After recruiting the two new members the allies had to regroup to discuss their move after the final member in the Crystal Empire will be recruited, as they want to take a break from the action earlier and they can take the fight straight to Canterlot once the last mission is completed and they return to Ponyville.
Amidst the meeting, of which the Royal Sisters also showed up to, the sighting of a specific person was addressed.
"By the way," Celestia said, "Even until now, we still couldn't figure out what caused the attack in the first place..."
"Queen Chrysalis has been missing for quite a while now, somehow she must have schemed something in her exile," Luna added, "However, without an actual horde, this attack came for earlier than we expected it to."
"I might actually have an idea," Arle spoke up, grabbing everyone's attention. "Actually, the whole Puyo crew knows."
"We do?" Amitie was confused.
"But we have no evidence or-"
"I do, Twilight," Arle said, "So, the whole Puyo crew at this point knows what is the main essence of the Changelings' power, right? And who do you think has so much of that power, that even until now, the changelings aren't able to drain?"
"That certainly narrows it down to someone," Raffina replied.
"Back in the Ponyville invasion recently, while we all went back here, Carby saw something out of the ordinary. And then, I saw the source. The source of their power- and I was not surprised, seeing we're all here. Matter of fact, it's not an it. The source is a she."
"A person?" Starlight asked. "Is she a part of your group, too?"
Everyone didn't need to wait for the answer to that- The Puyo crew knew who it had to be.
"It's Ally!"
"Gugu!" Carbuncle gave a nod.
Twilight gasped. "That was the same person who left that letter I sent you, Arle!"
"Wait, but who is this 'Ally' Person?" Pinkie questioned.
"She's on their side, too..." Fluttershy said sadly.
"No way!" Draco shouted in disbelief. "Ally would willingly help the enemy!?"
"Absolutely not," Ringo commented. "She must've been forced."
The crew was tossing around possible reasons why she helped them instead of her friends, but the ponies were absolutely confused as they were so caught up in worrying they didn't even bother to explain who she is.
At least until Twilight addressed that.
"Okay, from the top," Arle said. "Ally- She's an adventurer we became friends with a few months ago, from a different world than all of us. Why she would be the most perfect target for the changelings is because she is pretty much the very being of love, from top to bottom. She filled her world with that gracious power. There are a lot of things that happened in between but that's for another day."
"But how in Equestria did she manage to get here?" Rainbow asked.
Uhm, because I'm a thing?
"Maybe the same way I did," Ringo shrugged. "I was just suddenly compelled to make a huge chain and ended up here."
"Then how could she possibly have ended up in the hooves of the Changelings?" Luna questioned further.
"No one would know," Arle facepalmed herself in frustration. "Only she and Chrysalis knows that part. The point is, Ally must have gotten captured and used by the Changelings, draining away her limitless amount of love! That's why they're so powerful!"
Harpy gasped. "How cruel!"
"That's our Changeling race for ya, alright," Applejack moaned.
Twilight started to think. "So all we need to do is rescue Ally from the possession of Chrysalis to shorten their power source, and once they don't have access to her powers, they will be limited to the power they already have. Changelings are very hungry for love, though- So not only will they still relentlessly attack for that power, they will eventually lose the power they already accumulated. Once they do, we can drive them away."
"Sounds like a plan," Schezo said. "Without their powers, they are pretty much worthless."
Everyone gave a nod to that.
"Great!" Twilight said with a smile, "Then, let's continue with discussing our plans on our Liberation of Canterlot siege. Tomorrow, Lemres, Ringo, you're coming with me to the Crystal Empire. Everyone else, make sure the place is safe and sound, and be ready when we make our return because we will go straight to Canterlot afterward."
A round of nods was given once more.
“It sure is cold here,” Ringo said, shivering.
The very next day, as planned, Twilight went with Ringo and Lemres to the Crystal Empire. However, the station was quite a walk away from the actual Empire after it was moved further away just so by the off chance any Changeling who snuck onto the train would not break in the city easily. The north of Equestria was still relatively cold, even in this time of year.
