//------------------------------// // Episode 21: Queen of Thieves Part Two // Story: The Pony Guard (Season 5) // by MXCDarkHorse2020 //------------------------------// Episode 21: Queen of Thieves Part Two Said mare happens to be none other than Sunset Shimmer who just happened to appear with a saddle-bag in tow but judging from the way she was looking she wasn’t looking very happy. She came in on all fours with streaming tears still plastered and falling from her face. Something had happened to her that made her come here for a change because otherwise she would be quick to find and tell Twilight about her visiting. Interestingly, said mare swinging by to visit to gather her belongings she needs for her long journey just happened to hear the sounds of sniffling and crying from outside of the castle library. Her eyes widen in shock and surprise when she hears someone is in here without her foreknowledge and permission before quietly tiptoeing her way up to the room in question. Spike having appeared on the opposite door with Rainbow Dash appearing alongside her ready to pounce on the intruder on her signal only for Twilight to raise a hoof to stop them while shaking her head against it. “Listen…” She gestures their attention to the sounds of sobbing inside. “Wait! I think know that voice!” Spike realized. “Me too!” Rainbow also realized. “Sounds a lot like that same pony who snuck in the castle back at that Crystal Empire Summit!” “That’s because it is…” Twilight said as she slipped inside, creaked open the door and turned on the lights inside the room to spot just the pony in question is sitting back on the couch with a hoof buried face still crying. “Sunset Shimmer!” Sunset gasped as the lights turned on as she stammered to her hooves while quickly wiping away the tears in a vain effort to mask the recent heartache she was just showing. “Twilight! Whoa!” She ended up tripping and falling backwards off of the couch before recollecting herself again. “Wow! What a wonderful surprise! I actually wasn’t expecting to see you today! I just came to get some things I might for a while. Just personal items, nothing big. So anyways…” She moved to awkwardly walk back towards the portal before the sound of her friend’s voices spoke up to stop her on the spot. “Sunset…” Spike said. “…are you okay?” “Yeah I’m fine.” Spike wasn’t convinced. “Because you sounded like you were crying about really bad happening to you and you don’t sound like you want to go back.” He points out to the fact she barely moved an inch back on in the portal’s direction. Giving up, she admits defeat before responding with a heavy sigh. “That’s because I was and really don’t want to go back.” “Why?” Twilight asked. “Did something happen in Canterlot High?” “Yes…” She honestly replied before moving to sit back in the couch so she can sit down and talk about. “…hope you got coffee because it is a really long and complicated story.” “We got hot chocolate and apple cider.” Twilight offered. “In fact I think I still have Pinkie’s special pancake recipe so we can have breakfast while we talk.” “Great idea, Twilight!” Rainbow quickly approved of the idea. “It doesn’t have a happy ending.” Sunset warned the trio. None of the less they still were more than willing to hear her out. “Well whatever it is I’m sure a Pinkie Pie surprise breakfast won’t make it any worse.” Rainbow commented before flying off ahead with Twilight pursing her as they race to get what they need. “Even if it happens to be a Midnight special.” Sunset turned her eyes to the clock and saw that it is indeed 12:00 AM on the nose before the big hand ticked a minute. “Okay, technically it is right after midnight but you get the idea.” Sunset nodded in agreement getting the idea too, but still looked aside feeling downhearted especially when Pinkie’s name got mentioned like she is looking very betrayed by her. After a good hour, breakfast was all set up and ready for everyone to dig in. All four really got to enjoy the pancakes. Twilight was there to fully enjoy the experience she didn’t give herself time to rest up for through her efforts to stay away from the castle that she saw as a replacement home for her destroyed library. Spike was able to sit down and enjoy the meal without having it to go. Rainbow Dash well aside from the first stack he was also more focused on downing a six-pack of apple cider. “Ahh…” She gasped in delight after downing the second bottle. “…and now for number three…” “Rainbow Dash!” Twilight’s voice called out to her with a stern frown along with levitating the other four sealed bottles away from her. “No more! You’re the designated flyer remember!” “Oh, right!” She wisely refrained from fighting for the right to drink those other four bottles since they do have a mission to be full alert and mentally ready for. At the same tine Sunset, who enjoyed her serving of the pancakes, couldn’t help but still not feel like something worth getting all excited for seconds however. Especially when it reminded her of her source of pain. After finishing it the healing smile she sported faded as she put the plate aside while sliding it away from her. “So how about you, Sunset? Enjoy those pancakes?” Spike asked with his mouth still full with the sugary sweets. “Yeah.” She just said with her mind not focused on breakfast anymore. Twilight seeing