Starfleet Magic (Movie): The Switch Before Hearths Warming/Christmas

ACT TEN

Little Spike let out a huge yawn of boredom. “You’ve been researching for hours.” he whispered to Sci-Twi.

She just couldn’t stop. She had learned so much about United Equestria and more, but she suddenly decided. “Maybe we should get out and stretch our legs a little.”

Thanks to maps she had looked at and copied, she felt she knew how to navigate around New Canterlot.

She put all the books back on the shelves she took them from, and she left with Spike.

“Wait!” Spike said “I don’t think we should just wander around like this. What if something happens to us?”

“Don’t worry about that.” was all Sci-Twi said as they headed into town.

They stopped off at the public market and browsed at all kinds of strange and wonderful items-- books, tapestries, pottery, and many more things. There were even lots of things for Hearths Warming-- trees, wreaths, hollies, ornaments, household decorations, stockings, even sweaters, mittens, and scarves.

Sci-Twi couldn’t buy anything because she didn’t have the correct currency to use, but just browsing was enough for her. “This is so neat.” Sci-Twi said to herself. “Everything here is almost exactly like it is back home.”

Spike was more fascinated by the snow. Then he suddenly felt tingly. “Whoops. I’ve got to use the little doggie’s room.”

Even as a dragon, Spike still had some of his canine instincts, and he looked around, and saw a fire hydrant in the middle of the market square. He waddled over, lifted his leg, “Ahhh….”

The patrons and shoppers saw this and were appalled.

“What are you doing?!”

“Have you no shame?!”

“Call security!”

“We’ve got a troublemaker here!”

Sci-Twi saw everything, “Hey!” she hollered while trying to rush past the crowds. “Excuse me! Excuse me!” She got through just in time as two big tough ponies came, ready to apprehend Spike and issue him a fine.

“Stop!” Sci-Twi shouted as she pushed her way out. “What’s going on?”

One of the guards picked Spike up. “Is this little guy with you?”

Sci-Twi nodded, and she could not believe what she was told next. “You did what?!”

“I had to go to the bathroom, I just forgot.” Spike wailed innocently.

The two guards were not convinced and were about to fine Sci-Twi as well. “What did I do?” Sci-Twi wailed.

“Public Urination is one thing, but leaving a child unattended is another.” said the guard. “I’m afraid you’ll both have to come with us.”

“What?!” cried Sci-Twi.

“That’s not fair!” whined Spike.

Just as the two were about to escorted from the market…

“Hold it!” shouted a voice, and who dropped in but Lightning, who was in New Canterlot on official duty, and Krysta was with him as she would never leave his side without good reason.

The guards saluted him.

“What’s going on here?”

The guards explained to him the trouble.

“I see…” Lightning said while glaring at his friends. Thinking quickly, he dismissed the guards, “I’ll handle this myself.”

“But Commander, Sir…” one of the guards tried to protest, but Lightning wouldn’t hear of it, and neither would Krysta. “He said, it’s taken care of!” she growled. “Don’t question your commander.”

Lightning gave the guards the money for the fines-- he had proper currency.

With this settled, the guards resumed their duties, and Lightning escorted his friends to a quieter place away from onlookers and peepers.

“What were you thinking?” Sci-Twi scolded Spike.

“Seriously? Urinating in public?!” added Krysta.

“I’m sorry!” whimpered Spike. “I just really had to go, and something just came over me, and…”

“Alright! Alright!!” Lightning insisted “You two are just going to have to be more careful. I’ve got enough to worry about as it is. Do you have any idea how hard being Commander is?”

He was still recovering from all the reports he had filed out in a split that morning.

Then he had to go on patrol, arrange the sentries, and now he was here in New Canterlot, where he had just come from training new recruits at the palace.

He stretched up, cracking his bones, “Even with this chip in my head, I don’t know how the other Lightning does this all the time.”

“I hear that,” said Krysta “I have to rule over and command a whole bunch of tiny fairies that teleport all over the place and come from another planet. Thank goodness I don’t have to go back there… yet.”

Sci-Twi and Spike couldn’t begin to feel or understand how hard everyone had it, and wondered how Starla was getting on, and the others.

Starla, since she was supposed to be on Maternity Leave, had decided to take the children to Sugar-Cube Corners for some hot cocoa, and that so she herself could walk around New Ponyville and see new sights.

As she went along, passersby greeted her.

“Good morning, General Starla.”

“Morning.”

“General Star, how’s it going?”

“Morning.”

It still astounded her that everyone was calling her “General” but at least it meant her cover was holding.

She and the children arrived at the café, and they were greeted by Pinkie loudly, “Hey, Starla!!”

Starla was shaken up by the outburst and her mane was messed up. The children giggled at how funny she looked while she straightened her mane.

Soon, Starla and the kids were sitting at a table, and Pinkie gave shining a nice big cocoa with whipped cream and chocolate sauce.

“Thank yooooou…” Shining cooed.

Pinkie patted him on the head, but then she heard a little voice call, “Mommy! Mommy!” It was Biscuit Pie, and he had a little spill in his highchair. “Mommy’s coming, sweetheart.” Pinkie called as she dashed off.

Starla was impressed, but worried as well. “She sure is playing her role well… Almost too well.” she thought.

Soon, Shining Light had finished his treat, and he was playing in the play area with Pumpkin, Pound, and other children brought over.

Twinkle was too little, and she was asleep anyway, so Starla just kept watch over her.

“Aw, she is just soooo cute.” Pinkie cooed softly.

Starla couldn’t deny that. “Yeah, she is.”

“You’re so lucky to have a little girl like her.”

