211.1 (Wixelt)
Victory Lap: 28 Pranks Later [6x15]
(4 of 5)
“So, let’s review.”
“C’mon Twi, is this really necessary?” Rainbow stretched, leaning back in her chair.
“Yes. Yes, it is.” Twilight narrowed her eyes across the table at the technicolor pegasus, “There have been complaints, though this will be my first time reading them.”
“Ugh. Fine…” the supposedly guilty party rolled her eyes, “Go ahead, I guess.”
“So, first, Rarity and AJ have both accused you of skulking around near their homes.” The purple princess began, “They haven’t found whatever prank you’ve hidden yet, but as I’m sure you’ve noticed, it’s making them uneasy. There are similar complaints from Cranky and Big Mac.”
“Uh huh…”
“Next, I have a notice from Cheerilee that you, without asking, sat in on a class at the school, and spent the entire lesson, what does it say here…” Twilight peered at the writing, then raised an eyebrow, “…doing nothing? Um…”
“Are you going somewhere with this, Sparkle?” Rainbow asked, bored.
“I’m sure I’m… huh... Whatever. Next, Spike noticed you hanging around the library here at the castle for no apparent reason whilst he was writing a letter to Celestia… and…” the confused pony shook her head, “These are all complaints about you not doing pranks, aren’t they?”
“Haven’t done a single one since the whoopee cushion.” Dash grinned, giggling, “Sometimes nothing is funnier than something, y’know.”
“True…” Twilight set the papers down, “You know, you could have told me this sort of reverse-pranking was your plan this loop.”
“And ruin the surprise? Nah.” The blue furred mare stretched, “Besides, once they realize I ‘changed my mind’ and haven’t done anything, they’ll let this go.”
“And then you do the rainbow cookie prank?” the Anchor asked, morbidly curious.
“Nope. Still nothing. Business as usual on the Filly Guides front.” Rainbow laughed, “That’ll really throw them."
“Oh, now that’s just devious.”
“Heh, I know.”
211.2 (Vinylshadow)
"Hm," Shining said, gazing up at the angry dark storm clouds gathering over the Crystal Empire. "Looks like Sombra's back for no well-explained reason. Again."
"Seriously?" Cadance said with a sigh, holding Flurry Heart with a wing. "He still hasn't learned his lesson?"
The Empire was safely covered by the Crystal Heart, and the royal couple made their way down to the edge of the shield, where the smoke coalesced into the familiar figure of Sombra.
"Hello," he said, voice slightly muffled by the shield. "I've come to check on my godfoal."
"You must have the wrong Crystal Empire," Shining said, a growl at the back of his throat. "There's nobody related to you here, directly or otherwise."
Sombra barely spared him a glance, eyes on Cadance. He smiled at her. "I see your husband still hasn't educated himself on the history of the Crystal Empire."
"I see your jaw has healed from the time he shattered it," Cadance replied. Flurry giggled and a mild look of irritation flitted over Sombra's face before being replaced by a smile that on any other creature would've been dazzling, but only made Cadance grumpier. "That was your history, and is no longer being followed or acknowledged."
Several piles of ashes appeared next to Sombra, and he looked at them quizzically.
"I was at least kind enough to alphabetize the remains of your law books after writing my own," Cadance said with a smile of her own. "Now please remove yourself from the Crystal Empire and all of its lands. You have three days to get out of sight of the Empire, and that means if you can still see the Empire, we can see you, and will hunt you down and finish what my sister started. Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal," Sombra said.
"Darling, may I break his jaw again, this time in two places, one for speaking at all, and the other for unoriginality?" Shining asked, eyes gleaming as he shifted his hooves.
"That won't be necessary, unfortunately," Cadance said, watching Sombra's suddenly-fleeing figure. "Can't believe he had the gall to name himself as Flurry's godpony," she added, nuzzling Flurry.
"He's certainly no Maleficent," Shining noted. "No class or grace. And his entrances are weak."
Cadance looked thoughtful at that. "Well, I'd much prefer her over Sombra. I'm mildly surprised we've never had the rest of that scenario pop up, to be honest."
"What, getting blessings and a curse on her birthday, meeting a dashing prince who's too old for her, and being married at an unhealthily young age?" Shining snorted. "Not on my watch."
"She's going to grow up eventually," Cadance said. "And at some point you're going to have to drop the Scary Overprotective Dad routine."
"Only when you drop the Scary Overprotective Mom routine," Shining said with a grin.
"But you love it," Cadance pointed out, making Shining blush and sputter.
Flurry cooed and Cadance nuzzled her, sparing her husband from further teasing.
211.3 (Wixelt)
Victory Lap: 28 Pranks Later [6x15]
(5 of 5)
“Raaaainbow Daaaash…”
Blinking the sleep out of her eyes, Equestria’s Fastest sluggishly sat up in bed, vaguely aware of a presence in front of her. Staring blearily up at it, something clicked, and she was suddenly much more awake.
“…Pinkie?”
“Yeppers, it’s me.” The floating, ghostly apparition nodded, form twitching idly, “I’ve poofed in before you to make you see the badness of your pranks, lest you end up like meeeeee.”
“Uh… huh?”
“You will be visited by three ghosties. Of Pranks Childish, Now-ish and Yet to Come… ish.” The ghost Pinkie made spooky noises, before continuing, “If you do not see that you’re being a mean, meanie-pants that does mean… uh… things, you will spend the rest of your days… um…” she frowned, then suddenly pulled a script out of her tail, flicking through several pages, “Hang on, it’s here someplace…”
“Neat.” Rainbow nodded, then began to tuck herself back in again, “Let me know when you find it. I’ll be here…”
“I…” Pinkie raised both eyebrows, then gave her target a curious look, “You… you’re Awake, aren’t you, Dashie?”
“Since yesterday.” Dash conceded, dropping the bored acting and sitting up again, “Good try, though.”
“Awww…” Pinkie groaned, the ‘ghost’ façade fading as she dropped to the floor, “I spent absolutely-positively ages working this bit out. Waited for you not to be Awake and everything. Was going to throw a party when you changed your ways…”
“Doesn’t exactly help that you’re not dead.”
“I had ideas for that!”
“I’m sure.” Rainbow rolled her eyes, “You can still do it next loop, y’know. I won’t tell you not to.”
“Really?” Pinkie seemed to perk up again, but then looked a little worried, becoming a tad serious for a moment, “I mean… You seem to be using Twi’s thing to let people do a lot of stuff to your baseline self during her pranking spree… so…”
“Because she’s being a dummy!” Rainbow shot back, passionate by not unhappy, “As funny as some of her pranks objectively are, she could easily have really hurt someone’s feelings.” She scoffed, smiling wryly, “Element of Loyalty my back hoof. She’s had this coming for a long time, seeing as I never got around to it during the actual expansion. Go right ahead.”
