At at the castle Sakura is still being a prisoner in the room Naga has placed her in. Sakura lays down in bed and wishes to be back home with her friends and family. In fact, it's the only thing she can think about. Sakura sits on her bed, and hugs her knees with sadness.
"I wish I was home. I wish I could be back home," Sakura says in her thoughts.
On a verge of tears, Sakura closes her eyes, and says in her thoughts, "Mom, guys, princess, help me!"
She opens her eyes to hear that the door is being unlock and is opening. She turns her head to see the door opening, revealing to be Naga and Starlight. Starlight stays at the front of the door to keep guard, and Naga closes the door. He then locks it with the key in his claw. After locking the door and putting the key away, Naga slithers over to see Sakura having her face covered with her knees.
With a smirk, Naga sits on the bed, "Come now little one, there's no need to be afraid."
"I… I'm not scared," Sakura mutters.
"If you're not scared, then you wouldn't have a problem looking at me," Naga remarks.
Sakura sighs and lifts her head to see Naga with a sinister smile. Sakura feels nervous about looking at the serpent because of his hypnotic spell he admits from his eyes.
Naga brushes Sakura's hair with his claw, "There, that wasn't sssso hard."
Sakura flinches a bit and begins to feel uncomfortable. Sakura turns her head away from the sorcerer feeling a bit depressed.
"Now Ssssakura, I know you feel depressssed about being away from home. But not to worry, you'll be back with them soon," Naga says.
"But when?" Sakura asks in concern.
"That will be very soon," Naga answers.
Sakura sighs to hear this. She knows that once Sakura is able to go home, Naga's plan will fully be in motion. Her family,
friends, and everypony in Equestria will be endanger, and Sakura fears there's not much she can do about it. Naga gets off of the bed and sliters towards the bed.
Naga says, "I'll take my leave for our departure."
Naga opens the door, and Starlight along with two other ponies art the door.
"Starlight, would you stay with our guesssst for a while. I have ssssome thingssss I need to attend?" Naga commands.
"Uh sure," Starlight nervously answers.
Starlight walks into the room, and Naga closes the door. The two remain silent as they both are alone in the room.
Starlight slowly walks to the bed and look to see the sad expression on Sakura's face.
Starlight breaks the silence of the room, "So Sakura, are you… okay?"
"Not very much, are you alright? After what happened at the party." Sakura answers.
"I'm fine. I didn't get hurt or anything, just… was put under Naga's control," Starlight answers.
Starlight sighs, "As usual."
Sakura becomes confused to hear Starlight's statement.
She asks, "Are you saying, he hypnotized you before?"
Starlight nods her head feeling ashamed, "Yes. He even had me under his control long before we met. He even did it to other ponies I lived in a village with."
"Wait, are you saying that he…" Sakura is about to ask looking shocked.
Starlight interupts her to answer, "That's right, Naga had kidnapped me, and other ponies from our home at the village and forced us to serve him."
"So my friends and I not the only ones he attacked," Sakura says to herself.
Realizing something, Sakura asks, "And I'm guessing Naga had you ask my mom about me, and hang out with me and my friends so he could capture me."
"Yes, and I'm ashamed of doing this, but… I actually like hanging out with you and your friends. Sadly, as long as Naga is involved and me being under his control, there's not much I can do" Starlight answers, looking sad.
"It's okay. I know you never meant for anything to happen. I just hope we can still be friends after all of this," Sakura says, showing a small smile.
Starlight eyes widen in shock to hear Sakura saying that.
"You, you still want to be friends with me?" Starlight asks.
Sakura nods her head, "Of course I do. You're nice, and I'm sure my friends would love to be your friends too."
Starlight eyes begin to get tearry, "Thanks Sakura, but… I don't think anypony want to be my friends, not after what I did to all those ponies at the village."
"What do you mean?" Sakura asks.
"It's… it's a long story. Plus, if I tell you then you might not want to be my friend anymore," Starlight worriedly answers.
