My Brave Pony: Starfleet Magic III

EPISODE THIRTEEN

A few days later, word of Lightning and Starla's engagement spread faster than everyone expected. Lightning and Starla couldn't seem to go anywhere without someone offering or extending congratulations to them.

Plans were being made already, but they were going slowly as they didn't want rush into things too prematurely, not to mention they still had their duties to do, and there were still plenty of dangers out there to deal with. For now, normal life just continued for everyone…

Today, all the gang were invited to New Canterlot Palace to discuss wedding plans, and also on official business in regards of the dangers still at hand; as well as group training in the dojo. Cadance and Shining Armor had come too.

Spike could only watch them all from the sidelines as they lifted their weights, or ran on treadmills, spared with each other, or had target practice. Rarity complained a little about all the hard work, and all the sweating she did, but it only made the others force her to go harder and faster.

Spike felt so left out, so worthless. He even tried a few warm ups himself, but he got tired easily, and even the lighter weights were too much for him to lift. When Twilight sat near him for a rest she asked him what was wrong? "Twilight… what am I?"

Twilight felt confused. "What do you mean what are you? You're Spike, the dragon."

"Not who am I. What am I?" When Twilight hesitated to answer as she didn't know what answer Spike was looking for. "I'll tell you what I am- I'm a wimp!"

Now Twilight felt shocked "What?!"

"Not what, wimp. I'm a puny, scrawny, little wimp."

"Spike, that's not true." Twilight protested "You've done lots of wonderful things. Like helping me around the library or on my errands…"

"That's not the point…" Spike cut in, and Twilight finally saw where this was leading. Spike was complaining about not being of any particular use in battles or on missions. Shining Armor came over to the bench "Come on, little guy. Don't beat yourself up like this. Remember when Sombra attacked the Crystal Empire the first time? You helped save us all."

"And what about when we all went to Brogan to get the magical orb, you saved us all again." added Twilight, but Spike remained unconvinced. "Just pure dumb luck..." He had a point too, so far, for every major battle he mostly hid out of the way and watched from the sidelines, or tried to help when he thought he could but completely messed up.

Twilight and her brother tried their hardest, but even they couldn't figure out what to say about it this time, and this only made Spike feel worse. "Sometimes I wish was older, or maybe taller, and stronger, or better yet if I had my own special powers. Then I could lend you guys some better help."

Twilight tried to comfort him, but Spike up and waddled off to take a walk and be by himself a while. Twilight hated it that he was so upset, it only added to all her concerns.

After training, Grand Ruler yawned sleepily. "Master, are you all right?" Lightning asked. "Yes, I feel fine." Grand Ruler answered, but the others were starting to notice that he looked as if he hadn't been sleeping well lately. Lightning could also tell when they were training.

They all decided they had enough training and headed up to the throne room where Professor Brain had just returned from his trip to the Dragon's Land on the southern side of the planet, where he had spent the past week researching for keys of the Dragon-Knight Egg, which Twilight had given to him to study a whole back, to see if they could discover anything about it.

"Good Afternoon, everyone…" Brain said as he tipped his bowler hat and let his large backpack down which contained the Dragon-Knight egg.

"How was your trip, Professor?" Fluttershy asked.

"Oh, most satisfactory; although… I don't think very much to those dragons and their ill-mannered attitudes." He reached into his coat and pulled out his royal pass, which allowed him access to the Dragon's land by royal command, and the dragons were to behave themselves. "I felt most fortunate to possess this."

"Did you learn anything while you were away?

We'd like to know without delay." said Rhymey.

Brain smiled "I am happy to say that my expedition was entirely successful, and our theories were proven to be correct. It is a real, genuine power-source which houses all the powers and secrets of that of the legendary being."

Everyone exchanged looks of awe with one another, and Brain told his story…

While on his expedition, he met an Elder dragon, whom unlike many of the dragons was more courteous and preferred to keep a calmer order and decency among the dragons; he knew for a fact the Dragon-Knight egg was real. The tale had been passed through his family for generations…

Apparently, the elder's ancestor of Equestria of old; Centuries ago he was attacked by violent monster that invaded the land, and was rescued by the Dragon-Knight himself. He watched the whole thing as the Dragon-Knight battled the fierce beast and vanquished it, but got wounded in the fight. The elder's ancestor dragged the wounded warrior to a nearby cave and nursed him back to health, and came to a startling, but expected shock, upon removing the helmet, the warrior was revealed to be none other than an enchanted dragon himself, a dragon who only wished for an era of peace and justice. "This is what I feel these powers should be used for. Remember this."

