My Brave Pony Starfleet Humans STARPOPS

Chapters

Intro Act: Demons Unleashed
Act 1: You're One of Us
Act 3: Answering Distress Call
Act 4: Welcome Back... To the Nightmare
Act 5: I Trust You
Act 6: Falling to Pieces
Act 7: A Musical Battle
Act 8: Hidden Skills
Act 9: Daring and Rescue
Act 10: Victory and Honour
Final Act: Captain Sunset Shimmer
Act 2: The Dazzlings and the D-Man Knights

Intro Act: Demons Unleashed

Author's Note

Rainbow Rocks never happened in my Starfleet Series Cannon, as I only allow upwards of the FIRST Equestria Girls Movie... which means I CAN revise and remake things for A.Us

Intro Act: Demons Unleashed

PROLOGUE

Mystic Island: a beautiful large land mass just several miles off the shores of California. On this island were a few small cities, roads, even farmlands and country parries. Also the place that two historically, extraordinary events occurred.

One: When Princess Twilight Sparkle emerged from an alternate universe to vanquish the evil deeds of Sunset Shimmer. Sunset had long since been reformed and was doing her best to redeem herself and become a well-to-do girl.

But a more extraordinary event was beforehand, when Lightning Dawn, a super Starfleet pony had arrived and helped save the world from the evil Crystallites. Among them was Flash Sentry, whom had since lost his evil powers, and his memories of his former life.

Not a day or night had gone by since the people of Mystic Island, nor the entire world did not think back to those moments, and now worked harder than ever to try and maintain peace and justice.

Two years had passed since that day, and now…

…who knew what new sort of threats and dangers were lurking in the shadows?

One night, three sinister looking teenage girls gathered at a café. Each one wearing shimmering gem pendants around their necks, and all three of them just finishing their meals when the waitress came to give them their bill “So who’s paying?” the lady asked.

The three girls acted sly “I don’t have money, do you Sonata?”

“No, I don’t, Adagio. How about you, Aria…?”

Aria shook her head, and the waitress was not amused. “I see… well, and then I’m afraid you leave me no choice.” She then slapped a piled of aprons, hairnets and rubber gloves on the table “Hope you’re good at scrubbing dishes.”

The girls grinned sinisterly “Actually…” Adagio said as she and the others stood “We’re good at something else too.”

The waitress and people in the café began to feel uneasy as the girls’ gems began to glow, and they each sang a beautiful long note, and suddenly, everyone in the café was completely paralyzed, by magic, which gave the girls their chance to get away.

People in the streets saw them fleeing, and immediately assumed the worst. The police were soon on the girl’s trails. The noise of their sirens irritated the girls “…and they call them sirens?” snapped Aria.

“Ladies, the usual…” said Adagio, and she and the girls then dashed round a corner. The police turned in their car, but then screeched the car to a halt. “Where’d they go?”

“It’s like they just vanished.”

Sonata peeked up softly from under a manhole cover, and watched as the car drove away. “Coast is clear.” she said.

“Duh, we can hear, ya know.” said Aria.

“Will you two zip it?!” snapped Adagio “We were closer to being busted than ever before.”

The girls retreated through the sewers where no one would ever think to look for them, and retreated to their secret hideout, which didn’t seem all that disgusting or even putrid, a large stone area that was finished with old beat up chairs and sofas, but still rather messy like adolescent girls would have-- magazines, wrappers, discarded fast food meals they left for the rats to take.

“Ooh, I hate living like this!” groaned Aria “I’m sick of this whole world and that were exiled here.”

“It’s the worst!” added Sonata.

“No, you’re the worst, Sonata.”

“I’ll tell you what’s really the worst…” said Adagio “Apart from listening to you two whine all the time, the fact that this world doesn’t suffice us with the energy and magic we need.”

She gazed down at her gem “Our magic may help us from avoiding capture or suspicion, but the more we use it, the quicker it all drains away.”

The others gazed at their rubies realizing the same thing. “If only this world had Equestrian magic we could absorb.”

“Yeah, well it doesn’t.” said Aria “Besides, even if it did I’d rather have something stronger.”

“Yeah…” Adagio said sinisterly “A power like no other, one that would guarantee us all that we ever wanted and more-- total dominance.”

All three of the girls thought that would be incredible, but alas there was no such power in this world, or even Equestria… or so they thought.

Nobody in the entire human world knew of the events that had happened in the dimensional universe.

Aria was so frustrated and grumpy that she angrily threw a rock at a wall of their place, causing it to crumple wide open revealing a secret passage going deep into the ground. “Whoa!” they each said with awe in their voices “Was this always here?” Sonata wondered aloud.

Unable to resist curiosity, they all headed down the long flight of stairs, using their gems to give off some light. Down, down they went, finally emerging in a hidden cavern filled with cobwebs, dripping stalagmites, bats, rats, and even some puddles, which Sonata stepped in. “Ew…! If I ruin these designer boots I’ll have to steal a new pair.” she groaned. The others didn’t seem to care much about that.

“What is this place?” Aria wondered aloud.

“It must be centuries of years old.” said Adagio.

Suddenly, a swarm of bats lunged at the girls, having been awoken from their slumber. The girls fussed and fidgeted about trying to bat them away, when Sonata slipped on puddle of water and skidded down a long soft slope…

WHAPP!! She crashed right into a wooden surface, but didn’t seem to notice.

The others raced to her aid and helped her up “Sonata, you okay?” asked Adagio.

Sonata felt dizzy “I think so.”

“You actually almost had me worried there.” said Aria “I thought you were--” she paused as she looked up. “Whew…! Would you look at that!”

The others look up. “Wow!”

“Ya really bumped into something big here, Sonata.” said Adagio.

It looked like a very large and old sealed door, about thirty feet tall, and sealed with a sacred marking that the girls recognized all too well.

“That’s an ancient Equestrian seal.” said Aria.

The carvings on the door seemed to be pictures depicting a story in ancient Equestrian times, but the centuries had withered the drawings away making them impossible to decipher, but they did know that the seal on the door could only be broken by a big burst of Equestrian magic, which they could give.

“Let’s open it.” said Adagio. The others eagerly agreed. A door that size, and sealed with Equestrian magic; it had to have something really big and possibly important locked inside-- Maybe treasure or even a hidden power… or even something else!

The girls stood together combining the magic of their gems together, and broke the seal on the door. At once the crypt began to rumble as the door began to glow and slowly slide open.

Then, waves of dark smoke spewed out from the door, frightening the girls.

“What’s going on?!” cried Sonata. The others were too scared to answered, and there, right before all three of them appeared five multicolored and ferocious looking creatures-- demons.

Their leader, the red one, was Blaze: A muscular demon, with fire for his hair, and deadly demon wings, and searing claws.

Then there was Boomer, the blackish-grey one: Big and burly but rather solid looking like stone and his body was covered in spikes and quills.

Scales, the blue one: He had long blue and scaly hair which was actually a serpent. He had horrible fangs, and hissed when he often spoke.

Tempest, the yellow one: He had sharp looking wings, and also powerful claws and talons as well as sharp fangs.

And Slick, the green one: He seemed to be made up of slimly green shapeshifting goop.

All five of them stretched out and flexed their bodies. “We’re free!” snarled Tempest “We’re finally outta that filthy prison.”

“Yes, but whom do we have to thank for this?” asked Blaze.

Vibrato’s snake eyes glowed as he spotted the girls “I think I sssseee who…” he hissed.

The five demons approached the girls. Sonata and Aria began to scoot away in fear, but Adagio urged them not to. “Whoever or whatever you guys are… take this!” Then she and the others began to sing.

However, their magic seemed to have no effect on the demons at all.

“What the--!” cried Aria.

“This is impossible.” added Sonata.

On an on the girls kept whining and complaining…

Slick threw a few slime balls, splat, against their mouths to shut them up. “Ha! You dare to try and control us with such pitiful magic?” Boomer growled “We’re the Demonites, and we practically invented that sort of stuff.”

“I say we show them just what real magic is all about.” said Tempest as he sharpened his claws.

The girls pulled the slime from their mouths, but felt ready to run, until Blaze stepped forth. “Wait…!” he said to his comrades “I suppose we do owe some gratitude. After all, we’re it not for them we’d still be rotting behind this cursed door.”

The girls suddenly seemed interested and Blaze extended his searing hand to the girls. “Perhaps we can help you just as you helped us.” His comrades grinned and nodded sinisterly, and the girls were very interested now. “What did you have in mind?” asked Adagio as she took Blaze’s hand, and it burned her.

“Ow!”

The five demons snickered sinisterly.

The Sirens had led their new comrades, The Demonites, to their sewer grotto. “Gee, you’d think stuff had changed more in five-thousand years.” said Tempest.

“Hey!” snapped Sonata “At least we have a home. You guys were just sealed behind that door.”

“Ya, wanna make something of it?” hissed Slick.

“Quiet!” snapped Blaze. His entire body flared brightly with his temper. Then it cooled down “You’re giving me such a migraine. We’re all allies now, are we not?”

“Fine!” remarked Adagio “But what are we going to do? We need magic and so do you guys.”

“Yesssss…” hissed Scales “Though our powers ssssseem strong already, we have been locked up for ssssso long, our powers have diminished immensssssely.”

Tempest nodded “In order for us to truly carry out our will and conquer this world, we’ll have to restore our powers back to full, and we can only do so be acquiring energy.”

“Energy?” asked Aria.

“Yes, pure human energy.” said Blaze “Despite the primitiveness of your powers…”

The girls looked cross…

“… Together-- with your special talents, and our cunning and super abilities-- we shall gain such power, that the world as you know it will be defenseless, and we shall grow virtually invincible.”

“Ah-huh…” just one thing “We need Equestrian magic, not energy. Sure it’s kept us going, but it’s not what we need.”

“We know perfectly well of Equestrian magic…” said Boomer “The very same magic we underestimated before, which locked us behind that stuffy little door, and watching the world around us evolve as we rotted in what seemed like an eternity of boredom!!”

As his voice got louder, the very Earth seemed to quake slightly…

…The people above on the island felt the tremors. Then, they were gone, and everyone just brushed it off and went back their own businesses.

Boomer was breathing softly in attempt to control his temper “Forgive me; I was once able to bring down whole mountains that way.”

The girls were impressed, and shocked! “You guys were really THAT powerful?” asked Adagio “And I thought only Equestrian’s had such power.”

“Nevertheless…” said Blaze “Form what you have told us, the island above has all the right resources we can use to our advantage. If you agree to help us, we promise you a power unlike anything you have ever seen in your dizziest daydreams.”

“Um… can we, think about this a second?” asked Sonata.

The girls then spoke privately in the corner, whispering to one another.

“I don’t know…” said Aria “These guys are pretty cool, too cool even.”

“You’re paranoid.” said Adagio “This is the chance we’ve been waiting for. We’ll finally be able to conquer this miserable world, and finally get all that we’ve been craving for.”

Sonata tried to protest “Yeah, but what if they--” she was cut up by Adagio putting her finger to her lips “Look, you can do what you want. I know where I’m going, and while you two are still wandering these filthy sewers with your dying magic and still scraping for food, I’ll be sitting in luxury, ruling the world thanks to these guys.”

Unable to argue with that, the others decided to go along.

They all turned to face the demons. “Is that a yes…?” asked Blaze.

Adagio nodded, and the others nodded.

The demons snickered, and with that, they all prepared to depart for the surface.

“Wait!” cried Aria “How do you guys expect to go around looking like… you know…”

“Ah, of course.” said Blaze “Slick, do your thing.”

“Comin’ right up…” said Slick, and he began to sniff deeply, and again, and again.

The girls all felt sick, knowing what he was about to do, and nearly barfed when they saw him spit four balls of green slime on the faces of the others.

“EWW!” cried Sonata

“Talk about gross!” groaned Aria.

“Wait… look.” said Adagio, and she and others watched as the bits of slime seemed to bubble and expand covering the demons from head to toe, and in a bright flash of light…

…the girls were speechless.

Scales snickered “I trussssst that you find ussss a little lesssss inconssspicuousss now?”

The girls were practically blushing, and then their wicked grins showed, and they began to laugh along with the demons.

(Que Intro)

Act 1: You're One of Us

ACT ONE

Two days later…

It was summer time, and school was out, most of the students from Canterlot High were enjoying life, partying in the city. Some had even left Mystic Island and headed for the mainland to visit friends.

Others however, were spending the first few weeks of their summer at a brand new camp called Star Camp. It was founded and established by millionaire, businessman, ex-astronaut, Celesto Grandruler; Chairman of the School Board, and owner of half of the things on Mystic Island, including Canterlot High.

He set it up the camp as summer program for all the kids he helped, a chance to help them fit in with others, and discover their talents and just have a good time.

Sadly, he was not there at present. Despite being a retired astronaut, for he had received a call from NASA. There was trouble on the International Space-Station-- several glitches in the computers, and a few damaged sections of the construction-- things that only he knew better than any other and only he could effectively repair. So he was forced out retirement, and was now onboard the station supervising and assisting with repairs.

As he worked, he gazed through his helmet at the lovely sights of space around him and the Earth below, and thought silently “It’s so lovely out here; I wish you could be here with me, Celestia.”

For now, he had to concentrate, knowing he would be returning home in a few days.

The camp was in the care of Celestia, his wife of two years, Principal of Canterlot High, and her younger sister, Luna.

There were many activates at the camp, why they seemed to have practically everything from arts-and-crafts, to rock and pop sessions, but easily, the part she loved the most was the horse trails, where the kids could go riding.

Whenever she was off-duty, she went riding a few times, having finally worked up the nerve to reclaim her old passion and spirit for riding like the former champion she was.

Her sister was very proud of how far she had come; having being a former ill-tempered woman, now a well-respected principal, head-counselor and lady.

Aside from them, the camp a few Junior Counselors as well, such as Sunset Shimmer, who was working a summer job at the camp.

She had really come a long way since she was defeated by Princess Twilight Sparkle, and although some still feared her, or acted strange around her knowing she was an interdimensional alien-pony from another universe…

…many others had seen how far she had come, and that she only meant to do good now, and was every inch the delightful person she wasn’t before.

She was walking about on her rounds, making sure everyone was keeping out of trouble, and stopping to lend a helping hand wherever it was needed.

She saw Applebloom, Sweetie Bell, Scootaloo and Daphne Dill all working on a painting together. “Looking good, girls.” she said.

The girls smiled and thanked her.

Then she passed by the inner basketball court where the Canterlot team was busy practicing their drills, when suddenly the ball headed straight for the door, and she caught it.

“Whoa, awesome catch.” said the Captain.

Sunset smiled and tossed the ball back to him like a pro.

All over the camp Sunset lent a helping hand, and was thanked and praised for her efforts, and yet… deep down it still bothered her --all the horrible things she did and how badly she treated others-- she never moved on from it

She sat on a rock near the athletics fields feeling glum. She could see some of her friends—Rhymey-- his real name was William-- with a wooden sword in his hand, and wielding it like a pro to deflect tennis-balls being launched at him from a machine.

Then there was Starla Shine, the girl who everyone said looked exactly like Rarity, but with little differences-- longer hair, lighter skin tone, and even a different voice and attitude. She was at the archery set-up, her every shot was a perfect bullseye, into a heart-shaped target; she had set up, with a picture of Lightning Dawn, in human-form, on it.

Sunset knew who Lightning was by now, and was shocked at first when she learned he, too, was a pony-creature from the dimensional universe… and how badly she treated him when he was at Canterlot high.

Suddenly, a single rose was held out in front of her.

“Rose for your thoughts?” said Buddy Rose.

She smiled sadly and took the flower form him, but she didn’t feel better.

“Dang, chica…” said Dyno “You look bluer than a wet weekend.”

“Are you thinking of… you-know-what again?” asked Myte.

She gazed up at him innocently “Is it that obvious?”

Artie came along with a painting clutched in his arms and said “A picture’s worth a-thousand words.” And he showed everyone his panting was of a very sad Sunset, and she was sitting on a rock in the rain which conveyed her mood.

“It looks good…” she said looking straight up at him. “Really I mean it…”

Artie’s cheeks turned red “Thanks… I like painting pictures for you.”

Sunset felt a little nervous.

The others were already well aware of what was going on.

Over the past two years, Artie seemed to have developed a bit of a crush on Sunset, after seeing how much she changed, and he often painting pictures of her… by request only… and it flattered her.

Just then, Councillor Celestia and Vice- Councillor Luna came out onto the grounds.

“Good morning, campers.” Celestia said into a megaphone “I am very pleased that so many of you have participated here at Star Camp this summer, and as reminder, at the end of the week, we will hold a Star Camp Musical Showcase to welcome you all here.”

The campers cheered loudly with excitement.

“This is a program my husband, Mr. Grandruler, put together as an event to raise money for charities. Anyone with musical talents may participate. You can sing a song that you know, or one that you made up. So practice hard, and keep up the good work, because I feel this will be the most exciting thing since the events of two years ago.”

Naturally she referred to the attack of the Crystallites, and then… it was Sunsets rampage.

Being reminded of this made many of the campers look towards Sunset, those who did not trust her gave her severe looks of anger, and suspicion. Some even gave her the “Watching You” gesture

All this made her feel worse, and her friends felt sorry for her.

…

Later on, Sunset was with the entire former Starfleet gang in one of the music rooms, with them were Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Rhymey’s long-steady girlfriend, Fluttershy, all of them were setting up a band they called “Rainbow Rocks” which they had formed some time ago at Canterlot High, and now were struggling to come up with a new song for the showcase.

“Sunset, don’t let them all get to you.” said Starla “Besides, it was all two years ago.”

Applejack chuckled nervously “Sorry, girl, but I don’t think it quite works that way.”

Sunset sighed “I can never really let it go. I mean… it was so awful, the way I acted and what I became.”

“You were, awfully mean back then.” said Fluttershy.

“Fluttershy!” snapped Rarity.

“No, she’s right.” said Sunset “It still amazes me that all of you forgave me so easily.”

Rhymey patted her shoulder and said…

“You did do lots of horrible stuff
but now you’ve changed, and don’t wish to be rough
We’ve seen the kindness, and the good things you do
Who wouldn’t want to be friends with you?”

Sunset felt touched. “You really mean that?”

The others all nodded, and Sunset felt really warm inside, and a tear fell from her eye.

Buddy Rose then nodded at Rainbow Dash telling her and the gang to start playing a pop-rock song that they all made together.

The Rainbows played the song, but it was the Starfleet gang who sang it.

The song started out slow and somber

[Starla]

The heart’s feelin’ heavy, and the eyes have got tears
Feels like the world is giving you scars

[Buddy]

What’s done is done, baby, so face up to your fears
Feel the light and the warmth from the stars.

[Artie]

Some say that you’re a baddie, and you’ll never do better.
But they’re the ones all washed up and wetter

[Rhymey]

We’ll help you find what you’ve been looking for
You won’t feel so sad anymore.

The Rainbow Rocks began to play wild and loud as the main chorus played, and all the Starfleet gang sang.

As the music played, they all transformed, magically donning their pony ears, wings, tails, and the Starfleet gang each sprouted a unicorn horn on their heads.

[Dyno]

Feelin’ the flow, let bad feelings go

[Myte]

No need to cry or fret or fuss

[All]

Friends of the best not like the rest

[Myte]

Don’t let your heart become a bust.

[All]

We’re here for you, and know our friendship’s true

[Buddy and Starla]

…You’re one of us!
(One of us…) *Repeat; Slow fade*

Sunset’s tears were cascading down her face, but her smile was growing.

[Buddy and Starla]

…You’re one of us!
(One of us…) *Repeat; Slow fade*

The Rainbows then played a small instrumental solo, and the Starfleet gang began to dance like professional pop singers, and even kept in perfect formation.

[Dyno]

Feeling the flow, let bad feelings go

[Myte]

No need to cry or fret or fuss

[All]

Friends of the best not like the rest

[Myte]

Don’t let your heart become a bust.

[All]

We’re here for you, and know our friendship’s true

[Buddy and Starla]

…You’re one of us!
(One of us…) *Repeat; Slow fade*

In a huge finish, the song was over, and everyone transformed back. “I still can’t believe that happens when we all play and sing.” said Pinkie “It’s so cool.”

“Oh, I simply must find ways to accessorize our appearances.” said Rarity “Oh, what if I made new costumes, or what would go nice on those pony ears?”

The others all rolled their eyes at how typical she was acting.

“Still, it’s almost frightening this happens because we were all touched by alien magic.” said Artie.

“Like how when Princess Twilight Sparkle share the magic of her crown with us.” said Rainbow.

“Yeah or when Lightning Dawn made us all super fighters, when we faced against Flash and his mother.” said Starla.

“Did you just say my name?” asked a voice. Everyone looked to the door and saw none other than Flash Sentry. All of them felt a bit awkward.

“Oh, hi Flash…” said Pinkie “We were just talking about the time you were…” she stopped when the Spanish twins dashed over and covered her mouth, and warned her to zip it!

Flash was confused, and the others acted sly.

“Oh, well… I just came to pick up my guitar for band practice.” said Flash “By the way, I heard you guys playing together, and maybe you should all form a really big group. You’re awesome.”

He then turned to head out the door “By the way… um… have any of you heard any news about… you know… like I’m saying maybe she…”

“Princess Twilight Sparkle?” said Applejack “Sorry, Flash, but it’s been two years, I don’t think she’ll ever be coming back to this world.”

Flash felt a bit down inside, really missing a girl he really liked. “Okay, I get it, but listen… if you guys hear anything… let me know?”

Everyone promised, and then he left.

Sunset felt a bit down, remembering how she and Flash use to be an item, despite her bossiness and being mean and all that, and she was just using him to be more popular.

She was, however shocked to have learned from the other that he was a former evil Crystallite, who once tried to destroy everyone.

When Lightning defeated him two years ago, the evil power was separated from Flash, resulting in him losing his memories of his former life.

The memories of this held by the others remained a guarded secret, which Pinkie Pie had nearly blown. “What did we tell you before, Pinkie?” said Buddy.

“I’m sorry, I just forgot.” said Pinkie.

“Mal movimiento*Bad Move* Pinkie, we can’t let him remember his past.” said Dyno.

“He might regain his powers…” said Myte “And if that happens, Ay’-Ay’-Ay’!”

He had a point too; the things that Flash and the Crystallites did was hardly too much compared to what Sunset did, and the Starfleet gang actually went up, up into space as well.

Still, everyone remembered to keep their promise to let Flash know a thing, and then dropped the subject.

“Did you hear what Flash said?” said Sunset “Maybe he’s right; both your groups are awesome. You should form a group altogether.”

The others all thought it over, and the idea wasn’t at all half bad. “Let’s do it then.” said Rainbow, and everyone else agreed.

“Now we need to come up with a name.
Something that’s cool and doesn’t sound lame.” said Rhymey.

Everyone scratched their heads, unable to think of a thing.

“How about Rainbow Rocks II?” said Rainbow, but the others all frowned.

“Rainbow, we need something that describes all of us.” said Artie.

“Just a thought.” said Rainbow

They thought and they thought, but they couldn’t come up with a name, and decided to let it ride a bit.

“I wish Lightning was here.” said Starla “If anyone could help us with a name it’d be him.”

The others shared her wishes, except the part where they knew her ulterior reasons for wanting to see him again. She had been showing several signs of obsession ever since he had left and went back to his home world.

“Oh, Starla…” said Fluttershy “I know it seems hard, but you have to get over it.”

“She’s right, sugar-cube.” added Applejack “Lightnin’ ain’t coming back anytime soon either, and even still--”

“I know. I know...” Starla cut in “He and I can’t be a thing. You’ve only told me like a–billion times. Still, I can’t help but wonder if things could’ve been different.”

All the others could only sigh and feel Starla was hopeless.

