> The Spirits of Hearth's Warming Eve > by JusSonic > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1: That Time of Year > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1: That Time of Year It is that time of the year in Equestria: Hearth's Warming Eve, the greatest time where ponies can celebrate friendship, family, love, etc. The celebration of when three tribes from centuries ago have finally put their difference aside to found Equestria. It was said that the ruler of each one, whose hatred and greed fill their hearts, has change their ways to put aside their difference. But sometimes though, legends can be not always be true. It's been a while since the events involving Trixie Lulamoon and the Alicorn Amulet (some ponies are surprised that Celestia ordered her guards not to chase Trixie despite her involvement with Lorcan, her previous escape from the guards and how she is wanted for questioning in the villains' jailbreak). The ponies have put up decorations, singing carols, etc. Even the Cakes are making their annual Hearth's Warming Eve cookies. The Mane Six, Ben, the CMC along with Nyx and Phobos are singing together with Time Turner, Derpy, Big Macintosh, Cheerilee and some more ponies, one of them mentioned how Time Turner was drinking Listering (much to his embarrassment). Fluttershy giggles happily while saying, "I enjoy this time of the year, don't you?" "Eeyup!" Big Macintosh remarks with a smile. "Ah done enjoy it too." "Well, thanks for the caroling everypony! Time for us to head on home and enjoy our Hearth's Warming Eve," Twilight said with a smile. The gang soon celebrates as they head on to either go home or do their own thing. The Mane Six, the CMC, Ben, Nyx and Phobos are heading home themselves. "I got to say, I enjoy doing that." "Yeah, man, I can't wait. Hearth's Warming Eve is almost here." Rainbow said eagerly while stretching a bit. "And it couldn't come any sooner. We have to deal with problems after Tirek like King Sombra, the Pinkie clones and Trixie." "Hey, folks! We done got a card fro' Babs Seed in Manehattan!" Applejack exclaims as she shows a Hearth's Warming Eve card, "Made it herself." "Did she mention about the Manehattan over there and her bullying problem?" Nyx ask Applejack curiously. "Eeyup; She is dealing wit' 'dat there problem right an' already she is getting some members." "We got the presents gotten for our friends and each other, we sang the carols and the whatnot." Ben said with a pleased look on his face. "Also, mom, Aunt Luna and the rest of the family is coming to visit. I got to say, I am pretty looking forward to this time of year." "Who knew that long ago Equestria was founded when the three tribes of ponies were fighting one another?" Sweetie asks her friends with a smile. "Eeyup, an' how those ruling ponies were filled wit' hatred an' greed in their hearts but 'de warm magic filled their hearts." Apple Bloom said with a nod. "Right; And Clover the Clever, Smart Cookie and Private Pansy help one another in those cold times!" Scootaloo exclaims happily. "I like how they redeem their rulers." Some ponies feel a bit uneasy about the 'redeeming parts'. The play seems to state that Princess Platinum, Commander Hurricane and Chancellor Puddinghead has been freed from their icy prisons, but the truth is that they all perished. Regardless their advisers were able to form Equestria and made peach with one another. The pageant in Canterlot was alternated because the real demise of the rulers was too sad and dramatic for young fillies and colts. The ponies yelp as they got hit by snowballs. The heroes glare at Diamond Tiara who was the culprit, taunting, "Merry Hearth's Warming Eve, losers; Shame that Trixie didn't bother to chase you all out when she had the chance." "Diamond Tiara, buck off now!" Spike snarls at Diamond Tiara. "What are you gonna do about-" Diamond Tiara was cut off as Spike grab her, his eyes now green slits. Mane Six are shocked as they are slowly reminded of Lorcan. "I should punish you for the remark...but since it's Hearth's Warming Eve, I will let you off this one time...now get lost." Diamond Tiara was let go, the bully gulps as she gallops away in fear. Rarity in concern said, "Spike; was that necessary?" Spike, calming down, said, "Sorry, Rarity, but she was asking for it...plus, I guess I am still upset over the incident with Trixie." "Oh, relax, Spike. I'm sure when push comes to shove, Trixie will be better than ever." Twilight said with a chuckle. "But let's not talk about the past for now; Time for the present." "Which is Hearth's Warming Eve," Phobos remarks with a laugh. "Oh, I cannot wait for the presents and the candy!" "You and your wants, Phobos," Nyx said then she begins to shiver. "Brrr, is it getting more colder than ever?" "It's Hearth's Warming Eve, Nyx." Pinkie said to Nyx happily as more snow begins to blow in. "You got to expect a whole lot snow to come in during this time of year." "Yeah...I guess it's nothing unusual." "You know, it's funny. We didn't schedule for a snow blizzard today." Rainbow said puzzled while glancing at the snow clouds gathering. "You don't think it's Wendigos, do you?" "No, those only appear if ponies are fighting...and I don't see any, unless you count Diamond Tiara." Rarity explains to Rainbow. "Come on, let's get going." Twilight said, shivering some more as she and her friends head on off. Unknown to the trio, three voices are heard laughing or yelling as if something is about to happen... --------------------- Golden Heart at Canterlot Castle looks worried as he saw the snow storm coming in at Ponyville via the balcony of his room. The alicorn mumbles, "Something terrible's about to happen...Pinkamena and my friends may need my help on this..." Golden Heart then gallops off the balcony and flew off, preparing himself for the worst. ------------------ Things in Ponyville got even more chilly than the snowy wasteland. Sweetie shivers in the Carousel Baroque. "Brrr! Sis, is it getting cold in here?" Sweetie asks Rarity who is working on a dress nearby. "Look, I will set fire to some wood; that should warm us up, Sweetie." Rarity assures her sister with a smile. "Okay, Rarity." Sweetie said as she smiled back. Rarity prepares to use her magic to make a fire, but looks confused as her horn begins to turn to ice. "What the hay?" Rarity asks confused. "That never happened before." "Oh...how about we go to Twilight's and see if she can help?" Sweetie suggested to her sister. "Maybe," Rarity said as she heads to the door, planning on visiting the library. But upon opening it, the white unicorn's eyes widen in shock and alarm as there is a ice wall in the way, "What?! We're iced in!" "What," Sweetie yelled in shock. ---------- "Uh...Rainbow, I still think it's not fair that you do this to me every Hearth's Warming Eve." Derpy said with a pouty look as Rainbow and Scootaloo is chaining up the Pegasus pony. "Come on, Derpy! It's tradition! We locked you in the bath tub so you won't make a mess!" Rainbow exclaims to Derpy with a smile. "You always love it." "Not really." Derpy whines to Rainbow a bit. "Can I at least be let out of the bath tub this year?" "Come on, don't fight tradition!" Rainbow exclaims. Suddenly the mare yelps as she shivers some more like mad. "Hey, those Pegasus ponies need to cool off the snowstorm! I'm trying to lock up Derpy here!" Suddenly, snow icicles hit the ground, making the Pegasus ponies yelp in shock. Scootaloo exclaims in shock, "Bad choice of words, Rainbow Dash!" The mares scream as a high wind blow them across the area, Derpy, still chained up, fell to the ground. Rainbow got up while yelling, "Get to shelter! Something tells me that this is no original Pegasus pony like snowstorm!" Rainbow and Scootaloo dash off though Derpy is having trouble moving. The mare calls out, "Uh, Rainbow, Scootaloo? I'm still chained up. Hello?" ----------- The Apples' farm got hit by the madness. Their apples are growing big and snowballs the size of boulders are trapped their homes like mad. "What 'de Sam Hill is going on?!" Applejack asks in shock and alarm. "Did Discord get loose again?" "It can't be! He was defeated!" Apple Bloom exclaimed in shock. "Huh?" Big Macintosh yelps as a huge snow like tornado is spinning around. "Look out!" The siblings got out of the way in time as the tornado knocks down their barn. Applejack looks alarmed as she heard laughter coming from it. "Does 'dat sound...like Pinkie Pie 'ta yew?" Applejack asks her siblings in concern. "'Dat laugh does sound familiar." Apple Bloom said. "I hope it isn't Trixie. Once is enough." Big Macintosh said in concern. ---------- In the library, Twilight glances out the window, seeing it coming down hard. The mare said, "We better seal the library up. We got one nasty blizzard." "Wait, have you seen Nyx?" Ben ask in concern, noting that Nyx is nowhere in sight. "She went outside to play." Phobos remarks as he roll on some sort of ball, "Haven't seen her back." "Darn, I gotta go out and get here." Ben said as he goes outside into the storm. "You three get this place sealed up. We don't want to be snowed in." "We're on it, Ben." Spike said with a nod. Ben goes out into the snow, shivering a bit. His daughter is out here...somewhere... --------------- "Hey, can someone tell me where I am?" Nyx ask in concern while trying to find her way home. "Hello?" Familiar evil laughter is heard, making Nyx nervous as she asks, "Who's there?" "My, my, you do not remember me? How typical," A familiar alicorn in dark armor appears, making Nyx gasps in shock and fear. "Nightmare Moon," Nyx gasps upon seeing her, "But how?! I was reformed and..." "I am the darkness that came from your heart, Nyx." Nightmare Moon said with an evil hiss. "And now, you will know that you don't belong here, we both don't." "No! That can't be true! I defended Ponyville from all the Everfree Forest creatures and redeemed myself! I'm not Nightmare Moon anymore! I belong here with Mommy, Daddy, Phobos and Spike!" "Oh, tsk, tsk. And yet, if I recall right, you left Boris to his fate, no one bother calling you out when you destroyed the sun that could've restored their leaves...I heard some folks called you 'Mary-Sue'." Nightmare Moon taunts the terrified Nyx some more. "And let's not forget your possession by Tirek not so long ago." "No! Stop it!" Nyx cried in terror. "You are always Nightmare Moon and you always were, ruling Equestria, bringing forth Eternal Night! That is your destiny!" Nightmare Moon hisses causing Nyx to cry some more. Of course, Nyx didn't see a ghost laughing sinisterly behind herself... ------------------------------ "Nyx, Nyx, where are you?" Ben calls out as he looks around for his daughter. Just then he spots a familiar mare nearby, her horn is glowing, "Twilight?" "What are you doing out here?" Twilight demands to Ben, much to his confusion. "I came out here to find our daughter." Ben explains to Twilight. "Don't you remember? I..." "'Our daughter'; don't be stupid! Why would I want to share Nyx with a loser like you?" Twilight taunts to Ben, much to his shock. Did his love just insult him? "Loser," Ben asked in shock and confusion. "Right, I only bother hanging with you because I felt sorry for you. Face it, I only belong to one stallion and one in particular." Twilight said with an evil smirk. Ben looks shocked as a familiar stallion appears, holding Twilight while saying, "Face it, Ben! She's right!" "Boris!" Ben exclaims in anger. He charges at Boris but end up going right through him. "I don't know what you did to Twilight but..." "I did nothing! She came for me on her own free choice!" Boris remarks to Ben sinisterly. "You have all the powers of the Triforce Element but you can't even have true love. And you thought that was a shocker? Check this out!" Ben gasps as Boris and Twilight...kiss and not caring that they're doing it in front of him! The stallion screams in horror, "No, no, NOOOO!" The stallion has no idea of a familiar ghost laughing nearby as well. ----------------------------- "Run for it," Fluttershy screams in worry as she and her animal friends rush to the safety of Sugarcube Corner. The mare and her friends jump in, dodging a huge snowball, "Made it!" "Can you come back later? I'm having some trouble with some toys right now!" Pinkie exclaims. Fluttershy looks confused as she and her animal friends saw the pink pony throwing pies at some toys...that are attacking her and the Cakes. "Why are you fighting toys?" Fluttershy ask Pinkie in confusion. "Oh, they were presents for Pound and Pumpkin but they came to life and gone crazy!" Pinkie explains as she smashes a toy with a mallet. "Oh, dear, please stop, toys." Fluttershy plead to the toys but yelps as a Jack in the Box throws a ball at her. "Oh, dear, that isn't nice." Angel nods as he and the animals quickly attack the toys, knocking them down. Fluttershy sighs a bit. "Be careful not to break them too much! I still have to give them to the twins!" Pinkie calls out to the animals. "Pinkie Pie," A voice exclaims in annoyance as the Apples came in, Applejack looking upset. "What 'de hay were yew thinking? Spinning around an' trashing our barn like 'dat?" "What are you on about?" Pinkie protests to Applejack innocently. "I was here the whole time, fighting these toys." One doll tries to hit Big Macintosh but he steps on it, remarking, "Yep, looks like unicorn magic." "Don't pin it on us!" Rarity protests as she and Sweetie came into the shop. "My sister and I were locked in by ice and snow! What are those Pegasus ponies doing?!" "We weren't doing nothing," Rainbow protests as she and Scootaloo came into the place. "We were busy chaining up Derpy when the weather went nuts! I betcha you unicorns did this." "Don't you go blaming us," Rarity exclaims angrily as some of the ponies begin to argue with one another. "Stop it...stop it..." Fluttershy said meekly, but her friends continue arguing as to whose fault it is. The mare frowns then takes a deep breath, "STOP IT!.!.!.!" The ponies stop their arguing, look surprised. Fluttershy, calming down, explains, "Don't fight. This is the kind of arguing that caused the three tribes of long ago to fight along one another. We are friends; we shouldn't have to fight like this." The arguing ponies felt bad for their arguing. Pinkie said, "Awww, I feel like a heel. Sorry for arguing about your kind, Rarity." "Rainbow Dash, I'm truly sorry for accusing your Pegasus kind." Rarity said with a sigh of regret. "And I'm...wait, how come no one accused the Earth ponies yet?" Rainbow asks a bit puzzled. "Can we git 'ta another subject right now?" Applejack asks in concern. "Like how 'dis whole madness started in 'de first place?" The ponies pause to think then Apple Bloom realizes something, making her ask, "Wait, has anyone seen Twilight, Ben, Nyx an' our dragon friends?" --------------- Twilight looks worried. She and the dragons got the library sealed up but Ben and Nyx hasn't come back yet. The unicorn heads out to find any traces of them. "Ben, Nyx? Where are you two?" Twilight ask in concern as she looks around the blizzard. 'Ben; Nyx!" "And what are you doing here?" An angry familiar voice spoke up, making Twilight surprised. Nearby is none other than her teacher and aunt in law Celestia who is glaring at her. "Oh, Princess Celestia; I didn't know that you were coming here. Have you seen Ben and Nyx?" "Doesn't matter because I have come to take you out of Equestria!! You have failed, Twilight!" Twilight looks shocked and alarmed. Did her teacher just say that she 'failed'? The unicorn trembles as she asks, "Failed? What do you mean?" "You should've told me about Trixie having the Alicorn Amulet before but you didn't and almost doomed Equestria to slavery." Celestia said sternly to her student. "You have lost your loved ones foolishly and worst yet, you let some dragon beat your test. You don't deserve to be my student and therefore...will pay the price." "Celestia, wait, that's...wait a minute..." Twilight felt like this is too familiar: she recalls how the unicorn fears how she herself will fail her test and be abandoned by Celestia...via the dark magic from one of King Sombra's traps back in Equestria. Twilight frowns as she stood up, remarking, "Nice try, but I know that this isn't real. I remember how this happened to me before...you're not Celestia, you're an illusion and I know how to deal with you!" Twilight's horn glows as 'Celestia's' eyes widen in horror. The unicorn shoots out a blast as the fake one screams before disappearing from sight. Twilight nods and quickly moves, hoping to find Ben and Nyx. Sure enough, Twilight found Ben first...looking betrayed at seeing what appear to be her and Boris making out. The unicorn cringes in disgust, that sight has gotta go. Twilight's horn glows as she fire a blast at the fake her and Boris, getting rid of the illusion. "What?" Ben asks confused as she turns to see the real Twilight, smiling to him, "Twilight?" "Yeah, it's me, not that fake me. Where's Nyx?" Twilight ask Ben in concern. The parents heard some screaming and rush to the direction. They saw Nyx being at the mercy of...Nightmare Moon? No, Twilight knew that it's another illusion created by whoever is behind this. "Nyx," Twilight screams as she fires her spell at the fake Nightmare Moon. "What; Noooooo," 'Nightmare Moon' screams as the spell hits her, dissolving her away. Nyx kept on crying some more as her parents rush up, Twilight hugs her. "Nyx, it's okay. Nyx, it's not real. The illusion is not right." "It's not?" Nyx ask while sniffing in sadness. "But...it felt so real, it was the darkness that..." "It is not real!" Twilight insists to Nyx and Ben, much to their notice. "Look, Nyx, what you saw was your own fear coming to life. You feared that ponies will never see you as Nyx but rather as that evil force Nightmare Moon. But that isn't true...and you cast away that evil to be who you really wanted to." "Yeah...you're right. I was scared about that." "And Ben...that illusion you saw wasn't me or Boris. It was your own fear, you feared of losing me to that creep Boris." "I was scared...that you would reject me, Twilight...and end up in that jerk's hooves. As well as being with me to..." Ben begins to say while shedding some of his own tears but Twilight nuzzles him a bit. "I will never go to Boris, Ben. I love you too much to do that. Plus, that unicorn was a criminal and a hater of Earth ponies, why would I hang around somepony like that?" Twilight points out to Ben with a smile, making her love smile right back. "Yeah, you're right...but Twilight...how did you know that..." "Ben, remember? This dark magic is like one of King Sombra's traps back in the Crystal Empire! What we experienced is illusions created by dark magic, only 10 times fold." "Twilight," A group of voices are heard. Twilight, Ben and Nyx saw Spike and Phobos on Rarity and Applejack's back as the rest of the Mane Six and some of the ponies rush towards them. "Thank goodness you're all right." Spike said with a sigh of relief. "When you didn't come back..." "Twilight, something is going on!" Rainbow exclaims with a frown. "Someone is trying to make us fight like the three clans by using the weather." "And using toys! How dare they?!" Pinkie asks angrily and disgusted. "Toys are for fun, not for weapons!" "As well as using cheap tricks," Apple Bloom remarks with a scoff. "Ah hate it when 'dat happen, it's like being captured by Queen Chrysalis all over again!" "I know, someone has been using illusions of our worst fears against us." Ben explains, recovering what his worst nightmare. "I think whoever it is is behind the bad weather and going ons." "You think it may be Trixie again?" Dinky Doo ask in concern. "Don't be ridiculous. Zecora has buried that amulet thing!" Scootaloo exclaims to Dinky with a frown. "Trixie doesn't have enough power to do this stunt." "If so...then who..." Suddenly evil laughter is heard as everypony looks alarmed. Sure enough, three spiritual essences came down to Ponyville, much to their notices. "Is that who's responsible for this?" Sweetie asks in worry and alarm. "This is bad like how Rarity uses one of her mannequins to break down the icy door!" "Don't remind me of what I must do." Rarity said with a shiver of fear. Soon the essences got their forms, turning into three familiar ponies...at first glance, they look like Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Pinkie Pie...but at another glance, the trio are in the costumes from the Hearth's Warming Eve play. "Arrragh; Ghosts," Fluttershy gasps as she hid behind some of her friends. Diamond Tiara roll her eyes while snapping to Fluttershy, "Oh, mare up, you wimp!" "Do I have to burn you?" Spike snarls to Diamond Tiara making her yelp in fear. "No..." "Then shut up!" "Ugh, I can't believe it. We are this close to making another civil war...which I would've won by now." The Rainbow Dash lookalike remarks in annoyance. "Hey, my illusions would've made them turned against one another!" The Rarity lookalike snaps to the Rainbow one in annoyance. "It's not like your dumb weather powers can do better!" "Shut up!" "You both shut up! I'm in charge, I am!" The Pinkie Pie lookalike exclaims madly to the other two ghosts, making the living ones look at them oddly. "Who are these rip offs of Rainbow, Rarity and Pinkie Pie?" Ben asks Twilight who looks shocked and alarmed. "I know them...they're Princess Platinum, Commander Hurricane and Chancellor Puddinghead!" Twilight exclaims making the ponies gasp in shock and alarm. > Chapter 2: Mad MAD Rulers > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2: Mad MAD Rulers The ponies stood in front of what used to be the leaders of the three tribes of long ago that used to feud but no longer: Princess Platinum, Commander Hurricane and Chancellor Puddinghead who said to put aside their rivalry once and for all. But is that's the case, why are the Mane Six and the CMC, along with Spike and Nyx feeling a bit uneasy around them? "Uh, who are these guys and why do they look like Rainbow, Rarity and Pinkie?" Phobos asks his pals puzzled. "Foolish dragon," Hurricane snaps as she fires an ice blast at Phobos but he got out of the way in time. "Do you not know me?! I am Commander Hurricane, leader of the Pegasus Tribe!" "And my name is Princess Platinum, ruler of the Unicorn Tribe and ruler of Unicornia!" Princess Platinum laughs madly, making the unicorns a bit uneasy. "And my name is the Puddinghead Formerly Known as Chancellor!" Puddinghead exclaims, making the ponies a bit confused or annoyed. "Ugh! You got to be kidding me?!" Hurricane groans as she slaps herself with a hoof to the face. "Your name is Chancellor Puddinghead, you idiot." "Hey, it's the modern age, I want a name change! Bad enough I have to listen to you two bicker." "You aren't doing any better, you dumb Earth filth!" Platinum exclaims to Puddinghead angrily. "Well, we know how the whole 'Earth filth' started." Ben Mare remarks dryly. "Wait, these are the three rulers of long ago?" Lyra asks Bon-Bon puzzled, watching the three ghosts argue amongst one another. "Most likely; But I thought they have put aside their differences, became friends." Bon-Bon said, getting scared. "Me; Friends with this Pegasus brute and this Earth filth," Platinum screams upon hearing what Bon-Bon just said. "Don't you dare suggest yeah!" "Oh, like I rather hang around you horn-head for anything," Hurricane snaps to Platinium madly and bitterly. "I hate bickering, I want to hurt someone!" Puddinghead snaps madly, the ponies look confused while looking to the Mane Six, wondering what's going on. "These aren't the rulers whose hearts were changed from the pageant." Derpy said a bit concerned while chained up. "That's because they aren't." Nyx said uneasily while pawing the ground. "The ending of the pageant has...changed around." "For ponies who don't know, the three rulers never overcame their rivalry and hatred to one another." Twilight explains to the living ponies sternly. "They were frozen by the wendigoes while Clover the Clever, Smart Cookie and Private Pansy was the one who help founded Equestria and reunite the tribes into the Equestrian Alliance." "Right and I got a feeling that these meanies aren't working together by choice." Pinkie said uneasily. "Ooooh, very good, clone of me," Puddinghead remarks to Pinkie with a chuckle, "We were stuck, unable to go to the other side because of our feuding." "I have put up with these two idiots for years." Platinium snarls furiously at her rival leaders. "And it came to us one day that there's only way to deal with it." "Oh, don't tell me!" Applejack exclaims while slapping her forehead. "Yew decided 'ta go 'ta war wit' one another one more time just to settle yer dumb rivalry?!" "It isn't dumb you Earth filth! It is logic; But how disgusted I am that the ponies of these years have gotten nice despite some fighting here and there." "If you're thinking what I think you're thinking, then forget it!" Time Turner snaps to the ghosts furiously. "We won't be going to war with each other." "Right, I am friends with my friends the Cutie Mark Crusaders!" Pipsqueak snaps hanging near his fellow Cutie Mark Crusaders. "And you can't make us fight." "We were trying to! We were messing with the weather, causing insanity and making illusions just to make you blame one another!" Platinum explains to the ponies. "But we will continue doing our best." "Yeah, we've learned some new tricks over the more than thousand years since our deaths!" Hurricane exclaims as she uses some magic to making the weather more dangerous, sending out icicles at the ponies. "Run out of the way!" Cheerilee screams as the ponies dodge the icicles. They yelp as lightning almost hit them. "Hey, you can't send out lightning blasts during winter!" Fluttershy protests to Hurricane angrily. But she yelps as a lightning bolt almost got her. "On second thought..." "Ha! Foolish foal's play! Check this out!" Platinum scoffs as she sent out ice magic. Some ponies gasp as they are turned into icicles or slip onto the ices, "Very irony considering the nature of my death. I also got a telepathic ability to make illusions r representing her targets' worst fears many times magnified." Platinum dodges so. The ponies gasps in fear as monsters from the Everfree Forest appears, roaring madly as they attack, causing them to flee. Twilight frantically uses her spell to cast away the illusion but was tired out. "Well, that explains the illusions." Nyx said, frowning upon remembering the Nightmare Moon illusion. It was Princess Platinium who was trying to scare her. "Big deal, I can warp reality, look!" Puddinghead laughs as she turns the area upside down, literally. Ponies scream as they fell before it was turned right side up, the falling ones land on toys, books, ice, "Neat-o, eh?" "Stop it, stop it! Please stop!" Twilight exclaims to the feuding leaders. "We will stop when the ponies agree to stop playing nice and agree to fight for us." Hurricane explains evilly. The idea of this is to make the ponies fight each other or be tortured by the mad ones' magic. "By my side, unicorns will wipe the