//------------------------------//
// Episode 24: "Captain Tirek, Part 2" 
// Story: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Season 13 
// by twilightsparkle3562 
//------------------------------//

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PREVIOUSLY ON "MY LITTLE PONY"

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Lord Tirek: "Listen, brother, I've been thinking…"

Scorpan: "You think that after we are truly free, you plan on killing me the same way as you did Father. You want to be truly free of your past, free from ever having to think of it."

Lord Tirek: "What I really want is for Chrysalis and Cozy Glow to be safe."

Globber: "It uh... appears that we have some guests who... collapsed at the front door."

Lord Zedd: "They call themselves the Sirens and also apparently The Dazzlings."

Lord Tirek: "Every time I see Grogar...I see my father."

Lord Zedd: "They stole MY ZORD?! Where did they take it?!"

Scorpan: "Prepare yourself to boarded!"

Daybreaker: "We're the captains of this ship now! So you will do as we command...or else your 'family' will pay the price for your insubordination!"

Nightmare Moon: "So, what will it be, Lord Tirek?"

…

…

Tirek stood with a tough decision...surrender to the invading clones of Equestria's royal sisters and his most despised enemies, or risk losing the creatures he had become close to. The centaur could only fear for the safety of Chrysalis and Cozy Glow as Mean Pinkie Pie held a dagger to Chrysalis' throat. Hearing a muffled scream from Cozy Glow, he realized that he had to make his decision and fast.

"Well, what do you say?" Daybreaker cackled in a sarcastic tone of voice. "Do you surrender, or are these two about to be missing a head?"

Taking a deep breath, Tirek came to the sensible conclusion. "Scorpan," He instructed. "Get out of the cockpit."

Scorpan blinked in disbelief. "But Tirek…"

"I SAID GET OUT!" Tirek shouted and Scorpan complied, rising from the cockpit seat and raising his claws up to join his brother on his right side.

"A wise choice," Mean Twilight sneered as she then gestured for Mean Rainbow Dash and Mean Fluttershy to capture Tirek and Scorpan. "Alas, your greatest strength is your greatest weakness, centaur."

Tirek kept his eye on Mean Twilight with a glare of anger as he was pushed to join Chrysalis and Cozy Glow along with Scorpan.

"Take them back to their quarters," Nightmare Moon ordered. "Master Vile will want them alive for when we arrive."

"Master Vile?" Scorpan asked. "Who are you talking about?"

"Oh, you shall see soon enough, gargoyle," Daybreaker chuckled as she and Nightmare Moon entered the cockpit. "In due time, you shall see. Take them away!"

Complying, the Mean Six did as they were told. They pushed the captured villains away while Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon settled themselves into the cockpit.

"Very nice," Daybreaker laughed as she sat in the pilot's seat. "A weapon of such power, such strength! I wouldn't mind getting used to this. Oh, the destruction I would command."

"Who says you have to pilot?" Nightmare Moon remarked, catching Daybreaker's attention. "I helped lead the mission! I should be in charge now!"

"Aanh! Wrong answer!" Daybreaker cruelly mocked. "Master Vile assigned us to lead the mission together and we will continue to do so. So as the older sister, what I say goes. Now, let's set a course for the M51 Galaxy! Let's bring our prisoners home and get our reward."

Nightmare Moon watched as her sister set a course for the M51 Galaxy and their new home. All she could do for now was seethe with anger and resentment at Daybreaker treating her like this.

…

Meanwhile, Tirek and his companions were herded back into their quarters and were left with Mean Applejack and Mean Rainbow Dash standing guard right outside. Seizing the opportunity, Tirek removed Cozy Glow's gag off her face, giving her the opportunity to breathe.

"Are you all right, Cozy?" Tirek asked in a tender voice.

"Yes, thanks to you," Cozy Glow answered while trying to catch her breath. "Who...who do these ponies think they are? I thought Grogar banished them far away!"

"Clearly they survived, somehow," Chrysalis coughed as Scorpan removed her gag, her face filled with rage. "And they will be sorry they ever came back from the dead if I ever get my hooves on them! They seem to enjoy defying me every time they get half a chance."

But Tirek felt that they needed to escape quickly. "There's no time for that now," He protested. "We need to get out of here!"

"And leave Serpentera II to these clones?!" Scorpan protested. "No way! We should fight back!"

"It's too dangerous, Scorpan! We're outnumbered and out powered! Fighting back would only result in our ends," Tirek countered. "Now listen to me, all of you. What these invaders have in mind is something that involves us not surviving in some way. I would much rather leave this machine to them instead of being put to death. I have no intention to give them the satisfaction of ending me."

