My Brave Pony: Starfleet Magic Season XII

Previously on Starfleet Magic…

As our heroes trained tirelessly to prepare for the great upcoming battle against Moltic and Iceinia, Flareous and Blizzord had plans of their own-- sending massive swarms of guards to United Equestria and putting civilians in great danger. Our heroes fought valiantly, but in the end, Blitzy Heart and Swift Star were captured and taken away to the worlds of the enemies!

EPISODE TWENTY-ONE

Swift had arrived on Planet Moltic. He had been fighting for so long, and he was tired and weak, which allowed the guards to easily take his energizer, his armor, and bring him to the royal palace where Flareous was waiting.

Swift felt his blood boiling as he glared at the evil king, while Flareous grinned wickedly.

“Welcome to my castle, Starfleet Fighter. I have been expecting you, though I must say, I was expecting to more to be brought here, but I suppose one will do just as well.”

Swift was sweating bullets, but mostly because of the intense heat of the planet. How he wished he had his armor and its temperature control.

Keltar had brought Flareous the armor and energizer.

“Leave them here…” said Flareous. “We shall attempt to examine them and learn of their secrets later.”

“Yes, sire.” said Keltar, and he left the items by the throne, while Flareous got up to approach his prisoner.

“What are you planning to do with me?” Swift asked sternly.

Flareous snickered. “Now, now… let’s not lose our heads. You are an important part of my plans to bring down Iceinia.

I shall hold you here, as my prisoner, and your Starfleet will have no choice but to surrender their forces to me. With their power and my resources, together we shall annihilate Iceinia and all else who dare stand in my way.”

Swift felt sick to his stomach-- either from his rage, his tired state, or the heat. “You won’t succeed!” he bellowed. “Starfleet will never surrender to you, and they’ll never fight for you either. I sure know I won’t.”

“Silence!” thundered Flareous, and his flaring up made Swift groan and shut his eyes tight from the blindness of the flames.

“Sire, please!” Keltar advised “Remember the plan!”

Flareous cooled down. “Yes.” he hissed as he regained himself. He then spoke severely to Swift. “I would advise you to know your place here. I am you ruler now, and soon I will have my son back, and Starfleet will fight for me.

What choice do they have if they wish to see you again.”

“You’re wrong!” Swift insisted. “Every Starfleet fighter is prepared to give their life if they must. They will come here, and they will bring you down for all the trouble you’ve caused all over the galaxy.

So, maybe it’s YOU who should surrender while you can!”

Flareous was growing irritable with his cheek, but keeping himself calm, he ordered the guards, “Take him to the prison cells, and a keep a sharp eye on him, and keep him alive. I don’t want him doing anything crazy.”

The guards complied, and Swift was dragged away yelling. “Stop this war! You’re hurting so many innocent beings!

STARFLEET WILL GET YOU!! THEY’LL MAKE YOU PAY!!!”

Flareous ignored him, and Swift was gone. “He has much fire in his passion.” Flareous said to himself. “I like it. If all Starfleet fighters are equally as passionate, my victory over Iceinia is assured.”

Then he went off to prepare for the next step in his plan, while Keltar watched him as he go, thinking to himself, “No, Flareous… it is your defeat that is assured, and I look forward to it.”

Meanwhile, Blitzy was brought to the royal throne room on Iceinia. She shivered vigorously while chattered “Ooh…! It’s cold…! So, cold!”

Big doors opened, and the guards stood aside as the king entered with Smark tailing behind him.

Blizzord did not seem too thrilled with this lone prisoner. “This… was all you could capture?” he thundered at the guards “You couldn’t at least have brought me a Starfleet fighter than a mere civilian?”

The Ice-Guards shivered in fear, but Blizzard only chuckled “I suppose this isn’t so bad after all.”

Shivering, Blitzy asked “H-H-Who are you?”

“I… am Blizzord; ruler of the Planet Iceinia and Master of all Chills.”

Chills seemed right, Blitzy felt her feet growing numb. She wasn’t properly clothed for such cold weather.

“Y-Y-You!” chattered Blitzy. “Y-Y-You’re… monster! You’re trying to d-d-destroy…!” She could hardly speak.

