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

ACT TWO

Sunset Shimmer woke up early in her college dorm room, and wrote the report back to United Equestria, via the magic message book.

Artie came over with two cups of hot cocoa and gave her one of them. He pecked his wife on the head, and she smiled at him.

“Do you miss the place?” asked Arite. “United Equestria, I mean…?”

His wife giggled, “I’ve never actually been there before. I remember when it was just Equestria and all that but…” she paused and cringed softly, being reminded of her old evil ways.

“Oh, honey… I’m so sorry!” said Arite. “I didn’t mean to…”

She held her hand up hushing him. “It’s okay. I think of it from time to time. I can’t change my history.”

She calmed down and recounted the original subject. “I guess I do miss Equestria just a little bit, but I think someday I wouldn’t mind going back, seeing how much the world has changed.”

Artie looked up at nothing and said, “I’d like to see your world some time, and find out more what it’s like.

After all, we’ve only faced samples of it with all our adventures.”

His wife agreed, “Maybe someday.”

Just then, their energizers flashed red, indicating there was trouble in town that Starfleet could help.

Sunset checked the clock. “There’s plenty of time before class. Let’s go!”

Far away in New Ponyville, Lightning was reading from Sunset Shimmer’s report and wishing everyone “Happy Hearth’s Warming time” and that “There has been no trouble. Oh, sure, there’s been the typical bank robbers and terrorists, but nothing of the super bad kind.”

Much as Lightning was relieved to read all this, he was still concerned about Mykan.

He got ready for his patrol. He pecked his children goodbye and told them, “You be good for Mommy. When I get back, maybe we’ll play in the snow.”

“Yippee!” cheered Shining Light, while Twinkle just giggled and cooed.

Then he pecked his wife. “Have a good one.” she said to him.

“WEEE!! This is so much fun!” she cheered as she threw handfuls of snow all about and danced under it. Then she dropped down and made a snow angel on the ground.

Lightning approached her, tapping his foot while looking at her strictly. “General Pinkie Pie, you’re supposed to be on duty.” he scolded.

Pinkie blushed and then got up. “Sorry. I just can’t help it. I love it when it snows.”

Lightning opened his mouth to speak…

“I know, I know…” Pinkie said cutting him off “Duty first, fun later.”

They both jumped up into the air together. Lightning stuck with her to make sure she didn’t goof off anymore, but also to tell her about Mykan.

“…I think we should do something for him.”

Pinkie fought hard to keep her tears back. “That’s so sad-- to miss your family like that.” And, no surprises, she immediately suggested “A party! Yeah, then we can cheer him up, and show he has lots of friends, and maybe even…”

Lightning stopped her, “Uh, that’s all nice and stuff, Pinkie… but that’s not really what I had in mind.” He paused and then explained, “I have one thought, but it’s so risky, so dangerous, I don’t know if I should even scorn myself for thinking it.”

“What is it? What is it? What is it?” Pinkie asked frantically. Lightning pushed her off him and said, “I’m going to have to ask their majesties about it and see what they think.”

Pinkie was still curious.

…

An entire gang of punkers armed to the teeth with guns, grenades and the usual things had hijacked a bus of passengers and brought them into the car park by the mall.

The police had the area surrounded.

“Stay back!” the leader shouted from high on the fourth floor. “You make any attempts to come in here, we’ll blow these people to bits!”

His many friends kept watch over the scared civilians, pointing their guns at them.

Kids cried, and women trembled.

“Shut up!!” the punks would yell at them. This only frightened them more.

“Oh, that is it!” one of the punks shouted, and he readied himself for the kill, only for one of his friends to punch him in the face. “Stop it, man! We need them!”

Because of all the hostages, the police and the swat teams didn’t dare make any moves.

Little didn’t anybody know… somebody had already snuck into the car park and was slinking about in the shadows, with a length of metal rod in their hands, and seemingly wearing bulky clothes.

“You cops got five minutes!” the leader shouted down to the street below. “You get us one billion dollars, and you let us go free, or it's bye-bye, buckos!”

