Author's Note

Well, that's that... Even taking time and doing best to go back and make sure things work...

...People still relentlessly thumb down my fic in spite. (Toxic People)

Act 9: New lives

ACT NINE

Grand Ruler and Celestia, even Luna was all up early that morning. Though they all were not acting as royal monarchs, they still had work to be done-- the work of their human counterparts.

Luna felt especially well-rested instead of having to stay up all night long for a change and be groggy in the morning.

Also, the trio discovered a trick to help conceal their identities…

Celestia and Luna had done their hairs in long, thick, and tight French braids to stop the hairs from fluttering, and Grand Ruler just plain didn’t wear his cape.

All three of them cast a cover up spell on their heads to stop their hairs from sparkling. Sadly, Grand Ruler’s golden streaks couldn’t be covered, but he was ready for that.

The three adults walked down the halls of the big mansion and were greeted by the servants and the maids as they passed.

“Good morning, sir.”

“Good morning, ladies.”

“Good morning.” the man and ladies would reply.

They came downstairs into the main hall; its massive size still astounded them. It had to be about the same size as the royal throne room back home.

Soon, the adults were at the breakfast table and served their requested meals, but they were very careful not to say a word or anything to compare things to back home.

So, they merely spoke telepathically through thoughts.

“It almost feels like we never left home.” said Grand Ruler.

Celestia agreed, “I must admit, it sure will feel nice not to be wrapped up in so many royal duties for a change.”

“While I do feel very well rested…” said Luna “I cannot help but worry about things back home. Will our counterparts be able to do all our duties.”

“We must have faith.” replied Grand Ruler, and he revealed to them the plan about the chip Professor Brain had invented “I always had assumed we’d have memory problems, and those chips were always thought of, but never actually made. I’m certain all is well.”

The ladies found this somewhat of a relief.

Just then, a young woman entered the kitchen-- Emerald Shiana, Celesto’s secretary. “Good morning, sir… ladies…” she said.

“Good morning…” replied his majesty. The ladies nodded thankfully.

Shaina then handed her boss a binder containing his daily schedule of appointments, meetings and other things.

“Thank you.” Grand Ruler said, and then he noticed her gawking at him. “Something wrong?”

“Sir, you’re not wearing your cape.” She quickly then said “N-N-Not that there’s anything wrong with that, it’s just it’s unusual to see you without it.”

His majesty chuckled, “Well, it doesn’t hurt to change things up here and there. Besides, it’s eighty-seven degrees out there today. That’s a little warm.”

His top-notch acting had her fooled. “Yes, sir.” She didn’t even bother questioning the streaks in his hair, feeling it was just something in his own private life not to be bothered with, nor the ladies wearing their hair in such unusual doings.

Shaina left to continue her work, and that’s when the children, Castor and Lelani came in. “Good morning.” The four-year olds said.

“Good morning…” the adults said back to them.

“Did you have a good sleep?” Celestia asked lovingly.

The children’s nodded so adorably, she nearly wanted to shed a tear. Ever since seeing the children last night when coming home and astounded to see they were much younger than her actual children at home… it was a lot to take… especially to keep up the act.

Grand Ruler checked his watch. “I must go; lots to do today.”

To keep up his act, he hugged and pecked the children goodbye. “You have a good day today.”

“Yes, Daddy.” they both cooed, which the ladies giggled at.

Celestia then walked her husband to the front door and privately kissed him goodbye, but also for good luck.

They spoke in thought again, “Remember, use your cellphone to text me, don’t call.”

“Right, we cannot take any chances of being overheard. Good luck, dear.”

“…You too.”

Then he left, climbed into his limo, and he was driven off for the city, and along the way he had made sure to send word out to anyone questioning there whereabouts of Sci-Twi, and he mere concocted a story saying that he had her called away on a mission overseas and she would be back eventually.

“I’m starting to enjoy this.” he thought to himself.

Soon, Celestia and Luna had left the children in the care of the house staff who always cared for the children while the grownups were at work, and the ladies arrived at Canterlot High.

“Well, this should be rather exciting.” Luna said, trying to be optimistic, but Celestia only smiled at all the good memories it brought back of her teaching little colts and fillies in Magic School. “This shouldn’t be too hard.”

Just then, Lightning came along. “Morning, Ladies.”

“Lightning?” said Luna. “What are you doing here?”

Celestia informed her, “Remember, he’s a teacher at this school—or rather the other Lightning Dawn is.”

Lightning nodded, “It shouldn’t be too hard. I learned some of the history of this planet when I was a student here, and I studied the lesson plans and did some crash courses last night. I should be able to handle this.”

Before they headed inside to prep for the arrival of the students and other staff, Celestia whispered into his ear, “Have you heard from the others?”

