Once upon a time, long long time ago, well, more like twenty years ago, Celestia married her Draconequus in front of thousands of personal friends, big cakes, and stuff. So instead of a honeymoon, Draconequus united all the Kingdoms he could and got himself elected the King of the United Nations of Equestria! He rounded up all the villains and sidekicks, some of the very threatful ones and booted them off to the Isle of the Wicked and created a magical barrier to keep them there. And it wasn’t a really good place; no magic, no wifi, no. way. out. Or so they had thought. But something changed it all…
A young man gazed out the window towards the Isle of the Wicked, his mind lost in thought. Without looking away from the window, the young man felt the tailor's hands gently guiding his head back into a neutral position. The tailor then began to take precise measurements of the young man's head, moving the tape around his skull with a practiced ease. Meanwhile, the young man's thoughts continued to drift, perhaps imagining himself sailing to the infamous island or battling its wicked inhabitants.
The doors to the young man's room swung open as the King of the United Nations of Equestria entered, flanked by his wife and Queen, Celestia. His eyes fell upon his son, who was gazing out the window. The King's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"How is it possible that you are going to be crowned as King next month? You are still a baby!" the Discord exclaimed, incredulous.
Celestia said with a giggle, “He is turning 16, dear.”
"Hey Pops!" The Prince called out, his tone casual and light-hearted.
Discord chuckled as he looked at his son. "16? You're still young, my son," he said, shaking his head. "I didn't even make a good decision until I met your mother!"
Celestia chimed in, rolling her eyes at her husband's jest. "Let's not forget, dear, the only decision you made after meeting me was to marry me," she reminded him with a playful smile.
Discord grinned. "I'm just kidding, my love," he said with a chuckle. "Although I have to admit, I've had some good pranks in my day." The Prince joined in with a hearty laugh, sensing the light-hearted mood in the room.
As the Prince turned to walk towards his parents, the tailor stopped him, crouching down to measure the size of his foot.
"I have chosen my first official proclamation," the Prince declared, standing tall and confident.
The King and Queen shared a smile, filled with pride and excitement for their son's future reign.
"I have decided to give the children on the Isle of the Wicked a chance to live here in Equestria."
The Prince's words hung in the air, and the room fell silent. Queen Celestia's eyes widened, and she dropped the clothes she was holding, the sound of fabric hitting the ground echoing in the room. Her mouth opened in shock as she looked at her son, who was now moving towards her and the King, his gaze determined. She couldn't believe what she was hearing, but the Prince continued, his voice steady and resolute.
"Every time I look out to the Isle of the Wicked, I feel that they are abandoned," he said, his eyes never leaving his parents. He had forgotten about the tailor, who was now standing off to the side, looking tired and defeated. The Prince's words had struck a chord with Queen Celestia, and she felt a deep sense of compassion and empathy for the children on the Isle of the Wicked. The room was still quiet, except for the sound of the tailor's heavy sigh as he finally gave up trying to measure the Prince's foot.
Discord cautiously asked, "The children of our sworn enemies, living among us?"
"I sought out a few at first: the ones that need our help the most. I’ve already chosen," replied the Prince with a smile.
"Have you now?"
The King's face turned red with anger as he stepped closer to his son. The Prince could feel the heat emanating from his father's body, but he stood his ground, looking straight into his eyes with unwavering determination.
Celestia intervened, her voice calm and measured. "Remember, my love, we have given second chances before."
Discord's rage seemed to dissipate a bit as he looked at his wife. "Who are their parents?" he asked, still visibly upset.
The Prince took a deep breath before answering. "Gaia Everfree, King Sombra, Chrysalis, and... and Nightmare Moon," he said, the last name barely escaping his lips.
The tailor, who had been scribbling in his book, gasped and dropped it on the ground. The room fell silent, the only sound coming from the rustling of clothes as the King and Queen turned to face their son.
"Nightmare Moon?!" Discord roared, his voice filled with fury.
The Prince held up a hand to calm his father down. "Please, just hear me out," he pleaded.