her despondent expression is all too familiar with it as she presses on with inquiry. “Expect, somehow this reminds you of the Pinkie Pie back home?” “Part of it, yes.” “Oh Sunset…I’m sorry. I should have asked what you wanted to eat.” Twilight apologized. “No, no Twilight…” Sunset quickly shook her head against thinking it was the breakfast itself. “…it’s not the breakfast. It’s very delicious, it’s just Pinkie is part of the problem I now have.” “What’s the major part?” Spike asked as Rainbow is curiously all ears of whatever her human counterpart did to her. Sunset cringed as she moved to start explaining the story of how it all came to this. “It all began a week ago when my school was just starting to celebrate Christmas or what you would all call here Hearth’s Warming.” She began as she recalled walking to school with Applejack as the other students made their way inside. “Given that I had spent every day up until encountering you for the first time, coming to celebrate the holidays is actually a first for me. Even before I came to Canterlot High I wasn’t very close to my family. And the first few years here…well…I wasn’t close to anyone. I mean couldn’t blame anyone for not wanting to hang out with me. I did sabotage friendships and manipulate people after all along with the ponies in the year leading up to my departure as Princess Celestia’s prized pupil.” “So you were alone on the holidays…?” Spike asked shocked on par with Applejack. “…for all that time?” Rainbow finished equally shocked with her jaw practically dropped to match her expression. “Yep.” “Oh my Celestia!” “That’s, that’s…” “…Awful!” “Yep. Anyways…” She recalled when saying what she said to Applejack word for word before hugging her to assure her it’s all in the past now. “…after telling Applejack, she along with the other girls arranged for us to have sleepovers together in the nights leading up to Christmas so I feel more like their family.” She recalled the first sleepover where Rainbow introduced Fluttershy to video games while Rarity braided Sunset’s hair before painting Applejack’s nails while Pinkie happily munched on pizza she ordered with her sister bringing it over for her. “Yeah I do remember you talking about it the other day…” Twilight smiled as she levitated Celestia’s journal with her magic. “At first much like the sleepover we had during the whole Battle of the Bands it was wonderful and relaxing, but little did any of us know that someone has been leaking personal secrets of ours while our backs were turned.” “Hey Piggy Wiggly!” One of the students called out to Applejack much to her shock since it was a nickname no one outside of her inner circle was supposed to know. She looked around the crowd of murmuring students as they all walked inside the building trying to spot out who called her that. “Did some just…” “Sis, sis…” Her little sister rushed over to her. “You gotta see this!” She shows her the My Stable app on her phone that features a post by the appropriately named Anon-a-Miss. “Did you guys know when AJ was a kid she loved playing with her pigs? OMG! She sat in the mud for hours! Her whole family calls her “Piggy Wiggly” cause she loves them so much! What a PIG!” “WHAT?!” “It got posted a couple hours ago!” “What th…?! How the?!” “Who’s this Anon-a-Miss?” Sunset wondered as she and Pinkie moved to take a look at the name of the user who posted that. “Her profile was created the same time as the posts…no clue who she is!” Apple Bloom explained. “She posted on your page, my page, all of you guy’s pages…the whole school probably knows it by now!” And truer to her concerns more students teased Applejack as they walked by. “Piggy Wiggly.” “Piggy Wiggly.” “Oink Oink.” “Geez! That’s worse than what our Applejack went through when something similar happened here in Ponyville!” Rainbow commented with pity and disgust. “No kidding!” Spike agreed. “Believe me when I tell you it gets worse from there…” Sunset told them before continuing her story. “…the following night we had another sleepover this time at Rarity’s house where we decided to have a party. A musical dance party.” “Hey! Hey Everybody! We got something to say! We! May! Be as different! As the night of the day!” Pinkie, Rainbow, and Fluttershy sang while the other girls watched from the side of the room. “Are you recording them?” Rarity asked Sunset who is holding out her phone and doing just that. “I want to capture the memories!” She defended. “STAGE DIVE!” Pinkie cried out as she leaped to do just that from Rarity’s bed. “EEP!” “Oh goodness!” She winds up crashing into a wooden closet door and ended up busting a hole in it. “I guess that works better when there’s a stage.” The pink girl said rather sheepishly. Fluttershy was the first to agree. “I think this is the sixth door you’ve broken by dancing, Pinkie.” “Nope! twelfth!” Sunset corrected as she moved to help her friend up who is now wearing some of Rarity’s closet clothes. “Rarity, what are all these clothes?” She asked. “Oh, this is just my closet of shame.” Rarity explained while gathering up the clothes that emerged from it. “It’s where I put the outfits I make or buy that turnout to look horrible. I clean it out and donate everything to a clothing drive occasionally. I should probably do so again…” She looks in rather embarrassed of how her growing stock-pile has