That was the last the elder's ancestor or anyone from then on had ever seen of the legendary warrior, all that remained was the egg that contained all the secrets of his skills and powers, that once unleashed if used correctly, they go a long way towards vanquishing evil and giving the land more hope and peace.

"Wowie!" cried Pinkie Pie.

"Ay' Carumba!" cried Dyno "Imagine if we could use that kind of power. We'd be stronger than ever."

"How can we unlock it?" asked Myte.

"That, I am afraid, is impossible." said Brain "According to the elder and the story, the power can only be bestowed on a dragon; one that is pure in heart as the legendary one."

Everyone sighed softly, and knew that meant they were stuck, but at least finally got somewhere with the egg. That was one problem solved, but it didn't really make things any better…!

Spike was sitting all alone on a window away from the group, and hadn't heard anything that was said. He just sat there sulking and wishing he could feel more useful, and Cadance was still upset of dealing with her brother; a minor problem… and Sombra was still out there, and that hooded assassin who was after Celestia.

…

Meanwhile, at the Dragon's Land across the planet… most of the dragons, some which Spike befriended once were busy enjoying dipping in lava, snacking on gems, playing roughhousing dragon games and all that stuff.

"Man, this is the life!" said Garble.

"Totally…!" agreed Purple. "Way better than having to live amongst them ponies and all their fancy shmancy ways."

"I couldn't agree more." hissed a female voice. All the dragons winced in surprise to hear such a feminine voice and turned to see Melantha sitting casually by the edge of the lava pool.

"Hey, whoever you are? Beat it!" snarled Garble "This pool is form dragons only!"

"Yeah…! No ponies allowed!" added Purple "Now get lost or else…"

Melantha glared at the large dragons hard and sneered "Or else what…?"

A lot of the other dragons perked their heads up when they heard the commotion and smelled a fight coming on. Grable stood up and looked down at the demon-corn as she just stood there acting cocky. All the dragons began to chant, "Fight! Fight! Fight…!" and Garble decided to let her have it and he lowered his head down to her, but before he could do anything else, Melantha grabbed him by the ear flap, badly shocking him with her powers. "Oh! Ouch! Ow… Ah! I give! I give up! Mercy! Mercy!" groaned Garble. He sounded almost near tears, much to the other dragons' horrors. Fearing for their safety, they all just flew off.

"I'll do anything! ANYTHING!" cried Garble.

Melantha snickered and let go. "In that case… you are now working for me and King Sombra. You are going to help me get the shard of the Crystal Heart, as well as take down Starfleet!"

"Well what's in it for me?" Garble asked.

"You'll get to keep your ear, and your life."

Garble gulped nervously, but then he acted smug again. "Well, I could, but… uh… I don't think I could do this for any less than say, oh, a whole case of gems." He laughed and chuckled about, and Melantha lost her patience and pitched, not one, but three monster gems at him. Garble gagged, and gasped, and twitched as he his body began to glow brightly, and Melantha laughed wickedly.

…

Meanwhile, in New Canterlot... the hooded assassin was hiding nearby, waiting to make her next move, while the others were all in the palace and had spent the day making up plans for the upcoming wedding for Lightning and Starla, but Spike was still feeling a little glum. Goldwin noticed him. "Are you okay, Spike?" he asked.

Spike didn't lie "No. No I'm not."

Goldwin thought of cheering Spike up by telling him "You know you should be happy considering what you have, and all the things you can do. I know I do."

Spike turned to face him. "That's easy for you to say. You've got so much already."

