The Return of Evil: Part 1
Author's Notes:
The Equestrians will eventually make their appearances in here, also… Star Trek has nothing to do with this. The Star Fleet I refer to is far different.
What this actually is… is more of a Power Ranger… Teen Titan… Sailor Moon… thing.
EPISODE ONE
(Part one)
There were many different places in kingdom of Unicornicopia; all were named after their specific colors, and the world's populace consisted of all winged unicorns, each of many different colors, and sizes, and they each had their own specific number printed on their armored vests, and no two were ever alike.
The unicorns themselves were a bunch of busy bodies. The little ones went to school, and played all day, while the elders had jobs and things to do in their normal life, all not relying so heavily on magic to do their chores, but just using their bare hooves, or, being anthropomorphic, they could stand upright on their hind legs as well.
Lightning was settling into his new house in White Village, and had just finished unpacking his things, with Krysta's help. Even though Krysta was small, her fairy magic actually allowed her to move things that were hundreds of times her own weight, by levitation. She was able to lift at least five big books without breaking a sweat.
She even managed to make a house within the walls like a mouse near Lightning's bed. Just perfect for one her size.
"Well, that's all of it." Lightning said.
Still, this was no time for them to rest. Lightning remembered his instructions from The Grand Ruler before they left the palace…
"Once you settle into your new home, I want you to venture out and meet some of the populace. They have all been notified of your arrival and are anxious to meet you. It will help you get off a fine beginning. Good luck my student."
So, Lightning and Krysta were off. Krysta couldn't fly as fast as Lightning so she simply sat on his head and held onto his golden horn.
Soon, they arrived at their destination. The central town at the very center of the kingdom was Rainbow City Central, the biggest and busiest city in the entire dimension. Tall buildings, and business places were all around, and many, many unicorns were all going about their business, going to work, walking their children to school.
Krysta and Lightning couldn't stop admiring the view, but they didn't know where to stop first to talk to anyone or what to do for that matter. As they walked through a quiet area of the city, where there wasn't as much noise, they suddenly spotted a large garden with all kinds of plants, vegetables, and beautiful flowers. "Wow!" exclaimed Lightning as he gazed at the lovely flowers. "Double wow!" added Krysta as she fluttered around sniffing the many sensational smells. "Mmm…! Smells like… like…" But then her little nose began to twitch, "Ah… Ah… Ah-Ah…!"
"Krysta…?" cried Lightning "Krysta, No!" but Krysta had already sneezed "AH-CHOO…!" and even though she was just a little fairy, that single sneeze caused the flower she sniffed to keel over and lose all its petals. "Oh! Oh my!" cried Krysta.
That's when a red unicorn came dashing over. "Oh, no…! Not again?" he groaned as he gently began to scoop the fallen flower into a pot. Krysta apologized but the red unicorn said it wasn't her fault. "They always keel over when they make someone sneeze. I can fix it, though. No problem. There's no finer gardener than me."
Lightning was amazed. "You mean, you grew all this?" he asked.
The other unicorn nodded. "My name's Buddy Rose. Code-Number: FT5H. I'm the caretaker of the community garden. I can handle any flower, tree, weed- anything that grows." And sure enough, in no time at all, the flower Krysta had ruined was standing upright again, and Buddy didn't seem to use any form of magic but rather ordinary gardening.
"Huh…!" remarked Lightning. "That's amazing. Oh, by the way… I'm…"
"Lightning Dawn…? I know." said Buddy. "The Grand Ruler told everyone to expect you."
"Uh… yeah… he did." said Lightning.
Buddy hated to dash off but he had a few other vegetables to take care of. "Oh I'm sorry to impose, but could you do me a really big favor?" he asked while giving Lightning a small basket of vegetables. "Ugh…!" groaned Lightning as he quickly stood upright and grabbed the basket with his front legs.
"Could you take these to the Rainbow Dish Inn, when you go through town? Please?" and before Lightning could answer, Buddy had gone off, "Thank you!" he called back.
"Nice meeting you…!" Lightning scoffed softly.
"Well… that went well." joked Krysta.
…
Lightning had to carry that basket all over and got a lost a few times. "I should've asked for directions first." He groaned. "Why don't you sit and rest?" Krysta suggested. "Good idea!" Lightning panted and slumped down on a bench by a fountain, almost dropping the basket. "Oh! My poor hooves..!" It was times like this Lightning hated the fact he couldn't do magic as it would make things easier for him.
Suddenly he heard someone say, "Excuse me…?" The voice belonged to an orange unicorn, wearing a red artist's hat, just up ahead who was painting on a canvas. "…you kind of walked into the way of the scenery."
"Ugh!" groaned Lightning, but then the other unicorn caught the sight of Krysta. "Is that a…fairy…?" His eyes lit up like the sun. "Hold still, please!" he said with excitement. Krysta felt confused, but did as she was told, and in almost no time the artist showed her and Lightning his painting. "I shall call it Fairy Fountain."
Krysta thought it was incredible. It looked so real almost as if she was staring into a mirror, much to Lightning's dismay that "I notice I'm not in there." he said to himself. "Who are you anyway?" he then asked.
The unicorn introduced himself as Artie. Code-number: HV7J. He was a fine artist who loved to paint, draw, and sculpt. "You should come to my art gallery sometime, both of you."
Krysta's eyes lit up, "We'd love to." She said.
