My Brave Pony Starfleet Magic: Season VII

by DakariKingMykan

Episode 3: Going Batty

Author's Note:

According to MLP logics, since Granny Smith and her band of Pony Pioneers founded and established Old Ponyville, that would mean Granny, in present, would have to be at least 200 years old.

That's a pretty big number for a mortal Earth Pony, so I have a hard time believing that's true especially considering all the MLP season still don't provide with a definite reasoning, or the actual lifespan of ponies in general.

So, I just did things my own way...

EPISODE THREE

With Sienna and her crew out there, the laws of war were quickly instated, but despite this, life would continue. There was no sense in keep everyone under house arrest for an indeterminate amount of time; they’d go crazy with cabin fever.

Late one night, it was very quiet in new Sweet Apple Acres. The special trees that bared apples in the winter were all bright and full of juicy apples nearly ready for picking…

When along came a swarm of nasty vampire fruit bats, aiming to attack the trees and suck all the goodness out of the fresh apples.

Just as they neared the trees, they didn’t realize they had flown through a set of security laser-beams that set off a waring alarm to alert the farmers of the infestation.

Applejack and her family, and Buddy Rose and DD leapt into action armed with cans of bat repellent to spray at the vermin!

“Get back!” snarled Applejack “You leave our apples be!”

“Get ‘em!” shouted Buddy and he and the others all sprayed the repellant at the bats, making them cough and gag. The spray would not hurt the trees or the apples, but it did drive the bats off into the night.

“Go on! Get outta here!” shouted Applebloom.

“Beat it, flying rodents!” added DD.

Soon the bats were all driven off, “And don’t y’all come back, ya here!” snarled Granny Smith “Urgh! Con-flabbit vermin! Every year in the spring. Ya think they’d learn by now.”

Tree Hugger felt a little uneasy inside. “You could’ve handled them more easily, you know.” she said “I get you don’t want them snaring the apples, but why be so rough with them?”

Buddy approached his wife of seven months. “You haven’t been living here that long, honey. The vampire fruit bats can cause a lot of trouble.”

“Eeyup.” agreed Big Mac “I remember all the times they always wrecked up our harvests; cost us a bundle of food for the land and profits for our support.”

“That’s not even the worst of it.” said Applejack “The worst of it is their bite. If one of them were to bite you, they’d make you real sick, and some even say… Ya might TURN INTO A BAT YOURSELF!!”

Many of the gang shuddered in fear of such a thought. “But then again, no one’s ever been bitten by a vampire fruit bat before. They usually stay away from ponies. All they really want is the fruit.”

DD and Applebloom then let out big yawns. It was well-past their bedtimes, and they were only up and about to help drive off the bats. “I think you two better get off to bed.” said Buddy, “Remember, we got a big surprise for you tomorrow.”

The girls felt excited and were growing anxious. “Can’t you tell us what it is?” asked Applebloom.

Applejack shook her head, “Oh, no ya don’t. If we tell you, it won’t be a surprise.”

“We can still act surprised.” teased DD.

Buddy chuckled at his cousin, “Go along, girls.”

The girls complied and bid the grownups goodnight before heading off to their respective houses across the fields.

Granny sighed, “They remind me so much when I first came here and helped establish Ponyville and to start this farmland. Now it’s better than ever, except for them darned bats.”

Soon, the grownups were relieved on watch by other farmers so they could go home and to bed as well.

On the way back Tree Hugger was curious and asked “Why do the bats attack your fruit trees so much? I mean I get they want to eat and all, but why do they always pick on you more?”

Applejack, Big Mac and Buddy never actually thought of that before; other than their crops being the best on the planet… but that wouldn’t seem fair to other farmers.

“Oh, I can answer that for y’all.” said Granny and she told a story she didn’t tell many. “This whole area used to be the feedin’ grounds of many vampire fruit bats.

They didn’t take too kind to us ponies comin’ in and settlin’ on their land. They didn’t like any creatures that came. They felt that only bats should rule this neck of the woods, and terrorized anyone that ever came near.”

