The Pony Guard (Season 4)

by MXCDarkHorse2020

Episode 34: The Kingdom Part Three

Just outside of the gates to Tartarus, the whole cast had magically appeared right outside the gates where they all took a minute to catch their breaths of narrowly escaping total defeat at the claws of Scar. Once they had all recovered from what had just happened, there were words that had to be exchanged.

“Phew! Close call!” Bunga expressed his relief while wiping the sweat from his forehead.

“No kidding.” Fuli agreed before turning to Twilight. “And slick move back there. Gave him the slip.”

“For now.” She said thinking not much about it before looking on towards the gates towards Tartarus. “At the very least it’ll buy some time to regroup and figure our next move.” She moved forward so she can use her magic to unlock the door so they can free the other princesses along with Simba’s wife and Kion’s mother as well.

While Twilight proceeded to do so, everyone else behind her still had a big question on their mind all while noticing of how more focused and avoidant she is in regards to facing them at the moment while trying to work to free those locked inside.

“So Twilight…” Kion stepped forward as he spoke up with something that he found peculiar just earlier back with Scar. “…what exactly was Scar talking about back there?”

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked with her back still turned and still focused on working her magic on the lock.

Kion walked up beside her to which had the alicorn turn her head slightly unnerved. “What he said about his true endgame, involving the Elements, all twelve keys needed to access the chest containing its power? What he meant by your little secret?”

“You know quite honestly, I am not quite sure…” Twilight said still not looking back as she briefly laid eyes on him for a second. “…it’s a mystery.”

“Expect to you.” Applejack commented correctly sensing that she is withholding a dark secret from them. “It doesn’t take an honest pony to sense when somepony is not telling the truth. You know something about what’s going to happen don’t you?”

Twilight still moved to keep her cool and avoid breaking as she works harder in unlocking the tumblers to the locks with progressing success. “Why would I? Even Scar doesn’t tell me everything he has planned for everyone.”

She managed to move to work the tumblers more and more until she managed to unlock to the final tumblers needed to allow her to open the doors successfully. But after she managed to unlock the last one she found herself held back by the paw from the lion king himself.

“Twilight…” He calmly said to her to get her to stop what she is doing. “…we all know you’ve been working alongside him long enough to know all of his battle strategies and plans…” The alicorn still with her back turned felt uncomfortable sensing that they are not backing off until she confesses. “…which means you know of what he is planning now.”

“Simba…” Twilight tried to be reasonable in not wanting to talk now. “…can we at least talk about this later? Princess Celestia, Luna, Cadance, and Nala are all in there waiting to be rescued?”

“I know and we’ll get them out of there.” The king assured with a gentle paw on his back while gesturing him to finally look at him in the eyes. “But if we want to be able to defeat Scar, we need to know what you know of what he has in store for this kingdom along with mine.”

“But…”

“Twi…” Applejack raised a hoof before she can even protest. “…take a deep breath.” She does so without hesitation. “…and let it out slow like.” She does so without resistance. “I know this is hard for you, but if you want us to trust you more, you’re going to have to be honest with us with here and that includes what you know. Okay?”

Twilight sighed in defeat. “Okay.”

“Good.” The country pony smiled. “Now, what does Scar have in store for Equestria?”

Reluctantly while feeling ashamed deep inside for keeping it a secret from them, she stepped forward and told them.

“He wants us to destroy Equestria with the Elements.”

Everyone all either blinked in shock and horror at this confession as Kion approached her friend thinking this is just another impossible feat.

“Huh?”

“What?”

“Twily?!”

Applejack, Kion, and Shining Armor all expressed their shock.

“But there’s no way!” Kion shook his head at the very idea. “The Elements can only be used for good, to spread harmony. There’s no way they’ll work against the greater good!”

Twilight’s face paled in response as she had to say otherwise. “Not if the right counter-spell is used to reverse it.”

“What?! Twilight?!”

“Did you know all along?” Fuli asked feeling stunned yet unable to feel angry at her.

“Considering it was my idea, I’m afraid it was.” She admitted while looking aside unable to look at anyone in the eyes. “My idea to neutralize you all in order to ensure the Elements of Harmony could never be used against me and Scar.”

“But how?” Fluttershy softly uttered at the very idea being possible. “How could you possibly…?”

“Remember how they always say there are some ways that the impossible is possible?”

“Yes.”

As Twilight continued she thought back to when she was doing her research before Spike, Kion, Kyoga came across her in the room she was in. “Well, back when I was first at the Castle of the Two Sisters, I managed to find a way while researching new spells and how to counter them. I found one that can actually manage to make spells do the opposite of what they were originally created for. Once I managed to learn it, I could use to my advantage towards any source of magic I could encounter. Only that have I never intended to want to destroy Equestria.”

“Too bad Scar doesn’t have the same moral compass as you.” Ono remarked rather bluntly.

“Nope.” She shook her head as she feels while they’re at it now is a good time to confess to another secret she’s kept from them. “And you’re probably wondering if I had any regrets going through with it all, aren’t you?”

“Did you, darling?” Rarity asked feeling unsure herself whether she did or not. “Like at any point since the wedding up until the whole Midnight Sparkle and Nightmare Rarity debacle?”

“Yes.”

“Then what got you to keep going through with it all despite knowing full well what he was doing was wrong?” Rarity further questioned.

“Oh, oh, was it mind control on your scar?” Bunga randomly asked while raising his right arm up.

“Or the mean big bad kitty’s army threatening to hurt you if you didn’t?” Pinkie added joining in holding up her left forearm.

“What about pie?” Bunga thought of to which Applejack face-hoofed herself in response to that comment and left Rarity baffled beyond belief to their wild responses.

“Pie isn’t dangerous…” Pinkie shook her head but then remembered. “…unless it is poisonous. Never mind.”

At this point, Twilight was mildly annoyed considering that was a rhetorical question. “No!” She snapped before freezing and stopping right there after catching herself after saying that. “No. None of the above.” She instead took a calming breath before she hurls a regrettable insult at them before answering her own question herself. “Possible but not possible with all things considered. But really the answer really can only be summed up simply like this. Sisi Ni Sawa.”

“Sisi Ni What?” Her brother spoke feeling very confused not very familiar with the Pride Lands terminology.

“Sisi Ni Sawa.” She clarified. “Swahili for we are the same.”

“Between you and Scar?”

“Yes.”

Kion quickly shook her head at the very idea. “Come on, Twilight. You and Scar are not the same. There’s no way that’s the way!”

The alicorn still stood by her response sensing that the young cub is getting a little tense with what she just said. “Like it or not, it’s the truth, Kion. We’re both leaders of the Guard, fierce and determined to succeed, or at least were who both succumbed to her anger and bitterness after experiencing heartbreak that led to us getting our scars.” She briefly points to her scarred eye. “It was like the more I knew more about him the more I was literally looking at myself in the mirror lately.” She then thinks back to when Scar emotionally manipulated her fears of being left alone over a misunderstanding. “Ever since the wedding and even after agreeing to help him I still had doubts of going through with it all.”

“If that’s true, then what really led to you to believe that he was right no matter what?” The lion king asked.

“You remember the time when Scar attempted to attack me back when Ponyville was overrun by the Everfree Forest?”

“The one where Discord planted the seeds all those years ago, yes I remember.” He replied with an irritated scowl directed at Discord who likewise just slinked back feeling bad enough already for making things worse than before.

“Well before he attacked me he correctly sensed that I was having reservations going through with his plan so that’s where he told me of what happened that led to his fall from grace.” She explained while moving to fully unlock and open the doors to Tartarus. “He wanted me to fully commit to joining his side and what happened just prior to meeting with him there was all he needed to convince me.”

“Hook line and sinker.” Bunga remarked leaving the girl stunned in response.

“Uh Bunga…” Fuli spoke up while eyeing both him and the alicorn. “…are you referring to the door or Twilight?”

“The door!” He answered obliviously while pointing out to the opening doubles door to the gates containing the worst enemies of Equestria inside. But then he realized that he unintentionally referred to Twilight taking the bait at the same time. “Oops. Did I refer to you too? My bad.”

“No, no, it’s all right. It’s actually spot on.” She replied after shaking off her brief shock. “He knew my weak spot and preyed upon it so that I would end up playing his game and I ended up taking the bait all too well.”

While Twilight was busy talking, Kyoga proceeded to walk on inside after seeing that she’s deeply reflecting herself just to spare her the trouble of having to do everything.

“For what it’s worth…” The lion king spoke up. “…it could have happened to anybody, I mean, I spent most of my life outside of the Pride Lands with the guilt feeling responsible for my father’s death and it wasn’t until I finally returned did I learn it wasn’t really me and that Scar tricked me into thinking that big time along with going into that elephant graveyard knowing that the hyenas would kill me and Nala.”

The confused alicorn was unsure whether that was help her feel better or not. “And?”

“Point being it’s not something worth beating yourself up over. I mean yes, we know what you’ve done, but it’s all in the past and you’ve learned from it.” Simba replied as wisely as any good father-like figure would. “I too have been tricked by Scar into playing his game too, everyone has. He fooled everyone and everypony here even Princess Celestia.”

“True.” She smiled and accepted it now feeling a bit better. “I just hope she still thinks so after being exposed to the terrible and blinding evil inside Tartarus while we were fighting Tirek and Scar.”

“I sure she will be, silly filly.” Pinkie giggled while ruffling her mane.

“Yeah!” Bunga agreed while unaware that Kyoga has returned with the other three alicorns and lioness approaching the front doors. “I mean what are so worried about Twilight? That she might appear looking all black and scaly like Chrysalis? Ooh-hoo I can just picture her oozing with that slimy green and sickly blue mane of hers that looks like it’s been soaked in the swamp like a snake. Just ready to sneak up and pounce on it’s love sucking prey with her fangs.”

“Bunga…” Fuli tried to point and warn him.

“Shhh….” Twilight hushed while smiling and wanting him to dig himself deeper as the alicorns all catch what the honey badger is saying about them.

“No, no, no, Fuli, let me finish, since we all what Cadance looks like when she was evil all she needs is to try to glare at her boyfriend with those vicious and mean green eyes, and as for Luna she could probably puncture a few holes in her hooves. Man, would that look ugly or what?”

“Excuse us?!” Luna’s voice spoke up thus alarming the Lion Guard’s Bravest looking and sounding pretty offended.

“Are you saying that we are all already ugly?!” Celestia said equally offended.