others off of Unicornia!" Platinium laughs insanely, much to the other rulers' annoyance. "Big deal; not if us Pegasus can wipe you both out first!" "Bad bad rulers! Bad ones," Puddinghead snaps as she slaps the two rulers with...fish (don't ask). "The ponies of Dirt will win!" Within the shadows someone was watching and look worried. "This is really not good. The gang needs to be careful. These three ghosts are much stronger than the last time I heard of them and i know Goldie will come to help the gang." The figure said in concern. "May the fire of friendship give you strength." With that she heads off but makes sure to be ready to do stealth attacks from within the shadows. During the whole thing, Big Macintosh pauses as he comments, "I done think these gals are gone loco." "I know." Cheerilee said with a frown. "It seems like these three have nly gotten crazier and more bitter in the more than thousand years since their deaths." Spike comment, "These three ghosts are as bad as Trixie when she was wearing the Alicorn Amulet". Twilight answers, "No; Worse; At least with Trixie, all we had to do was trick her into removing the amulet." "Enough of this horse stuff!" Hurricane snaps as the weather gotten worst. "All right, Pegasus ponies, you got two choices: join me or suffer." "The same goes for you unicorns. We will win this war...but I will wipe out anyone who goes against me!" Platinum snaps at the unicorn recovering from what happened. "And I will take D for block!" Puddinghead exclaims with a mad bitter laugh. The ponies look worried. They don't wanna help these mad ghosts but they themselves will get hurt if the ponies refuse. What will they do? Ben frowns as he snaps, "Why the hay would we wanna work with you freaks?!" "Right, your advisers and soldier saw the light, why won't you?" Fluttershy asked Hurricane, Platinum and Puddinghead, earning a growl from the first one, "Err, please answer?" "Simple, because we got something they cannot refuse." Platinum said with a sly grin. "I can give my unicorns luxury where they belong..." "Well, that doesn't sound too bad..." Rarity said thoughtfully. "But if they refused...I will cut off their horns!" Platinum exclaims with a mad evil laugh. "WHAT," Rarity gasps in shock and horror. "Cut off our...that's blackmail!" Lyra protests to Platinum angrily. "No, that's servitude." Platinum said with a shrug. The unicorns don't want to lose their horns but they shouldn't want to hurt one another. "As for me, I will make the Pegasus the masters of the skies..." Hurricane said with an evil smirk. "But if they don't know come to war with me..." "Or what," Rainbow asked the lookalike of her with a frown. Hurricane smirks as she continues, "I will do what the princess brat threatened to do...but instead of horns, I will be ripping off wings!" "You sick monster!" Feathermay shouted. "For all the Ponies that are stuck on the ground, I'm offering a once in a life-time deal! Join my side, and you'll have a life-time of sweets around, especially tasty cakes!" Chancellor Puddinghead proclaimed out in giving a tempting offer that only fools would ever be gullible to take. "FREE SWEETS; Oh boy," Pinkie Pie popped up from the crowd in cheering in what she has heard. "What a bargain!" "Pinkie Pie," Applejack scolded the pink pony for being so quick to accept a terrible offer. "Oops!" Pinkie Pie sheepishly replied in seeing she made a little 'boo-boo' on her part. "But, for the record, you won't be sharing your sweets OR cakes to anypony that's a Pegasus or unicorn. And most DEFINITELY NOT any Earth base pony that comes to be on my team." Chancellor Puddinghead sternly proclaimed in what she'll be doing, Earth Ponies can have their sweets, but are forbidden from sharing with anyone but their own, and ONLY those siding with her, any outsiders are not to be given any. "WHAT," Pinkie Pie shouted out in outrage in hearing this debate. "You be so selfish to not share any tasty treats? That's...so mean!" To the pink pony, she shares her tasty sweets, especially for parties, this is so wrong. "Yeah, I'm not sharing with any Earth Pony that doesn't come to fight for me!" Chancellor Puddinghead declared off in making her decision be final and that's that. "Why, you...your sweets maybe sweety accepting but I wouldn't take a nibble of them." Pinkie Pie protest out in making a decree in what she would not do. "In fact, if you were the only pony in all of Equestria that had sweets and I get some by joining and hurting my pony friends, then I rather go on...A SWEET STRIKE!" The pink pony held up her right hoof in declaring that she's going on strike, meaning; SHE WON'T EAT ANY SWEETS! "Gaaaugh," The other ponies gasped in hearing this declaration; especially from Pinkie Pie. "A sweet strike," Sweetie Belle responded off in shock to hear Pinkie Pie actually say something like that. "The pink pony wouldn't eat anymore sweets?" Golden Harvest whispered this out to a friend in not taking this for doubt if Pinkie Pie was serious. "No cookies, no cupcakes, not even a cake?" Caramel whispered to another in knowing how much the pink pony loves those sweet treats, to not have those is...unthinkable. "You can't be serious! No pony has a habit to give up on eating sweets! Even these two I'm stuck with kept robbing me of my sweet treats!" Chancellor Puddinghead protests out in looking to Pinkie Pie like she was even crazier then she was, no pony would dare say they don't eat sweets, it's not natural! "Then I guess I'm different, and you can't make me eat sweets if it means I work for somepony wanting to hurt others." Pinkie Pie declared as her final choice in what she's gonna be doing even against this spiritual tribe leader of Earth Ponies from before her time. Soon, Chancellor Puddinghead narrowed her eyes at Pinkie Pie; this was the first stubborn pony that couldn't get her issues. Course, they both share such things, but this present pony has done something she's never expected to see. "That's it!" Chancellor Puddinghead declared off from holding her left hoof up. "I challenge You!" She pointed her hoof to the pink pony before her, issuing a challenge. "NO! I challenge you!" Pinkie Pie pointed her right hoof in declaring her own challenge to the chancellor. "Well, I challenge your challenge!" Chancellor Puddinghead re-declared her challenge against Pinkie Pie. "And I challenge your challenge!" Pinkie Pie started to say, until she came across a bumpy part of her sentence. "On my challenge..." After looking at the ground in thinking up an answer fast, she stated this, "With a challenge!" She then made herself look fierce, as if being serious of her challenge. "Wooh, that's good!" Phobos responded while looking at Pinkie Pie and Chancellor Puddinghead be between their foreheads, snorting with glares at another, not backing down here. "Okay, enough!" Twilight Sparkle came up to cut the two off before speaking. "Look, you can't have your war involving us. It was settled, so even if you scare, frighten, or threaten us, we won't stoop as to go to war and hurt our pony friends." The smart pony declared that even if the spirits of the tribe rulers was wanting to go to war, the ponies of today will not just be force to do something they don't wanna do. "Bite your tongue! You're saying you prefer these... commoners without horns that live on the dirt and the ruffy skies?" Princess Platinum exclaimed in shock in hearing her own unicorn breed speaks of such nonsense. "Doesn't matter if you don't wanna join up; we're settling the score!" Commander Hurricane snaps off to the unicorn smarty to state with attitude, they ain't through till they had their war. "I'll be a mix old dry raisin if I don't agree with the gladiator Pegasus right here!" Chancellor Puddinghead popped up to point that for the first time, she's agreeing with her own enemy on that idea. "And I also agree on such a term." Princess Platinum shockingly responded in agreeing with something to her hated foes of the past. "We settle this here in this day and age!" It was decided, all three sides of different ponies would settle their score. "You all have one hour to prepare and decide what fate you wish to play in!" She pointed to the other citizen ponies, that they have an hour to decide their fate of choice. "Either you're with me, the grand spectator of glory or these two, whichever!" Commander Hurricane declared in making herself be boastful and wave off on the other two spirits while making the point clear. "Or you fall to perish with any that stand in our way!" Chancellor Puddinghead snaps off in stating how they'll make any that get in their way, pay for it...with their lives. "This...CIVIL WAR...ENDS...TODAY!" All 3 Tribe Rulers announced that bellowed off across the stormy atmosphere that frightened the other ponies in seeing such eyes of war from the spirits. "Frusvhmmm..." Then the spiritual essences vanish into the skies while the terrible storm clouds ragged all over Equestria. "Ooh, doggy, 'dis ain't going well!" Tough Apple complains as the weather begins getting worst. "What did you expect?! These rulers won't see reason except wanting to hurt one another!" Caramel yells out to Tough Apple over the snow. Just then, the whole area begins to glow, much to the ponies' notice. They saw their friend Golden Heart arriving. "Golden Heart," The Mane Six exclaims with a gasp. Golden Heart then uses some magic to make a building appear. "Inside, get to shelter, quickly!" Golden Heart urges everypony and dragons quickly. "Come on, girls!" Twilight said to the rest of the Mane 6 before they all ran for shelter. "Wait for us!" Nyx cried as she, Phobos, the CMC and Ben follow her mother and aunts along with Big Mac, Cheerilee, Tough Apple, the Mane 6 lookalikes, Crashfire, Jakk, Colby and Matelda. Spike glances at some of the remaining ponies, calling out, "If you want to avoid getting hit by the insane rulers' snowballs, then get your flanks in here!" "You heard the dragon! Let's go!" Caramel said to the ponies, and they all headed for shelter with the others. Everyone heads into the shelter, even Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Once everypony is inside, Golden Heart use his magic to close the doors. "We should be safe in here. This is a special dimensional shelter I made in case of emergencies and this is definitely one of them." Golden Heart said everypony else seriously. "Cousin Apple Bloom, yew all right?" Tough ask his little cousin in concern. As she started shivering from the unnatural cold outside, Apple Bloom replied, "Yeah. Ah'm okay, Cousin Tough." "So what 'de hay are we going 'ta do about those dead rulers? 'Dis is 'de second time 'dis year we took on someone fro' beyond 'de grave!" Applejack exclaims in frustration. "I don't know but we will make a decision..." Pinkie said seriously...then looks happily to the camera, "Right after this next scene!" ------------------- We see...a scene with windmills and people. Pinkie is heard yelling loudly, "NOOOOO! THE OTHER NEXT SCENE! AM I WORKING ALONE HERE?!" --------------- Meanwhile, back at Canterlot Palace, the weather situation there was no different then what's happening all over Equestria. In the throne room right now, Celestia and Luna look outside, seeing the winter storm become more violent and out of control and with lightning effect too. Either the Pegasus ponies were over doing it or this was no natural pony making storm...but something more. "Sister, this storm's phenomena is not natural." Luna spoke to Celestia in not liking the weather outside. "I agree, a storm like this was only seen from..." Just as Celestia was about to say, a magic scroll appeared before her, "Twilight?" "Excuse me sister?" Luna raised an eyebrow in what her sister said sounded almost...silly. "A message from Twilight has just appeared." Celestia spoke from using her magic to read the scroll which made her eyes go wide. "Oh no, this is very bad," "What is it?" Luna asked with looking cautiously concern by the tone, "The once 3 Tribe Rulers of a 1000 years ago we once knew...have returned." Celestia spoke in stating the matter here of a serious notice. "What! That can't be! They, their associates and even Star Swirl the Bearded have long since been...deceased!" Luna protest in disbelief, the ones the Royal Sisters knew a 1000 years ago are not of this world of today's present; so how? "Unfortunately, Twilight & her friends have reported they have come back, and worst... their hatred for each other has reach a point where they are engulfed by the darkness of despising the other, even involving our subjects to side with them or else," Celestia spoke this with much worry, if the situation like this spreads, lots of lives could be injured or worst, "Should we try to aid them against this madness?" Luna asked if they can aid Twilight's side of what's happening, "I don't know if we can sister. No matter what we tried to do, the tribes' rulers didn't agree to our terms of a peaceful solution, only the 2 advisors and the subordinate of the 3 different tribes each saw reason at the last moment that helped save their kind." Celestia seem to be in doubt, a 1000 years ago, the Royal Sisters couldn't convince the tribe rulers, only after they were gone, did reason finally settle in...but was it the right choice? "So is this all in Twilight and her friends' hooves to stop? Do they require the Elements?" Luna suggested in what they can do to support the Mane Six that may have to handle this. "That maybe a problem, while it's true that the Elements stopped Discord, a spirit like the 3 tribe rulers, there is a difference." Celestia spoke in recalling an old foe that was a spirit like the tribe rulers, however... "Discord could manifest into an entirely physical being. The tribe rulers are but ghost; they can easily separate and disappear to return again later. We may need another element that can help strengthen our side to put an end to the souls of those we were responsible for." The princess felt that even the Elements might not be all they need, even Ben's Triforce Element can't be enough; there is need of another to help guarantee all can be fixed. "Then what else can help us if not the Elements or Twilight's band of friends?" Luna asked in wondering, what else can be done if not for their usual allies to help them against such troubles? "If the spirits of those that made peace return, their aid would be most helpful, but I fear it's still missing something. Vengeful spirits need to let go to move on or be forever bounded by chains to what they carry. We need...something to break that chain." Celestia stated in trying to ponder, a way to set everything right, the tribe rulers have to be free from what keeps them bound here to move on, but how... "Poofvhmm..." Then without warning, a mysterious magic poof cloud appears that gets the sisters' attention. Then it cleared, there appeared some cloak wearing stallion pony figure that was dusting himself. He seems to have a horn from under his hood that covered his forehead, but let his muzzle just peek out enough. "Sorry, was I interrupting something?" The new person responded while sounding...very friendly and not hostile or evil for that matter. "Who are you? How did you get pass the guards?" Luna asked with a stern face in seeing someone about to cause trouble for them. "Well, they just saw who I was, and I gave them something to give me entry." The cloak stallion exclaimed off with a calm, cool, and mysterious. "And that was?" Luna raised an eyebrow at this figure's riddles. "What else, my autograph?" He shrugs off to respond in a casual answer, not sounding like he was fibbing or playing, but telling the truth. "What?" Luna responded wide eyes, whose was this pony, and how can guards let him in with who he looks like to get autographs? "Hmm-hmm, I see you're as popular as...Little J.B." Celestia held her left hoof to stop a little giggle escaping her mouth as she happily addressed the new mysterious figure. "It's good to be back Celestia, my travels to put on shows is never easy. I came for the Hearth's Warming after finding a good opening in my schedule to perform." The person known as J.B. happily bows before setting himself up right. "You're timing couldn't be better, we have a problem." Celestia stated with a relief expression in seeing this pony's presence actually brought some hope in the situation here. "What kinda problem?" J.B. asked in wanting to know that answer. After a few moments, all was explained before he see what's happening now. "Sounds pretty mess up, anything I can do to help?" J.B. spoke with a serious tone and wanted to know if he can aid. "There might be." Celestia nods from Luna who nodded back before the princess of the Sun goes on. "Next to Spell Nexus, you also were a student that had excellent magic potential. Even if you had a lot of focus for music, you managed to find harmony for both, which showed the talent that made you special." The princess spoke of J.B. being a lover of music, and great in the arts of magic, enough to balance both in sync. "It's cool, I like to rock out now and then, but if it's to help stop a war on this special event we've celebrated, then I'll gladly help in my service." J.B. wave off his left hoof on the subject before saying he'll help to save the Hearth's Warming Celebration. "We will do what can be done, you'll have to help Twilight's group and stop history from repeating itself." Luna stated with a calm expression in wanting this pony to give aid to those that have helped them stop a war from happening. "Consider it done." J.B. smiles on his face while he gave a positive response to the princesses. As this discussion was coming to conclusion, someone that is known as 'guest' that was hidden in a hold watched who Celestia and Luna were talking to and about the situation happening. "This is horrible. If what I heard is true..." The guest figure hidden spoke in realizing the troubles in Equestria. "Then I have to aid...before what happened with my doing...causes more pain and agony." He showed a familiar claw, and gripped it in a tight fit. "Hang on tight...Spike..." The person's voice addressed the baby dragon as he soon disappeared in a portal corridor to join what's happening. ------------ "Okay, okay, ponies, calm down!" The Mayor calls out to the worried ponies whose quiet down. "Now we all need to know what be done with this situation." "How? We got three rulers who are out to war with one another!" Dinky exclaims to the Mayor in worry. "And worst yet, they want us to side with our own kind or they will rip us apart!" Blossomforth exclaims in worry. "Then why not," Diamond Tiara ask with a scoff. "I say we may as well do it. I rather see those blank flanks done than be dead." "Diamond Tiara," Silver Spoon exclaims to Diamond Tiara in annoyance. "We can't give in to those ghosts' demands!" Feathermay exclaims in concern. "If we do that, we will lose sight of who we really are." "But what will we do?" Plumsweet ask with a sigh. "Perhaps friendship is nothing but a joke and..." Of course, the ponies begin arguing, whatever or not they should give in and go to war with the rulers, siding with their respective rulers; most of them want to agree with the three ghosts' terms. The Mane Six, Ben, Golden Heart, the dragons and the CMC watch in concern. Something's going to break. "ENOUGH!" Golden Heart uses the Royal Canterlot voice to force everyone to quiet down. "Everypony, I'm ashamed of you. Have you forgotten what Hearth's Warming Eve is about? It's about friendship, love, helping one another." "Right; we helped one another during the fights against Lorcan and Tirek." Twilight said in agreement. "I mean, you saw how friendship also helped us Mane Six fight Nightmare Moon, Discord, Chrysalis and King Sombra." "Though with the last two, Shining and Cadance took them out." Rainbow chuckled. "But I digress, the point is, if we don't make a stand, Equestria will be destroyed by that dumb civil war." "But they will rip out our wings or horns!" Minuette cries out as some of the unicorns agree. "That will make us..." "Earth ponies; does it matter?" Applejack scoffs a bit. "Look, maybe us Earth ponies don't have magic or flying..." Ben coughs a bit. "Well, except for Ben here, but we got heart, determination, friendship an' we ain't going 'ta help a bunch o' ghosts wit' mad problems stop us." "Right, if we stand together, we can stop them!" Spike exclaims to the ponies. "We will use the warmth of our friendship, stand against them and bring them all down." The ponies pauses to think about this, then Caramel said, "They're right. I got friends in unicorns and Pegasus ponies. I can't let that get ruined because of those three." "Right, plus, they ruined our celebration!" Crashfire exclaims in determination. "Right, time we done teach them a lesson." Tough Apple remarked with scoff. Soon most of the ponies are agreeing to the same idea: not taking a ghost ruler's side. Diamond Tiara sighs in annoyance, "I don't believe this." "Well, believe it!" Nyx snaps to Diamond Tiara sternly, "Because unless you want to get frozen, dead or such, then you will help us!" Golden Heart smiles as he said to the ponies, "Looks like the ponies are making the right decision." "Right, but how will we stop the ghost rulers?" Rarity asks in concern. "We don't have the Elements...and I doubt they would work anyway." "We will do our best...Celestia knows we must." Twilight said in determination. Unknown to everyone, a pair of ghostly eyes was watching them...before disappearing from sight. ------- Platinum and Hurricane watch as Puddinghead's eyes reappear before she put them back into her head. The unicorn asks impatiently, "Well, as must as I hate to ask, what did they decided?" "My toon bits allowed me to sneak into that emergency house...aaaand they won't go for our demands and want to work against us." Puddinghead said to the rulers, much to their anger. "Ugh! Had centuries of working together made my species brainless?! Do they want those winged barbarians or Earth filth take what's ours?!" "Oh grow up, you brat!" Hurricane snaps to Platinum in annoyance. "Anyway, so what those traitors won't help. I got other ideas." "Oh really," Puddinghead ask with an arch of the eyebrow. "What?" "If our species won't help us...then we will make them...literally." The three nasty rulers nod in agreement as they use their powers as if creating something. Suddenly ponies of different species, Earth ponies, unicorns and Pegasi appear...but as ice versions... And hatred while ready for war. > Chapter 3: The Last 3 Ghosts > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3: The Last 3 Ghosts Despite the storm getting worst and worst, the guards outside the walls of Canterlot were on guard for anything suspicious. With Shining now running the Crystal Empire with Cadance, their training is put to a test. "Boomgruvhmmm..." Without warning, two guards that were outside the walls of Canterlot heard a noise just a distant away from their location. "Where did that explosion come from?" One guard asked the other in hearing this sound go off. "It happen near the armory, come on!" The other guard issued that they best inspect the cause and make a report. Soon the two guards went to check on the cause of that explosion. They arrived to find a large hole that was 80 feet tall, but how was that possible? There are no giants or other huge creatures that were attacking; all of Canterlot would have been alerted. "Heheheheheheheh..." There were strange giggling noises that came from inside the hole that was created. The guards looked inside, only to sudden quiver in fear in seeing glimmering light-aqua blank eyes stare at them. The intruders were clear-light white coated ponies with clear-light grayish-blue manes and tails, and their figures were like...clear as ice. "Wha-wha, what are those? Ponies," The other guard looked to his buddy to shake with fear in seeing creatures like these before them. "No, and I doubt they're Changelings. And that's scary enough!" The guard shook his head 'no', these weren't normal ponies, nor Changelings, as for what they are...it's scary to imagine. "Stomp-Stompvhmm..." Then from behind the creepy new ponies in the armory, loud stomping sounds were heard before they appeared in the light a bit. "Ruuuooorraaaughh..." There was a growling noise, and the thing in front was...GAROOZIS! Yes, and not just him, all of the other Machines of War that were created by Flim & Flam and kept in storage from Lorcan's Invasion to Tirek's Return are actived. Worst was that who was controlling them were...standing before the two guards against this unpleasant situation. "WAAAAAAUGHH..." The two guards screamed in horror in watching they were way out of their league here, the unknown enemy has gain the far upper hand here. "Heheheheheheehh..." The creep ponies giggled in a creepy way before they were scattering to the four corners of the wind or at least three ways of the types noticed. The guards were stampeded down from a rampaging Earth base Ponies while some Pegasus flew the airs of the stormy winter blizzard and the Unicorns either teleported or hovered with magic. Much of the Machines from the Armory were taking off or rushing out to go in different directions, following whoever was going their own way. In the throne room, the news was delivered straight to the sister rulers. The two guards were with Private Kenny, who was now as much in charge for Canterlot while Shining Armor was living with Cadance in the Crystal Empire. "What? The Armory has been breached?" Celestia yelped to hear this shocking news that was delivered to her. "And some ponies stole the Machines of War we kept locked up?" Luna exclaimed in disbelief that they were robbed so blindly. "Yes princesses, that's what these two guards had told me." Private Kenny responded in a bow motion in letting the rulers know the situation. "We got a good look." The first guard stated while he and his pal were bowing still. "They were Pegasus, Unicorns, and Earth Ponies. But they had no markings on their flanks." The second guard explained that while they saw what hit them, they were no ordinary ponies. "What do you mean?" Luna asked with a raised eyebrow, this was strange noise to hear. "They were almost like nothing we've seen. We could see through them like they were clear as glass." The first guard explained his side of the story in what he saw had happened when coming face to face with such monsters. "At first, we thought they might be in league with Crystal Ponies, but they were somehow like the Changelings that were lookalikes. But the two aren't to any of our knowledge." The second guard explained how the intruders looked very strange, not normal, yet not the insect Changelings. "Sources indicate that no one saw anything but a wind blowing snowflakes inside, but that's about it." Private Kenny explained to his princesses about what not seeing any signs of the described intruders, except for a small detail of what was last recalled, but how can that help them understand this? "There is only one explanation for this. Ice Ponies," Celestia explained with a stern expression as she knows what it is now that they are dealing with. "There's a High-Level Spell for Advance Unicorns that learn about creating and making them come to life from any cold substance. Like making a doll move without strings; they can be like any type of pony and have all the best talents found in such." The princess of the Sun explained forth just what they are dealing with. "It might be that the 3 Tribe Rulers have each assembled their own army since none of the citizens would partake." Luna stated with a serious thought in what's going on; Princess Platinum, Commander Hurricane, and Chancellor Puddinghead are the leaders behind this cause. "This is worst than we feared. If they use those machines that aided us in our dire needs of warfare, then many areas will be wasted! Our subjects maybe caught in the cross-fire, we can't let that happen!" Celestia decreed off to say that they must put a stop to this before it becomes anymore out of hand then it is. "I'll have to inform Twilight. And also send a message to a veteran stallion in the area of Ponyville." The princess stated from using her magic to write a quick scroll for Twilight and having a spare for another. "A veteran that lives in Ponyville; the only one that comes to mind is...oh..." Private Kenny responded a bit puzzled at first, but then the message even became clear to him. "My princess," The first guard spoke off in almost being surprised in what is happening here. "Do you mean...?" The other guard was about to ask, but it was already done. "Yes, I'm calling up Sergeant Steel Hooves to take command to help against the war of types." Celestia decreed forth after she finished Twilight's message before finishing up the next letter for a 'Sergeant Steel Hooves', which meant it was for Applejack's Big Brother; Big Macintosh. "Let us hope Twilight and her group can help. Things are getting out of control!" Luna spoke from looking around the area, seeing an empty casket that held the Elements of Harmony inside. "Let us hope that J.B. can make progress after we let him take the Elements to the Mane Six. May the Sun & Moon give them strength," The princess of the Moon prayed that things can be done right and that hope can help shine a light in their situation's need. ------------------------------------ The ponies were having another conversion as Ben said, "We need some way to deal with the rulers...maybe if we have the Elements which may or may not work on these ghosts." "We got to try!" Pinkie exclaims in determination. "I ain't letting a couple of ghosts ruin my Hearth's Warming Eve!" "Same here," Rarity said sternly. "I worked my flank off for the dresses for this year and I am not going to let my work be to waste." "Right, let's go out there and kick some flank!" Spike exclaims in determination. "We need a plan first; we can't go out there rushing without a plan." Twilight said with a frown. "It would be committing suicide." "But they are dead already...right?" Fluttershy ask her friends in worry. "Hey fellas, Ah hate 'ta cut in 'de talkin', but yew ain't gonna believe 'dis." Tough Apple interrupted from using the binoculars he held to watch outside for anything strange; well... "A giant frog thing is lashing his tongue an' swiping all of Rarity's clothes an' other fine do-dads fro' 'dat Carousel Boutique," The guy was stating from looking out, and saw a giant mechanical frog lash out it's tongue, breaking Rarity's windows to take her valuables and...ate them. 