“Well, I have to go.” said Sunset “I have to welcome some new campers today. See you guys later.”

Artie kept his eyes on her until she was out of sight.

The others noted his feelings showing.

“What’cha waitin’ for, boy?” Applejack teased “Just go on and ask her out or somethin’.”

“Meh… I don’t think I can.” said Artie.

“Aw, looks like someone’s a little shy.” teased Rarity.

“It’s not really shyness…” said Artie “I mean, I want to give it a try, but… does she want to?”

“He’s got a point.” said Buddy “Two years and she’s still a little distraught.”

Fluttershy and Rhymey remembered when they were both too shy to talk to each other, until he started sending her love poems.

“I understand how you feel, guy.
But my only advice is to just go and try.” said Rhymey

“You should, Artie.” said Fluttershy “You won’t know until you do.”

The others all gave him their support and urged him on, but Artie still remained unsure. “I’ll think about it.”

Act 3: Answering Distress Call

ACT THREE

The planet Miramoni; was a blissful planet within the Dimensional Universe, home to a race of primitive, but highly functional native elf-creatures, who preferred to live their lives simply, but today they had been invaded by a group of thieving aliens, who came riding super hover-bikes, stealing all the foods, and even totem statues and other sacred talismans they planned to sell to earn a profit.

The poor Natives were powerless to save their world themselves with only primitive weapons such as spears and regular bows and arrows. As of now, they were all being held at ray-gun point by the nasty aliens-- Blue scaly like hybrids wearing punk outfits-- while their other teammates loaded all their stolen foods and treasures ready to take them off into space.

The children were very frightened, and their mothers held them close telling them to look away, much to the aliens delight seeing how scared they were.

One of the men then thought to take a chance and threw his spear at one of the aliens, but he blasted it to splinters with one shot from his ray-gun, and then he shot the poor man in the arm, injuring him badly.

"Next time, I'll shoot your head." the alien threatened "Anyone else wanna be a hero?"

The aliens stroked their guns, and one of them held out his plasma-knife, while all the hostages shuddered in fear. The chief was silently praying to the stars that a ray hope would shine on them in this dark hour...

...he was about to get his wish.

"Okay, we're all loaded." said an alien.

"Let's blow this joint." said another.

A third alien set his ray-gun "Speaking of blowing..." and he shot at the roofs of the village huts, and a few more at the trees, bursting all into flames.

The villagers began to panic, but the aliens were pleased as they opened a space-portal ready to leave, when suddenly...

...magical blasts shot at the portal, destroying it.

"Hey!"

"What gives?"

The aliens turned and then saw none other than Commander Lightning Dawn, and all his friends from United Equestria, all of them were First Class Majors, Twilight's friends, regular majors, and Spike in his Dragon Knight form, a Junior Captain.

"In the name of Starfleet, you are all under arrest!" shouted Lightning.

His wife of now five months, Major Starla Shine stepped beside him with her bow armed and ready, and sneered at the aliens "Come quietly, or face the consequences!"

The aliens all sniggered at one another, and one shouted "You'll have to catch us first!" and they all headed off in different directions.

"SPLIT UP! AFTER THEM!!" shouted Lightning.

While most of the team chased after the aliens, the pegasi, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack and Pinkie-- whom were both Pegasi for almost a year since earning their wings-- stayed behind to put out the fires... by using their Pegasi powers to gather rainclouds to douse them out with their rain, and flap their wings super hard to produce gusts strong enough to blow the remaining flames out like candles.

Fluttershy then attended to all the injured people, and healed heal their wounds with the aid of her emergency medical kit.

She even helped heal the poor man who got shot. "There..." she said sweetly as she bandaged the man's sore arm "You'll be just fine, I promise."

The man felt ever so grateful.

Meanwhile, the aliens were forcing their hover bikes to go faster than they had ever gone before, what with the rest of the team racing after them.

"Halt!" shouted Starla, but the aliens just poured on more speed, and other began to shoot with their ray-guns, which the fighters swerved and dodged.

"Guess we'll have to do this the hard way." said Buddy Rose "VINE WHIP!" Griping is whip tightly, he lassoed and grabbed one of the bikes from behind, and yanking hard, pulling the bike away, forcing the alien off.

"STARLIGHT ARROW"

Starla fired her arrow at another bike, striking it's hover-engines hard, causing the bike to spin out of control and ram several more of the bikers down, the others sped on ahead, while others continued to chase them.

"Okay! They wanna fight, let's brawl!" shouted an alien.

"You slothful, thieving scoundrels!" snarled Rarity, and she charged forth.

The aliens shot at her, but she dodged their eyes shot and she leapt up high and kicked all their guns out of their hands.

Outraged, the aliens grabbed their knives. "Bring it on, punks!" and they charged forth.

Artie sighed "When will they ever learn "PAINT BOMBS!"

The blobs of paint splat on the grounds near the charging aliens, and exploded, knocking them all over, making it easier for the team to rush them and tie them up.

As for the other bikers, Rhymey and Spike were still flying after them.

"Let's split up." suggested Spike.

Rhymey agreed, and gripped his sword tightly and said...

"You go left, and I'll go right.
We'll have them trapped within our sight."

They split up, each going their respective way.

One of the bikers look round "Hey, I think we lost them!"

The others looked round as well, instead of watching where they were going, and they suddenly looked forward and saw Rhymey and Spike soaring out and heading straight towards them, with their swords ready.

SLASH!!

The bikes were totalled, and the aliens fell to the ground with such a thud.

They aliens then decided to run for it, but fell through trap-holes in the ground, courtesy of Dyno and Myte.

"Going somewhere?" teased Dyno.

"Si, to jail, that's where." added Myte.

The brothers slapped each other a high five.

The remaining five aliens were the ones who had all the stolen goods with them, and were still on their bikes.

Suddenly, they stopped for they saw Lightning up ahead just standing there with hands on his hips.

The aliens laughed and thought him a joke. "Let's get him, guys." said one of them, and they all charged forth with their guns and knives ready, while Lightning just stood where he was not even flinching.

The aliens got closer and closer ready to ram him.

"Now!" snapped Lightning, and he changed into his Enticorn form and roared loudly, giving off huge bursts of energy.

The aliens SCREAMED in fright, and, knowing they didn't have a chance, they immediately surrendered like scared little kittens, even dropping all their weapons.

Lightning changed back into his form and sighed in boredom "Sometimes, I wonder why I even bother." It seemed these days all he ever had to do was transform, and the bad guys would crawl away like cowards.

He just wasn't getting much out of his battles these days.

Nevertheless, the aliens were shrunk down, imprisoned in glass spheres and ready to be hauled away to prison. All the stolen items and food were given back to the village. The fires had caused some damage, but nothing that the ponies couldn't easily help repair in mere moments, and they did.

"We thank you all." said the chief "This was truly a work of the gods."

"No, not really..." said Starla "We were after those creeps for some time, and we spotted them heading this way."

"We were ever so pleased to help..." said Rarity "Although, I must say you land and your homes could use some lightening up; perhaps with a few ruffle curtains there, and a rug or two here, and..." she stopped when she noted the villagers not taking a liking to her suggestion. They liked their village just as it was, despite the danger they had just come out from.

"Sorry."

Nevertheless, it was time for the team to head back to United Equestria, but Commander Lightning had one final gift to give the chief. He handed a simple Starfleet badge with a red button on it. One touch of the button would send an emergency distress call straight to United Equestria, warring that danger was lurking around.

"Whenever you are in danger, and you require help, we shall come."

The chief bowed in thanks, and the friends all bowed back.

Lightning then whistled loudly, and his lifelong fairy friend, Krysta, Queen of the fairies, came fluttering down, and used her magic to warp the team back into space, and back home.

The journey took no more than two whole minutes to cross the vast distances between the two worlds.

It felt so wonderful to be back in New Ponyville, on a bright and sunny day.

Pinkie Pie sniffed the air. "Ah, smell that... it's the smell of smiles."

"Um... I'm not so sure smiles have a smell, Pinkie." said Applejack

"Ah, you know what I mean." said Pinkie, and she began to hop, skip, and bounce around humming merrily.

"That Pinkie..." said Krysta "She gets wackier every day."

The friends all shared a laugh, but felt it was nice to be home, and as they walked along, Rhymey spotted a small wild-flower, and picked it for his wife of two months; Fluttershy.

"I flower I've here,
For you, my dear." he said.

Fluttershy giggled as she accepted the flower, and pecked his cheek.

The others thought it was sweet, and this reminded Lightning. "I got these, Starla." he said as he held out a reservation to one of their favourite restaurants for their five month anniversary.

"Oh, honey!" Starla cooed, and pecked him hard.

"I don't get you guys..." said Spike "You've only been married five months, don't you think it’s a bit soon for an anniversary?"

Lightning and Starla giggled, and Buddy Rose answered "Go on, Spike. It's their first year, they're entitled."

"Rhymey and I do the same thing." said Fluttershy.

Rhymey nodded.

"Besides..." Rainbow had to tease "You and Rarity might want to think of doing the same thing, right...?"

Spike and Rarity both blushed and felt embarrassed. Ever since Spike had his magical growth spurt, and changed into his new adult form, he and Rarity became engaged, after he confessed his true feelings for her, and she finally discovered just how much she loved him too... that and the fact she felt she wouldn't find anyone better, what with all her past failed attempts.

"Really… This is hardly the time to discuss such things." Rarity said, trying to change the subject.

"I agree..." said Spike, but the others thought it cute the way they were acting so shy.

Still, everyone was looking forward to that wedding, which was a long time off, several months actually, but for now they dropped the subject.

As they all walked through town, Lightning suddenly stopped, and the gang walked ahead of him.

"Lightning...?" Starla said when she noticed him just staring at the spot where the Golden Oak Library once stood. Now in its place was a statue of Twilight Sparkle, dedicated to her memory... and passing this spot and looking at that statue always made the others feel low, but none as low as Lightning.

Starla came up to him and softly held his arm "Darling...? Are you okay?"

He gazed sadly at his wife. "Yeah, I... I'm alright."

They all walked back to the gang-- all them were feeling a bit low remembering her, and wishing she was there.

Spike missed her especially "I wouldn't be the great dragon I am today without her."

Rarity thought was so sweet. "We all have fond memories of her."

Those words only hurt Lightning more inside, it showed on his face. Despite the many number of times he was told to remember it was not his fault that Twilight was killed in that battle, it still hurt him the way she died in his arms.

Nobody a thing to him; there was nothing really much to say, and pointless to repeat the same old speeches to him again.

Finally, Krysta broke the silence. "It's alright, Lightning, we understand."

The others all nodded, and Lightning smiled sadly but thankfully.

Suddenly, a magical glow appeared before the gang, and the light morphed into a holographic illusion of Princess Luna.

"Princess, what's going on?" asked Lightning.

"Queen Celestia and Grand Ruler Celesto have summoned you all to the royal palace. It is very urgent. You must come immediately."

"We're on our way!"

The magic illusion faded, and everyone huddled close as Krysta prepared her magic. "Ready? Here we go!" and she teleported them all off to New Canterlot.

All of New Canterlot seemed blissfully unaware of what was currently going on in the royal palace. The alarms were sounding like crazy, and the warning lights were flashing slowly in red and yellow, warning of extreme danger.

All the royal guards were running around back and forth with concern and panic, and even Goldwin wasn't enjoying this. "I've never seen anything so frightful like this in a long time." he said to himself.

"Steady yourself, Goldwin." said Princess Luna "We must await for Lightning and his friends."

No sooner had the friends all materialized in the throne room. They were all shocked by all the noise and panic going on.

"Silence those alarms!" demanded Princess Luna.

"What's going on here?" Lightning asked Goldwin.

"I don't know, but from what I've heard, something's really wrong somewhere."

Suddenly, in a bright flash of glowing light, their majesties, Grand Ruler Celesto and his wife Queen Celestia appeared.

Everyone bowed to their royal highnesses.

"Lightning…" Grand Ruler said "Thank goodness you have arrived. We have received distressful news from the human world!"

"The human world?!" cried Lightning.

"That place where you and Twilight once visited." exclaimed Fluttershy.

"But how is all this possible? It doesn't make any sense." said Artie.

"All of you, come to the briefing room." said Celestia "We will explain everything there."

Once in the briefing room, Celestia showed everyone the magic book she had.

"This I had given to Twilight Sparkle when she was still my student. After she had been tragically destroyed..." she paused a minute remembering her beloved friend "...I took it back as a keepsake and remembrance of her."

She went to explain what the book was, and how it worked. "Recently, I have received a distress message form Sunset Shimmer, whom you all know has reformed and resides in the alternate universe where the humans dwell. She has reported that the world as she knows it is now facing a grave danger."

"Danger... from what?" asked Krysta.

Grand Ruler shut his eyes and brought his hands together. At once, his three golden horns glowed, and poof; there on the table appeared an extremely old and ancient tome with familiar markings on it.

"Those marks..." Spike said "I'd recognize them anywhere. They're the same as the Magic Mirror Gate."

"Indeed so, Spike." said Grand Ruler. "This tome originated in the most ancient times of Equestria of old. I myself found it fascinating during my youth, before I was cast into space by Nightmare Moon. It originates the origin of how the mirror was created, and the very first transfer to the human world was made."

The ponies all leaned in; their interests were at an all-time high as Grand Ruler opened the book to reveal very old, faded pages that told a frightening tale.

"Five-Thousand years ago, the part of the human world where Lightning and Twilight visited the inhabited by five evil spirits; Demons if you will, and their only desire was to destroy and conquer. The spread chaos and destruction wherever they went, and vowed never to rest until the entire world belonged to them."

"Oh, my!" cried Rarity.

"That's horrible!" added Fluttershy.

"But wait a minute, what does this have to do with Equestria of old?" asked Buddy Rose.

Celestia cleared her throat "This tome that tells the story was written by an ancient and powerful warlock, who was the ancestor of the famous Starswirl the Bearded. In his time, he was working on an ancient spell to create powerful shortcuts between areas of Equestria, but his initial experiments went wrong, and he ended up creating a rift which lead him to the human world, where he confronted the five demons in their domain."

The friends all had extreme looks of awe on their faces.

"The warlock engaged battle with these monsters..." Grand Ruler said "And although he was not strong enough to effectively destroy them, he was able to overpower and conquer them. The demons were capture and imprisoned behind a large door in a hidden crypt deep under the land, which was then sealed with Equestrian magic, so that the demons would, hopefully, never again crawl forth and regain their evil desires."

Celestia nodded "The warlock, content with his efforts, returned to Equestria of old, and then decided to conjure a gateway to contain the magnificent portal magic he had discovered. Thus, the Mirror Gate was formed. He then sat down and began to write of this tale, however, before he could continue writing, he had fallen ill, for he was very old and extremely weak after his great ordeal. He then shortly died, and took all undocumented secrets with him."

"Ay Carumba!" Dyno exclaimed softly "Even the humans have their monsters to fight."

"Si, and to think..." said Myte "The way to the human world was discovered by chance."

"Unfortunately..." Grand Ruler suddenly said "From what we have just heard from Sunset Shimmer, the demons have been released, and even as we speak are plotting treachery."

"WHAT?!" everyone shouted.

"But, how can that be? Who could have released them?" asked Lightning.

"I haven't all the full details, but there is only one explanation." said Celestia "From what Sunset Shimmer has written, this sounds like the work of The Sirens!"

"Not the Sirens!" Pinkie Pie shouted out... She then whispered to Fluttershy "I don't actually know what that is."

Celestia made another book appear which told this history of the sirens.

"And by other world..." Lightning said "Obviously it must refer to the human world, where all my friends from Canterlot High live."

Starla felt worry "If those creatures have sided with the demons, who know what trouble there, could be. That magic they control sounds really wicked!"

Lightning bolted upright "I've heard enough! That world is in danger, and so are my friends. I have to go... I have to help them!"

Their majesties agreed, and were both hoping Lightning would consent to that.

"Uh... I hate to break it to you all..." said Rainbow Dash "But the connection between our world and there world was totally destroyed."

She had a point!

During the great war, before Equestria blew up, the magic mirror portal was shattered, and lost all it's great magic with it. When United Equestria was formed, the mirror was restored to its former state, but the magic did not return. The mirror was nothing more than just that; a plain mirror. Even their royal majesties could not restore the magic; having no clue how the ancient warlock did it.

There was no record of the spell used in the book, as it was among many of the things the warlock did not jot before dying.

"So, it's hopeless then..." said Fluttershy.

"There will never come another day
When that mirror shall open the magical way." said Rhymey.

All the ponies felt downhearted, but suddenly Lightning looked up.

"Maybe not..."

The others all gazed at him.

"Lightning, you have an idea?" asked Grand Ruler.

"It's just a theory, but it might work."

He then told Krysta to go and fetch Cadance and Shining Armour, and tell them to bring the mirror with them. Lightning then requested the assistance of Professor Brain, and Abra Kadabra for what he was about to do, and he also required the magic message book.

"What is that little rascal up to?" Applejack wondered.

Abra Kadabra was summoned immediately to the palace, and he arrived almost instantly, then, after Cadance and Shining Armour had delivered the mirror, Lightning, Abra and the professor got straight to work

In almost no time at all, everyone else watched as the three ponies worked and worked. Lightning seemed to be giving all the instructions, as well as constructing and attaching unusual gizmos and gadgets to the mirror, as well as attaching the magic message book.

The professor was astounded "This is fascinating. Most fascinating!" he exclaimed.

"I agree..." said Abra "I've done my study of magic, and I've never seen anything of this sort."

Once finished, everyone gazed in awe at what Lightning had created...

The mirror now stood on a large platform, attached to it were machine parts, and magical wirings and units. Placed on the platform in front of the mirror were several round plates to stand on.

"Well, what do you think of it?" said Lightning.

Even their majesties were at a loss for words, and Lightning explained how thanks to Abra's magic he asked him to use, as well as the professor's excellence with machinery, the magical energies from the message book were now infused into the mirror, opening the pathway to the human world.

"So, it's a gateway that we can control at will?" asked Cadance.

"Exactly so." said Lightning "This way we won't have to wait two and half years for the magic to work, also, the transport magic should be more comfortable now. All you do is stand on one of these plates, and then someone activates the controls, and zing... you're off."

"Incredible..." Grand Ruler said "Simply incredible! I've traveled across the whole galaxy and never thought this was possible."

"Lightning, how did you work this?" asked Celestia.

"Well... it wasn't really my idea..." Lightning said "It was Twilight's."

"Twily...!" Shining Armour cried with excitement, "But how did you know all this...?"

Lightning explained and reminded everyone of the time he and Twilight accidently switched bodies...

"We gained access not only to each other’s abilities, but thought patterns as well, stored deep within our brains. Even when we regained our old bodies back, we still retained the information and memories we got from one another. Of course neither of us said a thing to any of you about it as we wanted to protect our own personal privacies, but this time it's called for. Twilight had been working on this theory for some time, but she never had a chance to test it out."

The entire room went silent, and Shining Armour hung his head low, remembering his sister deeply. "Thanks Twily..." he said silently.

Everyone felt the same way.

"Cross your fingers, everyone…!" Lightning said as he inserted the book into the machine.

Everyone did just so, Pinkie Pie even crossed her toes inside her boots.

Lightning then gave both Brain and Abra to do their thing. Abra then cast his magic, and Brain started up the machine.

The machine came to life and began to absorb the power from the book, copying the magic, and transferring it all into the mirror.

At first it was rather scary to watch. Fluttershy gripped Rhymey's hand tight, and Rarity overdramatically fainted into Spike's arms.

Their majesties bit their lips nervously.

"Come on! Come on...!" Lightning muttered under his breath.

Finally, the mirror started to shimmer and shine, as it did when the magical path was opened.

"Galloping Galaxies, IT WORKS!!" cried Lightning.

"My goodness, it does!" added Abra.

"Satisfactory! Most Satisfactory!" cried Brain.

Everyone began to cheer for the success!

Grand Ruler then cleared his throat "Lightning, if you are truly going, you shall need these." he then handed him two special, identical gems, the very gems that gave his friends their Starfleet powers the first time, and the other was enchanted with the other powers of the other ponies, for the friends Twilight had made.

Lightning nodded respectfully, knowing fully well how to handle and when to use the gems.

Also, before setting off, Lightning had enchanted his Starfleet insignia, to act as a return command for the transported. So he would be able to teleport right back again.

All his friends began to look concerned. "Um... Lightning..." Starla asked "I don't suppose this time we could... go with you?" but Lightning objected to this "It wouldn't be a good idea if there was suddenly two of each of you back there. Remember, you ALL have a duplicate counterpart in that world, I'm sure even I have one; I just haven't met him yet. Besides, I'm the only one here who has the most knowledge and understanding of how that world works."

Krysta and Spike had sour expressions on their face, and both happened upon the same idea. Spike stepped forth and said "So do we, and that's why we're going with you."

"You are going to need extra help back there..." added Krysta "And Spike and I are the obvious choice to follow you."

"They are right, Lightning." said Celestia "It would be a wise move to have all the help you could get for what you are about to face."

"You will take them along too, no questions." added Grand Ruler.

Lightning agreed, and then it was time to go.

He hugged all his friends and bid them goodbye, and bowed to their majesties. "We shouldn't be too long." he said to them all.

"Lightning..." Starla said as she approached him, and they gazed deeply into each other’s eyes "Just come back to me alive...?"

"You too, Spikey-Wikey..." Rarity said to Spike.

the men promised their loves they would return, and kissed them both tenderly before stepping onto the plates on the platform, and Krysta stood on Lightning's shoulder.

Lightning then gazed over at Brain at the console...

"Energize!"

Brain threw the switch, and at once, the trio's bodies vanished into millions of tiny specks of light and got sucked through the mirror.

That was that, there was nothing they could do now but wait, and hope!

Act 4: Welcome Back... To the Nightmare

ACT FOUR

All the friends had gone out of camp, and met up outside of Canterlot High, right by the statue where the portal was.

They had been waiting there a long time.

"I'm starting to think they're not coming." said Rainbow.

"No, they will." said Sunset "But I don't understand why Lightning Dawn is coming, and not Princess Twilight Sparkle."

"What I wanna know is, how did Lightnin' Dawn get the message in the first place?" wondered Applejack "Ain't he supposed to be on some other dimensional planet?"

Suddenly, the portal began to glow, and everyone stepped away from the statue. "This is it... here they come!" cried Buddy Rose.

Everyone then watched as the trio materialized out of thin air.

Krysta appeared as a red robin, but a little bit larger, stronger and swifter than actual birds.

Spike appeared, still a dog, but as he was stronger and older, he now appeared as a Great Dane.

Finally, there he stood; an almost exact look-alike of Flash Sentry, only he had brown hair, brown eyes, peach-coloured skin. He wore a white T-shirt with his picture of his insignia, ID-code, stars, and black track pants with matching jacket.

"LIGHTNING DAWN…!!" everyone cried with joy.

Lightning smiled proudly and stated "I have returned." and he saluted proudly, and the others saluted back, but then they all huddled around him giving him handshakes, hugs... Starla was very nervous to approach him, and at first stuck out her hand, but Lightning rejected and hugged her instead "I know you missed me, I missed you too." he whispered into her ear.

Starla blushed madly.

As the greetings continued to exchange, Krysta and Spike felt a little left out. "What are we, invisible?" Spike asked.

"Ah, they'll come round...I hope." said Krysta.

Suddenly, the hollering toned down as Sunset approached Lightning. She felt very awkward seeing him again, and Lightning felt strange too, and looked at her rather sternly "I remember you, Ms. Shimmer." he said "I also haven't forgotten how badly you treated me and the others when I was last here, and I have heard about your little issue..."