"Well yes, but there are still a lot of things I don't have." said Goldwin "I love you all very much, and I'm glad that I came to life so I could get know you all and learn about the world, but… sometimes I'm sad too. I'm sad because I always have to stay inside the palace, and I don't know what it's like to walk on the grass, climb a tree, or swim in lakes. I can't go to new places, or met other creatures and make new friends. And sometimes…I'm scared; that I'll wake up one day and you, Lightning, Twilight, the royal ones, and all of you will be gone. I won't have any friends anymore, and no one to look after me or teach me new things."

Spike was starting to come to his senses as he gazed at Goldwin with concern and pity.

"Sometimes… I feel so upset and scared, that… I feel like throwing my magic mask away and being a statue forever. Then I wouldn't be able to feel anymore, but I don't because… I'm just happy for all the better things that I have, and someday I know maybe I will become a real being, and I will get to do all those things."

Spike smile grew, and he did began to feel that if there was hope for Goldwin, maybe there would be hope for him. Suddenly, the main doors to the throne room burst wide open, and the captain of the guards. "Your majesties…! Your majesties!" she shouted in near panic.

"What's wrong, Captain?" asked Celestia.

The captain caught her breath "It is Melantha. She's been seen heading right this way."

Everyone gasped at the sound of that name, and Pinkie began to hop around in panic. "Melantha's coming! She's really coming! We're all in trouble! She's coming! SHE'S COMING!"

Applejack grabbed and shook her to calm her down. "Take it easy, Pinkie!"

Grand Ruler ordered the two teams to head out while Cadance and Shining Armor would remain behind, to help protect the palace

Then the two teams transformed…

"STARFLEET… MAGIC…!"

"HARMONY HOUR…! FRIENDSHIP POWER…!"

"Good Luck, guys!" Spike muttered under his breath, wishing he could go with them.

"Let's go!" shouted Lightning, and they all dashed and flew off unaware of the presence of the hooded assassin who slunk about in the shadows following them.

"Sound the alarm!" Grand Ruler ordered "We must get the civilians out of the streets."

…

But already, the civilians were well running away in panic before the alarms sounded as they saw Melantha with their own eyes. One little colt even dropped his red toy ball and tried to go after it only to run right into her. The poor little colt sweated and quivered as she gazed down and him and merely said "Scream and run." and the colt did just that. Melantha snickered cheekily. What she would have given to be able to slaughter them all and draw their bloods, but she had a shard to find and could sense it was close by…

When suddenly… multiple projectiles hit her from behind, they startled her but didn't hurt her. "Funny, I detect a presence of company."

"That would be us!" shouted Lightning.

"That's a good one, Admiral. Just the same, I'm glad you've all come, I've prepared an extra special surprise for all of you."

"Cool, I like surprises." said Rainbow.

Melantha whistled loudly and over the hills flew a great big dark dragon, with an armored helmet, armored claws, armored vest, and armor down the upper length of his tail. He roared loudly and Fluttershy jumped fearfully into Rhymey's arms.

He calmed her down…

"No time for fright.

Now we fight!"

"Don't forget, there must be a heart shard nearby." Rarity reminded everyone.

Lightning nodded, and told the girls spread out and look for it while he and his team would handle the dragon. The girls nodded, and spread out, and Melantha went after them and ordered her dragon to attack, and the fight was on.

…

The others could see from the commotion from the palace. Spike looked through Goldwin's telescope. "Hey, I recognize that monster! It's Garble! I knew him one my Dragon Quest."

This concerned everyone, it wasn't very often Sombra and his minions used living creatures to do their bidding. "We must keep our faith. The teams will know how to handle this." Grand Ruler said as he struggled to maintain the force field spells on the buildings in the village, but he was getting tired much too easily due to his lack of sleep, and suddenly felt weak and collapsed to his knees…

…this made the force-fields get weaker.

"Celesto…!" cried Celestia as she and Cadance ran over to help him get up. "Are you alright, uncle?" asked Cadance. "I'm okay… really I'm fine." groaned Grand Ruler and he strengthened the shields with his power.

Cadance asked Robot-Fratello to scan her uncle's energy. "Bio signs and physiological strain indicate his strength is fading slowly due to lack of recreation. Recommendation; cease actions and rest."

But everyone else knew that was ridiculous. He had to keep the force-fields up, or the villagers would likely get hurt from the battle. "No! I have to keep going. I will keep going."