'What in the world," Jakk gasps in surprise upon seeing this. "Now I see everything!" Colby remarks in surprise as well. "What's going on?" Matelda ask a bit frightened. "Ho doggy, now Ah'm seeing something happening at 'de Sugarcube Corner!" Tough Apple yelped off from using his binoculars to see something else going on in Ponyville. "A big gorilla is breaking in an' stealing all 'de sweets!" True to that, a giant gorilla mech was smashing its fist, took the sweets and pounded it's chest in making ape noises. And inside the controls were two ponies made of ice piloting it. "Not Sugarcube Corner!" Snips and Snails gasps in surprise. "Oh dear, this isn't good!" Sweetie Belle exclaims in alarm. "Oh now, a giant spider thing is wrecking around dat there hospital spot!" Tough Apple groans in spotting a giant black spider bot was crawling to smack it's legs or brought out it's blaster setting to blast away the structure while some more strange ice looking ponies pilot it. "What; But there could be patients in there; those monsters," The Mayor exclaims in shock. "Who is responsible for this madness?!" Time Turner asks a bit worry. "Mad scientists," Derpy ask in confusion. "Jumping Jiminae; Now a big size Golem is flattin' 'de Town Square!" Tough Apple cried out from seeing some icy pony using a remote to make a giant golem machine to tear through the Town Hall center for Ponyville. "No!" The CMC all call out in shock and worry. "What the hay," Twilight exclaims in surprise as more ponies got more surprised and freaked by the moment. "Oh boy; Now by 'de Day Spa; Some Naga looking Soldiers are slithering an' wrecking 'de place. And stealing them nice flavor stuff fer bathing! They even split up an' robbed 'de town's Jewelry Shop!" Tough Apple exclaimed from seeing from the binoculars, Naga Troopers slithered in those placed, wrecked it while stealing priceless or valuable stuff. "Oh great, just great," Caramel exclaims a bit in annoyance. "Right, what else can go wrong...though I'm afraid to ask." Rainbow said with a frown. "Oh 'dis here's a real problem. Feathermay an' her pals' restaurant is being burned even wit' 'de snow putting out 'de fire...by a giant green looking weasel!" Tough Apple yelped at the jump from seeing from the binoculars, how his gal and her Mane Six lookalikes were having their restaurant trashed by a mechanical weasel that breathed fire? "What," Roseluck gasps in shock and horror. "Those brutes," Cherry Pie exclaims in outrage, "How can we continue serving the customers for this Hearth's Warming Eve?!" "I got a feeling that our restaurant is the least of our worries right now." Firecracker said to her friends in concern. "Darn it! Now a giant rhino-dinosaur is striking down all 'de pins an' wrecking 'de Bowling Alley place!" Tough Apple cursed from looking at the binoculars to see a giant dinosaur/rhino plow through the bowling alley, and while it got strikes, the piloting ice looking ponies just giggled at messing around. "What; did they beat my score?" Scootaloo ask in concern and worry. "What score? Yew barely even bowl!" Apple Bloom exclaims to Scootaloo with a frown. "Doesn't mean I can't try!" "'Dis here ain't gonna be pretty." Tough Apple dryly reported from looking out his binoculars in seeing something about to happen near the Library with...a yellow rabbit cross breed mouse thing. "A cute little yellow rabbit, mouse thing is in the middle of 'de Library, wit' all them things running amuck, it might get ugly real..." But before he could finish, the innocent creature hissed to let out its tentacles to smash the windows, sent electricity to set some things a blaze. "Oh wait, never mind, its dangerous itself. On 'de account it spread tentacles 'ta lash 'de Sparkle home an' sent a voltage to burn some things. Is that paper Ah see mix wit' some birds, a dog, an' what-knots?" The guy was reporting from seeing what happened, and noticed how an owl, a baby phoenix, and a dog were escaping the mayhem. "No! Our pets," Ben exclaims in horror. Owlowiscious, Peewee and Koga are in trouble. "At least they got away, right?" Phobos asks his friends in concern. "Yeah...I hate to ask but what else is happening out there?" Twilight ask Tough Apple in worry while trying to figure out the mystery as to the newest attack. The three mad rulers are behind it, they just know it! "Hey, some weird falcon things are attacking some flower shop!" Tough Apple stated from seeing from his binoculars, that some mass squadron of orange falcons flew through the air, ridden by them icy ponies that were blasting away at the place. "NO! NOT THAT!" Daisy, Lily and Rose cried out in horror, not their precious flower shop! "Well 'dis won't be a jolly thing for Fluttershy 'ta see." Tough Apple responded to seeing something about to happen to the mentioned mare. "A giant crab just stopped by her cottage." He stated from his binoculars spotting what he said; some giant crab-like creature with four legs, two arms and two powerful pincers. The upper half of its body and its pincers are orange while the bottom half and legs are cream colored. It has spikes on its head and has a large lower jaw with teeth-like bumps. Its left pincer is particularly larger than its right pincer. It stood about 40m tall in Height, 300 Kg in Weight and hidden in the white eyes with a black oval dot mark are just windows of the control center. "Oh, that doesn't sound too..." Fluttershy was thinking she was fine, no crab could ever be dangerous, right... "An' now he dropped his big-old-left pincer claw 'ta smack 'de wall an' pinching some wild animals." Tough Apple reported from spotting the crab mech crashing into Fluttershy's place and taking her animals. "WHAT! MY ANIMALS," Fluttershy screeched out in horror before snatching Tough's binoculars to see this for herself in all her worry. "Gaaaugh...Fluttershy, yer're pulling mah binoculars against mah neck!" Tough Apple spoke from feeling he was getting choked her by Fluttershy pulling his binoculars that were around his neck. "Oh, sorry," Fluttershy yelped to let her hold go which let Tough Apple breathe easier. "These all sound like Flim & Flam's machines. But what's with the talk of a crab?" Twilight Sparkle spoke in most definitely recalling the spoken creatures that were created during the time of war, but the crab thing was new to her and many others. "I recall not all of the machines were completed, some of our own engineers had to complete them. I believe the crab was called the Kingler, other than it's destruction force of 10,000 horsepower in one claw, a slicing strike impact, and stinging bubbles on the body & eyes, it was going to be used to gather apples to clean them for taste benefit. It would have even done well with fishing." Golden Heart explained the basic reason of what's happening as well as how the revealed crab-mech called Kingler works. "Somehow, this still bites." Rainbow Dash frowns to state in not liking this situation, not one bit. "I hate to say, but what else could get worst here?" Big Macintosh asks with a frown. "Bad news fer 'de Cutie Mark Crusaders," Tough Apple spoke from using his binoculars, and had bad news for the little ponies, "'Dat giant lizard that looks like that GAROOZIS is just slashing against yer tree house an' burning it 'ta which the snow is putting out so much!" The guy explained from looking through the binoculars to see the very thing the CMCs loved to pilot, being used by others to trash their tree house. "Oh noooooo," The CMC gasped in horror, that can't be, anything but that! "Fraid so," Tough Apple nods with a sad expression before looking through the binoculars some more. "Oh no, now 'dat giant octopus is by our farm!" The guy hollered out in seeing a giant mechanical octopus being piloted by them ice looking ponies. "Dang nabbed it! Why must our best homes be caught in 'de cross-fire?!" Applejack demands in shock and anger. "If the rulers are behind this, they don't care as long as they win their mad war!" Rarity exclaims to Applejack with a frown. "HOLY; 'Dat octopus has taken possession o' something, it's...NO! IT CAN'T BE!" Tough Apple spoke in spotting something and saw the octopus had taken something of great importance. "WHAT?" The others asked in not knowing what the tough stallion saw. "Mah treasure love!" Tough Apple cried out to saw from looking ready to panic. "But Feathermay is here." Nyx pointed in recalling, tough Apple's treasure of love was here, but if not her, then... "It's got Joe!" Tough Apple exclaimed from seeing the octopus machine's tentacle stealing his banjo. "JOOOOOEEEEEEEEE..." The guy was screaming up a loud yell into the skies and on his knees to exaggerate, "Gaaugh, WHY! HE DIDN'T DONE NOTHIN', HE'S INNOCENT! OH WHY'D FATE HAD 'TA BE CRUEL 'TA JOE!" The guy was really letting this news take it down on him hard for losing his prize instrument and closest friend from the beginning. "It's okay Toughy, we understand." Feathermay came to pat her love on the back to help ease the stress and pain. "'Dat's it, Ah'm getting mah pee-shooter an' getting who's using them things 'ta mess wit' our properties!" Tough Apple snaps to pick up his rifle to prepare to go out and fight them thieving varmints. "Me too; Nobody uses what's ours to cause wrecker in our town!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed with a stern face in grabbing her party cannon to be added to the count. "Hold it! Look out there!" Golden Heart came between those that were going to go out and fight a situation while seeing that...there was a whole army of those icy ponies piloting the machines. "It's those machines piloted by those strange ponies made of ice?" He stated how this is all happening because of those Ice Ponies, they started this. "I read about them. Ice Ponies are going to keep being made with this storm from the cold and we're too much at a disadvantage." What he said was true, they are vastly outnumbered and out heavily in firepower to which...they stand no chance. "So how do we fight them and those crazy tribe rulers?" Phobos asked in seeing that if they can't fight this battle, how do they reach the 3 tribe rulers causing this problem? "I'm getting to that. We need help." Golden Heart responded to Phobos in knowing what they need is their own reinforcements. "Right now, our best shot is with the Dragons of Equestria, but they're away patrolling other parts of Equestria, and even if they got here, we have no idea what we're truly dealing with." The alicorn stallion spoke true, even with backup, they have no idea how to fight enemies they have no real battle knowledge of the 3 Tribe Rulers, that information was lost for a 1000 years, especially since time has changed in how they tell the story now. "Somehow, I wish we had something from 1000 years ago to fight the rulers of Equestria's tribe leaders now." Twilight Sparkle spoke in wishing and hoping, there was a way to help them right now face this upcoming battle to protect their friendship of the three types. But how, and with what, were questions left unknown to her? Suddenly a flash appear, making the ponies and dragon yelp in concern. Is it another attack? No, a voice, familiar somehow, spoke up, "Ask and you shall receive..." "Who is that?" Pipsqueak asks in concern as three ghostly essences appear, floating into the middle. "Are those mean rulers back?" The ponies saw to their surprise that the essences turned into what appears to be lookalikes of Twilight, Applejack and Fluttershy, but in the pageant clothing. Could it be...? "Is that... mommy?" Nyx asked in awe as she looked at the ghost that looked a lot like her mother. "Applejack," Apple Bloom asked in shock while looking at her sister's lookalike ghost. "Fluttershy," Tough Apple asked, puzzled as he looked at the pink-mane Pegasus ghost. "No, that's none other than the rulers' advisers: Clover the Clever, Smart Cookie and Commander Hurricane's subordinate Private Pansy." Twilight said upon recognizing the last 3 ghosts. "I must be seeing double of the Mane 6!" Jakk remarked in amazement as he rubbed his eyes a bit. "Triple if you count Feathermay and her friends!" Matelda added, equally as amazed as Jakk. "Yes...it is us and I got to admit...we're proud of how you ponies chose not to give in to our former bosses' demands." Clover said with a smile. "Right, Puddinghead was plain nuts an' would've use lengths 'ta force Earth ponies on her side." Smart Cookie said in observation. "And Hurricane...brrr; don't get me started on her!" Pansy exclaims in worry. "What are you doing here? Did you come to help us?" Ben asks the ghosts hopefully. "Yes...to be honest, what happened is...our fault a bit." Clover said with a sad sigh. "If only we were able to convince our former bosses to change...or save them from their icy prisons, then all of this madness wouldn't have happened." "But they are the ones who let their own hatred and rivalry gets to them." Sweetie reminds the ghosts in surprise. "Yes...and we are the ones who didn't stop them before, before we join the Equestrian Alliance." Pansy said sadly. "Now they are stuck in the world of the living, unable to move on to the afterlife without settling their feud with one another...or more." "Is there a way to beat them?" Rarity asked the ghosts in concern. "We must work together...use whatever we can to put a stop to the three rulers once and for all. If we do that, we may end the foolish war without anypony getting hurt or killed." Clover said in determination. "But those ghosts got some new powers!" Pinkie exclaims to the two advisers and subordinate in worry. "Right and they stole machines from the Armory, too!" Spike remarked in agreement, "How can we deal with those?!" Clover the Clever's spirit comment, "Maybe our former bosses have learned a few new tricks over the course of more than a thousand years, but so have my friends and I." "Then we will need your tricks 'ta help us win." Applejack said in determination. Just then, Spike yelped and burped out a scroll that Twilight takes. She notices the signature and spoke up to Big Macintosh, "Big Mac? I believe this is for you." "Really; let me see 'dat." Big Mac said as he takes the scroll. After reading it carefully, the stallion nodded with a serious look on his face as he spoke, "Eeyup. Looks like y'all are gonna need 'de help o' Sergeant Steel Hooves again." "What's going on, big bro?" Apple Bloom asks Big Macintosh in concern. "Turns out that the ghosts and Spike was right; Those Ice Ponies has stolen the weapons from the Armory. The princess needs me to take command to help against the war of types." Big Macintosh said seriously. "All right, Sergeant Steel Hooves." Smart Cookie said with a nod. "We need y'all we can git 'ta stop our former bosses." "Also, the princess sent someone with the Elements of Harmony to help us...but with this blasted storm, it may take a while for him to get here." Big Macintosh said to the Mane Six seriously. "Then we might get killed by the time he makes it!" Fluttershy whimpered fearfully. "Then we must hold the fort!" Pansy exclaims sternly then looks meekly, "If we can." "Ponies, listen up. We must get to those rulers. Most of us will keep the ice ponies at base!" Big Macintosh exclaims sternly. "Applejack, you and your friends, along with the spirits and anypony else, get your flanks to those rulers, try to get them to knock it off! Hopefully we can do this within reason!" "If you're gonna get those Ice Ponies, Sergeant, I'll help, too." Crashfire said in determination as he stepped forward, "After all, I have the elemental power of fire." "Right; hopefully, mom, Aunt Luna or whoever is getting us the Elements can get them to us in time." Ben said in determination. "Ponies, it's high time we stop this war and save our holiday once and for all!" "Yeah, who's with us," Rainbow calls out to the ponies with a smirk. "YEAH," The ponies shouted in determination. "Cutie Mark Crusader Holiday Savers, AWAY," Nyx cheered out loud as she raised her hoof. "YAY," The other CMC yelled in agreement as they put their hooves to Nyx's hoof. "YEEHAW; let's rock 'em!" Tough Apple cheers as he opens fire his gun into the air, causing some ponies to yelp and duck upon hearing it. "Tough Apple," Granny Smith scowls at Tough Apple in annoyance. "Sorry, Granny," Tough said apologized sheepishly. --------------- The scene changes to what was about Ponyville, now becoming a bit more of a struggle battlefield. Each different Ice Pony of the 3 Tribe Rulers were attacking with any ice base weaponry of spears, swords, disk hoof-gauntlets, staffs, even cannons that were all ice-base types. They were ravaging the place, and each of the three sides had been using the stolen Machines of War from the Armory to do the most serious of damage. And hovering in the air in watching the warfare were Commander Hurricane, Princess Platinum, and Chancellor Puddinghead, each smirking to see their side duke it out; like it was a game of chess to them. They command the pieces to do what they saw fit, and the pieces responded while some couldn't counter or others just managed to repel back. This would have gone on for who knows how long if...the 3 tribe rulers hadn't turn to notice that coming down the only path left untaken was...Equestria's very own ponies. Leading was the Mane Six, followed by Ben Mare, Spike, Phobos, the CMC, and a whole lot of the willing citizens with one objective in mind; to end this war! "Hey rulers; Get your flanks down here so we can kick them!" Nyx snaps to the rulers in annoyance. "Well, well, looks like you decided to partake after all." Hurricane said to the ponies with an evil smirk. "I knew you would come to your senses." "Yes, yes, of course, most of your replacements took most of the damages, but we will let you in with some more." Platinum said with a bored look. "Right, ready to make the unicorns and the air hogs suffer, Earth ponies," Puddinghead asks her species eagerly. "Not a chance!" The ponies exclaim angrily, much to the three rulers' surprise, anger, confusion, or a combination of all. "We can here to put a stop to you once and for all." Big Macintosh said sternly. "Right, we aren't here to help in your word but to stop it!" Twilight exclaims in determination. "And we got some help from some old faces." "Oh really? Like who? There's no one else." Platinum said with a scoff of disbelief. "Wrong." Clover said as she ponders: who else in Equestria would bother giving support to the ones who don't stand a chance against them in the first place? The rulers' eyes widen upon seeing the ghosts of those they haven't seen in a long time. "Clover?" "Private Pansy," Hurricane ask in shock upon being confronted by his former subordinate. "Smart Cookie," Puddinghead exclaims in surprise. "I was wondering where you were! Did you come to help me find Dirt?!' "Nope, we came 'ta stop yew!" Smart Cookie snaps to her former boss sternly. "Yew have taken 'dis feud wit' Hurricane an' Platinum fer too long; 'Dis has gotta stop." "Yes...please Commander?" Pansy asks Hurricane hopefully. "I don't want to lose my new living friends." "Princess Platinum, they are right and we must stop this. This isn't our time anymore, we don't belong here." Clover said to Platinum with a sigh. "We must make peace with one another, if only to move to the other side." "What?! We were close to winning...and you want me to stop it now?!" Platinum exclaims to Clover in shock and rage. "What kind of adviser are you?!" "Someone Star Swirl the Bearded taught to know better! Please, you gotta stop. What would your father Blueblood I say if he were to see you like this? He would no longer see you the little daughter that he himself missed upon her frozen death." "My father was an old fool! He may decide to be nice to the Earth filth and air Barbarians but I won't! Your friend, this Mag'ne, has failed to turn me from my quest." "Princess Platinum, please..." Clover said, trying to speak reason with the unicorn. "No! I won't be deterred! Go back to wherever you came from!" Platinum scowls angrily as she turns away from her former friend. "I will no longer hear of your nonsense." "And you, Private Pansy, I am disgusted that you decided to be nice to the horn heads and Earth dorks! I can't believe I ever brought you along in the first place!" Hurricane snaps to Pansy, making her worried. "Consider yourself discharged!" "Commander Hurricane." Pansy said with a sad look. Her commander and friend from long ago appear to be gone, now a bitter ghost shell of her former self. "And you, Smart Cookie...forget sweets! I ain't sharing anything with the likes of you!" Puddinghead snaps to Smart Cookie who sighs a bit. "Looks like yew left us wit' no choice then." Smart Cookie said in sadness. "Forgive us when this is over, we will have to put you down for the sake of Equestria." Clover said to Platinum and the other bitter rulers. It hurts her to do this, but the ghosts must put their former bosses down. "Well, looks like talking is done." Rainbow said sternly as she prepares to fight. "Right, it's time for us to fight." Big Macintosh said to the ponies, some of them look nervous of trying a war but they must do what they themselves can to stop this madness. "Hey, what's 'dat?" Apple Bloom asks upon seeing something in the sky. "Look! Up in the sky," Scootaloo pointed from seeing something in the skies. "It's a bird!" Sweetie Belle stated what was the first guess. "It's a cloud!" Twist stated what the second guess was. "No it's..." Dinky Doo was about to say, but it was taken over by someone else. "The Dragon Army of Equestria," Pipsqueak shouted out for joy and excitement as hope came to their dire need. "Rooarrrughh..." Yeppers, Draco lead the Dragons of Equeastria forth against the storm like it was nothing. "POwvhm-Powvhm/Bamgruvhmm..." The Dragon Army fired their own unique breaths and elements down that impacted much of the Ice Ponies and knocked a few of the stolen Machines of War down too like toppling the BIG Golem isn't an easy job unless you're big, which as the golem toppled, crushed an ice pony that was controlling it; oh well. "What's this? Dragons and Ponies working together," Princess Platinum exclaimed in shock to see this sudden turn of events happening before them. "No way; why didn't I think of that?" Commander Hurricane slap her hoof to her head in not have used dragons in the past to aid her, like it matters now to think about it. "Well this dragons look to be out-doing us! But not for long!" Chancellor Puddinghead stated forth while making a sneaky smirk across her face. Then to many viewers' surprise, this spirit pony looked to have grabbed the air around her. "Wait! What is she doing?" Tough Apple asked off from seeing one of the spirits was doing something funny. "Oh no; I think I read somewhere that in the higher advance unicorn spells, there was a devastating one about grabbing the air around the caster." Twilight muttered in shock to think back quickly in her studies, in coming across a subject spell like this, but never actually seeing it performed before. "And...?" Applejack asked in awaiting the answer, however... "EVERYPONY; HOLD ON & GRAB ONTO SOMETHING," Twilight shouted for all her friends and allies to stand by and grab anything they can, it's about to get; bumpy! "Let's see anypony or dragon handle this move...Island Shaking!" Chancellor Puddinghead exclaimed forth before doing something...REALLY OUTRAGEOUS! The spirit here pulled the actual air around her like it was tangible, and then rapidly shifted it. All things seem silent, by as this pony's eyes swirl at the movement, others around her immediately had frozen shock faces while gasping. And the reason was that most of the dragons in the skies before Puddinghead seem