"Yes… but we have an errand to." Lightning quickly said as he scooped Krysta in his right wing. "Let's go, Krysta!" and he ran off with the basket of vegetables, much to Artie's confusion, but he couldn't wait to tell all his viewers that he had just seen and painted a real-live fairy.
Krysta thought that was rude of Lightning. But Lightning thought Artie was a little too eccentric, especially how the way he acted as if he had never seen a fairy before, but that was pretty much the case as Krysta was the only fairy in the entire dimension, but that wasn't important now.
As they turned round the next corner…CRASH! The vegetables were everywhere. Lightning felt the whole world spinning. "What hit me?" he groaned.
He got up and saw a yellow unicorn that didn't see them as he turned the corner and ran right into them. He apologized to Lightning and Krysta… in rhyme.
"I'm very sorry to have run into you.
That was a very silly thing to do."
Lightning apologized too, as he should have watched where he was going. He then offered to help them both pick up the vegetables and put them back in the basket.
"I'll help you as part of my task."
Say! Are you Lightning Dawn, may I ask?"
"Uh… yes… I am…." answered Lightning "And this is Krysta."
"Um… do you always speak like that?" asked Krysta.
The unicorn chuckled…
"If you mean if I always speak in rhyme…
The answer is yes… all the time."
"My name is XL7Z.
But if you wish, you may call me Rhymey.
I love to speak in Rhyme, you see.
…for I write songs and poetry."
Krysta and Lighting never knew anyone who spoke in rhyme before, but it seemed okay to them as Rhymey did just admit he was a poet.
"I hope that again we may chat.
But I'm busy right now, and I must scat."
Then he flew off leaving a much confused but amazed Krysta and Lightning. "Wow! He sure loves to rhyme." said Krysta.
"And to think we'll that when we meet him next time." added Lightning. Then he and Krysta realized they both just made a rhyme, and they were both not amused.
Eventually, they found the place they were looking for…
Just ahead was a building with a chef's hat shapped roof, and a sign with a blue unicorn that read "Cookie Dough's Rainbow Dish Inn."
Lightning felt so relieved and couldn't wait to get rid of the basket he had been holding for a while.
The restaurant was very busy. Unicorns were everywhere. Some, who looked as if they had already eaten, were ordering seconds or just stiffing themselves. "They must've really been hungry." said Krysta. Then, as she sniffed the air, she could tell why. The smell of so many wonderful foods... "Oh! Oh my…! It smells so good."
"Krysta, this is no time to be thinking about food." snapped Lightning, but then his stomach growled. He had quite forgotten that he hadn't eaten lunch what with all the distractions he had been having. "On the other hand…" he said.
Just then, the big doors to the kitchen opened and several waiters and waitresses came out holding tureens and trays of delicious hot foods, fresh tossed salads, fruits and pastries, and then… all the customers rose out of their seats and applauded as the head chef came out. It was that same blue unicorn from the sign on the restaurant. He wore a white chef's hat, apron, and his code-number was BP1D, yet everyone cheered"Hail Cookie Dough! Hail Cookie Dough!"
"Honored guests…" Cookie Dough announced. "Your admiration of my humble fare is most appreciated. It fills my heart with joy… to fill your stomachs with delight. Eat hearty, everyone!"
The customers all cheered and continued to feast, but Lightning followed Cookie Dough into the kitchen. "Um… excuse me?" he asked.
Cookie Dough turned round, "Oh! You must be the new delivery unicorn, just set those vegetables down over there in the corner."
Lightning did as he was told but then said, "Actually, I'm Lightning Dawn."
Cookie Dough turned round again. "You mean, The Lightning Dawn? The apprentice of The Grand Ruler…?"
Lightning blinked once "Yes…" and then his stomach growled again. Cookie Dough hated the sound of stomachs growling in hunger. "Oh my…! This won't do." he said and before Lightning knew it, Cookie Dough had given him and Krysta a special table right there in the kitchen and the two were watched him skillfully mix, mash, slice, and chop up all the foods he would use to cook with into a perfect meal for them both. It was almost hypnotic to watch.
"So, you're a cook, obviously?" asked Krysta.
Cookie Dough shook his head and explained that he was actually more of a chef than a cook. "You see… a cook feeds the stomach… A chef nourishes the soul and educates the taste-buds."
Before Lightning or Krysta could say anything more, their meal was set before them. "Try it. You'll like it." said Cookie Dough. Not wanting to be rude, Lightning and Krysta took a little nibble… then like magic… it was as if something inside of them sparked. It tasted so incredibly wonderful; they just had to keep eating until not a morsel was left. Krysta didn't eat too much though due to her small size… to her a little food was a lot.
By the time they were both finished, they felt as if they could hardly move.
It was no surprise that was what Cookie Dough was famous for. He could satisfy the appetite of anyone, even if they were even hungry.
Before Lightning and Krysta left, Cookie gave them an invitation he was meant to hand to them upon their arrival. It was an invitation to the town library and observatory, but exactly why or what for, it didn't say.
So they decided to head straight over, following the directions on the invitation, but as they went they passed by the hospital and someone called out. "You there…! Hold it!"
Lightning turned and saw a white unicorn with a pink mane, and wearing a cap with a red cross on it approaching him. Her number was DR3F, but everyone knew her as Dr. Penny Sillion. "Are you Lightning Dawn?" she asked.
"Who wants to know?" said Lightning.
"Thought so… Come with me." replied Dr. Penny as she dragged Lightning into the hospital, much to his protest. "Hey! What are you?"
