With the Elements of Harmony destroyed and Charming Thunder fallen to the dark side, the Equestrian Empire is on a brink of collapse.
The Equestrian Empire is on the brink of destruction since the Elements of Harmony were destroyed by Sombra. Charming Thunder has fallen to the dark side after his father's defeat and his son; Starshine Sparkle, must survive the trials to become a Jedi Knight like his father and hopefully redeem him. Will he succeed or will he fail?
This will be the final episode of the Charming Thunder saga. A story related to the end of season 9 of the My Little Pony series will be next.
The war between Mephiles and Equestria has ended. With the last of the Mephiles Alliance taken out by the Equestrian Empire, peace has finally been restored to the land of Equestria.
Years after the fall of the Mephiles Alliance, Sombra has once again fallen to the dark side again and has successfully destroyed the Tree of Harmony containing the elements along with the kidnapping of Charming Thunder.
Equestria's only hope lies with Twilight and her friends to restore the land and defeat the dark unicorn king and free their friends and their family from his control and save Equestria's king....
Charming Thunder sat in a cage in the Canterlot castle throne room with his horn covered up so he can never use his magic to get out. He then saw Sombra using his magic to place black crystals around the room and walked towards his cage. "You're not my real father," Charming Thunder said as Sombra approached. "What have you done to him?"
"Nothing yet," Sombra said and laughed. "I may have failed to take over the Crystal Empire, but you are now helpless without the source of your power." The doors burst open and Twilight and the others entered along with Discord.
"Okay, 'King' Sombra!" Rainbow shouted. "Time to give up the crown!" Sombra laughed.
"Here to fight the good fight with nothing but your wits? Admirable, but foolish!"
"NO!" Charming Thunder shouted as Sombra fired magic at the six, but the magic was stopped when Discord stood in front of the six and fend off Sombra's magic blasts.
"Well, I guess it's on me to be the MVP today," Discord said as he fended off more magic blasts. "I was betting on you, and I do hate being wrong. Although if you think about it, I am your friend, so maybe you win because friendship wins? Although Fluttershy should get most of the credit for that. She's my favorite." Sombra smiled and fired his magic towards Fluttershy. Discord jumped in front of the blast and got hit by it.
"DISCORD!" Fluttershy gasped. Charming Thunder sat down in his cage as tears fell out of his eyes. Twilight and the others rushed to the downed Lord of Chaos as Sombra laughed.
"Not even the Lord of Chaos can stand against me!" Sombra said. "I am truly the most powerful creature in Equestria!"
"You!" Charming Thunder said as he got up and tried to break the cage with brute strength. "You'll pay for this, father!" Charming Thunder turned to see movement from Discord as he struggled to get up.
"Discord!" Fluttershy said.
"I'm so glad you're okay!" Twilight said. "We can't beat him without you!"
"You couldn't beat me with him, either!" Sombra said with a laugh.
"It would appear that you're on your own," Discord said; weakly. He tried snapping his fingers, but nothing happened. "I have nothing left to give."
"Of course you are," Sombra said. "I can't believe it's taken you this long to realize it. Now, how shall I eliminate all this clutter in my throne room?"
"Listen to me," Discord said. "You don't need me. You don't need the princesses, and you certainly don't need the Elements. Fluttershy, you will always be kind. Applejack, you will always be honest. Rarity, you'll always be generous. And Rainbow Dash will be loyal as can be. Pinkie will always bring laughter wherever she goes. And Twilight...you are and always will be the embodiment of magic. You lost sight of what's in front of you. You're here, together, willing to give everything you've got for Equestria. Nothing and nopony can ever take that away from you, because that's who you are."
"It's going to take more than a sentimental speech to save you."
"Discord's right," Twilight said. "We've proven time and time again that the real magic is the six of us working together! With these girls by my side, I'm not afraid of you! I'm not afraid of what you can do or how much power you have!" Charming Thunder smiled as Twilight and the others got up and slowly walked towards Sombra.
"You should be." Sombra fired his magic but, Twilight fired hers to block it.
"You may knock us down, but we're gonna get back up again!" Sombra fired again, but it was blocked by Twilight's magic. "And again! And again! As long as we're together, we will never stop trying to defeat you!" Twilight and Sombra clashed with their magic. Twilight resisted Sombra's magic and harnessed more magic from within. Fluttershy and the others joined hooves with Twilight.
"For our friends!" Fluttershy said.
"For our families!" Applejack and Rarity added.
"For our home!" the rest except Twilight said.
"For Equestria!" Twilight said. Sombra was now unable to break Twilight and her friend's magic.
"No!" Sombra shouted. "This can't be possible! Your magic can't defeat mine! I destroyed the source of your power!"
"You can't destroy our friendship, Sombra!"
"And we keep telling bad guys," Rainbow said.
"But y'all just don't seem to remember," Applejack said.
"Friendship is magic!" Twilight and the others said. A powerful magical explosion emitted after Sombra tried to blast Twilight with his magic. The magic hit Sombra then got consumed by light and turned into dust. Everything got returned to normal and every black crystal got destroyed in the process. Charming Thunder's cage got destroyed as well freed him from his prison. Once the six ponies were on the ground, Charming Thunder walked up the steps to the thrones and looked at them. Twilight had a look of concern, but smiled.
"Aren't you thankful for us saving you, Charming?" Fluttershy asked.
"Misdirected passion," Charming Thunder said. "Such a waste."
"What do you mean by that?" Twilight asked. "Please. Talk to us."
"An infantile display, Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie, Rainbow, Fluttershy. Reckless pride limned by self righteousness. It's not over yet."
"What's going on?" Applejack said. Charming Thunder turned around to reveal his eyes turned into Sombra's. The six gasped at the sight.
"You stand there because I allow it. Because I do not fear." Rarity was about to blast Charming Thunder with her magic when he fired powerful lightning from his hooves. The storm hit the room electrocuting everyone except Twilight who used a magic barrier around her.
"Fight back, girls," Twilight said. "We can resist him!" As Charming Thunder charged up a strike to penetrate Twilight's shield, Twilight used her magic to blast him through one of the thrones and through the wall. Twilight took a few breaths after lowering the shield and rushed to help her friends up. After she helped up Fluttershy, the debris where Charming Thunder was under blew up and revealed the shadow of Charming Thunder and landed on top of the stairs in front of the hole on the wall as he transformed back to a pony. He laughed as he wiped dust off of his shoulder.
"Who are you?" Rarity demanded. "And what have you done to Charming?" Charming Thunder closed his eyes and opened them again as he grinned.
"Unfortunate for you and your friends," Charming Thunder said. Six guards entered the room as their eyes glowed which represented that they are being controlled. Charming Thunder then turned into shadow as he made a quick getaway. "Destroy them!" Charming Thunder broke through a stained glass window as he made his escape. The possessed guards surrounded Twilight and the others as they aimed their weapons at them. Before they closed in on them, Danny appeared and fired a blast with the power of the force to restore the guards back to their normal selves.
Danny then turned to Twilight and the others and asked, "Where's Charming?"
"He's not himself," Fluttershy said.
"Then I was too late to intervene."
"How did you know what was happening?" Twilight asked.
"I sensed a presence when there was the darker side of Sombra. I tried to get here as fast as I could, but that wasn't the case anymore. Not after what I sensed."
Charming Thunder entered a cave and used his horn to light the way through the system. He then encountered an obstacle in his way and used his magic to move the obstacle and continued his way inside as he placed the obstacle back behind him. He then saw a some torches in the cave and used his magic to light up the room. The room revealed to be full of crystallized ancient pony race. There were so many for him to count. "So this is where you have been hiding, servants of Sombra," Charming Thunder said before he used dark magic to free the ponies from their crystal prison. The red ponies collapsed to the ground as they gasped for air and slowly got up. They all looked at each other and they are relieved to see them alive and well after a thousand years. They then turned to gaze at their rescuer and one of them approached Charming Thunder.
"You...you are not our master; Sombra," the stallion said. "Just what does that make you?"
"I am Sombra's heir; Charming Thunder." Charming Thunder's eyes began to glow with darkness. "Current King of Equestria!"
"What has become of our master?"
"My father has been redeemed to the light and has betrayed you all. Who put you all down here?" The stallion growled as he remembered the names of their enemy who trapped him and the others in the cave.
"Celestia and Luna!"
"Then we have a common enemy. The princesses have always shown too much restraint when it comes to ruling Equestria. When we take the Crystal Empire, you all will gather your strength to do what Sombra should've done years ago after taking over. You now thirst for revenge on the princesses now. I can sense it."
"The princesses are far too powerful to challenge," the female pony said.
"Not my adopted sister; Princess Cadence, the current ruler of the Crystal Empire. Her defeat will be yesterday's message in the end. With your help, you can make it happen." The ponies began to chatter with the idea of helping Charming Thunder as he walked through the crowd and stepped up to a higher ground on a rock.
(Note: Sung to the tune of The Lion King's Be Prepared)
Sung by Charming Thunder and Ancient Ponies
Yes, things may have changed since your long exile Which means that all of you must've too My vision is clear and wide-ranging And even encompasses you
So prepare for the coup of the century Prepare for a great siege Meticulous planning, tenacity spanning Decades of denial is simply why I'll rule Equestria Undisputed, respected, saluted And seen for the wonder I am! The empire and the princesses are snared Be prepared
Be prepared
Be prepared
Be prepared
Be prepared
Be prepared
Be prepared
The red ponies began to cheer to their new leader.
The empire and the princesses are snared Be prepared
Charming Thunder laughed maniacally as it echoed in the cave as his evil plan was taking shape.
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At a lair in an unknown location, a ram is observing Charming Thunder's actions with an orb along with Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow. "Sombra's attempt to rule Equestria may have failed, but there's always a plan I had in mind while he was there," the ram said.
"Taking control of Charming Thunder's mind and take over all of Equestria with an ancient army that once served Sombra a thousand years ago?" Tirek said. "Hmm. Why didn't Mephiles think of that years ago?"
"Controling the King of Equestria should've been tasked to me, Grogar," Chrysalis said.
"Patience," Grogar said. "We shall see the results as he takes over the Crystal Empire first."
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A lone cargo shuttle carrying Charming Thunder's army flew on an intercept course to the Crystal Empire. At the same time, Charming Thunder walked through the town wearing a black cloak. Some of the Crystal Ponies ran to their homes as he continued to walk straight towards the castle. He approached the Crystal Heart as guards arrived to intervene. Charming Thunder dispatches the guards with a series of quick slashes and the use of the force.
Meanwhile in the castle throne room, Cadence and Shining Armor protected by a Jedi Master were about to leave the room. When they opened the doors, they encountered two ponies wearing ancient armor stopped them as the Jedi stepped in front of the prince and princess and activated her lightsaber. The Shining Armor and Cadence stepped back in fear as a shadow which they think is Sombra appeared behind them. They turned to see the hooded figure formed as Shining Armor stepped in front of his wife with his horn glowing. Cadence noticed that inside the figure's saddlebag was the Crystal Heart. "You can't fool us, King Sombra," Cadence said. The hooded figure laughed and revealed himself as Charming Thunder as Cadence gasped. "Charming?"
"But...why?" Shining demanded. As planned, the cargo shuttle violently crashes at the town of the Crystal Empire smashing some homes and stopped in the middle at the front of the castle. The shuttle's boarding ramp lowers, revealing another cloaked figure who proceeds to ignite a red lightsaber; taking a few steps forward, the darkness behind him is illuminated by the activation of over twenty more blades of crimson energy.
"I am doing this to finish what my father should've done," Charming Thunder said. "ATTACK!!!" The army from the crashed cargo shuttle rushed out as a group of soldiers and Jedi came to hold off against the invaders. Charming Thunder fired magic at Shining Armor, but Cadence was able to teleport out of the room with her husband to flee from the carnage. The Jedi Master who killed the armored warriors turned to face Charming Thunder and charged at him. The two then clash in a duel through the chaotic battle still being waged outside. When the Jedi Master leaps backwards, Charming Thunder used the force to throw her through a piece of the collapsed rubble. He then rushed towards the downed mare and leaps in the air with an attempt to impale the Jedi, but she avoided it by rolling out of the way. She then strikes back at Charming Thunder with a vicious series of fast-paced strikes, stunning the dark king with an elbow to the face. When her next swing misses and she spins to gather momentum for another strike, Charming Thunder rushed in and impales the Jedi through the torso. He then came close and whispered in her ear. "You were deceived. And now your empire I made shall fall." He then pulled his lightsaber out of the master's chest and walked to gaze out of the window to see that a hijacked destroyer was in position over the Crystal Temple where the Jedi are trained and it began to open fire at the structure. He then noticed a shuttle leaving the Crystal Empire. A warrior entered the room with a report to their dark master.
