//------------------------------// // Chapter 31: Together again // Story: The final challenge // by Dianabel //------------------------------// Chrysalis nervously walked around the castle, desperately wanting to find Grogar to end with him once and for all. However, it was impossible to find him! That could mean two things. Either, he had left the castle to deal with all this chaos himself, something he would perfectly do, or he had entered the room she, Luna and Twilight had agreed on, already found them, and everything was over! The fact that none of the guards could give her his exact location made things worse for Chrysalis. “Where is he? Where is he?” she muttered to herself. For Chrysalis´ fortune and misfortune, she had her answer when the ram opened the throne room´s gates abruptly. Fortune, because she could finally do as agreed and misfortune because she didn´t want to see him again. However, his attitude was somehow different. Yes, Grogar was always angry, but he also maintained his posture and steady. But this time… He seemed to be slipping. Although, this made her think she would be able to defeat him more easily, she was also genuinely scared. One wrong move, and Grogar would kill her. The guards immediately bowed. Chrysalis took a bit more time, as she was distracted with her thoughts. “My emperor…” one of the guards said. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?! YOU SHOULD BE OUT THERE FIGHTING AGAINST THOSE… Those… URGH!” He blasted a window in anger. Chrysalis and the other guards stared surprised, with their eyes quite widened. They immediately left when he stared at them. Chrysalis wasn´t sure what to do. If she didn´t move, he would get her. “I should have transformed into a maid instead.” she slapped herself mentally. However, she realized it wasn´t too late. She could leave and change her disguise. Definitely. That was what she had to do! What she didn´t realize, however, was that Grogar was staring at her. He narrowed his eyes. “What are you doing here?!” he asked upset. “Why haven´t you left already?!” Chrysalis widened her eyes. “I was… thinking about ideas on how to deal with them!” she responded with a modified voice while turning around. “But it seems that I lost track of reality. I´ll leave immediately!” She was about to rush out, however Grogar had other plans. “No, actually stay here.” Chrysalis´ breath stopped for a moment. “Wh- Why your majesty?” “I need a creature around me to protect me.” Chrysalis held her laughter. How the almighty goat has fallen! However, she quickly cleared her throat. She was going to answer no, but then she realized that she had the perfect chance to do the final move. So, she decided to play along. “Now that you say that, I know a place where you´ll be safe. Nopony will find us there. Come along!” Grogar raised an eyebrow as he followed Chrysalis. Twilight and Luna waited anxiously for Chrysalis to arrive. Although she wasn´t in a good state, Luna still had magic, so she cast an invisibility spell both on her and Twilight. They had to be careful on not making any noise though. So, when they spoke, they spoke on the lowest voice volume possible. “Do you see them?” Twilight asked Luna. Luna poked her head out. “I´m afraid not.” “Do you think he discovered her already?” “I think he does know something´s going on.” “Oh no…” “But knowing Grogar, he likes to play cat and mouse with his victims, so it´s possible that he plays along and comes here. If we act quickly, we still have a chance.” Twilight nodded. Her ears perked up when she heard hoofsteps. “They´re here!” She and Luna hugged tightly, watching how Chrysalis in disguise and Grogar entered the room. She was going to close the door, but Grogar interrupted her. “Don´t close the door.” Chrysalis pressed her lips. “Don´t you want to be safe?” she asked him. “Yes. But as you said, nopony will find us here. So there´s no need.” “This goat´s playing me!” she thought to herself. She could feel how the anger was building inside her. But she knew that if she let her rage out, it would be the end of her life. Plus, he was already suspicious, so she had to act extra careful. “As you say, your majesty.” Chrysalis rolled slightly your eyes. There was a brief and tense silence. She discreetly glanced around the room. The ram noticed her eyes darting from side to side. “Is something troubling you?” “What? No! Of course not!” Grogar narrowed his eyes. “Ok, actually there is. And that is you. You seem very, very scared sir.” Grogar scoffed. “I am not scared! If any creature is scared are the ones that are revolting.” he said while looking outside the balcony. He clenched his teeth furiously. “I´ll make them pay. I´ll show them there´s no way that they´ll take me out of the throne!” Taking the