Bunga’s playful smile turned into a nervous smile still with his back turned to them. “Oh! Um! No, I was just um…” He was really struggling with what to say to avoid digging himself deeper. Cadance in response just giggled rather oddly as she snuck up right behind him and had her magic surround Bunga in flames thus scaring him thinking he is about to be dragged down to the underworld. It didn’t help that she was a fiery pair of pink eyes glaring down on him.

“YYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

The Lion Guard’s Bravest wound up fainting in shock after letting loose that long and lengthy scream and ended up lying on the grass on his back when he fell.

After a minute he came too and found the princesses all getting a good laugh out of pulling that prank on him.

“Wah! You all….?”

“Yep! They got you!” Fuli answered while moving to help up on his feet and slapping him on the back before resuming her delighted amusement alongside Twilight.

“Did you know?” Bunga asked the alicorn in a slightly accusing manner.

“Maybe. Maybe not.” She simply replied with a teasing grin. When Bunga pouted, the alicorn ruffled his hair. “Come on, where’s that sense of humor of yours you always carry around?”

“You got to admit she’s got you there!” Rainbow added with a friendly nudge to encourage him to let it slide.

“Okay, okay, you got me, and you’re all free.” He then said with his arms spread out in the direction towards the now former prisoners of war who all embraced their closest loved ones.

While Princess Celestia hugged Twilight, Luna shared a hug with Kyoga, Cadance embraced her future husband, while Nala hugged Simba with all pairs all greatly relieved to see everyone is all okay and unharmed.

“Nala! Thank goodness you’re okay.”

“I’ve missed you so much, Cadance.”

“Oh, Celestia…” Twilight expressed while nuzzling her head to enjoy the warmth of her mentor’s hug. “…I’ve missed you so much!”

“I missed you too, Twilight.” Celestia warmly returned.

Just when Luna broke apart from her hug with Kyoga she adopted her stern and serious expression to address everyone. “Now, I’d hate to get back to business so soon, but there is still the fate of the two worlds we still need to tend to.”

Kion along with Twilight both shared uneasy looks along with the rest of the others knowing of what they had to give up to save their friends lives but the latter more determined than ever to put an end to this whole war campaign Scar has unleashed on both worlds.

“Right.” Twilight agreed without second thought as she stepped forward ready with an idea of how they can approach this while flying up to see the portal to the Pride Lands on the far horizon along with the Crystal Empire. “With everyone still held hostage at the Crystal Empire and with the others still holed up in their homes, it’s down to us now.”

“But how are we supposed to fight an evil entity along his entire army of Outsiders, the changelings, and King Sombra himself?!” Ono asked not even making an effort into being subtle of how impossible the odds are stacked against them.

“Simple.” Twilight replied unfazed as she looks on at where the enemy and his army are currently located. “We’re just going to have to take the fight with Scar back to him.”

“You mean…?” Applejack curiously asked seeing what she is thinking.

“Yes, Applejack!” She asserted. “Two final battles to decide the fate of Equestria and the Pride Lands! All or nothing!”

Both Princess Cadance and Shining Armor gasped at the bold idea she is thinking for the best course of action while the other Lion and Pony Guard members vocally expressed their astonishment.

“Huh?”

“What?”

“Hapana.”

“Really, darling?”

“No way.”

“Seriously?”

“Oh my.”

Others like Pinkie, Bunga, and Rainbow Dash however expressed to the contrary.

“Oh yeah!”

“’Bout time if you ask me.”

“No kidding!”

“It is time! Time to put an end to his reign of terror once and for all!” Twilight stated.

“Are you sure about that, Twilight?” Kion asked unsure about the idea himself. “What if that’s what Scar wants us to do just he can toy with us before deciding to finally finish us right then and there?”

“Not if we put up a better fight than before.” Twilight said still resolute in wanting to carry that plan out but not without turning to her friend to reason with him that this is their only option at this point. “I know this a long shot but it’s the only chance we have and if we don’t, when will we ever get another chance to take him down.”

Kion tried to speak of a response to counter her argument but truthfully couldn’t come up with anything because there really are no other options. “Dad?” He asked hoping for his opinion on the matter. “What do you think the best course of action is?”

“I’d say we do it!” Simba stated in agreement as he stood by the floating alicorn’s side. “If we don’t now, then we’ll never be able to stop him ever again. He’ll proceed to drive both Equestria and the Pride Lands till there is nothing left to save. Pretty soon we’ll be living in a world where there is no food, water, and magic to help get us by.”

“I too agree!” Celestia also voiced her approval. “I’m not about to let Scar to turn our kingdom into ruin and despair like he did to the Pride Lands!”

“Me neither!” Luna also expressed in the same tone as her sister. “If he succeeds then I’ll be living with the undeniable guilt and prolonging pain knowing that helped a demonic monster rise to power! He must be stopped now!”

“We will, sister…” The taller sibling quickly assured to get her to calm down since she was taking it a bit more personally here. “…we will.”

“But how?” Kion inquired. “We’re talking both the Crystal Empire and the Pride Land at the same time?”

“With the right team-ups that shouldn’t be a problem.” Twilight replied confidently before turning to her brother and future sister-in-law. “Since the Crystal Empire is mostly guarded by Scar’s army, you two will want to return there so that when Scar falls you can reassume the throne and since King Sombra will be there waiting.”

They both agreed heavily on that decision.

“Absolutely!”

“Of course!”

“While you two lead the charge into reclaiming the Crystal Empire and free the prisoners, I’ll be heading back to reconquer the Pride Lands.”

“Are you sure?” Cadance asked uneasy about the idea.

“I’m sure.” The younger princess asserted.

“But Twily…” Her brother had to voice his concerns in the matter. “…the last time you fought Scar…”

“I know. He almost destroyed me.” She acknowledged while looking back on towards the Pride Lands direction with a more positive focus heading into this upcoming duel. “Not this time.”

“…I know but…” Shining struggled to say the right words. “…I don’t think he’s someone you want to handle alone.”

“She won’t be!” Kion assured as he walked over to stand by Twilight’s side. “I’m going with her!”

“You don’t have to do that.” Twilight gently insisted wanting to take care of this herself. “I don’t want to risk you getting hurt because of me.”

“I do.” Kion said with his paw down on the matter. “If we can take on Tirek then we should have more success fighting Scar together.”

“And not just us…” Luna spoke up as she flew over to them. “…I’m coming with you too because I too want to be able to settle the score with him.”

“Same here.” Celestia also voiced while flying over to join them. “This way I can assure that no harm way comes to you again.“ She said with her wing draped over Twilight’s shoulder.

Seeing that they along with Simba and Nala will also want to come to, she sees that the team going back to the Pride Lands is all set. “Okay, then I guess that decides who’s going back to the Pride Lands.” She then turned to the others. “Which means the rest of you will join both Shining Armor and Cadance in their team in retaking the Crystal Empire.”

“Of course.”

“You got it, Kion!”

Both Ono and Fuli both stated in compliance with the young prince’s wishes.

“Are you sure you and Kion are going to be okay without us, Twilight?” Beshte asked the two Guard leaders.

“I’m sure, Beshte.” Kion smiled to assure his friend. “Not only do we have my mom and dad along with both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna having our backs the whole way, but me and Twilight both have the teamwork capable of taking on even the biggest threat the Pride Lands and Equestria has ever faced. I’m sure Tirek knows that for a fact.”

“He sure will in the afterlife.” Kyoga agreed wholeheartedly before approaching the Lion Guard’s Fiercest with her recently restored magic on paw. “That being said, you should take half of my magic with you before facing Scar. You’ll definitely need it.”

Before Kion could even protest her decision, he finds himself gaining a sudden surge through his body when she transferred part of her magic inside of him. While this was happening he couldn’t help but feel that something was trying to burst out of his shoulders but couldn’t quite make it out. He briefly grunted in pain before managing to shake it off.

“Thanks.”

“Anything for a friend.”

Both shared a genuine smile with each other with Twilight turning her attention back to everyone as they all huddled together in a group circle. “If all goes well, then everything will be back under our control.”

“Not only that…” The lion king added to uplift everyone’s fighting spirits. “…Scar and his forces will be defeated once and for all and there will be peace in the Pride Lands. Good luck everyone and everypony.”

Naturally, with no way of knowing what will happen, everyone took this opportunity to embrace one another one last time with their parting words before setting off for their upcoming fights that decide the very balance of the two worlds.

But before setting off, Twilight suddenly noticed Discord who was standing to the side the whole time without saying anything had decided to teleport over to him for a quick word.

"Go with them, Discord." She encouraged while gesturing to said group moving on towards the Crystal Empire.

"Are you sure?"

"If it means showing them that you do regret what you did and that your heart is in the right place, then you might want do it." She gently insisted.

While deep down wants to say "No." he ended up thinking otherwise for the sake of trying to show to his dearest friends Fluttershy and Beshte that he wants to help make things right. "Okay...and good luck."

He moved to follow after them while Twilight uses quick nods and aside glances to assure the group that Discord will definitely cooperate with them in this mission and that he is truly deep down and solemnly repentant with what has happened just earlier before moving to regroup with her team on their way to Pride Rock.

Sometime just after his argument with his father just after discovering the Roar of the Elders for the first time, his older brother Mufusa caught up to him just before he could leave Pride Rock on his own.

“Askari, please wait…” He implored of the sulking lion storming off. “…can we at least talk?”

“I’m afraid I have nothing to say, Mufusa.” The dejected lion coldly replied before continuing to walk off.

Seeing that he is not stopping, the older sibling moved to sprint up so he can intercept him before he can get far. “Askari, please…” He repeated once more albeit firmly yet gently. “…father didn’t mean to hurt your feelings back there, he was just really worried about you is all. Worried that you might go down the same route as the previous leader of the Lion Guard.”

“Why would he be worried I would become the guy who would end using the Roar for the evil? And what gives him any justification to essentially say that I am worthless and mean nothing like I’m only second best.”

Mufusa was taken aback by his brother’s outburst before moving to respond to continue trying to reason with him. “You’re right, he didn’t have any right to say those terrible things about you and he shouldn’t have snapped at you like that. But you shouldn’t turn your back on him when he clearly wasn’t thinking about what he was saying back there. It’s bound to happen to anyone giving into the heat of the moment, even me.” Askari’s mood and expression failed to change in the slightest. “Please, just come on back, and you and father can talk things out and make amends and then we can focus on a bright future ahead of us.” His brother finally turned to face him with a soften expression like he is ready to hear him out and give it a try. “I know it’ll mean the world to our mother for her to see us together as a happy family.”

“Mother…” Askari whispered in his breath with his previous anger fading at the thought of the closet lion he could share his most personal and private feelings with other than his big brother. “…okay. I’ll try.”

