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

ACT TWELVE

In the Human World, after her last Class, Sunset finally got the scout team’s message.

She spoke with Artie in the dorm room. “They finally have a lead?” Artie asked.

“It looks like it. The whole thing happened while we were busy.” Then she began to look fretful, “I was afraid this would happen-- someone found the magic… either that or it found them.

This is not good!”

Artie felt the same way.

While everyone else had already been texted and gave the message a thumbs up emoji on their phones, there was a problem with meeting all together, everyone was still at work and had things to do and couldn’t be free.

Grand Ruler couldn’t just cancel all his meetings and appointments that day without a proper emergency, but he texted Sunset saying he had a plan…

Celestia, Luna, Lightning, and Shining Armor were all still busy at school and couldn’t just leave without good reason, or replacements to take over their duties.

“This is nuts!” groaned Artie. “In our world, when the warning alarms sound, everyone just drops what they’re doing instantly and abide by the codes.”

“Well, this isn’t your world.” Sunset reminded him, “But we’ll have to talk about this later. We’ll just have to round up everyone who’s available and talk about it at Twilight’s place.”

Soon, most of the team arrived at the house.

Applejack excused herself from the farm saying she had to go grocery shopping.

Rhymey got someone else to take over his spot at the café.

Fluttershy’s work studies ended early that day.

Dyno and Myte were on a lunch break and only had an hour.

As for Rarity, her stomach finally settled, and she managed to make it to the house, only to stop for a moment when she gawked at a fire hydrant in the street. She began panting excitedly at it, and the thought of what she was considering…

“Don’t do it, Rarity!” Applejack cautioned, which helped her snap to her senses and take it inside.

Soon, everyone was seated in the living room. “Shh…” Cadance cautioned, and she pointed down in the cradle where Flurry was fast asleep “I finally managed to get her down for her nap.”

Everyone thought the baby looked so sweet and peaceful, and so they kept their voices down.

On the other side of town, in his big office, Grand Ruler Celesto had loads of things to deal with, but he found a way to carry out his plan, and fibbed to his staff…

“I am very busy, and I wish to take no phone calls and not to be disturbed for the next thirty minutes.”

“Yes, sir.” The receptionist replied.

His majesty was alone in the big office and shut the blinds to the windows making it dark inside. Then, he activated his desk computer and web camera.

At the same time, a call came in over the laptop in the living room at Sci-Twi’s place.

“That must be his majesty.” Spike cried softly.

Sunset clicked on the Video-Call.

“Ahh, good, at least many of you are present.” His majesty said softly-- he was told about the baby napping.

The team got straight down to the point.

“So, the magic is indeed here on this on this island,” said his majesty “And Sunset fears that someone may have found it.”

“That was our assessment as well, your majesty,” said Starla. Pinkie, Rainbow and Buddy nodded in agreement.

“So, what do we do about it now?” asked Spike.

“That’s still a problem,” admitted Sunset “If someone has found the magic, it’s a matter of tracing them, but we still don’t know who it is or where they are.”

“And we still can’t detect the magic either,” explained Rainbow. “We tried scanning for it after the bank robbery, but we got nothing.”

“And the base wasn’t able to detect anything either.” said his majesty “I already checked with them again. If the magic is infused with someone, that could be why it cannot be traced.”

This made everyone realize the obvious solution.

“We have to wait until this guy shows up again.” said Dyno.

“Si,” agreed Myte “And if he uses magic, in a great way, we should be able to locate him then.”

Fluttershy sighed,

“All this standby and waiting around,
I really hope he can be found.”

“I hope so too…” murmured Sunset. She looked very concerned, and she had good reason to be, just as everyone did. “Whoever has that magic may not realize what they’ve gotten a hold of, and it could get very serious.”

“You mean like another Midnight Sparkle episodes?” asked Artie.

“That would be a disaster.” said Grand Ruler. “We must find whoever it is and convince them to give the magic up. Whoever they are, they are dealing with forces that they don’t really understand.

In the meantime, we all continue as normal. We must keep our secret well-guarded.”

