He studied the orb in front of him for several long moments. The hood on his cloak shifted as he shook his head. No, no, no no! None of this was going to work. A growl of frustration escaped him. None of these were his answer. How long had he been searching now? Days, months, years?
No matter. He didn’t plan to give up. Not until he had the perfect solution. It would be well worth all this endless hassle. Another world, another reject. One more, ah, now this one caught his attention. For some strange reason what he sought was in a land of...ponies? There was no mistaking this land was interesting as he observed the colorful equines. This could be the answer to his problems.
He waved his hand over the orb and watched the changing scenery. It didn’t take long for him to find just what he needed. He decided to start in order, it would make more sense that way, and be so much more useful to him. “My dear, Nightmare Moon, I have a proposal for you.”
Her head shot up and she looked around, her eyes narrowed. She was still quite alone in the old castle as she waited for her prey. She tilted her head to the side in thought. “Who’s there?” she demanded, her voice echoed across the empty space.
“A friend.”
She snorted. “I doubt that. If you don’t reveal yourself to me at once, I’ll make you regret it.”
He chuckled at the animosity in her tone. “I’m trying to help you. I’m not in your world, but I want you to come to mine.”
She rolled her eyes at the voice. “Why would I do that when I’m finally about to get what is mine? This entire kingdom is about to be under my control,” she stomped a hoof for emphasis though she didn’t know if he could hear it or not. “Besides, what could you do for me?”
“If you don’t, believe me, that’s fine. I’m going to help you anyway, all you have to do is one thing for me. I want you to touch the element of generosity before that pesky purple pony defeats you.”
This got her attention. “You know of the one that knew me?” she frowned in thought and glanced towards the entranceway to the castle. She could see the shadows of the ponies nearing and she hesitated. All of her plans had been stopped already? Maybe this voice knew something she didn’t. She tossed her head in a silent challenge and prepared herself for the confrontation.
***
He smiled as he felt a surge of energy come through his orb. She might have been suspicious of him, but when it came down to it she had succeeded in her task. He watched the orb for a moment before he used his own magic and plucked her spirit from the timeline right before she was hit with a storm of rainbows.
Nightmare Moon stumbled as she tried to adjust to this new situation. Everything was different now, she was not in Equestria, that was for sure and she felt different. She looked down at herself and her mouth dropped open. “What is this? What am I?” she tried to whirl to demand what was going on and stumbled on the ground on her new feet. “Explain yourself,” she seethed, still sounding menacing from her ungraceful position.
“I told you that you’d be defeated. As for who I am, well I hate to repeat myself so I’m going to have to ask you to be patient while I get the others. As for what you, why you’re human. You were about to be purged of all that makes you, you. I split your spirit in two thanks to the element you touched and brought you here. Once everyone is here I’ll explain everything.”
“Everyone?” her blue eyes narrowed as she glanced around the empty room. What was this creature planning?
“Yes, everyone. I’m about to contact another right now. You’re welcome to sit in the chair beside me if you can manage your limbs. I’m aware that turning human is a bit of a change.” He turned his attention back to the orb and waved his hand over it again. The scenery changed and his next target was revealed. “Discord.”
Discord looked up from his throne and smiled. “Why, a mystery voice. How nice of you to contact me. Are you going to be joining in the chaos?”
“No, Discord. I want to help you. Listen, you are about to be defeated, I want you to touch the element of honesty before you are hit by the pesky rainbow attack.”
“Rainbow attack?” Discord scoffed and put a hand on his hips. “Those pesky ponies won’t be able to hit me with anything. I’ve broken all of them.” He looked thoughtful for a second and smiled. “Though I’m a very patient draconques. I’ll do as you ask if they somehow show themselves before me, not that I see much coming out of it.”
“It’s all I ask.” He started to look for his next target and smiled as Nightmare Moon pulled herself off the floor into the chair. “Still having trouble adjusting, my dear?”
Her eyes couldn’t possibly narrow anymore with the hate waves she was emanating. “I hope you are almost finished with this plan of yours. I will not wait too long for answers.” She settled in her chair and blinked as strands of dark navy blue hair got in her vision. No matter how she shook her head she couldn’t quite get the offending strands to go away.
“Here,” he paused in his mission and leaned forward, gently brushing the hair from her eyes. “You’re going to have to use these things called hands.” He smiled as he felt the warm glow of another element connecting. He swayed his hand over the top of the orb and looked up at the young man that strolled through his portal. “Nice to meet you, Discord.”
Discord took becoming a human in stride. “So I take it I was defeated?”
“Turned to stone actually.” the cloaked man nodded. “I pulled part of your spirit through before the spell hit you.”
“Oh, and what do we have here?” Discord had noticed Nightmare Moon. “I’m not the only one you’re saving then?”
“Oh no, I’m going to save quite a few more before we’re through.” He gestured to the empty seats. “With all of your help we’re going to drain Equestria of all of its power, and then it will be easy to overtake.”
“Oh ho ho ho.” Discord chuckled. “Oh, Nightmare Moon, you look quite lovely as a human,” Discord noted as the dark-skinned beauty glared daggers at him. “If you need help learning anything, I’d be more than willing to help.” He brushed off imaginary lint off his shoulder. “I might not have my powers of chaos right now, but I am still probably the most informed person in this room, well besides our interesting friend over there.” he glanced at his new companions. “Though I do hope you explain why you wanted me to touch Applejack’s necklace.”
“Like I told Ms. Moon over there, all will be revealed when everyone is here. We’re still missing 4 more.” He turned his attention back to the orb and smiled. “Chrysalis.”
The queen of the hive turned her focus away from her minions terrorizing the ponies and looked around. “Who’s there?” it was a demand, not a question.
“Just a friend, my sweet Queen. I’m only here to warn you that you are about to be defeated. I need you to do me a small favor, and in return, you’ll be doing yourself one. Before you are defeated and are chased out by that power of love spell, you need to touch the element of laughter. One of your minions doing it, should be enough as long as they’re connected to you.”
Chrysalis barked out a laugh. “You really think I’m going to be defeated? No one can defeat me! All of this love energy is going to be ours and me and my people will feast!” with a scornful scowl she pushed the voice out of mind and smiled as her people pushed their attack.
Her smile faltered a moment later as she felt the power of her people falter. Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to touch the element of laughter, just in case of course.
The man started to laugh as he felt yet another connection surge through the orb. This was his best idea yet. It was worth every moment that he had suffered to feel this energy. He barely glanced up to acknowledge his latest recruit, there would be time to inform everyone soon enough. That was three down, only three to go and then he’d be able to launch his plan to conquer Equestria and any other world he deemed fit for his rule.