Celestia looked her husband deep in the eyes "I'll help you."

"And so will I." added Cadance

"Count me in too." said Shining Armor

In a flash of dark smoke, Princess Luna appeared. "I shall help you, brother-in-law." she promised. Grand Ruler smiled proudly, and together, they all combined their powers to make the force-fields five times as strong.

While down below…

Melantha raced along the way searching for the heart-shard with the girls on her tail. "You're not gettin' away this time!" shouted Applejack, and she tried to lasso her with her rope, but she dodged it. Rarity fired magical beams from her horn, most of which missed while a few hit her but didn't do much damage. Rainbow sped ahead and landed right in front of her. "Now!" she growled, but Melantha rammed right into her and began attacking. Rainbow dodged most of her blows, but let her guard down and got kicked in the chest, sending her slamming hard into a tree, and snapping the trunk in half. "Uhn…! Why is it I always hit something hard?" She groaned. However, the heart shard fell into her lap after the tree had been cut open. "Wow! I found it!"

Melantha growled fiercely, and proceeded to take it, but the others were still charging at her. "STOP HER!" shouted Twilight.

Melantha sneered and spewed out a big load of her "SLUDGE-NECTAR!" Twilight leapt out of the way, but all the others got hit and were covered in the gooey, sticky slime. Rarity shrieked with disgust, and Pinkie struggled and fussed about trying to break free, only to wind up getting herself even more stuck.

Melantha laughed at them as she watched them struggle. "Such as the price you pay for meddling in my affairs." Then she proceeded towards Rainbow and the shard she had. "Hand it over!"

"As if!" snapped Rainbow as she got to her feet, Melantha realized she'd have to use more persuasive measures and got out her trident, but before she could do anything else. Twilight dashed in and kicked her hard to the side and sent her skidding along the ground and her trident got stuck in the ground. "Did you miss me… both ways?" she mocked, reminding Melantha she didn't slime her.

Melantha rubbed her sore face, and angrily rose to her feet. "You'll pay for that!" she thundered, and she and Twilight went at one another hard.

Krysta appeared near Rainbow. "I'll take the shard to the palace, you help the others."

"Thanks, Krysta." And she dashed back to help the others, and freed the four trapped in the slime, but they began to feel sleepy and weak… due to poison from the sludge which made them sleepy and easier to beat, this gave Melantha the advantage she needed to turn the tables yet again. She punched Twilight and Rarity in one hit… kicked Applejack and Pinkie, and gave Rainbow and Fluttershy a good blast from her "POISON PETALS…!"

All six of them went down hard, and all seemed equally as weak, though the poisoned four seemed to be weaker. Melantha snickered wickedly and grabbed her trident again, but Twilight and Rainbow managed to get to their feet. "We're not giving up." Twilight sneered.

"But maybe you should…" added Rainbow.

Melantha gritted her teeth and charged forth for more…

Meanwhile…

Lightning and his team were doing fairly well against Garble, they had faced armored dragons before, but Garble was still bigger than they were and did managed to hit them all with big punches, swipes from his tail, and his fiery breath; sparks and explosions flew about and all the team fell down. "Let's try attacking him from all sides separately!" suggested Buddy Rose.

"Right." said Lightning "Spread out!"

They split up before getting hit by another burst of fire. Grable growled and gazed round for the fighters, and then Lightning dashed right up to him, dodging all the punched and actually running up his along the side of his stomach then kicked off and, WHAM… socked him right from underneath.

While Garble was stunned, the others came soaring in.

"STAR SHOWER…!"

"LEAF SWARM…!"

Starla and Buddy Rose attacked him from the left…

"PAINT BOMB…!"

"DRILL QUILL…!"

Artie and Rhymey attacked from the right.

Garble angrily sprung onto his feet and roared, and unleashed another fiery breath, but Dyno and Myte stepped in and fought fire with fire. "BOOM-BOOM FLARE…!"

The two fires met and exploded on contact, and Lightning saw his chance and powered up for his finisher. "UNIFORCE…!" His shot whammed into Garble in a huge explosion, and everyone a monster gem fly out form the smoke and it shattered.

