“You WHAT?!” Twilight shouted at Discord as he backed up uncomfortably towards the map table in her throne room. She didn't know if she was furious, astonished, depressed, or simply panicked at Discord's confession. She looked to her friends almost hoping they had that answer for her, but they were just as flabbergasted.
“Well, I thought I had it under control.” He tried to reason.
“You thought that you had the three worst villains we've ever had to deal with under control?!” Rainbow Dash asked, still not believing it.
“Four.” Discord corrected unhelpfully. “Remember Sombra?” Fluttershy groaned as she listened to him digging himself deeper.
“About that.” James said coldly. “You're telling me that even you bringing me in on your plan was a lie? I agreed with you.”
“Oh, right. Like you've never made a mistake. Eh, Pops?” Discord said with a huff.
“Don't call him that!” Rainbow Dash cut in angrily, making Discord flinch.
“This isn't about me. It's about what we can do to fix this problem.” He said defensively.
“The problem you created.” Rarity pointed out.
“It's not my fault!” Discord pleaded. “It's that Xellos creature. He said I wasn't putting you under enough pressure with Sombra so he went off and got the actual Grogar and they took over from there. I didn't even know Grogar was still around.”
“It would seem that Mr. Grogar and mazoku have more in common than you believe, Mr. Discord.” Came an all too calm voice from thin air. James plucked the empty hilt from it's familiar place on his hip. With a burst of light the Replica Sword of Light was ready. Everyone looked around the room, attempting to pinpoint the location of the mazoku.
“Who's there?” Twilight asked the room as she took a step while looking up.
Nearby Xellos appeared to fade in and walk towards Twilight. “Greetings Ms. Twilight. I am Xellos, The Mysterious Priest.” He answered with a cordial bow before turning his attention to Discord. “I appreciate your help with my investigation Mr. Discord. Though the plan has changed.”
“What are you planning, Xellos?” Rainbow Dash demanded.
“I'm afraid that's a s-e-c-r-e-t.” Xellos simply answered.
“Then what are you doing here?” Applejack asked, holding herself back only because of James's warnings.
Xellos practically ignored Applejack as he turned to face Twilight. “Ms. Twilight … you may not wish to go to Canterlot for the Summer Sun Festival.”
“The festival I'm in charge of planning? Why not?” Twilight asked. Why would Xellos care about a festival, especially one that was so important now that Twilight would be ruling soon.
“Because if you do, everyone in Ponyville will die.” The ease at which Xellos spoke put everyone on edge. “I imagine you wouldn't like that.”
“What?!” All but James and Xellos shouted in unison.
“My, I thought I was clear. You see, myself and Mr. Grogar are getting impatient. Admittedly for different reasons. And there will be distinct punishments for you should you force us to delay our plans. Mr. Grogar has already begun preparing for his attack.” Xellos explained.
Rainbow Dash wasn't going to wait around as this creature threatened her friends and her home and rushed Xellos with a battle cry. Xellos barely acknowledged her approach as he rose his staff and effortlessly swatted her aside.
Rainbow Dash slammed into the wall hard enough that they could hear her bones breaking. Everyone watching in horror as she violently melted away while sliding towards the floor, vanishing completely before she would have made it all the way.
James's vision narrowed and he rushed Xellos with a primal roar, slashing wildly with the light blade. Xellos smiled as he easily dodged the attacks. “Mr. James, while I am impressed at your most recent replica, and that you've managed to become considerably faster, you must realize that your toys will never be enough to …” Xellos tried to block but felt the sting as the blade cut into his staff, as much a part of him as his arm and clothing.
His violet eyes opened in surprise as he realized something in particular about this replica. This blade felt almost like the real thing, but there was such a mix of elements to it he could barely comprehend it, and at it’s core he could feel something painful. This blade held within it more than the light of hope and willpower, there was love too. This blade dissipated the very miasma that mazoku needed to live.
Xellos quickly shut up and dodged, but much to his astonishment there was a distinct cut where he had blocked the blade. This weapon was more dangerous than he thought. The true Sword of Light would have had trouble doing that even in Gourry's capable hands, but an amateur swordsman had managed to hurt him with a replica.
“Take my advice to heart Ms. Twilight. Unlike Mr. Discord, I make it a point to not lie.” Xellos said as he vanished from the throne room. “If you leave: They will die.” James stood staring at where Xellos had been, chest heaving as he tried to focus and calm himself.
“I'll send a scroll to Celestia and Luna.” Twilight said helplessly. “You should all go and check on Rainbow Dash.”
With promises that they would be there for her and offers to help should she need, the rest of the ponies began to leave.