She had flashbacks of many bats swarming in large numbers around her young self and her family and all the other pioneers, trying to drive them out.

“Many of us ponies wanted to give up, but me and my daddy knew that these lands were just perfect to grow trees and crops to really help start our community. So we came up with the special repellant we used and helped drive them buggers away so we could claim the land.”

The others felt somewhat shocked by this. “You drove the bats out of their home?” asked Tree Hugger “Kinda harsh.”

“Ah, t’wen’t nothin’.” replied Granny “Dang nuisance is all they were; stealin’ fruit from by-passers, terrorizing the young. If they couldn’t learn to live with us, we just had to teach them a lesson about manners... and we sent them all packin’ like dogs.”

The rest was pretty much history. The farm was established and the trees were planted.

Buddy and Applejack didn’t know what to make of such a story. Honorable as it sounded, staving off naughty creatures and helping the land for the better, it still didn’t feel like such a good idea to drive the bats from their lands.

“Maybe that’s why the bats attack this land so much.” suggested Buddy “They’re trying to take back what was taken from them.”

“Meh…” said Applejack “Whatever the reason…” she paused and yawned, “I’m gonna catch some Zs. Night y’all.”

Big Mac escorted Granny home with him, and Buddy and Tree Hugger headed home across the way. Tree Hugger still felt it was kind of harsh the way they staved off the bats.

“Best not to think of It.” said Buddy “If we didn’t drive them off they’d ruin all our crops, and that would put marketing for us and the town at risk.”

His wife sighed, “I guess that’s right. I just wish there was an easier way to deal with them; you know, maybe I could help them discover inner-peace. Relax their minds, and be light as the breeze itself.”

She took in a huge cleansing breath and sighed sweetly, and Buddy loved it when she acted all blissful and calm. He pecked her softly on her cheek, making her blush, and they headed off to bed.

Early the next morning, the rooster crowed. It was time for the farmers to get up and get with the daily chores.

Buddy and Applejack were already up and ready to get through a lot of the chores mega fast that morning, on the count of there was just so much to be done.

(Music while they work)

The looked at one-another and nodded, and then leapt straight into work, using their super strengths and speeds from their Starfleet training.

They whizzed through the barns and fed all the animals. Then they milked the cows, sheered the sheep and stored all the milk and wool in the large storage barn for the other ponies on the land to work with.

Then, they took to the fields, Applejack zoomed across the grounds pulling up all the weeds she could with ease, then clearing the way for Buddy to come plowing through; using his bare hands he tore up the dirt making perfect trenches for planting, much faster and deeper than using a plow.

Then it was over to the apple orchard where the special Winter Apple Trees had the last of their apples needing to be picked.

Buddy swiftly zigzagged along the path, socking each tree, and then allowing applejack to dash through placing gathering buckets under each tree just as the bundles of apples fell.

Then both of them dash back carrying the bushels of apples back to the barn. Thanks to their super strengths, they could carry a lot, at least ten bushels at a time.

By the time they had finished, the sun was completely up, and they both stopped in front of Applejack’s house, where they found their families waiting for them.

“What’s the time, DD?” asked Buddy.

His cousin checked her stopwatch, “Um, exactly, fifty-eight minutes; a new record!”

“Whew!” sighed Applejack “I didn’t think we could do it under an hour. Now I know.”

Suddenly, they heard Granny Smith ringing the triangle ringer, “COME… AND… GET IT!!” she called.

“Alright! Breakfast time.” said Applebloom.

“Eeyup! Granny’s made her special apple pancakes today.” said Big Mac, and he dashed off.

“Whoa, someone’s got their vibes all grooved up today.” said Tree Hugger. Buddy chuckled at his wife of seven months.

Soon, everyone was seated down and enjoying their meal. “Mmm-mm!” sighed DD “Love your apple pancakes Granny Smith.”

Granny patted her head “Well, ain’t nothin’ I like better than friends and family havin’ a good meal, especially since today’s the big pie delivery.”