Goldwin saw the whole thing through his telescope "They did it!" he cried with joy, and the others were glad to hear of that, but when Spike took a peek. "Wait a minute… Look!"

Everyone raced to the window, and much to their shock…

…as well as the teams, when the smoke had cleared, Garble was still standing; only now he looked bigger, stronger, and had more armor. "What's going on?" asked Artie. Lightning scanned Garble with his visor. "Check it out! He's got two more gems inside of him."

They had to beat him two more times. However, in the bushes nearby, the hooded assassin had seen everything and she was very impressed. "He will do very nicely." She hissed, and her eyes began to glow brightly, and the Garble's eyes began glow the same color.

"Lo que el- What's happening?" asked Dyno.

"He's not attacking us." added Myte.

Then, much to their confusion, Garble began to fly off towards the palace. "After him…!" Lightning shouted.

Twilight and Rainbow both battled hard with Melantha and the others finally managed to free themselves from the slime, when suddenly Garble flew overhead. "What are you doing?" shouted Melantha. "You are mine! I order you to destroy the ponies!" but Garble didn't respond and continued on his way to the palace. The girls wanted to rush over and check this out, but Melantha stopped them. "Monster or not, I'm not finished with all of you!"

Twilight and her team stood proud and tall. "If that's the way you want it, Melantha, we haven't got time for games." said Twilight. "Get her…!"

While in the palace…

Everyone could see Garble heading right towards them, and a threatening letter appeared before Celestia from the assassin. It read…

A riddle for you, Celestia…

What is big, nasty, sounds like a wagon, and destroys you?

…it's a dragon!

This clued everyone in that the assassin was nearby and was somehow controlling the monster. "Call out the guards!" shouted Grand Ruler "Strengthen the shields around the palace!"

Combining their powers, everyone strengthened the barrier around the palace and the royal guards rushed into battle and opened fire with their powers, and weapons, including palace cannons and catapults.

Lightning and his team arrived on the scene to help out. "Fire…!" he shouted, and they joined in assault, but since Garble was stronger now, their attacks hardly made him even flinch. He didn't even turned around to face them and continued to pound and attack away at the barrier around the palace. Each strike made the barrier weaken, and put a strain on everyone holding it up, especially Grand Ruler. He was starting to feel weak again.

Luckily they were all able to launch attacks from inside the palace as well. The barrier only stopped things from coming in, not going out. Using what available power they had, everyone fired magical beams at Garble in attempt to force him away. Fratello charged his pulse-lasers to maximum and fired which helped force Grable off and knock him away. "Danger is not over." he warned everyone "Observe the monster."

"Look…!" cried Spike "He's coming back!"

"He's trying to kill Me." cried Celestia "He won't stop until he has."

"Or unless we stop him." said Shining Armor.

"We can't let that happen." shouted Cadance.

…

"We can't let this happen." said Starla and she and the others flew right up to Garble and actually tried to pull him away. Rhymey even got up onto his head and covered Garble's eyes with his hands. It seemed to work, but Garble shook vigorously and swatted them all off.

"Are you all right!" called the Captain.

"We're fine, but we can't give up." said Lightning.

Inside, Celestia began to feel the strain getting to her as well, and knew that she and the others couldn't hold the barrier up much longer. This gave her an idea that would probably give everyone a fighting chance, and she headed off much to the confusion and protest of everyone.

"Celestia!" shouted Grand Ruler. "CELESTIA…! ARE YOU CRAZY?!"

Celestia leapt through a window and right through the barrier and appeared outside.

"Queen Celestia…?!" cried Starla.

"What are you doing?!" shouted Lightning, and right then Celestia waved her arms and hollered at Garble "Hey! Here I am! Over here!"

Garble saw her and moved away from the palace, and began to chase her like seeker! At least it helped stall the monster, but Lightning and friends couldn't allow this and chased after them.

"CELESTIA…!" Grand Ruler shouted, and he prepared to fly off after his wife, but the others tried to restrain him. "Sire, you're weak. You should stay here and rest." said Krysta.

"She's right, Uncle." cried Cadance, but her uncle didn't care. He broke free from them and soared out through the window and shouted at them "Keep watch over the palace!"

