mane was all violet with no extra streaks, and she also had a golden horn, just like Lightning did, which meant she was capable of using the uniforce! It was part of helped her secure her job, as most of the prisoners feared her because of it.

“Now listen carefully…” said Grand Ruler “We’ve been sending messages to Major Cerise, but she hasn’t been answering them lately. We fear for her safety and the situation on Conva to be worsening. Your mission is to seek out the Major and assess the situation. Found out what’s going on there and try to stop it. Then when all is clear, we’ll transfer the prisoners to be locked up.”

“Understood.” said Lightning. He was team commander. Twilight was going as backup as was Cadance. If there really were prison breakouts, the princesses could use their powerful magic forces to help keep the many prisoners at bay.

“Oh, am I ever excited. My first-ever space mission.” Cadance said. Instead of her royal garbs, she was dressed in a special warrior’s outfit made especially for her, it didn’t look too different from her garbs, but the skirt was shorter, and she wore a pink armored vest with a picture of her cutie mark painted at the front. “I think it looks good on you.” said Shining Armor “Makes you look tough, not that you weren’t without.”

He and his wife shared a quiet moment, and Shining Armor he was kind of worried about her dashing off into space, not to mention a crowded prison planet without him. “Do you always know how to be so honestly open with me?” Cadance said.

Her husband smiled softly at her, but worried as well. “Just take care of Twily for me, okay?”

“I promise.”

“And I promise too” Twilight said, having overheard things. Her brother turned to face her and held out his hand, and she placed hers in his, and they recited their special sibling vow.

“Cross my heart and hope to live,
My solemn vow to you I give.”

After preparations were made, everyone went to the chamber where the main portal gate that lead into dimensional space, was. The pathway was set to guide the team straight to Conva.

Cadance bid her husband a loving goodbye and her assurance she’d be alright.

Final instructions were given out. “You all understand?” asked Grand Ruler. The others nodded “Good luck to all of you, especially you, Cadance. You’re first space flight. Be careful out there.”

“Yes Uncle.”

Then she, Twilight and Lightning jumped through the portal and headed off into space. Spike wished he could have gone with them, but this was no mission for him. “Good luck, Twilight.”

The gang traveled across the magic pathway and Cadance stared out into space in awe. “Wow! It’s all so incredible.” she said in a soft, amazed tone. The only time she had ever been in space was during the evacuation before Equestria exploded, and she didn’t get much of a chance to really look around. “Just stay on the path.” Lightning warned her. “Remember, if you fall into space, you could be warped anywhere in the universe.”

The girls did their best to stay on the path, and within moments they reached their destination; Conva one of Starfleet’s many prison planets. It was a rather dismal planet with rocky terrains and landscapes. Just the place for prisoners convicted and sentenced to hard labour. Lots of pits were seen where the prisoners down below were working hard at breaking rocks, mining, and all kinds of other punishment for their crimes.

The gang, however, had no time for sightseeing. They had a job to do. They had to find Major Cerise. “But she could be anywhere.” said Twilight.

“Or maybe right behind you.” said a voice behind them. The gang turned, and saw her “Major.” Lightning said and he saluted to her, and she saluted back “At ease, Captain. Princess Twilight, Princess Cadance.”

The girls nodded in greeting. “What’s happened here?” asked Cadance “We received reports of trouble.”

Cerise nodded and was about to explain the situation when the alarms went off. “What’s that?” asked Twilight, but she soon got her answer when an automated voice called out…

“Danger: Prison cell breech! Danger: Prison cell breech!”

“Quick! Let’s go!” cried Cerise as she led the others to the facilities.

Already an enormous swarm of prisoners were escaping from their cells and making their way to the exits. “Oh, no, I was afraid of this.” cried Cerise. She then led the gang to what looked like, her office “Get inside quick.” but Lightning suddenly remembered something. Cerise’s office was further down the corridor. He suddenly had the feeling that made his blood turn cold, “Girls, wait!” but it was too late. The girls had already passed through the false doorway and found themselves locked in a special cell, blocked with a highly energized force field.

Cerise laughed maliciously, and then her voice changed, which made everyone realize immediately “A changeling!!”

“Yes.” hissed Cerise in her double voice.