to swirl off the ground in the air, but saw the user was perfectly unmoved. "What the...we've lost our balance formation!" A dragon named Hugo exclaimed with wide shock in seeing something happening. That wasn't the only thing, everything all around on BOTH sides were feeling the effect and saw the are was...TILTING. "Whah; The Ground's tilting," Lyra yelped from where they stood in seeing...their ground floor was tilting a bit. "GRUPVRUVHMMM..." Suddenly at that moment, the ground was quaking, many ponies yelped from skidding off from being on tilted structures that were making them fall. "WAAAUGHH...AAAAUGH..." The Dragons were especially affected from not seeing they were flying to close to the ground, but the ground seem to shifting cause they flew and crashed a bit from doing it...UPSIDE DOWN. "This here's worse than an earthquake!" Bubbo exclaimed from holding onto the ground and seeing things around are titling them to the left. "AAAAAAAUUUUHHHH..." Many of the ponies were still yelping from what was going on, but for any unicorns or Pegasus, they did their best to help their friends. But when they turned to look up at the scenery...all eyes were with the widest of horrors and fears imaginable. All around the area was tilting the very land structures of homes, the forest, and even the outer lakes and sea water. You could see them all tilting in different directions while it just seemed totally impossible. Not just the area and sea were tilting, but many buildings were breaking apart, being destroyed and falling down, almost coming in contact with the residents if they didn't run away. "RUN AWAY, RUN AWAY!" Most of the ponies scream as they run away to avoid the madness. "Oh horse flanks! Those rulers are crazier than the Changelings!" Daisy cries out to her friends frantically. "The horror, the horror," Lily exclaims in terror. "Everypony, move out of the way, move it!" Ben exclaims, using his magic to move ponies out of the way. Even the CMC push their bullies away in time. "Thanks." Silver Spoon said to the ponies she and Diamond Tiara picked on. "This doesn't change a thing, blank flanks!" Diamond Tiara scowls at the ponies in annoyance. Golden Heart spots a familiar shadow about to get hit and use his magic to save her in time. She nods and runs off to avoid the madness. All around, the ground beneath cracked into bottomless craters, the sea was flowing with ships almost crashing on impact to any areas where the battle is going. The rushing sea impacted, almost taking out a bit of the Ice Ponies, the Machines, even the Dragons. IT WAS PURE MADNESS IN THE RING! "Great, this would take a while to get fixed." Noteworthy said with a sigh. "Tell me about it." Berry Punch remarks in agreement. At this time, the Chancellor was enjoying this before getting a smack in the back of her head by the commander. "ARE YOU CRAZY; you're wiping Out HALF MY army with that move," Commander Hurricane snap at this tribe leader of Earth ponies for doing a crazy stunt like that that did both sides harm. "YOU'RE HALF? What about my HALF!" Princess Platinum protests with a frown that her army was just as big a deal as the Pegasus here. "Ouch, okay, okay, so I'll lay off doing that for a while. But it was effective on cutting down the dragon numbers." Chancellor Puddinghead yelped from the hurt she felt from another spirit like her before stating her mistake while pointing out...the plus side to this. "Okay, looks like they got us down on the advantage here." Spike said with a groan. "But this isn't over yet." Twilight said with her horn glowing. "Advantage or no, we will save our holiday." "Ponies, charge!" Big Macintosh exclaims to the ponies sternly. "Dragons, prepare to attack!" Draco exclaims as the dragons roar. Soon the dragons against the war gallops/flies right against the Ice Ponies. The Civil War just got a new opposition. > Chapter 4: Fear itself > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4: Fear itself The whole civil war got big when the real ponies got involved, fighting off the Ice Ponies and the machines. The CMC do their best to fight their good friend the Garoozis, although the foals feels saddened about doing so. "Ponies, to the front; Get some ropes over there!" Big Macintosh exclaims to some of the ponies who grabs some ropes to tie some of the machines down, though some of them has gotten out. "We haven't made a big confrontation like this since Lorcan." Lyra said to her roommate Bon-Bon in concern. "We just got to go our best to save our world." Bon-Bon answers her friend right back. During the fight, the figure is watching while throwing her knifes and daggers at the ice ponies within the shadows. The figure remarks, "Even if my friends win, the mad tribe rulers will come back unless...if I recall the three tribes rulers' bodies are still in ice in that cave. If the gang can find the cave and thaw the bodies out, the three mad tribe rulers hate may fade and they can cross to the other side. Better let Goldie know about this." With that the figure heads off to find Golden heart while staying in the shadows and attacks if needed. The advisers and subordinate quickly fires a blast at their former bosses who dodges them. "You dare go after me?!" Hurricane snarls as she send out icicle and lightnings against the 'traitors'. "I have you know, I send traitors to the gallows for less than this." "We will stop you no matter what." Clover said in concern and regret. "Only you 3 can end this war." "You're right...only we can end this by ending you right here!" Princess Platinum snaps as she ends in a cold front at the good ghosts who block with their heat wave, "What?!" "We done learned a few tricks over 'de years. Shame yew didn't." Smart Cookie said in regret as she made trees come to life and attack the 3 rulers, "Maybe when 'dis is over, yew will thank us." "Don't tell us whom to thank!" Puddinghead snaps as she forces the trees to break in half. "Now let's see you deal with this." Clover, Smart Cookie and Private Pansy yelps as Puddinghead is using her power to break them apart. It looks like they are done for, even in dead. But then a blast sent the mad rulers away. "Okay, enough!" Ben, the one who attacks, exclaims sternly as he is joined by the Mane Six, Spike, Golden Heart, Nyx and Phobos. "It's time for you three to come to your senses and stop this or we will stop you!" "Why would you ponies even work together," Platinium demands angrily and confused to Ben. "And how did you do that?! Earth filth can't learn magic!" "Apparently you don't know the power of the Triforce Element." "All right, you three, give up! It's us against you now!" Spike exclaims to the mad ghosts in determination. "So this is the dragon who saved the Crystal Empire." Puddinghead giggles like a fool to Spike. "Shame Cadance got most of the praise. But then again, you had another time to shine didn't you? When you defeated your brother, the second most feared dragon." "If you're thinking of making me feel bad, that won't work anymore." "Out of my way, losers, come on!" Diamond Tiara snaps to Nyx and Spike as she pushes them out of the way. "What's this?" Hurricane asks Diamond Tiara in amusement. "Give me power. I wanna kill the blank flanks, Nightmare Moon and that lizard!" "You will do no such thing!" Golden Heart snaps to Diamond Tiara sternly. "The wielders Elements of Harmony will not allow that." "What ae they gonna do?!" Diamond Tiara snaps to Golden Heart in disrespect. "Why do you so no respect to the mares that beaten Nightmare Moon, Discord and Tirek, or to Spike, who saved the Crystal Empire and saved us all?" "Hey, I got my reasons, you freak, you got yours." "Sorry, but we don't give out power to those who won't work with us." Hurricane said slyly as she sent out a lightning bolt right at Diamond Tiara, causing her to yelp in fear. But then Nyx jumps in and uses a shield to block the attack. The alicorn filly snaps, "If it weren't the fact that I must defend even ponies like you and not Nightmare Moon anymore, I would've let her get you. Consider yourself lucky, Diamond Bratra!" "Heh heh, nice one," Phobos said to Nyx with a giggle. "You ponies may as well listen up here, for all the rock upon the ground of dirt will eventually crumble." Chancellor Puddinghead spoke off from pressing her front hooves onto the ground that had no snow. "Yeah, so," Phobos questioned this pink pony ghost and her reason being. Suddenly without warning, the ground around the chancellor was...drying up. The snow around it was melting sure, but the grass and flowers seen were...drying, wilting away...to break into dust. "What's happening? The grass is drying up!" Noteworthy yelped in seeing this happen all so sudden. "That ain't all! Look!" Golden Harvest exclaimed to point in seeing, any stone of rock or structure, was crumbling a bit from where this ghost's power was spreading. Then without warning, a tree that was nearby went 'poof', turn to dust that frighten the ponies. "What's going on?" Derpy yelped in not knowing what was happening. "It's Puddinghead! She's going to dry up the ground!" Twilight Sparkle warned her friends of this, but... Too late, as the ground from Chancellor Puddinghead broke apart, the grounds of dirt and rock were cracking into a bumpy state. "Woooh! Wha-Wha-What's happening now?" Spike yelped from getting his balance, the shaking was hard to keep a balance. Worst yet, was when some Earth Ponies or Unicorns yelped that the ground beneath broke and they almost would have fallen deep in. But they held up to the edge while some of the Pegasus Ponies rushed to help with their flight to save them. "If you think this is all I can do, then you're sadly mistaken! The ponies of dirt will see how even the dryness of sand is a force to be seen." Chancellor Puddinghead proclaimed from holding her front hooves up again, but slowly tap it into the ground. "These hooves will bestow dryness to all I touch...Endlessly..." As the spirit pony of the Earth types spoke, the ground around her hooves was sending out a strange wave-link. The others were looking around the ground, and starting to recognize the shaking. It was spreading to a larger portion of where they all are. "This ain't good." Sweetie Belle stated in looking and feeling, this won't be pleasant. Then without warning, sand erupted from the cracks from beneath, almost like it was bleeding. But around Chancellor Puddinghead, a fallen stone structure was suddenly...sinking. "AHHHHH; NOT MORE OF THIS," Caramel screams in alarm and worry. "Out of the way, out of the way," Some of the ponies scream in alarm by the sinking while moving around to avoid sinking. Then off around the others, they saw a statue pony of the Town Hall center piece...was leaking off sand. But the weirder part still, was that half its base front degraded to becoming sand. "Look! The stone," The Mayor pointed in noticing in fright, what was happening while seeing the statue tilt? "Even the statues are becoming sand!" Time Turner responded in horror to believe what was happening. The statue made impact on the ground, and then afterwards...evaporated completely into nothing but sand. "'Dis is bad...she's making 'de ground die o' dryness!" Applejack exclaimed in shocking disbelief, this spirit that controls reality, is changing the ground where they walk on. "Waaaugh," Rarity yelped from raising her front hooves to see...her new shoe wear dried up and...disintegrated. "Aaahhh...my new shoe wear...it's...turn to sand dust!" The unicorn yelped in seeing the power that could ruin fabric wear. "Everything I can touch on the ground...will dry up!" Chancellor Puddinghead smirked with an evil expression in about to unleash the storm. "LOOK OUT!" Big Macintosh shouted with wide eye concern warning, something big was coming. "Meet my...Cycle Of Erosion!" Chancellor Puddinghead declared from creating what looks like her first move, but stronger as the sand was increasing in speed to attack everything in its path. "EVERYPONY HOLD ON!" Twilight shouted before she and any unicorn cast barrier spells just in the nick of time. The attack went by, but a lot of the area was quaking, sand covered the whole area. Once done, the barriers floated any pony up over the sand and dismiss the spell to look at the scene. "That pony is no laughing matter, she turn this part of Town Hall into a dessert." Rainbow spoke in seeing what the chancellor spirit pony had performed. "Ha! You think that's something, check this out!" Commander Hurricane flew over to brag how what her tribe cohort did was nothing, to what she can do. Then the storm and blizzard got worst, but far from it come a true horror. For soon came a roaring vortex from the clouds that touched the ground, it was...a blizzard tornado. "No way; A tornado," Cheerilee yelped in shock to see this all to sudden now. "But only a number of Pegasus ponies could pull that, even all of Cloudsdale just barely got enough fliers to pull it off!" Rainbow Dash proclaimed that such a feat was impossible for one Pegasus alone. "Then you'll love this action!" Commander Hurricane smirked with an evil grin, as she was charging up body like an electric zapper. Soon the commander went into her tornado, blizzard blowing and lightning flashing off from within. It was a true storm of terror to be sure. Worst, was that some of the Dragon Army of Equestria were caught in the pull, some of their wings were frozen from the cold and they were blasted with lightning. "Aaaaughh..." Many of the dragons cried out before falling and impacting on the ground. "Uaagh..." Draco was one of the fallen and he tried to get up along with an Ice Dragon and Storm Dragon allies of his. "Draco, hey man, can you hold up?" Spike spoke from when he and Phobos came to check up on their dragon allies. "We're trying...but these spirits are harder to beat than living foes!" Draco spoke from his struggled words when getting back on his feet, even though he's hurt. "Hah, you all believe you've seen the worst, well look no further!" Princess Platinum remarked off from appearing in the air before the rest. "I have a special surprise for you all!" At that statement, she used her magic and illusions to come forth. Right there were many Ice Ponies on Princess Platinum's side, but in their center were illusions being cast, spreading, and strangely making the ice base ponies body grow and reforge into...new entities. "Meet your worst enemies come back in new features!" Princess Platinum proclaimed with an evil taunt and laugher while the storm's lightning put in a dramatic effect of all the worst seen enemies the ponies have meant and seen, are here. Nightmare Moon, Discord, Chrysalis, King Sombre, Boris the Red Devil, Ben's Demon Pony Self, some of the Brotherhood members, Tadaka & Lorcan, Tirek, Metal Iron the Invincible, even some enemies of the past, all through the Mane Six's adventures...were gathered up here like one bad dream turn into a real nightmare come true. "Oh no; they're back! All of them!" Daisy exclaims to her friends frantically. "The horror, the horror," Lily cries out in fright. The ponies look panicked and freaked for the obvious reasons alone. "Everypony, don't be feared, they're just more illusions." Twilight tried to assure everyone that what they see is but more illusions, they can't hurt them. "Hah! Ya hear that! You ain't real! And I got a lot of stuff to tell you Tadaka! You're ah...!" Phobos came up to a Tadaka illusion to tell this guy off, not being afraid, but... "Powwvhhmmm/Clumpvhmmm..." The Tadaka looking being waves its tail that sent poor Phobos crashing against the ground. "Phobos," Nyx yelped when she and some others came to check on the Moon Dragon. "Wooh; for an illusion, they pack quite a wallop!" Phobos cringe his aching neck, feeling that for something not real, it HITS like its real. "You think I let a simple dis-illusion spell ruin this, hardly!" Princess Platinum exclaimed with a sly smile in letting the fools here know something. "By encasing my illusions in Ice Pony bodies and reshaping them, they have all their real abilities and yes, they CAN...HURT you mentally and physically!" She laughed madly in letting the others know that these illusions are for real, which means, that unless the ice bodies go, the illusions of the ponies worst enemies will be able to hurt them. "Well this wasn't something I like to have expected!" Golden Heart exclaimed in seeing the situation go from bad to much, much worst now. A figure, not the one that Golden Hearts, watch in worry as he mumbles, "Spike..." "No! Please! Make it stop!" Fluttershy cried in fear while covering her eyes from the surrounding nightmare illusions. "Fluttershy, be brave!" Ben exclaims to Fluttershy in concern. "We must face the fears." "Right, we shall take on whoever is more comfortable." Twilight said to Fluttershy in assuring. "I will handle Nightmare Moon." "Mr. Ed's mahne," Applejack said with a nod while glaring at Tirek, the one who once turned her ancestor into an evil dragon. "I will handle Discord." Rainbow said as she got his nunchucks out. "I will handle my Demon Pony self." Ben said with a nod. "I got Chrysalis and King Sombra." Golden Heart said with a nod. "I will handle Boris." Nyx said with a nod. "Phobos, wanna come?" "Sure do!" Phobos exclaims with a chuckle, ready for anything. "Yeah, I guess I got my father and brother." Spike said uncomfortable while glancing at the illusions of his father and brother. "I will handle the weakling ruffians." Rarity said, referring to the Flim-Flam brothers and Diamond Dogs. "Goodie! We get the leftovers!" Pinkie exclaims happily as she got her party cannon out. "Come on, Flutter! We got work to do!" "O... Okay." Fluttershy said timidly. Nightmare Moon laughs as Twilight comes to her. The illusion taunts, "Did you enjoy hanging with your little filly daughter; Shame that she will be motherless soon, but you got to expect that from me!" "Your trickery and such won't work on me, Nightmare Moon!" Twilight snaps as she fires blasts at the illusion, Nightmare Moon dodge. The mare teleports and reappear nears the villainess, kicking her away. "I have accepted Nyx as my daughter. You don't scare me a bit!" "Well, that's left to be settled, is it?" Nightmare Moon asks Twilight slyly, making Twilight snort a bit. Twilight fires a blast at Nightmare Moon. Meanwhile Discord grins as he fires candy spears at Rainbow who flew around. "Well, it appears Miss Loyalty still got that spunk on herself." Discord said slyly. "I may have abandoned my pals one time but you're the one who tricked me into doing so in the first place!" Rainbow snaps as she got her nunchucks gun out. "This is payback, pure and simple!" "What a dumb Pegasus!" Discord laughed meanly, "Your Nunchuck gun can't shoot! It'll never work!" "Enough of your nonsense, time to get Dasheresque!" Rainbow exclaims as she put on her sunglasses...then fires a blast at Discord who yelps as the attack hits him. "What's this?" Discord asks then yelps as Rainbow flew around, hitting him with the nunchucks part. "Oh yeah, there's a punishment with your name on it, and it's called 'Dasheresque'!" Rainbow taunts her enemy while hitting him a few more times. "Okay, Rainbow Crash, you asked for it!" Discord snarled as he starts fighting back. "Yeah, at times like this, I wonder how you summoned during the dark times of Ponyland." Rainbow said as she dodges his chocolate clouds and dime boulders. "But you at least put up a fight so there's that." Pinkie Pie grins as she got her party cannon ready and open fire onto Metal Iron the Invincible and the others enemies, remarking, "Fire in the hole!" The enemies got hit. The illusion Gilda swipes at Fluttershy who dodges her. The mare clears her throat and screams out. Her animal friends appear and attack the false griffin big time. "So you're fighting back, huh crybaby?" Gilda snapped, "I'll make you pay for that!" "You mess with me, I get mean!" Fluttershy remarks as she head butts the fake Gilda right in the chest. "And that's for trying to kill me before!" Ben yelps as his Demon Pony self slash at him. The monster growls as he slashes at the heroes. "I find it hard to believe that I was once like this." Ben mumbles as he flew up and hit his former self hard with a fireball. "And without me in there, the Demon Pony self doesn't have any mind." The ghosts of Clover, Pansy and Smart Cookie slams right into their former bosses, the latter do their best to outdo the 'traitors'. Pansy pleads, "Please, please. You gotta stop!" "Over my soul," Hurricane snaps as she made some wind almost blow Pansy away. "Anyway, this will stop with when my side wins!" "You mean when mine, you idiot!" Platinum snaps to Hurricane while firing out ice magic at Smart Cookie who dodges it. "Mine, mine; you all losers," Puddinghead remarked with a laugh. She then turns into a giant ghostly snake, laughing madly at her opponents. "No! Mine, airhead," Hurricane shouted. "Who are you calling an airhead?! You're the one in the sky all the time!" Puddinghead scowls as she slams her tail against the ghosts who barely dodge. "Anyway, can an airhead do this?!" Puddinghead grabs a building with her tail and throws it at Clover, Smart Cookie and Puddinghead...which they pass through. They are dead already. "Ha! That's what I called a 'strength testing stunt'!" Puddinghead laughs eagerly. "Ugh, you are so random." Hurricane said to Puddinghead, slapping a hoof to her face. Applejack dodges Tirek's blasts while the centaur snarls, "Give up, pony!" "Never, Ah shall avenge what yew did 'ta mah ancestor up 'ta mah dying breath!" Applejack snaps to Tirek in determination. "If your ancestor couldn't stop me then, what makes you think you can?!" Tirek taunts Applejack sinisterly. "Because we done beat yer tail last Nightmare Night wit' Megan's help...an' we're aching on doing it again!" Applejack snaps as she grabs her hat, it glows with a magical glow, and throws it. The hat then hits Tirek hard, causing him to he was send to the ground hard. The centaur got up, demanding, "But how?!" "Mah Magical Hat; What a 20% awesome ability, as Rainbow Dash would say,' Applejack remarks with a grin. "I will make mincemeat out of you!" Tirek snarls but suddenly Applejack grabs him with her rope, tightening tight all over him. "Nnope; Shame gittin' 'de advantage 'dis time," Applejack exclaims with a laugh. Rarity, meanwhile, grins as she watch the Flim-Flam illusions fire magic at her but she block the attack with her Eternal Diamond attack, absorbing their magic and firing it back at them. "Come on, you scam ponies! Is that the best you can do?" Rarity taunted the Flim-Flam Brothers. "Get the pony! Break her head!" The fake Rover orders his boys who advantages on Rarity but she fires her diamonds right at him. "You mutts think my whining was bad before?! Well, you haven't seen all of it just yet!" Rarity shouts out at her former captors making them yelp and worry. "Oh, no; Not that," The fake Spot said in fear. "Oh yes, that." Rarity said with an evil grin then shouts madly, chasing after the Diamond Dogs while keeping her attacks right on the fake Flim-Flams. Golden Heart uses his magic to block the attacks of Chrysalis and King Sombra. The fake queen remarks, "So you are Celestia's friend? I thought she was the weakling but you didn't even show up to help her fight me." "Bite your tongue, Chrysalis! I know who you really are!" Golden Heart snaps as he fires a wave that knocks Chrysalis back a bit. "And you, King Sombra, I am ashamed of you, enslaving the Crystal Ponies, torturing them. What kind of king does that to his own citizens?!" "A king of darkness, that's what!" King Sombra hissed with an evil grin. "Right," Golden Heart said sarcastically to King Sombra who growls. "You get to enslave ponies and no one questions you for it. At least Shining and Cadance does better than you ever do!" King Sombra snaps as he fires magic but Golden Heart blocks. Chrysalis tries to tackle him but the alicorn blocks her. "Tell me, what do you mean 'who I really am'?!" Chrysalis demands angrily to Golden Heart. "That's a secret best left for another day." Golden Heart said sternly while looking at Ben fighting the Demon Pony. "At least, not until it's time to do so." "At least you will be dead by the time that even happens." King Sombra booms while sending out crystal magic in hopes to encase his enemy in it but Golden Heart's eyes glow, blocking the attack. "Attacking an alicorn while he's not looking, eh, Sombra? You are more of a coward than a king." Golden Heart taunts King Sombra with a smirk on his face. "Attacking an alicorn while he's not looking, eh Sombra? You are more a coward than a king." Golden Heart taunts King Sombra with a smirk on his face. Soon, Ben's Demon Pony self smirked at seeing he's weaken his prey, and soon dash to pounce and claw the guy right there. Or so it seemed. "Slisisivhmm..." Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, the Demon Pony was seen frozen while a strange line appeared in the middle. It suddenly slips in two halves there with the creature showing a shock expression while the illusion essence faded out of the Demon Pony. And there, Ben Mare stood in a strange pose, his Triforce Mark glowed which took our attention from that to what he held in his front hooves? It appeared to look like a double-edged longsword with a ricasso and no fuller shape, with a purple grip and blue guard. Interesting enough, the Triforce mark can be seen engraved in the lower part of the blade and a yellow gemstone is embedded in the crossguard. "Ben...when did you... acquire that sword?" Golden Heart spoke from when he saw what Ben did to his evil self...with that sword in his hands, or hooves. "Huh." Ben Mare suddenly took the chance to look and realize, he was holding a weapon, which was new, yet oddly okay with it. "Gosh, I'm not sure...I just wanted to stop my former past self from wanting to hurt others then myself that I care for." The stallion shrugs off his response in not getting this, but all he cared for was stopping his evil self from hurting anybody. "Your Triforce power must have called it forth to aid you. I know what that is; it's the Master Sword, a weapon relating to the Triforce and sword of legends past." Golden Heart explained this to Celestia's son that he holds a weapon that's practically relating to his Triforce Elements. "Wow, guess I'm its new keeper, then." Ben spoke with a smile in holding the sword for him to have a better look, as he focus on his Triforce mark, the sword followed the glow and disappeared...he figured out something of a weapon summoning trick here. "Still, last I recall, it had more power than just cutting off any evil, henceforth, it's known as the Blade of Evil's Bane." Golden Heart held his chin in pondering this with a deep thought about what he saw seemed...odd to him. "Perhaps it hasn't fully awakened, the gem in the crossguard is still dark and the guard is still retracted towards the grip. I'm still amazed that he managed to call it forth in the first form, guess when he restores the blade to full power, the crossguard will regain its winged form and the gem gain it's more yellow color." The pony whispered this much under his breath where only he would hear it, believing that the Master Sword Ben Mare is able to wield, is but the first form that hasn't awaken yet to display its fullest of powers, however, time will tell when that comes of age when it's needed. "So you got a sword. Big deal; I can still eat you!" The Demon Pony snarled. "I will not allow you to deter me. My evil self dies today!" Ben exclaims sternly as he charges at the Demon Pony who charges right back. A noise is heard as both strikes at the same time. The Demon Pony growls...then split into two. Ben's sword has made its mark. The monster explodes, much to the hero's notice. "And thus, that's one nightmare I will never miss." Ben said with a victorious smirk. During the time, the figure was getting to Golden Heart but saw Ben there and hid but saw a blade that she had read from an old book that told of old legends. "The sword of legends; Now Benny is more stronger the ever. I can't wait to see Grimmore's face it will be so funny." She said with a slight chuckle. But then the figure heard a noise from behind her and turned around to see someone she really hated a lot. (It is an illusion) It was like her, but wearing a costume of what looked made out of ponies. "Hello, prey." The creature known as Psycho Pie remarked madly to her. "Psycho Pie," The figure snaps angrily at herself (literally). "Even if you're an illusion but can still get really hurt, it will make me happy." "And why is that?" Psycho Pie asks the figure curiously. "I get to kill you like I want to do TO THE REAL ONE!" The figure answers with a laugh. A little battle then starts. Suddenly with Spike's situation, he came across the last few villains he ever has to face. One of them being his deceased evil part of his brother; Lorcan, while the other was to his own guess...was his father. "Hahahahah, so you are my second child born, what a pity!" Tadaka cackled with an evil grin on his face, as Spike saw what his father looks and behaves like for the first time. "Hey! What's that suppose to me?" Spike snap from seeing he was being made fun of. "Unlike your brother, you've been fooled into believing ponies are our friends." Tadaka explained to his second child that he's been made a fool to ally himself with ponies. "Well guess what! They are to me!" Spike snap to point this out to this form of an ice pony of his decease father, just before looking to the one of his brother. "Come on Lorcan, you should know that too, remember?" The baby dragon remembers what happened at the time his brother left this world; surely he would not have return to repeat his mistakes. "The thing I remember is how you let me die, stole the darkness that made me want to kill ponies to become...soft! Not anymore, THIS...is whole I am!" Lorcan protest off in declaring that he's now hating Spike for what happened to him in the first place. "No...this isn't you. I know it." Spike yelped for worry, this guy shouldn't act this way; it's just the effects of the illusion, right? "Your brother has spoken his mind, and it's not too late for you." Tadaka spoke with a claw offering to his child to take. "Join us, son. And together...Dragons shall rule when all ponies...cease to exist!" The evil dragon wants Spike to be a part of the bigger picture and evil one at that. "No! I won't do it!" Spike protest out to swing his left claw against his father's offer to hurt his friends. "It's in your blood. Our father's blood! We're all the same!" Lorcan was trying to get his brother to see reason of being. "It doesn't matter, I choose who I want to be, I won't follow in the path of hating ponies!" Spike declared off that no matter what these two say, he won't try to go and hurt his friends. "What a shame, if that's the case..." Tadaka spoke with a mouth raging with inferno flames as bright as the sun. "Let my worthless offspring perish from this plain of the living!" The evil dragon declared before about to unleash his fiery fury out. "Young dragon; Get out of there!" Draco shouted from noticing the event before going off to save Spike. "SPIKE," Twilight cried out from seeing her assistant and friend and adoptive brother about to get attack while she can't protect him in time, "Frusvhmmm...BREAKRIVVHPMM..." Suddenly in the blink of an eye, something was shot straight across that pierced the two evil dragons' chest and shatter what was ice casing. "Graugh...uuraagh..." Tadaka gasped from his attack being stopped to notice...the hole that was punctured. "Uuuagh...rrrragh," Lorcan also was looking, gaping in shock that he was pierced too. "Frsuvhmm..." Soon the illusions in the icy bodies of Tadaka and Lorcan were slipping away and as Spike looked beyond the two was...a mysterious figure in a hood cloak that was hiding to blend with the stormy environment. "Huh?" Spike responded surprise, but from a good glimpse of it, he basically recognized that person, just before he disappeared behind the blizzard winds. "Are you alright Spike?" Draco asked from finally arriving to check if King Spykoran's grandson was alright and unharmed. "Um...yeah; But...that person who helped me," Spike nods to the captain, but looked back at who he saw saved him. "He saved me again, like he did from Tirek that time." The baby dragon explained how he saw that same hidden person who used fire to protect him and his grandpa from Tirek's Rainbow of Darkness. "Wrsuvhmm..." From behind Spike, much to Draco's notice, he saw two beam saber swords that were stab in the snowy ground, but the emerald flames surrounding them completely made the two vanished. That explains it, the unknown figure thrown those two, stab the impostor dragons, destroying the bodies and dispelling the illusion; yet they seem awfully familiar. "That weapon, that strength, and the smallest presence...it felt like..." Draco spoke in his thoughts in what all this seem to add up to, but then he shoos the feeling off. "But that can't be, he's deceased. Is my mind playing tricks on me in this storm?" Draco didn't know if who that mysterious figure that saved Spike was of 'that' person he was thinking of or not, the situation is still completely out of whack here. "Draco, what's up?" Spike looked up to the captain in seeing something was distracting the dragon. "Nothing, come, your friends need aid?" Draco shrug off to get his attention back at what's going on before the dragons had to act to help the others against the tribe rulers and their army of ice ponies, machines, even villain realistic-illusions. Now things around one enemy were just as bizarre as anyone else's situation. For now those that were facing Discord, or rather, the ice pony made illusion, were getting a lot of hard cases from him. He's used the same crazy and chaotic abilities like the real thing; Exploding chocolate milk glasses, scratching/screeching chalk noises, and any other crazy stuff. "I must say, you have managed to handle me well." Discord pointed out in being impressed by his challenger that survived against his very ability, so far. "And I was fearing that ponies here were starting to forget me." The chimera proclaimed with a smoggy attitude in how ponies might have forgotten what he can do from being gone so long. "Yeah, yeah, as if I do missed ya." Rainbow remarks with a scoff. "Though to be honest, a bit of me wondered what happened during the last time we deal with Lorcan." "Oh my! You mean you don't know, or at least, what happened to my 'REAL' self and the ordeal?" Discord responded a bit pretend shock that the news of his demise was never told. "I was going to backstab that dragon teen named Lorcan and turn his dragons into my own Dragon Army of Chaos, but he ruined it all!" He explained what happened during the time Lorcan wanted to invade and rule Equestria with dragons, and Discord would have done something if the ring-leader of the brotherhood didn't stop him. "How'd he ruin that?" Rainbow asked puzzled in what Lorcan did to Discord that the guy didn't get away with something. "Oh, that's the miserable part. Bad enough my body was turned to stone...AGAIN!" Discord groans to slap his forehead in sheer agony in remembering most of what happened to his 'real' self. "But the scoundrel had to separate my very SOUL, trapping it and hidden it away while my body remain a garden piece in Canterlot's garden palace!" The chimera snapped off in rage how his body is used for a garden display while his soul remained hidden away and unsure where it was put. "Lorcan separated your soul?" Rainbow responded a bit surprised to hear this piece of news just now. "Precisely; Even if I'm an Ice Pony and an illusion, I'm still me of my trait of Chaos and Disharmony!" Discord proclaimed out that, while he's not the real deal, he still has all his memory and the abilities to bring chaos. "Of course he is." Rainbow rolled the eyes in hearing this explanation from before of this chimera villain. "And once this war with you ponies is done, it doesn't matter which side wins, chaos will rain here!" Discord proclaimed with a wicked smile in seeing he'll have a chance to make everything be in total chaos, no matter who wins this silly war of types. "And after I give back some payback, I'll first go and find where my soul was hidden away to reunite it with my stone body!" His plan was perfect, now that his personality was in control of this ice pony's body, even as an illusion, he still thinks like the 'real' Discord in wanting to bring Chaos to all. "And how can you tell what your soul looks like if it's trapped?" Rainbow asked a bit puzzled in how this Discord guy would know what his trapped soul even looks like. "And just what did Lorcan do that you feel so frustrated about it?" The Pegasus pony also questioned this in whatever Lorcan did to Discord that he's more frustrated and angry about what has happened to him. "Believe me, it's the 'most' degrading thing to happen to me and I rather not talk about it!" Discord remotely stated with a dry tone. As far as the ponies don't know, when he was turned into a glass sphere holding his soul, his voice was changed to sound like...a chipmunk. Bad enough he has to suffer one act, but if ponies learn of this, he be the laughing stock to have had that happen to him. "Can I ask you one more question?" "What?" "Do you know how easily distracted you are? Now Ben," Rainbow exclaims with a smirk. Discord turns just in time to be zapped hard by the power of Ben's Triforce Element. The villain screams as the attack goes through him, making him break into pieces...literally. "Oh dash it all! I was so close to finally appearing again after so long!" Discord cried out from seeing he's about to go to pieces here, and after finally appearing again here without knowing when he'll have another shot again. "Sooohohohoooo...Clohohohoosssse!" After that long echoey demise cry, his ice body shattered to pieces and the illusion trapped inside escaped to vanish away. Twilight and her friends continue fighting off the remaining illusions but the fight keeps getting rough. The cowpony kicks Tirek while groaning, "Awww turkey shoot! These guys kept gitting up." "Right and the ghosts of the true founders are still fighting it off with the mad tyrants." Twilight said with a sigh. "Right and I am getting bored here." Pinkie mumbles as she kept on firing her cannon shots at some of the illusions. "I just wish we can end this sooner." "Then, my little ponies, your wish is granted." A familiar voice calls out. The good guys turn to see the answers to their prayers: Celestia and Luna, the princess is making some sort of huge attack appear. "Grandma, Luna!" Nyx exclaims to Celestia and Luna in surprise while dodging Boris's shots. "All good ponies; move away," Luna advises the good guys. Twilight and her friends quickly move out of the way in time and away from their enemies. "Gaia's Sun," Celestia exclaims as she fires her attack right onto the remaining illusions. Nightmare Moon, Chrysalis, even those who are illusions of the former cult members didn't have time to move as the attack hit in, shattering the villains and destroying the illusions from within. "My goodness, that was...incredible!" Rarity exclaims as the alicorn land near the group. "What is that?" "Oh, it's an attack I made for special occasions...and this is indeed a special one." "You did good, mom, you did good." Ben said while nuzzling his mother. Celestia smiles then spots a familiar sword on her son's person. "Is that..." Celestia begins to ask in amazement but then shakes it off. "Later. Right now...we got the real enemy to deal with." Celestia is right, the illusions are taking down. Now Hurricane, Platinum and Puddinghead are the only ones left to be stop. > Chapter 5: Music Calms the Savage Rulers > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 5: Music Calms the Savage Ghosts During the same time, we can see that a big fight happen where the figure and Psycho Pie battle and it look like a war zone, the figure was standing but a little hurt looking down at the down Psycho Pie (it was beating and is fading) and it says, "You gave me one Tartarus of a battle." "And you did as well for not being the real thing." The figure admits. They both look up and see the sky. "Can I tell you something before I fade away?" "And what would that be?" Psycho Pie grinned as you see her body begin to fade. She said, "If the real me ever comes...you best better be ready when that day comes. She will be hard to beat. She is not made of ice after all." "I know that...I will be ready." The figure said. She then looks to where her friends are. "Better get going, my friends need me." With that the figure heads off as the ice illusion watch on. Psycho Pie looks on as she almost fades, the fake says, "Good luck Pinkamena Diane Pie... and give the real me a fight fit to be in a book of great battles." She lets out a final mad laugh that sounded happy as her body was gone. ------------ Clover, Smart Cookie and Pansy lands in front of three strength-testing things. Puddinghead smirks devilishly as her arms turns into mallets and then she hits the gongs, sending them flying. "All right, I won a prize!" Puddinghead cheers madly. "Yeah, hope they won't come back!" Hurricane remarks in agreement. "You aren't getting rid of us that easily!" Pansy snaps as she and her friends recover, floating right in front of their bosses. "This lands right now. "Oh, now you decided to grow a back wing?" "She has for a long time." Clover said seriously to the mad rulers. "You have use great tricks but you all don't use them right." "We use them when dealing with traitors like you and the living ponies." Platinum remarks with a scoff, "As far as I'm concerned..." "Enough of this," Celestia snaps as she and the ponies appear near the ghost advisers and subordinate. "Right, we decree you end your civil war right now!" Luna snaps in agreement. "What? Oh, the alicorns who used to be little,." Hurricane remarks dryly, "Whatcha going to try to do? Try to cute us to death?" "Hey, hey! That's no fair! They have the right to be cute, like we do! Cute is everypony's right, cute is..." Pinkie was cut off as Puddinghead throws a metal plate on her mouth, silencing her. "Ugh, was I ever that annoying when I talk?!" Puddinghead ask with a groan to her rivals. "I mean, all I do was talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk..." "We get the idea!" Hurricane snaps to Puddinghead in annoyance then turns to the good guys. "Looks like you got rid of the illusions." "And we're here to stop you." Twilight said sternly to Hurricane. "Yer illusions can't keep us busy fer long." Applejack remarks in determination. "As long as we have friendship, 'dat's enough fer us." Ben uses his magic to pull the metal plate off Pinkie's mouth, making her shout out, "That's right, you super duper meanie stubborn heads!" Chancellor Puddinghead makes a darkly comical aside glance and comments to the reader, "I can't believe she played me in the Hearth's Warming Eve episode. Then again, the author didn't think to give me another description so I am stuck as her, unfortunately." Pinkie comment, "Puddinghead's insanity has actually caused her to ironically develop a full awareness of her own fictional state. Neat!" "We will fight them all together like we did during the fight with Lorcan." Golden Heart said to the ponies with a nod. Both sides are preparing to fight one more. Platinum smirks to Twilight while saying, "Tell me, Twilight. When you were about to use to use your trinkets on Lorcan's gang, what did you have in store for Boris?" "I...I wanted to kill him." Twilight said in hesitation. "I knew you were capable of such cruel thoughts. Care to explain why you wished such a fate on a pony which was formerly one of us?" "Wait, how did you know that? Were you even there?" Nyx ask Platinum puzzled. "We were ghosts; we were around for a lot of time!" Hurricane snaps to Nyx in annoyance. "And yet you didn't know about my Triforce Element until now? Hypocrites," Ben remarks to Hurricane with a scoff. "Okay, maybe we miss a few details, but that doesn't mean that the unicorn head answered Platinum's question!" "Because he tried to kill Ben and wanted me, what Boris did to me disgust me to that point," Twilight explains to the mad rulers in frustration. "Twilight...you really wished a fate on Boris?" Celestia ask her student this question in surprise and concern. "...Yes." "Twilight, listen. Platinum is trying to use mind games to make you doubt yourself. Maybe you wish that fate on Boris but he was a monster who deserved such fate unless the former unicorn wase to redeem himself." Luna explains to Twilight in comfort. "Even if you wish cruel thoughts, they are unintended." "Yeah, you're right." Twilight said before turning to Platinium. "Nice try, Platinium, but you gotta do better than that." "Oh, I intend to." Platinum said as she, Hurricane and Puddinghead prepares for battle. With the Ice Ponies fighting off the citizens of Ponyville, this battle decided it. Even some of the fighters stop their fighting to see this. Puddinghead looks concerned as she mumbles, "The Hole is coming..." "Ew, please don't say anything about your coming hole." Spike said to Puddinghead in disgust. "Yeah, I'm getting sick just thinking about it." Phobos remarks in agreement and disgust. "Well then, come at us!" Pudidnghead exclaims. Dramatic piece of music begin to play. Pinkie grins as she said, "Alright! 'The Deep End' from Kingdom Hearts," The mare turns to the readers, "Last heard during the first Ansem fight." "Pinkie Pie, you are so random." Rainbow said as the final fight begins. "Cutie Mark Crusaders, ATTACK!" Nyx shouted as she, Phobos and their fellow Crusaders charged towards the evil ghosts along with the Mane 6, Ben and the others. "Hey, kiddies, wanna see a balloon trick?" Puddinghead ask madly as she held out a balloon, making them all stop. "What is she up to?" Rarity asks puzzled. "Okay, okay, this here is a doggie." Puddinghead said as she twists the balloon around to make a doggy. Then the ghost did the same thing, making another shape. "This here is a dinosaur..." The heroes and ghosts look puzzled then Puddinghead smirks evilly as she twist the balloon around while yelling, "And this..." The mare then made some sort of a machine, "...a machine gun; Ha ha ha ha!" The heroes yelp as the machine gun suddenly became real, firing gun shots right at them. "Look out!" Crashfire shouted as the heroes dodged the bullets. "Ha ha ha; run, run, you ponies, you can't stop me! I'm the Chancellor!" Puddinghead laughs madly; Spike jumps forward with his beam sword and hit the gun...causing it to explode with a pop, "Hey! You ruined my balloon!" "Now it's my turn to ruin you." Spike said sternly. "Not so fast, little dragon." Platinum said as she performs her illusion magic on Spike. The dragon gasps as he saw what appears to be his grandfather on the verge of death. "Grandpa, no," Spike exclaims as he kneels in the snows, horrified. "Looks like your fear that your old dragon man will go down." Platinum taunts Spike evilly. "Shame! Little lizards like you are so easily downtrodden!" "No! No!" Spike cried in horror as he started shedding tears. "Hey, leave him alone!" Clover yells out as she fires a blast at her former boss, making her jump away. Twilight quickly uses the disillusion spell to get rid of the illusion then picks up her adopted brother, comforting him while saying, "It's okay, Spike. Shhhh, it's not real. It's not real." "You're gonna regret that, you sadistic mule!" Crashfire shouted angrily at Platinum. A mule noise is heard, making Crashfire turn to the mule, apologizing, "No offense." "None taken," The mule said, "I agree about that so-called princess, of course." The founders float together and make a triangle like attack against Hurricane, Platinum and Puddinghead, almost hitting them. Celestia and Luna combine their attack as well. "Listen, this madness that corrupted you...it has got to stop." Celestia pleads to the mad rulers. "We must understand as to why you went at each other in the first place." "What's the better reason?!" Hurricane snaps to Celestia as she sends down icicles at the alicorn who got rid of them. "The Pegasi are born to rule this world. It's for everypony's good." "Right, same here only with unicorns," Platinum remarks dryly to the princess, "They may fly but at least we use magic to make it better!" "Who needs wings and magic?! Earth ponies are T-H-E-B-E-S-T!" Puddinghead remarks as she turns a rock into a dime and throws it at Luna...which didn't affect her. "You three tyrants are thinking black and white. That isn't how things are in Equestria anymore." Luna said to the rulers in pity and concern. "Megan and her human friends would've done their best to stop you if they were here." Pansy said in concern. "Oh, brother, there we go with her again. Maybe once this war is done, the unicorns will go to her world and take it over." Platinum said madly. "Yes, bring judgment to her species, for everyone's good to end their chaos and corruption." "You are a fool!" Rarity exclaims to Platinum angrily. "Not too long ago, another version of Celestia tried to turn the humans into ponies until we stopped her!" "Right, you're mad as she was." Rainbow remarks in agreement. "When did this happen?" Ben asks Twilight puzzled. "A while before Nyx was born." Twilight explains to Ben clearly. "If you're done boring us with the details, can we get on with the fighting, please?" Hurricane asked the opposing site in boredom, "I wanna get this civil war done, and pronto." "Fine, then." Clover said with a frown as the group stands together, ready for anything. Spike blinks as he saw something: a blue wormhole with his face in the middle. The dragon blinks as it disappears. "Nah; couldn't be." Spike mumbles to himself as he turns his attention back to the fight. "Listen, y'all, Clover, Pansy an' Ah know o' a trick 'dat could end 'dis; could yew keep these three busy until we pull it off?" Smart Cookie asks the living ponies in determination and hope. "Don't worry, Smart Cookie, y'all can count on us!" Tough Apple replied. The three good ghosts nod as they float upward. Rainbow fires blasts from her nunchuck gun, remarking, "All right, time to get Dasheresque!" "Ugh, how pathetic," Platinum remarks dryly as she send out an ice wave at Rainbow; Twilight uses her magic to pull her friend out of the way in time. "You want to go, eh? You wanna?" Pinkie snaps as she put on some boxing gloves. "Okay, Puddinghead, you and me! Let's go 3 rounds!" "Good!" Puddinghead, with boxing gloves of her own, exclaims as she fights off the pink pony. Applejack twirled her rope, tossing it at Hurricane and Platinum, catching them. The cowpony exclaims, "Yeehaw! Looks like Ah done can catch 'de ghosties." "Hardly," Hurricane remarks as she and Platinum floats right out. "Now taste lightning!" Hurricane send out a lightning bolt at Applejack but Ben jumps in, knocking it away with his new weapon. The Earth pony yells out, "Not to my friend, you ain't!" "Bring it on, Earth Filth!" Platinum shouted. Luna sends out her own lighting at Platinum, making the mad princess shriek. The Goddess of the Night booms, "You should've listened to us. Now you must pay the price." "Right as if I..." Platinum yelps as a knife almost got her. The unicorn ghost yells out, "Who the hay did that?!" Golden Heart said a familiar figure waving to him in the shadows before she disappear. The alicorn smiles and shakes his head. "That Pinkamena," Golden Heart said as he shots out fireballs right at Hurricane who uses her blizzard power to freeze them. The good ghosts glow as if they are about to do something great. Twilight quickly flies in at a barrier, hitting the bad ghosts in a game of pinball. "1000 points," Twilight giggles eagerly while dodging Platinum's ice powers. "Dang it, will you stop that?!" Platinum demands to Twilight angrily. "Never." Twilight said sternly. "Not as long as I'm still breathing." "Then we will make ya stop breathing." Hurricane snarls as she send out lightning at her but Ben knocks it back at her, hitting the ghost mare, "Ouch; why are you even defending her?!" "Looks like you really don't know, do you? Twilight Sparkle is my somepony!" Ben exclaims as he and Twilight held hooves. "A unicorn and Earth Filth together; revolting," Platinum shouted in disgust. How could a unicorn love an Earth pony? "You don't know true love." Twilight said with a smile. "Sometimes even ponies can love, no matter what." "Okay, my mind just blew up." Puddinghead said as her head explodes literally before reforming. "Nice trick." Pinkie said with a grin. "Besides, Dinky's mother is Pegasus and she is a unicorn. The Cakes, who are Earth ponies, has an unicorn and a Pegasi for foals." Nyx said to the three ghosts with a frown. "Right, and Shining Armor, who is an unicorn, married an alicorn named Cadance." Rarity explains clearly. "This proves that true love can overcome the boundaries of species kind anyway of the week." Celestia explains to the mad rulers with a nod, "Along with friendship." "So go suck on that, you three Stooges!" Phobos laughs at the mad rulers with a mischievous grin. "WE WILL NOT!" The mad rulers exclaims furiously as they combine their attack. These three has had enough of the opposition and the cross species love that they're hearing. Time to end this. The mad ones fire an attack that is big right at the opposition. Spike yelps, "Yikes! I doubt we can block that." "Brace yourselves, everypony!" Golden Heart exclaims as he and the others brace themselves for the worst. Suddenly, a powerful blast cancels the rulers' one. To everyone's surprise, an artificial alicorn ghost flew down, saying in a combination of three familiar voices, "We're done, our friends. We will handle it from here." "Who dares negate the power of my Pegasus tribe?!" Hurricane shouted in rage. "Is that...Clover, Smart Cookie and Pansy?" Puddinghead ask confused by the newly arrival alicorn. "Yes, it's us. We merged together into this form, one trick we have learned over more than a thousand years in the afterlife." The alicorn ghost explains. "And it's one