Sunset looked very guilty and hung her head low, but Lightning then smiled "And I've also heard that you've reformed, and if everyone else can forgive you..." he held out his hand "... then I will too."

Sunset felt flattered, and relieved and shook his hand graciously.

Everyone awed at the sweet gesture.

"Um... sorry to interrupt..." said Fluttershy "But... well... how come you were sent here instead of Twilight Sparkle."

The trio all felt a bit awkward. Obviously Queen Celestia had not told Sunset about the tragedy, but Lightning didn't have the heart to say it either. News like that would devastate everyone.

"She... has a cold." he lied.

His fib fooled the others.

"What...?" snapped Spike, but then Krysta waved her wing warning him to play along. "Oh, yeah, it's real bad... sneezing, coughing-- the works."

"Oh, the poor chica." said Dyno.

"I hope she gets well soon." added Myte.

Then, they all headed back to camp, which Lightning and the others found very interesting, despite the spell still being in effect, nobody seemed to be acting hostile or mean at the moment, but still maintaining distance from one another.

Sunset signed Lightning up to be a guest at camp so he could stay on the grounds, although it felt awkward for him to see Celestia again.

Both of them said nothing at first to each other, feeling nervous-- having remember that a long time ago when they had that huge back at Canterlot High--

Still, Celestia approved of Lightning and graciously allowed him to stay at camp as a guest, and even his pets were allowed to stay too.

"Thank you." Lightning said.

"Yes... you're quite welcome." she said to him.

They reached out to shake hands, and were a little hesitant, but they did so, and then Lightning turned to leave.

"She's changed too, ya know." said Artie.

"Yes, I can see..." said Lightning "But the memories are still..."

"Oh, never mind all that." said Rarity "Come! We have so much catching up to do."

They all got some milkshakes and then headed down to the lake for some quality time. Lightning filled them in on everything that had happened over the two year period, and were they ever shocked and amazed... especially Sunset.

-Equestria and Unicornicopia were both blown up in the Great War, and United Equestria now stood.

-Celestia was now Queen, and happily married to Grand Ruler Celesto, Lightning mentor and foster father. They even had children.

-Long before that, Krysta reconnected with her memories-- she was the Queen of the fairies of the planet Luminous. She had a husband, and adopted a son.

-Twilight herself, became Princess of Friendship, and she and her friends all joined Starfleet and fought valiantly in the past. Twilight ranked up to Junior Captain.

"Wow, that is impressive." said Sunset "I guess she really was Princess-- er, Queen Celestia's prize pupil."

"You think that's cool..." said Krysta "Lightning became Supreme Allied Commander of all of Starfleet!"

Everyone's eyes bulged and they all gawked at Lightning as if he himself were royalty. This made Lightning feel a bit awkward, but he admitted it was true.

"Commander of your own force...
That must be one difficult course." said Rhymey.

"Oh, it is..." said Lightning "I'm practically fourth in command of the entire planet, or at least the armed forces, and I'm married too."

At that moment, Starla felt a slight sting pierce through her heart. "Oh, you are...?"

"He sure is..." said Spike "He and Starla, or rather the one we know; they've been married five months, and what's more, Rarity and I are engaged now."

Rarity spit out her milkshake in shock "I beg your pardon?!"

"I think he means the other Rarity, where he's from." Applejack whispered.

"I am quite aware..." said Rarity "But... a pony marrying a dragon? It's just... well..." she couldn't really find anything too wrong about it, and smiled "Well, as long as they are both happy. I know I would be."

"Thank you." Spike said.

Pinkie sniffed softly "It's so sweet. Married for five months, and engaged at the same time." she began to blubber softly as she dabbed her eyes with a tissue.

Starla tried her hardest not to let her jealousy and anguish show, now that she knew Lightning was married. Not that she actually had a chance with him to begin with...

...but Lightning and the others could feel it coming from her anyway.

She gazed at them all and felt embarrassed "Does it really show?"

The others nodded, and then decided to change the subject. "So, apart from the obvious, what's new around here?" Lightning asked.

"See for yourself." Rainbow said as she showed him images on her phone, and how she, the Rainbow Rocks, and the Starfleet gang all transformed whenever they played music, sang, or danced.

"Interesting..." said Lightning "When I was here, I cast magic on you guys, just as Twilight cast her magic on the rest of you. It seems the magic was not fully taken back after we both departed from here. Well, now that we're together again, we can all work together and combine forces to stop the Demonites and the Sirens."

Everyone seemed pumped up and ready to go at it, even Fluttershy.

"So, what do we do first?" asked Rainbow.

"First, we need to gain information." said Lightning "We need to figure out what the bad guys are planning to do, how they intend to pull it off, and then try to stop them, and I have an idea how."

Around camp, despite everyone maintaining distance from one another, they still managed to enjoy their daily activities. Still, every now and then, the campers would run into another, and an argument would engage.

The only ones who seemed to be staying close together and getting along were the D-Man-Knights and the Dazzlings as they walked all over and could

"Wonderful..." Blaze hissed softly "With every passing second, their energy continues to rise to its maximum breaking point."

Sonata wiped her sweaty brow "I'm going to reach my melting point if I stay out in the sun like this too long."

Everyone ignored her complaining, and continued to walk around, when suddenly a little robin-- Krysta-- came soaring in from the skies and snatched one of Aria's star-clippies. "Hey!" she shouted.

Sunset saw this and chased after the bird, and threw a rock at it.

Krysta only pretended to be hit and dropped the clippie to the ground while she faked flying out of control and crashed into the bushes, out of sight.

Sunset grabbed the clippie, and unseen by all, attached a teeny little object onto it, and returned it to Aria "Here you go."

Rather than being grateful, Aria snatched her clip back, and pinned it into her hair "Thanks." she scoffed rudely, and then she walked off with her friends, while Sunset gazed over at the bushes, and she could spot Krysta, and she winked at her, and she winked back.

Sunset and Krysta met back up with the gang in the music room, where Lightning had a book with him. It was a very special book used by Starfleet for spy missions.

"Good job girls..." he said "That device you pinned to the clip will record everything the girls say, and transfer it into magical text to this book. It can be read by magic audio."

"So it's like an instant spy-camera or something?" asked Dyno.

"Sort of..." Lightning said.

"Why not just plant it on one of the demons then?" asked Myte.

"Well, firstly they don't exactly have anything on them we can pin the device too." said Krysta "Besides, I've got a sneaky hunch the Dazzlings aren't as bright. They're more likely to spill any beans we want to her."

For now, all they could do was just sit and wait for some valuable information to be said, and maintain a cool act.

"I still say we should just transform and kick their miserable butts right now." said Rainbow.

"Just the wrong thing, Rainbow..." Spike said "We don't want to cause a scene, not yet anyway."

"Besides, we can't." said Lightning "I can't re-energize all your powers now." he held out the two gems "The last time it worked, the timing has to be just right and the situation must extremely call for it, otherwise it won't work. Besides, the Friendship Magic the rest of you possess can only be unlocked by drawing energy from a strong source. So we're all going to have to keep our eyes open for anything, and at the same time try not to cause too much trouble, all right?"

Pinkie saluted "Aye-Aye mon-captian." and then she began to slink about, rolling her eyes round, and ducking all over the place.

The others all rolled her eyes.

Just then, the dinner bell sounded.

"Time to get us some vittles." said Applejack.

"Good, I'm starving!" said Spike.

Sadly, Spike and Krysta were forced to remain outside. No pets were allowed in the cafeteria. So, they sat outside the on the porch. Spike was eating kibble, which he didn't seem to mind the taste of, and Krysta found some worms on the ground, which Spike found a bit disgusting.

Krysta would have protested, but neither she nor Spike wanted to let it slip to other campers that they could talk or it would blow their cover.

Inside, many of the campers, mostly the bands, were all still arguing a bit with one another, while the friends all sat at Sunset's reserved table.

Sunset sat down, but spilled her milkshake "Ah, no! That was the last one too." she grunted "It was my favourite."

Some of the others helped her clean it up, it was an easy job. "We can get you another one." said Buddy.

The D-man-Knights could hear this, and thought it a great opportunity to cause more friction between the humans.

From where Blaze sat at his table, he had a good view of the kitchen area, at the milkshake machine. His eyes glowed brightly, and... BAM!! The machine blew out, which made all the campers jump.

Lightning however saw Blaze's eyes glow from where he sat. The boys and the Dazzlings chuckled softly, as the staff took care of the mess, but a lot of the campers were now outraged that some of them wouldn't get their milkshakes now.

More small disputes began to break out.

"Oh, I love the sssssound of all thissss." hissed Scales.

The others all nodded, but then Adagio saw at Sunset's table and noticed she and all the others were not quarrelling. "That's weird..." she said.

"Sure is..." said Sonata "This burger isn't grilled just right."

"Not that!" growled Adagio and she motioned over at the far away table where the friends stood.

"Why aren't they fighting?" asked Tempest.

"Why is no energy coming from them?" added Boomer.

"I got a better question..." said Slick "Who the heck is that guy with them?" he motioned at Lightning.

They all got a good look, but couldn't recognize him, though he did have a strong resemblance to Flash Sentry.

The mess was cleaned up, and despite the arguments and the busted machine, nothing too serious was happening, but the friends did not like this one bit, especially Sunset. "What next?" she groaned.

"Um... Sunset..." Artie said as he slid his drink over to her; the exact same kind she had spilled. "You can have my milkshake, if you want it. I haven't touched it yet."

Sunset felt flattered, and blushed softly. "Thanks... but... I really couldn't."

"It's okay... I don't mind."

Since he seemed insistent, Sunset decided to take his offer. "Thanks... again."

Artie then turned away, feeling very nervous, and this instantly told Lightning about Artie's crush, and the others confirmed it by nodded at him.

Still, now was not really the time to think about that. They all decided to just take their dinners and go someplace else... someplace quiet!

On the way out, Lightning bumped into someone who was just coming into the place; Flash Sentry.

"Flash..."

"Lightning… Lightning Dawn?"

He did remember him from way back, but just as a student from Canterlot High, he did not remember anything about Starfleet, and he didn't remember that Lightning was a pony either.

The two boys shook hands. "I haven't seen you in a long time. Where have you been?"

"Oh, well... actually I just got here today, I've been... doing a lot of traveling since I left school."

Flash detected a bit of a lie in his voice, but he brushed it off. "So, I guess you'll be here for the battle of bands, huh? Not that there is going to be any. Me and my group are going to kick everyone else off the stage."

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" snarled a camper.

"I think it's perfectly obvious what it means." protested Flash, and another heated argument began to stir of who the best band was.

"Let's get out of here!" said Starla, and everyone dashed out the door, all noticed by their enemies.

"There is something very unusual about that group." said Blaze. "They don't seem to be affected by the magic we've cast; but how?"

"Perhaps it could be... another form of magic...?" Aria suggested.

"Impossible." said Sonata "Why and how would those guys have any magic?"

"I think there's only one way to find out for sure..." said Tempest "Right, Blaze...?"

Blaze nodded in agreement. It was time for the D-Man-Knights to perform one of their numbers. "Come..." he said to the others, and they all followed him outside.

The friends sat on the deck outside with their food. "This simply has got to be stopped." said Rarity

"Look, Rarity... I told you before; we can't make a move without enough information." said Lightning "We still have to figure out what their big plan is. We can't transform with the Starfleet gem until the moment is right, and we still need to find an energy source to energize the friendship gem."

"Well, why didn't you just energize them both before you came here?" asked Rainbow.

"It doesn't work that way." said Spike "The magical energies need to come from this world, as a combination, or they won't function well at all. Those are things I learned from Twilight."

One of the campers passing by swore she heard him. "Uh... did that dog just talk?"

Spike quickly then acted like a real dog and barked softly. The camper walked away and everyone sighed in relief.

"Sorry." Spike whispered.

Suddenly, everyone could hear music playing.

"Where's that coming from?" asked Starla.

"Look!" cried Buddy Rose.

The Dazzlings came out, and their gems were glowing.

Rhymey grunted and said...

"The magic of their gems is playing a song
Something's going to happen, something wrong."

The girls then stepped away from the door as the D-Man-Knights casually strut out. Many campers looked towards their direction as the boys began to sing to a rather sinister and spooky song.

[Blaze]

It's nearly sundown, and that's the time when strange things come to play

[Scales]

And then the night falls, you know that you have lived for your last day

[Tempest]

You think you’re brave, but all the strength and courage will not save you.

[Boomer]

You start to run, but no one can escape all our power...

[Slick]

...This is the hour

[Blaze]

'Cause we're the D-Man... D...Man... Knights
We're taking over the world, no matter who stands up and fights
We are the D-Man... D... Man... Knights
We live for all that's wrong and be a, He-Man, She-man, D-Man-Knight!

An instrumental verse began to play as the boys began to dance wildly on the camp grounds, and many of the students, hypnotized by their song, danced with them.

However, Lightning and the gang were totally unaffected, and this did not go unnoticed by the boys nor the Dazzlings as the song continued, and the boys seemed to dance and slide near the gang... in attempt to view them more closely.

[Blaze]

You know we're strong now, and growin' stronger every single minute.

[Scales]

We're quite the tough guys, and all were in this for is just to win it

[Tempest]

We'll win it all, and turn the Earth into a giant nightmare

[Boomer]

No matter what, we're free to do anything that we want

[Slick]

...This world we haunt

[Blaze]

'Cause we're the D-Man... D...Man... Knights
There's no way we can lose and victory is in our sights.
We are the D-Man... D... Man... Knights
We live for all that's wrong and be a, He-Man, She-man, D-Man-Knight!

The girls were creeped out a bit, by the way the boys were acting, but still they and the guys were unfazed by the magic at all.

[Blaze]

We're takin' over it all
all the goodness is about to fall
From now on chaos is the way it's gonna be(Darkness will rule)
A destructive spree!

It's nearly sundown, and that's the time when strange things come to play

[Scales]
And then the night falls, you know that you have lived for your last day

[Tempest]

You think you’re brave, but all the strength and courage will not save you.

[Boomer]

You start to run, but no one can escape all our power...

[Slick]

...This is the hour

[Blaze]

An instrumental verse began to play as the boys began to dance wildly on the camp grounds, and many of the students, hypnotized by their song, danced with them.

[Blaze]

We're gonna fly high, and swoop right down from when you least expect it

[Scales]

The screams will echo, and people run in panic and have a fit.

[Tempest]

The time is near, to take our place as the rulers of the world, yeah

[Boomer]

There's no mistake, there's not a soul who can defy...

[Slick]

...Our evil eye

[Blaze]

Yo' we're the D-Man... D...Man... Knights
The strongest in the world and the only ones with the might
We are the D-Man... D... Man... Knights
So learn our names just right and be a...

He-Man, She-man, Be-Man, C-Man... D-Man-Knight!!

It’s just we're D-Man... D...Man... Knights
The strongest in the world and the only ones with the might
We are the D-Man... D... Man... Knights
So learn our names just right and be a...

He-Man, She-man, OW!!

As the song neared its end, every single person at camp seemed to be enraptured, but not Lightning or the others, even Krysta and Spike remained unfazed.

The Dazzling's had seen enough, and motioned to their boys as they danced on the camp grounds with the rest of the campers.

The boys danced their way off into the darkness as the sun set, and the Dazzlings followed them, and no sooner had they gone did the campers break out into heated arguments again.

"Um... what was all that about?" said Applejack.

"I think that was just some kind of test, meant for us" said Artie.

"It was..." Lightning said "And now... they must know for sure that they can't affect us with their magic. That could be serious."

The evil gangs had retreated to the secluded area to discuss their next move.

"I was right..." said Aria "They are being protected by magic."

"I think we ALL could guess that by now." said Adagio.

"I didn't." said Sonata. She seemed a bit worried "If they're protected by magic-- what if they try and stop us?"

"Ssssstop usssss, them? Don't be sssssilly." hissed Scales.

"Even if they are protected, they can't possibly stand up to us." said Boomer.

Slick was deep in thought "One thing puzzles me though. Where the heck did those kids get magic to begin with?"

"There's only one explanation..." said Adagio "...It must be Equestrian magic. What else could stand up to our spells?"

Sonata and Aria agreed with her. "But how did they get it?" asked Aria.

"Never mind that..." said Adagio "Whether they have it or not, you heard the guys. I doubt whether that stupid mule, Celestia herself could stop us even if she were here."

Blaze took no notice of the current debate, and he checked his watch, and the energy-meter had gone well-past the halfway mark. "By this time tomorrow evening we shall have collected all that we need."

The others all liked the sound of that.

"Right after the battle of the bands." said Tempest "Maybe we'll ever get more than what we bargained for."

As they all continued to discuss, they had no idea they were bugged and being listened too by the gang as they huddled around Lightning's book, and they heard everything.

"So, that's what they're doing." said Dyno "It's really Ingenious."

My nodded. "Gather as many people in one place, and then sap the energy right of them."

"Well, now that we know all this, how do we stop it?" asked Fluttershy.

Nobody had any ideas, not even Lightning. They knew the energy was being harnessed, but didn't know where it was being stored, and the baddies hadn't let that slip yet.

"Maybe... we can fight them on their terms." said Sunset "You know; Fight music with music. I mean, if you think that's a good idea..."

Lightning's head perked up. "Yes...! That is a good idea!"

Krysta and Spike picked up on the idea at once, but others didn't understand much.

Lightning explained everything as best he could.

"Your powers seem to energize whenever you play music, sing or dance. Well that's the energy source we need to jump start things, but that's all... maybe we can counter the hypnotic waves the Sirens and the Demonites are casting with our own music."

Starla caught on. "We could do songs that give make people want to emit positive energy instead of negative."

Everyone jumped at the idea, and Sunset felt amazed that her idea really worked.

"Looks like the Rainbow Rocks really are the band to beat." said Applejack.

"Say, what about the group band we wanted to form." said Buddy Rose "We could sign up as two separate groups and double the amount of music to give."

Everyone jumped at that idea too.

"Lightning, why don't you join the group." suggested Starla.

"Me?" Lightning asked in near shock.

"Yeah, you should." said Krysta.

"You can sing and dance just like the others." added Spike.

The others added their sentiments as well, and reminded of Lightning the time he starred in their play "The Music Masters" which performed at Canterlot High two years ago.

"You were an astonishing performer by far.
A natural born superstar." said Rhymey

Lightning remembered all that, and how fun it was to be in a play.

"Come on, Lightning." Rainbow said "I promise, we'll give you equal rights."

"Pleeeeeease...!" Pinkie said as she fluttered her eyes as him.

With all that persuasion, Lightning couldn't be paid to refuse. "You got it!"

Everyone cheered and slapped high fives.

"Uh, there's still one thing though..." said Artie "We still haven't got a name for this group."

Everyone thought and thought, but they still drew the same blank as before. Even Lightning couldn't figure it out.

Krysta and Spike looked at each other and shook their heads.

Act 5: I Trust You

ACT FIVE

After it got dark, Councillor Celestia announced that the late night campfire party had begun. Campers were allowed to stay out late, until midnight the latest, near bonfires or just hanging out after dark.

If they chose to go to bed, they were allowed to.

Though, many of the bands preferred to practice rather than chill out, and you could bet there were small arguments, but they didn't last too long.

Flash Sentry decided to take a really long walk to cool his mind off.

Meanwhile, the Rainbow Rocks and the Starfleet gang were all huddled around their own campfire away from all the noise. They were all quietly roasting marshmallows and hotdogs on sticks, while still deciding a name for their big group.

They had to come up with a name by tomorrow afternoon and register their band group for the competition.

"Pinkie Pals?" suggested Pinkie

"Flower Power." said Buddy Rose.

"Nah, I say "Rainbow and the Cool Clouds." said Rainbow "...Anyone object?"

The only sound heard was the soft noise of the crickets and the fire.

"Rainbow Dash, we don't want a name that circles around only you." said Rarity.

"Well it's not like your ideas worked any better." snapped Rainbow.

"All right, that's enough!" said Lightning "We're not going to get anywhere by arguing."

The gang all agreed, and Lightning then noticed Starla was looking way up at the night sky. "Are you okay?" he asked her.

"Yeah, I just like to look up at the stars."

Lightning looked up at the stars with her. "I remember, you were always into astronomy, just like my Starla Shine..."

Hearing him mention his wife made Starla feel a little grim as she looked down from the skies, and it showed, and the others could sense there was going to be a little hurt feelings in a few seconds.

"Starla...?"

She looked away from him, feeling shy and embarrassed. "Lightning... I really like you. I always have since we met. You do know that right?"

He softly placed his hand on hers making her finally turn round to face.

"Starla, I... I like you too... but... well..."

"I know..." she said "You like me, but just not the same way."

Lightning wasn't going to forgive himself for what he was about to do, but it had to be done. "You know we can't ever be a thing."

Starla wiped a tear from her eye "I know... but..." she paused a minute. "If you weren't already married, and if you could choose... do you think, at least... maybe... we could have been?"

Lightning honestly didn't know how to answer that, and yet, it was almost as he both he and Starla, even the others could tell what the answer was.

"... I don't see why not." Lightning finally said.

Starla felt a little happy, and they both looked up at the stars again.

That's when Artie began to feel maybe he should confess to Sunset about his feelings for her. He even felt a nudge from Buddy Rose telling him to go for it, but again, he chickened out, much to everyone's frustration... except Sunset.

She didn't want to admit it, but she was already well aware of Artie's feelings, and she thought he was a really sweet guy too, but as everyone else knew, she was too worried and unsure if she was willing to give it an honest try, mostly due to her own distraught feelings of her past evil deeds.

"I hate to say it, but everyone's acting like a bunch of party-poopers here." said Pinkie.

The others ignored that statement, and then thought more of what to call their new band.

Lightning and Starla were still looking up at the stars, and everyone else looked up as well.

"Wow! They're so beautiful." said Fluttershy.

Rhymey held his girlfriend close and recited a small verse...

"The shimmering glow of the stars above,
They bring deep feelings of peace I have heard of.
As the night sails on, and it'll soon be gone
My feelings remain but for you, my love."

"Aww!" the others said, and watched as the couple shared a kiss.

Krysta wiped her eye with her wings "That was so pretty." she said.

"Yeah, where do you come up with this stuff?" asked Spike.

"Oh, it's nothing really, it's not hard, and it's really no real dread.
When I think of Fluttershy and I look at a Star, it just Pops into my head."

Lightning caught hold of those words deeply "Star... Pops..." he said aloud.

"Lightning?" Starla said "What did you say?"

He looked at her and replied "...Starpops."

The others all began to happen upon the same feeling for that word. "Starpops."

"That's it!" Buddy cried "It's perfect!"

The others all agreed. "We found our group name!" said Starla.

everyone agreed, and placed their hands on top of each other’s high over the fire and shouted "GO... STARPOPS!!"

"Now we can sign up for the contest tomorrow." Pinkie cheered as she bounced for joy.

"We'll show those monsters they can't beat us." said Rainbow.

The Twins and Sunset, however looked nervous, and gestured for everyone to cool it.

"What's got you guys in a knot?" asked Applejack, but then she and the others could see why...!

The D-Man-Knights, and the Dazzlings were all standing right near their area, and all of them had sinister looks on their faces.

"You know, it's really not nice to call other people monsters." Blaze said in a sarcastic, yet wicked tone.

Rainbow felt especially nervous. "Uh... well... you see I... uh...."

"Yeah, I'd be tongue-tied too if I were in your place." said Adagio.

"I bet you guys don't even have a song yet." added Aria.

The gang all gawked in realization. They had their name, but they hadn't come up with an official song yet; a very vital part to their plan.

"We'll take your ssssilence as a yesss!" hissed Scales. His hissing really creeped the gang out, especially Fluttershy.

Lightning stood tall and saw firmly but softly "We will have a song. Just you wait."