“No, but whoever isn’t working today or something important will scout for the magic, and they’ll text me first.”

“Good.”

The trio headed inside, and Lightning said, “By the way, love what you two did with your hair.”

The ladies giggled.

Applejack had been awake since dawn, like a true farmer, up at dawn and doing her chores before breakfast.

“Come and get it, y’all hear!” hollered Granny Smith.

Hearing that voice and smelling the sweet aroma of her food really made Applejack freeze up with joy and sadness. “Oh, Granny…”

It was like having her own Granny Smith back in her life, even though it wasn’t, and worse… her parents, or rather their counterparts were nowhere to be seen or heard from, but she couldn’t ask about it.

The food was just divine, “Just like Granny always used to cook.” Applejack muttered.

“Eh? What’d you say now?” asked Granny.

“Oh, uh… I mean… great food, Granny.”

Granny looked at her with a perplexed expression. “You seem a bit odd this mornin’, honey.”

“Why shouldn’t I be.” Applejack said in thought. “Here I am, living the other Applejack’s life, in a strange world, with folks that look like my family but ain’t!”

“Oh, I’m just fine.”

Applebloom said, “I know what you need… some good horseback riding after I get home from school.”

“Huh?”

“Why not? It’s how we all get our kicks.”

“Eeyup.” Replied Big Mac. “We could all go when you get home.”

“Horseback riding?” Applejack said in thought. Being a horse herself, she had never ridden before in her life—not like that.

Granny yawned, “Y’all better wait ‘till I get home from work. I gots to help at Canterlot Cafeteria today.”

“We’ll take of the farm, Granny.” Big Mac promised while hinting at himself and Applejack.

“Um… yeah, sure will.” Applejack replied, then she grumbled in thought, “I ain’t got time for this! I’ve gotta help find the magic!”

Cadance was at home with baby Flurry Heart. Though she was Principal of Crystal Prep, she was on maternity leave. Someone had to watch the baby in the daytime.

Shining Armor, as Vice Principal of the school, had to go to work, which he dreaded.

He was seen with hordes of teenagers passing by and he called to each one he saw so much as slightly breaking a rule.

“You there… Tuck in that shirt!

No chewing gum!

Straighten out that tie, missy.”

The Front Office staff were really confused by his behavior.

“Is this why they didn’t send a replacement Principal?”

“Hey, I think he knows what he’s doing.”

“Besides, you heard the orders from Mr. Grandruler; he needs the experience.”

Shining Armor sure felt cool and confident in all this, “Nothing to it… just like being Captain of the Guard again.”

“I hope he’s doing okay.” Cadance said as she fed the baby her bottle.

Spike stayed to keep company, and for him, at the moment, transforming into the Dragon Knight and joining the patrol were out of the question, it would break cover, not to mention he didn’t have a visor to track the magic with.

For now, he was over at the window looking out into the suburbs. “I wonder how Rarity’s doing?”

Rarity had taken up residence at Human Rarity’s, and she was having a terrible morning. She had woken up with a terrible stomachache and rushed to the bathroom many times to really go! She even vomited many times.

“It’s so disgusting!” she groaned, and then she puked again into the toilet.

She looked up and cried… then she puked.

Looked up and cried… then puked.

It was easy for her to figure out what was wrong-- All that food she ate last night! She was half dog, and she couldn’t take the food as easily as she used to.

“This is the end!” she cried “I shall never be the same aga-he-he-hen!” and she puked again.

Opalescence was passing by the open bathroom door gawking at her in shock.

Rarity turned and saw her, and her canine instincts began to kick in again as she growled at the little cat with a near look to kill, frightening the feline away.

“Ohhh… why me!” Rarity groaned, and her stomach gurgled again. “Oh, no!!”

She was in no condition to help in the search for the magic.

Sunset and Artie couldn’t help, they had classes in college. Sunset studying biology for her medical degree, and Artie heading up an Art Class, which was easy for him considering his masterful skills.

Fluttershy couldn’t help either. As Human Fluttershy was studying to become a licensed Vet, she had her work studies with Dr. Fauna at the Animal Shelter and clinic.

Of course, Fluttershy, already a licensed and professional Vet and Animal Caregiving back home, already had plenty of skills to show.

She gave checkups to all the animal patients perfectly without being told what to do…

She cared for all the sick and caged animals as expertly as a qualified vet would.

Dr. Fauna was most surprised. “Fluttershy, have been taking crash courses?”

This made Fluttershy realize she was overdoing it, and likely to blow her cover.

“Um… there’s nothing to worry about,
I just… really love animals, that’s no doubt.

I’ve been studying hard, really, I have been,
So I can be the greatest anyone has seen.”

Dr. Fauna was still a bit perplexed, “And when have you started talking like that?”

