A day had passed since Sapphire became a Cadet. She was placed in Lightning’s Unit and today was her first day of training. Lightning and Grand Ruler ordered her to gather round, and things already got off on a bit of the wrong foot. “Cadet Sapphire...” Lightning said “You are both improperly dressed.” Sapphire was asked to remove necklace. She pulled it off, but it glowed and reattached itself to her. “Huh?” she removed it again and reattached itself to her. Lightning and Grand Ruler were confused.

“Let me try.” Lightning pulled the element necklace off but it glowed and reattached itself to Sapphire’s neck again! “Looks like I have to train with this on.” Sapphire claimed. Lightning and Grand Ruler looked at each other. “Guess we have to.” Lightning said. Grand Ruler nodded then he welcomed them to their first day of training and he assured them this would be no easy feat. “As I am aware you are very skilled in the arts you perform, however, I feel that compared to Starfleet you are just not powerful enough. As you saw in the previous war, your skills as they currently are were into fit enough to combat the newer, more powerful enemies we have faced. I believe that you can all pass our tests, that you can become stronger and swifter than anything you ever images, and it’s because I believe in you.

...But... do YOU believe that you can do it? Well, that’s what we’re about to find out.”

Lightning then spoke to her, “Now Sapphire, as you know, you won’t become as strong as us original space alicorns, but you can become stronger than what you’ve ever been. Before we get into any serious training, we’ll need to test your current skills. How strong you are, how fast are.”

Sapphire nodded and they started her off at the five hundred yard dash. She started running as fast as she could and suddenly her eyes glowed and suddenly rushed across the finish line at the speed of light. “Time, Lightning?” Grand Ruler asked.

“Four point three seconds.” Lightning replied.

Sapphire, rubbing her head, looked surprised at the results. “You okay there?” Applejack asked.

“Yeah, just a small headache after that surge I felt.” Sapphire said.

“Surge?” Grand Ruler asked.

“Yeah, I was running and I suddenly felt a surge and before I knew it, I was across the finish line.”

The ponies thought that was odd but they continued with her training. Next was a test of flight. “Behold, the Hurl-a-Whirl.”

It was a machine similar to the wonderbolts Dizzitron, but instead being strapped into a disc, ponies were strapped in a large bubble like cell, and instead of being twirled in mere furious circular motions, the ride was designed to hurl, whirl, and twirl the flyer in all possible directions. "And if you scream..." Lightning teased "...It's just going to go faster and harder." The ride would launch them out, and then they were forced to recover fast and race back through an obstacle course. Touching a single obstacle or failing to complete the course in less than five seconds were marked as failure.

The girls were a bit hesitant with this. “Lightning are you sure her wings are ready? We don’t know how long she’s flown with them.” Fluttershy said.

“I understand your concerns girls, but remember this is just a training exercise. It will help her and help us see if she’s had enough experience with her wings. Don’t worry.” Grand Ruler said. Sapphire was strapped in and the device started spinning her up, down and all around. It suddenly launched her out and it everyone’s surprised... she started to glow and she changed into a pheonix! "She can change her form?!" Pinkie yelled in shock. She righted herself and flew straight for the obstacle course. She skillfully flew through the course, not touching anything and she flew across the finish line. She landed and changed back into her human self.

“Three point two seconds!” Lightning exclaimed.

“Alright Sapphire.” Rainbow called. "I didn't know you could change your shape."

"Me either.." Sapphire gasped. "But it felt just like the surge earlier." Now the others could see this couldn’t be a coincidence.

After that, was dancing. “Dancing can do wonders for the battle.” Lightning said “It helps you improve your evasiveness. Remember: even the most powerful attack or weapon cannot harm you... IF... it doesn't hit you."

He demonstrated by going through one of the hard courses, which he had gone through many times. It was a simple spread divided into four parts. The objective was to hop along a series of tall small pillars overlooking a deep fall, while at the same time small, harmless darts, cannon balls, and spiked logs would come at him to try to trip him up.

He stood ready, and then began to skip, hop, side-step, and twirl gracefully through the course and didn’t get a hit a single time, impressing Sapphire.

He even gave her a little challenge.