trick that you three have NOT learned because you have never been able to cooperate well enough to do so." "How dare you!" Platinum snapped in anger before she launched a magic blast at the ghost alicorn. The alicorn ghost blocks the attack and made an ice attack that grabs the ghosts then slams them to the ground. The others watch as she flew down and kicks them into the air. "WHEEEEE; Wait, I mean AAAAAARGH!" Puddinghead exclaims, randomly at first then got upset. "Looks like we're going to win this one," Big Macintosh said in observation at the battle. "Yes, but will it be enough?" Cheerilee ask Big Macintosh hopefully. "We can only hope." Big Macintosh said with a sigh. Hurricane, Platinum and Puddinghead yelp as they got covered in a cloud of sorts. The alicorn ghost glows while saying, "It's time to end this. This won't kill you but ends the darkness once and for all." "You can't do this. This can't end like this!" Platinum exclaims frantically. "End it, we shall. Forgive us." The fused alicorn ghost said as she fires a huge beam at their former bosses. Soon, a huge flash covers the area. A while later, all is clear, the living ponies got up, groaning a bit. Some of the ice ponies remain but it appears that the mad rulers are gone. Clover, Smart Cookie and Pansy, defused, pant a bit. "Wow; that took a lot out of us." Clover said in exhaustion. Even when she's dead, that attack was big. "Looks like we did it," Smart Cookie said with a nod. "We done beaten them." "Yes..." Pansy said in regret. She hate having to wipe out her former employer but it's for the best...of course, the true intention was to wipe out the darkness, but who knew that the attack would do even more than that? "They did it." Twilight said with a sigh of relief. "It looks like it's all over." "Wait, don't presume much yet." Celestia said with a concerned look on her face. "We have yet to know what's happening." "Come on! The rulers had fallen! We won, isn't that the matter?" Rainbow asks with a scoff, thinking that she and her friends has saved Hearth's Warming Eve. "But doesn't it seem strange: if Hurricane, Platinum and Puddinghead had fallen, wouldn't the ice ponies be gone by now?" Crashfire points out to his friend in concern. The Earth pony is right; the ice ponies should've dissolved if their leaders were gone; Then so... Suddenly a flash appears, making the ponies yelp. The three mad rulers have reappeared, safe and sound. Puddinghead exclaims furiously, "Okay, that's it! I am done playing nice!" "You, nice; hardly, more like being pathetic," Platinum exclaims to Puddinghead with a scoff, "and Hurr-no Brain isn't doing any better!' "WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?!" Hurricane asks Platinum furiously. "Looks like we gotta stop them, despite lack of energy, come on." Clover said as she, Smart Cookie and Pansy were forced into battle again, along with the living ponies. Now it was clear that neither side was winning or losing in the matter. The Tribe Rulers and their Ice Pony Troops were clashing against each other with icicle weapons or some piloting one of the Armory Machines that were stolen from Canterlot. The mayhem that was being caused was stirring up trouble, areas becoming wrecked, homes being destroyed, and for what? The Mane Six and any of their friends, even the Dragons of Equestria, were doing all they can to stop another war that involves the ponies of today for their own sakes, but this wouldn't happen if the Tribe Rulers of the three just have learned their lesson. As of now, even good spirits from the past were forced to stop their own a colleagues from repeating a mistake from 1000 years ago, but their alicorn attack has failed. Neither of the rulers was willing to cooperate because of a hatred that started so long, it may as well have been forgotten. It looked like nothing was going to stop all this useless fighting that was getting out of hand. "Bruvhmmm.../Booomwwivhmm…" Suddenly within the very skies and behind the stormy clouds, a loud guitar and sonic-boom noise was heard that sent off a giant sound-wave burst spreading over the entire conflict. "Brziziizvhmm/Trusgruvhmm…" Suddenly, the sound wave made contact with the machines, sparking them for a second before….they shut down completely. "Hugh! What the," Private Pansy responded off from her situation with Commander Hurricane to notice this. "How 'dat happen? 'Dis your doing Clover?" Smart Cookie asked off from getting Chancellor Puddinghead in a neck bind. "That wasn't me." Clover the Clever responded from when she, Princess Platinum, and the whole spirits of a 1000 years ago cease themselves for this unexpected scenery. There was more noise being heard of something, 'jamming', more guitar playing that was being heard from above, and suddenly, the storm clouds were shifting to form a strange swirling vortex. Then suddenly, there was more guitar music being heard as lots of folks soon saw two spheres in the open vortex clearing. At first, it was like a bright orange sphere of the sun, but then from another bit was from a aqua light glow sphere of the moon, however…it was shown of them both being there. "What's happening?" Applejack asked off in not figuring out this entire show. "Is that the Sun & Moon…dancing?" Fluttershy asked off from pointing and questioning if what they saw…was real or just some illusion. "This is too weird!" Rainbow Dash quoted out in finding this…very odd. "Princess, what's happening?" Twilight asked the princess that was near her; surely Celestia could explain this, right? "The arrival of a friend Twilight and just in time," Celestia nods her head down with a smile suddenly as if knowing what is happening. "A friend," Rarity questioned with a raised eyebrow, who has arrived to help them? Suddenly, a figure in a shroud of cloak was seen within the dancing sun and moon spheres. More so, he was actually letting a glow of silver light and mist scatters his very being. Whoever this character was was getting the attention of the entire war and the sounds of music was getting louder and more into beat with each passing second. "Don't matter who this is, Ice Pegasus! Maneuver 12, Delta!" Commander Hurricane snaps off in seeing the show-off ally to the present time and issued a command to her ice troop fliers. "Forget it! His style shall be dealt with by my forces! Ice Unicorns, engage the target!" Princess Platinum declared off in not letting this Pegasus take the shot and wants her own ice magicians to tend to this. "No way; Ice Ponies of the Leftovers, get him!" Chancellor Puddinghead protest while telling her ground troops to attack which earn her stares from the latter two. "What? They were leftovers from the snow!" The spirit of the Pinkie Pie lookalike shrug off her shoulders to say this puzzled. "Heheheheheheeehhh…" Soon the Ice Ponies giggled with a creepy tone as they were swarming to take charge against the new foe. Many of the other ponies started to worry, all that army against one lonesome cloak figure, he didn't have a chance…or did he? "You maybe wild but I…." The figure slowly spoke with sounding very calm, very cool and very sure he was in no danger what-so-ever. "Am more….." As he was proclaiming this while circling his rug hooves in the air, like performing some 'art' at work. "Frususvhmmm…" Then the swinging of the cloth over hooves seems to shape a guitar and loud-speakers surrounding the being before… "WIIIIIILD," He yelled out loud in pronouncing who he is, and what he's got against this army. "BAM-PUVVHHMMM…" Then he struck the spiritual guitar hard that unleashed a strong 'boom' sound right off the magical load speakers towards…the ice enemies. "Waaaahhaaahhhaahhh….." The Ice Ponies made a sudden screeching scream when a force stopped them in their tracks, and this wasn't all. "Crackrisvhhmmm….." And without a warning notice, from the front, to the back, the Ice Ponies were all shattered to dust sparkling the skies. Now this really caught a lot of specters to pay attention, both living and the spirits could not believe what had just transpired here. "What the; No way!" Phobos yelped off in not believing this, one move and total 'KO' on the Ice Ponies like that? "He obliterated them all…with just one attack!" Spike responded in utter shock, how is this strange figure of their ally this strong? "That was the sound of his ability to heighten the force to shatter any glass, even ice." Luna explained with a knowledgeable tone in what had happened here was a wise decision to act with. "Wooh, just who is this guy?" Pinkie Pie asked off in not knowing to be impressed or surprise, or both, in who this new person is that came to aid them. "He's J.B., but his full name…is well known. Celestia spoke the first part in how the mysterious new figure doing the performance was known as B.J. but he had another name too. "Who?" The CMC asked from hearing this and became very curious to who this 'B.J.' person really is. "Hmm-hmm, that's a surprise little ones." Celestia hid a playful chuckle in sweetly telling the CMC that when B.J.'s real name is spoken, it'll surprise them all. And with that much said, the mysterious of who B.J. was really baffled many ponies' mind. "Ponies of days past and present," The figure known as J.B. spoke to get attention once more for all to bear witness. "It is time we stop from repeating a mistake of the past and not let what shackles us to fight…but to accept!" He was explaining that they should not have to fight one another because they are different but to accept that as who they are. "Through the things we believe in! Kindness! Truth! Generosity! Laughter! Loyalty! And the Magic that brings them together!" He proclaimed the things that can bring them all together, the very terms that make up the Elements of Harmony themselves. "Frusvhmm…" Then appearing from behind this guy's back are another spell-shocker of them being; the Elements of Harmony. "The Elements," Ben Mare responded surprise that this person had the six elements hovering around him. "When did he….?" He was so lost, how were the Elements of Harmony that work for the Mane Six in this unknown character's procession? "Okay! Let them show us the truth of our future!" J.B. proclaimed forth in waving his cloth rags up in wanting something to happen. "Frsusuvhmm…Truspvhmmm…" The elements swirl to dance around before vanishing from sight and appearing on the Mane Six. "Now; Let the Elements build a future by freeing the chains of our darkened past!" J.B. announced forth in which the spheres of the sun and moon were coming to a cross-road in the middle. "Sruvhmm…" Then without warning, the Elements that the Mane Six wore were glowing but so was Ben Mare's Triforce Cutie Mark. "What's happening?" Rarity asked in not understanding it how the Elements are being triggered without their will, but unlike the time with Lorcan, this was not 'dark evil' play, but more…'peaceful good' terms of it. "How are 'de Elements reacting wit' him?" Applejack asked from not figuring out how this B.J. was having the Elements react, even Ben's Triforce, the strongest of 3 merged Elements. "It's surprising even to me!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed from not being so sure, but this was more than any surprise that she could ever think up. "Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, who is J.B., really?" Fluttershy asked the two princesses nearby in who their 'friend' here really is if he's able to do all this. "He is one that holds an Element special to him." Luna nods with a serious motion in what B.J. is is something with an element like the others here. "Another Element," Rainbow Dash repeated off shock to hear this, what could this element be? "What is it…" Twilight Sparkle asked from wanting to know; what was this B.J. person's element that responds so positive to the other Elements? "It is…Music." Celestia finished with a proud smile while looking up at the show about to start here. But while this was going on, the tribe rulers were becoming annoyed. Bad enough this new guy shows up, stops the stolen Machines of War from the Armory, completely shatters their Ice Ponies to dust and is planning to put a stop to their hatred of each other. "I ain't about to let some newby cut our awaited war to be stopped!" Commander Hurricane snarled off with a shook left hoof in not about to take this lying down. "He'll pay for this, no matter who he is! Unicorn or otherwise," Princess Platinum exclaimed with a stern expression to make who's cutting their plan of war off pay for this. "Then let's go get him right now!" Chancellor Puddinghead suggested with a frown face in why they are talking, instead of going to solve the problem by force, naturally. Then the three spirits dodged away their former allied spirits to go after J.B., the one that's trying to keep them from fighting. "No wait! Stop this!" Private Pansy tried to stop the Tribe Rulers from leaving them. "Yew can't settle it, not 'dis way." Smart Cookie tried to snap some sense into the stubborn spirits, all these years and they still haven't changed. "You'll only bring more misery to yourselves!" Clover The Clever tried to speak some reason, but neither Princess Platinum nor the other two spirit rulers were paying much attention. Soon the revengeful spirits were coming closer to the source that dare stop them in their bickering war. J.B. saw this from behind the hood that cover his face, but he did something unexpected; his muzzle mouth just smiled. "Relax and enjoy the show." J.B. spoke in holding his arm rags out in wanting to help settle the commotion without flinching. Suddenly, the Mane Six and Ben Mare's eyes turn white before…a strong rainbow was shot from their combined Elements upwards! The rainbow from the Elements soon raced to make first contact with J.B. before the 3 tribe spirits could. "Prsuvhmmm…" And the impact soon created a bright rainbow barrier that spread over his reign, even making his attackers get stop in their tracks. "Gaaaaughh…." Princess Platinum, Chancellor Puddinghead and Commander Hurricane were shot off into the skies. Then without warning, the cloak around J.B. started to magically vanish away in a rainbow light to reveal his appearance. It was a stallion unicorn with white/silver coating, shade-aqua silver mane and tail with some sparkle dust, and emerald eyes. He has a very mid-physically built body to allow him to be active, and by view alone, does have a handsome face for Mares to go wild to fall for him. On his flank was a Cutie Mark with musical notes on a tan-orange bandana and next to it were rocks that looked to be rolling to the musical beat. Then another twist, the cloak's disappearance replaced it with other cloths he worn, wearing a dark gray vest, a red bandana around his neck along with a gold chain with letters 'J' & 'B' on it. His mane was cut short to look pointy and flowing backwards like the wind and his tail just flows out naturally. He wore two hoof golden bands on the front hooves with circle marks showing the words 'Music' & 'Rock' on from left to right. He wore a stylist black belt with golden ovals crossing around, plus it's used to hold a guitar. He even has a spare contact of red spec. sunglasses to shield his eyes or just now, rest them on his forehead. Soon as if by a magical summoning, brings out a crimson & pink guitar forged from fine materials before playing a beat opening number. This appearance and this alone, he was known as the one, and ONLY… "AHHHHHHH; ITS JOHNNY BROCK," Golden Harvest screamed out loud in holding her hooves to her face in exclaiming with over-filled joy, in recognizing who J.B. is. "The Rock-Star Traveling Sensation himself!" Noteworthy exclaimed off with wide eye shock in not believing this, but it's true, J.B. is a famous Rock-Star Idol! "He's Super Famous!" Derpy spoke off to look at another of their friend in knowing this 'Johnny Brock', is well famous in the music business. "WE LOVE YOU, JOHNNY!" Lyra shouted out at the top of her lungs to wave and let the revealed J.B., now known as Johnny Brock know of this fact. In fact, the voices and cheers were just kept coming until almost a lot of ponies were chatting the name; more so the mares than the stallions, but they all love the guy apparently. "Okay…what's going on?" Spike asked from seeing all the commotion going around is…kinda whacky. "Apparently, young mares going gaga over hunky-super rockstar celebrity and now hero of this picture," Phobos exclaimed to shrug off in seeing how many of the females are pretty much going crazy for this one pony in particular. "You hoo; Johnny; Can ya see me, I'm an old fan!" A voice that got the two little dragons to turn and see Granny Smith was acting like a young mare going head over heels for a popular celebrity. "Especially the old mares falling for this guy too," Phobos rolled his eyes from seeing how much even Granny Smith was acting weird, even more so than usual. "My word…we're in the presence of someone…fabulously famous! Ah, Johnny Brock," Rarity had almost gasp in being completely shock and gasp in overjoyed-reaction; this was almost too much for one excited mare to realize…they have an idol in Equestria. "Oh boy," Spike slap his forehead in seeing even Rarity is falling head over heels for a pretty face. Didn't she learn a lesson about not judging a book by the cover like from Prince Blueblood? "Chin up Spike, he might not be all bad if he's helping us," Ben Mare spoke in trying to have the baby dragon not judge this new stallion too quickly. Soon, the one known as J.B., now revealed as Johnny Brock, plays a first key strike on his guitar. "I call this little number…Stay with me!" The musician unicorn announced the name of the song he'll be singing out here and now. "Oh-oh; is it by Hoobastank?" Pinkie Pie was waving up her left hoof to ask a question out of random on what the song might be related to. "You know it, Pinkie!" Johnny Brock pointed down to give a response to Pinkie Pie that her Fourth Wall Break moment was dead on. "OH! He knows me!" Pinkie Pie yelped for joy in seeing Johnny knows her. "What kinda name puts together a Hooba and Stank?" Rainbow Dash asked off a bit mind puzzled by the whole thing. "Maybe it means a Hobo 'dat Stank," Tough Apple spoke off from the side-lines in overhearing the subject. "Somehow, Ah doubt 'dat cousin." Applejack shook her head in disagreeing with what her cousin was thinking there. "Look, he's about to do something." Fluttershy pointed back in witnessing something strange being done by Johnny Brock. "And the 3 tribe rulers are recovering." Twilight pointed out in concern, whatever this Johnny guy's got, better hopefully stop the 3 Tribe Rulers from causing anymore harm to Equestria over their silly war argument. As Princess Platinum, Commander Hurricane, and Chancellor Puddinghead recovered, Johnny Brock was already done with the quiet warm up before…He picked up a beat which transformed the air-space around him into a scenery which made many freeze. The spirits were suddenly glowing to change into…flesh, and the other ponies saw they were observing what looked like…Equestria's past. It was flashing across their eyes, and then…Johnny Brock began…to sing a voice that match perfectly with this theme. (Not to mention, he sounded just like the real Hoobastank band themselves) Johnny Brock: You've felt Unloved Before The singer spoke from where the 3 Tribe Rulers stood. You've felt Unwanted The magical scene shows an image of the past of Commander Hurricane, Chancellor Puddinghead and Princess Platinum were still in their icy frozen states from days of old. You're tried To Close the Door on A Past The 3 Tribe Rulers looked to each other, seeing what became of their states when the Wendigos froze them to be as cold…as their hearts. In which you're Haunted. Even the spirits of Private Pansy, Smart Cookie, and even Clover the Clever seem to sadden their faces in looking…at their once called friends. I Don't Know How to Make It Right The scene shows flashes of flashbacks of when the three spirits of the Rulers were saved from the same fate…when they learn to stop hating. I Don't Know How to Change it The scene shows the three give a sorry bow to the Tribe Rulers, seeing that they can't free hearts that cannot melt the hatred that remains frozen in place…by Wendigo magic. I Just Know It Wasn't Your Fault Soon we see the spirits seeing this, and within a quick peek, there were some….invisible frozen chains that were tighten around the 3 Tribe Rulers. So Just Let Me Say This. Then the scenery changes to where Johnny Brock reappears before the spirits of a 1000 years ago. And soon, the stallion picks up the beat with his guitar. You Can Go Back If You Want to I Will Be Right There Behind You Soon the scene was spiraling around like starry skies that were falling meteors. Johnny was declaring that if they lived in the past, he be there to aid them. Step By Step, Patiently Then in another step moment, imagines of the stallion appeared around the Tribe Spirits like mirrors…trying to reach them. Give Us Time Stay With Me. Chancellor Puddinghead, Commander Hurricane, and Princess Platinum yelp backwards, but suddenly yelped in feeling something hold them from going or leaving…the ice chains. The Past Is a Memory The 3 Tribes tried to fight free, but saw from the magic mirrors of…their past memory. The Future's A Mystery (Other Voice: The Future's A Mystery) Then the images of the past was flashing to show images of the future…ponies of all tribes getting along. Even Private Pansy, Smart Cookie, and Clover the Clever were helping to aid in a new beginning. [Where we'll be going What Will we be But from seeing the new images, the three ponies that worked with their rulers, tried to look up in the new sky in thought… As Long As it's You and Me Within the clouds, they each thought of their respectful Ruler and friend; Private Pansy for Commander Hurricane, Smart Cookie for Chancellor Puddinghead, and Clover the Clever for Princess Platinum. You Can Go Back If You Want To I Will Be Right There Behind You Soon the mirror imagines of the pass were rotating in a fast link around the 3 tribes. They suddenly were seeing that not only had change came that their argumental war ended, but they were still remembered…not forgotten from their cold hearts. Step By Step, Patiently Soon, Johnny appears behind the three spirits and popping off on and off. Give Us Time Stay With Me. Then as the stallion vanished from sight, his magical music was coming into contact with the ice chains on the 3 tribes that were heating them. There Is Nowhere Left To Run To Commander Hurricane tried to rush after the guy, but felt still a tug from the chains. Nothing That We Couldn't Get Through Even Chancellor Puddinghead and Princess Platinum were struggling to follow their ruler associate as the icy chains tried to keep them held tight. Step By Step, Patiently Give Us Time Then without knowing it, the three Tribe Rulers each lent a hoof to help the other pull themselves against an invisible force keeping them from leaving…or escaping. Stay with Me Then as Johnny Brock played, he suddenly gave a smile and nodded to the 3 good spirits to go to the tribe rulers much to their puzzlement. Stay with Me Soon while the tribe rulers struggled, they were suddenly shown…a hoof. Stay With Me Stay With Me (Other Voice: I Promise I'll Be There) Commander Hurricane looked up to see Private Pansy smiling to help here. Chancellor Puddinghead saw Smart Cookie also offering her a helping hoof. And even the astounded Princess Platinum gasped in seeing Clover the Clever…offer a hoof aid. The tribe rulers were confused; they were at war and disagreed to the whole 'be friends with each other' yet their own...closest friends, still wants to help them after everything. You Can Go Back If You Want To Johnny was playing a slow start in speaking if the spirits still want to go back…to what they were or not. I Will Be Right There The stallion sang forth as he soon was picking up the beat where his mussy was soaring across the starry sky display. Step By Step, Patiently As the spirits still stared eye to eye, the tribe rulers didn't see their icy chains were trying to free them over…or so it was believed. Give Us Time Stay With Me. The tribe rulers' own allies, their friends, waited for them to take their hooves to step out of the cool…and into the warmth they are in. There Is Nowhere Left To Run To "WRUOOAAAAUGHH…" Without warning, suddenly, a ghostly and translucent horse of grayish cerulean and pale cyan eyes was emerging from the cold breeze behind the tribe rulers…trying to take them. Nothing That We Couldn't Get Through All viewers watched in seeing the beast of legends as if trying to keep its control on the icy frosts of the tribe rulers and their hearts from escaping its power. Step By Step, Patiently But in a sudden and unexpected show of a change…each tribe ruler reached to take the hoof offered to them. Give Us Time Stay With Me. And then in an instant showing, each tribe ruler managed to take a hoof hold of their 'friends' offer to help. And suddenly, the magical music swirled around the holds that symbol…the warmth of friendship. Stay With Me "Bruhaharaaaughh…." Suddenly, the Wendigo that came into being…was being pushed back and vanishing from the warmth that reached over to it' side. Stay With Me (Stay with Me.) And then to add another twist, as Johnny Brock was singing, his music was warming up the tension of the entire area, and then without a word…the icy chains that bind the 3 Tribe Rulers began to melt, including around their hearts. The storm of the blizzard that tried to freeze the land was settling, becoming calmer with each minute. And now the musician ended with a gentle guitar play before finally coming to a finish stop…now, to end his song. Once the song had reached its end, a lot of ponies that were the spectating crowds all cheered loudly and stomping their hooves in response for the show. "Ugh, wha…wha, what happened to us?" Commander Hurricane rubbed her head that was feeling very strange all of a sudden? "Dear me, I felt as if something kept me bind and hard to move around." Princess Platinum rubbed her neck while getting a feeling of herself, like it's been stiff this whole time. "Yeah, now I feel all wobbly and such, but at the same time…a little loose!" Chancellor Puddinghead exclaimed from feeling like something is off about her, yet at the same time rejoice for it? Soon Smart Cookie, Clover the Clever, and Private Pansy were still near the 3 Tribe Rulers in observing their 'strange' new behavior. Many of the other pony spectator viewers watched what was happening in concern, would the 3 tribe rulers start revolting again to get back to starting another war? But the moment each spirit from either a Unicorn, Pegasus, even an Earth Pony, looked at the other….something happened. The Tribe Rulers were showing….friendly, honest to peaceful, express emotions…for the first time since they've been around. "Oh, Smart Cookie; Where have you've been, silly?" Chancellor Puddinghead responded with a cheeky smile at seeing someone she knew. "Um, begin' yer pardon, what now?" Smart Cookie