This was the time of year when the Apple family delivered many apple pies to the hard to reach towns. It was hard enough for the Apples to do it before on Equestria of old. Now, ever since United Equestria was formed, the paths stretched farther, and there were more towns that requested pies. Using faries to teleport the pies was not a good idea either, as the pies had to be delivered safely; better done by hauling them on the road.

This was the main reason Applejack and Buddy wanted to get some of their chores done extra quick to have more time to help out.

“Say,” Applebloom suddenly said, “Didn’t you promise me and DD and big surprise today?”

“Yeah, you did.” added DD.

Buddy and Applejack snickered teasingly as if they were waiting for something, and that something was a knock at the door.

It was Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo,“HI!!”they both cried.

DD and Applebloom were happy they were here, but that wasn’t really their surprise.

Sweetie and Scootaloo joined everyone for breakfast and after which, Buddy and Applejack guided their girls outside to two huge wagons that were loaded with fresh baked apple pies.

“WHAT?!”the girls cried for joy when they were told their surprise. “You mean WE get to help deliver the pies… on our own?!” squealed Applebloom.

“Eeyup.” replied Applejack “We talked it over with Rarity and your folks Scootaloo. You’re all gettin’ to be mighty big now, and you’ve been through a lot too, much it dangerous… not exactly what we approve of and all.”

Buddy cleared his throat, “The point is, we figure you girls have a right to prove to us you can do big things yourself. Especially you, DD… if you want to join Starfleet someday, you might as well develop a sense of responsibility and initiative.”

The girls felt so giddy, that just jumped on the two adults, hugging them to the point of making them turn blue in the face.

Tree Hugger, Big Mac and Granny chuckled.

Soon it was time to head off. The girls would be taking their two loads of pies into New Ponyville. The adults felt it was nice and simple for their first-ever trial run.

The girls were also given lunch bags if they got hungry or thirsty on the way.

“One last thing, girls.” said Buddy “I’ve put little transmitters on each of the wagons so we can keep tabs on you. If anything goes wrong or you need serious help, just press the red button on either transmitter and we’ll be there in a wink.”

The girls felt awkward “We don’t need you to fret over us.” said Sweetie. “Yeah, we’ll be just fine.” added Scootaloo.

“Well maybe…” said Applejack “But remember, this is just a trial run, and you girls are prone to gettin’ into trouble. We just wanna keep it safe, that’s all.”

“We understand, believe me.” said DD.

Applebloom could only sigh, but she complied with the terms.

“Okay, let’s move on out.” said Applejack, and she, the girls, buddy and Big Mac set off with their carts of pies, each taking their own separate paths. The grownups were going off to farther lands that were harder to reach and more dangerous for the girls to travel.

As Applejack pushed her cart from behind she couldn’t help but keep turning round every few seconds until the girls were out of sight.

“Easy, Applejack.” said Buddy “They’re just going into Ponyville, and I’ve got tabs on them.” He held up a small tracker that showed the two blinking blips on a screen which were the girls’ carts.

“I know…” said Applejack “I know they gotta learn to take care of themselves, and not that they don’t really know how… I guess.” She naturally referred to all the sorts of trouble and mess-ups the girls ever made.

Buddy couldn’t deny this either, but just the same he knew the girls had to have this chance, and Applejack promised to behave as well.

The girls did really well on their routes. Delivering single pies to many bakeries and food stands around Ponyville, even to the Cakes’ Café.

Pound and Pumpkin Cake were now four and half years-old, but old enough to help their mom and dad bring the pies in. Pound was better at flying now, and Pumpkin had better control of her magic to levitate the pies, though she preferred to carry them in her arms.

The girls then proceeded to deliver individual pies to ponies’ homes. Even one to Carousel Boutique, and Rarity couldn’t be prouder. “To think; my baby sister is out delivering pies all on her own.” she sobbed with glee.

Sweetie took a little more offense to that, as she wasn’t alone and she wasn’t a baby either. “Thanks… I guess.” she grumbled softly.

Spike snickered softly.