Starla blinked once and then whispered into her ear, “She’s not my baby, remember? Just like Biscuit isn’t your son.”

“I know…” replied Pinkie “I’m just trying to play my role as well as I can.”

Apple Spice came by with a hot meal he was taking to a table. “My ears are burning, are you talking about me?” he teased.

Pinkie giggled, “No, silly… but you just might come up.” She said while flirtingly tickling his chin, and then pecked him on the mouth…

…Much to Starla’s shock. She waited until Spice was gone to scold Pinkie, softly so no one would hear, “…Are you crazy-- you’re making out with someone else’s husband?!”

As usual, Pinkie just shrugged it off, “It’s just acting. It’s no big deal. Technically, in a weird, not-so-off way… he is my husband anyway.”

Starla facepalmed.

“Besides, what about you and Lightning?” Pinkie asked, “Aren’t you two playing your roles well?”

“Huh?” Starla looked up blushing in embarrassment.

Pinkie couldn’t stay and chat any longer, she was called back to work.

Soon, Starla and the kids were on their way home again, and it started to snow.

Shining Light held out his tongue to catch falling snowflakes.

“What are you doing?” Starla teased.

“I caught one! I caught one!” the little colt cheered.

Starla found this to be amusing, and then she thought deeply to herself, with Shining Light walking near her, and Twinkle in the carriage…

“This is starting to feel like… like I have a real family of my own.” she thought to herself.

Earlier she had seen Lightning off, like a real wife seeing her husband leave for work.

She recalled in the flashback,

“I’m on duty now, you take care of the kids until I get back.”

“I will.”

They gazed into each other’s eyes, almost feeling like a real married couple, but it didn’t go any further, and Lightning left.

The flashback ended, but Starla could only sigh while blushing.

“Mommy are you okay?” asked Shining, but Starla didn’t answer.

In her mind she broke into a song while thinking about Lightning and her obvious feelings for him. It was clear what she wanted for Christmas, or Hearths Warming or whatever…

There are lots of things this holiday I don’t need
I just know what I want so much
Presents and fancy dinner would be nice
But all I ask, is for someone special as such

As she sang, images showed her rejecting all the fancy things one could have during the holidays, all in exchange for the guy who was always on her mind.

I don’t need any rides in a magic sleigh
Or a great big feast to see me through
Don’t need a tree, and presents coming my way
I just know that I want to be with you

What would I want with things,
While nice as they can be
I want something only you can give,
A love to share for you and for me.

She imagined herself standing in the middle of a beautiful field, and there she and Lightning were, in their human forms, and he would reach his hand out for hers with a loving smile, and she would try to take his hand, only for him to disappear and leaving her alone.

It’s only you that I want to see
No other present or carol will do
I don’t know what’s to come or be
I just know that I want to be with you

What would I want with things,
While nice as they can be
I want something only you give,
A love to share for you and for me.

It’s only you that I want to see
No other present or carol will do
I don’t know what’s to come or be
I just know that I want to be with you

I just know that I want to be…

…with you

Her final fantasy was of her and Lightning in each other’s arms, looking deeply into each other’s eyes, and their faces moving towards each other’s…

…But then it all faded with Shining called to her.

“Mommy! Mommy!” causing her to wake up and realize the red alarms were going off, meaning trouble was afoot!

A large creature had traveled in from outer space and set out to invade United Equestria, and he had landed in the meadows just a foot from the forest and Fluttershy’s cottage.

Starla wanted to investigate, but she knew she couldn’t leave the children alone, and she wondered if her friends were going to answer the call…!

Indeed, they had…

Most of the friends heard the alarm, and, thanks to their info chips, they knew how to find the danger-- where the alarm signals were coming from the strongest--

Buddy, Artie, Rhymey, and the Twins arrived on the scene, in New Ponyville meadows, and they were soon joined by Applejack, Pinkie, Rarity and Rainbow Dash.

“This had better be important!” Rarity fumed “I was on the verge of completing a new holiday-themed gown.”

“Never mind that!” snapped Buddy. “Where are Lightning and Starla.”

“I guess they couldn’t make it.” said Pinkie “You know, home with the kids and being in New Canterlot.”

Rhymey then explained,

“Fluttershy couldn’t come here,
She is watching the baby so dear.”

Suddenly, there was a loud crashing sound, and everyone turned round to see a huge, hulking, laughing alien being.

He was more than twice their size, he had greyish skin, and a strong looking build of muscles. He had long black hair, with spiky edges like needles-- which they were indeed. He wore a thick, black vest like armor, and had steel bands on his wrists and around his arms, and strong armored leggings and big boots.

He was armed with a laser gun, explosives on his belt, a machete in a scabbard on his back.

He rode on a massive, monstrous motorcycle capable of rocket-flight and armed with lasers.

“Who are you supposed to be?” Artie asked.

The alien laughed and said, “Manners aren’t my thing, but fine… the name is Mach-E. I’m a Space Punk with only one purpose in mind, to cause all the ruckus I can throughout the galaxy and enjoy every minute of it.

I’ve heard of you, Starfleet, and to be honest, you don’t look like much to me.”

The team felt insulted.

“Maybe we ought to show you just how much we really are.” boasted Rainbow.

“You made a big mistake coming here, bub!” added Applejack. “Now, you’re going to pay for it.”

Buddy stood at the head of the group taking over as leader for everyone.

“Ready?”

“LET’S GO!!” the others hollered.

“STARFLEET MAGIC!!”

“HARMONY HOUR, FRIENDSHIP POWER!!”

With their super suits donned, the team stood ready, but Mach-E only laughed. “Oh… I am so scared.”

“Let’s take this creep!” said Buddy.