Blizzord couldn’t let his prisoner perish. She was far too vital to his own plans. “Take her away and keep her safe.”

The guards all complied and dragged her off to the dungeon.

Blizzord gripped his trident tightly. “The time has come.” he said.

“Uh… Your majesty?” Smark said trying to get his attention, but Blizzord kept musing over his plans.

“With her as a prisoner, we can lure Starfleet here.”

“Excuse me, Sire…?”

“And once I have them under my command, and Glaceia back, no one will stand in my way.”

“MY KING!!” Smark thundered, finally getting his attention. “WHAT IS IT?!!” Blizzord bellowed, making the room quiver, and large icicles fell from the ceiling.

Smark was more thankful than frightened now that he could speak. “Sorry, sire, but one of the sentries informed me…” and he handed the king a slip of paper with the report.

Blizzord’s eyes widened. “What?! This can’t be happening.”

“It is…” replied Smark. “The invisiport they came through vanished-- it’s gone.”

Blizzord growled. “This can’t happen-- not now! Everything will be ruined!” He hurried off to put his plan into action quickly, leaving Smark feeling concerned. “If the ports are starting to close, that could make things serious for me, and I’ll never bring Blizzord down!” he thought. “I’ve got to inform Keltar.”

He ran off in such a panic that he bumped into the door frame. “Oww-Ohh!”

Meanwhile…

Barriers were active all-over United Equestria. The streets were all cleared, and not a soul was seen. Everyone was ordered inside their homes, or buildings, and ordered to remain so until further notice, in case another massive attack would follow.

Sentries and soldiers remained on guard and ready for anything, and supplies and goods were delivered to every location to ensure the civilians’ comfort.

At New Canterlot Palace, the controls ops scanned the area where Blitzy and Swift had been kidnapped, and both the invisiports no longer showed up on screen. To make things worse, other invisiports were showing signs of weakening, and beginning to vanish as well.

Lightning and co were waiting impatiently outside of the main briefing room for their majesties to come and let them in to discuss the matter of what to do now.

“I can’t believe Blitzy and Swift were taken!” said Buddy.

Applejack clenched her fists, “We should’ve known-- that’s why they hit us with such an ambush-- they knew we’d be all distracted and they’d try and make off with the people.”

Lightning was especially frustrated, not just by his inability to save his friends in time, but he was worried about them both, especially Blitzy!

“When are their majesties coming back already?!” he asked for the third time.

Fluttershy hid behind Rhymey, scared of Lightning’s outrage, and Pinkie ducked behind a curtain.

Though Starla was just as worried, she comforted her husband, “Try to stay calm. Losing our heads isn’t going to help or get them back any faster.”

Lightning calmed down, and his rage began to turn into sadness. “I just feel terrible-- I couldn’t get to them. Especially, Blitzy… she and I are the last of Harmonian Pony race, I just can’t let her down! I can’t!”

Nobody needed to be Cadance to see tell that Lightning meant every word he said, and he was truly panicking about it.

Pyron and Glaceia were ever so furious. Their father’s had reached a new low, not that they weren’t already low from the start.

“If I know my father…” said Pyron. “He will attempt to use Swift as an ultimatum-- to make Starfleet surrender and do his fighting.”

Glaceia nodded, “My father will likely do the same. He will threaten Blitzy by any means to force your hand.”

The entire team agreed, and the thought of it only made them angrier.

“Meng, I’d like nothing more than to go to both those planets and blast those crowns down their throats!” growled Dyno.

Myte nodded and added, “Then we’d do exactly what they’ve been doing to the entire galaxy—rough them up real good!”

“Hey, save some for me, fellas.” said Rainbow, and she cracked her knuckles in a threatening way.

Starla cleared her throat at the trio glaring at them, reminding them to keep their cools, and the trio calmed down.

“What will we do?” asked Glaceia.

“We won’t know anything until their majesties come.” answered Shining Armor.

That’s when the doors to the briefing room opened, and Luna stepped out. “We are ready. Come in, all of you.”

The fighters were all so anxious, they almost rushed inside rather than filing in and taking their seats like proper soldiers.

Grand Ruler was surprised at their haste, but he started the meeting.

“I’ll come to straight to the point… The reports have all confirmed without doubt-- the invisports are beginning to close, slowly but surely.”