Blaze approached Lightning, almost in a threatening manner, and stared him dead in the eyes. Lightning could practically see the demonic evil behind those wicked pupils.

"You're quite the one with attitude." Blaze said "One would say that you're... different... from the others."

Lightning remained as solid as ice, and didn't even blink his eyes. "We'll be there, tomorrow." he said.

The other enemies snickered softly.

"Good luck. You will need it." said Blaze as he turned to leave as he silently muttered "Not that it'll do you any good anyway."

The evil gang had gone away, and Lightning clenched his fists angrily.

"What are we going to do?" asked Fluttershy.

"What can we do?" cried Rarity "How can we possibly come up with a new song by tomorrow night?"

"Even if we come up with something, we'll have to rehearse it all and get it right." said Buddy.

This made Lightning snap back into reality. "That's right!" he said as he sagged down onto his seat. "We can't just come up with any song. To counter the spell they've cast, we need to come up with something really positive, and heart-warming."

"I've written one..." Fluttershy said as he held up her notebook from her backpack "Maybe... if you'd like... we could do it?"

The gang looked over her song, and thought it was actually pretty good, at least something for the Rainbow Rocks to play.

"We still need another song..." said Dyno.

Myte nodded and added "One that the entire group can do together, in case the first song isn't enough."

"Something really heart-warming that it makes you want to burst out into joy." said Krysta.

"Yeah, but, what sort of song could that be?" Spike wondered aloud.

Applejack sighed "It's a dang pity Twilight Sparkle ain't here. She'd be able to come up with somethin' great I bet."

Hearing that, and remembering the lie he told about Twilight being sick made Lightning look a little down, as well as Krysta and Spike.

The others just assumed they were feeling bad, believing Twilight was really sick.

"I'm sure she'll get better soon." said Rarity.

"Of course she will." said Pinkie "There's no one like Twilight Sparkle. Well, except maybe the other one that we all knew."

She referred to the actual human Twilight Sparkle, whom Lightning remembered as well, and it only made him feel more down remembering the Twilight Sparkle he once knew.

Hours later, aboard the International Space Station. Celesto was all ready for bed, and strapping himself down so he wouldn't float about in the weightlessness.

He paused a minute and looked a picture, of he and Celestia at their wedding day, and what a beautiful bride she was. "Goodnight, darling." he whispered "I'll be home soon. I promise."

He then gazed out the view port at the Earth below.

Celestia was getting ready for bed herself, long after she ordered all the campers to adjourn to their bunks.

Though she was under the Demonites and Siren's curse, she still thought of her husband, and wondered if he was looking down at her from the stars. "Sleep tight, my love." she said softly.

Her younger sister, Luna felt sorry for her having to endure this long separation. "You must be brave, sister. He will be alright."

Her sister turned and smiled sadly. Then they each slipped into their respective beds and turned out the lights.

It was very quiet at the camp with everyone in bed. No one was allowed to leave their bunks and wander off after hours.

In one of the boy's bunks, Flash was tossing and turning in his sleep. He was having a nightmare. It was the same nightmare he had been having for the past two years!

There he was, in the dark, all alone, and then suddenly he was surrounded by ruins and scorched Earth everywhere. The entire island was one massive land of destruction and chaos.

He then saw himself carrying a diamond-studded sword, which he would drop in shock, and then he would notice his flesh was mutating-- changing into his original alien state-- and a voice was calling out to him "You cannot deny what you are. Do not reject your power!"

Flash would continue transforming, and then find himself acting evil and vile as he destroyed more lands, killing innocent beings, and one of them was Twilight!

She would beg him for mercy, he would then raise his sword ready for the kill... he would strike...!

...and then he would wake up in shock.

He felt hot and sweaty, and needed some air. So he left his bed and quietly, so as not to wake his fellow campers, he walked out onto the deck.

His head ached a little from the nightmare.

"Why does this keep happening to me?" he wondered silently.

For the past two years, he lived as an orphan at a shelter in town while going through high school-- Not remembering that his mother, the evil Empress Saphirra, Queen of the Crystallites was destroyed by Starfleet. At first he thought the nightmares were just silly. Now, the more they kept recurring, it was like something inside him was trying to tell him something...

...Something treacherous!

Sunset came along on her nightly rounds to make sure no one was sneaking off after dark. "Having another nightmare?" she asked.

Still under the evil spell, Flash acted rather coldly towards her "None of your business. What are you doing out here anyway?"

Sunset did her best to remain patient "I'm Junior Councillor, I'm finishing my rounds."

"Then go do them someplace else and leave me alone." he sneered at her.

Not wanting to cause trouble, or noise to disturb other campers, Sunset walked off.

Right next to Flash's bunk was a guest bunk where all the guests stayed overnight. It was pretty much like all the other bunks, with rows of beds, and yet Lightning Spike and Krysta were the only ones there.

Spike slept on of the other beds while Krysta slept on the pillow, but Lightning hadn't slept a wink and was standing at the window looking out at the darkness, still trying to come up with a song for the Starpops to sing at the contest the next day.

Krysta opened her eyes and saw him, and she sighed and fluttered over to the window. "You should get some sleep." she said softly, hoping to not wake Spike up.

"It's okay... I'm awake too." said Spike. He stretched out over the bed and yawned.

The others chuckled softly by how doggy like he was behaving.

Just then, there was a knock at the door, and Sunset just walked right in before they could answer, but it was her right as Junior Councillor anyway. "How come you guys are still up?"

"How can I sleep at a time like this?" said Lightning "This whole song thing is keeping me awake. Besides, I'm used to stuff like this back at United Equestria."

The friends all decided to go out to the deck for some air, to help them sleep better.

Flash could see them, and pretty much hear their words, but they didn't see or hear him.

"I'll bet it is hard for you..." said Sunset "Being a big commander, and having to look after so much. It must be nice that so many look up to you."

"Yeah, it is..." said Lightning "But most of the time... the work just never seems to end, and you hardly get enough rest, but you have to do it... especially when so many lives depend on you."

"I'm sorry."

"No, no, don't be. I've gotten the hang of it, but it sure took me some time. Just like it took you time to win everyone's respect back."

Sunset felt a little low "Not really everyone. There's still some out there who don't trust me, and they don't believe I've really reformed. Sometimes... I wonder if I really have."

"Of course you have." said Krysta.

"Yeah, I mean, we hardly remember the old you at all." added Spike.

She smiled softly, but her sadness resumed "It doesn't really change all that. I can never erase who I was, and all the trouble I caused. It still amazes me that you all were willing to forgive me, and accept me. Some people still think that I'm just acting, or that I'm going to... cause another disruption."

Tears of shame were starting to form in her eyes, and it really hurt Lightning to see her like this. "Someone once said to me... "Just because people expect something from you, doesn't mean it's guaranteed to happen."

"Twilight..." Sunset said, and she wiped away her tears. "That sure sounds like her, but people still act like it will happen. Some don't even bother to accept the change in things."

Lightning stood up and looked up at the stars. "Some changes are good. I know yours is... but that doesn't mean they're all good, especially for everyone." He let the grief from his heart do all the talking. "Some changes... they can change who you are, forever. How you think, how you feel, and how act towards other people and things. You try and replace all that you lost, but in the end you just can't, and deep down even though it's not your fault and you couldn't help what happened..." a small tear fell from his eye "...you still feel like it is."

Sunset began to sense the deep sadness in his words, and was beginning to see the truth. "Twilight Sparkle... she doesn't have a cold, does she? That's not why she didn't come...?"

Though it hurt her to say, Krysta felt the truth had to be told. "Twilight Sparkle has been dead for several months now."

Sunset felt her blood turn cold.

Over at his bunk, Flash heard it all, and his mouth slowly hung open in shock, and he suddenly slumped down onto the deck.

"I can't believe it!" Sunset cried softly.

"It's true." Spike said. "We just didn't have the heart to tell anyone of you because we didn't want you all to share our pain, especially right now."

Sunset was speechless.

"I remember it like it was yesterday..." Lightning said, and recapped the story...

"Queen Celestia was being targeted by an evil assassin named Raven, who sought to kill her in act of revenge for her husband. Twilight went after her, though she had been warned many times not to; we didn't know how powerful she really was, and she proved to be much too strong to handle. I tried to get to her to stop but she wouldn't listen or let me! She wanted to protect Celestia, and defend her honour, and she just kept pushing me away... that's when I saw it happen! Raven struck her down without mercy, right before my eyes as a warning to others who got in her way...

...and Twilight was gone. She just died in my arms, and since then not a day or night has gone by that I don't think about it."

Sunset held her hand over me mouth. Her eyes were wide and had tears falling out.

Spike felt so low that his pointed ears sagged down, and he sighed sadly as a tear fell from his eye. "I wouldn't be the dragon, I am today if it wasn't for her... or in this case, a dog."

"We came here because we have as much experience of this world as Twilight did." said Krysta.

Sunset could still hardly believe it "Twilight..." she peeped "She helped me see the error of my ways. She was the first to accept me when I wanted to change. I owed her so much."

"Well, now that you know..." Lightning said "We don't have to tell you to keep this to yourself. If the others find out, they'll be disheartened, and it'll make things hard for them to concentrate."

Sunset agreed.

"And you especially let Flash hear about this." said Krysta "All this shock and sadness could reawaken his alien powers, and then we'd be in worse trouble."

Unbeknownst to them, Flash had heard everything. It was shocking enough to learn the truth about Lightning Krysta and Spike, and heartbreaking to learn that his sweet Twilight Sparkle was dead, but now...!

"Alien? Me?"

All this shock and mixture of feelings were indeed making his memories return. He was indeed a Crystallite, the spawn of Empress Sapphira. He once was extremely wicked, and tried to help his evil mother take over the world. Were it not for Lightning's interference, they would have.

He shook his head trying to deny it, and went back inside, back to bed, hoping to shrug it all off.

"I'm really glad you guys came now." said Sunset.

"We are too." said Spike.

Krysta nodded, and Lightning was especially pleased with Sunset for showing her redemption, and that she was like him in some ways.

"I hope I can learn to be brave and strong like all of you someday." Sunset said.

Lightning smiled and said "I think you're already braver than you think you are."

Sunset smiled, and then she yawned. It was very late, and her shift was over. "I better get to bed, and so should you guys."

The friends agreed, and bid each other good night. "Lightning...?"

"Yes...?"

"Thanks... for opening up to me."

He smiled at her "You're alright Sunset Shimmer, and thank you for understanding."

Then he walked back inside.

"Gosh, she really is nice." said Spike.

"Had it in her all the time." added Krysta.

Lightning continued to watch from the window as Sunset walked back towards the main building where her quarters were. He was very sleepy, but in his mind, he began to sing.

(This song below, in the same pitch as the one above)

Sunset, you and I are quite a pair
We both helped each other clear the air.
It feels so strange and hard like stone
You feel you're on your own
But it doesn't have to be
Because you can trust me.
(You can trust me)

Sunset, you've come a very hardened way
(Hardened Way)
It makes you feel sad and scared everyday
(Everyday)
When you shed a single tear
and you're all fraught with fear
You don't have to be in woe
There's good in you, I know
(There's in you I know)

There was a time you were bad as can be
Now it's past and I see you, as you see me
There was a time you were bad as can be
Now it's past and I see you, as you see me

Sunset, some people just don't get you
They don't know you as much as I do
You have purified your soul
You're really on a roll
The best you'll all yet
You're my friend, Sunset
(My friend)
Sunset
(My friend)
Sunset

With such positive and warming thoughts in his mind, Lightning lay down quietly, and fell asleep.

However, unbeknownst to him, and everyone else, someone else had been watching and overheard everything that was said in the conversation...

...Slick!

He had slipped like the sludge he was, out of his special bunk that he shared with the others, and slithered his way back, totally unseen, and told the others everything.

"It's all exactly as I heard it." he said.

"Hmm... Well, that certainly explains a lot." said Blaze.

"I knew it!" snapped Adagio "It is Equestria magic, or rather a new form of it."

The others, however, seemed more interested about the part of Flash being revealed to be an alien demon.

"Perhapssss, we could use thissss to our advantage?" suggested Scales.

"Yeah..." said Boomer "If we can awaken his powers, maybe we can win him over to our side, for some extra power."

"Ooh... I like that idea." said Aria.

"I'm a little scared." cried Sonata.

The other ignored her.

"We won't even have to lift a finger to pull off such an act." said Blaze.

"We won't?" asked Tempest.

"The spell and all the negativity will do it for us."

"And what about those troublemakers?" Tempest asked again.

"They are still of little concern. Even if by some stroke of luck they manage to pull their scheme of, it will already be too late, for them."

Adagio grinned wickedly "So... we wait."

Blaze nodded "And then... we take, and then DESTROY, and all will as good as gone."

They all shared an evil laugh.

Act 6: Falling to Pieces

ACT SIX

The next morning, aboard the space station...

Celesto and his crew had been up, and were preparing for another spacewalk, to make some new instalments on the hubs and antennas outside. It was the last day of their mission before they would be heading back to Earth the next day... a day Celesto had been waiting almost impatiently for. He had not been pleased with himself since he had agreed to come out of retirement and return to the station.

What he wouldn't give that moment to be back home with his wife, Celestia, and help more kids in need as he preferred to do.

His crewmates noted his rather silent and downhearted behaviour.

"Sir?" said an astronaut named Jenkins "Are you alright?"

"What's that...?" Celesto said.

"You've been awfully quiet ever since you got up here."

A female astronaut, Kendal, gave her sympathy "It's alright, sir, we understand... well, most of us do." she glared at Jenkins.

Celesto smiled sadly and nodded bravely. "Right, let's get started. The sooner we finish this job, the quicker I can get out of here."

...

things didn't exactly go smooth. The gang had already registered for the Battle of the Bands.

"That's not fair!" snarled one of the campers.

"Yeah, you can't sign up twice!" growled another.

Vice Councillor Luna went over the rules drawn up for the contest. "Unfortunately, there is no rule that forbids it. The Rainbows have signed up as one band, and then signed up again with the Starpops as their musical background. They qualify."

Now all the rivalling bands were madder than ever, and the arguments heated up double-time!

Lightning and Krysta didn't like this one bit.

"If this keeps up, I don't know what's going to happen." Lightning said "I mean other than the obvious."

Krysta shuddered and her feathers fluffed up. "You don't have to tell me that twice."

Just then, Spike and Sunset dashed up to them. "Lightning!" cried Spike "You better come quick."

"It's the band, they're going crazy!" added Sunset

Lightning and Krysta gawked at each other and shock and dashed off with the others.

When they got to the music hall where the group always practiced, it really was chaos. They Rainbows were trying to rehearse some of their own songs, but Rainbow was trying to show off by adding extra guitar solos for herself.

"Hey, I gotta show off my mad skills." she argued.

"The only thing you're showing' is just how big your ego is." protested Applejack.

This didn't help the Starpops at all, they were still trying to come up with a song and dance routine for their second number.

"Oh , no puedo soportarlo más!-- Oh, I can't take it anymore! Will you quiet down?!" shouted Dyno.

"Si! How are we supposed to concentrate while you're all shouting like that?" added Myte.

Starla quietly and softly tried to get everyone's attention "Excuse me?"

"Then go concentrate someplace else!" snarled Rainbow.

"We're supposed to be a full group here!" growled Buddy Rose.

Starla tried to speak up again "Pardon me, but I have something..."

"Perhaps we should take a break." said Rarity, and she pulled out a rack of clothes hanging it "That will give us time to sample the wonderful outfits I had made for our groups."

A lot of the others sighed irritably "We're supposed to be trying to save the world. Not worrying about our fashion senses." said Arte.

Rarity felt most insulted. "Ah! When it comes to fashion sense, no other is more important. We want to look our best, don't we?"

"She's just trying to make this fun." said Pinkie "Isn't that the whole point to being in a band?"

Fluttershy and Rhymey said nothing, not wanting to argue with each other, but all this arguing was really starting to get out of hand.

"I have something to say!" shouted Starla, but still everyone continued to ignore her.

Shouting here, shouting there, all the arguments shouting back and forth.

Sunset blew her whistle loud getting them all to stop.

"Thank you." Lightning said to her.

She nodded once.

"Is this the kind of group we're supposed to all be a-part of?" Lightning scorned "Well, I'm surprised at all of you. You'd think the evil spell was starting to get to you all."

"Right!" snarled Krysta and Spike.

The others felt really ashamed, and Rhymey finally spoke up...

"We have precious little time to waste.
If we're going to perform, we must make haste."

Everyone all agreed, and all extended apologies to one-another.

"But we still don't have a song for the Starpops." said Fluttershy "How can we come up with one by the time of the contest?"

Starla completely lost patience and shouted "...I ALREADY HAVE ONE!!"

At that moment, every eye in the room was facing her. She then held up a small clipping of papers "I came up with this last night-- Lyrics, melodies, dance, all of it."

Lightning looked at it, and everyone else looked at it with her. "Starla..." Lightning said "This is... amazing!"

"Astonishing." added Rarity.

"Excelente!" exclaimed the twins.

This was just the number they all needed to bring out the positive energy in the people, and smite the baddies with a tremendous blow.

"Dang it, girl. How did you come up with all this in just one night?" asked Applejack.

"Well, actually I was planning it out a while back." said Starla "I've had it in my head for a long time, but I just never wrote it out."

"Well, why didn't you tell us before?" Rainbow asked irrationally.

Everyone gave her a strict look telling her to calm down.

"Sorry."

Starla blushed and twiddled her fingers. "Well... actually... I was thinking of Lightning the whole time making it."

"Oh...?" Lightning said while blushing softly.

Starla felt really embarrassed now and turned away. "I didn't want write it out, because it would remind me too much of... You know..."

A brief moment of silence followed.

"Starla... I..."

Starla managed to finally shrug off her feelings and turned bravely to face the others. "Ah, it's okay. I thought we could all use it for our number tonight."

"Well, what are we waiting for?!" Pinkie cheered.

"Yeah, let's jam!" said Buddy.

Everyone else cheered.

Sunset smiled and then turned to leave back on her shift so the band could practice. This gave Artie an idea for the Rainbow Rocks, and he whispered something to them, which they all seemed to like, but would save it a surprise.

*Montage*

All the rest of that day, the Rainbows and the Starpops rehearsed their songs and dances.

Meanwhile the Demonites and the Sirens were already preparing for the night themselves.

The sirens were going around camp singing their hypnotic spell, to heat up the tension and harness more negative energy.

They enjoyed seeing all the bands fighting one another, it made the energy meter on Blaze's watch climb higher than ever.

"We've just about got all that we require." he said with a sinister grin.

"I hope so..." said Adagio. She and the girls checked their pendants, which were fading slightly "Our magic is reaching critical levels." said Aria.

"If we don't get an energy boost soon, we've had it." said Sonata.

"Don't worry." said Slick "Thanks to the energy we've gathered under the stage, everything is all going to plan."

"Yesss..." hissed Scales "It doesn't even matter if we win or lose this battle of the bands. In the end we will win everything."

Just then, Tempest and Boomer had returned from their pre-assigned task, to plant energy spikes and curse the air all around the stage with high levels of the spell.

"You two sure took your sweet time." said Adagio.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" sneered Boomer.

"Yeah!" added Tempest "Where were you while we were setting up the key elements for our plans?"

"We were actually something useful, like getting more energy which we need!" sneered Aria.

Blaze felt his fiery hair wanting to ignite on his head, which would blow his cover. "Ugh! Will you knock it off?!" he growled "If any of you snarl, sneer, or so much as even look at one another the wrong way again, I will personally fire you all... TO THE MOON!! Everyone clear...?!"

All the others nodded frightfully.

Blaze exhaled deeply trying to keep cool, but there was something he saw down below that did amuse him...

Flash Sentry, he looked as if he was having trouble playing his guitar properly, and kept on grasping his head in pain.

He was still struggling with himself, trying to deny what he had found out, and the fact that his memories were playing loud and strong in his head, as if his mind was trying to force him to resume his former ways.

Flash was so frustrated, that he decided to walk off to try and clear his mind.

Blaze couldn't help but snicker at Flash and silently muttered "You're fighting a losing battle, boy. You can't deny your true self much longer."

He was speaking far too softly to be heard by the bugger in Aria's hair, but Lightning's book magically captured everything else.

"That's just what I needed to know." he said to himself, and he just had to tell the others. "Who knows, maybe we won't have to do the songs after all."

He was so lost in his thoughts that he bumped right into Flash by mistake. The two boys fell down.

"Sorry, Flash." Lightning said, but Flash seemed to act rather distant and almost fearful of Lightning, but more, almost angry. "You keep away from me!"

"Huh?"

"Don't give me that! I don't believe your lies, I won't believe it! Twilight Sparkle can't be dead."

Lightning felt his heart skip a beat, at the very mention of Twilight's told him that somehow Flash had heard him talking to Sunset the other night.

Flash clenched his fists angrily, and Lightning wasn't sure but he could swear Flash's skin tone was starting to go pale a little, almost the same color as his old Crystallite form.

"Oh, no...!!" Lightning peeped softly.

Flash managed to shrug it off. "Just keep away from me!" and then he stormed off.

Lightning felt the red alarm sirens going off in his mind, but how could he tell the others? If he did he would have to confess that Twilight was dead, which, he feared, would completely devastate the others, and throw them off their game for the contest.

"What am I going to do?"

One thing he knew he could do was tell Sunset, Spike and Krysta, in private, and were they ever shocked.

"He's what?!" they all snapped.

"I'm positive. I know what I saw, and it's just as I told you. Flash heard us talking last night, and his alien powers are starting to awaken!"

"Not good! This is not good!" cried Spike.

All four of them then feared the same thing; the contest that night was bound to be stressful, and the Dazzling's spell combined with the D-Man-Knights would really make it bad. There was a very high chance of Flash full regaining his power.

"Lightning, we have to tell the others." said Sunset.

"Yes, but... well..."

The others were fully aware of his worries of how the others would feel upon hearing of Twilight's tragic death. "I can't just tell them she's dead! The last thing we need right now is for them to lose their spark and get all distraught and everything."

Krysta shook her head. "The last thing we really need right now is for Flash to regain his powers, and then unprepared for an upcoming assault worse than the one we already know is coming."

Sunset agreed "Lightning, you were able to tell me, and now you have to tell the others. It's all that important."

Lightning felt really frustrated, but he realized they were right. Even he himself didn't like lying to his friends, even if they were white ones.

"Okay, I'll tell them." he said.

He got up and opened the door to the cabin, only to find his friends were all there, and they all had deeply concerned, and somewhat sad expressions on their faces.

"I... guess you all heard?" Lightning asked, feeling embarrassed.

The gang was on their way to the bunk to call Lightning over for another rehearsal, and they were about to knock when they could hear him and the others conversing.

"She's dead?" Fluttershy squeaked softly.

Lightning felt very low, and hung his head down "Yes... it's true."

The other three nodded sadly.

"Oh, my..." Rarity cried as she held her hands to her mouth.

Pinkie Pie fell onto her bottom in shock, and she cried softly.

The Starfleet gang, though they didn't know that Twilight Sparkle very well, they all felt bad too. They did see what she was capable of when she came to Canterlot High and helped Sunset.

Now Lightning felt really bad, for Twilight, and for lying. "I'm sorry I lied..." he said.

Starla approached him and put her hand on his shoulder and smiled sadly "It's alright... we know why you did, now at least."

Everyone else nodded in respect for Lightning, and he felt touched.

Still, despite the sadness everyone was feeling, they knew they couldn't let it get to them now, especially as Lightning remembered to tell them all what else he had learned, of what the Demonites and the Sirens were up to.

“So the energy is being harnessed under the stage stetting.” said Buddy.

“So what do we do?” asked Artie.