advantage of the fact Grogar was distracted, she slightly took the potion out her armour and a cloth. She spilt some liquid on the cloth and prepared to put it on Grogar´s mouth. Unfortunately, the ram noticed what she was doing, as he saw the reflection on the window. He smirked before turning around. “You know what? I changed my mind. I actually don´t need your protection. I´m going to deal with this myself.” The sudden change of Grogar´s opinion scared Chrysalis, making her drop both the bottle and the cloth. Luna and Twilight widened their eyes and gave out a quiet yet horrified gasp. Chrysalis covered her mouth. “My, my, what a misfortunate accident. What was it that you had in there?” he grinned maliciously. “P- P- Perfume. M- My mother gave it to me. I always carry that around.” Chrysalis replied. She was sweating hard and in the brink of a panic attack. “Oh really, let me smell it.” “I´d… Rather you didn´t.” “You´re saying no to your emperor?” Grogar asked in an intimidating tone. Chrysalis didn´t know what to reply, so she stayed silent. Impatient, Grogar took her out of the way. He bent and smelt the liquid. “Huh… Funny… This `perfume´ smells exactly like the potion they used to give me for sleep when I was a lamb. But that darn potion never worked!” he said resented. “Now that I think of it, I don´t know why I bothered asking Bray to bring the recipe to the cavern…” He smiled in victory at Chrysalis while getting up. “Nice try Chrysalis. NICE TRY!” He zapped Chrysalis, undoing her disguise and throwing her against the wall. The blow was so hard that it made her cough. Grogar stomped his hoof against the ground. “I should have killed you instantly once I got my bell!” he regretted. “But first I need you to answer me. I know that you haven´t come here alone. You, the centaur and the filly are inseparable, and therefore you three have come here to destroy me!” Grogar angrily stomped his hoof on the ground. “WHERE ARE THEY?!” “I will never tell! I´d rather fight you instead.” she ignited her horn. Grogar clenched his teeth. “Then you´ve just dictated your death sentence.” Grogar touched the bell with his hoof, ready to activate it. But Chrysalis still maintained her defensive posture. Although she never liked her, Twilight couldn´t let Grogar kill Chrysalis. She would have started fighting Grogar herself, but couldn´t because she didn´t have any magic. So, she begged Luna, in the same tone as before. “Do something!” she held her shoulders. Luna covered her mouth and shushed her. Ironically, Grogar heard the shush, not Twilight. His eyes stopped staring at Chrysalis and moved to the right, exactly where Twilight and Luna where. He grinned and went to target them. But just before he could fire, something unexpected happened. “Hey boss!” Daybreaker said happily. Grogar ended up firing, but luckily it didn´t hit Luna nor Twilight, although it ended up very near them. Daybreaker´s appearance left Twilight´s mouth hanging open. Luna had already told her that Grogar corrupted Celestia, but that didn´t prepare her for what she was seeing right now with her eyes. Meanwhile, Luna looked away heartbroken. Frustrated, Grogar growled. “WHAT?! DON´T YOU SEE I´M BUSY?!” Since Grogar wasn´t looking, Chrysalis broke the balcon´s windows with her magic and flew away. “YOU! COME BACK HERE!” Grogar yelled to Chrysalis. Chrysalis managed to get to the square safely. “Code red! Code red! Guys we need your help!” she called Tirek and Cozy. However, none of them were there. “WHY AREN´T THOSE FOOLS HERE?!” she shouted angrily. She was forced to stop complain, as Grogar was still able to fire her from the castle. She transformed into a fly, to hinder his aim, which allowed her to leave unharmed. Grogar yelled frustrated. She grabbed Daybreaker by the neck, which made Luna furious. “Thanks to you, my enemy is on the run!” “I- I just wanted to tell you good news.” “WHAT GOOD NEWS?” “I brought him!” Daybreaker said with a nervous smile as she tried to free herself from Grogar´s grasp. “Who?!” Daybreaker ignited her horn and brought Discord to the scene. Twilight gasped softly while Luna widened her eyes. Daybreaker dropped him. Discord smiled nervously as he waved Grogar. “HE WASN´T THE ONE YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BRING!” Grogar held her throat tighter. “Well, he´s your son and he escaped, and I thought-” “He´s my son no more…” “In due time.” Discord muttered to himself as he rolled his eyes. “And as such I don´t want him here. You should have killed him on the instant!” Luna shed tears and covered her mouth while seeing how Grogar hurt his sister. Twilight could tell she wanted to help Celestia but at the same time she wanted to protect her. She noticed that nopony was paying attention to the