“That’s all I ask of you, little brother.” Mufusa warmly replied before pulling him in for a great big brotherly hug. “Come here you.”

“Brother, please stop…” He playfully tried to resist as his brother ruffled his mane before finally managing to escape his grasp and proceeded to chase after him. “Come here you.”

The two brothers laughed as they tackled each other for a good minute like they always do before the two headed back up towards Pride Rock in order to settle down the brewing rift between father and son. But just when Askari was about to enter the cave where his father was inside talking with his mother…

“Do you honestly think we want our youngest son going around and terrorizing every animal here in this kingdom?!”

Askari then froze in his tracks along with his brother standing right behind looking just as aghast by what is coming out of the king’s mouth.

“Ahadi, Askari would never do such a thing!” The queen stated in protest while looking on equally shocked that her husband would say such cruel words about him. “He’s loyal, kind, entertaining, and the most caring lion we know. With him as leader of the Lion Guard, animals will be praise him near and far for always having their backs when they need them.”

“Will he? He doesn’t understand how dangerous the Roar is…” Ahadi still argued back. “…and if he were to let the power go to his head then who knows where it could lead?!”

“But that’ll never happen. He’ll learn.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because I have faith in him and he is never going to become a great leader if you’re not going to give him a chance to prove of what he is truly capable of.”

“I would like to.” He retorted defensively. “I just wish I could be sure that he won’t turn out to be a monster.”

“Ahadi!”

“At this rate he might as well be because he with the way he is acting he is nothing compared to Mufusa.”

Askari gasped while looking on very hurt with his left eye twitching in response and trying really hard to reign in the tears threatening to come out of his eyes before running off in a distraught huff just when the two parents turned their backs in time to witness this.

As the young soon to be leader of the Lion Guard ran off disheartened by his own father’s disparaging remarks, his older brother stayed behind to turn back to give his father a disappointed frown before walking off to leave him to contemplate his poor choice words for his younger brother, but not without saying in a sarcastic manner…

“At this rate you might as well have doomed us all by creating the very someone you tried very hard in trying to prevent. Nice choice of words by the way.”

After Mufusa had left, Uru also chose to leave right away, clearly disgusted and disappointed with what her husband said about him within earshot.

Initially unable to comprehend what he did and said that was wrong, he ended up understanding why his youngest son was feeling hurt. He wasn’t placing his faith in him and was quick to misjudge him right off the bat thus acted too hard on him. Unfortunately for him he would could to learn the hard way throughout the years up until his death that the damage had already been done.

“Askari…” He pleaded while on death’s doorstep due to the heartbreak of losing his wife and seeing his now scarred son being as bitter and cruel as ever.

“My name’s Scar!” He coldly corrected while looking on at the lion he thinks is insulting him once more.

“…please don’t do this. I’m sorry. I’m not just saying I’m sorry, I’m really truly sorry.”

“For everything you just said and did to me?” Young Scar asked if this is a joke. “Telling me that I am not worthy of being a great leader of the Lion Guard not more than one day before even assembling my team who for the record has never failed me up until they turned their backs on me along with you and Mufusa when I all I ever did was try to earn your love and respect?”

“Yes.” He admitted with a sharp pained exhale looking up at the lion still looking down on him so far unimpressed. “For everything I said and did when I was truly proud of you from the day you discovered the Roar.”

“If that’s so then why did you say it?”

“I was just worried that you would become like the last leader of the Lion Guard who ended up losing the Roar because of his own selfish actions that I didn’t think that you wouldn’t upon first discovering it. I didn’t think through my words carefully when I said all of that and how it would really affect you of what I ended up actually turning you into. I never meant for any of this to happen. Please forgive me, Askari.”

Scar looked on and saw the sincere and tearful look his father was giving him along with the long-deserved love and affection that he should have gave throughout the years. If this happened the day he insulted him back when he first discovered the Roar then he would have been moved. But sadly, the damage was still done to the point that he growled and continued glaring at his dying father with pure hatred.

“Maybe next time if whether it’s the next life or another life elsewhere, you’ll think about what you’re going to say instead of taking it out on those close to you.”

“But…” Ahadi gasped.

Scar raised his right paw up having none of his desperate pleas. “…nope! Not hearing it. You asked for this and now you have to deal it.”

“Askari…”

“…Sorry, Ahadi. Guess it’s now your cross to bear.” He coldly rebuffed his devastated and heartbroken looking face as he desperately and futilely tried to reach out to him. “But since you’re already in pain beyond repair, let me help make this less 'painful' for you…”

The dying monarch was left confused but had no time to process it when he finds his youngest son stabbing him in the heart with his claws and wound up gasping for air in vain as he finds the very little time he had bleeding himself out to death and then collapsed to the ground with his dying breath.

With the king dead, Mufusa would move to become the Pride Land’s next king and can only hope he could carry on his father’s noble legacy yet unaware of what his brother did during their father’s last moments in life.

Back in the present, the once noble leader of the Lion Guard of his day was now stewing on those nasty words. Even up to this day, he’s never forgotten, nor forgiven him for what he did back then, and stopped caring about seeking his love and affection ever since. Even when he tried to talk with him to try to apologize to his son for his initial overreacting, he refused to hear him out after deciding he is done with him. A decision he cemented even more so when he too walked out on him when his brother and the Guard walked out on him for chasing away the lion that gave him his scar which lead to everyone losing their queen later that night.

His heart and his mood darken from the day he assembled his team together, to the day he destroyed them when they refused to carry out his plan to overthrow his brother Mufusa after the events that led to the queen’s fatal tragedy happening and lost the Roar when he used it to kill them for their refusal to side with him.

“You want us to what?!” The Lion Guard’s Fastest questioned in shock.

“Take down Mufusa…?” The Lion Guard’s Strongest added equally shocked as well.

“…by killing him?!” The Lion Guard’s Keenest of Sight added in the same tone alongside the others.

“That’s right.” Scar asserted without second thought.

“But he’s your brother, he doesn’t deserve this.” The Lion Guard’s Bravest said in an attempt to reason with his boss.

“Yes he does! For telling me I am pathetic, bitter, and selfish when all I was trying to do was save his life and he actually thinks I going to let that slide?!”

“He was just upset and thought you were chasing away an innocent lion.”

But the word innocent further embittered his boss’s scorn towards them since they were all gullible in the face of the obviously evil lion himself. “A strange lion who just happens to show up unannounced trying to offer his regards thinking he’ll be welcomed in with open arms yet not once bothering to look unsuspicious and untrustworthy from first glance who you all believed over me?!”

“But…” The Lion Guard’s Bravest had barely any time to counter his response before being cut off.

“…don’t you even dare try to justify turning your backs on me when you all know full well that the queen died because of all of you! All because you were all too optimistically naiveté in trying to see the good in every lion to know any better!”

“Askari…” The Guard’s Bravest tried to speak once again futilely.

“…my name’s Scar! The one and only true king of the Pride Lands they deserve and you all are going to help me take down Mufusa!”

It didn’t take more than a second to see that Scar is not taking no for an answer and to likewise try to stand their ground against their now soon to be usurper wanting to do whatever it takes even murder to get his way.

“No!”

“We will never betray Mufusa!”

“And we will never help you kill him, Scar!”

“As long as we stand together against you, you will never succeed!”

“Very well…” Scar calmly replied before locking his eyes against them. “…if this is the only way…” He then furiously growled with gritted teeth. “…so be it!”

With dark clouds forming around them in the Outlands, Scar would then use the Roar in anger to send his Lion Guard comrades flying away over into the trench behind them thus sending them crashing down to their death’s when they slammed into the ground and broke every one of their bones after suffering internal bleeding along with creating Broken Rock when the giant boulder split in half when he used the Roar.

After doing the horrendous deed, the young lion looked on seeing they got what they deserved for betraying him. But his victory didn’t last long when the Mark of the Guard on his left shoulder disappeared signifying that he just lost the Roar forever for using it for evil.

All Scar could do now seeing that his first plot for vengeance was spoiled now that he no longer has the Roar was seethe in rage before marching his way back to Pride Rock with a calm and deathly killer frown on his face.

Said frown with brewing fury would carry on into his adulthood as he makes his way to the throne room where King Sombra and the rest of his army are all awaiting for his instructions and all took notice of his visible distressed expression.

“Everything all right, your majesty?” The unicorn king himself questioned while some of the mooks cringed at the sight of him looking like he is going to kill someone.

“Yes…” He replied after relaxing his anger for the time-being as he focused back to what’s in front of him right now. “…everything’s fine. Just thinking back to a time where things could have been better had they went out differently.”

“Right.” The crystal tyrant nodded very understanding with a pretty good idea of what he is thinking about. “I hear you.”

“Anyways…” He relaxed himself and readopted a smile on his face as he prepared to give his announcement to his army. “…in just a short amount of time, the Royal Family along with the Lion and Pony Guard will be back here to try to retake the Crystal Empire.” He moved to pace around everyone in line. “There are good outcomes and there are bad outcomes. Surely for those who had been taking their training seriously up to this point, they can see to it that their involvement ends with a good one and for those who didn’t well...as long as you all are fighting on the right side, I will greatly respect your efforts regardless of whatever happens. That being said it is time for the final battle against for Equestria’s last stand which means today is the day that Twilight Sparkle, Kion, Simba, along with the remaining princesses are all going down and will all forever bow to me for the rest of their lives as their one and only king. A king that has been looking out for everyone since the day I decided to pursue this position and that only a true king can uphold for many, many, years.” Turning his head back to his subordinates... “…and for you all standing here today I just want to let you all know that you have my thanks for standing by my side ever since you joined by my side because good help can so hard to find these days and no other words can ever thank you all enough for that.” Many of them felt greatly appreciated to hear those words coming from him himself before he then focused on the upcoming battle ahead of them. “Moving forward, hyenas, jackals, vultures, all of you will remain in the Crystal Empire to help King Sombra protect the Crystal Empire, and as for the skinks, lionesses, and changelings, you all are with me as we head back to Pride Rock to completely cover all of our bases since it is now time for the final battle to decide the fate of both the Pride Lands and Equestria.” He moves to fly up into the air as he continues giving his speech. “Time to finally put an end to any remaining resistance that stands in our way to victory and we shall succeed no what matter! Are you with me?”

Everyone all cheered in support of their leader who has been treating them well (when on good competent behavior of course) before his army split into two groups upon Scar’s instructions.

As Scar led the lionesses and changelings back to Pride Rock, the very place of where it all started for him, he looked on with eyes that show that he is ready to lay down the final pieces of his endgame at the very place of where he expects his greatest rivals both past and present to come and try to take him down once and for all. Only this time unlike when his nephew reclaimed Pride Rock, he will be prepared this time around.