The team all had mixed expressions of fear, worry, and outrage.

“We knew this was bound to happen, but what timing for it to start.” said Artie.

“That was our reaction as well.” agreed Celestia. “It puts in an even worse state than we are at.”

She didn’t have to go on, everyone already knew what this meant.

“If those portals keep closing,” cried Rarity “We may never get a chance to strike.”

Spike agreed, “And even if we made it to the other planets, if those portals vanish, we won’t be able to get back either.”

Pinkie began to look pale, and she shouted “What do we do? What do we do?!” Everyone glared at her, telling her to stop shouting, which made her slump down slowly into her chair.

“Is there nothing that can be done,
To keep all the portals wide and open?” asked Rhymey

“I’m afraid not.” replied Grand Ruler. “However, there is one ray of hope yet…” he held up the papers of the reports, “It has been calculated that the ports are closing only at a slow rate. They should remain open for a little while longer. Exactly for how long, we aren’t sure.”

“Theen there’s still a chance for us to go and make it back.” said Lightning. “When do we leave?”

Before anyone could answer, there was a knock at the briefing room door. It was Captain Shaina. “I am sorry to interrupt, but sensors in Control Ops have detected abnormal activity appearing through the ports.”

Everyone felt their rages rise.

“Is it monsters or guards?” asked Grand Ruler.

“…Neither Sire. It seems to be some form of magical energy.”

Suddenly, there was a bright glow from outside that could be seen from the windows.

“What is that?” cried Rarity.

Through two ports, still intact, two large energy blasts burst right from them, and they shot up into the skies forming giant images of Flareous and Blizzord.

Pyron and Glaceia couldn’t believe their eyes.

Civilans all over New Canterlot could see the images, and so could many others from far away.

Stranger still, both images said the exact same words, at the exact same time.

“Now hear me well, Starfleet! This is an ultimatum. We have your friend, safe for the moment, but for how long depends on you.

The choice is very simple: You will surrender to my forces immediately and will swear your every allegiance to me. You are also to bring back my child, and then, together, we shall bring down my enemy.

Refuse, and not only shall I be forced to do away with your friend, but I shall send even more of my forces to attack you again. You thought the last wave was tough, just you wait. I have plenty of resources, greater than you can imagine.”

Their majesties all cringed with anger, as did the fighters.

Glaceia held onto Pyron, shivering in fright, and he held her softly in outrage at the images.

“The choice is yours.” the evil kings said at the same time. “You have until your next sunrise. If you fail to appear, remember… You had the choice!!”

The images laughed wickedly. Their booming voices rattled the air and dissolved the clouds, and then the images faded and were gone.

“Dang! Those guys are fully mad!” grumbled Applejack. “I’ve seen wild steer that looked calmer and saner.

“They’re monsters to their very core!
I really can’t stand it anymore!” cried Fluttershy.

Lightning was really growing outraged, as were their majesties. Flareous and Blizzord had to be stopped and soon before the entire galaxy suffered anymore because of their chaotic war.

“As I said before…” said Lightning to Grand Ruler “When do we leave?”

His majesty didn’t answer right away, but the furious and determined look in his eyes showed it would not be long.

“We have very little time.” he said, and he addressed all the fighters, “We make final preparations now. Tomorrow, at sunrise… we go!”

Celestia put her hand on his shoulder, and showed a serious look on her face, she couldn’t agree more, nor could Luna.

Blitz was thrown into an icy prison cell; everything in it was fridged to the cot, the walls, the floor, the ceiling, but she was given thick fur-blankets to wrap around herself to keep warm. Blizzord wanted her alive and well at all costs.

While it felt nice not to feel so cold, Blitz was so sad and frightened that she cried, and her tears turned to ice.

“How did this happen?” she thought sadly. “I just wanted to live a live without fear, and without danger, and this had to happen.”

She also remembered Swift, and she wondered what had become of him.

Swift didn’t have it as easy as she did. In his cell on Moltic, it was still very hot, but since he was indoors, it wasn’t as bad now, and he could stay awake, but the heat was still rather unbearable. His cot sizzled, the air was so humid and burning. His captives had no cooling devices or even cool drinks to give him, and they didn’t dare give back his armor for fear he would be sneaky with it.