The Grand Ruler's orders were that every new comer to Unicornicopa had to have a physical examination, and that's exactly what Lightning went through, but in addition to the traditional things, Lightning was also put a treadmill to see how fast he could canter, or flutter with weights on his back to see how much he could support, but the worst test was the magic test, which was like having your blood tested, and almost done the exact same way, only much to Penny's surprise. "What…?" she exclaimed when she realized Lightning didn't have any magic like most unicorns she saw "Yet, you have a golden horn…?"
"Yes!" snapped Lightning. "I don't have magic, but I have a golden horn. Yet I'm fit as a fiddle, healthy and keen- Can I go now?"
Penny saw no reason why he couldn't, but she assured Lightning she would see him again. "A gold-horned unicorn that can't do magic?" she thought. "I just don't understand."
…
Lightning was getting tired of running into so many unicorns everywhere he went. "Couldn't I have just met them all in one place?" he asked "I'm getting tired, and I would like some time to myself at least."
"Aw, come on, Lightning." Krysta reminded him, "You're still getting know the place, and that's what The Grand Ruler said, right?"
Lightning knew she was right, and so they continued on their way through town, and finally reached the library. "This must be it." He said as they ventured inside, only to find everything was all dark. They couldn't' see anything, even when Krysta used her glow to make a little light. "This is getting creepy." She shuttered.
Lightning felt the same, and he got a sick feeling that they weren't alone. Then, all at once, the lights went on followed by the voices of many yelling "SURPRISE…!"
Balloons and decorations were everywhere as confetti fell from the ceiling, and big banner that read, "Welcome, Lightning Dawn"
The head of this party was the librarian, Inquerius. Her number was ES4G. She was a grey unicorn, and wore half-moon spectacles. "Are you surprised, Lightning?" she asked.
Lightning was almost speechless. "I… uh… this… me…?" Before he could say anything else, all the unicorns approached him introducing themselves, and offering him some refreshments, or to join a game, or even dance. "I think I'll just have some punch please." cried Lightning, who really needed to cool off from all the sudden buzz and excitement.
So much had already happened to him that day he hardly ever had anytime to himself or to rest, and every time he tried to excuse himself he would bump into another unicorn and find himself unable to get away. "Krysta…! Help…!" he begged, but Krysta was a little preoccupied by her own fan-crowd of spectators who were amazed to see an actual fairy.
Then suddenly, all went dark, and the stage curtains at the back of the party lit up for the entertainment was about to begin. "And now everyone…" the announcer called, "The mystifying magic of… Abra-Kadabra…!"
POOF! A puff of purple smoke puffed and then, as if out of nowhere, appeared a purple unicorn, wearing a magician's hat and cape, and his number was CQ2E. "Thank you! Thank you!" he said with a kind English accent, to the cheering crowd.
"And now… if I may have a volunteer to help me with my first fantastic trick, please!"
Since Lightning was the guest of honor, you can bet the crowd was urging him to go, shoving him up on stage despite his protests. "Well, Lightning Dawn- how wonderful I am to meet you." said Abra.
"Yeah…! Charmed…" said Lightning.
The first trick was the old magic-box. Lightning stepped in. The door was shut. Abra tapped each his hooves twice. The door opened, and Lightning was gone. "Ooh…!" went the crowd and Abra then took of his hat, and gave it a tap, and plop. "Ah…!" Lightning fell out of it and onto the stage. The crowd cheered for both Abra and Lightning.
It was a good thing that, after which, everyone was so preoccupied watching the show and the entertainment, that Lightning and Krysta could finally slip off deeper into the library to have to quiet time instead of having to talk to someone new every ten seconds.
I'm going to go book browsing. Krysta said. "Want some company?" Lightning offered. "No thanks. I'll be okay." replied Krysta as she flew off. Lightning had a good idea of what Krysta was looking for and he hoped that she would find it.
Lightning could only sigh, and then he turned to gaze out a window. The night has certainly come quickly, but then again he did have a very busy day so the time just flew by.
Lightning knew this was The Grand Ruler's doing, he always brought in the most beautiful nights, but Lightning's daydreaming was interrupted when a book fell down and landed right beside him. "Huh?"
It was an ordinary book on astronomy. "Is anyone down there…?" called a feminine voice form up a spiral flight of stairs. "Yes…?" Lightning called "Is this your book?"
"Yes! Could you bring it up please?"
Lightning flew up to the top instead of climbing the stairs, and emerged in the observatory on top of the library, which was rather only but a single room, much like an attic.
"Oh, thank you so much." said the voice. Lightning turned round and saw the voice belonged to… the most… beautiful unicorn he had ever seen! She was white, and had a violet sparkling mane, long eyelashes which glittered when she blinked; her armor sparkled like the very stars themselves. She was looking through her telescope, up at the night sky.
Lightning felt all strange and soft inside. "I, uh… I didn't see you at the party." Lightning said
"Oh, I didn't feel like it. I just can't stop looking up at the stars." answered the unicorn.
"Um… what's your name?" asked Lightning.
The unicorn looked at him and spoke softly. "My name's Starla- Starla Shine. Code-Number: KY1M. Who are you?"
He hesitated for a minute as he found himself lost in Starla's eyes, "I'm Lightning Dawn. Code-Number: AO0C."
"Lightning…" Starla said softly.
The two of them seemed to get along well for having just met. Starla explained she loved to look at the stars because to her they were just so mystical and held many secrets, almost like they could tell you a story or give advice.
