After the meal, everyone decides that they cannot do anything else just then, so they decide to sleep and deal with the situation the next day. They have to decide where Epic Bass will sleep.
“He can stay at the Carousel Boutique with me.” Rarity says, a shine in her eyes.
“I think he should stay here in Canterlot,” Luna puts in.
“How about in my palace? It would make sense. There is plenty of room, and I am the Princess of Friendship after all,” Twilight states, matter-of-factly.
“I think that is a splendid idea,” Celestia says, adding, “Is that alright with you, Epic Bass?”
“I don’t see a problem with it. It would give me the time to get to know you all, right?”
So, it is decided that Epic will live at Twilight’s palace, however temporary. They all head to their respective homes for the night, and the six, Spike, and Epic, will figure out what to do in the morning, while in Canterlot, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna try to form a backup plan, for if the other plan fails. Epic finds it much easier to navigate the palace than most, possibly stemming from growing up with a princess. On the way to his assigned room, he meets Starlight Glimmer. They practically run into each other.
“Oh, hello,” Starlight says.
“Who are you?” Epic inquires.
“I am Starlight Glimmer. I am here to learn about friendship from Princess Twilight,” she replies.
They start talking and for some reason, she comes clean about the fact that she used to be evil, and stole the cutie marks of everyone in an entire town. Epic Bass didn’t seem fazed by it. In fact, he was impressed by her ability with magic, and is glad that she has become good now. The two of them quickly become friends. And, as it turns out, their rooms are right next to each other, so they can help each other get around the palace.
Epic Bass goes to his room, but he doesn’t sleep. After all, he slept for a thousand years. But, that is not the only reason he doesn’t sleep. He sits up all night, pondering what to do. He knows that his enemy will awaken soon, and there is nothing he can do to stop it. He will have to battle Flaring Flame again, and this time, he is sure, will be much more difficult than the last. He will need the help of all of his friends, new and old.
In the morning, the mane 6, Epic Bass, Spike, and Starlight Glimmer meet in the throne room. The mane 6 and Spike sit in their respective seats, and Starlight and Epic pull up chairs. They begin to talk about a plan.
“There is no way to prevent the return of Flaring Flame, we will have to fight,” Epic Bass is saying. He is nervous, but on the surface he looks calm and ready.
“Well, is there any way to postpone his return?” Twilight inquires.
“I’m not sure where a spell like that could be found. Besides, I don’t think any one of us is powerful enough to perform a spell of that magnitude.”
“We could check the Library in the Canterlot Palace,” suggested Rarity.
“Yes, and as for the magnitude of the spell, maybe you’re right, no ONE pony can perform the spell, but if we all work together, we could pull it off, no problem, with the magic of friendship!” Twilight exclaims.”
Epic Bass looks around at all is new friends and smiles. He realizes that what Twilight says is true. With the magic of friendship, anything is possible. He decides right then and there that he will always be there for his friends, as they are going to be there for him.
They all head to Canterlot to search the library. When they get there, they begin to search. After a few hours, they start to lose hope in finding anything to help them. They continue searching until nearly sunset. At that point, they give up.
“Let’s face it, there’s nothing here,” Epic Bass sighs.
“Oh, dear, what will we do?” Fluttershy looks more worried than normal.
The two of them are the only ones in this section of the library, and Epic Bass notices, not for the first time, how beautiful Fluttershy is. He stares at her for a while. She stares back for a few seconds, then looks away, blushing. He, on the other hand, could have stared at her for ages. He doesn’t even realize that he is doing it. He also doesn’t realize that she no longer likes it. He has stared at her for so long that now she just thinks it’s creepy. He finally looks away when he realizes this, and starts to half-heartedly search again.
“Perhaps I can help?” A very familiar voice says behind the two ponies.
The being standing, no, floating behind them is a mismatched jumble of a creature. With each body part that of a different animal, he is a strange sight to behold. Epic Bass has never seen him non paralyzed before.
“Discord!!” He exclaims, charging up his very destructive wubs.
