//------------------------------//
// Episode 2: The Cutie Map Part Two 
// Story: The Pony Guard (Season 5) 
// by MXCDarkHorse2020 
//------------------------------//


Episode 2:



The Cutie Map Part Two:


After being defeated and having their cutie marks, powers and abilities taken away, the whole team was placed inside a contained, sealed up cottage with speakers, where Starlight's voice continued to speak, driving many of the ponies insane. She was trying to coax them into accepting her philosophy, but they would not allow it, not ever.

Kion could only look on in dismay with what had unfolded in front of him. First his best friend is harshly outed for her past sins and forced to fly away in shame. Then, Kyoga was given the same treatment like she is an evil witch. And despite being prepared for the fight and trap Starlight had set up for them, they wind up falling victim to the equalizing process of her philosophy. Now he can’t speak again having lost his voice in the process too.

“How is this possible?!” He thought to himself if he could speak.

At the same time, Rainbow Dash continued trying to kick down the door, but her strength along with her athleticism was completely drained to the point it was rendered futile at this point. 

"Give it up, Rainbow Dash." Applejack said, "You've been trying this for hours. It's not gonna open and not even a...um…" She tried to find the right words to say but her equal sign cutie mark glowed and prevented her from doing so. “…open it. Shoot, I can’t seem to speak countryisms anymore.” The blue Pegasus lowered her ears and wings in dismay.

Pinkie Pie was spending the time looking at several books, which only had pictures of equal signs. "Hey, this is pretty good!"

“Is it really?” Ono asked dully, seeing no significance in any of it. To him it’s looking at plain symbol of imprisonment which currently reflects on what’s happening to everypony here in Starlight’s village. “For pony’s sake…” He grumbled before flying into the ongoing speaker and braving the strong sonic waves to bite his teeth onto the inner mechanisms. “…Come on…” He felt something pull and out came the microphone part of the device and wound up falling backwards. “…Got it!” But to his dismay the ongoing voice still went on. “Oh…fudge…this…!” He irritable flew black up and just chomped on the wires, even enduring a brief electrocution for the sake of shutting that darn device off.

“You okay?” Fluttershy worryingly asked as she scooped him up in her arms.

“Affirmative.” He weakly croaked before passing out.

Rarity was left crying of their predicament, "You're not alone, darling! Oh, this is horrible!"

Fluttershy tried to reassure her friend, "There, there, Rarity... It's not so bad…"

"Yes, it is! Look at those drapes!" she pointed to said drapes on the window, which were worn, colorless, and old, "I have no idea if they're tacky or not!"

"Well, I think they're nice."

The equal cutie mark on Rarity's flank glowed grey, which only made the poor unicorn cry louder. "So do I!"

Fluttershy spotted a bird on the window sill, "Oh, thank goodness! Can you help us, little birdie?" She asked hopefully. The bird tweeted in response, but then Fluttershy's new cutie mark glowed grey too thus she could no longer understand what the bird was saying. "Go on, now! Fly away and get us help!" She pleaded of him. But the bird flew away not understanding a word she said. "Oh, even tweets don't make sense anymore!"

Both Rainbow and Applejack both kept trying to break the door with no success.

“Here. Let me try…” Beshte offered before moving to charge at the door himself. But he did little but bump into it in contrast to what he intended. He gave it a few more attempts before giving up. “Come on…” He panted feeling worn down. “…sorry. I thought I had enough strength there. Guess I’m still too out of shape for heavy pushing.” 

"I don't know!" Pinkie said, trying to lift everyone’s spirits. "Maybe it'll be super fun to be all the same!" Then her cutie mark glowed grey too and her voice then became bored and serious instead. "Sort of. More pleasant than fun, I guess…"

Bunga was left confused. “…No, no, no. Definitely fun! Definitely…” His gray mark glowed likewise. “…what am I talking about? What’s the point?” He clasped his paws over his mouth. “No! That did not come out of my mouth!”

“Sadly, it did.” Fuli dully remarked before walking over to Kion who is still sullen over what happened with a piece of paper and a pencil for him to write on. “It’ll be okay, Kion. They didn’t get Twilight and Kyoga. They’re probably still around to check up on us.”

Kion frowned in response yet unable to say a word due to his condition before writing it down on the paper before handing it back to her.

“Do you know for sure?! Last I saw they both ran and flew out and deserted us out of sight!”

“Well…” Fuli spoke taken aback by his irritated response. “…whether it takes all day, I’m definitely sure they didn’t forget about us and would never abandon us, not even if their lives depended on it.”

Then Kion had written down. “Then where are there?! Huh?!”

“I don’t know.” Fuli honestly replied. “Nor do I know about the staff that was used to strip us of our special abilities in the first place.

“That’s true.” Ono chimed in on their conversation. “There was something odd about that staff. I remember studying about Eastern unicorns not too long ago with Twilight, and I’m pretty sure Meadowbrook only had eight magical items, not nine. And I don't remember any of them being a staff."

Fuli seemed to agree after taking the egret’s word on the matter. “Hmm, sounds like a pretty big red flag if you seem know that well, wouldn’t you say?” She turned to Kion who written down another note and then handed it to her. “I thought so.”

“What did he say?”

“Then that’s something we need to investigate on.” Fuli read Kion’s notes word for word. “But first thing’s first is we need to figure out how.”

“Um, I’d hate to break to you, Kion. But this door's not opening. We tried everything. Even Beshte at his weakest can’t knock it down."

“Sorry.” He panted while his legs just collapsed.

"And I'm afraid the windows are much too small for escape." Rarity added trying really hard not to look at the window’s hideous drapes.

“So what’s our third option, then?” Applejack asked just when a surge of magic was felt inside the cottage.

"Us." Twilight said with a smile as she and Kyoga appeared right inside much to their delight and relief.

Just when Bunga and Pinkie gasped happily their rescuers quickly covered their mouths to keep them from alerting anypony outside.

“Shh!” Twilight quickly shushed the two. “In order for it to work, you can’t shout. Got it.” Both nodded in agreement before the alicorn motioned the others to huddle together. “Quickly!”

Once huddled together, the group was instantly teleported out of the room and inside a cottage just nearby the train station. Not too far from the mountains leading down to the village but close by enough to see what’s going on without being spotted.





Now that it was safe to talk, everyone all cheered to the best of their ability before hugging her.

Applejack was the first to express her gratitude. “Oh, thank goodness you came back! We thought you were long gone.”

“Who me?” She asked as if it was a joke. “Come on, this is me you’re talking too, I would never leave anyone behind.”