She kept all her sightings in a notebook she had with her, and showed Lightning all the many constellations she had discovered. Some that even dated back to the time when The Grand Ruler fought off the evil sorcerer one-thousand years ago and defeated him.
"Lately I've been trying to discover more constellations or something new." Starla said
"Well what's out there tonight?" asked Lighting. Starla took a peek through her telescope. At first she saw nothing but the same old stars, but then. "Wait a minute! What's that…?" She spotted a strange sort of light, but it defiantly wasn't a star. It looked as if it was moving.
Lightning could soon see it with his own eyes. "Whatever it is… I think it's coming right this way."
Suddenly there was large quake followed by strikes of dark lightning, with a very loud and a sinister laughing sound!
"What's happening?" cried Lightning.
"Oh…!" cried Starla!
They could hear the other unicorns screaming down below and dashed down to see what was going on. "Lightning!" called Krysta "What's going on…?"
"Can this be…?" cried Inquerius "Are the rumors true…?"
The doors flew open letting strong winds into the place as the windows shattered. Everyone was running about in panic as a large flash of lightning and big roar of thunder struck.
Then… there… on the stage… appeared a tall human-shaped figure dressed in dark robes, shoulder-guards, and a dark hood atop completely concealing his face within its shadows- except his eyes, his red and evil eyes glowing in the darkness within the hood.
Lightning could barely speak as he just stood there, gawking at the evil creature as it spoke. "I… am… Titan! The emperor of all darkness, and bringer of chaos and nightmares…!"
His appearance seemed familiar to Lightning, and that's when he made the comparisons to the old stories. "You…!" snarled Lightning "You're the one I've heard of from the stories. That same evil The Grand Ruler banished to the Dimension of Darkness!"
Titan chuckle evil "Yes…! But alas, that seal could not keep me a prisoner forever. Your Grand Ruler should have finished me off when he had the chance! Now, his mistake shall be inflicted on you all as my first order of vengeance of being locked up for all these centuries…!"
He raised his monstrous hands up high unleashing powerful bolts of energy everyone to further frighten everyone and his evil laugh echoed "This world… and all that reside here SHALL FEEL THE WRATH OF DARKNESS!"
To be continued…!
Author's Facts:
-The monsters and evil forces these space-unicorns face are far more treacherous and formidable than anything the FIMs have ever faced. Not even Discord amounts to them. That was my goal.
-The name Titan means "Powerful Big Man" I think that suits the enemy well.
-Rhymey does talk in Rhyme… then again… so does Zecora and even Discord does (At times)
The Return of Evil: Part 2
EPISODE TWO
(Part 2)
With his raging fury, Titan began to capture some of the unicorns, and imprison them in large bubble-like objects. Even Krysta was accidentally caught as well. "Lightning…!" she screamed.
"Krysta! No…!" cried Lightning
"Easy pickings!" laughed Titan.
Before long, the library was a complete and total mess. Bookshelves were knocked down; books scattered all over the floor along with the broken glass and ruined party supplies. All the other unicorns began to run in panic, much to Titan's amusement.
Lightning was furious! "What are you going to do with those captured unicorns?" he demanded to know.
Titan gazed at him and his eyes glowed. "You wish to know…? Allow me to show you then!" he raised his hand and was ready to zap Lightning…
"Hold it right there!" snapped a voice.
Titan looked towards the door, and Lightning saw some of the unicorns he had met that day. Buddy Rose, Artie, Rhymey, even Starla. All four of them were standing upright. Their armors looked shinier, and stronger, and now they had on knee and elbow pads, and wore magic gloves which acted as actual hands for them, and they all wore thick and cool bands round their eyes like masks.
"In the name of Star Fleet… I order you to cease and desist." demanded Buddy Rose.
Lightning could hardly believe it. His four new friends were all members of Star Fleet too, and Titan could hardly believe that Star Fleet was still around after all this time, but he simply chuckled "You don't know what you're up against."
"You don't know what you're up against, Titan." snapped Artie.
Rather than cause a real ruckus, Titan decided to test the warriors out. "If you truly wish to save your friends, I'll give the chance… but you'll have to find me first." Then he vanished in a cloud of black and purple smoke, taking his prisoners with him. "KRYSTA…!" cried Lightning. Feeling overwhelmed with sadness and anger, he angrily pounded the floor with his hoof in frustration.
The others felt sorry for Lightning, but now they had to head off somewhere. "I'm going with you." Lightning said.
"Lightning, No." Buddy Rose said "This is a job for Star Fleet, you should get to safety. We know how you feel about Krysta. We'll get her back. I promise." And before Lightning could protest, the four warriors moved on out. Starla stopped at the door and gazed back at him, almost apologetically, but then she ran off to join her teammates. Lightning angrily pounded the floor again.
The library was still in a mess, until Doctor Penny arrived with her team to help treat anyone was hurt, and following her was an elderly green unicorn, wearing square glasses, the code GU6I, and spoke in an English accent. "Mmm… I say!" he said "What's happened…?"
Inquerius approached him "Can you not tell…?" she asked "Did you not feel the danger?"
"Didn't we all?" added Lightning.
The green unicorn admitted that he did calculate the tremors, "But… I wouldn't have believed it possible that Titan has… mmm… eh… returned as it were."
"Well that's fine and dandy, whoever you are." said Lightning "But it doesn't help find where he's gone or where he's taken the unicorns he took, and my friend Krysta."
The green unicorn kept his cool. "My name, good sir, is Brain- an auxiliary Star Fleet fighter… and as soon as I knew there was trouble I began to… eh… make my calculations, and confirm my theories, and I have come to tell you that, I just may know where Titan has gone."