“Usually the Crystal Empire’s surroundings are kind of cold,” Twilight explained, “Come on, it will be better when we get there.”
The good news was that it was not very windy, it’s just cold, so the group had little trouble traversing through the icy lands to the Empire itself.
However, there, they came across unexpected resistance.
"Halt!" It was the Crystal Empire guards, stretching across the entire border.
Twilight was rather confused at why she would be suspected of trespassing but quickly dismissed the thought as she remembered the ability of the changelings, so she soon understood the defensive approach.
"*clears throat* I understand your duty here at the border," Twilight had to magnify her voice. "Fear not, I am the real Princess Twilight Sparkle."
"And how shall one prove that?" One asked, guarding the entryway.
As Twilight began to get nervous, since she did not expect this, Ringo and Lemres stroke up a reason for coming since the news about them and their friends in Equestria has been spreading like wildfire in the past few days.
"We are here to retrieve someone," Ringo explained.
"She is a part of our team- A girl that would not mean any harm," Lemres added.
The guard gasped. "Your highness, are you certain the two of them are not our enemy? We have recently captured said kind of creature and she does not sound friendly at all. Perhaps it could also be a Changeling."
"I am 100% sure that-"
Lemres lightly poked her to grab attention. "Not going to lie, she is like that."
Before any suspicion continued, the one pony that could prove their innocence came. When he came, he charged a spell and shot Twilight.
"Hey! What was that for, brother?" She yelled.
Shining Armor nodded. "Drop the defense, everypony. It's her." He turned back to her. "Sorry. Cadance briefed me on this spell to dispell any changeling disguise. You don't seem to respond with that effect, so it must be you."
Twilight rolled her eyes and hugged him. "How could you not tell it's me?"
"Just making sure, like how you always say," He replied. "Now, follow me, I know you're all here for Cadance."
A few security measures later by the Crystal Empire guards and they were allowed to enter the throne room with hardly any effort. Princess Cadance, overjoyed to see her sister-in-law, got up to meet her the second she came through the doors. A hug proceeded.
And because they've been doing it since forever...
"Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake, clap your hooves and do a little shake!"
Ringo and Lemres looked on with a hint of playful laughter.
"Is this normal?" Ringo asked Shining Armor.
"They go a long way back," He replied.
Twilight snapped them all back into reality. "Okay! I suppose you both know why we're here?"
"Judging by the recent events regarding changelings, pretty sure," Cadance responded, nodding.
"Great! Then I don't need to explain. Anyway, we've been told by Celestia and Luna that someone we're on the lookout for came here."
"By the way, Twilight, you haven't told us who we are recruiting this time yet," Ringo interrupted.
Shining Armor sighed. "The princesses told us about her as well. We have been keeping her under watch for a good while, originally for trespassing and suspicion of being a changeling, but when she told us the creature was not a threat and you're coming to get her, we relented and only did so to keep her safe. There is only one problem."
"Oh? Twilight cocked her head.
"She was not very amiable towards us," Cadance worried. "She did explain she is a bit goth but she is somewhat hostile to us capturing her despite our change of plans."
"So it's Feli?"
Lemres propped up his hat as he said that.
"You know her?" Shining Armor questioned.
"Certainly, I do," Lemres said, "And knowing her, it's not a surprise she acted that way. She gets cranky often and her mysterious personality can be a little misleading."
"*gasp* She must've thought you all were hostile to her first!" Ringo panicked.
"We did try to explain ourselves, but she doesn't listen much," Cadance said sadly.
"Well, we're just going to have to convince her we're not in the wrong, then," Twilight said, determined, "Ringo and her friends need Feli for our liberation attack on Canterlot."
Cadance gasped. "You want to attack Chrysalis?"
Twilight gave a nod. "They have proven to be much more dominant over the changeling horde. Surely, even with the power boost of the changelings since their last major assault on Equestria, we would hold them off."
The princess had to think for a moment, before saying, "How much more do you know about the current situation, Twilight?"
"Why'd you ask?"