Vmmmmmm Woooooooooob!!!
“Woah!!” Discord shouts, teleporting a few feet to the left. “That is no way to treat a friend.”
“How did you escape your prison, Discord?”
“Escape? Oh, I didn’t escape, I was released. I’m reformed.”
“Um...please don’t attack him, he is our friend,” Fluttershy puts in, quietly.
“What’s goin’ on over here?” Apple Jack calls as she and the others run over.
“I didn’t realize that Discord was no longer the evil being I always was told about.” Epic Bass replies, casting an apologetic glance at Discord.
“Did you do that?” Twilight Sparkle asks, gesturing at the blast that Epic created through 5 bookcases and the wall of the castle.
“Oops…” He says, “I just reacted on instinct, I went against all my training by impulsively attacking with such a powerful spell.”
Twilight seems surprised that he can produce a spell of such magnitude. Epic explains that not only did he grow up around Celestia and Luna, which definitely improved his skill, but he also is a natural when it comes to what he calls “Dropping the Bass”. Also, he says that gems transport and hold power, and actually makes power greater over time. Being trapped in gems for a thousand years probably caused his power to cycle through the gems and build up until when the gems were broken, the immense amount of power embedded itself inside him. Epic Bass no longer even knows the extent of his own power.
“So, you think you can help, Discord?” Epic ask, still suspicious.
“Of course, I know that you’re trying to prevent an evil being from escaping from a prison of stone, which is a subject that I know quite well,” He replies, continuing, “Of course, Flaring Flame is too powerful to fully prevent from returning, but I can postpone his return long enough for us to prepare.”
The eight ponies, dragon, and draconequus head back to Ponyville to prepare the spell. By the time they get back to the palace, it is well into the night. They decide to wait until the morning to continue their preparations. It was a long, tiresome day of looking through books. They all head to bed, none of them go home, that way it will be more convenient come morning.
In the morning, they all eat a quick breakfast and get to work. Discord hasn’t performed this spell before, but he knows it will work. It will take all of them to make it work. They will need the mane 6 for their Elements of Harmony. Discord, Epic, and Starlight will be needed for their magic. It takes a few hours to make sure they get the spell right, and then they head to the Everfree Forest, and to Flaring Flame, still trapped in his prison.
“Look!! There are cracks in the stone, he is breaking free. We must hurry!!” Epic Bass exclaims.
“Alright, ya’ll. Are ya ready to do this?” Apple Jack asks.
“Yes, sirree, dog!” Pinkie exclaims, enthusiastically.
“Oh, um...I suppose,” Fluttershy says, shyly.
The others chime in an affirmative. As Discord readies the spell, everyone joins in around him to perform it alongside him. The friends ready their own portions of the spell. The six activate the power of their Elements. Starlight and Epic point their horns at the statue. Once again, each of the mane 6’s elemental colors shoot out of their bodies and intertwine to become a rainbow. Starlight and Epic’s spell’s intertwine as well. And, of course, Discord raises his arms and…. FLOOM!!! The spell works. The cracks in Flaring Flame disappear, and he is trapped once more. The friends rejoice, except for Discord and Epic Bass.
“This is only a temporary fix,” Epic says, solemnly.
“Yes, quite. Flaring Flame will still escape, soon enough,” Discord states, adding, “I’d say we have about a week before he breaks free.”
“Then we have a week to prepare,” Twilight says, matter-of-factly.
They all head back to their individual homes, but Epic Bass decides that he is going to go visit Fluttershy. He heads to her little cottage to find her having a picnic with her many animal friends. He walks over to her and asks if he can join her.
“Um...Of course,” she says, blushing, her eyes shining with happiness.
So, Epic sits down and Angel hands him a teacup and a plate of food. Even he, who is normally a stubborn little bunny, seems to already like Epic Bass. After the picnic, they all sit and watch the sunset. As the sun is going down, Fluttershy and Epic Bass slowly scoot closer to each other. And as the last rays of sun disappear under the horizon, their flanks touch, and they lean against each other.