“You sure, Dashie?”
“Pinks, you could ask that 100 more times and the answer wouldn’t change.”
“…alrighty?” Pinkie nodded, “Can’t really do that now, though. Guess I need to tell the others it’s off for this loop.”
“You brought a team in on this?” Dash hummed, then laughed, “Of course you did. Let me guess, you got Gilda as the Past ghost?”
“Yep. She was… oddly enthusiastic about the idea of scaring you senseless, though that doesn’t really surprise me…”
211.4 (Namar13766)
Sunset Shimmer walked out of the Crystal Palace's Nursery with an expression of transcendentally enlightened joy on her face.
Shining Armor and Cadance looked at her askance. Even if Sunset had not been Awake this Loop, the fact she had changed greatly was appreciated, if leaving them curious as to what was the source of her present pleasantness.
"I need to tell you something," Sunset addressed them.
Shining Armor and Cadence exchanged a look.
"Go on," said Cadence, after a pause.
"I have known Flurry Heart for just one day." That sounded safe. "She is an adorable bundle of happiness incarnate." That sounded nice. "So if anything happens to her, I promise I won't kill those responsible." That sounded much less nice.
Sunset looked at the couple with a smile of exuberant menace. "Because they'd be very surprised what they can live through." She gave them a brief hug and happily trotted in the direction of the kitchen.
"Well," Shining Armor began. "That's still progress compared to how she used to be."
211.5 (Wixelt)
Victory Lap: The Times They Are a Changeling [6x16]
(1 of 5)
“I- I don’t know… Are you, uh, sure about this, Spike?”
“Definitely. This has to work. I mean, you could disguise yourself as a Crystal Pony, but I think they’ll expect that. Also, um… This feels like more fun, y’know. Practise too.”
“I guess…”
“Look, if anything goes wrong, I’ve got your back, alright?”
“Really?”
“Yeah, of course. That’s what friends are for, Thorax.”
“…Thanks.”
“Spike the Brave and Glorious!”
“Um… yeah?” Spike looked up from his book, cocking an eyebrow at the pair of crystal guards-ponies before him, “Is there something I can help you with?”
“There is.” the leader of the duo nodded, then gestured to the object next to Spike, which appeared to be some manner of potted plant, “This was not here before, and I don’t recall the palace gardener planning any remodels. Would you perchance know the origin of this… uh…”
“Cactus.”
“Yes, right. This… cactus?” the guard shrugged.
“Somepony asked me to keep an eye on it.” The young dragon shrugged, “I wasn’t really doing anything else, so…”
“Fair enough. Can’t be too careful with a potential changeling around.”
“Right…” Spike blinked, “You… don’t know what a cactus is.”
“We have heard of them, but…” the second guard frowned, “We live in the north, sir.”
“Fair enough.”
The cactus twitched.
“Uh…”
“They do that sometimes.” Spike coughed.
“Spike?”
“Oh, hey Cadance.” The dragonling nodded to the pink alicorn with a smile as she approached, “Good day?”
“Relatively.” Cadance nodded, then shook her head, “But unfortunately not why I’m here. Somepony said they thought they saw the changeling go this way. I imagine it’s just hysteria talking, there, but I thought best to check.”
“Good idea.” Spike hummed, “Can’t say I’ve had any dangerous creatures head this way, though. Would’ve told you if I had.”
“Well, so long as you’re keeping an eye out.” Cadance smiled, beginning to head away. She paused, though, looking back at what her sister-in-law’s charge was busy with, “Nice house of cards by the way. Didn’t think it was something you’d find interesting.”
“Nice to see it’s possible to be surprised by things.” The green and purple lizard opined, staring at his build with admiration, then frowned, “Y’know, what if this changeling doesn’t actually want to hurt anypony? Like, maybe it’s just lost or hungry or something?”
“…Twilight’s taught you well.” Cadance smiled, but then shook her head, “I’d love to believe that, I really would. It’s great to think the best of somepony, but with the changelings being a hive...” She sighed, “I don’t think we can risk it, after the wedding. They could be Chrysalis’ eyes and ears even without wanting to be.”
“Just think about it, okay?”
“I will.” The princess nodded again, then paced off, disappearing around the corner. Spike watched her go.
“Pretty sure changelings aren’t that interconnected…” he muttered.
“Not- not at this distance, at least…” the house of cards chimed in.
“Spike!”
“Oh, hey Shining Armor.” Spike perked up as Twilight’s brother rounded a corner towards him, “You need something?”
“As it happens, yes.” Shining stopped in front of the dragon, then narrowed his eyes, “My guards have informed me you were looking after somepony’s plant.”
“Yeah?”
“I checked the manifest of who’s brought what into the palace.” The prince’s eyes narrowed further, “There is no such pony.”
“Maybe they teleported in, or used, um… a portal spell?” the dragon offered, “I was definitely told to look after a cactus.”
“We thought of that, but the wards we installed after Sunset Shimmer stole my sister’s crown weren’t tripped.” The tall unicorn answered gruffly, “Spike, if there’s something you aren’t telling us, even if you believe you have a good reason, we can’t afford you withholding it.”
“Then it’s a good thing I’m not withholding any key information about the location of an evil changeling, then.” Spike answered flatly.
“Spike.”
“Shining.”
Shining Armor sighed, rubbing his face with one hoof, before fixing his sister’s assistant with another look, or more specifically gazing over his shoulder.
“Where did you get that calendar?”
“This one?” Spike asked, gesturing to the paper time-keeper on the table behind him, “I brought it with me.”
“...somehow I don’t believe you.”
“That hurts.”
“I’m sure it does.” Shining looked away, frowning.
There was a sneeze. His eyes darted back, only to find Spike hastily rubbing his nostrils.
“Sorry.”
Shining snorted unhappily.
“Spike?”
“Yeah, Starlight?” Spike looked up from the clock he was apparently tinkering with.
“Well…” Twilight’s student opened her mouth, then closed it, shaking her head, “Okay, I’m going to be honest because I don’t want to really lie to you. Shining couldn’t get anything out of you and thinks you might be more open to me or Twilight.”
“No luck there, then.” Spike smiled, “I haven’t got anything I need to confess to.”
“Not, um…” Starlight stammered, looking awkward, “Not to say you were, but he’s developed the idea that you’re hiding a changeling.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, a bit silly, I know. But I kinda get where he’s coming from.” The reformed unicorn shrugged sheepishly, glancing off to the side, “Help ponies in need, spread the message of friendship and all that. Definitely something Twilight would approve of you doing.”
“Yep.”
“So…” she leant forward a little, “Do you want to, maybe… talk about it?”