Suddenly, Applejack remembered “I’m not sure, but I swear a saw somethin’ mighty strange just near the stage area. It looked like, some sorta black spike.”

“All right… this is what we do then.” said Lightning “We’ll split up into two teams. Some of you will check out beneath the stage, the rest of you come with me to look at the spike.”

The teams agreed and split into two.

Lightning lead his team of the Starfleet gang, with Spike.

Sunset would lead the girls and take Krysta with them to examine under the stage.

The gang would keep in touch via Rainbow and Starla’s cellphones.

It didn’t take Lightning’s group long to find the spike that was wedged deep into the ground behind the stage, and nobody had to have super powers to see that it was indeed absorbing energy emitting from all the people arguing at camp.

“These things must be set up all over the camp ground.
They’ll absorb all the energy from everyone around.” said Rhymey

“Well, come on… let’s get it out.” Spike said, but Lightning immediately halted him shouting “Wait…!”

Spike stopped dead where he was.

Lightning picked up a small stone on the ground. “I wonder…”

The others wondered what he was wondering, and then watched as he pitched the stone at the spike. BOOM!! It just exploded in a small blast.

“WHOA!!” The others all cried.

Everyone else at camp heard the bang, but they could see nothing wrong, so they ignored it.

“Just as I thought…” said Lightning “It’s not just energy absorbing, it’s highly energized. If Spike had touched it, he’d have been blown into ash just like the stone.”

Spike felt really silly “I almost ran right into it!”

“If only we had our powers, we could probably blast it out.” said Dyno.

“But we don’t…” added Myte “And don’t forget, the air has cursed too. There’s nothing we can do about that.”

Starla set her phone on speaker “Rainbow, how are you guys holding out? Find anything?”

Sunset had a key to the room where all the props were kept beneath the stage, as it was one of her duties to make sure the stage was safe, above and below.

Almost instantly did they find what they were looking for; there in the center of everything, was a large glowing orb of a special glass containing all the powerful negative energy. It didn’t seem to be shielded by any force-field.

It sparked and pulsated with nasty jolts, they made Fluttershy and Rarity jump. Krysta shuddered. “And I just had my feathers fluffed!” she groaned.

Sunset hated the sight of this and thought of all the innocent beings those monsters had tormented.

She picked up a baseball bat that was near here. “This ends now…!”

“Sunset, wait!” Lightning shouted over the phone, but Sunset had already swung hard against the glass.

BONG!!!

Sunset recoiled and was vibrating from the hit. She was fine, but she and the others were all shocked! The bat had a huge crease in it, but the glass around the energy wasn’t even scratched.

“Maybe you didn’t hit it hard enough.” said Pinkie.

Sunset felt insulted. “I nearly broke this bat!”

Rainbow wasn’t willing to give in. “Give me that!” she snapped as she snatched the bat, and she went at the glass with everything she had. She was a regular mad girl. She kept batting, and swinging, and yelling like a wild-animal.

Finally, the bat was all smashed up. Rainbow was exhausted, and still the glass had not a mark on it.

“It’s no good, we can’t break it.” said Applejack.

“You think!” panted Rainbow.

“What can we do?” cried Fluttershy.

All that energy stored in the glass, and more coming in by the second. The Demonites and the Sirens were planning to absorb the power that very night after the contest; then they would all get really strong!

Lightning then realized and remembered that the air was cursed with Tempest’s magic, as well as Boomer’s Spikes. Both were energy absorbing forces and would take the energy the people emitted no matter what.

“Then there’s only one way…” Lightning said “…We’ll have to corrupt the energy.”

“Corrupt it?” asked Artie.

“More like purify it.” said Lightning “Then they won’t be able to absorb it. They can’t stand positive energy, remember.”

He then huddled everyone close and whispered his idea to them, and didn’t speak, but texted Rainbow’s phone the plan.

“You guys really think that’ll work?” asked Rainbow.

“I don’t see why it shouldn’t.” said Spike “Even Twilight showed me things like this when practicing spells.”

With that settled, everyone was in agreement. Tonight they would play and sing, for the big top!

Act 7: A Musical Battle

ACT SEVEN

That night, Celesto and his team had been working hard on the station, inside and outside, and were not nearing completion of their work.

Celesto himself had gone away from the station to inspect and adjust the computer chips of a nearby satellite that orbited near the station, and he was tethered down tight so he wouldn’t float away.

As he worked, he paused a moment, and felt a deep sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach; a feeling that only came when he felt something was really wrong somewhere, or that something bad was about to happen.

He was so lost in his worries, that his tether line gave a small snapping jerk, and he dropped a spanner he was hold. “Ah, nuts!” he groaned as he watched the little wench tumble and fall down to Earth below.

“Hey, Celesto…” Jenkins called over the radio “You okay? What’s the matter?”

“Oh, everything’s fine… I just lost a spanner, that’s all. Let’s get back to work.”

All the astronauts did as they were told and resumed work, but Celesto still felt something wasn’t right, as his spanner bellow burned up in the atmosphere…

…making a shoot star effect everyone at camp could see, but then Councillor Celestia cleared her throat as she stood on the stage, capture everyone’s attention.

“Welcome campers, to the very first Battle of the Bands here at Star Camp. I think I can safely speak on everyone’s behalf by saying, this truly shall be an event to remember.”

The campers all cheered and hooted with joy, while the Demonites and the Sirens snickered softly. “An event to remember…” Blaze muttered softly “You don’t know how right you are.”

“Keep in mind though…” said Vice Councillor Luna “As this is a contest, we can only choose one team to be the big winner; only one!”

The campers sneer and scorn at one another again, which caused their negative energies to emit stronger than ever, and be absorbed into the glass orb under the stage.

The Sirens absorbed some of it to keep their own powers in check, and their gems were shimmering brightly. “Can you feel it girls?” said Adagio “I haven’t felt this full in a long time.”

The three girls snickered, but the boys weren’t amused.

“We only let you do this to help out with the contest.” said Boomer “Don’t let it go to your heads.”

“We’re not trying to win some silly contest here.” Slick reminded them “We got other plans.”

The other Demonites all agreed.

“Whatever.” said Aria “You’ve only reminded us a billion times.”

“Now that will do…” said Blaze “Save your voices for the performances.”

From afar, the Rainbows and the Starpops glared at evil groups. “Whether or not the win the contest, I’m sure they’re going to make their moves after us.” said Lightning.

The last four were in the following order; the Dazzlings, the Rianbow Rocks, the D-Man-Knights, and finally the Starpops.

“What if it’s already too late by then?” Starla wondered aloud.

This was one thing that whole group was fretting over; even Lightning wasn’t sure about this, he was actually gambling on a belief that if the Demonites were as greedy as he thought they were, they wouldn’t make their move until all the bands had gone, so they could absorb as much energy as they possibly could.

“Oh, I almost forgot…” Rarity said, and she pulled out a long rack of costumes she had quickly made that afternoon, for the whole gang to wear.

“How did you do this so quickly?” asked Buddy.

“Well, I always was good with a sewing machine.” Rarity gloated.

After changing, everyone looked fabulous.

All the Starpops wore track pants with matching tank tops and cool rhinestone studded vests. Each was their own respective colors.

Starla: Pink

Buddy: Red

Artie: Orange

Rhymey: Yellow

The Twins: Brown

As for Lightning, his track suit was white, but his vest was gold coloured, like a born head singer would look like; different from the rest.

As for the Rainbows, they looked awesome in their outfits. All the colors mixing together in near psychedelic waves, like the rainbows they were made to represent.

“Wow, you all look fantastic.” said Sunset, but then she noticed there was one costume left on the rack, but everyone else was already dressed. “Who’s that one for?”

The girls all giggled cheekily, and the Starpops snickered softly.

“What’s going on?” asked Sunset.

“It’s for you, silly.” said Pinkie.

“What? Me?” Sunset felt very surprised “But I’m not in either of the groups.”

“Sure you are…” said Rainbow “You’re our special lead singer for the Rainbow Rocks. It was actually Artie’s idea though.”

Artie felt a little embarrassed and blushed softly, but he nodded and admitted “You’ve heard us rehearsing, and you know the words. Besides, this could be a real sporting chance for you to get on people’s good sides, by singing with us… and… well… you do have a pretty voice.”

Sunset’s checks turned bright red.

All the others nodded in agreement, and as hesitant as she was, she took her costume and disappeared behind the bushes to change out of her councillor uniform, then came again fully dressed in her costume, which was pretty much her normal everyday outfit, but without her jacket.

“Oh, darling, you look simply divine!” cried Rarity.

“Muy encantadora. -- Very Lovely.” said the Twins.

Artie was heart strung and how lovely she looked, and almost fell into one of those soft and blurry dazes. “Whoa…”

Some of the others couldn’t but giggle at how cute Artie looked the way he was acting. He even snapped a picture of Sunset with his phone which he intended to make into a full-sized painting later…

…if there was a later!

Then, it was show time!

Many bands went all out with the best they had, among them were Trixie… The Crusaders… Even Snails and Snips with their own duo band singing “Camptown Races” they didn’t get a very positive applause though.

Some bands were beat-box rapping; others were just playing musical numbers with simple instruments. They weren’t too bad, but not the favourites of all.

Then Flash’s group went up, but when the band started playing, Flash didn’t strum a single note on his guitar. He was still struggling madly trying to suppress his powers; this resulted in the group’s forfeiting the contest.

The other band members were furious with him.

“What’s your problem, guy?”

“We were counting on you!”

Flash took no notice of them and stormed off, still holding his aching head, much to Blaze’s delight “It won’t be long now.” he hissed softly.

Then, The Dazzlings were up…

“Good luck, kids!” Adagio mocked as she and her friends took the stage.

“Yeah, you’ll need it.” hissed Sonata. Aria gave her a small nudge.

“Ow!”

Then, they sang…

Of course, thanks to the spell, everyone cheered and screamed with joy for the “Lovely Song” they heard, even Celestia and Luna were so deeply entranced by the magic.

Adagio laughed softly but wickedly as the song ended.

As for Blaze, he checked the meter on his watch “Perfect…” he cried with Glee “Just one more little burst of energy. That’s all we need.”

His comrades snickered wickedly. After their turn they planned to, literally, bring down the house, but they would have to wait, as the Rainbow Rocks were on now.

“Before we begin…” Rainbow Dash announced “We’d like you all to welcome someone very special here; our guest singer and the camp Junior Councillor: Sunset Shimmer!”

The spotlight shone on her, and though she was nervous, she held her mic bravely and smiled to the crowds, though they seemed less than enthusiastic to see her, because of the spell, she and the others didn’t let it get to them.

“Let’s rock!” shouted Sunset, and they all began to play Fluttershy’s song

Sunset sang beautifully during her parts, the Starpops were very pleased as they watched from afar. Artie stood with his eyes half open and stars twinkling in his eyes. “This settles…” he said to himself “…I’m going to go for it.”

As the song played, the campers began to snap out of their trance. At first they felt funny, but began to get deeply into the song.

“What is thissss?” hissed Scales

“The spell is weakening!” cried Tempest.

As the song continued, the girls began to transform as their wings and pony ears and tails grew out, and the crowds began to cheer with joy and happiness as the pure energy began to flow.

“Energy?!” cried Boomer “Pure… positive energy?! No…!”

His spikes and the spell Tempest had cursed the air with were already absorbing the energy being emitted, which was contaminating the negative energy under the stage.

Blaze checked the meter, which was already beginning to drop as the energy became more corrupted by the second. “No, not when we were so close!”

“Hold on…” said Slick “Remember, we still haven’t gone up there yet. We can still save the energy by re-infecting it.”

“Right… standby.” said Blaze.

The song ended, and everyone cheered and applauded loud and strong for the Rainbows, and the girls on stage jumped for joy and cheered like crazy, even the rivalling bands had to cheer for them.

Flash heard everything from afar, and he felt his headaches getting better. “Well, what d’ya know about that.” He said, and he applauded along with everyone else.

The Starpops were, by far, the most impressed as they cheered and hooted with so much joy, you’d think they never knew how not to.

The Rainbows came down from the stage and regrouped with their friends, all of them jumping for joy, hugging and complimenting on what a great performance that was.

“I can’t believe everyone really loved my song.” said Fluttershy.

Rhymey held her hands together in his and said…

“I knew your hard work and faith would pull through.
My dear Fluttershy, I am proud of you.”

She smiled, blushed, and tears rolled down her cheek. In gratitude she swung him round, dipped him back and kissed him hard!

“Aw!” the others all exclaimed.

Suddenly, all the lights on the stage went dark as the next group prepared to perform.

First there was a big intro theme…

And one-by-one, each of the boys leapt out onto the stage and did a wicked dance pose and shouted out their names, as bright coloured flashes flared behind them.

“Slick…!!”

“Boomer…!!”

“Tempest…!!”

“Ssssscales…!!”

“Blaze…!!”

The spell was already starting to take effect again, especially thanks to the Dazzlings using their magic to intensify things. The people gazed up at the stage at the boys and began to cheer like crazy… due to the spell.

“WE ARE… THE D-MAN-KNIGHTS…!!”

Blaze use his powers to simulate powerful, but harmless illusions of flames as the boys stood altogether in a group and the crowds went wild.

“Oh, no… I don’t like this.” said Lightning.

The others felt the same, and at that moment, the song began.

(Sung to Lady Gaga's POKER FACE

[Blaze]

We feel the power starts to course right through our veins

[Scales]

The light will perish as only the evil reigns

[Tempest]

Defiance ain’t no option, baby, let that stick into your head

[Boomer]

You have a choice to surrender, or you’ll end up real dead!

[ALL]

Whoa-ooo-aaaa-ooh!

[Slick]

The sound is overflowin’ and our powers are sure growin’

[ALL]

Whoa-ooo-aaaa-ooh!

[Slick]

The music now entrances as we take our rightful stances

[Blaze/others]

Can’t defy
Can’t defy
The magic music of the Demonites

De De De Demonites
De De Demonites

The gang didn’t like this one bit as they could see the negative energy starting to flow as the song continued.

[Blaze]

You hear the music as is transfixes your mind

[Scales]

And soon your world’s most precious times will be all left behind

[Tempest]

We Demonites are the high and mighty overlords of all

[Boomer]

We’ll wipe out humans, conquer Earth, and then we’ll have a ball

[ALL]

Whoa-ooo-aaaa-ooh!

[Slick]

The energy is strong and vicious, and it’s perfectly bodacious

[ALL]

Whoa-ooo-aaaa-ooh!

[Slick]

Revenge is sweeter than the sweet of chocolate you eat

[Blaze/others]

Can’t defy
Can’t defy
The magic music of the Demonites

De De De Demonites
De De Demonites

The crowds were cheering loudly and wonderfully for the boys, because of the spell, and more of their energy was being absorbed.

“This is bad!” said Buddy Rose “At this rate we won’t have time to perform.”

“What can we do? What can we do? WHAT CAN WE DO?!” cried Pinkie.

Lightning came along carrying extra huge speakers and equipment in his arms-- his super strength made it look so easy “The only thing we can do…” he said as he put everything down and set up “We’re going on right now! It’s our only shot to really dispel the magic and re-contaminate the energy before they absorb it.”

With that agreed, and time running short, they all set up as quick as they could.

[Blaze]

The sing is nearly through, and now the time is near

[Scales]

We demons will rule a world with darkness, hate and fear

[Tempest]

No one will ever stop us cause’ the just lack the right stuff

[Boomer]

You’ll find that when it comes to us, that we are all real tough

[ALL]

Whoa-ooo-aaaa-ooh!

[Slick]

The energy has reached its peak, just in time for our winning-streak

[ALL]

Whoa-ooo-aaaa-ooh!

[Slick]

The song is nearly done, and we’ll start the real fun.

[Blaze/others]

Can’t defy
Can’t defy
The magic music of the Demonites

De De De Demonites
De De Demonites

“Okay… ready…?” said Lightning. Everyone nodded and stood ready for action. “Let’s do it.”

The band started to play…

The boys stopped singing when they heard the music, and when the people in the audience turned to face East… as the sound of the music counteracted the spell.

The first light shone on Starla, as she shook her head, waving her hair loosely…

[Starla]

One day I thought of us
and my heart began to whirl
felt like I was floating on a cloud.

Then Lightning appeared in a second light, and joined Starla by her side.

[Lightning]

I feel the love is real
as such I can’t conceal
so I’ll voice it out strong and loud

[Both]

(Oooooh-ooo-ooo-ooooh)

But can I show it,
My feelings deep and true
Gotta let my heart roam free

(Oooooh-ooo-ooo-ooooh)

No other way feels right
I know this isn’t wrong
I’ll voice out so musically (Musically-Musically)

[ALL]

Just know
Love is in my music
It’s real
The lyrics of the heart and soul
Just know
Love is in my music
Baby show the magic
The music is only for you

The crowds began to cheer, as the seven singers all began to dance around like professional pop stars that they were acting like, and the Rainbows played the music solo.

As the cheering got louder, the people’s pure energy began to flow stronger than ever, much to the baddies chagrin. Already the energy down below was too pure for them to absorb.

However, Blaze then signalled for the boys to slip off with him into the shadows for a secret plot not even the Dazzlings were aware of.

[Lightning]

The mix is playing cool
Givin’ my heart its fuel
It’s a sign that’s sent from a star

[Starla]

The love flows through my ear
I’ve got nothin’ to fear
We both know it’s just as real as we are.

[Both]

(Oooooh-ooo-ooo-ooooh)

Let my voice flight
Let us both do what is right
Gotta keep the magic so strong

(Oooooh-ooo-ooo-ooooh)

As we stand side-by-side
We won’t let the feeling hide
The love I feel is here in this Song (Song-Song-Song)

[ALL]

Just know
Love is in my music
It’s real
The lyrics of the heart and soul
Just know
Love is in my music
Baby show the magic
The music is only for you

The magic was starting to flow brighter than ever as everyone; even Lightning seemed to don wings, tails, pony ears and even horns for some.

The Sirens watched from behind the stage.

“They’re ruining everything!” growled Adagio.

“What are we going to do?” cried Sonata.

“I say we give them a song they’ll never forget!” said Aria, and her friends agreed, but just as they prepared to unleash their magic.

Krysta swopped down from a tree, and swiped each of their red gems from their necks. “Hey!” snapped Sonata.

Krysta then dropped the jewels into Sunset’s hands. She had slipped away while the group performed, having the idea how to stop the Sirens from making a counter spell. “Concert’s over girls.” she said, and the Sirens watched as she pitched their gems straight towards where the Starpops were just finishing their song, and the gems disintegrated in the waves of magic coming from the music.

With the destruction of the gems, the spell was broken entirely, and the audience begun to sing along with the Starpops, even Flash who felt much better with the spell gone.

Just know
Love is in my music
It’s real
the lyrics of the heart and soul
Just know
Love is in my music
Baby show the magic
the music is only for you

The song was through, and the whole group stood together in the spotlight as the crowd thundered with extreme applause. Spike even howled cheerfully.

Krysta and Sunset cheered as well, but all the others could do was just smile and take a well-deserved bow.

Act 8: Hidden Skills

ACT EIGHT

The Dazzlings were so outraged, that they took the stage and tried to sing their spell back into effect, but not only did the spell not work, their voices sounded awful…! The crowds booed and hissed.

“Ha! I guess without their gems, their magic is useless.” said Lightning.

“They should’ve taken music lessons.” joked Rainbow.

Suddenly, the skies grew darker as red and black clouds started to form. “What’s going on?” cried Celestia, and then she and everyone else heard the sound of snickering coming from the stage.

There, stood Blaze, and his comrades, all five of their bodies were glowing brightly as Blaze said “What’s going on is exactly what we sang about. The real show is about to begin!”

Then, their bodies glowed brighter than ever as they shed their human disguises, and reverted to their true demonic forms.

Everyone screamed in fright at the sight of the wicked monsters.

Fluttershy fainted in fear, but only briefly, but everyone was most confused.

“How can this be?” cried Dyno.

“I thought they couldn’t absorb the energy?” added Myte.

The demons heard that, and explained that they were wrong.

“It doesn’t matter if we don’t absorb that energy we’ve gathered.” said Tempest “It’s only part of the energy we’ve been gathering ever since we started.”

Lightning winced. They never said anything about that, so it was never recorded in his book.

The demons bodies glowed brighter than ever and their bodies expanded to twice their original sizes.

The humans were frightened, but the Sirens were impressed.

“Way to go, guys.” said Aria.

“I’ve never seen such power before.” cried Sonata.

“Wait a minute…” snapped Adagio “Where’s our share?”

The demons gazed down at the pitiful girls and snickered “Your share?” sneered Slick “Sorry to break it to you girls, but, uh… we’re performing solo this time.”

“What?!” snapped Adagio “What are you saying?”

“It meansssss… our partnership has been dissolved.” hissed Scales.

The girls felt their rage starting to boil.

“You were just using us to help you all this time!” snarled Adagio.

“You never intended to share this power with us!” added Aria.

“Right… that’s very good.” said Blaze, and then he charged up a pair of fire balls in his hands “Now guess what THESE ARE…!”

“RUN!!” screamed Sonata.

Blaze threw the fire-balls hard, just missing the girls, and spread a huge fire all along the grounds.

“Everybody out!” cried Luna, and everyone began to evacuate the camp grounds as the fire continued to spread.

“Finally, we get to finish what we started five-thousand years ago!” shouted Boomer.

“Yes!” cried Blaze “First we shall destroy this island, and then THE WORLD!!”

“We’ve got to stop these guys!” cried Buddy Rose.

Lightning then remembered “The energy, it’s been purified…” and he got out the two transform gems, and he held them up high, and magically, the energy beneath the stage began to pulsate and transfer into the gems, making them glow brightly, and the magic flowed into Lightning, and each of his friends, making their insignia badges appear on their clothes…

…Even the Rainbows got insignias too.

Spike was glowing too. “Ah, yeah… it’s time.” Spike said.

The Rainbows all looked at their insignias “Hmm… not exactly matching with the colors.” said Rarity.

“Whoa…!” said Rainbow.

“Cool.” said Pinkie.

“What are these things?” asked Fluttershy. “And what are we supposed to do with ‘em?” added Applejack.

“Just do exactly as I tell you…” said Lightning.

The nasty demons were enjoying tearing the camp to shreds and scaring off the campers and staff.

The Crusaders were suddenly confronted by Slick, and he just couldn’t resist. He leaned in forward slowly and let out a simple soft “Boo.”

The girls shrieked and ran off like scaredy-cats.

“Hey!” shouted Flash as he dashed forth with a baseball bat in-hand “You don’t scare little girls like that!” and he took a huge swing at Slick’s slimy body, and bounced right off him like rubber, flinging himself backwards and skidding along the ground.

Scales then ensnared him with his long serpent-like hair. “How insssssuferable you humans are.”

“But then again, he isn’t really human, is he?” teased Tempest.

Flash was struggling hard trying to break free, but to no avail.

“Struggling will get you nowhere, little fool.” hissed Blaze, and he slowly begun to creep forward with the others joining him by his side. Flash didn’t like the looks in their evil eyes.

“Let him go!” shouted Lightning.

The demons turned and saw him, and all the others standing together in one big group, all thirteen of them glowing brightly.

“That… that glowing…!” cried Boomer.

“So, we were correct about you!” snarled Blaze “You really do possess magic of your own, but I’m afraid now that we are fully energized, no magic on Earth can save you now.”

“Good thing this magic doesn’t come from Earth.” Spike said.

The demons all gazed forth with concern.

“It’s time…!” said Rainbow.

“Let’s do this!” added Artie.

Lightning clenched his fists “Okay, let’s go!”

He and his friends transformed first…

“STARFLEET MAGIC…!!”