But the King was having none of it. "No! They are guilty of unspeakable crimes!" he yelled, causing the tailor to cower and quickly scurry out of the room.
The Prince remained calm, his voice even and measured. "But their children are innocent. Don't they deserve a chance to live a normal life?"
Celestia stepped forward and placed a hand on her son's shoulder. "Well done," she said, before turning to guide her husband out of the room.
The Prince watched them leave, knowing that he had convinced his father to allow the children to come to Equestria. He looked down at his father's ring on his finger, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment. Then, he gazed out of the window towards the Isle of the Wicked, his mind already working on the next steps to make his proclamation a reality.
A girl's eyes gleamed mischievously as she surveyed her handiwork. Her fingers were covered in paint, and she didn't care that it stained her skin. She was pleased with the portrait she had just sprayed on the wall, the shadow of a woman with flowing dark blue hair on a background of the same color. In bold letters, "Long Live Eternal Night" was written in the middle, declaring her allegiance to the darkness.
The girl had a striking appearance, with dark bluish-purple hair and bright pink streaks that contrasted sharply against her black coat. A pink dress peeked out from under the coat, matched with purple trousers. Her smirk revealed a set of perfectly aligned teeth, as if daring anyone to challenge her.
They think I’m trouble,
They say I’m bad!
They say I’m evil,
That makes me glad!
As the girl walked away, she intentionally nudged one of the travelers passing by, causing him to stumble. He looked back at her with irritation, but she ignored him and continued on her way. Meanwhile, a boy with dark blue hair jumped onto a nearby roof, his light blue jacket and black trousers fluttering in the wind.
A dirty no-good,
Down to the bone!
Your worst nightmares,
Can’t take me home!
The boy's fingers wrapped tightly around the rungs of the ladder as he descended, his eyes fixed on the portrait on the wall. The man in the picture stared back at him with an eerie grin, his eyes seeming to follow the boy's every move. When he reached the bottom, he quickly moved to the side and slid open a door, leaving a surprised woman standing alone in the room behind him.
As he stepped out into the hallway, a girl with the purple hair suddenly appeared, strutting confidently on top of a table where people were eating. She deliberately placed one foot in front of the other, making her way down the makeshift runway as if she's modeling in a fashion show. Her outfit, a stunning purple uniform that matched her hair, turns heads as she walks. A heart-shaped pendant dangled from her neck, catching the light and shimmering brightly against her chest. The diners look up in surprise and annoyance, but the girl seemed to take no notice as she continued her bold display.
So I’ve got some mischief,
In my blood!
Can you blame me?
I never got no love!
The boy with yellow-blonde hair cautiously poked his head out of the window and looked around before carefully climbing out. He adjusted his hat and dusted off his jacket, then begins to make his way up a series of pipes that run along the side of the building. As he climbed, he occasionally looked down at the dizzying drop below, but he doesn't let it deter him. Finally, he reached the top and stepped onto the rooftop, surveying the view before him.
They think I’m calloused,
A low life hood!
I feel so useless,
MISUNDERSTOOD!
A man walked by, wrapped in a warm scarf, when suddenly a hand grabbed the end of it and pulled it forcefully. He turned around to see a yellow-blonde boy with a mischievous grin, holding his scarf in triumph. As the man protested, the boy spotted an apple flying through the air and skillfully snatched it out of mid-air. Without missing a beat, he took a huge bite out of it and hurled it back towards where it came from.
Meanwhile, the group of girls confidently strut down a dimly lit alleyway, the clack of their boots echoing off the brick walls. The dark blue haired boy jumped from roof to roof, his movements fluid and graceful.
On the other side of town, the yellow-blonde haired boy made his way through a sleeping dormitory, jumping from bed to bed with a playful energy. The occupants stir and grumble as he bounced on their mattresses, but he is too quick for them to catch. He eventually landed on the ground and disappeared out the door, leaving a trail of disheveled bedding in his wake.
Mirror, mirror,
On the wall.
Who’s the baddest,
Of them all?
Welcome to my Wicked World,
Wicked World!