The girls even got to deliver a few pies to Lightning and Starla’s. “You sure seem to love apple pies a lot.” said Scootaloo.

“Actually, they’re for Starla.” replied Lightning “You’d be surprised at how much a pregnant pony can eat. I’ve got to talk to her about this. She ought to go on a diet for the baby’s sake.”

The girls giggled, and then they could hear Starla calling, “Lightning, are the pies here yet? I’m starved!”

Lightning sighed, “Coming, dear.” and he took the pies inside, leaving the girls to giggle.

Soon the girls stopped in open field to break for lunch. They were feeling rather pooped out from all the hauling and stopping and were glad to be on break.

“Whoo!” panted Sweetie “I never thought hauling pies would be so much work.”

Applebloom took a sip from her juice-box, “Now I see why Applejack used to say I was too young to handle it before.”

DD flexed her muscles, “At least it helps with good training. Buddy says that I’ll be doing plenty of this when I begin working out Starfleet style.”

Soon, after the girls finished eating, they were about to set off again, when from out of the sky a naughty crow grabbed Scootaloo’s lunch bag, wanting to get at the crumbs leftover. “Hey!” snapped Scootaloo “Come back with my lunch bag!” and she took off into the sky after the naughty bird.

“Scootaloo, come back!” shouted DD.

“Forget it!” Scootaloo called back “That’s a Wonderbolts official branded lunch bag. I have to get it back!”

“Scootaloo!” shouted DD.

“Come on, let’s go after her!” cried Sweetie. “Right!” snapped Applebloom, and they ran off together. “No, wait! We can’t leave the pies here!” shouted DD.

Now she was stuck with a choice: Stay by the carts, or go after her friends. Naturally, she was told not to let anything happen to the carts; as was orders, but in the end, “I may never forgive myself for this!” she grumbled to herself.

She found of the transmitters on the wagon, and pressed the red emergency button before flying off to catch up with her friends. “Girls… Wait up!”

At the same time, Buddy and Applejack had already delivered a good many of their pies to other cities, when the beeper went off. “The girls…!” Buddy cried “They’ve activated the emergency call.”

Applejack’s blood turned cold. “Where are they?” she cried.

Buddy checked the locator and saw the carts were blinking from a large field deep within New Ponyville. “Let’s go!”

They left the pie wagons where they were. Pies were just pies, but the girls were more important, and they both took off into the air and speed boosted off!

Scootaloo chased that crazy crow up and down and all the way around. “Get back here, you…!” she called out to it.

The crow couldn’t help but look back just for a split second, not watching where he was going, and the lunch bag got snagged on a tall tree limb, and then it fell down, down, down… and rolled down the hill into a small clearing below.

Scootaloo, exhausted from all that flying landed near her lunch bag panting softly. She was glad she got it back, but as she stood up and looked at the face of the hill, she noticed a large hole in the side of the rock.

“Wow, cool, a cave.” she murmured, and she couldn’t resist taking a look.

Inside, it was fairly bright from the sunlight coming through the cave entrance, but it all seemed to be a big round room; rocky stalactites and stalagmites sticking through the ground and out the ceiling, and there were strange drawings on the walls; drawings of ponies and bats. She didn’t know how to make them out but they seemed so interesting.

“Scootaloo…!” Applebloom called from outside.

“In here!!” Scootaloo yelled out through the cave entrance.

The other three crusaders followed the sound of her voice and waltzed into the cave. “Wow! Look at this place.” said Sweetie.

The others all agreed, and DD was fascinated by the paintings on the wall, “Looks like nobody’s been here in a while.”

The girls continued to gaze around wondering what the paintings all meant, and then they all gawked in awe at something at the far end of the cave.

There resting on a bed of rocks was a large sculpture of a bat, carved from black stone. “Would you look at that…” cried Scootaloo as she moved in closer.

“Hey! What are you doing?” snapped DD.

“I want to get a closer look at it.”

“Um… I don’t know if you should touch it.” said Applebloom.

Scootaloo scoffed, “It’s just a statue. What could possibly happen?” and she lifted up the stone bat. “See, nothing happened at all.”