The civilians all quivered in fear as the many other punks chuckled and readied their guns.

That strange person peeked from around a few parked cars at the leader, and then, picking up a big rock on the ground, he threw it hitting the leader in the head.

“ARGH!!” causing him to throw down his gun. “Who threw that at me?!”

He assumed it was one of the hostages. He picked his gun back up and walked over to the frightened people with a look to kill. “Anyone here got a death wish?!”

The people felt that this was really it, when suddenly a voice called out, “Yeah… You have!”

The punks looked around, and then the guy in the shadows leapt up, revealing himself with be wearing thick pads, torso guards like a football player, and a strong crash helmet too.

He leapt over and gave the leader a big whack to the head with his rod, knocking him down, but not out.

His friends began to shoot at the guy with their machine guns, but the guy ducked down behind another set of cars.

“Let’s get him!” the leader shouted, and he and his buds all headed behind the cars ready for the big shootout, only to find nothing there.

“He’s gone.”

“Where is he?”

The guy, whoever he was, leapt out from another shadow in the corner and rammed hard into one of the punks, causing him to crash into all his buddies and they all went down like bowling pins.

The guy then grabbed one of the machine guns and pointed at them. “You guys have had it! Now keep those hands up where I can see them!”

The people were joyed for a second, until someone saw…!

“Look Out!” she screamed.

But another punk had jumped the guy from behind, pushing him down, disarming him, allowing all the other punks to regain control.

“Sucker!” chuckled the leader, and he instructed two of his punks to hold the guy up and in place.

“Looks like you’ll have to be the first one dead, punk!” hissed the leader. Then he eyed the crowd, “And these people will be next.”

The civilians shuddered.

The leader moved in to take off the guy’s helmet to get a clear shot at his face, when suddenly…!

“ARGH!!” he was cast in bright, sparkling aura which stopped him right where he was. “I can’t move!”

All the other men were confused, and then suddenly, something zoomed past them-- Rainbow Dash. She zoomed past and grabbed all their machine guns out of their hands, and grabbed the other guy, saving him.

“Stay down.” she cautioned him, and then she crushed the guns in her hands with her awesome strength, much to the punks and the other guy’s shock!

“Starfleet!” cried one of the punks.

“Right you are.” Sunset called from the back of the lot, where she stood in her shining angel form, and all her friends were standing with her, all in their armor and looking ready to brawl.

The Starfleet Hero theme was heard in the background.

“Get them!” the leader shouted. The punks got out small guns...!

Sunset zoomed over to the civilians and cast them all in a magical barrier to keep them all safe from the bullets. “Just stay down.” she instructed.

and fired every bullet they had at the fighters, but it was foolish and useless, their armor and super strengths made the bullets seem like just sparks that barely tickled.

“Pathetic!” sneered Lightning.

Starla, Buddy, and Rhymey stepped forth.

“STAR SHOWER!”

“LEAF SWAM!”

“DRILL QUILL!”

Their attacks knocked the useless guns out of the punks’ hands, and even stripped off their armor.

“Oh, yeah!”

“We’ll show you!”

They pulled the pins out of their grenades and threw them at the fighters.

The civilians screamed in terror of the impending explosions, but Sunset was not the least bit concerned. Her eyes began to glow brightly, and she teleported the grenades out over the ocean, where they exploded harmlessly in the waters.

The punks couldn’t believe this, and before they knew it, several of the fighters rushed over.

“Easy with them!” Sunset cautioned. “They’re just ordinary humans. Don’t hurt them badly.”

Artie sighed, “Yes, Dear…”

The punks tried to put up a fight, but it was no use.

Fluttershy flipped on of the punks onto his back…

Another one tried to punch and kick Pinkie, but she dodged and swerved every time, causing the guy to grow dizzy and exhausted that he just collapsed. “Too slow.” Pinkie teased.

Two of the punks got into one of their hijacked cars and revved up to run Applejack down, but she just stood there casually. She let out a yawn and held her hand out at the oncoming vehicle, which smashed into her strong hand, jolting hard and making the punks sail through the windshield.