Fluttershy chuckled nervously,

“I guess I’ve been with Rhymey so long,
The rhymes in me are getting real strong.”

Fauna smirked, “…I think it’s sweet. You’re getting married, and already you’re taking after him as a sign of love and respect.

I look forward to the wedding, it’s going to be wonderful.”

This made Fluttershy’s insides quiver with worry, so much that she nibbled on her nails and gave her little trademark nervous squeak.

Rhymey was thinking of this too as he worked at Rhyme Time Café.

He thought quietly…

“The wedding is only days away.
Hopefully by then we’re on our way.

Fluttershy and I can’t go through with it,
We can’t have much to do with it.

Our friends lives and ours would be in a mess,
Gosh, this is causing me such stress!”

He was so lost that he ended up putting too much whipped cream on the customers cocoa, which embarrassed him.

Even Dyno and Myte couldn’t make an early search, they had digging to do for the construction of a new building, which they found more enjoyable than they first thought.

“Hey, Myte, is this fun for what?” asked Dyno.

“Ay’! Esto es tan genial *This is so Cool*!” cheered Myte. “It’s not like being at our mine, but it sure feels great.”

The brothers, rather than using heavy machinery or explosives, just grabbed picks and hammered at the ground using only their ordinary Starfleet strengths.

This was no secret to the other workers; they knew of it.

“Look at them go!”

“And all this time, I’ve been doing it the honest way.”

“They sure get through more in a day than we do in a week.”

As much fun as the twins were having, they did keep in mind they had a mission to do.

At school, everything seemed to run like clockwork.

Celestia gave the morning announcements from the principal’s schedule.

“Cheerleading Practice has been cancelled due to the upcoming Christmas Dance to be held this Friday before holiday vacations.

And do not forget the school’s “Secret Santa” program. You only have three days more to get the student you drew a gift.

That will be all-- As you were.”

She switched off the mic and chuckled. “This is kind of fun.” Then she got to work with notices, reports, and other messages, which were not all that hard for her to read and figure out.

Luna, having no paperwork to do, was out in the halls, and just like Shining Armor, she was making sure that students knew their place.

She caught three slackers skipping class by staying in the hallway and chatting up.

“Ahem!” she said, and the boys froze up. “…Unless they are holding classes in the hallways, kindly be on your way!” Her voice sounded so threatening, and her eyes of darkness scared the boys into going back to class.

Lightning’s History Class went smoothly…more-or-less!

He handed back some quiz papers, all of which did not have very pleasing marks. Several Cs, Ds, and especially Fs.

“You people have been studying history of “The Christmas Truce” for two weeks now, and this is the best you can do?

A simple, yet unofficial series of widespread ceasefire in 1914, whereas fighting among all soldiers had stopped simply for the holidays.

Or… maybe you people don’t seem to care too much about the history of your own country.”

His deep words hurt the students hard, but some of them barely seemed to notice or care, especially one girl who was busy texting on her phone, which greatly annoyed Lightning to the point where he stood before her, tapping his foot, and held out his hand as if to tell her to hand it over… which she did.

“What is it that drives you all to put your education down?

What is it that gets inside your heads?

It’s a little game you tend to play, feeling that some teachers will go along with it, or simply not mind, but in the end, who pays the price later? You do!”

His words hit the students so deeply that it motivated them to try harder and study more. It also helped Lightning keep his cover. No one suspected a thing.

Grand Ruler was at a business meeting that day dealing with business merger, but he did not like the way the representatives gave their presentation of profit-margins, plans for stock increase or inflations.

“This sounds more like a business solely to gain profit rather than provide good service, to me.” he said.

“But Mr. Grandruler, sir…” one of the reps said “This is golden opportunity. Everyone, yourself included, will be richer, and businesses will be conquering from coast-to-coast like a plague spreading.”

This was all that was needed to be heard. “Yes, “A plague” indeed.” said his majesty. Even the other board members were losing interest in this deal.

“Just as I suspected,” his majesty continued, “You seem to care more for profit than you do for good business, or other people’s needs. Not exactly the kind of image we are looking for.”

It was clear to see, these greedy businessmen were on the verge of flopping.

“I’m willing to give you another chance.” said Grand Ruler. “If you can prove by the start of the new year that you are willing to clean up your act and be a company more for the people rather than the profit… perhaps we have something.”

The men agreed, and soon left, while the board directors applauded for Celesto’s astounding handling all that.

“That was better than he’s ever done before.”

“You’d think he’s been managing whole kingdoms.”

His majesty chuckled in thought, “If they only knew… Being ruler of an entire galactic empire is hard work. I make deals like this all the time. It’s easy for me to see who to trust and who to reject.”