“Well we’re glad you did! In fact we’re more happy then…um…” Her grey cutie mark glowed again. “…sorry, countryisms for me has been taken away from me when Starlight used her staff against us and Kion lost his voice there.”

“Again?”

“Eeyup.”

“And let me guess what else, Rainbow lost her speed?”

“Eeyup.”

Twilight turned to Fuli. “You lost yours?”

“Eeyup.”

“And Beshte.”

“Eeyup.”

“Pinkie and Bunga lost their bubbly happy self’s?”

“Eeyup.” They likewise replied dully.

“Ono lose his keen sight?”

“Affirmative.” He replied while barely able to look on at what’s in front of him afar.

“And Fluttershy can’t speak to any critters?”

“I’m afraid so, Twilight.”

“Well, no need to worry, everypony, everyone.” She quickly assured not deterred in the slightest. “Like I said before, I have a plan to sort everything out.”

"Of course!" Pinkie Pie jumped taking a wild guess of what that could be. "Eventually the wind and the weather will wear down the walls until they start to crumble! Then all we have to do is wait for a big enough hole to form and we can just walk out! It's the perfect plan!" Her cutie mark glowed once more, causing her enthusiasm to drop, "I guess."

“Anyways…” She continued. “…now that you’re all out of here. Now we can focus on getting your cutie marks back. So that being said, they’ll just let you all out when they think you've accepted their philosophy!"

"But they're never gonna believe we switched over in just one night." Ono stated.

"There's two of you they might believe."

All eyes fell on a specific pony with yellow coat and long pink hair and the only hippo in the Guard with knowing smiles. 

Fluttershy’s eyes widened in realization. "Oh! Me?!"

“Really?” Beshte asked unsure whether she was serious or not.

"Of course! You've been saying how great this place is since we got here!" Kyoga explained.

"But that's because everypony's so nice and their village is so pretty, and, and…" Fluttershy's shoulders dropped and she realized how it makes sense of why she would be chosen for the job. "Oh, you're right. They probably would believe me. I hate to lie to them. They've been so welcoming and friendly... aside from taking away our powers, locking us in here and trying to brainwash us into abandoning the things we believe in and that make us special… Okay. I'll do it."

Pinkie Pie leaped for joy along with Bunga."Woo-hoo!" Their marks glowed again and were both rendered emotionless. "I mean, cool."

“Whatever.”

Now it was Beshte’s turn to wonder why he’s selected to carry out this task. “And what about me? Why me too?”

“Because if you do, then Starlight will see than residents from the Pride Lands will want to join her cause, and what better way of earning her trust more than having the Lion Guard’s Strongest and Kindest companion alongside Fluttershy?”

“Well…” He thought about it. “…I mean didn’t really think badly about them at first and Fluttershy did have a point about how we should probably treat them even after everything that had happened. And from the looks of it, they truly did seem friendly.”

“Exactly my point.” Twilight smiled.

“Pretty good idea…” Ono approved but had this to say. “…expect for one big heavy liner being how are we going to pull this off if we’re all the way out here right now and not in there?!” He yelled and pointed out towards the cottage they’re supposed to be in.

Twilight still was calm in response to this outburst. “Easy.” She said as she worked her horn into creating some magic that had the others smiling and on board with her plan.





By the time morning came around, Starlight eventually opened the door to briefly let the Lion and Pony Guard out. "Oh, good morning! I trust you had a pleasant night? This way, please. There are some friends who'd like to see you." as she walked out the door, the rest of the group smiled hopefully at their two friends. 

Once outside, Starlight addressed to the 'happy' citizens. "Gather round, friends, gather round! We've come to ask if any of you are ready to join us! There are so many friends to be made once you realize you don't need your cutie marks or even the talents and powers you once had as well."

"We have a welcome ceremony for new friends!" Double Diamond cheerfully added. "The whole village joins together to build you your own cottage—"

"Not interested!" Rainbow exclaimed in stubborn refusal. "You may have them now, but we're going to get our cutie marks back!"

Ono flew right beside Rainbow as he spoke to the crowd. “Don't you understand? You can't force anyone to be friends! It doesn't work like that!" Kion nodded in approval with his best choice words in the matter.

"Please, join us!"

"We love new friends!"

They pleaded.

"It's all right, everypony." said Starlight, "This is a perfectly normal part of the equalization process for those who haven't... quite seen the light yet. We'll try again tomorrow once you've had a bit more time to consider our philosophy!"

The friends all made their way back inside, but only Beshte remained outside. He used his side to gently nudge Fluttershy, who then said to the crowd almost immediately, "I'd like to join!"

She quickly covered her mouth, and Beshte stepped forward as well. "So would I."

The ponies all began to happily chatter, knowing they will not have only one, but two new friends today with one of them being fellow Pride Lander a human no less. Starlight Glimmer smiled being very pleased to hear it from them.

“Beshte?!” Bunga exclaimed acting betrayed. “How could you?!"

“Sorry Little B, but they’re offering me a chance to actually let me feel like I belong here.” He said with an apologetic yet firm tone.

“But, but…” Bunga could not stop himself from crying. “…I can’t live without you! Don’t go!”

Ono also kept up the act too. “After all we have been through together, this is the life you choose!”

“If giving up my cutie mark means I get to stay in this lovely village with these lovely ponies, then I'll do it." She firmly said, though smiled awkwardly. The rest of the team smiled to themselves once the door was shut closed.

"We have new friends, everypony!" Starlight said to the happy crowd. The plan was working perfectly. However, Beshte and Fluttershy were not quite free just yet. "Now, there's one more order of business." Starlight said to the town, "It seems some in our midst might be... dissatisfied with the village life!"

The ponies all gasped in confused shock and muttered while Party Favor, Night Glider and Sugar Belle looked at one another with worry knowing exactly what she is talking about. "Unfortunately, it's all too true, my friends!" Starlight then turned to Fluttershy, "Will one of you kindly tell us the names of those friends who so desperately miss their cutie marks that they would sneak around in the shadows talking to strangers about it? Just so we can be sure your intentions are indeed pure."

Inside, Fluttershy gulped nervously while Beshte looked unsure of what to say in response before setting with. "You know to tell you the truth, I’m not quite sure. I couldn’t quite catch their names, I mean you’re Starfire?”

“Starlight Glimmer.” She corrected with a smile but still wasn’t convinced. “And I know for a fact that someone did tell you if the cutie mark vault has been brought up someway somehow.”

Fluttershy began to sweat as she tried to back him up. "But you know he’s not wrong. I mean, sometimes I can't even remember the names of my critter friends back home."

Starlight still was too smart for that. "Nonsense! Obviously these ponies must have asked you directly. Kindly point them out!"