The blade of light vanished and James replaced the hilt on his hip before Twilight stopped him. “James … can I ask you something in private?”
“Of course.” James said as he took one last calming breath while the ponies left. Discord vanishing in a flash of light shortly after.
Once they were alone Twilight turned to him, it was easy to see the fear in her eyes. “James … do we actually stand a chance against Xellos?”
He looked her at her fear filled golden eyes. Those golden eyes that had been given to her by the Lord of Nightmares, for what reason he couldn't even begin to guess. Possibly just a whim, given her capricious nature. “I don't know.” He said, quite honestly.
Twilight's eyes watered at the response, her voice shaking as she asked her next question. “Will you stay with us? No matter what happens?”
James knelt, placing his hand on her shoulder as he calmly spoke. “Twilight, you're my friends. I will not abandon you.”
Twilight shot forward and hugged him, James gently holding her in return. “Thank you.” She whispered.
***
Back in the cavern Xellos easily located the alcove where Tirek had hidden Grogar's bell. While Tirek was always careful to ensure Xellos wasn't in the area when he opened it, to Xellos it was a simple matter to scry the location of the item he had been asked to find in the first place.
With a slight magical effort Xellos pulled the bell from it's hiding place behind a loose block with a wall sconce. The crashing of the block falling to the floor didn't go unnoticed.
Cozy Glow hurriedly flew out and found Xellos holding the bell. “Xellos!” She gasped. “What are you doing? We don't know how to use that yet!”
Xellos examined the bell briefly as he turned to Cozy Glow. “My master has decided that I should push up the timetable.” His perpetual pleasant expression giving no hint to his thoughts.
“Grogar hasn't said anything.” Cozy said.
“No Ms. Cozy. I said my master, I only work for Mr. Grogar.” Xellos cocked his eyebrow at her.
“Who's your master?” Cozy Glow carefully asked.
“I'm afraid that's a s-e-c-r-e-t.” He calmly replied, wagging his finger at the young pegasus.
“Then what are you here to do?” Chrysalis asked as she flew out from a nearby corridor.
“That's the wrong question, Chrysalis.” Tirek calmly said as he joined them.
Xellos smiled pleasantly as he listened.
“You've been sneaking around, listening in with interest when we talk about Twilight or James. You're trying to learn something about them and think we may know something.” Tirek explained.
“You're not far off Mr. Tirek. But I do not believe that any of you know anything, and am disappointed that you've not come up with any plans so I am forced to take a more active role.” Xellos explained.
“Once Grogar finds that we've hidden the bell from him he's going to destroy us.” Chrysalis said.
“Had you been able to come up with an effective plan of attack before now, this may not have been necessary.” Xellos simply said.
“All we need to know is how to use the bell then we won't even need Grogar.” Tirek said, hoping to buy them some time.
“And with his bell and my aid, we do not need you.” Xellos answered as his eyes opened to thin slits, turning his face from calm and mischievous to threatening. He slowly rose his staff and power began to gather.
Cozy knew that whatever was happening wasn't a bluff. “Wait!” She shouted as loudly as she could.
Xellos' violet eyes turned to Cozy Glow. “Yes?” He asked almost pleasantly.
Cozy was on the spot. “Mr. Xellos,” She said as sweetly as she could. “we're sorry we couldn't move according to your schedule. But Grogar didn't even share his final plan with us, only that he needed us to work together. Now that we are we're ready to help in any way necessary.”
Xellos put his staff down and his eyes closed again. “You didn't realize that wasn't Mr. Grogar who brought you together initially? Curious how you creatures continue put so much faith in form, particularly you Ms. Chrysalis.”
“What do you mean?!” Chrysalis asked astonished.
“The one who brought you all together was Mr. Discord. He wanted to get you all to work together to make you stronger so that Ms. Twilight could defeat you at your best and gain the confidence to rule. I'm afraid with him in charge you never would have succeeded. No, once he explained his plan to Mr. James I had to intervene so that I could accomplish my goal.” The three stood dumbfounded as they heard Xellos explain.
“This whole thing was a plan for us to lose?!” Chrysalis shouted as her eye twitched. She felt as though a tree had just fallen on her in an open field. How had they been so gullible?
“That was Mr. Discord's plan.” Xellos calmly confirmed. “I knew if there wasn't the real possibility of her losing I could never appropriately complete my job here. And their rather easy defeat of Mr. Sombra showed me that without some real power behind you Mr. Discord's plan wasn't enough.”
“Let us leave.” Tirek said abruptly before anyone else could talk.
“Excuse me?” Xellos asked as he turned to the centaur.