The girls sighed in relief… when suddenly…!

The cave began to rumble and quiver. The rock bed where the statue stood began to pulsate as dark smoke bellowed out from it. “I think you’ve done it now!” cried DD.

“Put it back, quick!” shouted Applebloom.

Scootaloo moved in to put the statue back on the rocks, but suddenly, there was a huge flash which threw her back hard into the girls. She dropped the statue and it shattered into bits.

The girls then looked up and saw three dark and mysterious creatures. They all looked like humanoid bat hybrids, all of them were dressed in black and purple armor, and helmets with bat-like ears that concealed most of their features but left their mouths exposed, and they all had large bat-like wings sticking out from their backs, like Pegasus wings… and just like bats, they had fangs.

The two creatures in the front were minions. One: A very buff looking male, and the others a slick female. She even had long black hair sticking out from the back of her helmet.

Then there was their leader, who wore a large red amulet gem on a big red and white sash round his neck. He also wore a big black cape with red lining and a high collar.

The girls looked frightened as they gawked at the fearsome looking creatures, and the creatures glared at them. “We are free at last.” The leader hissed “Free to exact our vengeance and take back what is rightfully ours.”

His minions-- Shade and Ebany, stepped forth. “It sure feels great to be out, but I feel like a little snack now.”

Ebany looked at the girls wickedly and licked her red lips “Well… it seems we have a four course meal right here.”

The three Batlings extended their fangs to take bites out of the girls, but the girls SCREAMED and dashed out of the cave superfast, but Scootaloo tripped on a rock and fell to the ground, and was then pinned down by Ebany.

“SCOOTALOO!!”cried the others!

“Help!” cried Scootaloo, but the lead Batling held out his hands. His amulet began to glow a bright red, and so did his eyes and hands.

The girls took one look at those lights and they froze on the spot. “Hey!” groaned Sweetie.

“I… can’t… seem to move an inch!” cried Applebloom.

The leader snickered as he and Shade approached the girls. “It is less painful if you hold still.” the leader teased, and he grabbed Sweetie, while Shade held Applebloom.

“No!” cried DD “Leave them alone!”

“Oh, don’t worry…” hissed Ebany “You’ll be next.” Then she turned back to glare down at Scootaloo and extended her fangs to bite her neck, while her comrades planned to bite the others.

The girls screamed in fright, and while DD couldn’t move her body, she was able to unleash her magic, and she made her horn glow brightly, and she zapped at three creatures, shocking them with small magical currents.

The batlings screeched as they back away fussing about to ward off the magic. In the midst of it all, the leader’s magic concentration was broken, and the girls were released from his hold.

“Run!!” shouted DD, and she and her friends dashed out of the cave, only to find Buddy and Applejack outside, and ran right into them, knocking them to the ground.

“Whoa! Girls!” said Applejack.

“What are you all doing here?” asked Buddy.

The girls all panicked and all spouted out together trying to explain what happened. “Hold your horses… What?” snapped Applejack.

“Monsters!” cried Applebloom “Big… ugly… bat-monsters!”

“They tried to bite us!” whimpered Sweetie.

“They’re in the cave!” cried Scootaloo.

Buddy calmed the down, “Easy, easy now! You say they’re inside that cave?”

The girls nodded fearfully, and Buddy decided to investigate telling Applejack to watch over the girls.

He moved in close to the cave entrance. He couldn’t hear any noise inside but called in, “This is Starfleet. Would you come out please?”

There was no response. Not even a sound.

The girls felt really nervous, and Buddy looked over at Applejack. Then he called back into the cave, “Okay! I’m coming in! Don’t try anything!”

He moved in closer and closer into the cave and his disappeared into the darkness inside.

DD felt especially worried for her cousin.

Suddenly, there was loud screeching, and Buddy shouting. Then it all sounded like a big fight inside as he came bursting out of the cave as three large bats were swarming at him.

“Those are vampire fruit bats!” cried Applejack, “But… they look way larger.”