responded responded a bit off and puzzled to see her leader of their old tribe act this way, even for her. "Hay Private Pansy, how's it hanging," Commander Hurricane spoke with a go-getter attitude of a positive note while shaking the private's hoof. "Um…fine, I guess." Private Pansy responded a bit shaken, but not stirred, this behavior of her commander was…strange to her. "Clover, oh, would you be a dear and help me up?" Princess Platinum spoke off with a gentle manner before asking to be brought to her standing. "Um, okay…you….feeling alright? All of you?" Clover the Clever asked off a bit oddly as she, Cookie and Pansy lifted the 3 Tribe Rulers up to stand before them; what just happened to them? "I should say so." Princess Platinum responded off to say this message of what has happened was the tribe rulers are nothing but fine. "For some reason, what hatred I had of Pegasus Ponies, and, dearest me, bad-mouthing Earth Ponies, I feel so…dreadful." Princess Platinum spoke in utter shock in realizing, the terrible, horrible things she's said and done this whole time. "Yeah well…I somehow feel bad about raising a hoof to clobber you, and your unicorns. And anypony else here." Commander Hurricane rubbed the back of her head in feeling kinda sorry about what's happened too. "Oh, and I wanna say that I'm sorry that during the last meeting, I hit your each with a bench chair and pointed at the other to blame it on the unsuspecting ruler." Chancellor Puddinghead announced off in shame that she did something terrible to the other two tribe rulers and blame it on the other when they weren't looking. "That was you?" Both Hurricane and Princess Platinum both looked to the chancellor in shock, they once blamed the other for that crazy stunt in the past. "Yeah, heh, sorry," Chancellor Puddinghead cheekily and sheepishly apologized for that mistake in the past, which to her surprise, the other tribe rulers just smiled and shook their heads…like it was okay. "Okay, what's going on now?" Spike questioned from seeing this and yet not believing it. First, the three tribe rulers were trying to cause distrust then planned on starting a war, and now they're acting weirdly friendly suddenly? "You mean besides that the three ghosts of the tribes past that came to start a war are now acting all nice? Got me," Phobos was pointing out all the stops on what was happening before them before shrugging off the subject in being clueless himself. "I would believe you must know this by now." Celestia suddenly spoke up in front of the Mane Six and their friends here. "The Elements of Harmony have helped free them from the chains of hatred." The princess of the Sun exclaimed that through the Elements have freed the tribe rulers of 'chains' that have binds their hatred. "The Chains of Hatred," Most of the Mane Six responded off in never hearing of such a subject of this discussion. "It was something that, if by magic effect, can cause unseen chains to bind one's heart." Luna explained the motion of the subject on what topic it plays, "Like it did mine so long ago." She held her right hoof to her chest, emphasizing with deep sorrow in recalling…the times being Nightmare Moon made her hate everything and wanting to gain Eternal Night. "Wow; that must really sting there." Nyx spoke in feeling very sympathetic towards Luna, the two that have connections to Nightmare Moon, know all but to well on such a subject. "And it seems that from Wendigo magic caused some 'Chains of Wendigo Binding' to chain the 3 Tribe Rulers." Celestia explained this with a serious thought, that the cold spirits that froze the Tribe Rulers made the chains hold their hate and kept them from ever going into the afterlife. "This allowed the three to continue to let off hatred while it feed Wendigo spirits that created the chains. But it's now over, the chains are broken and at last, hatred is furtherest from their hearts….thanks to you all." The princess smiled on the last parts spoken, thanks to the Mane Six and their friends, the cold hearts of the 3 Tribe Rulers…has finally been melted away. "We're glad to have helped mom, and how is it that your friend is a known celebrity?" Ben Mare responded in thanking his mother for the compliment, but he's more interested in how Celestia, knows another famous celebrity like Johnny Brock. "It's because, like Spell Nexus, he was another student of mine long ago." Celestia honestly explained the connection she has to some she calls J.B. because he was another student she taught like with Spell Nexus. "No way; Seriously," Rainbow Dash exclaimed in shock to hear this for the first time around. "'Dat singer was 'yer' student?" Applejack asked off in not believing this for a fact either. "Yes, but like every pony is different in their own way, Little Johnny was both talented for magic as he has a passion for music. It was the first time that I've seen somepony bring the two in sync; he has quite a good heart." Celestia nods while explaining how the popular stallion has such a knack talent for his own ability. "Both Spell Nexus and Johnny Brock are of one of the Highest Level Unicorns to perform such strong spells." The princess stated another surprising fact that came to a surprise to the rest. "Wait a second. They are?" Twilight Sparkle exclaimed in hearing this right, both her old teacher and this rock star are high-level unicorns in the magic department. "I recall Trixie doing an Age Spell when Twilight couldn't and you're saying…those ponies are in that rank?" Rarity suddenly remembered this quote as something that happened to them a while back. "Does that mean they can perform like a Duplication Spell, oh, what about a spell to change our gender? Oh-oh, wait I got it, a One-Pony Band Playing Ten Instruments!" Pinkie Pie was asking off a bunch of strange and bizarre questions on what spells the special high-level unicorns can do. "Pinkie, I think that last spell was mostly you." Fluttershy spoke to her friend in recalling, the pink pony once did that one made-up spell. "Oh yeah, that's right." Pinkie Pie smiled to perkily reply in recalling that she can perform ten instruments at once. "Indeed, such spells are for advance Unicorns, and Twilight here is an expectation. As well as my son, Ben Mare. And someday soon, little Nyx too," Celestia spoke with a smile while looking down to both Twilight Sparkle and Ben Mare, stating a possibility for the two, even Nyx has a shot when the time comes. "Really," Twilight and Ben, even an excited Nyx asked off with somehow, liking that idea very much. "Excuse us." The other ponies were taken out of their thought and discussion at this time to se…the six spirits of the 3 tribes hover over to them. "But I believe we all have something to say. Don't we?" Clover the Clever spoke once more, getting the attention before looking to Princess Platinum in wanting her and the other tribe rulers to take this stand now. "Come honey, let it out." Smart Cookie gave a bit of a jab to Chancellor Puddinghead to let it out now. "It's okay Commander, just let what you feel be heard." Private Pansy spoke kindly to Commander Hurricane, who seems a bit unsure. "We're sorry." All three Tribe Rulers responded with a bow of their heads in apologizing at this moment. By many of the others' surprise, these three spirits were sorry for the trouble that they cause. "Listen, we're not entirely sure how it happened or why we started to fight and hate each other." Commander Hurricane rub the back of her head in feeling, what they did, they don't know how it all happened. "Precisely and worst was that we never learned our lesson…not even when we were still alive." Princess Platinum spoke humbly in admitting a fact that took them so long to learn, a 1000 years to be precise. "We missed out on a lot of stuff, a good life were we could have been more like friends than enemies." Chancellor Puddinghead sadly exclaim in admitting how they could have lived much better if they put away their petty prides and open up. "Gosh, maybe it doesn't have 'ta be all bad." Apple Bloom spoke in trying to help cheer up these spirits. "Maybe, if you like…you can stick around to enjoy the Hearth's Warming Festival!" Sweetie Belle spoke with a smile in suggesting an idea for the spirits here. "Yeah, the first one you can celebrate, together with friends, and in the first 1000 years." Scootaloo spoke with a wide smile in thinking, they can take this moment to help the tribe rulers enjoy the festivities they missed out for so long. "Well sister, shall we use this as a chance to patch up all this and let bygones be bygones?" Luna looked to Celestia, wondering what she had to say about this idea. Celestia looked from her subjects, the Mane Six and their group, to the tribe ponies of old, and gave an answer. "I believe even those that now see the light can be given the chance to enjoy what we have to celebrate for." Celestia smiled to say that there is no reason why they cannot enjoy such an event with more friends. "With your spirits free of what held you here, it wouldn't be grateful to see the three original tribe members stay around before leaving us." The princess of the Sun believes that the 3 separate tribe pony spirits should stick around to enjoy what they have to offer before returning to the afterlife after all. "That means one thing all in particular. LET THE PARTY CONTINUE!" Pinkie Pie responded off firstly in what this meant, and then shouted out like a cheer in what they can do…have a party for the Hearth's Warming Eve Event. "Yeaaaahhhh," A lot of ponies cheered in liking that idea all the more as more action was happening for the known 'Fire Warmth of Friendship' that lit their hearts. With everything of disaster finally settled, they can get back to enjoy the holiday and with the tribe spirits of the past to join them, it sounded crazy for sure; but who's to say no to this? > Chapter 6: Hearth's Warming Eve Celebrations > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 6: Hearth's Warming Eve Celebrations Soon after a lot of clean up from the mess where Equestria was almost on another warfare, things were looking good. The Machines of War were recollected, reenergized to be pilot (by the good ponies) and were all taken back to Canterlot where they would have to repair the whole damage during the escape theft. As for the rest of the citizen ponies, they were already patching things up to make their celebration a better success than before, especially with the right team works. The Earth ponies helped in passing out items, the Unicorns had their magic levitate the stock while the Pegasus ponies flew around to help set the top decoration up. And a lot more communication was going on in what was a concert setup, as this special eve had a performance by the Johnny Brock, performing tonight which made a lot of fans go crazy to see him get to work. Speaking of the star singer, he was in the back stage of the concert set, signing wanting autographs for many mares that were funning over him. "Easy, easy now, plenty to sign," Johnny Brock held up his hooves over the crowding mares wanting him to sign his ignitions on paper, of certain items they love, you name it and some are just as crazy on 'where' they want this super-famous star to sign for the ladies. As Johnny was tending to that part of his fame, the Mane Six and any of their friends were helping to set a few things for the concert for the holiday celebration finale. Ben comment, "Now that the truth is out concerning what really happened to Princess Platinum, Commander Hurricane and Chancellor Puddinghead, they are going to have to modify next year's Hearth's Warming Pageant play accordingly." "Yeah, I know." Nyx said happily. "And a good thing too, maybe now, the whole story can be told." "Oh, look. I've got a postcard from my cousin across the sea, Brave Heart." Rainbow said as she held out some sort of postcard. "Brave Heart," Appleback ask Rainbow puzzled. "What does it say? Is he coming for Hearth's Warming Eve?" Nyx ask Rainbow eagerly. "I don't know I better read it." Rainbow said as she looks at the postcard. As Rainbow reads the thing, we can hear Brave Heart's voice, "Dear Rainbow Dash, dear lass, I'm very sorry. I was gonna come to Ponyville and visit ye and meet your friends, but me family needs me here in Eatinburgh. After all, this is Hearth's Warming Eve, a time fer family. However, I will make it up to ye. Sometime next year, I'm coming to visit you and see Ponyville fer meself. I would be honored to meet these friends of yers; Especially Twilight and Ben. Til then, I'll miss ye, dear Rainbow. With love, Brave Heart. "P.S. Me wife and kids say hi." "Wow, Rainbow, you never told me you had a cousin from across the sea." Scootaloo said with a smile. Rainbow chuckles while saying, "He's a Scottish pony. And a great warrior, too." "You told Brave Heart about me, Rainbow Dash?" Ben asks Rainbow in surprise. "He admires Princess Celestia and he also respects royalty, whether adopted or not. However, he doesn't tolerate spoiled brats or bullies." Nyx, smirking, ask eagerly, "Ooh, does he now?" "He's also a master of magic and would be honored to meet Twilight." Rainbow add in, much to Twilight's interest. "I'm flattered." Twilight said with a smile. She can't wait to meet this Brave Heart person. "And what's more...he hosts great and festive parties." "Woo-hoo! I'm starting to like this." Pinkie giggles while jumping up and down, wanting so much to meet this Brave Heart pony. "He likes fine clothing..." Rainbow adds, much to Rarity's notice. "Ooh, I like this." Rarity said happily. "He's a guardian of nature..." "That's good news." Fluttershy said with a smile. Rainbow finishes things by saying, "And he likes apple cider." "Yee-haw! Now 'dat's what Ah call class." Applejack said with a smirk. "What about dragons like me, Phobos and Lorcan?" Spike asks Rainbow uneasily. Lorcan may be gone but who knows what Brave Heart may do to him and Phobos? "Well...as long as you mean him no harm, he'll tolerate your presence." Rainbow said with a smile, assuring Spike. "Whew!" "Ugh!" Diamond Tiara groans as she trots to the group. "I can't believe it. I was so close to getting that ability to take on the blank flanks and..." "Will you give it a rest?" Nyx ask Diamond Tiara with a sigh. "They wouldn't give you the power anyway." "Hey, I am the richest and most influential ponies in Equestria! I dare to tell anyone to tell me otherwise." Spike has had enough as it's high time to tell Diamond off big time. The dragon got in her face angrily while snapping, "Okay, I'll tell you. You are the worst pony I know! You constantly bully the Cutie Mark Crusaders, who even saved you on some cases. You make fun of ponies with no Cutie Marks and even forced Silver Spoon, whose friendship I'm starting to doubt! You constantly make fun of Nyx, and you and Silver Spoon sent her into the Everfree Forest to give her the trauma of her life! Tartarus, I won't be surprised if no one has you arrested for starting the Nightmare Moon return in the first place! You even called Nyx 'Nightmare Moon' nowadays! You talked Apple Bloom into bringing her granny to school for Appreciation Day so you could get her eliminated! You blackmailed the Cutie Mark Crusaders into giving you more photos for the papers despite how the news article embarrassed almost everypony in Ponyville! You bullied Pipsqueak and threw his Luna toy up to a tree, you ratted Ben Mare out; you disrespect my friends at my 'funeral'! At least, I would've done better at someone else's respect! You even stole the Cutie Mark Crusaders' clubhouse, made fun of of their float, etc. etc. You think you're better than anypony else?! And worst yet, despite some incident during the recovery efforts, some bit of you still doesn't believe that the Elements of Harmony, you even disrespect the princess and every other high authority in Equestria!!! Who the hay are you to talk down or up to anypony at all?! You hid behind your father like a brat, and...well, you get the idea! I could forgive all of that, all of it, if you weren't such a brat! That's the worst of it, Diamond Tiara. You're just a big, sad, selfish brat." Diamond Tiara began to whimper from hearing all of this, and then started crying as she ran away. Twilight, in concern asked, "Spike, was that necessary?" "Twilight, this filly needs to learn the hard way, it's for her own good...or lack of good, anyway." "Hey, listen." A familiar voice spoke up. The six spirits appear with smiles. Clover, the one who spoke, said, "Thank you...for everything." "Also, again, sorry about what happened." Platinum said, still a bit guiltridden. "I still can get how we ended up hating each other in the first place." "Like as if someone put those chains on us." Puddinghead said in agreement. "Shucks, 'dat's okay, yew have learned yer lesson an' became friends at last or wit' 'de good spirits again." Applejack said with a smile. Fluttershy has a thought as she ask, "Clover, Smart Cookie, Pansy? If that final attack would've worked...would you have gotten ridden of the darkness?" Pansy pauses then she said, "To be honest, that's the first time we did that trick." "Right, we need to practice a lot harder for the attacks to become a huge effect." Clover explains to the living with a smile. "Of course, the fusion in the living is a lot more complicated to do than in the afterlife." Twilight pauses, remembering what her teacher informs her of last Nightmare Night. If she and her friends were to pull that trick off, they may have to practice...a lot. "Well, come on. Time for us to go outside to watch event that became known after the tribes' war conflict ended with a new beginning." Hurricane said with a grin. "Right, later," Puddinghead said happily as the ghosts leave the area, the living wave goodbye to them. "Hey guys." Johnny's voice was heard that brought everyone in the backstage part of the concert, seeing the stallion was done signing autographs now. "Everything all set for the show?" He asked from seeing a lot of things were put into place, others put away, and some…just cleaned up nicely. "Oh course darling and my I say…Johnny, you look fabulous in what you're wearing." Rarity approached the singer while giving her charm of caring for the dashing stallion that looked so….famously exquisite. "Oh boy, here we go again! Rarity may as well say that she's fallen hoof over heels for the guy!" Spike slap his forehead in seeing that the pony he's got a crush on is looking to fall over for a pretty face pony…instead of him. "If you don't, then I will!" Phobos remarked to let Spike know that if he doesn't speak, he might as well do it himself. "I appreciation your thoughts Rarity and I have a feeling your generous passion for others has caught the attention of a fine admirer." Johnny spoke to generously thank Rarity's kindness while taking notice of the action of how Spike is acting when he sees the pretty unicorn mare with him. "Oh really; who; Someone I know?" Rarity responded a bit puzzled in what the rock-star pony was speaking about, who was her admirer…as if we didn't know. "Oh, I'm certain of it." Johnny stated from walking pass Rarity and gave a little elbow jab to the little purple dragon. "Wouldn't you agree there, Spike," This attention caught Spike, who was busy sulking a bit before he felt and realized…what was happening here. "Huh?" Spike was taking a moment to get this together and realized; Johnny was referring to him, as Rarity's admirer, "Ugh, oh-oh, yeah! Of course! Most definite," Spike suddenly got the idea that Johnny was giving him the spot to be known as the guy that cares for Rarity. "Say Johnny, that guitar of yours? It looks sweet. Where can I get one?" Rainbow Dash flew near the rock-star unicorn in checking out his sweet little instrument. "Oh, this was well made." Johnny stated from reaching to pull his guitar up forward for everyone to see it, "Made from the bark of a special tree that's life-lasting with a scented flavor. Followed with strings from certain spiders that create webbing that with the right usage can help play beautiful melody," Hearing all of this info really caught the attention of many ponies that couldn't believe…such an instrument can be made with some 'special' item usage. "Wow, I didn't know spiders web could be used for such a talent." Fluttershy responded in being amazed, she knows about animals but never about spiders having such a unique trait of talent. "Only the very rare types; Metal Spiders and it's said their webbing, when weaved as strings for guitars, can heal the injured." Johnny explained how the mentioned spiders by name, can create webbing when used in instrument tools, can heal the wounded. "But ya gotta be careful of them, unless you have tamed types, the wild ones are harder to deal with, and even the large rulers the Metal Spider Queen and their webbing is strongest out of the rest, but most difficult to handle and gain when you face her." By the sounds of this explanation, wild spiders, even their queen, are harder to get their webbing if not tamed. "Wooh, if I was a filly, I be screaming my head off. Not that I scream like a filly if anypony was thinking that." Phobos started out to say in what he heard but got looks from the others while making a statement in what he wouldn't do. "That's not how I remember when Mei Long held you." Spike made a sly smile in making a pointed opinion that when the two went on a journey to the Dragon Council's place, Mei Long scared the moon dragon silly. "HEY! You try dealing with that Eastern Dragon lady!" Phobos protest out to Spike from bringing up such a shameful and embarrassing moment on his short life. "And I bet'cha, the paint is specially made and the design works are to give that guitar that custom aflame touch, right?" Pinkie Pie suddenly cut off the argument of two dragons to state how Johnny's magical guitar was custom design, even Rarity finds if very stylist. "You sure got that down, Pinkie Pie." Johnny nods with a smile to the pink pony for having a good 'eye' on noticing some things, which not a lot of normal folks notice but Pinkie Pie ain't no normal pony. "Mr. Brock?" Twilight spoke in wanting to have this chance to speak with the rock-star singer himself. "Please, call me Johnny, Twilight. Or even J.B. at times, all my close friends do." Johnny held up a left hoof to smile and kindly say that the young mare can address him by his first name. "So, what can I do for you?" He asked while tuning his guitar for the right melody to be play. "I just wanted to say, thanks for the assist and I'm quite surprise to learn…" Twilight Sparkle was slowly stating before coming to the point of her talk. "That besides my old teacher Spell Nexus, you're another pony that studied under the princess. I want to know, why is a pony of your talent in magic found such unique traits in music?" Even a smart pony like Twilight can't help but wonder the idea that a student of Celestia choose'd to live a career as a singer musician than a unicorn for the finest arts in knowing magic. "That ain't no secret, it's what makes me, me." Johnny smiled to shake his head in saying that such a matter of his past isn't a bother at all. "You see, I get sidetracked and distracted at times from the wonders of everything around me. But I feel all things come together when the time's right." He stated the first basic of his explanation, base on his personality and traits. "It's why I sink myself with music, it's my gift; it's a part of me that makes me so mysterious. Music guides me, I feel it in the atmosphere of the environment, lets me channel them into words that they are born into songs, it's all so…wild." The stallion emphasized the patter of his speech like someone seeking to find things in life and help lead him to things where he'll come across more answers…it's that which makes him a mysterious pony. "So how's it feel to be seen as mister gorgeous, handsome, mister popular and getting all the mares to yourself doing ya in the business?" Phobos shrugs off to ask a very straight and out of random question here. "Phobos," Nyx scolded her dragon friend for asking such a rude and personal question of mister Brock. "Hahah, everyone always ask that question!" Johnny just playfully laugh the comment off like he felt no hurt or insult from what Phobos said at all. "It's true, I love mares that like me and I deeply respect each of their traits and personalities, but it's not just from my handsome face, but from my heart." He pointed to rest his right hoof over his chest, stating it's the matter on the inside, not the outside that counts. "Really," Sweetie Belle asked from hearing this and wanted to know if Johnny was right about such a thing. "Course, I'm not sure if I was pretty looking when I was young, or born this way, I just did what I always thought was right." Johnny rub his hoof against his chin in trying to think back to how he looked like as a young colt or a baby, but in life…he's just been kind to others without worrying for his looks. "Like what?" Scootaloo asked in wondering, what kinda things this rock-star pony has done all the time from not knowing much. "Well, being kind to foals, colts, fillies and be their friends, hahaha, even the elderly too." Johnny kneel down to the CMC level while letting loose a chuckle in knowing that last part, is something where he's very much good with old folks. "Granny Smith sure took ya fer a ride, huh?" Apple Bloom smiled in seeing how much this guy had quite the admirer from her granny, especially that spunky attitude. "She's a sweet old thing, take care of her and she'll do the same for you." Johnny smiled to the young filly while patting Apple Bloom on her back in saying to respect herself and her granny and both sides can do the same for the other. "Boy howdy, Ah think ah see why yer're such a great guy fer all mares 'ta like?" Applejack smile to nod in liking how this stallion unicorn plays his cards right and is honest and good-to-nature kinda guy. "Right, even the stallions feel like being you." Pinkie Pie smiled to make another point statement before bringing up something form the past. "And let's face it, you're a much nicer-handsome pony we like to call friend than that old meany-pants and Earth Pony hating jerky-jerk Boris!" Yep, the pink pony brought up an old foe of the Mane Six; Boris, the Red Devil, the only thing about him are his evil charms and wicked schemes and is not to be trusted. "Don't remind us." Rainbow Dash groans to roll her eyes in recalling how Boris, before he became the Red Devil, used his charm and looks to swindle ponies to his side without seeing what a selfish jerk that he is on the inside. "I suppose I can't blame you for judging me, I know what he's done but even some handsome or beautiful ponies are not all evil, you should all know that." Johnny shrug off his front hooves in getting the point of 'trust' from some ponies that got the looks that 'wow' folks, but not all of them are evil. "By the way, before I forget, when this concert ends, I'll be on my tour again." He explained how later on, he'll be on another tour to take his music and songs to other places. "Oh, do you have