My Brave Pony: Starfleet Magic (Season IX)

by DakariKingMykan

Episode 23: Ready or Not

EPISODE TWENTY-THREE

King Von Devilor was addressing every Devil in the realm.

“My subjects, my brethren, my Devils…

We are about to embark on the deadliest, more magnificent of battles our empire has ever known, and I expect you all to follow the instructions I have given you without any deviation.

Our glorious victory, our future is all before us, and together we will crush our enemies, and escape from this prison that has kept us for all these ages!”

He looked down at his core, where Cadance’s power was still being converted into dark aura.

“LET THE HATE, THE DARKNESS, THE EVIL SEEP FORTH… AND MAY LOVE AND LIGHT PERISH AT OUR WILL!!”

The Devils all cheered and hollered to him.

“HAIL VON DEVILOR!!

HAIL TO THE KING!!”

Scarlet, however did seem to cheer or care for much as all she could think of was Dearka.

“There’s only one thing that I’m focussed on, and that’s finally getting rid of that traitorous sneak forever!”

She recalled earlier of speaking to the king, and was once again denied being made top general.

“But your majesty, Dearka has left us. He is a traitor! He is no longer one of us, but I can be a great asset in the upcoming war, if you will only give me the chance…”

“Enough!” bellowed Von Devilor “Dearka will be dealt with in my own way Scarlet. Right now, there are other things to handle. Our enemies will be coming here soon, and I wish to be fully-prepared to greet them.

That means, you also will have your orders.

…I have spoken!”

Scarlet was crushed and very disturbed. “Why can he not see? Why does he continue to deny me my rightful place?”

All she could do was blame Dearka for all this, and whether her King told her to standby or not, at this point she no longer cared!

“King or not, the next time I see Dearka, I will not rest, I will not heel, and I will not look away until I have destroyed him forever!”

She knew she wouldn’t have to wait long. Dearka would show himself eventually.

After Lightning and his team returned home, the very next morning, Applejack and Pinkie Pie were subjected to an inquiry.

They stood before their majesties, Princess Luna, as well as Lightning and Starla, and look very shameful, because even though it wasn’t entirely their faults, they were partially responsible for the death of the Vistulan Princess, and after they were ordered explicitly to guard and protect her.

“Do you have anything else to say?” asked Grand Ruler.

“No sir.” the girls replied.

Pinkie was trying hard not to show any tears and keep standing up straight.

“The loss of Princess Calista is a most serious devastation.” said Celestia. “The Vistulans are now well-protected on our safe planets, but we have received reports from Major Fenton; the Vistulans are not taking the news well, and they will have to make extreme decisions on who is to run the planet.”

Pinkie and Applejack felt worse.

“However,” said Luna “The circumstances which lead to her death did help us to find Dearka, this cannot be ignored. You did maintain vigil, and you couldn’t have helped what happened.”

Grand Ruler agreed “Given all of this, and the fact that we will now require your services more than ever in the imminent events, it is by royal decision that there will be no charges, this time.”

Pinkie and Applejack’s smiled began to show and the gawked happily at one another.

“Eyes front, ladies!” said Lightning “You’ve been spared this time, but there’s no room for celebration now. We’ve got a long road ahead of us, and a most dangerous one, so I suggest we all rest and train up as long as we can.”

Everyone in the room agreed, the final bout with King Von Devilor was coming up fast.

“I hope Dearka’s doing okay, though.” said Starla “…Goodness knows the feelings he’s struggling with now.”

Dearka could still hardly believe… Here he was, in United Equestria, but as an ally rather than an enemy, and about to aid them in a raid against his former brethren.

He remembered earlier when he first arrived to the palace with Lightning and his party.

Grand Ruler and Queen Celestia personally confronted him.

“Dearka, in spite of your willing to help us,” said Grand Ruler “It cannot be ignored that we’ve had our history.

However, we understand what happened to you now, and as a Devil, you are great asset to bringing down the Devils’ evil.”


Dearka clenched his fists at the very mention of his former brethren. “Believe me, I have grown to despise King Von Devilor more than you all combined, and I will do all that I can to make him regret ever having met me!”