"I second that, Tirek," Cozy Glow said, much to Chrysalis' annoyance. "Besides, getting rid of Grogar is more important. We'll never do that if we're stuck here."

"Are you crazy, all of you?!" Chrysalis asked with a shocked expression on her face. "Do you even realize what you are all doing?! Why, with this weapon, we can not only defeat Grogar, but also take Equestria for ourselves! If there's even a chance we could regain control of it, why not fight the good fight?!"

But Tirek just stared at Chrysalis. As far as he was concerned he had far more important matters than just a machine to worry about. "Chrysalis," He sighed while walking up to the former changeling queen. "Why must you think of yourself at a time like this? I don't like this decision any more than you do. But it's what is best for all of us right now. Besides, whoever this Master Vile is he is not our target, it's Grogar. And as for Princess Twilight and her friends...they are not important to us. And if we're lucky, they never will be if we can get what we want.."

Chrysalis was shocked at Tirek's confession. Up until that moment she had admired him, but now she felt like she was stabbed in the back.

"Now, I don't want to hear another word about this," Tirek firmly insisted. "We are doing things my way and my way only. Is that understood?"

Both Scorpan and Cozy Glow nodded in reply. But Chrysalis remained stubborn, leaving Tirek with very little choice on how to get through to her. "Chrysalis," He sighed before asking. "Do you love me?"

"Why do you ask me that?" Chrysalis asked while rising to her feet. "Of course I love you, Tirek!"

"Then would my lover get herself clouded in something that her significant other would say no to?" Tirek went on asking. "I want us to be happy, Chrysalis. You, Cozy Glow, and I, we all want to be together, right?"

Hearing this made Chrysalis flinch. She really did want to be with Tirek for the rest of her life, and she now found herself in a situation where she had to make a choice: Go rogue and cause a situation that would jeopardize her romance, or go along with Tirek's choice and possibly survive to be with him forever at the cost of her own ambitions. Defeated, she reluctantly submitted to Tirek's plan. "Fine. For now, I guess I'll support you, Tirek."

"Very good," Tirek smiled, satisfied with the answer he received. "Now then, here's what we're going to do…"

…

Back at Master Vile's castle in the M51 galaxy, word arrived that Serpentera II had been recovered.

"Oh, Zeddykins," Rita sang out as she made her way up to her bedroom that she shared with her husband. I have some good news for you."

"What is it, Rita?" Zedd pouted, still seething with anger over his zord being stolen. "Has Serpentera II been recovered?"

Rita grinned as she taunted. "Maybe…"

"Don't play with me, Rita!" Zedd snapped, putting a book that he was reading down on the table with a throwing motion! "Has my zord been recovered or not?!"

"Oh come on, Zedd!" Rita remarked as she entered the bedroom. "I was just trying to lighten the mood a little bit. But yes, your zord has been recovered. Those creatures Father sent out are bringing it back here as we speak."

"Finally!" Zedd sighed as he rose to his feet. "Your father did a good thing in this case. But just to be safe, I want to have my zord inspected for any damage or sabotage, understood?"

"You seem to really want that zord, don't you, Zedd?" Rita questioned. "Maybe it's for something else?"

Zedd had his intentions, but he wouldn't reveal them to his wife until the moment was right. "Who is piloting Serpentera II?"

Rita answered while scratching her head. "That flaming maned pony, whatever her name is. Daybreak...is it?"

"Good," Zedd appeared to smile. "She needs to bring it right back...No stops, no nothing! Tell that to your father. If she lets anything happen to my zord, nothing will save her from my wrath!"

Rita still had her suspicions about her husband's behavior, but she complied and left Zedd alone in the bedroom. "He must be up to something, that's for sure. But what?" Rita thought to herself.

Rita had no way to know that she would find out in due time.

…

…

Back aboard Serpentera II, the enormous zord had successfully been steered away from Earth and now instead was making its way towards the M51 galaxy. In the cockpit, Mean Twilight entered and caught the attention of both Nightmare Moon and Daybreaker. "The prisoners are secured, your highnesses," She bowed to them. "Shall I order the execution?"

"What execution, pray tell?" Nightmare Moon asked.

Mean Twilight smirked with sadistic pleasure. "Why, the execution of the prisoners, of course."

"Not until we deliver the zord and the prisoners to the master." Nightmare Moon coldly answered.

"Yeah, it wouldn't be as fun to do them in now, would it?" Daybreaker remarked. "Besides, I could use a little...excitement when the job is done."

But Mean Twilight had her own reasons for wanting to carry out the executions. "Don't forget that we have some unfinished business to attend to," She flounced, turning her back on the evil alicorns. "Something that doesn't concern either of you."