She would all be armed with special paint guns and would try to shoot Lightning and three others as they danced along a simple flat runway.

https://youtu.be/DvoxgVS-Wio

Sapphire, amazingly watched closely and when one of the dancers landed, she fired and made contact! Even Lightning got hit! “Nice, Sapphire.” Lightning said. Sapphire smiled. Weeks had passed and Sapphire was gradually getting better at her training. Lightning and the others were proud of her.

In the meantime, Starfleet virtually had a free hand over the enemy. The Changelings had already tried to attack, but Lightning and his friends, and many others had captured and imprisoned a great number of the changelings already and sent them to the royal palace in New Canterlot where the Queen and Grand Ruler would send them to the prison caverns under the where they would be detained in a cryogenic hold and then sent to one of the prison planets run by Starfleet.

In light of the war, their three supreme majesties made a worldwide announcement of declarations.

Starfleet would remain on constant vigil for any signs of attack, and as for all others, life would continue and society would go on-- Children would go to school, adults would go to work, and bills and taxes would be paid normally. There would be no hoarding and no sudden profiteering. By command of their majesties, all wages and all prices were to be properly balances and/or frozen. What an apple cost at the market yesterday it would cost again tomorrow.

To help avoid sneak attacks at night, by command of Princess Luna, an international curfew began after 9 Pm for all child civilians, unless proper authorization was given. Finally, martial law was declared for the times of war, and all crimes and disturbances would be dealt with swiftly, and harshly. The last thing anyone wanted was to start warring on each other.

So, life went on.

One day Sapphire was walking through New Ponyville, whistling to herself when…

“Psst.”

“Huh?” Sapphire turned around and caught sign of a black hoof waving to her from an dark alleyway. Sapphire walked over to the alleyway, looking around to see if anyone was noticing, luckily no one was. Entering the alleyway, she saw a changeling but this one had light pink eyes and pink transparent wings also, it was smiling at her.

“Hi Sapphire.” she greeted.

“Pyrite, what are you doing here?!” Sapphire exclaimed with worry.

“I wanted to see you again, Sapphire.”

“What if someone sees you, they can see right through your disguise now! It’s too dangerous for you to be New Ponyville.”

“But where else can I go?”

“Hmm… Aha. The Whitetail Woods. As far as I know, no Starfleet officers are there. Come on.” Pyrite changed into a pin and pinned herself to Sapphire and with that she flew off to the Whitetail Woods.

The woods were a quiet place in United Equestria where many creatures like deer, birds and squirrels roam free. Sapphire landed and Pyrite changed back into herself. “This place should be safe enough, Pyrite.”

“Thank you Sapphire.” Pyrite said and she suddenly turned sad. “I just wish the other could be the same way I am.”

Sapphire felt empathy for Pyrite. “I know, one day maybe you can show them all.”

Pyrite smiled but then her eyes turned to horror when she spotted something in the sky. Sapphire turned to the sky and gasped. “Lightning and Starla! Quick, hide!”

Pyrite changed into a rock and Sapphire pretended to sat on it, looking out through the forest as Lightning and Starla landed. “Sapphire, any other changelings?” Starla asked.

“No Starla, nothing.” Sapphire replied.

“Good. That will be all.” Lightning stated and he and his wife flew away. Sapphire sighed in relief when they were gone and Pyrite changed back. “That was too close.” Pyrite whimpered.

“Don’t worry, I’ll keep you safe.” Sapphire said.

Pyrite smiled and the two unlikely friends hugged each other. “I’ve gotta get back. But I’ll visit you everyday. Promise.”

“Okay, Sapphire.”

For the next week, she went to the New White Tail Woods and played with Pyrite and Lightning and the others had no clue until one day….

Sapphire was with her friends at the Cake’s Café for some lunch.

Lightning was not very happy, “I still can’t believe we haven’t found any changelings yet!” he grumbled.

Sapphire, being optimistic as always said, “Don’t worry guys, you’ll find them soon. I’m gonna go to New Whitetail Woods, see ya.” she stated.

When she left, Buddy asked, “Have you guys been noticing she’s been going to the woods a lot lately?”