Beshte spotted the three ponies who she and the others had spoken to the day before. Their terrified looks made her feel sympathy for them knowing they’re cornered. He couldn't find it in his heart to tell and see to it that they’ll get in trouble and Fluttershy couldn't either. Luckily for them, one of them decided to take the heat for them.

"It was me!"

The crowd dispersed to reveal Party Favor, who had confessed he was the one who wanted his cutie mark back, especially Sugar Belle and Night Glider since it means he is taking the blame like that. He walked up to their leader and knelled down before her.

"It was only me! But I only wanted it back for a little while!"

Starlight lifted up his chin, making sweat as he is forced to look at her in the eyes. "And you're quite certain it was only you?"

"I just wanted to remember what it was like."

"And no thought to the pain you'd cause your friends. Such selfishness." She said disappointingly before ordering for him to be locked inside the cottage with the others.

"I'm sorry, everypony! I never wanted to leave the village! I love all of—" He was cut off mid-sentence as the door slammed in his face and Sugar Belle and Night Glider looked on with regret and shock.

Sure they understood why he did and how noble and selfless his sacrifice was, but still they didn’t feel any less guilty since it led to Twilight getting kicked out of town and friendly visitors they could see as friends are all locked up inside. 

Party Favor rammed his horn into the door in despair. "What was I thinking?! I can't believe I even considered asking for my cutie mark back." He then felt a gentle paw on his shoulder courtesy of Kion smiling at him to assure him that everything will be all right. Even though he can’t speak his expressions alone are enough for him to get the idea.

"Don't worry." Rainbow Dash said what Kion could have said on behalf of the team. "Fluttershy and Beshte will have us out of here in no time!"

Though Party Favor wasn’t still convinced. “ "Didn't you see what just happened out there?! Your friends have accepted our way! You will all accept our way! It's only a matter of time!" he whimpered before laying down sadly at the corner of the room while Kion continued to keep his spirits up. With his voice gone, all she could do was be there for him.

“This guy sure is a barrel of laughs." Ono said sarcastically.

"Laughs don't come in barrels." Pinkie said flatly in response. "They come from inside you as your body's response to delight."

“Right…” Ono slinked away from the dull mare as far as he can. “…I get it.”

Before anything else, exact duplicates of them appeared right inside the cottage and the real ponies and Pride Landers were all transported back outside to the safe house.

“What the…?” Party Favor was now really confused. “…what’s going on?”

“Shh…” Twilight calmly got him to be quiet. “…It’s all part of the plan.”

“But what about my friends?” He pointed out the obvious. “They’ll know the second they check up on you inside the cottage.”

“Not if they ‘think’ they’re still in there.” Twilight showed him the duplicates inside enduring being locked inside along with Starlight’s voice with the fixed megaphone though Twilight plugged the plug on that immediately. 

“So like copies of yourselves.” Party Favor asked after getting the idea. “But what exactly is going to happen next?”

“Yeah?” Applejack had to agree with him on that. “What are we gonna do while Fluttershy and Beshte are out there lookin' for our cutie marks?"

"We have to stay as positive as we can." Twilight answered. "If Party Favor sees how much we really do like each other, even though we're all different, maybe we can use him to spread our message to the rest of the village."

"Let's hope they don't convert any of us first." Rarity said still hoping that their friends know what they are doing.

Continuing her assurances to the pony that locked them she smiled at him. “Don’t worry. You’re in safer hooves now.”

Party Favor smiled at the compassion she and Kion were showing seeing that they are truly friends they can trust going forward.





Back in town…

"Welcome!"

"Welcome!"

"Welcome!"

The ponies greeted Fluttershy and Beshte as they were walking by as Starlight led the way. 

"Gosh, you really are the nicest ponies I've ever met." Fluttershy said to the smiling ponies.

“No kidding.” Beshte said to agree with her even though that’s not really true as Starlight spoke to them.

"Come. All new friends stay with me until their cottage is completed. I do hope the door’s big enough for you to get through, Beshte."

“I’ll think I’ll be okay.” He said as he is the first to try to get inside. “Come on. No, no, come on, keep pushing.” It took several seconds of squeezing and struggling but he was able to push himself inside with a forced grunt.

“Oh, sorry. Had I been aware that you were going to be here I would have accommodated for wide loads sooner.” She snickered to herself even though it was loud enough for him to hear it and causing him to poke his head back outside so he can frown upon her for saying that.

“Starlight!” Fluttershy having heard that didn’t like it. “That’s very rude of you!”

"Huh?” Starlight turned to see Fluttershy frowning in her direction. “Oops, did I say that out loud. I’m sorry. Where are my manners?"

“Apparently forgotten.” She bluntly remarked back to which surprised the mare seeing that this is the first that somepony actually has the nerve to talk back to her. But none of the less, she still guided them to her home at the center of the village. 

"Anyways, let's get you both settled, and then you can enjoy all that our little village has to offer."

The two spotted both Night Glider and Sugar Belle, smiling and waving at them. Only their smiles were those of concern and worry than happy inside of forced for the sake of Starlight’s demands. They both walked into the house, while Starlight gave one final glance outside, making sure there it stays that way.

Once inside, Beshte looked around the place. So far it was definitely roomy enough for his large size, but nothing useful from first glance. Starlight led the two to their room upstairs, where Beshte spotted a chimney in the ordinary bedroom they are briefly staying in. "Here you are. If you need anything, just ask." She said before closing the door, and without another word.

“Okay Twilight…” Fluttershy said through her hidden earpiece. Said ear-device was big enough to fit her ear but her long pink mane served as the perfect mask to hide it. “…we’re in. So now what?

“Now….” The alicorn’s voice spoke through her communication device. “…I need you to get out without being spotted and keep an eye on Starlight.”

“For how long?”

“Long enough to find and exploit any secrets Starlight is keeping and by that I mean where she’s keeping your cutie marks and what else she’s hiding.”

“Like what?”

“Ever noticed how colorful her coat and mane are?” Fluttershy was now confused. “Like us or not before Starlight took your cutie marks away? Look at her more closely because deep down looks from certain ponies and lions can be deceiving.”

She wasn’t quite sure of how to do it, but she’ll still carry it out regardless. “Okay.”

“Great. And Beshte…”

“Yes, Twilight?”

“Stay and watch the door and make sure Starlight doesn’t come inside in case she comes back.”

“You got it, Twilight.”

“If anything goes wrong, contact me right away. I’ll be there in a flash.”

After saying what needed to be said, Twilight smiled to herself as she looked on and saw that everything was going along accordingly.