The others wanted to follow him, but had to stay and protect the palace as ordered, and proper, but all this danger. Spike felt more irritated than ever. "Man! This stinks!" her roared "I can't believe I'm stuck here like this!"

Then he gazed at the Dragon-Knight Egg near the thrones. "Oh, why can't you do anything? All I want is to help my friends! He kicked the egg hard, hurting his foot. "Ow…! Oh! Ouch!" he groaned. "Spike, are you alright?" Goldwin asked in concern, and before Spike could say anything, the egg began to glow mysteriously. "Uh, oh…!" cried Spike, wondering if he did it by kicking it.

"Look…" said Shining Armor as the egg glowed brighter, and it slowly opened wide revealing a mystical, glowing ball that fluttered all around the throne-room and then stopped before Spike, landing right in his claws, followed by an enchanted voice. "Your heart speaks the truth."

Everyone gazed in awe, realizing that was the voice of the once-Dragon Knight.

"Many centuries ago, my time in this world came to an end, and for so long have I been observing those around me, waiting for someone to pass on my great skills and secrets too. The truth in your words and the selfless wishes you desire prove the pureness of your heart, and deem you worthy to possess my power. With it at your disposure, you, and you alone, shall carry on my legacy and stave off all that is evil."

The light flashed brighter, brighter, and then it just stopped. Everyone just stood where they were at a complete loss for words… especially Spike.

…

Twilight and Rainbow were still fighting hard to keep Melantha away from killing their poisoned friends while they were still weak, but they couldn't keep it up much longer and were both losing strength. "Feeling tired, are we?" Melantha mocked.

Twilight and Rainbow stood side-by-side panting wearily. "Twilight… I think I'm going to fall!"

"Don't… give up… Rain…baaaa…" but Twilight fell down complete exhausted and Rainbow fell down next to her. Melantha slowly walked over towards them, and gave them a pitiful but evil smile. She rose her trident ready for the kill "Blood and gore shall become you! I live to kill!" she hissed like blood-thirsty monster she was, and struck, but missed!

"Huh? What?! No!" she roared louder than ever.

Twilight opened her eyes and found that she and he others were floating, thanks to Celestia, using her powers to levitate them as she flew along. "Queen Celestia…?" She was happy she saved her and her friends, but she looked really tired as she slowly descended into an open field outside of the woods. "Queen Celestia…! Are you alright?"

"I'm fine! But what's more important is, are you alright…?" but she could see for herself that the others were still weak from the poison and Rainbow and Twilight had taken quite a beaten. She would have gladly given them some power to boost their strength, but she was running low as it was.

Suddenly, following a loud roar, Garble came down from the skies and landed before them. Twilight had hardly enough strength to fire anything bigger than a simple spark. Celestia fired the biggest bust of magic she could, and it seemed to damage garble a lot and knock off some of his armor, but he was still too strong, and she herself fell to her knees and backwards onto her tail.

"Your majesty!" cried Rainbow.

Garble glared down at the defenseless ponies and growled softly, licking his teeth, but just as he got ready to swipe them all with his claws, he was shot from behind by many projectiles, followed by Lightning and friends, with Grand Ruler shouting. "CHARGE…!"

They each flew past Garble one by one, attacking and striking him hard. Without his armor, he was more vulnerable than ever. Even Grand Ruler gave him a good blasting.

"Celesto!" cried Celestia.

Her husband and the others landed in front of her and the fallen girls. He turned back and gazed at his wife and nodded bravely. Then he motioned at Lightning and the others to power up their finishers. They did… and fired…!

"UNIFORCE…!"

"GALACTI PROJECTILE..!"

"WHIPLASH STRIKE…!"

"ARTFUL ATTACK SPIN…!"

"THRASH SLASH…!"

"BOOM-BOOM FLARE…!"

All that power, even at half strength damaged Garble even more, and Grand Ruler's three golden horns glowed brightly "My turn!" he sneered as he leapt up. "Ten-Fold… UNIFORCE…!" and using the last of his available strength, he unleashed his own uniforce, which was much bigger and more powerful than Lightning's. Garble was hit, and roared loudly as he fell over.