“This is just perfect!” he said to himself. “There’s got to be a way to get out of here.”

He looked up, down, and all around. There were the bars on the high window of his cell-- eight feet off the ground, and the cell door, though strong and solid-looking, he was sure he could kick it down with his full-strength, once he rested up.

“I better not do that!” he thought “With all the guards around, they’d be all over me, and I’d never be able to fight them all off.

And even if I did get out of here, where would I go? I can’t find my way out of the castle, I don’t know anything about this planet, and I can’t find the invisiports, or know where they’ll take me.”

The more he thought it over, the more hopeless it seemed, and while he was willing to give his life for the sake of Starfleet, he was hoping he wouldn’t have to… especially since he worried about Blitzy and what would become of her!

Flareous was examining Swift’s armor and energizer, and while he wasn’t to activate anything, nor hack into their secrets, he was still most impressed. “A remarkable piece of ingenuity. If we had more weapons and technology like this, our forces would be unstoppable.”

Now he was really looking forward to Starfleet surrendering to him, and thus, giving him all the power and weapons he desired.

“Here!” he said, shoving the items at Keltar. “Take these and put them someplace safe. We’ll examine them more thoroughly later. I must prepare for the arrival of my… future subordinates.”

Then he went off leaving Keltar to take the items away… in a huff!

Keltar grumbled angrily, slurring Flareous’ name, but careful as not to be overheard by any of the guards on the way through the halls.

Finally, he reached a large safe door in the bowels of the castle, and he opened it to reveal all sorts of treasures Flareous had obtained over the years.

Just as he was about to place the items inside, Ketlar had an idea that made him grin sinisterly.

With guards’ backs turned, he quietly stuffed the armor under his robe concealing it perfectly, and he slammed the safe shut. “Well, that’s done.” he said in an act, “I think I’ll head off to bed now, big day tomorrow.”

He fooled the guards completely and slipped off with the items safely under wraps, and once he was safely in his bedroom, he contacted Smark and told them of his plan.

“Hey, that’s pretty sneaky.” remarked Smark. “I wish I could do the same thing for our prisoner, but I don’t think I’ll have to.”

“Indeed,” agreed Smark. “If I know Starfleet, as well as you, they won’t give up so easily.

Tomorrow, it begins, and Flareous and Blizzord… will end!”

After a long, long day of talking, planning, and agreeing, the night seemed very long and endless, but the fighters managed to get to bed and get some sleep, though it wasn’t easy.

Shining Light was fast asleep on a sofa bed in their room, and a crib was provided for Twinkle, but Lightning stood up at the window, looking out at the night.

Starla climbed out of bed and walked quietly up to her husband. “You should really come to bed.” she whispered, not wanting to wake the children.

Lightning sighed, “I know, but I just can’t stop worrying about Swift and Blitzy. No matter how much confidence I have that we’ll get them back, I just can’t shake it off.”

His wife wrapped her arms around and rested her head up against him, and she joked, “You’d think after all this time-- years of being on the force-- you’d be used to the feeling by now.”

Lightning shook his head. “Nothing ever changes feelings like these.”

He let out a large yawn.

“And neither do sleepy feelings.” said Starla. “Come on. I know how you’re feeling, I feel the same, but if we don’t sleep, we won’t be at our best.”

Lightning gave in, “As usual: you’re right.” and he went to bed with his wife.

Lightning wasn’t the only one having trouble sleeping.

Grand Ruler Celesto was standing on the terrace with Celestia. They both couldn’t stop thinking about tomorrow, because they would be going on the mission as well.

Celestia gave a small shiver in the breeze.

“Are you cold?” her husband asked.

“No, just a little edgy. I feel the same way every time we’re about to enter a huge battle.”

Her husband sympathized with her, “The feeling is never any different, no matter how often we feel it, but I wouldn’t miss this battle for many things.” He clenched his fist at the very thought of confronting Flareous or Blizzord, or even both face-to-face. “They’ve caused so much damage and devastation… and intend for them to answer for it all!”

His wife squeezed his other hand softly and gave a brave and agreeing expression.

Finally, there was Pyron and Glaceia. Neither one of them could sleep in their separate suites, knowing that tomorrow they would be confronting their fathers.