door, meaning that she could escape and let Luna fight. She frowned in determination and held Luna´s hoof. With her eyes, she pointed at the door. Luna quickly understood what Twilight meant. She looked at her worried, asking if that was a good idea with just her look. Twilight nodded confidently and Luna did too after her. Twilight started creeping on the floor, and Luna waited for her to leave. Once she was out, she could begin to attack. However, Luna wasn´t the only one who wanted to act. After remembering that Gusty saw him as a son, Discord realized that Celestia and Luna were practically his sisters. And as such, he had to protect them. So, by summoning magic with his eagle claw he struggled to take Daybreaker away from Grogar. By doing so, he angered the ram and made him decide to finish what he started. He rang the bell and targeted Discord. Luckily, he was quick enough to conjure up a force camp, making the magic ray bounce and hit the wall instead. From the scare, Luna stopped igniting her horn and covered herself with a wing. Unfortunately, she made herself and Twilight visible. Twilight was about to reach the door, so she quickly hid herself behind the door and covered herself with her wings, which enabled her to be unnoticed. Luna didn´t have the same luck, though. Both Grogar´s and Daybreaker´s were hanging wide open when they saw Luna alive, whereas Discord was sighing in relief. “She´s alive?!” Daybreaker thought aloud. “She lives…” Grogar muttered shocked. Then, he turned around to Daybreaker. “I told you to kill her at the dungeon…” he scolded quietly as he advanced towards Daybreaker. Daybreaker walked backwards in response. “I did, I swear!” “No, you didn´t! Otherwise she wouldn´t be here. This is the definite proof that you´re of no use to me.” Grogar was about to ring the bell and target at her, but Luna hit him with her magic before he could do anything. She reappeared in front of her, using her good wing as an armour for her sister. “You´ll have to go through me first.” Daybreaker was shocked by what Luna just did. Even though she mistreated her and tried to kill her, she still loved her? She could have let her die or killed her herself. But no. She was still willing to defend her. Her ears fell down. “Luna…” she mumbled. “Go now Tia! Go!” Unlike previous times, being called by another name didn´t upset Daybreaker. She didn´t even noticed it, as she was focused on Luna´s bravery and capability of forgiveness. Her mind came back to earth when she heard Luna´s order. Not knowing what to do, she decided that the best thing was to listen to her and go. So, she left. “Me too!” Discord joined Luna. “No, Discord this is between me and him. He´s tried to ruin my mother´s legacy by corrupting us and I won´t let that happen.” “Talking about that, there´s something I should tell you but I don´t think that this is the right time.” Grogar stomped his hoof on the ground. “ENOUGH CHATTERING! You two want to fight me? Fine, let´s get this over wi-” Grogar didn´t finish his phrase, as he saw something that unsettled him. Behind the door, he noticed a dark blue, with purple and pink stripes tail. He widened his eyes. “It can´t be…” he thought horrified. He clenched his teeth. “YOU!” he exclaimed. He ignited his horns and took Twilight out of her hiding spot. Discord´s mouth literally dropped from the surprise, whereas Luna bit her lip. “HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO KILL YOU?!” Immediately, Luna and Discord distracted him so Twilight would be free from Grogar´s grasp. She saw the balcony and had an idea. Though neither Discord nor Luna were able to hold Grogar for long, as he tied them up with his magic. Grogar turned around and frowned when he saw Twilight wasn´t there anymore. Starlight, Trixie and Sunburst finished fighting some changelings that were attacking many ponies. “It´s alright. You may leave now.” Starlight said while panting. “There are no more changelings that can hurt you!” Sunburst cleaned his glasses with his cape. “And if there are, the Great and Powerful Trixie and friends will stop them!” Trixie threw her fist to the air. The unicorns they helped smiled in gratitude and ran away. “But now…” Trixie let herself fall on her tummy. “I need a break…” “Sorry, but I´m afraid that will have to wait.” Starlight lamented while putting her hoof on Trixie´s shoulder. “Why?” “Because our friends are here!” Sunburst exclaimed as he saw the mane 5, Spike, the CMC and the Student Six running towards them. His eyes widened when he saw that Cozy Glow was in fact, between them. “And an enemy too…” he added, not as excited. “What?!” Starlight and Trixie asked in chorus. They ignited their horns when Cozy was near them. “Alright, what have you done this time?” Starlight said