“Nah.”
Starlight Glimmer abruptly overbalanced, falling flat on her face. Staggering to a stand again, she blinked a few times.
“Tha- that wasn’t very composed…”
“Sorry.” Spike smiled apologetically, “Didn’t mean to make you do that.” He sobered a little, “Seriously, though, Starlight. Let’s say, theoretically, I was hiding something. I’d probably have good reasons, right?”
“I suppose…” Starlight tilted her head, unconvinced, “This is just theoretical, though?”
“Exactly. I can assure you that I am by no means harboring any manner of creature who would intentionally harm Flurry Heart or anypony else of their own will.”
“That was… oddly specific.”
“Was it? Hadn’t noticed.”
“You know, I really thought he’d have been caught by now.” Twilight mused from her vantage point atop the balcony, where she watched ponies going about their business, no-pony paying heed to the new lamp sitting on one of the tables in this wing of the Crystal Empire’s palace.
“Yeah, well, he’s good at this.” Spike nodded from next to her, “And besides, I really felt like one of the non-loopers we kinda overlooked in some bits was Thorax, so when you said about looking back…”
“Yes, I understand.” The Anchor smiled, turning back to watch the changeling at work, “It seems a little cruel, though, just having him hide as various things when his whole fear was everypony rejecting him for who he was. With your Jedi training, it seems an odd choice.”
“Not really.” The dragonling countered, humming, “This is meant to get him used to being around other ponies who aren’t like him. Not everypony’s going to pay attention to him, and that’s kind of what he wants: To be treated like everypony else.” He chuckled, “Maybe I’m having a bit too much fun with it, but I’m also noting a bunch of these ideas down in case he ever loops. Could have a lot of fun with that…”
“True enough.” Twilight nodded, then frowned as Shining Armor stalked over to the lamp, giving it an accusatory glare, “Maybe we should step in now, though. Kind of seems like the joke’s run its course for the loop.”
211.6 (DrTempo)
Final Baseline Expansion Celebration: Forgotten Friendship
Sunset Shimmer Awakened as she noticed Wallflower Blush; apparently, the incident that would have had Wallflower Blush steal her friends' memories of her was about to happen. Sunset walked over to Wallflower Blush, and before she could react, Wallflower Blush had grabbed the artifact she used to steal memories.
Sunset quickly moved, grabbing the artifact, and then hugged Wallflower Blush. As Wallflower Blush blinked in surprise, Sunset said, "I'm sorry I can still be a jerk at times. I have changed, but there are times when I act like I used to. I'm sorry."
Wallflower Blush nodded in agreement, and Sunset Shimmer handed Wallflower Blush the artifact, saying, "Please restore everyone's memories. And before you ask how, you've seen several cases of magic happen a lot. I could figure this artifact did something similar. Please... don't make others forget things. Memories are important, after all."
Wallflower Blush smiled, agreeing with what Sunset had said, and as she left to fix her mistake, Sunset smiled. This victory lap was not only good for causing mischief, but helping others...
211.7 (Wixelt)
Victory Lap: The Times They Are a Changeling [6x16]
(2 of 5)
Thorax was nervous.
No, nervous was an understatement. He was terrified. Here he was among ponies who were treating him with respect and friendship, and yet he couldn’t shake the feeling that the moment he revealed himself as a changeling, be it willing or unwilling, they’d all turn on him. Spike had assured him that, once they saw how nice he was, they’d change their tune on that front, their stance being more fear than any manner of prejudice, but he was having a hard time believing it.
“Well, any friend of Spike’s is a friend of mine.”
And that was before they’d come to the palace’s throne room. The amount of love radiating around Flurry Heart was unbearable, and it was taking everything in his power not to lose control to hunger. But even as he smiled, quite genuinely aside from his mental agony, shaking hoofs with Princess Cadance as she led him to see her daughter, he began to feel himself slipping.
Any moment now, he would fail, he was sure of it. He didn’t want to, and he clawed hoof and tooth not to, but he was starving. He couldn’t-
“Aaaaaaa- Choo!”
With a loud and violent sneeze, one of the guards shook, and with an abrupt flicker of magic, a changeling stood in his place. A loud gasp went around the room, several of the other guards taking on defensive stances.
Spike gave Thorax a confused look, the still disguised changeling just shrugging.
The guard changeling looked around, seeming more sheepish than frightened or panicky, something Thorax, now slowly backing away, thought was confusing, until the apparent imposter locked eyes with Shining Armor, who merely nodded, and held up his hoof.
“Alright, everypony. The ruse is over.”
All present save Thorax and Spike, even Cadance, Starlight and Twilight, shared unsure looks, before all of them nodded at once.
In another flicker of energy, everypony in the room shifted back into the base form of a changeling. Spike, for his part in not being Awake, gaped, his entire world view breaking, whilst Thorax just opened and closed his mouth, not sure what to say, though said shock also broke his concentration, and his disguise failed.
“I- Buh… what?!”
Across the room, Cadance leant over to Twilight.
“Maybe this joke was a bit much.” She suggested, frowning lightly, “I’m unsure if Spike will buy the explanation you came up with now.”
“Well, ‘I turned everypony into a changeling by accident and we were trying to hide it’ is still something he could see me doing,” Twilight countered, then sighed, “But yes, I think this prank might have needed more thought beforehand regarding how others might react. A little annoying, that.”
“This was your idea.”
“And I should’ve spent more time planning, rather than firing up the prank as soon as it came to me.”
211.8 (DrTempo) [MLP/Kingdom Hearts]
Sunset was, as she usually did, meditating in the dojo she had created. It was a typical Loop, but she had gotten a Ping earlier, and was wondering who it was. The door opened, and she saw Sora walk in. Sunset smiled.
"Hey, Sora! It's been a while." Sora nodded, frowning.
"Yeah, it has." Sunset could see something was bothering him, and she said, "Let me guess… Something about your Loop's baseline expansion bothering you?" Sora blinked in surprise, and then facepalmed.
"Duh… You played the game, didn't you?"
Sunset laughed. "Yep. Apparently in baseline, I'm quite the gamer. But moving on, what's bothering you?"
Sora sighed. "It's Kairi. She and Mickey were the first ones to experience the baseline expansion, and..." Sunset grinned.
"Let me guess. She isn't taking ending up being a damsel in distress, and getting killed, with your saving her causing you to end up in some version of Shibuya, well, is she?"
Sora nodded. "Yeah. I know she isn't telling me something, but I don't know why." Sunset thought for a moment, and then frowned.
"If I had to guess, she's trying to be strong on her own. Guess she forgot what you always say. That her friends are her power?"
Sora nodded in agreement. "Yeah. Makes sense. But every time someone's tried, we haven't been able to help her calm down." Sunset nodded.