Everyone sighed…

Rhymey said…

“These human lives are very hard for us,
Going about and working around,
But I supposed we must do what we must
Until the magic can be found.”

“I just hope things don’t get worse.” said Cadance.

“Speak for yourself,” Rarity said with a mouth full of kibble bits she was eating from a bag of dog food.

Everyone gawked at her in shock and a little disgust.

“Are you actually eating that?” asked Krysta.

It was all Rarity knew she could eat due to her condition. “It’s a bit strong, but it actually tastes rather scrumptious.”

Spike chuckled, “That’s the doggie taste.”

His wife then offered him a handful of bits, which he happily munched on.

Applejack chuckled, “Like dogs to the ham bone.”

Rarity and Spike ignored her.

His Majesty sighed and rubbed his eyes.

“Are you alright, sire?” asked Starla.

“No, I’m more frustrated; worried even. I can’t help but wonder every second about how more and more difficult things are becoming, mainly because this isn’t our world where we have all our technology and resources to guide us.”

Everyone agreed,

“It goes to show how much we rely on the things we have, and how much we appreciate them.” said Cadance.

She felt a little hurt inside, worrying about her real daughter back home, which made the other parents worry as well, even his majesty.

“I… I must go…” he said to excuse himself to log off and be alone in the dark with his thoughts.

Everyone else was having a moment of silence at the house, only for the silence to be broken when Buddy’s cellphone buzzed with a text message.

“Uh, oh…” he said, “It’s Tree Hugger; she’s asking if we can meet up at the mall for lunch.”

Rarity saw the text and noted the red heart and kissy face emojis. “How sweet…” she commented, though she felt more concerned as Buddy did.

He knew of his human counterpart’s relationship with this world’s Tree Hugger, and he also knew that Tree Hugger was expecting him to propose marriage to her.

This meant Tree Hugger in this world had to be just as passionate and affectionate as his own wife back home.

“You better go, meng.” said Dyno.

“Si, we have to keep up our roles.” added Myte.

Buddy gulped hard. “Okay…” he stammered, and he left the house.

Then Pinkie’s phone buzzed with emails regarding her upcoming Christmas Party. “Party? I don’t remember throwing a party.” She quickly put 2 and 2 together and smiled weakly.

She checked her email and noticed several things going wrong. “Oh, no!”

“What? What is it?” asked Starla.

Pinkie looked ready to scream loudly, but she didn’t, not wanting the baby to wake. “Several cancelations were made.”

-The catering was canceled due to their ovens breaking down…

-The band hired had received a new offer they couldn’t refuse…

-The special party supplies Human Pinkie ordered were reported lost in the mail…

“This is horrible!” cried Pinkie. “I’ve got some serious Ultra-Party-Damage-Control to Ultra-Party-Damage Control!”

She rushed out the door too, much to Starla’s dismay. “I guess it’s up to the rest of us to do what we can.”

Everyone agreed.

Buddy made it to the mall in record time, thanks to his speed and agility, and hopping along rooftops. He made it to the food court, and there he could see her… sitting by herself at a table in the back… Human Tree Hugger.

Oh, did she look beautiful, especially when she flicked her lovely red locks.

Then she saw him and waved to him to join her.

Buddy gulped again and managed to make his way over, but nearly ran into a couple of girls on the way. “Sorry… I’m sorry.”

The girls paid him no mind.

“Ah, man! Talk about embarrassing!” Buddy groaned, and then he suddenly found himself standing in front of Tree Hugger.

“Like… Hey…” she cooed and fluttered her eyes at him.

Buddy’s face went redder than his skin-tone. “Hi…” he squeaked.

Tree Hugger giggled at how cute he was acting nervous, and then she reached up and wrapped her arms around him, kissing him deeply and tenderly… just like his wife back home. He just stood there with his eyes open in shock, and his body frozen with numbness.

She separated from him and felt something off about him. “Is everything chill?” Tree Hugger asked, “Usually your lips and mine intertwine like the sovereign unification.” which meant she was concerned how he didn’t seem to kiss her back.

Buddy had to think fast, or he’d be busted! “I… I… uh… I just can’t myself. You’re so pretty.”