angrily. “It´s ok, it´s ok!” Spike lifted his hands. “She´s with us.” “Pardon me?” Trixie asked incredulous. “We´ll explain later, but we have important news!” Rarity said. “Twilight´s alive!” Pinkie exclaimed. The three unicorns blinked. “How do you know that?” Sunburst asked. “Did she tell you that?” Trixie narrowed her eyes at Cozy. “Yes, but I am telling the truth!” the filly responded on self-defence. “Oh really?” Starlight raised her eyebrow. Cozy sighed. “If we wanted to set you a trap, we wouldn´t do it in these conditions! Believe me, there´s nothing I want more right now than to see that goat defeated and humiliated the same way he did to us!” Starlight, Trixie and Sunburst looked at each other. “I hate to admit, but she does have a point.” Trixie agreed. “Alright. We believe you.” Starlight told Cozy. “Now, where is she?” Chrysalis didn´t find any sign of Tirek nor Cozy around Canterlot. She was furious and frustrated. “They´d better have a good reason not to be there! This could go very wrong and this will be their fault!” At that moment, something caught her attention. There were ponies and other creatures running towards the castle. And these were not ordinary ponies. They were Twilight Sparkle´s friends! And her dragon was also there. “Wait, those six survived too?!” she thought aloud. “How is that possible?!” But that was nothing compared to what she saw next. Her greatest enemy, the cause of her fall as queen, named Starlight Glimmer, was running around with them. This made her cough. A rage invaded her. “YOU!” All the creatures turned around to Chrysalis. Starlight didn´t have time to react, as Chrysalis tackled her against the ground. She ignited her horn in fury. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!” “Uh… Saving everypony from a goat overlord?” she laughed nervously. “I don´t get it, I thought she was with us!” she said to Cozy. “And we are! But she still holds her grudges…” Chrysalis clenched her teeth. Every creature prepared to attack Chrysalis. “However, she will not do you any harm. To none of you in fact!” “Then why is she doing this to Professor Starlight?!” Smolder asked upset. “I said why already!” Cozy replied angrily. Then she flew to Chrysalis. “You´d better stop doing that!” she whispered in her ear. “Why should I?” Chrysalis asked defiant. “Because if you do, it´s over! I know you hate her, but could you let her alive?” “I wasn´t going to kill her.” “What?” every creature asked. “I´m just making it clear that I still hate you for what you did to me.” Chrysalis scowled at Starlight. “And that killing you would be give me great pleasure. But, given the circumstances we find ourselves in, I decided not to hurt nor kill you. At least not until we´re in the throne.” She muttered the last part to Cozy, which made her hold her laugh. Starlight darted her eyes from one side to the other. “So… is it a truce then?” Chrysalis sighed. “Yes.” “Why thank you.” Starlight offered her hoof. “Just because I´m in your side, doesn´t mean that I´m going to help you stand up.” “Ok… That´s alright, I guess.” Starlight said as Sunburst helped her stand up. When they listened to what Chrysalis said, no creature had any doubts. Well, except Yona. “Um… Yona not understand… Nasty pony said nasty changeling was in castle. So why nasty changeling here?” Though upset by the nicknames Yona gave them, Cozy focused more on the content of the question. She widened her eyes and turned slowly to Chrysalis. “That´s actually a pretty good question…” “Don´t blame me! I told you to wait outside the castle and when I came you weren´t there!” “Ok, that´s my fault. But if you´re here that means…” Cozy put her hoof on her cheek. “Oh no…” “Don´t tell me that Twilight´s with him…” Fluttershy said horrified. Cozy smiled nervously. “It´s the most likely thing.” “We have to go there!” Applejack exclaimed. “What are we waiting for? Come on!” Rainbow started to fly as fast as she could. Every creature followed behind. Meanwhile, Chrysalis talked to Cozy, who was riding on Chrysalis´ back. “Let me guess, you chickened out and Tirek followed you.” Cozy took some air before answering. “Yes.” Chrysalis put her hoof on her forehead and sighed as she flew. The bound and muzzled Discord and Luna watched in horror how Grogar searched for Twilight. They were hoping Grogar went to the wrong direction, which was the door. However, by doing so, his bells ignited as they were afraid when Grogar advanced towards there. He looked backwards and stared at the balcony. After raising his eyebrow, he slowly approached the balcony. When he reached at the end, he saw Twilight hanging from streetlights attached to the castle. “Leaving so soon?” he asked playfully as he smirked maliciously. Twilight swung to the left to avoid Grogar´s