to go so soon?" Fluttershy spoke from feeling kinda sorrow to hear that after this concert for the Hearths Warming Eve, Johnny will be on his way; it's sad to see a new friend go. "I was able to make a good opening to appear on my favorite holiday; the Hearth's Warming Eve." Johnny smiled in stating how he had a good fortune to come on the day of this special holiday he loves. "I've always chariest this day, because of what happened that the tribes brought us three pony types to be together and not be kept apart." To him, this was a season to truly be thankful in what they have here. "You could say my blood runs very far back to my ancestors relating to that time of the Civil War." He explained how he has very deep connections to his pony ancestors of the past nearly 1000 years ago. "Boy; that sounds amazing! So how do you travel anyway?" Spike responded in liking this story being told and wanted to know how Johnny does travel all around. "Simple; on a mobile moving castle, what else?" Johnny Brock responded with a smile before telling the honest truth, and did it blow many others minds away. "A MOVING CASTLE," The crew repeated in surprise shock expression in hearing this for the first time. Johnny Brock has an ACTUAL Castle that moves around, how on Equestria is that possible? "How do you have a castle and that it's moving?" Twilight Sparkle asked in liking to know very much, how this guy has a moving castle? "I perform a song in a high-class town where it helped them with a terrible situation. They were so thankful, they build me a castle with gears that walk with four legs that's steam powered." Johnny explained how in one of his concert performances, he managed to please a crowd so much that the place gave him something to travel in style to his beneficial on their behalf for his aid. "Haha, it took them at least a week to build it, even with their top architects!" He rubbed the back of his head in thinking back, how it took even the top best building makers, a week to construct an entire castle, plus one that can move on its own with running gears. "Why…I love to see such a palace." Rarity spoke with a smiling joy, imagine; going to a castle that walks and not stays in one spot is simply…divine. "Us too," The CMC responded with a cheer, they all love to see such a place. "Well here's a little idea, you see…DJ Pon-3 has a magic door at her place that by knocking on it, and when it opens, instead of what was truly behind it, you'll be at my Moving Castle." Johnny explained that with a good friend that the ponies know the DJ, she can show them a magic door that can help the gang be taken to be inside the rock-star stallion's moving castle. "Wait; are those actually…Convertible Travel Spells?" Twilight Sparkle held up her hoof to stop and ask if what she heard was of 'that' type of spell. "You know it allows one's place to be the center and leave location spells cast on doors to link to your home. It's the fastest way to meet up with me if you ever wanna find me or ask for help." Johnny nods to explain how such a spell made can help travel to one location no matter where anyone is position as long as they find it a door that was cast with the spell or…to make a spell while knowing the owner and the area of such a location to connect with; it's quite tricky. "Man, my mom was lucky you were in the neighborhood. We owe you a lot." Ben Mare spoke with a smile in feeling that everyone here should be glad Johnny was in the neighborhood when he did, especially against raging spirits looking to cause trouble. "No, the real credit should go to you." Johnny shook his head in disagreeing there as he gave an honest smile to make this stated claim. "It's true that I helped set things right, but without each and every one of you to play your part, the melody of the musical feeling of all our emotions wouldn't have cut it." He explained how this was an entire group effort, he alone wouldn't have stopped the spirits of the 3 tribe rulers that were under hatred to cease their action…without the Mane Six's group. "Even me?" Spike asked in wanting to know if he was of big help too for the ponies' problems. "What about me?" Phobos also wanted to know that he had just as much a right to have helped like the rest? "Hehehe, even dragons," Johnny chuckled off with a jolly attitude to nod his head in answering those questions for Spike and Phobos. "Wooh…gaughm!" Suddenly, Derpy dropped in unannounced while tangled with some stage lights. "Hahaha and especially those that just need a helping hoof!" Johnny laugh off a bit with a positive note, not as to be rude but to laugh with then at as he helped the gray Pegasus with his magic onto her balance. "Thanks mister Brock, good luck out there!" Derpy saluted to the rock-star pony before flying off to finish her job. "Man, are you sure, what if she ruins the show?" Rainbow Dash groans in seeing how Johnny wanted Derpy to be a part of this concert show instead of keeping her chained away like the dare-devil pony tried to pull off. "Everypony deserves to be given the benefit of the doubt, besides, my music is for all, and no pony here should be left out." Johnny spoke with a positive response that he wants all to attend to this and that no pony should miss out from being 'tied-up' at the moment. "Wow, that's so super-duper, nice of you!" Pinkie Pie smiled to respond in how this rock-star pony really is a generous, thoughtful and caring pony, and you don't see that much in a lot of big time celebrities. "Well, I better get out there; the crowd will get antsy if the show's not done." Johnny Brock stated from setting his magic guitar over his shoulder before stepping away from the Mane Six and their pals. "Oh, and just so you know, you'll be seeing other friends of yours performing on stage, don't be surprise cause some, they're also some friends of mine that are a part of my band group whenever we need to perform for band-related stuff. As for any of the new faces, they'll just be those that asked to join in on the fun." The guy explained some things to help give the rest up to speed in what they'll see happen out there, some familiar and new faces and some that'll be surprising to see. "See ya!" The stallion gave a little wave farewell, not a real goodbye, just one where he'll be taking off for the stage is all. With that, Johnny Brock takes his leave to go and get himself ready for the concert at hand, or hoof in this case. "Well, we better get ready. The show is about to start." Ben said to the girls with a smile. "All right," Sweetie exclaims happily as the ponies and dragons heads off to get their seats. Spike looks concerned, remembering what he saw during the final battle, the dragon mumbles, "That wormhole...was that...me?" -------------------------------- As preparations are preparing for the show, the spirits, the Princesses and Golden Heart are heading to their seats. Platinium said to Celestia and Luna, "We're sorry for not listening you a 1000 years ago...as well as threatened your friend Megan and her world." "Yeah, not right of us." Hurricane said with a sigh of guilt. "Please forgive us." Puddinghead said meekly to the princesses and Golden Heart. "You're forgiven." Luna said with a smile. "After all, Hearth's Warming Eve is a time to put differences aside and forgive one another." "Right, no need to worry about it," Celestia said playfully to the rulers, making them smile. "I'm still concerned as to what drove ya mad...could it be...Grimmore?" Golden Heart asks the princesses seriously, getting a grim look from them. "We meet him a few years before Discord and right after what happened. But I wouldn't be surprised if he was responsible somehow. We best to be precautious, should he tried any move...just like Smaug the Great did centuries ago..." ---------------- Soon the scene opens to a large crowd of ponies all waiting patiently (for the moment), for the show here to begin. The Princesses; Celestia and Luna, sat in royal view seats, the Mane Six & their group took the front of the seated rows. As for the spirits of 1000 years ago, the 3 tribe rulers and their friends came together to watch this with the best view in the whole audience; right above were they hardly would block anybody's view. Now everything was set and just in time too as the Mayor of Ponyville came out, took the mike to begin this announcement. "Stallions, Mares, Royals, Friends and all ponies alike; this is a time to celebrate the Hearths Warming Eve with a concert closing." The Mayor announced off for all of the ponies gather here to know what shall be happening. "Not only for what was settled in the past, 1,000 years ago, but now to celebrate the time where we have learned through history; the value of friendship." She exclaimed how much, during this entire time, it was with the power of friendship that helps forge and shape Equestria's future. "So now, without keeping any of us waiting, I am proud to present our concert to celebrate the holidays with none other than the one…the only….JOHNNY BROCK! And his Number one Song; Sweet Victory," The mare proclaimed forth to say, in about to bring out the main star attraction and his number one song to be performed here as of now. "Yeaaaaaahhhhhh/Wha-Hoooooo," Without a doubt, the crowds were going hungry wild in wanting to see their favorite rock-star be performed here. "Oh goody-goody-goody," Pinkie Pie was hopping up and down in all excitement, her friends can tell by her happy expression. "That's a track song from the Artist; David Glen Eisley! His voice to match any artist is pure genius!" The pink pony was even doing her Breaking the Fourth Wall in making a statement about the song Johnny Brock would sing even with how his voice can truly imitate, such artist with their voices to perfection. "Okay, normally, 'dat's just yer random talk Pinkie, but…seeing how this guy's a good singer, what 'de hay; Ah can't wait!" Applejack responded a bit surprised in what Pinkie Pie just gone and did her 'pinky thing', but smiled and shrug it off in guessing, if it's for putting on a good show, who is she to complain, right? Soon without warning, trumpet players of the Royal Guard of the first wave were sounding off. Then the trumpet players of the second line verse were sounding off in sync. to the first. And then finally, the third trumpet players in the back were heard playing too. All three were playing their trumpets as a grand announcement opening for an event just as the other band instruments make the moment of the scene…very professionally dramatic. All the ponies, dragons included, and spirits too were seeing this as very grand coordinated work, which proves how good the concert is going to be. Then out with the Royal Guards by some magical keyboard was a stallion pony named Frederic Horsehoepin who many remember him as an expert piano player. Then the stallion was playing the keyboards with an expression of focus passion, a calm and frozen face while the crowds were making a cheery roar in absolutely loving this. Then over the roaring of the crowds during the opening silent step, the Royal Guards were stepping aside for a shadowy pony from behind to earn some attention. Then without warning, the lights dim, but for the spotlight to shine of the shadowy person, as it was the singer himself; Yes, Johnny Brock held the mike close to his heart with both hooves while he stand on his back hind-legs, keeping a good balance pose and eyes shut. Then suddenly, he leans up a bit, eyes opened before…he begins to sing (just like he was sounding like David Geln Eisley). Johnny Brock: The Winner Takes All Johnny Brock sang this off with a slow, passionate tone in what he's saying for the crowd. It's The Thrill of One More Kill Then the stallion held his left hoof up before clenching it down to him with eyes shut in expressing himself to this. The Last One to Fall He then opens his eyes and held the mike while he points his left hoof to the ground in stating this claim. Now all the audience members were showing 'bizarre' and 'amazed' faces in seeing and hearing this, it was so…so…unbelievably wonderful. Will Never Sacrifice Their Will Johnny held the mike and eyes shut in hollering out the determination of those who won't give up, even when they fall far. Then in a crazy nutshell, the scene shows a mare pony by the name of DJ Pon-3 as she was by some surround magic drum sets. And in a shocking twist, she held two wooden drum sticks and was beating the drums from her left to her right. Then in another amazing twist, behind Johnny Brock were stage lights coming from a sphere dome in the center. As the Royal Guards stood on either left or right side of the light sphere, the crowds saw who else was on stage with Johnny Brock in the middle. It was DJ Pon-3 on the drums, another mare named Beauty Brass playing a magical saxophone, another mare named Sapphire Shores playing with a magical keyboard mix guitar, and even a mare named Octavia was playing a magical 'V-shaped' guitar. Don't Ever Look Back, On The World Closing In As the crowds cheer, Johnny closed his eyes to point a left hoof out in telling all the viewers what they shouldn't do of looking back. Be On the Attack, With Your Wings On The Wind As the crowds listen, in a strange sense, many ponies were waving around lit candles to fit the theme of hearing this song be heard. Oh, The Games Will Begin As Johnny proclaimed this, he turned with a smile and pointed to DJ Pon-3 to take it there. And like before, DJ Pon-3 played the beat right, from right to left, and front to back, really getting into the swing of this. And It's Sweet, Sweet, Sweet Victory… Yeah! Then from Johnny's magic, made the scenery have a magical background…with NEON BEAM LIGHT-SHOW; As the singer went off to the left in singing off one stretched word; and passing on the view of the camera was Octavia playing her V-guitar in jamming it good and even Sapphire Shores was lifting up her keyboard mix guitar in the air to really let it off good. Soon Johnny reappeared on the right side, like a full circle motion, as he pumped his left hoof in the air in mention on the 'Sweet Victory' portion. Then on the 'Yeah' part he hollered it into his mike, which from out of the bloom, Frederic Horsehoepin popped up to holler this off into the mike to like he's really gotten into this. And It's Ours For The Taking And from the crowd, two stallion Pegasus jock ponies named Hoops and Score, that know Rainbow Dash, had their faces painted with a white and dark-blue design with one half on each side. They both held each other in pure joy in watching this performance while everyone else held and wave the candles in the air. It's Ours For The Fight Even a Pegasus stallion jock pony named Dumb-Bell was keeling to clinch his front hooves to his heart as if fully wanting to express this music's passion. And It's Sweet, Sweet, Sweet Victory… Yeah! As the song went on, the entire scenery of the concert is being rotated by camera angle as Johnny and his gathered together band continue to do this. And The One who's last to Fall Soon Johnny was having his horn glow to shoot forth a colorful wave of a rainbow to dance around in the sky. The crowds were loving this, and soon the singer got to the next part. The Winner Takes All Johnny held the mike as he professed his expressed passion for all as his band play to their joy, "Yeeeaaaaah!" The stallion hollered forth, as there was a brief pause before he continued. You Don't Win No Silver Johnny used his magic to hold up silver medals, before he scoffs his face and waved the medals away. Oh, You Only Lose the Gold He proclaimed off with a serious motion in what others may lose if they only try to go for silver medals instead of gold ones. You Push With A Fever Johnny pointed his right hoof to the crowd, issuing what they do, when push comes to shove, even when under ill-will, you just push back without giving up. And then he swung his head up to let sweat flow off his face which sparkles in the lights. For Your Time Keeps Tolling On Johnny pointed upwards in declaring the matter itself for all of them, time keeps on moving for them, so they shouldn't stop..no matter what. Soon Octavia plays her V-Guitar on the strings while DJ Pon-3 beats the drums to add in more of the passionate feat they are feeling is raising. Against All the Odds, Against All Your Pain Through some smoke mist, Johnny was hollering and pointing out to the crowd to go against all the odds and pain that stand to stop them. Your Back's On The Wall, With No One To Blame Soon the magic in the air showed a image of a sparkling pony of particles against a star-light wall with others gaining up against it, but… Wild Hearts Won't Be Tamed In that instant, the lonesome pony image in the sky dashed bravely to tackle his opposers that knock them all into dust in the wind. And at that moment, DJ Pon-3 was beating the drums again to signal off the next act of the song. And It's Sweet, Sweet (Sweet), Sweet Victory… Oh! Johnny Brock used his magic to levitate himself and his band to soar around the sky, earning more applies than ever. It's ours For the Taking The Cakes and their twin kids smiled while they marvel at the performance. It's ours for The Fight As Johnny mentioned this, his guitar bassets took the moment to play that note while in the air. And It's Sweet, Sweet, Sweet Victory… At the moment, magic of music notes were seen swirling in a rainbow like a music sheet, entertaining the crowds to no ends. And The One who's Last To Fall As Johnny was pointing this out to say, the rainbow and it's notes were circling below to amazingly, lead the band to skid down it back onto the stage set. Oh, The Winner Takes All As Johnny and his band managed to touch ground, the singer stretches the 'All' word, even the band playing were stretching it to fit the grand melody they were going for. The crowds were loving this, especially when they heard this part. "TAKE IT!" The entire band roared out before suddenly, going into a guitar solo moment for some seconds. "Boy, what I give to be in the band right now!" Rainbow Dash spoke from listening to this, wishing to be a part of this cool show. "Well why not ask?" Pinkie Pie smiled to say to her friend. "You think it's that easy?" Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes that the pink pony believed she get in by asking. "Hey Rainbow," Johnny Brock's voice was heard from the stage, and the dare-devil pony turned to him. "Poofvhmm…" Then what appeared in Rainbow's hooves was…Johnny's guitar. "Come on and join the final gig!" The rock-star pony waved during the instrument break, wanting the dare-devil Pegasus to take this chance. "Wah…REALLY," Rainbow Dash was so overly stoked to hear this; she gets to jam with the band, in front of a large audience, and with Johnny Brock's guitar as her instrument? "Go for it Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo cheered her idol to go up there and rock them all out. "OH…YEEEAAAAH!" Rainbow Dash cheered before zooming off to leave a rainbow trail around the entire concert Finally the guitar solo came to an end just as the song was brought back into place. And The One Who's Last To Fall And then at that moment within the spot light, Rainbow skidded across the stage set, playing Johnny's guitar with the rock-expression to really 'wow' the crowd. Soon, DJ Pon-3 was beating the drums from left to right in picking this mood up. And out by the stage, Pinkie Pie and Phobos were doing some crazy dance moves to really get into this which the crowds that saw this, really enjoyed it. Sweet, Sweet, Sweet, Sweet Victory… Yeah! Soon the dancers outside jumped into the air while some explosive steams happened around the concert stage. It's ours for The Taking Johnny hollered out to the crowd through the mike while they all rock on, even Celestia and Luna watched with smiles at the show. In the shadows, the hooded figure is seen dancing like Gru in Despicable Me, much to the amusement of Luna who saw him. It's Ours For The Fight As the concert was going well, the spirits of Princess Platinum, Clover the Clever, Chancellor Puddinghead, Smart Cookie, Commander Hurricane and Private Pansy, watched to see the fun that the world they are seeing today…has become a marvelous place indeed. And It's Sweet, Sweet, Sweet Victory… Yeah! Johnny sang forth before using his magic to take to the air…with wings made of magical glow and flapping them to create sparkle dust to perfect the mood. And The One who's Last to Fall As Johnny was proclaiming this out, his wings exploded which shot off sparks into the skies while he descended…slowly. Everypony watched this with more wider eyes and smiles, this was a show for the ages. The Winner Takes All Johnny Brock lands back on the stage as he and the band wrap up the show of the final song take while fireworks are going off. And outside the concert, all the scene shows was Equestria and the fireworks that were lighting up the skies beautiful night sky. This was a truly momentous occasion that this year's Hearth's Warming Eve Holiday….truly brought all of Equestria to a joyful time of peace, tranquility, and the most important of all; Friendship. And even from the shadows that saw the wonderful display of firework shows with lights and music, some that are 'hidden', such as 'familiar' faces and foes of the Mane Six and those that spy on Equestria, they too had a chance to witness the show for the holidays. As for where this will all lead up for 'after' the holiday for another adventure…is to be seen itself. ------------------ "All right, foals...go crazy!" The Mayor exclaims with a smile. The concert is done, it's time to open the presents! "YEAH," The foals cheers wildly since they always go first. The little ones jump onto the presents for them and begin opening them. It's time for the celebration to begin. The ponies became having some family dinners and some gift exchanges, with the folks quietly reflecting on the events of that Heart's Warming. Cheerilee comments, "I'm so glad that things turn out for the best." "Eeyup," Big Macintosh remarks with a smile. "I always love this time of year." "Hey, Cheerilee; Big Mac," Scootaloo ask with a smile as she trots up to them, pointing upward. The two mentioned ponies look up and blush a bit: there's Rainbow in the air, smirking as she held up a bunch of mistletoe. "Oops; looks like they plum got us." Cheerilee giggles while saying, "Oh well," She kisses Big Macintosh, making him blush a bit. "Shame, shame, we know your name!" Scootaloo laughs madly to the two, making Big Macintosh and Cheerilee blush some more. "Hey, anypony seen Derpy," Time Turner ask puzzled as she looks around. "I thought she is still here." "I got no idea what happened." Rainbow said with an innocent smile on her face as she lands right onto a bathtub...which suspiciously got some boards and chains on it. "Hey, Rainbow Dash, can I come out now?" Derpy's voice whimpers from inside the bathtub. Rainbow sighs as she throws some fruitcake into the thing. "No, now eat your fruitcake!" "Oh, okay." Twilight, wearing a dress and the Love of Eternal that Ben gave her when the two lovers were reunited, stood near the stallion, saying, "This Hearth's Warming Eve has been a great one. I don't know how more great it could be." "Merry Hearth's Warming Eve!" A familiar voice calls out. Twilight gasps as she saw her big brother Shining and his wife Cadance arriving on the scene. "Uncle Shiny, Auntie Cadance!" Nyx exclaims as she rush over to Shining and Cadance, nuzzling both. "You came!" "I thought you were busy ruling the Crystal Empire." Ben said to Shining and Cadance in surprise. "Oh, we were...of course, we wanted to spend this season with you...but can't leave the Crystal Ponies hanging..." Cadance begins to explain before smiling. "So we brought them with us!" "Come on in!" Shining calls out as the Crystal Ponies came in, seeing more normal ponies outside their kingdom for the first time in centuries. "Well, don't stand there." Johnny Brock said to the ponies. "Say hello to some long lost ponies!" The citizens of Ponyville go over to greet the Crystal Empires, some for the first time ever. Looks like the family has gotten bigger, so to speak; Twilight even brought over her alternate universe viewing watching, they are watching a scene on their alternate universe watching device that shows their Harmony League counterparts saving a planet from a massively powerful storm. Pinkie grins while saying, "Well, after what happened, there's only 1 thing left to do." Nyx and Spike nod, knowing what she means. Pinkie Pie, Nyx and Spike turn to the readers and all comment, "Well, for us, Happy Hearth's Warming; To you and yours, Merry Christmas." The ponies continue having fun and their celebrations as the best Hearth's Warming Eve continues throughout the day...and night. ------------------ The ponies don't know it but a cloaked figure was watching what happened in his room in his organization's HQ. The villain remarks, "So the rulers' attempts changed them back. No matter...there's always more than one way to skin a pony." The figure laughs quietly and evilly as we fade to black. The End Cast list Ashleigh Bell: Commander Hurricane, Smart Cookie, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Alicorn (combined voice) Tabitha St. Germain: Princess Platinium, Rarity, Princess Luna, Derpy Hooves, Nightmare Moon, Granny Smith Andrea Libman: Chancellor Puddinghead, Private Pansy, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Pinkamena Diane Pie, Psycho Pie, Alicorn (combined voice), Daisy, Rose Tara Strong: Clover the Clever, Twilight Sparkle, Alicorn (combined voice) Cathy Weseluck: Spike the Dragon, The Mayor of Ponyville, Minuette, Golden Harvest Jason Marsden: Ben Mare, The Demon Pony Daviegh Chase: Nyx Michelle Creber: Apple Bloom, Cherry Pie Claire Corlett: Sweetie Belle Madeline Peters: Scootaloo Chris Sanders: Phobos the Dragon Nicole Oliver: Princess Celestia, Cheerilee Peter New: Big Macintosh Chantal Strand: Diamond Tiara Shannon Chan-Kent: Silver Spoon Orlando Bloom: Golden Heart Crispin Freeman: Boris Cathy Cavadini: Dinky Doo William Lawrenson: Pipsqueak Stephanie Anne Mills: Lyra Heartstrings Chiara Zanni: Bon-Bon, Twist Kirby Morrow: Time Turner Monica Stori: Feathermay Chuck Huber: Caramel Scott McNeil: Tough Apple, Rover Kathleen Barr: Blossomforth, Queen Chrysalis E.G. Daily: Plumsweet Greg Ayers: Crashfire Jayson Thiessen: Royal Guards Frank Welker: Private Kenny, Hugo Rob Paulsen: Jakk Checkers Corey Burton: Colby Lollygagger Caitlynne Merdrek: Matelda Lee Tockbar: Snips, Spot Richard Ian Cox: Snails Laraine Newman: Roseluck Jim Cummings: Captain Draco, Bubbo Vic Mignogna: Mysterious figure John de Lancie: Discord Maryke Hendrikse: Gilda Victor Caroli: Tirek the Abomination Jim Miller: King Sombra Jeremy Irons: Tadaka Mark Hamill: Lorcan (evil version) Barry Williams: Johnny Brock With special guest voices by James Wooton: Mule Hoobastank: One of Johnny Brock's singing voices Ewan McGregor: Brave Heart David Geln Eisley: Another one of Johnny Brock's singing voices Andrew Francis: Shining Armor Britt McKillip: Princess Cadance Tim Curry: Hooded figure