Buddy punched and kicked hard at the bats, but they seemed so fast and were able to dodge him with ease.

The largest bat then noticed applejack and the girls, and he darted over to them. “Run girls!” snapped Applejack, and the girls fled off.

Applejack then turned round, as the huge bat landed smack on her back and sank his huge fangs into her neck making her scream!

“Applejack!!” shouted Buddy as he watched his friend collapse onto the ground.

“Sis!!” screamed Applebloom.

The bat then assumed his monster form-- the lead battling-- laughing, and his minions transformed and held Buddy in place.

“Excellent.” hissed the leader, and he looked down at Applejack as she lay on the ground, “And what do you know my first victim is one of those cursed Apples!”

“Who are you?!” demanded Buddy.

“My name is Nightwing.

Once I was an ordinary vampire fruit bat, but mysterious things happened to me allowing me to become the powerful creature you see before you. I am now Count Nightwing, the most powerful bat creature in all of United Equestria.

For nearly ten years my minions and I were sealed within that cave, until those four little brats released us moments ago.”

Buddy gawked over at the crusaders.

“Now that we’re free,” hissed Nightwing “I can finish what was started and take back our lands that those miserable ponies drove our clan out of decades ago.”

Buddy made the connection to Granny Smith’s story; so it was all true about the bats and everything, but Granny never mentioned any mutant monsters.

Suddenly, Applejack bolted up onto her feet, but she looked rather pale. Her eyes went red. She had fangs, and her Pegasus wings were now bat-shaped.

“Applejack?” cried Buddy.

The crusaders could not believe their eyes, especially Applebloom, “Sis…?”

Applejack hissed rather violently like the bat-creature she was turning into.

“What’s happened to her?” asked Buddy.

The two minions sniggered, “Exactly what’s going to happen to you, and anyone else we bite.” said Shade.

“The evil magic from our fangs will turn you all into batlings like us.” added Ebany “And soon we can all populate the land again as ponies go extinct.”

Buddy and the girls shuddered at such a thought.

“Enough dawdling!” thundered Nightwing, and he signaled for his minions to bite Buddy and turn him into a battling like Applejack.

“Cous…!!” cried DD as she watched the minions prepare to bite Buddy’s neck, but Buddy managed to stomp on their feet, making them shriek, and he elbowed them hard in their guts making them let him go.

“Get him!” Nightwing commanded Applejack.

Applejack hissed furiously and dashed right for Buddy, completely under the control of the evil power within her.

Buddy leapt up high into the air, “Starfleet Magic!” transforming in a flash!

Applejack then leapt up high, and Buddy had no choice but to put up his defenses; punching and kicking to block Applejack’s every attack at him.

He took a moment to scan her with his visor and determined the evil energy and inner-hypnosis from within her body. He knew this meant he couldn’t reach out to her by ordinary means.

DD and Applebloom couldn’t believe this was happening. It hurt them both very deeply to see Buddy and Applejack battling like this, but even more horrifying that Applejack was going batty!

“We’ve gotta do somethin’!” cried Applebloom.

“And what; get turned into bats ourselves?!” sneered DD.

Things only got worse as Nightwing and his minions joined in the fight, outnumbering Buddy four to one.

“You’ll discover we’re just as skilled fighters as you are.” hissed Nightwing, and he lunged at Buddy, but zipped out of the way just at the last second, and surprised him by kicking him from behind.

Buddy decided to take to the skies for more space.

“After him!” thundered Nightwing to his minions.

Shade and Ebany caught up with him, and used their bat hypnosis to stun Buddy in midair. “Now we’ve got you!” Shade sneered.

Ebany snickered as she and Shade lunged for him…

“I… think… not!” shouted Buddy, and thanks to his Starfleet training to resist hypnosis he managed to break free, much to the batlings’ shock.

“LEAF SWARM”He then unleashed his razor-leafs, bombarding the villains hard.

The crusaders cheered and leapt for joy at the sight of the three villains getting hit hard, but Sweetie saw Applejack rushing through the air straight for Buddy. “LOOK OUT!!” she called up.