"The princess flees!" the warrior said.
"Let them flee. They will let the other princesses know that the Crystal Empire is now taken over once again and soon rally some forces to retake the kingdom in the future." Charming Thunder turned to walk up to the throne of the castle. "For now, I have a kingdom to rule while we plan our attack on Canterlot."
"That houses the princesses who sealed us away for a thousand years."
"Indeed. For now, I must revive two powerful servants of my father I have heard of. Go. Have your fun rallying the citizens of the Crystal Empire and put them in chains."
"As you wish, my master." The warrior leaves the room while Charming Thunder sat on the throne and placed the Crystal Heart over it.
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Receiving word that the Crystal Empire was under siege, Twilight paced around the map room worried about his brother, Cadence, and her niece. She then a door open and Cadence along with anyone who escaped the Crystal Empire arrive. She rushed to hug Twilight as she brought daring news. "My brother has taken over the Crystal Empire," she said. "He lead ancient servants of King Sombra with a daring blow against the people of the kingdom."
"That's tragic," Twilight said. "We will mourn the loss later. For now we need to plan a counter attack before he strikes against Equestria."
"Agreed." The two then lead the other survivors to a room where they can stay as they talked.
It has been months since the siege of the Crystal Empire and the temple housing many Padawans, Knights, and Masters was destroyed during the occupation. Now the Jedi are now hidden at a safer location close to the land of the Hippogriffia, the home of the Hippogriffs. A lone Jedi was instructing some Padawans until he saw a shuttle landing at the landing pad close to him. He dismissed the Padawans and headed towards the shuttle as Starshine Sparkle looked around. He then saw the Jedi and smiled as he made his way towards him. "Welcome to Hippogriffia, Padawan," he greeted with a bow. "Everyone here is looking forward to meeting you. Your former masters praise your combat skills. They say you're becoming an excellent duelist."
"It's easy to excel when you're trained by the best," Starshine said as he walked with the Jedi to a room.
"The Jedi Council will assign you a new master to oversee your final trials. You'll be tested in ways you can't imagine. But when you leave this place, you'll learn what it means to be a Jedi Knight. More importantly, you'll know yourself."
"I'm eager to face these trials. Where do I start?"
"There is a speeder here that will take you--" The Jedi was interrupted when his holocommunicator in his pocket started to beep. "Hang on. Getting an emergency signal...." He turned on the communicator and revealed a dragon Padawan shaking in fear.
"--under attack, repeat, under attack!" the Padawan said. "Storm minion remnants are invading the Padawan training grounds! They have blasters! Send help!" The transmission ended which left the Jedi shocked as he put away the holocommunicator.
"Storm minions here? Armed with blasters? He must be mistaken."
"Mistaken or not, that Padawan is under attack."
"They haven't been here since their defeat at Canterlot. Storm creatures were servants of the evil Storm King. Since his defeat, they're now smart enough to use tools and now they are hostile to us without their leader to command them." The Jedi approached a terminal and started to send messages to any nearby members of the order. "I'm sending every able-bodied Jedi down to the Padawan training grounds right way--especially you."
"Just point the way. I'll handle the rest."
"Take the speeder outside to the training grounds. Push back the rogue Storm creatures--and find out if they are really using advanced weapons. Go. I'll catch up after I alert the Jedi Council. May the force be with you." Starshine nodded and rushed out of the room to a speeder to go to the Padawan training grounds to push back the Storm creatures.
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Charming Thunder sat on the throne at the Crystal Empire with some mind controlled crystal pony guards at each side of the throne. He then got up and walked towards a window to observe his minions and some crystal ponies in chains just like how Sombra had it a thousand years ago. he then stepped away from the window and placed a hoof on his chin and thought, ‘With the threat of the Equestrian Empire, Phantom Consortium, and other empires; how am I going to hold the Crystal Empire? While damage is minimal, the defenses are still being brought up and I’m not prepared to face the Mane 6, Danny, and anyone else of power. How can I fight them all off?’
"Perhaps, your highness, you need someone to distract your foes?" an echoing voice suggested, getting Charming Thunder’s attention.
"Who’s there!?" Charming Thunder demanded. "Show yourself!" He then began to hear chuckling behind him and he turns around, seeing no one. He didn’t noticed that his shadow had single purple eye looking at him where his right eye was at.
"I am here, though you won’t see me unless I point it out." Charming Thunder was looking around to see if anyone was hiding but was finding no signs of hidden ponies. "Nevertheless, even with the destruction of the Elements of Harmony, your evil half father underestimated just how powerful friendship is. However, even without the elements, I can bet they still have access to their Rainbow Power."
"Then what do you recommend, stranger?"
"Do you think the Elements were created without a weakness? Such power must have a weakness and I happen to know it. Though I’ve only ever heard rumors and legends, there is a power that can nullify the Elements of Harmony." Charming Thunder was now walking back to his throne. "Tell me, have you ever heard of the Phantom Ruby and Warp Topaz?"
"I have never heard of them before."
"Both are magical artifacts; like the Elements of Harmony, the Crystal Heart, the Helm of Shadows, the Staff of Sacanas just to name a few. The Phantom Ruby has the power to take control of people’s visual and depth perception to feed false information to the brain, creating a new reality for them. With this, you can alter their gravity field or create something as large as the Sun, at the cost of a lot of energy. The Warp Topaz has the power to warp space, allowing the user to create localized wormholes to other places, thus allowing the user and others to travel great distances around the world in an instant. These 'gateways' as they’re called, can be opened from a great distance. Like here all the way to the Badlands, which if I recall correctly, is at the other side of the world."
"Such power could be the edge I need to keep individuals like Twilight out of the way."
"Yes but you need to run your empire, which is why you need someone you can trust to use both powers. Someone who knows what they are capable of doing. Someone who is loyal to you."
"And you are that someone? Why should I trust you with such power?"
"Because I’ve fought the elements before, I’ve fought you before. I know their tactics, I know their strengths and their weaknesses. Thanks to the dark magic coursing through you, I have made a return but cannot manifest a new form. The Phantom Ruby can provide an anchor for me to use to manifest a physical form. Combined that and the Warp Topaz and nothing can stop us. The Equestrian Empire’s ultimate weapon is the Elements of Harmony and their bearers; the Mane 6. Let me be your ultimate weapon against the Elements.
"What would I call you anyway?” Charming thunder asked before sees a shadowy smoke at the base of his throne. When the smoke subsided, his eyes widen as he looked at a familiar form of a pony with his left eye glowing purple. "You’re-"
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As Starshine finished attacking a Storm creature, his holocommunicator beeped and he answered it to reveal the hologram of the Jedi who greeted him earlier holding his leg as he was wounded. "You're unharmed--good," he said; relieved. "That blasted creature shot me in the leg while I was rescuing some Padawans. Don't know where those things got blasters, but they know how to use them. I've been evacuated to a medcenter, but the fighting isn't over."
"I'll push back the enemy, whatever it takes," Starshine said.
"We need to stop them at the source. Another Padawan found a cave tunnel the Storm creatures use to enter this valley. I need you at that tunnel, making sure the Storm creatures don't get anymore reinforcements through it."
"I'll find this cave tunnel and seal it."
"We need to end this conflict before anyone else gets hurt. Find the tunnel along the mountain range. May the force be with you." The transmission ended and Starshine made his way to the cave tunnel and killed some Storm creatures along the way.
Charming Thunder gazed out of the window as preparations to rule Equestria was being made. Many forces were being trained, some of the citizens were being mind controlled. The figure appeared as Charming Thunder's shadow as he turned and looked at it. "What are your orders?" the echoing voice said as he looks upon his king.
"The Jedi Temple located in Hippogriffia is posing a threat to the Crystal Empire," Charming Thunder said as he walked to his throne and sat on it and looked at his champion and servant. "I want you to go there and destroy it, wipe out the Jedi. Leave no survivors."
"I have studied the area. The temple is having a bad case of Storm creatures attacking the temple." A red wormhole appears above the owner of the echoing voice and Charming Thunder could see Storm creatures wielding blasters attacking the Jedi there. Charming Thunder studied the Storm creatures in action.
"You could use them to your advantage, have an army ready to raid and destroy the temple. But I don’t think they will listen to you."
"Maybe not me, but I know of two who will lead them. I will demonstrate a power that the Phantom Ruby can provide." The echoing voice chuckled darkly. "It wouldn’t be believable if your evil half Father didn’t come back, despite your father being alive. Perhaps this will strike fear into the ranks of the Equestrian Empire and its allies." The red wormhole changed from the attack of the Storm creatures to a certain pony. "But I must ask; what will the fate of your son, Starshine, will be?"
"He means nothing to me. Strike fear to him, but do not kill him."
"Understood, your highness." The red wormhole disappeared and another appeared beside the owner of the echoing voice. "Your orders will be carried out." The owner of the echoing voice entered the wormhole and it closed behind him.
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Starshine arrived in the cave tunnel and encountered the wounded Padawan he recognized from the holo and a lone figure. He had black fur, has a pair of alicorn styled wings. He wore a silver-colored mask with large ears with white and black circular patterns on the inside, with the right ear being black with white circular patterns and the left being white with black circular patterns. While his left eye is visible through a red visor, his right eye is covered by a black lightning bolt-shaped piece, similar to an eyepatch, that is connected to his mask's right ear. His left eye is purple. He has white mane on the back part of the mask and tail, the mane style was similar to Rainbow Dash’s. Around his neck looked like the Alicorn Amulet but the gem in front of it was not that but rather a slightly twisted tetrahedron magenta ruby. On the front/forehead of the mask is an orange round gem stone with a spiral pattern. "Stop struggling, Padawan," the figure said. "Your life was over the moment you set foot here."
"Who are you?" the Padawan asked. "Why would you kill me?"
"Because you are weak and a fool to face me." Starshine then stepped up to intervene.
"Whoever you are, step away from that Padawan," Starshine ordered. The figure turned to face him and he got a little scared at his appearance and sensed his power.
"Hmm. So you must be Starshine, the son of Princess Twilight. You are....dangerous. You killed my future soldiers."
"Does this mean you command the Storm creatures?" the Padawan asked. Two Storm creatures came through the tunnel and stood behind the figure with their weapons drawn towards Starshine.
"Not yet, but I will soon."
"Lay down your weapons. I don't want to hurt you." The figure then laughed.
"Just like a coward you are on the inside. Your so called Jedi Order will be dead. My master commands it." The figure then began to glow red and made duplicates of himself as Starshine drew his vibro sword and shook in fear. One of the duplicates came from behind and kicked him in the back of the head. He quickly got up and struck at the duplicate which caused it to vanish into thin air. He used his magic to take care of the other duplicates and the Storm creatures then charged at the real one. He then leaps in the air and readied a piercing strike. The figure then floated in the air and laughed darkly as he slowly vanished. "Beginners luck if you ask me. Don't worry. We will meet again." Starshine then turned to the wounded Padawan and walked up to him.
"That was amazing!" the Padawan said. "I thought we were done for." Tempest Shadow arrived to the scene of the action, but was too late
"You two alright?" Tempest asked. "What happened here?"
"This masked stranger attacked us, Miss Tempest. He was scary looking."
"Thank Celestia that you're both safe. At least he wasn't one of the Storm creatures."
"He claimed that the Storm creatures will soon be his army."
"I knew that those Storm creatures weren't the only problem. I warned the council about those creatures aren't mindless beasts since the attack of Canterlot years ago. This is proof." Tempest turned to look at Starshine. "You held off all these attackers by yourself with only a practice saber. Impressive." Starshine blushed at the thought.
"I only followed my instincts, that's all," Starshine said.
"They served you well."
"This battle's over, but we don't want anymore Storm creatures coming through here." Tempest walked past the two Padawans and closed her eyes to use her magic to collapse the cave tunnel. She then wiped off sweat off of her forehead and turned to face Starshine and the Padawan. "That should hold them back, for now."
"I can see why you are a Master."
"Oh, I am no Jedi. Just a regular unicorn helping the Jedi cleanse the area of Storm creatures."
"I'm injured, Tempest," the Padawan said. "Are the training grounds safe for travel?"
"Not yet. I'll get you to a medcenter." Tempest then looked at Starshine. "You seem alright to travel alone. You should report to the Jedi Council."
"This valley isn't safe yet; I don't feel good about leaving."
"We have Jedi Knights rooting out the last attackers. You need to tell the council about the masked figure you encountered. Follow the path leading out of this valley. You'll find the Jedi Temple through the mountain pass. I'll see you there as I make my report to the council." Tempest walked with the wounded Padawan to safety away from the Padawan training grounds as a shadow watched from afar; chuckling then vanished.