She fell for it, and blushed while giggling, and Buddy chuckled, but extremely nervously. “Okay, this is getting bad already. I’m just glad my Tree Hugger doesn’t know about this.”

They soon were standing in line ordering lunch at one of the burger-stands, and Tree Hugger couldn’t help putting her hand down in his back pocket and resting her head on his shoulder.

She felt so warm, and her leaf-scented perfume smelled so nice, it made Buddy feel numb inside again. “Easy!” he said in thought “Just play along. Just Play Along!”

Suddenly, some of the patrons called out…

“Whoa! Check that guy out.”

“He’s incredible.”

“How is he doing that?”

Buddy looked and saw one of the cook boys preparing and frying up all the burgers at an incredibly fast pace.

He even prepared vegan burgers, that Tree Hugger loved-- scooping the mix, adding the correct seasoning, slapping it on the grill, and dressing up buns and stuff so rows of hot, juicy burgers were ready to eat in just under one minute.

“Whoa! Someone’s on the rush.” said Tree Hugger.

Buddy could only gaze at what Swift did next-- chop up and dice the potatoes and then cook them in friers to perfection.

He then prepares milkshakes, salads, and many more things.

He completed the enough food for the entire lunch rush, faster and to perfection. The rest of the staff and the manager were beyond astounded. He did all that work in minutes when it would take longer at a slow and steady pace for the whole crew.

“Bon Appetit!” Swift said with a bow, and the crowds cheered for him, even Tree Hugger, but Buddy could only watch in confusion.

Feeling confident, proud, and satisfied with what he had done, Swift folded up his apron and said to his boss, “I think I’ve earned a break.”

The manager was too choked up to argue or say anything. She was just too impressed and shocked by all she had just seen.

“That was, like, way cool!” chirped Tree Hugger “That kid was almost like… magic or something.”

“Just like magic…” Buddy murmured to himself. “I wonder…” but he had no way to prove it. “Maybe he’s just really skilled?”

Pinkie was standing in the mall, with a big sign worn over her body, which read, “Band for Hire!” and she had a little radio playing festive Christmas music while she hollered, “It’s your lucky day, all you groups or bands out there. Pinkie Pie needs your help; Pinkie Pie needs you to play at her all-inclusive Holiday Extravaganza Party.

Treats, presents, games, and Holiday Fun for everyone!”

Much as passersby were excited about her upcoming party, no bands or members of any groups approached her. They were either already booked, or not confident enough to try.

“Come on… don’t be shy.” Pinkie announced. “Come on, its Christmas time, a time for giving. So, give me some help and make my party give to everyone.”

Just then, she noticed someone passing by…

“Hey, that looks like… Swift Star?”

It had to be his Human Counterpart, but she didn’t remember Sunset ever mentioning him before.

Suddenly, an alarm sounded, and someone announced over the mall intercom, “Robbery! Robbery in the jewelry store! Security to front exit!”

Swift narrowed his eyes, and he quickly headed through a door leading down the hall to the washrooms where no one would see him.

That’s when three robbers all dressed in black came rushing by with sacks of jewelry they had stolen.

“Get out of our way!” shouted one of them, and the patrons all backed off in fear at the sight of their guns.

Security would never make it to the main entrance in time, but Pinkie saw this as a chance to do some heroics, but before she could do anything at all, and just as the robbers were about to make a clean break for the doors…

There was a bright flash of light, and that strange golden fighter appeared.

“It’s him!” Pinkie cried in awe.

“Get out of the way!” one of the robbers shouted, but the stranger only glowed brightly, much to the robber’s fright, and the crowds astoundment.

“And if I don’t…?” the stranger asked in a deep voice.

The robbers suddenly found courage to ready their guns, but the stranger held out his glowing hands and fired small pulses, knocking the weapons away.

“That’s magic!” Pinkie exclaimed softly.

“Three Seconds!” sneered the guy, “That’s all I need to stop you.”

Before the robbers could act or say a thing, the guy leapt over, and punched them all hard in the face, back or stomach…

“One…!