Dyno and Myte caught the men, who were knocked unconscious already.

“Ah, shoot…I broke a nail.” Applejack joked.

All the punks were knocked out, but the leader was still standing.

Sunset released him from his frozen state, and he found himself surrounded by all the fighters. Knowing he had no chance, he willingly surrendered.

“Hey, guys…” Rainbow called. “Look who we’ve got here.” She motioned at the other guy whom she saved, and the others all knew who it had to be and groaned irritably.

All the punks were taken to the police, and civilians were all more than thankful to the heroes for all they did.

“We must repay you somehow.” Someone said.

“Thanks, but we’re not allowed to accept gratuities.” said Starla.

“Well, thank you anyway.”

The police captain shook Sunset’s hand, and he joked, “You know, you do have to stop interfering with police business?”

Sunset smirked, “I suppose we could’ve let you handle it.”

The police and the civilians were still grateful, knowing that Starflet would help whenever they could.

With that, she and the others flew off with the crowds cheering, but the team didn’t fly far away.

They landed in an alley near the streets, where they confronted the guy, they had saved.

Rainbow pulled off his helmet, revealing it was indeed Swift Star.

Everyone looked at him crossly.

“Oh, great. Now I have to put up with this again.” grumbled Swift.

Sunset sighed, and scolded, “Swift… this has got to stop. You cannot keep throwing yourself in danger like this, not to mention interfering with things that are none of your business.”

Swift snuffed, “Well if you guys would let me join you in the first place--”

Starla smacked her forehead in annoyance. “And how many times do we have to tell you? The answer is “No!” We’re not recruiting people just like that.”

“Oh, yeah. I’m not good enough. “I don’t have the skills” is that what you’re saying?!”

Fluttershy stammered, “Um… well… you see it’s…” she didn’t have the courage to say it, so Rhymey spoke up.

“You very nearly got killed,
Because you are untrained and unskilled.”

“He’s right, Swift.” agreed Lightning. “Not to mention you also put the civilians in even more danger, and you could’ve caused a lot of collateral damage. What would you have done then?”

Swift only growled, not wanting to admit they were right.

“That’s what we thought.” said Buddy. “And the number one issue of all, is you don’t have any magic like the rest of us.”

That part made Swift feel most left out, and most insulted. “Then where do I get it! Just tell me!”

Pinkie was about spill the beans of it, “Well you see you have to…” but Applejack hushed her. “Don’t give it away.” she whispered.

“Darling, it doesn’t work as easily as you believe it does.” said Rarity. “None of us asked to have the powers we were given, they just happened to us.”

“We don’t know how it really works ourselves.

Sunset then told Swift, “The point is. You can’t join us, not the way you currently are. Perhaps someday you’ll be able to… until then… please stay out of our way.

“And don’t let us catch you doing this again!” balked Rainbow.

With a crushed look of anger in his eyes, Swift walked off.

“You were a bit rough on him there, Rainbow.” said Dyno.

Rainbow sighed, realizing she was.

“Ah, but you’re right-- we all are.” said Myte. “Poor hombre just has to understand.”

Sunset sighed miserably. Then her watch beeped. “Oh! Shoot, I’m late for class!”

“Uh, oh!” cried Artie. “I’m supposed to be giving an art lecture too.”

“And I have to teach a History Class at Canterlot High.” added Lightning.

The trio bid goodbye to their friends and zoomed away, practically arriving at their destinations in a few short seconds and they powered down.

“Miss Shimmer.” said the professor. “Only four minutes late this time; you’re getting better at this.”

Sunset felt embarrassed, “I’m sorry, sir… it’s just I had--”

“I know, I know…” the professor said “I understand completely. I heard the news on the radio, and you do us all swell.”

The entire class applauded her, and she blushed and smiled before taking her seat.

The rest of the gang all had their own things to do and places to be.

“I have to get the jewelry store before they open.” said Buddy “I finally saved enough money for… you know…”

Everyone smirked at him, and then he left.

