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

ACT THREE

The shopping mall was flooded with humans doing their early Christmas shopping. Little kids were sitting in the Mall Santa’s lap and getting pictures taken.

Buddy came out from the jewelry store with a small red-velvet box in his hands. Inside the box contained just what he had been wanting to buy-- a silver engagement ring with a small diamond on top.

He smiled lovingly at the thought of what he was going to do with it.

“Well, isn’t that sweet.” cooed a voice behind him.

He turned and saw Sci-Twi with Spike in her knapsack. Sci-Twi was at the mall doing a little shopping herself.

“So, you finally got it, huh?” asked Spike.

“Shh…” Buddy said, not just to hide that Spike could talk, but not to give away the surprise. “Tree Hugger’s been dropping hints for a while now, and I know I’m ready to go for it too.

I’m going to pop it to her on the 24th.”

“Christmas eve?” said Sci-Twi “Ohh, that is so romantic and sweet.”

Spike snickered.

Buddy pocketed the box. “But you’re not to tell anyone. It’s a Christmas surprise.”

Sci-Twi and Spike gave the hushed lips sign.

“Anyway…” said Sci-Twi. “I heard you guys ran into Swift again.”

Buddy sighed, “Poor guy, just can’t take a hint.”

Sci-Twi sighed.

“If his folks were around, they’d probably set him straight.” said Spike. “When are they getting back from that peace conference anyway?”

“Who knows?” said Buddy. “They’ve been gone for two years now. It’s not fun to live alone like that, but even still it doesn’t excuse his actions or his behavior.”

Sci-Twi agreed, “I know he wants to do good, but he’s going about this all wrong. There’s lots of other things he can do.”

“Try telling him that.” grumbled Spike. “Besides, you remember his low grades. How can he get far with things like that?”

Sci-Twi was beat there, but she had ideas. “There’s lots he can do. He could go to libraries and study like I do, or he get develop other talents and hobbies, and that could get him somewhere.

But the trick is, he has to be willing to do it. He has to want it.”

“And that’s a longshot at best.” said Buddy.

Later that day…

Ss Swift was walking through the streets, he passed by Canterlot High. All was quiet, all the people were inside the attending class.

Just the sight of the school really made him angry, but not nearly so as the broken statue in the front yard, where the gateway to the Magic World still resided.

This, and this reason alone, was why the statue had never been replaced or repaired.

He said to himself many times, “Maybe if I actually went to the Magic World, I could get my own magic, and then I’d show those guys just how great I can be.”

He felt stupid right away. He, like many, knew the portal would only respond to those who had some magical connection with it. He could walk right up to it, put his hand over the gate, and he’d feel nothing but cold metal. Not to mention going into the unknown like that? The risks were simply too great.

Still, this did not discourage others from trying to pass through the gate, whether they knew about it or not.

Swift walked down the street, when suddenly he stopped as he saw four teenage boys creeping up to the statue with drills and cutting tools.

“Let’s hurry!” one of them said.

“We’ll cut out the gate and take it with us.”

“Yeah, then we’ll figure out how it works, and we’ll get out own magic.”

“We could get anything we want, and no one will tell us what to do again!”

They were just starting to get their tools ready, when Swift intervened. “Stop right there!”

The boys looked up and saw the lone guy.

“Who are you; school police?” laughed one of the boys.

Swift only looked madder. “Get away from that statue!”

The punks could tell this guy was looking for trouble, and they approached him in a threatening manner with their tools.

“You going to make us, kid?” one of them threatened.

Swift sweated a little at the site of the drills and metal-cutters, which amused the punks.

“You got two choices, kid.” said one of the boys. “You leave, you let us take the stature… or you stay, we beat you to death, and we still take the statue.”

Swift them smirked, “I prefer the third option.”

The punks were confused, and right then…

“WHOA!!” With a perfect spinning-kick, Swift had knocked all their tools out of their hands.

This angered the punks.

“Let’s get him!” and they all tried to rush him at once, but Swift managed to outmaneuver the boys with his cool martial arts moves. He flipped them, trip kicked them, and even ducked down making two punks accidentally kick each other down.