"Nopony has really found out why the changelings could attack and beat us so suddenly-"
"I know. Ringo's friend Arle cracked their plan."
"Really?"
Twilight nodded.
"How about this. Twilight, you need to tell us how much more you know about Chrysalis' secrets on their invasion, perhaps you have things we can make use of," Shining suggested. "Ringo, Lemres, you must go convince Feli to join your side. She’s under our watch in one of the guest rooms in the Castle, you’ll be guided by the fellow guards. Twilight needs all the help she can get, and we don’t want to make things more complicated than now.”
"Wouldn't bet on that, but alright," Ringo nodded.
They left after that.
It had only been about 15 minutes since the two Puyo members left and they came back.
"Already?" Twilight was surprised.
“Nope,” Lemres replied. “She would not even let us get close. That’s not like her.”
Cadance sighed. “Looks like things never go easy. What happened?”
***********
**knock knock**
“Feli?”
Ringo knocked on the door to Feli’s room.
“What now?”
“It’s us, we came to-“
“I know that voice. Go away.”
Ringo was surprised. Lemres made his attempt.
“Feli, I know they put you under watch and that can be uncomfortable, but-“
“You stay away from me too.”
Lemres cut himself off. “Something’s not right,” he whispered to Ringo.
“Are you guys actually still there? I’m busy here.”
“B-But...”
A whoosh sound came and magic surrounded the doors. In seconds, they were locked shut. That sent a clear message Ringo did not have to plead further.
*********
“Feli isn’t the type to be that mad at Lemres,” Ringo said. “Something is up with her.”
Lemres shrugged. “I know her well, and I could always tell she has a soft side for me, like a fluffy cream puff, you know what I mean?”
Twilight rolled her eyes at the sweets reference. “Basically, you’re saying she’s acting very differently towards you?”
Lemres nodded.
“The fact we’ve been keeping her under watch for a good while might have made her quite uncomfortable and threatened. Perhaps it’s best if we let her go before things get any worse,” Shining suggested.
Cadance agreed. “Whether she wants to help you all for Canterlot, that’s not our prerogative to be involved, I’m afraid.”
The three thought for a while before Twilight broke the silence. “Give her a night to calm down. If we try again, we will not achieve anything. Perhaps tomorrow?”
No one had any objections to that.
“Very well,” Cadance said, “You all can stay for the night, and we’ll make sure to have guards on standby if anything happens. Just making sure!”
“Why do you both like copying my attitude so much?” Twilight wondered aloud.
The three shared a hearty laugh. Ringo, seeing things going alright, picked up her transmitter. “Guys, this is taking a while. We’re going to stay in the Crystal Empire tonight.”
“Got it, Ringo!” Amitie said on the other side. “You all be safe!”
“Will do.”
**Squealing**
In the middle of the night, Twilight was woken up by someone’s cries.
“Huh?”
**Crying**
The sound continued to echo. After a couple more cries she knew who it had to be. She gasped and ran out the door.
“Shining! Cadance!” Twilight yelled.
As if on cue, they were right beside her a moment later. They dashed through the hallways, which they’ve found to be completely draped over by several unconscious guards. Worriedly, they push the doors open to a room. There, they see the most horrifying sight.
“Mama!”
Flurry Heart was levitated in the air with a purple aura, and next to her was a girl casting a spell. The girl, with long violet hair, dressed in an interesting fashion of Gothic Lolita. In her hands were two crooked metal rods. The moment the girl noticed the ponies’ presence she stopped her spell.
“Who dares to interrupt my ritual?” She asked, turning to them and pointing at them.
Twilight told the others to remain calm as she dealt with the situation. “Are you Feli? The one my friends were-“
“Yes, I am,” She interrupted. “And you all better stay away...”
The three look to each other with much confusion.
“Why the hostility?” Feli demanded.
“What?”
“You two,” She continued, “You trapped me in for so long, not allowing me to leave. What’s your intention? Are you trying to accuse me of being a threat in your little war? Pfft.”