With a snout, Mean Twilight left the cockpit and proceeded towards one of Serpentera's many rooms where Mean Rarity, Mean Pinkie Pie and Mean Fluttershy were making preparations.

"I love bringing an end to pathetic prisoners' lives," Mean Fluttershy cackled. "This is going to be fun!"

"Who cares what some rogue says we should do?" Mean Rarity remarked. "I get dibs on cheese legs' legs!"

"We each get a part of the prisoners as a souvenir when all is done," Mean Twilight cautiously explained. "And the sooner we get this done, the better."

Mean Twilight then looked over towards a series of weapons on a black table. Each weapon had been forged with one purpose...to carry out a form of torture. "Now, which one should be used on that filly?" She wondered as she inspected the weapons. "Whatever one causes the most pain, I guess?"

…

Back in their quarters, Tirek prepared his family for their escape plan.

"Hey, when do you think we are going to get back to M51?" Mean Rainbow Dash asked. "I need to stretch my wings."

"Probably in ten days, tops." Mean Applejack chuckled in a sarcastic tone.

"Ugh, whatever," Mean Rainbow Dash sighed while rolling her eyes. "You're probably lying like you always are."

Mean Applejack scratched her pear cutie marked flank in non interest.

"Besides, we gotta finish plucking those wings off that small pony." Mean Rainbow added.

Just then, the door to the prisoners' quarters slightly opened. Without warning, Scorpan took one of his legs and kicked Mean Rainbow Dash in the flank quickly before retreating back inside. He'd moved too fast for Mean Rainbow Dash to see him.

"Hey, what did you kick me for?!" Mean Rainbow Dash snapped as she turned to Mean Applejack!

"I didn't kick you, I was kickin' somethin' else!" Mean Applejack replied, and the door silently opened again as both Tirek and Scorpan kicked both clones in their respective flanks before they retreated back inside.

"So, you kicked me again, huh?" Mean Rainbow Dash snapped as she grabbed Mean Applejack. "I'll teach you…"

As the two clones fought it out, Chrysalis and Cozy Glow took a pair of hammers that had been left lying around and threw them down on Mean Applejack and Mean Rainbow Dash, knocking them both out cold.

…

With the two clones knocked, Tirek peaked out the door. "All right, the coast is clear," He whispered and turned to Cozy Glow and Chrysalis. "Have you tied them up yet?"

"It's already done," Cozy snickered as she and Chrysalis finished tying up Mean Applejack and Mean Rainbow Dash with gags on their mouths. "Now what?"

"We head for an emergency exit at the tail of the zord," Scorpan answered in a hushed voice. "Now stay close, we've got no time to lose!"

Emerging from their quarters, the three villains and Tirek's gargoyle brother quietly proceeded towards the emergency exit, trying to navigate the long narrow hallways that made up Serpentera II's body.

"How long is this hallway?" Cozy asked while bringing up the rear of the group. "I don't recall it being this long."

"You just have never been down this hallway before," Scorpan remarked while letting out a small chuckle. "There's always a first time for everything, I guess."

Suddenly, the group began to draw near a room where the rest of the Mean 6 were waiting to carry out their "assignment".

"Wait!" Tirek whispered, causing the group to stop. "I sense something coming from that room down there!"

"What is it?" Cozy asked in a somewhat frightened voice.

"Wait here," Tirek ordered. "Scorpan, come with me." Gesturing his brother to come forward, Tirek creeped against the wall, trying to not let whoever was in the other room hear them.

"What do you sense, Tirek?" Scorpan questioned.

"Those clones, they must be planning to execute somecreatures." Tirek answered as he could hear hoofbeats from inside the room.

"Who is?" Scorpan asked again.

But at that moment, Mean Twilight and her remaining companions stepped out of the room. "Why, us of course," Mean Twilight laughed. "Leaving without saying goodbye, are you? We can't have that."

Before Tirek and Scorpan could turn around, Mean Twilight used her magic to grab them while Mean Rarity, Mean Pinkie Pie and Mean Fluttershy grabbed Chrysalis and Cozy Glow.

"Take your hooves off of me!" Chrysalis growled as Mean Rarity and Mean Fluttershy held onto her. "Traitors!"

"You see," Mean Twilight explained, a smirk plastered on her face. "We have some unfinished business to attend to. Right, Cozy Glow?"

Mean Pinkie Pie cackled as she forced Cozy Glow into the room along with the rest of the group with Mean Twilight determined to finish what she had started long ago.

…

…

Being forced into the room, Cozy Glow, Tirek and Chrysalis were forced to look up as they saw various ominous looking weapons displayed all around.

"As you might surmise, we have a plan to surprise Master Vile with your deaths," Mean Twilight explained. "You shall be broken into tiny little pieces by the time we're done."