Starlight sighs, and says, "Let's just say that what happened in my childhood caused me to become bitter and do terrible things."
"Maybe if you and I talk about it, I can help you," Sakura reassures.
Looking remorse, Starlight asks, "You really want to know?"
Sakura nods her head.
"Okay, but it's not easy to remember those memories," Starlight sadly replies.
And so, Starlight decides to tell Sakura the story on what she has done and how she and all the ponies have been captured by Naga.
In Ponyville Hospital, Ace and the others are meeting with the patient that has been part the attack at the party last night.
They first visit Dr. Stables and Nurse Red Heart to see her progress.
"So how is she doing?" Ace asks.
"Well, she does seem to have a bump on the head, but she does seem to be recovering. She just need to be in bed for observation for a few days," Dr. Stables answers.
Then Eden asks, "Is it alright if we see her and ask her some questions?"
"Well, that will be okay, but you only got thirty minutes until visiting hours are over," Nurse Red Heart answers.
"And make sure to go easy on her, she might have trouble answering your questions, " Dr. Stables adds.
"Yes sir," the five friends answer.
The five friends are able to get to the room the pony is staying. Ace opens the door to see the dark blue pegasus mare is laying down in bed while looking up at the ceiling. The mare looks away from the wall to see Ace and the others coming into the room.
Raspberry hops to the bed, and asks with glee and fast, "Hi my name is Raspberry pie, how are you feeling? What happened to you? How you got hypnotized by that snake? What's your favorite color? Favorite game? Favorite cake? Favorite muffin? What you like to do during your spare time? Where you lived? How is…"
Ace covers Raspberries mouth with his off with a firm look on his face. He groans as he rolls his eyes.
"For land's sake Raspberry, don't go scarin' her with your fast talk," Baked Apple sternly says.
Raspberry muffles while Ace's hoff is still over his mouth.
Ruby walks over and says, "We apologize for Raspberry''s rude behavior. He gets very excited when we meet new ponies."
"That… that's okay," The mare quietly answers.
Eden comes over and quietly asks, "I'm if we may ask, do you think you can tell us your name?"
The mare looking a bit unsure, but mostly a little scared. She doesn't know if she can trust them or not. Nethertheless,
they seem very friendly and look like the type of ponies who can help.
The mare takes a deep breath, the mare answers, "Night Glider. My name is Night Glider."
"Night Glider, that is a very nice name you have. It's very nice to meet you. My name is Dragon Ruby, but you can call me Ruby," Ruby replies with a smile.
"My name is Apple Eden," Eden replies with a small smile.
"Baked Apple," Baked Apple replies.
"Aerial Ace, the fastest pony in all of Ponyville. Well, the second fastest. The most fastest is my mom," Ace says.
Then Baked Apple says, "And you already met Raspberry Pie."
"Well it's very nice to meet all of you," Night Glider replies.
Baked Apple sits on the bed, and asks, "Night Glider, do you think you can tell us what happened last night. You and other ponies attacked the party for the Equestria Games."
"Let's not forget that Naga kidnapped Sakura and might do something horrible to her if we don't rescue her," Raspberry adds.
Night Glider groans as she rubs her head, "To be honest, I don't fully remember what happened last night. I remember some of the ponies I live with were there, not to mention Starlight was supposed to be there too."
"Wait Starlight!" Ruby exclaims.
"Yeah. I don't fully remember, but Naga ordered Starlight to accompany her on capturing your friend," Night Glider answers.
Baked Apple eyes widen, "So Starlight was apart of the conspiracy too. And she was also being controlled by Naga."
"Well, it seems that Naga is in fact an evil sorcerer who is also a genius," Ruby firmly replies.
Then Ace asks, "Do you have any idea where Naga took Sakura and Starlight?"
"He probably took them back to his castle, but I can't remember where the castle is or much how I got there," Night Glider answers.
"Sounds to me that Naga is makin' sure that nopony figures out where he's hidin," Baked Apple says.