built up since the last donation she made. “What are you talking about?” Pinkie asked as if she is talking crazy talk while wearing a blue tuxedo complete with a pink bowtie and a blue top hat. “This stuff is great! It’s the perfect material for outrageous selfies!” She added while pulling Rarity in for one. “Chesse!” “Well…” Rarity reluctantly came to allow it. “…feel free to try them on, I suppose.” The group proceeded to try them out and much to Rarity’s surprise they liked the outfits they wore even if they looked a little ridiculous while doing so. They proceeded to take selfies of themselves in the many outfits contained inside that closet. Both Rainbow and Spike were left stifling giggles as Sunset showed them the cellphone of said selfies before they busted out laughing to the point they cried with how funny they all looked. “Oh my goodness! These are so awesome!” “I know!” She spots a photo of her wearing a black and red vampire costume. “Oh! I think I just found my next Nightmare Night costume! That is assuming Rarity is willing to make it for me.” They both stopped when Twilight gave them the death glare. “Anyways…” “…please continue.” Sunset proceeded to do so as she turned to Twilight. “By the end of the night, I was already closer than ever with them. I never felt so loved, so accepted, than, well…ever! I felt like I finally have a family again. And that wouldn’t have happened without you to help and support me, otherwise, I’d…well…you’d know what I would be.” Her warm smile faded into a sad frown. “What happened?” “That’s where it all happened. The messy part that drove me away from there…” She recalled later that week when she finds herself greeting the Mane Five in the locker rooms at school. “Hey girls!” She happily greeted before seeing they are all looking on at her rather hurt and angry at her. “What’s going…on?” After a tense moment of silence Applejack was the first to break it. “Sunset. Did you…have you lost your phone recently?” “Um…” She pulls out said phone on hand. “…no? It’s right here. Why?” “Then you need to explain this!” Applejack angrily held out her phone which showed her the various phones of their selfies from their third slumber party. Said series of photos is accompanied with Anon-a-Miss having this to say. “OMG…what a bunch of dorks! Hahaha!” “What?!” Sunset got ahold of the phone as the sudden shock is settling in. “How did she get our pictures?” “They’re not our pictures Sunset…” Applejack replied. “They’re your’s!” Rainbow finished heatedly and equally angrily. “All those pictures were taken by you!” Applejack stated while crossingher arms along with Pinkie. Sunset could not believe what she is seeing and hearing. “Wait, but…I’ve had my phone all this time! How did she…” Applejack after snatching back her phone didn’t give her the benefit of the doubt. “Yeah, how did she?” She quickly got in Sunset’s face. “How did she get my nickname?! How did she get the pictures from your phone?!” She then quickly jumped to conclusions by pointing a finger in Sunset’s chest. “It was you all along! You’re Anon-a-Miss!” “We trusted you, Sunset!” Rainbow scowled in disappointment. “We thought you were our friend!” “How could you do this?” Rarity sadly asked with betrayed eyes that are about to cry. “After all we’ve been through together?” “No wait, you guys…” Sunset pleaded while desperately asserting her innocence while on the verge of tears too. “I didn’t do this! I could never hurt any of you!” “But you did!” Pinkie quickly said accusingly with a finger in her face. “You must’ve just been pretending to be our friend, when all along you were just after our secrets! You…you secret stealer!” “No! No! I don’t know how she got this stuff, but it…it wasn’t me! I’m not this person!” Fluttershy who’s been doing nothing but looking aside and not casting Sunset the angry eyes marches up to her and gave a tearfully and angrily rebuke in response. “No, you’re not! You’re not the person we thought you were! You’re not our friend!” Hearing those words left Sunset tearing up. “No, I…I am. I promise.” She once more tried to insist that the bond they’ve established up to this point is honestly and truly sincere. But none of them we’re buying the truth before their eyes. “This is it Sunset. You’re not going to take advantage of us anymore!” Applejack stated with absolute refusal to hear her out much to her tearful dismay. “I’m sorry, but you did this to us. Tell whatever secrets you want. But we don’t have to listen..” With that she led the other girls away from Sunset who can only drop to her knees and burst into heartbroken tears over their broken friendship with the sad part, she didn’t even do anything to them this time. “…and that’s the whole story.” Sunset finished explaining. “Nobody will believe that I’m not Anon-a-miss…not even my friends. My former friends, I guess…” The others listening were left absolutely stunned and nearly heartbroken themselves. “Whoa…” “Dang…” “I’m so sorry, Sunset.” The three expressed with heartfelt sympathy. “It’s okay. It’s not like any of you have been put through the wringer like I have. And now I have no friends or family back there I can count on.” She looks on to Twilight before looking down feeling just torn up inside. “I’m just like you.” “It’ll be okay.” She attempted to assure her friend before sighing upon seeing