“Yeah, she’s never been to the woods that many time before.” Applejack agreed.

“What do you think she could be doing there?” Rarity asked.

“You guys don’t think she’s hiding something from us, do you?” Spike asked.

“No way, she would never do that. She knows the consequences.” Lightning replied.

“But we should probably go check on her.” Dyno suggested.

“Si, I agree.” Myte added. The ponies left the café and went to New Whitetail Woods. There they saw Sapphire talking to somebody.

“Who is she talking to?” Pinkie whispered.

“Don’t know Let’s get a closer look.” Lightning replied. The ponies got closer and were shocked at what they saw. “Why is Sapphire talking with a changeling!” Starla cried.

“What is she thinking?!” Rainbow added.

“Is she crazy! She’ll get court martial for sure!” Fluttershy said.

“And why is this one pink?” Pinkie asked.

“Okay see you tomorrow.” Sapphire said. Pyrite went back into the woods and she exited the forest but before she could take another step.

“Stop right there!” She turned around and gasped as she saw her friends staring at her with angry faces. “What have you done Sapphire!” Lightning asked grimly. She stammered as she tried to find a reply. “You know that you were supposed to report if you found a changeling!” Lightning scolded.

“But guys, this one is nice.” Sapphire replied desperately.

Her friends didn’t believe her. “Pfft. Yeah right! It probably cast a spell on you and made believing that.” Artie snarled.

“It’s true!” Sapphire cried.

“Sapphire darling, forgive my tone but.. THEY ARE THE ENEMY!” Rarity stated.

Before she could say another word. "CADET SAPPHIRE!”

Everybody looked up and saw Grand Ruler and Queen Celestia in the sky and they did not look pleased at all!

“Report to the palace for inquiry and court martial.” Grand Ruler said.

All the ponies shuddered in fear, but not as much as Sapphire. They all went to the palace for the trial. When they were gone, Pyrite came out of the forest and she had heard everything!

“Oh no. What am I gonna do? Sapphire’s in big trouble and it’s all my fault.” Pyrite started pacing back and forth. “If I go there, I’ll get arrested and sent to prison… but if I don’t do anything, my friends' a goner. Oooooh…. What did Sapphire say?” Pyrite thought back to a moment with Sapphire.

“Sometimes you have to make a self sacrifice for the ones you love.” Sapphire said.

“A self sacrifice.” Pyrite repeated and took a deep breath. “For my friend.” and with that she rocket off to New Canterlot before it was too late for my best friend.

Meanwhile, Sapphire was in trial. The supreme pony council of United Equestria presided. The Chairman pony and his five councilors called the court to order.

“Sapphire Shimmer…” said the chairman “This court holds in contempt on the charges of treason to the United Equestrian Empire. Evidence has convinced this court that you are defying their majesties order to bringing in the changeling. Have you anything to say for yourself?”

Sapphire just stayed quiet and shook her head. Her friends were in the front row seats, looking on with worry and concern.

Grand Ruler then stood and called to the Judges, “Will the Panel need to deliberate?”

“We see no need. We have decided on our verdict.” said the Chairman.

“You may proceed.” said Celestia. Everyone in the court stood waiting to final word from the Chairman. “It is the ruling of the supreme world high court of United Equestria that the defendant, Sapphire Shimmer is found-“ Before he could say anything else, the doors of the courtroom burst open. “WAIT!”

The chairman wasn’t happy. “WHO DARES INTERRUPT THIS COURT TRIAL!?” He bellowed.

“We do!” Everybody turned towards the door and gasped in horror. Pyrite was at the door! Everyone in the courtroom gasped in horror and Lightning and his team immediately surrounded them. “What are you doing here?” he snarled.

“I’m here to tell you all that I’m different than the other changelings.” Pyrite said boldly.

“Yeah, right.” Starla muttered. “We’re not buying your story, changeling.”

“Please just listen to me.” Pyrite pleaded. Lightning and the others looked at each other. “... Fine. Prove it changeling.” Lightning snarled.

Pyrite gave a small sigh and music started playing in the background.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gz7uRh4WnvQ&list=PLM1dSozoFG9v9xZinzvF_H-6pBYumhZ_e&index=24

The courtroom was silent. “Okay… that was unexpected.” Rainbow said.