Celestia was delighted to hear that, but still stated, “Regardless of your intentions, we must still take cautionary steps with you, for you are still a Devil, and though we require use of your dark powers, they are still highly dangerous.”

“I understand.”


As Dearka sat there, he still felt strange being here, and he thought, “First compassion, then they defend me, and now they show mercy as well… and after all the horrible things I have done.”

He thought back to his every attack, every monster he summoned, all the people he hurt, and how he laughed at their pain, and enjoyed making them suffer!

“How foolish I have been, giving all my loyalties to von Devilor!!” he angrily shouted as he pounded the floor with his fist “He ruined my life, manipulated me, and took my loved ones from me!”

He couldn’t stop thinking of how horrible his parents had it after he was banished, no matter how comforting it was to know they actually wanted him back, and all he destroyed were imposing shadows of them.

Still, his beloved Calista, he couldn’t stop blaming himself for her death, and it hurt him most severely inside.

“Your heart is badly shaken, but at least you still think with it.”

Dearka looked up and all around, “Who said that? Who’s in here with me? Show yourself!”

“I am not truly here. I am merely communicating to you from somewhere else in the palace.

…I am Agapi.”

Dearka stiffed at the name. “You… You are the one Von Devilor Spoke of.”

“Yes… but there is no need to repeat that tale now.

I sensed your arrival, and I have learned of the truth surrounding you. You are still filled with much seated hate.”

Dearka grumbled, “How could I not be? My eyes may be open to the truth, but that does not erase the feelings, nor does it truly make me a better being.”

“You have merely forgotten what it feels to bask in the goodness of love and light. You were led astray and poisoned by evil that used you, but it has become obvious that you still have heart with pureness.

Even I can sense it.”

Dearka cringed softly, still struggling in himself, and Agapi said no more.

From Shining Armor’s room, she opened her eyes after breaking contact with him. “There is hope for him yet.”

Shining Armor couldn’t believe he was agreeing with her-- actually putting his trust in a Devil!

“I sense your doubt.” said Agapi “It is understandable.”

“I’m just getting there,” he admitted “The only real reason I’m putting any trust in him is because we have a chance to get Cadance back.”

Agapi remained calm as ever, “Any form of trust is better than none at all, but it’s what you do with it that matters.

Putting your faith and allegiance with a former enemy can be near-to-impossible, depending on the history between you and they, but those with good intentions, no matter how different they, can always work it out in the end…

…If they will it.”

Shining Armor felt moved by her wisdom, “I’m just nervous that’s all. I always get this way during upcoming final bouts.

…I wonder how the others are taking it.”

Artie wasn’t taking it too well, he had been trouble sleeping the past while, and now that he was home again, even if it was only for a short while before he was called to arms, and he seemed a little on edge.

Sunset placed his breakfast that she had made for her future husband in front of him, but he hardly looked up.

“Are you okay?” she asked him.

He finally looked up and answered, “Just… just thinking.”

“…About the upcoming war with the Devils?”

He had already told her the final bout was coming, and she was very nervous about it too.

“You’ll do well, I know you will.” she said sweetly to him, “And before you even ask, I know you will. I’ve seen what you guys do, and I have faith in you.”

He smiled sweetly at her, “I’m more worried about you. In the possibility that something happen to me, what’s going to happen to you? I never made any other arrangements.”

Sunset did feel a little worried about that, but she immediately thought of a way to make it better.

“Let’s get married.”

His heart began to race, “What?”

“Let’s get married right now. That way, if something does happen and you don’t make it back, at least I can inherit all this-- the house, your art gallery, and don’t worry about money, I can get a job, and I can take art lessons to continue things for you.”

Artie was stammering hard, unsure of what to do as this was all so sudden.

Finally he managed to get out, “What about the Devils? We can’t let them know what we’re doing.”

Sunset, quick-witted as ever, already thought of that “We’ll hold a small and private ceremony. Mayor Mare can perform it, and it’ll be just fine, we can even gets some of the gang to be our witnesses.

Please, I want to do this. Let me be your wife now.”

Artie could hardly believe all this, and now here she was willing to sacrifice having a big wedding with all the trimmings and setups, and just get it over with quickly.