After wishing each other luck, the two parties split up so they can take down their respective enemies and reconquer their respective kingdoms.

On the Pride Lands side, through a teleportation spell were the alicorn princesses along with the lion king and queen, and Lion and Pony Guard leaders able to arrive just outside the border of the Pride Lands where they are all greeted with a sight that nobody ever wants to see in a kingdom, a kingdom driven to a desolate ruin, with skeletons lying everywhere.

For both alicorn sisters, it is a sight to show what had happened and what every Pride Lander had to suffer under Scar’s rule along with what could have been had Chrysalis, Sombra, and Tirek could have done to Equestria had they succeeded.

For Simba and Nala it’s a sight they all know too well from past experience of what damage the tyrant in charge can do through carelessness and self-serving views in life. But no one other than Twilight was greatly saddened and heartbroken of what has happened since the last time she was here.

Back then, even when being as Scar’s right hand pony, she managed to ensure that the Pride Lands were well-maintained with enough food and water for those who couldn’t leave the Pride Lands along with the changelings that have taken up residence there. So for her she ended up stopping in her tracks when she looked to the side and recognized those very skeletons was just a heart wrenching for her to bear. The guilt of not doing anything to stop Scar from engaging in his excessively cruel punishment towards other animals and remorse of those who were lost was really shown in the devastated sadness in her eyes and lowered ears.

“Twilight…” Kion having noticed Twilight staring at those skeletons could only approach her to try to read what she is processing right now. “…this isn’t what it was like when you were last here was it?”

“No…” She quietly replied with her voice as solemn to match the guilt in her tone. “…I really never thought he would stoop this low. I thought I could change him and get him to actually see things my way so this wouldn’t happen again. I really tried.”

“It’s the thought that counts, Twilight…” Celestia said with an understanding sigh. “…though sadly it seems that Scar is someone who just can’t be reasoned with unlike my sister when she was Nightmare Moon.”

“And that somepony was the one who brought him back that led to this all happening.” Luna added with her voice filled grave and despair thinking about all of those lives lost under the evil lion’s tyranny. “All because of me I have caused the very enemy that has ruined so many lives to emerge even worse than before.“

“Believe me when I tell you how much pain and suffering happened because I wasn’t there to stop Scar from doing all this when he first took over.” Simba shared with sympathy for the two before glaring at the lion most likely at Pride Rock already in the far distance. “And much like last time this is now the chance for you both to make things right and doing what I did then, fighting back and regaining control over this kingdom. The kingdom that I grew up and was destined to rule from birth.”

“And much like last time, you have me to help you fight for it.” Nala supportively said to her husband who likewise smiled before focusing back on the kingdom in front of them with just when the dark clouds start approaching the direction of Pride Rock. “And we’ll get it back no matter how hard we have to fight for it.”

“You’re right.” Twilight acknowledged with a nod before she moves to join them and the royal sisters. “And if we want to do it, we need to focus on getting on over there and putting a stop to this nightmare before it can get even worse.”

“Indeed.” Luna agreed with the same resolve as the younger princess. “For it is time to put a stop to this never-ending dream that nobody and nopony should ever have to suffer even for a thousand years. It is time.” But before any of them could move ahead inside enemy territory...

“Wait!” Kion’s voice spoke up. “What about the changelings along with Zira and her pride? If they’re already there, then how are we going to get to Scar from here.”

“Good point.” Twilight acknowledged as she thought of a quick solution before replying. “Live bait.”

“What?” Kion asked like she is thinking of wanting him to be chased away from the Pride Lands.

“Not you.” She quickly corrected. “Someone else.” Kion still looked at her like she is crazy. “Someone who’s crazy enough to create and survive a diversion…”

Simba getting the same idea also smiled. “And I think I know someone from the Guard very similar to two friends that I once lived in the Savannah far from home…”

Suddenly, the changelings are all startled when they all turned abruptly towards the direction of sudden appearance of two silly characters they’ve seen before.

“Hello everyone…” Pinkie cheerfully greeted them.

“What’s up…?” Bunga also greeted in the same tone as the pink energetic pony as they prepared to give a little sing and dance routine wearing similar clothes they wore back when they were out in Appleloosa... “…who’s ready for a Lula?”

“We may be divided

But of you all, I beg

To remember we're all hoofed.”

Pinkie sang before Bunga took his turn with a different song.

“So if you’re truly hungry for a hunk of fat and juicy meat…”

Bunga then darts onto Pinkie’s head with gummy candy in the shape of a pig to the point that it actually looks like a Pumbaa from first glance.”

“…eat my buddy Pumbaa here because he is a treat.

Come on down and dine on this tasty swine.

All you have to do is get in line.”

The changelings all hang their tongues and bare their teeth in a hungrily manner with vicious smiles as they menacingly approach them.

“But first…” Pinkie interrupted before singing.

“No matter what the issue

Come from wherever you please

All this fighting gets you nothing

But hoof-and-mouth disease

Arguing's not the way.

Hey, come out and play!

It's a shiny, new day

So, what do you say?

Are you achin... “

“Yep, yep, yep. “ Bunga nodded with a wink.

“For some bacon?”

“Yep, yep, yep. “ Bunga repeated once more.

While this was happening as the changelings continue to stalk toward Pinkie and Bunga, Simba, Nala, Luna, Twilight, Celestia, and Kion all slowly sneak past them from behind.

“He's a big pig.”

“Yep, yep.

You could be a big pig too.”

Then Pinkie sang next.

“But first you gotta learn to share

You gotta care

It's the right thing to do

You gotta share

You gotta care

And there'll always be a way through.”

Bunga then sang in front of the changelings as they both sang together.

“Both our diets, I should mention

Are completely vegetarian

We all eat hay and oats

Why be at each other's throat?

Because you gotta share

You gotta care

It's the right thing to do

And there'll always be a way

Throoooough!”

“Oi!”

Both Pinkie and Bunga posed in front of the changelings all cornering them before they quickly moved to run away.

“Well that’s all folks!”

“See ya!”

The two happily waived before they both ran off screaming with the changelings in hot pursuit.

With the distraction buying them the opening they need to get to Pride Rock, Kion still had one question on his mind for the lavender alicorn. “Are you sure they’re going to be fine?”

“Of course.” She replied with a sincere smile just when the two retreated and running towards the inside of a dark dead end cave with their screams in range. “If my prediction is correct…”

“We gotcha now!” One of the changelings maliciously told them before speaking in a rather confused manner. “What the…”

Suddenly a burst of confetti along with an explosion of green-colored gas came out of the cave leading to the changelings flying the heck out of dodge screaming and gagging from the honey badger’s stinky smell.

“Aw man!”

“Pee-yoo!”

“That stinks!”

“…both Pinkie and Bunga should be fine and back on their way towards the Crystal Empire by now.” She confidently finished just when the two zip over to the group in hiding.

“All clear!”

“And good luck!”

The two shared with happy whispers before they darted on over to the portal just outside of Pride Rock so they can quickly transport on over to the Crystal Empire borders where the others are out ready to enter the Crystal Empire borders in order to confront King Sombra and the other half of Scar’s army stationed there.

“All right…” Twilight then whispered to the others before they make their next move. “…now that that’s taken care of, we split up. Celestia, Luna, you two keep the changelings at bay while Simba and Nala help keep the lionesses at bay, in the meantime Kion and I will look for Scar.”

With everyone understanding their tasks at hand without protest and nods of agreement to her call, they all shared quiet farewell hugs with both alicorn sisters hugging Twilight while Kion shared one last hug with his parents before going into battle. “Just be careful, Twilight Sparkle.”

“The same goes for you too Kion.” Simba shared likewise to his son.

“And that we are only telling you this because we love you.” Nala shared in the same tone.

“And we don’t want to lose you.” Celestia added while embracing her faithful student.

“I love you too, Mom, Dad.”

“I love you too, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna.”

The two both returned before they all broke apart and set out with their missions with the strong hopes that they’ll succeed and finally defeat Scar after months of struggle in his awake.

Back at the Crystal Empire where Shining Armor and Princess Cadance have lead the rest of the remaining Lion and Pony Guard at are all standing at the dome Scar had created to keep them out of there.

“Okay, everyone, we’re here.” Shining Armor told the group as they looked on at the dome surrounding the empire. “Now how do we get in?”

“Hmm…” Fuli pondered before speaking of her analysis. “…if they didn’t get in through the dome or over it…then they probably must have found to go under it…”

“…like they did during the wedding.” Kyoga finished as she came to the same conclusion as the cheetah as she looked around for where they could have possibly went while looking around the ground for an already dug up tunnel that Scar used to sneak his army inside the Crystal Empire during the games. “Which should be right around…” She manages to use her paws to sense where exactly that hidden tunnel the enemies created. “…here!” She managed to rip open the opening towards said tunnel only to find it was completely blocked off with caved in dirt, logs, and rocks. Kyoga seeing this growled in response after deducing that they knew they would have tried to come in the same way they did if they managed to uncover it. “They knew.”

“What?” Bunga asked looking really shocked. “They knew.”

“They knew.” Shining Armor repeated not surprised. “Scar anticipated that we would back to try to take back the Crystal Empire and ensured that we can’t use the same route they took to get in.”

“So what we can’t get in and save everyone!” Pinkie asked looking like she is going to pout and have her mane and tail deflate itself. “Oh, no!”

“No we will save everyone. We’re just going to have to do it the hard way.” Kyoga stated otherwise as she turned to Applejack and Beshte. “And I know two strong members of the Guard who are perfect for creating that opening.”

Getting the idea immediately, the two both smiled in response.

“You’re darn tootin about that, Kyoga!” She stated before approaching the rock barriers where she got her best back kicking legs ready to tackle the obstacles barricading their way inside. “Hee-yaw!” She declared before bucking and cracking the large slab in front of her. “That’s how you do it!”

“Way to go, Applejack!” Beshte complimented.

“Think nothing of it, partner.” She replied honestly and modestly. “Now it’s your turn.”

“Okay, here goes…” He said while preparing to use the slide down to take a charge, yet a careful approach to avoid bruising his bones. “…Twendke Kiboko!” With a powerfully controlled slide into the next rock slab he managed to land on the slab so hard it managed to crack upon impact.

“Not bad! Not bad!” Rainbow complimented before deciding to want to try to help out. “Now how about letting me to take a crack at it?” She proceeded to fly up and high before using her super speed to create a super strong punch to shatter the next barrier in front of them and amazing her friends in the process.

