//------------------------------// // 8. Callidus strikes back // Story: My Little Pony the Movie 2: Secret of the Magic Pearl // by Italibaso //------------------------------// Luna stood on the balcony of the tallest tower in Canterlot with her sister, watching over their giant city. She looked up when some dark grey clouds started to fill up a small portion of the sky far away in the distance. The clouds started to spread out wider and wider while thunder struck down on a few occasions. ''Sister, look.'' Luna said to Celestia to get her attention. Celestia looked over to Luna, who was pointing her hoof to somewhere far away. Her eyes then turned to where her younger sister was pointing and saw the dark grey clouds. ''Clouds?'' Celestia replied, not understanding what Luna was trying to say ''Yes, clouds. But notice how the clouds are getting bigger on their own somehow,'' Luna explained, ''Isn't that a little strange?'' ''You're right,'' Celestia asked while looking worried, ''You don't suppose it has something to do with Twilight Sparkle and her friends, do you?'' Before Luna could give an answer to that question, a grey line of magic appeared below the dark clouds and was heading in the direction of Canterlot. It looked almost like a grey colored shooting star. ''What is that?'' Luna asked curiously. Celestia placed her eye on the telescope that was placed right next to her to get a better look. ''Hold on....'' Celestia said as she started to make out something purple inside the grey line of magic. ''What do you see?'' Luna asked. ''That's.....'' Celestia said before letting out a small gasp, ''THAT'S TWILIGHT!!!'' She exclaimed out loud when she saw an unconscious purple alicorn inside the grey line of magic. ''What?!'' Luna said, pushing her sister out of the way before looking through the telescope. She saw Twilight inside the grey line of magic as it disappeared into the mountains of the frozen north. ''Watch over Canterlot until we come back.'' Celestia commanded to the royal guard behind her. The royal guard saluted the white alicorn, ''Yes, your highness!'' ''Let's hurry, Luna!'' Celestia said urgently. She flew off the balcony and immediately went after Twilight. Luna didn't give it a second thought and followed her sister to the frozen north Every creature in Klugetown looked up when grey clouds started filling the sky above the town, slowly moving in front of the sun and darkening the whole place. Some lightning bolts struck from the clouds on a few occasions while the sound of thunder boomed through the town. One particular looking lightning bolt came down at a slower rate than a normal one would and was about to strike the middle part of Klugetown. Everyone started screaming in panic and ran away from where the bolt was about to strike as fast as they could. The lightning struck the middle of the streets with a loud booming noise, leaving a cloud of smoke behind. ''Nature is trying to kill us!'' One of the creatures shouted. The smoke eventually disappeared and revealed a grey looking bird dressed in a dark blue, regal looking coat. He wore a big hat of the same color with a red feather on top. A menacing dark yellow glow could be seen in his eyes for a moment while small sparks moved around his body. ''Wait, is that....No. That can't be.'' A shark creature said when he slowly recognized the sinister looking figure. ''It's Callidus!!'' Another fish creature said in shock. ''Back from the dead?!'' The shark creature said out loud whille looking surprised. ''Fear not, my dear citizens,'' The grey bird annouced proudly, ''Whatever that hippogriff queen told you about me is all a lie. I've always had my best interest at heart. Allow me to prove it to you.'' Callidus confidently snapped his fingers, which caused nine floating grey bubbles containing five distraught looking ponies, a sad purple dragon with his face hanging down, a furious looking pirate bird and a small hippogriff to appear above him in a circle. ''He caught the food thieves for us!'' A pig looking creature commented. Every other creature saw the ponies and started cheering amongst each other. Callidus looked on with a satisfied grin on his face, enjoying every moment of it. ''Thank you all,'' Callidus said out loud before showing a sly smile on his face, ''Now, gather everyone here! The truth of what really happened on the day of the Storm King's attack is about to come to light!'' The heavy winds in the sky made it hard for Tempest to keep the wheel straight. She had to use every ounce of her strength to prevent the ship from capsizing. Luckily Mount Aris came into the unicorn's sight just a few seconds later. The place was still many meters away from her, but thankfully the storm helped move the airship through the sky faster than normal. Tempest began to panic however, when she realized that the ship was approaching the mountain at such great speed that it would crash before she could have the chance to reach the anker on deck and