deadly strike. In the meantime, she noticed Celestia leaving the castle. Although she knew she wasn´t going to recognize her, she had no other choice. “Celestia!” she yelled at the top of her lungs. Knowing what she was doing, Grogar clenched his teeth. “SILENCE!” he yelled as he threw Twilight another deadly strike. This time, Twilight risked herself by jumping to another streetlight as he destroyed the one she was hanging from. Naturally, he tried to zap Twilight once again, but she jumped to another streetlight. Meanwhile, Twilight kept on calling Celestia. “Celestia! Celestia! CELESTIAA!” she begged desperately in heartrending screams. Daybreaker was hugging herself as she flew. She didn´t know what to do and her conscience consumed her in a way she had never experienced before. However, the answer cam when she heard Twilight´s screams. There! The same darn name again! However, this time she wasn´t mad about it, but concerned. The voice yelling that name was familiar. Very familiar. It belonged to somepony she loved deeply. She turned around and saw a purple pony trying to survive Grogar. After hearing her voice and seeing the pony, she remembered who that pony was. “Twilight…” At that moment her fiery eyes, turned into concerned and teary lavender ones. After Twilight screamed her name once again, she came back to reality and decided to aid that pony. “TWILIGHT!” She flew back to the castle as fast as she could. There came a moment in which Twilight couldn´t hold into more streetlights. They ran out. However, there was one streetlight near, at a higher altitude, however. She frowned in the determination, climbed on it, and jumped to the other streetlight, which she luckily reached. Though icy, and thus slippery and unstable, she was glad that she wasn´t hit by Grogar. The ram breathed heavily as he stared at Twilight with a look of pure hatred. “How did you survive? HOW?!” he asked. “Ask Gusty.” she replied in full confidence. Grogar widened his eyes. That mare… Even in death and almost disappearing she still haunted and interfered in his plans! He clenched his teeth, ready to strike Twilight with the magic his bell. However, he found another obstacle. He noticed fire in his skin. After moaning, he looked to the sky and saw Daybreaker. He entered in a bit of panic when he saw that her eyes were different meaning that she was starting to remember who she really was. So, he stopped focusing on Twilight and focused on Daybreaker. The alicorn dodged all his attacks, flew to Discord and Luna and freed them. “Come on! We must protect her!” she told them. Though confused, Discord and Luna nodded their heads and joined Daybreaker on the fight with Grogar. Meanwhile, Twilight tried to hold into the streetlight all she could. She tried to hold on with her four legs and wings, but they slipped every time. Luckily, she had help coming. Twilight´s friends finally reached the castle. Ocellus gasped when she noticed Twilight. “Look!” she pointed at her with her hoof. Every creature gasped horrified. “She won´t hold for much longer!” Apple Bloom said to her sister. The mane 5 and Spike nodded confidently and ran to the castle. Unfortunately, they met with opposition of brainwashed changelings. They walked backwards a bit scared. But Starlight hit one of them. “Don´t worry professors!” Silverstream reassured them. “We´ll fight them off!” Gallus added. “We´ll be fine!” Sweetie Belle said to her friends´ sisters. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo smiled at Applejack and Rainbow Dash. The ponies and dragon smiled back and went to aid their friend. “Oh yeah! Let´s do this!” Gabby exclaimed excitedly. “Oh boy here we go…” Terramar prepared himself mentally. “I can´t believe me I´m doing this.” Chrysalis said to Cozy. They started fighting every changeling that blocked Spike´s and the girls´ way. Twilight could feel how her energy was running out. The cold from the streetlight didn´t help her either. Slowly, she lost her strength and consciousness, to the point of letting go of the streetlight and fall. Although focused on fighting Grogar, Discord and Luna noticed that. “NOO!” they yelled in chorus. Grogar turned around and smiled wickedly as he saw Twilight falling to her death. But for his misfortune, Rainbow and Spike caught her on time. “Got you!” Rainbow exclaimed. Spike panted hard. The girls cheered them on their accomplishment. They flew away as fast as they could. Grogar growled and screamed in frustration. He tried to zap them with the bell´s magic, but Daybreaker prevented him from doing so, making him attack her instead. As they were fighting, Fluttershy reached Discord. “Dizzy!” Discord gasped excitedly. “Flutters!” They hugged each other. “We´re going to the valley, meet us there!” Grogar