Cadance and Twilight were flabbergasted.

"I thought Changelings couldn't take over a Space Pony?" asked Cadance.

"It's difficult, not impossible, remember?" Twilight corrected. "Because Space Ponies have a stronger will, it takes a lot of power and effort for a Changeling to possess a space pony."

Even still, the gang knew Chrysalis wanted Equestrian power more than Space Pony power, so the only reasons he took control of Cerise was to use her in battle, since she was tough and strong...

But still...

“What is all this about?” asked Lightning asked the enemy.

The changeling explained that Queen Chrysalis was growing outraged with all her changelings being captured. So she decided maybe to try and arrange a little prison breakout, and by controlling the Major-- which took a lot of power due to her being a space pony-- things were a lot easier, but she also thought it a good idea to set a trap, knowing that Starfleet would respond to an emergency call.

“And what do you know…?” hissed the changeling “They bring Princess Cadance along too. Her majesty has long waited for her revenge on you.”

“Chrysalis!” growled Cadance. She hadn’t forgotten that evil little witch when she tried to ruin her wedding! She angrily charged at the force field. “Cadance!” cried Twilight and she reached and stopped her sister-in-law from colliding into the barrier. In the struggle, Cadance slipped and kicked a stone right at the barrier. The stone vanished in a small but violent bang.

The changeling laughed “Fools! You’ll find that escape is impossible. That barrier remains highly energized. Even the slightest touch of it will bring fatal injury, and don’t even think about using your magic, it won’t work either.”

“What are you going to do?” asked Twilight.

The changeling explained that all the prisoners had been busy building special cannon that would be used to fire upon United Equestria, and zap all the love energy and send it right to Chrysalis on the Dark Planet, finally gaining her the power she needed to attack United Equestria. “And You, Princess Cadance, are going to power the machine.”

“What?!” snapped Lightning.

“Huh?” cried Twilight

“Me?” asked Cadance, and it was obvious why they wanted her. Since her magic was love energy itself, it would serve a perfect power source. “No! I absolutely refuse.” snarled Cadance but the changeling only laughed again. “It’s not as if you have a choice.”

“She does!” snapped Lightning “You forget that I’m not trapped in there.”

The changeling didn’t seem too worried about that. “And you forget that I control Major Cerise. Her power, her skills, everything she has is under my control.”

Lightning was aware of this, and knew that he had to fight seeing as how Twilight was unable to perform her splitter spell, and this was Major Cerise, an advanced Starfleet fighter and superior in rank to Lightning. This wasn’t going to be easy.

“Starfleet Magic!” shouted Lightning, and he transformed and readied himself for battle. He charged forth shouting loud and strong, but Cerise sidestepped out of the way and kicked him hard into the wall. The girls winced in horror.

Lightning quickly got up and went after Cerise again throwing numerous punches and kicks which Cerise was able to block and counter, every last one of them. “Come on, Lightning!” Twilight muttered under her breath.

Lightning and Cerise had met in a fist lock and shoved each other out of the way. Cerise decided to make the fight more intense, “MAGENTA LANCE!” and at once, a powerful pink lance appeared. “Oh, boy.” said Lightning. He heard stories about Cerise and her skill with the lance, and she was good. Lightning had a hard time dodging all her strikes or keeping away from her, and he got hit several times.

Cadance and Twilight wished they could help, but just as promised, neither of them could do magic while inside the cell while the barrier was up. Twilight couldn’t even teleport them out. It was all up to Lightning, whom by this time was pinned against the railing with a drop down one floor behind him, and Cerise standing over him and posing her lance at his neck. The changeling laughed maniacally. “How pitiful is this? You-- the apprentice of the Grand Ruler-- a well-renowned Starfleet fighter falling at the mercy of one of your own comrades. You’re just pathetic!”

She raised her lance ready for the kill, but as she brought her arm down to strike, Lightning pulled a fast one and punched her hard in the stomach, and then flipped her hard over the railing and she crashed on the floor below. “It looks like you’re the pathetic one.” Lightning said “You may possess Cerise’s body, and her skills, but you’re not using her brain powers, just yours, and that’s your disadvantage.”