stop the airship. In the heat of the moment and with no other options left, the purple unicorn removed her hooves from the wheel and ran to the anker as fast as she could. The wheel already started turning to the left uncontrollably fast as the airship was almost in close range of the mountain. Tempest ran over to the anchor as the entire ship slowly started turning ninety degrees to the left. The purple unicorn was just about to reach the anchor at the front deck. But before she knew it, the airship crashed into the side of the mountain. The impact caused the anker to fall overboard and the ship started to fall apart. Tempest was forced to make a leap of faith. She jumped off the deck, floating in the air for a good five seconds before making a hard landing close to the gate of the hippogriff kingdom. The remains of the airship fell down into the ocean behind her. Tempest sat down to catch her breath, relieved that she was able to make it. But the moment was cut short when she heard hoofsteps coming from the other side of the tall gate. "Who goes there?!" The purple unicorn's heart started beating faster as soon as she heard that voice, one that she hadn't heard in a long time. Within a few seconds, Queen Novo herself appeared behind the bars of the gate. The hippogriff queen looked shocked at first when she saw the purple unicorn with the broken horn. The shocked look soon got replaced by that of disgust and anger. ''How DARE you show your face here?!' Queen Novo exclaimed, ''Guards!!'' A group of armored hippogriffs immediately appeared close to her, all of them looking slightly wounded. ''Your majesty, wait!'' Tempest quickly said, ''You must hear me out!'' Queen Novo looked surprised for a moment when she heard Tempest refer to her as 'your majesty'. But she soon stared at the concerned looking unicorn again with anger in her eyes. ''Give me ONE good reason why I should!'' Queen Novo replied. ''Because Princess Skystar's life is in danger!'' Tempest answered. Much to her relief, the Queen's look of anger slowly disappeared. ''How so?'' Queen Novo asked, still looking a bit doubtful. ''Callidus has captured her, as well as Twilight and her friends,'' Tempest began to explain, ''And he wants you and me to come to Klugetown. Alone, or else he'll execute them.'' Queen Novo thought about it for a bit. But one look at the Storm King's symbol on the unicorn's flank was all it took for her to completely dismiss the purple unicorn's story. ''Nice try. But I will no longer fall for any more of you or any other creature's pathetic lies!'' Queen Novo said with a vengeful look in her eyes, ''I've already lost everything because of you!'' A sad and regretful look appeared on Tempest's face, ''I know that you're upset with me. And I completely understand, you have ever right to be.'' She said in a sympathetic sounding tone Queen Novo looked surprised again when she heard the tone in Tempest's voice and her change in behaviour. It felt as if she was talking to a completely different pony from all those days ago. ''And I'm not asking you to forgive me for what I did,'' Tempest continued, ''But please, you have to believe me. Just this once. Princess Skystar needs you, and my friends need me. And only together can we save them. After that, I'll take whatever punishment you give me. I promise.'' Queen Novo stayed completely silent. Her eyes looked down as she took in what the purple unicorn said to her. It took a moment, but soon her attention went back to Tempest with determined looking eyes. ''Alright,'' Queen Novo replied before looking back at the guards behind her, ''Open the gate.'' Queen Novo and the hippogriff guards behind her placed their claws on the bars and pushed the gate open with all their might. She then approached Tempest with slight hesitation and looked down at her. ''Don't make me regret this.'' Queen Novo said in a somewhat cold sounding voice. ''I won't let you down, your majesty,'' Tempest said while giving Queen Novo a royal bow, ''You have my word.'' Queen Novo looked back at the hippogriff guards one more time. They all saluted her while looking worried. ''Be careful, your highness.'' One of the guards said. The queen replied to them with a simple nod before turning her looking back at Tempest. ''Jump on my back. It will be a long flight.'' Queen Novo requested. Tempest responded by hopping on the hippogriff's back. Within a few seconds, the two of them flew off the mountain and began to head to Klugetown. The hippogriff guards all watched worriedly, praying that their queen and Princess Skystar would come back home safe and sound. Callidus watched from the side of the street as every creature was heading to the middle part of Klugetown. They all formed a giant crowd in front of a big wooden stage. On the stage was a guillotine, which caused everyone in the crowd to look curious but also slighty horrified at each other, wondering why such a thing would be there and for whom. ''Soon, I'll have my