Once it was nighttime, Beshte made sure Starlight wasn’t around while Fluttershy got the chance to sneak up the chimney and make her way out without being spotted. After adjusting the mattress to make it look like Fluttershy is sleeping in bed, Beshte moved to rest his legs on the floor so he can make it look like he too is sleeping. 

After getting herself out of the chimney, she coughed and shook the sooth off of her coat. "Okay, Fluttershy. Move around and keep an eye on Starlight. That's all you've gotta do. Just sneak through the dark and find any hidden secrets she up her hooves." She flew her way down trying to keep a sharp ear for her voice without getting caught even though she wished she had Ono with her to guide her through her hidden fears. "Okay, you're doing great. Now I just need to find her and stay out of sight. But where is she?"

"Excellent work, Double Diamond."

She suddenly sprinted up towards the roof to see the unicorn levitating a box of jars as she and her unwitting accomplice walked back inside.

"Of course, but I don't understand why you wanted me to bring them here. Fluttershy and Beshte are one of us now. Surely they can be trusted."

Starlight levitated the jars, which were revealed to contain the Mane Five's cutie marks, and The Lion Guard’s (sans Kyoga’s) marks, "One of these belongs to an alicorn prince. This could be very important to our cause."

"But if Kion becomes our friend, then why do we care about this old cutie mark? And what about Twilight? What if she comes back once she finds out what you have done to them?"

Unbeknownst to them, Beshte managed to slowly tip-toe his way out so he can listen from above.

"I just want to keep them close until everything is... settled. And as for Twilight, let’s just say this provides me reason for her to see things my way. You may go, Double Diamond."

Fluttershy quickly ducked out of sight once he left the house. "Now I know where the cutie marks are."

Beshte suddenly heard Starlight approaching and tried to rush back inside to his room before she could see her. Unfortunately, he’s not light on his feet enough to quickly move fast enough without getting caught. With no other options, he moved to take a small leap of faith back inside the room and just managed to evade being spotted by the unicorn walking by. The force of the leap ended up shaking up Starlight’s ground as she ended up stumbling as a result.

Thankfully, Starlight herself was able to hold onto the jars to keep them from breaking but ended crashing and having water spilled onto her.

"Ow!"

Fluttershy having heard it from outside flew over to Starlight's room, peeking in through the window and managed to spot her undetected as she placed the jars on the table and dried herself off.

"Ugh! Starlight, you clumsy foal!" She berated herself just as Fluttershy managed to catch a glimpse at a startling discovery…

Starlight Glimmer's cutie mark was a fake!

Instead of an equal sign, it was the image of a star with aquamarine swirled around it. She neatly placed makeup over it, hiding it from view and then made another equal symbol over it. 

"Oh, no…"

“Fluttershy…” Twilight’s voice spoke to her from her earphone. “…what did you learn?”

“Something very shocking!”

“Perfect!” Fluttershy was surprised like she is figuring out that she expected her to come across this discovery, but none of the less, didn’t question it for the sake of the plan.





The next morning, Starlight along with the rest of the town ponies all looked on as the real Lion and Pony Guard emerged from the cottage. Thanks to Twilight, they all had sufficient sleep, but they are still bitter from being stripped of their powers and talents.

"I've got a good feeling about today!" She said as Fluttershy and Beshte stood beside her. "So, do any of you have anything you'd like to say?" The ponies and teens remained silent. "Aw, pity. I mean I kinda expected no response from you Kion…” The lion himself scowled in response. “…but still too bad. Well, let's try this again tomorrow, shall we? No new friends today, I'm afraid!"

From atop of the nearby roof where Twilight and Kyoga hid from view, the former nodded at the two to press forward.

"Wait!" Flutteshy spoke up. "I'd like to lock them in."

"Marvelous, Fluttershy! That's the spirit! Party Favor, will you join us, please?"

While Fluttershy led her friends back inside, Party Favor galloped out and hugged Starlight's legs practicing begging for mercy. "I'm sorry, Starlight! I'm sorry, everypony! I've seen the error of my ways! I never want to look at my cutie mark again!" From behind, Kion smiled seeing this.

"It seems there's cause for celebration after all!" Starlight said to the crowd, who cheered happily as Party Favor continued to draw her attention by further ‘apologizing.’

"They tried to break me! They wouldn't stop talking about how different they are, and that somehow makes their friendship stronger!"

"Such backwards thinking." Starlight shook her head in disappointment yet satisfied none of the less.

"But I didn't listen! I knew what they were up to, and I didn't listen!"

"Well done, Party Favor! We welcome you back with open hooves!"

All eyes turned to Fluttershy, who spoke up, "Um, Starlight? I think we might have two more friends joining us today."

The crowd gasped when the both the lion and cheetah stepped forward leading to Starlight smile in satisfaction upon seeing this. 

"Is this true?" She asked with a wary approach.

“Of course.” Fuli spoke, since Kion couldn’t. “But I just want to be sure. If we agree to leave our special marks and powers in the vault, we'll really be happier?"

"Just look around! Equality has given us more happiness than you've ever known!"

"And you wouldn't let me just live here in the village with my old mark?"

"Out of the question. A pony with a different cutie mark in our midst would destroy our entire philosophy. We are all equal here!"

"Then how do you explain this?!" Fluttershy shouted as she tossed a bucket of water and right at Starlight, who just managed to jump right out of the way before getting wet.

"I knew you couldn't be trusted!" she exclaimed angrily while shooting a furious glare at the pony.

However, Party Favor noticed that a single drop of water did manage to land on her flank, revealing something else underneath her equal sign. He took off his cloak and cleaned the makeup right off.

"No! Get away!" She protested in a now futile effort to avoid being exposed. But by then the damage had already been done. Her real cutie mark was now exposed for all eyes to see.  She tried to cover it up with her tail but she was already exposed and her ruse is busted. "Wha… What are you looking at?! They're the problem, not me!"

The Lion and Pony Guard smiled in triumph, the plan had worked perfectly, thanks to Fluttershy telling them the night before what she had uncovered. 

"So it is true!" Party Favor said after dropping his now wet cloak sharing the same equal shock as everyone else even when he was in on the plan.

"You said cutie marks were evil!" Double Diamond said feeling very betrayed. "You said special talents led to pain and heartache!"

"They do! Don't you see?! Look at them!" She exclaimed in a vain effort to take the heat off of herself.

"Then why?" Sugar Belle asked. "Why did you take ours and not give up your own?"

"I…" Starlight's eyes shifted around as she sweated and struggled to explain herself before settling with the truth. "I had to, you fools! How could I collect your cutie marks without my magic?!"