"It'll take time. She’s just being stubborn, and likely feels like she ended up being useless all over again. It isn't her fault. She was caught by surprise, and her baseline self likely, even with all the training she went through, stood no chance against Xehanort. She just needs to realize she needs to talk about it to someone else."
Sora nodded. "I hope she does soon. But, that isn't all that is bothering me. It's what Xigbar… or Luxu… did."
Sunset nodded. "He tricked everyone, all to revive the Foretellers, and have the Master of Masters return from wherever he went. I'm all but sure another Keyblade War is in your baseline's future, and if I have to guess, this time it'll be seven seekers of darkness against thirteen guardians of light. Considering how powerful the Foretellers seem to be, this could mean trouble, especially since they were the ones who caused the first Keyblade War to happen. But, don't lose hope, Sora. Riku'll save you, and you'll stop them. And when that time comes, you'll prevent the mistakes of the past from happening all over again. Stay determined."
Sora laughed. "I know that. But for now, we have to make sure Kairi gets through whatever's bothering her. We likely have a lot of time before the next baseline expansion, but still..."
Sunset grinned. "You can do it, Sora. I know you will." Summoning her Keyblade, she entered a fighting stance. "How about a sparring session? You only use your baseline abilities, while I go all out. Show me what you've got, Sora!"
Sora summoned his Keyblade, and the two clashed. For now, he wouldn't worry, but he knew he had to help Kairi realize she needed to have her friends help her.
Hopefully before things got too bad.
211.9 (Wixelt)
Victory Lap: The Times They Are a Changeling [6x16]
(3 of 5)
“Twilight?”
“Yes, Cadance?”
“Forgive me for, to some degree, stealing yours and Rarity’s trademark, but why are we all changelings.”
“Well…” Twilight hummed, “It isn’t exactly a new concept. The racial switch, I mean.”
“True.” Cadance nodded, but then went back to being confused, “Everything else seems exactly the same, though, aside from changelings being normal ponies and vice versa.”
“Sometimes things just work out like that.” the looping librarian mused, “Still ruined my plans for the loop, though…”
“So I’ve noticed. That isn’t what’s really confounding me, though.” She gestured to the sight before them, “How is this working?”
“Well, Thorax is an earth pony in this loop, and everyone else in the Empire is an undisguised changeling.” Twilight shrugged, “Fate conspires to find a way.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.” The pink princess cut in bluntly.
“That’s probably as close as you’re going to get, though.” The Anchor shrugged, “Honestly, I’m as perplexed as you, but you have to admit this is something baseline Spike would probably come up with if they didn’t have much thinking time.”
“True, but…” Cadance faltered, “A pair of Groucho glasses? They don’t even make this version of Thorax look like a changeling. At all! And yet everyone’s buying it completely!”
“Or they just think it’s another changeling ‘in costume’.”
“I-” the monarch of love blinked, hoof half raised and mouth agape. Slowly, she shook her head, “It’s still so, so stupid, though…”
“Shining fell for it.”
“Well, he’s… uh…”
“Awake, Cadance. He’s Awake.”
211.10 (Wixelt)
Victory Lap: The Times They Are a Changeling [6x16]
(4 of 5)
“Thorax!”
All present in the throne room of the Crystal Palace, the guards slowly advancing on the rumbled changeling in the room included, jumped back in surprise as the entrance doors were flung open violently, admitting an imposing, dark and holey figure into the chamber. Queen Chrysalis narrowed her eyes, looking from one pony to the next, before her eyes eventually fell onto Thorax himself, who had begun to cower in her presence, unconsciously placing himself between the matriarch and Spike.
“Y- your highness…” Thorax stammered, gradually edging backwards, eyes wide and unblinking, not daring to look away. “I- I did not expect to see you here…”
“Did you really think I wouldn’t find you?” Chrysalis snorted, eyes narrowed. “We are all connected.”
“Well, I…” the renegade changeling began, only to be cut off as, somewhat unexpectedly, he was caught in a tight embrace. He stood stock still for a moment, not sure whether to scream or... well, cry, but eventually the question was answered for him.
“You are in so much trouble, young bug!” the Queen chided, a tone of concern and disappointment in her voice, “I was so worried!”
“I… what?”
“You think you can wander off without telling your mother where you’re going?” Chrysalis sighed to herself, shaking her head. “I’ve been worried sick about you. Everyone has!” she blinked, then looked to the gawking royal entourage, specifically Cadance, with whom she shared a subtle wink. “So sorry for this, your highness. We will be out of your hair in just a moment.”
“Quite alright.” Cadance rolled her eyes, giggling. “I know how much of a handful children can be. I take it there will be no invasion today?”
“Nothing of the sort. Peace is a much better option. Very good for internal relations until the threat of rogue elements comes into play, though this one admittedly isn’t. Speaking of whom...” Chrysalis smiled, then frowned, fixing Thorax with a motherly look of disdain. “You’re coming home right now, my little runaway.”
“But-”
“Do I need to count to three?”
“…okay. Um… bye Spike?”
Across the room, Cadance watched with bemusement as Chrysalis quick-marched Thorax out, all present relaxing a little at their departure. Eyebrow raised, the purple princess sat next to her, unAwake for once due to a visiting Anchor, leant over.
“Did…” Twilight coughed. “Did you know that was going to happen?”
“Oh, I might have had an idea. Chryssy and I exchange letters now and then.” Cadance smiled. “Glad to see this one resolved, even if the set up seemed somewhat obvious. She’s better than this…”
“How did Chrysalis even get here anyway? The changeling hive is hundreds of miles from here, and I was under the impression she was still there.”
“Never hurts to have a mare-friend who’s good with explosives to get somewhere quickly.” The looping Princess of Love offered. “Honestly, something of a sweet gesture, putting that much faith in somepony. Too bad neither of them is interested in popping the question. Guess that’s not the end-all of everything, though…”
“I…” Twilight grimaced. “I feel like there’s some context I’m missing here.”
“Probably.”
211.11 (Wixelt)
Victory Lap: The Times They Are a Changeling [6x16]
(5 of 5)
“Oh, it sure looks like Princess Twilight.”
“But how can we be sure?”
“I don’t think we can be, really.”
Twilight rolled her eyes as the group of Crystal towns ponies muttered worriedly amongst themselves. There were maybe, a hundred ways she could legitimately prove she was who she claimed to be, but most of them would probably backfire, knowing the default reactions of the average bystander in Equestria to any given disaster, be it large or small. World tour or no, it was quicker just to let them have their little freak out so she could get to the Crystal Palace and enact a little ditty she liked to call ‘Gaslighting my brother into thinking he’s actually the changeling imposter’.