Cerise got up, and the changeling was furious, and Lightning dove down at her to continue the brawl, and this time the tables had turned and the fight seemed even. Lightning managed to attack and land more hits on Cerise, and even knocked the lance out of her grip. “Not bad for a captain.” Lightning gloated.

The changeling was outraged at this humiliation, and now saw no other choice. She made Cerise blow the whistle round her neck. “What’s she’s doing?” Twilight wondered.

“I don’t think it’s anything good.” said Cadance, and indeed it wasn’t as a whole swarm of escaped prisoners surrounded Lightning. He tried his best to resist, but he didn’t have a chance against them all by himself. “No!” cried the girls.

“Yes!” laughed the changeling.

Now that Lightning was in custody, Cerise disarmed the barrier round the girls’ cell, and ordered the guards to bring them along. It was time to begin the project.

The mega gun was resting outside, and poised upward out into space. Its cosmic rays would be powerful enough to stretch across dimensional space and hit United Equestria. Cadence was already placed inside a glass dome connected to the machine. “Let her go!” shouted Twilight.

The changeling ignored her and began to the magical drain. Cadance felt powerful jolts zapping her as her magic got absorbed. She screamed in pain.

“Ten percent power.” said the automated voice.

Twilight and Lightning struggled to break free, but all those monsters and creatures holding them back-- it was no use. Cadance continued to be drained and the gun was starting to come to life

“Twenty percent power.”

Seeing Cadance being harmed and knowing what was stake, Lightning was not willing to let this happen. Then he had an idea. “Hey!” he said at the prisoners “How do you know you can trust this changeling?”

The prisoners turned to face Lightning. “What do you mean?” they said. “Lightning!” snapped Twilight, but Lightning winked at her.

“Thirty percent power” the rings around the gun were starting to glow one by one.

“How do you know you can trust Queen Chrysalis and her followers?” said Lightning “All they’re after is energy. They don’t care one bit about you.”

“Forty percent power.”

“Don’t listen to him!” said the changeling. “Our queen promises you freedom and power beyond your wildest dreams.”

The prisoners bought it and refused believe Lightning, but now Twilight joined in. “The only creature Chrysalis is loyal to is herself. When she’s done with you all, she’ll destroy you too.”

“Fifty percent power.”

The gun was at half its power and Cadance couldn’t hold out much longer against the drain on her magic, but the prisoners were all starting to feel confused. “Don’t you dare betray me.” shouted the changeling. “You will all be punished if you disobey.” but now the prisoners were so confused they lost focus, giving Twilight Lightning the chance they needed. They hit the creatures holding them causing them to let them both go. Lightning quickly flew up into the air, and Twilight teleported away. “Stop them!” roared the changeling.

“Sixty percent power.”

All prisoners sent to Conva were stripped of magic, and any or all special supper abilities they had to render them pretty much harmless to avoid any escapes. All the prisoners hadn’t had the time to restore what was once taken from them, which gave Lightning the advantage. He kicked, punched, and bashed them all away. He gazed over at Cadance, strapped in the machine. “I’ve got to get the princess out of there!” but the prisoners on the ground had surrounded Cadance everywhere, but luckily Twilight had just returned with help!

She had teleported back inside the buildings, found all the guards imprisoned and set them all free to join the battle and even the odds. “Stop them!” shouted the changeling.

“Seventy percent power.”

While the prisoners were all distracted by battling the guards, Twilight and Lightning made their way over to Cadance in attempt to free her, only to be confronted by Cerise. “End of the line, ponies!” the changeling growled.

“Eighty percent power”

“Perhaps it is time I taught a lesson you won’t soon forget!” growled the changeling. “Prepare for the ultimate power!”

Cerise’s golden horn began to glow softly. “Oh, no!” gasped Lightning.

“That light!” cried Twilight.

The changeling was attempting to make Cerise summon the uniforce-- the rare, super force so immense and only ponies with golden horns could use. However, the glowing stopped, and the changeling couldn’t understand it “What’s going on? I command you to work!”

Lightning couldn’t help but snicker. “Don’t you get it…?” he snarled “You may Cerise’s body, but not her mental powers. The uniforce will not work for you unless you know how to use it.”

The changeling roared in outrage and then forced Cerise to charge forth. “I’ll tear you apart the old fashioned way!”