revenge,'' Callidus whispered to himself menacingly with an evil glow in his eyes, ''After that, everything will be as it once was.'' Capper, still stuck inside his bubble along with Skystar, Captain Celaeno, Spike and the other ponies, got an idea when he noticed Verko in the distance, standing behind the giant crowd of creatures. He started smashing his fists against the bubble, which got Callidus's attention. The grey bird started to look more annoyed with every punch Capper threw at his bubble prison. He then saw Capper using sign language to try and tell him something. He finally decided to release the big cat with the snap of his fingers. ''What?'' Callidus asked in an irritated manner. ''Lord Callidus,'' Capper said as he calmly made a royal bow, ''May I suggest to you an alternative fate for these ponies? One that will definitely make the citizens of this town love you even more.'' ''What is he up to?'' Rarity asked herself curiously while watching their conversation inside the bubble. ''Why would you care?'' Callidus asked suspiciously. ''Didn't ya notice the giant portrait of yourself in my home when you captured me?'' Capper asked in a charming manner. ''The one with your face on it?'' Callidus said in an unamused tone. ''...Um, yes,'' Capper replied nervously, ''That was done as a way to.....honor you, because we all thought you were dead. But the point is, I really look up to you. And I completely sympathize with what you've been through. That's why I want to help you become the amazing mayor you used to be.'' ''I'm listening.'' Callidus said, looking slightly intrigued. ''So you already know that these ponies have been wanted criminals here for awhile, right? Minus their little dragon of course,'' Capper explained calmly, maintaining the same grin on his face before he pointed over to Verko, ''Now, If you were to give them to Verko over there, then he would most definitely spread the word on just how much you truly care about this town and its citizens.'' ''I see. But what's in it for you?'' Callidus asked him, still not one hundred percent convinced. ''I'm glad you asked'' Capper answered confidently, ''I actually own the mole guy some debt. And I promised him those ponies as a way to repay it. Besides, you already got Princess Skystar as a bargaining chip, don't you? No need to keep those ponies anymore.'' ''We'll see soon enough if you're telling the truth.'' Callidus said suspiciously. He snapped his fingers, causing Verko teleport right in front of him in an instant. The tuxedo wearing mole with a tall hat was looking around in confusion for a few seconds before he finally saw Callidus in front of him. A giant carriage with a large cage on it that was being driven by a unsual looking white creature on four legs hastily showed up behind him. ''Mister Callidus?!'' Verko said in awe, ''I can't believe you're actually still alive. And I see you've caught those little ponies I've been searching for.'' ''It was my pleasure,'' Callidus replied, ''Now tell me, does Capper owe you some debt?'' ''Oh, he most certainly does.'' Verko responded, ''He promised me those little ponies many days ago.'' ''What did I tell ya?'' Capper said to Callidus with a sly smirk. ''Mister Callidus. If you were to give me those little ponies, I'd definitely appreciate it.'' Verko explained. ''And you'll spread the word to everyone about me not being an evil traitor?'' Callidus said. Verko nodded, ''As long as you give me those ponies.'' ''Then it's a deal.'' Callidus said while having a satisfied grin on his face. With one snap of his fingers, Callidus teleported Twilight's friends into the large cage one by one. They all immediately started kicking, punching and tackling against the bars of the cage. A surprised look appeared on Verko's face when he saw how the ponies appeared inside his cage in an instant. ''How did you do that? Are you some kind of magician?'' Verko asked Callidus. ''I suppose that's one way to put it.'' Callidus replied. ''What is the meaning of this?!'' Rarity shouted at Capper with a distraught look. ''I'm sorry, ponies,'' Capper said with a sly smile, ''But I'm afraid our little friendship ends here.'' ''WHAT?!'' Applejack replied in shock. ''Turns out I was never the friend you needed after all.'' Capper said while maintaining the same sly smile. ''HOW COULD YOU?!'' Rarity shouted, still looking distraught as she started punching even harder against the bars of the cage, ''We all trusted you!! ''I'm a con artist. What did you expect?'' Capper replied. ''Well done, Capper,'' Verko said to the sly smiling cat, ''Your debt has finally been repayed.'' ''A sentence I've been waiting to hear for a looooong time.'' Capper responded. Rarity's distraught look disappeared to make place for a look of anger, ''Why I outta buck you upside the head, you son of a-!'' Suddenly a glowing muzzle appeared around the mouths of Rarity and the other ponies inside the cage when Callidus snapped his fingers, silencing them