The next day, Eric was playing with his friends in the park (including Pip, Featherweight, Rumble, Snips, Snails, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and Twist). All of a sudden, Eric’s attention was focused elsewhere, the others went over to him to find out the cause of the disturbance. They overheard Glacio’s minions contacting headquarters for support via crystal orb in wrangling basilisks from the Everfree Forest. The three henchponies cast an eye-protection spell on themselves, then they and the three gorgons went towards the forest.
“Glacio’s henchponies are about to capture more basilisks and set them loose on other cities in Equestria. We need to go into the forest and stop them,” Eric said.
“The forest? We can’t go in there, we’ll get into trouble with our families,” Nightshade replied.
“I don’t want to be disobedient any more than you do, but this is important. Please, I need all of you and besides, I’m sure those basilisks deserve to be living free and in the wild,” Eric explained.
“I know this sounds insane, but freedom is a right for all and no one deserves to be serving evil, even a creature so dangerous as a basilisk,” Holly added.
“Nightshade, do you know an eye-protection spell we can use?” Eric asked.
“Yes, just let me cast it on all of us,” Nightshade replied.
Once the spell was cast, Eric and all his friends went into the forest. As they went in deeper, Eric and his friends witnessed Glacio’s minions attempting to bind the basilisks, then put them in cages whilst staying hidden.
“I’m glad you’re involving the three of us on your missions, Eric,” Sweetie Belle said on behalf of herself, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo.
“I’ve been meaning to involve you girls more for some time. I’m sorry that I haven’t been it slipped my mind,” Eric replied, “Besides, Cutie Mark Crusaders stick together.”
“It’s okay, Eric,” Apple Bloom said.
“Well said,” Scootaloo added.
“Rumble, this is your chance for you and the rest of our classmates to be heroes and make a difference,” said Eric.
“We’re right with you, Eric. So what part do we play in this mission?” Rumble asked.
“Nightshade, Zuni, the other CMCs, and I will keep Glacio’s minions busy, while you and the others will free the basilisks, and once they’re freed, move away immediately,” Eric explained.
Eric’s group rushed out of hiding and took Hydia and the others by surprise, while the other half led by Holly snuck by and proceeded to set the basilisks free. A duel soon broke out; Eric vs. Hot Shot, Nightshade vs. Hydia, Zuni vs. Reeka, Holly vs. Draggle, Slapstick vs. Skywarp, and Marina vs. Thundercracker.
Zuni, Marina, and Holly managed to pin down their opponents. During the brawl, Rumble and the others managed to free the basilisks. Hot Shot and his partners were soon overpowered and then he called a retreat. Eric and his friends destroyed the cages, then went back to Ponyville.
“If anypony asks where we were all day, tell them we were at Canter Plains, happened across Glacio’s minions and stopped them before they could enter the forest,” Eric explained.
His friends nodded in response and they all went their separate ways. Holly then went back to her herd. Nightshade gave a goodbye kiss to Apple Bloom. Zuni and Marina gave their boyfriends Pip and Rumble a goodbye kiss as well then they and Slapstick went to the train station. The CMCs and the others also went to their own homes. After Eric saw off his friends, he returned home to the Castle of Friendship.
Meanwhile, at the Crystal Mountains ice fortress, Hot Shot and his partners, along with some ice pony soldiers went into the throne room.
“My lord, we failed to capture all the basilisks in the Everfree Forest and kill King Aspen and his fawns, but we managed to burn most of Whitetail Woods to the ground and kill half the deer herd,” Hot Shot explained.
“Your mission was not a complete failure. You’re lucky that I need you all to aid in my bid to conquer Equestria and when that happens, your failures won’t matter,” Glacio replied.
“You’re all off of active duty until we make our move,” Frostbite ordered.
“Very good, General,” Hot Shot replied before he and his partners left for their quarters.
“General Frostbite, retrieve my crystal orb and inform Queen Chrysalis that I request her presence,” Glacio said.
“Right away, my lord,” Frostbite replied.
Soon enough, Queen Chrysalis came in with Pharynx, Cornicle, and Spiracle accompanying her.
“You wanted to see me, Prince Glacio?” the changeling queen asked.
“Yes. I want to discuss with you a secret contingency plan,” Glacio replied.
“Of course. You three, leave us,” Chrysalis said before motioning to her escort.
Pharynx and Cornicle nodded in response, while Spiracle had a hidden look of bitterness on his face and said to himself, “I’ve had enough of her.”
“I’m listening,” Chrysalis said.
“As a means of strengthening our alliance, I propose that our soldiers should interbreed, so that we can have new ones to add to the ranks, and should either of our soldiers be decimated, you and I shall breed a new army of pony/changeling hybrids loyal only to us from the start,” Glacio explained.
“I like this plan. We should begin as soon as we can,” Chrysalis replied.
“Let’s discuss this more in my chambers, my lustful lovebug,” Glacio said.
“Take me. I’m yours tonight, my power lustful future king,” Chrysalis replied.
The ice prince’s quarters was soon filled with the sounds of lust-filled intimacy.
Hours later at the Castle of Friendship, as evening was falling, Eric was pondering on what to do in the remaining days of summer.
“Mommy, can we go on a trip?” he asked.
“Where do want to visit?” Twilight wondered.
“I want to go to Fillydelphia,” Eric replied.
“Sure, sweetie. It’ll be good for you to see some more of Equestria,” Twilight said.
“Thanks, mommy. You too, daddy,” said Eric to his parents as he hugged them.
“You’re welcome, son. Now go get ready to sleep,” Storm replied.
Once Eric was in bed, Twilight tucked him in and began humming a soothing tune to him.
“Good night, sweetie,” Twilight said as she kissed his face.
“Night, mommy,” Eric replied whilst falling asleep.
At Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack and Smokey were just about to turn in after a hard day’s harvest.
“Hey, Smokey?” Applejack started.
Yes, AJ?” Smokey asked.
“I reckon it’s time we take our relationship to the next level,” Applejack said in a flirtatious tone.
“I second that. You’re mine tonight, sugarcube,” Smokey replied in a suave tone as he activated a safe spell on himself.
After casting a soundproofing spell, Smokey and Applejack began a steamy makeout session which soon escalated as the room was filled with the sounds of intimacy.
At the Carousel Boutique, Smokey entered the bedroom with Rarity in a sensual sideways pose on their bed.
“Ready for a pleasurable night of passion, darling?” Rarity asked seductively while batting her eyes.
“It’s about time we did this, Rarity,” Jasper replied as he got up on the bed and joined her.
“Take me, I’m yours tonight,” Rarity said before casting a safe spell.
“Your wish is my command, darling,” Jasper replied flirtatiously as he cast a soundproofing spell.
Rarity and Jasper engaged in a heated makeout session which quickly became more intimate as the room was filled with the sounds of passion.