All of then donned their super suits, and their pony ears, tails, wings, and even their horns. Lightning got his gold horn back while the others each had their own respective colors.

One-by-one they shouted their field of power!

Lightning: “Power of Believing!”

Starla: “Power of Space!”

Buddy: “Power of Flora!”

Artie: “Power of Art!”

Rhymey: “Let’s begin… Power of Wind!”

The Twins: “Power of Fire!!”

Then, just as Lightning had showed them how, the Rainbows went next.

“HARMONY HOUR…!! FRIENDSHIP POWER…!!”

All five of them donned identical power suits and visors, just like the others. All of them sprouted wings too, but Rarity was the only one among them to sprout a horn out of her head.

“Whoa! This is so amazing!” cried Rainbow.

“I never felt anythin’ like this!” said Applejack.

Pinkie felt like she could jump right up to the moon

Fluttershy felt she could stand up to a million armies.

As for Rarity, she couldn’t help but strike several poses “Oh why… this is… truly… A FASHION DREAM TO END ALL DREAMS…!!”

“You think that’s cool, watch this.” said Spike “Dragon Power!”

Then he transformed into the Dragon Knight, which all the girls found impressive.

Now the whole team was armed and ready.

“Prepare yourselves, Demonites…” snarled Lightning “This is going to be one show you’ll never forget.”

“Well, it appears we agree on something.” hissed Blaze. “But don’t think this means we are intimidated.”

Tempest nodded “We spent five-thousand years trapped behind a cursed door because we underestimated forces like yours.”

“A misssstake we do not intend to replicate.” hissed Scales. His grip around Flash tightened, and poor Flash was finding it difficult to breathe.

“Let him go, right now!” shouted Rainbow.

“As you wish.” hissed Scaled, and he threw Flash way, way up high!

“No!” shouted Lightning “Quick, catch him!”

But as everyone spread their wings to take off…

“Oh, no you don’t!” shouted Tempest “TORNADO GUST!” and he flapped his wings super-fast creating strong whirlwinds that blew them all back hard. They would never be able to reach Flash in time now as he started to fall.

“FLASH!!” shouted Lightning.

Flash really felt this was end of him, when suddenly a swarm of birds came in and all worked together to carry him to safety. At the head of the swarm was Krysta “You forget I can control other birds in this world…” said hollered.

“Great job, Krysta…!” Lightning called out to her.

“Impressive…!” shouted Blaze “But let’s see you escape this! VOLCANIC FIRESTORM…!!” he conjured up a huge mass of flames into one massive ball that would fry the birds and Flash to a crisp.

“Stop him!” shouted Starla and all the fighters dashed forth, at the same time, the other four demons lunged forth to try and stop them, but Lightning managed to slip past them all.

“Huh…?!” Blaze turned round just in time for Lightning to kick him hard from behind, causing him to fall off balance and launch his fireball clear up, up, up into the sky.

…

While in orbit, the astronauts could all see a bright flash of light over the pacific region. “Hey, what’s that?” cried Jenkins.

Everyone looked and could see the huge fireball heading straight their way, towards the satellite where Celesto was still working.

“WATCH OUT!!” screamed Kendal.

Celesto pounded on his jetpack hard, forgetting that he was still tethered to the satellite. He reached the end of his line, and the fireball barely missed him, but struck the satellite, blowing it up!

KAPOW!! The force of the explosion sent Celesto rocketing off into space, “…AAAAAAHHHHH!!”

“CELESTO!” cried Kendal.

Then suddenly, bits of fragments from the destroyed satellite flew straight at her, one of them slit the oxygen feed tubes on her spacesuit.

She started choking.

“Kendal!” cried Jenkins “I’m coming!” and he rocketed towards her and quickly got her back inside the station, but he took a moment to see Celesto flying further and further away every second.

He tried to contact him, but he was too far out for the signal to reach him, but there was nothing he could do for him now, especially with Kendal’s life on the line too.

So he took her inside.

…

Down on Mystic Island, the fire was spreading badly, and it was reaching the stables.

“The horses!” cried Celestia “We’ve got to get them to safety.”

“Sister, we can’t!” cried Luna “The fire is spreading too quickly!” but Celestia refused to heed. She remembered how her horse Bud had died after his fatal injuries from their accident all those years ago. She wasn’t about to let the same thing happen again.

“I’ll help you!” Sunset called as she dashed off with her. Eventually, even Luna couldn’t let them go at it alone.

…

Krysta and her birds had dropped Flash off outside of the camp. “You go somewhere safe. We have work to do.” she said to him. Then she flew off with the other birds back into the camp.

“Wait!” cried Flash. He couldn’t just sit there and do nothing while his friends were in danger.

Then again, there was nothing he could do against those powerful brutes… unless…!

He gazed down at his hands, and began to remember his past, which was all too clear to him now; whom he really was, where he originally came from, what he tried to do a long time ago… even hurting the human Twilight Sparkle of that world, resulting in her being hospitalized.

Flash clenched his fists and struggled with the unbearable pain of shame and guilt, and yet there was one little spark deep down inside of him that was starting to grow… and tell him what he had to do.

Blaze stood up fierily, glaring at Lightning, as Starla Rarity and Spike came by his side.

“Perhaps you are a tad stronger than I estimated.” hissed Blaze “But unlike your power, mine existed long before yours was even thought of.”

“That doesn’t mean anything, Blaze.” said Lightning “We’ll show you what real power is all about!”

The others all agreed.

Blaze’s eyes flared up, and he shot two fiery beams of fire, which the gang dodged, and then went at him all they had, punching and kicking like crazy.

Blaze tripped Rarity up and then held her in a tight grip. The flames were so hot she could feel the sizzling through her suit. “Can you feel the heat?” he mocked.

Rarity groaned and moaned as her flesh turned red with the burning.

“Rarity!” cried Spike, and he charged forth with his sword at the ready, but Blaze saw him coming…

“FLAME FLOW!”He breathed a huge blast of fire at the Dragon Knight knocking him back hard into Starla and Lightning.

“No!” screamed Rarity “That’s it!” and finding her strength, she managed to get her arm free, and socked Blaze hard in the face, making him drop her.

“My turn!” shouted Starla “PULSAR LASER!" and she fired a huge beam at him, but it only did a little bit of damage.

“He’s stronger than I thought!” cried Lightning.

Blaze laughed “And so are my comrades.”

The other demons proved equally as strong as their leader.

“Get him!” shouted Rainbow, as she Buddy and Applejack went after Scaled, but the sinister serpent hybrid, stood where he was and shouted “SERPENT STRIKE!”and drove his long snake hair and his scaly arms deep into the ground, which then sprung up near the others, knocking them all over.

“Whoa! This fella sure packs a punch!” groaned Applejack.

“Well lets him try this!” shouted Buddy “LEAF SWARM!”

His swarm of leaves headed straight at him “Fool!” snarled Scaled, and he retracted his arms and hair and then swiftly used them like whips to bat all the leaves away.

“No way!” cried Buddy!

Scales laughed and scoffed at them “I’m afraid your sssskill is not up to ssssnuff!”

Rainbow had completely lost her cool, and charged forth like a speeding bullet. She thrust her foot forward for a hard kick, but Scale slipped out of the way, and kicked her instead, sending her crashing hard into one of the bunks, crushing it to pieces.

“RAINBOW!!” the others shouted.

She rose up from the fallen wood pile, grasping her head “Man, talk about a headache!”

“Come on!” sneered Tempest as he flew up, up into the sky, with Rhymey, Artie and Fluttershy coming at him.

Rhymey drew out his sword, and Artie twirled his staff. Fluttershy cracked her knuckles, and Tempest extended his claws and talons.

“Wipe him out!” shouted Artie.

“Now we bout!” rhymed Rhymey

Fluttershy just roared as she and the boys charged at the demon, and Tempest defended himself with his talons and claws.

A real sword and fist fight, three-on-one, parrying their weapons and fists with his own “Now try this! EAGLE EYE!” and his eyes glowed brightly creating a huge flare so bright it was hard for the others to see, giving him the edge to pound, bash, and slash them all hard, sending them crashing to the ground.

Fluttershy had a huge scratch on her cheek, which angered Rhymey severely.

“He will pay!
There has to be a way!”

“But how?” said Fluttershy “We can hardly see him in that glare of his.”

That gave Artie an idea “Then we’ll just have to block it out then. Follow me!” and he soared back up high with his friends following him.

“Come back for more, eh?” sneered Tempest, and he was about to unleash his glare, when Artie dashed forth…!

“PAINT GUSH” and he slapped a gush of paint at the demon’s face, blinding his eyes. “Ugh! Argh! I can’t see!”

While he was stunned, the friends came from all ends and struck him hard; Flutterhy even grabbed him by his legs and swung him down hard, straight into the stage, bringing the whole thing down into a pile of rubble.

“Oh, wow… I can’t believe I did that.” she said sounding all timid.

Rhymey smiled at her.

“Whoa, look!” shouted Artie.

Tempest burst out from the rubble, hardly hurt at all. “You really think we demons can be beaten that easily?” he teased “You’ve been reading too much fiction.” and he soared up high again to continue the brawl.

Down below, Boomer and Slick teamed up to face the rest of the gang-- Pinkie Pie and the Twins.

“Oh, this out to be wild.” said Boomer.

“What do you take, heads or tails?” teased Slick.

The three friends clenched their fists and decided the twins would handle Boomer while Pinkie dealt with Slick.

“You two obviously share everything; everything but brains.” Boomer mocked.

“Don’t push us!” growled Dyno.

“You don’t know how hot tempered we can get.” added Myte.

Boomer grinning sinisterly and then leapt up high and shouted “EARTH SHAKER” and he slammed on the ground hard, causing a huge tremor which everyone felt, and the twins fell off their feet, giving Boomer the perfect chance to punch and kick them both hard.

The twins got back onto their feet and lunged at him, fly-kicking him hard, but his solid rocky body, it was like trying to kick a steel wall.

“AY’-AY’-AY’!!” the twins groaned as they hopped up and down.

“How pathetic.” hissed Boomer.

The twins were far from beaten though, and joined their hands together. “BOOM-BOOM ROCKETS” launching their rocket barrage at him, which did damage him, but only slightly.

“My turn!” shouted Boomer.

“Uh oh…!” cried Dyno.

“I don’t like this.” added Myte.

“STRIKING SPIKES”

Boomer unleashed several spikes from his back into the boys’ armor vests, and bolts of lightning magically came from out nowhere, striking the spikes and blasting the boys hard.

Boomer laughed at the boys as the struggled to their feet.

Pinkie wasn’t doing so well either.

“Ready or not, here I come!” she shouted as she charged forth and aimed a powerful punch at Slick’s slimy body, but her hand just went right through him, making him giggle.

“Stop it! That tickles!”

Pinkie pulled herself out, and tried again, and again, but to no avail. She used her newly acquired super strength to grab a fallen log and throw it straight through him, making a huge hole.

“Got’cha!” she cried.

Slick only snickered “Think again…” and the hole in him vanished as the slime regenerated itself, much to Pinkie’s horror.

“You dummy! You can’t hurt me!” Slick sneered “I’m made of an enchanted plasmatic slime. I have no solid mass. I’ll just regenerate every time! Even the fire can’t help you.”

Pinkie refused to give up “There are only two things in this world I can’t stand; Party-Poopers, and big ugly monsters trying to take over the world! I’ll find a way to get you.”

Slick admired her courage and boldness, but he silently said in his mind “These humans have yet to learn of a certain specialty me and the guys also possess.”

Lightning’s group was still brawling with Blaze, but he was proving to be as ruthless as he was strong as he punched, kicked, and blasted them all over the place.

“This isn’t working!” cried Rarity.

“Gee, you noticed…!” sneered Starla.

Blaze laughed wickedly as he crept forth “Is this all the power you have? I am feeling weak… with hunger. Yes… I think a human and dragon barbeque is in order.”

He charged up ready to blast.

“Let’s try attacking him all at once.” Spike suggested “We can push him into the water.”

“Good idea…” said Lightning, and he began to charge up the uniforce, while the others charged up their strong attacks.

“You think that scares me?!” shouted Blaze.

“UNIFORCE!”

“GALACTIC PROJECTILE”

“DRAGON KNIGHT SABER… IGNITE”

Rarity didn’t have to shout her attack, but she roared loudly as she unleashed a huge wave of power from her horn.

The four attacks combined into one enormous streak of power that stuck blaze hard, piercing through him, and sent him flying backwards and splashing into the lake, causing him to explode in a huge flame.

The other four demons gazed in shock and all cried out “BLAZE!!!”

Lightning’s team felt relieved and pleased with themselves. “That’s one of them down.” said Lightning.

The other four demons wouldn’t have this, and they each let out a piercing demonic shriek.

The fighters all covered their eyes and groaned at the sound of that awful noise, and then, like magic… Blaze was back, and he looked stronger than ever.

He laughed as he landed softly back on the ground. “Surprise.” he hissed.

“It can’t be!” cried Rarity.

“How did he come back?” wondered Spike.

Lightning pondered and then he remembered about the pony warlock’s book, and how it was incomplete and missing information.

“You sssssee how it is.” hissed Scales.

“We’ve worked together so many ages, and we’ve learned many new tricks.” said Tempest.

“Destroy one of us, and the others will revive him.” added Boomer.

“And as the cherry on top…” said Slick “Each time one of us is revived, we come back stronger than ever before.”

All the fighters gasped in shock.

Blaze glared at Lightning “That pitiful pony warlock realized this. He could not destroy us, which lead him to seal us in that crypt for five-thousand years. Now we are back, and stronger than before. This world now belongs to us!”

He and his comrades laughed wickedly, making all the fighters feel a slight sense of doubt.

How could they stop the demons now?

…

The fire continued to spread, but Krysta and her army of bird friends were now working their hardest to put it out, or at least get it under control.

They all flew up carrying huge sheets of water they dumped all around to keep the flames at bay.

“Keep it up birdies, keep it up!” hollered Krysta.

She then fluttered down to the stables where Sunset and the two sisters were doing their best to get all the horses out of the burning inferno. “How’s it going out there?” asked Sunset.

“We’re doing our best, but we can’t hold keep this up.” said Krysta.

“We’ve nearly gotten all the horses out of here.” said Celestia.

She and Sunset drove the horses out of the stables, and Luna was outside guiding them to the road on the other side of the trees while the trees were not burning, where some of the campers agreed to look after them.

“That’s the last one.” said Luna.

“Okay, let’s get out of here.” said Sunset, but just as she and the others were about to leave, there at the door stood the Sirens.

“Leaving so soon?” hissed Adagio.

The other two snickered.

“Get out of our way, you devas!” snarled Sunset.

“Ooh… you hurt our feelings.” said Sonata.

“I think we need to teach them some manners.” added Aria.

The three girls snickered and their eyes began to glow, and before the ladies knew it, they were shrouded in fields of light.

“What’s happening?” cried Celestia.

“I… cannot move.” added Luna

“What is this!” cried Krysta “I thought we got rid of their gems?”

That’s when each of the girls reached into their pockets and pulled out other gems, identical to their original ones, but black in color. “You think our powers can be beaten that easily?” said Adagio “I think you’ve been living in fantasy for too long.”

“Our red gems granted us our music abilities and hypnotic spells.” said Sonata “But these ones here grant us even darker powers than what we had before.”

“We suspected we’d get betrayed, so we absorbed some energy ourselves to power us up.” said Aria.

“Let us go!” Celestia demanded.

“Of course we will…” said Adagio “We’ll let you go… down in flames!”

She then cast a look at Sunset and levitated her closer “You on the other hand… it wasn’t nice of you to destroy our other pendants.”

The other girls snickered, and decided to carry her off to punish her more painfully than flames.

“No, Sunset!” cried Krysta. She and other others tried all they could, but they couldn’t budge an inch.

“Sorry, but thems the burns...” Aria laughed as she flew off with her friends leaving the ladies and Krysta in the burning stables.

“Look!” cried Buddy Rose.

Everyone looked and saw the sirens, flying up high with the aid of their powerful new magic, and holding their hostage.

“Sunset!!” shouted Artie “Let her go!”

“Sorry, but we girls need to have a little quality time.” hissed Adagio “No losers allowed!” Then the three demon-girls flew off in the direction of Canterlot High.

“Sunset, No!” cried Artie, and he tried to fly off after them, only to get grabbed by Scale’s head-tentacle. “Going ssssomewhere…?” he hissed.

All the others tried to go after the Sirens, but were halted by the demons.

Blaze was impressed by The Sirens. “Those girls have more spark in them than I thought they did. No matter…”

The fire was spreading all over the stables, and the ladies were still powerless to free themselves from the force-fields. “LIGHTNING… HELP!!” Krysta screamed.

Lightning could hear here “KRYSTA!!”

Blaze turned towards the stables, and then he grinned at Lightning.

“No!” Lightning cried as he dashed for the stables, but Blaze had already unleashed his fiery wrath at the building, seemingly blowing it up before everyone’s eyes.

All the fighters gazed in extreme horror and sadness as the flames burst out.

Tears came to Lightning eyes as he thought of the sisters and his dear little friend still inside. “NO!!!”

Act 9: Daring and Rescue

ACT NINE

On the space station, Kendal was alright after getting her helmet off and breathing into an air mask.

“We have to go get Celesto!” she cried.

“It’s too late.” said Jenkins.

“He’s going to die out there! We can’t just leave him in space!”

“Kendal!” shouted Jenkins then he spoke softly. “It’s no good. We can’t find him. He’s gone!”

Tears began to form in Kendal’s eyes as she looked out the window into space.

Celesto continued to drift into space like a leaf on a breeze. He could still see Earth, which was getting smaller as he slipped further away. His jetpack got damaged in the explosion so he couldn’t try to get back.

He tried helplessly to contact the station; it was just no good.

“One hour of oxygen left.” he said sadly to himself “There’s no hope for me this time. I warned them I didn’t want to take this job!”

What bothered him the most was where that fireball had come from; there was no mistake that it had come from Mystic Island, which only meant danger like what happened two years ago.

“Celestia…”

The fighters were as livid and as heartbroken as ever as they watched the smoke from the explosion.

Rarity burst into tears and hugged Spike in woe.

Spike felt really hurt, as did Starla.

Fluttershy was so devastated she couldn’t even cry, while everyone else felt frozen in shock at the loss of their friends.

The demons all laughed maliciously.

“Oh, dear…! What a tragic waste.” Slick mocked. Then he laughed.

“That’s what you get for playing with the likes of us.” said Boomer.

“You sick creeps!” snarled Applejack “They were just innocent bein’s!”

“Have you no mercy?!” shouted Dyno.

“Have you no heart?!” added Myte.

“Why no, we don’t.” said Tempest.

“Thissss is what we exisssst for-- What we desire mosssst!” hissed Scales “Death… dessssstruction, and total chaosss beyond imagination!”

“You have just witnessed what happens to those who dare get in our way.” sneered Blaze “Soon, you and the rest of your world will be just like your friends; reduced to ashes on the wind.”

Suddenly, from within the smoke, a strong voice called out to them “Their friends have not perished, thanks to me.”

The demons gazed over in shock and confusion, and Lightning perked his head up “That voice…!”

All the fighters gazed over at the smoke as it cleared. The stables were totally demolished, but there stood Celestia, Luna, and Krysta sitting on Luna’s shoulder. All three of them were perfectly fine, an out of the binding spell of the Sirens…

Thanks to the creature that stood with them.

“Is that…?” cried Buddy.

“Could it be…?” added Rainbow.

It was, Prince Flash Sentry, in his newly revived Crystallite form, holding his diamond sword tightly.

Just before Blaze had attacked the stabled, Flash broke in and used his sword to pierce through the magic the Sirens had cast-- as pitiful Equestrian magic, even the darkest, was no match for his power-- He freed the captives, and then shielded them with his own magic as the stables exploded.

Pinkie felt her smile returning, she just had to let out a good cry that they were okay.

Lightning and the others, however were speechless.

“How can this be?” snarled Blaze “He’s regained his powers, yet he saved them?!”

Flash tightened his grip on his sword, and looked regretful “I may have regained my powers, as well as my memories, but what I do now is my choice. I am no longer the evil creature I once was. I only wish to fight for what is right… my home, my friends!”

“I don’t believe it…” Lightning thought silently to himself “In the two years he’s been here, he’s actually reformed.”

Flash then gazed over at Lightning “Commander! I know we have had our issues in the past, but believe me, I speak the truth. I will fight alongside you, and together… we will destroy these creatures of darkness… for Twilight!”

Lightning stood up and nodded bravely at him “…For Twilight!”

All the others agreed too.

“That’s so sweet, I’m getting cavities!” snarled Blaze “This battle ends now!”

The fighters all stood together and lunged into battle, while Krysta escorted the sisters to safety.

“I can’t believe what has happened!” cried Luna.

“Oh, it’s happening alright.” said Krysta

Celestia said nothing; she had never been so frightened in her life, and she really despised those demons for what nearly happened to her, her sister, as well as the destruction of the camp and more!

She really wished there was something she could do to help put an end to this insanity for good.

The fight waged on, everyone still going after their respected demons and team.

Now with their new determination, the fighters were able to fight stronger than ever.

“I will show you who is stronger!” Boomer shouted.

“Not if we show you first!” said Dyno, and he and his brother charged towards Boomer.

“STRIKING SPIKES”

More spikes flew at the boys.

“Not this time!” snapped Myte.

The two boys leapt up, and swiftly kicked the spikes back towards Boomer, loading them in his rock body. “What?!” shouted Boomer, and before he could do anything else, he got struck hard by the magic lightning. Despite being a rock, his own magic really damaged him.

“BOOM-BOOM FIREBALLS”

The boys bombarded him with flames all around, though Boomer was still far from beaten.

Pinkie grabbed Slick by his narrow tail and began to whirl him round, and around like a skilled gymnast. “Hey! Stop that, I’m getting dizzy!” he cried.

“What’s that? You wanna go faster, Okay!” and she began to whirl him around even faster than ever, and slammed him down on the ground splatting him all over in large mounds of green goo.

“Take that!”

Of course, Slick still reformed himself, and he was pretty angry “Now you take this! STICKY SLUDGE”

He flung a load of really stinky gunk at Pinkie, which really gummed her up. “I’m stuck!” she groaned “I can’t move!”

Slick chuckled “Well then, let me help you!” and he rushed forth to run her through, when suddenly he was sliced in half by Flash and his sword.

Then Flash proceeded to cut Pinkie loose with one slice.

“Wow! Thanks a lot.” said Pinkie.

Flash smiled at her and said “Anything… for a friend in need.”

Pinkie smiled at him, but then Slick reformed and struck them both hard.

“Oh, you are so dead! Both of you…!”

The brawl continued.

Tempest was still having his air battle with Rhymey Artie and Fluttershy.

“EAGLE EYE”

He caused another veil of brightness, causing the others to have to shut their eyes behind their visors.

“What’s wrong, can’t find your way?” Tempest hollered as he heads straight for Fluttershy, only she kicked him hard in the gut.

“D’ugh!”

Rhymey and Artie could hear him groaning, and Fluttershy yell “He’s right here! Get him!”

“PAINT BOMBS”

“DRILL QUILL”

The projectiles struck the demon head on, leaving Fluttershy untouched.

“No fair! How could can you even tell where I am?!” whined Tempest.

“We couldn’t see, true.
But we could still hear you.” said Rhymey.

Tempest dispelled the light and growled fiercely. “You’re a sneaky bunch… but I’m sneakier!”

“WING BLADE” Flapping his wings fiercely, he unleashed a swarm of glowing gusts, sharp like blades.

The fighters swerved and dodged as best as they could, but Artie was having a hard time concentrating, and he got struck a few times and fell to the ground.

“Artie!” cried Fluttershy as she and Rhymey flew down to help him.