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Charming Thunder sat on the throne as he closed his eyes to meditate. The red wormhole opened to reveal the figure he sent to Hippogriffia. "Your report?"
"Starshine is very quick and is making his way to the temple as we speak," the figure reported. "I could sense his fear the moment he faced me."
"Good. Convince the Storm creatures to prepare an attack at the Jedi Temple and return to me with your success."
"As you wish, your highness." The wormhole closed and Charming Thunder got up from his throne and gazed out of a window.
Arriving at the Jedi Temple, Starshine walked up the stairs until his holocommunicator started to beep as soon as he entered the temple. He answered it to reveal a pegasus Jedi Master. "Padawan--I'm Satele Shan, leader of the Jedi Council." she greeted. "I'd like to speak privately with you before we meet with the others."
"You have my full attention, master," Starshine said. "What do you need?"
"This isn't a discussion for a comm channel. Come to my meditation room in the temple. We'll talk there." The transmission ended as Starshine made his way inside the temple to find Satele Shan. He asked one of the masters and he pointed to the right direction. Starshine thanked him and walked through the halls of the temple. He found the room and entered to see Satele meditating. She looked up to see Starshine enter and stood up. "Welcome, Starshine. The temple is buzzing with accounts of your heroism in the training grounds. Tempest told me you battled Storm creatures--and a mysterious masked figure with strange powers. This must've been a disturbing confrontation. Are you alright?"
"I'm sorry that things ended in violence, but I'm glad to be alive."
"Taking a life affects the Living Force--and the one who does the killing. This is why Jedi enter battles calmly, with reason. Emotions like fear and anger lead to the dark side."
"I can control my feelings, no matter what I am facing. But this enemy I faced was....different."
"As the Jedi Code teaches us, 'There is no emotion, there is peace'. Remember those words when times are darkest. And take this." Satele handed Starshine a datapad containing the verses of the Jedi Code. "The code is the source of strength, but some backup never hurts. I'll see you soon in the council chambers." Starshine then left the room to let Satele continue her meditation before she comes to the chambers of the Jedi Council. He walked up the stairs to the second level of the temple and walked up to the huge doors which lead to the council chambers. The doors opened and he entered. The doors closed behind him as he entered the chambers. The room had a round table with a holoprojector in the center. Tempest was standing before the council as Starshine stood next to her. A blue griffon Jedi Master and one of the members of the council in the room was looking through the archives of the temple on her datapad. She then looked up and stood up to greet Starshine with a bow with respect.
"Ah, the Padawan has arrived," Tempest said. "Anything, Master Kiwiks?"
"I've searched the temple archives about the figure this other Padawan described," Kiwiks said. "This figure is unknown to us."
"Then Charming Thunder has found us," a holo of a bearded unicorn Jedi Master of the council said; worried. "Shouldn't we be ready for him and his forces?"
"Calm yourself, Master Braga," the other master said. "We can't be certain that it was one of Charming Thunder's minions, yet."
"But we've all sensed a growing darkness since Padawan Starshine's arrival," Kiwiks said. "Perhaps it has finally revealed itself, Orgus."
"The enemy I faced wanted to lead the Storm creatures to attack us," Starshine said. "Can't get much darker than that."
"Everyone, this is the Padawan who saved our people in the training grounds," Tempest said. "Starshine, this is Master Kiwiks, Master Orgus Din, and Master Tol Braga of the Jedi Council."
"It is an honor to meet you all." Starshine bowed to the presence of the Jedi Masters.
"It is unfortunate that our numbers are scattered," Kiwiks said.
"Indeed," Satele's voice said from behind as she entered and took a seat on her chair. "The temple's safety is unexpectedly threatened. The Storm creatures were disorganized primitives before today."
"They carried blasters and work like an army," Starshine said. "We need to find out why and where that mysterious figure I confronted went."
"Much of Hippogriffia remains unexplored, and we have a few resources to spare."
Orgus stood up from his seat and said, "I'll handle it--with the help of my new Padawan." Kiwiks had a look of worry.
"Orgus, you haven't taken a Padawan since the Crystal Empire," Kiwiks said.
"The force is strong with him. Stronger than I've seen in months."
"I can think of no finer master to complete this Padawan's training," Satele agreed.
"I'll complete my final trials once we've dealt with our mysterious enemy and the Storm creatures," Starshine said with a smile. "Where must I go?"
"You'll find supplies in my chambers downstairs," Orgus instructed. "Go equip yourself. I'll meet you there." Starshine nodded and left the council chambers.
---------------------
At Master Orgus's chambers, Starshine went through the supplies he needed for the final trials as his new master entered. "Blast those council meetings," Orgus said. "I'd die of old age before my colleagues ran out of things to say." Starshine nodded in agreement.
"I'd rather do something about problems before discussing them," Starshine said.
"Still, there are times when talking is exactly what's needed. This situation has come at you fast. You're braving dangers many Jedi never face. I wouldn't blame you for having questions. This may be the only time to ask them."
"I'll make sense of things later. Let's find our mysterious enemy."
"I know people who can help. The Hippogriffs have also been fighting the Storm creatures since they returned to live in the surface for months. The Equestrian Empire asked us to aid them. We need their aid also."
"Are they equipped to fight to Storm creatures?"
"With the Storm King defeated, they petitioned the Equestrian Empire to guard them from any remnants of the Storm King's army. Their settlement is close by. That's your next stop. Establish a base camp and speak to Queen Novo of the Hippogriffs. Find out what they know about the Storm creatures."
"I'm ready to get back out there--do some good."
"I'll join you soon. May the force be with you."
---------------------
On the top of Mount Aris, it housed many Hippogriffs in their bird like form while others lived in the sea. Starshine entered a room where the queen was housed and was stopped by them. "I come in peace," he said. "I came to speak to Queen Novo." The guards then lowered their weapons and allowed Starshine to enter. Novo sat on her throne beside her daughter; Skystar. They noticed him entering as he bowed to them. "Greetings, your highness. Master Orgus Din has sent me to help you fight the Storm creatures." Novo stood up from her throne and slowly approached Starshine.
"How noble for a mere Padawan to come to our aid," Novo said. "I am guessing that this has to do with the attack at your training grounds?"
"We didn't realize how great a threat the Storm creatures had become."
"And now the Jedi has sent more help. My scouts have tracked the Storm creatures for months. Watched them grow in strength. My daughter will share what we've discovered since we are allies to the Equestrian Empire. I must attend to other matters." Novo took her leave with an escort as Skystar walked up to Starshine with a smile.
"It is an honor to meet a Padawan in training," Skystar said. "Ever since the Storm creatures got their new weapons and gear, they hunt us like animals. They have a camp in the valley nearby. My mother's scouts say that the Storm creatures store their weapons and other tech in a cave."
"Perhaps removing that technology can neutralize the Storm creatures," Starshine suggested.
"You could overload the power circuits and plasma coils. Sabotage would thin the Storm creature numbers and eliminate their technological advantage. On the other hand, if you brought the technology here, my people could defend themselves with those weapons."
"This area is vulnerable to attack. You need better defenses."
"You'll need one of their leader's access keys to get inside the cave. Do what you think is best. Good luck." Starshine then took his leave and made his way to the camp made for the Storm creatures.
Once Starshine killed one of the leaders, he gained access to the Storm creature's armory in the cave. Once he saw the technology he had a choice of either sabotage it or bring it back to the Hippogriffs for better defenses. He decided to grab the weapons and take it to the Hippogriffs. "Once they have this, the Hippogriffs can defend themselves," Starshine said to himself. An astromech droid behind him reactivated and rolled towards him with a beep which made him jump. "You scared me, little guy." The droid beeped a reply that he was captured by the Storm creatures and needed rescuing. "Don't worry. I'll get you out of here." The droid introduced himself as T7-01 and explained to Starshine that it was on a reconnaissance mission. It then beeped that it didn't see the Storm creatures coming and placed a restraining bolt on it. "Good thin the Storm creatures don't eat droids." T7 then explained that when it was deactivated, it used a spy camera to record something that may be important to the Jedi. It then played the holo recording to reveal the same masked pony he saw in the cave talking to the commander of the Storm creatures.
"Help me destroy the Jedi Temple near the Hippogriff territory and you will get your revenge on the scum that banished you," the masked pony said.
The commander then growled and asked, "How do I know you won't betray us?"
"Because we have a common enemy; the Equestrian Empire. The Jedi are only an obstacle in my master's plan to rule Equestria. Once we reach full strength, we will attack the temple." The recording ended and T7 beeped a little worried and said that the recording may useful. It then beeped to ask him to remove the restraining bolt.
"Never understood the need for restraining bolts anyway," Starshine said. T7 beeped for joy and thanked him. "Come on. My master may want to see what you recorded." T7 beeped and followed him out of the armory then out of the cave to head back to Mount Aris.
---------------------
When Starshine and T7 at Queen Novo's place, he heard yelling going on inside and entered to see a red Hippogriff talking to Skystar and Orgus. "She died in my arms," he said. "You should've seen what those filth did to her."
Skystar placed her hand on his shoulder and said, "I'm sorry, Saylew. We all share your loss." Saylew then shoved Skystar's hand off of him and became angry.
"For every one of us the Storm creatures butcher, we should kill ten! No, a hundred."
"Will that restore your loved one to life?" Orgus asked.
"Don't lecture me, Jedi. My wife is dead! Our people, slaughtered. Where were you then?" Starshine then stepped up to Saylew.
"Nothing I say will make you feel whole again, but we are truly are doing everything we can," Starshine said.
"What about exterminating those animals? The Storm creatures won't stop until we're all dead. Are you going to let that happen?"
"I won't quit until the Storm creatures are defeated. That's a promise."
"We'll see what a Jedi's promise is worth." Saylew stomped out of the throne room as Orgus had a look of concern.
"I hope you can fulfill that pledge," Orgus warned. "I fear that he won't take disappointment well. Everyone wondered why Jedi a long time ago are forbidden to marry or have families. They don't see how attachments always lead to suffering. Passionate emotions can destroy a pony---and Jedi destroyed by passion become something terrible." T7 beeped to Orgus about a reconnaissance report ready for delivery.
"T7 was captured by the Storm creatures," Starshine explained. "You'll want to see the holorecording it made."
"While I deal with the droid, talk to Princess Skystar. I think her people are ready to help us, thanks to you." Starshine walked up to Skystar and bowed to her.
"With the weapons and technology you brought from the Storm creatures, my people can defend themselves," Skystar said. "You risked your life to help us. You know, my people haven't had a champion in some time."
"Jedi have a duty to protect and defend others," Starshine said.
"And we promised to share our knowledge in return for that duty." A Hippogriff scout came in a hurry and took a breath to explain herself.
"Your highness, Storm creatures broke through our defenses," the scout said. "They did something to our food supply. They dropped strange machines in the crop fields. When a scout approached one, he collapsed with sickness. He was lucky enough to crawl away and recover, but those machines are still out there."
"Tell your people to stay away from the fields," Starshine said. "I'll get rid of these things."
"Once again, I am in your debt," Skystar said. "Hurry to the fields. I fear we don't have much time." Starshine ran outside and hurried down the mountain to the crop fields to see a machine in the middle of the field. He then approached the fields and then started to feel weak and barely collapsed to the ground. He then took a few steps back, held his breath, and rushed in there to the machine poisoning the crops. Once he removed it, a Storm creature came out of the ground and attacked him. He drew his vibro blade and struck at it in the chest, killing it in the process. He then rushed outof the poisoned crop field and released his breath and coughed. He then felt dizzy as he made his way back up Mount Aris to make a report to Princess Skystar. Once he arrived, he approached the princess and bowed with a few breaths.
"I've---destroyed the machine poisoning the crop field." Skystar wiped sweat off of her forehead and sighed with relief.
"I saw how you suffered out there. What you did was more than brave. It was heroic. You've done more than any Jedi ever has. But tell me something; why would you face death again and again for people you barely know?"
"I just can't stand by and do nothing while your kind suffers."
"My mother once mistrusted your kind years ago. I wish my people could know you like I do. I should inform everyone that the danger is over." Starshine then turned to notice that Orgus was not here leaving T7. He was about to ask Skystar where he is until he heard his holocommunicator beeped. He answered it to reveal Orgus on the holo.
"I'm here, master."
"Finally got a hold of you," Orgus said. "Since I left, I've been getting reports of an attack at the temple. It's the masked pony I saw on the holo. He is attacking with an army of Storm creatures.
"What should I do?"
"If you see the masked pony, do not engage him. He has powers that I never seen before. Head to the temple and push back the Storm creatures."
