“Just how many people are you planning to pull in here anyway?” Chrysalis glared at the stranger her teal eyes were filled with distrust. “I have a Kingdom to take care of, why am I here?”
“Patience, my queen.” He didn’t even bother to look up, he was far too busy making the next connection on his list. “King Sombra.”
The patient unicorn looked up and around as he tried to spot the voice. “Who’s there, you’re interrupting my vigil. When this wall falls, I will take my rightful position as ruler again.”
“I have bad news for you, it’s not going to work that easy for you. You’re about to be defeated and though you thought a lot of moves ahead, dumb luck is about to get the better of you.”
“Oh?” Sombra glanced up at the royal palace through the shield. “Something I didn’t plan for? I planned for everything. Even if they somehow got the power necessary to stop me, they would have to be able to avoid my traps.”
“And they do because you didn’t account for the power of friendship.”
Sombra snorted. “Friendship has no power. Now voice, what do you want of me? Surely you’re not letting me know this for my own sake.”
“Very astute. No matter what you do there you are doomed to fail, however, if you can touch the element of Kindness, I can use its power to bring you to this world where you can regroup and attack later.”
“Ah, so you are going to be able to drain some of the element, I see. Well, I will not be defeated so easily, but if it is as you say, I will do as you suggest. The shield is already fading since someone fell into my trap, I’ll use my magic to touch the element, but you’re wrong about my defeat.”
“Just do as I ask,” the man waved and the orb went fuzzy again as he focused.
“What is this place?” King Sombra look around the room with a darkened scarlet gaze. “Who are all of you?”
“He won’t tell us until all of the elements have been connected.” Nightmare Moon offered. “I suggest you take a seat, he has been taking a long time to bring us all over and this odd body takes some getting used to.”
“Good job, King Sombra,” the man nodded his head. “Listen, there’s only two left. After I am done I will explain all. I thank you for your patience so far. He turned his attention back to his orb once more and focused on yet another scene. “Ah this one will be difficult…. Lord Tirek, I will keep this short but you need to touch element of magic if you want to survive the battle you’re in.”
“He’s ignoring you, huh?” Discord offered with a chuckle. “Why I could try, but I’m getting tired of waiting for an answer. I don’t really like being a human, I feel more odd than usual.”
“I doubt he’s going to listen to you though, he’s already betrayed you.”
“He betrays me? That’s interesting.” Discord nodded to himself. “Well still, let me try because I’m bored, and I hate being bored. What do I have to do?”
“Touch the orb, and talk.”
“Tirek, it’s me Discord, though not the Discord you’ve betrayed, I’m a different Discord. We’ve been waiting a really long time here, can you just make sure you touch the element of magic that purple pony possesses.”
“Discord?” Tirek had finally paid more attention to the voices now. “You can’t be the Discord I just locked away, I took all his powers. I really don’t need two Discords in my life.”
“No worries, if you do as this guy asks it will just be little old me. I have no plans to get in your way, only to spread some chaos for those ponies.” Discord blinked and rapped the orb with his knuckle. “I think your trinket broke, I don’t hear anything anymore.”
“He’s ignoring us again…. Maybe we should move on, I might be able to find someone else that can siphon that power for us.”
“Us he says,” Nightmare Moon tossed her head and scowled. She hated how the hair got in her eyes whenever she did that. “Weak little Princess Luna defeated many of these people you are bringing over. Is there a reason you’re bringing every enemy that the elements have ever faced here?”
He sighed in frustration than a small smile spread across his lips. “Good job, Discord.” His eyes met those of the man that strode through the portal and he inclined his head. “Lord Tirek, how nice of you to join us. As for your question my dear, let me bring one more over and I will sit down and tell you everything.”
“Forgive me for not trusting you.” Nightmare Moon glared in defiance.
“Starlight Glimmer,” his attention was squarely back on the orb once more.
“Who’s talking to me?”
“You’ll find out soon enough. You are about to lose control of your little village and be shunned. Those ponies you have taken in have fooled you and it’s too late to change the course of things. You have to touch the element of loyalty.”
“Why should I do anything for some voice?” She rolled her eyes.
“Because you want a world where everyone is equal, where no one is greater than another. I can give you that, not just a town, but an entire world”
“Go on… I’m listening.” She tilted her head. “I just have to touch the element of loyalty and I’ll get all this power?”
“No, you’ll connect the element and I will bring you to me, where many others are waiting for you. Once you get here, I will explain everything.”
“Very well.”
This had been going far better than he had ever expected. He felt the last element connect and fought the urge to laugh. “Come sit down, Miss Starlight. It’s time for me to reveal everything.”
Starlight looked up from her place on the ground and stared in shock at the strange things where her hooves used to be. “What did you do to me?”
“I didn’t do anything, when you’re in this world you’re no longer in pony form. No worries, when back in Equestria you’ll all be back to your rightful selves. Now, I believe I promised answers.”
He made a show of taking off his hood and standing to his full height. “My name is Jadeite. I used to be a general for my master but she was defeated in this world. I have been searching for the answer for a very long time.”
“And we’re the answer?” Tirek sat like a motionless king.
“In a way, yes.” Jadeite motioned to the orb that he left on the center of the table. “My Queen and Master were defeated by a magical item called the Silver Crystal. I have searched many worlds to try to find one where it is not so easily defended, your world is the answer.”
“How is it not easily defended?” Nightmare Moon crossed her arms over her chest and looked down startled. The action felt natural and right. “There’s more to this tale than what you’ve told us so far.”
“Of course.” Jadeite flashed her a smile his eyes twinkling. “When your world gained the crystal, it turned into a tree, and that tree gave you the elements of harmony. That means the power of the crystal has been split and with each of you touching an element, I’ve been able to start draining it.”
“So the elements are going to lose all of their powers?” Discord glanced up. The talk had finally interested him.
“They will be weakened for a while before they get to that point. I’m sure the bearers will realize something is up before then. But, because of the points of attachment you of all given me I can flood the land with monsters that the bearers will not be able to defeat. Monsters that are loyal to me.”
“Are you expecting us to divide the land of Equestria amongst ourselves?” Tirek raised an eyebrow. “I do not share. The entire world will be mine.”
“The Silver Crystal in my time is too powerful to stop. With your help, we can not only take over this time but many others. I can send you to various times throughout Equestria’s history and give you each thousands of years of rule.”
Queen Chrysalis got to her feet swaying with the effort. “I have to take care of my people. I don’t care who’s in charge, I only need love to be around so my people can feast. That’s not going to happen after a land of chaos or after most of these guys plans. You want me to cooperate with you and doom my people.”
Jadeite looked thoughtful then nodded. “Then you answer is much simpler. You can have this world. Once I’ve taken over Equestria for you, I can use the powers of the elements to drain the Silver Crystal of this world. You can have free reign of all the human's pesky love here.”
Tirek listened as the stranger talked. His body was motionless but his mind raced. He knew a scam when he heard one, and that is exactly what this stranger was trying to weave. He wasn’t about to fall for such a ploy, but the crystal he mentioned sounded like something that would be quite worthwhile. He would play along for now, but there was no way he was about to be a puppet on someone else’s string. Besides, he had some strong warriors he could easily twist to his side. This Jadeite would soon realize what a mistake it was to try to control the soon to be the ruler of all.