“Are you alright?”

“Can you still fight?” rhymed Rhymey.

Artie got up and was panting furiously, which instantly told the others he was worried about Sunset.

“Go to her…” said Fluttershy.

“Huh? But I can’t just leave you guys here like this.”

“Artie…!” Lightning called out to him “We can handle things for a while here. Go now while you can! Try and help her!”

One-by-one all the others agreed with him, and Artie agreed himself and flew off.

Celestia saw this, and she had a little idea of her own. She raced for one of the horses.

“Sister, what are you doing?!” shouted Luna, but her sister was already galloping, bareback and no tack, down the road after Artie.

“Let’s follow her!” said Krysta.

Luna agreed, and mounted another horse, then rode off.

“Oh, no you don’t!” hissed Scales, and he lunged his tentacles at the ladies as the rode away, only for them to get lassoed together by Applejack’s rope and Buddy Rose’s Vine Whip. “Oh, yes they do!” Buddy sneered.

“Get him, R.D!” shouted Applejack.

“With pleasure…” Rainbow called as she zoomed down from above “SONIC RAINBOOM!”

Scales looked up and screamed as he saw Rainbow zoom at him…!

KABOOM!! A bright and colorful explosion…!

The three fighters stood side-by-side, and as the smoke cleared, they saw Scales body was in pieces. “Yeah!” cried Rainbow “You’re outta here!”

“Not for long!” snarled Blaze and he and the others let out that same demonic shriek, and Scales was revived, stronger than ever.

“No way!” cried Rainbow.

The twins combined their powers together. “BOOM-BOOM FLARE!” and roasted Boomer to a crisp, but his comrades shrieked again, reviving him.

Lightning was outraged!

“Fools…!” Blaze thundered “Haven’t you realized by now how hopeless it is? Every time you destroy one of us, we’ll just keep coming back again, and again, stronger than ever!”

Lightning clenched his fists and scoffed “Ha! If that’s the case, there’s only one other option, and that’s to defeat you all at once!”

“You won’t!” shouted Blaze.

“WE will!” snarled Starla.

Blaze roared loudly, and his fiery body flared up in powerful flames.

“Lightning!” cried Spike “I don’t like the looks of this.”

The other demons began to power up as well.

“Let’s see you take us on now, puny mortals!” shouted Blaze “BEHOLD THE TRUE, ULTIMATE POWER OF THE DEMONITES!!”

“Everyone, attack…!” Lightning shouted, and everyone launched the strongest magic attacks they could summon, even Flash used his strongest pulse of energy, but the demons hardly got scratched.

“Now it’s our turn!” growled Blaze.

“Look out!” squealed Fluttershy.

The demons unleashed their fury in a series of attacks, so massive; it blew everyone across the field like stones in a rockslide.

The fighters’ injuries were starting to show. Their armor suits were dented and charred and the white spandex underneath were starting to tear.

All their powers were starting to run low after such a lengthy fight, while the demons’ powers just continued to grow.

“There has to be something we can do!” cried Rarity.

Lightning clenched his fist in frustration. He couldn’t change into an Enticorn with his energy too low, and Spike couldn’t unleash the Majestic Dragon likewise.

“We need the Valkyries of Harmony!” cried Spike.

“But we need the Elements of Harmony, and they’re infused with our friends in United Equestria!” said Lightning.

The demons glared down at the helpless fighters and continued to laugh at them!

The evil Sirens had taken Sunset to the ball field behind Canterlot High. Sunset was still bound by their magic spell and couldn’t move at all.

After all this time, they were still trying to decide on a fitting punishment to inflict on her.

“I say we send her straight into the Sun.” said Sonata.

“Lame!” said Aria “I suggest we tear her apart, slowly and painfully, limb-from-limb.”

Sunset gulped hard at the very thought of those ideas.

Aria and Sonata began to argue over their ideas.

“I’d be easier to throw her in the sun.”

“Yeah, but it wouldn’t be as cool watching her suffer if we break her apart alive.”

“I have a better idea…” said Adagio “Both of you will shut up… and we’ll start by just playing target practice with her, for starters that is.”

Sunset felt her insides churning.

“Good idea…” hissed Sonata.

“I call dibs on her face.” said Aria.

The girls moved in closer, and Sunset was still helpless to get out.

The girls were about to take their first shots at her when they got zapped all around by magical blasts from behind.

“Hey!” shouted Adagio, then she and others looked round, and Sunset could see for herself…

“Artie…!”

He stood their holding his staff at the ready “Fun time’s over, ladies. Now, let her go!”

The girls snarled angrily at him.

“You want her back-- You’re going to have to get past us.” said Adagio.

“Don’t test me!” growled Artie.

He stared them down, and they stared him down. Back and forth, their gazes were piercing directly into each other’s souls.

Suddenly, the girls zapped him, and contained him in barrier like Sunset.

“No!” cried Sunset.

The girls snickered and began to creep towards Artie as he stood where he was.

“How lucky can we get?” said Adagio.

“Instead of one, now we get to wipe out two meddlesome creatures.” said Aria.

Sonata just snickered cheekily.

“Artie!” cried Sunset.

“Three seconds. That’s how long you have to live…” said Adagio.

Just as the girls readied themselves to strike, Artie broke the shield they had cast on him and…

“One!” he punched Adagio in the face.

“Two!” he kicked Sonata in the stomach.

“Three!” he clunked Aria in the head with his staff.

The girls groaned and growled as they struggled back to their feet, and Artie gloated at them “Three seconds… I’m still here. Don’t you girls know that Starfleet Magic is more powerful than Equestrian Magic?”

“Get him!” shouted Adagio.

Their black gems glowed brightly, shrouding them all with dark magic. The girls dashed into battle, three on one, and all Sunset could do was watch helplessly as Artie took them all on, but despite being outnumbered, he fought exceedingly well.

He dodged all their magic projectiles, blocked their every punch and kick, and attacked them hard.

Sparks and small explosions flew everywhere as the girls fell over, rolling along the ground.

As Adagio looked round the corner, she could see the statue out in front of the school, and how it was glowing with a soft light. “That must be the portal back to Equestria!” she said softly to herself.

Artie held his staff behind his back and scoffed “You girls are not only bad singers, you’re terrible fighters.”

“What did you say?!” shouted Adagio.

The others felt just as outraged, and decided to combine their powers into one massive attack!

“Look out!” cried Sunset.

But as the girls prepared to unleash the magic…

“CHARGE…!!” Krysta shouted as she and the sisters came charging in.

The girls lost their concentration, causing the magic to blow up in their faces, and flinging their gems off their neck, allowing Krysta and the sisters to catch one each.

“It’s all over for you, ladies. You’re washed up!” said Celestia.

“Surrender now while you still have a chance.” added Luna.

The girls knew they were totally licked, but Adagio gave the others her signal to run for the gateway while it was still open.

One-by-one, the evil girls jumped into the portal, planning return to Equestria and reclaim all the Equestrian magic they could ever hope for… still unaware of the actualities of the world they were heading into.

“They’ve gotten away.” said Luna.

“They went right through the portal, as planned.” added Celestia.

“That’s right…” said Krysta “…Just as WE planned.”

Lightning had suspected the girls would try and make a break for the portal, which was why he deliberately opened it, by activating his insignia, and sent a message back via Sunset’s message book to warn his friends back home of the plan.

As the Sirens traveled through the mystic warp, their resumed their natural demonic forms, however, they were unaware and completely unprepared for what was about to happen.

They appeared on Lightning’s platform, the royal palace lab in New Canterlot, and were suddenly surrounded by the royal guards, pointing their lanced at them, Lightning’s friends were all there, and there was Celestia, and a second pony with three golden horns walked up to them and said “Sirens! You are under arrest.”

The three demons were shocked, and then tried to play it cool.

“Um… pardon me…” said Adagio “…But who are you?”

“Grand Ruler Celesto: Commander-in-Chief of Starfleet and co-ruler of United Equestria.” He then motioned to Celestia “My wife… whom I believe you remember well.”

“It’s been a long time, you three.” Celestia said “And it’s going to be an even longer one for you all from here on out.”

Still trying to play it cool, Sontata playfully asked “But what did we do? What’s the charge?”

“Don’t play the fool with us.” said Celestia “I haven’t overlooked your crimes in Equestria from centuries ago. We’re also well aware of all the horrible things you three have been up to in the human world.”

Aria snuffed “You’re just making wild accusations.”

“No. We have proof, straight from your mouths.” Grand Ruler said “Starfleet has ways of obtaining the truth, rather sneakier than your own ways.” He then held up a magic book, which was identical to the one Lightning had taken with him. “A miniature bugging device was slipped onto Aria’s hairclip when it got snatched from her, and it recorded everything you ladies ever said, transferring it into text to Lightning’s book, and to this book here.”

Aria held her head in shock, and the others were furious with her.

“Aria!” snarled Sonata.

“You idiot!” growled Sonata.

Celestia took the book and flipped through the pages “This is a section I particularly appreciate.” And she opened the book, and text magically read itself exactly as Adagio had spoken the words…

"Whether they have it or not, you heard the guys. I doubt whether that stupid mule, Celestia herself could stop us even if she were here."

The Sirens said nothing, and with absolutely no magic, they were really beaten.

Grand Ruler then motioned to the guards “…Take them away.” Then he scoffed at the girls, “…Bunch of amateurs.”

As the guards marched the demons away, Celestia couldn’t help but tease them.

“Bye-Bye, ladies; see you at your next performance, in about… three-hundred years.”

The ponies held in silent chuckles, but Starla and Rarity didn’t feel like laughing much. Both of them were still worried about Lightning, Spike… not to mention Krysta too.

“Don’t worry, girls.” Buddy Rose said “I’m sure they’re fine.”

The girls wanted to believe that, and in many senses they did, but they just like everyone else, even their majesties still preferred the trio to come home, safe and sound.

With the Sirens gone, Sunset was freed from her force field. She felt really stiff form being stuck for so long and almost fell over.

Artie caught her and helped her up. “You okay?”

She looked up into his eyes. “You… you came for me.”

Artie began to feel embarrassed “Well… yeah… of course I did.” he hesitated a moment “Well, I… I mean I have strong feelings for you. Let’s face it, you’re pretty, and you’ve changed a lot, and you’ve proven you have a caring heart and… well… I guess I’m a little shy but…”

She rolled her eyes and put her finger to his lips “…Bottom line, is we both feel the same.” She said softly, and then placed her lips over his.

Krysta and the sisters smiled happily.

Then suddenly, sunset and Artie began to glow. “Huh? What’s happening?”

Artie backed away from her as she glowed brighter, but he had a feeling he knew what it was.

Act 10: Victory and Honour

ACT TEN

Celesto was still drifting aimlessly in empty space, and his oxygen would last no longer than thirty more minutes, yet he was already feeling woozy from all this free-floating he was doing.

All he could see around him was the Earth, the sun, the moon, and all the stars in the blackness around him, but it still didn’t shake off that nasty feeling he had about everyone back on Mystic Island, preferably Celestia.

“Please…” he said as he wished upon every single star he could see “If they are in any danger, please… let my one last request be fulfilled, and help my friends overcome whatever perils they are facing.”

The fighters struggled with all they had, but were still unable to harm the demons any further.

Blaze unleashed his fiery wrath, creating massive explosions which knocked the fighters all about, and further destroyed the camp.

Slick dashed across the field, ramming right into more of the fighters, and actually causing them cuts and scrapes.

Tempest used his tornado attack to knock all the flyers out of the sky, and Boomer used his earthquakes to make them all fall down when they tried to get back up.

Even Flash was starting to feel weak. “I can’t believe they are this powerful.” he panted.

“We… can’t… keep this up, much longer!” Applejack groaned to herself.

“We have to keep trying!” cried Rainbow, but soon she and Applejack were ensnared by Scales’ arm tentacles. “You have tried… and you have failed… and now… YOU DIE!!” he shouted as he raised his head tentacle, poising the sharp tip.

“POSION PIERCE”

Lightning gazed up, though his weariness, and could barely find enough strength to get up. “No!” he shouted as he tried to dash forth, but he got blazed by Blaze, knocking him down hard.

Suddenly, Wham!!

Flash had thrown his sword straight at the evil demon’s face, skewering him straight through.

The girls fell out from their bondage.

Scales pulled the sword out from his face, living a huge bloody scar, but he was not defeated or even weakened much, but he was deeply infuriated, and turned to face the Crystallite. “You shall pay for thissss!” he growled, and redirected his tentacle to strike him.

Flash managed to swerve slightly, but Scales curved his tentacle around and pierced him right in his shoulder!

“FLASH!!” shouted Lightning.

All the others gawked in extreme horror.

Flash held his aching shoulder groaning in pain.

Pinkie found enough strength to run to his side “Are you okay?”

“Do I look okay to you?” he sneered. He managed to get back to his feet, and call back his sword two him with his magic. “I can still stand.”

Lightning was relieved that Flash was seemingly okay, but as for he himself and the rest of the gang, this was it. Their powers had almost depleted completely, and the demons were only growing stronger.

The team all huddled together.

“Lightning, what can we do?” cried Starla.

Lightning said nothing. He was trying to be brave, but really he didn’t what else could be done. “If only we had the Elements with us!” he thought to himself.

The five giant demons all stood together and starred the fighters down, snickering at them.

“What’s wrong?” Blaze hissed “No longer feeling brave and strong? You came all this way to stop us, only to horribly fail now; how delightful.”

The fighters all stood together as bravely as they could, and suddenly, a bright flash of light shone from behind.

The demons all roared anger at the brightness.

“What’s this?!” shouted Boomer.

“Turn down that light!” cried Tempest.

The fighters looked in awe.

“Do you see that?” said Pinkie.

“Is that who I think it is…?” asked Spike.

“It is…” Lightning exclaimed softly.

It was Sunset, and she was glowing with a mystical light. She looked like a powerful goddess, wearing a white sparkling dress, angel wings, and her hair was long and gold in color.

“Guys…!!” Artie called as he soared back to the group, and he looked fully refreshed. “How do you like our new teammate?”

The others just continued to stare, and Sunset stared at all of them “A little gift from Twilight.” she said in her majestic voice “Twilight purified the magic in me when she helped me see the light, and now thanks to all of you, the light now shines forth, which I share with you all now.”

The two sisters and Krysta arrived on the scene just in time as Sunset spread her light forth on all the fighters, restoring their strength and healing their wounds. Even Flash’s shoulder was, at least, physically healed.

As grateful as he was feeling for the healing… he did feel a little disturbed about something. Something very awful, but there was nothing he or any of the others could do now.

“It’s working!” cried Fluttershy.

“My strength is returning!
I can feel the power, it’s burning!” cried Rhymey.

The demons were outraged and wouldn’t let this happen.

“Let’s take ‘em now!” shouted Slick.

“Yes! Attack now!” shouted Blaze, and all the demons charged up their powers to strike, when suddenly they began to feel their power draining out.

It was Luna, holding up the three black gems from the Sirens. She was using them to absorb all the negative energy the demons had absorbed, making them weaker.

“Hurry!” she shouted “I cannot do this for very long!”

Sunset nodded and continued to restore strength to the team.

“Insolent pest!” growled Tempest, and he used his wind power to blast Luna back hard, causing her to drop the gems.

“I got them!” shouted Boomer, and he shattered the gems with his spikes.

Sunset ceased her power, and the team were all glowing with new strength.

Spike felt his insides glowing with energy. “I can feel it.” he cried, and he leapt up, up into the sky and in a bright glow, he transformed, and he called out his name…

“When the light shines forth my spirit burns bright to blight out evil and for all that is pure and true; Majestic Dragon!” He let out a huge piercing roar.

The humans all thought he was incredible, preferably Rarity, but she could hardly say a word.

Then, a symbol appeared on her forehead, as did Applejack, Pinkie, Rainbow and Fluttershy. Even Celestia herself was glowing, thanks to her courage and determination with all she had done to help so far. “What’s going on…?” she wondered aloud.

“These marks…!” cried Rainbow “Their just like the Elements of Harmony.”

“What does this mean?” asked Applejack.

Lightning knew what it meant though, but before he could even say a word; it was as if the girls already knew everything about it themselves and just shouted out the word…

“VALKYRIA...!!”

All the girls, and Celestia transformed into their strongest forms.

“What’s going on?” asked Dyno.

“What is this?” added Myte.

Lightning’s smile widened “There they are…” he cried “…The Valkyries of Harmony!”

One-by-one, the ladies each held their swords and shields and called out their specific element.

Celestia: “Magic!”

Rarity: “Generosity!”

Rainbow: “Loyalty!”

Pinkie Pie: “Laughter!”

Fluttershy: “Kindness!”

Applejack: “Honesty!”

The six Valkyries all stood together, all feelings a sense of shock, astonishment, and excitement at what they had become and the power they felt coursing through them.

“Now it’s my turn.” said Lightning, and he concentrated hard focusing all his power and he turned into an Enticorn, right in front of everyone.

This had to be the most impressive thing everyone had seen.

“Incredible.” remarked Sunset.

“So, that is the legendary Enticorn.” said Flash “I always knew it was said to be powerful, but I never dreamed I would witness it.”

Lightning levitate himself down at the head of the team, glared at his enemies and sneered “Demonites… you are through!”

They all stood proud and tall; Lightning, his friends, the Valkyries, Flash and Spike!

The five demons growled and gnashed their fangs and teeth.

“We won’ be defeated again!” growled Blaze “We’ve waited five-thousand years; and we won’t be deprived any longer of the power and dominance we desire!”

He and his comrades increased their powers and sizes as much as they possibly could, ready for the final brawl.

“Oh, no you don’t!” snarled Spike and he flew up high over top of the demons and shone his majestic powers of light onto them, causing them to lose their strength again.

“My turn…!” Sunset said, and she aided Spike by using her own magic to further weaken the demons.

Lightning then gazed at the six Valkyries, and nodded at them telling them to do it!

Standing all together, and holding their swords out front, the tips all touching; “COSMIC POWERS OF HARMONY!!” the ladies shouted as the blades began to glow as a large ball of rainbow-light formed, and the beam fires straight at the demons.

The five demons roared and growled in anguish as they could feel their bodies breaking up.

“This can’t be happening!” shouted Tempest.

“We were so close!” wailed Slick.

“Curses…!! CURSES ON YOU ALL!!” screamed Blaze.

“Now, the rest of you, lend me your strength!” shouted Lightning.

The rest of the fighters agreed and all focused their powers for their finishing move.

Flash went first, his sword was glowing brightly. “DIAMOND BLADE STRIKE!” and he slashed hard, unleashing a huge wave of magic.

The others then added their attacks as well.

“GALACTIC PROJECTILE!”

“WHIPLASH STRIKE!”

“SUPER STAFF SPIN!”

“THRASH SLASH!”

“BOOM-BOOM FLARE!!”

All those attacks shot straight at Lightning as he absorbed their energy, making his body glow the brightest ever.

“ULTRA UNIFORCE!!” and he unleashed all that power direct at the demons.

The demons roared and hollered their loudest as their bodies disintegrated into complete and total nothingness. Not a single ash was left of them.

The five spirits of the demons appeared, and all swirled round, and around, and then clumped together in a big ball.

POW!! They shattered into a million specks of light, and the dark clouds vanished.

“YEAH!!!” Lightning cheered!

“WE DID IT!!” cried Spike.

Everyone thundered and cheered with joy and excitement.

Suddenly, Celestia stopped. Her powers were beginning to sense something was wrong, and the Element of Magic showed her images of her husband, adrift in space, with a few minutes of air left.

“Celesto…!”

Everyone looked up into the skies, feeling dreadful.

Celesto could feel his air running out, and his eyes were getting heavy. “This is it.” he groaned “I’m a goner. I figured I’d be dead before it happened.”

He was beginning to see a light, which told him this was really it, only he swore he could see a familiar shape in the center of the light. “Celestia…!”

It was her, riding on Spike. Their magic energies protected them from the deadliness of space. They caught up to him, and Celestia gently scooped her husband into her arms, and removed his helmet, allowing her magic to revitalize and protect him.

Still, he could hardly believe this was real. “Celestia…?”

His wife gazed down at him and smiled. “You all be alright, dear.”

Overly astonished, though still weak, he passed out in her arms.

Celestia held him close, and Spike brought them safely back to Earth, passing the space station along the way.

“Look at that!” cried Jenkins.

“Wow!” remarked Kendal.

Both of them were very relieved that Celesto was safe and well, but more astonished to actually see what they just saw; a magic Valkyrie riding a glowing dragon.

It had to be a miracle!

…

With the demons gone, the fire brigade could finally get through, and the team helped to put out the remaining fires before they spread.

Unfortunately the camp was already seriously damaged beyond repair, and would have to be shut down, demolished and then rebuilt, but thankfully the fire hadn’t spread to the forests and the city beyond.

With the teams working together, and the campers returned to help to help with the mess was all cleaned up, at least the worst of it.

Celestia returned to Earth with Spike and Celesto, and her husband was given the medical attention he needed by the paramedics. He was resting very deeply now, but he would be fine.

As for Celestia herself, she still found almost too incredible to believe as she looked up at the stars “Was I… really up there?” she asked in astonishment.

“You sure were.” said Spike.

Celestia never would feel the same again… and she liked this!

With everything settled, the fighters all transformed back to their normal forms; everyone except for Flash. He seemed to be rather silent, and looked a little tired too, and not from the work.

Lightning softly approached him “Flash, are you okay?”

Flash looked up and him wearily and said in a groggy voice “I believe that when Scales struck me, his poison entered my alien-bloodstream, long before Sunset restored our strength.”

“What are you saying?” asked Lightning, and then Flash began to keel over. “Flash!” he caught him in his arms.

The others huddled around him.

“Oh, Flash!” cried Fluttershy.

“Come on guy, stay strong!” added Buddy.

“It’s… too late… I’m afraid.” said Flash.

“No, don’t say that.” cried Krysta.

Flash’s body began to shimmer softly, and he was starting to fade. That was happened when Crystallites died; their bodies ascended to the stars.

Most of the others were already feeling their hearts break as he faded away.

“Commander…”

Lightning looked at him.

“I realize… I have said this before… but know this. Though we have… had… our issues… I just wish it known… it’s been an honour to serve with you.”

Lightning smiled sadly. “You will not be forgotten, Flash Sentry. Go in peace… good man.”

Flash shot him a weary but honourable smile, then he was gone; vanished entirely. All that was left of him was his diamond sword.

Rarity broke down and wept.

Pinkie Pie hugged her, while weeping herself.

The two sisters were shaking with anguish and agony they had lost a friend, a camper!

Rhymey was comforting Fluttershy and he felt like crying along with her.

As for Lightning, he just sat where he was, on his knees, and clutching Flash’s sword close.

Starla tearfully approached him and comforted him in this dark hour.

Flash would be seriously missed, but he would be remembered. Not as a former evil demon, but as a friend; someone who came a long way to change who he was, and make something better for himself. Without his help and his regained power, they wouldn’t have survived.

Sunset would never forget him, especially, not for the fact that they so-called dated, but he, as well as she herself were proof that some creatures could change… if they were given the chance.

Final Act: Captain Sunset Shimmer

FINAL ACT

Two days later, Celesto was up and on his feet again, and ready to get back to work, and his first order of business was he called up NASA and told them to never, EVER contact him again. He was done, though, permanently retired. No one could blame him either; this was the second time he had to be rescued from space.

Open up a second, backup camp he had a few miles down the street from where the damaged camp was being repaired.

Before camp officially restarted, a small service was held to honour the memory Flash Sentry. Despite he was evil once, his last actions before he died.

A special plaque on a rock was placed in front of a large tree on the grounds, and his diamond blade was buried directly under the rock.

The plaque read…

“This tree and this rock are dedicated to the memory of Flash Sentry.