“Wow!”

“Un-Bunga-veilable!”

“Poa!”

“Well, well, Rainbow Dash!”

Pinkie, Bunga, Beshte, and Applejack all voiced with impressed smiles.

“They don’t call me fast and strong for nothing!” Rainbow proudly boasted before spotting another rock wall in front of her. “Hold that thought.”

“Rainbow Dash! Wait...Don’t…” Rarity’s attempted warning fell on deaf ears when her speedy friend barged right through the next barrier with everyone else wincing at what had to be painful for her to endure. “…smash through that right away.”

“What are you talking about, curly tails…” Rainbow fumbled as she stumbled around the now open tunnel. “…we’re making our way through already…”

“Easy Rainbow Dash…” Cadance gently said while guiding her aside. “…just let your friends take it from here.”

“Sure…thing…Pinkie…” She said without thinking.

“Um, I didn’t say anything.” Said mare popped up.

“I’m Cadance…” She corrected leaving the dizzy mare to double take.

“Huh…Whoops….”

“Not to worry, silly filly, can happen to anypony even silly fillies like me.” Pinkie giggled before donning her hard hat and handed out more of them to everyone else present before leading the tunnel tour inside the Crystal Empire leading to the stadium where all their friends are being held by the tyrant’s army. “But now is the time to buckle down and rescue all those poor innocent souls trapped there because we got a mean, bad, and ugly unicorn to take down!” As Pinkie charged on ahead, the others had to adjust their hard hats with the unicorns having to poke their horns through the tops in order to be able to put them on as she shouted back. “COME ON LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!”

Everyone all immediately proceeded to follow after her eager and loud voice since they don’t know for sure what kind of torture King Sombra is forcing upon them all.

Back at Pride Rock, both Kion and Twilight were stealthily approaching their way up towards the steps all while looking over every inch of their surroundings on high alert for Scar since he’ll definitely want to try to catch them off guard where it’s from inside or on the edge of Pride Rock itself.

They both slowly looked around for anything ominous and eerie as they made their way up Pride Rock with their eyes looking around their surroundings. But all they saw so far was just the decaying plants and trees in the dried up kingdom as thunder started rumbling in the sky with dark clouds forming in the sun setting sky. Lightning was heard from the distance as the upcoming storm was brewing around them.

“So far…” They thought as they looked around and turned around every part from where they are standing. “…he’s not here…”

Just then Twilight sensed something with her magic to which Kion didn’t with their surroundings being quiet for the moment. “What?” He whispered to his friend.

“If my hunch is correct if he isn’t standing right here then he’s probably somewhere else in the kingdom. And if he is somewhere around here, he is probably standing right behind us.”

“Are you sure about that?” Kion voiced with skepticism that would be his approach to surprise greet them.

“Oh, I’m pretty sure she’s right about that, Kion…” A voice said to them while the lion’s back was still turned all while grinning maliciously. Kion startled quickly turned around and saw no one.

“What but where…?” He stuttered before turning around facing forward the edge of Pride Rock just when the sound of magical teleporting and a heavy thud landed right in front of him. “Hevi Kabisa!”

“Surprise!” His grand-uncle greeted with an amused chuckle just when the younger lion ended up stumbling backwards upon his sudden appearance into Twilight’s magical grasp who likewise looked on without flinching.

“Oh, wow, terrifying. I don’t know how I’m going to sleep now?” Twilight remarked with a deadpan tone.

“There is one way…” Scar proposed while brandishing his sharp claws once more. “…and maybe if you both comply with my wishes, I might see to it that is quick and painless like I did to my father as opposed to slow and horrible like others I had to dealt with in the past such as my brother for starters.”

“What?!” Both Lion and Pony Guard leaders exclaimed upon hearing this casual confession brought up into the open.

“I’m sorry is there something about that you don’t understand?" He asked with faux concern. "Is the part about grandfather Mufusa because I’m sure that’s full public knowledge by now?”

“No, the part about your father!” Kion corrected wanting to know what got into him into committing that treacherous deed from the past. “You killed him?!”

“Did I?” Scar asked as if it were a trick question before answering without remorse and second thought. “Yes I did.”

“Why?” Twilight gasped at the sheer coldness Scar was showing when he admitted it. “Why would you do that?!”

“If you two have been doing your homework and have even talked to Mufusa recently then I’m sure you both know the answer.” He merely replied while indifferent about it. “He treated me like I was the bad guy before even letting me prove my worth as leader of my Lion Guard while Mufusa on the other hand was always praised no matter what. He even was willing to turn my back on me along with my brother and Guard when I attempted to save him from attempted murder after I spent my life dedicated to protecting animals all over the Pride Lands and proving my worth. And because of it…” He refrained from showing sadness at the next part. “…I lost the only friend I ever had.”

“And that justifies being evil and hurting innocent lives?!” Kion retorted still not convinced.

“You know…if they hadn’t been so quick to judge me before coming to full conclusions then maybe I would have considered letting them go unharmed.” Scar said somewhat mercifully. “But since they were quick to side with Mufusa over me in the matter, that’s what they get for picking and supporting the wrong lion.”

“Do you even listen to yourself?!” Kion voiced with a tone of disgust for how very little empathy he has for others. “Every single Pride Lander and pony here had nothing to do with what happened to you back then. They should not have to suffer for what grandfather Mufusa, great-grandfather Ahadi, and your Lion Guard team back then said and did! If anything you’re being as bad as the lion who scarred you!”

“Are you about done?” Scar asked still looking bored with his grand-nephew’s attempt to call him out on something he feels he’s done nothing wrong.

“Excuse me?!”

Before the Lion Guard’s Fiercest realized it is that a sudden strike of lightning hit one of the nearby dead tree’s thus setting it on fire and Scar had used the flash of lightning to suddenly appear right in front of him to backhand across towards the edge of Pride Rock. The force of the hit was so strong he ended up sending Kion nearly falling and slipping over the edge of the cliff.

“WHOA!” He screamed as he felt his claws barely hang on to the edge that allowed him little traction.

“Kion!” Twilight shouted in horror just when his parents and the other alicorns managed to also share the same wide-eyed horror from afar along with shouting out their shock as well.

“No!”

“Son!”

“We have to help them, Luna!”

“Let’s go!”

Unfortunately for them, both pairs found themselves intercepted by the enemies they were looking for just when they only managed to run a few yards from where they were standing.

“Going somewhere, Simba?” The lioness leader asked while grinning menacingly with the many lionesses along with her two children Nuka and Vitani appearing to surround and circle them.

“Zira!” Simba angrily hissed back.

“How to nice to see you too, but that doesn’t answer my question.” She replied while taking pleasure in buying Scar sweet, sweet, time in instilling sadistic torture on the king’s son. “Trying to find us? Or trying and failing to save your son who’s now oh so helplessly dangling for his life?”

Simba and Nala both growled in response as they all prepared themselves to pounce on them with nothing else to say to avoid giving them any wiggle room to further taunt them.

At the same time, both Celestia and Luna find themselves surrounded by a horde of changelings all hissing in their direction like the snakes and skinks fangs as Ushari and said skinks are all riding up on the backs of some of the changelings with their venomous eyes looking down on them.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't my two favorite princesses. It's so good to see you both." Chrysalis mockingly greeted her stunned foes. "Too bad the one I really want isn't here right now and isn't here to save you both."

“What’s the matter, Celestia, Luna?” Ushari questioned them like their deer in headlights as another changeling disguises himself like him. “You both look like you’re seeing double.”

“Or triple.”

“Or quadruple.”

Both Shupavu and Njano shared just when copies of them along with Ushari appeared changeling-size along with the other skinks

“Or Quintuple.”

“Or Septuple.”

“Or Octuple.”

The two skinks traded then Njano then realized something after passing octuple.

“Wait! Wait! Wait! We forget sextuple.” He then snickered and ended up cracking up in laughter at what he just said causing the red skink to roll her eyes in response. “Oh, that’s classic.”

“Ugh, and that’s why I told you to skip that one but you still just had to say it, didn’t you.” Shupavu groaned before focusing back on the alicorns the changelings have at their mercy. “Anyways, dirty jokes aside, we have you all surrounded…”

“…and nowhere to fly.” Ushari finished sinisterly as he hissed with venomous delight as everyone all bared their teeth and ambitions ready to take on both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna right then and there. “Hope you both like being grounded for the rest of your lives.”

"Attack!" Chrysalis commanded of the changelings leaving little time for the two alicorns to light their horns up to prepare themselves to create a double barrier least they get bitten and poisoned by their opponents before flying fast and far when the large number of changelings proceed to keep their advantage over them by pursuing after them.

At the edge of Pride Rock, Kion’s heart is racing as he struggles to maintain his grip with his powers no use with a more skillfully advantaged full grown lion looming over his shoulder. The alicorn princess who is equally skilled to his raw magical power can only watch on unsure of how to approach this without risking the prince’s life and causing him to suffer a potentially fiery fall down below as the flames start spreading into creating a wildfire to spread all around Pride Rock.

Scar smiled relishing in furthering cornering his prey. “So princess…would you care to join him or would you rather for me to make this quick…” He displayed his claws for the alicorn to see with her eyes to further hammer down the point of how very limited her options are and best course of action is with what she is seeing.

Elsewhere inside the tunnels with Pinkie leading the way by drilling the many rocks with her hard hat having a drill, they were all able to clear through it like it’s just navigating the crystal caves back in Ponyville. A place that Pinkie’s sister Maud enjoys visiting during her stays in Ponyville.

Before Pinkie could drill her way through another slab…

“Pinkie!” Applejack called out to her just when the others were just catching up to her again. “Hold on there, partner!”

“Why? We’re just a few more rock barriers away from reaching the stadium.” Pinkie cheerfully dismissed.

Thinking quick Shining Armor used his magic to stop Pinkie to keep herself from drilling that next barrier. “And a few barriers away from a place guarded by Scar’s army up there…” He turns his attention up towards the faint worries from the captives along with the snarling and growling from the hyenas and jackals accompanied with the loud screeches from Mzingo and his flock.

“So?! Big deal!” Rainbow casually remarked.

“…led by King Sombra!” Shining finished leaving the previously confidence the brash Pegasus had to vanish.

“Oh.”

To back up the unicorn’s point they could hear his ominous laughter and from up high. Thankfully, he has yet to realize that the heroes are down below deep underground and have yet to make their entrance.

“That being said we need to be smart about this.”

“Okay, then what’s the game plan, team captain?” Bunga asked.