"I'm on my way." The transmission ended and Starshine rushed outside to head back to the temple and hopefully save it on time.
---------------------
Starshine runs closer to the temple when he saw the smoke from afar. When he arrived, he sees destruction around. Bodies of Storm Creatures, Hippogriff Soldiers, Jedi Padawans, Jedi Knights, even a few bodies of Jedi Masters, destroyed machinery, crashed ships. Starshine begins to hear some nearby gunfire. He begins to run in that direction and when he arrives, he sees that masked stranger from the caves hovering in the air, surrounded by a red aura, with red, glitch-like pixel particles scattered throughout his body. "There is no reason to resist," the masked pony said. "Your precious Jedi Temple has fallen and your heroes aren’t coming to save you." His right hoof lit up in a red glow and he fired a beam, killing the Hippogriff soldiers that were shooting him. Starshine was trembling, seeing the masked pegasus so effectively murder those soldiers without even trying. He was hiding behind some rumble and he looked again, seeing some Jedi Knights led by a Jedi Master.
"You won’t win this battle, stranger!" the Jedi Master said before he and his knights ignited their lightsabers.
"Oh, but I already have. While you waste your time fighting me, Tempest Shadow and the Storm King are killing your Jedi Masters on the Council and pillaging everything inside the temple."
'Tempest?' Starshine thought as he continued to watch the scene. 'No, she wouldn’t betray us...'
"Die monster!" one of the Knights shouted as he charged at the masked pegasus.
"No, don’t!" the Jedi Master called out, but it was too late as the Jedi Knight moved to attack. When he swung, he hit nothing but air. The masked pegasus had suddenly disappeared.
'Where did he-' Starshine thought when a red lightsaber blade emerged from behind the Jedi Master through his chest. Like coming out of thin air, the masked pegasus was holding a double-bladed red lightsaber with one impaling the Master.
"Master!" the Jedi Knights cried out in shock. The masked pegasus pulled out the blade and gave an evil laugh.
"Weaklings like him are of no consequence," the masked pegasus said. "The strong will always vanquish the weak. You have only your own fragility to blame." He then spun his double-bladed lightsaber before entering a battle stance. "Come, I’ll carve upon your flesh just how hopeless the very thought of defeating me really is." The Jedi Knights cried out in anger and charged. But no matter how fast or how strong their strikes were, the masked pegasus was dodging them with ease, like he wasn’t even trying. One by one, the masked pegasus killed off the Jedi Knights without even breaking a sweat. This made Starshine shake with fear and terror, this fight made him realize that this masked pegasus was all but toying with him back in the cave. When the last knight fell, the masked pegasus looked at the battle before giving off a loud evil laugh. He turned off his lightsaber, putting it on his belt, and began to hover into the air. When Starshine thought the masked pegasus was going to leave, Starshine’s eyes widened in fear as the single visible purple eye of the masked pegasus turned to him. "I can taste your terror, child." Starshine knew that the masked pegasus knew he was here. He knew that hiding behind the rumble was useless and came out, his weapon ready. "All that anxiety and doubt. It's delicious." Starshine was about to charge to his death when the masked pegasus aimed his left hoof at him and a bolt of red energy came out of his hoof and hit the ground in front of Starshine. Starshine stumbled back and fell on his flank with a thud, dropping his weapon onto the ground. The masked pegasus turned to completely face him. "Give in to your fear. Flee, screaming, and I’ll let you live." Starshine was shaking with fear and terror, looking at the masked pegasus as he released a low dark chuckle before it turned into an evil laugh.
Starshine ran in fear away from the now destroyed temple. He turned to check if he was being followed then he looked forward to see Tempest in front of him and stopped. He then drew his weapon and pointed his blade at her. "Alright, Tempest," he demanded. "What's the deal?" No response came from Tempest. She then activated her lightsabers and charged at Starshine. She readied a strike as Starshine used his unicorn magic to create a barrier around him. Another Tempest Shadow stepped in front of him and blocked the incoming strike and shoved the other Tempest away causing her to hit a wall. "Another Tempest Shadow?" The downed Tempest Shadow began to glow red with glitch-like pixel particles scattered throughout her body and vanished. "She just disappeared."
Tempest turned to face Starshine and said, "That was a fake."
"A fake? How?"
"I'll explain later. Where is your master?"
"I was going to come help him, but I was too late. The temple is destroyed." Tempest's eyes widened at the news and turned away from Starshine. "Wait, I heard that masked pony said something about attacking the fake you and the Storm King attacking the Jedi Masters and pillaging the temple. Maybe Master Orgus is in there. We need to go back!"
"Not with that masked pony around. You saw what he was capable of."
"Then we need some help. Maybe Queen Novo can help."
"You are probably right. With her Hippogriff soldiers, we might be at an advantage. Let's head to Mount Aris." Starshine nodded and ran with Tempest to Mount Aris to seek help from the Hippogriffs.
---------------------
Skystar rushed to Tempest and Starshine to see if they were okay as they entered the throne room. "Are you two alright?" Skystar asked. "I heard that there was an attack at the Jedi Temple. I could see the smoke from here."
"We're fine, "Starshine said. "We need some help retaking the temple. T7 rolled up to the two and beeped a question to Starshine. "Master Orgus is at the temple. Alive. Dead. I don't know." T7 beeped sadly.
"We were hoping that you could spare some manpower," Tempest explained.
"My scouts did say that the Storm creatures have secured the temple and taken what appeared to be the Storm King taking your master to the Forge," Skystar said.
"What's the Forge?" Starshine asked.
"It's a place where lightsabers are made after passing the Jedi Trials," Tempest said. "If your master is there, it's a good place to start. I'll take you there." Starshine nodded.
"Inform your mother of the situation that has developed, your highness." Skystar nodded and rushed out of the throne room while the princess contacted some help from the Equestrian Empire.
---------------------
Venturing through a cave system to the Forge, Starshine and Tempest took down some Storm creatures along the way through the cave. Once they found a way out, they saw the commander of the Storm creatures he saw on T7's holo recording along with the Storm King which appeared to be glitch. He used his staff to blast Orgus to the stairs of the Forge and made him roll down the stairs. The duo arrived to intervene as the Storm King turned to see them without saying a thing. The commander did the talking for him. "Our leader knew that you would come save your master," he said. "Your fear betrayed you. You're weak, like your master. You will fall. With him." Starshine nodded in disagreement.
"You're wrong," Starshine said. "The Storm King has been dead for years. He is not real."
"And you are wrong to see the truth. Our king died because he was betrayed by our once proud commander; Tempest Shadow."
"I only did it because I wanted my horn back. I was betrayed."
"Silence!" The commander then drew his spear while the others aimed their blasters at Tempest and Starshine as they drew their weapons. The Storm King illusion then aimed his staff. "Our new master will bring fear to Equestria just as he did to your precious temple." The Storm King fired his staff which made the duo split up and attack the other Storm creatures. Starshine went for the Storm King as the commander watched. He used his unicorn magic to clash with the Storm King's magic blast. He won the clash and made the Storm King vanish into thin air. The two then came face to face with the commander of the Storm creatures and he took a few steps back scared.
"You've lost," Starshine said. "Surrender."
"I--I give up!" Starshine smiled as he slowly made his way to the commander and used his magic to throw his spear away from the creature. "Let me live and I will tell you all I know about that masked pony."
"You will remain in custody once the Empire arrives," Tempest said before the Storm creature commander was about to strike at Tempest. She then grabbed his hand and threw him in the air and slammed him to the ground. She then cuffed him while he was unconscious. Starshine rushed to Orgus who was regaining consciousness and got up from the ground.
"Starshine," Orgus said. "I must have you to thank for being alive."
"The Storm King was a fake, Master Orgus," Starshine explained. "I captured the leader of the rogue Storm creatures, but not the masked pony."
"You've done a great thing. Maybe that commander has valuable information about who the masked pony is. You on the other hoof, faced a challenge beyond any trial I could assign. There's nothing more I can teach you?"
"What does this mean?"
"It means that all that's left is for you to enter the Forge and construct your own lightsaber."
"I'm tremendously honored."
"Congrats, Starshine," Tempest said.
"There's no substitute for the weapon you create yourself," Orgus said. "Normally we make Padawans gather materials themselves--but you've proven enough." He then gave Starshine all of the components he needs to make the lightsaber. "These are all of the physical components--the rest will come from your mastery of the force."
"I'll stay with him in case anything happens."
"Thank you, Tempest. I'll call a transport to carry the commander."
"What about the temple?"
"The temple will be reclaimed by the Equestrian Empire since their commander has been defeated. I'll meet you there." Starshine walked up the steps to the machine where lightsabers are made. Tempest followed behind him to keep watch. Once Starshine stepped up to the Forge, he placed the components on the table.
"This weapon will be the light in the darkness," Starshine said. He then sat down and closed his eyes as he meditated. Each components were combined with precision to assembled to make his very own lightsaber. He got up and used the force to grab his lightsaber and activated it and gave it a few swings. He deactivated it and placed it on his belt then walked with Tempest back to the temple.
---------------------
The temple was reclaimed when the Equestrian Empire came to aid even though they were too late to stop the destruction of the temple. Most of the Storm creatures surrendered as some were fallen during the fight. Starshine and Tempest entered the barely destroyed council chamber as the surviving members talked. "The Storm creatures are still a threat, but without that mysterious pony's leadership, they'll be scattered and ill-equipped," Orgus said.
"That mysterious pony leading the Storm creatures may have fled, but our temple is now destroyed thanks to them," Satele said. "But thanks to this Padawan, the commander of the Storm creature has revealed some valuable information about that mysterious pony. Unfortunately we don't know the attacker's name."
"The enemy knows our weaknesses in our security," Starshine said. "We have to guard against another attack."
"Agreed--and now we have concerns beyond the Storm creatures. Tempest?" Tempest nodded and stepped forward before the council.
"This pony can create virtual reality projections," Tempest explained. "They have mass and form, but no heart or soul."
"Virtual reality?" Starshine said. "So all those the Tempest Shadow I faced and the Storm King were a part of his army?"
"Replicas. The problem is, they may not be real, but their powers are as formidable as the originals. We need to know how to defeat him."
"I agree," Orgus said with a nod. "But other than that, this Jedi captured a commander of the Storm creatures and saved us from destruction. I see no reason why he should remain a Padawan."
"Your bravery, heroism and sacrifice show great depth of character, Starshine," Satele said. "You represent our best hopes for the future. You arrived on Hippogriffia a Padawan, but you leave a Knight of the Jedi Order. May the force be with you."
"I promise to uphold every standard of the Jedi Order and the Equestrian Empire," Starshine said with a bow. The holoterminal then began to beep.
"We're getting a priority signal from Canterlot," Orgus said as he pressed a button on the terminal to reveal Tol Braga of the Jedi Council.
"Sorry to interrupt this important matter with Starshine, but it is time that I spoke to him in person," Tol Braga said.
"I'm at your service, master," Starshine said. "I'll head to Canterlot right away."
"Good. Master Braga out." The transmission ended and Tempest placed her hoof on Starshine's shoulder.
"I'm coming with," Tempest said. "I need to explain things to the princesses about our new foe."
"Right," Starshine said.
"May the force be with you," Orgus said as Starshine and Tempest took their leave.
Arriving at Canterlot castle, Tempest left Starshine to speak to the princesses while he entered a room to meet with Tol Braga. "It is good to finally meet the new Knight in person," he greeted. "I'm sure your mothers would be proud of you. I believe that the force has guided you to me. Together we'll reclaim the Crystal Empire."
"Redeeming my father is the main reason why I became a Jedi," Starshine said.
"I'm organizing a top secret strike team of our best and brightest. You may have just become a Knight, but you don't know the meaning of failure as other Jedi do. You only saved the Jedi Order from destruction once. That mysterious pony that attacked the temple didn't act alone. Now I ask you to confront the ultimate evil and help me capture your father; Charming Thunder." Starshine had a look of concern on his face.
"You don't dream small, do you, master?"
"The princesses approve. Even your mother. There's a fortress orbiting over the Crystal Empire. It is easy to spot, but its defenses are strong. Charming goes there for personal reasons. Not even his highest-ranking minions can go there. But there is one who does; the mysterious attacker. But thanks to one of our Jedi operative, he has acquired the information we need to board the station and find out where your father hangs out so we can seize him."
"What happened to your operative?"
"He has gone missing since he returned. I need you to find him along with Tempest Shadow. I heard that you two made a great team against the replica of the Storm King. Other members of my strike team are making preparations to board Charming Thunder's fortress and defeat the security around it. His name is Tarnis. Good luck and be careful out there." Starshine nodded and left the room. He then noticed his mother; Twilight, talking to Tempest as they made their way over. Twilight noticed him and rushed over to him to give him a tight hug.