A strong-minded individual who showed us all the true meaning of honour, and that sometimes, life and people’s actions are not actually carved in stone, but you can choose how to shape it.”

So, camp restarted, and the best part was, now that the Demonites and Sirens, everyone decided to forget the battle of the bands, and just continue with their original plans for the musical showcase, and send the money donated to charity as originally planned.

Flash’s group felt very sad for the loss of their lead guitarist, but they did hold auditions, and would you believe their new guitarist was… Flash Sentry: the complete and total human version. No alien power whatsoever.

Although he did not know much of what happened, or know anything about his alien duplicate who died recently, though he would eventually, he was an excellent guitarist, and the camp welcome him with open hearts.

Now that everything was fully back to normal, a big party was held at camp to celebrate.

The Starpops were performing on stage, a new song written by their newest member, and now official councillor, Sunset Shimmer.

She even allowed Artie to sing with her during some of the verses, and for the big finish.

The crowds thundered with applause as the group basked in the spotlight.

Then, Sunset pulled on Artie’s arm, pulling him close to her, and looked deeply into his eyes before pulling him into a kiss, causing the crowd to woo even louder.

Lightning shot them both a high thumb.

It wasn’t exactly proper for a camper to have a romantic involvement with a councillor, but nobody really had a care in the world, not even Celestia or Celesto, remembering they went through almost the same thing when they were struggling with their feelings.

Sadly, now that all was well, it was time to wrap it up.

Everyone at camp escorted Lightning, Krysta and Spike back to Canterlot High near the statute where the portal was.

“Well, I guess this is goodbye, everyone.” Lightning said.

“Sure wish you could stay longer.” said Applejack “But we know ya can’t.”

Lightning nodded sadly.

Fluttershy gave Spike a huge hug “It was so nice seeing you all again.”

Spike gave her a small lick on the cheek “Not as nice as seeing all of you.” he said “Then he gazed up at Rarity, and wagged his tail at her. She smiled at him, and gave him a big smooch… on the side of his face. “I’m sure I… or that is the other me back home made a good choice in choosing you for a husband; even if you are a… dog… or dragon.”

Lightning had already bid his farewells and good lucks to most his friends, even Celestia. They both felt they could finally put their rough past behind one another.

Celesto was especially grateful for Lightning’s arrival and efforts. “Were it not for you and the magic you brought, I wouldn’t be here now. For that matter, none of us would be.”

Lightning shook his hand strongly, and then he touched his insignia which activated the portal. “But you know I can come here whenever I need to now.”

Everyone’s sadness began to fade. This was indeed a good thing. “Who knows, maybe we can come and visit you some time.”

“Maybe…” said Krysta “But, it would be hard to get used to two of you in one place.”

Everyone shared a good laugh.

“We almost forgot…” Buddy Rose said “Shouldn’t you take the powers the back?”

Lightning shook his head “Keep them, all of you.”

The gang all had looks of shock on their faces.

“Lightning we can’t keep these.” said Dyno.

“Si, what will we do with them?” asked Myte.

“Duh, you can use them to protect your world when we’re not here.” Krysta said playfully.

“We can be heroes of our world and time,
And use them to fend off crime.” said Rhymey.

“Gee, I’ve always wanted to be a super hero.” said Pinke “Super Pinkie Pie, to the rescue!”

The others all rolled their eyes.

“But wait…” said Spike “Who’s going to lead the group when we’re not here?”

“I think we all know the answer to that.” said Rainbow as she flicked her hair, and before the others could groan in dismay thinking she was about to say herself, she pointes right at Sunset.

“Me? But, I can’t lead the team.”

“Yes you can…” Lightning said as he approached her. “You’ve already proven to everyone what you’re capable of, and that your heart is in the right place. Queen Celestia would be very proud, as would Twilight.”

Sunset blushed softly, but then saw everyone nodding in agreement, she couldn’t refuse. This was what she had been waiting for a long time; to finally be accepted and appreciated.

Lightning then reached into his pocket and clipped a Starfleet badge onto her shirt. “Sunset Shimmer…” he proclaimed “By the power vested in me as Supreme Allied Commander, I hereby confirm upon you the rank of Junior Captain, and leader of this group.”

Everyone saluted to her, even Celestia did. Sunset felt ever so flattered. Then she turned to face Lightning “I promise I won’t let you down… Sir.”

Lightning smiled at her “I believe you.” and he saluted to her, and she saluted back.

Just then, Lightning could see over her shoulder, and that Starla seemed pretty downhearted.

Krysta and Spike felt bad for her, as did all the others.

Lightning sighed and approached her. “Starla…”

She looked up at him, trying not to let her tears show. “Lightning, I know you have to go back.” she said softly.

He nodded “I know how you feel, but you know…” he didn’t go any further, as she nodded. “I know…”

Lightning didn’t know what else to say, and thought he and the others should go; fearing it would only make things harder for Starla.

“I have to go.” he said. He turned to walk away, but Starla quickly grabbed his hand pulled him back, and kissed him deeply, much to his shock, and everyone else’ surprise.

Lightning just stood there with his eyes bulged wide open, and Starla finally broke away, quivering softly, a mixture of happiness and sadness on her face. “Sorry, I just had to do that.”

Lightning felt really embarrassed, but thankful his wife hadn’t seen that.

“I think it’s really time to go.” said Krysta.

Spike nodded, and Lightning stood next to Spike with Krysta perched on his shoulder.

Everyone bid their final farewells to the gang, and Lightning bowed to them saying “Until we meet again, my friends… Farewell.”

Then he and the others were enveloped in that sparkling glow, and the vanished into the portal, sealing the gateway behind them.

“Well, there they go.” said Celestia.

Her husband nodded “Most fascinating creatures we’ve ever known.”

(Like this)

“Yeah…” Artie said, and then he gazed slyly at his girlfriend and said “But at least we still got one of them here with us.”

Sunset chuckled casually “You know I am your superior now.”

“Eh, so what…?” Artie said, as he dipped her back and kissed her deeply, making everyone woo and cheer.

When the separated, Sunset went wild and howled in joy, as she reach up and…

…seemingly pulled the next scene down.

The portal gate was operating as the travelers materialized.

Buddy Rose poked his head into the room “Hey, they’re back! Everyone get in here!”

All the friends, their majesties and Professor Brain entered the room as the friends materialized all three of them back to their original forms.

“Lightning!” cried Starla as she ran into her husband’s arms.

Rarity couldn’t fight her tears of relief “Spike!”

Her fiancé dashed over and twirled her around in his arms, and embraced her warmly.

“Oh, Rarity…!”

Krysta playfully pretended to fell invisible, but she was happy to finally be home.

“Welcome home, Lightning Dawn.” Grand Ruler said.

Lightning bowed to him and the queen, but he felt a little worried about what to say about Flash. “We already know…” said Celestia “Sunset Shimmer wrote to us, and we heard of everything.”

“At least it was good to know he died a hero with honour, rather than a former enemy.” said Grand Ruler “You did well… all three of you.”

He bowed to them, and they bowed back.

“Well, I’d say we can close the door on this adventure.” said Professor Brain, and working his controls, he de-energized the gateway.

Pinkie Pie began bouncing impatiently, and talking a-hundred miles per hour. “How’d it go? What did you see? What was it like? Tell Me! Tell Me! Tell Me!!”

“Yeah, tell us, Lightning.” said Artie.

“We’re dying to know
How did it go?” said Rhymey

All the others came up, expressing their desire to hear the tale.

“I’ll tell you all later.” Lightning said, then he held his wife’s hand “First, don’t you and I have reservations for dinner?”

Starla giggled and held out a new reservations card she had with her, “But, um… just promise me one thing…”

“What’s that…?”

“You’ll tell me about the kiss.”

He blinked in confusion, but her nerves were showing “Um… what kiss.”

His wife acted sly “I can smell her breath on your lips. My counterpart kissed you.”

Lightning felt embarrassed, and the others began to tap their boots giving him a straight look. “Well… I… that is… um… oh, boy…!”

Starla wasn’t really mad, as she knew Lightning would never deliberately cheat on her, and what girl could resist her husband. Though she still wasn’t too keen with it though… “Next time you go, I’m going too.” Starla said “Then I can show her how to do it properly… LIKE THIS!” and she dipped him back kissing him hard and deeply, even making moaning sounds.

Everyone else shared a playful laugh.

Back in the real world, days had passed since Lightning has left.

Already the new gang of super heroes had thwarted a bank robbery, a hostage hold up, and saved an armoured transport boat out at sea form being plundered.

Other times, the gang chilled out at camp, even coming up with new songs for the groups to perform.

Captain Sunset was writing a letter to Lightning in her message book.

“Dear Commander Lightning…

Things have gone smoothly since you left, and I though it’s only been a short time, I really miss you, and though I look forward to writing you your reports every so and so, I cannot forget how much of impact your visit had on me, or on all of us, and we thank you dearly.

Come and visit again real soon.

Your friend and new fellow officer: Captain Sunset Shimmer.”

She finished writing, and then turned to see her boyfriend reaching out to her. She took his hand, and they both walked back to the gang.

“Are we ready?” asked Rainbow.

“Let’s jam!” said Buddy.

And they all began to play together…

(Credits roll to these songs)

While all this was happening, two figures and their pest were exploring the hidden crypt under the island where the demonites were once sealed.

One of the people was Twilight Sparkle, the real human, and with her was her dog-- actual dog--Spike.

Two years ago, when Lightning first came to Mystic Island, she got attacked by the evil Flash Sentry, and was knocked into a coma. She was sent to the mainland for treatment, and several weeks after, she woke up. Hew IQ had increased immensely though from the ordeal, but unfortunately she didn’t remember a thing of the aliens or the magic.

She was now a young college student, and an expert in sciences.

Her partner was none other than Lightning Dawn, the real human, and his pet was his Robin Krysta, who always traveled with him, who had attended the college himself as a young gifted mind like hers for some time.

Both were now on experimental expedition on Mystic Island, and were fascinated by the discovery of the tomb.

“What do you make of it, Lightning?” Twilight asked.

“No doubt about it, Twilight…” said Lightning “There’s something unusual about this island.”

Krysta chirped softly, and Spike scratched himself and yelped once.

Act 2: The Dazzlings and the D-Man Knights

ACT TWO

Sunset met up with the new campers at the main entrance. Five teenage boys, all five of them seemed to be wearing the same styled outfits--White T-Shirts, blue jeans-- and they wore vests over their shirts, but each were different color, and all five of them had different hairstyles.

Blaze; wearing a red vest and he had spikey orangey-red hair.

Scales; wearing a blue vest and he had spiky, curled dark blue hair.

Tempest: wearing a yellow vest and his yellow-blonde hair was done up in tall spikes

Boomer; wearing a black vest, and his black hair was all slicked down

And Slick; who wore a green vest and his green hair was rather messed up in strands.

There also three girls with them, whom Sunset didn’t recognize, but she put on a smile and acted very nicely towards them.

“Hi, I’m Sunset Shimmer, Junior Councillor; welcome to Star Camp.”

Blaze gazed at her, almost sinisterly and said “We’re delighted to be here.”

“You’ll love it here…” said Sunset “We’ve got practically every kind of sport and activity you’d expect to find at a camp.”

“So we see…” said Adagio “We already can feel the… magic and energy… of this place.”

Sunset gave the campers a full tour, showing them all the sights along the way. “Oh, and one thing you might like is out Musical Showcase at the end of the week. Everyone at camp is huddling around it.”

“You don’t ssssssay.” hissed Scales.

“Well, it just so happens we are all deeply into music.” added Aria.

“Great.” said Sunset “There’s still plenty for time for you to sign up; you just have to inform Councillor Celestia.”

Sonata almost spilled the beans “Cool, then we’ll be able to get all the energy and magic--.” But she was cut off when Tempest gave her a small nudge in her back. “Um, what I mean is… um…”

“What she means is we’d be delighted to participate.” Tempest said “After all we wouldn’t want to Spoil Good Plans in coming here.” He hinted at Sonata for almost breaking their cover.

Sonata acted rather shy and sly, the others all rolled their eyes.

Sunset, however, began to feel a bit strange, as if something weren’t quite right about these kids, especially when she noticed the gems around the girls’ necks.

“Is something wrong?” asked Adagio.

“Oh… um… well; where did you get those gems?”

“Oh, those…” said Boomer, and he made up a lie “We found them, and gave them to them, as a sign of our… partnership.”

Sunset moved in to look at Adagio’s gem closely, and reached out to touch it, when Adagio grabbed her hand “No!” she yelled.

Sunset winced.

Adagio quickly lied “Um, sorry… it’s just their very special, and they mean a lot to us.”

“Um… I think maybe we’ll check out the rest of the camp ourselves.” said Slick

“Thank you for everything.” added Blaze. Then he and his gang walked off with the girls, leaving Sunset all puzzled and concerned.

Later at lunch, the cafeteria was full, and some of the campers took their lunch outside to eat on a beautiful day.

Though Sunset was Junior Councillor, she preferred to sit with her friends at their table.

They were still trying to find a name for their new group.

“Hey, how about “The Party Animals?” said Pinkie Pie.

“NEXT!!” The others all groaned, and Pinkie hung her head low.

Sunset sat down, at the table, but her attention seemed elsewhere.

“So how’d the tour go?” asked Dyno.

Sunset didn’t answer.

“Sunset?” said Myte, and he snapped his fingers by her, snapping her to her senses. “Oh, sorry… I was distracted.”

“I’ll say ya were.” said Rainbow Dash. She then looked off in the direct Sunset was staring at, over at the table where the five new boys were sitting. “Are they the new campers?”

Rarity thought they all looked rather handsome; preferably Blaze “Oh, my…” she said while fanning herself with her hand, and she snapped a shot of them with her phone camera.

“Meh, they seem alright.” said Starla.

“I don’t know…” said Sunset “They were acting really strange before, and believe me I know what I’m talking about… I used to act just like that; having something to hide.”

The others weren’t too sure at first. The boys seemed pretty normal.

However, Rarity suddenly had a problem. “What… how… who…why…?”

“That only leaves Where and When.” said Buddy “What’s the matter?”

She showed him the picture she shot, she got the table, and all the sights in the background, but the boys were not there.

The others leaned in to view the picture.

“Let me try…” said Fluttershy, and she got out her own digital-camera, and took another picture… which the boys noticed.

Blaze nodded at Slick, and when no one was really looking, Slick’s eyes glowed, and a small patch of goo appeared on Fluttershy’s seat, which she then sat directly on…

…SQUASH!!

“Huh?!” she bolted upright and found her skit was covered in green slime. Many other campers saw it and laughed at her. Fluttershy was near tears, and the others were outraged.

Fluttershy then dashed out of the cafeteria, humiliated and crying.

“…Fluttershy!” cried Rhymey “Oh, My!” and he ran off after his girlfriend.

The five boys snickered.

“I just love making people miserable.” whispered Slick, and he slapped a high-five with Blaze.

“Okay…” said Blaze “The girls will be here any second. Scaled, you do your stuff here. Tempest, Boomer; you two know what to do as well.”

The boys nodded, and Scale’s eyes began to glow, and all the campers’ drinks, soups, and other foods they were eating glowed softly, unseen by any of them.

Tempest and Boomer then went to the washroom, and found it was empty, and the window was wide open, giving them a perfect view of all the other campers outside.

The boys nodded at one another, and Boomer held his hands out, and he launched several magic spikes, unseen by all, into the ground all over the camp… Then Tempest drew in a huge breath and blew softly out the window, a magical essence in his breath.

Meanwhile, the friends felt awful for Fluttershy, but confused as well by the goo. “Where did this stuff come from? It wasn’t here before.” Sunset wondered as she looked at the goo, and then it just magically vanished into thin air, making the others gasped. Rarity almost fainted in disbelief.

“What’s going on here?” Artie asked with concern.

Pinkie Pie noticed Fluttershy left her camera behind, and she checked the photo taken of those five boys; again, they did not appear in the photo.

Suddenly, they could hear the sound of singing coming, as three girls came into the cafeteria.

“Those are three girls I met.” said Sunset.

As the three girls continued to sing, the gems around their necks began to glow, and as they walked around, all the other campers seemed to turn their attention towards them, even Flash.

Their music was also being carried along the winds that Tempest had blown, reaching the ears of campers outside, and they turned their attention to the cafeteria.

As the girls continued to sing, all the other campers, and even the camp staff seemed to becoming mesmerised by the song, and got out of their seats singing along with the girls, and when the song ended… the campers just seemed to break out into one huge pile of arguments with one another.

All the campers, except the gang, and the five boys.

Adagio winked at Blaze, and he winked at her.

The gang saw this, and were now more than convinced something was really wrong!

Then it got even stranger, as everyone in the gang could see waves of soft light escaping from the people and leaving through the building…

…they couldn’t see then, but Boomer’s spikes were absorbing the energy, which then traveled in a series of magical wavelengths the spikes created under the ground, and were harnessed in a huge jar in a secret area.

Blaze looked at his watch, which was really a meter measuring how much energy was gathered, and the needle went way up nearing the halfway mark already. “Excellent!” he snickered.

The gang had gone outside where they found more of the campers arguing, and then suddenly, the arguing just broke up, and everyone went about their own business, but was now acting rude, and grumpy, and rather distant of one another. Even what seemed like the best of friends did no longer trust one another.

Meanwhile, the gang ran into Rhymey, who was standing outside of a set of cabins, the girls’ cabins. Boys were not allowed to cross into the area around the cabins. He looked really sad though, and everyone knew why.

Fluttershy was in a cabin, lying on her bed completed covered by the sheets, and crying in embarrassment.

Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie went into the cabin.

“Come on, Fluttershy, you have to come out.” said Rainbow.

“Go away!” she snapped “I’m never coming out of here again!”

“Aw, you don’t really mean that?” said Pinkie.

“Yes I do! Now leave me alone!” cried Fluttershy.

Rainbow suspected this wouldn’t be easy, and then Rainbow whistled for all the other girls to come into the room. Altogether, they lifted the mattress clear off the bed, and hauled it outside, then tipping it and Fluttershy rolled out from under the covers.

Fluttershy was angered by this, but her anger faded as she looked up and saw Rhymey reaching out to her, and help her onto her feet.

Once the bedding was put back in the cabin, the gang talked about what they had witnessed.

“I’m positive…” said Sunset “All that we just saw, even the goo, that was defiantly the work of some kind of dark magic, and I’m betting those girls and those guys are behind it all. How else can you explain it all?”

The others were all in agreement. “We better tell Councillor Celestia.” said Artie “Whatever those guys are up to, we can’t let them get away with it.”

All in agreement, the gang headed off.

Meanwhile, the Sirens had gathered together in secluded area of the camp.

“Wow! We totally sounded great there.” said Sonata.

“We would’ve sounded even better if you hadn’t kept going off key.” snapped Aria.

Sonata felt insulted. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“Don’t answer her.” said Adagio “I’m sick of listening to you both complain anyway.”

“Who says, you’re the boss of this group, Adagio?” Aria sneered.

“I never said I was.”

“Well, you sure act like it.” snapped Sonata.

“Enough!” snarled Blaze, as he and the other guys came up to the girls “If you girls can’t get along, then we’ll cut you out of the deal and finish the job ourselves.”

The girls didn’t like his attitude. “As if you would…” said Adagio. She rubbed her gem gloating “Without our music those humans wouldn’t be under our spell by this time.”

“In cassse you forgot…” hissed Scales “It was our ssssspells in the food and along the air that made those humans vulnerable to your dying magic?”

The girls felt ashamed now.

“Let’s not forget who needs who around here.” said Slick “We could easily just dump you and find some other way to harness their energy.”

The girls promised to try and get along better.

“What do we do now, Blaze?” asked Boomer.

“We need to harness more energy…” said Blaze “Fortunately, I have an idea of how to get It.” and he snickered softly.

The gang had already brought their case to Celestia, and Luna.

“A very likely story…” Celestia said “I spoke with those boys and girls the minute they signed in, and they were absolutely wonderful. It is very unlikely they have any dark magic.”

Luna stepped forth “Perhaps this is the work of Sunset Shimmer. Perhaps she has finally lost interest in her pure ways and has decided to revert to her wickedness.”

Sunset felt shocked and insulted by that statement. “No! No certainly not!”

“She’s telling the truth. She didn’t cause any of this.” said Artie, helping to defend her “We all know Sunset well, and I know for a fact she wouldn’t go back on her ways.”

Now she felt flattered a bit, and thought it was sweet he said that.

Fluttershy even showed the ladies the photo she took with her camera.

“This is a picture of an empty table.” said Celesta.

“I know that, but…”

She was cut off. “I’m sorry, but you’ll have to come up with something much more plausible than this.” said Celestia.

“But it’s the truth.” said Dyno.

“Si, we saw it all happen ourselves.” added Myte

“Perhaps you are all feeling jealous.” said Luna “We know of your attempts to create a new band, and you must fear the Dazzlings and the D-Man-Knights will steal your spotlight at the musical showcase.”

“The Dazzlings?” asked Rainbow.

“The D-Man-Knights?” asked Buddy.

“Yes…” said Celestia “Both those groups have decided to form their own bands. They came here to me to sign up for the showcase, and the groups even performed for us.”

“What? They sang for you?” asked Starla

“Yes…” said Celestia “And we’ve decided to change the Musical Showcase into a battle of the bands.”

“The winner gets to keep all the money that has been collected.” added Luna.

As they spoke, their eyes were glowing eerily, telling the gang that they had been affected too. Now the camp was in serious danger.

The friends had met together by the lake.

“What are we going to do now?” asked Fluttershy.

“What ever can we do? Everyone at camp has been affected.” said Rarity. “Well, everyone except us that is, though I don’t know why?”

“It must have something to do with alien magic we all possess.” said Buddy “Yeah, it must’ve shielded us somehow.”

“But what about, Flash?” asked Pinkie “He’s an A--” she stopped immediately “He’s a You-know-what.”

“Yes, but he doesn’t have any of his powers as long as he doesn’t remember.” Starla reminded her “That would explain why he got affected by those creeps.”

“Well, what are we just sitting here for?” said Rainbow “We’ve got magic; let’s go take those creeps down. It’s not like both groups haven’t faced horrifying scary magic before and kicked the baddies’ butt.”

“Rainbow…!” Artie groaned as he gestured at Sunset, who didn’t seem pleased.

“It’s all right, I understand.” she said “But thanks for showing a bit of care.”

Artie blushed slightly.

Then Rhymey said…

“Even still, here what I say
I don’t think our powers quite work that way
Neither Lightning nor Twilight is with us here.
Our full power may not work unless they are here.”

“He’s got a point.” said Dyno “I don’t know how to use the magic I got.”

“Esto no es Bueno*This is not good*" groaned Myte “If only we could find a way to contact either Lightning or Twilight, then they could come and help us out.”

“Fat chance of that.” said Starla “Remember, Lightning’s gateway was destroyed after he left, and he can’t use it anymore."

"And the portal Twilight used is all the way back at Canterlot High, and it's still closed for another six months." added Applejack.

Rainbow sighed in dismay "Well, I guess that's it then."

"Maybe not..." said Sunset "There actually is a way I can probably contact Twilight Sparkle."

The friends all huddled around her with deep interest and anxiety.

She lead them all to her private Junior Councillor office, and out from her desk she pulled out a book.

"When I was Princess Celestia's student, before I came here, I was given this. It may look like just a plain old book, but it's enchanted with an incredible power. If I write something within these pages, it will appear in the pages of a second book linked to this one, and vice-versa."

"Cool..." said Pinkie "It's like texting only without a phone."

Sunset nodded "Maybe it still works." and then she began to write her message, completely unaware of the events that had transpired over the last two years in the Dimensional Universe.