her pain as she too has been there before. “Oh, I just wish there was something I can do to help you. It’s never easy to lose good friends.” “There was nothing you can do if were there. At least you had good reasons for turning evil while I was quick to get overly ambitious with Princess Celestia and then quickly turned into a mean and cruel bully antagonizing everyone around me there.” “Even so, I still didn’t have any excuse for what I did and neither did the girls back in Canterlot High. They had no right to treat and accuse you like that, Sunset. And unlike me once, you’re not alone. You’ve got a friend standing right here on your side.” “Make that two.” Spike stated equally supportive towards Sunset. “Make that three.” Rainbow stated while pounding her fists together eyeing the portal in front of her. “Not to mention I’ll be back in three minutes!” “Rainbow Dash!” Twilight’s voice called out to her just before she could enter the portal just a mill-fracture of an inch in front of her. She turned back to see her friend shaking her head against it along with pulling the plug on the portal to firmly state that’s a really bad idea. “We’re not doing that! If we do then we might never be able to help repair their friendship assuming the permanent damage hasn’t already been done! Besides we got other things to worry about.” “Like what?” Sunset curiously asked. “Ever since we last saw each other, Scar managed to escape Tartarus. He managed to regain some of his magic and has been using it to stay in contact with the Outsiders. He just recently ordered an attack at my brother’s wedding just yesterday on top of engineering the chaos that has happened in the Pride Lands.” “Can he do that?!” Sunset asked in shocked amazement of how relentless this guy is. “I’m afraid so.” She regretfully nodded. “Especially considering it’s endless and limitless magic we’re dealing with.” “What was he after?” She presented Kyoga’s necklace with her magic. “This alicorn amulet was what she was after.” “Really?” “No, because she had already obtained before hoof.” “That doesn’t make any sense.” “I know!” Rainbow threw her hoofs up in agreement before moving to hover over it. “I mean with all of the food and treasures at that wedding, why go through all of that trouble to stir up a scene for this?!” Said treasure produced a bright hot white blinding light causing everyone to don black shades to shield their eyes from the glare it produced when a visual of Twilight Sparkle herself appeared in the air before them. “Your question is mine to answer! Starlight Glimmer sought it out as part of her and Scar’s plan in targeting the destruction of Twilight Sparkle.” “Scar and Starlight Glimmer working together?!” Twilight asked. “Yep.” “Targeting the destruction of Twilight?!” Spike asked. “How is she and you…” Sunset asked looking rather confused between looking at Twilight herself and her astral projection. “Just an astral projection from the Tree of Harmony itself.” Twilight quickly and calmly explained. “Yep.” The astral projection nodded once more. “I see all that has been, and all that will be.” “Okay, so if that’s the case then tell us…” Rainbow moved to ask. “…what exactly are Scar and Starlight planning and what does it have to do with Twilight?” “They’re planning something big. Something unfortunate. Something that is…plainly unforgivable.” “Like what?” Spike asked. “Scorched earth, literally. Hurting her real bad. And by the end of it, nobody will remember her.” “Like anything specific?” Twilight asked feeling somewhat annoyed that there is not much to go on about. “All I can say about all of this is that they are seeking a very powerful source of magic. Somewhere far away from Equestria.” She moves her hooves to make a picture appear. It is a bright white shiny pearl located in a net of tentacles from somewhere underwater, where it looks like there is a kingdom down below there. It was there the gears starting turning in Twilight’s head as she recalled something when she away from Equestria during her self-exile. Back while training under Tempest Shadow she was performing an obstacle course where she had run across the beach all while fighting and fending herself off against the Storm Guard who tried to attack her from all angles. “More ferocious! More speed!” Tempest barked while observing the training session up closely. “I want to see you make quicker progress and those guards to go down hard!” The alicorn amped up the speed and intensity of her progress and attacks like she was ordered to. “Faster! Harder! Faster! Harder!” Upon approaching the finish line she is intercepted by one large guard who appears to impose a challenge to keep her from finishing the course in time given his size and the speed he used to cut her off. Twilight looked on without fear in her eyes as she worked up her magic to give herself a boost along with a powerful blast and punch to knock him out cold. And with another boost she was able to quickly cross the finish line unchallenged. After taking a minute to recover with some deep breaths along wiping the sweat off of her forehead, Tempest approached her with her usual stoic look. “Well done, Twilight, as always. But…there’s still room for improvement.” “Like what?” She asked while drinking her water. “The last guard before the finish line?” Tempest nodded. “Correct, Twilight. “ She moved to approach the same guard she just took down to give a proper demonstration. “While the use of magic was excellently used in a timely manner, it is utterly useless and can backfire on you if you don’t have it at your disposal. It isn’t a critique but something to keep in mind because there will come a time to where can’t rely on it all of the time.” “Okay.” Twilight accepted the criticism none of the less. “So, let’s say I come to this part again. How would you suggest I do it without magic?” “Like this.” Tempest demonstrated quickly charging at the guy before ducking when he moved to punch even managed to dodge the attempted swipe kick before finding himself on the receiving end of the swift kick to the face before she followed it up with a powering punch and kick to knock him out again while moving to leap across the finish line herself. “That’s what you need to strive for if you ever in that position.” “Got it.” She said very understanding of her point with her tone promising to make good on it going forward. “Good. Now get on over back to the starting line so you can do it again.” The two scarred ponies moved to make their way on over there all while walking and taking their time in mentally and physically preparing for another go. During which Twilight asked Tempest this question. “So given your past struggles with magic, has that ever happened to you before?” “Yes.” She replied while still looking on ahead. “Back when we were ironically trying to find powerful sources of magic that is capable of restoring of what I lost when I was young. I came across word that a nearby queen has this magical source of power that allows herself and her fellow ponies or more accurately hippogriffs to transform into seaponies…” She has a spark of magic ignite to make the sound of someone’s fingers snapping. “…just like that.” “Really? As powerful as you say it is?” “Oh yes. It really does work. That’s how and why they are living underwater in this very ocean right now. Of course that’s bound to happen when you try and fail to take it from her.” She personally recalled the beatings she endured after getting busted in the act after taking advantage of her hospitality that day. “Not to mention she is a very formidable fighter even without her magic.” “Ouch.” She cringed upon getting a feel of the pain Tempest went through back then. “That’s got to hurt!” “It did. Not helped when my usual spark didn’t ignite when I counted on it the most that would have allowed me to beat her. So yeah, be prepared to handle yourself without magic should it come down to that, or else you might as well put together your will and kiss your sorry flank goodbye.” “After hearing what you just said, you’ve certainly made your point crystal clear on that.” Twilight said with great understanding of her cautionary tale before moving to execute the combat exercise once more. “Twilight?” “Twilight?!” “TWILIGHT?!” The alicorn princess snapped out of her flashback episode. “Huh?! What?! Girls? Spike?” “You okay?” “Cause you looked like you were stuck in a trance for a second.” “Not by what Pinkie would say but more like spaced out there is what happened.” “I was.” She admitted. “Mainly because I think I now know what both Scar and Starlight are after.” The three all looked on wondering what it could be as they are all ears for whatever their friend has to say… …all while both Scar and Starlight witness the scene from the comforts of the caldera of the Outlands Volcano and judging from their pleased reactions everything is going down all according to plan. The next day, the four friends all set out towards the Equestrian border on past and beyond it while passing by the various places Twilight flew and traveled across when she left Equestria. Said places, included the hot desert to which they had plenty of water and covering attire to protect themselves from the scorching heat. Going through the thug village where thugs were intimidated by the scarred pony to wisely refrain from confronting her and her friends. In addition they were able to get a free boat no charge so they can scout their way on over to Mount Aris. Once they got nearby to the tallest mountain nearby along with the gloomy gray skies surrounding the area around them they started looking around for any signs of seaponies swimming around. “According to my research, they should be around here.” Twilight told everyone. “I wonder where they’re hiding?” “Well they’re definitely not around here.” Spike pointed out. “Though that’s pretty obvious right now.” “And they’re not flying around…” Rainbow reported while flying up high in the skies to make sure that’s the case. “…so that’s out of the air too…” She giggled at her own joke. “…so anyways, that must mean…” “…that our hipogriffs are underwater.” Sunset finished as she drew to the same conclusion too. “Then we better hold onto them when we get there.” Rainbow added while cracking another joke all while laughing at it once more. “Yeah you’re right, Rainbow Dash.” Spike agreed. “Because we’re going to need to if we’re going to see ponies.” Both he and Rainbow both shared a laugh together much to both Twilight and Sunset’s eye rolling annoyance. “Don’t you both think you’re jokes are going under…?” “…because it’s not like we’re getting a big wave of applause for these jokes?” “Or just drowning in