Dragon Teleported the group to a secret chamber in Canterlot Castle, where they would be safe, at least for now.
"Celestia told me about this place. She said it was a hideaway in case their was ever a threat I couldn't handle.", Dragon explained. He was silent for a moment. "I fear I have doomed us all. Now they have the Elements of Harmony."
"'They'? The Gargoyles?", Retro asked, shocked.
Dragon nodded. "They probably took it with them. Before they left, I heard them mention a castle in the sky."
"Interesting location.", Critic commented as Dragon continued.
"I believe that you two are the ones who will wield the Elements and defeat these monsters. But first, we must get them back. Unfortunately, we don't know anything about the castle's potentially deadly rooms, and there isn't anyone who is still alive after a thousand years, so..."
Suddenly, Retro spoke up. "That's not entirely... nevermind."
Dragon looked at him quizzically. "If you know something we don't, you should tell us."
Tenacity nodded in agreement. Retro sighed.
"There's this elderly man I know who was always ranting about how harsh the Gargoyle Wars were. He's pretty scary though."
Tenacity smiled. "Oh, Retro, I'm sure he's a nice, sweet..." SMACK!
When the group arrived at Old Man Frank's house in Cloudsdale, he swung his cane at Dragon, knocking him over.
"Myyyyyyeh, what are you kids doing on my property? Can't an old man just be left in peace?"
"Oh, well he's a real charmer.", Critic said.
"You smartin' off, boy? You kids with ya sarcasm. When I was a boy, we had our mouths washed out with soap for talking to our elders that way."
Retro then whispered, "Scary." Frank overheard him.
"Dang right, I'm scary because I've seen some scary stuff. Ever been face to face with a gargoyle?"
Retro immediately stood up straight. "YES, SIR!" He said respectfully.
Frank grew silent. "Then they've returned. Sorry I hit ya, boy", he said to Dragon, taking him by the hoof picking him up off the ground. "I thought you were selling something, trying to scam an old guy."
He took them into his house as they told him what they needed.
"A guide through their castle? Yes, they actually came from a castle in the sky. My team was dispatched to stop their attack before it began, but we failed, and the result was awful. I'm afraid my experience in there changed me, and I would begin seeing flashes as soon as we got in that place. That would drive me crazy and render me unable to help, so no, I won't go with you. What I WILL do is create a map. I've got it all in here.", he explained, pointing to his head.
Meanwhile, the children of Equestria were snatched up and taken to Kappo's castle. One of the gargoyles stayed behind to warn the parents of these children.
"Hear this! Your new ruler, the great Emporer Kappo, has decided that those loyal to Princess Celestia will pay for their sins. However, because he is a compassionate man, he requires you to build him statues in our image around your princesses' castle, in order to show loyalty to him. If you do not, the children of Equestria WILL die!"
The ponies all cried out in dispair, and Celestia commanded them to comply.
"It is okay. I will not put your loyalty to me over the lives of your loved ones. If you do this, I will forgive you.", she said, looking at her sister, now a statue. And so, construction on the statues of tribute began.
The gargoyle returned to the Sky Palace to speak to the Emperor.
"What of these children?", he asked.
The Emporer smiled before answering. "We must not show weakness. Send half of them back to their parents. The other half will become statues, decorations for my new castle, if you will."
"Yes, my liege." The gargoyle obeyed.
In Cloudsdale, Old Man Frank handed Dragon the map and then led the group to a secret room in his house. There was a flying vehicle, a jet it seemed.
"If you fly there yourselves, they'll see you coming, and you won't even make it inside. This is..." then Critic interrupted, fascinated.
"A stealth Dragoon! Whoa, they don't make 'em like this anymore.", he marveled.
"Very good, sonny. This is the same Stealth Dragoon we used in our mission, maybe you can succeed where your ancestors failed. TEN-HUT!", he said, standing up straight. Then he explained to them how the stealth and flying controls worked.
Critic piloted, having decided to read many books on flying vehicles when he lived in the castle. They took off, Old Man Frank saying goodbye.
"Make your soldiers proud!", he told them.