A little bit evil, maybe, but it’d be hilarious, and Awake Shining had given permission, within reason.
“How can we even be sure this is the real Spike the Brave and Glorious?!” the escalation went on.
“What if one of us is the changeling?!” Nothing new either, general paranoia being what it was with shape-shifters. Twilight shook her head to herself, wondering if they’d notice if she just teleported away-
“Buck! Damnit, guys, you ruined it.”
…okay? What was-
Twilight stopped, raising an eyebrow as two members of the entourage before her flickered with familiar flames, their Crystal Pony disguises giving way to their true changeling visage.
“A little deep cover… Is that so much to ask for?” one of the two revealed changelings growled. “Never going to get Thorax back at this rate…”
Almost immediately, most of the rest of the group sighed in defeat, a wash of de-transformation sweeping across the area, unshrouding many an annoyed face.
“You know, I thought it’d dissuade suspicion if we were worried about it.” The second of the first two smiled weakly, shrinking back slightly under the first’s hard stare. “…sorry?”
“Ugh, never mind. Too late now anyway.” The first admitted, looking to another, though one who had yet to drop the Crystal Pony disguise. “Guess that’s your plan up in smoke, then.”
“Not as bad as it looks, but probably.” The disguised one shrugged, then looked to Twilight. “Any chance you could, maybe, not tell your brother about this?”
“Well, I-” Twilight began, but was cut off.
“Wait, actually.” The first of the undisguised frowned at the visage of crystal, interrupting the question. “Before we do anything else, why haven’t you changed back yet? Pretty sure no-one’s going to be surprised by one more changeling among many at this point.”
“Well, that’s simple.” The Crystal Pony grinned, before her head was abruptly replaced by the head of a grey draconequus, all present freezing up at the sight. “Boo.”
“Huh… Never seen so many changelings run off screaming before.” Silver Spoon hummed as she shifted back into her normal pony form with a shimmer of chaos magic, looking back to the local Anchor, who was struggling not to giggle. “Too much?”
“…no, no. I think that was just fine.” Twilight insisted, then slumped with a sigh. “I’m not certain what your original plan was exactly, though.”
211.12 (DrTempo; edited by Wixelt)
Twilight had gathered the Equestria Loopers, who were wondering what was going on. Clearing her throat, Twilight said, "I just experienced the beginning of the final series of baseline expansions, and also had a Hub Loop to see the episodes. And hoo boy… We have a lot to cover."
Rainbow Dash asked, "So, what's the bad news?" Everyone chuckled at her getting right to the point.
Twilight sighed. "We now know more about the baseline version of Grogar. Apparently, he was a tyrant who took over Equestria a long time ago, even before Sombra tried his luck. At the least, Tirek had heard stories of him. And that leads to the second part of the bad news."
Chrysalis chuckled. "His whole 'Unite past unredeemed villains to team up' plan, right? Before you ask, I Awakened just as he recruited me. Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on him. From what my memories of the stories about Grogar say, this is going to be a challenge."
Twilight chuckled, glad to hear that things wouldn’t be as difficult as they seemed. "Anyway… Chrysalis is right. Grogar freed Cozy Glow and Tirek from Tartarus, powered up Tirek enough so that he at least has some power, and even fully revived Sombra."
Shining Armor frowned. "Not him again..." Twilight chuckled.
"Don't worry… He's dead. Again. The third bit of bad news is that he destroyed both the Tree of Harmony and the Elements of Harmony."
Everyone looked utterly shocked. Pinkie Pie then chuckled.
"We're probably so awesome now, we don't need the Elements of Harmony to do what the Mane Six do best."
Twilight again nodded. "Pinkie Pie called it. Though, why we didn't use Rainbow Power then, I have no idea..."
Rarity replied, "That is a good point. We haven't used it in baseline since Tirek appeared. Hopefully, when we face him again, we'll use it."
Twilight nodded in agreement. "And finally, apparently Celestia and Luna want me and the Mane Six to take over ruling Equestria."
Celestia smiled. "To be fair, you have more than proven you are capable of doing so. Though, if I had to guess, what happened here means my sister and I are going to wait a while longer?"
"Looks that way.” Twilight replied. “And Starswirl is also going to keep the Everfree Forest from going crazy now that the Tree of Harmony is gone."
Fluttershy sighed. "With this being the final series of baseline expansions, it makes sense the stakes are as high as they are. I hope we win in the end."
Twilight smiled. "Don't worry. We will. I'm sure of it. Grogar is the most cunning foe we've seen yet; his uniting the villains is more than enough to show that. And I have a feeling his recruitment efforts may not be finished yet. Either way, we'll be ready. We've had more than enough Variant Loops similar enough to this that we'll find a way."
Everyone nodded. They were indeed ready for whatever happened next.
211.13 (Wixelt)
“Tree’s busted, huh?”
Twilight blinked, looking up slowly from her paperwork to find Applejack stood in her office doorway. The two shared a frown for a moment, before Twilight let out a long sigh, setting her sheets down upon her desk.
“Yes.” She shrugged, downcast. “Wasn't really expecting it, but it happened. I thought I already went over this when everyone got together before.”
“I wasn't there, Twi.” AJ deadpanned.
“...really?” the local Anchor faltered, then shook her head. “No, that can't be right. I saw you-“
“I wasn't Awake.”
“...oh.” Twilight balked a little, eyebrows raised appraisingly. “The rest of the girls looped in... I was so busy with thinking about the expansions that I guess I just assumed you had as well.” She smiled apologetically, forcing out a faintly nervous giggle. “That does explain why you looked so confused, though.”
“Eh. Nothing lost. Pinkie told me later anyway.” Equestria’s Second chuckled wryly, then grimaced just as rapidly. “Still, though. No more Elements, at least in Baseline.”
“I know. I had a little time after the expansion to process it before I broke the news to everyone, but it still stings.” The Princess of Friendship hummed. “Of course, we were never going to be able to rely on them forever. We knew this.”
“Yeah yeah...” Applejack rolled her eyes, seeming reluctant to concede the point. “Just wish it'd come with the finale, though. Got an entire season of uncertainty now...”
“And that's different from any other expansion?”
“True enough.” The orange earth pony grinned. “That said, ya’ll’ve still got backups pocketed, right? Both the Elements and the Tree?”
“Yes?” Twilight blinked again, before a dark, foreboding laugh escaped her lips, “Oh. It is almost the end of the loop, isn't it.”
“Then what say we gather the gals and make a certain shadow tyrant second guess himself.”
“I'd be all for it.” The alicorn smiled. “You get Rainbow and Fluttershy. I'll get Rarity and Pinkie.”
“Right. Meet back here in 20?”
“Definitely. This is going to be fun. I can imagine Sombra’s face already...”