Lightning's ears twitched. "Where…? Where have they gone? You have to tell me!"
Brain told Lightning to calm down and come to his laboratory house in Greenland.
…
Brain was a regular genius and scientific inventor, and as an auxiliary he wasn't always involved in too many battles, but was always there when and if needed. His laboratory seemed massive loaded with all the usual things you would find.
"Please do not touch anything." He warned Lightning "One little accident in a laboratory could cause massive trouble." Then Brain then sat himself down at a strange contraption that seemed to be heating water. Brain sniffed the steam. "Ahh…! Satisfactory…" he sighed "Most satisfactory."
"What… what is that?" asked Lightning "Is it a device that lets you find Titan? Something that can beat him or get the unicorns and Krysta back…?"
"What? Oh, don't be silly…" said Brain "This device is merely used to make me a cup of tea. I've finally perfected it you know."
"A cup of tea…?" Lightning asked in annoyance "I thought you said you knew where Titan had gone?"
"But I do…" snapped Brain. He cleared his throat "Begging your pardon. If you will just hand me that map over there..."
Brain unfolded the map as soon as Lightning passed it to him, and consulted his notes. "Mm... let me see. Ah, ha! Satisfactory…! Most satisfactory..."
"What is it?" asked Lightning.
Brain explained that the only place Titan could have taken the captured unicorns would be to Blacktop Mountain, which was located on the other side of Violet Swamp.
"Then that's where we should be heading." Lightning suggested.
"Oh, good heavens, no!" snapped Brain "You know it's dangerous to be wandering through the swamp at night? It… eh… especially would not be bright considering… em… our enemy would be expecting you. That is what had said, was it not?"
Brain had a point. Violet Swamp was already a dangerous place even in daytime, but to tread through at night knowing that Titan was likely there, and expecting him was very dangerous. Lightning would also be all alone and he had no magic or weapons to defend himself with.
"I don't care!" Lightning said "Krysta's in danger and so are all the captured unicorns. I'm not just going to sit around and do nothing." With that, he decided to fly out on his own.
"Oh, dear!" cried Brain "The poor chap… I do hope he thinks twice of this at the last moment."
…
Black-Top Mountain was the tallest mountain in the entire dimension, and the upmost level of ground anyone could reach without having to fly so high. An old shrine lay on the mountaintop. Centuries ago it was used as a meeting place for Star Fleet fighters of the past, and that was exactly where Titan was now. All the unicorns were still trapped in their bubbles desperately trying to escape, but to no avail.
Titan was most surprised to realize he had captured Krysta as well. "It's not every one comes across a fairy." he said.
Krysta tried with all her magic and might to escape, but the bubble simply wouldn't break. "What are you planning to do with us?" she demanded to know.
Titan didn't mind explaining to her that he was planning, and while he did he was interrupted along the way by the arrival of three other unicorns. These unicorns were dark and evil looking creatures. Titan had created his very own unicorns to serve as his minions… from corpses and graveyards soil, and infused with a small portion of his magic.
One of the three was a shadowy black unicorn with a sinister voice "Mysterious, at your service my lord." he hissed
The second was a tough and rather pompous but strong unicorn holding a scythe. "Rep Stallion, here master."
The third was a female. She seemed rather attractive, but she was dangerous nonetheless "Dementia is my name. Don't wear it out." she teased.
The minions had reported that the members of Star Fleet were on their way but they had also spotted a white unicorn with a golden horn at the edge of the swamp.
Titan held both his hands together creating a ball of light he used to view the edge of the swamp, and he saw Lightning. "Why, it's that annoying little creatures who tried to stand up to me."
Titan had heard stories of Lightning Dawn and how he had no magic to even do card-tricks, let alone anything spectacular, but he also knew he was the Grand Ruler's apprentice. He had a feeling there was something special about Lightning… possibly to do with his golden horn.
When the minions asked if they should dispose of him, Titan refused. "Let him go." he simply said. He wanted to see Lightning in action and hopefully find out any secrets that would be helpful. "And what of Star Fleet, my lord?" asked Mysterious.
Titan merely turned to his minions and answered with his red eyes glowing madly. "You know what must be done."
…
Lightning stood at the edge of Violet Swamp, and Brain wasn't kidding when he warned him- it really did seem dark and creepy at night. Just a simple gaze through all the thickets and brambles was enough to send chills up his spine. Still, Lightning has come this far, and he knew Krysta and the other unicorns were in danger. "Well… here goes." He said to himself. Then he took one step forwards, crushing a twig with his hoof followed by all kinds of screeches and noises from within the swamp. He gulped nervously but ventured forth.
It was hard to see when there wasn't so much light, but at least it wasn't so pitch dark you couldn't see anything at all. Lightning figured the best way to traverse the swamp was just to keep going forward. He would eventually reach the mountain trail for sure. Jagged rocks, fallen logs and dangling vines seemed to trip him everywhere he stepped. He even ruined his boots got his front hoof dirty by stepping in mud. "Yuck!" he groaned.
Suddenly, Lightning turned and thought he saw a monster, but it was only a tree in the shape of a monster. He saw a scary claw, which was actually just a long branch. Lightning took in a deep breath and counted to ten, then again, and felt better… until he heard the sound of footsteps coming towards him. Quivering in fear, he ducked down, and peeped, "Who's there…?"
The bushes shook and twigs snapped, but then a friendly voice called. "Lightning…? Is that you…?"