Grand Ruler felt simply exhausted, and keeled over. "Master!" cried Lightning as he caught his teacher. Celestia, in her weary state struggled to get to him. "Darling…!"

"I am… alright… just very tired."

Another gem popped out of Garble and shattered, but that still left one remaining! Garble was back on his feet and in his final monster from; smaller, but still very fierce and so incredibly stronger.

"We have… to beat him… again…!" Starla panted.

"But… how…?

We're… weak now." panted Rhymey.

Most of the others looked as ready to pass out as the others from such a hard fight. Lightning was still standing alongside Starla, but they both felt the strain getting to them. They wouldn't stand a chance alone against such a brute with their powers so low.

Melantha reappeared, laughing maliciously. "Well, well… it looks like I may get those kills I've been plotting for after all."

"You haven't beaten us yet, Melantha!" growled Lightning.

"We'll find some way to beat you." added Starla.

"Hah!" snapped Melantha "Look at yourselves, do you expect me to think that some little miracle is just going to pop up and save the day?"

Lightning and Starla stood their grounds. They couldn't let Garble or Melantha hurt their friends and were willing to do whatever it took to protect them. "You've been warned!" growled Melantha.

Garble glared at the two and prepared for attack, when suddenly…

"Hold it right there!"

Garble turned and saw Spike, who had teleported there thanks to Krysta. "Spike?!" cried Twilight. Her poisoned friends were starting to awaken as the effects of the poison wore off. Spike gazed at everyone, and relieved they were okay. "Playtime's over!" he said heroically.

"What?!" growled Melantha "You can't be insisting you can actually stand up to me; you puny little pipsqueak."

The others called out to Spike telling him to run, but Spike just stood where he was. "I can stop you, and I can help my friends… thanks to this!" He held out from behind his back the glowing orb. The others all gazed in awe and wonder. "What is that?" asked Pinkie Pie.

"Beats me." said Applejack.

"You don't honestly think that little thing will help you." sneered Melantha.

Spike smirked and said. "I don't think- I know!" and he raised the orb to the sky and shouted. "DRAGON POWER…!" All at once, he was bathed in a bright mystical glow as white flames surrounded him, and his body began to spin and glow! Suddenly, he became taller, more muscular, and bit by bit, plates of gold and silver armor clung onto him, along with a red flowing cape, and majestic dragon wings, and huge sword in a scabbard on his back.

He stood, tall and proud, and his voices sounded different, like Buddy Rose's. "Wow! This is incredible!"

The others all gawked in amazement, particularly Rarity. "Spike…" she muttered unable to take her eyes off of him or even blink.

Spike then glared at Melantha and Garble. "Now, evil doers… prepare to be crushed, like all those who dare to face the Dragon Knight."

Melantha gripped her trident fiercely. "Dragon-Knight this…!" she bellowed as she and Garble dashed for him. Spike reached behind him and drew out his "DRAGON-KNIGHT SABER!" It shined in the moonlight, and the fight was on.

Even though this was his first time, as the spirit had promised, Spike was bestowed with all his secrets and skills. He just seemed to know everything right off the bat as he skillfully parried Melantha's trident, and dodged Garble's attacks.

"POISON PETALS…!"

"Watch out!" cried Artie

Spike stood here he was and lowered his sword. "DRAGON FLAME-WHEEL…!" Her curled himself up and flared in a huge flame, blasting his way through the petals, searing them, and rammed right into the two villains hard knocking them over.

"Look at him go!" cried Rainbow.

"He's incredible." added Starla.

Melantha got to her feet, unable to believe this was happening. Then, Spike flapped his wings and flew up high into the air and held his sword up high. "IGNITE…!" The blade was engulfed in white flames, and he made a fiery white circle as the image a brave, roaring dragon appeared behind him. Then he soared down like a shooting star straight for Garble, and slashed his blade as he zoomed past him.

Garble roared and growled loudly as his body flared and sparked like crazy. Then he finally exploded. The last monster gem was shattered, and Garble reverted back to his normal form. "He did it!" cried Lightning.

"He did it?" Melantha said in disbelief, and she decided to leave before anything else happened. Spike just stood tall and proud as he sheathed his sword…

…

Sombra was furious at Melantha for really botching things up. "Forgive me, my king!" she begged "I almost had them!"