The dark blue haired boy crouched low as he slid down the roof, his hands brushing against the rough shingles to slow down his descent. He landed on the ground with a soft thud, his sneakers scuffing against the pavement. He looked around, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger, before running towards the girls who had retreated to a nearby corner.
I’m rotten to the core, core,
Rotten to the core!
I’m rotten to the core,
Who could ask for more?
I’m nothing like the kid next,
Like the kid next door!
I’m rotten to the,
I’m rotten to the…
CORE!
The group approached a netted door and pushed it open, giggling as they climbed onto a nearby box and started running on it. Their boisterous behavior caused a commotion among the people in the room, who tried to stop them.
One man grabbed a bag of potatoes and handed it to his friend, who attempted to throw it at the kids. However, the group was quick to react, and they tossed the bag back at the man, causing him to stumble and fall into a nearby bucket of water. Undeterred, the kids continued their mischief, running under tables and snatching washing that had been hung out to dry. They banged sticks against buckets and screamed loudly as they made their way down the alleyway.
Suddenly, the dark bluish-purple haired girl emerged from a heap of clothes, still clutching her spray can in her hand.
Call me a schemer,
Call me a freak!
How can you say that,
I’m just, unique!
The dark bluish-purple haired girl raised her spray can and carefully aimed at the white screen in front of her. Her hand moved swiftly as she sprayed the letter 'T' onto it, creating a bright and bold mark. With a grin on her face, she opened the screen and walked away, leaving behind a man sitting in a bathtub. The man looked up in surprise and fear, clearly startled by the unexpected intrusion.
At the same time, the blue-haired boy appeared above two people who were enjoying their drinks. He hung onto the railing with ease, then let go and jumped down, landing with a thud right in front of the two individuals.
What, me a traitor,
Ain’t got your back!
Are we not friends,
What’s up with that?
The boy lifted up the jug, bowed to both people, and ran away with his new-found property.
The girl with purple hair weaved her way through the maze of clothes, carefully stepping around delicate fabrics and colorful garments. She paused to admire a sequined dress, running her fingers lightly over the sparkling embellishments. As she continued on her way, she couldn't resist twirling around in a brightly patterned skirt, feeling the fabric swirl around her legs. She emerged from the clothesline with a grin on her face and continued on her adventure through the alleyway.
So, I’m a misfit,
So, I’m a flirt!
I broke your heart,
I made ya hurt!
She snatched a scarf from a person who was checking the clothes, causing him to twirl around. Then she skipped along, while the man tried to catch a glimpse of her.
Meanwhile, the yellow-blonde haired boy hopped from table to table, causing the vegetables in the baskets to fly out in all directions. He landed on each table with precision, kicking each basket as he goes, a mischievous grin on his face. The people sitting at the tables tried to stop him, but he's too quick, jumping away before they can grab him.
The past is past,
Forgive, forget!
The truth is,
You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!
The boy picked up a small rock from his pocket and threw it down on the ground, causing a loud clatter. An older woman nearby glared at him, shouting something inaudible. Ignoring her, the boy darted towards a nearby trailer and glanced back with a mischievous grin on his face as the woman threw some objects in his direction.
At the same time, the two girls with purple and dark blue hair met at the top of a nearby building. They grasped the railing, grinning devilishly as they look down at the two boys who were causing a commotion below. Their eyes glinted with excitement as they plot their next move.
Mirror, mirror,
On the wall!
Who’s the baddest,
Of them all?
Welcome to my Wicked World,
Wicked World!
As the girls exit the building, the yellow-blonde haired boy quickly grabbed onto a rope attached to a plank on the ceiling and yanked it down. The blue-haired boy hopped onto the plank and rode it down to the ground. They followed the girls outside and start dancing with some of the people around them. Some people were amused by their antics and joined in the dance, while others were annoyed and ran away. The yellow-blonde haired boy pulled off some wild moves, spinning and jumping around while the blue-haired boy improvised some breakdancing moves. The girls laughed and cheered them on as they continue to dance through the crowded alleyway.
I’m rotten to the core, core,
Rotten to the core!
I’m rotten to the core,
Who could ask for more?
I’m nothing like the kid next,
Like the kid next door!