Two…!

…Three!!”

And… One, Two, Three, the robbers were down and out cold, dropping their stolen jewels, and just as security came to apprehend them.

The patrons all applauded to the hero, while Pinkie continue to gawk at the guy.

Then he noticed her, and he glared angrily at her, believing her to be Human Pinkie Pie. He turned and dashed out the doors.

“Wait!” Pinkie called, and she zipped off after him, rushing out the doors just in time to see him take off into the air and vanish.

“Who was he?” She wondered. She didn’t know, but she had to text everyone about what she had witnessed.

The Golden Fighter had teleported to a vacant area behind a building, and he transformed back into Swift.

He panted softly, but then his panting turned into slightly chuckles, “Oh, that felt so good!” he said to himself. “I’ve never felt anything like this in my life.”

This magic… was so easy for him to use and understand in just the short time he had it, and he was feeling stronger, and stronger all the time.

“I don’t need those Starfleet losers anymore, just like they don’t need me. I’ll just be my own hero.

Yeah, I’ll be better than those guys ever were, and show them they missed out!”

He clenched his fists, and they glowed brightly, and he foolishly unleashed a wave of aura into the air…

…Just as Starla and Sunset were flying high overhead near the area.

“What was that?” cried Sunset.

“I don’t know, but my scans are going crazy.” said Starla. “Oh, no! It’s gone!”

She still knew where the signal had come from, and she and Sunset headed down to investigate.

Swift felt a little woozy after that magical outburst. “Whoa! Why did I do that for?” he wondered to himself, and he walked off around the other side of the building, just missing Sunset and Starla touchdown.

…They hadn’t seen him.

Starla looked all around, scanning with her visor. “I don’t get it; it was just here.”

Sunset then felt her cellphone vibrate, and she got Pinkie’s text about The Golden Fighter.

The news crews reported sightings of The Golden Fighter that afternoon.

“It seems that Mystic Island’s newest “Hero in Gold” has struck again, after foiling a robbery escape at the downtown shopping mall. Witnesses still have no clue as to who this stranger is or where he comes from, but if he is out there for the better of the people, and helps save lives and stop bad guys… who are we to judge?”

At Canterlot High, school was out for the day, but students were already seeing the newsletters and viewing the reports live on their phones.

“Have you heard of this guy?”

“Who is he?”

“Now that’s a hunk.”

“I wonder if he’s with Starfleet.”

Lightning heard about the news himself, and he got the text from the group.

He headed straight for the Main Office to meet with Celestia and Luna, inside Celestia’s private office where they could talk without disturbance, but Celestia had an announcement to make.

She turned on the PA microphone…

“Attention Staff and Students, please excuse the interruption.” All the students who were still in school and all the staff stopped where they were, and Celestia continued. “The Secret Santa Comitte as well as discussions for the Holiday School Dance will commence in respective classrooms.

Please check your notes and confirm with the school calendar by the main office where you must be and at what time.

…That is all-- as you were.”

She turned off the mic, making sure that it was off completely.

“Very well said, sister.” said Luna.

Lightning nodded and Celestia smiled, but then it was down to business.

“It seems this “Golden Fighter” is the one we’re looking for.” said Celestia.

“That is the good news.” put in Luna, “But locating him exactly shall not be so easy.”

Lightning had received Starla’s text, and how she and Sunset failed to locate a lead. “Galloping Galaxies, this is hopeless.

Even if we had the entire team out there, I doubt it would make a difference. We could detect magic being used, and by the time we get there, it’ll be too late.”

Celestia sighed, “Whoever has that magic seems to know exactly how to use it.”

Luna tapped her finger in frustration on the windowsill. “If only we had more soldiers, more allies to aid us in the search.” She then sighed, “…But we don’t. It just goes to show how different this world is to ours.”

Celestia and Lightning felt the same, but there was no point in beating that bush.

“It seems our only chance is to keep our eyes open if anything happens.” suggested Lightning.

“I agree, and Celesto already does.” said Celestia. “We’ll find that magic, we’ve got to.”

“…And, hopefully, soon.” put in Luna.