“Priceless, I'd bet.”
New expansion or not, Twilight considered as she and AJ parted ways, it seemed that the more things changed, the more they stayed the same. Literally, as the case might've been a lot of the time. It was nice that, no matter how much closer the timetabled end drew, such a constant was so reliable. It didn't matter if it was before or after that cosmic marker, they'd always find a way to have a good time. Together.
And that made her happy.
211.14 (Wixelt)
“Grogar, then...”
Gilda sagged a little, slumping backward against the grassy bank, eyes staring into the middle distance. Several feet away, Rainbow Dash watched her friend with concern.
“Yeah. I mean, we were both there. Both heard what Twilight said.” the blue-furred pegasus sighed. “You alright there, Gil? Bad memories?”
“And good ones, too. But...” the griffon grimaced, eyes narrowing. “But that was a variant, y’know? Now he’s turning up every time, and we don’t even know exactly how powerful he is yet compared to the version I fought.” she shrugged. “He could be, like, way stronger. Even if he isn’t gunning for me, that’s-”
“Terrifying?” Dash suggested wryly.
“A little. But not really enough to stop me.” Gilda admitted, then grinned. “I mean, we’re loopers, right? We can take him easy as of now, but...” she frowned. “I’m just... This is gonna be such a pain if that seeing orb makes him loop aware...”
“Eh, we got this, girl. You’ve got me now.” Not at all on cue, Gilda’s tail rose up of its own accord, revealing the snake head at the end of it giving Gilda a knowing smirk. Grizelda laughed. “Two heads are better than one. Goatie’s going down.”
“Heh.” Gilda rolled her eyes. “At least one of us is optimistic.”
“Of course I am.” the other half of Gilda’s existence stuck out her tongue. “I have a lot of time to think while you’re lollygagging around, dummy.”
“Ye- Wait. Hey!”
Rainbow had to suppress a giggle as the ascended form Gilda got more than a few odd looks from passers-by in the act of attempting to throttle her own tail.
“Ack- Can’t... Can’t breathe...!”
“That’s kind of the point, ‘dummy’!”
211.15 (Wixelt)
With a sudden snap to attention, Queen Chrysalis was Awake.
Mentally shaking out the cobwebs to get her bearings, the variant looper sent out a single ping, receiving a few in return. Shrugging, she consulted her loop memories, and immediately noted exactly where she was.
Of course, how could she forget what Twilight had mentioned about the new expansion and her involvement in it, not to mention her own experience with it prior to that. It was bound to come up again sooner or later, that she would be dropped into the thick of things, rather than being given the rest of the loop to avoid this destination.
No matter, though. She could have fun with this. She smirked, tuning fully into the scene before her as the ‘Father of Monsters’ himself paced up to his gathered congregation, voicing his presence.
“It was I who freed you. You may call me... Grogar.”
“Grogar? But I believed you were a legend.” Tirek raised an eyebrow.
“I have heard of you, yes.” Sombra nodded curtly.
“Who?” Cozy Glow frowned in confusion.
“Nifty.” Chrysalis intoned cheekily. "You mind if I call you Goat?”
There was a moment of silence, as everyone stared at the shapeshifter incredulously.
“Yes, I do.” Grogar growled, eyes narrowing at the former changeling queen. “You will not speak to me so flippantly again.” There was a pause. “Also, I am a ram.”
“Duly noted, Ram.”
“I take it from your attitude that you are aware of me, but are perhaps unaware of the exacts of my nature. What a shame. Now be silent.” The First Emperor of Equestria glared at Chrysalis for a moment longer, before returning his attention to the group as a whole. “Regardless, I assure you, Lord Tirek. Sombra. Strange... pegasus filly, that I am very much real.”
“Or are you?”
“I thought my demand for silence was evident.” Grogar rounded on the Queen once more, ignoring the bored expression she was conveying. “You will not mock me. I can return you to the squalor I summoned you from, if you are not cooperative.”
“Doubt it.”
“You are going to be like this for the foreseeable future.” the ram snarled in annoyance, “I can see it on your face. Perhaps I should have resurrected the Storm King instead. He at least would have been less talkative.” he grumbled, “You were not this... vocal when I scryed on you not two days ago.”
“I react to new, ‘wonderous’ experiences in two ways: curiosity or sass.” Chrysalis snarked, “You caught me off guard. You get sass.”
211.16 (Wixelt)
“You may call me... Grogar.”
“Fun name! You must be a hit at parties.”
Grogar, for his part, merely blinked in acknowledgement, not moving so much as an inch as the Spirit of Chaos, apparated face-to-face with him, a wide, almost impossible grin on his face.
“Discord.” the ram observed. “I do not believe I invited you.”
“Oh, as if that’s ever stopped me.” the draconequus rolled his eyes, leaning backward and resting his shoulders upon thin air, missing the looks of the surprise the other villains present were giving him. “Besides, as if any gathering such as this would be complete without yours truly.”
“You have sided with the ponies of Equestria. You have no place among our number.”
“That as it may be, I'd be remiss if I didn’t at least drop by to say how-do-you-do, now wouldn’t I.” Discord smirked. “And with the opportunity for all-new shenanigans in a previous unexplored avenue of time, how could I refuse.”
“Even with my power, I do not see what time has to do with this situation.” Grogar rumbled. “I suggest you leave, before I make you.”
“Oh, I doubt you could.” Discord chuckled darkly, “But even if I did, you wouldn’t be left alone. I brought friends.”
“What do you mean ‘friends’-” the former emperor froze as he was tapped on the shoulder. He hadn’t so much as heard... whoever it was, approach. The idea that someone could sneak up on him of all folk was... unnerving. Slowly, he turned...
...and was met with an endless mess of pink hair.
“Hiya!”
Discord chuckled, pulling out a camcorder as Grogar’s shouts of protest began under a deluge of party antics. Pinkie would love this next time she was Awake.
211.17 (Wixelt) [MLP/Madoka Magica]
Mannulus Magi Cozy Glow
Cozy Glow yawned, eyelids drooping. This Gromar, Grofar... whatever, was rattling on and on about how they all had to work together. It was so boring, but he just wouldn’t stop trying to nail it into their heads.
Sure, she was down for the whole league of evil and revenge thing, unlike that dummy Sombra, especially since the team-up felt like some kind of friendship, but did he have to make it seem sooooo boring...
Honestly, with this newfound freedom, she probably could have concocted a new scheme on her own to get back at Twilight and her friends. Carried it out, too. If only she had the opportunity.
‘Hello?’
Cozy blinked at the voice, giving an involuntarily meep of surprise. Grogar glanced her way, eyeing her with accusation, before merely rolling his eyes and returning to speaking. No longer drawing attention to herself, the pegasus filly let her eyes wander around the chamber, looking for the source of the greeting.