“Let’s get out of here!!”

“This guy’s a demon!”

The scared punks ran off leaving all their tools behind, and Swift called to them. “You guys come back; it’ll get worse.”

He then got down to gather up the tools, which he intended to turn in.

“What is going on here?” called a voice. Principal Celestia heard the commotion from her office.

Swift was about to explain, when she balked at him. “What are you doing here? You’re not longer a student at this school.” Then she noted the tools he was holding, and she looked over at the statue and assumed the worst. “Oh, Swift!”

“It’s not what you think. I was walking by, and I--” was all Swift managed to say before Celestia snapped at him, “I get that you’re upset-- I know what you did this morning, but this is a new low, even for you.”

Swift’s face curled into anger, “…It’s not like that! If you would just listen--” He would have continued explaining himself, but he was much too angry. “…On second thought, why bother. It won’t change things between us anyway!”

He threw down the tools and stormed off, much to Celestia’s anger.

“Celestia!” someone called angrily.

She turned round and saw Celesto getting out of his limo having just arrived. He walked over to his wife, and he was very ashamed. “You had no right to yell at him like that, not after what he just did.”

He explained to her about the boys and their intentions with the portal. “What?!” cried Celestia. “You mean he was trying to save the portal? How did you know all this.”

Krysta flew in and landed on Celesto’s shoulder. “You could say “A little bird told me.”

“I was flying overhead, and I saw everything.” explained Krysta.

Now Celestia felt ashamed. “He actually did something good and decent for a change too. I’ve got to apologize to him.”

Her husband held up his hand, “…Not just now. I don’t think he’s in any position to forgive. I heard about what he tried to do this morning.”

Celestia sighed, “Why is all this happening to him? Why does he keep putting himself in these fixes?”

Her husband shrugged, “He has his reasons, but I’m afraid even they are not enough to let him join us.”

Celestia then looked over at the gateway, “That’s not nearly as frustrating as trying to keep this safe.”

“That reminds me why I’m here.” said Celesto “I didn’t want to call you in case someone was listening, or phones were bugged.” He looked all around, and then whispered softly into his wife’s ear.

Celestia’s eyes lit up. “You mean it?”

Her husband nodded, “After all this time, we think it’s going to work. We meet at the base after school. I’ve already informed the team.”

Celestia nodded, and then she pecked her husband before heading back into the school.

“Do you think we can do it this time?” Krysta asked.

“Well, it’s positive.” replied Celesto. Then his cellphone rang. “Hello? Sunset… what are you saying?”

Krysta leaned in closer hoping to hear better, and Celesto’s eyes widened. “…I see. We’ll have to talk about this when we met up at the base.”

The mall was packed with more shoppers than ever trying to get their dibs on early items, even Rarity was scrambling through the crowds to get the fabric she needed. “My friend is getting married! I need this…!! GIVE IT TO ME!!”

All Fluttershy did was stand outside the store with wide, blinking eyes at all the chaos. She was glad she wasn’t there during it, because the crowd didn’t seem to want to break up any time soon…

…That is until Pinkie came along, and disgusting her voice, she pretended to be a mall speaker over the intercom system. “Free Desserts in the Food Court.”

Heads jerked upright in the massive crowd.

“Free dessert?”

“I’m there!”

“Not if I get there first!”

The people rushed away until only Rarity was left, making it easy for her to get dress fabric now, much to her and Fluttershy’s astoundment.

Pinkie giggled cheekily. “It’s all in the act.”

Rarity made her purchase, and then along came Buddy, Sci-Twi and Spike, and together they all headed to the Food Court for lunch.

“Did you all get the message about… you-know-what?” asked Sci-Twi.

Pinkie and Buddy nodded quietly, but Fluttershy and Rarity were too distracted with the new fabric for the wedding dress.

“It’s so silky.” said Fluttershy.

“Ooh-hoo-hooo… This will be ravishing on your dress, Darling!” sighed Rarity.

Buddy and Sci-Twi went to get the food, and who did they see at the Burger Joint but Swift… flipping burgers and preparing fries and other things.