"But the staff has all the magic we need!" Night Glider counter replied.

"The staff is a piece of wood I found in the desert! It's my magic that makes all this possible!"

“Oh, really?” Ono spoke up speaking on behalf of the crowd. “And that justifies the means?” He raises his right wing up as he flies. “Talk to the wing, you hypocrite.”
"You lied to us!" Diamond exclaimed as everyone looks on at her angrily.

"So what? E-Everything else I said is true! The only way to be happy is if we're all equal!"

"Except for you."

Starlight's horn crackled with angry energy, ready for a fight.

“It’s over, Starlight Glimmer.” Fuli spoke what Kion would have said if he could talk. “Now if I were you, I wouldn’t make this worse for yourself.” She said as she got herself in a pouncing position. “Surrender our marks peacefully or else, you’ll have to deal with me!”

Joining her side and no longer feeling fear in the face of her, Sugar Belle stepped forward to stand up to her. “You can't have a cutie mark, Starlight! Either we're all equal, or none of us are!"

Now out of options with the truth completely exposed and has lost everything, she did the only thing she could do when cornered. She quickly worked up her magic and teleported her away out of it before running off.

Double Diamond took the lead, galloping his hooves in the direction of the caves, "Come on! Let's get our cutie marks back!" The town ponies all cheered in agreement and ran off after him to pursue their marks. But while they went off, Fluttershy led the others in the opposite direction towards Starlight's house.

"Come on! Our cutie marks are in there!"

“All right, Kyoga, go help them!” Twilight instructed of her who immediately leaped to regroup with them.

She immediately obeyed. “On it.” But then she briefly stopped to ask. “But what about you?”

“I’m going to buy the Lion and Pony Guard some time and throw Starlight a farewell party.” She answered while moving to catch sight of Starlight’s escape route before teleporting off in her direction.





The ponies already at the caves tried to break the container, holding their cutie marks to no avail. Without the strength their cutie marks provided them they didn’t have the strength to break the glass.

"Stand back, everypony!" Double Diamond commanded of everypony as he came charging forward with the fake Staff of Equality in his mouth. He gave it one good throw at the glass and was successfully able to break it. The vault glowed in a bright light causing all of the cutie marks to glow and fly freely back to the flanks from the ponies that were ripped off of them. Once everypony got their cutie marks back everyone was greatly relieving their former glory having their previous bright colors restored.

Double Diamond felt his cutie mark return, a pair of three snowflakes, and his body glowed. His mane was now baggy and stylish, giving him a more sporty, athletic and handsome.

Sugar Belle's coat became bright pink, her mane’s curly and bright with green beads when her cupcake cutie mark was restored.

Night Glider's coat became shinier much like the other ponies, her mane was swept back giving her a more energy-filled appearance when her cutie mark consisting of a crescent moon with feathers returned.

When Party Favor regained his cutie mark consisting of a balloon animal with streamers, his mane and tail were now curly and bright blue to match his now bright coat.

No pony could ever tell anyone of how great it is to regain what they once lost which spread out of the cave when they all emerged happily along with the following cutie marks sparkling and swirling across the sky on their way back to their rightful owners.

"Even without my cutie mark, I can tell this is beautiful!" Rarity said, marveling at the stunning sight.

“Me too!” Ono agreed before refocusing with what they need to.

From her room, Starlight snarled as more ponies regained their cutie marks. Everything, her ideal lifestyle, utopia, philosophy, all came to ruins once the Lion and Pony Guard came into town and crossed paths with her.

"They think they can come to my village and disrupt my life?" She said to herself as she levitated the jars with the Mane Six's cutie marks and the Lion Guard’s talents and levitated her bed away before making her escape through a secret passageway and then made her way down the stairs. "Let's see how they like spending the rest of their lives without their precious cutie marks and powers!"

Applejack and Rarity grunted as struggled to try to break down the door, due to their lack of cutie marks draining their physical strength. Even Beshte couldn't do much without his super strength. A whistle was heard and Night Glider flew upwards, aiming at the door right when Kyoga came charging too.

"Stand back, everypony!" Kyoga working her magic managed to charge a powerful blast right at the door right when Night Glider speed her way down. The two working together managed to destroy the door with ease. 

"Wow! That was awesome!" The Pegasus said.

"I think it's wonderful too!" Sugar Belle agreed before everyone searched the house for their former leader.

“No!” Beshte exclaimed upon seeing the empty table. “They’re gone!”

"They were right over there!" Fluttershy added as the realization kicked when the honey badger came to the same conclusion.

"Look!" Bunga pointed to the not so secret passageway as everyone ran inside.

They reached the other end of the tunnel where they managed to spot Starlight galloping away with a wagon on her back, with the jars of the Lion and Pony’s Guards marks in tow, down the path that lead to the snowy mountains up ahead.

Party Favor took out a balloon, using his skills to make them into a pair of binoculars and spotted Starlight making her escape. "She's headed for the pass! If she makes it into those mountains, we'll never find her!"

Pinkie Pie took the balloon binoculars so she can take a look herself. "These are amazing!"

"There's a whole network of caves up there!" Sugar Belle told the crew. "Your cutie marks will be gone forever!"

Applejack galloped, "Then let's get moving, y'all!"

Party Favor, Double Diamond, Sugar Belle and Night Glider all went ahead, while the Lion and Pony Guard were lagging behind due to their lack of cutie marks. Even Rainbow Dash couldn’t go faster than the slow pace as her friends.

"Oh, come on!" She exclaimed in frustration with this restriction of a handicap.





Starlight made her way around the mountain until she spotted Night Glider catch up to her in flight. "Are you all so willing to give up everything because of these strangers?!"

She shot a magic beam from her horn, causing the snow from a ledge to fall and land on Night Glider. Much to her dismay she quickly blew the snow away and quickly caught up with her along with the rest of her friends.

"We gave up everything for you!" Sugar Belle retorted in their defense. "Because we thought you were our friend!"

"I am your friend!" Starlight lividly fired back.

"Real friends don't force others to be what they want them to be!" Sugar Belle counter-responded. "Twilight was right about you all along!"

Starlight growled back even more furious at the very mention of her. "Err! Even so I still run that despicable pony long gone from here. She is not coming to help them!"

Suddenly, said pony appeared right in front of her, appearing right in front of her next escape cave with her wings spread out. “Wanna bet of that?”

“WHAT?!” She shrieked as she suddenly finds herself cornered by the four ponies.

At the same time, the rest of the team were slow behind but were still able to climb up the mountain. 

"I can't believe we have to count on these other ponies to save our powers!"  Rainbow Dash complained.