Seeing how much he loved her, and wanted to make sure she would continue if something happened.

He reached up softly and kissed her, meaning he accepted, and she responded by throwing her arms around his neck, pulling him in closer as the kiss grew deeper and more passionate.

Meanwhile, Bright Mac was sitting on his bed looking over the marriage contract for Applejack and Apple Spice, when Pear Butter came in and sat down on their bed next to him.

“Shucks, Buttercup,” he groaned “This contract’s really made a mess of things in our family.”

His wife agreed, “Applejack and Apple Spice aren’t the least bit attracted to one another, and Spice is in love with Pinkie Pie.”

They both had been aware of Spice’s feelings, able to read him like a book whenever he thought of Pinkie, asked about her, and the fact they knew he was sweet on her.

“I actually really bad about doing this to our daughter.” said Bright Mac “Not that I’m trying to say bad of our dead friends, the Spice’s, but I’m wishing we never got into this thing.”

“We all thought it was a good idea back then.” said Pear “I just wish there was a way out of this contract.”

Applejack overheard them down the hall, and she felt touched that her folks were finally starting to get the message, but this still didn’t change things.

Most likely, she and Spice would be married after the fight with the Devils-- assuming she survived it of course.

She looked outside and saw Spice sitting on a tree stump, and picking petals off a flower, but he wasn’t saying the old “Loves me. Loves Me Not” thing, she could see the grim look on his face and read his lips from that distance.

“I’m doomed…

I’m really doomed…

I’m doomed…

I’m really doomed.”

Applebloom then walked up to him with a big shiny ball.

“Hey, Spice… ya want to toss around with your future sister-in-law?”

Spice looked at her grimly but spoke nicely, “No, no thanks… I’m just not in the mood.”

Applebloom’s face curled into a sad tone, “I was just trying to cheer you up a bit.”

Spice smiled sadly at her and patted her head, “I know.”

“You really don’t want to marry my sister, do you?”

Spice shook his head. “Don’t get me wrong. You’re all an amazing family, and I’m very thankful for all you’ve done for me, but… this whole marriage thing just feels so wrong.

I don’t love her. She doesn’t love me, and I’m not cut out for this whole farmer’s life. I should be in the kitchens cooking up great feasts and dishes. That’s what I’m good at.”

He was starting to day dream about Pinkie Pie again, and how being with her meant he’d get to live and work with The Cakes at their Café and Bakeshop, and with his super cooking and confection skills, he’d be a real help to them all.

“Who am I kidding?” he said “It’s not going to happen. Not as long as that contract has my freedom and Applejack’s on the line.”

He sounded as if that was it; he was finally accepting his ultimate defeat and willing to give up on ever having a chance with Pinkie.

Speaking Pinkie, she came rushing in practically yelling at the top of her lungs, “HEY, APPLEJACK… BUDDY ROSE…!”

Applejack raced outside fast, and Buddy flew out the window of his house.

“Pinkie, you woke up Seedling!” he scolded.

“What’s up with you?” asked Applejack.

Pinkie could barely speak, being out of breath with excitement, and she spoke in raspy garbles.

“What?” asked Applejack.

“Come on, Pinkie, spit it out.” said Buddy.

Spice rushed into the house and came back with a glass of lemonade for Pinkie. She guzzled it down and got her voice back. “Thanks…” she said with a sweet smile to him, which made him blush.

“Sure.”

“Pinkie, what is it?” Applejack asked in annoyance.

“It’s Artie and Sunset. They’re getting married at town hall, and they need witnesses.”

Her friends were most surprised.

“Are they crazy?” asked Applejack.

“I thought they were waiting until the Devils were beaten?” added Buddy.

“That’s what I thought too.” replied Pinkie, “But they need witnesses. They need us.”

Rather than talk it out further, Buddy and Applejack decided to go for it.

“Spice and I can come too, if you’d like.” offered Applebloom.

Spice felt rather awkward at the idea, but he didn’t have to refuse as Applejack already denied the idea, “It’s just a quick ceremony, sis, that’s all. Besides, we shouldn’t have too many people there in the Devils try to attack.”