The white unicorn looked up and pondered while looking around at those standing by his side today along with his surroundings and what’s likely up from above before proposing… “I think I might have an idea…once we get to the basement…“ He remembered overseeing the security at the games and saw there was one secretly hidden tunnel that leads directly to it. “…and we reach that door, I need you and Bunga to be ready for the first part.”

Rainbow Dash was quick to jump on the opportunity as she and the honey badger pounded their fists together. “Just name it!”

“When we get the door, there will be at least two guards watching over from just outside that room, so be ready to take down them when they show up at the door on my signal. But as we get there…” He turned to the fashionista. “…I need you to take over busting our way down there so we don’t blow the element of surprise.”

“Of course.”

After taking lead, Rarity took her time breaking them down much to Rainbow, Applejack, and Bunga’s dismay since she has a sense of girly protocol with working in conditions that are not to her liking. But luckily since she understands the urgency of the situation she did it in a timely manner but in a way that doesn’t draw the guards (Mzingo and Mwoga) attention.

Although given that they expected them to show up they just happened to be watching over the door just waiting for someone from the Guard and the Royal Family to show up. Both had locked eyes just waiting for the sounds of rocks and footsteps to come their way so they can be ready to pounce with the rest of their flock ready to leap into the fray.

A knock was heard on the door. “Telegram!” Pinkie’s voice called out to them.

Mzingo wasn’t buying it. “Yeah, right. Like we’re going to fall for that trick.”

“It’s a special “We Surrender.” Cake!”

“What kind of cake?!” The vulture leader inquired suspiciously while his partner licked his lips at the mention of it.

“Your favorite!” Pinkie replied with a slight high-pitch tone to sell it to them on the other side of the door.

Mwoga turned to his partner imploringly who reluctantly nodded before still kept a serious face to keep high alert in case it’s a trap before opening the door. Standing before them is a chocolate-furred cake with fur trimming on the icing and one by one every single vulture came flying over upon investigating the distraction outside.

The vultures all wasted no time in helping themselves to the tall dessert Pinkie had left for them, all but their leader who is looking around for the pink mare and her friends. “Show yourself, Pinkie Pie!”

In an instant Pinkie literally met face-to-face with him using her tail as a helicopter propeller so she can do so. “Sure thing!”

Mzingo was left startled in response before recomposing himself and asking the question on his mind. “Where are the others?!”

“Right here!” Pinkie replied still cheerfully as usual when…

SPLAT!

POW!”

…Came from both Rainbow and Bunga bashing him with coconut cream pies to the face and beak to knock him out.

And shortly after the other vultures each ingested a good serving of cake, they all started to look and feel sleepy all of a sound before dropping to the ground to crash. Some of them even tried to resist and stay awake for a few seconds before succumbing to the sudden drowsiness.

After all of the vultures were all dropped and sound asleep everyone all emerged from hiding before making their way inside all while making sure they don’t step on them to avoid accidentally injuring and killing them and none of them spoke one word until the door was closed behind them and they were sure no one else was lurking upstairs.

“Great job, Pinkie!”

“Way to knock them dead, Rainbow, Little B!”

Both Ono and Beshte commended who both smiled proudly of getting to kick bad guy butt out of it.

“Oh, thanks…” Pinkie giggled in response. “…nothing a little extra sugar and sleeping powder to put down those birds, and by that I mean put them to sleep for the rest of the day. Good thing I had instant supplies for the victory cake on me the whole time.” She smiled just when Ono looked at her weirdly before turning his eyes back on the bigger picture at hand.

“At least some bad guys will be getting a good night’s sleep.” Ono remarked sarcastically before focusing on the Captain of the Guard’s attention. “Since we’re all here and in, what’s next?”

“Next, we split up.” He replied before giving instructions for everyone. “Rainbow Dash, you and Ono scout the area but do not fly high and engage. Fluttershy you and Beshte find the hostages and guide them to safety through the tunnel, while Applejack, Fuli, Rarity, Pinkie, and Bunga take care of the hyenas and jackals. While all of you do that, Cadance, Kyoga, and I will look for and confront King Sombra.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea…?” Fuli asked. “…Because if you ask me it seems you could use another teammate in dealing with this unicorn king watching over here since we’re splitting in parties of two. I mean don’t get me wrong that’s a good strategy, but wouldn’t Ono and Rainbow get spotted easily in the open?”

“I mean not if we don’t fly too far out and too high.” Ono counter responded. “And the more I like about it, maybe it’s probably for the best not to fly too close to the sun.”

“Now wait a minute, silly.” Pinkie piped up. “The stadium doesn’t reach as high as the sun.”

“You know what I mean!” He retorted irritably before turning back to the unicorn in charge to implore an improvised team-up.

“Okay, okay, fair point.” Shining admitted after realizing this. “So how about this, do quick scans, stay in the shadows, then you two can split up being our eyes in the sky and helping the others fight off the hyenas and jackals along with rescuing our friends trapped here. And Fuli…” He turned to the cheetah who brought up the glaring flaw in time. “…how about you help me, Kyoga, and Cadance fight Sombra? We could really use some really fast assistance in taking him down.”

“Hmm….” She pondered at the idea before answering. “…sure.” Truthfully she wondered how she was going to be able to land attacks on a dangerous dark magic warrior until she looked upon the lioness who had magical powers of her own that can assist her in that regard. “Think you can help me out here, Kyoga?”

Kyoga smirked in response. “What do you think?” Fuli smirked back likewise.

“I think yes.”

Shining Armor smiled now satisfied along with everyone else in attendance. “All right then, if we’re all good then let’s spread out. If all goes well then we will have successfully taken back the Crystal Empire about the same time Twilight, Kion and the rest of the royal family have have taken back the Pride Lands. Hopefully in the end, Scar and his forces will be defeated in the end and we can finally restore the peace we once had here.”

“I’m sure we all prevail.” Kyoga assured before focusing at the task at hand on everyone’s behalf. “But for, let’s go!”

Everyone all proceeded to split up with their assignments in their pursuit of ensuring victory over the tyrant that once ruled and caused the empire to be isolated for many, many years with great focus of what’s at stake. All while Discord watching from the shadows transforms himself into a gray bat before following after Rainbow Dash and Ono to ensure that they don't blow their cover.

As the flames from the burning tree begin to ravage the dry grass around Pride Rock with the darken skies showing a more blood red color from above, Twilight was glaring down Scar as he has her best friend Kion at his mercy at the very edge of the cliff he was desperately struggling to maintain his grip on.

“So Twilight...” Scar spoke up to implore of the alicorn once more along with the frightened lion cub hanging on for his life. “…what’s it going to be? Use your counter-spell on the Elements or lose your friend to the fire down below?”

“Don’t do it, Twilight!” Kion called out for her as one of his claws started to slip from the edge. “It’s not worth it!”

“But, Kion, there’s got to be another way!” Twilight called back trying really hard to maintain her composure in front the unfettered lion threatening his life.

“I’m afraid there is no other choice in the matter since I didn’t ask a question when I laid down that ultimatum.” Scar said as he put himself between them and gripped one of his claws onto Kion’s paws who winced in pain due to the immense pain from his sharp retracted claws. “And since it’s pretty clear you won’t give in, I won’t give you that choice anymore.” He then turns Kion taking sadistic pleasure of repeating history again. “So that being said Kion, since you’re already on edge, I’ll loosen that feeling for you.”

Twilight was quick to react to prevent Scar from doing so by leaping up from behind to tackle and wrap her hooves around his neck and used her magic to try to actively restrain him to lure him away from the edge of the cliff. “Oh, no you don’t!” She moved to place the lion in a headlock leaving him to struggle to breathe and shake the alicorn off of her back with little success at least until Kion managed to regain his grip and climb his way back up.

But when he did he ended up slipping off once more and ended up plummeting back down towards the fire on the ground. Reacting quickly, Twilight mentally exerted herself in working her magic in levitating the lion right back up before he could fall into the fire before finally letting go of Scar when she saw Kion was finally able to magically propel himself with fire to fly back up to the edge of Price Rock.

After Scar saw what was happening he rushed over to stop Kion only to be greeted when his grand-nephew propelled himself back up to the edge and sent a massive fireball right at him. Kion’s attack forced Scar to conjure a magical shield to keep himself from getting burned while being forced back by the attempted attack.

“I see you’re a fast learner.” Scar replied with an impressed smile. “Impressive.” His eyes locked on with Kion who returned the favor. “Let’s see what you got!” Scar conjured fiery flames from his paws at the same time Twilight spread out her wings with her horn lit up ready for a rematch herself as the former launches a few fireballs right in her direction.

She quickly and swiftly neutralized them with her horn before sending a couple of blasts of magic right back at him. Because she managed to send both of them in two quick mill-seconds, Scar found himself able to block off the first shot but because of how well-hidden the second shot was, it blew up right in his face and had him stumbling quite a bit.

Kion seeing another opportunity tried to fire another blast from his paws right him, only for Scar to quickly dodge the attack in time before sending a powerful punch to the gut right back at him leaving the younger lion to barely have time to defend himself from the attack before being knocked backwards. He growled in response but didn’t have to retaliate when he sent a massive wave of fire right at him to send him into the back of Pride Rock. The amount of fire was enough for Kion to barely get up propel himself up in time to barely avoid getting burned to death from the attack but he none of the less still dropped to the ground in pain.

That’s where Twilight quickly came in to make a move of her own by sending a beam of her magic to create cover so she can catch him off-guard in order to land a punch to the face. He rubbed his jaws in pain for a minute just when Kion was able to get back on his paws.

He eyed both his foes as they both try to corner him but even with an evenly matched fight in front of him he deep down feels confident that he still had this. Even with his grand-nephew showing strong skill and quick adaptation to his new powers, he’s clearly showing signs of fatigue from the hits he is enduring combined with the mental exertion he is utilizing into creating his spells. Then again, it doesn’t surprise him since he is only a child and is still not properly adjusted to his new powers. So with that in mind, he proceeds to continue fighting and attacking both leaders of the Guard, fully content with taking his time to take them both down with calm and cool efficiency.

Inside the Crystal Empire stadium where the Equestrian Games were recently held, both Rainbow Dash and Ono took their time in carefully scanning the area so they can spot out their enemies. Rainbow investigated the west side of the stadium and managed to spot out the hyenas on patrol there. On the east side was Ono investigating and observing said area and managed to find the jackals on patrol there. But both noticed one particular hyena and jackal weren’t there when they both met up near the south side of the stadium.

“Hey Rainbow…!”

“Hey Ono….!”

“…I found the hyenas….”

“…I found the jackals…”

“…but Janja wasn’t there…”

“…but ReiRei wasn’t there…”

They both said while speaking over each other in unison.