Still, he couldn’t help but wonder if anyone at all was out and about searching for the magic.

Luckily, not everyone was super busy that day.

Starla didn’t have any plans, classes, or any place to be.

Buddy didn’t have to tend to any gardening or planting, Rainbow didn’t have classes at college that morning, and Pinkie wasn’t needed at work until later.

So, they all transformed and began to scout around the city in the air.

Starla was flying up high and using her visor to scout for any magical signs.

She, like the others, also learned how to use her new communication system.

“Hey, guys… have you two found anything?”

Buddy was first to ring in, “I’ve combed the West-Side of the island. I got nothing.”

“Rainbow, Pinkie, anything?” Starla asked.

The girls didn’t answer at first.

“Rainbow? Pinkie?”

As expected, the girls were goofing off, doing ariel acrobatics in the sky.

“WEE-HEE-HEE…!!” Pinkie shouted as she looped round and around.

“This is so awesome!” Rainbow hollered as she zoomed, dived, and spun about.

This prompted Starla to shout into the mic, “QUIT FOOLING AROUND!!”

The girls stumbled about in the air, and Buddy groaned and scratched his ear from the ringing. “Starla, take it easy!”

“Yeah, I’m just testing my flying skills.” Said Rainbow.

“Yeah, me too.” Added Pinkie. “I already scanned about. I can’t find the magic either.”

Starla and Buddy both groaned.

“Hey!” called a voice, and Krysta flew up to Starla. “Thought I’d help with the search. I don’t have a visor, but I can still see from up here.”

Starla nodded, “At the rate we’re going we need all the help we can get.”

Eventually, they all met up together, high in the skies over the center of the island.

“What if we contact the base?” Pinkie suggested.

“I already tried,” replied Buddy, “They’re not having any better luck than we are.”

“Gee… How hard can it be to find one magical source on an island like this?” complained Rainbow.

As the friends continued to fly overhead, all they could see down below in town was more Christmas preparations, shopping, and other things, but hardly anything out of the ordinary.

Suddenly, the base was calling them. “Red Alert! Red Alert!”

“Starla here. Have you found the magic?”

“No, this is a red alert. We’ve picked up police radio waves of a Bank Robbery taking place at the First National Bank on Main Street. There are hostages being held at gunpoint.”

Pinkie gasped, swallowing too much air!

“We better go help.” Said Starla.

The others agreed, knowing it was Starfleet’s job to fight crime just as much in this world as their own.

“Let’s move!” ordered Starla.

“Uh… just where is Main Street?” asked Rainbow.

The fighters were still new in this world and didn’t know much of their way around, but Krysta remembered from all her many flights from all her adventures.

“Follow me, I’ll show you.”

As the fighters neared the scene, they stopped in midair.

“What just happened?” asked Pinkie.

All the hostages were safe and sound and so were all the Bank Workers. The criminals were all apprehended and looked really beaten up, and all their weapons were broken and busted up too.

The news crews were there covering the story live on TV and over the radios.

“Let’s tune in and hear what they’re saying.” Said Buddy.

Everyone agreed, and adjusted their visor’s listening range to pick up the radio waves of the reporter talking…

“The bank money, the workers, and the civilians were all saved by a mysterious hero who refused to give his identity, but security footage from the bank’s cameras clearly showed what happened.”

The images changed to showing the robbers holding the people at gunpoint while the tellers loaded up all the money as per the demands… When suddenly…

…A stranger just appeared smack dab in the middle of the bank. There was no sound on the video, but the picture was clear enough to see.

This stranger was dressed from head to toe in a slick, shiny, golden outfit with white streaks down the sides. He was shrouded in a magical aura.

The criminals tried to shoot him up with all their machine guns, but not a single of their bullets even scratched the guy.

Cadance and Spike saw everything on the television.

“Is this for real?” Spike asked.

“Wait, look!” cried Cadance.

The images then showed the stranger magically yanking all the guns and weapons from the robbers and crushing them in his strong hands.

Some of the robbers were freaked out, but others were not willing to go down without a fight! So, they foolishly lunged for the stranger, only to get horribly beaten up like nothing.

With the robbers down and their weapons destroyed, the cops began to move in, but the stranger vanished, teleported away before anyone could thank him or even speak to him.

The reporter continued, “There’s word or idea on who this stranger was. While he seemed to be using magic forces, it is unknown if he is affiliated with Starfleet at all, but the people are nonetheless grateful for these actions.

And another question that remains: “Will this stranger be seen again?”

There was nothing more to be said.

Up in the sky, the team looked back and forth at one another.

“You don’t think.” Said Rainbow.

“We have to tell Lightning and their Majesties.” said Starla.

She got out her cellphone and texted everyone, and it was agreed to meet at Sci-Twi’s home later.