"But if we hadn't come here to help them, they'd still be living under her rules!" Kyoga gently pointed out. "Think of this as an opportunity to help us!"

"And I know they can do it!" Fluttershy said with confidence.

“Me too!” Beshte agreed whole-heartedly.

In an attempt, to get herself out of the corner, she attempted the same trick again, only this time she made sure to give Twilight a good  magical blind-fold to disorient her and created a small wave of magic to force everyone back.

Starlight managed to get some breathing room once more as Twilight struggled to remove the magical bind blinding her eyes, but it didn’t last for long when Sugar Belle used her magic to create a pie out of the snow and hurled it at the unicorn.

"My newest recipe – snow pie!"

The impact hit the wagon, causing it’s handles to break and the wagon itself to flip over, the jars to fly off, and Starlight to trip. The jars were nearly crashed until Starlight swiftly levitated back up in time. Once she reached the other side of the bridge she just crossed, she zapped her magic at it, causing it to collapse.

To counter this disadvantage, Party Favor blew on his balloons and quickly managed to create a long and sturdy balloon bridge, for which Night Glider bended down to the other side and allowed them all to safely cross the ravine. By then, Twilight finally removed the bind and managed to sprint away from her current floating spot in flight.

Once they reached the other side, Double Diamond screeched to a halt when he suddenly recognized something that belongs to him. "Whoa! These are my old skis!" He brought the long abandoned items close to heart, along with his old scarf and helmet, "This is where I first met Starlight!"

"Maybe you can reminisce another time!" Night Glider strongly advised when Twilight managed to catch up to them. "She's almost to the caves!"

Double Diamond smiled when got an idea popping up. "Feel like an air drop?"

Twilight smiled when she got the idea he is thinking of. “Ready when you are!”

So far, Starlight was nearing the finish line. Just a little further and she will have made her escape with her constellation prizes. 

“Almost there. You’re marks are mine forever!”

“Guess again, Starlight!” Came Twilight’s voice from behind.

Starlight caught attention to this and not only that she also saw Night Glider carrying Double Diamond, who was now wearing his skis, helmet, goggles and scarf.

Night Glider dropped Double Diamond and she slid down the slope, causing the snow to land all over Starlight right before she was able to reach the caves. And for added measure, Twilight flew down to flip over and land a strong kick from her back hooves to slam her back first on the ground.

The impact was enough for her to finally lose her control over the jars, and they all shattered once they hit the ground. The cutie marks and powers freely flew off to find their rightful owners now that they are no longer under Starlight’s control.

Kion was the first to spot the shimmering marks up ahead and coming right in his direction. The two marks that he previously lost one of the roaring lion and the fiery one landed on his cheek and shoulders. When that happened he felt his previous strength and powers return. After feeling the surge of magic flow through his body, he flew up happily along hearing the sound of his voice again.

“1, 2, 3, is it true. Yes it is, I can talk again!”

The rest of the cutie marks reached the ponies, feeling both their magic, talents and special abilities return. 

Fuli felt energized once more as she performed multiple circles around the gang along with sporting a new cutie mark herself from the surge of magic she felt on her body. A yellow and black colored lightning bolt accompanied with a cheetah in a racing position at the starting line.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Cruz Ramirez is in the building!”

“But you’re not in the building, you’re on a mountain!” Bunga corrected as he flexed his muscles showing off his blue Mark of the Guard and new cutie mark consisting of a honey badger diving straight towards a high dive towards the body of water from a high cliff. “And that’s not all!”

“Yes, Bunga, you’re brave in the face of danger.” Fuli said pretty impressed and amused this time around.

As Applejack got her cutie mark back she bucked her back legs happily. "Yee-haw! Finally, I can buck like a five-bit snake herder in an Appleloosa ranch house again!"

"And you got your countryisms back, too!" Ono commented as he admired his new cutie mark on his right wing. A sharp and narrowed orange and black colored eye looking on for any signs of danger close by and afar. “And I can spot trouble a mile away.”

“Up ahead or are you just saying that for the sake of the moment?” Beshte asked confused even with his previous strength properly returned along with sporting a new cutie mark himself. A couple bars of metal iron usually found at a construction site with Beshte’s image himself standing under them.

“Up ahead, look!” Ono alerted everyone as he spotted troubled ahead.

"Then we better get on over there. Let's go!" Kion shouted while leading the team on over them and happy to hear his voice again.

Just after succeeding, the four ponies are now faced with Starlight Glimmer emerging from the snow now increasingly furious than before. The ponies backed away in fear just as she prepared to destroy them. Her horn with sky blue magic glowed brighter and hotter than ever before, and her eyes looked on with murderous rage as she aimed a very strong beam right at them.

Before the beam could hit them, a large powerful magenta force field appeared, protecting the ponies from Starlight's wrath courtesy of Twilight Sparkle using her magic to stop her.

"Wh– I studied that spell for years! How can you—"

"I studied magic for years too!" Twilight began, "But what I didn't know then was that studying could only take me so far." she smiled as the rest of her friends arrived, "Each of my friends has taught me something different about myself! It was their unique gifts and passions and personalities that helped bring out the magic inside of me! I never would have learned that I represent the element of magic without any of them!"

Kion having arrived on the scene had some words to share too. "And I never would have learned that I was the Lion destined to help keep the peace and unity amongst the Pride Lands and the team if it wasn’t for the power of magic." Starlight scoffed in response. "Starlight, I get what you were trying to do. You wanted to create a place where nopony would feel different and inferior to each other. You were right about that said differences can create rifts amongst each other, but that's without looking at the things thoroughly. They can also help you grow and become a better friend. Scar himself tried to change the world with lies and deception, but it's only with the truth from the eye of the beholder that we can make the world better."

Starlight still wasn’t having any of it. "Spare me your sentimental nonsense! I may have lied like him but I still gave these ponies real friendships they never could've had otherwise!"

"How do you know that?!" Double Diamond retorted in response as he removed his helmet and tossed it aside. "You never even gave us a chance!"

“Well…” Starlight said ominously. “…if I ever see him then I make sure to give him your regards.” With a blinding flash of magic, she disappeared into the caves.

"She's getting away!" Ono exclaimed as she disappeared inside the cave’s darkness,

"We'll never find her in there!" Diamond added.

“No, she’s not because I’m not finished yet!” Twilight stated in an icy tone as she spread her wings and sprinted after her much to the surprise of her friends.

Inside the dark caves, Starlight heard a surge of magic fly right by her. Before she knew it the cave was illuminated with a bright magenta light and she is now cut off and finding herself face to face with Twilight a dark purple burning mane and tail in flames.