“Okay….”

“…let’s take this one at a time.”

They both said together after catching themselves again.

“So neither Janja and ReiRei were with their fellow packs?” Rainbow first asked.

“No.” Ono replied. As they ducked out of sight to avoid the unicorn king catching sight of them when he emerged from the northern bleachers to see if anyone of his enemies is lurking around he continued to whisper his findings. “But at least now we know where Sombra is.”

“Which means everyone else is located right nearby here…” Rainbow deduced as they are both drawn to the attention of the sound of nearly cries of help.

“Help!”

“Help!”

“Somebody!”

“Anybody!”

“I don’t care who!”

The kids all shouted desperately much to both the jackal and hyena’s amusement while the Pride Lander’s parents held them back along with the Cutie Mark Crusaders to avoid the sharp teeth and claws of the two enemies.

The two Guard members both darted ahead in the direction of the nearby screams only to have quickly pull back to avoid being spotted by both Janja and Reirei who were both guarding the area where everyone was being held hostage.

“Hapana!” Ono yelped upon experiencing the close call. “Right where both Janja and Reirei are!” He suddenly finds his beak being clamped by Rainbow’s front hooves.

But it was too late. Both of their voices were picked up when the two guard’s ear’s perked up upon hearing their voices. They both immediately knew that both Rainbow and Ono are here and are trying to free the captive Equestrians and Pride Landers and wasted no time in turning to where their voices came from.

By using their noses, the two correctly were able to sniff them down, thus further alarming the two fliers knowing that they’re dead once they turn the corner and spot them.

“Oh no! They see us we’re dead!” Rainbow expressed fearfully.

“If they catch us we’ll wish we were, especially knowing that Sombra we be on over in no time flat. They’re heading this way!” Ono didn’t even turn the corner just knowing that’ll just confirm and ensure quicker trouble with them. “Got any quick ideas, team captain?”

“Only one when the chips are down and the cat is cornered.” Rainbow replied as she took up a starting position.

“Huh?” Ono questioned before realizing what she is preparing herself to do. “But…” He began before clamping up after getting the idea when Rainbow nudged her head in her direction to get him to follow her lead. “…never mind!” He moved to join by her side ready to follow through with the Pegasus’s direction in facing off against a fight coming their way just when Discord appeared and clasped his paws over their mouths before disappearing with a better idea in mind. "Hey...?"

"What the...Discord? What are you do...?"

“All right Rainbow Dash, Ono! I know you’re both out there so come on up and fight!” Janja barked as he prepared to turn the corner.

“Yeah! Might as well give up cause there is nowhere to run and nowhere to fly!” Reirei cackled as they both turned the corner. “Now here comes trouble heading your way, intruders!”

"Okay...okay..." Discord appeared from around the corner in surrender with both their bodies in tow. "...You got us! Here's Rainbow, here's Ono, and here's me, we'll cooperate..." He briefly winks at the both of them who sees what he is truly doing. "...but before you take us away...I have one thing to say..." He pulls out two pieces of laffy taffy like candy and flings it right at their faces. "Catch!"

"Eww!"

"Gross! What is this?!"

By the time they managed to get the taffy off of their faces...

POW!

POW!

Instantly, they were both immediately knocked out by two powerful punches with her super speed. Once the rainbow stream she left behind cleared up the hyena and jackal were both appearing knocked out with zero idea of what really hit them.

“What do you think you’re doing, furbrains?”

“Goigoi, no! I told you not to look directly at that skunk! Aww! Great! Now you stink!”

They both said with their eyes and voice looking and sounding very dizzy before passing out from the hard hit they took just when Discord snapped his talons once more to disappear before they can act once more.

“Nice work Discord! Come on Ono, let’s amscray!” Rainbow commanded while sprinting away while allowing the latter to hang onto her tail for good measure of avoiding leaving him behind to avoid being caught and detected by King Sombra who just heard and nearly spotted them from afar.

Upon hearing the commotion he teleported on over to the scene where he finds both Janja and Reirei knocked out and can barely get their thoughts together. They were both still reeling from the knockout punches they just registered on their foreheads.

Examining the two very closely, he focused intensely to read their minds so he can play through their heads what truly hit them. By tapping into his dark magic he was able to get a visual of what just happened a minute ago. The previous memory of Rainbow Dash zooming by to deliver her knockout punches to them before flying away with Ono in tow. After seeing what he needed to see, he pondered of how to properly approach this before grinning to himself after thinking of an idea of how to go on about it.

The two moved to fly on over to where the rest of the Guard are taking their slow approach to the enemy lurking ahead of them trying to make sure they are stealthily enough not to give themselves away. It was really hard just knowing they could be finding themselves facing off against hyenas and jackals any second now. By the time Ono had found the captive’s soon to be rescuers, Rainbow Dash had found the rest of the fighting team.

“Ono?!”

“What happened?!”

Both Fluttershy and Beshte asked the Keenest of Sight feeling something went wrong during their scout of the stadium.

“Everything okay, sugarcube?” Applejack asked the blue pony catching her breath after finding them.

“Janja…” The egret gasped.

“Reirei…” The Pegasus gasped. “Sombra…”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Fluttershy stopped them by placing her hooves over their mouthes. “Both of you take a deep breath.” They both quickly did so. “Good. Now…what happened? Did you find where all those Pride Landers and ponies are all being held?”

“Oh, we did.” Ono replied. “Along with Janja and Reirei.”

“We had to get the heck out of dodge to avoid being captured by Sombra before he could catch us in the act!” Rainbow added.

“And any reason why you both engaged against Janja and Reirei when you two weren’t supposed to be doing so in the first place?” Applejack suspiciously asked knowing just how reckless and impulsive her speedy friend can be.

“It wasn’t like that!” Rainbow retorted defensively. “We just came across them and they immediately came right for us!” She realized that Ono standing beside is feeling offended. “Oh, and for the record Applejack, that was my idea alone, Ono just followed my lead on that. Also, Discord managed to help us out of the rabbit hole on this one too.”

"Really..." Applejack was mighty surprised to hear this as Discord thinks nothing of it. "...okay. Well then....good job, Discord." Discord humbly shrugged more focused on the task at hand.

“Anyways…” Rarity spoke up wanting to move from a potentially childish debate from sparking along with further questions in regards to Discord behaving out of the sorts throughout this mission. “…in other words, Sombra already knows we’re coming.”

“But why would he?” Bunga asked feeling confused.

“Because since Scar seems to know everything going on around him, he would have expected some of us to come to our friends rescue and most likely would have tipped that mean unicorn watching over this empire in order to keep us from saving them.”

“Ooh!” He said much to Applejack, Ono, Rainbow, and Rarity’s dismay who all rolled their eyes and shook their heads at the honey badger’s everlasting cluelessness while Pinkie giggled finding it pretty amusing herself.

“So, point being, Sombra knows for sure we’re on our way trying to rescue and is probably setting up a trap for us to use as leverage against Shining Armor and Princess Cadance!” Ono deduced.

“Oh my.” Fluttershy whimpered for a moment before speaking out. “But we still got to help them!”

“Um, Fluttershy?” Rainbow spoke up feeling she needs to instill common sense into her. “Not trying to be harsh but HOW?!” She shouted the last word somewhat harshly before calming herself down. “I mean…” She quickly regretted frightening her childhood friend there just when Discord moves to gently stroke her mane to comfort her. “…sorry Fluttershy, but how are we supposed to fight off hyenas, jackals, and rescue our friends and family without setting the trap an evil unicorn has set up for us in advance?”

She then turned to the others who all couldn’t speak of an immediate solution until the rainbow-maned Pegasus and the blonde-maned farm girl had light bulbs turning on in their heads when they remembered just how Twilight and the others got by the changelings at Pride Rock.

“Pinkie! Bunga!”

They all turned to them, hopeful that they know how to use their unpredictability to be able to dodge the trap laid out for them.

“Yes?”

“What’s up?”

“Think maybe you can use that Pinkie Sense of yours to get around whatever Sombra has lurking around waiting for us?” Applejack kindly asked of her.

“What?!” Even with all of her general silly and goofy demeanor, even she and Bunga know like Scar, Sombra is not someone they can fool around with.

“Do you even realize what you’re asking us? I mean it was one thing to deal with bad guys like Janja, Reirei, Mzingo, and even Makku, but Sombra along with Scar? Come on! Even I’m not stupid enough to mess with the likes of them!” Bunga added with his input on the manner.

“Please Bunga, Pinkie!” Rainbow implored sounding desperate on behalf of the team. “I know that this King Sombra is too dangerous even for us to handle, but many ponies and Pride Landers are depending on us to rescue them. We need that opening to get them out of harm’s way.”

“Please?” Fluttershy gently pleaded while giving them the eyes.

Bunga was still very reluctant about it. “No, come on please, Fluttershy! Not the eyes!” Now he can’t take it anymore. “All right! Fine! We’ll do it!” Fluttershy smiled with delight before scooping up and hugging the honey badger for his courage to be willing to step forward here. “So, Pinkie…” Bunga began while hopeful that she knows just the trick to getting around a dangerous enemy that has laid down all the cars ready for their arrival. “…how do you propose we handle the prince of darkness?”

“Hmm…” She pondered the very tough question herself before smiling upon thinking of something at the same time Discord widely smiles for the first time since being betrayed. “…Got it!” They both replied in a sing-song tone.

"You're thinking what I'm thinking?" Both Pinkie and Discord asked each other in unison delightfully surprised at what they are both saying. "Great!"

“Okay, what…? WHOA!” Bunga was suddenly whisked away. “Pinkie! What are we doing? And what does Discord know that I don't?”

“I’ll explain on the way!”

What crazy and ingenious scheme this unpredictable has up her hooves, surely something everyone will find out soon with high hopes that this will work out in their favor against all odds with all things considered.

At the same time, the others lead by the prince and princess of the Crystal Empire were making their way closer to where King Sombra’s throne room is held right where the royal seating for the Games were. The four challengers were getting close to the evil king in charge and ready to take him down. Shining Armor nodding at the others before they all split up so they can be ready to face off against him with all of their bases covered. Although little do they know though is that, Sombra himself seems to have prepared for their arrival as evidenced from the sinister smirk he secretly sported in their direction as they covered all of the exits leading to the royal booth where he’d be expected at.

The four all covered every exit and entrance yet found no unicorn king lurking around like they thought. It was eerily quiet around them, too quiet. Their hearts were racing, they didn’t show it but they were alert and attentive to their surroundings with no way of expecting of when and where he might show up.