general? Yeah that’s true blue.” Everyone went silent for a moment before they all burst out laughing together unable to resist laughing at their jokes. “Why are we laughing?! “They’re just so bad they’re so good!” “Twilight!” “Sunset!” Both Spike and Rainbow called out to them with sudden horrified reactions as big shadows loomed over their bodies. “What?” They asked in unison. They quick noticed the sudden shadows casting over them literally. “I’d hate to be abrupt. But I think mother nature has decided to cast a shadow on our ride.” “And by that we mean literally.” Both Rainbow and Spike pointed up to get them to see what they’re talking about. They look up and see a huge tidal wave about to swallow and wash them away. “Hang on!” Twilight quickly worked her magic to surround the group in a ball before quickly having it sprint on over to the nearby caves like a super speedy Rainbow Dash like motor boat. In the nick of time, they were all able to escape the tidal wave just before they could get caught up and washed away to an uncertain doom or worse, although they did get a splash that had them washing up ashore with nothing but wet soaking manes upon reaching dry land. “Phew! That was close!” “No kidding!” Both Spike and Rainbow shared in relief. “Are you sure we better off with just the four of us, Twilight?” Sunset asked feeling uncertain about this. “I mean it would probably go much smoother if we had the whole team backing us up.” “It would, but what we’re talking here is something none of them would want any part of.” Twilight asserted. “Both Beshte and Fluttershy would be heartbroken if we spat on their kindness. Applejack and Fuli would frown at the idea of dishonesty. Pinkie and Bunga would be the opposite of laughing about it. Rarity and Ono would take offense at the idea something not generous being committed. Kyoga would play the smart girl role and be like “I told you so.” about it. And Kion was just get all fiery furious and say we don’t belong in the Pride Lands and Equestria. As if getting yelled at by him wasn’t bad enough.” “Yes…they would.” Sunset couldn’t argue about it there as the similar pain is still raw in her mind while Twilight is feeling equally sore at Kion for what he said back then. “And they would slow us down from stopping an evil lion along with an equally evil unicorn who is trying to obtain and take over our kingdoms even if we told them." Rainbow added in her friend’s defense. “So yeah, someway somehow we got to get it before they do.” “And I’m sure if we explain ourselves and promise ourselves we will return it after we’re done with it, they’ll understand why we did what we did.” Spike reluctantly added in agreement though still very uncomfortable about the idea they already planning. “Mm-hmm.” Twilight agreed while a tad reluctant herself. “But with a do or die opportunity in front of us, how can any of us pass it up?” “When you put it like that, no reason at all…with the sole exception of digging into our past selves of course.” Sunset answered with no other reason to say otherwise. “I guess it’s a matter of being able to pull this all off without it backfiring on us in the slightest. Question is how?” Twilight gave it some thought as they moved to enter inside the cave leading into Mount Aris. “I think I might have an idea once we get there.” She said with a certain degree of confidence as they move to find the secret hiding area of the hippogriffs to obtain their special treasure before any harm can come to it. Meanwhile back in Canterlot, most the Lion and Pony Guard are all assisting the Royal Family with the wedding preparations. Much like the last attempt, Beshte is assisting Applejack with the catering prep along with the heavy lifting. Bunga is helping Pinkie deal with the party props. Ono is flying around overseeing the progress and being alert in case the Outsiders try to attack the castle again. Kyoga has been entrusted to organize the event in Twilight’s absence along with keeping watch alongside Fuli since she couldn’t coach Rainbow in her signature Super Sonic Rainboom flying in the latter’s absence. As for Kion he has pretty decided to watch from the sidelines given that he is still being resentful towards Twilight’s secrecy with nothing but the similar frown Twilight had when she correctly suspected something in regards to the changeling queen’s impersonation of the bride. He walked around just to make sure nothing’s wrong before carrying on. “Hey Kion!” Fuli greeted. “How are the others?” “Fine. Everything’s coming along together for the wedding. Hopefully the best mare of the wedding actually has the decently to show up.” “Of course she will. Why wouldn’t she?” Fuli was taken aback by her friend’s harsh words. “Maybe because she’s plotting to take over Equestria when we least expect it.” Kion bitterly replied much to Fuli’s shock. “Now come on, Kion. Don’t you think you’re too harsh on her. She didn’t know Bunga was stuck inside that vase when she was fighting Starlight.” “Of course she didn’t know. Just like she didn’t know about of what was happening around her when it happened. Just like she did when she turned against us when we least expected it. And just like she helped the most dangerous enemy conquer the Pride Lands only to get backstabbed when she least expected it right after stabbing us in the back!” “But