Applebloom agreed, and took it well.

“Maybe Spice should come too, anyway.” suggested Pinkie. “Then you can get married too.”

Both Spice and Applejack’s faces turned right red, with steam shooting their ears with shock and embarrassment.

“GET MARRIED?!!” they both exclaimed.

Even Applebloom felt awkward at the idea. “Um… I don’t think that’s a good idea.” she said “I mean after all, it’s for Artie and Sunset, and you said it’s best not to draw too much attention.”

“Yeah,” agreed Spice.

“…That’s it.” added Applejack “We’re just not ready yet, that’s all, and besides, Ma and Pa are preparing a big wedding for us. We, uh… just don’t want to ruin things.”

Regarudless, Buddy quickly informed Tree Hugger he’d be off for a short while, and then he and his friends flew off to town hall.

The rest of the gang were there too, except for Lightning and Starla whom were still in New Canterlot discussing strategies for the upcoming battle, but Artie did inform them via a letter.

Lightning and Starla wrote back almost immediately giving their blessings.

Before long, at town hall, Artie and Sunset stood before Mayor Mare. Sunset wore a simple white flower corsage in her mane, and Artie wore just an ordinary bowtie from his fancy dress uniform.

All their friends were gathered and witnessing as the ceremony went on, quick and easy.

Sunset and Artie placed rings on each other’s fingers.

“Well, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” said Mayor Mare, and she quickly held up a marriage certificate for them to quickly sign like that, which they did.

“You may kiss the bride.”

The couple shared a soft chuckle before they came together for a deep and passionate embrace.

The friends erupted with cheers and joyful hooting.

Rarity and Fluttershy dabbed their eyes with hankies.

“This is so awesome!” shouted Rainbow as she fluttered around the room with joy.

“VIVA!!” hollered Dyno and Myte.

Sunset and Artie could only look into each other’s’ eyes with loving smiles.

“Wow.” said Sunset

“Married, huh?” chuckled Artie.

“Yeah, it feels kind of nice.”

Buddy grabbed Artie and gave him a playful noogie. “Welcome to the league of marriage, pal.”

“From the looks of it,
You’re going to love it.” added Rhymey.

“Congratulations Sunset.” said Fluttershy.

“Darling, you shall adore wifehood, I assure you.” added Rarity.

Sunset blushed while rubbing the back of her head.

With all said and done, and the paperwork completed imedeatley, the team exited Town Hall.

“I still think you and Spice could have gotten married too.” said Pinkie “You could always have the big ceremony after, just for kicks.”

Applejack lost her patience.

“Look, Pinkie, I’m going to make this as clear I can for you: Spice and I don’t want to get married at all. We don’t love one-another, and we know it ain’t right.”

The others couldn’t disagree with her, all knowing the truth well.

“Yeah, they wouldn’t be happy together.” agreed Rainbow.

“And besides, Spice is in love with you, Pinkie.” Fluttershy accidently blurted out, and she gasped and realized what she said.

Everyone felt awkard at it, but not as stunned as Pinkie was. She stood there with her eyes open wide and her mouth hanging open.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to.” cried Fluttershy.

“No,” said Applejack “It’s about time the truth came out.”

Pinkie was still in a shock. “Apple Spice loves me?”

“Eeyup... Why do you think he got so goofy every time you were near him?”

Pinkie did think back, and finally noticed, all the times he blushed, looked nervous, seemed to act shy and awkward when she was near him.

“B…B…But, I already have an admirer.” said Pinkie “I got flowers twice from someone who--”

She stopped when Applejack gave her a strict stare.

“…It was Spice all the time?” asked Pinkie.

Everyone nodded, and vouched for seeing Spice nervously leave the flowers on the stoop each time.

“He’s got it bad for you, chica.” said Dyno.

“Si, I’ve never seen anyone so in love and so nervous.” added Myte.

“I think it’s positively romantic he has such strong feelings for you, Pinkie.” said Rarity.

A hush came over the group as Pinkie looked down at the ground, considering what she had just learned.

“I… I don’t know what to say?”

She slowly looked up at Applejack, who only looked grimer than ever, further implying how much she and Spice didn’t want to go through her arranged marriage.