He looked awfully mad, mad enough to hit someone, but he worked without fuss and didn’t yell or get in anyone’s face.

“Can I help you?” the greeter asked again, making the two realize they were holding up the line.

When they got back to the table, they told the others.

“He’s really raging mad.” said Buddy.

Neither he nor the girls knew of the commotion at the school, and assumed he was just being stuck up over rejection again-- which was correct.

“Maybe we’re all starting to get too harsh with him?” suggested Fluttershy. “He does live all alone and he doesn’t seem to have any friends.”

“What are you suggesting?” asked Buddy.

She stammered and thought a little, “Maybe… we should try and start over. We can’t let him join us, but… well… maybe… um…” she didn’t have to go on.

“Are you suggesting we try and befriend him?” asked Rarity.

Pinkie’s eyes lit up with hearts and stars. “Yeah! That’s perfect!” she shouted, making other patrons look her way, embarrassing the others.

Sci-Twi pulled her down. “Pinkie… I don’t want to precipitate on your hopes,” she also cast this look on Fluttershy too “…But the odds of Swift wanting our friendship don’t add up right.”

“Even I can see that.” muttered Spike.

Buddy and Rarity agreed, but they were stuck between two choices.

“Well, we can try,” said Buddy. “Just don’t be surprised if he… you know…”

Everyone kept this in mind.

A few hours later, it was 3 PM, school was out, and the mall was soon flooding with loads of teenagers who were eager to shop or just chillout.

This made the mall more crowded than ever, and the friends were forced to battle their ways through to get out.

“Wow! Talk about a Christmas rush.” said Spike.

The others sighed in relief. “Come on, let’s get to the base.” said Sci-Twi.

The group headed behind the mall where dumpsters were and checked around to make certain they were alone.

Using their energizers, they uncovered one of the secret jump tubes hatches and leapt in taking the super-fun ride through the bowels of the island and emerging in Celesto’s underground facility-- their secret base.

The entire gang was there, including Principal Cadance and VP Shining Armor from Crystal Prep High.

“Hey, Twily…” called Shining Armor.

Sci-Twi hugged her brother, but then she asked. “Who’s watching Flurry Heart?”

“Oh, we got a sitter.” replied Cadance.

The scene changed to their home, where 6-month-old Flurry Heart was under the watchful care of the Cutiemark Crusaders-- Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Daphne Dill.

The girls were in high school now, and as they loved helping others, babysitting was no problem…depending.

Flurry Heart was crying loudly and miserably-- missing her parents.

“Oh, it’s okay, honey.” Sweetie Belle said as she softly stroked the baby’s head, while Scootaloo and Applebloom waved a couple of stuffed animals before her, which calmed her down.

“Ba-Ba time.” DD said coming out with the bottle of warm baby formula.

Flurry was in good hands.

Back at the base, Celesto addressed the entire team as they sat around the big table. “Good! You’re all here. This promises to be big, but first… Sunset has an announcement to make.”

Sunset took to the head of the table. She then activated the computer monitors showing Mykan’s picture from an old newspaper story from long ago-- about the day he launched into orbit.

“Mykan Stevens?” asked Lightning.

Sunset explained, “As you know, just as I am the Ambassador of the Magic World, where I come from, he is the Human Ambassador and living in United Equestria.”

“What about him?” asked Rainbow. Everyone gave her a slight stern gawk for sounding rude.

Sunset held up her Message Book, “Recently, I’ve received word from their royal majesties, Grand Ruler Celesto, and Queen Celestia.”

Hearing those names tickled the spines of Celesto and Celestia. To think that their magical counterparts were Galactic Monarchs, making them both look and feel small in comparison.

Sunset explained the story of how Mykan was looking and feeling homesick.

This made everyone’s expressions turn sad.

“Shucks. That’s awful.” said Applejack.

“Poor guy…” sighed Dyno.

“Please, stop it, Dyno, or I’ll cry.” said Myte.

Fluttershy and Rarity dabbed their eyes with hankies. “It’s just so… heartbreaking.” Rarity sobbed.