‘Over here.’
Though the voice was being projected into her mind, she now realized, Cozy somehow got a general gist of the direction of the originator, and found herself locking gazes with a small white, cat-like creature with golden rings around its extended, rabbit-like ears. It stared back at her blankly with its completely red, unemotional eyes.
‘Greetings.’ the cat thing said into her head, giving an air of false pleasantness. ‘I noticed you seek the means to enact vengeance upon those who have wronged you.’
‘Um... yeah.’ Cozy attempted to project back, finding herself able to. ‘What about it, bunny-thing?’
‘Well, then why not make a contract with me, and become a magical filly? In return I will grant one wish, whatever it may be.’
‘That...’ the evil child paused, raising an eyebrow. She looked to the others, and realizing they hadn’t noticed her conversing, continued. ‘That sounds suspect. What do you get out of this bargain?’
‘I would ask that you use your powers to fight against witches, dark beings that prey on the innocent, but there are none present in the world at this time.’ the creature answered factually. ‘If they were to emerge, however...’
‘Yeah, yeah. I get it...’ Cozy Glow hummed quietly, mulling the prospect over. ‘Any wish?’
‘Any at all.’
‘Okay then...’ the blue-maned pegasus breathed, before a steely look appeared in her eyes, and she spoke aloud, all present, even Grogar, looking up at her in confusion. “I wish I had the power to defeat my enemies.”
“...well, buck.” Twilight gaped, brow creasing as the... abomination in the far distance trawled gradually toward them, a parade of perverse, twisted familiars following in its wake. Slowly, she turned an annoyed gaze on the blue earth pony, dressed in a mock-up of a knight’s uniform, cape and all, stood next to her slightly slack jawed. “So please, enlighten me. Just why did Kyubey decide, despite everything leveled against him and the steps he’s made to improve himself, that contracting Cozy Glow of all ponies to become a magical filly without first consulting me was a good idea?”
“I...” Seasong, known more commonly outside of Equestria as Sayaka Miki, Second Anchor of Mitakihara, pursed her lips, frowning. “Okay, so this is gonna sound really bad, but I think he just got bored.”
Twilight was oddly quiet for a few seconds.
“...run that one by me again? I think I may have misheard.” she asked, a false sweetness seeping into her tone.
“Erm...” Sayaka visibly shivered, twitching uncomfortably. Slightly desperately, she looked to the red pegasus mare leaning casually close by, a stick of pocky jutting sideways from her mouth. “Help me out here?”
“...eh, you got this.” Cherry Pepper, also known as Kyouko Sakura, shrugged, eyeing both Twilight and far off witch warily. “Doubt anything I'd say is gonna make this any better.”
“Kyouko.”
“Sayaka.” the redhead shot back, before recoiling slightly under the look her girlfriend gave her, wilting in defeat. “Okay, fine, I'll tell her.” she coughed. “Basically, y’know how that Sakura chick from the ninja loops is, like, 99.9% recovered from that mental stuff she fell into, but every now and then she maybe gets bored and relapses, but feels really bad about it afterward?”
“I have been privy to more than one of Miss Haruno’s therapy sessions, so can affirm such returns are increasingly rare these days, but yes.” Twilight nodded, speaking levelly. “Continue.”
“Well, I guess it’s kinda like that for the bunny-cat.” Kyouko hummed, idly twisting her pocky. “Every so often, the sameness of everything just gets too much to bear, and he just...”
“Does something stupid without asking first?” Equestria’s Anchor offered.
“Pretty much, yeah.” Sayaka picked up the topic. “He’ll contract someone without getting local permission, or be a nuisance somewhere he otherwise would know not to go. Things like that.” she grumbled. “At least he tries to keep the contracts to villains or other rogue elements, or only does it near the end of a loop. Both, here, what with your new expansion and all. Still not good, though, even if he apologizes later.”
“I see...”
“We’re kinda sorry for this, though. It’s usually on us to curb him, and we missed it.” Kyouko spat, ruffling her wings in unconscious irritation. “Really, we ought to get him an honest-to-birch hobby. The rest of us all have something, even Hitomi for the most part. But the guy just hangs around doing nothing some loops...”
“That would be advisable.” Twilight nodded, before sighing and looking back to the still approaching witch form of what had once been Cozy Glow’s soul. “I am very happy the loop is about to end. If there is anything to take away from this, we at least know that such a method is relatively quick in short circuiting Grogar’s gathering.”
“Not something worth repeating, though.” Sayaka shook her head. “At least the local atmosphere of happiness is slowing it down. Opposite of grief and all that...”
211.18 (Wixelt)
“Twilight?”
“Yes, Rarity?”
“Are you doing alright over there?” the marshmallow unicorn gave her long-time friend a concerned frown. “Your eye appears to be twitching at a rate of knots.”
“This is a pun loop, Rarity.” Twilight answered succinctly. “I am less than happy right now.”
“...I know I've only just Awoken, dear, but surely it can’t be all that bad. We have been through worse before.”
“Worse? Yes. This specific? No.” the Anchor growled. “Grogar.”
“I see.” Rarity glanced into the middle distance, where a kaiju-sized version of Father of Monsters was tearing up the countryside. “Grow-gar, I take it?”
“Yep.” Twilight scowled. “His first act to display his newfound power to the other villains was to crush the Golden Oak under-hoof.” her eye twitched again. “If this wasn’t a null loop, I'd have destroyed him where he stood.”
“So...” Rarity coughed. “I imagine now you’re...”
“Inventing new ways to ruin his day in the next loop?” Sparkle chuckled with dark amusement. “Count on it.”
211.19 (Wixelt)
This was it; the time had come.
Smirking victoriously to himself, King Sombra stared upward at the ramparts of the Canterlot gates, the eyes of terrified and now disarmed royal guards-ponies staring back at him. It was simple now, he knew. Defeat and bend the citizens to his will, confront the princesses, and soon he would have a true royal seat from which to spread his influence over the land.
Grogar could wallow in his shadow for all he cared. He had done and would continue to do all of this on his own, no alliances required.
First, however, there was the matter of getting through the solid wood of the gate itself. All things considered, he would prefer not to get his hooves dirty in this matter, if he was to conserve physical vitality for the confrontation with Celestia and Luna that was surely imminent, so he would need someone powerful and strong bodied to open the way. Someone like...
“You!” Sombra barked, gesturing sharply to a large, heavily built stallion with red fur and a short orange mane, stood amongst his army, likely some manner of farmhand given his choice of clothing, then to the gate. “Break it down.”
Turning back to the gate, he grinned and waited.
And waited.
And waited.