Applejack headed home to finish her morning chores on the farm.

Dyno and Myte had to leave to do some digging for construction men.

Rarity then began to drag Fluttershy to her place. “Come along, darling. We simply must work on the patterns for your wedding dress. It’s only a week away, you know.”

This made Fluttershy blush warmly. “Bye guys! Bye Rhymey…” she called back as she was suddenly dragged off by Rarity.

The others waved at her.

“Well, now…” said Pinkie “Who’s up for a hot cocoa and muffins at Sweet Snacks?”

The others practically jumped at the idea.

Meanwhile, Swift had gone home to his studio apartment, where he furiously threw his helmet and pads down, and angrily kicked the side of his bed, which hurt his foot. “Argh!”

He slumped down on the bed, holding his sore foot.

His apartment was less than fine looking. He had hardly any furniture, other than his bed, a nightstand, and a folding tv table.

“Jerks!” Swift grumbled. “Losers! Morons! Won’t let me join them! Can’t see that I want to help! I want to be so much more than all this!”

The growling 19-year-old lay back in his bed in misery.

He had graduated from Canterlot High earlier that year, but with low grades. No honors, or awards. The only thing he did do well in was P.E and Martial Arts, but these things alone were not good enough to get too far.

Without good grades or proper experience and understanding, people wouldn’t take him in for too many jobs. The most he could hope for was janitorial work, or fast foods.

He had a job for each one, but even with them and the double amounts of wages, he made just enough to keep himself going and to afford a cellphone, but hardly anything to put him in a comfortable state. He could afford clothes, food, and other small necessities like soap and stuff for the bathroom, but this was hardly comfortable at all.

He also longed for something more. He wanted to help people the way Starfleet did, like a crime fighter, not just to help people, but to relive his boredom and really make a difference in life…

…And something else that really bothered him as well.

Not that it mattered…

Time and again he would offer or beg to join the team, and they always shut him out for the same reasons.

“You’re untrained.”

“You have no magic.”

“You have no idea what you’re doing.”

He also remembered the past several times had tried to be a hero like he did today… all ended up in disaster and humiliation.

He tried to rescue someone from a burning house, defying the firemen’s orders and rushing right in… He ended up getting trapped by the fire himself, and Starfleet pulled him out and scolded him for it.

Another time, he tried to thwart a bank robbery by surprising the armed robbers… It didn’t work well, the tables turned easily, and he was held at gunpoint. Starfleet saved and scolded him again.

And just today was the worst one yet.

“They’re right!” he groaned to himself. “I’ll never be like them. I really don’t have what it takes.”

He was feeling very crushed and at a loss.

Meanwhile…

After his patrol and duties, Lightning was at New Canterlot Palace and proposed his idea to Grand Ruler Celesto, Queen Celestia, and Princess Luna.

Their majesties were shocked.

“Do you realize what you are proposing?” Grand Ruler asked.

“Yes, I do.” replied Lightning. “I realize that it’s a great risk and all.”

“Of course it is!” cut in Celestia. “You know fully-well that doing this runs the risk of our world being further exposed to the human world.”

Luna nodded and said, “The more we run the risk of exposure to our world, the more unscrupulous people will try and take advantage.”

“Begging your pardons-- I realize all this.” protested Lightning. “If you’ll just let me speak…”

Grand Ruler held up his hand silencing him. “There is nothing to speak about, Commander.”

Lightning felt defeated. Not that he didn’t anticipate it coming.

Yet his majesties expression curled into a smile, “…Because we approve.”

Lightning looked up in surprise. “You do?”

Celestia nodded, “We’ve often thought of it ourselves, and perhaps it’s time we did it.”

Lightning felt most grateful. “Mykan will love this if it works out.”

“…Agreed.” replied Luna “However, we must make proper preparations and alert our allies in the Human World of our plot.”

Lightning agreed, “And… we especially don’t tell Mykan. I want this to be the best Hearth’s Warming surprise he’s ever had.”

Their majesties all nodded.