Ace groans, "We'll never find Sakura at that rate."
Ignoring Ace's complaint, Ruby asks, "How did you and the village you lived were captured by that horrid creature."
"I may not remember very much, but I remember on how we got captured by that awful snake. What's scary is to see Starlight being overpowered by him," Night Glider explains.
"It can't be that bad?" Raspberry questions.
"Trust me, it is," Night Glider sadly answers.
Back at the castle, Starlight begins to explain Sakura the whole story.
"It all happened when I was friend with a young colt named Sunburst. He and I were always together. In fact, I don't
remember us ever being apart," Starlight explains.
Hearing the story, Sakura asks, "Did something happened?"
"Yes," Starlight answers.
Starlight can remembers the day when she and Sunburst are young. The two are stacking books high that it's almost close to the ceiling. When Starlight puts one of the books on top of the stack, the stack begin to move. The two young ponies becomes shocked to see the pile going to fall over. What's worse, the books are about to fall on Starlight. Quickly, Sunburst is able to use his magic to stop the books from falling and rescue Starlight. The power of Sunburst is so strong, that the light ends up surrounding the room. When the light is gone, Sunburst looks at his flank to see his cutie mark. Excited he runs outside to show it to the other ponies leaving Starlight in her home. The young Starlight becomes sad that he goes back into her home.
"After that, Sunburst was sent to Princess Celestia's Magic school and I never saw him again. At that time, I begin to feel so bitter about what even and about cutie marks," Starlight says.
"Even when you got your own?" Sakura asks.
"Yes," Starlight, wiping a tear from her eye.
Then she explains, "Because of what happened, I tried to train myself on how to use magic and even though I got my cutie mark, I hate the fact that cutie marks was the reason my friend was gone. I've decided to find a way to rid cuite marks and be able to make friends if we're all the same. I created a village, made up the rules and everything I need to succeed. The ponies who came wanted friendship and I want to give it to them. So I use magic to take their cutie marks and put them in a special vault. Of course, I made it so that a staff is responsible when it was my magic. I thought I given everypony friendship, happiness, and created harmony."
Sakura becomes shocked to hear Starlight's story.
Breaking her silence, Sakura says, "That's quite a story."
"Yeah. It was," Starlight replies.
Then Sakura asks, "How did Naga fit in on what happened?"
"I'll tell you, but you're not going to like it," Starlight answers.
Back at the hospital, Night Glider is about to explain Ace and the others her story.
"I don't fully remember what happened, but it all started when I lived in the village with Starlight and the other ponies over a year ago. Back then, we all gave up our cutie marks so we can be the same and have friendship," Night Glider explains.
This has taken over a year ago. There is a village that goes in two lines with one house in the middle. All of them look the
same. The ponies who live there have their coats and mane pale versions of the colors, gray equal signs on their flanks, and they seem to have the same kind of hairstyle. Of course, the mares either have their manes straight down, braided, or in a bun.
Night Glider walks to Starlight as she says, "Good morning Starlight."
"Good morning Night Glider, how is your day?" Starlight asks.
"Everything is going good. I'm going to see Sugar Belle, you want to tag along with me?" Night Glider replies.
"Sure," Starlight answers.
Night Glider and Starlight sit at a table and a paler version of Sugar Belle walks over with a tray of muffins and glasses of water. They are with two stallions, Party Favor and Double Diamond. Soon the five ponies are having muffins together. Of course, they are rather burnt and state plan.
Just then, a earth pony mare, name Dolly walks over, and says, "Starlight, there's somepony who wants to see you."
"Really? Who would that be?" Starlight asks.
"That will be me," A mysterious voice says.
The five ponies look to see Naga the serpent wizard. The others are becoming scared to see a snake among them.
Starlight can sense something odd about him.
Starlight walks over trying to be calm, and ask, "Um is there anything I can help you with?"
"I'm here because I need your help," Naga answers.