I’m rotten to the,
I’m rotten to the, CORE!
As she puffed at the hair strand, the spray painter's eyes darted around the bustling street until she spotted an old-fashioned stroller being pulled by a young mother. In the stroller, a baby was sitting with a bright red lollipop in its tiny hand. Without a second thought, the girl swooped in and snatched the lollipop away from the baby, who began wailing in distress. The mother continued to pull the stroller, seemingly oblivious to what had just happened.
The dark bluish-purple haired girl triumphantly raised the stolen lollipop for all to see, basking in the attention she was getting. Suddenly, the mood shifted as two imposing figures dressed in dark blue and black clothing strode into the area, their presence causing everyone else to scatter like frightened mice. The gang, however, remained frozen in place, staring at the men with a mix of fear and defiance. The men halted on either side, their faces unreadable as they moved apart to reveal the source of their power. And there she was, Nightmare Moon, standing tall and commanding in the center of the alleyway, her eyes blazing with an otherworldly light.
“Hi mom…” The spray painter said, rather hesitantly.
“Stealing candy, Twilight? So disappointed…”
“It was from a baby…” Twilight smirked, showing the lollipop to her mother.
“That’s my nasty little girl!” Twilight gave a little laugh.
She noticed the lollipop in Twilight's hand and snatched it away, inspecting it before spitting on it and handing it off to one of her men. "Give it back to that dreadful creature!" she commanded.
Twilight protested, "But, mom..."
"It's the deeds, Twilight, that make the difference between mean and truly evil," Nightmare Moon said, turning to the baby and its mother. "When I was your age, I was cursing..."
"Entire Kingdoms!" Twilight interrupted with a groan.
Nightmare Moon motioned for Twilight to follow her, away from the rest of the gang. "I'm just trying to teach you what really counts," she said, her tone serious. "How to be mean..."
"I can do that! And I'll do it better!" Twilight declared, her gang looking at her with concern.
Suddenly, Nightmare Moon's expression brightened. "OH, there's news!" she exclaimed. "I'm very relieved! You four have been chosen to go to a different school in Equestria!"
The gang huddled together, their faces twisted in disbelief as Nightmare Moon announced their enrollment in a boarding school in Equestria. “Say WHAT?!?!” they exclaimed in unison, their voices echoing through the dimly lit alleyway.
“I’m not going to some boarding school which has students as prissy, pink princesses…” Twilight spoke with disgust, her lip curled in a sneer.
“Oh, the Perfect Princesses!” the purple haired girl interjected, her eyes glazing over as she daydreamed.
“Ugh!” Twilight groaned, shaking her head in frustration.
“Ma’am, I don’t do uniforms. And they love them so much,” the dark-blue haired boy chuckled, crossing his arms over his chest.
“I’ve read somewhere that they allow dogs in Equestria. My mom said that they are rabid animals and they don’t behave..” The yellow-blonde haired boy mumbled, lost in thought. Suddenly, he was startled by his friend, the dark-blue haired boy.
“Yeah, mom, we’re not going!” Twilight declared boldly.
“Oh, you think it’s small, pumpkin? It’s all about World Domination!” Nightmare Moon licked her lips, a sly grin creeping across her face. “Fools!” she called out, before turning and striding away.
As the gang trailed behind her, Twilight heard her mother call out to her. “Twilight~!” she called, her voice carrying over the sound of their footsteps.
The old palace was dimly lit, and the air was thick with the scent of incense. A massive gothic chair dominated the room, and Nightmare Moon was seated in it, her long dark hair cascading down her back. As she sharpened her nails, she spoke with an air of superiority. "You will go," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "You will meet the Fairy Godmother, and you will bring me back her magic wand." She puffed at her nails, looking smug. "Easy, peasy!"
Twilight frowned, crossing her arms. "What's in it for us?" she asked, her tone skeptical.
"Matching thrones, herds and herds of crowns?" Nightmare Moon suggested, a wicked gleam in her eye.
But the yellow-blonde haired boy interrupted, speaking without thinking. "I think, I think she meant us."