Buddy looked behind him and saw her coming, and he zipped out of the way before she could grab him, and he then surprised her from behind, grabbing her and holding her tightly. Applejack fussed and fidgeted about trying to break free.

“Come on… Applejack…!” he groaned as he tried to hold her steady, but in all the fussing, he began to crash down, slamming himself and Applejack hard to the ground.

The crusaders cringed and looked away at the point of the crash, and when the dust settled, both Buddy and Applejack were on their feet and unharmed, but Applejack still looked ready for more.

Buddy saw he had no choice and got out his Vine Whip. “Applejack, I’m really sorry about this…!”

Applejack hissed and snarled at him.

The crusaders shuddered in worry at what was about to happen.

Buddy set his whip to “Heal” and powered up his finisher,“WHIPLASH STRIKE”and he slashed at her hard.

Applejack roared and screeched as the evil forces seeped out of her, and she fell over forward and actually exploded!

“NO!!” cried Applebloom.

“It’s okay! She’s not destroyed.” said DD “Remember it’s the magic going out.”

“I know, but it’s still horrifyin’ to watch!” cried Applebloom.

The smoke had cleared and Applejack lay on the ground, not really injured, just a little dirtied. Nevertheless, she was back to normal. “What… what happened?” she asked wearily.

Buddy helped her up, “Thank goodness you’re okay.”

The crusaders all ran up to Applejack and hugged her warmly. Applebloom was especially glad, “Oh, sis… don’t you go scarin’ me like that?”

Applejack, more dazed and confused than ever could hardly find words to say, but then she noticed, “Where’d them bat-guys go?

Everyone looked round, but The Batlings were nowhere to be seen.

…The Batlings had retreated to the tall trees above the hills and were now in their bat forms hanging from a limb. From there, they saw everything.

“I can’t believe it!” growled Ebany “They can dispel the power of our bites.”

Nightwing was rather annoyed, “It’s worse than that. It appears that some of them are strong than they look. Our hypnotic powers will be useless.

No matter, we can’t let that stop us now.”

“What is your plan, my lord?” asked Shade.

Nightwing snickered, “Our retaliation will be slow, but nonetheless effective. We will continue to infect ponies and strengthen our powers and forces.

And soon, every pony on this planet will be destroyed as the bats take over!”

The bats all snickered and flew off into the darkness of the forest.

The ponies all made it back to the girls’ pie cart, which were still fine, and not a pie was missing or ruined, but Applejack was livid to hear what had happened. “I can’t believe I actually turned into a battling. I could’ve hurt one of you, or destroyed you.”

“It’s not your fault, Applejack.” said DD.

“If it’s anyone’s fault, it’s ours,” said Scootaloo “Especially mine. I was the one who released Nightwing and his goons.”

All the crusaders felt equally depressed.

“Hey, come on, girls.” said Buddy “I mean, true; we’ve got new enemies out there now, but you had no way of knowing about it.”

“But it’s not just all that,” said Sweetie “We were trying to be really responsible this time, but I guess you guys were right; weird things always happen to us no matter how hard we try.”

Applejack shook her head, “Hey, come on now… You did deliver the pies, and you called us when you thought you were in trouble.”

Buddy agreed, “I think you showed real initiative today, and we’re proud of you for that.”

The girls smiled softly, but still… that didn’t change the fact that The Batlings were now out there and the planet was now in even greater danger.

Buddy would send reports to Lightning, and investigations and research would need to be conducted.

Aside from all this, Buddy and Applejack helped the girls finish their pie routes, and then escorted them all home before returning to their own pie charts, which were still safe.

It had really been an unusual day.

(Promo)

In our next episode: A Discovery is made in the Frozen North; a frozen pony from long ago

Meanwhile, at the same time in the New Crystal Empire, Cadance and Shining Armor are donating royal jewels to the local museum, which Sienna sets her sights on feeling an Element of Chaos is near.

Who is this frozen pony, and will Sienna succeed in her first hunting strike?

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

(Next episode: “Northern Fights.”)