Cadance stepped up. “With all respect, we did not mean to harm you in any way, all we ask is for confirmation of you not being a threat. Your friends, who we have confirmed their innocence, have come to help you, so-“
“Shut it, Princess,” Feli interrupted.
Cadance gasped at her attitude. Shining was going to fight, but Twilight halted him.
“All you did was mistreat me, treat everyone you fear and don’t know about an enemy,” She continued, “And to think your lands are a paradise of harmony and friendship, free from discrimination towards anycreature. Well, we are indeed one of those kinds you discriminate, huh...”
“In a War like this...” Twilight said regrettably, “Even the closest of friends could end up in betrayal, and we want to make sure everycreature is safe and sound.”
“Must I prove my strength?”
Feli was up for a fight and was ready to blast magic at everyone. Twilight gasped, and quickly tackled her, performing a teleportation spell to save her brother’s family. She teleported the two of them straight to the throne room, now in complete darkness. The moment Twilight lit up the area, she was met with a kick to the face that sent her right into the wall.
“Owww...”
Feli fired two magic projectiles that nearly hit her, had she not used a shield to defend herself. She sprang into action once more, firing on the girl. She missed every single shot by a split second- and she would be beaten up several times from behind as she did so. When she finally caught on, Feli would disappear again, and the cycle just never seemed to end.
Needless to say, Twilight got tired fast. Feli saw the chance and fired. Direct hit.
“Ahhhhh!”
The poor princess got blasted right against the throne. Feli once more shoots magic at her, which Twilight defended from. As she held her ground, she noticed something off- The magic Feli was blasting was green. Lemres and Ringo never mentioned anything about that to her, and no one on the Puyo team could channel magic without the use of Puyos.
But she quickly lost her train of thought as Feli overpowered her magic, and in her confusion and exhaustion, grabbed her and threw her, leaving her sliding along the floor.
“Vengeance is sweet, isn’t it?” Feli asked with a sinister smile. “To unleash your fury on those who mistreated you.”
Twilight was going to get up, but Feli stepped on her back, forbidding her. The girl charged her spell to finish the pony.
“You shouldn’t have been so hostile to me...”
**BANG**
”Significator!”
A spell left Feli confused and prone to a subsequent magic blast. Twilight took the chance to get up and see who it was. It was Cadance, with the two Puyo members, and someone that left her confused as ever.
“Huh? Feli?”
Feli smirked. “I’m the real one,” she clarified.
“Wh- Huh???”
Right behind Twilight, the imposter was about to charge magic again. Feli saw it and leaped high.
”Principal Star!”
She crossed her sticks and launched some kind of giant star against her doppelgänger. The latter was left completely unconscious. Feli got up and spun her sticks in circles with style.
“I knew I’d win,” She said with confidence.
Twilight, completely astounded by what just happened, came up to her. “You’re the real one? Then... *gasp* She must be...!”
And she was right. The copycat de-transformed, revealing Chrysalis.
“I’m surprised you’re so clueless, Princess,” The Changeling said.
Twilight was furious at the deception. She tried to attack, but Chrysalis transformed again to defend from the attack.
“What!?”
A few more rounds of magic came from Twilight and Cadance, but shockingly, the Queen went from being Schezo to Raffina and Feli herself, dodging all the magic.
“What do you think, huh?”
Ringo and Lemres were ready for a Puyo match on the spot.
“Not cool,” Ringo said, determined, “Mimicking our friend? That’s not cool at all.”
Chrysalis shrugged. “Alright, not fair, right? Fine... You all can’t defeat my horde anyway. Ha, matter of fact, it was so easy to get the poor girl’s disguise. So easy, I tricked her friend into-“
Feli went right up to her and slapped the Queen.
“Don’t. You. Mention. It.”
She pointed her crooked sticks right up her throat.
Chrysalis raised an eyebrow before transforming into Celestia herself and blasting her away with immense power.
“Feli!” Twilight cried.
“See? Powerless, you all are.”
Lemres was already building up magic. “You hurt her one more time and I will-“
Before he could finish, he was blasted by magic too.