“This time, I have a message for you!” She stated calmly yet coldly as she looks on with glowing white eyes directed at her frighten foe as she tries to muster her magic to counter whatever she aimed right at her. The attack sent her opponent tumbling backwards and grunting in pain as she landed on her back.

Starlight attempted to shoot another beam at her right at away, but Twilight was quick to catch and redirect back right at her. The impact created an explosion that pushed her even further back.

After that followed an even more painful experience as Twilight used her telekinesis spell to en-wrap the unicorn under her grasp before slamming her all across the cave walls. First, she was slammed back down onto the ground, and then she was thrown back across the caves.

As this was playing out, Kion was able to use his horn as a flashlight so everyone can see what exactly is playing out inside including the part where the alicorn is continuing to toss Starlight around like a rag doll from being slammed up into the ceiling, back down to the ground. Her final attack consisting of a fiery lion appearing and roaring and pouncing right at her which created a large explosion to which Kion had to create a force field to protect everyone from the debris that flew outside.

When the dust settled and the smoke cleared up, Starlight was left groaning in defeat in the middle of the scorched area of the cave when Twilight landed on top of her. When she did she placed her horn over her horn which created a bright glow that can be seen from outside.

Upon recovering and getting up to her hooves she found herself face to face with the alicorn who surrounded her magic around her body with one last thing to say to ensure that she doesn’t even think about crossing paths with her and challenging her again.

“Never come back!” She softly yet growled in her face.

Starlight trembled and responded with a submissive nod before running away with Twilight watching on and letting her go this time after being freed.

When Twilight walked out and emerged into the light from the entrance where the others were waiting, she shook off the flames all over her body before being questioned by Kion while shaking his stunned astonishment over her battle with the former village leader. 

"Where's Starlight? What happened?"

"She escaped.”

“You let her go!”

“Yes. But she got my message and will think twice from showing her face around us again."

“You sure showed her.” Bunga excitedly chimed in with her thoughts while rushing over to high-five her. “That was Un-Bunga-veilable!”

"It sure was.” Sugar Belle smiled as she agreed but then asked. “But what will we do now?"

"We just have to hope that when she's had a chance to think it over, she realizes that you all have taught her something."

Party Favor approached the prince and princess, with sincere gratitude, "It's you who have taught us something. We all came to this village because we were searching for something missing from our lives." He walked backed over to his new friends, "We thought Starlight had given it to us, but now... now it seems it was in front of us all along. It's us!" The four ponies embraced in a warm and real hug now having a better understanding of friendship more than before. 

"So does that mean you'll stay in the village?" Kion asked with a smile.

"It's our home." Night Glider said as she placed her hooves on her hips, "I'm not going anywhere."

"This is a chance for all of us to get to know each other again for the very first time!" Double Diamond happily added.

"And I finally have a chance to bake something besides terrible muffins!" Sugar Belle equally happily also added.

With Starlight gone, it meant a new beginning for every pony that has just regained their true talents and cutie marks to fully enjoy themselves and live up to their true potential. Though Twilight’s smile faded as she prepared to fly away for good seeing this to be the only time she’ll ever be around. Seeing this had her know that there is more to be said in order to fully patch things up with her. “That being said…” She then said sounding very apologetic now towards Twilight who stopped just before she could fly off. “…we owe you an apology on behalf of everypony at the village for what happened earlier.” 

“For what?” She looked confused as she turned back to face her.

“For driving you and Kyoga out of town after learning of your past actions and not seeing you as a redeemed pony at heart.” She explained.

Twilight found it in her heart to put past grievances aside. “You don’t need to apologize for what I did. If anything I should be apologizing to you that you all had to hear and learn of what I did in the past. From hiding skeletons in the closet along with working with someone who nearly destroyed both worlds.” She said with a tone of regret and shame. “I wouldn’t blame you for not wanting me around after learning the truth.”

“True.” Double Diamond reluctantly agreed before speaking with an upbeat smile. “But you still came back to help us regain our cutie marks and you even defeated Scar and reclaimed the Pride Lands.”

“Huh? I didn’t tell you that.” She turned to the others trying to understand where that came from.

“We did.” Fuli spoke on behalf of the team. “Back when we were resting up with Party Favor back outside of town.”

“You did?”

“Of course.” She nodded. “We figured that if you were going to be the Princess of Friendship then it should be expanded more with all of these ponies we helped out today.”

Twilight turned back to the three feeling very touched. “You really mean it? Friends?”

“Of course.”

“Friends.”

“No matter what.”

“Through and through.”

The four brought her in for a group hug with the rest of the crew joining in.

“That being said...” Party Favor spoke up while placing both of his front hooves on Twilight’s right hoof. “…it would mean a lot if you joined us for the party we are now going to have.”

Twilight looked unsure until Night Glider flew over with a smile to tempt her into giving in. “Come on Twilight, have you ever learned what it’s like to have fun at a party? You know you want to!”

She looked on still trying to decide whether or not to stay…





Back in the village, a celebration was held at the village, where it was filled with brighter and more colorful buildings and decorations. With both Kion and Twilight’s help in conjuring their magic was used to restore beauty to the homes of the ponies.

Sugar Belle made delicious and beautifully decorated treats for her friends while Double Diamond was playing ball with some of the other ponies.

"Now those are real smiles." said Pinkie Pie, feeling truly happy for the villagers.

“They sure are.” Bunga agreed just when he felt something on both of his arms. “Huh?” His cutie mark and Mark of the Guard were both glowing, and so were from the others.

“Poa!”

“Interesting!”

Both Beshte and Fuli commented finding it fascinating.

“I’ll never get used to that."

“Me neither.”

Applejack and Ono both would come to find it really odd.

"I think it's divine.” Rarity said as she admired the sight of her glowing cutie mark.

"Does that mean that the map is calling us somewhere else?" Fluttershy asked once the shimmering ended.

Twilight smiled in response knowing what this means. "I have a feeling it means our work here is done."

"Looks like you were right, Twilight." Kion said. "The map did have a reason for sending us here. We brought real friendship to these ponies. Guess that's why you're the Princesses of Friendship." He said with a wink.

Twilight while still smiled still had this to say in response. “But the map didn't send me and you, even being the Prince of Friendship. It sent us. You're a part of me, all of you. And there's no doubt you're a part of our mission to spread friendship too." The Lion and Pony Guard gathered together and embraced in yet another heartwarming hug.

"This feels like an ending!" Pinkie Pie noted once they broke apart from their hug. "It doesn't have to be an ending yet, right? 'Cause that Sugar Belle can bake!"