Lightning peeked up and saw it was Starla. He sighed heavily in relief. Starla called out to the others who were all close by. They all came over holding flashlights and lanterns "What are you doing here?" asked Artie "We told you not to follow us."
Lightning explained that he didn't follow them deliberately and came out here on his own.
"We realize you are in such worry.
But you must leave here in a hurry." said Rhymey
"Listen!" Lightning snapped at them all "You can tell me that as many times as you want, but I'm not leaving."
The others could tell there was no point in trying to say no. So, despite it being against Star Fleet's code, they allowed Lightning to come with them. So they all traversed though the swamp together. Rhymey even decided to make things easier. Horn glowed, and he shouted, "WARD SWORD!" causing a simple knight's sword to materialize so he could cut and hack away at all the brambles and thickets, making a clear path through.
"Follow me this way…
Hurry now! Don't delay."
Everyone followed quickly, because all the things that Rhymey had hacked seemed to grow back almost instantly.
Suddenly, Starla began sinking. "Hey!" she shrieked "Quicksand!" The others all leapt away before they got sucked in, but Starla couldn't seem to get out, and if the others moved to close, they would get sucked in too. "Starla…!" Lightning called "Don't struggle. You'll only sink faster."
Starla remained calm, and then Lightning pulled a vine from a tree and tossed it to her. Starla caught it. Then the whole gang pulled hard and yanked her out of the sand. Starla was okay, but she was most confused. "There's no quicksand in this swamp."
Suddenly, they could all hear the sounds of heavy footsteps. "What now?" Lightning asked. He soon got his answer as monstrous shadowy images seem to jump right out from round the trees and open fire on them. "Look out!" cried Buddy Rose and everyone leapt out of the way. "Run!"
There was worse to come as those shadows seemed to be popping up all over the place, and worse, the trees were falling over as they had been slashed as if someone were trying to crush the gang, but finally, after running for a while and dodging all the traps they made it out of the swamp all in one piece
"What a nightmare!" Buddy Rose panted.
Lightning was glad to be out of there and now just before them was the starting trail of Blacktop Mountain, and it looked even more eerie than the swamp, sending chills up everyone's spines.
Still, they all climbed, and resisted the urge to fly up the mountain, not knowing what traps lay ahead. Not only we're there more monsters along the way, but booby traps as well- Things like hidden pits, rock slides, falling boulders. Even scary shadows, which only turned out to be the shadows of the gang all huddled against the mountainside.
"And you Star Fleet guys do this all the time?" Lightning asked.
"Yes… we do." Artie said. "That's why we all joined to help out."
Lightning had only read and heard stories about Star Fleet while living with the Grand Ruler. Titan was not the only evil they had ever faced, but there was always some bad guy or other evil forces out there causing trouble. If not for the unicorns, then other races were suffering. So over the ages, Grand Ruler sent many legions of Star Fleet warriors to patrol areas of Dimensional Space and stave off any evil they could find.
This was what inspired Lightning's new friends to join Star Fleet. All their ancestors were part of the force and they all wished to continue the legacy and protect Unicornicopia. Lightning began to wonder if maybe he should join, but he quickly became discouraged due to the fact that he couldn't do magic or summon weapons like the others.
The others felt sorry for Lightning, and wished there was something they could do. "By the way…?" asked Starla "Why do you have a golden horn, anyway?"
Lightning didn't know the answer to that himself. For years he studied and searched through his books, but he could find nothing on golden horns, and even asked Grand Ruler many times, but he was only told the same thing… to give it time. All would be made clear.
Lightning hoped he would find the answer soon, but right now it was time to focus. Soon, after a while of climbing they reached the top of the mountain and there was the old shrine temple just ahead as a flash of lightning and the booming of thunder made everyone wince.
"Well, here we are…" Artie said nervously. That's when the doors to the shrine creaked open, as if they were being invited in.
"Gee! Do you think it's okay…
To go in that way?" asked Rhymey
"We have too." said Lightning "We didn't come all this way to just turn back now."
They all quietly walked through the open doors. It was dark and eerie inside. Nobody could see a thing. "Think we should announce we're here?" asked Buddy Rose.
"How should we do that?" asked Starla
"How about… come and get us?" Lightning called out. That was when the doors slammed shut behind, and everything went pitch black. Everyone else screamed all at once. "…Although a bloodcurdling scream is just as good." replied Lightning.
That's when a torch on the wall lit with fire. Then another torch lit, and another, and another, all the way around the shrine. "Look!" cried Starla.
It was the Unicorns, all sleeping inside magic bubbles, and "Krysta!" cried Lightning. He dashed over towards the bubble. "Lightning, No…!" called Artie
"Don't go…!" rhymed Rhymey
Lightning reached the bubbles, but found his hoof could pass right through them. "These are illusions!" That's when all the bubbles vanished instantly, and sounds of laughter echoed throughout the shrine as Titan's minions appeared. "Well, hello there…!" hissed Mysterious.
Rep-Stallion and Dementia snickered cheekily.
"Who are you?" snapped Buddy Rose "And what have you done with the unicorns."
"…and Krysta!" added Lightning
"They're safe… for the moment." said Rep-Stallion.
"And if you behave nicely, we just might make your fate less painful than theirs." added Dementia.
The gang was starting to tell that these creeps were going to give them no end of trouble. "Don't get any ideas!" snapped Artie "When The Grand Ruler finds out about this…"
"Don't flatter yourself." snorted Rep-Stallion. "We can beat his magic with one hoof. Well, maybe two."