immediately. The white unicorn started growling under her magical muzzle with a furious look on her face and continued tackling against the bars along with her friends. Callidus rolled his eyes and snapped his fingers again. Within a second, The limbs of the six ponies got tied together by a rope that appeared out of thin air. ''Hey, Callidus.'' Capper quickly said before Callidus could walk away. ''What is it now?!'' Callidus asked in an irritated manner. ''I was just wondering, what are you planning on doing with the pirate bird and the little dragon?'' Capper asked curiously. ''That's none of your business.'' Callidus replied impatiently, ''Now leave.'' ''I will, I will. But can I at least say goodbye to those two first?'' Capper requested nicely, ''Just let them out for a moment and I'll be on my way. What do you got to lose?'' Callidus stared at Capper. He rubbed his chin a bit while his eyes were looking down at the ground. ''Alright, but make it quick.'' Callidus said with a look of suspicion. He then snapped his fingers, causing both the bubbles of Spike and Celaeno to fade away. The two fell down and made a hard landing on the ground. Capper turned around and showed a sly smile to Spike and Captain Celaeno, both of whom looked slightly confused after he gave them a small wink. ''That I will do.'' Capper said in a sly voice. Before any of them could realize was he was doing, Capper reached inside his cloak and grabbed a smoke bomb from one of his many pockets. He quickly turned around and threw it against the ground in front of Callidus as hard as he could. The smoke escaped from the small ball, but Callidus acted quickly and surrounded himself and Verko inside a force field, protecting them from the smoke. While both of them were distracted, Capper grabbed a hold of Spike and Captain Celaeno's claws and led both into an alley on the other side of the street. Callidus sighed when the smoke cleared and the three creatures where nowhere to be seen. He snapped his fingers as the force field around them disappeared. ''They're gone!'' Verko exclaimed. ''I had a feeling he would do something like that.'' Callidus said to himself. Capper peaked from around a corner of an alley with Spike and Captain Celaeno and listen to their conversation. ''Who cares? They're no threat to me,'' Callidus said, ''And it doesn't matter what they do, my power is now greater than any living creature in this world.'' ''Judging by your STRIKING entrance into Klugetown, I can certainly agree with that.'' Verko said before letting out a chuckle. Callidus looked unamused, ''I need to go. Do whatever you want with those ponies.'' ''Thank you, Mister Callidus,'' Verko replied, ''I will definitely spread the word on how Queen Novo was clearly wrong about you.'' ''That's what I like to hear,'' Callidus said, ''And don't worry, she'll get what's coming to her.'' ''What did you have in mind?'' Verko asked curiously. Callidus placed his thumb under his chin on the left side of his neck. He slowly moved it over his neck while making an unnerving sound. Capper, Spike and Celaeno all knew what that meant and let out a quiet gasp while widening their eyes. Verko looked confused, ''I'm not sure what that means.'' ''You'll see soon enough. Now if you'll excuse me.'' Callidus said before walking off to the center of Klugetown. The magic bubble that Princess Skystar was still stuck in began to float after the grey bird. Verko laughed to himself as he looked at the tied up ponies in the cage, ''I can't wait to finally show off you rainbow laser shooting ponies to everyone here. Now, time to go and get you all ready for your first performance.'' The white creature pulling the carriage started walking foward, carrying the ponies away with Verko following close behind. ''They're getting away!'' Spike whispered quietly as he had seen everything. The purple dragon was about to run after them. His feet started taking steps, but for some reason the small dragon wasn't going foward. Spike stubbornly kept walking before looking back at Capper and saw that he had grabbed his tail with his claws. ''Where do you think you're going?'' Capper whispered. ''Rescuing my friends, of course!'' Spike whispered back determinedly as he pulled his tail out of Capper's grasp, ''What does it look like?!'' ''It's more than just your friends who's gonna need rescuing at this point, little dragon,'' Capper explained, ''Didn't you listen to what Callidus just said?'' ''I know, but....'' Spike responded in a slightly frustated tone before showing a sad look, ''Now that Twilight already is....I...I just don't want to lose anymore of my friends!'' Captain Celaeno gave Spike a sympathetic look when she saw the few tears appearing under his eyes. She thought back to her own crew, wondering where they could be right now. ''Spike, look at me.'' Captain Celaeno said in a calm manner. Spike looked up at Celaeno, ''What is it?'' He replied in a somber tone. ''Me and my friends, we're been on many adventures,'' Celaeno began to tell in an understanding manner, ''And there have been many times were we would get separated from each other. Every time that would happen, I was scared that I would never see them again. It made me feel helpless and frustrated.'' Spike and Capper kept on listening to Captain Celaeno's speech. ''But those moments have taught me to always stay strong during tough times. Because no matter how hopeless a situation may seem, it's only over when you yourself say it's over. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?'' Spike sniffed, dried his eyes and nodded calmly, ''I-I think so.'' Captain Celaeno gave the purple dragon a little smile, ''That's the spirit.'' A confident little smile eventually appeared on Spike's face as he raised his fist in front of Captain Celaeno. She knew what it meant and bumped her own fist against Spike's. ''Nice speech, Celly.'' Capper replied with a smirk. ''I am captain for a reason, Cappy.'' Celaeno said back with a playful wink ''Heh, I think I'm gonna remember that one,'' Capper said, ''Anyway, what's the plan?'' ''You don't have a plan?'' Captain Celaeno asked. ''Sorry, I wasn't really thinking THAT far ahead.'' Capper responded with a nervous smile. Spike stroked his chin for a few seconds. He suddenly widened his eyes when he remembered two certain ponies who just might be able to help to stand a chance against Callidus. ''I got it!'' Spike said before looking at Capper, ''Do you have a piece of paper and a pencil?'' Capper raised his eyebrow for a moment. He then reached into his jacket and revealed a small rolled up white paper from one of his pockets. ''What's your plan?'' Captain Celaeno asked curiously. Spike grabbed the paper from Capper, unfolded it and immediately started writing, ''You'll see.'' The small dragon responded confidently. The royal guards quickly opened the door to Celestia's bedroom when they saw the white alicorn heading their way. Behind her, Princess Luna was carrying a cold looking and unconcious Twilight Sparkle on her back. The two tall alicorns galloped past the guards and rushed to the fireplace. Celestia quickly used her magic to increase the flames on the wood under the chimney. ''Place her close to the fire. Gently.'' Celestia said worriedly. Princess Luna did just that and placed Twilight's body close enough to the fire to keep her warm. Celestia then placed a warm blanket over the pony's body, with only her head sticking out. The two princesses sat down close to Twilight and watched over her, hoping for the best. ''Whatever that magic was that send her all the way over here, it certainly wasn't something I've ever seen before,'' Luna explained to her sister, ''It took a lot of our own magic to heal her wounds back in the mountains. I have a feeling somepony or something dangerously powerful is behind this.'' Princess Celestia watched Twilight breathing steadily with the blanket covering everything except her head. Never before had she seen her own pupil in such bad shape. A frustrated look appeared on her face as her eyes glowed red for a split second. ''What was I thinking?'' Celestia said to herself with a slightly more threatning tone in her voice. ''Hm?'' Luna said as she looked over to Celestia. ''This is our fault, Luna,'' Celestia said, suddenly talking normally again, ''We never should've let Twilight and her friends do this by themselves.'' ''This is no time to blame ourselves, sister,'' Luna replied in an understanding manner, ''Blaming yourself for things you can't change or control will only bring you nothing but harm. I had to learn that the hard way with the Tantabus.'' ''I know.....I'm sorry.'' Celestia said, looking a bit disappointed in herself. ''It's alright. Once Twilight wakes up, she can tell us everything that happened.'' Luna reassured her sister. ''I hope so.'' Celestia responded. A full minute passed of them sitting close to the fireplace watching over the purple alicorn. Suddenly Twilight's closed eyelids slowly moved upwards, followed by her trying to stand up. ''Twilight?'' Celestia said with a hopeful smile. ''Princess Celestia?'' Twilight said in a weak sounding voice. She slowly lifted her head up and looked at the two alicorn princesses watching over her. ''How are you feeling?'' Luna asked concernedly. Twilight didn't answer her question and instead stood up on her four legs. Suddenly a slightly panicked look appeared on her face. ''Where am I?! What happened to my friends?!'' Twilight asked urgently. She looked around while struggling to stand on her four legs. ''Twilight, calm down.'' Luna said to the purple alicorn. ''CALM DOWN?! My friends are in the cluthes of Callidus right now!'' Twilight exclaimed, ''And it's all my fault! If only I had listen to Spike when he said that-'' ''Callidus?'' Luna said, interruping Twilight. ''Yes! Callidus!'' Twilight continued in an exaggerated manner, ''He has gained some kind of power on Black Skull Island and now he's going to do