“But how do we know, you’ve really changed?” Pinkie asked. Pyrite turned and showed everyone her wings which were sparkling. “Woah, what’s with the sparkling wings?” Artie asked.

“After I became friends with Sapphire, my wings started to glitter and sparkle and I didn’t feel like feeding anymore. It was our friendship that satisfied my hunger and now I don’t ever have to feed again.” she turned to Sapphire. “And I own it all to Sapphire.”

Sapphire smiled proudly at Pyrite. Lightning and the others were speechless. “C-Court adjourned.” The chairman’s stuttered.

Back in the throne room, their majesties held a meeting with Lightning and the two teams. Pyrite was present before their majesties. “Pyrite, as a changeling we normally can’t overlook the things you and your kind have done.” Celestia started. Pyrite looked down in shame. “But since you’ve shown that there is hope for you kind… we are willing to let you stay in United Equestria.” Grand Ruler finished.

Pyrite gasped and looked up with joy. “Really?!”

Their majesties nodded and Pyrite squealed with joy. She rushed over and hugged Sapphire. “Now, we’ll be together forever.” Pyrite said.

“I know.” Sapphire said.

Suddenly, several screams were heard down the hall. “That was the children!” Lightning cried. Everyone rushed towards the nursery where the found, to their horror, Chrysalis and Several changelings holding their children hostage.

Castor and Leilani were Grand Ruler and Celestia’s twin children but Castor had a brown mane while his sister had a pink mane.

Shining Light was an alicorn colt had a soft white coat, two beautiful blue beady eyes, a blonde yellow mane, and a cute little matching tiny tail whose parents were Lightning and Starla.

Seedling was an little alicorn filly. Greenish in color like Buddy’s wife, Tree Hugger was, and she had a cute little tuft of red hair like her dad. Her eyes were a light blue.

Button Fly, Rhymey and Fluttershy’s son was a tiny yellowish alicorn, with a little brown tuft of hair, and his eyes were green.

And Twilight Scale Sparkle, Rarity and Spike’s dragony filly.The child had a considerable normal pony body, but with bits of scales by her thighs. Soft little claws with no sharpness. Her ears were slightly flopped like dragons, and the tip of her muzzle was curved up slightly. She had a complete ponytail, not a dragon-tail, but the best feature of all was her coat was lilac, and her little tuft was dark navy blue with a pink streak, and her mulberry eyes.

Three held, Button Fly, Seedling and Twilight Scales Sparkle while the other three held Shining Light , Castor and Leilani.

“Mommy! Daddy!” Castor and Leilani cried.

The parents gasped and became very angry. “Let out children go, Chrysalis!” Lightning snarled.

Chrysalis laughed. “No, the love these children have will be more than enough for my changelings to feed on.”

“Never!” Pyrite snarled.

Chrysalis turned sour. “What are you doing here, traitor. I banished you after you made friend with that human of yours.”

“I’m helping my friends and I’m not going to let you take their children!” Pyrite growled and changed into a Triple Stryke dragon. She roared. “Alright.” Sapphire changed into a Zippleback. Pyrite charged the changelings who flew up, but Pyrite extended her tail and whacked the changelings and grabbed Seedling, Button Fly and Twilight in her tails. She brought them over to their respective parents who were very relieved to see them safe. Sapphire slammed three changelings into the wall, allowing the parents to come in and grab their respective children. Sapphire was now towering over them, standing across from Chrysalis.

She roared at Chrysalis, who sent a beam at her, but her element glowed and shield them from the blast. Sapphire blasted Chrysalis and sent her into the wall. “Agh.” Knowing she was beat she decided to retreat. “You may have won this battle, but I shall win the war!” she declared and she vanished.

“Thank the stars you all are alright.” Grand Ruler sighed.

“Thanks to them.” Castor said pointing to Sapphire and Pyrite. Applejack approached Sapphire. “Sapphire, we’re sorry for not believing you about Pyrite.”

“Yeah, we should trust you more if you say someones your friend.” Rainbow added.

Sapphire smiled. “Thanks guys.”