The unicorns stood upright on their hind legs. Rhymey held his sword tightly.
Lightning, however, wasn't sure what to do. He didn't have any magic to use, so at best, he ducked behind a column and watched as the others began to brawl!
Artie and Buddy Rose went after Mysterious. "Let's get him!" shouted Buddy, and the boys charged at their enemy only to end up passing right through him.
"Huh…?"
"What…?"
"Hm, mm, mm…! You missed me." Mysterious mocked at them. The boys tried again only to repeat what happened. Then suddenly they realized. Mysterious was no ordinary unicorn, he was a shadow. He was made of actual darkness, like air.
"You can't touch me…" hissed Mysterious as he ran past the boys, striking them with his horn. "… but I can touch you!"
Even with their armor on, Buddy and Artie felt this would be harder than they thought.
The others weren't having much luck either, as Rhymey and Rep-Stallion went at it with their weapons. Rep-Stallion was very skilled in wielding his scythe, but he was rather impressed by Rhymey's swordplay. "I must say, you are rather good…"
"I have practiced for long… like anyone should." rhymed Rhymey.
Rep-Stallion sniggered, and then pulled a cheap magic attack, "SCYTHE SHOCK!" and his scythe began to spark with electricity that gave Rhymey a jolt. "Ah…!"
"I've had enough…
It's time to get tough!"
He spread his wings out and shouted, "DRILL QUILL!" and as he flapped his wings hard, he sent a swarm of sharp quill feathers from his wings at his enemy like missiles. Rep-Stallion got hit several times as sparks and small explosions hit him. "So, you want to play that way? Fine then…!"
Meanwhile, Dementia and Starla stated each other down. "Let's see what you've got." Dementia sneered as she charged forward. Starla leapt out of the way. "STAR SHOWER…!" and with her shout sent a wave of small star-bolts straight at Dementia, nearly ruffling her mane and Dementia did not like it when someone tried to spoil her pretty looks, and Dementia did not like getting her looks spoiled She turned and glared furiously at Starla. "Oh…! Ye who messes my mane WILL PAY!" she shouted and charged at Starla with all her might.
Dementia also demonstrated her ability to warp the fields around her to negate attacks. Her moves were basically defensive as she didn't like spoiling her looks. "Like they say… a good offense is a strong defense!"
Starla didn't care, but as the fight was about to continue, Titan appeared and called his minions off. "That's enough." he said with an evil snicker. "You have done well, my minions. Return to the castle."
The minions, though disappointed as they were having so much fun, obeyed their master and vanished into thin air.
Lightning peeked from behind the column. "Oh, no…!" Lightning whispered.
"What do you want…?" growled Buddy Rose "Give us back the unicorns."
"Never!" scoffed Titan "But if you insist on seeing them again, I'll be glad to let you join them!" and he fired a stream of magic at the unicorns, most of them dodged, but Starla got hit. "Uhn…" she cried and she was trapped in a magic holding-bubble.
"Starla…!" shouted Lightning
"Let's
get him!" shouted Artie! and everyone fire their best attacks all at once…
"PTEAL DANCE…!" A swarm of razor sharp leaves…
"PAINT BOMB…!" Artie fired blobs of paint, which were actually powerful explosive.
"DRILL QUILL…!"
Titan got hit, but it didn't look as if he was even fazed. "Fools!" he scoffed and, one by one, he trapped each of them in more bubbles, ready to drain their magic.
Lightning was horrified. "What am I going to do?" He was so livid to see his new friends being tortured and harmed as Titan began to absorb their energy, but then he leapt right out and shouted, "LEAVE THEM ALONE…!"
Titan turned to face him.
"Lightning, don't!" cried Starla.
For a moment, nothing happened, and then Titan fired a small projectile which Lightning barely dodged. "Stay out of my way, Weakling! I don't know why The Grand Ruler chose you to be his student, but I'd say he made a poor choice."
Those words made Lightning furious and he stood upright on his hind legs. "Never say anything like that about my mentor again!" and he charged towards Titan roaring like a monster.
Impressed with his courage, but annoyed by his peskiness, Titan continued to fire more shots at Lightning, only to realize that Lightning was pretty quick on his feet and dodged each and every shot as if they were coming at him in slow-motion.
Titan growled and then fire one giant shot of power but Lightning leapt right over it and, with a fierce battle cry, he soared downward and managed to kick Titan right in the chest.
Titan growled in anger as held his chest. "You dare strike me…?" His body began to glow with extreme anger, and he flapped open the lower area of his massive robe revealing that he had no legs at all, and that it was all just black and purple smog. "What…?" snapped Lightning "How…? But what…?" and while he stood there stammering in confusion, Titan saw his chance and unleashed a strong wave of extreme dark energy which hit Lightning with the force of a hurricane draft.
"LIGHTNING…!" the others all shouted, and when the smog had cleared, Lightning lay flat on the ground and felt very weak and sore. Titan laughed hard and evilly and continued to mock at him, "And you call yourself a unicorn?"
Lightning struggled to get up, but he kept on falling back down again. Titan decided, "Well then… allow me to put you out of your misery!" He began to power up again for one final, really big blast. The others could hardly bare to watch, this truly looked like the end for Lightning…
"No…!" Lightning shouted and he struggled, and struggled, and he manage dot stand back onto his hind legs, much to Titan lividness. "Are you still thinking you can win…?" Titan asked.