Nightmare Moon glared at the boy before motioning for her daughter to come closer, her eyes boring into Twilight's. "It's all about you and me, baby," she said in a low voice. "Do you enjoy seeing innocent people suffer?"
Twilight hesitated, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. "Well, yeah, of cour—"
"Then you will get me the wand," Nightmare Moon interrupted, her voice rising. "And you and I can see so much more! With that wand in my sceptre, I will be able to bend both good and evil to my will!" She shouted the last sentence, her eyes flashing with excitement.
Gaia Everfree nodded eagerly, but Twilight remained skeptical. "Wait, you mean our will?" Chrysalis asked.
Nightmare Moon rolled her eyes, looking annoyed. "And if you refuse, you'll be grounded for the rest of your life, missy," she said, winking at her daughter.
Twilight opened her mouth to protest, but her mother closed her hand, silencing her. They locked eyes, and their irises began to glow with a mixture of blue and purple. Nightmare Moon stared at her daughter dominantly, and Twilight felt her resolve slipping away.
Finally, she had to close her eyes in defeat. "Fine! Whatever!" she said, her voice trembling with anger.
"I win!" Nightmare Moon crowed, her voice childish and triumphant.
Chrysalis called out to Rarity, beckoning her over with a sinister tone. "Rarity! Come here, my little evil. Let me train you." Rarity rushed over to her mother, her eyes shining with excitement.
"If you find yourself with a prince who has a big castle and a mother-in-law with lots of mirrors, you'll be ready," Chrysalis said, her lips curling into a wicked smile. Rarity giggled with glee, but her mother's next words quickly wiped the smile off her face.
"No laughing, wrinkles!" Chrysalis scolded her daughter.
Gaia Everfree tousled her son's hair and spoke to him in a playful tone. "Look now, I wouldn't want you to go away. I'd miss you too much!" Braeburn looked at his mother with innocent eyes.
"Really, Mom?" he asked.
"Yes, of course! Who would massage my head, fluff up my coat, and put on my shoes?!" Gaia said, lifting her leg for emphasis.
Braeburn whispered to himself, "I'd rather go to another school than stay here."
"Braeburn, they have dogs in Equestria..." Gaia said with a sly grin.
"Oh no, I'm not going!" Braeburn declared.
"Well, Soarin isn't going either!" King Sombra interjected, referring to the dark-blue-haired boy. "I need him to stock the shelves in my store!"
At this, Nightmare Moon let out a grunt. "Making these people come to my will is the first thing I need to do..."
Sombra led his son, Soarin, to a secluded corner of the room, his curiosity piqued. "What did you get today?" he asked, with a hint of excitement in his voice. Soarin couldn't help but smirk as he reached into his shirt, retrieving a few small objects, but it was the lamp that Sombra's eyes locked onto.
"Ah! A lamp!" Sombra exclaimed, snatching it from Soarin's hand and rubbing it vigorously, as if hoping to summon a genie.
"Dad, I've already tried," Soarin said, already knowing the outcome. He watched as his father's face twisted with disgust, handing the lamp back to him in annoyance.
Chrysalis chimed in, "Rarity isn't going anywhere until we get rid of her uneven brow."
Nightmare Moon interjected, clearly exhausted, "What is wrong with you all? People cower at the mention of our names! For twenty years, I searched for a way off the island. For twenty years, I planned our revenge. Revenge on all those who wronged us! And sweet revenge on Equestria! Villains! Our time has come!"
As the conversation continued, Nightmare Moon's attention turned to Chrysalis, "Chrys, give me your magic mirror..."
Rarity's curiosity was piqued as she watched Chrysalis hand over a small mirror. "This is your magic mirror?" she asked, taking it into her hand.
Chrysalis explained, "Well, it ain’t what it used to be. It will help you find things."
Rarity's eyes widened in excitement, "Like a prince?" she said, her voice dreamy.
Nightmare Moon interjected again, "Like the magic wand, hello! Where is my book? The book, the book..."
Chrysalis quickly pointed towards a fridge, causing Nightmare Moon to grunt as she struggled to open it. "Chrys, help me!" she exclaimed.