At least until…

“Hello, future subjects…” He greeted with his eyes appeared in front of the stands as he appears in full flesh.

“Sombra!” Shining Armor growled with pure hatred.

“…long time no see only it hasn’t been so long since you were all last here.” Sombra remarked as continues maintaining higher ground over his foes with a stone slab levitating him. “Although I do have to say there has been quite some great changes around here since you all left here.” He said while scratching his chin feeling convinced they don’t know what he is planning.

“There’s no way we’re letting you stay in power here, Sombra!” The white unicorn defiantly retorted.

Sombra merely chuckled in response. “Says the knight in shining armor, fitting to your name thinking I’m just some common usurper to the throne.” He motioned his hoof to say otherwise. “Oh no, my unicorn friend, now that you and your friends are here…” He charged his horn with dark magic. “…I wouldn’t have to worry about finding and taking care of the one pony standing between me and the Crystal Empire.”

“He’s not alone, Sombra…!” Cadance stated defiantly while joining by her husband’s side with fierce determination to take him down. “…Because if you want the Crystal Empire you’re going to have to take me down too!”

Sombra continued expressing his amusement as both Fuli and Kyoga moved to join them with the same furious glares ready to fight and take him down as he chuckled for a moment before getting serious as his horn glowed dark purple and green.

“Well, all joking aside, all I can say right now is that I’m sorry that it has to end to this way, prince and princess!”

“No you’re not!” Shining Armor shot back unconvinced since his tone of voice lacked sincerity and was clearly bordering on sarcasm when he said that.

Once Sombra’s horn was properly charged he fired a sudden blast at the unicorn and alicorn who both quickly countered the attempted attack with a double-powered shield to repel the attack. With the two of their power’s combined they were able repel his attack and sent it hurled right back towards him forcing him to cease his attempted attack to avoid being blasted backwards.

Growling, he charged down towards the ground as dark crystal towers started forming on the ground beneath him as he increased the intensity of his attacks so he can try continuing to force the two ponies on the defense. But when he tried to get close enough to land a blow on either one of them, Fuli quickly sprinted by and rammed right into his ribs to send him crashing into the field instead. He ended up flying and sliding across the turf before quickly regaining his ground when Kyoga advanced on him to try to attack him.

Since the unicorn king had already managed to recover from Fuli side-blinding him, he was able easily deflect Kyoga’s magical attack before effortlessly smacking her aside into the nearby sand pit landing just on the very end of the long pit which would have been a record-breaking toss had he participated in the games as a legitimate competitor.

Another few inches and Kyoga would have been knocked out cold with a hard hit to the head. But she was able to recover and rejoin the others who are all circling around him ready to try to continue taking him down.

“Smart…” Sombra thought to himself at the sight of the cheetah and lioness helping both Shining Armor and Cadance to take him down. “…but is it enough?” He internally added before charging his magic as he propelled himself upwards with dark crystal platforms as he slid his way down and attempted to land quick blows to try to take them down while maintain having the higher ground over them.

Back in the Pride Lands, both Celestia and Luna are having the fight of their lives while facing off against a horde of changelings along with having to avoid being bitten by Ushari who is riding on one of them and is clearly out for their blood. Much like the hyenas back when fighting for Pride Rock when fire was ravaging the kingdom’s capital they along with Simba and Nala were on edge and barely keeping themselves on their toes and hooves to avoid giving them the upper hand.

On the aerial side of the fight, the two sisters were trading blast with one another all while barely avoiding getting bitten. Whenever one of the changelings tried to attack one of the sisters whenever they weren’t looking the other sister is always there to block off the attempted attack. But even still, not one of them were able to get the upper hand on the changelings due to the huge number gaining up on them.

That being said, things weren’t any easier for the true king and queen of the Pride Lands who are both literally getting mauled by their enemies left and right. Every lioness was literally digging their teeth into their skin and making it very painful and difficult for them to overcome even when they freed their paws into trying to knock them off of their bodies.

All while this dog-piling was going on, both son and mother were both circling around the two seeking a good opportunity to land the fatal blow on the two resisting death at the jaws and claws of their followers.

“You go for the queen, Nuka! The king himself is mine!” She declared with vicious intent as they split apart and snuck behind the two so they can carry out this deadly task.

“You got it, mother!” Nuka agreed with the same malice as the head of lionesses before moving to try to get a good attacking angle on the queen herself.

The two circled around the ongoing fight seeking to find an opening until they both managed to find good attacking spots from right behind. They both grinned with murderous malice ready to carry it out.

Luna having caught this from afar, along with seeing herself and Celestia about to be overwhelmed by the changelings, cleared her throat and shouted with her Royal Canterlot Voice. “BE STILL!”

The sound of the voice repelled the changelings and the lionesses that were about land on them and provided both Simba and Nala the alarm to alert them of both Zira and Nuka’s attempted sneak attack on them just when they were both making their attempted pounce.

When they attempted to leap with their teeth and ambitions bared, both Simba and Nala were easily able to slap them both away with ease. While Zira was knocked to the side and was able to get back on her paws, Nuka wound up crashing head first into a nearby dead tree that further spread the flames around the dry grass that they are all fighting on.

Seeing that they need to start playing were there’s more oxygen when the smoke started brewing over where they are all standing, Simba led the retreat away from Pride Rock to draw Zira along with her pride away from Pride Rock where both Kion and Twilight are still duking it out with Scar.

At this point of the fight, both leaders of the Guard have managed to figure their teamwork out in being able to fight the tyrant on equal footing. Kion was managing to get the hang of his new powers when he was able to control his fiery magic to the point he could release more controlled blasts of fire right at his opponent to the same degree as Twilight fires off her magic at Scar. At this point he was no longer showing signs of tiredness he had shown just ten minutes ago when they were first starting to fight.

At this point of the fight, Scar was now on the defense as he moved to dodge and deflect the attempted shots thrown right at his face yet he still wasn’t breaking any sweat over it. But now that the two were working sync with one another, he needed to start breaking it up before they start getting the advantage here. He focused his eyes which showed fire inside before propelling himself with it as he charged towards Kion first.

The younger lion was forced to back up when his granduncle attempted to backhand him along with attempting to swipe his claws at him in swift motion. While he was able to dodge the first two attempted attacks he found himself knocked backwards when Scar punched him in the face on the third attempted attack before backhanding him and then sent a hot fire blast to knock him down hard into the ground.

Seeing this had spurred his alicorn friend quickly come to his defense by using her magic to lasso Scar’s raised paw away from Kion before he could deliver the final blow. She once more had to really exert her magic in order to keep him from resisting her control long enough to lure him away.

Scar now locking eyes with his former protégé moved to use his other free forepaw to launch a blast of fire right at her to force her to let go before flying up towards her at great speed to yank her back down to the ground. Twilight grunted in pain as she slammed into the stone hard concrete leaving a hard crack right near the edge of Pride Rock.

Twilight had to fly backwards fast when she saw Scar attempting to fly down to sock her hard in the face and then dodge a series of attempted fire blasts and claw swipes from the latter to avoid enduring another severe beat down from him. At this point in the battle against Scar, Twilight could not afford to lose this battle along with going through the near-death experience at the claws of him again. She was determined not to let Scar defeat her in this fateful battle so she still kept being fueled with fierce energy to keep fighting. She moved to deflect and defend herself from every attack Scar threw at her while finding herself backing up.

Scar moved to continue launching attacks from the offense as he moved to back her up to the entrance of Pride Rock feeling he’s now got this battle under his control. Or at least until Twilight smirked and moved instantly teleported away leaving the surprised lion launched backwards when Kion suddenly appeared and unleashed a powerful attack fueled with fire right at him.

This was his chance to take him down so Kion moved to make a charge right at him, while Twilight floated over their heads and sent another blast right at Scar’s face to disorient him. The attack itself caused Scar to fall and land on his back right on the edge of Pride Rock. The same exact position he had Simba in back when Simba first returned to Pride Rock after spending years in self-exile. He managed to regain his eyesight just in time to see Kion leap up with his fiery claws raised ready to deliver the knockout blow.

Scar then smirked and then tumbled backwards before propelling himself upwards with a fiery blast of magic from his claws while using his wings to propel him back up to the sky causing the younger lion to slam his claws right into the ground instead. If it weren’t for the magical protection Kion had used to protect his paws from burning then he would have broken his paws from punching into a rock hard surface like that.

“What?” Kion thought to himself just when he found himself standing face-first right at the edge of Pride Rock.

But he had no time to prepare himself when Scar floated up to his eye level while having his eyes glow blood red with his front paws conjuring up an equally and deadly red colored glow from the aura of his magic. Wasting no time he fired one dangerously hot blast of fiery magic right at chest causing him to scream in pain and collapse before the former launched another attack right where he created the crack when slamming Twilight down onto the ground. Before doing so he gave his final regards to his grand-nephew.

“Say hello to the former lion king, my brother Mufusa, for me!”

All Kion could do was scream as he wound up plummeting in the wildfire down below him as the ground he was standing on crumbled.

“KION!” Twilight screamed with tears in her eyes as she desperately reached a futile hoof out in his direction.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, she wasn’t the only one who managed to witness this since the alicorn sisters along with the boy’s parents managed to catch a glimpse of what Scar did from afar.

Simba could only widen his eyes in horror along with his wife. “No! NO! KION!”

Nala along with her husband felt their hearts shattered upon seeing what no parent should ever have to see their child experience and it was more than she could bare before breaking down in tears.

While completely shocked beyond belief with what Scar had just did, both Celestia and Luna had to combine their magic to create another wave of magic to force the Outsiders and changeling army away from the grieving couple long enough for them to emotionally press forward with the battle in front of them, especially with Queen Chrysalis ready to make her attack on them.

After carrying out a highly wicked deed for all eyes in the Pride Lands to see, Scar grinned with great satisfaction with what he just did before turning his full attention back to Twilight, ready to finish her off as well, along with taking the final step in securing total victory once and for all as he moved to charge the magic from his paws ready to unleash his magic on her.

At the same time, Twilight had managed to wipe away the tears from her eyes, with only the small tears forming around her eyes as she furiously glares back at the lion who killed her best friend right in front of her with her magic from her horn likewise charged up ready to avenge him.

After locking eyes once more, both flew towards each other and top speed with the most intense and hottest surges of magic from their horns, hooves, and paws creating a massive magical explosion that released a massive wave of magic across the Pride Lands and even stretched into the other world where the Crystal Empire is still standing.

Something everyone else fighting there correctly sensed that intense firepower between Twilight and Scar is going down now and it’s about to all go down as the true battle for the fate of the two worlds has just begun...