“Think again!” snapped Twilight, and she performed her splitter spell, knocking the changeling out of Cerise. Cerise came to her senses almost at once. “What… what happened? What’s going on?” she asked. “Snap to it, Major!” snapped Lightning and he pointed at all the commotion going on, but to make matters worse, the machine was nearly ready to fire.

“Ninety percent power.”

Cerise blew her whistle signaling the guards to help her hold off the monsters, while Lightning and Twilight broke Cadance free from the machine. The second she was released, however, the machine began to go berserk without Cadance in it.

“Warning! Warning!” said the automated voice “Severe system-malfunction-- Auto-fire will commence in one minute”

“We can’t let it fire.” cried Cadance “Who knows what will happen now?"

Lightning saw only possible hope of stopping the gun. “Get everyone away from here!” he said before flying up right towards the gun, standing directly in its line of fire. “Lightning!” screamed Twilight “Lightning, are you crazy?!”

Lightning ignored her and concentrated hard, until his golden horn began to glow and his whole body shinned with that mystical light. Everyone gazed up in awe. It had been a long time since Lightning used that special power of his, but he knew it was his only chance.

“Auto fire in twenty seconds.”

“Get back!” Lightning said “This is going to be big!”

“STOP HIM!!” shouted the changeling. All the monsters dashed forth but Cerise leapt in front them, and her horn was glowing just like Lightning’s. “Don’t even try it!” she growled. Most of the prisoners panicked and began to back away, but others and the changelings still charged forth. “The uniforce can’t take us all at once!”

Cerise narrowed her eyes and unleashed it. “…UNIFORCE!!” Such a huge burst of power, and all the monsters and the changeling were blasted hard. “I was wrong…” coughed the changeling. “It… can!”

“That’s one problem down.” said Twilight, but now the gun was ready to fire. The energy was starting to channel at the tip of the mouth. Lightning still glowing wildly just hovered where he was. “COME AND GET ME!” he shouted. The gun fired immediately, and as the energy went straight at Lightning, “…UNIFORCE!!” He launched his massive power colliding it with the force of the energy actually matching its force and pushing it back softly into the gun. “Come on, just a little more!” Finally, Lightning managed to shove the forces straight into the gun, overloading it and destroying it in a ball of fire and stopping the energy blast.

The remaining criminals were so shocked by how much power Lightning obviously had, and it gave Cadance the perfect chance to zap them all with her own spells, so they’d do what she would say “Now you all go back to your cells.” she told them, and they did as they were told.

Lightning landed near Twilight. “Wow! All she has to do is ask?” he asked jokingly. Twilight laughed with him, but that was the magic of her sister-in-law.

With all the prisoners once again locked up and changeling as well. The gang headed back to United Equestria and then back again transferring the load of captured changelings. As Lightning helped Cerise load the last batch of prisoners into confinement “I’m amazed young Lightning Dawn.” Cerise said “You managed to actually overpower me and destroy a mega-gun.”

“Like I said; not bad for a captain.” said Lightning with a smirk.

Cerise promised to take better care of things, and would mention about Lightning’s heroics and his friends in her report. “Grand Ruler will be pleased.”

The ponies felt they could rest-assured that Chrysalis wouldn't try to possess space ponies ever again. It required too much power and effort that she couldn't afford to spare.

Lightning nodded, and then they saluted each other goodbye, and then Lightning Twilight and Cadance headed back through the portal and into space.

“Well… this was an experience I won’t forget.” Cadance said. “Thanks, you-two… for getting me out of there.”

“It was the least we could do.” Twilight said “We promised after all…” added Lightning, and he and Twilight said Twilight’s rhyme together.

“Cross our hearts and hope to live,
Our solemn vow to you we give.”

And they all shared a laugh together as they zoomed across the pathway heading for United Equestria.

(Promo)

In our next episode, several of the gang have dinner with Applejack, but Apple Bloom and her friends get into a bit of a crumb when they mistake a bag of treats to be for them. Applejack feels so upset the girls don’t know what to think and fear they have lost her trust.

Will the girls patch things up with Applejack, and how can they make up for the treats?

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

(Next Episode: “The way the Cookie Crumbles”)