"Help with what?" Starlight asks, looking skeptic.
"By becoming my new sssslaves!" Naga answers.
Starlight eyes widen, "What?"
Before Starlight can react, Naga uses his staff to lift her and the others up and throws them to the ground. The five struggles getting up, but Starlight is the first to stand.
Angry, Starlight asks, "What was that for?!"
"To sssshow you my power," Naga answers.
Sugar Belle and the others are able to get up.
"That wasn't nice," Party Favor mutters as he gets up.
"We got to do something," Sugar Belle asks.
Party Favor then notices Starlight has a scrape, but notice something off with her mark. He then uses his small cloak on Starlight's flank. Starlight becomes shocked and move back. Party Favor and the others gasp in shock, Starlight has her cutie mark on and the equal sign is a fake.
Before Starlight can say anything, Naga lifts his seprer in the air and use his magic on the others. Starlight uses her magic to stop Naga's magic, but can't hold it for long.
Party Favor asks, "Starlight, what's going on?"
"Why do you have your cutie mark?" Night Glider asks.
Struggling with her magic, "It's hard to explain, but you need to go to the vault and release the cutie mark. Use the staff to smash the valt open."
"But can't we use the staff's magic?" Sugar Belle asks.
"The staff is just a plan stick. It was my magic that's been doing it. But right now we have no time for this. Right now, we need to release the cutie marks so we can fight back," Starlight says, continues to use her magic.
Double Diamond turns to the others, "You guys help Starlight. I'll get the cute marks out."
"Right," the three reply.
Double Diamond runs to the caves where the vault is while Sugar Belle and the others run to Starlight's aid. Sugar Belle throws her bad muffins at the snake making him distracted. Starlight is able to use her magic to attack him. Night Glider and Party Favor, along with the other ponies try to help out, but Naga is proven to become strong.
In the cave, Double Diamond reaches the vault to see so many cute marks sealed insite. Seeing the fake staff, Double Diamond grabs it with his teeth and throws it hard at the vault. The staff hits throw the valt and begin to spread crack all over. Then the glasses break and all the cutie marks fly out of the cave. Double Diamond's cutie mark change him back to his original self.
All of the cutie marks fly and head back to their original owners, even Sugar Belle, night Glider and Party Favor. With their maks and talents back, the ponies join in to help in the fight. Naga begins to struggle as the ponies use their skills against him. Sadly, it hasn't last long.
Naga then presses the end of his staff to the ground sending a magical charge. The magic causes all the ponies to lose their magic and flying abilities. Then the magic causes Starlight and all the ponies in the village to become paralyzed.
Naga evil chuckles, and says, "That's cute, but sadly, it'ssss not enough to fight me."
Starlight struggles, but can't move. And sternly asks, "What are you going to do with us?"
"I'm going to make you all serve to my every will," Naga answers with a smirk on his face.
Naga then uses his staff along with his hypnotic power to spread around the ponies. Starlight and the ponies of the village end up getting colors on their eyes, and come into a daze. Naga smirks to see his work has been completed. With a whisk of his staff and claw, Starlight and the other ponies collapse to the ground and become unconscious.
Starlight has finish explaining about the incident with Naga. Sakura is shocked to hear the whole story.
"That's… that's terrible," Sakura says in shock.
"Yeah. It was. The next thing me and the other ponies know, we all Naga's slaves. Forced to serve his every command,"
Starlight replies.
"I'm sorry about what happened. It must have been hard for you to go through all this," Sakura says.
"Yeah. And what's worse, I doubt anypony wants to be my friend. Not after lying, and tricking them like that. And… I doubt
you want to be my friend too," Starlight says in remorse.
Sakura shakes her head, "That's not true .You just gone through some tough times and caused you to walk down a wrong
path. In fact, I'm glad that you told me all of this."
"You do… why?" Starlight asks in shock.
"Because I'm finally get to know who you really are. You're being honest, nicer, and calmer. Being yourself is a better way to make friends than try to get everypony to be the same," Sakura answers.