she wouldn’t!” Fuli assertively stated back. “She’s a changed mare who’s making progress in turning herself around and just wants what is best for her brother who is trying to get married without anymore disputes going on around him and Cadance!” Kion scoffed in response as he briefly turned away. “What is your problem?! What else she did do to you that’s got you acting like this to her?!” Kion snapped as he turned back around. “You want to know my problem?! My problem is the fact that Twilight has been lying to us all this time. From keeping us in the dark of her plan to defeat Starlight, claiming she has her powers under control. She knew what would happen when Rainbow when crazy at the beginning of winter and that we were lying behind her back and somehow magically figured out that Beshte and Applejack were in danger. She knew when she could have told sooner and prevented what happened yesterday from even happening! That’s why!” His outburst not only had Fuli looking on in stunned shock with how unexpected it came, but it also caught the attention of Kyoga and Shining Armor when the latter just happened to come by to check up the girls. “Kion? Fuli? Is everything okay?” The tall unicorn asked. “No, we’re not.” Fuli answered while looking on very disappointed with Kion right now. “And why you may ask, is because Kion here is apparently very distrustful towards your sister ever since she was reformed.” “Kion? Is this true?” Shining Armor inquired expecting an honest answer at the same time the rest of the Guard present showed up to investigate the source and reason for the sudden shouting they heard across the castle but out of respect for the two watched from afar while Fuli stepped to the side. “Yes.” He reluctantly replied. “I think you heard me if I was that loud.” The groom was a little put off before moving to be firm with him. “Well, if you want me to hear you out reasonably about my sister, I’m going to have to insist that you be more specific.” Upon seeing the stern look from the stallion’s face him had the young lion remind himself that he needs to choose his next words very carefully to avoid what Twilight endured back at the wedding rehearsal from the first attempted wedding. “Well…it’s nothing…very personal…it’s just…considering that Twilight seems to know exactly what will happen next as far as the Outsiders are considered…it’s like she always knows what is going to happen before it happens. You know what I mean?” “Yes, I do.” Shining replied while softening up a bit. “And it’s also a matter of wanting her to be more honest with you, isn’t it?” “Yes. How did you…” “Because I’ve been there before in regards to this wedding. It wasn’t up until the day it was going to happen that she found out I was getting married and that really was admittedly a mistake on my part. From carrying out my duties to the Royal Guard to needing time to unwind somewhere in between proposing to Cadance and the wedding I didn’t have or more accurately made the time to tell her myself. It would seem my letter to her never made it to her given how upset she was when she first saw me that day.” “You wrote her a letter during your spare time?” “Yes I did.” “And she never got your letter?” “No. I sent it to her right after I proposed to Cadance. Right after Twilight left for Ponyville. Though I wonder…” “…if Scar had something to do with that?” “Or maybe something your mailpony did? I’ve heard of how…clumsy she can be.” “True.” But none of the less the point about the desired honesty still remains. “It’s just whether or not she had a reason to keep us in the dark I just feel that she could have been a little more honest and open with us.” Applejack looked on very understanding as he listen in to their conversation. “Mighty understandable, partner.” Applejack said deciding to chime in on their conversation at that moment. “I might yes she should have been told the truth a little more, but I can understand on some cases whenever she decides not to tell the truth and maybe she did have a good reason for not telling us when she should have. I mean it’s hard and I’ve been there done that on occasion. In fact I actually told quite a few whoppers back when I was young.” “A few…” Kyoga looked on like she is pulling their legs with that statement. “Okay, okay, a lot of whoppers when I was young.” She corrected herself. “But all that aside I feel that there is more truth to her story than she is telling. Point being, maybe we shouldn’t be too hard and pushing towards her into telling us the whole story. Chances are there is something about her story that she just isn’t feeling comfortable about sharing with us.” “Exactly, darling.” Rarity agreed. “Whenever she feels comfortable telling us she’ll tell us.” “And we’ll hear her out no matter what.” Fluttershy added. “And if it’s something really funny and after all of this, we’ll all have a good laugh about it!” Pinkie cheerfully stated before having a melody feeling inside of her. “In fact, I feel a much-needed song coming out of me!” Music started playing around them as a set of instruments were used to strum up said song. All while Pinkie sings with stars floating around them and on them from wearing a red robe with a tall blue hat, to wearing a half-horse costume carrying a bow and arrow, to a simple Greek robe. “It's a big, bright, beautiful future