"It is great to see you, Starshine," Twilight said; happily.
"Me too, mom," Starshine said; returning the hug.
"Congrats on becoming a Knight of the Jedi Order. I am so very proud of you." The two broke the hug and looked at each other.
"I need to head out, mom. I have a mission to complete."
"Yes. The mission."
"What is it, mom?"
"Is it wise to go on your own with the other Jedi? What if you fail?"
"I won't fail. That's a promise." Starshine then turned his gaze to Tempest. "I trust that the princesses told you about my mission?" Tempest nodded.
"I am to accompany you on this mission," Tempest explained. "This missing operative we are looking for is probably deep into Black Sun territory."
"I'm not familiar with the Black Sun."
"Black Sun is a powerful crime syndicate that rose to prominence here in Canterlot in the latter days since the Siege of the Crystal Empire."
"Sounds bad. Shall we go and find the operative?" Tempest nodded and followed Starshine out of the castle leaving Twilight to return to the princesses in the throne room.
---------------------
Venturing into pirate territory, Starshine and Tempest looked around to see tons of graffiti painted on old buildings of Canterlot. They then arrived at a security station for the Equestrian Empire. They then noticed that some of the soldiers in there are wounded from some sort of attack. The sergeant of the group was giving orders to help the wounded until he noticed the two enter. "We were sent to find Tarnis," Starshine said. "He has valuable information for us. What's happened here?"
"Black Sun happened," the sergeant explained. "They're not a gang anymore. They're an army. We were securing a perimeter around their base as the princesses requested. They hit back with military-grade weapons. Killed six of my men."
"Seven, sir," a corporal said. "Moonshadow's gone."
"We're not equipped for this fight---not anymore. We can't help you find your friend."
"No need to panic," Starshine said. "We'll figure something out."
"With all due respect, you don't have a clue what you're up against. We've been fighting the Black Sun for months. Now with new weapons and armor, they're unstoppable. I mean look at us. We're half-dead, and they didn't suffer a single casualty. There's no hope of victory."
"If you surrender now, your soldiers will have died in vain. Is that you want? What if they have Tarnis in there? Would you abandon him? This is a moment of truth, sergeant. Do you give up and let evil win, or stand up and fight?" The sergeant thought about what Starshine said and nodded.
"I'll go with you---but I won't ask my men to follow." The soldiers approached and stood next to the sergeant.
"You don't have to," the corporal said. "The Jedi's right. We can't let that scum beaut us."
"Count me in," the soldier said. Always wanted to fight alongside a Jedi."
"Then it is settled," the sergeant said. "You two take the front while me and my men will rendezvous in the Black Sun base."
"Be strong, all of you," Tempest said. "We'll see you on the inside." The soldiers saluted to Starshine and Tempest as the two activated their lightsabers and rushed outside to confront the Black Sun grunts.
---------------------
Starshine and Tempest arrived at the Black Sun base as they killed some grunts guarding the entrance. Once the coast was clear, the two walked in the base with their weapons still active. They arrived at a room where a Black Sun leader was talking to a holo of a hooded pony. "Tarnis!" the leader shouted which made Starshine's eyes widen after hearing the name. "We risked everything for you. Is this how you betray us?"
"You were compensated well enough with weapons armor to make the Black Sun invincible," Tarnis said.
"Invincible? There's two lightsaber wielders carving up my base! This is your fault. We never should've trusted you."
"If two Jedi have come for you, Salarr, it wasn't my doing." Starshine and Tempest walked up behind Salarr.
"You won't get away with betraying the Equestrian Empire, Tarnis," Starshine said.
"I've shed that skin long ago when I was a Jedi. I have no time with this nonsense. Finish your pointless battle. Canterlot's fate is already sealed." The transmission ended and Salarr drew his weapon as a Black Sun grunt rolled up behind Tempest and Starshine with his blaster drawn. When the grunt was about to take the shot, he was shot in the back by the soldiers who arrived as backup for Starshine and Tempest.
"Surrender, you scum!" the sergeant demanded. "We've got you surrounded." Starshine and Tempest got into battle position as Salarr began to back away.
"He's come here to arrest you, Salarr. I suggest you let him."
"Black Sun doesn't surrender!" Salarr shouted before he began to open fire and more grunts entered to join the fight. Tempest handled the grunts while Starshine handled the leader. Starshine deflected the blaster bolts and Tempest chopped the grunts down. When Salarr was about to draw a blade from his sheathe, Tempest threw her lightsaber and pierced Salarr in the chest. The leader collapsed as Tempest walked up and reclaimed her lightsaber.
"Can't believe it!" the sergeant said; surprised. "We just took down Salarr. Black Sun won't forget that anytime soon. We lost some good soldiers, but this victory gives their deaths meaning. Thanks for leading this mission. Any sign of the pony you were looking for?"
"That operative we were looking for turns out that he is an agent of evil," Starshine said.
"But why?" Tempest asked. Starshine then approached the holoterminal to contact Master Braga to tell him the bad news. The hologram of the master appeared and had a look of concern.
"Any reason why you are calling me at a Black Sun base?" Tol Braga asked.
"I bring bad news, master," Starshine said. "Tarnis is a traitor."
"What?" Tol Bragga then thought of something for a moment. "Where was his last transmission?" Starshine then looked at a terminal and found coordinates to where Tarnis's transmission was coming from.
"You got to be kidding me. It's at an Lunar Republic bunker not far from here. But that's not the worse news. It saws here that Tarnis was planning to use some sort of 'city prison' on Canterlot. Happening today."
"That is not good. The city prison was an old project that was cancelled years ago. Find Tarnis and stop him from using it. Master Braga out." The transmission ended and Starshine and Tempest now have a new objective; capture Tarnis and stop him from activating the city prison.
---------------------
At an old Lunar bunker, Starshine and Tempest sneaks past the guards that looked similar to the invaders of the Crystal Empire. Once they arrived in the communications room, they see Tarnis talking to the hologram of the same pony that attacked the Jedi Temple at Hippogriffia. "I'm departing Canterlot now, master," Tarnis said. "The city prison deploys in minutes. The Empire will have no choice but to surrender." The pony chuckled evilly.
"You will then return a hero, my apprentice," the masked pony said. "Our plan is already taking shape."
"I wouldn't count on that," Starshine said as he and Tempest approach Tarnis.
"What's this, Tarnis? A loose end? For shame."
"Have you two come here to die?" Tarnis activated his lightsaber as Starshine and Tempest did the same.
"Surrender, Tarnis," Tempest said. "You can still give us the information you stole from your new master."
"You mean this data disc I carry? It will be a waste if you are willing to confront my master and and his master. Once I kill you, I will I will bring your heads to my ultimate master."
"Don't let Starshine steal your moment of triumph!" the masked pony said.
"With pleasure, master." Tarnis used the force to push Starshine and then fired lightning from his hoof at Tempest. Tempest blocked the lightning and reflected it back at Tarnis. Starshine then got up and charged at his opponent with his horn glowing. Tarnis was about to strike, but Starshine used his unicorn magic to teleport behind Tarnis and stab him in the back. A data chip rolled on the ground as Tarnis on the ground. Tempest grabbed the data chip while Starshine deactivated the city prison.
"You pony filth. You killed my apprentice! You will die for this. I will see to this."
"Why don't you come here and face me yourself so that we can settle it now?"
"I'd rather not. My master keeps me on a short leash sometimes."
"Who is your master?" Tempest asked.
"Now that would spoil the surprise." The transmission ended as Tempest stood next to Starshine.
"We now know the name of our mysterious enemy."
"And with it the information we need," Starshine added. "We should head back to tell Master Braga."
"Agreed." The two then walked away from the terminal and left the bunker to return to Canterlot castle.
Arriving at the castle throne room, Master Braga along with Orgus stood in front of the throne as Starshine and Tempest entered. Tol Braga was relieved to see them both alive. "Welcome back, Starshine and Tempest," he said. "You've done well retrieving the data from Tremil."
"Let us analyze what he learned before he went rogue," Orgus said. before Starshine gave the datachip to Tol Braga so that the masters can do some research.
A few hours passed as the three Jedi Masters along with Starshine and Tempest analyzed a map of the fortress Charming Thunder is hiding in. "Analysis of the technical readouts of Charming Thunder's fortress has shown us the entire defense grid," Tempest said. "Perhaps there are weaknesses we can exploit after all."
"At last, Charming Thunder is within our reach," Tol Braga said.
"This is the beginning of the end for my father's reign," Starshine said.
"We'll be the dawn that breaks the night."
"Our vessels are being prepped for the journey to the Crystal Empire," Orgus said.
"We'll pilot our individual starships to land in different docking bays. Multiple targets will divide the enemy's attention."
"Once we're inside, we'll each follow an assigned path through the security grid," Tempest added. "We'll converge on the king's throne room."
"We'll capture Charming Thunder, bring him to Canterlot, and redeem him to the light side. A perfect victory."
"Redeeming my father is the best course of action, Master Braga," Starshine said.
"Defeating his minions through violence accomplishes nothing. We must embrace them as our own. It is the key to a lasting peace that will save countless lives." The doors behind them opened and princesses Celestia and Luna along with Danny entered.
"Master Braga, we must speak before this plan goes any further," Celestia said with concern.
"There are those among us who have raised...concerns," Luna added.
"If anyone doubts our ability to do this, let them object," Tempest said.
"I'm sure we can dispel their doubts," Starshine said.
"We always considered your plan reckless, Master Braga," Luna said. "Now Danny came to us with a disturbing vision."
"Let's here my uncle out, Master Braga," Starshine said.
"It was during one of my meditations back at Ponyville," Danny explained. "I saw a vision of my nephew. He was falling to the dark side---becoming his father's puppet."
"I'll never fall to the dark side. Nothing in Equestria could make me join the enemy."
"You will fall---and the others with you. I saw it, nephew."
"The future is forever in motion," Tol Braga said. "Events that appear certain today are impossible tomorrow. Must I remind you all that the Jedi and Sith do not pass judgements based solely on visions?"
"If you take Starshine on this mission, it will fail. I should go instead." Starshine took a step closer to his uncle.
"If the princesses and the others agree with you, I'll step aside," Starshine said.
"I've known Starshine since he was a young colt," Celestia said. "I don't doubt his loyalty since I heard from Tempest that he has saved the Jedi Order once at Hippogriffia."
"Danny Eclipse, your highnesses...I apreciate your concerns, but I do not share them," Tempest said. "I see no reason for you to delay Master Braga's mission."
"No thanks are needed," Celestia said. "I simply just follow my conscience, nothing more."
"No!" Danny shouted as he became furious. "This is wrong! I know what I saw!" He then marched out of the throne room.
"Master Braga, I demand you reconsider," Luna said. "There's too much at stake here."
"The time for debates is over," Tol Braga said. "The hour of our victory approaches." He turned to look at his team. "My friends, we depart for Charming Thunder's fortress at once. We'll coordinate our assault once we're all inside. May the force be with us!"
---------------------
Four TIE Fighters approach the fortress orbiting over the Crystal Empire. They all landed at each docking bay without being shot down by the cannons. Starshine opened the cockpit of his fighter and climbed out. His communicator beeped and he answered it as he looked around for anyone heading this way. "I've docked inside the king's fortress," he whispered. "No sign of opposition."
"I'm in, as well," Tol Braga's voice said. "Perhaps we caught Charming Thunder napping."
"I took some cannon fire getting in, but my shields held up," Orgus's voice said.
"I'm see enemy forces converging on my hangar," Tempest's voice said. "Looks like I drew the short straw."
"Everypony disembark," Tol Braga's voice said. "Follow your routes to the objective. No surrender, no retreat."
"Remember the fallen, and do not fail them," Starshine said.
"I'll see you in the throne room," Orgus's voice said.
"May the force protect us all." Starshine then made his way out of the hangar. When the doors opened, a squad of enemy soldiers arrived. He activated his lightsaber and carved a path through the fortress and headed straight to the throne room.
---------------------
Arriving at the stairs to the throne room, Starshine saw Tempest surrounded by battle droids and he leaps into the circle to force push them away causing the droids to break apart. "Thanks for the help," Tempest said.
"Just repaying the favor for saving me back at Hippogiffia," Starshine said. He then gazed up the stairs and then back at Tempest who had a look of confidence then nodded. They then walked up the stairs to see Charming Thunder sitting on his throne. The masked pegasus was standing between Charming Thunder and the intruders that came into the room. The masked pegasus pulled his double-bladed lightsaber from his waist and ignited it, pointing it at the intruders; Starshine and Tempest Shadow. Starshine, upon seeing the masked pegasus, trembles in fear as he remembers what this pegasus have done to a Jedi Master and his Jedi Knights.