Everyone also remembered that adventure well-- battling Lord Titan with Mykan’s help, and Mykan, while he did volunteer to go back to United Equestria and live with the ponies in the Magic World, it also wouldn’t have been his choice anyway.

Through his rhymes, Rhymey recalled…

“When he comes to our world, through the magical gate,
He turns into a pony, and that can’t be great.

His presence alone would put him in danger,
He’d appear as just a magical stranger.

And the Magic World would be in danger of discovery,
From those who would abuse it and leave no recovery.

So, leaving his world and family and the rest,
And living with the ponies was all for the best.”

Everyone felt mesmerized by his deep rhymes, especially since everything was true.

Sunset cleared her throat, “Can I please continue now?”

Everyone quieted down, and she explained, “They’re planning a special surprise for Mykan. Since it isn’t safe for him to come here, we’re going to send him his family.”

Everyone’s eyes widened, including the grownups.

“Like a family reunion at Christmas?” asked Krysta. “That’s so crazy, it just may work.”

Sunset explained. “After all, we’re hoping that someday both worlds can be united in alliance. Then humans and magical creatures can live in both worlds in peace, and their majesties feel that a little tourism can help make that dream closer.”

“That sounds fantastic!” chirped Pinkie. “Hey, maybe we could all go there too. We could bring our families, our friends, and they can bring their families and friends, and they can…”

Luna calmed her down, “I… don’t believe that is too wise, Pinkie Pie. It’s best to take it one step at a time. After all, the Magic World is still strange to us.”

Sunset agreed, “While I haven’t been back myself for a long time, we already know how serious it is. Just a simple holiday vacation we think can do a great deal.”

The plan was laid out. Celesto would write to Mykan’s family, explaining to them the plan, and if they said yes, then on Christmas Eve, the family would be flown out to be escorted through the portal into the Magic World.

“Well, it sounds cool,” remarked Starla “…Except, won’t that alert more people to the portal’s existence? There are already enough people trying to gain access or learn the secrets.”

Celesto tapped his walking stick and stood up, “Ahh, but that may no longer be such a problem, which brings me to the main reason I summoned you all.”

He typed into the computer and the images showed the statue where the portal was. “As you are aware, it is becoming a challenge to guard the gate and keep it safe.

We have been thinking, plotting, and experimenting with ways to try and transfer the portal someplace safe, but so far, we have been unsuccessful…”

No one said a thing, and didn’t have to…

Sci-Twi was cringing nervously and sadly… because it all stemmed back to the time of the “Friendship Games” and her meddling caused all the magic to turn her into Midnight Sparkle.

Artie placed a friendly hand on her shoulder, “It’s okay… don’t let it get to you.”

The others all looked her way and nodded with agreeing smiles, which made her feel a little better.

Celesto cleared his throat, “…As I was saying, we have run several simulations and experiments to move the portal without consequence…” he switched off the monitors and tapped his stick again “…Until now.”

Everyone was aghast, except for Sci-Twi who joined Celesto at the head of the table. “For all this time, I’ve been making calculations and stuff, and now… finally… I think I may have worked the equations that can help us move the portal safely without much risk.”

She looked over at her friends, “That’s why I was at the mall today; I was getting supplies and tools I need to make this happen.”

She activated the computer again to show a 3D image of a new version of her old Magic Absorber-- like the one she had during the Friendship Games.

Then she ran a simulation explaining, “With this device, I should be able to absorb all the magic out of the statue like before, but unlike before, this device will keep the magic safe so that we may transfer the portal into a new structure.”

The simulation ended, and everyone was astounded.

“This is incredible!” cried Celestia. “Just think, we’ll be able to control the gate ourselves and it will be kept safer from bad people.”

“Exactly so…” agreed Celesto. He then addressed the crowd, “I suggest we concentrate on this project first before inviting the Stevens Family. The sooner the portal is safe, the better.”

“So, when do we begin?” asked Lightning.

“We already have.” answered Sci-Twi. “I’ve been building the absorber and it’s nearing completion, but it’ll still take a day or so. I must run a few more tests and calculations.

We can’t have anything going wrong, not this time.”