"I think we can stay a little while longer." Twilight agreed before finding herself faced with Bunga encouraging her to say more than that. “I mean of course we can! Come on!"

The friends all headed out to enjoy their festivities with their new friends. But just before Twilight could indulge in what the celebration has to offer. Kion placed a hoof on her for a quick word.

“Twilight.”

“Yes, Kion? Everything okay?”

“Yes, it’s just…” He wasn’t sure of how to approach this before settling with. “…I couldn’t help but feel that deep down you knew all of this would happen.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean considering of how when you can back to save us, you could have ended the whole thing by going straight to the cave and retrieved them when you had the chance.”

Twilight sighed knowing that he is figured everything out. “Because I wanted to expose Starlight Glimmer as the fraud she really was. When I saw her coat was much like ours and not like the other ponies in this village I knew that she truly didn’t give up her cutie mark and magic.”

“Then why didn’t you tell us earlier?”

“I wanted too, but I couldn’t since everypony under Starlight’s orders were watching our every move. If I did then we all might not be here right now. Starlight would have gotten away and we never would have regained our cutie marks like the other ponies.”

“I suppose I do see your point…” Kion came to understand why she did what she did but still had this to say. “…but do you think the next time you’ve got a complicated plan to play you could at least tell us? So that way we can be sure things can go on the way you intended. I’m just saying things could have gone down a whole lot differently.”

“It could have, and I’ll try.” She replied acknowledging his point in return but remained still stood by her initial stance since things still did play out the way she intended it go.

“Thanks.”

“Come on!” Twilight ran off ahead ready to join in on the fun. “Let’s celeberate!”

“Wait for me!” Kion raced after her as the two laughed happily and prepared to have some fun together.





While this was happening, Starlight had just emerged from the caves from the opposite side of the mountains still fuming and frightened out of her mind over what had just happened. She ended up outplayed by Twilight, she was outed as a fraud, she lost control over the village and the cutie marks, and she had lost every ounce of respect she once had from everyone of those ponies. She moved to brush and tidy her mane just when she heard a deep voiced figure drawing in her direction.

“Well done, Starlight Glimmer…” Scar’s voice spoke to her as he approached her with Zira, Chrysalis, and the remaining outsiders and changelings appearing behind him. “…just like we always planned.”

“You!” She furiously glared at him before marching over to him. “You said that if I captured the Lion and Pony Guard then I would have the perfect village. Now look at what really happened. My life is a disaster now thanks to you!”

“Yes…” Scar acknowledged. “…too bad Twilight was able to outsmart you there.”

Starlight failed to see where he is getting at. “Too bad! Too bad! I lose everything I had because of her and you mean to tell me that everything is going to be all right?! After you told me to run her out of town when I could have captured her along with the others instead and told that insufferable pony to shut up the second she started going off about “friendship” and “rainbows”?!” She angrily ranted while mockingly saying those two words with the utmost disgusted tone she could muster.

“Of course.” He calmly replied as he casually moved the flaring unicorn’s horn out of his face so he can further explain himself while pulling out visuals of what played out in the past. “By getting you to do all of that instead of capturing her, served purpose for my new plan against her in addition, you helped us all escape from Tartarus so we can prepare ourselves to fight for another day.”

“But won’t Twilight find out that you’ve escaped sooner or later? I’m definitely sure they’ll be on full alert and enacting a full-on lion hunt for you when the truth comes out.”

“She will sooner or later.” He acknowledged but remained confidence things will play out the way he intended to. “But thanks to her, it’ll be much time before they find out what has really happened back there. I’m sure of it.” He smirked to himself as he recalls the exact duplicates he left behind in his allies place back in Tartarus.

“So what now, Scar?” Ushari asked. “Do we head back to the Pride Lands now that we’re out of jail?”

“You will.” He answered. “But I’m not.”

“Huh? Why not?”

“Because even with the combined powers of the prisoners in Tartarus, I’m still not back up to full power. It took everything I had just to get us out of there.” He calmly explained to avoid discouraging one of his most faithful followers. “In order for us to actually have a winning chance like before, we’re going to need outside help and I have an idea of where to go to in order to get the help we need.” He said as he looked on to the horizon towards where the Equestrian borders lie before turning back to give instructions for his followers before departing Equestria for now. “In order to ensure for everyone in Equestria and the Pride Lands is unaware until it’s too late of my eventual return, we’re going need to keep up this ongoing war I’ve started. So Ushari you will take the skinks back to the Pride Lands and lay low for the time being. Recruit new followers to our cause keep waging attacks and seek out opportunities to take down the Lion and Pony Guard, all of the above as long as we keep the element of surprise on our side.”

“Of course.” Ushari accepted this task with a bow.

“As for you Starlight…” He turned to the unicorn still looking on unsure considering of how she was played too in his plot to escape from prison. “…the fate of Equestria and Pride Lands lies in your hooves. Our followers will look to you now.”

“What?” Starlight was very surprised hear of what she is being bestowed. “You don’t mean…?”

“Yes, Starlight.” He confirmed with a nod. “The Army of Scar is under your command. You’re in charge and will continue my crusade of conquering both the Pride Lands and Equestria during my absence.”

“And why do you think I’m the pony for the job?”

“Because you and I both share one common enemy together, one I’m sure you agree with me one since said pony defeated us and removed us from power we were once rightly bestowed. Together we share one common goal in life. Revenge.” He explained while walking circles around the curious pony who is now intrigued and listening more intently the more she listens to him. “The one thing in life that drives our ambition to succeed, the drive to get back in power, the drive to actually emerge out on top with the pleasure of taking down those who had once wronged you before.” Sensing that she is seemingly agreeing to his words he added. “The drive to prove yourself as the pony you are meant to be.”

After some much needed consideration she made her answer and commitment. “All right!” She agreed much to Scar’s satisfaction. “I’ll do! For taking down Twilight Sparkle!”

Scar placed a paw on her shoulder in response so he can complement her for making the right choice. “Excellent choice, Starlight! I know I can count on you!” He then handed her a ball of black, purple, and green dark magic for her to carry with her. “Here! This is for when you need to contact me in private, in addition it’ll allow me to contact the other Outsiders in the Outlands. Somewhere where no one would ever dare to think to look.”

“Where?”

Scar smirked as a fiery spiritual image of himself appeared looked down upon Starlight and Ushari down below from the very center pit inside the Outlands Volcano.





“Oh I see.”

“Yes…” He sinisterly said as he voice echoed across inside the caldera. “I am Scar.” He deviously smirked once more along with both Starlight and Ushari knowing that this is a new beginning for them.  Another opportunity of revenge.