Pyron was enraged as he clutched his sword tightly, and as he looked out his window, to the one adjacent to his own, he saw Glaceia looking up into the stars. She looked really nuervous and fretful.

She knew Blizzord would be seething with rage for her disobeying him, and there was no telling what wicked things he would do.

She remembered how horrid her father was to her growing up-- keeping her locked up, and forbidding her from wandering, having friends, or doing anything he disapproved of, which was practically everything.

“You are my daughter, and you will do as I say.”

“You get in that cell, and you stay there until you learn who is in-command here!”

“You are weak, and foolish to be in love with the prince of our enemy!”

Those awful words and painful memories made her fear her father’s wrath, and for her friends’ safety.

“Glaceia?” Pyron said softly, making her jump and gasp in fright, and Pyron nearly slipped off the ledging of the wall he had slid across from his own window-- rather than exit his room and knock on her door.

He managed to keep his balance, and then he helped himself into the room.

“What are you doing here?” asked Glaceia

Pyron gave her a small smile, “The same reason as you… I can’t sleep too well, regarding what will happen tomorrow.”

The couple embraced deeply.

“Pyron, I hate to ask you this, but… what if something horrible were to happen tomorrow? What if something happens to me, or to you, or to any of our friends?”

Pyron hesitated, thinking hard to come up with the right things to say. “I was raised in the ways of war by my father. I have seen war first-hand… so much chaos, destruction, and loss.”

He remembered all his training, all the battles he fought, and all the Iceinian warriors he had slain, and now he hated himself for every bit of it, and the blood of all those warriors would forever be a stain on his soul.

“My mother…” he said “Before she had perished, she told me one thing: “Follow your heart. Do what you feel is right even if others may disagree.”

He shut his eyes tightly, painfully missing his mother’s love, her embrace, and her warmth.

This made Glaceia miss her own mother. “She was the only one to ever stand up for me; to ever appreciate my gifts and understand my feelings.” She paused and closed her eyes, “She used to tell me…

“If you have a great gift, don’t keep it to yourself; share it with the world. Don’t be afraid of what others may think, it is more shameful to waste talent than great opportunity.”

The couple each shed a tear in memory of their mothers, and then they remembered the time they first met-- when Pyron was injured, and Glaceia nursed him back to health.

“I don’t regret that at all.” said Pyron “Meeting you that day changed my life and my outlooks forever.”

Glaceia rested her head against his warm chest. “I couldn’t begin to imagine my life without you now.” And she felt more afraid than ever, worrying about what could happen should things go wrong.

“We have come so very far.” she said, “We are so very lucky to have made it like this at all.”

They both remembered, being lost-- warped into Space-- and of all the places to wind up, in the presence of Starfleet, which they could not have been more grateful for-- all the generosity their friends had given them, and all they had done and were willing to do to stop their fathers and end the war of their two worlds.

“I do know this…” said Pyron, and he looked deep into his love’s eyes. “…When and if our fathers fall, you and I will rule together, not a hot world, not a cold, but a warm and embracing world where our two races can rejoice in peace and harmony…

…If you will rule by my side and let by yours.

I love you so much, Glaceia.”

Tears of love brimmed in Glaceia’s eyes. “I will always love you, Dear Pyron. That will never change.”

Their lips came together in one of the deepest, most passionate of kisses they ever had, and they slowly sank down to the floor, still kissing and holding each other tightly as things got hotter, and hotter.

The only person to hear their soft, joyous moans was Princess Luna, standing on the terrace above the window on her night shift.

She could only smile for the two lovers.

Early the next morning, an hour before dawn… blades were sharpened, powers were energized to maximum, boots, gloves, and belts were strapped on tightly.

Lightning and Starla hated to leave their children behind, but this was a mission here all hands were needed. Other parents felt the same way, especially those who were both coming on the mission-- Rhymey and Fluttershy, Spike and Rarity, Cadance and Shining Armor-- they all wanted to say goodbye to their respective children one last time, but they were all still asleep, and it was best they were not awakened and left to the palace staff to care for.

The only children who were wide-awake were Castor and Lelani, who loved to sneak up early sometimes to watch the sunrise. They were standing in the window of their shared bedroom watching the forces assemble.