Thank your lucky stars you're alive! Ya got someone special to talk to A friend that you can trust for life!” She then fantasizes both Kion, Shining Armor, and Twilight spending time together while literally roping them in with one of the stallion’s ties. “She's been living on her own With no friendly ties But those solo days are done You'll be two of a kind Spending quality time Together As brother and sister!” She then continues while working her imagination in her fantasy magic. A fantasy where Kion, Twilight, and Shining Armor are bonding together over fun time and work time related events. “Flying paper kites Takin' sky flights Workin' hoof in hoof Paintin' the castle, mowin' the grass First at ten-to-go With your brother and sister-o.” During the football game, Pinkie literally holds a mallet over the field before the three find themselves in for a ride in a ship in space. “Once you break the ice You can postulate sibling advice See, you're traveling at the speed of light, that's the theory of relatives!” The four all return to Earth in the fantasy world where Kion is greeted to Pinkie holding up a foal and a cub for him to hold. “It's a fine, fantabulous future I see fruit on the family tree You'll be great as a cool uncle Bouncing cubs and foals on your knee!” While watching on Princess Cadance felt a little discomfort on her stomach during that last verse but still smiled knowing what this means. Next up both boys and girls are all on the court playing a basketball game. Both Kion and Shining Armor. Twilight and Pinkie Pie. Both pairs trading baskets and blocks in a family friendly manner and having fun together. “You can fall asleep on the comfy couch After playin' one-on-one Or two-to-two Dremain' back-to-back, That you walloped the Shaq Together As brother and sister!” During the part where they are somehow riding bumper cars both Shining Armor and Kion took this time to each sing a verse themselves. “May be a bumpy ride.” “We'll make it side-by-side.” Next thing they know they see Pinkie dressed up as a travel guide about to ride down a steep downhill slope on a roller coaster with a Twilight doll appearing in between them. “Good afternoon, I'll be your travel guide Move over, Kion, Make room for your sister-o! You got a whole new shoulder to cry on Take a chance, now give it a spin You've had chums for pallin' around with But you never had a friend like her!” After making paper cutout dolls of Kion, Twilight, and Shining Armor, Pinkie then gave it her all in her big finale just when Kion runs up to join the white stallion again. “Put her checkered past behind you now No more seeing her livin' on the run Face the big, bright, beautiful future Together... together... together... together... As brother and sister!” “Yeah.” Kion said starting to feel that he was being too hard on Twilight. “Couldn’t have said it any better!” “Exactly!” Pinkie stated happily. “Just you wait! When Twilight gets back along with Rainbow and Spike! All will be all smiles and laughter again!” "And I can promise for a fact that Twilight will be back in time for the wedding." Shining further assured. "And after what would the wedding be without the mare who made this all possible?" Kion smiled in agreement upon seeing and hearing her words thinking the same way already ready to apologize to Twilight the second she comes back. Although little do they know that some things are easier said than done. At least not yet, especially where both Scar and Starlight are concerned... Scar chuckled in amusement while spying on their conversation inside the caldera. “Truer words have never been spoken, Pinkie Pie. Only that it not’s going down exactly how think it’ll turn out…” “Especially when there’s something fishy afloat…” Starlight mischievously added while eyeing the four travelers about to approach the pool of water which may be their best chances at finding this special kingdom that they are looking for. “…or more accurately right under their noses.” Scar could only shake his head in response before replying. “Especially when you know what’s coming next for our dear friend Twilight Sparkle.” “Oh yes, Scar, because this is the part where things start to get a little heated for our treasure hunters.” Starlight maliciously remarked while ready to watch the next part of their plan as they look on a sparkling kingdom that awaits them. “And I don’t mean it in a good way.” “Indeed it won’t…” Before tackling the water, Twilight used her magic to place scuba and diving gear around their bodies so they can properly breathe underwater. After sharing a look of confirmation Twilight led the way by diving into the pool with the others following after her. And before they knew it they were all sucked down the drain one by one as they are transported to their destination down below. When they reached the end of the whirl pool, they were right in front of the hidden entrance where the kingdom they were looking for has appeared before their very eyes. And when they floated on inside, they came across a beautifully elegant throne room complete with decorations and accessories beyond their imagination. And up high towards the ceiling lies what is definitely the kingdom’s most prized possession of their ruler. A bright white and shiny magical pearl. The one that their enemies are looking for and seeking to obtain…