overheard their conversation. He scowled when he saw Fluttershy. Before he could do anything to her, Discord threw a lightning in front of him, giving Fluttershy enough time to join her friends. When she did, Rarity ignited her horn and teleported her friends and herself to the valley. Seeing that they fled, Grogar hyperventilated anxious. However, he stopped when he remembered he wasn´t alone. He frowned and clenched his teeth at Daybreaker. “This is your fault!” “What´s the matter? Afraid of being getting burnt again?” Daybreaker defied him. “Oh. I´ll show you burning!” He activated his bell, ready to target Daybreaker. The alicorn herself got ready to take the blow. However, Grogar changed his mind when he saw Luna. That would hurt her more than death. So, he targeted Luna instead. As soon as the magic came out, Daybreaker jumped in front of Luna to take the blow in her place. Luna didn´t have time to react, everything happened so fast. She watched in horror how her sister fell unconscious to the floor. She gasped. “TIAAA!” she exclaimed in tears. Indignant, Discord went to attack Grogar with lightnings, but the ram disappeared before he could even begin. Discord assumed he had gone to the valley. “Quick! We need to-” He didn´t finish his phrase. His heart ached when she saw Luna holding Celestia. “Tia?” There came no answer. She shook her body. “Tia?” Luna´s voice cracked. Discord approached Luna and put a comforting paw on her shoulder. He shed tears silently. “Is she-” she tried to ask Discord. The draconequus gave no answer. Slowly, Luna broke in tears while holding her sister´s body. “No. No! Please… Please… Don´t leave me…” she sobbed hard. “I love you…” she muttered. Her tears fell on her sister´s body. Suddenly, light appeared around Celestia and her body rose up. Luna walked backwards scared. She watched how slowly, Celestia returned to her normal form. Once the light disappeared, Celestia landed softly on the floor. Luna ran to her and held her once again. Celestia moaned slightly as she opened her eyes. “Wh- What happened?” she asked confused. Luna began to cry again. But this time, they were tears of joy. “Tia!” she exclaimed before hugging her. This caught Celestia by surprise, however she gladly returned the hug. She also cried of joy, seeing that her sister was alive. “I thought I lost you…” Luna whispered. This reminded Celestia of everything that happened. “What? No! I should be the one who thinks that. Had you not covered yourself with your wings as I taught you, you wouldn´t be here. Because of me.” Luna chuckled. “The blow wasn´t that hard anyway.” The two sisters smiled at each other and hugged each other once again. Meanwhile, Discord watched, happy and uncomfortable at the same time, as he wasn´t sure what to do. He cleared his throat. “I don´t want to interrupt your sister moment, but there are friends who need our help.” Celestia and Luna looked at each other and nodded with a smile. “Yes, of course.” Luna replied. Then, she and Celestia hugged Discord. He widened his eyes in surprise. “Thanks for helping us so much Discord.” Celestia told him. “You saved our lives and made so many sacrifices. Equestria is proud of you.” The draconequus didn´t know how to react. He wanted to cry, but if he did, that would make them uncomfortable and estranged. “You- You´re welcome, I guess.” he smiled sadly. “By the way, you mentioned you wanted to tell me something before. So… what was it?” The girls and Spike arrived at the valley as agreed. He and Rainbow held Twilight nervously waiting for a response. “Is she-” Pinkie wanted to ask, but didn´t dare to. Remembering Punja´s lessons, Spike put his hand on Twilight´s mouth. His reaction relieved the girls. “Yes.” he answered, his voice breaking from joy. Everypony´s eyes filled with tears. After some time, Twilight opened her eyes. She smiled when the first thing she saw was Spike. “Spike…” “Twilight…” She chuckled at the same time as him. Then, she looked around. All her friends were there, smiling, with tears in their eyes. “Is this- Is this the afterlife?” she asked confused. Applejack sobbed. “No. We still have a chance.” she told her. “And even if we were…” Rarity began. “We´d still be together.” Fluttershy ended. Twilight sniffed and cried. Then, they all hugged each other tightly. After all the calvary they´ve been through, they were together again. This showed how strong their friendship was. Only friendship would have let them go on and end up with her. Gusty was right. Their magic didn´t come from her. It came from within. Despite the cold, she felt warmth, perhaps the warmest she´s ever been in her life. She would spend the rest of her life in her friend´s embrace. However, it wasn´t still over. They still had to defeat Grogar. Speaking