The others all felt sorry for her, but they couldn’t think of any legal way to get out of her contract.

Over the next few days, while other members of the group trained and prepared for the great venture ahead, Pinkie hardly knew what to think.

Her latest bouquet, from Spice of course, had wilted, but she hadn’t thrown them out yet still thinking of him, and thinking back to his amazing cooking skills, as well as his sweet demeanour.

A soft smile crept across her face, and she thought back to that time they spent at the amsument park-- practically on a date, and it was very nice, especially the Tunnel of Love… before the Devils attacked.

Maybe she was starting to think of Spice more than just a friend, but keeping in mind of the marriage contract.

She wasn’t the only one thinking of it.

Ever since her talk with Spice, Applebloom had taken a picture of the contract and shared it with the other Cutiemark Crusaders.

“Applejack said she told Pinkie about Spice’s feelings,” said Applebloom “But I was told not to tell him.

If only there was some way to get out of this crazy thing.”

The others agreed, but after reading it over and over it all seemed final.

“What if we had the contract and then destroyed it,” suggested Scootaloo “Or at least threw it away?”

DD shook her head, “Won’t work. I studied up my law books for my Starfleet training; even if the contract is missing, because everyone knows what it says and what it looked like, it’s still binding.

Why, just this photo of it here is more than enough for it.”

Sweetie Belle sighed “I guess there’s no choice. Applejack and Spice have to get married and that’s it.”

Applebloom looked at the contract for the umpteenth time, and she read over the part where it said her sister had to get married, and she realized “That IS it…!”

The others all gawked at her.

“It says they have to GET married, but it doesn’t say they have to STAY married.”

DD immediately caught the drift, “Of course! By doing that, they fulfil the contract, and then it no longer means anything.”

“You mean, get married, and then just get divorced?” asked Scootaloo.

“It could work…” said Sweetie “But what would Applejack and Spice think about it?”

When the girls came to Applejack’s place with the idea, her parents told her they had just missed her.

“She’s gone?” wailed Applebloom.

“Eeyup.” replied Big Mac

“You got to be kidding me?” groaned Scootaloo.

“Nope.” replied Big Mac “She got the call of duty, and she took off for New Canterlot. So did Buddy Rose.”

DD looked back at her home across the way. “I better go check on Tree Hugger and Seedling.” and she dashed off.

Scootaloo and Sweetie looked down as it meant they lost their chance to see Rainbow off, or wish Spike and Rarity luck.

“I think you girls better home too,” Big Mac said to them.

The girls looked downhearted, but Applebloom wasn’t beaten yet. “Are Mom and Daddy, I got to talk to them about something we figured may help everyone.”

Meanwhile, all the fighters were at the palace.

Starla, Rarity and Fluttershy were each dropping their babies off at the daycare, and feeling very sad and tearful to just leave them, knowing how dangerous things were about to get.

The fathers felt the same way, but were trying to be brave for themselves and everyone.

“We better get to the throne room.” said Lightning.

Starla and the other wives agreed, but stopped to peck their respective kids one last time, which made the babies begin to look sad, and they cried when their parents walked away.

“It’s okay, I’ve got this.” said the caretaker, and she began to tend to the little sweethearts leaving the adults to exit.

Soon everyone was gathered in the throne room, where all three of majesties were waiting for them. Dearka and Agapi were present too.

“Good, glad to see you’re all here.” said Grand Ruler “As Dearka knows more of what’s about to happen, shall turn over the briefing to both him and Agapi.”

Dearka bowed and then addressed the group.

“I will create a portal for you all that will take you to the Devils’ World, but be warned… you are about to enter a world of likes which you have never seen nor experienced.

It is far darker, and more dangerous than anything you have known.”

Agapi agreed, “As I have told you before: the power I gave you should protect you from the toxic atmosphere, but it will only last for so long, and if you use any of the power, it will only shorten what time you have further.”

Everyone else understood.

“So this is it!” said Lightning “We’re finally going meet Von Devilor!”

Shining Armor clenched his fists tightly, “We’re going to free Cadance, and then grind him and his Devil army into dust!”