“I don't want to be cannon fodder for someone's plan. You have the real Grogar and his bell. And you said it yourself, you don't need us.” Tirek explained.
“I don't care what you do.” Xellos said with a shrug.
“Let's get out of here before Grogar returns.” Tirek said to the rest of the group.
“You're just giving up?” Chrysalis asked as she turned on him.
“I'm picking my battles.” Tirek answered. “This is not one we can win without increasing our own power. For now, we have to back off.”
“After all we went through to get the bell?” Cozy Glow asked, stunned.
“And we can get it back. We all know that Grogar won't share his power and that will be his downfall. One creature alone cannot defeat those ponies, no matter how powerful they are.” Tirek explained with a pointed look to Xellos, who simply maintained a pleasant look.
From the back of the cave came a deep chuckling. The bell in Xellos' hand took on a dark aura with gold flashing across it as it rose up and levitated towards the entrance of the cave. Grogar stood blocking the only exit as the bell flew over to him and attached itself to his collar.
Grogar smiled as he felt his power returning to him. It had been so long since he had all of his magic, magic he had once used to subjugate all Equestria. “You can't even comprehend the power I have now.” Grogar said with a twisted smile. “Not that it matters now that I have my bell. I need only one thing from you.”
“What's that?” Chrysalis feared she already knew the answer.
A deep resonating tone rang out as Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow felt all of their magic being drained away from them. Tirek shrinking and withering to his weakest form as he tried to hold onto any of his power.
Xellos was unfazed as he stepped into unreal space to avoid the effects of the spell. He watched as Tirek shrank and the others lose some of the intensity of their color before collapsing weakly.
Grogar exhaled, satisfied at the influx of magic through his bell. It wasn't nearly as much as he had expected but it was still more than he had before. He turned to walk away only to drop to his knees as it felt like an electric jolt shot through his body. There was a horrible rattling in his head as if walnuts had been forced through his temples and were now knocking against each other.
“For the sake of our agreement, Mr. Grogar, I will assume that you were not intending to get me in that attack.” Xellos calmly said as he left unreal space. There was a distinct threat to his tone, but this did nothing to intimidate the old goat.
Grogar humphed, determined to show as little weakness as possible. “Assume what you like Xellos.” He turned towards the mazoku and concentrated. Nothing happened. “What have you done?!” He growled, immediately suspicious of the strange creature.
Xellos cocked his eyebrow at the blue goat. “I was clearly right in my choice to seal your magic. Now I believe we have a few things to discuss to our mutual benefit.”
***
Twilight recognized the life support machine attached to Rainbow Dash from when James was in a coma. Was it really that bad? Xellos had barely touched her. “Will she be alright?”
“I'll get her a senzu.” Fluttershy offered.
“She wouldn't be able to eat one in her condition.” James said calmly as he approached the bed. He brushed her hair gently back before chanting a quick amplification spell, then holding his hands just above her and quietly muttering something under his breath. A pale green light lit her up as James continued. After several moments Rainbow Dash began to moan uncomfortably. James kept his eyes closed as he began casting a second healing spell. He paused to take a breath before starting a third.
Eventually Rainbow Dash opened her eyes, the first thing she saw as her vision cleared was James casting some spell on her. She blushed as she realized where she was and how she would have gotten here. The last thing she could remember was flying towards Xellos. Clearly things hadn't gone well for her. “What happened?” She quietly asked.
Pinkie Pie leaped on her friend and hugged her tightly. Making Rainbow Dash yelp in pain. “Oh, sorry.” Pinkie quietly said before backing off. James appeared to not notice as he began yet another healing spell. Sweat starting to bead on his brow.
“You attacked Xellos.” Applejack said as she approached the bed.
“Yeah!” Pinkie spoke up happily. “You flew at him super fast and he just smacked you out of the way like a parasprite!”
Rainbow Dash groaned at the confirmation that she'd been able to do absolutely nothing.
“Pinkie!” Rarity chastised.
Eventually the chant ended and James opened his eyes and looked down at Rainbow Dash. She could tell by looking in his eyes, he was depressed. She hated seeing him like that.
He bent down and held her close. “I'm sorry.” He whispered into her ear. “I'm … I'm just sorry.”
Rainbow Dash blushed as he apologized. “Hey, it's okay.” She awkwardly said.
“No.” James insisted as he let go of the pegasus. “The only reason Xellos went to Equestria is because I'm there or something that I did.”
“You don't know that.” Applejack said.
“He'd have no way to even know about Equestria much less show up there without me.” James said.