"You have violated the King’s sanctum," the masked pegasus said to Starshine. "Here I was, thinking that the world would send its best to take me on. To test the ultimate strength of the world, send me a real challenge. And as if to answer, the world sends me a trembling child."
"Starshine, stand strong," Tempest said to Starshine. Suddenly, the masked pegasus was right beside Starshine in a flash.
"Are you going to fight and die here? Or, run away in fear again?" Starshine began to back away from the masked pony in fear.
"Starshine, we can fight him together. Our friends will---"
"Your friends are dead. You fight alone."
"Not alone. The force is with us." Starshine then stood his ground and both him and Tempest ignited their lightsabers.
"Fine. I will teach you fear, then pain, and then...." The masked pony was surrounded by a red aura and began to hover above the ground. "Well, at least the fear and pain will end." The masked pegasus began to fly up in the air. Tempest and Starshine charged and jumped up to attack, but the masked pony simply dodged quickly and struck them from behind, pushing them to the ground. The masked pony held his forehooves out as streams of red cubes began to appear around the pony and began to head towards the two. Tempest and Starshine began to evade the red cube streams. After a bit, the streams disappeared and the pony was floating off the bridge. Suddenly, the red aura disappeared and the pony began to fall. Tempest looked over the bridge as the masked pony fell. He put his double-bladed lightsaber in front of him and began to swing it in a helicopter fashion. That is when a red wormhole appeared in front of him while another appeared in front of Tempest. The masked pony came through, his double-bladed lightsaber twirling, and Tempest barely dodged. However, another wormhole appeared and he came out another to attack Starshine. Both Starshine and Tempest had to dodge wormhole attacks from the masked pony until a wormhole appeared in front of Charming’s throne and the pony came out and landed on the ground. Tempest and Starshine were tired from dodging so many wormhole attacks. "Come now, is this really the finest of the Jedi Order? Danny and Charming always put up a better fight than you two. Where is that spark of defiance that I saw earlier? Don’t you remember, Starshine? You ran from me before, you survived then but you throw it all away now. Curious." A red glow erupted from the chest of the masked pony, where the ruby was at, and the entire area was now red. That is when cannons of J-1 proton cannons materialized in the air, all aiming at both Starshine and Tempest. "This will be goodbye."
"Surrender, masked stranger," Tol Braga's voice said from behind Tempest and Starshine. "You and your master cannot stand against all of us."
"I knew you weren’t dead," Starshine said. "What took you so long?"
"We discovered a few changes to the security grid," Orgus said. "Nothing we couldn’t handle. Now, let’s finish this."
"Weakling fools, I have killed plenty of Jedi Masters," the masked pony said as the red field disappeared and the cannons along with it. "If you wish to die so readily, then I shall---"
"Enough!" Charming Thunder shouted as the masked pony turned to look at him. "I will deal with them personally."
"As you wish, your highness." The masked pony then opened a portal and stepped through it before it closed behind him. Charming Thunder stood up from his throne and jumped down then chuckled.
"My friends and I wish to speak to you, Charming Thunder," Tol Braga said. "Please accompany us to Canterlot."
"I'd rather not," Charming Thunder said as he walked down the short steps. "Reckless pride limned by self-righteousness. You are master of nothing." Orgus activated his lightsaber and was ready for anything the dark king would throw at him. "And I see that you have brought my son with you. Truly I am finally pleased to see you grow up so fast, Starshine Sparkle."
"Insult my friends all you want, father," Starshine said. "But you are coming with us like it or not."
"Just like I told your Twilight and the others; you stand there because I allow it. Because I do not fear." Orgus charged at the king, but Charming Thunder was quick enough to fire powerful dark magic to electrocute him in place while the other three charged and blocked the powerful lightning. Starshine was close enough to strike, but Charming Thunder fired dark magic at him to push him away.
"We can resist him!" Tol Braga said as he blocked the powerful magic with his lightsaber. Charming Thunder then took the chance to fire a chain of lightning at the four attackers and knock them out. He then chuckled as he looked at Starshine.
"You are mine. Servants. Slaves. Weapons. And you will obey...." Charming Thunder then laughs maniacally as the attempt to capture him has failed.
Ever since Starshine and the master's attempt to seize Charming Thunder from the Crystal Empire failed two days ago, Charming Thunder sent the masked pegasus and his son; Starshine, now being controlled, to invade Ponyville. Starshine runs into the area where his partner, the mysterious masked pegasus, was reported at. When he arrives, he sees Infinite hovering in the air while staring at Rainbow Dash while Rarity was tending to an injured Applejack. "This wasn’t part of my agenda, but I’m always happy to crush a hero," the masked pony said to Rainbow Dash. "It keeps the other rabble in line. Shows them that there is no hope."
"Does anyone but you believe your lies?" Rarity asked the masked pony. Before Rainbow could add anything, the masked pegasus charges at her and she dodges and began to give chase. They clashed a few times as blurs before the masked pegasus knocks Rainbow down and she lands behind Applejack and Rarity.
"Seeing is believing." The Masked pony then charged at the three ponies. Before he could hit them, a flash of light appeared and a light brilliant raspberry barrier appeared. The masked pegasus hit the barrier and was flung back but he easily recovered. The barrier lowered, revealing Twilight Sparkle with Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy tending to Rainbow and Applejack.
"You girls stay here, I got this one," Twilight said as she looked at the masked pegasus.
"Well, look who came for her friends. The Princess of Friendship. But what is that I smell? You and your friends reek of fear. Glad to see I left an impression."
"I am not afraid of you, neither are my friends. And you haven’t left an impression. We don’t know anything about you! Not even your name."
"You may call me 'Infinite' in the brief moments that remain to you." Infinite then gestured to Starshine. "I don’t think I need to introduce my partner in crime here; Starshine Sparkle, the true heir of Charming Thunder."
"Pleasure to see again, mother," Starshine said; grinning evilly. "Father wanted me to advise you; 'You can fight and all of you will die. Or you can not fight and submit to my rule'."
"Equestria will not submit to what Charming has become, Starshine," Twilight said before looking at Infinite. "Though I must ask, what is the source of your power?"
"The source of my power is none of your concern," Infinite resorted to Twilight.
"Oh, but the source of your power is quite interesting, I simply need to know what it is." Twilight ignited her magic. "I insist!" The right side of Infinite’s mask began to glow as a red energy sphere surrounded Infinite and the area turned red.
"Your insistence is futile!" Twilight was caught off-guard and began to levitate off the ground as did the others beside Starshine, like he wasn’t affected by whatever was happening. She began to flail around as she was levitated off the ground.
"Twilight, you ok?" Rarity asked.
"This is exactly what Infinite did to Applejack!" Rainbow called out. Infinite charged at Twilight before he knocked her away.
(Note: Sung to the tune of Infinite )
Sung by Infinite and ???
I am the tallest of mountains I am the roughest of waves I am the toughest of terrors I am the darkest of days I'm the last one that's standing Don't try to stand in my way 'Cause I've been up against better Just take a look at my face 'Cause If you're messing with me I am a dangerous weapon I am the sharpest of blades I'll cut you down in a second 'Cause I was born in this pain It only hurts if you let it So if you think you can take me Then you should go and forget it
Twilight recovers and charges at Infinite while he looked calm about the attack. She launches a magic beam attack but Infinite easily dodges the attack before several cubes surrounded them before Infinite launches them at Twilight. Twilight tried to dodge them but she gets hits a couple of times.
And after all this time, you're back for more (I won't stop until they know my name) So I'll take what's mine and start this war (I'm coming at you like a tidal wave) When everything you know has come and gone (You are at your lowest, I am rising higher) Only scars remain of who I was (What I find in the ashes, you lose in the fire!) When there's no one left to carry on (This is an illusion, open up your eyes and...) The pain persist I can't resist But that's what it takes to be Infinite (Yeah)
Twilight teleports and tries to attack Infinite from the side. However, a red wormhole appeared and another wormhole appeared above Twilight. The magic beam went through the first wormhole and out the second, hitting Twilight and cause her to cry out in pain while knocking her down to the ground. Twilight lands by her friends as Infinite looks down onto them.
So look around you And tell me what you really see I never end And that's the difference in you and me Cause when your time is up And everything is falling down It's only me and you - who is gonna save you now? So look around you And tell me what you really see You live a lie And that's the difference in you and me I have the power Let me show you what it's all about It's only me and you - who is gonna save you now?
Twilight struggles to get up, ready to continue fighting. This causes Infinite to sigh before giving Twilight the ‘Come at me’ gesture with his right hoof. Twilight began to fly before charging at Infinite. Infinite was casually dodging attacks but he was knocked back by a surprise magic beam from Twilight. However, Infinite easily recovers and looks at Twilight.
I am the tallest of mountains And don't you ever forget it If you step in the ring, Then you're gonna regret it.
Twilight charges at Infinite, deciding to take the combat close quarters since she felt most of Infinite’s attacks were ranged but he was easily dodging and evading her attacks and now was dodging any surprise magic attacks.
(Take it) Cause if you're messing with me, Then you should know that it's over I don't crumble for nothing I've got the world on my shoulders
Twilight was getting tired of dodging from Infinite. So, she gathered her magic and unleashed a magic blast. However, Infinite entered a red wormhole behind him and evaded the blast completely. When the blast was over, Twilight was panting.
And after all this time, you're back for more (I won't stop until they know my name) So I'll take what's mine and start this war
Twilight’s eyes turned as Infinite came from the clouds, looking down upon her. His only visible purple eye looking down on her like it was judging her. Not only that but they held something inside of them that Twilight felt was… familiar.
When everything you know has come and gone, (You are at your lowest, I am rising higher) Only scars remain of who I was (What I find in the ashes, you lose in the fire!) When there's no one left to carry on, (This is an illusion, open up your eyes and...) This pain (persists), I can't (resist), But that's what it takes to be Infinite (Yeah)
Infinite dashed at Twilight before punching her a few times before he fires a big beam from his forehooves and that sent Twilight crashing down to the ground. Her friends gather around her, calling out her name. Infinite, however, descended from the sky to look upon them.
So look around you And tell me what you really see I never end And that's the difference in you and me Cause when your time is up And everything is falling down It's only me and you - who is gonna save you now? So look around you And tell me what you really see You live a lie And that's the difference in you and me I have the power Let me show you what it's all about It's only me and you - who is gonna save you now?
Infinite held his forehooves out and multiple red energy cubes appeared all around him. It looked like there was a hundred, maybe more.
(Who is gonna save you now?)
Infinite raised his forehooves before he suddenly lowered them, the red cubes disappearing. They drew everyone’s attention. "You know, why should I kill you?" Infinite said as his right hoof began to glow black engulfed in a vivid violet haze with light brilliant green edges. It was dark magic. "Why waste such a perfect opportunity to have the Mane 6 along with the Elements of Harmony to serve King Charming!" Infinite began to descend to them, his right hoof continuing to glow in dark magic. Starshine stood where he was, despite his mental struggle.
'No! I can’t… let him… hurt mom and her friends...!' Starshine thought; desperately as he struggled to move his body to stop Infinite but couldn’t. 'But… can’t move...! S-someone! Anyone please... Save my mother and her friends...!' Infinite was now in front of them, the group cowering before Infinite. He lifted his right forehoof in preparation to grab someone.
"You all will belong to King Charm--"
"I don't think so!" a voice said before a beam of light turquoise hit at the base of Infinite’s front hooves, causing Infinite to back up.
"What the!?" Infinite looked up to see Starlight Glimmer surrounded in her magical aura to allow her to fly.
"Starlight!" the Mane 6 called out to Starlight in relief and joy.
"Isn’t this a surprise?" Infinite said. "I get the pleasure to meet the powerful Starlight who actually managed to beat Twilight time and again at her own game."
"Girls, you ok?" Starlight asked as she landed on the ground, her eyes still staring at Infinite in caution.
"Twilight, Rainbow, and Applejack took a beating fighting Infinite," Rarity said. "But besides that, we’re ok."
"I must admit, I thought you were too busy trying to protect that school that Twilight made," Infinite said. "But I guess, in the long run, you made my job easier to try you down. The Mane 6 AND Starlight Glimmer as King Charming’s servants, that will show that even the mightiest of Equestria cannot withstand the ultimate power in the world!"
"You will not make me or my friends servants to Charming Thunder!" Starlight said as she stared at Infinite. "You will release Starshine from your control!"