Starlight begins to shed tears, "I used to think Sunburst and I were the same, but it turned out we were very different…
and it tore our friendship apart!"
Starlight then begin crying as she shed tears. Sakura hugs her and pats her back to help calm her down. She is very broken hearted after what happened with her friend.
Still hugging Starlight, Sakura says, "You could try again. Make new friends. And if something that feels that your friendship is about to fade work through it together. That's what friendship is. I know what it's like about worrying about making new friends because of being different. When yours ended it lead you to this, but think about the friends you could make if you give it another chance."
"How would I know it won't end up being the same?" Starlight asks.
"You just need to find out and make sure it won't because for now on… I'll be your friend," Sakura answers with a smile.
Starlight looks at Sakura surprised and still shedding tears, "You mean…"
"You… really want to… " Starlight tires to speak as her eyes begin to water more.
Sakura shows a reassuring and friendly smile as she nods her head. Starlight cries and hugs Sakura. She sheds tears of joy and remorse for everything she has done. Sakura shed tears a bit and is glad to help Starlight with her problem.
Meanwhile, back at the Ponyville hospital room, Ace and the others are shocked to hear what has happened to Night Glider and the others from their village.
"I can't believe Naga would do something so horrible," Eden says, sounding very angry.
"Yeah. That low down snake in the grass," Baked Apple says with the same expression.
Then Ace says, "So it's not just Sakura we need to save, but also Starlight and all the ponies Naga had captured. We gotta save them."
"I really appreciate it, but are you sure you can handle him? Naga is very powerful," Night Glider worriedly asks.
"We have to, Sakura and all the ponies lives depend on it," Ruby says.
"Well, I don't know if I can help you, but I do know Naga's hideout is in a castle, and it's far from here," Night Glider says.
"Do you have any idea what the castle look like?" Ace asks.
Night Glider begins to think very hard, "I… I don't fully remember, but I know that it's very large and black. It also has a few
flags on it. That is dark green with a yellow snake on it. I also remember that the castle is close to a mountain. I forgot the name but.. The name seems to be referring to a baby pony."
"You remember that?" Raspberry asks.
"Yes. I suddenly remember all of this, but it make my head hurt just thinking about it," night Glider replies.
"That good," Ace says.
"Thanks for the help, and hope you get better soon," Eden says with a calm some.
Thanks. Hope you have luck rescuing your friend," Night Glider replies.
Red Heart walks over, and says, "Alright, visiting hours are over."
The five friends nod their heads and agree that it's time for them to go. They leave the room and glad to have clues to
where Sakura is being held. They are now outside of the hospital figuring out their next move.
"Sounds like we got a lot from talking to Night Glider," Ace says.
"Yeah. We know that Naga's castle is close to a mountain, and I know which mountain she is talkin' about," Baked Apple answers.
"You do?" the others asks.
Baked Apple nods his head, and says, "Yes. Naga's castle is somewhere at Foal Mountain. We should search there first."
"Sounds to me like we're going on a trip," Ruby replies.
Eden shivers nervously, "But won't that be dangerous?"
"And should we told our parents about this?" Raspberry asks.
"There's no time, Sakura is in trouble which means we need to act fast," Ace says.
"I agree," Baked Apple replies.
"Yeah," Raspberry adds.
"So it's settled that we all go to foal mountain without letting our parents know. We could get into trouble from Naga and our parents," Ruby firmly says.
"Yes, but they are right. Sakura needs help, and needs it soon," Eden replies.
Ruby sighs, "Fine, but we should pack supplies and at least leave a note."
"Alright. We'll meet at the edge of Ponyville by midnight. Bring everything we might need. And Ruby, try not to bring too
much stuff," Ace says, giving the friends orders.
"Right," The four friends say.
The five friends set off to get everything ready for their departure for tonight. They know that a friend is in trouble and
nothing is going to stop them from rescuing their friend.