“Lemres!” Feli gasped. “Grrr... You are unforgivable!”
But the Queen didn’t seem to care, evident from her paying no attention to Feli. Twilight was at the end of her rope.
“Trying to tear their friendship apart...” Twilight muttered, “That’s the worst thing anypony can do!”
“Oh, why not? You denied me of Friendship long ago. So it is only fair that I get to deny people it’s magic as well, don’t you think?”
“You have absolutely no right to,” Feli growled, getting up. “You dare to manipulate me to trick me into fighting against my dear friend Lemres... You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into. When you broke in, tried to harm me and disguise as myself, I was beyond furious when I was saved by Lemres and Ringo. I couldn’t be more thankful- They helped me when I was in trouble in those dungeons, despite all the fear I may have given them and their friends.”
Ringo nodded. “She’s right. She may have been kind of mysterious, goth, threatening, even... But she’s still a friend to us, a friend we care about. She only needed someone to reach out to her, and that was Lemres. And look where she is now.”
Twilight contemplated on those words the moment she heard it.
“We could all just calm down and talk it out,” Lemres said, “Might as well, have a cake or two. Just to mellow the tension here, Kay?”
That last part got Chrysalis laughing on her butt. Cadance, in defense of the crew, fired at her foe’s act of teasing.
“Hmph. Whatever you say, the horde will not bow to your kingdom... One who is devoid of love for its foreigners.”
Twilight shook her head. “We will take Canterlot back. And when we do, love will flourish through Equestria again...”
Ah, Twilight, looks like you’ve made an oopsie.
“...Once we rescue their friend Ally, and with her help, we will defeat you.”
Chrysalis blinked twice. “What did you just...”
Ringo gasped, “Twilight! What have you-!”
“Ally’s on your side!?” Chrysalis roared. “Oh, she will pay for her betrayal!”
She immediately took off. Twilight just shook her head in disbelief.
“Why did you say that!?” Ringo screamed in despair.
“I have no idea!” Twilight cried. “I’m sorry! I don’t know why! I didn’t mean to blurt out those words at all- I didn’t even think about saying it!”
Everyone was confused.
“Well... Whatever the case,” Cadance said, “Now Chrysalis knows your attack is imminent.”
Feli gave a boastful chuckle. “Then we’ll just have to kill her first!”
Twilight nodded. “We need to get back to Ponyville and meet up with the others fast. We’re going straight to Canterlot without delay once we get everyone on board.”
“I’ll lend you all a hoof. The Crystal Empire’s express train is much faster than the Friendship express, and you’ll get back quickly,” Cadance said, smiling.
“Thanks so much, Cadance!”
“And just maybe, I’d be there to give you some help during the fight, Twilight.”
“Great! Hope to see you there!”
A brief hug later, the group ran off, sprinting back to the Castle entrance and leaving the city. Their time is about to arrive.
Puyo Divinity Feli has joined the Party
“She’s been gone for a while... I hope my friends are okay.”
Ally said to herself. A while ago, Chrysalis left her on watch by the changeling guards for an operation that “Only she could do”. She’s lost quite a bunch of her powers after that, but she’s been healing and doing fine. Much of her day was now spent on talking with her new friend, Rafisol, the spirit in her pendant.
Though only a few days, they’ve slowly developed a rather passive attitude towards each other, despite what they’ve been through in a past adventure.
”I don’t want to stop existing... I want to live, and your power would give me the ability to!”
Rafisol, in utter frustration, fired projectiles toward Ally. Arle defended against it with a spell.
“You can’t! Ally will die!”
Amitie stepped in. “You can’t only think of yourself! What would happen to her if you did such a thing?”
“You don’t understand... My lack of love is something that only Ally could fulfill, and only once I obtain that magic can My existence be stabilized!”
She charges magic in her palms.
”Snatch!”
Rafisol levitates Ally with magic, attempting to suffocate and force her into submission to her desire.
“No!”