"Silence!" growled Sombra, and he zapped her with his powers. "You were instructed to obtain the heart shard, and you let it go to fulfil your own desires and lust to murder! This is getting out of hand with you, Melantha." He zapped her again. "Feel fortunate that I still have need of you. Now… get out of my sight!"

Melantha did as she was told and left before she got zapped again. She ran into her comrades outside. As much as the three of them enjoyed seeing her getting talked down to, they too were concerned. "His majesty isn't his usual calm self." said Phaedra.

"I've never seen him this hot-tempered. It's making my spine melt." added Frost-Eye.

Harkin had a feeling he knew what was going on, but he didn't feel it was of much concern to him. He had his own little agenda to attend to. He then noticed the others were staring at him awkwardly. "You feeling alright?" asked Frost-Eye.

"I feel perfectly fine."

"You sure seem quiet and smug, Harkin." said Melantha.

"I said I'm alright!" he sneered and then walked off.

"Gee… what's his problem?" Frost-Eye wondered aloud.

Harkin walked to the ship's dojo area. "The time is near…!" he thought to himself "The greatest battle of my entire life. It will be like no other." He clenched his fists tightly, and then proceeded to train.

…

Garble awoke to see a stranger in armor gazing down at him. "Are you alright?" the stranger asked.

"Um… yeah… I guess so." replied Garble "Who the heck are you?"

"I'm just someone who's looking out for those in need. You take care of yourself now." And the stranger flew off. Garble was starting to wonder if maybe that was the…"Nah… it's too farfetched."

…

When Spike got back to New Canterlot, he transformed back into his regular form. "Man! That was awesome." he cried, and everyone else thought that too. They gave him their congratulations, and extended comments on hi performance. Then, the Grand Ruler had something to say as well…

"Spike, I must admit, you did a very noble and brave thing, and you also unlocked the powers of the Dragon-Knight."

"So, does that make me part of the team now?" Spike asked.

"You know the rules, Spike." replied Grand Ruler "You are not an official member of Starfleet, and you haven't been properly trained."

Spike began to feel down again.

"However… rules were made to be broken as well as followed. You saved everyone's life out there, and mine, and we trust you, and know that will learn to master and use your new gift wisely, and it will come in great help in future battles." His horns glowed and a Starfleet bad appeared on a bracelet "That is why I am pleased to, just this once, wave the rules, and initiate you at once. Do you accept?"

Spike's eyes lit up as if he had been present with all the gold in the world. "You bet I do…!" he cried but then cleared his throat and stood tall and saluted "I mean… I accept your majesty."

"Then by my authority as Commander-in-Chief, and Co-Ruler of United Equestria, I hereby confirm upon you the official rank of Starfleet junior member." The bracelet vanished and then reappeared on Spike's wrist, since he didn't have anything to pin it onto. He gazed at it and then bowed to the royal ones, and they bowed back.

"You're one of us now, Spike." Lightning said "Welcome aboard."

"I'm really proud of you, Spike." added Twilight.

"Congratulations, Spikey-Wikey." Rarity said and she pecked him deeply on his cheek, and he fell down in a dopey, lovey-dovey daze, but he snapped too when everyone hoisted him up and gave him three big cheers.

Celestia was pleased with all this, but deep down she was very worried. The assassin, whoever she was, was still out there and she almost succeeded in getting her this time, not to mention almost hurt those trying to protect her. She gazed outside at night "Who are you? What do you want with me?" She muttered softly.

While somewhere, out in the darkness, the assassin stood with her cape fluttering in the breeze. "See you next time, Celestia!" she hissed under her hood, and then she vanished.

(Promo)

In our next episode; Cadance is growing so uptight about missing her brother that she decided to do something magical about it, but things go quite wrong when she and Lightning accidently trade bodies and face a huge problem trying to get back together.

To make matters worse, the hooded assassin has released several threats on Celestia, but the Grand Ruler is out of commission.

Will Lightning and Twilight be able to overcome this problem? And just who is this assassin and what does want with Celestia?

Don't miss the next exciting episode of "Starfleet Magic"

(Next Episode: "Twi-Lightning")