of him, he came to their place through a portal. Instead of the calm, serious and prideful ram they first encountered, this time they found a beast. A furious beast out of control. He breathed heavily as he stared at them. In contrast, the mane 6 and Spike frowned confidently but they were full of serenity. “Leave it, Grogar.” Twilight began to speak. “Even if you killed us, you can´t separate us. We´ll always be together.” “But you wouldn´t defeat me.” “That´s true. But others might.” Spike clapped back. “When you tried to have us executed, entire groups of creatures risked their lives to save us.” Applejack said. “And reminded us of our strength.” Rainbow added. “I´m pretty sure that if they all joined, you´d be lost.” Pinkie smirked. “No, I am invincible.” “If you really are, why are you so scared?” Fluttershy said while doing her stare. Those words hurt Grogar´s pride. “ENOUGH!” he stomped his hoof against the ground. “I´m not scared. I´m never scared, you pegasus witch!” he said to Fluttershy. “Face it Grogar. Empires always fall.” Twilight continued. “And that´s because tyrants abuse their subjects. If they didn´t, their reign would last to the end of their lives.” “Being benevolent doesn´t take you anywhere.” he shook his head. “It does! Look at yourself! This is where your so-called power has taken you.” Underneath him, there was a puddle. He could see that his mane was messy, his face was full of scars. He hit the puddle and growled. “If you had been benevolent, you wouldn´t be in this situation. Whatever happened to you to end up like this? Did you even love some creature at one point of your life? What would they think?” This time Grogar didn´t reply. He was crying. Crying of shame, humiliation and rage. “THAT´S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!” He was about to zap at the group with his bell. However, before he could do anything, something hit him. He moaned and turned around. What he saw, surprised both him, the mane 6 and Spike. All the allies they had collected on their adventures were there. Ready to battle Grogar and defend their beloved heroes. Not only were their allies there, the villains were there too. They were frowning at Grogar. Normally, he wouldn´t ask for help. But seeing the quantity of creatures that were against him, he had no choice. “Ah… My allies.” he said nervously. “Allies?” Chrysalis asked while laughing. “After he betrays and mistreats us, he still considers his allies. That´s so sweet.” “Yeah, and naïve.” Tirek agreed. “Right Cozy.” The filly laughed maniacally. “Of course…” Grogar bit his lip. He noticed the sirens flying. “You! Help me in battle! If you do, I´ll repair your rubies.” The three sirens raised their eyebrows, without a single sign of empathy. “Yeah… Hmm… Sorry… Yeah… No.” Sonata said. “The only reason we came here is because we don´t want to have singing classes.” Aria explained. “But you know what? It´s a better fate than serving you. Besides, we had a life settled there so yeah… may you have fun defeated.” Adagio clapped back. “See? I told you dialogue was the answer.” Stygian whispered in Starswirl´s ear, which made him smile. “Hey beardo! Can you open the portal?” Aria asked Starswirl. “With pleasure.” Starswirl smirked. Stasrwirl opened the portal, so they could come back to their dimension. “Bye!” Sonata waved her fin. “Come on!” Adagio took her fin and dragged her with them. “Wait no no!” Grogar begged. But it was too late. The portal had already closed. He turned around and saw every creature frowning at him. “You all better stay back!” he ordered them. However, it was pointless. They all prepared for battle. “It´s over Grogar. It´s you against the world. Give up. Now!” However, Grogar realized he still had a last trick under his sleeve. Combining the magic from his horns and his bell, he transformed into a huge, demonic dragon, with the horns of a ram. His eyes weren´t yellow and red, they were only red, which reflected his thirst of blood. Every creature watched in disbelief and shock. This was the biggest creature they had ever seen. This was going to be a huge challenge. Possibly, their final challenge of they don´t survive. Unlike the other creatures, the dragons were upset. “Oh, come on! Really?” Ember exclaimed. “Not fair! Neither the former Dragon Lord was that big!” Garble exclaimed. “What do we do Twilight?” Spike asked his sister. The alicorn, who was pressing her lips, blinked. “You know what?” she stretched her wings. “Let´s get this over with.” “Wait. No speech?” “For what? The difficulty is the same. He´s just trying to scare us. I think at this point every creature knows that being scared won´t take us anywhere. Right guys?” Every creature nodded. They all prepared for battle. “Every creature. Assemble.”