"I'm… not… thinking…" said Lightning "Magic… or no magic… I KNOW I CAN BEAT YOU!" That's when his golden horn began to glow with a mystical light that seemed to cover all of Lightning's body. He felt incredibly strong now.
"That… that glow!" growled Titan "…No! No it can't be…?"
The others all watched in amazement. "Is that what I think it is…?" asked Buddy Rose.
"Without a doubt…
The truth now comes out!" said Rhymey.
Titan was not willing to let it be so. "Say goodbye…!" he snarled as he continued to charge up, but Lightning, still glowing, stepped forth and recited a chant…
"I summon forth a mystic power
To aid me in this darkest hour
Casting no upon my foe
I now unleash… this magical glow…!"
Titan roared loudly and fired his magic-stream, and Lightning shouted, "…UNIFORCE!" He fired a large and powerful golden force of extreme magic which met with Titan's force sending it right back towards him. "AAHH-Uh…? NO…!"
KAPOW! He was hit hard and seemed to explode in a ball of fire, leaving only his charred robe behind.
Lightning stopped glowing, and he felt extremely exhausted now as if he had just blown out his very body energy itself
The real bubble cells holding all the imprisoned unicorns appeared, and vanished now that Titan was gone. Lightning's friends were released from their bubbles while outside, the dark clouds lifted as the evil vanished from the mountain and the swamp below.
Everyone shouted for joy, and Krysta was so happy to be free and so proud of Lightning while the members of Star Fleet were amazed. "He did it." said Buddy Rose.
"But how…?" asked Arite.
Lightning was slowly recovering his strength but he still felt a little woozy. "Wow!" he exclaimed "What did I just do…?"
"Lightning, you won!" cried Krysta "You saved everyone."
Lightning felt really shocked and amazed with himself. It all happened so fast though.
Suddenly, the doors to the shrine opened, as dawn began to break and the sun shined through, followed by a mystical glow and then… he appeared- a handsome, tall white alicorn with a short dark mane with sparkling stars glittering just like his tail. He wore jewel encrusted golden armor with doublets on each side into it, a red cape with gold markings fluttering on his back, even though there was no breeze. Golden Pegasus wings, golden boots on his front hooves and black on his back ones, and atop his head were three golden horns, all shimmering like the stars
The unicorns all bowed, and so did Krysta.
Lightning's eyes lit up and he actually found the strength to leap for joy. "Grand Ruler…! You're here!"
He ran over to greet his mentor, and The Grand Ruler was pleased to see everyone. "Lightning, my boy…I am pleased you and everyone are safe, and I am very proud of you."
He explained that he had witnessed everything that cautioned everyone to listen to what he had to say, and much to everyone's shock, Titan was not really gone.
Using his magic, Grand Ruler levitated Titan's charred robe over to him and pulled out a damaged block of wood with an ancient seal marking on it. "This was not actually Titan, but in fact a hollowed imitation of him."
He explained that ever since he had fought against Titan a-thousand years ago and banished him into the Dimension of Darkness, it was always known and feared that Titan would one day make an attempt to escape and return to finish what he started.
"Well… it seems as though our fears have been answered."
He continued to explain that Dimension of Darkness was an old prison planet located in the far reaches of Dimensional Space, and the seal that had kept Titan there for all the centuries was now beginning to weaken. Titan had obviously been working hard to restore his powers over time and had now succeeded in creating a small rift in the seal, and that was how Titan was able to send his minions and the fake-him to Unicornicopia.
"He was testing us?" asked Lightning.
"Yes. He was…" his mentor answered, "And now, slowly, but surely Titan will attempt to find ways to expand the breech in the seal so that he himself may escape, and if he does… that will surely mean disaster to all."
The unicorns were starting to feel frightened "We can't let him escape." said Artie.
"What can we do?" asked Starla.
"Calmness everyone…" Grand Ruler said and he explained that there was still hope that Titan would not escape as it would take some time, and a force of immense power to breech the seal wide enough from him to slip through. "I will be doing whatever it is I can to maintain the seal and keep the breech from expanding. I am, however, concerned about this, for it means I will not be able to assist any of you in battle."
This worried everyone, for even though Titan could not escape yet, he would still be able to send his minions and other methods of attack against them. Still, the members of Star Fleet vowed to remain on guard, and they promised to train hard and be prepared for any time an attack was made.
Grand Ruler was pleased to hear that, and he had one final order to make. Lightning was to join Star Fleet and assist the others in battle. Even Lightning was speechless and wasn't sure he was up to it.
"You are a remarkable creature, Lightning Dawn." Grand Ruler said "Though you have no natural magic of your own, you are no doubt that with your golden horn, you have the power to tap into the uniforce. The one thing that Titan and his minions fear most, and by joining Star Fleet, you will learn more and more about your own natural skills and realize that you are capable of doing far more than you think for you possesses a magic far greater than anything that can be conjured."
Lightning asked what that something was, but his mentor said it was something that Lightning would have to discover for himself. "You will learn well, my student, and so will you all." He bowed to his subjects and they all bowed back.
Author's Facts:
-The uniforce was inspired by Medabots, the Medaforce. It's my own idea of making something stronger than the Elements of Harmony.
-The magic gloves are new twist, it's like a magic the unicorns have perfected to helps assist them in battle so they can effectively punch, chop, and wield weapons, or to help them with ordinary tasks like writing letters, or operating simple devices so we don't have to do it the way those FIM's do it… besides… like I said… My unicorns are practically aliens, their allowed to have differences.