"I regret to inform you, Starlight, but I am not the one in control of Starshine. If you want to release Starshine, you’ll have to fight and beat King Charming Thunder. I’m sure he would be happy to see you and submit yourself to his rule. Besides Starlight, if I could beat the three strongest of the Mane 6, what hope do you have? You are in no position to make threats!"
"Is that so?!" a voice said.
"I wouldn’t bet on it, Infinite!" another voice said. Suddenly, a new group arrived on the scene. Both Infinite and Starshine see the Young Six, Trixie Lulamoon, Sunset Shimmer, Discord, and Starswirl.
"How’s this..." Discord said as he gestured to the group. "To even the odds."
"Well, ain’t this cute," Infinite said. "The possible replacement group of the bearers of the Elements of Harmony, Celestia’s former prodigy, the Great and Powerful Trixie, Starswirl the Bearded, and the Spirit of Chaos himself." Infinite began to hover over to Starshine, keeping close to him. "Though I’m afraid we must take our leave! But don’t worry, we’ll be back." Before anyone could do anything, a red wormhole opened underneath Infinite and Starshine.
"Hey!" Trixie shouted. "Get back here!"
"Coward!" Sunset added. The red wormhole disappeared as Infinite and Starshine finished going through.
Starshine was training against a replica of a tall figure of a bounty hunter he is never met of at Charming Thunder's fortress. The hunter fired its blaster and Starshine reflected it back at him. As the hunter walked towards him slowly, Starshine saw what appeared to be a ghostly figure then it disappeared. He shook his head and continued his focus on the fight at hand. He leaps in the air and chopped the hunter's head off and slashed at his waist area. When Starshine landed, the hunter's body turned red and vanished. He then turned around to the observer and bowed at him. The observer nodded and gestured him to meet him at the torture room whenever he is ready. Once the observer was gone and Starshine was about to walk up the stairs, he glowed blue and collapsed on the top of the stairs. He then began to see Charming Thunder controlling his mind as lightning came out of his hooves. A familiar voice then came out of nowhere saying, "Don't let him win. Free yourself." The spirited figure of his master; Orgus Din, appeared and Starshine fought through his torture. "You're stronger than your influence. Fight!" Starshine then began to glow blue and broke free from Charming Thunder's control.
"Master Orgus?" Starshine asked. "What happened? I thought you were dead."
"The dark king clouded your mind in darkness. Made you do terrible things. You've been your father's pawn for a long time, but you're finally free."
"My father overpowered us. Master Braga, you, Tempest...we all fell. After that, nothing."
"You were not yourself. What you did in the time of darkness was not your fault. You're still aboard the king's fortress after your attack at Ponyville. The enemy is everywhere, but they think you serve them. Keep your true nature a secret. Find a way out. Your dark ally will help." Starshine then got up from the ground as he walked to the room that observer wanted him to be at as he spoke to his master.
"I'll play along until I can break free. Thank you, master."
"The force is with you again. Be strong...." Orgus's voice faded as Starshine stopped in his tracks while his observer walked up to him.
"Stop muttering to yourself, Starshine," the pony said. "Today, we test your ability to extract information from the enemy. Knowledge is power. Our enemies possess the secret to their own annihilation. We must learn everything."
"I'm ready for my lesson," Starshine said; playing along. "Please instruct me."
"One of the scum you arrived with awaits interrogation. You'll conduct it while I watch."
"Which particular scum are you referring to? I came here with several."
"The one with the broken horn. I understand that she used to serve the Storm King before you came along. Follow me. I'll instruct you in using the tormentor device."
"I look forward to it. After you...." The pony nodded and turned to walk the other way while Starshine followed him into the torture room where Tempest was strapped to a table.
"Let's begin. It's a simple device. Three inducement settings, each inflicting greater pain on the subject." Starshine then began to pretend to press buttons on the terminal next to the pony and Tempest. "The tormentor monitors the subject's vital signs, stopping just short of delivering lethal damage. Still quite agonizing, however." Tempest struggled to break free from her straps.
"I know you're still in there," Tempest pleaded. "You're not one of them. You can beat them too."
"Proceed with the lowest inducement setting. Get your subject focused."
Starshine then pretended to have a curious look on his face and waved his hoof as he said, "The tormentor isn't functioning, overseer. It needs repair."
"The tormentor isn't functioning. It needs repair." The overseer then began to leave the room. "Stay here while I sort this out. If the containment field fails, the subject may attempt to escape." Once the pony left the room, Starshine then pressed a button on the terminal releasing Tempest.
"I thought he'd never leave. You're free. Are you alright?"
"I'd kiss you if we weren't in the middle of dark central," Tempest said; relieved. "This place is crawling with Charming's minions who don't know you're back to normal, but you won't fool them forever. We need to leave--quick. There's probably a ship for us in the hangar bay if we hurry."
"We have to warn the princesses about what's happened. Especially my mother. I need....to explain some things to her." Tempest placed a hoof on Starshine's shoulder.
"What you did at Ponyville was not your fault. One thing at a time. First, let's get out of here alive." Starshine nodded and the two then rushed to leave the torture room and arrived at the hangar bay to see an armored red stallion with his lightsaber active. There were bodies scattered around on the hangar floor as Starshine and Tempest walked past them. They then activated their lightsabers and readied themselves for combat.
"Step away from the ship. We're leaving."
"If I wished to fight, I would not have cleared a path for you and your friend," the stallion said. "More guards will come. Shall we go before they arrive?"
"We? You will free Master Braga first."
"If he were here, I'd have liberated him as well. Infinite could've killed you here on the fortress. I have waited a thousand years to see the face that came to me in a vision." The stallion then pointed towards Starshine. "Your face."
"That's because you have been sealed away from the princesses for a thousand years," Tempest said.
"Only a few beings have ever broken the king's domination. You are special, Starshine Sparkle."
"We're running out of time," Starshine said. "If you have a point, make it."
"Thought Charming seeks to conceal his true plans, I have seen them. That vision has driven me to this. I pledge my loyalty to you." The stallion then lowered his head as a bow. "Take me to the princesses, and I'll reveal why." Starshine thought for a brief moment as he continued. "I seek to save this Equestria from annihilation. Without my help, your ship will never escape. I can guide you to freedom." Starshine then realized what Orgus told him.
"My dead master told me I'd find a dark ally here. I think he meant you."
"That only means we can work together to save Equestria. Time is a luxury we no longer possess. We must go--now. I will navigate us through the defense grid." The three then boarded the ship and began to make their escape with help of the mysterious dark ally. Once the ship was distance away from the fortress, it made a jump to lightspeed to travel to Canterlot.
Arriving at the Canterlot castle throne room, Celestia paced around worried about what she heard from Twilight about Starshine. The other three princesses were worried as well until the doors opened to reveal Starshine, the stallion who rescued him, and Tempest. Twilight was surprised to see Starshine back to his old self again along with Tempest as tears came out of her eyes. "It's been so long, Starshine and Tempest," Twilight said.
"We thought you were lost forever," Luna added.
"I'm sure you already know about what happened to me and the others during the mission to seize Charming Thunder," Starshine explained. "It failed. Master Braga is missing."
"And what of your master?" Celestia asked.
"Dead, Aunt Celestia." Starshine then pointed to the red stallion. "This stallion named Scourge helped us escape the fortress. He betrayed his master to join our side."
"His kind serve no one but themselves," Cadence said.
"I altered my loyalties to avert a threat to myself---and you," Scourge explained. "All of you are not alone in seeing the future. Centuries ago, I had a vision of a dark king like Sombra destroying all of Equestria. The Equestrian Empire, the Phantom Consortium, other empires, everything---gone." Scourge then pointed to Starshine. "This stallion has the power to stop Charming Thunder."
"I have a good reason to believe he's telling the truth," Starshine said.
"The attack at Ponyville was merely a diversion to conceal Charming's designs. His true plans are already in motion across the land of Equestria. One by one, every land will fall. Trillions will perish."
"How does that benefit Charming Thunder?" Celestia asked.
"He'll feed on those deaths to become more powerful than you combined. An immortal being of unlimited power."
"My father defeated my strike team without a fight," Starshine said. "He's stronger than we realized."
"A thousand years ago, Sombra tricked an entire empire into aiding a dark ritual. He promised great power. Only for himself, of course. The ritual consumed every living being in the area. He absorbed those life essences through his dark magic."
"That explains why he was so powerful---and where all his power came from."
"That was merely one land. Imagine what Charming will become after consuming millions. He has manipulated events for months toward one goal: performing an even greater ritual that will destroy Equestria. But the ritual requires a great sacrifice to begin: billions of simultaneous deaths. He seeks to commit genocide on the city of Manehattan led by Master Braga himself."
"That city is populated with many ponies," Twilight said. "A battle is going on over there. If Tol Braga is there, he needs to be stopped."
"Once the sacrifice occurs, the king's ritual cannot be stopped. We must save Manehattan." Luna activated her lightsaber and pointed it at Scourge.
"We?" Luna said; angrily. "Your role in this is over."
"Put away your weapon, Aunt Luna," Starshine said. "Scourge is cooperating. He'll come with me and Tempest."
"I know Charming Thunder's ways. Manehattan is his only true goal for now. I cannot help you in a prison cell. Like it or not, we need each other."
"He's right," Tempest said. "I can feel the truth. Without his help, we are all dead." Luna nodded and deactivated her lightsaber.
"I will contact the Jedi Council to find out if any other lands are at risk so we can split up and stop them," Celestia said. "I'm counting on you to stop your father's plans, Starshine."
"Wait," Twilight said. "There is just one thing I must know before we all leave, Scourge. What do you know of Infinite?"
"Nobody but Charming knows who Infinite is," Scourge explained. "But I have seen him and he....he is like an instrument of the dark side."
"What do you mean by that?" Celestia asked.
"I mean that he radiates the power of the dark side, he has this aura of darkness that seems to follow him. It was like he was born from darkness; he can wield dark magic like King Sombra or Charming Thunder. Yet, when I first met him, I could feel deep inside of him....sadness, loneliness, longing. He hides such things underneath a wall of darkness but I barely picked up on those emotions because he looked distant, like he was remembering something."
"What is this stallion have to feel such depressing emotions?" Luna asked. Scourge ignored the question and continued.
"Infinite doesn't bother using the force to aid him in anything. But I do know that there seems to be a connection between him and Charming. I don’t know the purpose of this connection, as theories spring up. But perhaps this connection is what Charming uses to keep Infinite loyal to him and prevent him from betraying Charming. All I do know though that Infinite is Charming’s countermeasure to the Elements of Harmony. Charming allows Infinite to act freely on his own accord to think and fight the Elements of Harmony on his own terms; the 'ultimate answer to the ultimate problem' so to speak."
"Anything else?" Starshine asked.
"Well, I heard only rumors, but Charming and Infinite have been plotting something. There are rumors of a machine being built that would bring destruction to all of Charming’s enemies, a superweapon but one unlike ever seen before. There is also a plan to wipe out the Equestria Empire in three short days. Charming didn’t explain what he meant and Infinite won’t say a word, but I can tell he can’t wait for whatever plan they cooked up to begin. So I recommend preparing the stop Charming before the plan can complete."
"If we rally all of our allies, we can strike on a front that not even Charming and his forces can stop," Tempest said. "Overwhelm the Crystal Empire’s defenses and defeat Charming before this plan can be initiated. But to gather such a force will be two and a half days, which means we’ll be cutting it close on the third day."
"Can we go now? Time is being wasted with this discussion."
"I know this has been hard for you to accept Scourge's aid, but it's our best hope," Starshine said. "I promise I won't fail."
"Contact Danny Eclipse once you reach Manehattan---and don't rely on your new 'ally'," Celestia said.
"I suggest we depart then," Scourge said as Starshine and Tempest walked with Scourge back to their ship to travel to Manehatten and stop whatever Tol Braga is planning to destroy the city.
Starshine along with Tempest and Scourge were at the holo terminal of their ship as they made their approach to Manehattan. A transmission from Danny was received as blaster fire and explosions were heard from the background. "Uncle, I have landed at Manehattan," Starshine reported. "From what I saw flying in, the fighting is intense."
"Thanks for noticing," Danny said. "Manehattan is in a state of total war. Charming Thunder's Empire and the Equestrian Empire aren't holding anything back. The losses are staggering, and not just our military forces. Thousands of civilians die every hour."
"And each death brings Charming Thunder closer to his goal," Scourge added; interrupting Danny.
"Who is this? Never mind. Explain more later. It is why we can't retreat. If the Equestrian Empire pulls back, Charming's forces will exterminate every being here."