“Uh, reality check,” Rainbow pointed out “The word “Army” comes to mind. We’ll still be fighting them on their home turf, and they’ll be practically waiting for us!”

“Of course, we’ve anticipated this.” said Starla “And there’s only one thing for it: Our best and only option is to go straight for Von Devilor himself.”

“Agreed,” said Dearka “With Von Devilors falling, the Devils will grow weaker and be easier to overpower. I know this fact, for even my power radiates from that wretch.”

Pinkie then raised her hand way up, “Um, just one thing. How do we get back if we have to leave?”

Celestia then raised her hand as it glowed with her horn, and she materialized a set of small spheres. “These capsules were created by Professor Brain in the laboratory, and infused with Dearka’s transport power.”

She levitated one sphere to each fighter as Dearka explained “When you feel you must return, simply slam one of these below your feet, and you will teleported back here, to your own planet.

Be warned, each sphere is only good for one use, so do not be using them unless you really must, they were not easy to create.”

He recalled while working with the professor in the lab, many of the experiments resulted in explosions and clouds of dust.

“Well, now who’s a fool?” regarded Brain.

Thankfully, they managed to get it working right.

Dearka cleared his throat, “My point stands.”

Lightning approached him, “What about Von Devilor? How can we beat him?”

“There is only one way I know for certain.” said Dearka “His core, the large orb of flesh on his lower forum, which houses all the vast energy and converts it into evil waves.”

The fighters caught on instantly, “So if we take out that core, we’ll weaken him?” asked Buddy.

“I am merely assuming, but it seems most likely.” he paused as his rage began to show “I wouldn’t mind having first strike at him myself!”

“Wait!” said Shining Armor “What about Cadance? If she’s lost somewhere in that core, what will happen to her if we destroy it!”

“Fear not,” said Agapi “As I told you before; I will be able to return your wife to you, but her spirit must be released.”

Fluttershy caught a slight hint in her voice. “Are you not going with us?”

Agapi shook her head, and Luna stepped forth, “It is far too dangerous for her to join you, not just considering her weak powers, but because she controls Cadance’s body.

If Cadance is to be returned safely, then her body must be well protected.”

“Indeed,” agreed Grand Ruler “The rest of us will remain out here to protect the planet should there be another attack.

Our armies are standing by already.”

He wasn’t kidding, over the past few days he had passed orders to every officer on the planet, and all the Starfleet teams and their allies were standing by.

Even Mykan was standing by with the officers of New Canterlot, and maintaining watching for any danger.

All civilians were ordered to remain off the streets and remain in their homes or shelters until further notice, and they were all being tended to by the provision squads and helpers.

“Well, time for us to do our thing,
Go into the Devils’ World and beat their king.” said Rhymey.

Everyone agreed with him.

Artie looked down at his wedding ring on his finger and touched it softly.

“Hey,” said Applejack “You’re doing it for her, right?”

“Right.” agreed Artie “Let’s do this.”

The team all gathered outside into the castle courtyard which was wide open, and a perfect place for departure.

“Is everyone ready?” asked Dearka.

The team all stood together, ready, willing, and they all transformed.

“STARFLEET MAGIC”

“HARMONY HOUR, FRIENDSHIP POWER”

“Dragon Power”

“Mask of Saber”

Once everyone was transformed, it was really time to go.

“Go with care, My Brave Ponies,” said Grand Ruler.

“Our faith and prayers are with you.” added Ceelstia.

Everyone saluted, and then Dearka opened up a large swirling porta. “Come!” he called to everyone “…Off to the Devils’ World.”

Following him straight into the portal, everyone felt themselves swirling in a twisting dark vortex of a mixture of darkness and light, heading for whatever excitement or danger that lay ahead!

(Promo)

In our next episode: It’s a raging brawl in the Devils’ World, especially as Scarlet brawls with Dearka intending to finish him forever, and just as the heroes finally confront Von Devilor himself, they realize they may have bitten off far more than they can chew as the evil creature proves to be quite the handful.

Can our heroes finally bring the Devils down, or are they doomed to perish in the darkness?

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

(Next Episode: “Part 1: World War Two Ways”)