Chrysalis walked over to the fridge and opened it easily, unlike her friend. "Voila!"
“My spells! Come, darling, come!” Nightmare Moon called to her daughter. She winced as she pulled the book from the fridge, realizing how many years had passed since it was last there. "Look now, this book won't work here, but it will work in Equestria. Remember when we were spreading evil and ruining lives?"
Chrysalis smirked, "Like it was yesterday!"
"And now, you will make your own memories… if you do exactly as I tell you." Nightmare Moon declared.
Suddenly, they heard a honking sound.
“Oh, let’s get this party started!” Rarity said, admiring herself in the mirror her mother had given her.
Chrysalis stood in front of the mirror, admiring her reflection as she asked her daughter the age-old question, "Who’s the fairest of them all?"
“Me!” Rarity replied with a smile.
Chrysalis chuckled, "Yes, you!"
Meanwhile, Gaia called her son, "Braeburn, come on!"
Sombra turned to his son and said, "Now, recite the mantra."
With a grin, Soarin replied, "There's no 'we' in you and I."
Sombra's eyes welled up with pride, "You're making me tear up!"
Soarin shrugged nonchalantly as he made his way out, "My bad..."
Sombra grabbed a few things and announced, "I'm coming!" as he followed his son out.
Nightmare Moon led her daughter out onto the balcony, the doors opening with a grand flourish. From their vantage point, they looked out over the vast land of Equestria.
"The future of the free world rests upon your shoulders. Don't blow it," Nightmare Moon said sternly before turning and leaving Twilight alone to collect her thoughts. She stared out at the land before her, lost in thought until her mother's call broke her reverie, and she followed her back inside.
A car was waiting for them below, and Soarin couldn't help but take an interest in the silver symbol of the crown emblazoned on its bonnet. He quickly made his way over, grabbed it without being seen, and added it to his collection before heading back to the car.
As they approached, Rarity came running towards the car with a red bag in hand. "Oh, lots of common folk!" Chrysalis commented as she observed the many people who had come to see them off.
"Come back here, now!" Gaia yelled at her son, Braeburn, who rushed into the car before she could do anything.
Twilight approached with a bag on her shoulder, and from the balcony, Nightmare Moon watched her daughter's every move. Before entering the car, Twilight looked back, hoping to see her mother. Her gaze met her mother's, and Nightmare Moon indicated that she would be watching. Twilight nodded and got into the car.
"The jackals have landed," the driver said, putting on his seat belt before driving away.
The interior of the car was fit for a celebrity, and Braeburn and Soarin couldn't resist the lure of the candy in the corner. Twilight and Rarity looked on as the boys fought to get their hands on the treats.
"Oh, you're looking a little washed out. Let me help you, darling," Rarity said, pulling out her makeup brush. Twilight recoiled in horror. "Eww, stop..."
Braeburn took a bite of a candy and nudged Soarin. "Oh, this one, it's salty like nuts but sweet like I don't know what!" He put the whole thing in his mouth, prompting Soarin to ask for a demonstration.
Braeburn opened his mouth, and Soarin could only say, "Ew!"
As they were all preoccupied with their own business, the driver opened a small portion of glass separating him from the passengers. Rarity spotted the movement and drew everyone's attention to the front.
In the distance, they saw the broken bridge that separated the Isle from Equestria. Braeburn cried out, "It's a trap!" and the gang screamed in terror.
To their surprise, they continued driving towards Equestria, and when they looked outside, they saw a magical bridge forming to join the broken one.
"What just happened?" Braeburn asked, bewildered.
"It must be magic!" Rarity exclaimed.
Twilight called out to the driver, "Hey! Does this little button open up the Magic barrier?" She pointed to a remote in his hand.
"No, that button doesn't open the Magic barrier. It opens my garage," the driver replied before pointing to a button on the rearview mirror. "This button." He closed the glass between him and the gang, leaving them to marvel at the magic they had just witnessed.
"Okay, that's sweet. I like that guy," Twilight said with a grin as they drove across the bridge towards Equestria, and towards the adventure that awaited them.