“It's not important now.” Twilight spoke up calmly and assuring. “We need to figure out what we'll do from here. As long as we work together I'm sure everything will be fine.”
James gave a weak smile. Despite the fear and worry she showed him just a short time ago she was taking charge and presenting a strong face to ensure everyone was confident about what's coming. She was really becoming a leader.
“We have until the Summer Sun festival to get ready. James, you know the most about Xellos, I'll do more research about Grogar.”
“We should probably get Princess Cadence and Shining Armor involved.” Rarity suggested. “We can't defend all of Ponyville by ourselves, and your brother has that shield he used around Canterlot.”
“But that shield was straining him too much.” Twilight argued.
“He was tryin' to hold that shield for who knows how long. We know when Xellos will show up.” Applejack countered.
“And if we evacuate everyone willing to leave to New Guardia and hide everyone else in the castle then Shining Armor only has to shield the castle.” James suggested.
Twilight chewed her lip for a moment. “Alright. I'll write Shining Armor and Cadence, but only if Flurry Heart comes to New Guardia for her protection.”
“Of course. I'll get a guard contingent to help evacuation as well.” James agreed.
Twilight nodded. “I should let Princesses Celestia and Luna know what's going on. Maybe there's something they can do to help.”
“Twilight.” Applejack said turning to her. “You're a princess too. Get the EUP to help, Xellos or no this is our home and what's the guard for if not to guard.”
James grinned as he turned back to Rainbow Dash, still laying in bed. “Think you can get the Wonderbolts and as much jarred lightning as they can all carry?”
“Uhh, yeah. No problem … but why?”
“Dive bombing them with lightning should slow them down if nothing else.” James explained.
Rainbow Dash laughed as she thought about it. Knowing from personal experience how painful the jarred lightning could be. “Aww yeah.”
“Rainbow Dash, you stay here until the doctors say you're alright.” Twilight countered. “We all need to be at our best for what's coming.”
“Oh, come on. Seriously?” Rainbow Dash complained. “James used magic to heal me. I'm fi-i-i-ine”
“I'd like them to give you a quick check too.” James conceded. “You were hurt enough to come here after all.” Rainbow Dash huffed as she slouched back onto the bed. James placed his hand on her hoof, smiling when she blushed. “You won't be in here too long.”
With that done the ponies left, James waiting a moment before he started to follow them. A tug on his haori stopping him as he began to walk off. He turned to find Rainbow Dash holding it with her mouth.
“Hey.” She quietly said, allowing the haori to fall. “I just wanted to say …” She hesitated as she didn't know just what she wanted to say. “Thanks.” She eventually decided.
James turned back to her and placed his hand on her shoulder, gently rubbing with his thumb. He smiled and nodded. “Hey, once this is over you're getting a full spa day on me.”
Rainbow Dash blushed again. “Sure, just … don't tell anypony.”
James's only answer was a smile.
***
Tirek may have been weak, but he was the only one functional after Grogar and Xellos left. He stood at the entrance of the cave that had housed him for months now. It was a clear summer evening outside and a warm breeze hit his face. He knew where he was going to go, it would take a long time to get there but he was done in Equestria. He had been beaten too many times. Yet much to his surprise, before he took his first step outside he felt the urge to turn back.
Looking back in the cave he saw Cozy Glow trying to crawl along the ground and Chrysalis failing to move from her prone position.
Tirek sighed as he realized what he was about to do and walked off to Cozy Glow's room. Among the cutesy hoofmade decorations and pictures was a wagon that she used to bring in food as she and Chrysalis were the only ones that could go and get them supplies without suspicion. It took more effort than he liked, but Tirek eventually dragged the wagon out and to the main chamber.
Cozy Glow was furious as she watched Tirek walk off with her stuff. “Hey, that's mine!” She tried, but failed, to say with any force.
Tirek just shook his head and picked her up off the floor with both of his much smaller hands, placing her on his back. “Sit there and shut up.” He growled.
“What are you doing Tirek?” Chrysalis asked as Tirek moved the wagon in front of her and dropped the back to make a ramp.
Tirek grunted as he pushed Chrysalis with all of his considerably lesser strength. “Getting us out of here. What does it look like?!”
“But why?” Chrysalis asked.
“Think about it.” He said, irritated. “If we stay, either Grogar wins and at best we're worthless to him. Or the ponies win and we're all going to Tartarus.”
“That's not what I meant.” Crysalis said.
“I know.” Tirek said as he continued to shove Chrysalis. She used what strength she could muster and helped him get her into the wagon. She collapsed as the back closed and Tirek began to pull the cart along out of the cave and towards his further goal far outside of Equestria.