"My father doesn't need a city destroying weapon," Starshine said. "The war itself will deliver what he needs; enough power to wipe out all life in Equestria."
"That's tragic. I heard from the princesses that Master Tol Braga is aiding the enemy. He probably knows how to hurt us so he can block our efforts to save the city. Removing him from Charming Thunder's command is the key to victory."
"He could be anywhere in the city," Tempest said.
"He commands legions of Charming's army. He cannot do that from hiding. Only a handful of Jedi and Sith remain alive in Manehattan. I am sending reinforcements from the Phantom Consortium, they are experienced. Master Satele needs strong leadership in order to win this battle. She is naming you supreme commander of the forces of Manehattan."
"I'll resolve the crisis with as few casualties as possible, uncle," Starshine said.
"Manehattan must not fall on our watch. Our mission is twofold; direct our forces to aid Manehattan, and we will personally find Master Braga. Until my forces arrive, you will rally the remaining Jedi who are in the city while I rally the Sith. Coordinates to their locations are sent to your map. May the force be with us." The transmission ended as Starshine and the others left the ship to find the remaining forces in the warzone of Manehattan.
---------------------
Arriving at one of the locations of the remaining Jedi forces, Starshine recognized the fellow dragon he saved from Infinite during training as a Padawan. The dragon smiled at the sight of help as he stood up. "The hero of Hypogriffia!" he shouted. "You're a welcome sight. The ponies here let me use their home as a base of operations. A spy discovered us." Starshine looked around to see some civilians in the area. "They came to execute these civilians for helping the Equestrian Empire. They are grateful to see you here."
"My father wants everyone in Manehattan dead," Starshine explained. "I'm here to stop that."
"Tell me how I can help. You were the reason I became a Jedi Knight like you."
"Maybe we have a destiny to defeat Charming Thunder and his forces here together."
"If that's true, I'm ready to do what we must."
"I'm taking charge of all Jedi forces. We are rallying forces to end this war. You will rally with my uncle; Danny, at these coordinates. Go."
"With the hero of Hypogriffia leading us, I know we will be victorious. See you there." The dragon left the building to help the civilians to safety while Starshine left as well.
---------------------
At an abandoned casino, a Jedi was fighting a bunch of assassins attempting to kill her. When Tempest was about to help, the Jedi stabbed the last assassin in the chest and killed him in the process. She noticed Tempest approaching and explained the situation. "These assassins were working for Charming Thunder," she said. "They were hunting me."
"Good thing that you handled them by yourself before intervened," Tempest said.
"I'm sorry. I'm Ahsoka. I was once Charming Thunder's personal Jedi ever since the war between Mephiles and the empire. It's hard for me to believe that Charming Thunder would do such a thing. Right now, I feel like it was yesterday. I was also with three other Jedi like me." Ahsoka sighed with regret. "They're dead. We're being slaughtered here."
"Your hopes are just saved. The Council appointed Starshine Sparkle supreme commander of the Jedi forces here on Manehattan. His uncle is gathering reinforcements nearby. Go to these coordinates on this datapad." Tempest then hands a datapad over to Ahsoka.
"Charming's son? Supreme commander? It will be an honor to serve him. I'll go to the coordinates and wait for his orders." Ahsoka and Tempest left the casino to rendezvous with Danny at the coordinates given. It was up to Scourge to round up the last one.
---------------------
Scourge arrived to see Kiwiks get hit in the head by a hilt of a lightsaber of an assassin. He rushed in to intervene the assassination attempt on the Jedi Master and cuts the assassin down. He helped Kiwiks up and then gazed at the assassin. "I know you don't trust my kind, but I am on your side," Scourge said.
"I have to thank you then," Kiwiks said. "That assassin was highly persistent. Before he attacked, he showed me a holo of Master Braga. He ordered them to kill me."
"He is a puppet under Charming Thunder's control. He was trying to demoralize you."
"It's horrifying. Seeing our most peace-loving master speaking with such hatred."
"Master Satele appointed Starshine supreme commander of Jedi forces. You should meet him and the others at these coordinates."
"I'm sorry to say this, but I fear that I'm not much of a soldier. I've never truly recovered from what happened at Ponyville. I've barely managed to survive so far. Perhaps my talents are better applied elsewhere. I could focus on evacuating the wounded to the medical transports." Scourge thought for a moment and sighed.
"Maybe saving lives is just as important as stopping the enemy. Go. Save all the wounded you can."
"Tell Starshine to bring Master Braga home alive. May the force be with you." Kiwiks attended to the wounded as Scourge left the area.
---------------------
Starshine, Tempest, and Scourge arrived to see a meeting going on at the rendezvous coordinates. Two Jedi ponies were among them attempting to calm one of the officers and a group of resistance fighters down. "Everypony, please," the first Jedi said. "This arguing solves nothing."
"There shouldn't be any argument," one of the officers said. "The Empire is here to save the citizens of Manehattan--period."
"We're here to win a war, officer," a resistance fighter said. "What good is saving this city if we lose it?" Starshine stepped up to the table to answer the fighter's question for the others.
"The Jedi have come to rescue Manehattan's citizens and free their city from Charming Thunder," Starshine said.
"If only everyone felt that way," the officer said.
"The officer reports to General Var Suthra," the second Jedi explained then pointed to the group of resistance fighters. "They are a group we found fighting the dark forces to restore government here. They both want our help."
"Charming Thunder's forces sent extermination patrols to our medical evacuation sites," the resistance fighter said. "Those murdering scum slaughtered our wounded. Now they're rewarding the killers with parties and medals and celebrating in plain sight--taunting us before they're shipped back home. We need to strike back before those filth leave Manehattan. Put some fear in them!"
"I won't make any decisions without hearing the officer's request," Starshine said.
"Thousands of citizens are being kidnapped and forced to serve Charming Thunder," the officer explained. "We have to free them!"
"Those 'citizens' are being 'kidnapped' from our prisons! They're criminals!"
"No. They're in custody awaiting trial. They are innocent until proven guilty, and we cannot abandon them to the enemy."
"It's a tough decision," Tempest said.
"Which mission would make the best use of our people?" Starshine asked.
"Jedi fight their hardest when they have a goal they can believe in," the first Jedi said. "Revenge is not our way."
"Supreme Commander Starshine, we've received advanced combat gear from Canterlot, "the resistance fighter said. "If you commit men to my cause, we'll equip you to better face the enemy."
"This is outrageous!" the officer shouted. "You are attempting to bribe a Jedi."
"That is insulting and incorrect, officer. I'm adding to the supreme commander's knowledge. The final decision is his."
"Your revenge will have to wait, freedom fighter," Starshine said. "I'm committing some of my forces to rescuing the civilians."
"Thank you!" the officer said; happily. "I'll provide coordinates to their slave camps. We'll have transports standing by to evacuate our people once they are free."
"I will communicate your orders to our people right away, Starshine," the first Jedi said as he left with the others. A holo transmission of Danny came in on the center of the holotable.
"Good, you've arrived," Danny said. "I have news involving Tol Bragga."
"What's developed?" Starshine asked.
"One of my spies in the Consortium just learned that our job just got even harder than we thought. He and his team picked up picked up an energy surge from the reactors on Tol Bragga's command ship. It's building up to detonation."
"He's using his own battle cruiser to wipe out a whole sector of Manehattan? Why?"
"A reactor detonation at its present altitude won't just flatten a sector. The radiation afterwards will kill thousands in hundreds of kilometers. But the good news is that there is a turbo lift connected to the cruiser on the government buildings. Troops are coming from there."
"What's the plan?"
"You and I will use the turbo lift to get inside the cruiser, shut down the reactors, and deal with Tol Braga."
"Normally, we would run away from enemy cruisers. But this should be easy."
"Meet me at the top of the turbo lift in the cruiser and we will confront Tol Braga together. May the force be with us." The transmission ended as Starshine turned to look at Tempest.
"Tempest, you stay here and watch over things while I am away."
"Right," tempest said with a nod. "Be careful up there." Starshine smiled and walked past her to exit the building.
---------------------
Arriving at the turbo lift past the guards, Starshine took the lift up to the cruiser and arrived to see his uncle dealing with approaching guards and decided to help him. He used the force to push them back as the rest of them fell back to a safer position. "Nice timing, nephew," Danny said. "The controls to the reactor are this way." Starshine followed Danny to the room where the reactor controls are as they fought their way through the soldiers. When they arrived, they see Tol Bragga standing in front of the controls.
"So you slipped past the guards," Tol Bragga said. "That's unfortunate, but you won't win. For Charming to succeed, the people of Manehattan must die. Only then, this ruined kingdom can be redeemed."
"We'll discuss this--after we stop those reactors from overloading," Starshine said.
"I can't let you do that. Equestria isn't worth saving. Every being--every creature--is weak and useless. All except him. Charming Thunder is strong. Perfect. He will cleanse every kingdom of our impurity."
"My brother broke you, Master Braga," Danny said. "Surrender and the Jedi will help you."
"Your brother's thoughts were with me for a long time, Danny. But I broke free. And when I did, my eyes were open." Tol Braga then activates his lightsaber as Starshine and Danny did the same for theirs. "I've seen such horrors. That these things are not allowed to exist...it has to end. Here. Now." Danny charges at the corrupt master, but Tol Braga used his force push to push him back and impact on Starshine. They dropped their lightsabers and then quickly got up to dodge an object being thrown by Tol Bragga. Danny and Starshine then used the force to get their lightsabers in their hooves. Starshine then charged at him and strikes at him as Tol Braga blocks them. They then clashed as Danny came from behind and disarmed him by using force lightning. "Defeating me will accomplish nothing. The reactors are still set to overload." Realizing the thought of the reactors Danny used his force speed to rush to the reactor terminals and deactivate the reactors.
"You were saying?" Starshine said as he pointed his lightsaber at Tol Braga.
"Do you really think you've won? You only prolong Equestria's suffering. In the end, no one is saved. This battle will be fought forever. Nothing I do matters. Nothing."
"You chose to join my father and people suffered because of it."
"I just wanted it all to end. No Jedi. No Sith. No war. Charming is never patient. I've carried so much hate on everyone." Footsteps were then heard as Tol Braga gasps at this dark presence. Danny stood next to Starshine as the figure approaching from above was Charming Thunder himself. Tol Braga stood away from the two as Charming Thunder appeared.
"That's not good."
"No it's not," Danny said. "He's here." Charming Thunder leaps down behind Tol Braga as Starshine and Danny activate their lightabers in their hooves. Charming Thunder then took a few steps closer behind Tol Braga and looks at him.
"You have failed me, Tol Braga," Charming Thunder said as he activates his lightsaber and prepares a strike.
"Avenge us!" Tol Braga said to Starshine as he was being struck down by Charming Thunder.
"Starshine, run!" Danny said as he charges at Charming Thunder and jumps with a strike ready. Charming Thunder used his unicorn magic to toss Danny aside and he impacts on a wall knocking him out.
"Uncle!" Starshine shouted. Charming Thunder then turned his attention towards his son.
"You would be wise to surrender," Charming Thunder warned as he got into his battle position.
"Yeah? Probably." Starshine attempts to strike at his father, but was stopped when he used force choke on Starshine.
"Give up!" Starshine looked at the terminal screen next to him and used his strength to use his magic to rip it off and throw it at him. Charming Thunder used the force to stop it and released Starshine and tossed him aside. He ducked as Charming Thunder threw the screen and marched towards him as he made a run for it towards the turbo lift. Charming Thunder reached a hallway with windows as Charming Thunder turned into his shadow form and appears in front of Starshine. Starshine stabs Charming Thunder, but it didn't kill him. Charming Thunder used his powerful force push to shove him away with the lightsaber still in his chest. The grounded Starshine used the force to get his lightsaber back, but it stopped in its tracks as Charming Thunder used the force to stop it. "Surrender, my son."
"Never again, father!" Charming Thunder smiled.
"We shall see." The lightsaber activates by Charming Thunder's power and rotates towards Starshine's chest and barely stabs him as he screamed in pain. Danny charges with his lightsabers active and Charming Thunder blocks his incoming strikes.
"I won't let you touch my nephew again!" Danny said as he strikes at his dark brother. Charming Thunder then delivered a heavy strike to push him away.
"Such hatred, brother. You would've been made an excellent apprentice."
"I am Sith. Not a dark king like you." Danny uses the force to fire lightning from his hooves and tosses him out of the window. Starshine gets up and looks out the window to see his father fleeing back to the Crystal Empire. "Coward. Let him flee."
"We were so close," Starshine said. "At least our objective was complete."
"Yes. Return to your ship and tell your crew what happened. I must inform the princesses about the victory." Starshine nodded and limped towards the turbo lift.