"You're not going to get away with this!" Chrysalis angrily hissed.

"Why not? Master Vile would have no use for you in his army when he has us. We're simply sparing him the trouble of having to dispose of you himself," Mean Twilight said as the weapons were drawn. "Any last words before your sentence is carried out?"

Knowing he needed to act fast, Scorpan quickly came up with an idea. "As a matter of fact, I do," He spoke up, catching Mean Twilight's attention. "I say that what you are doing is barbaric and unbecoming of yourselves!"

Slightly taken aback, Mean Twilight stared at Scorpan with a blank expression on her face. Little did she know that Scorpan had a small knife hidden deep in his fur.

"Who are you to say that this is barbaric?" Mean Pinkie Pie snapped. "I enjoy watching others squirm! Does that make me barbaric? I think not."

"Well I say that there is another way to handle such a thing. A far more efficient way at," Scorpan answered. "If you come forward, I will whisper it in your ears!"

Rolling her eyes, Mean Twilight stepped towards Scorpan, not noticing his left paw reaching behind his back. "All right," She sighed while leaning towards Scorpan. "I'm listening...what is the secret?"

Gesturing, Scorpan motioned for Mean Twilight to get closer and closer while the rest of the Mean 6 watched. Tirek saw that his brother's hand was behind his back and right away, he had a premonition of what was to come. Looking towards Chrysalis and Cozy Glow, he silently motioned an idea to them and they quickly agreed.

"Come closer," Scorpan asked again and as Mean Twilight leaned a little more closer, the gargoyle quickly made his move. "It's…"

Suddenly, Mean Twilight felt a sharp object plunge into her stomach as she suddenly began gasping for air! Before the rest of the Mean 6 could react, the captured trio swung forward and broke free!

"All right, let's go!" Scorpan hastily shouted! "Come on!"

...

Leaving the wounded Mean Twilight and her knocked out companions on the floor, Scorpan led Tirek, Chrysalis and Cozy Glow out of the room and towards the main emergency exit. They soon neared said exit: A long chute through Serpentera II's tail. Scorpan then raced up to a control panel and began to type in a code.

"Scorpan, what are you doing?" Tirek asked.

"I'm setting a course for Earth," Scorpan answered. "The tail will direct us towards it."

With the course set, the hatch opened and Cozy Glow was the first to go through. "See you on the other side!" She shouted before jumping through the exit. Chrysalis was next to go, followed by Tirek and finally Scorpan.

Passing through the tail, the four creatures were out of Serpentera II and were now on their way to Earth.

But up in the cockpit, Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon had just discovered that the emergency exit had been activated.

"Look, up there!" Nightmare Moon called to Daybreaker.

"Impossible!" Daybreaker gasped while activating the security cameras. "Who would want to jump out of such impending fun?" But then she saw that the Mean 6 had been overpowered and the quarters that once held the four prisoners was emptied, with only Mean Applejack and Mean Rainbow Dash still there, bound and gagged..

"They're gone!" Daybreaker cried! "The prisoners are gone!"

Acting fast, Nightmare Moon teleported from the cockpit and found herself standing in front of the activated emergency exit. But she realized that she was too late to thwart the escape attempt, the alarm had not been raised soon enough. She then retreated into the room where Mean Twilight and the others were. Struggling to her feet, Mean Twilight looked up weakly at Nightmare Moon.

"They've...escaped," She gasped. "Gone." Taking another deep breath, Mean Twilight collapsed leaving Nightmare Moon to wonder what had happened.

"Master Vile is not going to like this." Nightmare Moon thought to herself, looking over at the disabled security camera in the corner of the room. But for now, her concern was on trying to prevent Mean Twilight from succumbing to her injury.

From inside the cockpit, Daybreaker shared the same feeling as her cloned sister. Tirek and the others had escaped and they would most likely be giving an explanation to Master Vile of what had transpired. And they were sure to catch an earful for not doing more to prevent the escape.

…

Meanwhile, Tirek opened his eyes and found himself and his companions on a sanded surface. "Where are we?" He asked while groaning slightly. "Are we back in Equestria?"

Soon, Scorpan, Chrysalis and Cozy Glow also awakened and also took in what Tirek was seeing. "Tirek...I have a feeling we're not in outer space anymore." She declared.

"Cozy Glow, my daughter," Tirek remarked, looking down at her. "When you are right, you are right."

"Well, what do we do now, brother?" Scorpan asked.

"We find out where we are and who or what else is out there," Tirek simply stated. Now come on." And all attempted to make their way through the desert to find the nearest help they could find. Though they were out of one danger, they were in another since they now were in a very unfamiliar area.

And the impending final battle against Grogar was growing closer and closer.

…

...