Lightning and friends marched out through the gates of the palace to meet with Grand Ruler Celesto, Queen Celestia, Princess Luna, and the army of soldiers who were coming on the mission.

Lightning and Co saluted, and their majesties saluted back.

“It is time.” said his majesty. “You have all been briefed on our new plans. We shall take the enemy by surprise.”

“SIR! YES, SIR!!” the soldiers all said while saluting.

Pyron and Glaceia were then called to the front of the force.

“Are you ready?” asked Celestia.

The couple bowed and answered together, “We are.”

“Good.” said Grand Ruler, and he addressed the force again. “The invisports are still standing. You have all been briefed and re-briefed on their locations as well as their exit points. You all have your orders; they are to be followed as such if we are to have any hope at success.”

No one said a thing, showing that they all understood, and now it was time to begin.

A large laser-like cannon aimed over the battlements and fired at the army in a bright flash.

It was nearly dawn on both Moltic and Iceinia.

Swift had fallen asleep in his cell, when he was awakened by a knock at the door. “Room Service!” called Keltar. The door to the cell opened, and he wheeled in a small trolley with a hot breakfast on a tablecloth.

The food looked a little overcooked, just like Molticean’s were used to-- living on a hot world, the food often cooked in the very air.

The guards had come in to ensure Swift didn’t try anything funny.

Swift just gave a sour glare, “You’ll forgive me if I don’t think much of your hospitality.”

Keltar merely snuffed, and he turned and left the cell with the guards, leaving the trolley and the food behind.

When the door was slammed shut and locked, and the guards resumed their posts with their backs turned, Swift decided to at least partake in the food, as he hadn’t eaten since arriving the other night.

The food looked simply awful, but at least it was edible, but just as he picked up and unfolded his napkin, he noticed there was a small message written on it.

“Look under the tablecloth.”

“Hmm…?”

With the guards’ backs turned, Swift quietly peeked under the cloth, and he couldn’t believe his eyes…!

Meanwhile, Blitzy was presented with food from her own service. Her food looked cold and solid, which was expected for the cold world she was in. She didn’t feel much like eating; she was still too upset and too angry with her captives to give them any satisfaction.

Smark reported this to Blizzord. “She just won’t eat.”

Blizzord scoffed. “Stubborn fool, and I had the chef prepare a decent meal-- luxury for a prisoner such as her.”

He was actually grumpy from impatience while waiting for word from the guards regarding the answer to his ultimatum. “What is taking so long?!” he bellowed. “I want my new army, and I want it now!!”

Smark didn’t know what to tell him, until a guard came in. “Your majesty, great news.”

“What?!” spat Blizzord in utter disbelief. “Is it true?”

“Yes, sire…” replied the guard. “Your daughter, Princess Glaceia has returned, and she has brought several high-ranking officers, and Queen Celestia with her as prisoners. They apparently have surrendered to you.”

Blizzord was silent and shocked. “Glaceia! She has returned.”

He didn’t know what to think of his daughter’s homecoming ever since her horrible betrayal and desertion, but now, knowing that she had brought strong warriors with her, all he could say was, “Bring them here at once. I have a few things especially to say to my daughter.”

Flareous was being told similar news.

“My son… he’s back?!”

“It’s true, my king.” replied Keltar. “He has also brought many Starfleet fighters with him. His stative purpose was that he is no longer interested in Princess Glaceia, and wishes to bring her and Iceinia down, and has brought fighters here as prisoners to aid you in that conquest.”

Flareous, being the warmongering fool he was, laughed with glee and delighted. “My son-- I knew he would come to his senses, and now… once-and-for-all… victory will be mine!

Bring him and his prisoners to me at once!”

Both Flareous and Blizzord chuckled at the same time, “The Final Battle is in sight!”

To Be Continued…

(Promo)

In our next episode: Starfleet unleashes their full wrath against the two worlds, and it isn’t long before the confrontation with the royal monarchs themselves, but Flareous and Blizzord refuse to back down, even for their own children, and it’s a battle of the ages, until the kings reveal hidden secrets of their own that may tip things in their favor.

Who will emerge victorious in this fight of the ages?

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

(Next Episode: “Part 3: Raging Races”)