Frowning, he began to turn back, thinking that maybe for such a feeble-minded, enthralled pony, he would have to be more specific in his orders...
...only to find said pony had stepped forward slightly, and had his head cocked, looking over the gate with some scrutiny. After several moments of this, he looked back to the king.
“Well,” he began, staring blankly with definitely mind-controlled eyes. “That there gate appears to be composed almost entirely of Apple-grade tree wood. Thickest, most sturdy organic building material this side of Appleoosa.” they took a breath. “Good, high quality purple paint coating, probably to prevent rot or weathering. Best bet, the entire structure is magically reinforced, or at least physically bolstered with a steel outer frame if not.”
“...that’s all well and good, but...” Sombra roared. “I told you to break. It. Down!”
“And ah did just that. All apparent materials involved in gate construction account for, y’highness.”
“That is not what I meant!”
“You!” Sombra barked, gesturing to a heavily built stallion with red fur. “Break it down.”
Turning back to the gate, he waited.
And waited.
And waited.
Frowning, he turned back. Perhaps, for such a feeble-minded pony, he needed to be more specific...
...at which point, from some unseen, unclear location, a musical beat unlike any rhythm he had heard before kicked in, assaulting his ears with a cacophony of sound.
“Pony up, ya’ll.”
Sombra blinked in surprise, finding that the stallion he had given orders to was now suddenly wearing a pair of shades. He was about to open his mouth to order a cease to this nonsense, when the farmhand spoke. Or sang. He couldn’t truly tell which.
“Now this is a story all about how
Mah farm got flipped-turned shut right down.
And ah’d like to take a minute
Just sit right there.
Ah’ll tell ya’ll how ah became the peon of that dumb king over there.”
It was at this point that King Sombra promptly began screaming.
"You! Break it down.”
Turning away, he waited.
And waited.
Frowning, he turned back. Perhaps he needed to be more specific...
...only to yelp in alarm as he promptly began to flicker with a strange light. He barely had time to shout or curse, as with a flash of light and a faint ringing noise, he vanished completely.
Smirking to himself as the spell over the surrounding ponies was broken, many of them staggering around in confusion, Big Mac removed the contact lenses that had disguised him not being under Sombra's control, and looked down at the device in his hoof. A portable trans-warp beaming device, one of Starfleet’s more advanced breakthroughs, compacted down into a handheld and aimable form by Apple Bloom for situations such as this.
Well, a transporter technically broke someone down and built them again elsewhere, so in a way he’d done exactly what the tyrant had asked.
He doubted anyone would try to argue otherwise, aside from the king in question, but a specially designed cell in Tartarus gave the distinct impression his opinion wasn’t particularly valid in this situation.
211.20 (Wixelt) [MLP/40K]
Dethroned With Vigor
“Well, I guess it’s on me to be the MVP today. I was betting on you, and I do hate being wrong...”
Sombra growled at the Lord of Chaos as he blathered on about dealing with the situation. This was insufferable, all this boasting and posturing at being the ‘big hero’. It was high time the high and mighty spirit was cut down to size.
“...Although Fluttershy should get most of the credit for that. She’s my favorite.”
Ah. What a perfect opening.
Grinning darkly, Sombra’s horn began to glow, before he let loose a veritable torrent of dark magic, directed at one butter-colored pegasus in particular. In an instant, between Fluttershy freezing up in shock and everyone gasping in alarm, Discord’s eyes went wide with panic, and in moments he had placed himself between the blast and his first friend. In an explosion of energy, the draconequus was sent flying, rolling to a stop some distance away.
“Discord!”
“So, it seems not even the mighty Spirit of Chaos can stand against me.” Sombra cackled, oozing an arrogant smugness. “To be expected, of course, but to think he would waste his attempt protecting such a pitiful, weak pegasus.”
A large hoof tapped Sombra on the shoulder. He ignored it. He didn’t answer to anypony, not least when he had a point to make.
“Has your time among Equestria’s masses truly cursed you with such empathy. I mean...” the king narrowed his eyes at Fluttershy, the animal keeper wilting under his gaze. “I could and will strike her down where she stands. What do you see in-”
The hoof returned, this time smacking Sombra across the chops. The would-be monarch growled, turning.
“Who dares interrupt and strike- uh...” he trailed off, ears flattening against his head as he came face to face with an incredibly large and imposing, yellow maned earth stallion, staring him down with barely concealed rage. Behind him stood seven others of similar build, as well as an equally tall, dark furred alicorn. And behind them was a far larger, gargantuan pony clad in heavy-set golden armor, flanked by a number of other smaller, but no less present individuals.
And all of them were glaring at him with angry and terrifying faces.
“Hello.” Lemon Rush intoned darkly. “Would you care to repeat the threats you have made against our Little Mother?”
King Sombra whimpered.
211.21 (Wixelt)
"Twilight?”
“Yes, Applejack?” the Anchor in question blinked, ignoring the eye-roll Rarity gave the pair. “Is something the matter?”
“I just want to confirm what ah’m seein’ is actually happening, is all.” AJ coughed, frowning at the sight before them. “Because it looks like-”
“Star Swirl the Bearded is using copious amounts of high-grade weed killer to single-handedly deal with the expansion of the Everfree Forest?” Twilight offered.
“Um... yeah.” the orange earth pony nodded, sighing. “Glad t’know it ain’t just me, then.” she looked back to where the elder wizard was floating, innumerable spray bottles floating around him. “Loops be damned. How come that never works when we try it?”
“Because Yggdrasil, probably.” her well-read companion grumbled.
“A pity, that.”
“Yep.”
211.22 (Wixelt)
"Well, I guess it's on me to be the MVP today. I was betting on you, and I do hate being wrong. Although if you think about it, I am your friend, so maybe you win because friendship wins? Although Fluttershy should get the most credit for that. She’s my favorite.”
Grinning darkly, Sombra let loose a torrent of dark magic, directed at Fluttershy. In an instant, as everyone gasped in alarm, Discord placed himself between the blast and his first friend. Everyone fully expected the blast to send the Lord of Chaos flying, or at least scorch him.
...instead, in complete defiance of common physics, his entire body seemed to distend, like rubber, the energy of the attack building up against him, not pushing him back even an inch. Then, with an almost comedic twang, the entire thing snapped backward like a rubber band, Sombra screaming in fear and rage as he got a face full of his own magic.
“Well, that was simple enough.” Discord rolled his eyes, dusting off his hands as the smoke cleared, a slight scorch mark all that remained of the king on his already disintegrating throne. “Theatrics and drive for conviction are all well and good, but was it too much trouble for my Baseline self to just do that and have done with it…?” he scoffed, glancing among the startled former Element bearers to affirm they had been unharmed by any splash over from his counter.
“Such a hassle.”