pony knows what to my friends!'' ''Twilight,'' Celestia said to her in a calm and motherly tone while placing her hoof on Twilight's shoulder, ''Take a deep breath.'' The motherly smile on Celestia's face helped to calm down the purple alicorn. Twilight took a deep breath and slowly let it out, finally calming her down. ''Feeling better?'' Celestia asked. Twilight responded with a calm nod. ''Now, Just start from the beginning and tell us everything.'' Luna said. Twilight took another deep breath, sat down close to the fire and began telling everything that had happened. She told the princesses about Callidus, the powers he got from Black Skull Island and how he managed to gain them thanks to the six other creatures, including Princess Skystar. She finished the story with Callidus sending her all the way back to Canterlot with his magic. ''So Callidus was the one behind the disappearance of those creatures and Princess Skystar all along.'' Luna repeated. ''Yes,'' Twilight said, ''And now he's got my friends trapped on Black Skull Island.'' ''Then we've got to do something.'' Celestia said as she stood up with a determined look on her face, ''Let's go, sister.'' Luna looked surprised at Celestia's response. She watched her standing up before seeing the white alicorn making her way to the door. ''Wait, what about me?'' Twilight asked right before Celestia could leave the room. ''You're staying here,'' Celestia responded after looking back at Twilight and Luna, ''Where it's safe.'' ''What?!'' Twilight and Luna exclaimed at the same time. ''We'll take care of it from here, don't worry.'' Celestia reassured her. ''B-But my friends!'' Twilight said, ''They need m-'' ''TWILIGHT SPARKLE!'' Celestia interrupted, talking slightly demanding tone in her voice while her eyes glowed red for a split second. The white alicorn stern look slowly disappeared from her face when she noticed Twilight's slightly scared expression. She sighed. Celestia sighed, ''I'm sorry. But you can't come with us.'' ''Why not?'' Twilight asked, still taken back by Celestia's response. ''I don't want you to risk your life again, I've let you do that too many times already.'' Celestia explained with a worried expression on her face. ''But you have no idea how powerful Callidus is,'' Twilight explained, ''I've seen what he can do. We're gonna need all the help we can get.'' ''She's got a point, sister.'' Luna added, ''I understand that you want to protect her, but if Callidus is as dangerous as Twilight claims he is, then we might have no choice.'' Before Celestia could say anything back, a small piece of paper sprang out of the fire under the chimney. ''A letter from Spike?'' Celestia said after she caught the piece of paper with her magic. Celestia quickly unfolded the piece of paper. She, Luna and Twilight immediately started reading the letter to themselves. Celestia, Luna! Me and Twilight's friends had been captured by an dangerous grey bird named Callidus. Capper, Celaeno and I have managed to escape, but the others are still being held captive somewhere in Klugetown by a mole creature named Verko. We're going to set them free, but after that we're gonna need your help to defeat Callidus. He's going to execute Queen Novo in front of everyone. Also, They stopped reading for a second when they noticed a few tear drops on the letter before continuing. Callidus blasted Twilight off somewhere to the other side of Equestria. I don't know where she is right now or what happened to her, but if by any chance you do happen to find her, tell her that we're doing okay. Twilight's loyal assistant and little brother, Spike ''You can't tell me to stay here now,'' Twilight said after they all finished reading the letter, ''I'm coming with you! Spike is my family, and so are the rest of my friends!'' Celestia stared at the letter as she took in the words of Twilight. The purple alicorn's eyes widened for a bit, realizing that she just spoke to Princess Celestia in such a bold manner. ''I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lash out.'' Twilight quickly while looking worried. ''No....you're right,'' Celestia eventually replied, ''The situation is worse than I thought. We're going together.'' ''That's what I like to hear,'' Luna said, ''And besides, Twilight is the only one of us who knows where Klugetown is.'' ''Indeed,'' Celestia said before looking at Twilight, ''But we have to be careful. And you must promise to do everything we say, understand?'' Twilight nodded before showing a determined smile on her face, ''Let's do this.'' The three princesses stood up and headed out of the bedroom. The two royal guards keeping watch saw the three alicorns walking past them. ''Watch over Canterlot until we come back.'' Celestia said as she looked back at the two armored ponies. ''Good luck, your highnesses.'' The two pony guards said while saluting the three alicorns. Both of them kept looking at the alicorns worriedly until they were finally out of their sight.