Ally, Amitie and Ringo banded up to Fire their most powerful spells, disrupting Rafisol’s focus and allowing Ally to counter-attack. They eventually settle it with a Puyo Battle- Where the squad reigned victorious after around 20 minutes of vicious magic combat.
“Grrrr... Disorder!”
”Love’s Light!”
Two big projectiles, cyan, and lime-colored respectively, collided in an explosion that sent both of the girls flying.
“Why? Just... Why?” Rafisol cried. “That power... Why would you reject me from getting it?”
“Because you don’t understand it,” Ally explained in regret. “I know how much you need this. But I want you to understand how much more it can be than just simply fulfilling your desires. Love is something special, powerful, and it’s not something you can achieve alone. It’s meaningless...”
Rafisol’s eyes welled with tears.
“I don’t want to die... *sniff* I was shunned out for so long... I just wanted that warm feeling again, to experience what it’s like...”
She tried attacking again, but Ally protected herself.
“Your hunger for Love is true, isn’t it?” Ally wondered aloud. “I can see... You do want to love...”
Rafisol continued attacking.
“But you’re led so astray by this desire... You need to realize it’s magic, it’s power, it’s beauty...” Ally said, deflecting projectiles left and right. “There’s only one thing I could possibly do, Rafisol. I don’t want to see you go, but I can’t let you hurt my friends.”
As soon as she stunned her opponent, Ally took the chance to activate her now recharged pendant.
“Come, I’ll teach you. You won’t have to be alone again... And we can fall in love as friends together, okay?”
Now, it’s been a few months since that adventure.
And it wasn’t until now had they really become friends.
Ally wondered why it took so long for Rafisol to open up to someone as nice as her. She was never mad at Rafisol for anything. All she wished was for them to stop fighting, and for this spirit to learn to love the ones around her, to know that love was beside her the whole time, and all she had to do was be a part of the moment to feel its power.
“Oh, Rafisol...”
She chuckled, placing her hands on her heart as she closed her eyes.
“There’s no need to fear that I hated you. I never did. I always had a secret wish in my heart, we could be something special. You and I are the same person, you know that? You’re that part of me that represents my negative emotions. Hurt... Fear... Sadness... All those. I don’t feel right sometimes, despite it's great being optimistic all the time. And you’re the same- Long have you been left to your loathing, depression, and loneliness. I’ve always been here for you, don’t you see? I’ve always been your happiness and the one who cares about you. You’re not alone.”
She smiled.
“You always reject my claims you like me. But in truth, I know you do. You just don’t realize it. And you know what? I love you the same way I did when I wanted you back in my pendant. It’s because I know you can be someone better, we can be friends, and I care about you so much, that I did so. I wanted you to realize how heartwarming love can be. I like you, because of how kind you actually are. And I’m sure you like me back because of the same reason. You’re actually very nice, and deep down, you’re so gentle, and you gave me comfort, and even love- when I’m at such a low point in my life.”
I didn’t realize you think that way. Really?
Ally’s eyes reopened when Rafisol spoke. “Y-Yeah.”
*chuckles* Thanks, I guess. But I don’t need your pity, Ally. I’ve been used to being emotionless and a bit awkward.
“You’re not awkward,” Ally giggled. “You’re only special. And that’s another reason I like you.”
Why, Though?
“Everyone’s special in their own way. People just don’t know how to appreciate you, I guess. I’ve always thought you and I are very special in the eyes of others. They feel you’re threatening and want to go away. For me... I’m a little too enthusiastic about love all the time. It really does feel like the two of us are the same person. We make the other feel complete when you’re here with me.”
Please stop with this talk...
“Aw, why?”
I... I hate this... *chuckles* You’re not supposed to be glad I’m here...
Ally couldn’t stop laughing like a child.
Stop with the laughter! *chuckling* Why am I laughing now?
“It’s called joy, Rafisol. There’s a kind of joy you only find with someone dear to you, you see?”
*growl* I hate you, Ally...
The adventurer sighed blissfully after her laughter died down.
“I hate you too, Rafisol, you know that for being so cruel on me before,” Ally giggled sarcastically.